Army Baby

We got ourselves organised and took you to meet all your friends at the army. I managed to hold on to give auntie Pam first cuddle and after that you went on the rounds your sister decided to brighter things up by being noisy. We came home with lots of parcels for you. After all the excitement of the morning which you slept through. We had a quiet afternoon with abi falling asleep in the car and sleeping till teatime. but yes you are an army baby as you managed to sleep through the meeting including the band.

Daddy goes back to work tommorow and i wonder how i will cope with you both onmy own particularly as still not felling 100percent.

Busyday

Daddy had to go to pick up some stuff from screwfix then we went shopping. After that we called in to see grandma and then came home before heading to auntie Linda birthday party which means daddy had to use his new toy to record the final of the rugby league cup where saints are going for 3 in a row.

Official

Its official we have been to the registry office to register your birth and your name is Samuel James Stephen Richardson.

Big day

Not a bad night you settled well but woke at 3:30 when abi disturbed as well. You both then went back to sleep but Abi woke daddy for her breakfast at 7 by shouting at the top of her voice daddy daddy. The midwives have been to check on us today and weighed you you are 7ib 11oz so have lost quite a bit. There a bit concerned about my wound and think i may have an infection so have phone the doctors to get some antibiotics to make mummy better.



This afternoon we are taking you to register your birth when your name will officially become yours. Mummy still trying to convince daddy that it should be Samuel James Stephen Richardson but he thinks you don't need the Stephen we will see what the outcome is. Daddy thinks your growing to quick already i dressed you in a little tshirt and short outfit today and daddy says you look grown up and he wants me to keep you in romper suits i think you look cute.

Day 9

Had a very good night fed at 11 then we had to wake at 5:30 slightly spoilt by abi coming in and having a paddy. quiet morning when daddy got his new toy sky plus then a trip to tescos which you slept through. plus a quick visit to meet your great grandfather and grandma. Here's a picture of you and daddy watching tv.

Day 8-New tricks

We had a quiet morning we had a good night with you going down and settling till half 4 when abi also woke and came in to us then you slept till gone 8. We headed to buy new shoes for Abi and called in a couple of other shops but we did give the double pram a trial run and daddy was impressed with it.

But you have amazed daddy tonight by sucking your thumb he doesn't think you should be able to but i have pointed out babies often do

before there born but he still impressed.

Day 7 One week old

After a better night mummy was feeling much brighter but Abi still looked washed out and had a good nap this morning. You were feeling much brighter and your jaundice had improved so much so you were after a fed and together we managed a good feed. The midwife came to check us again and was happy so back again on Thursday when your going to get weighed. This afternoon we headed to nanny and grandads were you got to meet all your cousins. It was Max and Ben's birthdays and daddy had great fun on the bouncy castle as did Abigail.

Day 6

Mummy had a bad night she is full of cold and had problems sleeping. Abigail was a bit more settled but woke early and came in with us. We had a quiet morning with mummy and abi staying in bed while daddy cleaned the garage. After lunch nanny and grandad came up and abi went to spend the afternoon with them. Daddy went to the tip and we had a quiet afternoon together. Abi came back from Nanny's and went to bed she had a more settled night disturbing after midnight but settling again and sleeping till after 5. You woke around midnight for a feed and slept till 5ish infact mummy and daddy both woke and daddy had your feeds ready and waiting and Abigail's milk.

Day 5

Not a good night but more with your big sister than you. She woke up when we came to bed and was just lying in her bed but didn't seem herself. She then became unsettled as was felling very hot so we gave her some medicine we gave you your feed and settled down for the night. Daddy then woke up to see Abi standing by your basket but refusing to come in bed with us. I woke up to give you your feed and she was still there, but as i lifted you on to the bed to change you she climbed in she did eventually settle but woke early and wouldn't go to bed. You slept till half seven and after feeding you and getting you dressed. I had a bath and sorted Abigail out daddy took her down and gave her breakfast then i went down with her why daddy stayed upstairs with you. The midwife came and your jaundice is better and you are now waking more for feeds but still reluctant to take feeds from mummy.

We made it out today and took you to the supermarket but were not out long as mummy still struggling to walk long distances and stand. But daddy did point out that with Abi we were still in hospital till she was seven days old were you came home at 4 days old. You were not impressed with shopping and slept through the whole trip. Auntie Chris and Uncle Jason came to visit bringing loads of goodies for you and Abigail. Abigail wasn't very sociable and infact very clinging to daddy. But she is tired but doesn't seem right as she not eating and wanting to cuddle but also very sleepy today. She fell asleep straight after her tea without waiting to go to bed. Hopefully she will be more herself tomorrow. We are going to try and have a quiet day tomorrow as on Monday we are going to Max and Ben's birthday party. And you will get to meet all your cousins.

