Ettie had her first solids today - baby rice which she loved.

Went to Switzerland last weekend on my own with Rawd and Ettie to visit Mark, Jo and Lydia. Had a fantastic time. Cut it a bit short to get the flight..arrived in the car park in Brum at 8.05 for a 8.55 flight. Very grumpy customs official wanted to know where the children’s father was and then was extremely that I didn’t have a letter of permission from Andrew to say they could fly with me..suggested I got one for future flights…a first for me.

Plans to move back to Sudan in two weeks - pressure on to get things sorted this end and for Andrew to find us a flat that end…

We had to take Ettie to the hip specialist yesterday in Gobowen (andrew currently back on holiday) so we left Rawdy with Sirry, Fenn and Tabs. They went for a walk, roll and fish and chips in Church Stretton and were totally pooped on their return at about 7.15pm.

Rawd went upstairs to the loo while Fenn and Sirry were getting into the car when R suddely started crying that he wanted Fenn to kiss him goodbye. Fenn came back upstairs but was a bit reluctant to do any kissing but after a bit more weeping agreed that he would give Rawdy a cuddle but only if he pulled his pants up.

Went to Edinburgh last weekend. Stayed with Rob, Catriona, Eilidh and Mhairi. Saw Burglar Bill and then Catherine Rayner at the Book Festival. I went to see Rob Crilly’s sister on Sunday night..a sketch show called Anna and Katy..very funny. Great to see Rob, david Eyre, Eithne etc.,

Went to a party at Colin and Karen’s and caught up with Mark, Elaine, Miranda Hurst and others…all very nice.

It was Rawdy’s last day this term at Little Acorns in Rushbury. Sports day for the princesses and knights at Rushbury village hall. Esther and I were there cheering..well I was and she was vaguely gooing. Mum was at our new house (got the keys yesterday) cleaning and moving. Very exciting.

This was Rawd’s report

"Rawdon is happy and settled at Little Acorns. His confidence has grown and he takes part in all our activities with enthusiasm. It was lovely to see his obvious enjoyment and excitement during our messy play session with mud! He enjoys our Forest School sessions, showing a keen interest in the natural world.

Rawdon participates well during circle time, joining in with stories, songs and rhymes, and showing his increasing recognition of letters and numbers.

Rawdon is conscientious, taking care and pride in his work. He has produced some lovely drawings, paintings and collages and enjoys moulding with clay and dough. Rawdon works well independently, but now also seeks out others to share his experiences and join in their play.

Well done Rawdon! We look forward to seeing you again next term."

Two of his teachers said what a lovely little boy he is. How enthusiastic and interested he is.

I am a very proud mummy.

"Your hair looks beautiful, mummy and your tummy is not very fat," said Rawdy yesterday. I had finally managed to get my haircut. I have been on my own for the last couple of weeks - no time.

We went to Cardiff last week (thursday June 25th) to stay with Auriol, Corinna and new baby Isobel. Other Sudan friends came the next day. Jo and Tim with Ben, Sam and Elizabeth, Ed and Rachel with Iona and Ilanna. Peter arrived from Khartoum on Friday morning - I was rather sad that Andrew wasn’t around.

Rawdy was delighted to see all his chums. We went a soggy afternoon in a Cardiff park. Were supposed to stay with Sally and Jeff and baby Orla on Friday night but Sally called to say Jeff was not well so we drove back to Shrops…luckily the house had not flooded in the heavy rain. (It has flooded four times over the last few weeks)

Michael Jackson died while we were in Cardiff - brought back vivid memories of the concert I went to with Georgie in marbella in 1989.

Spent the weekend hanging out with Sirian, Tabs and Fenn. Went to a skimming competition on Sunday - stone skimming…surprisingly competitive!

One finger typing while boobing.

We registered the baby Rosie Esther Matilda but after more weeks of indecision got rawd to choose a name out of bag…so Esther it is..his all time favourite.

A hectic few weeks. Went to Lucy and Ben’s wedding 10 days after E was born. A fantastic day - very personal one of nicest weddings i’ve been to,,,quite quirky. there was a tree planting and a cheese wedding cake. E was quite popular with the guests…had quite achat with the kinnocks as i was feeding. Imelda staunton and other famous faces came and cooed.

Andrew went back to khartoum hated it and wants us to return wioth him in aug….ugh. new bbc chap has been in touch quite a few times.

Andrew came back again end May for Diane’s wedding in Walsall then Brum reception..also very nice. went to see Addis friends - ben jamin chesterton and val leick and their boys the next day.

|A frantic few weeks. R and E had chicken pops (as called by Rawd) and the rental house Clee View flooded four times..once very badly and had a chimney fire!

Went to Salcombe with Todd and the stinkers where mum was staying with rosemary and jeremy. georgie and freya came too - had a fab tim e ate endless ice cream and built sandcastles…

rawd and ettie had injections today..had to bribe r with coke and choc buttons!

Think we are finally decided on a name. We will call her Matilda and Esther will be her middle name..not sure which way round to register her.

Day 6 and all well. Still quite sore but have spent much of the last few days in bed…I don’t think I did that with rawdy at all. Feeling much more relaxed this time round although pretty exhausted…Matilda is more chilled than Rawdy was but it’s early days and we’re tospy turvey with her feeding all the time. We;ve kept visitors at bay apart from Sirry etc. Mum has gone to Salcombe to see Rosie for a few days so we are enjoying being on our own. Andrew has been fantastic - cooking, cleaning, taking Rawdy to school and for walks. A real star. I feel very lucky. They’re at the swimming pool at the moment with Fenn and his maternal grandmother Caroline.

