Sickness Bug

Imogen finally went back to school last Thursday for a full day as she did a couple of half days first. On Sunday she did brill with her eating and ate a full banana, which is a huge record as normally she would only eat about half an inch. Then on Sunday night started with stomach cramps and she was a bit sick, by Monday nothing was staying down and the cramps were quite bad. So another 2 days off school. She is fine now, back at school today.

We went to parents evening on Wednesday, her teachers said she is doing really well with her reading and numeracy, being above average. But her writing has slipped a bit so we are going to do 10 mins every night of writing at home to bring her back to the standard she was at.

On Saturday Imogen and I are going to Gullivers world (Barry is unfortunately working, and will miss the grand day out), meeting up with Kay and kids, Sharron and kids, then all of us back to Sharrons for tea. She is very excited, and easily used as bribery to be good all this week. I will put some pics of us having fun at Gullys when I get chance.

Anyway, my bed is calling so will say bye for now and update next week.

Lindsey x

Few days in Hospital

Well, we have gone from going to see the consultant every 12 months instead of 6 to a few days stay in hospital!! Imogen has been poorly for a few days last week and by Wednesday she was struggling a bit with her breathing and needed her oxygen on, much to her disapproval. We saw Imogens consultant (that we only saw week before) when we got there on the assessment unit, which was lucky as then we didnt have to go through all Imogens medical history. She admitted her to the childrens ward and she needed an IV line in for antibiotics. That didnt go down too well with Imogen. We stayed in for 3 nights, cant complain as she has not been admitted for about 3 years. On Saturday afternoon we were allowed home as she was off her oxygen and doing loads better. She didnt want to come home as she was happy watching tv and dvds all day!! Anyway, Saturday night was a full nights sleep back in our own beds. Blissful.

Tarra for know, will keep you all posted how the patient is.

Consultant Visit

10th March sees Imogens 6 month check up with Dr Peckham at Lancaster Hospital. Always feels like 2 months since the last appointment, time just goes by so fast. Anyway she is always pleased to see Imogen, she was the consultant at Lancaster the morning she was born so she has always took an interest in her.
She does her usual, goes through Imogens medication, how much milk she has overnight, and how she is doing generally.
Imogen has put some weight on recently so is finally up to 16Kg, seems like she has been 15KG for ages.
She notices an improvement in her eating that we probably dont see and what we said she now does since our last visit is quite a big improvement. Well its quite big for Imogens standards anyway. Main thing is she was so pleased with Imogens overall progress we dont need to see her now for 12 months, unless we are worried about anything, so good news really.

She has gone to bed not very well tonight. She was a bit sick this morning with her reflux, we always know when she is coming down with something as the reflux comes first. Her throat sounds quite scratchy when she cried just before, so maybe getting a cold and sore throat.

I have been working on Imogens other website tonight, I havent really done anything to it for quite a while so need to get back on with it. Took most of tonight just researching a few more CDH family blogs to put on it. Need to tweak the text colour. But its coming along. The Url is www.imogendyson.com
If you are a CDH family reading our blog, please contact us and we will put your link on our blog.

Thats all today
Lindsey

Our Holiday to Perth, Scotland.

Hello all,


We've been on holiday and had a fantastic time. It went too fast as per usual and as much as we love being at home, we do like being away.

We have been to Perth, Scotland and stayed in a lovely cottage at Scone (pronounced Scoon) for a week. This cottage is a little gem and we will certainly return. Here's what we did.


















Friday - set off at midday. We took Imogen out of school early and hot footed up to the cottage. Unfortunately, Imogen was feeling pretty lousy on the way up. Didn't stop her watching 2 dvd's on the way though. When we arrived at tea time, she had a temperature and really felt sorry for herself. Anyway, we dosed her up on medicine, put her to bed and crossed our fingers.

Saturday - Bloody marvelous is that Mediced Nurofen cocktail.. Imogen was much better, although she was a bit snotty but felt loads better. Didn't do much this day but had to go and do some grocery shopping at Tesco for the week. We then went in to Perth and had a coffee and did some shopping.

Sunday - By Sunday, Imogen was still feeling better but had lost her voice. Blissful to Mummy and Daddy. Sounded a bit Mariella Frostrup whispering. Any road, we went to Noah's Ark in Perth. We went here a couple of years ago when we stayed at Auchterarder. Basically it has 10 pin bowling, Karting and soft play area. The soft play area was under refurbishment but there was still enough to do. I (Daddy) won the bowling (twice). Imogen was second twice. I think Mummy was putting some in the gutter deliberately. Me, well I'm in it to win it! It's no good for children, they need to realise that it not the winning...



















