Sunday 18 May 2014

Pixie Lott flashes the flesh in a daring monochrome bralet

Her new album is just months away from release, but Pixie Lott has taken a break from her current promotional campaign while she pays a visit to the 67th annual Cannes Film Festival with boyfriend Oliver Cheshire.
The 23-year-old singer caught the eye as she climbed aboard a sprawling yacht moored in the harbour on Saturday – not least because of her daring monochrome ensemble.
Pixie had opted to show off her slender torso in a zebra print bra-top – and little else – as she prepared for a Total Management and Mr. Porter luncheon.
Handsome couple: Pixie Lott and Oliver Cheshire arrive in Cannes on Saturday
Handsome couple: Pixie Lott and Oliver Cheshire arrive in Cannes on Saturday

The songstress matched it with a roomy black skirt, while her long flaxen locks remained partially hidden and well shaded beneath a wide brimmed hat that oozed retro seventies chic.
A pair of strappy sandals completed the look and gave Pixie’s ensemble an additional flash of colour as she posed for photos with handsome model Oliver shortly after arriving.
The couple appeared to be in high spirits on the day, with the singer sharing a joke with her beau as they sipped obligatory glasses of champagne. 
Here she comes: Pixie opted for a daring monochrome bra-top and pleated black skirt for her appearance on the French Riviera
Here she comes: Pixie opted for a daring monochrome bra-top and pleated black skirt for her appearance on the French Riviera
  
Stylish: Handsome Oliver takes it easy after the pair climb aboard a yacht on Saturday
Interesting: It's another memorable ensemble from Pixie as she attends a Net-a-Porter dinner in Cannes
Handsome pair: Oliver makes himself at home after climbing aboard a yacht (L) while Pixie shows off another  memorable ensemble as she attends the Total Management and Mr. Porter luncheon in Cannes
Close: The couple pose for photos on Saturday
Close: The couple pose for photos on Saturday
All aboard: The singer, on the French Riviera to film a new music video, makes her presence known as she limbs onto a yacht moored in Cannes harbour
All aboard: The singer, on the French Riviera to film a new music video, makes her presence known as she limbs onto a yacht moored in Cannes harbour
All aboard: The singer, on the French Riviera to film a new music video, makes her presence known as she limbs onto a yacht moored in Cannes harbour
Arm in arm: Pixie and Oliver stole the show on Saturday
Arm in arm: Pixie and Oliver stole the show on Saturday



Oliver cut a good-looking figure in a smart check shirt and chino trousers, with shades and a pair of slip-on loafers rounding things off.
Lunch meetings aside Pixie has good cause  to be in Cannes having wisely chosen the South of France as the  backdrop for her next music video.
On Wednesday morning she posted a photo on Instagram with the caption: 'Waiting for our flight to South of France to shoot the next vid'.
Hold on to your hat: The songstress opted for a wide brimmed accessory as she made her way across the harbour with Oliver
Hold on to your hat: The songstress opted for a wide brimmed accessory as she made her way across the harbour with Oliver
Say cheese: Pixie catches the eye after making her way into the Total Management and Mr. Porter luncheon in Cannes on Saturday
Say cheese: Pixie catches the eye after making her way into the Total Management and Mr. Porter luncheon in Cannes on Saturday
Say cheese: Pixie catches the eye after making her way into the Total Management and Mr. Porter luncheon in Cannes on Saturday

Bottom's up: The couple enjoy a glass of champagne
Bottom's up: The couple enjoy a glass of champagne


Good times: Pixie and Oliver share a joke after settling into their seats
Good times: Pixie and Oliver share a joke after settling into their seats
Side by side: Pixie and Oliver look stylish in  seasonal ensembles during their latest public appearance
Side by side: Pixie and Oliver look stylish in  seasonal ensembles during their latest public appearance
Side by side: Pixie and Oliver look stylish in  seasonal ensembles during their latest public appearance
It appears that Pixie's new single is likely to be a big summer anthem and one that will hopefully do better than the album's lead single, Nasty, which peaked at #9 in the UK singles chart.
While the stylish starlet has never felt a pressure to dress a certain way to conform to industry standards, she recently explained that 60s icons Brigitte Bardot and Edie Sedgwick are her style heroines.
Speaking to the Daily Mail's YOU magazine, Pixie said: 'I’ve never felt pressured to dress a certain way. It’s tricky. I would never go to extremes.
High spirits: Pixie was in a cheerful mood as she soaked up the sun on Saturday
High spirits: Pixie was in a cheerful mood as she soaked up the sun on Saturday
Stylish pair: The couple certainly had their resort wear wardrobe down to perfection
Stylish pair: The couple certainly had their resort wear wardrobe down to perfection

