Morning all :)
Wow what has happened to the weather??? It is absoutely disgusting outside!!! Can not believe that tomorrow is the 1st Dec with this weather that we are having!!! I am so looking forward to BBQ's and swims but with the way this weather is carrying on I can't see either of those happening anytime soon! I certainly hope it clears up real soon and that we do get a "real" summer real soon! :)
I am in the process of deciding which hurts the most at the moment - my neck/back which is causing daily headaches (and living on Nurofen) OR my toothache!!! I had been contemplating going to the Osteopath for myself but now with the toothache I can see myself needing to visit my dentist in the next few days! And the problem with whatever treatment I get for my back/neck it will take more than just one visit - usually you need at least 4 visits for these sort of things and that all adds up big time in the $$$$$!
Rachel is 4 weeks old today!! Wow where have the last 4 weeks gone??? They sure have flown by in my eyes thats for sure!!! This time 4 weeks ago, I was in the bath in the delivery suite... oh those memories! :) Must take some photos of her later today when she wakes up :)
Yesterday, Rachel and I spent the day up at Mums (in Raumati) which was really great and Rachel was well behaved and slept most of the time. Though she is enjoying her "floor" time more now both on her back and on her tummy and I love laying on the floor beside her talking and playing with her. My brother in Aussie has said that they will buy us one of those flash activity gym/play mats so I just need to go and get the one that I want (with no price limit) and they will transfer the funds through to our account so might do that over the weekend :) Rachel had a great sleep last night from 7.15pm to 1.15am! I was staying up waiting and waiting for her to wake about 10pmish and gave up waiting about 10.30pm and couldn't believe my eyes when I heard her grizzling and saw that it was 1.15am! She guzzled her bottle down and then ended up with a tummy ache! Gees she is just like me at times - real scary! LOL
Today, we were supposed to go walking with one of the ladies from the Antenatal group and her gorgeous son who live just around the corner from us but with the weather being so yuck the walking has obviously been postponed but we are going to try to set one day each week that we meet up and go walking. So looks like it will be a quiet day at home today which suits us really since we have been out every day this week!
Tomorrow, the MW will be coming tomorrow (have just paged her as I can not recall for the life what time she said she would be here) so will be interesting to see what Rachel is weighing then since she is drinking so much nowadays :)
Anyway, time I got off my butt and did some bits and pieces around here... probably should have had a snooze while Rachel is sleeping... hmmm might still try to do that and hope that she sleeps for another hour or so.
Catch ya all later
Thursday, November 30, 2006
Tuesday, November 28, 2006
Yay the sun is shining again today! And that always make the day seem brighter and better no matter how I am feeling - which at the moment is tired and a bit down... nothing major - just lack of sleep I think and once I have been out and about later on I will wake up and feel better still.
Rachel is going through a stage of "snacking" for a wee while, falling back to sleep and then dosing for approx an hour before waking again for another snack and then the vicious cycle begins again... I tell you it can take it out of you that is for sure but then all the mums who read this will know this already! I do try to drag it out for as long as I can as I would rather her take more formula at one time and then sleep for longer - sometimes it will work but not for long. The last two nights I have been up twice to her as she is only doing about 3hrs during the night... but the good side of that is we are both back in bed within an hour which is great. We were spoilt initally when we had her co-sleeping with us as it is proven that when they do sleep with you they sleep for longer periods... very tempting to put her back in our bed just for longer sleep for us but Steph is not that keen on it as he really does love his bed space :)
Off to the Cranial Osteopath for a follow up session at 11am and then a quick stop at Steph's work as they want to see Rachel again... and then we are going to Steph's sister in laws for lunch and a quick chat before home for a sleep for us both!
Yesterday, we had "Baby and You" before meeting Rachel for lunch at Mega Mitre 10 - unfortunately Jo was unable to make it! Both Rachel and I tried a new Pasta and Smoked Chicken Salad which was primo and so delicious! The serving size was just fantastic and just right :) Little Rachel was perfectly behaved while at the cafe but from the moment we were in the car until we got home she screamed and screamed as she was hungry... and then murphys law that we got every red light on the way home. By the time we got home, she was so red and even had tears in her eyes - I felt like the biggest meanie mummy ever!
Hmmmm typical that as I write that Rachel has only been sleeping for "hour" long periods that she has now been down for almost 2 hours! YAY!!!!! But guess I had better get my A into G and get things sorted and organised for going out in case she does wake and I am not ready.
Catch ya all later
Rachel is going through a stage of "snacking" for a wee while, falling back to sleep and then dosing for approx an hour before waking again for another snack and then the vicious cycle begins again... I tell you it can take it out of you that is for sure but then all the mums who read this will know this already! I do try to drag it out for as long as I can as I would rather her take more formula at one time and then sleep for longer - sometimes it will work but not for long. The last two nights I have been up twice to her as she is only doing about 3hrs during the night... but the good side of that is we are both back in bed within an hour which is great. We were spoilt initally when we had her co-sleeping with us as it is proven that when they do sleep with you they sleep for longer periods... very tempting to put her back in our bed just for longer sleep for us but Steph is not that keen on it as he really does love his bed space :)
Off to the Cranial Osteopath for a follow up session at 11am and then a quick stop at Steph's work as they want to see Rachel again... and then we are going to Steph's sister in laws for lunch and a quick chat before home for a sleep for us both!
Yesterday, we had "Baby and You" before meeting Rachel for lunch at Mega Mitre 10 - unfortunately Jo was unable to make it! Both Rachel and I tried a new Pasta and Smoked Chicken Salad which was primo and so delicious! The serving size was just fantastic and just right :) Little Rachel was perfectly behaved while at the cafe but from the moment we were in the car until we got home she screamed and screamed as she was hungry... and then murphys law that we got every red light on the way home. By the time we got home, she was so red and even had tears in her eyes - I felt like the biggest meanie mummy ever!
Hmmmm typical that as I write that Rachel has only been sleeping for "hour" long periods that she has now been down for almost 2 hours! YAY!!!!! But guess I had better get my A into G and get things sorted and organised for going out in case she does wake and I am not ready.
Catch ya all later
Sunday, November 26, 2006
Hi ya
Well can't believe it is Sunday evening already! The weekend sure has flown by and don't want Steph to go to work tomorrow but only 4 weeks to go and then he will be home for 3 weeks which will be fantastic especially since most of that time my family from overseas will be in NZ as well so there will be lots of BBQ's, parties and general catch ups happening :)
MW came on Friday afternoon, all is still well with Rachel. She didn't weigh her as Rachel was fast asleep so Edith just did a visual check of her eyes, fontelle etc... and then we just had a good chat! I would get pregnant again tomorrow just to keep my regular contact with Edith but we all know thats not going to happen for a while so I am gonna miss her so much once I am discharged from her care. Am going to make up a wee gift basket for her to give her on our last visit along with a photo of Rachel (must get Rachel's photos saved to CD so I can take them to the shop and get printed) to say thanks for the most amazing care and support she has given me, Steph and Rachel.
