Saturday 15th January

Today was a positive one, just when we needed one.

It was all getting too much yesterday. Just as we thought the end of the tunnel's light was not too far away, it swiftly slipped out of our sight again.

Willow and Stanley's cuteness hit a new high today. Willow was more alert for longer periods than we'd ever seen her; a sign that she's starting to overcome her tiredness. She's still classified as having chronic lung disease, and is still on a fair amount of oxygen to keep her going; but everything else she's doing is moving her in the right direction. Stanley did some of his best feeding today; a new technique which we were trying seems to be working.

They were both weighed yesterday - Willow is 7lbs 4.5oz, Stanley 7lbs 14.5oz. Both growing well, with cheeks getting chubbier.

Yesterday, the Air Liquide van pulled up outside to deliver some oxygen to our house. We have one cylinder of it in gas form upstairs, and a container of the liquid stuff for downstairs and to re-fill the portable bottle. If we were to think a year ago that right now we'd have to bring children up on oxygen, we'd be terrified. But now, it doesn't faze us at all - it's just normal.

Last night's beer and curry didn't work out; the colonel's chicken came out on top with his offer of zingery towers and hot wings. But tonight, Dosa World delivered Indian food at a level not often seen in this town, to finish of a rather splendid week of culinary finery.

Another Sunday tomorrow then - and hopefully one of the last few Sundays we'll have to spend in a hospital. It won't be long now.