Check out the trials and tribulations of being a father!
http://beautifulirrationality.blogspot.com/
Tuesday, March 27, 2007
Arrival of Michael Edward!
So there we were. In the delivery ward. A rather strange looking man (I thought he was a woman when I first met him cos he looks funny and has a weird voice) has my wife on her side and is administering an epidural! Dr Z had just arrived and made the call that we needed to get this kid out ASAP.
A nurse lead me out to the Doctors change room and told me to get changed for surgery. Damn I looked good in greens... but I digress....
Into the surgery we went.
Oh shit, no camera.
Then we remembered Chloe, Cath's mate who's son had been born in the early hours of that morning. Sent a nurse to ask for camera. AJ had taken camera home with him. Chloe sent SOS to AJ. AJ jumped up, got dogs out, flew in big 4x4 to the hospital and made it in under 5 mins! Couldn't believe it. What a legend. We just saw his hand reaching into the theatre just as they were about to start. Weirdo Aneasthetist played camera man and took some great shots.
So the operation begun. How had we ended up here 4 weeks early? What had happened that our little boy was having to be pulled from the comfort of his warm cozey womb?
Having seen a caesar video at ante-natal classes, I kinda new what to expect. My emotions were slightly dulled by the few Heinekens I'd had at cricket, so I was able to maintain my composure and watched the whole thing from beside Cath.
It was crazy. Epidural barely had time to kick in. In fact, when Cath said she could feel things and Aneasthitist asked the Docs to wait, they turned around and said, "We have to get this baby out right now... take a deep breath!" And off the went, tugging and pulling. They had to use forceps and pull and push and eventually out he came.
Tiny little limp bloody gooey and gorgeous! Our little boy was born at 9:40pm on 07/03/07.
He was taken over to the baby table by the Paediatrician and immediately they had to clear his lungs for him. Thank God Cath had had the steroid injections the week before so his little lungs had developed.... and then he used them for the first time! What an amazing moment. There was my little baby boy, all pink and wrinkly, face contorted in a cry. It was incredible, hard to put into words.
He was cleaned up, weighed (3.24 kgs), measured (52cms), and then given to me to take over to Cath. He was tiny. We put him onto Cath's chest and he calmed down as he felt his mommy's presence and could hear her heartbeat. What an incredible and emotional experience.
"He's so ugly", jumped out my mouth before I could register what I was saying... Fierce denials from his mother followed, although I secretly know that all babies are pretty ugly when they first arrive...
The hours after that are a bit of a blur. Cath was taken to recovery eventually. I went off with Michael to the High Care Unit. Michael was put in an incubator and monitored for a while to check that his breathing was okay and his heart rate stabalised.
The Grandparents arrived which was awesome. The Irish emotions spilled over as my Dad hugged me and shed a tear. Westie was still there and gushing. She really is an Angel.
And then they were gone and it was just Cathy and me. Michael is definately my son... he latched perfectly straight away. This was a good thing cos I was able to stop the nurses from giving him formula.
And then it was home time for me. I was so pumped after all the excitement. I realised that I didn't have my laptop, which meant I didn't have the sms list which meant I couldn't send out a message! So, I went through to my office grabbed my stuff, went home had a beer and cigarette. I sat up and sorted out the sms list and then just chilled.
Upon reflection of the day's happenings I came to the conclusion that one had to live life to the fullest, embrace every day, and make sure that the people you love in the world know it!
The realisation that I could have lost my wife, the love of my life, my best friend, my biggest support and the mother of my child was huge. It took some time to sink in. Its heavy.
But the great part about this experience is that Michael is here. He is healthy, happy, alive and well. He is so cute (if I say so myself).
I know truly the know the meaning of unconditional love!
Sunday, March 18, 2007
Pro20 Cricket and other excitement...
Wednesday, 7th March, 2007 started very early with a 3am sms from AJ and Chloe letting us know that their little boy was born via emergency c-section that morning. Welcome to the world little Simon.