Yesterday, Rachel's sleeping was brilliant which made things so much smoother for all. Had a hairdressers appt in the morning and had to take Rachel with me so all the girls could have a peek at her. Rachel slept through most of the time I was there and just started stirring as I was finishing up. I have got a new style - nothing fancy - just something simple and hopefully more easy to look after during the week when I often "forget" to blowdry my hair :) After lunch, we had our first family outing to the supermarket - once again, Rachel slept through most of it - waking just before we finished. We are having a few constipation issues with Rachel every 2nd day or so at the moment, so last night I did a dash to the chemist and got some Coloxyl drops which are added to her milk as required. So far, they have helped enourmously which is a relief for all concerned :)
Once she settled yesterday evening, I went to bed and we had a great night. Rachel woke about 1.15am and we were both back in bed by 2.15am which itself is a miracle as we are almost always up for at least 2hrs each night as she takes a while to settle after a feed. And then she slept through till 6.30am :)
And then she has been the "perfect" child today at Steph's parents place where we have been for most of the day at their "Welcome Summer Garden Party" ".... but one it rained most of the time so wasn't very summery and two it was inside rather than in the garden but it was still a good time. One of her aunties fed her when we arrived, she then fell asleep on her nana, then slept for 3 hrs on Nana and Pops bed (with pillows around her), woke, and another aunty fed her and now we are home. And now after a wee grumpy spell she is fast asleep again - hopefully until about 9pm or so (fingers crossed)...
Hmmmm perhaps I should change the name of this blog to Rachel's journey... LOL As that is all I seem to write about these days but I guess given time it will get back to being about me and my journey to being healthier etc :) Am thinking of setting up a blog for Rachel though so the family overseas and friends around NZ can see photos of her and read wee updates as she reaches "milestones".
Tomorrow, we have "Baby and You" class and then Rachel and I are meeting Rachel and Jo for lunch at Mitre 10 in Petone. Am so looking forward to trying the famous chicken salad that both of them rave about so much :)
Right, time to get moving and get organised as our friends Lynaire and Kev are popping in after tea for a coffee... hope you all have a great week and will catch up later on :)
Well can't believe it is Sunday evening already! The weekend sure has flown by and don't want Steph to go to work tomorrow but only 4 weeks to go and then he will be home for 3 weeks which will be fantastic especially since most of that time my family from overseas will be in NZ as well so there will be lots of BBQ's, parties and general catch ups happening :)
MW came on Friday afternoon, all is still well with Rachel. She didn't weigh her as Rachel was fast asleep so Edith just did a visual check of her eyes, fontelle etc... and then we just had a good chat! I would get pregnant again tomorrow just to keep my regular contact with Edith but we all know thats not going to happen for a while so I am gonna miss her so much once I am discharged from her care. Am going to make up a wee gift basket for her to give her on our last visit along with a photo of Rachel (must get Rachel's photos saved to CD so I can take them to the shop and get printed) to say thanks for the most amazing care and support she has given me, Steph and Rachel.
Yesterday, Rachel's sleeping was brilliant which made things so much smoother for all. Had a hairdressers appt in the morning and had to take Rachel with me so all the girls could have a peek at her. Rachel slept through most of the time I was there and just started stirring as I was finishing up. I have got a new style - nothing fancy - just something simple and hopefully more easy to look after during the week when I often "forget" to blowdry my hair :) After lunch, we had our first family outing to the supermarket - once again, Rachel slept through most of it - waking just before we finished. We are having a few constipation issues with Rachel every 2nd day or so at the moment, so last night I did a dash to the chemist and got some Coloxyl drops which are added to her milk as required. So far, they have helped enourmously which is a relief for all concerned :)
Once she settled yesterday evening, I went to bed and we had a great night. Rachel woke about 1.15am and we were both back in bed by 2.15am which itself is a miracle as we are almost always up for at least 2hrs each night as she takes a while to settle after a feed. And then she slept through till 6.30am :)
And then she has been the "perfect" child today at Steph's parents place where we have been for most of the day at their "Welcome Summer Garden Party" ".... but one it rained most of the time so wasn't very summery and two it was inside rather than in the garden but it was still a good time. One of her aunties fed her when we arrived, she then fell asleep on her nana, then slept for 3 hrs on Nana and Pops bed (with pillows around her), woke, and another aunty fed her and now we are home. And now after a wee grumpy spell she is fast asleep again - hopefully until about 9pm or so (fingers crossed)...
Hmmmm perhaps I should change the name of this blog to Rachel's journey... LOL As that is all I seem to write about these days but I guess given time it will get back to being about me and my journey to being healthier etc :) Am thinking of setting up a blog for Rachel though so the family overseas and friends around NZ can see photos of her and read wee updates as she reaches "milestones".
Tomorrow, we have "Baby and You" class and then Rachel and I are meeting Rachel and Jo for lunch at Mitre 10 in Petone. Am so looking forward to trying the famous chicken salad that both of them rave about so much :)
Right, time to get moving and get organised as our friends Lynaire and Kev are popping in after tea for a coffee... hope you all have a great week and will catch up later on :)
Friday, November 24, 2006
Happy Birthday Jude!!! Steph and I are missing you heaps and we just know you are watching over us as we learn to be parents and bring Rachel up. I just wish we had somewhere to visit you but until that situation is sorted out, I just sit at home and talk to your photo. I am already telling Rachel all about you and what a great friend you were to her mummy and daddy! We miss the phone calls, txts, emails, visits and your way of always cheering us up and making us laugh! You are missed by so many people Jude and we all love you heaps! xxx
Happy Birthday for tomorrow Dad!!! We all miss you heaps and can't believe that it has been 4 1/2 years already since you were here with us! I am sorry that we don't get up to spend time with you more often than we do but we will bring Rachel up to see her Grandads grave over Christmas. Like Jude, we know you are watching over us as we learn new things every day now that Rachel is in our lives! I have told Rachel all about the wonderful Grandad she will never get to meet (or not for many, many years) and we talk to your photo. I miss you being there for me and always having advice for me whenever we needed it. We all miss you heaps and we all love you! xxx
Yes it is Jude's Birthday today and then tomorrow it would have been my Dad's
birthday had he still been with us. It was bad enough when it was just Dad's birthday but having them together makes this time real hard. Have spent a bit of time today just thinking of the good times we had with Jude both at work and then socially as well. One of Jude's other friends who came to visit us on Sunday suggested having drinks at her place this evening with the "girls" to celebrate Judes birthday but haven't heard anything as yet as to whether it is happening or not so have just sent her a txt to ask her if it is going ahead or not.
On to more cheerful matters, a big thank you to you all for the lovely comments and emails that you left on the recent photos of Rachel. I have just learnt how to change coloured photos to black and white ones with the photo programme we have - and some photos just do look better in black and white rather than colour! We can't believe how much she has changed in the 3 weeks especially when we look back to her day 1 photos! :)
We had a bit of a rough night with Rachel taking just over 2 hrs to settle down after her night feed and then for some reason it took me ages to get comfortable and settle down and get back to sleep and then it felt like I only had a couple of mins sleep before she woke again... but I guess I did get another couple of hours sleep but it definitely didn't feel long enough.
