The perplexed Aunty.....so it begins. Can someone tell me where I've gone?

Without any warning my bedroom door was being banged in and all of a sudden mum screamed "SIAN I'M GOING TO NOTTINGHAM!!" as she flew through it. What a wake up call at 4am on a Saturday.

I knew exactly why, but I had to grumble "Why?" for her to pant back, as if she was mimicking what Terri-ann should be doing. "Terri-ann Sian!!" .... silence... "She's in labour".

And with that, mum was running down the stairs, the whole of the neighbourhood was probably more than likely awake thinking there was a mad woman on the free, and seeing as I was awake, I rolled over to text my sister a sarcastic 'Good luck getting it out' text, whilst throwing in there I TOLD her not to go into labour that weekend.

* 48 hours before *

Mum was in a mild panic ready to drive to Nottingham because my sister had decided, in her wisdom, despite being nearing her due date she would turn her phone off so it charged quicker. I swear to God, I hope her child has more brains..

Me: "Terri-ann where the hell are you?! Mum's going out her mind. Why are your texts not delivering?"

Her: "Oh, I'd just turned it to plane mode so it charges quicker!"

... The few sentences between here probably shouldn't be repeated on a blog or someone might come after me for sister abuse....

Me: "Whatever you do, do NOT go into labour this coming weekend. I'm competing both days and I can't miss them Terri-ann, okay?"

Her: "No, don't worry, I'm not due for another 10 or so days, it won't happen yet. Oh Sian, I'm so scared, I don't want to have to have forceps, suction, any of that!

Quite frankly, we both just completely jinxed the whole thing, because by the looks of it she was about to have this baby on my busy competing weekend, and Terri-ann had no idea what was coming up for her..

**

So, off I went competing, telling everyone I ran into that my sister had gone into labour and I needed to get on, ride my test and go. I don't think me shouting to the judge something along the lines of we needed to hurry, my sister was in labour went down very well. Although he did shout good luck as I trotted out the arena!

What I couldn't figure (at the time) was why everyone kept on telling me to chill, if it was her first baby we would be here hours.

Who were they to rain on my parade? My sister was having a baby!!

Getting home I half expected a text to say she was almost there. Nope. Far from it. The most my sister had managed to do in the several hours since mums wake up call was puke her dinner up. I saved the "our antenatal classes told you not to eat a big meal"... for later.

Hours passed, and I was beginning to get impatient. I went to the pub, sent terri-ann a picture of the yummy huge gammon steak I was having and then went to bed, with my phone on loud and woke up to.... nothing.

I decided to cancel competing for the day, go and get the ponies ridden and then head over to Nottingham so I was at least near to the action. My step dad thought I was bonkers wanting to go so early, but finally my endless "I'm telling you, it's going to be soon" wore him down and he agreed we should go.

During the morning we were updated by mum that Terri-ann had endured a rough night. She'd thrown up several times, was fully dilated but with no urge to push and tired. The head was too engaged to do a C-section now and they needed to get the baby out...yup, you guessed it...with forceps and suction.

By this point me and my step dad were on our way to the hospital from Lincolnshire. With every village I drove through I saw him look at the speed limit, look down at my digital speed display and then had to listen to some comment about not driving correctly.

About 45 minutes into our journey at Cranwell I sucked it up, flicked my digital display off and turned my music up. Apparently he noticed. Oh well.. Aunties-to-be don't need that sort of pressure.

We hit Newark and mum started texting my step dad more; they were making her push, she was pushing, the head was out..

...then...

silence

In the midst of the stress of all this, I want to ask, WHY ON EARTH do people go silent when you most need them to talk? My boyfriend goes silent when he's in a mood, people never text back when you need them to. WHY? Why do people do this?

So I carried on driving, bopping along to Kisstory whilst clocking my step dad looking at the speed, who had now decided to stop picking on that, but sit and tell me how I'm too relaxed driving, I'm not in the right lane, why am I so far up someones arse, did I see that car brake....? Honestly, never mind Terri-anns stress levels being 100, try driving with someone like this.... mine were at breaking point.

*Beep Beep*

"Annie's here" is all the text read from mum, and instantly I turned my music down and we both just sat there.

A girl! Annie!

She was named after my grandma that had died several years before, and Terri-ann always said if 'the baby' was a girl she'd call her Annie after our Grandma.

I WAS AN AUNTY!!!!!

And I shall forever be thankful for Annie arriving when we were in Newark, because it meant I got the next hour of our journey in peace as my step dad was too busy texting mum, and too happy to possibly comment on my driving. One question Annie: Why couldn't you have arrived when I was in Cranwell eh?!?!

Meeting her was definitely one of the best days of my life. Without turning soppy, she was just so perfect and small, wrapped in her blanket - all 7lbs of her, fast asleep, not realising the stress she'd caused.

Terri-ann's first words were: "Don't do it Sian, book a C Section when you have one!" Dually noted..

**

And the 6 or so weeks that have passed since then have been spent passing the days by watching her sleep, finding it hilarious that she's farted, playing with her chubby cheeks to try and get her to smile, and smelling of baby sick.

