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An Early Arrival: Theodore William Hamilton

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Those of you who follow me on social media may have noticed I’ve been unusually quiet for the past few weeks. I am glad to finally share the reason why. On 30th October 2018 at 7.18am, I gave birth to our beautiful baby boy. His name is Theodore William Hamilton, and we’re calling him Theo for ... View Post

How to get the Best Black Friday Travel Deals

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I don't know about you, but I always get a little excited for Black Friday. Maybe it’s the Northerner in me, but I love bagging a bargain and for the past couple of years I’ve waited patiently until 23rd November with my shopping list in tow. As a Travel Blogger, it’s becoming even more exciting now ... View Post

Our Babymoon in Dubrovnik

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Our babymoon in Dubrovnik was very special for a number of reasons. It was to be our final overseas holiday as a couple before our baby boy arrives in February. It was also an independent trip organised completely by me, as a surprise for Scott’s 30th Birthday. Whether you like or loathe the term, ... View Post

My Pregnancy Diary: 19-24 Weeks

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Hey guys. Thanks for coming to check out my second pregnancy diary post. If you haven’t already, be sure to read my 14-19 weeks pregnancy diary, which was the starting point of my pregnancy blogs. So what’s new? It feels like this second trimester is absolutely flying by, and has been so much more ... View Post

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What to Expect at Loews Portofino Bay Hotel, Orlando

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I recently enjoyed a week of fun in the sun at Orlando’s Universal Studios Resort, retracing my childhood steps and exploring all 3 of Universal’s parks. My flights and hotel were booked through TUI, who are specialists in holidays to Florida. Our base for the week was the luxurious Loews Portofino ... View Post

5 of My Most Unforgettable Travel Moments

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What do you travel for? Is it for escapism and relaxation, to see new cultures, or to push yourself beyond your comfort zone? I love travelling for all of these reasons, but looking back, the travel moments that stick vividly in my mind are the ones that involve a bit of adrenaline. These are the ... View Post

Reflecting on my Digital Detox in Spain

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I’m back home after a week-long holiday in Almuñécar. Unlike most of my travels, there was no element of work involved. No obligation to blog, vlog, take photos, post on social media or document my time. In other words, it was a proper holiday! As someone who is required to to constantly be ‘online’ ... View Post

