GOSH Birthmark update

Last week Harry had his second appointment at GOSH regarding his birthmark. They first time we visited he was only 3 months old, and only weighed 8lbs! We had no idea what they were going to do at the appointment. 2 years ago the doctor gave us a couple of sheets of paper about laser surgery, explaining they'd do a test patch and we needed to take an unscented cream with us. Luckily we have been trialling Eucerin Aquaphor Soothing Skin Balm, and it's been in my handbag as a one for all wonder cream. It literally does everything from lips to baby bums. 

Gavin had suggested that she might have given us the paperwork because they would be doing the test patch that day. It completely threw me as it's not what I mentally prepared myself for. Of course because their was such uncertainty, I barely slept the night before, and had a very tearful morning. 

It turns out that I had got myself in a state for nothing. She literally compared the photographs they took before, with what it looked like now. 

The next steps...

We will be sent an appointment for April/May time for a test patch to be completed. We then have to return for them to review the results. Then he will be booked in for the surgeries under general anaesthetic. He will be required to have four surgeries over 18 months. 

Last time the doctor was pretty forceful with Gav and I, and basically bulldozed her "why wouldn't you" opinion on us.  This time she was really wishy washy, and implied that Gav and I had pushed the matter previously. Which totally wasn't the case, as I was in such denial that it would go on its own. 

It's one of those horrible situations where if we don't do it, he will moan that we didn't do something when her was younger, and if we do go ahead he will think we didn't think he was beautiful with it. I must make it clear, that it's not for aesthetic appearance. There is a risk that when Harry gets older his birthmark could form a 'cobblestone' effect, which means it becomes uneven and they bleed. 

We have asked to go ahead with the patch test (rightly or wrongly), and take it from there.

I've had a few parents come across my previous post message me. I'd love some reassurance that we're doing the right thing. 

Thank you for reading,

Hayley 

x

My hubby and his love of BBQs

If you know us well, you'd know that Gavin LOVES barbecues. When I say LOVE I mean it. We have lived together for 8 years, and every year he will buy at least one, sometimes three new BBQs! Apparently they all have their uses, but for as long as I have known him he has wanted Weber BBQ. I was never keen on him spending that much on a summer fad, so at the beginning of the spring I made a deal with him to sell his current hoard, and he could then purchase one. Well to my surprise, he began listing them on Facebook Market place, and people were snapping them up. 

He then got to buy his dream BBQ. We bought a Weber Spirit Gas BBQ.

He then was super lucky, and won a competition for a sear grate accessory (thanks again Riverside Garden Centre!)

Over the summer he began really taking a passion for cooking, and during our long heat wave we barely turned the oven on. Here's a selection of my favourites..

He bought a few more accessories to perfect some of his dishes. Luckily for him, we have Riverside Garden centre just up the road from us, and this shop is like a BBQ lovers dream! He has bought some weber tools, a griddle plate and even came across some reduced to clear stainless steel grills in the local garden centre at a rock bottom price! I've never seen him so happy.. He is now on the look out for a thermometer to help perfect his dishes! I didn't know that there were SO many different thermometers..

At the end of the summer he then also purchased the Weber Go-Anywhere coal BBQ (because he can't possibly just have one BBQ!)

I have to be honest though.. When I saw the BergHOFF bbq in orange in John Lewis I fell in love with it. If we were to have a big garden I'd like one of those, just because it's beautiful😂 (...bUT shhh don't tell the hubby) 

Shopping Small Gift Inspiration

If you follow me on Instagram, you'll know I'm a huge fan of supporting small businesses. I love the fact its a real person that is excited about their product, and they tend to do things a little bit different to the high street. Here's a selection of products that have recently caught my eye:

For the Kids

How about getting some crayons made 

in your child's favourite animals etc? 

Here's my favourites from Crayation Station 

I'm a huge fan of Ned the Robot. 

He's the wonderful creation from Rudi and Bear 

What a lovely touch to bedtimes 

with a personalised book pillow 

from Hummingbirdbyvictoria 

Child specific Bath Treats 

from Miniuforkids

A personalised backpack in a fantastic 

range designs available from heavensentbabygifts 

(use code O&H10 for discount)

How cool would your little one 

look in one of these personalised 

caps from Marloweville

If your child is school age, or you 
like to keep their bits organised, maybe a 
personalised pencil case from Primrose and Bear

For the Men

Candles aren't just for the ladies. 
This Gin & Bear It Candle has a perfect 

masculine touch from Atria Fragrance

Or if you're not a fan of your man 

with a beard, why not buy a luxury 

shaving set from Eco-tots

Why not an insulated bottle from Sho 

Why not try Tubby Toms Sauces? 