Then Imogen donned her helmet and was co driver having two goes in the karts. Later that evening we went to The Wheel Inn in Scone and had a lovely meal. Recommended if people have found this blog by searching for it.















Monday - We went to The falls of Dochart, Killin. This is about 40 miles west of Perth. We went to meet Mickey, Simon and their kiddies Ella and Joel. They were staying 40 miles north of there and agreed to meet up for dinner. Another recommendation is Killin Hotel where we found a cosy bar and had a big meal. I think we all plumped for fat dude burgers, very good value. There was a great big log fire with young lass hogging it on her tod. So I said, "I'm sorry dear, I'm gonna have to move you". This was tongue in cheek, with a smile on my face. The female smiled and agreed to move. Then Linz pepped up and said she couldn't do that. So I said, "No no it's Ok, was only joking". Now me, I would happily have turfed her out if she had insisted. 5 mins later she was gone of her own accord and in jumps another couple (drat it).
















The phone is his Dad's by the way.


















Tuesday - We went to watch Yogi Bear at the pictures in Perth. Seemingly this had bad reviews, but it wasn't that bad. If you've ever seen the Garfield movies, it's the same sort of juvenile silliness. Imogen liked it so it was fine. We then took her to the local museum in Perth. We thought Imogen would not take to it but as it was lousy weather had to do something. As it happens, she was quite inquisitive into 600 year old dead bodies that were dug up locally. It was in that museum that she asked, "Where do babies come from... how do you get them?" Erm, Kent!!??

Wednesday - Nice day. Grey weather again. We went to Dundee. Firstly we went to Pirates Adventure. The usual sort of indoor play area and a cafe for Mums and dad's to drink coffee and read a mag. We actually got lost on the way there. The sat nav was right but we weren't paying attention. We pulled up next to an older dude and asked him the way. I think he said something like this. "Y g dn the rd, up t ye trfc lts, tk a rt tn, o rndabt (....yada yada yada...) y shd fnd it nr th pst ofc". Except his directions went on for 2 mins. Me and Linz looked at each other, laughed and still didn't have a clue where to go but went in the general direction he pointed. Mind you, if he'd of come down our neck o't woods he too may struggle. What he should have said was, "Ya go down t' roared, up to t' traffic lights, tek a right turn, o'er roundabart, ya should find it neart porst office".



After we spent a couple of hours, we went to Dundee Ice arena. This wasn't Imogen's first skating experience. We were quite amazed just how well she did. She eventually managed to stay standing and propel herself. We were most impressed. Linz is a pretty good skater from her youth spent living in Blackpool and possibly Imogen will giver a run for her money. She has said she wants to go again to Blackpool or Blackburn rink and get her own skates.



To top the day off, we headed into Dundee and had tea at (another recommendation) Jimmy Chung's. This was a big all you can eat Chinese restaurant. Bargain at £8.99 per person and £4.49 for kids. Very easy to over indulge - as we perhaps did.

Thursday - This was to be our last full day :-( . In the morning we had a walk along the river near to our cottage where we played Pooh sticks. This turned out to be good exercise as we followed a stick for about 1/4 of a mile. Imogen was quite upset when it went over a waterfall, never to be seen again.


In the afternoon we went to Perth Leisure pool. This was another haunt from a couple of years ago. Imogen remembered it because she went down a small slide and stubbed her toe. Guess what? Same slide, got to the bottom, stubbed her feet, shot forward and cut her finger. More tears, never to go on again. However, she dared to go on the long water shoot twice on our laps.





Friday - Double :-( Still, if you don't go home, you can't go on holiday again.

Holiday cottages in Perth Scotland- Glebe Cottage, Scone, Perth
For booking - Dr H. Cameron 01738 551268

Visit to Gastroenterologist

We finally went to see the Gastroenterologist last week at Manchester. The long awaited appointment lasted all of about 15 minutes. Last time we saw Imogen,s paediatric surgeon at Manchester, he suggested doing tests to see how her reflux is and whether she needs further medication for it. We didnt want her to have the tests as we think her reflux is good at the moment unless she has a cold. So off we went to see this doctor and thankfully he agreed that at this time no further tests are required unless her eating goes backwards or her sickness gets worse. Great news.

