Time Flies...and a Happy Mother's Day at last

WOW!! Where did the past three weeks go?????? I cannot believe that Baby Alex is three weeks old already. How I wish life had a pause button, so we could freeze time, and enjoy our little bundle while he's still little.

The past three weeks has been a bit of a blur. Not for lack of sleep, which I'm sure many would assume. Our earth-angel is a sleeping god and does not deprive of us of too much sleep. I honestly don't know how we've arrived at Mother's Day already. YIKES!! So much has happened in the past 3 weeks and I feel a bit bad that I have not updated my blog as often as I had planned. (Yes, I know...a newborn is a pretty good excuse. But when that newborn spends most of his days sleeping, one begins to wonder how exactly I fill my days....I'm not entirely sure. :)



Danny took two weeks "Carers Leave" off of work. It was lovely to have him home, helping man the Smith Ship. He patiently did the school/kinder runs in the mornings, allowing me to catch up on missed sleep. He, Alexander and I kept busy, shopping and lunching. I cannot stand being housebound and I tend to get cabin fever easily. It was nice to have Dan around to help the baby and I get out once a day. Within these first few weeks, Alex has made trips to Daddy's work, Max's school, and Ashie's kinder to be shown off. He has also had his first trip to Melbourne, with Dad, mum and Ashton. He loves the car and didn't seem to mind being in it for the two hour car ride. We went to Build-a-Bear where Ashton made Baby Alex a special bunny. It was really cute.



On Thursday, I took Alexander to the health centre for a weekly weigh-in with the nurse. They like babies to put on 150 grams a week (sorry, I don't know what that is in ounces.) The nurse re-weighed him THREE times, in disbelief that the scale said what it actually said. Turns out my porker of a baby put on....wait for it...570gr!!! :0 To top it off, she assumed I was either feeding him too often or some other explanation. When I said he feed 4 hourly, and only one side at each feed, her jaw hit the floor. She told me I should be proud that I was producing such rich milk. Dan now calls me "Daisy"...as in Daisy the dairy cow. Nice.



Many wonderful friends have helped us welcome Alex by stopping by with beautiful presents and well wishes. A HUGE thank you to everyone!!!!

The five of us (BOY! That is so weird to say!) have gone away for the weekend. It is Alex's first overnight trip. It will also be our first Mother's Day together. Sunday will have a completely different vibe than Mother's Day last year. Last year, Dan whisked me away to Tasmania, and I spent Mother's Day far away from my children, but also far away from the pain and hurt of losing Gabe. I didn't want to celebrate. This year, I think Sunday will be different. Alexander has restored my faith and my confidence as a mother. I feel, once again, that I deserve to be celebrated. I am looking forward to a triple cuddle Sunday morning (no doubt SUPER early as there is only a thin wall separating us all.)


HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY TO ALL THE MOMS/MUMS OUT THERE!!!! xoxoxoxo

Introducing ALEXANDER ROBERT SMITH!!!!

He's HERE!!!!!! :) :) :)



On Saturday, April 18th, at 12:20pm, Danny and I welcomed our newest addition to our family, Alexander Robert Smith.

He may have been late, but he was speedy...here's his story...

Saturday morning was a lazy one. The boys were watching a movie in the lounge and Dan was watching a movie in bed. I was trying in vain, to catch some more Zs. Dan and I had gone on a date Friday night and had a lovely meal and a relaxing time, just the two of us. Throughout the night, I suffered from irregular contractions, but was not holding my breath or getting excited yet. Who knew how long this kid would hold out for? At around 9:30am, during a contraction, I felt a huge "snap" in my belly. I said to Dan "I think my waters just broke!" But upon sitting up, felt nothing and had no loss. Hmmmm??? I thought...maybe not. Dan, the panic person he is, called the labour ward to ask/tell them what we thought was happening. I talked to the nice midwife about what I was feeling, she confirmed that things might be starting. She then asked "What were your other labours like?" When I replied "19 and 21 hours" she laughed and said that I probably didn't have to rush in. I said we lived 5 minutes down the highway. "Well," she replied "That means your husband can probably make the drive in 3 if he had to." I laughed, but rolled my eyes, thinking, 'I've never delivered on the same day I start labour.' We were probably in for a long day. As soon as I hung up, I had another contraction, this one hurting more and left me with wet pants. It WAS my water breaking! Before I could change my pants, another contraction hit. But it had only been 3 minutes. Dan and I looked at each other...could this REALLY be it? Three minutes later ANOTHER, and this time it hurt! Dan quickly called the hospital back to confirm that this WAS it and that we were coming in straight away. Another quick phone call went out to Dan's mother, Jill, to come and collect the boys. While I stumbled around, trying to pack from my last-minute list, doubling over in pain every 3 minutes, Dan frantically showered, got the boys ready and through everything in the car. Speed limits were broken as we flew down towards the hospital.

