In the meantime, if you do have a premature baby - let Freddie's journey give you hope! He was 1lb 9ozs when he was born 11.5 weeks early. 1lb 6ozs (690 grams) at his lowest weight. Look ayt him now!
Latest news
Monday, 20 May 2013
@FreddieWM - aged 2
2 years ago today, Mummy was rushed to hospital - 86 miles away from North London to Ashford, in Kent. Who'd have thought, 2 years later, we would have a bubbly beautiful boy?! We are celebrating his birthday tomorrow and having a party with friends this weekend - I will post photos next week.
In the meantime, if you do have a premature baby - let Freddie's journey give you hope! He was 1lb 9ozs when he was born 11.5 weeks early. 1lb 6ozs (690 grams) at his lowest weight. Look ayt him now!
In the meantime, if you do have a premature baby - let Freddie's journey give you hope! He was 1lb 9ozs when he was born 11.5 weeks early. 1lb 6ozs (690 grams) at his lowest weight. Look ayt him now!
Thursday, 25 April 2013
The Freddie McGill Sunshine Fund - @BlissCharity
The Freddie McGill Sunshine Fund has raised a wonderful £2082.25 helping Bliss to provide premature and sick babies and their families with the best possible care and support.
I would like to take this opportunity to say an enormous thank you for your continued dedication and support of our work in honour of Freddie.
Bliss is almost entirely reliant on the hard work of our supporters all across the country to ensure that the voices of premature and sick babies and their families remain heard. Your support helps us to continue our vital work in areas of family centred care, campaigning and research, to ensure that all premature and sick babies have the best possible chance of survival and reaching their full potential.
Please note that if you are raising funds online or you have recently made a donation, these will be added to your fund and will show on your next update.
You can make a donation in honour of your loved one at any time by donating here and we will make sure that your gift is added towards the The Freddie McGill Sunshine Fund. You can also ask your friends and family to donate towards your fund via our website.
Or you can call me on 0207 3785740 and make a donation directly into your Sunshine fund!
You can find out more about some of the things Bliss has been doing in your Sunshine Fund Newsletter
Best wishes,
Bliss Charity
I would like to take this opportunity to say an enormous thank you for your continued dedication and support of our work in honour of Freddie.
Bliss is almost entirely reliant on the hard work of our supporters all across the country to ensure that the voices of premature and sick babies and their families remain heard. Your support helps us to continue our vital work in areas of family centred care, campaigning and research, to ensure that all premature and sick babies have the best possible chance of survival and reaching their full potential.
Please note that if you are raising funds online or you have recently made a donation, these will be added to your fund and will show on your next update.
You can make a donation in honour of your loved one at any time by donating here and we will make sure that your gift is added towards the The Freddie McGill Sunshine Fund. You can also ask your friends and family to donate towards your fund via our website.
Or you can call me on 0207 3785740 and make a donation directly into your Sunshine fund!
You can find out more about some of the things Bliss has been doing in your Sunshine Fund Newsletter
Best wishes,
Bliss Charity
Sunday, 14 April 2013
Mummy @JenniMcGill notes on @FreddieWM's progress
At the end of each holiday, before we hand Freddie to his Nanny, Mummy writes a short update on his progress. You can read all about this below:
"Freddie's progress over the Easter break.
The first week Freddie had a bad cough, so didn't sleep very well and vomited quite a bit.
We took him back to the GP and this time they were very helpful. They recognised that he still has very immature lungs as a result of his premature birth and prescribed him an additional breathing pump, this one is the type we have been waiting for, as previously he has been too young. The pump is to support his lungs, widening his airways, it contains a steroid. Usually given to asthma patients. He also has to take a sachet of powder granules before bed (called montelukast)
Both have made a huge difference, the coughing has stopped, he's sleeping right through the night 7pm-7am and has only had one vomit episode all week.
The Doctor has also referred him to a paediatrician at the Whittington Hospital.
He continues with the blue pump every 4 hours and the brown one, 2 puffs in the morning and before bed.
He hasn't been eating a great deal, he does snack lots, he eats one main hot meal a day and drinks milk in the morning and night. He has some before his midday nap too. I have reduced the quantity I am giving him, he always has his small bottle, except before bed at night. A cup with lunch, usually water or juice. He loves cold water and likes drinking from a straw. He's gone off yogurts, just has a tiny bit and gets bored. He likes the smoothies, he does like tipping half out if you don't watch him.