However her eating at the moment has gone off a bit. I had a meeting at school just before we went to the hospital and Mrs Armstrong said she is doing brill at school. She is up to eating a full fish finger(wont eat them at home!) likes pasta, pizza, sausage, all sorts. She said there is nothing she wont eat!! So we are not worried about her eating as she can do it, just not that well at home.

October Hols 2010/Christmas/New year

My New Years resolution is to update Imogen's blog at least once a month, preferably every few weeks. My resolution is not going too well at the moment.

In October we went down to High Wycombe to visit Nanny Bagshaw and family. One of the days while we were there we went to Legoland in Windsor. What a brill place, Imogen loved the rides, she even sat on the back seat of the Pirate Boat. She also went on the log flume twice, and I got very wet. When we went to Gulliver's world last summer she would only sit in the middle of the pirate boat and wouldn't go on the log flume, so vast improvement in her confidence of rides. Lisa, Emma and Ben came to Lego land too and a good day was had by all.

Click on photos to enlarge them.

Christmas 2010

Christmas was at our house this year for the traditional Dyson family pressie giving. In the morning on Christmas day there was just the normal 3 of us, Imogen more excited this year about Father Christmas coming. Even more excited to open her presents from him, and getting everything on her Christmas list. At lunch time after tearing Imogen away from her toys we headed to grandma and grandads house for Christmas dinner. I cooked the dinner as usually they come to us Christmas day but as Barry's family was coming at night I decided to cook at mums. Imogen had been full of a cold leading up to Christmas, but thankfully for her she had got rid of it in time and passed it to me and Barry. At night there was 15 of us in our lounge for pressie giving followed by a buffet I put on and a picture quiz. Imogen was up very late till about 11.30, and slept in Boxing day.

Imogen concentrating on her reading Christmas morning.

Imogen is mad on Strictly Come Dancing, and wants to go and learn ballroom dancing. Following in my footsteps as I did Ballroom and Latin American dancing for quite a few years when I was in my youth.

Opening Christmas presents with eager excitement

On Boxing day evening we did the usual cards and buffet night at my mums. For the first year Imogen joined us for a few games of cards and helped me. We have since played cards again with grandma and grandad, Imogen played her own hand and she won 2 out of 3 games! She is going to be a natural hustler.

New Year 2010

Kay and the kids (Lucy, Millie, Sam) came over from Huddersfield for 2 nights at New Year. They used to live next door and every New Year we have always got together, having food and fun on the sing star. So it was really nice this year that they still came over to celebrate with us. Unfortunately Adam was working nights so he stayed in Hud and Barry was just working until 11pm so he was home to see in the New Year with us. Another late night for Imogen as she was up till about 12.30am singing and dancing.

Update on Imogen's feeding

Imogen is really trying hard some days with her eating. The lady at school who helps her with the feeding is really pleased with her, and the other day she received a golden point for her class as she drunk all her milk at snack time with the other children. Most days now in the day she has all her liquids orally, either water or vimto. Some days though its a constant battle to get her to drink it as she drinks it slowly it takes her a long time and she would rather be doing something else. She still has all her special medical milk over night though. Her eating is marginally better, she does swallow most of what she eats instead of pouching it at the front of her mouth which is a big step forward. It takes her a long time to chew a small piece of food and swallow it. She would have to sit at the table about 6 hours to eat a full plate of food that a child with no eating difficulties would eat. Slowly but surely she is moving in the right direction. We have an appointment in Feb to see a Gastroenterologist who will discuss her reflux and whether she needs some tests to see how bad it is. We dont want her to have any tests as her reflux doesn't bother her and we don't think it is now a factor that prevents her from eating. Will keep you posted on the appointment outcome.(if its not cancelled, the hospital have cancelled the last 2).

Other bits and pieces

On Wednesday we are taking Imogen to see Strictly Come Dancing live at Liverpool. She is very very excited. About last October Imogen's teacher told us that she wasn't always doing her work at school and just sat day dreaming all the time. She said she can do it but she is having a spell where she just is not interested in doing any work. So we did a reward chart for her school work and also one for her swimming as she had lapsed in her swim classes too. She had to collect stars to have curtains in her Wendy house then collect stars to go and see the dancing. Well the reward chart was a great success and her teacher was really impressed with how well she now gets on with her work. She has lovely writing when she puts her mind to it, and also does really well reading her homework books to us. Amazing what a little bribery what stars can do.