By the time we arrived and got settled in at the hospital, in was 10am. We had a good chat with our lovely midwife, discussing birthing plans and pain relief needs. Upon examination, I was 6cm, over halfway there. The next two hours passed in an eye blink. I was checked out, hooked up, and jabbed. The baby was monitored and my vitals taken. Everything was looking good and we were making good progress. As I puffed on the gas for pain relief, I heard a midwife enter and ask Dan if we knew what we were having. "He'll be the 3rd boy born this morning" I heard through the haze. WHAT!?!?! This morning??? Don't you mean tomorrow morning?? I don't labour that well and that quick! But before I knew it, I was pushing (and screaming) and just as I had wished and prayed for, my newly born child was laid on my chest. As I cuddled this warm, gooey, crying bundle, I looked at Dan as if to ask if it was real. Was I REALLY getting my fairtale happy ending? Quick, someone pinch me.





Time seemed to stand still...we had reached the end of a very stressful and long pregnancy. The midwife "borrowed" the baby, long enough to give him the once over and state that he was perfect. Dan held our precious new baby as I was cleaned up. After a wonderful shower, I met our new son properly. As I talked to him, he opened his big blue eyes and stared at me. We were all at peace.

The big boys came to visit and fell in love with their new baby brother. At one point, Ashton asked if we were going to be taking Baby Alex home. When I explained that he was ours to keep forever, Ash turned to him and declared that he was his big brother and he loved him, and that he was coming to our house.



Max, took his big brother role very seriously, even warning off the midwife from hurting him. As she tied the cloth diaper cover on, Max barked "That's my new baby brother, don't tie it too hard or hurt him!" Every time Max cuddles or speaks of Alex, it warms my heart knowing that he'll keep these memories. (I was the same age when my sister was born, and I remember everything.) I love knowing that Max will remember these special times.




I finish this blog entry one-handed. Danny has just brought our miracle bundle of joy in to me. As I hold him typing, he is watching me. I feel great relief and peace, knowing our little family is now complete. All the past sins absolved and our future seems to be growing brighter by the day. And it hasn't even been a full week yet! Alexander's safe arrival has helped heal old wounds.

He is our sunshine after the rain.

Ripped off by the Easter Bunny

Well folks, I type this blog entry, on my official due date...STILL PREGGERS!!!!

I like chocolate as much as the next gal. Even more so when you don't have to worry about how many calories you're inhaling, as you sit on the couch watching The Biggest Loser while shoving eggs in your mouth. HOWEVER...this Easter I was really hoping the Easter Bunny would skip the usual chocolate eggs in return for a new baby.

NO...SUCH...LUCK...Damn.

People have already started asking if I'm still pregnant or if I've had the baby yet. Look peeps, having this baby is NOT something we would keep secret. I mean, we couldn't keep it secret anywho. (Hello??? Would me not looking pregnant anymore and carrying a new baby be a good give-away???) And we are so excited, we will be shouting Baby Alex's arrival from the roof tops. No one needs to panic that we've had the baby and not shared. Besides, as any mother who has not delivered by her due date will tell you, asking does not help.

We now look forward to Thursday, when we see the OB and decide what to do. Hopefully, by this weekend, I will be a whole lot lighter and a WHOLE lot happier.

WATCH THIS SPACE..................

It's the "Final countdown!"

I had this song in my head while typing this week's title...but then I had a thought, "Is it an Aussie song, that Americans won't know?" or "Is it an American song?" and even thought... "Is it really even a song at all?!?!"

I know it's only a case of baby brain and I'm hoping to be cured by this time next week. Yes folks, we are on the COUNTDOWN TO BABY!!!!!! My due date is next Tuesday, April 14th. The OB is seeing me on the 16th (if I haven't gone yet) to decided which road to take. So technically, I have no more than one week left. Amen. And I couldn't be happier...or more impatient. I've never really experienced this before (hard to believe, I know. It's baby #4!) But with Max, I had health problems towards the end of my pregnancy that not only led to me being induced a week early, but sort of took my mind off of "due date watching." And with Ash, we moved into our newly built house 3 days before I went into labour with him (on his actually due date.) So once again, I was too distracted to watch the calendar. THIS TIME it's all I can do. The boys are on school holidays for Easter and we are nearly housebound, as my hip hurts too much to do anything. Plus, I'm exhausted. The problem is, of course, that my children are about as active as you get. I.E. they are bored out of their minds!!! Ontop of bored children and an impatient mum-to-be, we are in the middle of building our extention. Great timing, I know. We are having a rumpus room built off the back of the house. It'll be like a kid's play room/spare room/office/junk room. And although I've added it to my list of complaints, it's not really that big of a deal. All the work is being done out back and you can't really hear the one man working.

