Pick Me Up! Special Autumn 2018

Six days might not seem very long but it was a lifetime for Caroline (pg22) to wait. When her waters broke too early, she had to will her twin girls to hold off coming into the world because if they did, doctors couldn’t save them. It was a fight that would shape the whole family. Proud mum Victoria (pg34) has watched her son Alex, 13, win plenty of battles on his journey to be a teenager. When he was first diagnosed with leukaemia, she was devastated – the second time she was furious. But Alex’s courage has shone throughout. Life is full of surprises. You won’t believe what happened to Jasmine (pg31) when she was bitten by a spider, and if you think being pregnant was going to stop Shannon…

Bedtime favourites While most kids hate bedtime, Nicholas absolutely adores getting into bed! It’s probably because he knows I’m about to read him a story, but I count myself lucky! Robyn, Brighton Summertime keepsakes We had a wonderful time on the beach in Dorset recently, and Isabella had a blast picking up stones and playing with them. She brought this one home as a keepsake. Shelly, Cardiff Nature lover from the start I was so proud of my little boy. I took him out to the playground, and he was more interested in watching the birds than playing on the swings! Megan, Kent Beautiful birthday girl Happy birthday to my beautiful friend Pippa! I hope you had the most fantastic birthday doing everything you…

All of my children were precious to me, but the bond I had with my first born was something truly special. It had just been me and Taylor, 11, for four years before Harley, seven, and Harper, two, came into the world. Taylor was such a dream child. He was older than his years, polite and kind. I never had to worry about him getting into trouble and knew when he said that he wanted to be in computers, that he’d make it happen. It was every parent's nightmare We were close enough to be honest with each other, too. ‘You can’t really be thinking about calling her Tiger Lily,’ he said, as he rubbed my growing baby bump. ‘Poor kid!’ ‘I like it!’ I laughed, giving him a playful…

Out with mates, I was trying to join in the fun, but my phone kept on pinging. ‘It’s Andrew,’ I sighed. ‘He’s asking what I’m up to.’ Again. ‘That’s so sweet of him!’ my friend replied. But was it? I used to think the same. But recently, my boyfriend Andrew’s constant checking up on me felt a bit over the top. When we’d first met, I’d been having a rough time. ‘Come under my wing,’ he said. ‘I’ll look after you.’ I felt so lucky that this sexy, 6ft tall bloke with a bodybuilder’s physique wanted me. Wanted to look after me. Within a few weeks of meeting, I was spending most nights at Andrew’s house. He made me feel special and was always buying me gifts. But just three…

Active as a teenager, into ballet and tap, I was a size-12 when I first met my fiance, Jack Dunham, then 21. Formerly primary school chums, we were reintroduced by a mutual pal in 2017 and fell in love. Soon pregnant, I had our first daughter Keira in August 2008. At six-months-old, Keira developed osteomyelitis, a dangerous, rare condition that inflames bone marrow. It's usually found in children in underdeveloped countries, but somehow Keira had contracted it. My baby was battling for her life! I kept a bedside vigil at Southampton General Hospital for months. My waistline was the last thing on my mind as I lived on sugary energy drinks and vending machine snacks, curries or Chinese takeaways, to keep going. Thankfully, Keira was discharged before Christmas, but we…

Upturning my flower pot and shaking soil all over my kitchen, all I could do was watch as Jasper made another mess. I’d only just managed to clear up after the last mess he’d made. But I couldn’t be cross with him. No, Jasper isn’t a new puppy… he’s our adopted fox cub. As an animal lover, I was asked to look after him after he was found locally. Jasper was just two days old when I took him home with me and our bond quickly formed as he needed hourly feeds. He was so small and vulnerable. His eyes stayed shut for ten days, but when they began to open, I could tell he knew who I was. I’d been wearing the same dressing gown to feed him so…