In February half term the 3 of us are going to Perth in Scotland for a week in a lovely looking cottage. It is my big 40th birthday so we are going on hols. At the end of May we are venturing to Spain for 10 days, this is Imogen's first time on a plane so she is looking forward to that too.

Not forgetting the caravan breaks we will be going on! Plus we have booked a Haven site at Blackpool for 5 nights in the Easter hols, bargain price of £38!! So lots of Pics to go on here of our hols throughout the year.

Anyway I am rambling lots now, so will say goodnight.

Lindsey x

www.imogendyson.com

www.imogendyson.co.uk

Stork Wendy House

Hi all,

just a quickie. The Wendy house is a Stork Play house and made by Shire Garden Buildings of Wesbech, Cambridgeshire http://www.shiregb.co.uk/ and we bought it from Madfun, Surrey http://www.madfun.co.uk/ A number of people have been enquiring, so here are the links. Both Shire and Madfun a well recommended by us.

Not much to report except we are off down to High Wycombe at the weekend to see Nanny over the half term and are planning to go to Legoland, Windsor with Lisa, Emma and Ben (Im's step cousins, if there is such a thing).

On Wednesday, Immie is off to get her flu jab. She doesn't know it yet and wont until the eleventh hour! Wish us luck.

Baz

Neglected Blog - It's been ages, really bad show.

Imogen's Place (click pics to enlarge)

Preparing for the project, Imogen gave a hand in the painting.











Hello all,

yes it's been ages. Feel really bad, but just been so busy over the summer. What spare time on the computer has been spent by Lindsey doing the new website. This is live but needs some tweaks.

Well, over the summer we have been away a few times in the caravan. We had two whole weeks away in it. Our first week was to Haven at Haggerston Castle in Northumberland. This was the busy, rowdy and late night and rip off for tourist beer week. You know Imogen loves the cabaret and dancing. Followed by the 2p slotties. Me and Linz went to Haggerston years ago in the days when we were living o'ert brush.

Our 2nd week was a much quieter, relaxed week staying at a fab site in Melrose. Gibson Park (caravan club park for those finding this blog by typing it in). This park is a stunner and we're definitely going back next year. It's just at the bottom of Melrose high street and at the foot of The Eildon hills. We were quite lazy that week, getting up when we wanted and not venturing too far.

Imogen is now in her 2nd year at school and seems to be doing well. She had an excellent end of year result at the end of last term and we hope she will continue to do well. Her writing and reading is really very good.

Linz will do a post soon of her eating and health stuff. Generally she is eating pretty well. We went to see the specialist at Alder Hey a few weeks ago but nothing different spoken about. However, we feel we should keep going as we don't want to be struck of their list. She hasn't been on her oxygen for a while but then she has been well and it'll be the next few cold months that will likely send some bugs her way. So I shan't be too surprised if she uses some over the winter.

You will have seen the wendy house pics. Now, please don't think she's a spoilt child. It's just that when we were away, she found a fortress at a garden centre and loved it. Well she wanted one and it was 500 finest English. Her request for one was refused... That was until we thought, well she has got more money in her account than us and if she wants one... This is basically from money that has been given to her over the years by friends, Aunties etc. So we said if she wanted she could buy it herself. And she did. However, it cost us a few bob re landscaping the bottom of the garden so don't think we're too tight. Plus the house was an end of season sale. Anyway it's just finished and as yet the novelty has not worn off.

So there you have it. 4 months worth. See ya in Feb. Baz

This was our holiday to Scotland. Cousin Andrew and his wife Suzanne came to visit.

The fortress gave Imogen the idea of having one at home. "Do ya think we're made o' money" was our reply.

Stone skimming on the river Tweed

The hills are The Eildons taken from Scott's view. Where the poet Walter Scott went to write to get inspiration - apparently!

These 2 were Molly and her brother ? (we'll call him Dave) who she met at Haggerston Castle Haven Park.

This was a lovely day on the beach with Uncle Philip, Auntie Wendy and their off shoots.

Uncle Philip did the barbeque on the dunes. His nose is the same as Grandma Rosie's. Perhaps a tad more masculine.

Don't mail in - we know she'll strain her eyes in her mummy's glasses.

Oh look it's Dave's sister.

She'll grow out of this.

This was a play park near Dunbar in Scotland. I would recommend it - but I can't remember the name.

Sports day - The sweaty wellie comp

This was a posh place, McDonald's hotel near Chester that we went to. No we haven't come in to money. Tesco clubcard points. Save em now - seriously. This 3 night break cost us a fiver.