My day went by in the usual fashion. After last week's scare, we had moved into final arrangements mode, and sorted out the nursery, packed the bags and I drove all the way out to Parklands (for the second time in 3 days) to purchase the top of the range Rolls Royce of Prams.
Its just incredible how you can get all caught up in the marketing surrounding these somewhat cumbersome and rather basic modes of baby transport. I mean, its a seat with wheels for an infant... or isn't it.
Our journey to purchasing the "right" pram was long and tough. We figured out that the bottom of the range ones weren't put together very well. The middle of the range were too bug and bulky and seemed breakable... Our decision was finally made by 3 points....
The latest and greatest Peg Perego Pliko P3 with SIP* has a picolo that can be used with or without the base! Very important if the baby is to travel in anyone else's car, like mine (two door compact BMW...um..) or the granparents (ja, like we'd let Granny Barbs drive our kid when she still doesn't believe there is such a thing as a blind spot.)
The second point was that a guy with baby in picolo resting on trolley at Baby City* told us that the middle of the range one was so big when folded that it didn't even fit in his 540i BMW...
The third was... well, it looks the best ... and the cool constantia mommy's drive them... (how vain) :)
Anyway, the day went well. I got given the tickets to our cricket box at Newland to go and watch the Cape Cobras in the Pro20 cricket series. I asked Cath and she said I should go as with the chances of baby arriving early, this may be the last time I can go out with the boys for a while...
So I called up some mates and went to the cricket. It was awesome. Cobra's were in devistating form scoring the second highest total in Pro20 history.
Anyway, I was standing having a beer and chatting to my mate Greg. I was telling him about last weks episode and just how scared I had been, when all of a sardine his phone rang. "Its Cath" he said to me with a worried look on his face.
"Get to hospital as fast as you can I have started bleeding", was what she said to me. I went cold. I asked her if she had got hold of the doctor and whether I should pick her up. Thankfully, Westie (the angel friend of Caths') had just been there for tea and was back there helping her.
So I ran out of the cricket ground and sprinted to my car. All that training I have been doing in the off season really paid off... I arrived out of breath and sweating profusely at my car. I had to hold on to the door to stop myself fainting... Anyway I raced to the hospital.
I got there before Cath. I arranged a porter with a wheel chair, then I ran upstairs to maternity ward and found Lana, one of the nurses that had been so helpful the week before. She was in the middle of another emergency c-section, but I stopped her going back into theatre and told her to get hold of Dr Z IMMEDIATELY! I then ran downstairs and paced the entrance almost hijacking any car that came by.
Eventually they arrived, skidded to a halt and then out got Cath. OMG. There was blood everywhere. The poor thing had wrapped towels around herself which were soaked right through. I got a huge lump in my throat and had to fight to remain calm.
My first thought was for Cath, was she okay, was she going to be fine... And then I had to fight back the emotions as I realised our little baby was in serious danger...
Coming soon... the rest of the fun activities....
* Side Impact Protection
**by far the best of the baby shops with most knowledgable staff even tho its 10% more expensive...
My day went by in the usual fashion. After last week's scare, we had moved into final arrangements mode, and sorted out the nursery, packed the bags and I drove all the way out to Parklands (for the second time in 3 days) to purchase the top of the range Rolls Royce of Prams.
Its just incredible how you can get all caught up in the marketing surrounding these somewhat cumbersome and rather basic modes of baby transport. I mean, its a seat with wheels for an infant... or isn't it.
Our journey to purchasing the "right" pram was long and tough. We figured out that the bottom of the range ones weren't put together very well. The middle of the range were too bug and bulky and seemed breakable... Our decision was finally made by 3 points....
The latest and greatest Peg Perego Pliko P3 with SIP* has a picolo that can be used with or without the base! Very important if the baby is to travel in anyone else's car, like mine (two door compact BMW...um..) or the granparents (ja, like we'd let Granny Barbs drive our kid when she still doesn't believe there is such a thing as a blind spot.)
