I posted back in June “Don’t say what, say pardon” about the news that Lil H had glue ear.  Hurray, he wasn’t ignoring me after all!  Big Boo, he has to have an operation.  I’m writing this post so if you’re where I was back in June you will hopefully get an idea as to what actually happens, some reassurance that everything will be OK, that someone else felt the same and some ideas to prepare you and your child.

The treatment for glue ear is very effective, its grommets, tiny plastic tubes fitted into the eardrum, these tubes lets air pass in and out of the ear, sounds simple doesn’t it.   I nodded as the consultant explained.  I think I carried on nodding as he said “I do my surgeries on a Thursday and yes I can fit H in next Thursday no problem, he’ll be a day patient, its a general anaesthetic but you should be home mid afternoon” I’m still nodding at this point but actually all I can now see in my head is my 4 year old dead in an operating theatre.  Sorry, but that’s how my brain works – it runs past everything that’s logical, likely and reasonable to the worst possible most unlikely case scenario and there I will worry, stress, fret and not sleep until, well, none of that has happened and we are back at home.  Alive.  I hate my brain at times like this.

I’m his Mummy and I have to be the brave one for Lil’ H to show him how to be brave.  Practical Mummy is on autopilot and overdrive as his surgery is less than a week away*.  The reality is the pragmatic me makes a plan, I do plans really well and I prepare my little boy, I didn’t say too much, he’s only four years old.  We read Topsy and Tim: Go to Hospital, Peppa Pig Goes to Hospital First Board Storybook, Maisy Goes to Hospital (Maisy First Experiences) the popular characters all seem to have a first trip to hospital.  Recommended to us was Tubes in My Ears: My Trip to the Hospital but we didn’t have time to get this before H’s op.  I didn’t really tell him much other than I was going to wake him up early and we would go to the hospital in his pyjama’s, we had to be there at 7:15am so I saw no point getting him dressed and he thought this was all very exciting.

I kept everything very light I told him a doctor would give put some magic cream on his hand and it would feel cold.  I explained we’d have to go to the theatre and I showed him pictures online of surgeons in masks, so he wasn’t phased.  How did anyone ever live before google?  I have no idea!  I hadn’t mentioned he’d have to have his blood pressure taken and a clip put on his finger to take his pulse, he’d be weighed and measured and get a nice juicy dose of liquid paracetamol and ibuprofen orally by syringe (he’s a pro at this and self served!)  This is what happened and he took it in his stride.

It was quickly time to go to theatre, he’d been nil by mouth since teatime the previous day and bless him hadn’t so much as mentioned it.  We walked down to theatre with the nurse just before 10am.  Lil H thought the automatic sliding doors were just like those on the Millennium Falcon on Star Wars so this was already brilliant in his 4 year old eyes!  The team were just lovely and quickly everything was ready for Lil H to have his cannula put in his hand.  Even with magic cream I knew this was going to be uncomfortable but with H so calm and relaxed he had this done awake, he kept looking at me and I knew it had gone in because his face flushed red.  My throat instantly dried out.  Inside I knew we were past the point of no return.  I had no voice, please don’t anybody ask me anything and whilst I’d lost it inside I had to keep smiling, holding and stroking his other hand.

He wanted to see over the nurse to see his hand which now had a cannula in, the nurse reminded him about the time Luke Skywalker had to have a new hand, perfect distraction, done!  Ooh and a teddy bear plaster as a finishing touch – 4 year olds love plasters the bigger the better.  He didn’t cry, cannula was in, done in a moment.  He lay back on the bed as I sat on the bed next to him, a mask with apparently strawberry smelling gas was placed near his face and the anaesthetic was injected.  Just a matter of seconds, his eyes drooped, then rolled back and he was asleep, but beyond sleep, past deep asleep to truly unconscious.  I kissed him and left.  He went into theatre.

I went to the coffee machine and headed back to his room.  I sat with a purpose bought copy of Grazia and a Cadburys flake.  My mind did not move from fashion, celebrity gossip and chocolate I wouldn’t let it.  I somehow had managed to freeze the thinking part of my brain.  It was like until I got him back I couldn’t allow myself to think about what was actually happening. Then the nurse came to take me up to him in recovery he was out, everything had gone well, he was alive.  Cancel the last weeks worth pointless worrying, stressing, fretting, not sleeping and brave facing – what a total waste of time and energy that was!

