Here we have Jackie demonstrating the fine art of extreme burping. The reason it's extreme is due to the lack of safety equipment being used by the burper (or is that burpee ?). As you might notice there is nothing to catch anything that might decide to venture out of Henry's mouth, except for Jackies freshly washed cardigan, and I can assure you she isn't carrying any spares. Hats off to you Jackie, who did come away from this encounter completely unscathed. I think. The truth is we have been pretty lucky with Henry not really being into the whole vomiting thing. He seems to have already adopted a policy of "waste not want not" as far as his food goes, and our clothes thank him for this. 

A freshly bathed and sqeaky clean Henry, at age 1 month and 1 day - May 21. The day previous to this Tiff and Henry made their way to the early childhood centre for weighing and measuring. Since birth he has grown 4cm (now 55cm long), and has put on about 1 1/2 pounds (now 4.8 kg - 10.6 lb).  

In case anyone is wondering why so many baby photos are taken whilst the baby is alseep, it's generally for two reasons. 1 - It's usually the only time you've got two spare hands to take a photo. 2 - Cuteness, of course. What you are seeing in this picture is the equivalent of the 50 cent piece shown in photos of small objects to give an idea of scale. Where Henry lies on the scale of adorability is given perspective, by comparing him with the big ugly mug in the background. 

I would like to say I took this picture as it's one of the best we have of him, thanks to Tina who came to visit and captured this. I'll keep snapping away in my usual haphazard fashion, knowing I'll get lucky every now and then. Thanks to digital cameras I can thankfully do this without wasting roll upon roll of film. 

This photo was taken on May 14, as we were on our way to attend Dot and Max's wedding. Henry stayed at home in the capable hands of Tiff's mum Jackie. This was an interesting time as it was our first evening without him, and although we did have a great time seeing our friends and having a couple of drinks we did miss him. 

After we had been home about a week, we had a visit from the early childhood centre to make sure we were progressing well. After determining that we were keeping sane and rested (these terms are of course relative to the situation, and starting points) Henry was put on the scales, and we found that he had put on the weight he had lost during his hospital stay - only around 40 grams or so. In addition to this he had also gained 250 brand new grams so he's up to around 9 1/2 pounds. Like his parents he eats like there's a job to be done, so no doubt we will see him carry on in this direction for a little while yet. He seems to have lost some slight chubbiness from the cheeks, but is still doing pretty well in that department regardless. 

David and Lyndal's car capsule being put to use here.. very handy things these the way they double as a carrier. You could probably stick wheels on them and remove the need for a stroller, but then that would mean we wouldn't get to pick him up quite as often so we won't be trying for that any time soon (and by the time he is too big to pick up he'll be out of the capsule anyway). 

After a few days at home trying the various methods, locations, and positions that Henry likes to spend his time prior to falling asleep (as these would sometimes change with alarming regularity) , we glanced into the corner of the flat that contains a small mountain of items on loan from various friends who have previously ventured into this life of parenting, and spotted "the rocker".
Mim and Phil, we thank you for this. Although only Henry fits within, it has provided all three of us with many hours of sleep. 

Post feed - Henry doing an impression of a small grub curled up with Tiff. 

Apologies for the lack of updates in the past few days, however I will endeavour to make up for this in the next day or so. Here is one of Henry on his first day back home. Note that he still has his identification tags on for some reason. Perhaps mum and dad wanted to make sure he looked as good at home as he did in the shop in case we needed to return him....
I think we can count that as embarressing dad joke #1... hundreds more to come I'm sure. 

 

Dinner time takes its toll. 

This photo was taken the day before we left the hospital. 

Henry's first day at home, kicking back on the couch with Tiff. 

Henry James Donald Hobson – the birth story

Tuesday, 19 April 2005

I am officially eight days overdue; with little baby still determined not to make an appearance we head off to hospital to commence the scheduled induction. We arrive at the Mater Hospital at 21.30 and I am given an internal exam which confirms baby is still positioned very high in my pelvis and I am 0cm dilated. A monitor is placed around my tummy to check on baby’s heart beat which confirms I am not experiencing contractions. At 22.45 a synthetic prostaglandin gel is put on my cervix in the hope to ripen it and trigger labour. Michael is told to go home and get some rest and come back in the morning.