But this morning, she has been a total angel - going back down after her morning feed and then sleeping for THREE hours in her basinett!!! In hindsight, I probably should have gone back to bed for a wee while but the only thing I find with doing that, I just get comfy, dose off and then she tends to wake up! So instead, I got to shower, dress, have breakfast, do two loads of washing (and hung them out), vacumed, made up a couple of bottles, checked my emails, did my blog checks and a wee tidy up of the lounge. Got her up just after 11am for her next feed, and she was asleep and back in her basinett by 11.45am which is another very rare occasion! So she has been down for almost another hour but Edith (MW) is due about 1pm so no doubt she will want to weigh Rachel so she will be woken up then so must have the bottle ready for afterwards :) I keep thinking that I should do the bathroom but just don't seem to have the energy to do that at the moment so might leave that one for another day or perhaps Steph may do it over the weekend like he has gotten used to do while I was pregnant :)
Not a lot planned for this weekend, though we do have Steph's family "Welcome Summer Garden Party" on Sunday afternoon so that should be nice especially if it is a nice day so fingers crossed the weather will co-operate with us :) Am thinking that I will walk there with Rachel in the pram so that she has the pram to sleep in rather than the carseat... They are only about a 15min walk away so that will be good for me :) Steph can either walk or take the car in case the weather turns bad and we need to drive home though I guess that is what storm covers are for :)
Anyway, not much else to say - just blabbering on about nothing now... just seems weird to have this time on my hands at the moment :) Might go lay down and read my book - that will almost guarantee Rachel waking up as she just seems to know when I get comfy with my book. LOL
Hope you all have a great weekend... catch ya later
Happy Birthday for tomorrow Dad!!! We all miss you heaps and can't believe that it has been 4 1/2 years already since you were here with us! I am sorry that we don't get up to spend time with you more often than we do but we will bring Rachel up to see her Grandads grave over Christmas. Like Jude, we know you are watching over us as we learn new things every day now that Rachel is in our lives! I have told Rachel all about the wonderful Grandad she will never get to meet (or not for many, many years) and we talk to your photo. I miss you being there for me and always having advice for me whenever we needed it. We all miss you heaps and we all love you! xxx
Yes it is Jude's Birthday today and then tomorrow it would have been my Dad's
birthday had he still been with us. It was bad enough when it was just Dad's birthday but having them together makes this time real hard. Have spent a bit of time today just thinking of the good times we had with Jude both at work and then socially as well. One of Jude's other friends who came to visit us on Sunday suggested having drinks at her place this evening with the "girls" to celebrate Judes birthday but haven't heard anything as yet as to whether it is happening or not so have just sent her a txt to ask her if it is going ahead or not.
On to more cheerful matters, a big thank you to you all for the lovely comments and emails that you left on the recent photos of Rachel. I have just learnt how to change coloured photos to black and white ones with the photo programme we have - and some photos just do look better in black and white rather than colour! We can't believe how much she has changed in the 3 weeks especially when we look back to her day 1 photos! :)
We had a bit of a rough night with Rachel taking just over 2 hrs to settle down after her night feed and then for some reason it took me ages to get comfortable and settle down and get back to sleep and then it felt like I only had a couple of mins sleep before she woke again... but I guess I did get another couple of hours sleep but it definitely didn't feel long enough.
But this morning, she has been a total angel - going back down after her morning feed and then sleeping for THREE hours in her basinett!!! In hindsight, I probably should have gone back to bed for a wee while but the only thing I find with doing that, I just get comfy, dose off and then she tends to wake up! So instead, I got to shower, dress, have breakfast, do two loads of washing (and hung them out), vacumed, made up a couple of bottles, checked my emails, did my blog checks and a wee tidy up of the lounge. Got her up just after 11am for her next feed, and she was asleep and back in her basinett by 11.45am which is another very rare occasion! So she has been down for almost another hour but Edith (MW) is due about 1pm so no doubt she will want to weigh Rachel so she will be woken up then so must have the bottle ready for afterwards :) I keep thinking that I should do the bathroom but just don't seem to have the energy to do that at the moment so might leave that one for another day or perhaps Steph may do it over the weekend like he has gotten used to do while I was pregnant :)
Not a lot planned for this weekend, though we do have Steph's family "Welcome Summer Garden Party" on Sunday afternoon so that should be nice especially if it is a nice day so fingers crossed the weather will co-operate with us :) Am thinking that I will walk there with Rachel in the pram so that she has the pram to sleep in rather than the carseat... They are only about a 15min walk away so that will be good for me :) Steph can either walk or take the car in case the weather turns bad and we need to drive home though I guess that is what storm covers are for :)
Anyway, not much else to say - just blabbering on about nothing now... just seems weird to have this time on my hands at the moment :) Might go lay down and read my book - that will almost guarantee Rachel waking up as she just seems to know when I get comfy with my book. LOL
Hope you all have a great weekend... catch ya later
Thursday, November 23, 2006
Hi ya
Thought I had better do a post while Rachel is sleeping peacefully :) We have had a big day out today and she was quite tired so hopefully she will sleep for at least another couple of hours... First we tried catching up with Robyn from the gym that I used to go to but she wasn't there so then we caught up with Rachels Aunty Angela who we spotted at her home as we drove past and then while we were there, Robyn rung me and we organised to meet for a coffee and catch up... so we did that and Robyn has offered me the use of the sauna at the gym whenever I feel the need to relax and wind down and she will mind Rachel for me. Then after that, we headed to town and into work where everyone gooed and gaaed (spelling?) over her and then we went to lunch with Marianne which was great and Rachel slept through that though mummy needs to learn how to steer the pram a bit better! LOL Went and spent some time with my old team where I fed and changed Rachel before making tracks as she was starting to get grizzly! Headed home via The Terrace to see if I could get a carpark to visit my friends at the Fire Service but no carpark was to be seen... so am home and Rachel is fast alseep.
Feeding and sleeping seem to be going well - don't want to say too much in case I jinx things! LOL Rachel is definitely a much happier wee girl now which is fantastic and last night was one of the better ones we have had for a few days.
Here are a couple more recent photos taken earlier this week:
My first time wearing a dress since it was such a beautiful sunny day :) The dress does have matching capri pants but they are hidden by the length of the dress.
Fast asleep in my bouncer :)
Right, time to go organise some dinner while Rachel is sleeping... catch ya all later
Thought I had better do a post while Rachel is sleeping peacefully :) We have had a big day out today and she was quite tired so hopefully she will sleep for at least another couple of hours... First we tried catching up with Robyn from the gym that I used to go to but she wasn't there so then we caught up with Rachels Aunty Angela who we spotted at her home as we drove past and then while we were there, Robyn rung me and we organised to meet for a coffee and catch up... so we did that and Robyn has offered me the use of the sauna at the gym whenever I feel the need to relax and wind down and she will mind Rachel for me. Then after that, we headed to town and into work where everyone gooed and gaaed (spelling?) over her and then we went to lunch with Marianne which was great and Rachel slept through that though mummy needs to learn how to steer the pram a bit better! LOL Went and spent some time with my old team where I fed and changed Rachel before making tracks as she was starting to get grizzly! Headed home via The Terrace to see if I could get a carpark to visit my friends at the Fire Service but no carpark was to be seen... so am home and Rachel is fast alseep.
Feeding and sleeping seem to be going well - don't want to say too much in case I jinx things! LOL Rachel is definitely a much happier wee girl now which is fantastic and last night was one of the better ones we have had for a few days.
Here are a couple more recent photos taken earlier this week:
My first time wearing a dress since it was such a beautiful sunny day :) The dress does have matching capri pants but they are hidden by the length of the dress.
Fast asleep in my bouncer :)
Right, time to go organise some dinner while Rachel is sleeping... catch ya all later
Tuesday, November 21, 2006
Evening all :)
Just thought I would do a quick update to say that the MW came today (after having to cancel yesterday due to being busy at the hospital) and we got great news - YAY our Rachel has gained just under 400gms in the last 5 days!!! So is now nicely over her birth weight so no more having to wake her 3hrly during the day - just got to make sure she has had a good feed, clean nappy and then let her sleep. Though on saying that - MW did recommend that we only let Rach sleep for about 4hrs at a time during the day just to ensure she gets enough food and nutrients.
Rachel is more or less on full formula now as she is no longer keen on the breast which I knew would be a side effect from introducing the bottle to her but as I don't have a great supply and what she was getting wasn't satisfying her... we are happy for her to be on the formula as like I have said in an earlier post - a satisfied babe means a satisifed mummy and daddy! :)
Got out and did a nice walk this afternoon with my friend Jo and her 12 week old daughter Maddie. Was nice having company and boy it sure was warm :) We are going to try to get together at least once a week and go walking even if its wet we will just wander around shopping malls :)
Tomorrow, I will hopefully have a friend Sheri and her daughters visiting so that will be great :)
Am trying to organise a day to head into town and "show off" Rachel to my work colleagues and also former work colleagues (from AvSec and Fire Service). Am thinking that I would catch the train into town and then walk around the buildings to save the hassle of car parking etc...
