4 Weeks old

I took Quinn to the lovely nurse Felicity for his 4 week checkup yesterday. He now weighs 4.1kg and is 56cm. His birth weight was 3.2kg and he was 52cm, so he's growing fabulously! Aside from a bit of a snotty nose, probably because I had a cold, he's doing fabulously! He's a very chilled out little boy and has a wonderful temprament.
He's sleeping pretty well and if I can manage to stay up for a 10-11 feed, then he only wakes up once in the night, which helps all of us be in a better mood the next day! We're settling in to a routine and things are going well. Alex loves him to bits and always asks to hold him, I know she cant wait until he's old enough to do ANYTHING other than lie around looking at us. Edward a devoted father, but I do wish he'd stop working so much and spend more time at home with us. Hey ho, such is life. I haven't really suffered from baby blues, I think it's been more a case of cabin fever, I just love the days where Quinn and I can get out and do things together, that said, he's getting very good at watching me doing the housework so I hope he grows up to be a useful man around the house!! We've had some fun shopping together, going on the odd drive and yesterday he even had to discover the joys of how annoying and frustrating the Knysna Department of Labour is, shame, poor child.
I often wonder what Quinn would say to me if he could speak.... at bath time, IF its a warm day I get the paintbrush out and make little paint footprints for all my thank-you cards. Its quite a tricky business because normally after doing 1 foot twice, he works out that it tickles so he wriggles and then I have to stop as the footprints become a bit smudged. That said, we really do have a lot of fun together!! Must run and change that nappy again!

Quinn! Our beautiful baby boy!!

Yay, my baby boy arrived! The night of 12 May was extrealy long and on the morning of 13 May 2009, Quinn was born, weighing 3.2kg... was in a bit of distress so we opted for a c-section... all good in the end though!

His full name is Quinn Winston Keillor Walker. Quinn was just a name we liked, Winston is my dad's name, Keillor is Edward's mother's Maiden name... and as we're getting married next year its only sensible that he's a Walker.

Edward is such a great dad, plays all sorts of games with him and is ever ready to help with whatever he can. I must admit though, I'm sure it's not that easy to get up and go do a full days work after the interupted nights. That said, Edward did take a week and a half of paternity leave, it was so special to watch them bond! Of course Alex thinks its all so exciting, but is still learning that he's not really somebody that you can play with just yet. I'm adjusting pretty well, I must admit that without a doubt motherhood must be the hardest, but most rewarding thing! He's just so so handsome... and mostly pretty chilled out. I think he's pretty secure and content and that shows through.... except when he's hungry or needs a nappy change! Yay for healthy, strong, happy, handsome young boys!

On that note, he's just called me. Hope to log in again soon.

Waiting......

Being at home is great! I'm really enjoying having time to do things that I just never seem to get too! I've washed all the baby clothes, organised the cupboard and the room is looking good! Just needs a baby in there now. My mum has been absolutely fantastic in helping me organise and prepare.... its mothers day on 10 May, she deserves something that takes her breath away.

Edward is good, battling (more so than usual) to get up in the mornings, the wintery darkness is starting to set in and having so many public holiday's doesn't promote good routines. Alex is well, although she did fall down the stairs on Monday.... gave the side of her face a bit of a nasty bash.... poor little lamb has a cut on the side of her eye and a really nice blue eye. The joys of a good proper childhood! She's started hockey at school now, although we voted against her doing hockey today as she got a clonk on the head with the hockey ball at her first practise and she agreed that a hard hockey ball should not go anywhere near her rather blue and swollen eye. Personally I blame the rain for the slippery stairs... yes, FINALLY, we've actually had some rain so the garden looks better, even if the water restrictions remain the same.

I'm feel quite relaxed and am really enjoying the little bit of time I'm getting to myself.
Other than that, life continues as normal and we wait, and wait........

Times they are a changing

So finally, my last day at work has arrived..... Its been the first day that I've felt nervous about the life changes that are almost upon me now. Nervous, but excited. Ooooh, I don't really know what to say. Everyone at work has been great, we had a 'staff meeting' that revolved around delicious pies, sticky-buns and a cuppa.

Alex is well. Went back to school on Wednesday, all fired up to go and give Jaime a big bear hug. She's so enthusiastic it is just wonderful, I think the homework might concentrate more on numbers this term which will be good for her as she needs the practice. We had to do lots of counting last night, backwards, forwards etc. Even after various half attempts to hurry onto the reading part of her homework, I still managed to get her to go thru her sets of numbers atleast 5 times each. Concentration is normally a bit of an issue and I think her and I might have come to an 'understanding' as to what REAL concentration is..... I hope the teacher doesn't find her concentration a bit off the wall today, I hid a Chomp in her lunchbox. A Chomp for the Champ, she really has been super helpful, pro-active and enthusiastic this week.

Edward is doing very well. Healthy, focused and full of love and support. We had a fabulous 'boys' Easter Monday, cricket and good fo

Publish Post

od! He continues to ensure the market stall is well stocked. He did some repairs/maintenance and added a stunning old Oeregon Pine Chest to our ever growing array of home furniture. I've put it in the dinning room next to the guitar, has made the room warmer and more cozy! The Chest will allow me to free up more cupboard space in the baby's room..... Alex has asked me if she can help me organise that cupboard... A task for the public holiday on Wednesday 22nd methinks.

Happy Easter

Happy Easter to everyone!! I'm looking forward to a few days off before my last 4 days of work. Shew, just getting through the day is hard work. I was quite overwhelmed yesterday by a generous gift from Marion's neighbour, 2 big boxes of hardly used baby clothes... people are amazing!!

2.6kg and all good.