Wednesday, 20 April 2005

I find it difficult to sleep (being in a strange bed and all that) and wake up around 03.00 with some mild cramping. Excited that the gel is working and this could be the start of my contractions and early labour, I call the nurse for some pain relief options knowing I have a big day ahead and need all the rest I can get. I am given some Panadeine and a hot pack and go back to sleep.

At 06.00 the nurse wakes me up and performs another internal exam. Overnight I have dilated to 1cm, but baby has still not dropped low enough into my pelvis. As I am already having contractions a repeat application of the prostaglandin gel is not needed. I am told to pack a small bag of toiletries and whatever else I fancy as I am being moved to the delivery suite and my obstetrician will be in at 07.00 to give me another internal exam and artificially rupture my membranes (ie break my waters). I call Michael and tell him to get back to the hospital. He arrives within 20 minutes to help set up camp in the delivery suite, and my obstetrician arrives at 07.40. The good doctor then proceeds to break my waters, meaning that finally things are really starting to happen.

We are both given some breakfast at 08.35 and the contractions are increasing in regularity and intensity. My contractions are only lasting around 30-40 seconds and are still a few minutes apart. To deal with the discomfort, the breathing techniques and pelvic rocking manoeuvres I have learnt at pre-natal yoga are working well. Michael is being very supportive giving me back rubs between contractions and keeping me focused on my breathing. As the pain intensifies I decide to have a shower so I can use the stream of hot water on my lower back to soothe myself. It seems to work, as it is around now that I declare I don’t want to leave the shower because the hot water feels so good. I really would like to sit in a hot bath; however decide against it as the midwife informs me that the bath could slow down my contractions, and therefore prolong the labour.

At 09.30 I am hooked up to a drip of oxytocin that increases the strength and regularity of contractions. Monitors are again strapped to my tummy to monitor baby’s heartbeat and record the contractions. Once the drip starts my contractions become stronger and as a consequence, more painful. They are still only 30-40 seconds long, but they are doubling up and there are fewer breaks in between.

The midwife gives me another internal exam at 12.00 and I am disappointed to be told I had only dilated 2-3cm. As labour is getting more painful I ask for some pethidine. By now I have stopped my pelvic rocking and was focused solely on my breathing. I am now even vocalising some “oohs” and “aahs” (Surprisingly during my entire labour I only swear twice. Really!)

It’s 14.00 and I’ve had enough of the pain. The pethidine hasn’t helped and whilst I have had another hot shower I realise if I am to reach the goal of dilating to 10cm I’m not going to make it without some serious drugs. I am becoming exhausted and the midwife estimates I could be in labour for another eight hours before we get to the pushing stage. Bugger that, I ask for an epidural.

Ah, the wonderful feeling of not feeling. The epidural has worked a treat. I now watch my contractions on the monitor and not feel them. We are also noticing that every time the monitor shows I am having a contraction the baby’s heartbeat seems to drop, as we are listening to that through the monitor as well. The midwife gives me another internal exam and says I am now 4cm dilated.

Now 15.00, the midwife is concerned due to baby’s slowing heartbeat during each contraction. I am taken off the oxytocin drip but this of course slows down the contractions and dilation process. Putting me back on the drip speeds up the labour process but distresses the baby. The midwife has been updating my obstetrician by phone all day on my progress, and at 17.00 he returns to my delivery suite and we discuss the options of delivering the baby. As baby’s head is still not low enough in my pelvis and I am dilating at a snail’s pace, it is estimated if I continue with the drip (distressing the baby) I could be in labour for another 4-6 hours (presuming I dilate to 10cm in that time) and will most likely have to have a forceps delivery with likely internal tearing (ouch!) and an episiotomy (double ouch!). Even after all this I could find myself and baby in need of an emergency caesarean.