Well best I get moving and get ready for when young Miss Rachel wakes up... hoping it will be sometime soon so I can head to bed... Once she is fully off the breast, I will be able to head to bed and let Steph do the last feed but until then I guess I am still having to wait up for her.
Night all - catch ya all later
Just thought I would do a quick update to say that the MW came today (after having to cancel yesterday due to being busy at the hospital) and we got great news - YAY our Rachel has gained just under 400gms in the last 5 days!!! So is now nicely over her birth weight so no more having to wake her 3hrly during the day - just got to make sure she has had a good feed, clean nappy and then let her sleep. Though on saying that - MW did recommend that we only let Rach sleep for about 4hrs at a time during the day just to ensure she gets enough food and nutrients.
Rachel is more or less on full formula now as she is no longer keen on the breast which I knew would be a side effect from introducing the bottle to her but as I don't have a great supply and what she was getting wasn't satisfying her... we are happy for her to be on the formula as like I have said in an earlier post - a satisfied babe means a satisifed mummy and daddy! :)
Got out and did a nice walk this afternoon with my friend Jo and her 12 week old daughter Maddie. Was nice having company and boy it sure was warm :) We are going to try to get together at least once a week and go walking even if its wet we will just wander around shopping malls :)
Tomorrow, I will hopefully have a friend Sheri and her daughters visiting so that will be great :)
Am trying to organise a day to head into town and "show off" Rachel to my work colleagues and also former work colleagues (from AvSec and Fire Service). Am thinking that I would catch the train into town and then walk around the buildings to save the hassle of car parking etc...
Well best I get moving and get ready for when young Miss Rachel wakes up... hoping it will be sometime soon so I can head to bed... Once she is fully off the breast, I will be able to head to bed and let Steph do the last feed but until then I guess I am still having to wait up for her.
Night all - catch ya all later
Sunday, November 19, 2006
Hi all
Well still plodding on here... I must admit that since upping Rachel's formula intake we now have a totally different child in our house! Rachel is now doing what newborns should do - sleep, feed, sleep, feed etc... rather than being up for 4hrs crying and feeding and crying etc... She is such a contented wee soul now and is a pleasure to spend time with her!
We are still having to wake her 3hrly for feeds during the day but Edith is coming tomorrow and it will be interesting to see what Rachel weighs then - surely with the amount of food she is having now she must have increased in weight! But will keep you posted :) Rachel is not sleeping for as long during the night but 4/5hrs at a time is still great!
Oh - she is now sleeping in her basinett during the day so for the last two nights we have moved the basinett into our room and she has slept in that rather than co sleeping with us! Makes the bed more comfortable for Steph and I! LOL
Rachel went to her first 21st last night! She behaved brilliantly and slept "under the table" most of the night! We stayed later than we thought we would but it was a great night. Must try to remember to download the photos to a disc so Heather can then print out the photos that she wants.
Tomorrow we have our first "Baby and You" class as part of the Parents Centre Antenatal course we did. So that is our first major mission - to be up, showered, dressed and in Silverstream by 10am!
Oh one of the visitors we had today, was Steph's sister and her family and they brought with them 7 pkts of nappies, and 3 pkts of wipes and 2pkts of change mats!!! Really blew us away but boy they sure will come in handy! Haven't been brave enough to use the cloth naps as yet but am planning to start trying them during the day some time in the next week or so.
Anyway, best I get moving... hope you all have a great week and I will catch ya all later.
Well still plodding on here... I must admit that since upping Rachel's formula intake we now have a totally different child in our house! Rachel is now doing what newborns should do - sleep, feed, sleep, feed etc... rather than being up for 4hrs crying and feeding and crying etc... She is such a contented wee soul now and is a pleasure to spend time with her!
We are still having to wake her 3hrly for feeds during the day but Edith is coming tomorrow and it will be interesting to see what Rachel weighs then - surely with the amount of food she is having now she must have increased in weight! But will keep you posted :) Rachel is not sleeping for as long during the night but 4/5hrs at a time is still great!
Oh - she is now sleeping in her basinett during the day so for the last two nights we have moved the basinett into our room and she has slept in that rather than co sleeping with us! Makes the bed more comfortable for Steph and I! LOL
Rachel went to her first 21st last night! She behaved brilliantly and slept "under the table" most of the night! We stayed later than we thought we would but it was a great night. Must try to remember to download the photos to a disc so Heather can then print out the photos that she wants.
Tomorrow we have our first "Baby and You" class as part of the Parents Centre Antenatal course we did. So that is our first major mission - to be up, showered, dressed and in Silverstream by 10am!
Oh one of the visitors we had today, was Steph's sister and her family and they brought with them 7 pkts of nappies, and 3 pkts of wipes and 2pkts of change mats!!! Really blew us away but boy they sure will come in handy! Haven't been brave enough to use the cloth naps as yet but am planning to start trying them during the day some time in the next week or so.
Anyway, best I get moving... hope you all have a great week and I will catch ya all later.
Friday, November 17, 2006
Rachel's Birth Story
Warning - long story to follow...
We had gone out to dinner with Stephan’s Rifle club to “Mr India” on Wed 1 November 2006 for a banquet meal so there was no “hot” curries – just all mild and tasty curries. About 9.15pm I started getting funny stomach pains and had a couple of visits to the toilet over the next 45mins or so, I told Steph that I wanted to go home as I just wasn’t feeling “right”.
Got home about 10.40pm, and after about 20mins in bed and not being able to get comfy and needing to go to the toilet yet again, I got up and after being on the toilet for quite some time, I started pacing the lounge and after about 1hr of being up and wandering around, I realised that the pains I was experiencing were in fact contractions! I decided not to wake Stephan up just yet as there wasn’t a lot he could really do, so spent from about midnight till 4.30am between pacing the lounge and spending time just sitting on the toilet as I found that to be quite a comfy position.
Woke Steph up at 4.30am as I had decided by then that all I wanted was a nice warm bath to help relax things… we ran a bath but once I was in it I decided that it just wasn’t big enough for me to really relax in – well not in the positions I wanted to be in! Must have been in there for about 20 mins before deciding I had had enough of being in there. After some more pacing around the house, we decided to page Edith (MW) about 5.40am. She rung back a few mins later and after talking to her between contractions, we both decided that I would “hang in” there for another hour and then check back in with her about 7am. I rung Mum (as she was one of my support people) to let her know in case she wanted to get ahead of peak hour traffic but as she had the car booked in for a WOF first thing, I told her to get that done first and then come down afterwards. Whilst talking to mum, I had the first horrendous contraction (the rest had all been “bearable”) and was then promptly sick in a bowl that only just made it to me in time! Then rung my friend Lynaire (who was to be the other support person) to let her know – Lynaire had work commitments in the morning but was going to try to get to the hospital after lunch.
Paged Edith again about 7am, and we agreed to meet at the hospital just as soon as we could both get there. We got there first after a stop on River Road so I could put my head out the door as I thought I was going to be sick again but just the fresh air seemed to help make me feel better. But every bump in the road, every corner we went around was agony for me and I did feel sorry for Steph as I cursed him the whole way!