Check up today was good. All growth is normal, doctor is happy. I have to see him again in 2 weeks, says I'm welcome to go into labour whenever I want AFTER that appointment.
Shew!
We'll wait to see what the baby decides.

We had a great weekend. Alex was at her mums this weekend, Leo spent the whole of Friday night walking around trying to find Alex. Very cute. Edward and I relaxed a lot, watched cricket, market went well and we got our new phone upgrades at Game... which include shopping vouchers so now I'm an ever happier almost-new-mommy with a new washing machine. The vouchers will also take care of the camera problem. We hope to return within the next 2 weeks to get a camera. YAY for vouchers! YAY for fun shopping and upgrading our home.

36 Days!

How exciting! Such a short time now until we meet the little one! I'm feeling massive, but very healthy and happy. I do have moments of nervousness because this little one seems to enjoy dancing around an awful lot.... I try to sit quietly until the dancing slows down and we can both calmly continue our day. I cant wait to hold one of those little feet that poke my tummy so often. 'We've' been sleeping quite solidly this week which certainly has helped, and at last I'm into my last few days of work, only 9 left, but will confirm that with the doctor at our check up on Monday!
Edward has been extremely busy recently, doing lots of constructive things to build a better life for our family. I've been spending a bit of time alone with Alex which has been refreshingly wonderful, she has really helped 'lighten the load'..... she does all the bending down for me and helps with housework and dinner. We work as a team in the evening to make sure that everything gets done and that homework is a fun task and not a chore full of fighting. I'm proud of her reading progress, she really tries hard! On Tuesday night I told her that I'm proud of her and that I think she's actually very good at reading.... and completely rubbish at guessing! She enthusiastically relayed this message to dad and I'm hope it encourages her to stop guessing. I have a wonderful image in my mind, one day I will walk into the babies room and she will be sitting there reading a story to her little brother/sister. (I must get that camera sorted out!)

Pirates and Crocodiles

So everyone has been telling me 'wait till the last few months and then you'll know all about being tired'. I've thought yeah, yeah, will just deal with it when I get there..... shew, I'd MUCH rather be asleep than be dealing with it. As long as everything continues to go according to plan I have 17 more work days left, YAY!
Alex is quite sharp, yesterday I told her 'I'm tired and grumpy! Its nothing you've done, but my suggestion is to just stay out my way...' which she did very well. Edward however was not quite as sharp as Alex.... I decided it was safer to just dag myself off to bed.
Our weekend was good. Alex went to a Pirate Party with her great friend Pierce, it was his 5th birthday, she came back looking sun kissed and exhausted, and full of fun stories. I'm so happy she had such a great time! Pierce's parents even commented that she'd been very well behaved and was swimming pretty well now!
I did a lot of chatting at market and what seemed like not much selling... but hurray for the German lady and her last minute purchase of one of our biggest bowls, made a good morning into an excellent one!
Yesterday, Edward took a break from making orders and watching cricket, he took us down to the beach for a swim, water was fabulous! The baby in my tummy has been wriggling round as if its been running a marathon ever since. I'm beginning to wonder when it'll settle down again.... I figure it really must have enjoyed the noises of daddy pretending to be a crocodile, chasing after the big sister Alex..... perhaps it wants to join in..... 'be patient little one, only a few more weeks, we're all excited to meet you!'

Happy Mondays!

Yesterday I had one of my last check-ups. I'm healthy and the baby is healthy, a little more than 2kg now. The doctor is happy and Edward seems quite proud! I got home and went through food cupboard looking for something that weighs 2kg... I then proudly handed 4 bags of pasta to Alex and told her to carry those around for a bit as that is now how heavy her sibling is. I got a surprised 'WOW!' and then she promptly dropped one of the bags!
It was my nephew, Oliver's 2nd birthday yesterday. How I wish I could just pick him up and cuddle him, he looks just like a little Glen, which completely melts my heart.
Otherwise last night was a stormy night, we had a stew for dinner, comfort food in preparation for the coming winter nights. After falling asleep on Alex's bed, Leo came through to our room in the night and Edward shoved her under the covers..... the tractor like purr-ing woke me up. Such a sweet family I have.

Harumph!

My camera is officially broken. The sweet little man at the repairs shop tried all sorts of things and eventually had to admit the best possible remedy is to just get a new one! So be it, these things are sent to try us. I made a call to Marion and her camera is on 'standby' in case of emergency.

Alex had a super fun day at school yesterday, it was the gala. She said she didn't win her doggy paddle race but no one cares much, she had heaps of fun and we're just so glad she's swimming on her own these days........ I think she's possibly the most enthusiastic child in the class! (I happened across this quote yesterday and thought of her - 'If you can give your son or daughter only one gift, let it be enthusiasm.')

Support Networks

Perhaps it's something I'll get used to one day but for the moment it makes me cry every time someone gives us something for the new baby. We've received so much support from friends and family and none of us have even met the little one yet! Sue (Grandmum) was visiting this weekend and was delighted to see how the nursery has taken shape, she's been happily knitting away like all good Grannies do and I'm just so excited to have my little one wrapped in all that love. Alex still squeals with delight every time she sees my tummy move and I'm finding that she regularly comes to say goodnight to the tummy and forgets about me! Edward continues to flourish in his role as the head of our family, on those days where all the sport watching gets slightly annoying I try to remind myself that it is one of the small selfish pleasures he has been able to retain so I either sit on the couch and cheer along with him or offer to fetch him a beer and leave him to the game. Our love and support for eachother continues to grow stronger.

Life changes

Morning All!
As some major life changes are now a lot closer, I thought I'd try and set this up to stay in touch. As quite a few of our wonderful friends and family are scattered across the globe, I really hope this blogging-bug bites!
Much love