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  • Introducing Theodore William Hamilton ✨ Likes; long cuddles, white noise and milk time. Dislikes; nappy changes and being naked. This little boy has been through more battles and challenges in his short life than most of us will go through in a lifetime, and he has the war wounds to prove it. The strength of a premature baby is one of the most amazing things I’ve ever seen. I will forever be grateful that Theo got through his battles and I will never take a second with him for granted (even when he’s screaming and weeing all over himself at 3am 😴). We’re currently in a bubble of love, settling Theo in at home and getting used to being a little family of three. My life has changed infinitely but I wouldn’t change a thing. I’ve never known a love like this. Our little hurricane. Our miracle ⚡️🌪
  • After 109 days, 15 weeks, 5 hospitals, 4 ambulance rides and 3 operations, our strong, brave boy is finally ready to come home. We have fought for this day ever since Theo unexpectedly catapulted into our lives in October. There are times when I doubted if this day would ever come. For 109 days, I have sat beside Theo’s incubator / cot and told him about the amazing life we’re going to have together. I’ve told him all about our home, his nursery, his toys, his cousins and all the special people in his life who can’t wait to meet him. I’ve seen the magic of what 4 Neonatal units have collectively done for Theo, saving his life multiple times and taking him from a vulnerable, 800 gram, “25 Weeker” to a wide-eyed, curious and loving boy weighing exactly 5lbs. It seems impossible to summarise the rollercoaster my family and I have been on in these past 109 days. I plan to share it with you all in time. But for now, we are going to celebrate this unforgettable day and soak up every moment of having our baby boy finally home. Thank you to every single member of the NHS who made this day become possible and thank you to @scottwh9 for being my rock. My gratitude is endless. Miracles really do exist 💫👶🏼
  • All ready and waiting for baby Theodore to come home 🙏🏼✨ The strength and bravery our little boy has shown in these past 12 weeks is what has kept me going every day. He has defied the odds and proven how determined he is to be in this world. He has graduated through the Neonatal ranks of intensive care, high dependency and is now finally in special care (SCBU) which is the final step before coming home. Looking through photos of his journey, it is unbelievable to see how far he has come. People keep telling me how strong I have been during this time, but you haven’t seen real strength until you have seen a room full of premature babies. This has been the hardest time of my life, but we can finally see light at the end of a very long and dark tunnel. I’m aware I’ve basically disappeared from the internet, but this is an all-consuming journey I’ve felt I’ve had to deal with privately with the help of family and friends. I will come back online when I’m ready and can’t wait to introduce you all to him when he is a little bigger and stronger. Baby boy, we (and your army of teddies) are ready whenever you are ❤️🤞🏼🏡
  • ‘Twas the night before Christmas, in the neonatal intensive care, all the babies were sleeping, while sounds of alarms filled the air. The nurses making rounds, double-checking their meds, while tucking the little babies, snug deep in their beds. The stethoscopes were hung, by the preemies with care, in hopes that they would all soon, be breathing room air. When out in the hall, there arose such a clatter, the nurses came running, to see what was the matter. Up from the desk, the tech flew with a fret, to make sure all was well, in each baby’s isolette. The respiratory therapist, arrived on the double, but the babies were all okay, on their oxygen and bubble. The nurse was baffled, and exclaimed in a tiff, “Is this really happening tonight? And on my third shift?” When what to their wondering eyes should appear? but a man in a suit, who loved the babies so dear. With a clipboard in hand, and a velvet satchel too, they knew at that moment; he must be St. NICU. He was dressed in red scrubs, from his tip to his toe, and wearing surgical gloves, so the germs would not grow! He was a jolly old fellow, with a few extra pounds, but that didn’t stop him, from making his rounds. He saw babies in boxes, with tubes and with wires, preemies and term infants, and their parent’s desires- To hold and to rock, to kiss and kangaroo, They had Christmas wishes, but only these few. Snuggling the little one, he wrapped him so tight, he handed the baby, to his Mum with delight. A smile arose from her mouth, with great joy, for this was the moment, she dreamed to have, with her boy. Visiting each baby, and their concerned parents too, He knew right there and then, there was something special about the NICU. Placing his hands, on each little head, kissing their foreheads, he winked, and he said- “Tiny babies so strong, with determination and might, so this is where you come, to live and to fight.” “To breathe and to grow, and to learn how to eat, what a difficult journey, but such an amazing feat.” He had a sparkle in his eye, and a hop in his step, as he approached the isolettes, and whispered secrets he’d kept...Continued in comments...💕
  • Believe it or not, my baby boy is with me in this photo. ‘Kangaroo care’ is a type of skin to skin contact that parents are encouraged to have with their premature babies. The babies are placed on the parents chest under a loose fitting top, and snuggled in with blankets. Its the closest thing to being back in the womb for premature babies, as they can feel their parents heart beat, hear their parents voice and smell their parents scent. In the past 5 weeks my world has gone from airports, press trips and pitches to a one mile radius around a hospital, in a city I don’t live in. I have been living in hospital accommodation in Sheffield since Theo was born as there was no space for him to be treated in Leeds. I have entered a new world that, at first, was totally alien and incredibly overwhelming (it still is to be honest). I have difficult conversations with doctors, surgeons and consultants every day and I am learning an entirely new medical language. My days at the moment are mentally, physically and emotionally draining, but the best part of my day is when I get to hold my baby for an hour, sometimes two. I sit in a chair next to his incubator. We’re still in a room surrounded by nurses and beeping machines, but when I close my eyes I imagine we are back home together, like we will be one day in the future. Scott took this photo of me when I fell asleep with Theo during kangaroo care, and to me it speaks a thousand words. Theo, my sweet baby boy, I hope that one day my mind will be blown that you were ever this tiny. From tiny acorns, mighty oak trees grow #prematurityis ❤️🌳
  • Welcome to the world Theodore William Hamilton 👶🏼💫 As today is his ‘1 month’ birthday, I thought it would be a good day to finally share his arrival with the world. On the 30th October at 7.18am I gave birth to our beautiful baby boy, Theo. Theo’s extremely early arrival came as a complete shock. Since then life has been a rollercoaster of emotions and challenges. What I have been through this past month goes against every convention of motherhood and maternal instinct you can think of. It has been the hardest thing I have ever been through in my life, but I am taking things one day at a time and trying to find the positives in everything. Theo is a determined little fighter and is making some really positive steps forward and we are staying strong for him. We won’t be able to bring him home until around his due date in February, and until then he is receiving the very best Neonatal care in hospital. He is the most perfect and precious thing I have ever seen in my life and Scott and I are completely in love. This is why I’ve been so quiet, and why I’m taking some time away from social media. I’m sharing a little more about Theo’s journey so far in my latest post. Link in bio ✨💙

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