Dear Tidgy.....

In just 5 days time you will be two years old. 2 years! In the last few days I've said it at least a hundred times and I'll continue saying it for a while: I just cannot believe that Tidgy will be 2!

Being pregnant with you was not the easiest time in my life, I have to admit.

From 28 weeks I was having fortnightly growth scans and blood tests as I have anti-e antibodies. Rarer than anti-d antibodies apparently although less risky but nonetheless I was up at Ipswich Hospital for scans every 2 weeks and visiting again for blood tests in between those scans.

I was booked in for an elective c-section on May 19th, 4 days before your EDD.

It was so stressful. There was the worry over how you were progressing and I dreaded every scan, just awaiting the news that you weren't doing well. The growth scans were stopped early at 36 weeks as you'd been growing healthily.

Throughout the latter stages of the pregnancy you stopped moving for some length of time. I put it down to being busy with your brother and sister and perhaps losing track of movements. I didn't want to be labelled a neurotic mother by hassling the midwives or hospital, but I was so glad that I did.

I was strapped to a monitor on 4 occasions and on each of those times you soon started moving again. Relief was mixed with embarrassment, but at least you were okay.

On my last midwife appointment at 39 weeks I mentioned that you'd been quiet again but that I expected you to move soon and didn't feel it necessary to be monitored again. My midwife, God bless her, sent me straight to hospital to be checked out.

After being monitored I was told that I needed to have a scan. It was precautionary as I'd been monitored for lack of movement so often and I was absolutely stunned when they told me that you hadn't grown at all since the last scan and I would need to go in the next day for a c-section. I was all alone as Daddy was at work and it was awful. No matter how much they told me that you were okay and they were bringing your birth forward to be on the safe side I couldn't see it that way. I wouldn't rest until you were in my arms and I could see for myself that you were alright.

You were born at 10.41am on the 14th May and you were perfect. You looked so much like your brother when he was born.

You were fit and healthy. Phew! I was so pleased to be able to hold you.

Over the next 12-15 months you went through so much. You suffered terribly with reflux for the first 5 months of your life and gained very little weight. It was a horrible time for us and we tried no end of remedies and medication but nothing worked. We spent so much time at the paediatrics clinic and doctor's surgery that we were so relieved when early weaning was recommended and the reflux stopped. We thought that it was all over for you but just as the reflux stopped you were then tested for coeliacs disease and food allergies. On your first birthday I had a fabulous cake made for you but because you were on a gluten-free and lactose-free diet you had to make do with a dreadfully dry looking muffin!

Thankfully you were given the all-clear and could return to a normal diet, and boy, did your appetite suddenly appear!

First Christmas, first smile, first holiday, first Mario Kart race!

Just as we got over that we had another referral to paeds as you were having increasingly regular breath-holding spells leading to you passing out. It was a waste of time as we were just told that it's 'one of those phases that he'll grow out of', which the GP had already said to us but he felt he had to refer us regardless.

Please tell me that we will have no more hospital visits from now on! You worried me for months before you were born and months after. Enough is enough ;-)

You have grown into such a wonderful character. You're very cheeky and you make us all laugh so often. I don't think you realise how much you make us Mums at Pyjama Drama class chuckle....or do you??  You have many funny little foibles but you're also stubborn & independent (like your mother!)

You may not be able to speak yet but you get your point across and communicate in your own little way. You would watch Mr Tumble 24/7 given half the chance and I love that he is helping you to communicate with us, using sign language.

You look up to your sister and brother, and they adore you. They are so protective of you and Middle gets so upset when you're upset.

We all love you loads.

Happy Birthday Tidgy.