No shoes: Pixie kicked off her sandals while on the boat
No shoes: Pixie kicked off her sandals while on the boat



'But I’ve definitely done videos that are more raunchy than others just because of what the song is about. I love everything about the 60s. I love Brigitte Bardot and Edie Sedgwick as style icons, I love the whole fashion from that era.
As for her personal life, Pixie has been dating Cheshire for three years now and they make their relationship work by staying in contact via Skype when she is working overseas.
The pop star insists though the two are still 'too young' to consider tying the knot anytime soon.
Don't mind me: There was no missing Pixie during her latest outing
Don't mind me: There was no missing Pixie during her latest outing
Enjoying the sun: Pixie has been travelling to warmer climes over the last few months
Enjoying the sun: Pixie has been travelling to warmer climes over the last few months
Enjoying the sun: Pixie has been travelling to warmer climes over the last few months
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Taylor Swift is sexy in the city as she adds yellow heels to her black and white playsuitShe is as classy as they come and on Saturday, Taylor Swift certainly didn't disappoint. The 24-year-old singer was seen getting out of a black SUV and heading into a hotel. Taylor was showing off her famously long legs in the process while taking long strides in her thigh-skimming outfit. Places to go: Taylor Swift is seen out and about in New York City on Saturday Places to go: Taylor Swift is seen out and about in New York City on Saturday She was all legs in a short black and white playsuit that showed off her slender frame. To add a touch of color, the star topped off her look with a pair of yellow heels and a matching mustard yellow designer purse. Her make-up was flawless and she was wearing her signature black eyeliner and red lipstick. Shining bright: Her make-up was flawless and she was wearing her signature black eyeliner and red lipstick Shining bright: Her make-up was flawless and she was wearing her signature black eyeliner and red lipstick Classic elegance: The star added a pop of color with a pair of yellow heels and matching mustard purse Classic elegance: The star added a pop of color with a pair of yellow heels and matching mustard purse At one point, Taylor displayed her compassionate side as she tried to console a crying fan, who was obviously overwhelmed at seeing the singer up close and personal. The star didn't seem to have a care in the world after denying rumours that she's romantically involved with Scrubs star Zach Braff. It had been rumoured the toned country favourite had been getting close to the actor and director following claims they had been spending lot of time together in the Big Apple. The chart-topper had her handlers put rumours to bed by saying that she had 'never' dated the 39-year-old beefcake. Stylish as always: She was all legs wearing a short black and white playsuit that showed off her slender frame Stylish as always: She was all legs wearing a short black and white playsuit that showed off her slender frame Stylish as always: She was all legs wearing a short black and white playsuit that showed off her slender frame Her spokeperson said: 'Despite the rumors, Taylor has never been on a date with Mr. Braff. 'And he has never been to her home,' they added, in response to claims that he had even dropped into her Tribeca apartment. In a quirky reference to the singer's track We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together, her rep even went so far as to conclude the statement by saying, 'like, never. Ever.' It is no doubt a disappointment for her fans, who at the very least could have expected a heartfelt breakup song if the relationship had gone awry. It'll be ok! Taylor stops to console an emotional fan who teared up at seeing her in person It'll be ok! Taylor stops to console an emotional fan who teared up at seeing her in person Big steps! With her lean pins, she took long strides, strutting her stuff as if the street was a fashion runway Big steps! With her lean pins, she took long strides, strutting her stuff as if the street was a fashion runway There she goes! Taylor puts her purse strap on her shoulder as she enters the door of a hotel There she goes! Taylor puts her purse strap on her shoulder as she enters the door of a hotel