Day 4

Not a bad night you slept till about half four but did wake your sister who wouldn't settle and ended up with us as well. You then became a bit more jaundiced and reluctant to feed so we gave you a bottle as we worried you were not getting enough. We bathed you for the first time you still dont like being undressed and let us know, but once dressed you were happy only thing is everything is swimming on you. But you have become the owner of some new clothes so will soon be spoilt for choice. The midwife came and said to make sure you feed about every 3 hours but you remained quite sleepy so we had to keep waking you for friends but towards the end of the day you seemed a bit brighter and more interested in milk. Your sister has behaved and has been good with you and macy a bit calmer. We Had a busy afternoon with visitors and a hectic morning but a quieter evening. Were hoping to take you out tomorrow.

Day 3

Mummy felt much brighter today especially as they said we could come home although they thought you may be a bit jaundiced but apparently common on day three SO just advised to expose you to natural light. You also need a ultrasound scan of your hips because you were breech. So once the paperwork was complete we set off for home. You slept through your arrival and soon settled in. Macy has been a bit excitable so has been locked out most of the afternoon. Abi came home and was also keen to stroke and play with you but then played with her toys but kept coming back for a look. Mummys friend called round with lots of balloons and presents from work. You became a bit reluctant with your feeds but we have managed and at least mummy can sleep in her own bed.

Ready for Home

Day 2

Day two mummy was felling much more tired and sore but still better than last tme and your sugars were ok so they could stop checking them and we could at least give you chance to get hungry so you coul feed and you seemed to be getting the hang of feeding. Abigail came to see you only thing is she wanted to cuddle you like a doll and dosent seem to understand gentle but at least she seems to like you. One bit of good news is that we may be able to go home tomorrow and you passed your hearing test.

day 1

I was a bit worried how we would be and hoped you wouldn't have the problems your sister had. I was not feeling as bad as i did with Abi and was sat out of bed at quarter to seven and after the doctor had seen me and my drain had been taken out i was up and about. You were still being monitored and needed to be fed but your sugars were ok. Daddy came in to see us and we spent time getting to know each other. Then at visiting time you grandad, nanny, Auntie Julie and grandma came in bearing gifts as well as bringing your sister who slept till the end of visiting. She then got upset as she hadn't seen mummy or daddy. So daddy went home to spend some time with you i was now starting to feel tired and think perhaps i had done to much. So i tried to rest. Your grandma and uncle Peter came in to see you later. I was feeling tired and think the adrenalin had worn off as well. But the night staff were gret and helped me with you and i managed to get some rest and you were still managing to have good sugars. You also were passed by the paeditrician despite giving her a hard time and not wanting to open your eyes, despite the fact that you had them open minuites after you were born.

B-day

Although we hadn't said we knew that today was going to be your birthday. So having dropped your big sister off at nanny and grandads we headed for the hospital. I was due to be admitted at 8:00 and to have my section in the afternoon. After a while i was shown to a bed and then lots of people came to us but not a lot happened and daddy got worried because they hadn't started a drip on me to help control my diabetes that everyone said i needed. First the anaesthetist came to explain what would happen then the midwife and the doctor to admit me then they started the drip on me and i had to go on a monitor to make sure you were OK. Then the doctor who was going to do the section came to explain things and also scanned me to check how you were lying. You were still breech so that meant i defiantly had to have a casearean section. Then the midwife came to get me ready and we walked down to the theatre. Once there they took daddy to get changed and i went into the theatre. Its very strange walking into a operating theatre knowing you are going to be awake to have an operation. The staff in theatre were lovely and talked me through everything, first of all they put another drip in and then did the spinal. But i do remember thinking i hope its a boy i cant do this again. It is just amazing how quickly it works and no sooner than they had lay me down i no longer had control of my legs. Then they started to get things ready and then daddy was there holding my hand. They then told us what was happening and the midwife asked did we want to be told the sex or look for ourselves we said look. But then the anesthetist said there delivering the baby and told us it was a boy it no longer mattered not sure who cried the most but the tears were falling as we were both so happy. We didnt know what you were going to be and would have been happy if you were a girl as long as you were safe but the fact you were a boy as daddy said was the cherry on the cake.