Our little girl was finally born on aPRIL 21st in Shrewsbury Hospital at 20.53pm weighing 7 lb 10oz. She is a little grumpy looking but very sweet - so far nameless. . . toying with Esther Mathilda using Matilda as the main name.

A few details while they are fresh in my mind so I don’t forget.

After lots of waiting around I finally went into Shrewsbury Hospital on Monday April 20th to be induced. Was feeling really grim at the prospect - ward 19 was a fairly depressing place to be. Pessary one had no impact at all. Andrew was sent off at 8.30pm and I lay in the ward listening to a teenage pregnant mother-to-be vomit because her cough was so bad from smoking so much. Another woman at the other end of ward shared her experience of trying to drown her second son in the bath with a patient in the bed across from her.

On Tuesday at 10am I had a double dose pessary and initially pessary had no impact but after a long walk round the compound (beautiful spring day) started to have contractions. Sat around and played some cards with Andrew. Mum and Rawdy at came to visit at 2pm (so happy to see them) and we walked across the compound to a playground we had found earlier - I saw a Sudanese consultant (mr Maghani) at 4pm ish to decide next course olf action. Still hardly dilated but at almost 2 cm he thought i could have my waters broken but said in 99 per cent of cases it wouldn’t necessarily spark significant contractions to allow full dilation and warned about drips etcx. very grim news.

Had my waters broken at 6pm ish in a delivery suite by a confident young mid-wife called Rhiann. Off for another walk around the compound - this time quite stroing contractions (had to squeeze Andrew’s arm quite a bit). Back in trhe room just after 7pm and the mid-wife seemed confident we were on the way. Gas and air - felt a bit stoned which was nice. Listened to Radio 4. Strong contractions - used Tens machine but it was superceded by gas and air. There was a programme about British twins who had become religious - one christian one muslim. Just as contractions changed from dilation to pushing down some Islamis music came on to the prog -the atmosphere was peculiar very spritual felt floaty and surreal. very powerful. Not the same feeling of emergency and panic as I had when Rawdon was born. Not long after the music our little girl was born. It was amazing to feel the proper process of childbirth.

An interview with the teddy bear teacher Gillian Gibbons came on to the radio just after the birth. . a strange Sudanese connection to the whole experience./

April 18th 2009.

I’m back in the baby waiting game. Rawdon’s brother or sister was due on Good Friday (April 10th) but even now there’s little sign. Getting pretty frustrated but trying to get out and about. Andrew came back from Sudan on April 9th. We’ve been doing lots of walking since he got back, went to Lydia’s christening last Wednesday (we are the godparents) and even went to watch Any Questions at the Assembly Rooms in Ludlow last night. Giles Coren was on the panel. Andrew was thrilled!

Off to see Sirry, Fenn and T-S freshly arrived back from Hong Kong yesterday.

Quick update: Rawdy and I are living in a cottage in Larden near to Much Wenlock. Andrew is still in Sudan but coming backwards and forwards as and when. Hoping to move into our new house in Broome in July.

"I said there are rats in my house. Daddy "catched" it in a box and "cutted" his hands and it made all the poos! Ratty ate all the food. Rat ate in the swimming pool."

As told by Rawdy at Gina’s nursery today!

He got a special card to say well done for his lovely stories.

Hate to say it is actually true…we did have a rat in the house!

After months and months we’re back on the blog.

We are now in Khartoum, Sudan where we have been for almost a year.

Rawdy goes to a little playgroup called Gina’s Nursery. He’s just had his first report today.

This is from a 30-minute observation of Rawdy.

"Rawdon arrives and sits down in the jungle tray. He collects a few animals and puts them on the back of a lorry, sits on it and transports them around the room using his feet. After having a quick look at the play dough, Rawdon sits down at the library car and looks at a book. He then gets back on his lorry and drives to the home area where he takes a tray of cup cakes and spoends some time fitting them into their correct compartments.

From the jungle, Rawdon takes a wolf and makes him run along the edge of the chair as he say, "Woof, woof."

Spotting Susanna at the table in the home area, rawdon sits down and says, "I need a cup of tea," Susanna replies, "Cup of tea?" The jug falls on the floor and they both laugh.

Susanna takes a pot of number biscuits and holds each up in turn, "What’s this number?" she asks Rawdon. He replies "Two" and she says no. Rawdon says, "Three" and Susanna says yes and she puts it in the pot. They contiune this game for a few more numbers.

Rawdon and Susanna look in the mirror, make funny faces and laugh. Rawdon says, "Look Layla," as he gets back on his lorry and heads back to the jungle to collect more animals. At the water tray, Rawdon throws ina  turtle and a crocodile and he tells Gina, "Crocodile’s going to swim."

Outside Rawdon climbs on the balance with Christina before using an upturned part of the balance bar to sit on and rock. He sings Row Your Boat with Susanna."

Elsewhere in the report it says: "One day Rawdon attempted to sing Humpty Dumpty out loud to his class and he enjoys exploring big boxes."

They say: "He has excellent listening skills for his age, loves looking at books and joining in with songs, rhymes and discussions: all a fantastic start to his early years literacy skills!"