He is sleeping for 2 hours in the day at 12 o'clock. He is really good at the routine of napping, he kisses daddy goodnight and we go upstairs to drink some milk, he burps whilst saying goodbye to the planes at the window, then bed. He goes to sleep straight away with little fuss.
Playtime
He has a new sand pit in the garden that he loves, he gets very messy, but enjoys that.
We have also got a new table and chairs and an easel for drawing. He does like to draw on everything though, so pens have been banned.
He watches Peppa pig in the mornings and evenings, he loves Peppa. He likes his small Peppa pig books too. They are for upstairs.
He is enjoying books lots, he sits on my knee and we read together. He has a few new ones. He loves his new animal book, he makes the Lion Roar noise and says quack quack.
He continues to take his white (used to be white, gets washed twice a week, sometimes more depending) rabbit everywhere, he doesn't like any other soft toy. He even removes the others from his bed before he goes to sleep.
If you ask him to dance he does, which is very cute. He says quite a few words now too, cat, cake, no, grrrrr, chocolate, apple, hiya, peppa, bye bye and more.
He sits in his arm chair lots, if you give him a snack in a bowl, he will take it to his chair.
He doesn't like showers so much these days, he prefers a bath. We have been putting an E45 bath oil in the water and his rash has completely cleared up, with the occasional little rash.
He has started to enjoy using the little kids electric tooth brush.
We have been taking him to lots of ball play centres. He absolutely loves it, he is very good at climbing and has no fear of the slides, he goes down the big slides quite happily, Usually backwards.
His hair has grown lots and his face is changing. Looks very handsome, just like his dad. "
Sent from my iPhone
"Freddie's progress over the Easter break.
The first week Freddie had a bad cough, so didn't sleep very well and vomited quite a bit.
We took him back to the GP and this time they were very helpful. They recognised that he still has very immature lungs as a result of his premature birth and prescribed him an additional breathing pump, this one is the type we have been waiting for, as previously he has been too young. The pump is to support his lungs, widening his airways, it contains a steroid. Usually given to asthma patients. He also has to take a sachet of powder granules before bed (called montelukast)
Both have made a huge difference, the coughing has stopped, he's sleeping right through the night 7pm-7am and has only had one vomit episode all week.
The Doctor has also referred him to a paediatrician at the Whittington Hospital.
He continues with the blue pump every 4 hours and the brown one, 2 puffs in the morning and before bed.
He hasn't been eating a great deal, he does snack lots, he eats one main hot meal a day and drinks milk in the morning and night. He has some before his midday nap too. I have reduced the quantity I am giving him, he always has his small bottle, except before bed at night. A cup with lunch, usually water or juice. He loves cold water and likes drinking from a straw. He's gone off yogurts, just has a tiny bit and gets bored. He likes the smoothies, he does like tipping half out if you don't watch him.
He is sleeping for 2 hours in the day at 12 o'clock. He is really good at the routine of napping, he kisses daddy goodnight and we go upstairs to drink some milk, he burps whilst saying goodbye to the planes at the window, then bed. He goes to sleep straight away with little fuss.
Playtime
He has a new sand pit in the garden that he loves, he gets very messy, but enjoys that.
We have also got a new table and chairs and an easel for drawing. He does like to draw on everything though, so pens have been banned.
He watches Peppa pig in the mornings and evenings, he loves Peppa. He likes his small Peppa pig books too. They are for upstairs.
He is enjoying books lots, he sits on my knee and we read together. He has a few new ones. He loves his new animal book, he makes the Lion Roar noise and says quack quack.
He continues to take his white (used to be white, gets washed twice a week, sometimes more depending) rabbit everywhere, he doesn't like any other soft toy. He even removes the others from his bed before he goes to sleep.
If you ask him to dance he does, which is very cute. He says quite a few words now too, cat, cake, no, grrrrr, chocolate, apple, hiya, peppa, bye bye and more.
He sits in his arm chair lots, if you give him a snack in a bowl, he will take it to his chair.
He doesn't like showers so much these days, he prefers a bath. We have been putting an E45 bath oil in the water and his rash has completely cleared up, with the occasional little rash.
He has started to enjoy using the little kids electric tooth brush.
We have been taking him to lots of ball play centres. He absolutely loves it, he is very good at climbing and has no fear of the slides, he goes down the big slides quite happily, Usually backwards.