We got settled into our room and once Edith arrived (approx 8.15am), she examined me and I was 3cm dilated. I was then hooked up to the monitor for approx 20 mins so that they could do a trace of Rachel’s HB etc… Once I was able to move again after the monitoring was done, I opted to spend some time in the bath to hopefully ease the pain of the contractions. I spent about 90 mins in the bath though didn’t find it that comfortable and the handrail was on the wrong side of the bath for me to be able to “squeeze” while I was having the contractions. Steph was great during this time just rubbing my hips, lower back and bum as that was where all the pain was. While in the bath, Edith spoke to us about having an epidural and after some contemplation we decided that it was better for me (and everyone else) that I did go with this option.
I then decided that I had had enough of the water and got out ready for the epidural… Mum arrived as I was getting out of the bath – it was great to see another friendly face. By this stage, the gas had all been set up as well so once I got the hang of breathing it in – I was hooked! LOL Edith then told us the “bad” news – that the registrar wouldn’t do the epidural until we had another trace done (for about 15mins) due to Rachel’s HB being so “steady” during the first one. So at this stage, Edith did another internal and I was now 6cm dilated, then she put a scalp clip into Rachel’s skull so that they could monitor the HB that way and generally when scalp clips are put on, the baby gets quite active and their HB goes right up… but no not our Rachel who kept on sleeping through all of this! Therefore, the 15min trace ended up being over an hour long before they finally gave me the epidural! So all up I had gone for about 5hrs without major pain relief which was great going for me. Lynaire arrived just before the epidural was administered so it took Steph, Mum, Lynaire and Edith to hold me steady and in the correct position while they tried to get the needle in. It did take two attempts to get it in the correct place…
The time was now about 2pm, and the next hour passed in a bit of a blur but I do remember being sick a couple of times, and I recall the registrar saying that they would give me an hour and by then I should be ready to push… About 3pm, they did another internal and I was fully dilated by then but the head was stuck on the lip of the cervix and they were unsure if I would have the strength to push it out at that stage, so a decision was made to try Ventouse (suction cup) to aid Rachel in coming out. That has to be the worst part of the whole labour! It was painful whilst they were attaching the cup to Rachel’s head and it was just down right awful when I was contracting and pushing and they had the suction going…. We did make some progress but as Rachel’s HB was still steady (she was still sleeping), we decided that we needed to get Rachel out ASAP. So Howard (the Obstetrician) was called up from theatre to get Rachel out using Forceps… So before he arrived, I was given an extra strength dose of epidural and also a local anaesthetic so I only have vague recollection of this part, but one part that sticks in my memory very strongly is Howard arriving and standing at the end of the bed, telling me to push, to which I said “NO” and he looked me in the eye and said “You WILL push when I say push” and next thing I pushed, Howard had gone and Rachel was on my stomach! I didn’t feel a thing at that stage obviously thanks to the epidural and local anaesthetic. So Rachel Judith Brownie arrived in this world at 4.13pm on Thursday 2nd Nov weighing in at 7lb exactly.
They had organised a paediatrician to be on standby in the room due to Rachel’s HB not having increased during the labour. So at the time of delivery, there were a total of 9 people in the room! Not quite what I had planned but our main focus was delivering a healthy baby! I had very brief initial skin to skin contact before she was taken by the paediatrician to be checked out – she wasn’t taken from the room at all as they had all the equipment there beside my bed. The only concern that they had was the mucus on her lungs affecting her breathing so we had to watch that for a wee while but all was ok. Her APGAR readings were 8 and then 10. During this time, I delivered the placenta naturally quite quickly and then I was stitched up having torn when the forceps were used and receiving a 2nd degree tear. Once, I had been sewn up I was able to have my first real cuddle with Rachel and put her to the breast.
We were then moved to a Post Natal room an hour or so later and settled in there. I have nothing but high praise for all of the Midwives and nurses at Hutt Hospital. They were all brilliant and so helpful especially during the night! I left the hospital on Saturday afternoon once the feeding had settled down and also after I had managed to pass at least one bowel motion!
WELCOME TO OUR WORLD RACHEL JUDITH – YOU ARE VERY MUCH LOVED BY ALL AND WATCHED OVER BY YOUR GRANDAD, HANNAH, AUNTY JUDE AND YOUR ANGEL BROTHER/SISTERS.
We had gone out to dinner with Stephan’s Rifle club to “Mr India” on Wed 1 November 2006 for a banquet meal so there was no “hot” curries – just all mild and tasty curries. About 9.15pm I started getting funny stomach pains and had a couple of visits to the toilet over the next 45mins or so, I told Steph that I wanted to go home as I just wasn’t feeling “right”.
Got home about 10.40pm, and after about 20mins in bed and not being able to get comfy and needing to go to the toilet yet again, I got up and after being on the toilet for quite some time, I started pacing the lounge and after about 1hr of being up and wandering around, I realised that the pains I was experiencing were in fact contractions! I decided not to wake Stephan up just yet as there wasn’t a lot he could really do, so spent from about midnight till 4.30am between pacing the lounge and spending time just sitting on the toilet as I found that to be quite a comfy position.
Woke Steph up at 4.30am as I had decided by then that all I wanted was a nice warm bath to help relax things… we ran a bath but once I was in it I decided that it just wasn’t big enough for me to really relax in – well not in the positions I wanted to be in! Must have been in there for about 20 mins before deciding I had had enough of being in there. After some more pacing around the house, we decided to page Edith (MW) about 5.40am. She rung back a few mins later and after talking to her between contractions, we both decided that I would “hang in” there for another hour and then check back in with her about 7am. I rung Mum (as she was one of my support people) to let her know in case she wanted to get ahead of peak hour traffic but as she had the car booked in for a WOF first thing, I told her to get that done first and then come down afterwards. Whilst talking to mum, I had the first horrendous contraction (the rest had all been “bearable”) and was then promptly sick in a bowl that only just made it to me in time! Then rung my friend Lynaire (who was to be the other support person) to let her know – Lynaire had work commitments in the morning but was going to try to get to the hospital after lunch.
Paged Edith again about 7am, and we agreed to meet at the hospital just as soon as we could both get there. We got there first after a stop on River Road so I could put my head out the door as I thought I was going to be sick again but just the fresh air seemed to help make me feel better. But every bump in the road, every corner we went around was agony for me and I did feel sorry for Steph as I cursed him the whole way!
We got settled into our room and once Edith arrived (approx 8.15am), she examined me and I was 3cm dilated. I was then hooked up to the monitor for approx 20 mins so that they could do a trace of Rachel’s HB etc… Once I was able to move again after the monitoring was done, I opted to spend some time in the bath to hopefully ease the pain of the contractions. I spent about 90 mins in the bath though didn’t find it that comfortable and the handrail was on the wrong side of the bath for me to be able to “squeeze” while I was having the contractions. Steph was great during this time just rubbing my hips, lower back and bum as that was where all the pain was. While in the bath, Edith spoke to us about having an epidural and after some contemplation we decided that it was better for me (and everyone else) that I did go with this option.
