To the support crew

We seem to still be on track for a mid to late next week release from jail. Sophie had 5 successful breast feeds yesterday and is on track for another 5 today, she will need to be up to 8 or 9 by go home time. We are very much in the routine of things at the moment, I suppose that given long enough you will eventually get used to anything! It is good knowing that there is an end in sight, and having a clear path to travel to achieve it is reassuring.

Bath Time again!

Hanging with Mum.

When we chose to come back to New Zealand, we chose New Plymouth to come back to because our main motivators in coming back to NZ were to have a safer and more child friendly environment in which to raise our children and because of the proximity to family and friends. The best decision we ever made.

How could we possibly be where we are today without the extraordinary level of support and help we have received from others. So here we go, and please note in no particular order of importance.

The staff of the hospital. Although we have been let down by them in a most spectacular way in the past, it is likely that this was the failing of an individual. The neonatal unit nurses have been our lifeline, so knowledgeable, helpful, caring and professional, always there for us to ask questions and never failing in their sterling unremitting level of care. The Doctors although largely absent, nameless and unknown to us should get a mention too.

Angie, I know I have mentioned you before but without you where would we be? I don't care to think about it, so thanks again.

Harry and Bertie, how could you ask for better Grandparents? Harry who has been like a surrogate Father to me when my own father could not be there, always there for help and advice, always able to fix it whatever might be broken and who could deny his amazing efforts in transforming our home? Bertie always there for Deb, her friend and mentor as well as Mother, she has selflessly helped keep us sane during this hard time and enabled Deb to concentrate on Sophie by taking over Debs flowers for her while she can't.

Mum, what can I say? Our very own Matriarch. Always the first person there for me to turn to in times of strife, always there to pick up the pieces and be a shoulder to cry on. For coming to us, for being there, for being you, thankyou.

The Hara crew, Maria, Jo, Beck and families. For coming despite the distance and inconvenience, for making us part of the family. You make our family what it is, keep on doing what you do guys, we are proud to be part of you.

Family further afield. Rach, Pete, Lorisa and families, advice and support from round the globe! We know that you would be here more if you could, and you will in time.

The Staff and Management at Taranaki Medlab, special mentions to Joy and John. They have made my life so much less stressful and difficult by being the most reasonable, flexible and understanding employers that a person could hope for.

Everyone who has given us gifts. Everyone we know has been incredibly generous, it is staggering the amount of gifts we have recieved. We hope to return the generosity someday to all of you, but it will take some doing.

To all our friends and visitors, we appreciate the support you have shown us just by coming to see us, or being someone to talk to.

And finally everyone who I have forgotten to mention, I have a memory like a sieve and so am bound to have forgotten someone who deserves a personal mention.

Thankyou!

I feel like the recipient of a TV or Movie award, only with a much better prize!