When I got to him he was awake having a cuddle with a nurse, disorientated, not crying, but groggy, confused, groany, pretty out of it.  He had a one or two patches of blood on his PJ top, you can see it in the photo’s its not much at all but I wasn’t expecting to see any, no idea why but I wasn’t, now its obvious with such tiny ears there may be a little but just a heads up – there may be blood.  Physically he didn’t really know what to do with himself, he was thrashing about quite a bit and keeping him still and calm was tricky – cue the portable DVD player from the car.  I thought he’d be zonked by the anaesthetic and snooze all afternoon but he never slept again until bedtime.  Within about half an hour of coming round Lil H asked for the volume on the DVD player to be turned down “its too loud mummy” this was set at his pre-op hearing level, so the procedure had obviously been totally successful.  He and I both had a lovely lunch, including an ice lolly for the very brave Lil’ H.  After lunch, the once over from the consultants and a well earned certificate for bravery we were off home just after 2pm.  As we left the hospital Lil H asked “Mummy can I have another operation tomorrow today has been brilliant”.  Lil H was an absolute star, hand on heart he didn’t shed a tear.  I can’t say the same for me but I did keep mine out of sight – just between me and Mr Sauv Blanc!

This isn’t a sponsored post in anyway this is just how it was and I am genuinely so very grateful to Mr Birzgalis and his team at The Alexandra Hospital that took such great care, and continue to care for, Lil’ H and his Lil’ lugs!

If you are wondering how long the actual op took, we arrived at the hospital about 7:15am, by 8am H was magic creamed up by consultant and anaethestist rounds were around 9am he was in the pre-op anaesthetic theatre just before 10am for about 10-15 minutes and from kissing him goodbye to getting him back took about 40 minutes.  It felt a lot longer but it wasn’t only 45 minutes.  We left the hospital just after 2pm.

* It was less than a week away because I have BUPA private healthcare for the children, we’ve never needed to use the policy, it has been one of those annual costs that every year I um and ah over but last year I had some consultancy work at the time when the renewal came around so it got renewed.  In hindsight, best decision ever, normally problems arise shortly after we don’t renew policies – law of sod and all that.  As it happened this time the fate smiled on us and we were able to go from GP referral to consultant and diasnosis in three days and less than a week later Lil H had the required grommets operation and his hearing was literally cured on waking up.

No Monday Morning Blues for me tomorrow, no siree!  This Monday morning I do the breakfast, dressing and out the door for the school run, then shoot over to my mums to drop Baby G off for some quality grandparenting time and whizz myself into The Lowry Hotel Manchester for 10am for a breakfast blogger briefing with Kelloggs followed by a bit of quality me time in their Spa.

Below is a cute pic of Lil H enjoying a bowl of Kelloggs new Rice Krispies Multi-Grain Shapes, there is a story in every bowl for the kids, the small print for mum is that’s its high in fibre and made from the goodness of three grains (rice, oats and corn) as well as fortified with vitamins and minerals.  Wholesome start to the day – done!  One less thing for mum to worry about.  I am sure I will be hearing more about Kelloggs new Rice Krispies Multi-Grain Shapes and more tomorrow between chillaxing with the other bloggers – I shall let you know!  Claire x

Kelloggs Rice Krispies Multi-Grain Shapes will be available in all major supermarkets and independent retailers priced at £2.39 for 350g box.

Its week three on the Primary School run for me, in my last post I blogged about some of the things this whole new world had taught me.  One of which was my need for a new coat.  It dawned on me its actually a pretty key item as its really the only item of your wardrobe anyone sees.

Currently my options are a Black Northface waterpoof, a Brown Northface bodywarmer and my summer jacket (its days are numbered by climate, wear & tear!)  Ever seen Victoria Beckham in a Northface?  No, of course not!   They’d be a reason for this and that would be that they score zero points on the fashion stakes, top marks for function but nil for fashion.  I was wingeing about my lack of outer style with stylist and now real life friend Liz Haydn who offered to share her advice on a post about coats for the school run which I thought you’d all like.  So without further ado here’s Liz’s low down.

