Strawberry Fare.

Its funny to finally get back to a sane head space for the first time in 8 weeks.  Man its been the craziest ride.  So with this in mind we managed to get out on our belated Valentines Day to Strawberry Fare.  79 Bealey Ave Ph 3654897.

I thought I would do a basic review of it for your viewing pleasure.

Entree:  French baguette with extra Italian style butter, mmm very delicious and super hot.  How the heck do they get bread that hot without burning it.

Mains: Caesar Salad with chicken which Emily described as simply yummy. (she has such a way with words
Mine: Beef fillet with beans and mashed potato's. Sensational. Even though my description doesn't do it justice

Desert: Devils Dream.

I must admit I did the worst thing to our waitress and asked her to choose my dessert for me.  She went pasty white and nearly fainted and when she suggested a few options I again reiterated that it was her choice and I didn't want to know.  "surprise me" I said again.  She walked away dragging her heels seemingly thinking that her short career in hospitality was on the line.  To be honest it was quite a bit of fun.  Feel free to try it.  It really freaks them out.

She did get it right although it is always hard getting through all 3 courses and after the first few mouthfuls of it I was truly done.  I however pushed through the pain to get within an inch of finishing.

Wine: 2x glasses excellent.  1x Waipara Pinot and the other Otago something, kinda forgot but a very nice red.

Overall experience:

Strawberry Fare never ever fails to over deliver.  From the exquisite food to the excellent and brave waiting staff, this is truly a night to remember.  The only criticism is the level of noise in the restaurant when full. Of course very hard to control but also very hard to have a decent conversation .

Oh yeah and the tacky woman, sitting next to us, that felt the need to not only wear the shortest skirt in the universe but she also felt the need to interrupt the first mouthful of my main with conversation. Surely shes not that dumb, it nearly cost her  her life. She really had no idea how close she came to leaving the restaurant in a body bag lol.

Recommendation:  Go there very soon, I mean it don't wait.  You must book as the restaurant is much smaller and was very busy.  Also parking sux. 
Waitress was Rosie and if you wanna freak her out make sure you ask for her saying you read about her on a blog (don't mention which one)  Tell her to choose your dessert (or even main if your game)

Finally let me know you went there!!!

21st Feb 2012 - Yet more challanges

Yet Another appointment!

10:30am  First appointment for the day with the Fetal Medicine Specialist.  She outlines that she had found an issue with the healthy baby but is not able to give specifics.It is in the brain and is an increase of fluid, slightly above normal, but a finding none the less.

1pm This time with the Paediatric Specialist. 
Finally it feels like we are on a plane that is talking to the control tower lining up the plane to land.  The only problem that the plane is miles and miles and miles from the tarmac.  Waiting to land is always painful.

Bronwyn (Paediatric Specialist)
She outlined just what may be wrong with the so called healthy twin and you guessed it a 1 in 24,000 problem.  Man we have the best luck in the world. 

It is called Dandy-Walker Syndrome.  The following is the information that she sent us...so I will share it with you.

Dandy-Walker Syndrome is a congenital brain malformation involving the cerebellum (an area at the back of the brain that controls movement) and the fluid-filled spaces around it. The key features of this syndrome are an enlargement of the fourth ventricle (a small channel that allows fluid to flow freely between the upper and lower areas of the brain and spinal cord), a partial or complete absence of the area of the brain between the two cerebellar hemispheres (cerebellar vermis), and cyst formation near the lowest part of the skull. An increase in the size of the fluid spaces surrounding the brain as well as an increase in pressure may also be present.

The syndrome can appear dramatically or develop unnoticed. Symptoms, which often occur in early infancy, include slow motor development and progressive enlargement of the skull. In older children, symptoms of increased intracranial pressure such as irritability and vomiting, and signs of cerebellar dysfunction such as unsteadiness, lack of muscle coordination, or jerky movements of the eyes may occur. Other symptoms include increased head circumference, bulging at the back of the skull, problems with the nerves that control the eyes, face and neck, and abnormal breathing patterns.

Dandy-Walker Syndrome is frequently associated with disorders of other areas of the central nervous system, including absence of the area made up of nerve fibers connecting the two cerebral hemispheres (corpus callosum) and malformations of the heart, face, limbs, fingers and toes.

Is there any treatment?

Treatment for individuals with Dandy-Walker Syndrome generally consists of treating the associated problems, if needed. A surgical procedure called a shunt may be required to drain off excess fluid within the brain. This will reduce intracranial pressure and help control swelling. Parents of children with Dandy-Walker Syndrome may benefit from genetic counseling if they intend to have more children.

What is the prognosis?

The effect of Dandy-Walker Syndrome on intellectual development is variable, with some children having normal cognition and others never achieving normal intellectual development even when the excess fluid buildup is treated early and correctly. Longevity depends on the severity of the syndrome and associated malformations. The presence of multiple congenital defects may shorten life span.

link: http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/dandywalker/dandywalker.htm

17th feb 2012 - Emotional Journey

We had another scan today...waited 3/4 of an hour as they were running massively late and then waited again in the scan room for another ten minutes.  Initially the scan was really clear but then took a turn when the Specialist spotted something on the babies brain.  Slightly more fluid than is normal. 

