2mths ago you entered our world and changed our lives forever. There have been some challenging times but for every one of these moments there have been a dozen more of pure delight. Every moment of every day we thank you for filling our lives with love and joy.
There were many tears on the day or your arrival, mainly from me; but be assured they were all due to the over whelming happiness that flooded over us as we laid eyes on you for the first time. We spent 9mths waiting and trying to prepare ourselves for your arrival, but while we were busy preparing your room and making sure we had everything we needed to bring you home, we weren’t prepared for the feelings that suddenly rushed over us the moment you entered.
His all ours
Auntie Lucy was there to share the experience of your arrival (she was backup for your Dad, encase the blood and bits got too much for him). Even though you Dad was wonderful and was by my side at all times, Auntie Lucy was there for me in ways that Dad wasn’t and as a man couldn’t have been. For the strength that she gave me that day, I’m forever grateful. I know that the day was very special for her and she will hold it close to her heart. And she welcomed you to the world with a tribute on her blog http://lovememyblog.blogspot.com/2010/06/welcome-to-world-william-george.html
After the midwifes helped me give you your first feed they said that they would take you to the nursery and look after you so that I could have a good night’s sleep. I suddenly felt a protective instinct kick in as I instantly didn’t like the idea of you leaving my side, however before I answered I took a quick moment to think about how exhausted I was and that I needed all the rest I could find for the days that laid ahead. The biggest hurdle in the first few days for me was the feeding (it was so painful to start with, something that I wasn’t ready for) and accepting the fact that I needed an afternoon nap (in the past I hadn’t been good doing but quickly found a lot of comfort in curling up after your afternoon tea).
The 2nd hurdle was when I couldn’t settle you for the 2nd night in a row; I had been determined not to lean on the midwifes too much, but come that night I had to call for help as I was completely exhausted and in tears. Looking back I think some of it may have also been the case of the baby blues.
The 3rd hurdle was on the 4th day when the midwifes and paediatrician informed us that we had to put you under the UV lights as you had a bit of Jaundice. I missed you terribly as you spent the next few days and nights in your little sun bed, and I missed giving you lots of hugs and kisses. After I fed and changed you and put you back under the lights I would stand and watch you fall back to sleep and have tears role down my face; I just wanted to be able to hold you and have you lay beside me at night. While you were busy sleeping and soaking up the UV’s, I was busy expressing milk as you had made my nipples bleed (by the way; at the end of the first 24hrs I felt like a cow) and trying to find a few hours sleep.
I miss you being by my sideThe day finally came when we could bring you home, we were so excited and nervous that day. Excited that we were finally going home were we would truly become a family, but nervous as we didn’t have the midwifes to lean on for help. However we settled into our new lives well, straight away you slept well in your new bed and while you quickly decided that you weren’t going to sleep much through the day you were generally a well behaved little boy. The hardest thing for me to cope with was the breast feeding, if it wasn’t for Kris turning up on the 2nd day at home I think I would have given up. It was a real challenge to work through the pain of breastfeeding; however it’s now a dream and so easy and convenient compared to bottle feeding that I’m glad that Kris made me work through the pain.
1st Day Home
Once I had found my feet with our new life I quickly found time to get back into the kitchen. It turns out that it’s a place for me to sort of escape and feel normal. However, this quickly turned into a dilemma when what I was cooking gave you severe wind. But once we worked out that I should avoid onions and chick peas (have also been told cabbage) you were happier and in turn your dad and myself.
28th June
Even though we knew we were parents it really hit us for the first time when the three of us went to Mick and Mel’s for dinner 2½ weeks after you were born. We had just started driving out of our street and I said to your dad; “Doesn’t this feel surreal? We are now parents heading to Mick and Mel’s, and what makes it more surreal is that they are expecting their own little person. We are now grownups!”. So you fully understand the depth of all of this, you need to know that before Mel was pregnant Mel wasn’t overly keen on having a child/children.Below are some of the things that we got up to;
· 3 weeks – For the first time you enjoyed and fall asleep in the BabyBjorn (while I finished preparing dinner)
· 3½ weeks – I walked to the letter box up by the Apollo Park Primary School with you in the BabyBjorn. It was a good work out. We had a good afternoon nap that afternoon, we both cuddled up on my bed.
· Almost 4 weeks – Rode the bus to Greensborough shopping centre for the 1st time. You also found your little voice on the same day (12/7/10)
· 5 weeks – Started having 2hr feeds thought the day but rewarded with your had your first 8.5hrs between feeds (wasn’t over night)
· 5½ weeks – Went to your first football match; Collingwood v’s Richmond. Collingwood won! On the same day you also enjoyed your first train ride, 1st time back driving and with you by myself and 1st time I breast feed you in public
· Almost 6 weeks – You moved into 000 clothes
· 6 weeks – We know see real smiles without them being wind related
· 6½ weeks – Started attending Mothers Group and you slept through the night for the first time.
· 7 weeks – Now sleeping through the nights consistently. Last feed between 7-8pm with morning feed between 4-6am. Your hair started to fall out and you know way 5kgs.
· 7½ weeks – Went to the library for the first time; Nursery and Rhyme Time
· Almost 8 weeks – Found your right fist
· 8 weeks – Found your left fist and now back to 3hr feeds. Your also almost out of your newborn nappies
· 2mths – Had your first 10hrs between feeds and your almost giggling now. Your head is starting to look like your Grate Grandpa Davies (a little hair on top with a bit at the lower back). You had your first number 3 (poo explosion worthy of a bath)
3rd July
24th July - 1st footie match
25th July