She is as classy as they come and on Saturday, Taylor Swift certainly didn't disappoint.
The 24-year-old singer was seen getting out of a black SUV and heading into a hotel.
Taylor was showing off her famously long legs in the process while taking long strides in her thigh-skimming outfit.
Places to go: Taylor Swift is seen out and about in New York City on Saturday
Places to go: Taylor Swift is seen out and about in New York City on Saturday

She was all legs in a short black and white playsuit that showed off her slender frame.
To add a touch of color, the star topped off her look with a pair of yellow heels and a matching mustard yellow designer purse.
Her make-up was flawless and she was wearing her signature black eyeliner and red lipstick.
Shining bright: Her make-up was flawless and she was wearing her signature black eyeliner and red lipstick
Shining bright: Her make-up was flawless and she was wearing her signature black eyeliner and red lipstick
Classic elegance: The star added a pop of color with a pair of yellow heels and matching mustard purse
Classic elegance: The star added a pop of color with a pair of yellow heels and matching mustard purse


At one point, Taylor displayed her compassionate side as she tried to console a crying fan, who was obviously overwhelmed at seeing the singer up close and personal.
The star didn't seem to have a care in the world after denying rumours that she's romantically involved with Scrubs star Zach Braff.
It had been rumoured the toned country favourite had been getting close to the actor and director following claims they had been spending lot of time together in the Big Apple.
The chart-topper had her handlers put rumours to bed by saying that she had 'never' dated the 39-year-old beefcake.
Stylish as always: She was all legs wearing a short black and white playsuit that showed off her slender frame
Stylish as always: She was all legs wearing a short black and white playsuit that showed off her slender frame
Stylish as always: She was all legs wearing a short black and white playsuit that showed off her slender frame
Her spokeperson said: 'Despite the rumors, Taylor has never been on a date with Mr. Braff.
'And he has never been to her home,' they added, in response to claims that he had even dropped into her Tribeca apartment.
In a quirky reference to the singer's track We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together, her rep even went so far as to conclude the statement by saying, 'like, never. Ever.'
It is no doubt a disappointment for her fans, who at the very least could have expected a heartfelt breakup song if the relationship had gone awry.
It'll be ok! Taylor stops to console an emotional fan who teared up at seeing her in person
It'll be ok! Taylor stops to console an emotional fan who teared up at seeing her in person

Big steps! With her lean pins, she took long strides, strutting her stuff as if the street was a fashion runway
Big steps! With her lean pins, she took long strides, strutting her stuff as if the street was a fashion runway
There she goes! Taylor puts her purse strap on her shoulder as she enters the door of a hotel
There she goes! Taylor puts her purse strap on her shoulder as she enters the door of a hotel
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Mel B sizzles in a leather mini-skirt

A sudden downpour certainly isn't going to stop her going out for dinner.
Mel B stepped out under a trendy Apt.5 umbrella as she left her hotel in New York for dinner with her stylist on Friday evening.
The 38-year-old showed off her svelte body in a form-fitting vest and figure-hugging black leather skirt, which she teamed with high-heeled red pumps.
She's smiling in the rain: Mel B sheltered from the shower under a huge brolly as she stepped out for dinner in New York on Friday evening
She's smiling in the rain: Mel B sheltered from the shower under a huge brolly as she stepped out for dinner in New York on Friday evening

The America's Got Talent star tamed her curly brunette hair, smoothing it and clipping it into a low ponytail to which she appeared to add a blonde strand.
Mel B - real name Melanie Brown - smiled and posed for photographers as as she walked away.
The former Spice Girl is certainly busy at the moment.
Aside from America's Got Talent, the beautiful Brit is a judge on The Voice Kids Australia, where she and husband Stephen Belafonte have a home in Sydney that they share with their daughter, three-year-old Madison; Mel's daughter Angel, seven, with actor and comedian, Eddie Murphy; and her daughter Phoenix, 15, with dancer and ex-husband Jimmy Gulzar.
Hip in zips: The 38-year-old, who was on her way to meet her stylist at Beautique Restaurant, showed off her svelte figure and toned legs in a leather mini-skirt
Hip in zips: The 38-year-old, who was on her way to meet her stylist at Beautique Restaurant, showed off her svelte figure and toned legs in a leather mini-skirt

