Just one of those weeks!

This weeks been hard on both myself and Ethan. With a few new things added into our routine it's been hard to adjust.

Two weeks ago saw the start of myself going back to work 3 mornings a week and Ethan starting a new preschool two days a week. The first week went extremely well. I was in bed by nine having had Ethan settled by half 7 every night. Yes we were still up at 5 but that was ok because I was getting enough sleep. Washing was done, house work was up to date and lunch boxes were ready when they needed to be!! I thought this is going to be fine when I go back to uni! Then this week arrived!!

Monday was good then it started to go downhill Tuesday! I over did it trying to decorate Ethan's bedroom. I needed to get this done before the ceiling tracks come as won't be able to do this as easy when their in. I did two coats on two walls on Tuesday then finished the other two walls on Thursday. Ethan decided this week he didn't really need sleep so didn't settle until late then had disturbed nights and got up some mornings from 3 and 4! Then I woke up Friday with a very painful neck and shoulder unable to move properly followed by Ethan waking with a seizure which proved hard work for me that day. So luckily my knight in shining armour came to help out for a few hours in the afternoon (Steve)! After a hard day I thought a good nights sleep would help but no I woke up feeling worse! Ethan had another seizure then proceeded to be unsettled all day having small seizures. Last night he was sick and had a temperature.

This morning I woke up feeling better but still with a stiff neck and painful shoulder although much better than it has been. I took Ethan to PAU (paediatric assessment unit) at the hospital. I could've taken him to the out of hours doctors but I knew they wouldn't be able to put up his seizure meds up if Eth needed them to be put up. After examining Ethan the doctor said he had a throat virus which would explain the temp and increased seizures. He also put Ethan's seizure meds up slightly as he hadn't had a change in meds for a while. I'm always reluctant to do this so I leave it until it really needs to be done. As Ethan grows rapidly the meds need to be increased but this hasn't been done for quite a while so I decided we could go up a bit. Hopefully with paracetamol, cuddles and an increase in seizure meds we should see an improvement in a few days.

With a hard and tiring week which has seen Ethan poorly, a lack of sleep, complete disorganisation, a phone in sick to work to look after Ethan, Ethan missing his last ever day at the special needs preschool and a cancelled trip to longleat with friends it's left me questioning whether I'm ready to go back to uni and add even more stress into this already complicated routine!! So after a lot of thought I will be talking to the uni tomorrow to see if I can defer my place until next year. This will give us time to adjust to me being back at work part time and Ethan doing more hours at just one preschool now, then when Ethan goes to school full time next year I will hopefully be ready to give my degree the full attention that it will need.

I'm very grateful this week for all those who have helped pick up medicines (Karen), shopping (Gemma) or helped look after us (mum and Steve) and those who have cheered me up (Faye Freya and river!). So here's to what will hopefully be a more settled week which will end on Friday with a relaxing trip to the children's hospice and a much needed break for the weekend!

Making memories

What a wonderful summer we have had making memories. We've had wonderful trips out to various places (well mostly wonderful trips!! One bad experience at the sea life centre!!). We arranged to spend at least one day a week with Ethan's best buddy Samuel. This has worked up until the last week when neither of the boys were up to meeting due to colds. The boys have loved spending time together. We've spent time in Samuel's Nannys hot tub, playing at the park, walk around nine springs,  sealife centre, activity day at fiveways and play days at both of our houses.
We have also enjoyed a trip to longleat with our friends Kate and Jess, a trip to Weymouth to see the carnival and fireworks with our lovely friends and been to visit lots of friends and family.

I have really enjoyed spending time with my special little man. I wanted to make his time off from preschool really special. In amongst days out we've had some lovely days chilling at home and exploring different messy activities. I've loved seeing his face light up when he's enjoying something, which has been a lot.

In amongst these lovely times there have been some hard times too!! Ethan doesn't like the heat so the first few weeks he really struggled to sleep and even with the cooler weather he's still struggled to sleep. He's not been settling down to sleep until gone ten most nights and then still waking up by 5. This has been pretty full on with no sleep but it could be worse!! On a plus he's only had one seizure which has been good and has now done 3 weeks without one so far.

During the week I'm used to having a bit of respite 3 mornings a week while Ethan is at preschool just to get on with jobs or catch up with sleep. Loosing this during the summer has been hard as the one day Ethan's with his dad has been filled with everything I need to get done plus trying to have some time to myself. As much as I've loved spending time with Ethan it's been very full on. I'm looking forward to getting back into a routine in September even though it may get a little crazy soon! I passed my foundation degree In early years a couple of years ago and after a year off and a year trying to get a c in my gcse maths so I could get onto the top up course I've finally done it and am back to uni in September. I'm also starting volunteering for a few mornings a week at the local children's centre. While this is all very exciting I am also very scared as it will be pretty full on for us but its something I need to do to make our future better.

This week Ethan goes back to preschool two mornings a week then the following week he starts his new preschool and will begin another two mornings at a mainstream preschool which will be gradually built up to him doing a full day twice a week. I'm very excited for this new change for Ethan. I wanted to add in extra hours for him so that he gets used to it before he starts school the following year. He will be attending his special preschool for 6 hours a week and the mainstream one for 12 hours. Hopefully this will help his development and will also give me time to study, work and get the housework done!

We are off for one more day trip to longleat tomorrow as our last summer holiday treat and to make the most of our annual passes. Then it's all go from Wednesday. Here's to fun, excitement, scary times and a better future!!