Dear Samantha: What....... your all ready 2mths Old

Dear Samantha

2mths ago you entered our world and our family became complete. We have had some long days and a few long nights but for every one, there have been others filled with much joy and love. Every day we thank you for choosing us and completing our family and filling our lives with love and happiness.

Your arrival was a little more planned than your big brother’s but even so we had to wait an extra couple of hours (due to having to wait for the doctor). And while your birthday was planned with the caesarean you had already started to make your moves and my stomach was contracting; we might have just had to wait an extra day for your natural arrival. There were many tears on the day or your arrival, mainly from me; but be assured they were all due to the over whelming happiness that flooded over us as we laid eyes on you for the first time. While I felt you were a girl from day one and confirmed at 12 and 20 weeks I still didn’t believe it 100% until I finally laid eyes on you. However in your case it was more to hear you; your scream letting everyone know that you had entered the world was enough to tell me that my little girl had arrived.

Your scream your way out

With your arrival in the middle of the day it meant that we could spend some quality time together before we had visitors and even considered having a sleep; well at least for me, you hardly woke for a feed let alone anything else.

With your brother feeding was the biggest hurdle I had to overcome, this time round it was to stop still. We woke at 4am for your first morning feed and I was ready for my shower at 5am however the midwifes made me out till 8am. After she helped me out of bed and to the bathroom she said she would be back to help at the end. Well just let’s say it felt like she forgotten me so by the time she returned I had already dressed and was making my way back from the kitchen with breakfast. And while I slowed down a little (mainly to please the midwifes and your Dad), we haven’t stopped, at least not for long. And saying that I was ready to head home on the 3^rd day but with the weather on the 4^th said to reach 40 degrees I thought better off it and waited until the 5^th day before taking you home.

Big brother trying to understand that your now not in my tummy, and are now a real little person

1st Visitor - Theresa

1st Cuddles with Lucy

and Jess

The day finally came when we took you home, I was so relived and ready be home and to begin life as a family of 4. Originally I was unsure how your big brother would react to you coming home and taking over his old room and taking up most of my time. But he was so in love with you that it didn’t bother him. From day one he just wanted to smother you with love and kisses, he would give me a running commentary on what you were doing; Mummy Sammy awake now, Sammy upset, not upset any more Mummy, it was so sweet and reassuring to know that he was okay with the change to our family.

Big brother wanted you to watch TV with him

Welcome Home

Our first few weeks were spent getting to know one and other and trying to get you to put weight on. Being such a sleepy baby it made it a little hard but by the time Christmas arrived you had bounced back and putting on weight. After Christmas we started to find our feet and life calmed down and we began to find our way as a family of 4. With an older active brother we spend most of our mornings out and about or playing with friends while afternoons are spent at home for a much needed rest while your brother had his afternoon nap.

Sleeping off your Christmas lunch

At the end of the first 2 months we sadly had to say goodbye to your Grandmother otherwise known as ‘Gran’. She was taken from us suddenly and while this was hard for us it was much better for her. Your Gran was a lady that didn’t like to sit still and enjoyed playing and running around with your brother. She wouldn’t have wanted to have a drawn out illness where she couldn’t play with your brother and cuddle you. Your Gran was so happy and proud of you, she was over the moon to have a little granddaughter and enjoyed her few but precious cuddles.

1st Cuddles with Gran

Below are some of the things that we got up to;

2nd day – Smiles in your sleep. Some say gas while others say contentment
2^nd week – I took you to the doctor as you started to become unsettled and not happy. The beginning of reflux but decided that at this point the medicine wasn’t making much difference and decided to revisit it latter if things didn’t improve. You also start smiling while your awake (gas or contentment who knows! But it is so sweet to see)
3^rd week – We spent at Nan and Pa’s
4^th week – Christmas and we take our first family outing to the Puffing Billy. You start to move so much you spin yourself around 90-180 degrees on your mat
5^th week – Flipped yourself from your front to your back and you giggle without noise for the 1^st time. Start Osteopath visits to help with your unsettledness and favouring one side when sleeping (right). It begins to help straight away, and you are less upset before a poo. You start to find your voice
6^th week – Your feeds over night move from about 10pm and 3am to 10pm-11pm and 5am-6pm (most nights but not all). Gran passes
7^th week – We take part in a photo shoot & story for Women’s Day. We say our final goodbyes to Gran. Hair is starting to thin. Found your right hand. You favour your right side less and I've noticed that you sometimes fall asleep with your head to the left. You officially grow out of your very first piece of clothing.
8^th week – Started sleeping through the night. At your health check you weigh 4.85gms