Two weeks! (and one day)

worry lines already appearing
Originally uploaded by b boy.

Such a serene countenance for one so small, and so adept at keeping his parents awake...
Here Grayson is trying some tummy time, after having his whims of freshly squeezed milk (ouch) and clean nappy met. Not to mention another play session involving a Miffy book and his squeaky play mat. Shortly after this photo was taken he had a bath with complimentary shampoo and oil treatment in preparation for lunch with his uncle.

One needs to be looking good around aforementioned uncle - particularly as he doesn't own any pink A&F shirts yet, having to make do with white bonds onsies...

Coffee shop baby!

Coffee shop baby
Originally uploaded by b boy.

We made it to our first coffee shop outing with Grayson in tow this morning. I think it was important to do this as it means we can still have a life AB (after baby). We went to the James Street Markets for some fresh fruit and veges and stopped off at Spoon for a quick coffee and cake. We fed Grayson just before we left and he managed to stay asleep the whole time apart from a few squeaking nosies when he was being put in and out of the car seat.

We also went to the GP's yesterday for his first weigh since coming home and he has put on a goodly amount and is now 8 pound 7 ounces (3.85kg). He has apparently also grown 4 cm in length!... but I suspect that part of this is variation in measuring techniques. On the way home from the clinic we stopped in to say hello to Felix and Cheryl. I get the impression he will be a very sociable baby.

Relaxing

Relaxing
Originally uploaded by b boy.

Grayson is 12 days old today! We have survived the first 6 nights back home as well. As you can see from the photo he is quiet and peaceful at least some of the time. He has seemed to adopt this favourite sleeping position (that is unless we have swaddled him at night...although he does seem to find a way to get those arms out even then!). We have our first well baby check tomorrow for a weight and other measurments down at Banyo Clinic. It will be our first outing (apart from coming home from the hospital of course). It will be a test of how organised we are and if we can fit everything in the car.

Grayson comes home!

Play time
Originally uploaded by b boy.

We were able to bring Grayson home on Friday to start the next stage of our adventure. What would it be like now that we were on our own without the midwives being a buzzer call away in times of utter confusion/uncertainty or just what the hell do we do now.

After sleeping for 3-4 hours between feeds at night while in hospital, his first night at home was a little different. Waking every 2 hours for feeds was wearing us down a little. Thankfully he has settled a little now that he is getting used to things in his new home.

He even enjoyed a Miffy story and some time on his play mat. He also had his first visit from his new play mate, Felix Jenkins, but was a little sleepy at the time.

It is amazing how someone so small can completely absorb all your time. Oh well, better get used to it I suppose!

Grayson's First 5 Days

A little sample of what Grayson got up to during his first 5 days with us.

My first full night with Mummy and Daddy!

No NG tube!
Originally uploaded by b boy.

As you can see he behaved himself enough to get his NG feeding tube out. He looks much more respectable now don't you think? We had him in our room last night for the whole time and we had to feed him ourselves (instead of the nice nurses in special care). He was quite well behaved and managed to wake himself at exactly 2am and 6am for his feeds. Very clever I thought. Must have an inbuilt clock. He is feeding well now from the bottle with expressed milk so we hope to be going home tomorrow. Mel will get her turn to bath him today and he will have his hearing test also.

Say hello to Grayson!

Grayson
Originally uploaded by b boy.

As promised I have put a few photos on Flickr that you can view here. The story about Grayson is as follows. He was due (for an elective C-section) on the 4th October. He didn't want to wait........so thanks to our conscientious O+G (who performed the operation on her weekend off!) we now have a baby boy. Mel started getting contractions on the Thursday (and as you might remember our O+G was still out of the country until Friday night). Things seemed to settle a little and did not progress thankfully on Friday. Come Saturday morning Mel started getting more contractions and now they were getting stronger! We called Dr Watson and she said to get back to her mid afternoon. So we decided to do a bit of shopping. We picked up some nice Jocelyn's lamb and rosemary pies for lunch and headed home. As soon as we had finished lunch Dr Watson called back. "How are you getting on?" she asked. To which Mel replied that the contractions were getting stronger. "Well what are we waiting for? Let's just do it!" was the doctors reply. And from lamb pies at home to a baby in our arms took just 1 and a half hours! Dr Watson doesn't mess around. I think she wanted to get home to watch the Grand final.

Grayson came out screaming but due to being 3 weeks early and not being squeezed out the usual way he had a little bit of fluid on his lungs (which isn't unusual in this situation) and had to spend the night in the special care nursery. He was very well behaved over night and was able to come to Mel's room the next morning. Now all we have to do is convince him to start breast feeding. He is making a good go at it but is still needing a few top ups by his NG tube. Apart from that he is doing quite well and of course is very cute (yes I realise that is what all parents say!)

Anyway I shall keep you updated with photos and blogs from time to time.