Road racing!!

Yes! Yesterday we did the Spar Ladies 5km road race... more of a stroll... I think it took us an hour and 10 minutes!! But it was SUCH fun!!!
(And I am sure at 18 days little Emma was definitely the youngest finisher!!)

The birth...

I have promised that I will write the 'birth story'... and now, 12 days later, it already feels like something from another time! But true to my promise... here is just a short version of what happened on the day that Emma arrived.

We couldn't sleep the night before, knowing that the next day will probably be 'the day' or b-day :) So we stayed up late, talking and bonding and wondering about the changes ahead...

Up early on the morning of the 12th, got dressed, decided to pack the 'labour bag' in case, but left the hospital bag and baby's bag at home. Driving to the hospital, all butterfly-stomach and jittery and giggly... (I giggle when I stress!) And on arrival we were the first patients of the morning so into the office we go...

Let me explain at this point that I really really expected that we would try induction of labour. I knew that the previous week thing weren't yet 'favourable', but I thought that passing 40 weeks gestation it would've started happening! So, when I was lying there all vulnerable (as vulnerable as one can feel with a belly as huge as mount Everest!) and the doctor told us that this baby was not planning to come the normal way, well... no surprises there...
I was REALLY disappointed. Really, truly, deeply disappointed. At that stage all we knew was that the little monkey's head did not descend at all - we didn't know yet what the reason was. So after shedding a few tears and taking a DEEP breath, I begged the doctor if we could PLEASE at least do the c-section the same day. I had no power left, I could not wait till the next day.

So, before you could say 'baby!', I was booked for c-section for 11h15 the same morning, and we had 45 minutes to quickly fetch the bags from home. Walking out of the doctor's office we found my dad sitting in the coffee shop of the hospital, waiting to hear what the plan was. I was so glad to see him I burst into tears again! My mom joined us, they had coffee but I wasn't allowed to eat/drink anything so we left for home. I still had time to stop by the hairdresser for a quick blow-wave (hehe!) and then we were there in the labour ward being admitted, baby's heart rate checked, stepping on the scale (and nearly having a last-minute heart attack!), and then going to my room awaiting the procedure...

Those last few minutes waiting for things to start happening - in my little tiny hospital gown, giggling and unable to sit still - felt like ages!

Then the few unpleasant procedures preceding the big one - IV line and catheter (eeeek!)... and we were off! Being wheeled to theatre - how many times have I been on the 'other side' ... this time I was the PATIENT! And it was... quite scary!

The spinal was a bit unpleasant but the anaesthetist was quick and efficient. Then I was lying down, legs going numb, still giggling(!!), my mom was there (photographer this time, not paediatrician), hubby was next to me looking smashingly handsome in his scrubs :)...
and the next thing...
wow...
the cry!
my own baby's first cry!!!!
I couldn't stop the tears flowing for joy!!!!

It is a moment you cannot describe.
So, I won't even try, except for saying that it was completely and utterly overwhelmingly WOW.

My first glimpse of little Emma was just a purple little face, but she quickly turned pink, new daddy cut her umbilical cord, she was examined by the paeds dr and given Apgars of 9 and 10, and then she was there on my chest and the moment was so huge I could feel my heart exploding out of my chest! She was alert, already looking at me, and I was bursting with joy...

The rest of the day went by in a blur of excited faces, flowers, smiles, a bit of pain (it was an operation after all!), and before I knew it night had fallen and I was alone with my little tiny bundle of joy.
What a feeling!!!

Our first stroller-outing!

Today I took the monkey out for her first walk in her cool three-wheeler jogger/stroller! We joined grandma, 'auntie' Cara and cousin Yamika for their weekly walk - about 3km! :) It was SO nice to be outside and active, and little Emma was quietly sleeping all the way - I'm sure she enjoyed it! She looked really adorable in her fluffy white 'monkey-suit' and her 'medi-twinkle' beanie...
Next week Saturday we're doing the Spar Ladies 5km walk (all the women of the family!), looking forward to it being the first of many walking/running events with the monkey!

One week old today!

Emma is one week old already! I can't believe it has been a whole week...

I still have to tell the whole birth-story but for tonight just a quick update. We are doing great! Emma is a calm baby, content most of the time, sleeps well and cries only when she is hungry (or when her nappy is really dirty...) She usually gets hungry every 3 to 4 hours and in between she is mostly asleep, although there is times when she is alert and awake without crying and she loves to look around with the cutest expressions on her little face... She is SO cute!! When she looks at me she looks really deep into my eyes and gets a little frown from concentrating so hard :) it makes me laugh! She loves looking at people's faces and she is already following movement and sound. It also looks as if she is smiling at me every now and then, even though I know she cannot possibly be really smiling yet!
She loves sleeping in her daddy's arms and he is the expert when it comes to bath-time!

Yesterday we went for a walk to granny's house (just around the corner) with Emma in her baby-sense sling, and today we went to visit tannie Sarette (also in the sling) - Emma loves it! She falls asleep almost immediately and stays quiet all the time while I'm carrying her.

I cannot wait to go for a proper walk with her in her 3-wheeler-stroller, hopefully on Thursday afternoon we will join granny, auntie Cara and cousin Yamika for a walk, providing that the weather improves! I promise to take pictures if it happens! :)

That's all for now, will post the birth-story soon! Now it's time for a feed and then bed...

Baby pics, at last!

Time to meet the monkey!

Emma Büchner was born on 12 August at 11h25. I had a caesarean section because her head didn't descend, at time of her delivery we realised that it was because the umbilical cord was around her neck, which means that she wouldn't have been able to take the 'normal route'.