The second point was that a guy with baby in picolo resting on trolley at Baby City* told us that the middle of the range one was so big when folded that it didn't even fit in his 540i BMW...
The third was... well, it looks the best ... and the cool constantia mommy's drive them... (how vain) :)
Anyway, the day went well. I got given the tickets to our cricket box at Newland to go and watch the Cape Cobras in the Pro20 cricket series. I asked Cath and she said I should go as with the chances of baby arriving early, this may be the last time I can go out with the boys for a while...
So I called up some mates and went to the cricket. It was awesome. Cobra's were in devistating form scoring the second highest total in Pro20 history.
Anyway, I was standing having a beer and chatting to my mate Greg. I was telling him about last weks episode and just how scared I had been, when all of a sardine his phone rang. "Its Cath" he said to me with a worried look on his face.
"Get to hospital as fast as you can I have started bleeding", was what she said to me. I went cold. I asked her if she had got hold of the doctor and whether I should pick her up. Thankfully, Westie (the angel friend of Caths') had just been there for tea and was back there helping her.
So I ran out of the cricket ground and sprinted to my car. All that training I have been doing in the off season really paid off... I arrived out of breath and sweating profusely at my car. I had to hold on to the door to stop myself fainting... Anyway I raced to the hospital.
I got there before Cath. I arranged a porter with a wheel chair, then I ran upstairs to maternity ward and found Lana, one of the nurses that had been so helpful the week before. She was in the middle of another emergency c-section, but I stopped her going back into theatre and told her to get hold of Dr Z IMMEDIATELY! I then ran downstairs and paced the entrance almost hijacking any car that came by.
Eventually they arrived, skidded to a halt and then out got Cath. OMG. There was blood everywhere. The poor thing had wrapped towels around herself which were soaked right through. I got a huge lump in my throat and had to fight to remain calm.
My first thought was for Cath, was she okay, was she going to be fine... And then I had to fight back the emotions as I realised our little baby was in serious danger...
Coming soon... the rest of the fun activities....
* Side Impact Protection
**by far the best of the baby shops with most knowledgable staff even tho its 10% more expensive...
Friday, March 16, 2007
So scary
Okay, so much has happened in the last 3 weeks that I will take his slowly and post one happening at a time.
First of all on the 28th Feb, just after I had arrived at work and sat down to my first cup of coffee, Cathy called me...
She was clearly crying and really upset... and she couldn't remember our home phone number... I spoke to her calmly and tried to find out what had happened.
She had started bleeding... My worst fears were coming true... I couldn't believe it. I told her that she needed to get to hospital asap and that I'd meet her there. I didn't think there was time for me to drive all the way home and fetch her.
So I jumped up and ran to my car... I got in and started driving. The tears started to flow. I couldn't believe this was happening. Not now. Not after everything we'd been through for this child. I prayed hard... I think he heard...
I arrived at the hospital before her, we met at the entrance and I took her up to maternity. The doc was on his way. The nurses hooked her up to the CTG (Cardiotocograph) which measures baby's heart rate and mommy's contractions.
Baby was fine... phew... such a relief.
Doc arrived and checked Cath out. He said everything was okay, but that he wanted her to stay there and later on he'd do a scan. He did the scan and all was fine. It looked like the bleeding was coming from outside, but he couldn't really be certain. Anyway, she had to spend the night in hospital and was then instructed to go in to the hospital every morning and evening for a ctg to check on the baba.
What an horrendous thing to happen. I don't think I have ever been more scared in my life... The 1 1/2 ppl that are the most important to me in the entire world were in danger. Thats just not right.
Anyway, things were fine. We were told that baby is definately going to come early and that it would probably be a caesar. "Ave Caesar"... sorry, got Asterix and Obelix going through the brain.
Next post... one week later... panic at the cricket?
First of all on the 28th Feb, just after I had arrived at work and sat down to my first cup of coffee, Cathy called me...
She was clearly crying and really upset... and she couldn't remember our home phone number... I spoke to her calmly and tried to find out what had happened.
