Queen how fantastic you have her now and while obviously big babies bring their own problems in labour (voice of bitter experience due to ds2's massive size) it is so comforting in the newborn days to think how strong and robust they are. Sounds as if the early part of hos was pretty stressful, wtf were they going to do with new people starting labour if they shut down?? You sound very happy, hope ds takes to his new dsis and that you all enjoy a nice time at home together now. Really pleased for you 
Crispy you smartarse handcarved potato slice thanks for your tender words of wisdom. 
Apart from that I do admit you are a legend (in ds1 parlance) and deserve a really treaty birthday (and sounds as if you are getting it!!). Hope dh in good/better form now and able to enjoy it with you. Send you both a hug .
Your poor dad though, parents being ill is so distressing. dp's dad is ill at the mo so lots of sympathy from here. Winter is such a nightmare for older people with any kind of tendency to lung stuff, hopefully there will be some snowdrops around soon to give your pa a tiny glimpse of a warm spring on the way.
Have made Vic sponge for sister's birthday & peanut biscuits, trying to think of something interesting to do with a sandwich for birthday tea.
I didn't mean to draw unwarranted sympathy, when I said find it difficult to post at the moment I didn't mean due to emotional blockage more time constraints and the usual thing of having missed 3 days then feeling would be rude to contribute without having read back, not having time to do so, starting, getting called away, not finishing, blah blah and also any computer time I get I have to work. All rather dull.