Meanwhile the British press are also speculating that Mel will be offered a spot on The X Factor this summer after her successful stint in 2012.
She would join Simon Cowell, Cheryl Cole and Louis Walsh on the show's 11th series.
That would involve her flying between London, Los Angeles and Sydney to keep up with all her work commitments.
Metro quotes a source who told The Sun: ‘Simon knows how tough it can be keeping a place on panels in different countries. That’s why he stopped doing UK X Factor when he launched the US version. Mel taking on three in different continents is insane.’
Lady's got back: Mel smiled as she made her way to a waiting car. The star, who is already a judge on America's Got Talent and The Voice Kids Australia, is also rumoured to be mulling a gig on the UK X Factor
Lady's got back: Mel smiled as she made her way to a waiting car. The star, who is already a judge on America's Got Talent and The Voice Kids Australia, is also rumoured to be mulling a gig on the UK X Factor

Meanwhile, Emma Bunton has put paid to rumours that Mel and her Spice Girl band mates were in negotiations with Planet Hollywood Resort and Casino to take up a residency there following the example of Britney Spears, Elton John and Celine Dion.
Emma said during an appearance on ITV show Loose Women in London that there are no plans.
'I keep reading these rumours as well and the thing is, that one isn't true,' she said. 'We love being together and hanging out but no, there's nothing in the pipeline as yet I'm afraid.'
Stepping out: Mel's former Spice Girl mate Emma Bunton has denied that the band is considering a residency at a Las Vegas casino Stepping out: Mel's former Spice Girl mate Emma Bunton has denied that the band is considering a residency at a Las Vegas casino
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Miranda Kerr reveals she chatted to James Packer after the billionaire's street fight with David Gyngell

Miranda Kerr has revealed she is on excellent terms with billionaire James Packer despite denying rumours that link the two romantically.
The supermodel admitted she had made contact with Packer following his infamous Bondi brawl with media mogul and childhood friend David Gyngell earlier this month.
'We've spoken. Yeah of course. We're friends,' Kerr told the Sun Herald.
Just friends: Miranda Kerr says she is on excellent terms with billionaire James Packer despite denying rumours the pair are romantically linked
Just friends: Miranda Kerr says she is on excellent terms with billionaire James Packer despite denying rumours the pair are romantically linked


There is speculation Kerr's rumoured relationship with the billionaire is what caused the street brawl after Packer separated from his wife last year.
The pair denied the romantic link earlier this month with Kerr saying she was 'not in a relationship with anyone'.
Packer's personal assistant was photographed leaving Kerr's rented Woollahra home last Wednesday with copies of her self-help book, Treasure Yourself, under his arm.
The supermodel denied the romantic link to Packer earlier this month saying she was 'not in a relationship with anyone'
The supermodel denied the romantic link to Packer earlier this month saying she was 'not in a relationship with anyone'


The links to Packer surfaced after the 31-year-old split from her Hollywood husband of three years Orlando Bloom in October.
'It is what it is, and people will speculate and say whatever they want to say,' Kerr said, as she deflected the rumoured romance.
The former Victoria's Secret model is currently in Sydney to launch her new teaware collaboration with Royal Albert.
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Margot Robbie shows off her slender legs

She spent her week mingling with British royality and Hollywood A-listers.
But on Saturday Margot Robbie took some time to enjoy the simple things in life, enjoying a scenic bike ride through London.
And it wasn’t long before the 23-year-old found her own slice of paradise, Instagramming herself amidst an ethereal field of green on Saturday. 
It's the simple things! Margot Robbie shows off her slender legs as she basks in the splendour of nature on her Instagram on Saturday
It's the simple things! Margot Robbie shows off her slender legs as she basks in the splendour of nature on her Instagram on Saturday

