Sponsoring Ophelia as she waddles for her big sister Ava

[averydifferentlife]

I know it has been a while and I am feeling it is cheeky to just suddenly reappear and ask for support but I guess I have lost nothing by asking. I still find it hard to be here as things are so different for us now and I am such a changed person (not always for the good to be honest). Old habits are clearly hardly to break.

Anyway, for those who remember who I am from my girls' names then we are fundraising again in Ava's memory. We are holding a toddle waddle in six weeks to hopefully add to the £3K we have already raised for NICU in our darling girl's name. It's an ongoing thing now and the second major event we have done. Ophelia should be waddling but although she is 18 months now, she is not quite walking. So very close, I think it is a matter of days. I am so hoping she will take at least one step on the day, it would mean so much to us.

Anyway, we are doing okay if people want to know. 18 months hit hard and people say they don't forget but Ava's name is not really spoken any more by so many people. People will never understand and I am still repeatedly frustrated by the lack of support from people who claim to support us but aren't there when you need them. My mini rant for the day. There are of course some truly amazing people who I will be forever grateful to for their help and support.

As for Ophelia, she is gorgeous and certainly knows her own mind. She is and continues to be my reason to be and 'helper' as her name means. She is fine developmentally and the docs are all happy with her. She is still small but you wouldn't really know she was prem any more. She is happy and healthy which is what any Mummy wants for their child.

Enough waffling I guess. If anyone would consider sponsoring Ophelia, her page is here (http://www.justgiving.com/Ophelia-Hulbert). The main Angel Ava page is here (http://www.angelava.co.uk/)if you want a nosy to see what we have been up to and what we are doing at the moment. There are photos of the monitor we bought after the last fundraiser with a plaque for Ava (on the NICU (http://www.angelava.co.uk/nicu.html)page). You can also buy raffle tickets if you would like to or enter your child if you are in the Bristol / Bath area. All of my contact details are on the contact us (http://www.angelava.co.uk/contact.html) page.

Thanks for letting me pop by regardless, I knew it was only a matter of time if I am honest.

[Peridot]

I will definately be sponsoring (on phone at the mo & as soon as I'm home will do this - posting to remind myself)
What a wonderful & amazing thing to do & I hope so much that Ophelia take her first steps at this moment - that would be brilliant!
Please know that I never forget what you went through and beautiful Ava. I know it must be still so raw to join in more here and too difficult for you but know that so many of us are giving you a huge virtual hug and holding your hand xxx

[coolfm]

Really pleased to hear from you; great to hear an update on Ophelia. Think about you and your darling girls Ophelia and Ava often. :higgies: Will have a look on your links and will sponsor Ophelia. :thumb:

[Bluebabe75]

I will sponsor her :higgies:

Hope the event goes well and it would be amazing if Ophelia could walk by herself on the day :lurve: (does she walk holding hands - Em can't walk on her own yet but is getting more confident every day walking one-handed). I think it is a beautiful way for Ophelia to do something in tribute to her big sister :nod:

I often think of you all - and if you want to be here more often, we are all here for you :higgies:

[coolfm]

Had a quick look at the links. Will check my diary and see if Solomon is up for a toddle. I can certainly download some posters and put them up at Sol's preschool/ give them to some parents locally.

[averydifferentlife]

Ah thank you ladies. You are very kind. :) Sounds good Coolfm, we are not far from you at all now I know. It's kind of you all to remember us and send us virtual hugs.

And yes BB, Ophelia can indeed walk with hands. She has even mastered holding onto one hand but just does not quite have the confidence to go solo. Bless her, she is not lacking in confidence in other areas so I am sure she will get there soon!

Thanks too for the donations. I saw them flip through on my email as I was sat here marking. Definitely very kind and much appreciation :)

[Mrs B]

Done for you honey. I think of you all often, and am really glad that you feel you can pop back here for support whenever you need it. Take care xxx.

[Bluebabe75]

And yes BB, Ophelia can indeed walk with hands. She has even mastered holding onto one hand but just does not quite have the confidence to go solo. Bless her, she is not lacking in confidence in other areas so I am sure she will get there soon!



I'm sure she will :nod: And even if she does the toddle holding hands, she's still toddling :grin:

[lazybones]

Was thinking of you the other day :hug: just on phone at work but will have a look later on laptop xxx

[*SarahR*]

I think of you often too, and will do a donation tonight when I am on my computer not itouch.

It is lovely to hear from you xxx

[averydifferentlife]

Thank you, truly. I really have hesitated so long about posting back here, especially asking for donations. I am glad I did as it has been a nightmare week with fundraising. I was feeling so let down by DH's family who don't seem to even want to attend (aggh!) Anyway, thank you for restoring my faith in human nature :) I do mean about being supportive and remembering Ava too, it's not all about the money I promise. Speaking Ava's name is something that makes my heart sing.

Even if you don't want to / can't donate (I totally get it) then you can see a pic of madam on the fundraising page anyway. It's free to look I promise.

[Devon Maid]

Hi,

I wasn't around 18 months ago so am not familiar with your story but looking at your website and reading the newspaper articles has really touched me and I have donated towards the toddle. Good luck and hope you raise loads of money.