Once this pregnancy is over, I will be writing a book on what NOT to say to pregnant women as they near the end of their pregnancy. I tell ya, if one more person comments on the fact that I am still pregnant...I might let my hormones take over and unleash some hell. Don't people know that regardless of what they relly think, they are supposed to lie and tell the heavily pregnant woman she looks wonderful?!?!? I might have to make up a t-shirt, saying "Touch it and die." :)

By the way, I have no photo to add. I look the same. If anything, I think I've gotten a little smaller as the baby has settled down. Hopefully, the next photo I add will be of my new little man, in my arms....and hopefully, it'll be SOON!!!!!!

Week 37: the three week wait

Hi y'all.

Yes, it's been AGES since I've updated my blog and I have a very good reason...I've had the baby. No!!! Just kidding. My computer got sick with a virus and of course it took two attempts and TWO weeks for the computer geeks to fix it. *Sigh* Now, thank goodness, I am back in the land of 21st century living. Amen.

Not much has been going on here. I guess we're in the "wait and see and wait" mode. Yesterday I officially hit full term, a huge relief! That means, technically, the baby can come anytime he wants, and be safe and healthy. We are, by no means ready for a new baby. We have not done much in the way of preparing and I don't know why. I'm not sure if it's practical thinking..."Will it really happen this time?" or laziness. I think I'm leaning more towards laziness. We HAVE, though, set up the bassinet and I've washed the baby clothing, so that if we're caught off guard, we'll have some sort of set up to bring this baby home to. There will be no nursery, but hopefully the extention will start next week, so fingers crossed that all happens smoothly.

Now onto baby news...my OB is very happy with where I'm (we're) at. He said everything looks great and both baby and I are doing well. I was starting to panic about having a LARGE baby, mainly because everybody (and their mother) feels the need to comment on the size of my bump. Now, I've never been a skinny girl, but I am ALL baby. The doc confirmed the baby was average size, but hit me with idea that my stomach muscles are wrecked. Hence the reason my gut sticks out. Great.



Also thought I'd add this photo in. Not too thrilled with showing off my uncovered bump! If you look at the center of my bump, you'd expect to find my belly button. Yet, it's like 3 inches lower then it should be. Guess someone put it in the wrong spot. Silly doctors!



Reading back I don't think I actually ever stated what sex the baby was. Not sure why. Anywho, we are expecting another wonderful boy, to be named Alexander Something Smith. (We decided on the 1st name so quickly, we've forgotten to talk about a middle name. Oops.) Suggestions will be appreciated.

I'll be posting every week from now on as the OB isn't sure I'll make it to 40 weeks. God bless him...

Week 33: The magnificent SEVEN

Seven weeks remaining, that is. Yes, today I hit 33 weeks and as I do each week, I sighed a bit of relief that we have made it this far. Now, I know I said I was going to do fortnightly updates but last week (when I should have posted) was a bit crazy. We had Gabe's one year anniversary. It was a lot to deal with and although each time I sat at the computer I had every intention of blogging...it just didn't happen. So here I am.

To all those who sent their love and support last Monday, I hope you know how much that meant to Dan and I. It was comforting to realize that not everyone has forgotten Gabe and that the support we need is STILL out there for when we need it. It was a difficult day to get through, tears came and went. The boys picked out flowers and balloons for the cemetary. We released balloons into the sky, each with a special message written for Gabe (an idea Max had last year) just as we did at his funeral. I think it was a lot less traumatic then we expected it to be. I think Baby Louey has a lot to do with that. It's comforting to know that life does indeed go on, and that we will be happy again.



All is well in the land of bump. Baby Louey is growing great, right on schedule. Aside from the "normal" pregnancy aches and pain, momma is doing well too. I am off to see a physio this week as my midwife has told me I have "pelvic instability." In other words, when I walk, stand, or even move my left leg, great pain follows. It's apparently common, but the only way to solve or "cure" it, is to not be pregnant anymore. I'm working on that...




We have tried (in vain it seems) to start and get ready for this baby's arrival. But aside from being huge and tired, I always seem to hit a snag (and I'm not talking sausages.) We are not any closer to getting the addition built, which is holding up the great "shifting of the bedrooms." The builder says three weeks, which is okay, since we've got 7 left. And as for building while pregnant...we moved into this house 3 days before I had Ashton, so a little reno doesn't scare me! Yesterday, when we lost power for a few hours, I thought it was good time to go through all the baby clothes and sort out the 'keepers.' I knew we had already bought a few new things and wanted to see what had/needed. Well, we need NOTHING!!! and have too much of everything. I've already told a good friend of mine, who's expecting a boy a few weeks after me, that she can have whatever she wants. It's good to share.

The dropping of the bump

Here's the bump from last week (week 30) If you compare it to the photo under (from week 28) you can see how the shape of my bump has changed. That's because my darling baby has flipped around, sitting head down. I can certainly feel the difference (read: foot under my rib, not nice.)