She had started bleeding... My worst fears were coming true... I couldn't believe it. I told her that she needed to get to hospital asap and that I'd meet her there. I didn't think there was time for me to drive all the way home and fetch her.
So I jumped up and ran to my car... I got in and started driving. The tears started to flow. I couldn't believe this was happening. Not now. Not after everything we'd been through for this child. I prayed hard... I think he heard...
I arrived at the hospital before her, we met at the entrance and I took her up to maternity. The doc was on his way. The nurses hooked her up to the CTG (Cardiotocograph) which measures baby's heart rate and mommy's contractions.
Baby was fine... phew... such a relief.
Doc arrived and checked Cath out. He said everything was okay, but that he wanted her to stay there and later on he'd do a scan. He did the scan and all was fine. It looked like the bleeding was coming from outside, but he couldn't really be certain. Anyway, she had to spend the night in hospital and was then instructed to go in to the hospital every morning and evening for a ctg to check on the baba.
What an horrendous thing to happen. I don't think I have ever been more scared in my life... The 1 1/2 ppl that are the most important to me in the entire world were in danger. Thats just not right.
Anyway, things were fine. We were told that baby is definately going to come early and that it would probably be a caesar. "Ave Caesar"... sorry, got Asterix and Obelix going through the brain.
Next post... one week later... panic at the cricket?
Sunday, February 25, 2007
Scary times
With just over 5 weeks left to go, things are starting to hot up in the Berry patch! This is the time when the fears emerge properly. Often disguised as irritations, it takes a fair bit of time, perhaps a raised voice and a tear or two, but they do eventually show themselves for what they actually are. Rational or not, they are real.
It starts with the "unimportant things" (they are important, but perhaps only in the mind) like how to organise that the correct stationery is available after returning from maternity leave...
I'm sure there are a few things happening between now and then like say...child birth??
And then eventually it moves onto the real fears...
"HOW THE HELL AM I GOING TO FIT A 4KG BABY OUT OF MY VA-JAY-JAY?"
Clearly its my fault that this kid is going to not be a small baby, but she could have seen that from the day we first met... And measuring size while in the womb is not an exact science... And if he puts his head on his chin, then things will be fine...
My reassurances are not exactly that comforting as I haven't actually been through this myself and, of course, each birth is different...
So, the plan.
- I need to stop working such long hours so that I can be around more in order to get to the real fears sooner, perhaps before they become reasons for panic.
- with just over 5 weeks to go... pack the bags*
- buy the pram (this will somehow make things feel more under control)
- type up the birth plan (list of preferences)
- C needs to take the "How do you eat an elephant?"** approach to the Everest size mound of work she has to get done before she goes on maternity leave
- organise a massage for me and C
- fix the dimmer switch in the nursery
I think getting these things done will go a long way to getting us to a stage where we can say that we're almost ready. I don't believe you can ever truly be ready for something like this, but hey, we'll see how far we can get with it all.
On another note, some congratulations go out to J&J on the birth of their little girl Jordan. And to Gav & Julia on your little girl. And to Pete & Trish on your little boy Shaun! They're poppin out all over the place!!
*I can't believe how many bags its gonna take, 1 for labour, 1 for baby at hospital, 1 for daddy (cognac and cigars), 1 for mommy at hospital and 1 for the going home gear. Thats 5 different bags...
** One bite at a time
It starts with the "unimportant things" (they are important, but perhaps only in the mind) like how to organise that the correct stationery is available after returning from maternity leave...
I'm sure there are a few things happening between now and then like say...child birth??
And then eventually it moves onto the real fears...
"HOW THE HELL AM I GOING TO FIT A 4KG BABY OUT OF MY VA-JAY-JAY?"
Clearly its my fault that this kid is going to not be a small baby, but she could have seen that from the day we first met... And measuring size while in the womb is not an exact science... And if he puts his head on his chin, then things will be fine...
My reassurances are not exactly that comforting as I haven't actually been through this myself and, of course, each birth is different...
So, the plan.