I then decided that I had had enough of the water and got out ready for the epidural… Mum arrived as I was getting out of the bath – it was great to see another friendly face. By this stage, the gas had all been set up as well so once I got the hang of breathing it in – I was hooked! LOL Edith then told us the “bad” news – that the registrar wouldn’t do the epidural until we had another trace done (for about 15mins) due to Rachel’s HB being so “steady” during the first one. So at this stage, Edith did another internal and I was now 6cm dilated, then she put a scalp clip into Rachel’s skull so that they could monitor the HB that way and generally when scalp clips are put on, the baby gets quite active and their HB goes right up… but no not our Rachel who kept on sleeping through all of this! Therefore, the 15min trace ended up being over an hour long before they finally gave me the epidural! So all up I had gone for about 5hrs without major pain relief which was great going for me. Lynaire arrived just before the epidural was administered so it took Steph, Mum, Lynaire and Edith to hold me steady and in the correct position while they tried to get the needle in. It did take two attempts to get it in the correct place…
The time was now about 2pm, and the next hour passed in a bit of a blur but I do remember being sick a couple of times, and I recall the registrar saying that they would give me an hour and by then I should be ready to push… About 3pm, they did another internal and I was fully dilated by then but the head was stuck on the lip of the cervix and they were unsure if I would have the strength to push it out at that stage, so a decision was made to try Ventouse (suction cup) to aid Rachel in coming out. That has to be the worst part of the whole labour! It was painful whilst they were attaching the cup to Rachel’s head and it was just down right awful when I was contracting and pushing and they had the suction going…. We did make some progress but as Rachel’s HB was still steady (she was still sleeping), we decided that we needed to get Rachel out ASAP. So Howard (the Obstetrician) was called up from theatre to get Rachel out using Forceps… So before he arrived, I was given an extra strength dose of epidural and also a local anaesthetic so I only have vague recollection of this part, but one part that sticks in my memory very strongly is Howard arriving and standing at the end of the bed, telling me to push, to which I said “NO” and he looked me in the eye and said “You WILL push when I say push” and next thing I pushed, Howard had gone and Rachel was on my stomach! I didn’t feel a thing at that stage obviously thanks to the epidural and local anaesthetic. So Rachel Judith Brownie arrived in this world at 4.13pm on Thursday 2nd Nov weighing in at 7lb exactly.
They had organised a paediatrician to be on standby in the room due to Rachel’s HB not having increased during the labour. So at the time of delivery, there were a total of 9 people in the room! Not quite what I had planned but our main focus was delivering a healthy baby! I had very brief initial skin to skin contact before she was taken by the paediatrician to be checked out – she wasn’t taken from the room at all as they had all the equipment there beside my bed. The only concern that they had was the mucus on her lungs affecting her breathing so we had to watch that for a wee while but all was ok. Her APGAR readings were 8 and then 10. During this time, I delivered the placenta naturally quite quickly and then I was stitched up having torn when the forceps were used and receiving a 2nd degree tear. Once, I had been sewn up I was able to have my first real cuddle with Rachel and put her to the breast.
We were then moved to a Post Natal room an hour or so later and settled in there. I have nothing but high praise for all of the Midwives and nurses at Hutt Hospital. They were all brilliant and so helpful especially during the night! I left the hospital on Saturday afternoon once the feeding had settled down and also after I had managed to pass at least one bowel motion!
WELCOME TO OUR WORLD RACHEL JUDITH – YOU ARE VERY MUCH LOVED BY ALL AND WATCHED OVER BY YOUR GRANDAD, HANNAH, AUNTY JUDE AND YOUR ANGEL BROTHER/SISTERS.
Thursday, November 16, 2006
Hi all
Still here and plodding on day by day. MW came today and unfortunately Rachel has lost weight in the last 4 days rather than gain it... so am now increasing the amount of formula we are offering her to see if that helps. If she is not up to her birth weight by next Thursday (3 weeks old), the MW will refer us to the hospital and get some checks done on her to see if it is anything else. Rachel is now basically using my breasts as a comfort and is getting sweet bugger all from them as she is very rarely satisfed when she comes off them.
I know some of you who read my blog don't agree with the fact that I am using formula so freely but considering the fact that I am going to be heading back to work mid Feb, I can't see the point in getting Rachel back to exclusively breastfed and then having to wean her back to a bottle in a couple of mths time. We are happy to give her formula as it means Rachel is happy and content which in turn means we are happy and content as well... I know I have tried the best I can when it comes to breastfeeding and to me that is the main thing. I will still offer her the breast each feed but have to limit the time she is on each side so she is not using them just as something to suck on and tiring herself out.
Rachel is one very content girl (as long as she is fed) and we couldn't be luckier parents :) Last night she slept for almost 7hrs and the night before it was 6hrs so I do know we are awfully lucky in that aspect :)
Lynda - I will try to remember to take a photo of the safe, secure sleeper that we got for Rachel as it is not one that attaches to the bed but lays in the middle between Steph and I. I know the ones you were talking about though... And for those that asked, a Cranial Osteopath is very similar to an Osteopath - they are trained to feel a very subtle, rhythmical shape change that is present in all body tissue, This is called involuntary motion.
Anyway, best I get moving as Rachel is due for another feed - will catch ya all later.
Still here and plodding on day by day. MW came today and unfortunately Rachel has lost weight in the last 4 days rather than gain it... so am now increasing the amount of formula we are offering her to see if that helps. If she is not up to her birth weight by next Thursday (3 weeks old), the MW will refer us to the hospital and get some checks done on her to see if it is anything else. Rachel is now basically using my breasts as a comfort and is getting sweet bugger all from them as she is very rarely satisfed when she comes off them.
I know some of you who read my blog don't agree with the fact that I am using formula so freely but considering the fact that I am going to be heading back to work mid Feb, I can't see the point in getting Rachel back to exclusively breastfed and then having to wean her back to a bottle in a couple of mths time. We are happy to give her formula as it means Rachel is happy and content which in turn means we are happy and content as well... I know I have tried the best I can when it comes to breastfeeding and to me that is the main thing. I will still offer her the breast each feed but have to limit the time she is on each side so she is not using them just as something to suck on and tiring herself out.
Rachel is one very content girl (as long as she is fed) and we couldn't be luckier parents :) Last night she slept for almost 7hrs and the night before it was 6hrs so I do know we are awfully lucky in that aspect :)
Lynda - I will try to remember to take a photo of the safe, secure sleeper that we got for Rachel as it is not one that attaches to the bed but lays in the middle between Steph and I. I know the ones you were talking about though... And for those that asked, a Cranial Osteopath is very similar to an Osteopath - they are trained to feel a very subtle, rhythmical shape change that is present in all body tissue, This is called involuntary motion.
Anyway, best I get moving as Rachel is due for another feed - will catch ya all later.
Monday, November 13, 2006
Evening all
Just thought I would do a quick post to say hi... whilst Rachel is asleep on her daddys shoulder.
I am stil in the process of writing up Rachels birth story - taking longer than I thought but then it is the fact of finding time without being interupted for feeding or a nappy change etc... but will share it with you all once it is finished :)
I meant to say in my last update, that when we took Rachel to the hospital last Wednesday for her hip check that she was the only babe there that didn't cry during the check which made her mummy so proud :) Oh all was ok with her hip check :)
She was weighed last Thursday and her weight was down to 2800gms (greater than 10% of her birth weight) hence the increase in feeding and topping up with formula etc... MW came again on Sunday morning and in the 3 days Rachel had gained 255gms which is fantastic so obviously the extra feeding and formula is working. Next weigh in is on Thursday so I am sure by then she will be over her birth weight.
Rachel had a fantastic night last night - sleeping from 11.15pm till 5.45am! She started stirring about 3am but just dosed back off to sleep. We are finding that the co sleeping is really helping all three of us get good nights and we are all a lot happier during the day. I was shown in the hospital how to breastfeed laying down - but it just didn't seem to work for me then but think I will mention it to Edith on Thursday and get her to show me and I will try again now that we are co sleeping to save me having to get up to feed her.
Today, I took Rachel to see a Cranial Ostopath due to her birth circumstances and a few of her muscles/nerves were out of alignment so had a good session there and slept through most of it. We go back in a fortnight for a follow up session. I was told that for the next 24hrs Rachel would have be real sleepy or real grumpy whilst the healing is working... so far she has been both! I think we may be in for a long night but hopefully it won't be too bad.