Margot showed off her long and slender pins with a pair of high shorts, and kept her look cool and casual with canvas kicks and a sky blue T-shirt.
She seemed to truly be finding her zen as she soaked in the natural splendor of the surrounding greenery.
With the high grass vibrant and flowing, Margot sat under an oak tree whose leaves were lit up by celestial looking sunshine - it looked like a scene from a Disney movie.
'No filter,' she said on Instagram, 'London is just that pretty today.'
Regal Robbie! The Wolf Of Wall Street actress spent Tuesday mixing with royalty at a charity bash thrown by The Duke of Cambridge
Regal Robbie! The Wolf Of Wall Street actress spent Tuesday mixing with royalty at a charity bash thrown by The Duke of Cambridge
Regal Robbie! The Wolf Of Wall Street actress spent Tuesday mixing with royalty at a charity bash on  thrown by The Duke of Cambridge for the Royal Marsden Hospital at Windsor Castle

The Wolf Of Wall Street actress spent Tuesday mixing with royalty at a charity bash thrown by The Duke of Cambridge.
Held at Windsor Castle, it in aid of the Royal Marsden Hospital. The Duchess, Kate, was not present as she was looking at the couples son George.
Margot wore a floor-sweeping gown, featuring a silk cross-over top and satin skirt, for the very special event, where she was joined by fellow actresses Cate Blanchett and Emma Watson.
The Gold Coast-born starlet recently moved to London after finishing filming sci-fi flick Z For Zachariah in New Zealand.
Margot also revealed to AOL recently that she'll be going back to blonde for her upcoming role as Jane Porter in Tarzan.
Worldwide presence: Born in Australia's Gold Coast and currently residing in London, earlier this month Margot was seen supporting the New York Rangers at Madison Square Garden
Worldwide presence: Born in Australia's Gold Coast and currently residing in London, earlier this month Margot was seen supporting the New York Rangers at Madison Square Garden
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Kim Kardashian and Kanye West's big fat Florentine wedding 'will not include a legally binding ceremony'

Kim Kardashian and Kanye West’s big fat Florentine wedding will not include a legally binding ceremony, Italian officials have said.
Florence City Council spokeswoman Elisa Di Lupo said the authorities had received no request for a civil contract, which under Italian law has to be registered with the government authorities well in advance.
The wedding couple are bringing their own Protestant pastor from the US, she said. The news will fuel rumours that the two have already tied the knot in California.
Their big day: Kim Kardashian and Kanye West's big fat Florentine wedding will not include a legally binding ceremony, Italian officials have said
Their big day: Kim Kardashian and Kanye West's big fat Florentine wedding will not include a legally binding ceremony, Italian officials have said
  

The event will be an intimate party as the city has given permission for a maximum of 200 guests, Miss Lupo said.
Event organisers met at Fort Belvedere this morning for final preparations. Safety and security are paramount as the venue has already seen the tragic deaths of two young people in 2006 and 2008.
Access to the fortress, which has stunning views of the Renaissance city, but is nearly impossible to glimpse from street level or the adjacent Boboli Gardens, will be completely cut off to visitors.
Secluded: The Belvedere Fortress, which has stunning views of the Renaissance city, but is nearly impossible to glimpse from street level or the adjacent Boboli Gardens, will be completely cut off to visitors
Secluded: The Belvedere Fortress, which has stunning views of the Renaissance city, but is nearly impossible to glimpse from street level or the adjacent Boboli Gardens, will be completely cut off to visitors

Tourists were this morning scouring the gardens for a viewpoint of the fort which is set behind 10 metre walls.
Two large cranes were today being set up at the rear of the imposing 16th century fortress. Organisers are expected to begin hoisting lighting, stages and tents for the wedding over the walls from Sunday.
The couple are paying the city of Florence 300,000 euros $400,000 to reserve the fort for their special day and week-long preparations.
Leaving so soon? On Saturday Kim Kardashian was seen arriving at LAX ready for Paris
Leaving so soon? On Saturday Kim Kardashian was seen arriving at LAX ready for Paris

Keeping Up With Kim and Kanye: The pair have left people guessing as to whether they would be tying the knot in Paris or Florence
Keeping Up With Kim and Kanye: The pair have left people guessing as to whether they would be tying the knot in Paris or Florence