Man it is such a long pregnancy! 19 weeks. ahh so long to go.

The long and the short is that we now have another appointment next Tues with the Specialist and the Paediatrics team.  So more details after appointment on Tues

So if your a prayer please pray.

Blair

Sun 12th Feb

Firstly I truely hate "The secret lives of dancers"  Good got that off my chest.

Now for the patient.  She is doing really well medically but she has contracted a massive head cold and is miserable.  Oh poor babies!

I have also noticed that a number of people from Auzzy, USA, England and Germany have been viewing this blog and to all of you I wanna say a big "Hello from New Zealand" 

And if by any chance you have an Acardiac Twin we wanna welcome your comments and feedback as we understand that it is a very rare complication for twins and a very scary time.

Loads of love

Blair & Emily

The Jet Star Connection

Off home today yes!

Oh man there is truely no place like home.

Im gonna let you into a little internal dialog that I had today that you may find a wee bit funny.

No dramas over night and picked up from the hotel at 9:40am ready for our flight back to Christchurch.  The taxi fare was an amazing $60 plus dollars ah.  Nearly died.

But the funniest thing happend at the airport.  After the regulartory coffee and a savoury scone (which my wife stole half of) it was time to go through security and for the millionith time Emily was stopped and scanned.  It always cracks me up...is that bad lol.

During a 7 minute wait to go on the plane I went in for the pre-wii and here is a guy repacking a full on MacPac in the toliet.  Very strange and he looked super nervous.  Not sure why but the internal dialogue started and I thought "man this guy is pushing the generous 7kg carry-on bag limit" but what the hey maybe Jet Star are feeling generous.  With all the bad press maybe they have relaxed the PR machine and just letting people away with blue murder". 
So its time to board...and it is still ringing in my mind.  Is this dude for real.  Are they truely that lax.  hhhmmm Im so confused.  I was even worried about my 4.5kgs being rejected.  I needn't have worried.
Walking up the metal stairs with the blue shag pile carpet and guess what grets me? A woman, of no more than 52kgs in weight...and get this she has no less than 4 bags as carry-on luggage, weighing half her weight.  My jaw hit the floor.  She must have thought I was some kinda weirdo, i just stood there for ages.

She had:
1x over night bag
1x hand bag
1x laptop bag
1x kitchen sink (not sure what was in this one)

Hats off to J.S. they didnt even blink.  I cant decide if I hate her or wanna clap as she walks up the half meter isle in the plane...legend

So my challange to all of you out there how much luggage can you get on a J.S. flight (kg wise)  you have 3 months and the winner gets...

Thurs 9th feb

Hey people

Well finally, it seems, managed to escape out of Auckland hospital.  Had a lovely visit from an old friend Anne Scott, who is looking fab-tastic.  Spent quite a bit of time chatting with her up at the hospital and started getting hints from the staff to move on (which of course we ignored..."hey were from quake city relax")
Emily is now at the appartment resting and seems in great health.  She has nearly finished her novel which means she is well on her way to full recovery.
We had a scan this morning and that went massively well and the little healthy herculies is well on its way and no I dont know the sex yet for all those people doing the poky-poky trying to find out.  We truely dont know at all.  Couldn't stand the pressure if its a girl, i've got enough on my mind. (but i actually dont care either way).
....................................................................................................................................................
Ok confession I did a wee bus tour this arvo, with emz permission and it is the most jaw dropping experience.  Auckland has a massive amount of retail shops.  I cant believe it there is every imaginable retail store from english lollies to super expensive wedding dresses (and of course the ecclectic k-road experience) Simply magic and i never bought a thing...well actually a lie I bought the bus ticket for $1.80.

Oh yes after I posted last night I did manage to catch up with my old buddy Joel Sadler who happened to be in Auckland for some reason...work or something like that.  We had a great time out under the sky tower having a feed a Dennys.  There service has never improved, in fact they now dont even do mints when you leave, OH STINK! Bad breath conversations yuk.
Couldnt believe just how many people out having a feed at 10:30pm at night...just crazy.  I am def. from a small place (from world standards)

Well home tomorrow...till then

Peace!

Todays time table
5am Wake up and walk to hospital
6am Get to hospital and bookin
7:30am Get told it wont be long now (ah i hate hearing that in a hospital)
8am still waiting...waiting
8:30am  Taken through to surgery (more waiting)
8:45am told to go back to the ward to...you guessed it wait some more
9am Waiting
10am Still waiting

Now up to this point we have been up for ages and were sposed to go through at 8am grrr

10:30am Finally back to surgery and this time for real.
11:45am The hospital called (waking me out of a deep sleep) to say Emz was out and doing well

And the quote of the day from the stupidest nurse in the hospital "oh your from Christchurch shall I shake you bed so you are reminded of home."

12:30pm Back on the ward recovering

Emz is doing super well and is recovering in hospital over night.  We have a scan in the morning and should be able to be discharged after that early in the morning.

Not sure when we will be home but  a huge thanks to everyone for their love, prayer and support

Blair & Emily