"It is health that is real wealth and not pieces of gold and silver."

Were so happy to be over all the drama from Friday. Seth's operation went by without issue and we couldn't be more relieved. Friday was a strange day which resulted in Mrs M stopping in with Seth over night and me heading home with Opeie. Although I'm always with Opeie (he's been like an extra limb since day one), I'd never actually spent a night alone with him and the thought of it was making me very anxious. That probably sounds a little over dramatic but Opeie's sleep has always been erratic and he has never slept through. That part I can deal with the problem is that Mrs M feeds him through the night and sadly I am ill equipped to give our growing boy what he wants. I had visions of me driving miles down the motorway in the middle of the night to get him to Mrs M or just being up all night with him screaming.

So while Mrs M took care of our big soldier and kept him entertained on the ward I was doing everything I could do to tire Opeie out in hope for a long sleep from fun exhaustion. It's seems the driving to and fro from the hospital, the entertaining Opeie and the anxiety had unfortunately taken it's toll though and I was dropping off by 8pm  with no sign of Opeie feeling sleepy.

It was a strange feeling being away from Mrs M, it kind of felt like we had broken away Into teams for the night. Although Seth was getting increasing annoyed by his cannula Mrs M's hospital updates were putting a smile on my face and I could never be more thankful for FaceTime I wonder how people ever coped without it.

 

By 9pm Opeie was ready for bed so I sat him down and explained again that mommy wasn't going to be home tonight and it was a little adventure with daddy. Maybe it was luck, exhaustion or that at 3 he fully understood where and why mommy was at the hospital with Seth but he was a real gem and I'm so proud of how he coped with his first night away from Mrs M. He woke up three times but I rocked him straight back off to sleep each time with no tears or issue.

6:15 and he woke with a big smile on his face and eager to go and get his big brother. Mrs M got the thumbs up from the hospital that Seth was being discharged and us boys headed out early  to pick up out well loved cargo. It's amazing how one small change can make such a massive impact on your family life and although the night went by without any problems it made me realise even more how much I love Seth and how much I love and Need Mrs M with me on this amazing adventure through parenthood. As I pulled up outside the hospital and saw Mrs M's hair looking like she'd been dragged through a hedge and hearing Seth tell me how much he loved me and missed me while holding me tight it just made it even more clear how lucky I was and how smitten I am by these three amazing and beautiful people.

"To the patient, any operation is momentous."

No matter how many times people say "when you have children time flies by" it doesn't prepare you for how fast it actually is. Tomorrow Opeie turns three and I really can't believe how quickly that time has gone by. I can happily say though that we have crammed in many adventures along the way and I think he has a great life.

Sadly though there won't be any celebrations tomorrow as the lovely people of the NHS had given us 11 days notice of an operation that Seth needs which has unfortunately landed on Opeie's big day. It seems like we're having to postpone it for a few weeks until we have the time to celebrate it the way we want. I know it can't be helped and at 3 he doesn't really understand but I'm still feeling a little guilty about it but under the circumstances Seth is our main priority.

Seths been going through a roller coaster of emotions which has taken it's toll on him and he's exhausted, the poor thing, but hopefully the op will go by issue free and he'll be back home to relax with us. It's a shame that things like this have spoiled our plans, we had planned a weekend in Brighton and lots of fun for the boys but when you have children sometimes you just need to put things into perspective. Doesn't make it easier that Seth was crying last night saying he had ruined Opeie's birthday, he really does take the wait of the world on his shoulders.

You may not hear from me for a few days but I hope you all have an amazing weekend.