His hair has grown lots and his face is changing. Looks very handsome, just like his dad. "
Sent from my iPhone
Thursday, 11 April 2013
Spring updates...2013.
Here are a few updates of what we have been up to with Freddie during February, March and Easter.
The good news is, Great Ormond Street Hospital finally reviewed Freddie's 2nd hernia operation - albeit 3 months late - and we were finally signed off! Just one more operation to go...
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| Fun in the park |
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| At London Zoo |
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| Reading with mummy |
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| Playing with Kitty |
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| 5th April 2013 |
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| Mummy made my chair |
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| I love crisps |
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| You are under arrest |
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| Yum! |
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| After a messy time in the garden! |
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| Planting tomatoes |
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| A new hat - from Uncle Brian/Aunty Mair |
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| Packed suitcase, ready to leave Grandma's |
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| Hello Grandma |
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| Bad hair day! |
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| Painting class |
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| 2nd version of Passport photos |
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| Me with cousin Ellie - April 2013 |
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| With Mummy in the park |
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| Chilling... |
The good news is, Great Ormond Street Hospital finally reviewed Freddie's 2nd hernia operation - albeit 3 months late - and we were finally signed off! Just one more operation to go...
We will be celebrating Freddie's 2nd birthday on 21st May 2013.
Read what happened one year ago.Sunday, 10 February 2013
@FreddieWM makes his 2nd publication
Freddie now appears in his 2nd book publication for premature babies. A picture of the book is below and you can find it on Amazon here.
We helped write this book for parents who find themselves on NNU, usually with no preparation, and are totally overwhelmed. This applies to premature babies as well as babies admitted for other reasons such as infections or serious medical problems.
We have included information from Freddie's blog, about what parents should expect and who they’ll meet. This is based on everything we said to Dr. Su Laurent on what we said, as parents and what we'd wish we had knew when Freddie was first admitted.
The book contains many contributions by parents who told their stories about what happened to them and their babies. The book lets new parents know how they may feel and how their baby may feel and what they can do to help their baby. The book also discusses what the future may hold and what to expect when parents leave NNU. The book is very honest about the prognosis of premature babies and contains lots of photos to help explain what to expect.
As there were virtually no books available to us when Freddie was born in May 2011 (in the UK), we hope that by doing this, this will support many future premature babies and parents through their time in NICU.
Thank you to Dr. Su Laurent for allowing us to share Freddie's story. We are so sorry we missed the book launch party and hope the photos' of Freddie's progress below make up for it.
Below, are some photos of Freddie during January / February 2013.
 |
| Freddie features on several pages in the book |
We helped write this book for parents who find themselves on NNU, usually with no preparation, and are totally overwhelmed. This applies to premature babies as well as babies admitted for other reasons such as infections or serious medical problems.
We have included information from Freddie's blog, about what parents should expect and who they’ll meet. This is based on everything we said to Dr. Su Laurent on what we said, as parents and what we'd wish we had knew when Freddie was first admitted.
The book contains many contributions by parents who told their stories about what happened to them and their babies. The book lets new parents know how they may feel and how their baby may feel and what they can do to help their baby. The book also discusses what the future may hold and what to expect when parents leave NNU. The book is very honest about the prognosis of premature babies and contains lots of photos to help explain what to expect.
As there were virtually no books available to us when Freddie was born in May 2011 (in the UK), we hope that by doing this, this will support many future premature babies and parents through their time in NICU.
Thank you to Dr. Su Laurent for allowing us to share Freddie's story. We are so sorry we missed the book launch party and hope the photos' of Freddie's progress below make up for it.
Below, are some photos of Freddie during January / February 2013.
 |
| Freddie on Daddy's car - Dover - 1.1.13 |
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| Just a bit of a mess during dinner! |
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| At art club, painting! |
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| Posing in Daddy's glasses - Jan 2013 |
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| At the park - Feb 2013 |
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| With Mummy on the sofa - Feb 2013 |
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| At art-club with Kitty - Feb 2013 |
Monday, 14 January 2013
Mummy @JenniMcGill writes about @FreddieWM
Freddie 18 months update:
Freddie has been amazing this Christmas holiday. He is developing really well, becoming a very funny character. He laughs loads!
Playing:
He is very interactive. Examples of this are; he plays peek a boo... we say "where's Freddie?" and he covers his face with both hands. He then reveals himself with a huge smile. 'We say, there he is'! Lots of smiles.