It is agreed between ourselves and the obstetrician that I have the caesarean as it appears that in the end it will be safer for baby and better for me. Within 30 minutes I am prepared and being wheeled down to theatre for the operation, and Michael has been whisked off to be dressed in scrubs so he can be with me for the delivery. Rather than an additional, or separate anaesthetic being administered for the operation my epidural gets a top-up, and I have now got a case of the shakes and shivers from all the drugs (and nerves). Once in the operating room, a blue sheet is erected in front of my face and I can’t see down to my tummy to watch the operation. I am relieved when Michael finally arrives by my side because with all the bright surgical lights, monitors, TV screens, operating theatre carry-on, and how fast everything was happening I am starting to feel a bit overwhelmed. My obstetrician asks me if I am ready for him to start, and when I reply with a “yes” he tells me that’s good; because he already has. I can’t feel anything so decide to focus on the TV screen to distract my nerves, which shows a small empty table with a green surgical sheet on it. I presume this is where they would put baby to check once he was out as was explained to us in the prenatal classes. I look up at Michael who is looking anywhere but over the blue sheet. Within a few minutes my obstetrician says the head is out and they are clearing baby’s air passages. The rest of baby’s body is pulled out and we are told that the umbilical cord is wrapped all around baby’s body. The blue sheet is now lowered enough so I can see the baby, but I can’t really see anything other than two little hands reaching high in the air, and now I hear a little cry. I look over to the TV screen and can see baby being placed on the green surgical sheet, but now one of the theatre staff is in my way and I can’t see anything, only hear baby bleat like a lamb. Michael is now allowed up to take some photos and has also been offered the cord to cut which he has done, and then he returns with a nurse who is holding baby wrapped up tightly in a blanket.

I can’t believe this is our baby, and it is a very strange feeling to just be told this is our baby as I can’t hold him yet. I get to give him a quick kiss on the cheek and look up for our first family photo before Michael is escorted out of the theatre with the baby to the nursery. I am stitched up and then wheeled off to the recovery room.

It is another hour before I am returned to my room and little Henry is finally placed in my arms. I thought when the moment came I would bawl my eyes out, but I am so out of it on morphine all I can do is stare at him in disbelief. Michael is also looking dazed by the experience. It has been a long, exhausting day for all three of us.

Henry, Tiff, and Michael would like to take a minute to pass on thanks to everyone for all the kind words and well wishes that have been flooding in in the last 36 hours. There will be plenty of postings to come in the coming days, weeks, months etc and Henry is looking forward to meeting you all soon.  

The weigh in. Henry just confirming his status in the heavyweight division. For anyone not familiar with the new fangled metric system, 4.08kg equates to roughly 9 pounds.... lucky.. lucky Tiff.

Here is our first meeting with young Henry. He is about 5 minutes old at this stage - just enough time to get cleaned and wrapped up for mum and dad.  

Counting down the days.... not long now ! 

Baby update - 41 weeks

I'm still pregnant! Little baby Hobson is still showing no signs of arriving. The last trip to the obstetrician revealed a head that still refuses to engage and a thick cervix showing no signs of thinning. I've still barely felt a contraction.

So what happens now? Well on Tuesday night (19 April) I will be checked into hospital and will start the initial stages of having labour induced. Hopefully by early to mid afternoon on Wednesday I'll be well on the way to getting little baby Hobson out and into the world. Only three more sleeps until parenthood.

Watch this space.

Baby update - 40 weeks

Little baby Hobson was due today, but does not appear to be in a hurry. Today was the first day any sort of contractions have been felt, but nothing significant. We feel it will happen this week, if not, the obstetrician has booked us an induction for 20 April.

Baby update - 39 weeks

Latest news from our obstetrician is the baby will be late. Little baby's head has still not engaged and my tummy has still not dropped. Considering the baby is now due in six days time, I thought I would/should be feeling over being pregnant. The truth is I've never felt better. I'm sleeping well, I'm not uncomfortable, my energy levels are good. I can still drive and walk about easily. I'm also not experiencing any false contractions.

It all seems quite strange really - I'm meant to be about to pop a baby, but I feel so normal. Well, when I say normal, I mean normal to how I've been feeling the whole pregnancy. On reflection, I can't remember what I used to look like before being pregnant or what it felt like to not be pregnant.

The Belly @ 38 weeks

Here is Tiff at 38 weeks. Only a couple of weeks to go, give or take a week until we are flung into chaos, so we are both very excited by the approaching event.

The babies room is nearing completion, with a few wall decorations still to obtain and put up when we get a chance to. Somehow space was found to store all the clothes we have received from everyone, and looking around we appear to be approaching something resembling readiness. 