- I need to stop working such long hours so that I can be around more in order to get to the real fears sooner, perhaps before they become reasons for panic.
- with just over 5 weeks to go... pack the bags*
- buy the pram (this will somehow make things feel more under control)
- type up the birth plan (list of preferences)
- C needs to take the "How do you eat an elephant?"** approach to the Everest size mound of work she has to get done before she goes on maternity leave
- organise a massage for me and C
- fix the dimmer switch in the nursery
I think getting these things done will go a long way to getting us to a stage where we can say that we're almost ready. I don't believe you can ever truly be ready for something like this, but hey, we'll see how far we can get with it all.
On another note, some congratulations go out to J&J on the birth of their little girl Jordan. And to Gav & Julia on your little girl. And to Pete & Trish on your little boy Shaun! They're poppin out all over the place!!
*I can't believe how many bags its gonna take, 1 for labour, 1 for baby at hospital, 1 for daddy (cognac and cigars), 1 for mommy at hospital and 1 for the going home gear. Thats 5 different bags...
** One bite at a time
Thursday, February 15, 2007
Hail Ceasar
Was it really named after Julius Ceasar? Well, thats what the midwife at Ante-natal classes said. Personally I think its named after the salad...
We watched a video of a lady going through the entire process. I was amazed that I didn't feel queezy and wasn't shocked at the images of the lady being opened up. The gush of amniotic fluid was a bit of a shock, but logical I suppose as her waters hadn't broken. Anyway, probably getting into too much detail so I'll try to get to the point.
The point is that we have now explored in detail most of the options available for birthing. I feel really empowered! Now we have knowledge to make a decision. Its friggin scary tho.
One of the ladies in our class was absolutely adament that she would be going natural. In fact, she didn't even want to entertain the thought of having a c-section...so much so, that she ended up having her baby before the class that dealt with it. Healthy happy and natural birth.
We have finally made some progress with sorting out the baby's room. Its been painted a lovely light blue colour. The compactum arrives (after being remade) this week, and we'll be able to start setting it up on the weekend. Quite a relief. I reckon C is visibly happier with the fact that things are moving fwd.
I think that things like decorating the baby's room and sorting out the house happen so that Dad can get used to lack of sleep and being tired... hehehe
7 weeks to go. Only 7 weeks. I can't wait to meet this little guy that has made my wife look so funny. I am so excited to meet him. This is going to be so cool.
We need to finally decide on a name for him now. I mailed Peas and asked her what she thought... she quoted Time's most popular names in the US for 2007 of which Michael was one. She also gave some good advice:
"One always need to test names out before one signs the birth certificate. Mike Hunt won't work. For example. Neither will Gaylord Focker."
We watched a video of a lady going through the entire process. I was amazed that I didn't feel queezy and wasn't shocked at the images of the lady being opened up. The gush of amniotic fluid was a bit of a shock, but logical I suppose as her waters hadn't broken. Anyway, probably getting into too much detail so I'll try to get to the point.
The point is that we have now explored in detail most of the options available for birthing. I feel really empowered! Now we have knowledge to make a decision. Its friggin scary tho.
One of the ladies in our class was absolutely adament that she would be going natural. In fact, she didn't even want to entertain the thought of having a c-section...so much so, that she ended up having her baby before the class that dealt with it. Healthy happy and natural birth.
We have finally made some progress with sorting out the baby's room. Its been painted a lovely light blue colour. The compactum arrives (after being remade) this week, and we'll be able to start setting it up on the weekend. Quite a relief. I reckon C is visibly happier with the fact that things are moving fwd.
I think that things like decorating the baby's room and sorting out the house happen so that Dad can get used to lack of sleep and being tired... hehehe
7 weeks to go. Only 7 weeks. I can't wait to meet this little guy that has made my wife look so funny. I am so excited to meet him. This is going to be so cool.
We need to finally decide on a name for him now. I mailed Peas and asked her what she thought... she quoted Time's most popular names in the US for 2007 of which Michael was one. She also gave some good advice:
"One always need to test names out before one signs the birth certificate. Mike Hunt won't work. For example. Neither will Gaylord Focker."
