Now I am one. The next thread for Beatrice.

[cupofteaplease]

So, Beatrice is now 13 months old and developing slowly but surely. She brings joy to everyone she meets and makes my heart swell with pride.

At the moment, she is very poorly in hospital. She appears to have overcome pneumonia, but the remaining secretions are causing her huge problems. Her airway blocks at random with a mucous plug and she has had to be revived with a bag and mask 3 times in the past 24 hours. Naturally, I am in a permanent state of anxiety at the moment. I just want Beatrice home again. We have so many more memories to make.

Please spare a thought for Beatrice's sisters if you can- they too are poorly with a sickness bug and all they really want right now is cuddles with Mummy.

Life is tough right now, but nobody said it would be easy...

Thank you for letting us help, Cup xxx

Sussiq

Cup, Bea has touched so many of us - I know I am not a regular 'follower' on her threads, but I think of you all so often. And love seeing new photos of her on your profile .
And I am totally at the fact that she is now 1!! Well done, all of you; what a year you've all had.
I wish there were medals or OBEs or summat for living the heroic life you have lived since (before) Bea's arrival. And how she has astounded everyone - I hope she gets better v soon, gets rid of pesky secretions and is back home with you soon xx.

Thank you Pacific. It's funny that you say well done. A respiratory consultant saw Beatrice this week (well actually she helped to resuscitate Beatrice this week ) and she came to see me afterwards for a chat. She hadn't seen Bea since she was 4 months old. The consultant said, 'You've done so well to keep her out of hospital, you've really done well.' I was completely taken aback and didn't really know what to say! I've not done well, it's all Beatrice! What can I do to change her fate other than saturate her with masses of love, and who doesn't do that for their child?

Anyway, thank you for the well dones and the comments of 'I don't know how you do it' (2 nurses yesterday ) I think you just do, don't you. Of course, there are always periods where it all falls apart and you question your strength and sanity...

Right, enough naval-gazing. My baby is saturating well and comfortable, so I'm going to shut my eyes before she wakes and needs attention.

hope you both sleep well tonight x

And with that, she's woken up!

Never fails, does it - I swear babies know when mum wants/needs a bit of shut eye. Hope you get some rest eventually.

Hope she lets you get some sleep soon! Thinking of you all xx

Hope Bea has a settled night and that you get some sleep.
And the Consultant was right - you have "done well". You have been alert and tuned in to Bea's needs and health. You have judged when things are stable and when a hospital visit is needed. There is an art to that and it only happens when you are switched on to your daughters needs. Yes, other parents smother their baby with love, but with a baby like Bea it takes much more.
Accept those 'pats on the back' - I know it sounds strange to hear people praise you for what you just see as your job, but it is because of the love, care and dedication that you have shown that means she is still here - and long may that continue.

Another long time lurker coming out of the woodwork. I can remember your first posts when you didn't think Bea would make it through the first 13 days, let alone 13 weeks and now 13 months.

I think you are right that you just play the hand you have been dealt with as best you can. For us 'strangers' reading about Bea and your older daughters and having the privilege to share your ups and downs with you and your family, we gain so much. The power of love, in the words of the song, goes a long way and all of us who read your posts have been touched in so many ways.

I understand that on a day to day basis life throws you curve balls but Bea has, and still does, touch the hearts of so many who have never met her in real life and the one thing that shines through stronger than anything else is the amount of love that she gives and receives. She really is a special little girl.

Take care of all the teaset x

Still rooting for Bea, still thinking of her and all of you and hoping that she stabilises soon.

I have checking back regularly to see how she is doing. Thoughts and prayers are with you. Small contribution on its way.

Hope you and Bea have a good night. I agree that you have done well. And so has Bea and the rest of the Tea Set. xxx

She's in a bad way- back in HDU on 15litres o2. No idea what's going on, but I feel terribly sad. Not frightened, just sad.

Oh, Cup.

Sending lots of hugs and prayers for you all.

Oh cup, you're really going through the mill... Wish there was something we could say, or do, that would actually make a difference. Hang on in there little Bea

Still praying.
Love and light.

Keeping you all in my thoughts here

Cup, haven't posted for a while, but thoughts are with you today. Sorry you are having to cope with this horrible time while moving house too. Bea is a truly lucky girl. Even if this seems 'normal' to you, it is extraordinary, and you are an inspiration in the way you deal with it.

wishing you all love and luck Cup, as always xxx

Oh no, lots of love and prayers coming your way for you both. x

Thinking of you all. Positive vibes being sent your way x

Cup thinking of you all and praying that Bea shows her usual strength and determination.
Hope there is someone with you who can give you a real life hug as I'm not sure MN ((((hugs))) are the same at times like this., but sending them anyway!

Sending lots of love your way Cup. xxx

Prayers continuing. Prayers for peace, for light, for hope

Praying hard for Bea. xxx