Baby update - 38 weeks

First week of not being at work has been very relaxing. I've spent it sleeping, swimming, going to prenatal yoga, and even cooking dinner for Michael (yes, it's true).

I've had some lower back and groin pain this week, which has made walking uncomfortable. My yoga teacher has helped me stretch and strengthen everything, and Michael's back massages have helped as well.

I'm now on weekly check ups with the obstetrician. Little baby is still on track for a mid April delivery (no signs yet of an early birth). My belly hasn't dropped, but my last weigh in showed I'd lost a kilo (which always makes a girl feel good). I think my belly has finally stopped growing.

Baby update - 37 weeks

Well the real countdown has now begun. We've attended our birth and parenting classes over the past two weekends and now the reality of what we face is starting to sink in. We are now just trying to enjoy our last weeks of just the two of us, but really we can't wait to see our little baby and wonder who it will look like and what the hell do we call it.

We had our check up with the obstetrician this morning. Little baby's head has not yet engaged, but is still down and baby is lying in the anterior position (ie baby's back is facing the front of my belly). Our doctor took a guess that the baby will likely be around 8 pounds in weight.

I finish work today (hooray!).

And here is Tiff being pregnant for the tourists. The day this was taken was Sunday March 6. 

Guess Who..? As a little break from all the baby and wedding talk, we'll play a little game of spot the Jack. Hidden amongst the collection of 80's glam rockers and your more modern day skanky pop star types is the one and only Jackie Bartley. Pit yourself against this formidable test of your observational powers and see if you can find the original "Twisted Sister" (this was all Tiff's idea I swear)

The newlyweds can barely contain themselves (get a room !!) 

Tiff strikes a pose outside Corin and Yin's wedding reception. 

Corin and Yin on their wedding day (Saturday 26-02-2005) 

Baby update - 34 weeks

What a busy few weeks we have had and my belly continues to grow. Another check up and the baby is still head down. The baby's movements are felt quite often now and are visible with my tummy sometimes lurching from side to side. I don't know what the baby is doing in there, but it seems to be enjoying itself. The Braxton Hicks have also started.

We have also been to an aromatherapy massage class. The class taught us how we can use essential oils and massage techniques during labour. The class also showed us how to massage the baby once it is born. It was a good class and I've had Michael practising the massages on me at home. Mmm, very nice and relaxing. We start the official birth classes this weekend.

I'm still sleeping well, but don't seem to be getting much extra rest. I finish work in two weeks so will take that time to put the feet up and take it easy. The nesting instinct hasn't hit me yet, but we are 90% prepared for baby's arrival.

We'd like to say a special thank you to Lib and Mike, Mark and Kim-Marie, Mim and Phil, and our parents for equipping us with so many of the baby essentials. Your support is greatly appreciated.

Baby update - 32 weeks

We had another obstetrician's appointment this morning. The good news is little baby Hobson has turned and is now in the correct position (ie head down). We also asked if the baby was going to be big, as my belly is huge. The doctor assures us that for now the baby is average size and not the ginormous baby we think it might be.

Health wise, I've been a bit poorly. I caught a yucky cold and have a nasty cough that just won't go away. On the flipside, Michael has been Mr SuperFit and is enjoying competing in the ocean swim races each weekend. This Sunday he is racing at Cave Beach, near Newcastle, so we will be visiting Mum (or Nannoo as she will soon be called) this weekend.

Baby update - 30 weeks and counting

We had our 30 week check up today with the obstetrician. Little baby Hobson is progressing well and there are no problems to report so far. Little baby is currently lying in the breach position (head up, feet down), but there is still plenty of time for baby to turn around and "engage" ready for exit. Baby's heart beat is strong, and when Michael presses his ear to my tummy he can hear the heart too. In fact, this has often led to Michael being punched or kicked in the head by little baby.

As for me, I'm well too. My blood pressure is a little low, which led to a near fainting episode on the weekend, but our doctor is only concerned if my blood pressure is high. I'm now prone to swollen ankles (yes, very attractive) and have developed a waddle when I walk (yes, again, very attractive). I'm not going to mention the weight gain, it seems to be out of my control.

So for now, it is all good news. We are happy and healthy, and counting down the weeks.