Us, Happy at Home

Us, Happy at Home
Originally uploaded by Munzerr.

Mummy thought that we'd both be staying in hospital a little longer because of the operation - but we got to come home after just two nights. Mummy was very pleased to get to be home with Daddy.

Your car seat will only fit in the front of the car, and the car is only 3-door. Mummy wasn't too keen on getting into the back of the car, so first of all Daddy took you home. You got to have you first Daddy-Daughter outing, and we had some friends, Alex and Tamara Tovey come and sit with you in our flat while Daddy came back to get me. The hospital is just round the corner, so we didn't leave you long.. but you did have your first time without Mummy or Daddy - You were a good girl, as usual.

Happy Birthday, Cara!

Dear Cara,

Yesterday, you were born. It was an amazing experience for your mother and I, and it took quite a while to finally get you there with us. We were awake all Saturday night with you, the contractions getting more and more regular and powerful, until we called the midwife, and arranged to drive to the hospital at around 6am. When the midwife checked up on you, it seemed like you were nearly with us, and we expected to see you in only a matter of an hour or so. At 9am it appeared that things weren't going to be quite so simple, and your Mummy was moved into a different room, and we started listening to your little heart beat through a monitor, and your mother was given some pain relief, so she could rest while you turned yourself round to be in the right position for birth. I snoozed in a chair by the bed, until it was time to get things moving again.

At 2.30pm, Mummy started pushing again, and you quickly moved down the birth canal, to about an inch from daylight. It seemed like you were going to arrive any second, and Mummy was making a huge effort to help you come into the world, but nothing was happening. You'd stopped, right near the end of the journey! Meanwhile, the little monitors showed that after every contraction, your heartbeat would slow down, and a few doctors started coming in, and checking on you. We seemed to be meeting more and more medical people over the next few minutes, as various doctors tried pulling you out with two different venteuse devices. They really leaned back on those things - but still, you wouldn't budge.

Later, we found out that you were facing the wrong way up, coming down the birth canal, and you'd also put your chin back, so the harder Mummy pushed, and the harder the doctors pulled, the more you got stuck right where you were. They whisked us into the operating theatre, asked us to pick our favourite CD to put on, and with me and Mummy behind a green sheet, a team of wonderful doctors grabbed you feet first, and pulled you back out, into this world. You needed a little help to get going, and the doctors gave you a little oxygen, but in a few moments, we heard your first proper cry, and were told that you were our beautiful little girl - Cara Louise. You were born at 4.31pm, and weighed 7lb, 10 1/2 oz.

After they did a few measurements, you were handed to me, and I got to hold you and talk to you in another room, while they finished off stitching your Mummy's tummy up. I was amazed at how attentive you were, moving your little eyes around, and not crying at all - just stretching your fingers, exploring the world.

We feel so lucky to have you, and today we got to know you a little better. We love you, and will do all we can to help you as you start this exciting journey on this earth. Happy Birthday, for yesterday - and well done for getting here as you are - perfect, healthy and happy! love,

Daddy. xx

Southmead Hospital, Again

Southmead Hospital, Again
Originally uploaded by Munzerr.

Nan and Grandpi came to visit you today! You were born in the same hospital as mummy. You are so beautiful! Nan and Grandpi bought you a beautiful outfit.. Rowan Reynolds and Rebecca Amery also came and visited for a bit today - they bought you pretty clothes too. Everyone is excited that you are a girl. We all love you very much.

One day old

One day old and I already knew you were a good girl. After Mummy's operation, and Daddy having to leave the hospital at 8pm, Mummy was a little worried about how the night would be. You lay in a cot near my bed, but I couldn't turn to pick you up - and I was so tired. I had a buzzer I could ring to ask someone else to come pick you up.. but you were such a good girl all night I didn't need to. Everytime I heard you stir I put my hand in yours or stroked your head and told you that Mummy was close, or that Daddy loves you, and you would go back off to sleep. You are amazing!

Nearly Time for Your Arrival

Dearest Baby,

You're nearly with us, and we're so excited for you to arrive. It's late on the evening of Saturday the 27th January, and since this morning, your mother has been having 'twinges', and later, definate contractions. This evening we've been timing them, and hoping that now is the time we've been waiting for so eagerly. Nothing seems to be vaguely important compared to you - you're going to be our first priority from now on!

A few minutes ago, Mummy showed me how much you're moving around. When you read this, you'll not be able to remember this time - but I know that you're excited too. These changes are not always easy, but they are worth it. Now you move from being in your Mummy's tummy, to a new and exciting world 'outside'.

Right now we don't know whether you'll be a handsome little George, a beautiful Cara, or somebody completely different. But whatever we choose to name you, we promise to love you with all our hearts, and do all we can to prepare you for a happy journey through this life.

All my love,

your father. xx

Dear Baby

From your Dad -

It shouldn't be too long now before you're with us. Your Mum is looking just huge, and is beaming all the time. We're both so excited, it's a shame you can't see us! But all in good time. You're hopefully using all that energy from your mother to grow properly, and get all ready for your big journey in the next couple of weeks. I can hardly imagine what that will be like for you: to go from all you can remember - a world of warmth and comfort - and to be thrust out into a bright, cold place, where all is unfamiliar.

Well hold on, baby. We'll be there with you, and we're determined to teach you all you'll need to know to be able to deal with this world. It's not an easy place to live, but it is a happy and rewarding world, if you let it be.

So, keep growing. We'll see you when you get here - to our little family!