Daybook

Thursday, 27 July 2010

Outside My Window ... the rain is pelting down from the night sky.

I am thankful ... for my little family -- the four of us!

From the kitchen ... bacon bone, red lentil and root vegetable soup. Also rosemary lamb loin chops, gnocchi and an orange and fennel salad for dinner.

I am wearing ... a cosy dressing gown, warm socks and pyjamas.

I am creating ... Eric and I made a robot dog from boxes, silver foil and styrofoam cups today.

I am going ... To stay home tomorrow and catch up on sleep!

I am reading ... Jeremy Clarkson's book "Driven to Distraction". I have no interest in cars, mechanics or machinery, but the Top Gear boys are so gloriously English and quirky.

One of my favourite things is ... the wood-burning stove on a winter's night. And my husband (but then he is my very favourite thing!)

Here is a picture thought I am sharing ... (The garden on a winter's day)

Tiny Talk

Eric often astounds me by what he remembers, and how he applies the information he has learned from books, preschool and television.
Yesterday, for instance, Papa had a terrible nosebleed. Eric looked concerned, then remarked "Maybe, Papa, you don't have enough platelets?"
I hadn't even realised he knew about such things!
***********

In even tinier talk, I must record an interesting occurence in the hospital. I knew that babies are meant to have distinctive cries, but had never noticed that Eric's moaning was very different from that of other babies' when he was little. But Adam makes a sound like "Allah! Allah!".
On one occasion when we were still in hospital I'd put him down for a sleep, and once he was deeply sleeping I walked up the hall to get fresh linen.
On the way back I could hear other babies crying, and noted how different each call sounded from Adam's. But then I heard another cry that sounded just the same as his, and thought that perhaps cries weren't that different at all.
Until I realised I was standing outside my own room and that Adam had woken and was screaming his head off in there!

Blossom Baby

Adam beneath the flowering quince.

Happy Birthday Jumps!

We celebrated Jumps' birthday with a luxurious black-forest cake and a birthday roast dinner.

There were cards from his two special boys:

Dear Daddy,

I hope you have a nice time on your birthday.

I like you because you're nice, you take me for morning bike rides and that you help us if we can't do much and you make the best chocolates and I like it when you take me to the park.

Love and kisses from

Eric

Dear Daddy,

Thank you for changing my nappies and for all the cuddles.

Love from

Adam

(wah! wah! wah!)

Naked Baby

Adam on July 15, only 10 days old.

Out to Dinner

I though I'd have to wait until one of my sons had a job before I'd be taken out to dinner.
But last night Eric emptied his wallet on the table and declared it was time to fulfil his desire to take us to Shelly's.
"You can choose anything on the menu, Mummy", he told me proudly, as he counted out his $6.60. "You don't even have to ask!" (He was willing to spend all his money, which he had been saving for weeks. He'd also made a real effort to go without sweets and little toys in the past days, instead keeping his savings safe, so Jumps and I were happy to foot the rest of the bill without comment.)
He was excited all afternoon, and keen to go as early as possible. It really was a lovely evening -- I had the fish and chips and a garden salad, and Jumps chose a hamburger. Eric, of course, had his usual: chips and a lemonade. After dinner he played at the park there, and then we all watched as he took his chances on the chocolate machine (and was richly rewarded with far too many chocolate bars).
He was so proud and generous and grown up, until we came home and he broke into tears from all the excitment, the late night, and too much sugar! So we tucked him into a warm bed, and within minutes he was asleep.

Brothers

I'm discovering that Eric doesn't seem to have a jealous bone in his body. It has a lot to do with his personality: bright, enthusiastic, loving and generous. I also helps immeasurably that he has so many other loving grownups to take an interest in him, he has his own group of friends and a role to play at preschool (and because of this he has some time away from the baby), but it also might be that he's just the right age to welcome a baby in the family.

When Adam cries, Eric hugs him, then tells him "I'll get Mama". He's also happy to fold nappies, fetch and carry things I need for Adam, and loves to bath with the baby.