How hot will they manage?

We are a huge fan on Meat Rubs in our 

house, especially this one 

from Jack Meat Shack

On the topic of cooking, 

how about a Thermapen food thermometer?

For the Ladies

Why not get her a Candle or some 

Wax Melts in her favourite smell? 

Wax Delights offers some fantastic dupes

A brilliant organiser that literally 

thinks of everything from Lovefrombea 

The perfect grab bag for her 

from Tiny Tot Tribe - Check out her website. 

Fantastic products for all the family!

(Use code CraigTwins10 for discount)

For all those Instaspammer Mums, 

how about a funky phone grip 

from One Strong Mumma 

How about a cute quote or 

personalised family names 

from With Love Teddy 

Why not treat her to a gorgeous 

bath bomb (or 3) from 

nuttylittleluxuries 

Chocolate is always the way 

to a woman heart, but how about 

hot chocolate from Choc-o-mine

Who would want one of these bath 

boards after a long day, 

to soak the troubles away. 

Available from bathboards

A fantastic mug for all mums 

from Lauren Dwyer 

(Use code CraigTwins10 for discount)

If you are a small shop, and would like to collaborate with us, please drop me an email craigfamilyblog@gmail.com ❤️

Have you ever wondered what my C-Section scar looks like?

When I was advised at my 12 week appointment that most identical twin pregnancies result in csection my heart broke a little.  I had hopes of having a water birth, with both my husband and mum present, but maybe that wasn’t to be.

At 18 weeks, after reading A LOT online I’d decided I wanted a csection as the risks of times between deliveries etc seemed too high. I’m not going to lie, I was terrified.  I then spent hours watching YouTube videos of people showing and discussing their scars etc. This made me feel the worst. I had to come round to the fact that my body was never going to look like it did before. I would probably have stretch marks, saggy skin and a scar, but some of them were pretty horrific.

I was told horror story after horror story of what had happened ‘to their friend’... “she had be cut in both directions. Will they do that for twins?” “She decided to drive too early, and when she had to do an emergency stop it ripped open”😷!

I was so worried, and on occasions when the operation was discussed I’d burst into tears. I was also anxious about having to sit still for the epidural! 

If you read my previous posts you’d know I went into premature labour at 34 weeks. Thankfully I was in too much pain to worry, and literally walked myself to theatre. My contractions were coming every 2 minutes and lasting 30 seconds. I was panicking so much, I begged for them to take the pain away and get the babies out safe ASAP!

For the first 48 hours it was covered by a large dressing, and Gavin or my mum pushed me from the ward to neonatal in a wheelchair. After that I was then advised by the nurses to remove the dressing and I was allowed to shower. It was pretty uncomfortable, but luckily my mum was there to help with the tugging. It was quite a site initially, and the stitches were very visible. I had a bead at one end that kept catching everything 😔 

For advice for this stage, check out my previous post: http://craigtwinsuk.blogspot.co.uk/2016/08/caesarean-section-advice.html?m=1

After a week I had the stitches removed, which literally involves them cutting off the bead and tugging out the stitch from one side. The pulling made me feel a bit light headed, but I’m a bit squeamish with that sort of thing. BUT it was already starting to look okay! 

Some months past and I religiously used bio-oil on my tummy and scar. I did get a small infection in the wound, but I was brave and squeezed out the nasty stuff and it did the trick! The healing process seemed to speed up after that point.

Now the bit you’ve all been waiting for! This is what it looks like 2 years on...

Of course you can still see it. But on holiday etc, it’s hidden under my bikini. And I'd do it all over again to have my beautiful boys! I hope that someone in the same position as me 2.5 years ago, frantically googling 'c-section scars' will see this, and it will reassure them that some really do look okay!

Childs Farm Review

As some of you may already know, Harry has a birthmark covering most his lower half. At birth he was referred to GOSH for on going treatment. It’s so far not really caused him any issues, but at the beginning of the year the poor love started to get #eczema on the backs of his legs, which made his birthmark look more angry than usual. I was keen to get on top of it, before his treatment begins. I though the sun would help, but unfortunately not. @childsfarm kindly #gifted us a bubble bath and moisturiser. It might be complete fluke, but in just a month it looks so much better. If your child is struggling, I’d highly recommend giving it a go 💛