Rollercoaster? And 9 Lives?

So yesterday was a brilliant day looking after Oliver. The Kenilworth Newbies took William and Thomas to CBeebies Land at Alton Towers as a birthday treat for Thomas. Rollercoasters are no good for a baby, so we had the pleasure.

And boy, what a pleasure it was!! Honestly, Oliver was a little angel. He made absolutely no fuss about anything and just got on with the day beautifully, proving to be great company.

Grandpa did the first three-quarters of an hour looking after him because I took a phone call from Graham to discuss Mother. We lamented as to her state of health and anticipated the worst.

The day went on and we played and played; walked and walked; went up and down, up and down the stairs; opened and closed doors, drawers and cupboards; and generally took things out of containers to put them back in again. That boy is an adventurer. Here he is, ready to load the waste basket with play food. Cute, eh?

Andrew came home just after lunch, so he looked after Oliver a bit too, which was good as it gave John and me bit of a rest and a well-earned cuppa.

I phoned the hospital mid-afternoon and spoke to Mum’s doctor, who said she had improved. She was sitting up and looking around her. She had wielded a knife and fork at lunchtime. He wasn’t sure whether she actually ate anything but still…. she was much better. Oh. I was surprised and doubtful as to whether it would last.

The Kenilworth Newbies had had a wonderful time in CBeebies Land and everyone had really enjoyed themselves, When they arrived back, it was time to sing ‘Happy Birthday’ to Thomas and cut his Paw Patrol cake. Bless him. He was very pleased with it. He was also very pleased with the gift we had bought him. It was the Gruffalo figurine that tells the Gruffalo story on a Tonie box. I think I’m looking forward to hearing that one, too!

John had his exercise class today, so I dropped him off and then went to visit Mum. Andrew had also said he’d come for a visit before he went back to Wales. I think Mum must have known she was going to have a handsome grandson visit her because she was on top form.

The infusion of fluids had clearly done trick and Mum was very alert. She was even able to initiate conversation. The minute I walked in, she recognised me and exclaimed, “Oh, how lovely to see you!” She then said, “How are you?” Could have knocked me down with a feather.

Not only that, but she was wielding a spoon over a yoghurt pot. Not awfully successfully, as she kept trying to put the spoon in where the lid was, but still….. I fed her a few spoonfuls and it transpires that she has been accepting a bit of food and drink.

Andrew arrived and she was thrilled to see him. Dementia makes you truthful though, doesn’t it? “You’re getting fat,” she told him. He laughed. “Yes, I am!” he replied. Between us, we had a lovely time. Mum sang several refrains of her favourite song; she was interested in the photos I showed her; and she joined in the conversation trying hard to listen and understand what we were saying.

When the doctor arrived, she flirted shamelessly with him, making him blush. “We are going to monitor her now that the infusion has stopped,” he said, “and probably discharge her back to the home in a day or two.” Yep! Mum is well enough to go home.

What a rollercoaster of a weekend. Mum certainly knows how to keep us on our toes, even now, doesn’t she? I wonder how many of her nine lives she’s got left?

Take care everyone. God bless.