Yesterday we decided to bake choc-chip cookies together, but were interrupted several times by Adam needing attention. It didn't phase Eric at all, thank goodness, and he was happy to bake in stages and play in between. I'm so lucky he's adaptable so far -- I did wonder if he would be jealous of the time a baby takes -- it will be a dream run if he continues to be so enthusiastic and loving!

A New Reality

It's early days yet -- I'm still a little sore (only a very little, luckily), there are plenty of visitors and almost as many helpers, congratulations cards arrive in the mail every day, and piles of baby things are heaped here and there. But even though we're at the beginning of our new life, it also feels like Adam has always been part of our world, and I can barely imagine when we were without him.
Even when he wakes for a feed in the early hours of the morning I am entranced by his sweet, screwed-up face, his fat little body, and hot, hard head which fits so snugly under my chin.
Our days are busier already -- Eric is very interested in Adam, but also needs to have me to himself, and I'm making a point of reading to him or playing a game of cards with him while I feed the baby. There's mountains of washing to dry and fold (especially since we're cloth nappy people) and wardrobe space to rearrange to fit the baby clothes and other gear. But Jumps is so helpful and hands-on, and Grandma and Granny also pitch in, so we're keeping everything under control, and the house feels clean and fresh and bright.
I'm loving being home with new little family. I was so ready to be busier, and am blessed to have the chance to begin child-raising again.

Picnic in the Garden

It's school holidays, and Mags and the cousins are down. It's a marvellous arrangement -- they stay at Grandma's, and visit in ones or twos or threes during the day. Eric also gets piled in with the kids when they're out and about, which is such a blessing as I can't drive for 6 weeks, and he needs to get out to the park and pool for a change of scenery.
Having visitors means life is a bit more hectic, but my big boy has plenty to do and friends to play with, so he's hardly noticed that I'm preoccupied with Adam (and I do make a point of taking time with Eric when he's home). He's also tired out by the end of the day, and looking forward with excitement to the day to come.
Tomorrow is Saturday, and the two weeks' holidays are over. It's been lovely, but at the same time we're all weary and ready for routine. Eric is quite happy to go back to his lovely preschool, and I will have three quiet days each week to get to know my baby, rest and recouperate.

Baby Bits

Beautiful baby bits.

Weary

We've all been to the doctor: Eric has tonsilitis, I have conjunctivitis, and Jumps is on antibiotics for the lurgy.
And how about the cause of all this exhaustion, sleeplessness and stress?
He's thriving, and looking plump and well!

Congratulations Mummy!

Adam spent the first twelve hours of his life in the Special Care Nursery, being monitored for low blood glucose (a common danger for babies of diabetic mums). On the advice of my endocrinologist and a very clued-up lactation consultant I had expressed 35ml of breastmilk before delivery, so the nursery staff could correct his lows by feeding him breastmilk, rather than using a drip or formula (which is linked to the onset of diabetes in children). In fact, Jumps gave him his first bottle while I was being stitched up in theatre, and said he drank it with enthusiasm!
After a few hours in recovery, I was wheeled down to see Adam properly, along with Jumps, Eric (Boo -- I think it's time we used his real name, since Adam will be using his) and my parents.
Everyone was delighted to see him, and Eric was over the moon.
Soon I had to return to the ward, but as Eric was leaving with my parents he turned to give me a cuddle.
"Congratulations, Mummy", he said very seriously, like a grown-up little man, then gave me a wave as he left!

First Photos

Here are some early photos of our dear little person after his first bath at home (which he adored) ...

We're all instantly and completely in love with him ...

And what does Boo (Eric) think of his new brother?

He has been nothing but enthusiastic, generous, sweet and loving.
Thank you all so much for your kind wishes -- there are so many of you out there who I now count of as friends, and it's lovely that you share our excitement at meeting our new little person.
We're spending some quiet time now while I learn to breastfeed (again), potter about organising Adam's things, recover my strength, spend time with my special big boy, and discover what it's like to be a family of four. Slowly I'll update you all with the birth story (which was actually such a positive experience for us) and more photos and thoughts.
Love to you all.

Birth Announcement

Adam Trafford born 5th July, 2010 at 8:54am by caesarian section. 9.5lb, fat and healthy.
Mother and baby are well, and photos will be coming soon.