DMx

[Lovebug]

Have just donated , I often think of you too & am so glad Ophelia is doing well , the pic of her is gorgeous xxx

[SaintSarah]

I think of you all often, so lovely to hear from you. I would be proud to sponsor Ophelia xx

[Peridot]

All done and have put your link on me FB :) CUTE pic of Ophelia :girllove:
Sorry your family aren't being supportive, very unfair for you :higgies:

[averydifferentlife]

Thank you ladies, I am absolutely blown away, truly.

[Jack_the_Cat]

How lovely to hear from you. I think of you and your girls often. I've sponsered Ophelia, I hope it all goes well.
xx

[mummyplus2]

Ophelia is beautiful! Have sponsored her.

[Lilacgirl]

Hi there.
I was thinking about you just yesterday and wondering whether to post a thread seeing if anyone knew how you were.
Will be sponsoring Ava when I get a few minutes. xx

[One Sock]

Lovely to hear from you. I think of you and your girls often. So glad to hear that Ophelia is doing so well. Will be sure to sponsor her toddle for her big sister.

[Lilacgirl]

So sorry I meant sponsor Ophelia in Ava's memory. xx

[Lu Lu]

I will have a look in a mo honey but just wanted to reply to say that I, too, think of you and your girls often and have missed you on here. Lots of :higgies:

[Rosa]

I think of you as well and your girls, though completely understand why you find it hard here :higgies: Take care xxx

[averydifferentlife]

Thanks ladies, you really are utter stars. By sponsoring Ophelia today you have taken the just giving contributions of registered wadders to over £500. I have no clue about money raised from good old paper forms but to know we have £500 already is a massive help. I needed that kick up the backside to get motivated again.

Thanks for thinking of us too, it means a lot.

[creamcracker]

I will have a look in a mo honey but just wanted to reply to say that I, too, think of you and your girls often and have missed you on here. Lots of :higgies:

WSS! Will sort sponsoring O now.

[Chickenlips]

I will sponsor now. Please never feel your beautiful Ava is forgotten, even though you are not on here anymore I do think of her, as I do the many Angels I have met and grieved for.

Please come back here (permanently), we are all here for you, when you can't rant in real life, we will understand and will always be on your side.

Sending loads of love xxx

[averydifferentlife]

Thank you ladies again and thank you Chickenlips for your message. I too think of your beautiful Camille often and have been keeping up to date with her progress and keeping you all in my thoughts. I haven't forgotten. She is an utter inspiration.

It is actually international babylost mothers day (http://internationalbabylostmothersday.blogspot.com/) today, so sending lots of love to all the mummies of angels across the world. Flowers for those lovely mummies and also for you all for your kindness.

http://i624.photobucket.com/albums/tt324/carlymariedudley/anigif-22.gif

[Blonde Girl]

Done!

I think of you often honey, you and your beautiful girls. I am so impressed by your fund raising efforts, and I am sure that Ava is very proud of her mummy :higgies:

[averydifferentlife]

Thanks BG. Please don't be impressed, it's all we can do to be honest. It all feels very inadequate really. Sending much love to you and all of your children, especially Charlie. x

[Blonde Girl]

Thanks BG. Please don't be impressed, it's all we can do to be honest. It all feels very inadequate really. Sending much love to you and all of your children, especially Charlie. x

Thank you honey :flowers:

[ditab]

:wave: It's lovely to see you here - I think about you often & wonder how you're all getting on :hug:

What an amazing amount you've raised :bow: I'll be sponsoring Ophelia and hope she manages a few unaided steps on the day :fingerscrossed: It's great to hear she's doing so well :nod: She's so gorgeous :lurve:

[averydifferentlife]

Thanks ditab :), she actually took her first steps yesterday amazingly. Thank goodness, she was keeping us on tenterhooks but she did it!

[kittikins]

So lovely to hear from you. I would love to sponsor Ophelia. Such fab news about her taking her first steps, you must be so thrilled!

[Gemiloch]

Very lovely to hear from you again, I often think of you and your precious girls :higgies:

Have sponsored Opehlia

[averydifferentlife]

Just wanted to pop by say thank you and also to offer anyone the last chance to sponsor Ophelia as she waddles tomorrow for her big sister. Thankfully she has decided to walk properly (decided about two weeks ago) and now there is no stopping her. Link is here (http://www.justgiving.com/Ophelia-Hulbert).

Here is a link (http://www.thisissomerset.co.uk/Toddle-waddle-memory-twin/story-12741145-detail/story.html)for an article this week in our local paper if anyone is interested, I suspect one next week again too with photos.

A huge thank you to all who have bought raffle tickets and/or sponsored Ophelia. I am blown away by your kindness as always. :grin: We have already raised £1500 from the event alone. We hope to raise more tomorrow of course for NICU. Thank you again for all you have done in supporting us, it means so much that people take the time to remember Ava and help us to do good in her name.

[parkejm]

Thank you for bumping this, honey, I had missed it first time round. I've sponsored Ophelia and am crossing my fingers for nice weather for you.

I'm another one who misses you, and thinks of you. xx

[averydifferentlife]

Thank you so much Parkejm for sponsoring Ophelia and also for your kind words. I miss being here in all honesty but it kills me at the same time. I am hoping that in time I can come back properly. I am not in the best place at the moment.

Sending much love to you x