Daddy has also taught him to raise one arm in the air and say "GOAL!!!" This started whilst watching Match Of The Day.
He points at planes, birds and the stars/lights. He finds things when we ask him to. If you give him a coin, he will take it to the money bottle in the hall. He loves doing this. He has a new toy-garage, and he posts the cars and all sorts into the car-lift.
I took all his small socks that are too small for him, and placed them in a basket, he loves tipping these out, not has mastered putting them back yet. He likes it if you take all the bricks from the bag, he then sits in the bag. Not sure why, but he likes it.
Meal times:
He hasn't been eating very well. At the beginning of the holidays he was coughing a lot, not a cold, but more like reflux. This made him bring up food and milk a lot. He has Gaviscon before bed and this has improved. He is drinking a lot of milk and eating very little solids. This has been better the last few days, although he eats only a few mouthfuls at each meal time. He makes it known when he wants milk. He has 210mls when he wakes up. Breakfast at 8am: cereal, only a few bits and 100mls milk before his nap, and then a tiny bit when he wakes up.
Juice, he's loving this. I have got him a new drinking cup
His lunch is anytime between 12-3pm. It is varied between snacks and bits and bobs. He loves rice cakes. He hardly eats anything at dinner.
Sleep:
He is sleeping very well. Always has a nap 3-4 hours after he gets up in the morning. He has been waking up at 6am most morning, 630am latest, so naps at 10am-12. Occasionally for 2 1/2 hours.
He goes to bed at night really well. 7pm on the dot, no crying. He does wake up coughing which is like a reflux cough. I make sure I feed him sitting up now, so he burps ok.
I took him to the doctor today, they said that the cough is probably a left over virus and that his tummy and ears are fine. She gave him another inhaler and we have been using this first thing in the morning and last thing at night. This seems to be the time that he needs it. She gave him more prescription powders for night time. I think this should help.
He has lots of new toys. He likes to tip things out and build things up. He is a very happy boy.
(Christmas 2012 - written by Mummy).
Freddie has been amazing this Christmas holiday. He is developing really well, becoming a very funny character. He laughs loads!
Playing:
He is very interactive. Examples of this are; he plays peek a boo... we say "where's Freddie?" and he covers his face with both hands. He then reveals himself with a huge smile. 'We say, there he is'! Lots of smiles.
Daddy has also taught him to raise one arm in the air and say "GOAL!!!" This started whilst watching Match Of The Day.
He points at planes, birds and the stars/lights. He finds things when we ask him to. If you give him a coin, he will take it to the money bottle in the hall. He loves doing this. He has a new toy-garage, and he posts the cars and all sorts into the car-lift.
I took all his small socks that are too small for him, and placed them in a basket, he loves tipping these out, not has mastered putting them back yet. He likes it if you take all the bricks from the bag, he then sits in the bag. Not sure why, but he likes it.
Meal times:
He hasn't been eating very well. At the beginning of the holidays he was coughing a lot, not a cold, but more like reflux. This made him bring up food and milk a lot. He has Gaviscon before bed and this has improved. He is drinking a lot of milk and eating very little solids. This has been better the last few days, although he eats only a few mouthfuls at each meal time. He makes it known when he wants milk. He has 210mls when he wakes up. Breakfast at 8am: cereal, only a few bits and 100mls milk before his nap, and then a tiny bit when he wakes up.
Juice, he's loving this. I have got him a new drinking cup
His lunch is anytime between 12-3pm. It is varied between snacks and bits and bobs. He loves rice cakes. He hardly eats anything at dinner.
Sleep:
He is sleeping very well. Always has a nap 3-4 hours after he gets up in the morning. He has been waking up at 6am most morning, 630am latest, so naps at 10am-12. Occasionally for 2 1/2 hours.
He goes to bed at night really well. 7pm on the dot, no crying. He does wake up coughing which is like a reflux cough. I make sure I feed him sitting up now, so he burps ok.
I took him to the doctor today, they said that the cough is probably a left over virus and that his tummy and ears are fine. She gave him another inhaler and we have been using this first thing in the morning and last thing at night. This seems to be the time that he needs it. She gave him more prescription powders for night time. I think this should help.
He has lots of new toys. He likes to tip things out and build things up. He is a very happy boy.
(Christmas 2012 - written by Mummy).
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