Fourth week

Very cloudy start to the day, but brightened up and the sun appeared.It took me 3 hours to upload last weeks Blog – blumin Internet! We all went to the quiz this afternoon – I thought the questions were hard – we came 4th – not too bad considering there were 4 teams lol. My friend Linda brought me some eggs today, beautiful free range ones with almost orange yolks. As we have had a few hectic days we decided to stay in tonight and I cooked a crustless quiche with chips and Greek salad, followed by fresh fruit salad and ice cream. I went scrumping for oranges again. 

Archie has had to go on a Neo mat and be cared for in the Neonatal unit, he has a tube inserted to help him feed. Come on little man get well soon. He will be in hospital for a few more days.

Friday 24th April 2015

We were invited to the Marvel at lunchtime as the Makris family were having a BBQ. The highlight for me apart from the meat was Sophia had made a pie, similar to a Spinach pie but made with Wild greens. It was delicious and very popular, Phil and Barbara went off for a Siesta and I sat in the garden and did some more of Archies shawl. This evening we picked Steve up and drove into Sidari for a pizza at his favourite restaurant Pizza Romano.

Larissa looks so well, and Archie is just so adorable – I cant wait to have a cuddle with him. He is doing fine, Jaundice is fading, but his feeding is not good enough yet.

Saturday 25th April 2015

This afternoon we drove over to San Stefanos as Jackie at Hippopots has made me a personalised teddy bear money box for Archie – it is beautiful! Barbara bought a few bits to take home with her and I ordered another Butterfly for our garden.

We called at the Bakery on the way back to Arillas and had Baklava and coffee. Barbara has never tasted it before – she loved it. We took her to Brouklis tonight for a traditional Greek meal in the best Taverna in Arillas. Of course we had to finish with Roula's orange cake. 

Sunday 26th April 2015

I was up early, before the alarm went off as I was so excited to be going home to see my Great grandson. We flew to East Midlands airport, where Barbara had her car, she gave me a lift to Newark, where Gary picked me up from. He said we could not go to the hospital until 6.30. Anja had cooked dinner for us and I booked a flight to go back to Corfu on 1st May from Doncaster – on the same flight as my friend Sandra and her daughter Carol, who were coming out to visit us. We arrived at the hospital to find that Archie was no longer in the Neonatal unit, but was in the family room with Larissa and Joe.

This photo is my first cuddle. It is a magic feeling to have your own children, it is a very special feeling to have grandchildren, but it is out of the world, awesome to have a Great grandchild. I just feel so proud and ecstatic.

Archie is still having a slight problem feeding, The situation is a bit more complex than they told me about, His kidneys were not functioning 100% with him being early. They have to give him 60ml. of milk, every 3 hours by bottle, but if he does not take it – they have to suck some of the milk he has drunk out through the tube with a syringe. Then test it on a litmus strip – this tells them if his kidneys are working properly. – if it goes into the purple colour – it is a problem – but if it goes to the yellow end it is OK. Then they feed him the balance of the milk he hasn't drunk through the feeding tube – straight into his stomach. It was fascinating to watch Larissa and Joe, doing this procedure – what a great team they are. 

Monday 27th April 2015

I called round to see my brother and sister in law this morning for a coffee and catch up. At lunchtime I met my friend Sandra for lunch.

Later on my friend Helen (Doz) and I went to the hospital to see Archie. 

I was just in time to give him his first feed without his feeding tube. The staff had removed it, as they thought it was making him lazy. It encouraged him to keep on sucking and he took almost 70ml. They said if he keeps on like this he may go home tomorrow, Fingers crossed – I must finish his shawl tonight – Phil has a theory – that Archie is waiting for his shawl to go home in!

Tuesday 28th April 2015

Last night I almost finished crocheting, but by 1am my eyes were very strained – so I finished it off this morning.

An hour later Larissa said he was being discharged as he had done very well with his feeds and his kidneys were working fine.

On a lighter note, my friends Alan and Claire came to visit in their Motorhome, it is huge – makes ours look like the poor relation. We had a good catch up – it is 6 years since I have seen Claire but we do keep in touch. We will be going to a Motorhome rally with them in Cheshire when we get back from Corfu.

This afternoon I went for my haircut and then went for a Carvery for my friend Helen's grandson William's 9th birthday tea. I couldn't end the day without seeing Archie, so I called for a cuddle – just in time to feed him. He is doing so well now and gulped it all down quite quickly. He is just so adorable!

I am going to miss you so much my ickle treasure.

I was able to 'talk' to Phil tonight – he has had no Internet for 2 days, but it is sorted now with a whole new system – so fingers crossed we may stay online a bit more.

Well the end of another perfect week – although most of it was spent in the UK. I apologise to anyone who was expecting lots of Greek photos. It is not everyday you get to visit your brand new Great grandson.