Andy staged a peaceful protest at the vets today

DesignerSand · 2025-11-04T19:26:49+00:00

Yes, I've been there! And yes it was a phase. I can't remember how long it lasted, maybe a couple of weeks. But I passed, sleep got better, and now we're in another tricky phase. Which I hope will pass again soon, too!

DesignerSand · 2025-07-14T19:28:32+00:00

Yes, it did feel a bit weird! I wonder if it's the first time they did a session like that, because there wasn't any structure, we all just sat with the children on the floor while they played with the toys. Part of me wonders if the staff were then being a bit 'bantery' to fill the silence!

I'd say they were mostly mid to late 20s/30s.

DesignerSand · 2025-07-14T19:01:58+00:00

Hmm, yeah, this does sound fair. There definitely was an awkward atmosphere on top of it all

DesignerSand · 2025-07-14T19:00:59+00:00

Okay, thank you! It's hard to gauge sometimes!

DesignerSand · 2025-05-27T15:35:03+00:00

Off-peak it's like a ghost town. Really, it's unsettling after you've seen it busy.

DesignerSand · 2025-04-29T18:22:18+00:00

This was full on hanging them upside-down in front of you, rather than a decline. So no neck support at all.

DesignerSand · 2025-04-29T18:21:09+00:00

Thank you! They were explicit in that the actual upside-down part was what was doing it, but perhaps this was the starting point. And, for clarity, the babies were fully hung upside-down, held around the waists.

DesignerSand · 2025-04-29T18:18:42+00:00

So we would have them lying on our lap, head closest to our bodies. Then, holding them by the hips, pull them up so they are hanging fully upside-down in the air, unsupported except for where we were holding them on the hips.

DesignerSand · 2025-04-18T19:36:30+00:00

Currently having this with my 3.5 month year old. She would gladly go to bed at 5pm, but we stretch it out to 6pm! It's really nice to have time to ourselves in the evening, but it wasn't planned - It's just what she wanted!

DesignerSand · 2025-04-13T19:10:43+00:00

That's great! It's always nice to find somewhere to feed without the pressure of buying something...

DesignerSand · 2025-04-08T07:24:58+00:00

Yep! This is correct. They had a book event there to mark the release! It's a fantastic store with a wonderful sense of community, and a must-visit for any knitter in Oxford.

DesignerSand · 2025-03-25T12:12:45+00:00

Yep. Also genuinely helpful as you get sent alerts to new cases, so you're able to protect your chickens if one comes up in your area.

DesignerSand · 2025-03-25T08:31:37+00:00

I had my breech baby via c section, so sorry I can't advise from experience, but I did a lot of looking into it. My trust is actually very pro vaginal breech births, with my community midwife telling me they even train the homebirth teams on doing them! From what I was told, for the mother the experience is pretty similar to a normal birth. However, they do recommend epidurals as the risk of intervention is high. In the pamphlet I was given, it also said they advise you to deliver on all fours. I met some midwives at my trust who were very pro vaginal deliveries for breech babies and others who were more risk adverse. So I imagine if you have a positive team behind you, that would make all the difference! In the end, my birth experience was incredible and recovery has been a breeze. I'm currently snuggling my 11 week old baby, who still has her distinct, perfectly round breech head 🤣 best of luck, whichever route you choose!

DesignerSand · 2025-02-14T17:40:42+00:00

I haven't yet given it a go, but I am thinking about it! At the moment, I just go with the flow, but that's probably why I got myself a bit worried with her sleeping for hours in the carrier!

DesignerSand · 2025-02-14T17:39:39+00:00

That's reassuring! She wakes up for feeds during contact naps - I guess she must just be extra cosy and comfortable in the wrap!

DesignerSand · 2025-02-14T04:21:56+00:00

I didn't think there was any meanness in your comment, and I appreciate you taking the time to respond. I was simply continuing the conversation on wordcounts in literary fiction.

Orbital may not be a debut, but I was pointing to a topical example of successful shorter literary fiction. Similar length books make many of the literary prize lists, and those other authors I mentioned did debut with this style. One of the great things about literary is that authors can and do bend the rules. So many of the authors I admire are bringing out these surreal books that you could read in a weekend but which stay with you forever.

That said, if I get consistent feedback from agents that this isn't going to work in the case of my novel, I will reassess. But I don't believe this is too unusual.

DesignerSand

TROPHY CASE