Miss Di Lupo said the funds would  be used for cultural projects in the city.
The fort was closed for five years from 2008 to 2013 after a tragedy in which a 37 year old Italian woman died when she fell from the ramparts.
A 20 year old man from Rome died two years before when he fell from the bastions.
After a lengthy court case the council put new safety and security measures in place. The fort was reopened to the public in 2013 but is only open in the summer months between July and September.
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The amzing technique used by doctors when tiny 1lb 3oz miracle baby was born three months premature

Emily Cressey should not even be here. Her tiny, birdlike body should still be safely encased in her mother’s womb, 36 weeks into the gestation process, 18-inches long and gaining the weight she needs to thrive.
Instead, she is officially three months old, weighs just 4lb 8oz,  and is alive only thanks to a supermarket sandwich bag that replicated the warmth and safety of her  mother’s body.
Weighing little more than 1lb and born 16 weeks before her due date, Emily is one of Britain’s youngest surviving premature babies.
Claire Cressey cuddles her daughter Emily who was born 16 week premature. Born that early, babies are deemed 'on the edge of life', and less than half survive
Claire Cressey cuddles her daughter Emily who was born 16 week premature. Born that early, babies are deemed 'on the edge of life', and less than half survive

Pictured this week clinging to her mother’s finger, Emily’s battle for life touched the hearts of anyone who saw it.
And now The Mail on Sunday can reveal the incredible technique that doctors used to save Emily’s fragile life – and her mother’s own devastating account of watching her daughter struggle to survive.
Her fight for life has astounded medics at the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh who delivered her.
The instant Emily was born, doctors delicately placed her inside a resealable plastic bag, identical to those sold in supermarkets.

It was an ingenious measure. ‘The bag acts as a micro environment,’ explains consultant paediatrician Dr Andrew Gallagher.
‘At this age she was too tiny for an incubator, which is designed for full-term babies.’
This week her exhausted but exhilarated parents, Claire Cressey and Alan Coultas, were given the news that on June 16, the day she was due to be born, little Emily will finally be allowed home.
Cradling her daughter, Claire, 34, said yesterday: ‘It’s been an emotional journey. Our world has been turned upside-down and what should have been every new parent’s happiest moment became our worst nightmare, delivering our beautiful daughter at 24 weeks.’

Latest UK statistics show that babies born at 24 weeks have between a 42-46 per cent survival rate. They are highly susceptible to losing body heat, so hospitals are putting them into sandwich bags to stave off death from hypothermia.
Ms Cressey, a former care assistant who lives in Coldstream in the Scottish Borders, added: ‘Emily’s finally out of the woods.
'It’s such a relief after everything we’ve been through. My little lady is on a roll now and there’s no stopping her.’
Here, in her own words, Claire, who has three older daughters, Caitlin, eight, Millie, four, and Brooke, 17 months, with long-term partner Alan, 47, describes the traumatic moments leading up to Emily’s birth on February 27 and the desperate battle to save her life.

THE BEGINNING OF OUR NIGHTMARE

To this day, I will never know why I went into labour early, throwing us into a nightmare.
Our much-wanted fourth child was supposed to arrive on June 16 but, instead, she had other plans. My waters broke without warning on Sunday, February 23, sending me into a state of panic.
I was aware that babies born before 24 weeks, and so still within the legal abortion stage, are labelled on the ‘edge of life’, as their lungs and other vital organs are not developed enough. As a result, not all hospitals are keen to intervene. 
I remember counting in fear, wondering what would happen if the baby was born that day.
I now understand the despair that some parents must go through when their baby is born at 23 weeks or earlier and is allowed to die.
It was with relief I counted she was exactly 24 weeks that day and at least my baby would be given a fighting chance, whatever was about to happen. A day earlier, and it might have been different.

A FRANTIC DASH TO HOSPITAL

In the end, it would be another four days before Emily arrived on Thursday, February 27 – the day before my birthday.
I’d been given a series of steroid injections on the day my waters broke, in an attempt to help accelerate the baby’s lung development. But with no sign of contractions starting, I was allowed to return home to rest.
It was a horrible waiting game, but when my contractions finally came, everything happened terrifyingly quickly.
We’d known that Emily was in the breech position, and by the time we reached the hospital 50 miles away one of her feet was sticking out.