They then came and showed us you so we could see for ourselves and then took you away to check you. Then they came and let me hold you why they finished the surgery. Just before the end they gave you to daddy and took you to be weighed and checked. It was then i though that it wasnt that bad and i could maybe do it again. Then i was taken to recovery and then they brought you back to see if you would feed but you didn't so they took you back to daddy so you could be fed. They then called the ward for me to go back and first they said i couldn't as i still had the drip up for my insulin and at first took me to delivery suite where you were waiting with daddy. Then daddy went to let everyone know you had arrived even though we were not certain on your name although we thought it would be Samuel James. Then they decided we could go back to the ward so we did. Both daddy and me were amazed by you we thought you looked like your big sister at first but then were not so sure but you were not as chubby as your sister and looked longer and defiantly more hairy. But to us you were perfect. After a while we spoke to your grandparents checked how your sister was and then your grandma came in to see you. So Happy Birthday Samuel James born at 14:24 on the 18th August 2008 weigh 8ib 61/2 oz

Uneventful

Back to hospital today for monitoring evertything fine so back again next week. But everything is ready for spud the nursery is ready the cupboards are full the clothes are washed. Were still not sure of names and daddy still needs to take the covers off the car seat and pram to wash them but other than that were ready. Well prepeared theres times when i think im ready to be a mom again and other times where i just think im not or that i need more time. Not sure if your big sister is ready either but we keep telling her and she does point to my tummy and say baby sometimes.

37 weeks

Back to clinic today everything fine so then up to fetal assessment to be monitored. So everything ok but back again on friday. Only thing is there not sure what way the baby is laying at moment so may need another scan to confirm next week.

Escape

The consultant let me home on the understanding i go back yesterday if anything is wrong. I have to take things easy and the community midwife is to visit daily to check my blood pressure. But I'm home with Abbi and Ste that's all that matters. Due back on Tue to clinic hopefully the antibiotics will work and i can make it to 38 weeks when they will give me a date to go in.

Thursday

Allthough one blood pressure was slightly raised everything else normall they have still kept me in the consultant will be round tomorrow. One good thing is i have got some rest but missing ste and abi so much. And worried about ste as it so much mither for hin with work abi and me,

Theory-wrong

I guess i had a feeling they would keep me in. We headed foe the assessment unit after dropping Abbi off. When we got there they checked my blood pressure and water which were normal and put me on the monitor which was normal. But the consultant was still concerned as i had some odema and a headache and just wanted to keep an eye on me if things changed it would mean having the baby earlier than planned but as I'm at36 weeks the baby is well length developed.

So Ste headed off first to survey two schools then to collect my stuff and bring Abbi in to see me. As Abbi was quite happy playing with her cousins she wasn't to impressed coming in to see mummy. Particularly as Ste was so mithered with everything he didn't bring anything in to keep her amused and forgot teddy. She settled after a bit when Ste got a tv card and she could see cebbebies. She was also more than happy when mummy brought her some chocolate. Poor Ste then headed back with her so she could have her tea and get ready for bed, while he came back again with some food for me. But bang went the theory if ste came everything would be ok

36 weeks

Had a busy but rewarding day yesterday Ste brought the baby things down from the loft and found the box of missing clothes on Sunday. So i spent yesterday washing and ironing. As Abbi has settled in her new room i stripped the cot and cleaned the room and cot. I then made it up as well as the moses basket finally placing teddies brought for the new arrival all ready for him or her. I did get a bit emotional when i saw the clothes that were in the basket of goodies from work and i washed all the new things we had but yesterday seeing all the tiny vest and babygrows socks and scratch mittens it brought things home that there will soon be another person arriving. I cant wait but at the same time i seem less prepared than i was with Abigail on a practical front but on an emotional really seem to be ready. But finally spuds room is ready the cot and moses basket await there new inhabitant the cupboard is stocked with tiny nappies there are still some books of Abi's to move once she has a shelf in her room but otherwise very much now spuds room. The bags are packed one for spud, one for mummy, one for Abigail. Uncle peter is on standby for mackie minding and as Ste has decided he may as well stay at his mums as well a bag is packed for him. We still need to collect the car seat from mums and wash that and the pram. But that Ste job. The only thing i have left to do is sort the freezer out. So yes were ready. Excited and nervous all at the same time.

I headed for the assessment unit today so they could monitor the baby as planned. But there concerned as there is protein in my water not unusual for me and i had it all through my pregnancy with Abi but as i have swollen ankles and have had one raised blood pressure they had to speak to my consultant. The monitoring was fine and unlike Abi this baby behaves and dosent hide when they put the monitor on, as was my blood pressure. So i had to have my blood pressure monitored again for an hour and bloods taken and need to Head back tomorrow to see the consultant. I now there concerned about pre eclampsia and do feel fine apart from feeling very tired on some days and backache. Normal for this stage of pregnancy. Ste is going to come with me the theory being if hes there everything will be normal.