October 25th 2005

I know, I know... it's been over 4 months since I last updated but I'm here now! Things have been rather... hectic!

Rhianna started walking on August 14th, which was also the anniversary of mine and Ian's 6th year together. Wow - how much have we crammed in 6 years?! Euan being lazy like Jenna was, finally started walking on October 13th! He still prefers to crawl, however!

Big news at the moment is that Baby number 5 (yes, 5!) is now on it's way. It (and yes - there is only the one this time!) is due around early April but we all know what me and due dates are like so expect a new Marsh anytime between late March and late April! ;) The pregnancy is proving rather problematic - I'm hoping that because I usually have healthy pregnancies and crap labours that if I *have* to have a crap pregnancy as it is proving so far, I will have a nice easy labour instead! Who am I kidding?!!! I've hired a doppler so I am able to listen to the baby's heartbeat on my bad days as I am in need of the reassurance at the moment. Soon though I will feel the baby kicking everyday and that will be reassurance enough on it's own :) I have hired my wonderful midwife Lynn who attended Rhianna and Euan's birth and cared for me through-out the pregnancy and postnatal period so all is good there. Another homebirth planned, of course ;)

Bryony and Jenna are both doing well. Jenna attends pre-school with Bryony. Bryony does 5 days a week whereas Jenna does 3 days a week. They are very impressed with Jenna's ablities and as always Bryony is well ahead of her years too. Bryony can now write and spell her own name and a few other names too, mostly Jenna, Mummy, Daddy and Nanny - the easier ones. She can also write most of the numbers and all of the letters of the alphabet. Next step is reading - she's already getting good at word recognition.

We've sold the house to a couple who haven't sold their house yet - once their house is sold we are going to be up to Northampton looking for a new home!

So, it's taken me a whole day of trying to type this but getting interrupted so I'll just be thankful I got this far and leave it here! ;) Please keep Mary Cronk (MBE), a wonderful, insprational midwife whom has played a major role in keeping birth normal and respecting us mums, in your thoughts. She attended the birth of Rhianna and Euan as the expert on twin and breech births and along with Lynn is responsible for saving Euan's life. Many, many people are eternally grateful for all the extremley hard work she has done throughout her life. Mary had a stroke earlier this month but has recovered very well. Unfortunately Mary had to take immediate retirement from midwifery. It's a day so many, many people have been dreading for so long. Mary - you're an insperation!