THE DRAMA OF THE DELIVERY

Incredibly, they delivered Emily one-and-a-half minutes after we arrived in the labour suite.
To all intents and purposes, it was a ‘normal’ birth, except my baby was coming far too early.
But there she was, my little Emily Grace, weighing just 1lb 3oz, and our lives would never be the  same again.
'She was put into a sandwich bag straight away. It's like a little insulation jacket that helps them maintain body temperature because they lack the body fat to stay warm'
'She was put into a sandwich bag straight away. It's like a little insulation jacket that helps them maintain body temperature because they lack the body fat to stay warm'

To my surprise, she was put into a sandwich bag straight away. It was just like any one you would get in  a supermarket. But it apparently simulates the protective environment they’ve just come out of.
It’s like a little insulation jacket that helps them maintain body temperature because they lack the body fat to stay warm.
I didn’t have time to see her or touch her before she was taken away to the neonatal intensive care unit. I was sick with worry, not knowing if she would live or die.

SHOCK ON FIRST SIGHT

It would be an hour before I saw my daughter for the first time – and instead of that feeling of instant, overwhelming love, I felt panic and horror that she was so small.
Surrounded by tubes and on a ventilator, I prayed she would be OK. But it was impossible for anyone to know what would happen next.
The medical staff didn’t give us a prognosis and we didn’t dare ask the question, ‘How long will she live?’ I saw her for 20 minutes before I was taken back to the maternity ward and put into a side room. I could hear the happy sounds of other mums with their babies all around me.
It was horrendous.

THE FIGHT BEGINS

The next day I managed to see Emily around lunchtime.
Seeing her lying there was every mother’s worst nightmare. Her skin was transparent, her eyes were fused shut and her little hands and feet were still webbed.
We couldn’t touch her and spent hours sitting by her incubator. As she made it through the first 24 hours, then the first week, we began to allow ourselves to think that she might pull through.
By two weeks, Emily had already needed two blood transfusions. Still nervous, we decided to have her baptised, in case the worst happened.
It was a beautiful service, carried out at the side of her incubator. And still Emily fought on.
As the days passed, everyone kept saying to us, ‘That’s her through the danger point.’ But that’s not always the case with premature babies. It’s not unusual for their little bodies to become tired at three weeks and they die.
I was allowed home but I slept beside the phone with my clothes on, in case the call came to say she was deteriorating.

OUR FIRST CUDDLE

Emily would be one month old before I could finally hold her – a moment which coincided with Mothering Sunday and proved the perfect present.
Baby Emily in the ICU unit after being born 24 weeks early
Ten days ago, in another first, I was able to bottle-feed Emily and, last weekend, give her a bath
'We are incredibly proud and in love with her. Her strength and determination are nothing short of amazing'

She’d finally opened her eyes and I was getting to hold her for the first time. I enjoyed the wonderful moment I never thought I would see. It was an absolutely amazing feeling.

THE ROCKY ROAD TO RECOVERY

By six weeks, Emily still remained in an incubator but her weight was up to 2lb 5oz and she could be dressed for the first time.
I could see small but significant changes as her tiny hands and feet developed properly. Her condition continued to improve so much that, by nine weeks, Emily was finally transferred to Borders General Hospital, just half an hour from our home.
But we were brought down to earth with a bump again soon afterwards and reminded how long the road ahead of us is when Emily’s consultant told us she has a heart murmur that will require surgery at some point in the future.
The reality of being born at  24 weeks is starting to kick in.
The worry of long-term effects and wondering what the future holds for Emily is frightening.
But, ten days ago, in another first, I was able to bottle-feed Emily and, last weekend, give her a bath.
Those were beautiful moments most mothers take for granted, but after fighting for so long to keep her alive, it was a very precious time for me.
Slowly, the equipment has disappeared from my daughter’s room and she is now in a cot, rather than an incubator. It’s very scary seeing it go and will take a bit of getting used to.
We are incredibly proud and in love with her. Her strength and determination are nothing short of amazing.
She has fought amazingly hard to stay with us.
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