Nothing planned for tomorrow and the weather is supposed to be real crap so it means I can go back to bed with her when she sleeps :)
Right, time to get moving as Rachel is starting to stir so no doubt she will be hungry again! :) Oh Sally you asked where we got the name Rachel from - it was just a name that both Steph and I liked... and yes Judith is after our special friend who passed away in Jan of this year.
Catch ya all later.
Just thought I would do a quick post to say hi... whilst Rachel is asleep on her daddys shoulder.
I am stil in the process of writing up Rachels birth story - taking longer than I thought but then it is the fact of finding time without being interupted for feeding or a nappy change etc... but will share it with you all once it is finished :)
I meant to say in my last update, that when we took Rachel to the hospital last Wednesday for her hip check that she was the only babe there that didn't cry during the check which made her mummy so proud :) Oh all was ok with her hip check :)
She was weighed last Thursday and her weight was down to 2800gms (greater than 10% of her birth weight) hence the increase in feeding and topping up with formula etc... MW came again on Sunday morning and in the 3 days Rachel had gained 255gms which is fantastic so obviously the extra feeding and formula is working. Next weigh in is on Thursday so I am sure by then she will be over her birth weight.
Rachel had a fantastic night last night - sleeping from 11.15pm till 5.45am! She started stirring about 3am but just dosed back off to sleep. We are finding that the co sleeping is really helping all three of us get good nights and we are all a lot happier during the day. I was shown in the hospital how to breastfeed laying down - but it just didn't seem to work for me then but think I will mention it to Edith on Thursday and get her to show me and I will try again now that we are co sleeping to save me having to get up to feed her.
Today, I took Rachel to see a Cranial Ostopath due to her birth circumstances and a few of her muscles/nerves were out of alignment so had a good session there and slept through most of it. We go back in a fortnight for a follow up session. I was told that for the next 24hrs Rachel would have be real sleepy or real grumpy whilst the healing is working... so far she has been both! I think we may be in for a long night but hopefully it won't be too bad.
Nothing planned for tomorrow and the weather is supposed to be real crap so it means I can go back to bed with her when she sleeps :)
Right, time to get moving as Rachel is starting to stir so no doubt she will be hungry again! :) Oh Sally you asked where we got the name Rachel from - it was just a name that both Steph and I liked... and yes Judith is after our special friend who passed away in Jan of this year.
Catch ya all later.
Saturday, November 11, 2006
Friday, November 10, 2006
Hi ya
Just thought I would do a quick post before young Rachel wakes up :) Things have been better over the last 48hrs or so and we have all been getting reasonable amounts of sleep too which certainly does help matters :)
Thank you all for the advice and comments re the breastfeeding situation. The three of us have been to see the lactation consultant at the hospital this morning and have been given some advice and tips from Mandy. She was one awesome lady and so nice :) Bascially as Rachel is still a way below her birth weight, we are to now top up each feed with the formula but instead of using a bottle, we will be using a plastic syringe and tube that will be attached to my nipple therefore Rachel will be drinking both breast and formula at the same time so getting the nourishment without using a bottle/teat. We have to review the situation when she is 1 mth old so we have 3 weeks to get things going :) Mandy will get my MW to give me a script for "something" (can't recall the name) to help my milk supply. So left there feeling rather positive and not like I am failing at being the best Mummy I can be (like I had been at times).
We then did a quick trip to Porirua to pick up a sleeping attachment from the Baby Factory as it was the last one left in the Wgtn region! As the only way Rach will settle at night time is when she is with us (either on our chests or between us) so to make us feel a bit easier we thought we would get this attachement for Rach to sleep in and making it safer for her and us as well. I never thought I would be a co-sleeper with my baby/s (as I am such a light sleeper) but hey if it means sleep and happiness for everyone in the house then so be it :) I have also read a study that children that have been co-slept with their parents generally end up being a lot more independent etc when they are older so I guess we will wait and see if that is true for us.
Home, lunch, did some washing and now just waiting for Rachel to wake up but might slowly wake her up as Mandy did say we are not giving her enough feeds in a 24hr period (in other words we let her sleep for too long) so have to make a real effort to give her 8 feeds each 24hr period.
I was going to download some photos too but the camera has gone flat so need to recharge the battery so will try to post some pics either tonight or over the weekend.
Catch ya all later
Just thought I would do a quick post before young Rachel wakes up :) Things have been better over the last 48hrs or so and we have all been getting reasonable amounts of sleep too which certainly does help matters :)
Thank you all for the advice and comments re the breastfeeding situation. The three of us have been to see the lactation consultant at the hospital this morning and have been given some advice and tips from Mandy. She was one awesome lady and so nice :) Bascially as Rachel is still a way below her birth weight, we are to now top up each feed with the formula but instead of using a bottle, we will be using a plastic syringe and tube that will be attached to my nipple therefore Rachel will be drinking both breast and formula at the same time so getting the nourishment without using a bottle/teat. We have to review the situation when she is 1 mth old so we have 3 weeks to get things going :) Mandy will get my MW to give me a script for "something" (can't recall the name) to help my milk supply. So left there feeling rather positive and not like I am failing at being the best Mummy I can be (like I had been at times).
We then did a quick trip to Porirua to pick up a sleeping attachment from the Baby Factory as it was the last one left in the Wgtn region! As the only way Rach will settle at night time is when she is with us (either on our chests or between us) so to make us feel a bit easier we thought we would get this attachement for Rach to sleep in and making it safer for her and us as well. I never thought I would be a co-sleeper with my baby/s (as I am such a light sleeper) but hey if it means sleep and happiness for everyone in the house then so be it :) I have also read a study that children that have been co-slept with their parents generally end up being a lot more independent etc when they are older so I guess we will wait and see if that is true for us.
Home, lunch, did some washing and now just waiting for Rachel to wake up but might slowly wake her up as Mandy did say we are not giving her enough feeds in a 24hr period (in other words we let her sleep for too long) so have to make a real effort to give her 8 feeds each 24hr period.
I was going to download some photos too but the camera has gone flat so need to recharge the battery so will try to post some pics either tonight or over the weekend.
Catch ya all later
Tuesday, November 07, 2006
Hi ya
Just thought I had better do a quick update to say hi... but to be honest the computer and blogs have been one of the last things on my mind lately.
Had a real bad night on Sunday night with Rachel crying most of the night... and very little sleeping was done by all three of us!
Anyway, to cut a long story short - it looks like I am in the 5% of women who don't produce sufficent milk so therefore we have had to start "topping up" Rachels feeds with formula. This is something I was hoping to avoid but have accepted quite freely at the same time as it means more sleep for all of us and a happier healthier Rachel which means more sanity for her mummy and daddy! :)
Not looking forward to next week already when Steph goes back to work as he has a real knack with Rachel and getting her settled but hopefully by then we will have sorted out the breast/forumla ratio and Rachel will be more settled.
I was thinking that I do need to update my template etc now that Rachel has arrived but its a matter of finding time and motivation to do it... I am trying to sleep or at least lay down when Rachel is sleeping but sometimes I just can't do it and find myself doing lots of other things. Also going through the "baby blues" in the evenings and find myself quite tearful...
Oh I have weighed myself a couple of times since getting home - and total loss since Wed 1/11 (last pre Rachel weigh in) is 6.3 kilos. I think I am not eating enough these days considering I am trying to breastfeed so really have to make an effort to keep up both my food and fluid intake.
Anyway, thats enough from me - will post again when I can :) Once again, a big thank you to you all for lovely comments and support - it does mean the world to both Steph and I.
Just thought I had better do a quick update to say hi... but to be honest the computer and blogs have been one of the last things on my mind lately.
Had a real bad night on Sunday night with Rachel crying most of the night... and very little sleeping was done by all three of us!