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A coat is probably one of the most expensive purchases you make so it has to be right for you and a real investment, but not only that this is the one item that everyone sees regardless of what you’re wearing underneath.  So you want it to be stylish and maybe most importantly, dare I say it… functional.

The starting block for any new purchase has to be fit, not the size on the label but actually how our clothes fit us.  We all want our clothes to flatter us and we should not ignore our body shape when shopping for a new winter warmer.  If you carry your weight on your hips and bum, then you should be looking for a coat that balances out your lower half.  Look for coats with detailing on the top such as fur collars or wide lapels.

If you are wider on top with narrower hips then you will suit fuller skirted coats, this body shape looks better with items that have less detailing on the top half.  Look for coats with no collars and avoid double breasted as this will only make you look wider.For those with a sporty or boyish figure you need your coat to create curves as this will give you a more feminine silhouette.   Volume and detail at both the top and bottom of the coat will have this effect.  A double-breasted coat will also give the illusion of a bigger bust.If you carry your weight around your middle, the last thing you want to do is add any bulk to this area.  Your coat should nip you in at the waist and smooth out any lumps or bumps.  A belted V-neck is great for giving the illusion of an hourglass figure.The most fortunate of the body shapes is the hourglass as you can wear most styles, make the most of your even proportioned cures and show off your waist.

If you’re on the shorter side avoid coats that falls below your knees and watch your arm lengths, don’t forget though if it fits you perfectly you can always get sleeves professionally shortened.

As well as fitting you properly a coat should be right for your lifestyle, if you spend most of your time pushing a buggy then make sure the coat feels comfortable with your arms outstretched and the sleeves are long enough to keep your wrists warm and dry.  Try your coat on with your handbag not only does this ensure it goes with it but you’ll get an idea of how it feels, some detailing on shoulder areas can make handbags slip of your shoulders or make the straps feel uncomfortable.  Run a few tests too, if it has a hood put it up, does it give you enough cover or even too much?  Are the pockets deep enough?  Will it keep you warm?  Think about what you’re going to be wearing underneath, some coats will not look right with certain length skirts so consider this too.

Whatever coat you go for choose a classic style, you’ll get years of wear out of it so now is not the time to skimp but buy quality.

Do not underestimate the impact a good coat after all regardless of what you’re wearing underneath a good fitting stylish coat will ensure you’re always looking fabulous.

Liz is a personal stylist that runs her own successful image consultancy, Elizabeth Haydn Style was formed after Liz had her second child and is committed to making fashion, style and confidence accessible to all.  In addition to personal shopping and wardrobe consultations for men and women across the North West, she also offers style parties and corporate styling, pamper packages and workshops.

Related links
Web:  http://elizabethhaydnstyle.co.uk/
Twitter: @EH_Style
Facebook:  http://www.facebook.com/elizabethhaydnstyle
Blog:  http://www.elizabethhaydnstyle.blogspot.com/

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Lil H started primary school a fortnight ago.  He’s my first child which makes me  first time primary school mum.  A fortnight on and here’s what I know.

The weeks of thoughts, anticipation and tears (mine) of my first child’s first day at primary school are all worse than the reality.

Settling in half days are a nightmare to manage for everyone involved, a week is more than enough.  Two weeks is a shocker!

There is a right and wrong way into the class room and cloakroom – it won’t be obvious as both feel like a salmon swimming upstream.

What my child’s coat looks like matters not, it’s whether he can do it up by themselves and take it off without it going inside out that counts.

Your coat is your number one fashion item, its the only thing other parents on the school run see.  I need to an alternative to my North Face and quick!

No matter how friendly I am towards other parents some people are just not be friendly at all.  This is their loss, a shame for their children and is of no relevance to me or my child.

Parents with older siblings already at the school mostly have no interest in anything to do with first time reception parents.  See above point.

I am expected to order most things through the school so they get a commission – naming labels, books etc.

I must remember to not just label clothes, label EVERYTHING including drink bottles, lunch bags, lunch boxes – we are one lunch box down already!

My Lil H aged 4 needs a dedicated PA to manage the correspondence with school.  In the absence of funding this additional workload falls to yours truly.

Parentmail will fill the quietest of inboxes a daily flurry of notifications, requests and dates.

I need a babysitter that is not my mum.

How’s it been for you?

What have you learnt at the school gate so far this September?