A day on our own

Our cat's got his usual high dependency syndrome with the birth of a new baby, and is refusing to eat without coaxing and insisting on being allowed to enter or exit the house through whichever entrance or exit takes his fancy at whatever time he likes regardless of his humans' sleep requirements.

While the rest of the family were away, the baby and I played! We got into some nice summer gear to go to the library, but as soon as we arrived at the shops realised that the sweltering weather had changed so switched into a nice warm top and pants.

Then we arrived home to more sweltering weather, so the Little Prince took a brief nap outside while I played with the washing.

We stripped off again for the afternoon, but it's cooled down again now. Baby is shown wearing a PP pocket nappy in a classic Pooh print - very cute, but not a good fit yet hence the bowed leg effect. We'll try again next week!

RIP Coda, 26.12.93 - 6.10.07

Our beautiful dog, Coda, died last Saturday. We knew he was getting old because he was developing a very distinguished silver muzzle and sore hips, but we didn't think he was ever really going to die.

He has been such a wonderful member of our family. He always wanted to be in the thick of things. With each new baby, once he knew what was going on, he'd be so gleeful as the solid food stage started (he was always best friends with any toddler carrying food!), then resigned as they learnt to crawl and pull on his fur or tail, then patient as he taught them how to throw a ball for him.

He was very tolerant with Ginger Rose, but really started to slow down in the past year. I'm so glad he was here to see our new baby, but was so expecting him to be here to watch this little one start solids too.

He died under a blossom tree in our garden, with Ginger Ninja right beside him watching over him. We carried him back to his bed, and Briar Rose made him a "Best Dog Ever" crown and brought him flowers. We buried him next to the rowan tree.

I never realised how empty our home would feel without him. Coda, we miss you more than we ever imagined.

Day 12

Our Little Prince is growing up so fast! Look how he's grown into his nappy cover!

We had a busy day today - to reactivate our car radio we needed to take it to an authorised dealer, who wanted to keep it for a day! All because when they replaced the radio they didn't think to record the activation code or the serial number - too frustrating! So, dh decided it would be best if I turned up with all 4 children (Briar Rose is still visiting Grandma E) in an attempt to hurry them along!

As it happens, the service manager was charming and became a grandfather for the first time 4 weeks ago, so was very impressed with our Little Prince, and made positive comments about me breastfeeding in their waiting room :) . But it still took over an hour to re-start the radio, so we had a lovely walk into town where I collected the latest Jamie Oliver cook book.

We needed the radio activated because Dh is driving to Sydney to collect Briar Rose and take all the older children (including Ginger Rose!) to visit Grandma L for the night. We really hoped I'd be able to come along to show off the Little Prince, but as he's not yet 2 weeks old, we thought discretion the better part of valour this time!

Ginger's Roses

Ginger Rose just loves picking flowers, and has been overjoyed to find some roses in the garden lately.

Today she picked one for herself, and one to share with her friend, Bronte.

It was a bittersweet day - Baby is old enough to be discharged from the Community Midwifery Program, which sadly means saying goodbye to the wonderful midwife who's held my hand through the last six months. We will really miss seeing her!

On the bright side, Baby has gained 480gm in 4 days so the breastfeeding is working!

Baby's first outing

We took a trip out to the local markets today. It was variously windy, chilly, sunny and hot, but Baby was no trouble at all and took to the stroller quite happily once Ginger Rose abandoned it.

Somebody bought each of the older children their very own very loud bird whistles, and they found a very sweet pup happy to listen to them. There were so many dogs at the market, which I found a little painful as they reminded me of Coda, who died yesterday.

A week old!

All the children have been thriving on Grandma E's love and attention. We have been so truly blessed with our friends and relatives. This weekend, three different families have dropped by to bring us fresh fruit from the markets (fortunately, they've all brought a range of different things!). Ginger Rose is shown eating an Italian sweet bread brought from the markets by Nana R and Grandad B.

Possum spent his entire pocket money savings and all of his birthday money on an MP4 player. He's incredibly pleased with it, and I'm amazed at how quickly he's mastered the technology - including networking it.

Ginger Rose caught in the act of misappropriating Ginger Ninja's new toy!

Lovely longies!

And an extra special thanks to my wonderful friend, N, who sent these very snuggly cuddly hand-knitted longies all the way from Canada! They did a great job over an exceedingly wet flannel nappy - I had no idea he was totally soggy!

Day 7

I can't believe my baby will be a week old tomorrow! It's all flown past so fast - though sleep deprivation probably helps blur time a little!

He takes being the centre of attention very gracefully, and is being thoroughly enjoyed by all of us.

Days 5 and 6

We're starting to have longer waking periods, although Baby's still a little hard to settle into an eat-activity-sleep routine - he much prefers going to sleep during the "eat" part, preferably interspersed with a few activities.

He's taken to seriously enjoying snacking, but while he's still a little jaundiced I'm trying not to be too concerned about stretching his feeds out.

More cuddles from Grandma E, and showing the fantastic outfit previously worn by two of his cousins :).

Ginger Rose is really enjoying having Grandma E here to play with her, and is enjoying the warmer spring weather. This is how she says "cheese"!

Happy birthday, Possum!

Guess who turned 12 today? I think he enjoyed his birthday, even though he didn't get the sleep-in he'd been planning (Ginger Rose escaped me to visit him shortly after 8am instead of the 9am he'd anticipated!).

Here's our second photo as a family of seven! Grandma E very kindly did a cake run, so we had a celebratory Indian takeaway dinner (Possum's choice) followed by yummy chocolate cake.

Ginger Rose was very keen to help Possum blow out the candles. They split them - she blew 2 and he blew 10. But who's counting?!

Shame there were only 4 bits of whipped cream and chocolate - in family division terms, that works out at 3 adults and one birthday boy...

Birth day!

I was in the very large hot bath at the birth centre very shortly after we arrived!

Second stage arrived shortly after I hopped into the bath, and soon I was able to lift my beautiful boy up onto my chest for our first cuddle together.

He was willing to latch on within a few minutes of birth and had a brief suckle.

There aren't any respectable photos of Baby's Dad cutting the cord, but here's Baby blissfully unaware that we're being separated. We wouldn't have cut the cord except that it had well and truly stopped pulsing and was too short for me to safely carry the baby out of the bath with.

Day 4

Baby enjoyed a brief waking spell today, and spent time goo-ing and gaa-ing at everybody before going back to eating and sleeping. Sadly, he likes to sleep better during the day than the night!

This afternoon we're wearing a hand-knitted shortie from Auntie C over a TotsBot (thanks, Carol!).

And, as you can see, Baby is a very charming sleeper - so totally edible! And he gives the sweetest smiles when he sees the milk supply coming.

If only he'd sleep at night...

Big sister

Briar Rose held the baby while I unpacked the bag we over-packed to take to the birth centre - she did very well, and Baby enjoyed some new songs!