Thursday, February 08, 2007
How time flies
I can't believe that its already the 8th of Feb 2007. This year has just been whizzing by at the speed of light. I think its cos I have been so busy and not had a break since we went away in August last year.
Anyway, we went for our 32 week scan this morning. Everything is A-OK! It makes me SO happy to see this lil' guy inside C. He was moving around all over the place just before DR Z started scanning. Then it looked like he nodded off. So cute. He brought his feet up to his head and we got a good pic of the ankle. I'll post it when C gives me the DVD.
In the meantime, here's a cool shot of his foot from the last scan at 30 weeks.
We have finally got the renovations underway. Not doing too much, but it is chaos. C wants to be out the house after the painting has been done cos she doesn't like the thought of the fumes effecting baba. Perhaps its a bit of an overreaction, but whatever makes her feel good. So, we're moving back in with the folks! My mom is up in Joburg, so its just my dad there, and he is going away tomorrow night, so won't be overcrowded or anything.
Work is crazy at the moment. We're installing a new digital press called a Pressjet2. 24m of toxic solvent printing craziness. Quite a challenge really, but hey, a change is as good as a holiday.
Right, back to work.
Cheese.
Wednesday, January 17, 2007
Anti Natal
Okay, I know they spell it antenatal, the anti Natal is a reference to the Super 14 Rugby competition that is starting in a few short weeks. Got so many mates and my wife, who support the Sharks from Natal. It always makes for interesting Stormers vs Sharks clashes. And this year, it is a home game which I will be watching from our box at Newlands...
Hold on, perhaps I should check the dates... 5 May... Spud will be about a month old! Can you believe that. He'll be able to watch his first Stormers whipping the Sharks butts rugby match. I wonder if I am going to be allowed to watch it??
We went for our first antenatal class last night. Very interesting, and I recommend that if you do ever conceive a child that you go to these classes. My sister is dead against them and said lots of horrible things, so I was kinda in two minds before going.
We didn't get off to the most auspicous start as we watched the most bizarre video of Active Birthing. These Europeans are crazy. I think the thing that scared me the most was that the gardner hadn't trimmed the bushes for waaay too long! (can I say that?)
Other than the ladder climbing, rope hanging, weird postion lying video, the general conversation was great and extremely informative. There are some things about brith and pregnancy that people just don't tell you. Well, we started to find out about some of them.
C has actually come away feeling really positive as well. That was really important and a bit of a relief for me.
Me on the other hand... well, I'm happy cos the midwife said we could bring beer for half time next week!!
Something cute for today... Spud had hiccups on the way to antenatal. It is so funny. little jerks and shakes as h hiccups away. i tried scaring him, but C said that wasn't too funny... I was just trying to help...
Hold on, perhaps I should check the dates... 5 May... Spud will be about a month old! Can you believe that. He'll be able to watch his first Stormers whipping the Sharks butts rugby match. I wonder if I am going to be allowed to watch it??
We went for our first antenatal class last night. Very interesting, and I recommend that if you do ever conceive a child that you go to these classes. My sister is dead against them and said lots of horrible things, so I was kinda in two minds before going.
We didn't get off to the most auspicous start as we watched the most bizarre video of Active Birthing. These Europeans are crazy. I think the thing that scared me the most was that the gardner hadn't trimmed the bushes for waaay too long! (can I say that?)
Other than the ladder climbing, rope hanging, weird postion lying video, the general conversation was great and extremely informative. There are some things about brith and pregnancy that people just don't tell you. Well, we started to find out about some of them.
C has actually come away feeling really positive as well. That was really important and a bit of a relief for me.
Me on the other hand... well, I'm happy cos the midwife said we could bring beer for half time next week!!
Something cute for today... Spud had hiccups on the way to antenatal. It is so funny. little jerks and shakes as h hiccups away. i tried scaring him, but C said that wasn't too funny... I was just trying to help...
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)