She weighed 3,6kg and is 100% healthy and a perfect little human being...

We came home from the hospital yesterday and are still busy adjusting, so far it has been very successful :) I just get tired quite quickly and it feels like there is not enough hours in the day to get everything done.

Enjoy the pics, next time I'll elaborate a bit more about the birth and the hospital stay.

Lots of love!

Ané and little monkey Emma

Maybe tomorrow, baby!

Monday the 11th, another week starts with monkey very happy in my tummy! :)

We had a nice quiet weekend, slept late, had a very enjoyable woman's day breakfast with my parents on Saturday, and a proper 'braaivleis en kuier' with all the 'oumas en oupas' to be on Saturday evening. Sunday was just a quiet day at home - definitely (may I say!) our last Sunday as a couple without a monkey...

Tomorrow morning we are going to decide on a game plan. I am definitely not waiting another week...! If the gynae agrees we will try induction (I really really really hope we can give it a shot!) otherwise we will maybe have to go for the c-section option. But we are officially past our date now, and we are ready for action.

So, my friends....

maybe...

when I write my next post...

it will be with baby pics!

Lets hold thumbs please...

Due date??

Today is Friday 8 August (8/8/2008) and according to dates today is our official due date - we are now 40 weeks. Still, the monkey is happy to stay where she is - and another Friday arrives without any baby pics...

I had two busy days (enjoying all my 'plans'!) - on Wednesday I spent the morning driving around and shopping with a friend, and then went with hubby to buy dinner at Subway on Hatfield Square :) what a weird experience! We were still sitting at home watching TV and the next moment he said he is really in the mood for a Subway sub (they used to buy it a lot when he was on contract in Bahrain), so we decided 'why not?', got into the car and drove to Hatfield. Unfortunately we had no idea where the shop was, so we had to 'phone a friend' first! :) But it was worth it - a footlong sub and a subway cookie later we were quite satisfied... :)

Yesterday morning I went to watch 'Miss Pettigrew lives for a day' at Cinema Nouveau. It was SO ENJOYABLE!!! :)
Just a feel-good, funny, well-casted and easy-to-watch enjoyable movie. I would really encourage anyone to go and watch it - even those who are not seasoned Cinema Nouveau fans. Good relaxation!
After the movie I joined my in-laws for a special lunch (my mother in law had a special friend visiting from Cape Town), and after that I had a quick visit with my own family (mom and sisters and niece) - a day full of plans! But a lot of fun :)

I slept a bit better last night, the past few nights I've been have bad cramping in my hips and lower back. Think my whole body is getting a bit fed-up with all the extra weight, the relaxed ligaments and the general sense of not having balance. I just wish the monkey could also get the message!
But, while she's happy and comfy inside I am taking it easy.

For today I don't have big plans, I really need to get a bit of studying done, then I'm definitely going to watch the opening ceremony of the Beijing Olympics, and we'll fit in another walk late afternoon...
and we wait...

Still no sign of labour coming closer

This morning early I got a phone call from my gynae - she is going away for the weekend and she wanted to see me today to assess whether we could (?should) consider inducing labour before the weekend. We are now 39 weeks and 4 days so it made sense - the chances are there that labour may happen over the weekend and believe me, it is not really an experience I would like to go through with a complete stranger assisting...

Any case, I started mentally preparing myself for the possibility that tomorrow may just be the official arrival day... just to find out that this little monkey has not even remotely started considering being born. (wow, what a sentence!) What I am trying to say is that, after careful examination etc, the conclusion was that my body is not even close to going into labour yet. Should we attempt induction it is most likely to fail, and end up in a c-section, which I have been trying really hard to avoid.

So, understandably, I am a bit apprehensive about waiting another week but it seems as if it is the only option. If nothing has happened by next week Tuesday 08h00, we will have to reconsider and maybe even consider a c-section. Mmm.

On the bright side, monkey still seems to be happy and comfortable where she is, estimated weight 3,28kg and all else fine with her. So no reason to worry that she will be affected by our decision to wait another week. Will update if there is any news...

Planning my week!

Good morning on another Monday without the monkey...!
Last night I read on some random website that the best thing to do these last few days is to have PLANS! So, this morning I got up with a head full of plans :)
The first on 'the list' was to go and watch a movie. So I went and watched 'Bella' this morning at 09h30. It was...
A MA ZING.
BEAUTIFUL.
And I cried my eyes out! I don't think I have ever cried in a movie like I did this morning! (and I am one of those people who normally cries in 9/10 movies!)
It was such a special Monday-morning experience.

So, for the rest of today (this is after washing dishes, doing laundry and updating email/blog) I am planning a good study session, a quick afternoon nap ;) and getting a bit of fresh (suddenly wintry again!) air with a nice brisk stroll round the neighbourhood :)

And providing nothing (?un)expected happens, I may just fit in another early-morning Cinema Nouveau movie tomorrow!

August!

It is Friday, the 1st of August, and it would seem as if the monkey has decided to be an August baby... July is officialy over! We went to the doctor yesterday - monkey is still growing well and seems to be very happy and thriving in the slowly-shrinking-darkness where she is currently determined to stay! :)
Anyways! Went to watch a movie this morning with a good friend (who also happens to be pregnant!) and the two of us together managed to attract quite a few smiles and bemused looks (yes, at the moment I definitely look a full 39 weeks!!)... the waitress in the coffee shop could not stop smiling!
Spent some quality time with hubby this week catching up on dvd's and also went to see the new Batman movie (wow, impressive!), managed to get some efficient studying done, and went for three 3+ km walks... lets hope by next week Friday I'll be posting some real baby-pics...
Love!
A