Gone are the days where I'd walk into a shop and purposely avoid the baby clothes isle because there's usually several screaming toddlers down there. Now I can't even enter a shop without checking out what cute baby clothes they have and screeching "Look Aran, Annie would look so cute in this!!"

Apparently when you were due to be at a birthday party half an hour ago, then is not the time to start looking at cute baby grows with ponies on in Morrison's. Pfft..spoil sport.

My stone heart has slightly turned to mush and I would honestly do anything for her. Are Aunty's allowed to go and accidentally trip kids over in the playground that are being nasty to your niece? Because I'm totally prepared to do this for her...

I never thought I'd be dragging the cute 'Babies first Christmas' baby grow out the bag to show my friends at our uni reunion, before the bottle of prosecco I'd got for pre drinks. Please someone tell me where normal Sian is and what you've done with her?

I also certainly never imagined I'd be voluntary feeding an actual human being and then throwing her over my shoulder telling her to burp. Because we all know what happens when babies burp.

I never imaged I'd stare at her for ages whilst she was sleeping, just to check she was still breathing..

And I definitely never imaged I'd have several hundred sleeping baby photos on my mobile. You know, just incase she moved to a slightly different position?

But what I 100% never imagined was how much I'd love her so quickly. It's like she's been here forever, not just a few weeks.

Welcome to the world Annie May - born on 8th October 2017 - We all love you an insane amount already, our little Rainbow baby! We waited so long for you, and now you're here it feels like you always have been.

Stay tuned for the next instalment!

p.s: Terri-ann, you owe me that Nando's now.
pps: I told you she'd be a girl.
ppps: I told you not to eat a full dinner whilst you were in labour.

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Remember, remember the fifth of November - for the right reasons

Bonfire night for horse owners can be a terrifying time. Whilst many people around the country are enjoying the pretty lights in the sky, many pet owners are sat willing the evening to end.

Realistically, how ever much we protest and ask neighbours to be vigilant and think twice about letting dozens of fireworks off, they usually still go ahead thinking we're just being spoilsports. When in reality we are just thinking of our animals.

There are plenty of ways to make your horses more comfortable this bonfire night and hopefully you will find some my tips help a little.

Remember, always plan ahead. Whilst bonfire night used to be the one night of the year fireworks were let off, you can now guarantee people start letting them off at least a week before and then a few days after the 5th November!

- Do your research. Find out when and where the displays in your area are going to happen. Ask neighbours if and when they will be letting any fireworks off. Try and find out specific times, so if need be you can be with your horse during that time.

- If you find out that there is going to be display nearby then it is best to stable your horse to avoid him doing any damage to himself outside. Something simple like shutting the top door of your stable can lessen the effect of flashing lights. If your horses are stabled in barns then shut all the barn doors - although your horse will still be able to hear the fireworks, he at least wont be able to see the constant flashing of lights.

- If your horse cannot come in, or is better in a situation like this being outside then ensure your field is well secured. Check fencing is safe and their field is not close enough to a display that it could cause a fire. 

- Think of what takes your mind off something you don't like. Many humans don't like thunder, so they put the radio on. Your horse is just the same; try putting the radio on when you know there is going to be a lot of noise from local fireworks. This will mask the sound of them.

- Keep him occupied; give him plenty of hay, a snack ball or even a likit to take his mind off the loud crashes and bangs.

- Do you like someone with you when you're scared? Horses are just the same! If you can, stay with them as your presence may have a calming effect. However, if your horse isn't relaxed then do not go in the stable with him unless you absolutely know he wont try to harm you. This may be accidentally or on purpose and sometimes they don't mean to but can cause you harm in stressful situations. 
- If you know your horse reacts badly to fireworks, don't leave things until the last minute - plan ahead! Contact your vet and ask for some sedation, especially if you know there is going to be a particularly large display that is bound to upset him.

Additional care

- Make sure you have sand and water nearby in case of a fire around the stables. If you're on a livery yard then ensure you are familiar with fire precautions. Make sure you know where you should go with your horse just in case there is a fire. 

- The morning after any night you have heard fireworks you should always check your horses field. Fireworks that have strayed my have landed there and be a risk to your horse.Walking the whole perimeter of the field will allow you to ensure you have removed all fireworks that could have strayed. 

One thing to remember is that all horses are different. Some react differently to fireworks and whilst a few on your yard may not be scared, others may be petrified. Take each individual horses needs in to consideration and work out what you can do to ensure they all have the most comfortable and quiet night as possible.

Don't be afraid to send your neighbours a polite notice asking them to keep their display to a minimum. Or maybe even just ask them to have their display the furthest away from your horses as possible. If you don't ask, you have no right to complain.

Here is a handy hint to help you remember what to do on bonfire night:

Fireworks must not be set off near livestock or horses in fields or stables
It is best to keep your horse in its normal routine
Risk assess your stable yard and plan to limit disturbance
Ensure you find out if there are any displays planned nearby
Warn local organisers, councils and schools that there are horses in the area
Organise your plans in advance
Remain calm and positive yourself as horses will sense your unease
Keep your horse in a familiar environment
Safety for everyone is the key – do not put yourself in danger 

If you have any other tips then please comment below or tweet me @SLEquineJourno 

 

Don't forget you can now follow me on Instagram: SLEquineJournalist

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