Anyway, to cut a long story short - it looks like I am in the 5% of women who don't produce sufficent milk so therefore we have had to start "topping up" Rachels feeds with formula. This is something I was hoping to avoid but have accepted quite freely at the same time as it means more sleep for all of us and a happier healthier Rachel which means more sanity for her mummy and daddy! :)
Not looking forward to next week already when Steph goes back to work as he has a real knack with Rachel and getting her settled but hopefully by then we will have sorted out the breast/forumla ratio and Rachel will be more settled.
I was thinking that I do need to update my template etc now that Rachel has arrived but its a matter of finding time and motivation to do it... I am trying to sleep or at least lay down when Rachel is sleeping but sometimes I just can't do it and find myself doing lots of other things. Also going through the "baby blues" in the evenings and find myself quite tearful...
Oh I have weighed myself a couple of times since getting home - and total loss since Wed 1/11 (last pre Rachel weigh in) is 6.3 kilos. I think I am not eating enough these days considering I am trying to breastfeed so really have to make an effort to keep up both my food and fluid intake.
Anyway, thats enough from me - will post again when I can :) Once again, a big thank you to you all for lovely comments and support - it does mean the world to both Steph and I.
Saturday, November 04, 2006
A few photos of Rachel
So far so good here at home, Rachel stayed asleep for another couple of hours after putting her into her basinett, has had a good feed and is now back asleep....
Hi all
Just a quickie to say we are now home but still pretty shattered and sore. Will post pics once they are downloaded from Camera later on tonight... and will share Rachel's birth story once I have written it.
But just wanted to say a BIG THANK YOU to you all for the wonderful comments and support and congratulation messages you have left for Steph and I! They have blown us away!!!
Also a BIG THANK YOU to Kate for updating my blog for me to keep you all posted - thanks heaps hun xx
Right off to go check on my princess.... be back later
Just a quickie to say we are now home but still pretty shattered and sore. Will post pics once they are downloaded from Camera later on tonight... and will share Rachel's birth story once I have written it.
But just wanted to say a BIG THANK YOU to you all for the wonderful comments and support and congratulation messages you have left for Steph and I! They have blown us away!!!
Also a BIG THANK YOU to Kate for updating my blog for me to keep you all posted - thanks heaps hun xx
Right off to go check on my princess.... be back later
Thursday, November 02, 2006
A beautiful baby girl..
Karen and Steph are delighted to announce the birth of their beautiful little daughter Rachel Judith at 4.13 this afternoon. She weighs 7lb exactly. All doing well, just tired after 8hr labour.
Congratulations you guys, and well done Karen! I'm sure we all can't wait to see photos and hear all about it. WOW! Your baby girl is finally here :-)
Congratulations you guys, and well done Karen! I'm sure we all can't wait to see photos and hear all about it. WOW! Your baby girl is finally here :-)
Labour update!
Hi, this is Kate.
Just had a text message from Karen.. they are on their way to hospital. That's all for now, will update with more info when I get it. Exciting!
Good luck Karen, we are all thinking of you and sending you lots of love!
xx
UPDATE: 1.10pm - Karen has just had her waters broken, and an epidural put in. Feeling pretty shattered. Hopefully won't be too long now!
Just had a text message from Karen.. they are on their way to hospital. That's all for now, will update with more info when I get it. Exciting!
Good luck Karen, we are all thinking of you and sending you lots of love!
xx
UPDATE: 1.10pm - Karen has just had her waters broken, and an epidural put in. Feeling pretty shattered. Hopefully won't be too long now!
Is it time???
Morning all
Yeap its 3.15am and I still have yet to get some sleep! Attempted bed a couple of times but to no avail.
Dinner out was nice but about 10pm I started noticing these real sharp lower back pains... put up with them till about 10.30 when I told Steph I really wanted to go home. Got home and spent a lot of time on the toilet in quite a bit of pain.
Tried bed but just too painful when laying down... contractions have now started (God they had bloody well better be contractions thats all I can say) and been going for about 3hrs or so. Haven't gotten to the 3 within 10mins as yet which is when Edith says to call her... Its come close a couple of times but not quite. Steph is still sleeping - letting him sleep while he can. OUCH just had another one! Have been thinking of running a bath but haven't gotten that far as yet as bathroom is directly opposite our bedroom and I don't want to disturb the "Sleeping Beauty" LOL Yeah I know I am too considerate at times but starting to think seriously about doing it anyway!
Haven't rung Mum or Lynaire as yet - thought I would try to manage by myself and will call them when I ring the midwife. Don't want to drag everyone out of bed in case its a false alarm!
Right going to get moving now... Kate has all the details to log in to my blog so once she receives txts from me she can update here when she is free too... so do stay tuned....
Yeap its 3.15am and I still have yet to get some sleep! Attempted bed a couple of times but to no avail.
Dinner out was nice but about 10pm I started noticing these real sharp lower back pains... put up with them till about 10.30 when I told Steph I really wanted to go home. Got home and spent a lot of time on the toilet in quite a bit of pain.
Tried bed but just too painful when laying down... contractions have now started (God they had bloody well better be contractions thats all I can say) and been going for about 3hrs or so. Haven't gotten to the 3 within 10mins as yet which is when Edith says to call her... Its come close a couple of times but not quite. Steph is still sleeping - letting him sleep while he can. OUCH just had another one! Have been thinking of running a bath but haven't gotten that far as yet as bathroom is directly opposite our bedroom and I don't want to disturb the "Sleeping Beauty" LOL Yeah I know I am too considerate at times but starting to think seriously about doing it anyway!
Haven't rung Mum or Lynaire as yet - thought I would try to manage by myself and will call them when I ring the midwife. Don't want to drag everyone out of bed in case its a false alarm!
Right going to get moving now... Kate has all the details to log in to my blog so once she receives txts from me she can update here when she is free too... so do stay tuned....
Wednesday, November 01, 2006
Holy Moly - 1 week to go until EDD!!!
Hi all
Just a quick post from me today as I'm not feeling very chatty at all today... just had MW visit - all is well with bubs but I really did think my waters had started leaking a couple of days ago but nope no sign of them breaking as yet - just extra discharge! :( She did take a swab from cervix and has sent that away to be tested in case of infection but that takes about 4 working days to get a result so bascially just got to wait until next visit next Wednesday (due date) but heres hoping I might go into labour before then.
My BP is still "perfect" and bubs HB is still great as well. Though bubs has moved from DOA to ROA so gotta spend some time on my swiss ball and laying on the left hand side to get her to move back to the left hand side...
Nothing much planned this afternoon - might finish watching a DVD that I borrowed off a friend a couple of weeks back - she lent me volumes 1 and 2 of "The Wombles"!!! LOL Hands those who remember them! LOL Talk about light hearted easy watching - fantastic especially when ones brain can't take much in these days.
Right - going now... catch ya all later
Just a quick post from me today as I'm not feeling very chatty at all today... just had MW visit - all is well with bubs but I really did think my waters had started leaking a couple of days ago but nope no sign of them breaking as yet - just extra discharge! :( She did take a swab from cervix and has sent that away to be tested in case of infection but that takes about 4 working days to get a result so bascially just got to wait until next visit next Wednesday (due date) but heres hoping I might go into labour before then.
My BP is still "perfect" and bubs HB is still great as well. Though bubs has moved from DOA to ROA so gotta spend some time on my swiss ball and laying on the left hand side to get her to move back to the left hand side...
Nothing much planned this afternoon - might finish watching a DVD that I borrowed off a friend a couple of weeks back - she lent me volumes 1 and 2 of "The Wombles"!!! LOL Hands those who remember them! LOL Talk about light hearted easy watching - fantastic especially when ones brain can't take much in these days.
Right - going now... catch ya all later
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