deux

A small party for family and especially for cousins and little one.  There was a cracker of a storm but a pocket  of sunshine where we could eat outside with our baked fish, home made potato salad (thanks Babcia) and poached beetroots with thyme and the home made cakes that I stayed up until 2.30 am baking and decorating.  The lolly train was a hit with the kiddos.  For bigger people there was a scrumptuous pear and chocolate cake, made twice and stacked.  I highly recommend this cake.  From the most amazing blog for recipes my darling lemon thyme.  I used almond meal rather than linseed meal and wholemeal spelt flour rather than potato flour. The pear really came through, the cake is not to sweet and the orange chocolate icing really gives the punch to pull it all together.  Yummo!

Not many photos were taken as I am a novice at this party thing, despite my age and I was running a bit.  As I lay in bed before the birthday boy woke up, on early Sunday morning those memories of birthing two years ago were all so intense.  For this day I really wanted to enjoy the moment.  Not feel overwhelmed by the preparations.  Being together as a family is what really mattered.

                         Che thinks everything of his cousins.  He recites their names as he drifts off to sleep.


                                                    We love you, you crazy kook of a boy.

                                                      Happy happy  birthday Che.

a whirlwind

It might be hard to see from this picture but it snowed at our house today.  The ground was all sodden and it all melted as it fell, but it was very pretty.  The sky is very grey and it is very very cold.  I have been trying to get paperwork organised, my tax done and sorting out certification whilst guarding against the whole house being pulled apart.

Then some sad news regarding a lovely woman from the practice who passed away last night.  I am about to speak with her loving family.  One beautiful life ends and another begins. Such sorrow and such joy.

I have been trying to complete some crafty projects to send as gifts.  The crotchet keeps being pulled apart by little fingers and I keep changing my pattern.  I think I will take a few balls of yarn and a few hooks with me, as they won't take up too much room.

My first ever sewing project has been these little feline softies.  Last Christmas the sewing machine was purchased in a garage sale and I have only now threaded it , made up bobbins and decided on a beginners project.  Now the machine is all ready for me to return in three and half months.

As you can see I am a bit all over the place with my packing.  We have to fit all of us into the X-Trail, Doggies included.  We decided on just taking stuff that we could fit onto the roof rack, rather than invest in a trailer and send  a few boxes down on the Greyhound coach to meet us there.  Our house is fully set up.  Pretty good really.  Even a cot.

I need to gather my tools of trade and important  documentation.  My current boss came into work on Saturday to say goodbye and taught me a few tricks.  I don't think I have mentioned I work with the alias of Dr Fruit Loop.  I do need to find my funny bone.  I am not naturally funny and often too serious.  I need to practice some of these tricks and work a little bit of magic.

A care package arrived this week from a very dear friend.  It has made our next move feel very special.

                     A little sample of our treats.

birth

One year ago today we went out with friends for woodfired pizza and then to see the movie based on the book above.  I felt well, but baby was very active.  I just could not get comfortable during the screening but thoroughly enjoyed the story and amazing set and cinematography.

I was 39 weeks pregnant.  I was wondering if I would go overdue.  The last week I had been busy having only finished work one week ago. Nesting, cleaning, yoga and spending time at the beach with my dogs.  Marty was working hard landscaping in the hot sun.

Earlier in the day I had some acupuncture.  It had been recommended by my midwife.  The practitioner Melissa thought I was pretty close and changed her approach, mentioning it may help get things going.  I was not in a rush.  I thought I could do with more time.

After farewelling our friends we drove home and Marty mentioned he really didnt wont to go to work the next day. He was really physically tired.  He went to bed straight away.  I was pottering for ages and then at 1.30 am decided I should sleep.

I sat down on the side of the bed and felt a really strong pain that gripped me.  It lasted about half a minute.  I laid down and gazed out the window.  Five minutes later it recurred.  I had been experiencing Braxton Hicks contractions from about 20 weeks.  This was different!   After a few  similar  I got up and started packing the bag.  I had not yet done that.  Chester was following me everywhere.  Marty was still snoring away.

Forty minutes later the contractions were coming every 3 minutes and lasting about 40 seconds.  They were so intense I could not talk.  I was kneeling on the rug on the kitchen floor in a yoga pose with my arms out stretched.  The intensity in my lower back and groin gripped me.  Marty woke up due to my moaning.  He yelled out, "Is this it Jill?".  I couldnt really speak.

We rang our midwife.  Yes it was time to come in.  The contractions were now lasting a full minute, 3 minutes apart.  I had been involved in an antenatal midwife programme at Gosford Hospital where we have the same midwife throughout the pregnancy.  Lindel though was infact the second midwife as My first Anne Marie was on her annual leave.  I had thought about having a home birth.  But it came down to affordability, and actually our house was only half functional with  a stripped out loungeroom.

I really didnt know how I was going to get into the car.  The drive  to the hospital takes about 30 minutes.  We set up the dogs on the verandah, bundled ourselves in the car and set off.  I was lying on the back seat, sitting up over the child restraint.  The drive in was surreal. 

Upon arrival and meeting with Lindel, she confirmed the baby was still posterior but I was in fact already 6cm dilated and well effaced.  It was now 4am.  I had no real formal birth plan as such.  Like always, go with what feels natural and right at the time.  Lindel suggested we go into the shower. The relief from the warm water on my back was immediate.  I needed Marty there all the time.

I had accepted having a student midwife with me as I was a student once.  Justine was called from her home.  We had got to know each other over the last few appointments.  It was in fact great having here there as well.

We ended up staying  in the shower.  It seems like so long ago now.   Memory is certainly fading about the details.  I remember loosing the plot a bit, probably was in transition.  I remember feeling on the edge of a precipice and fearful of the next stage, almost too scared to become a mother.  The pain did get too much for me and I really thought I could not go on.  Baby's heart beat via the doppler was spot on.  My waters had not even broke yet but I felt I was ready to push.  So I did.   I let it roar.  But it was hard work.   My waters broke just before giving birth.  Babies head was right there I could feel.  I was sitting on the birthing stool, still in the shower.  Lindel then said  he had been there too long and I needed an episiotomy to get him out.  I remember shouting "Oh no".  But then with another push he arrived face looking up at me , pink and screaming with life.  I picked him up in my arms between my legs and hugged him tight.  Yes  baby boy!


It was the hardest but  most amazing day of my life. 

After all having a clean up shower, we laid down for our first breast feed.  I needed I few stitches  so baby Che had a bit of an explore around to find the nipple.  I felt so much love and warmth.

 Che  born 9.17am 11/12/2009.  Birthweight 8lb 4 oz (3750 gms ) and 53 cm long.  We were very proud parents.  We actually ended up going home to our abdoe and keenly waiting puppy dogs 4 hours later.  We were now a family.