David’s newborn measurements

Weight: 3875g, 8lb 8oz, 80th percentile
Length: 56.0cm, 22in, above 99th percentile
Head Circumference: 36cm, 14.2in, 85th
percentile

Today we stumbled upon an annual Aussie tradition, where mayors across the country all read the same book at the same time to children in their local libraries.

Little White Dogs Can’t Jump is a picture book, but it struck me as one of those that’s more for the parents than the kids. I couldn’t help but feel sorry for all these mayors across the country simultaneously struggling to explain picture book humor line by line. Nevertheless, our mayor assured us that this was his favourite event of the year.

As we prepared to make crafts afterward, the mayor asked everyone who they would give their completed crafts to. “Mum” came the reply. Then the mayor asked his grandson who he would give his craft to. “Mum.” So the mayor laughed and left without a paper dog to commemorate his visit.

     

 

Vi’s newborn measurements

Weight: 4050g, 8lb 15oz, 95th percentile
Length: 56.0cm, 22in, above 99th percentile
Head Circumference: 35cm, 14in, 85th
percentile

“Sons are a heritage from the LORD, children a reward from him.” Psalm 127:3 NIV

As parents, we realise what a blessing a new baby is. Older siblings, on the other hand, sometimes need to be convinced. From their point of view, what good is a crying, attention-grabbing weakling?

“A gift opens the way for the giver and ushers him into the presence of the great.” Proverbs 18:16 NIV

Prayer and encouragement have a lot more to do with how siblings get along than any material gift. But giving the older siblings presents on the new baby’s behalf is a fun tradition in our family, which Baba and I believe emphasizes the happiness of welcoming a new sibling.

Michael brought a Svan scooter when he arrived.

Baby 3 is bringing Nikki a Mini-Moby Stretchy Doll Carrier for wrapping her Baby.

And as the newly promoted big brother, Michael will receive the complete set of Mr Men books.

Promoting happiness and entertaining the older children, that’s what the gifts from the new baby are all about!

It is so fantastic this pregnancy to go straight into the care of a home/waterbirth midwife. My assigned midwife came to the house on Friday. Nikki, Michael, and I had a lovely two-hour visit with Vanessa, pictured below.

photo credit CMWA’s 2008 Annual Report

After introductions, we talked about Nikki‘s and Michael‘s births. We also went over family medical history, and I answered all the usual questions. I got to probe a little bit into how the CMP works and also Vanessa’s philosophy on labour and birth.

Vanessa’s commitment to being there for ‘her women’ and her wonderful and varied experience shone through with enthusiasm, kindness, and competence. I was particularly amazed when, after looking over my birth notes from the previous two labours, she said right away, “so we’ll be focused this time on you giving birth without tearing.” I knew right then that she was the midwife for me!

I even felt comfortable enough to state my reservations with the CMP program vs having an independent midwife. Basically, I want to have the best assurance possible – barring her own serious illness or being in with another woman in active labour – that the midwife whom I come to know and trust throughout the pregnancy will be the same one who attends my labour and birth. Talking with Vanessa, I know that is her commitment, and I feel confident that going with the CMP is the right decision for me.

Vanessa gave me a list of things she would like me to look into, so here is my mid-pregnancy to-do list:

• visit the Leederville CMP center on an open day (Tuesdays between 10 and 2pm) to meet other midwives, see examples of the inflatable birth pool they use, and meet like-minded mums
• obtain a copy of and read Birthing from Within, by Pam England and Rob Horowitz
• research ways to prevent perineal tears and start to visualise how that will work during second-stage labour
• find a doctor (Ian Churchward has been recommended) who can refer me to Mercy Hospital as my backup hospital in case we need to go into hospital for any reason during labour. Mercy is a private hospital and would be great as a backup because it is just down the road from my house. If I cannot obtain a referral there, I will use King Edward Memorial Hospital as my backup. KEMH is very supportive of CMP midwives (Vanessa trained there), so that is a good alternative, too. Just not quite as convenient!

Having met Vanessa, I am happy to sign the disclaimers necessary to birth with the CMP, go through the paperwork and appointments to line up a backup hospital, and accept the general added bureaucracy that comes with a state-provided service. In a lot of ways, I feel that I am receiving the services of an independent midwife – for free!

Next appointment is in one month’s time!

Yesterday, after our building porter carried several items of furniture in preparation for our garage sale, my housekeeper told me to say ‘Mabruk’ (Arabic for ‘congratulations’) to Yassir. He had a second son born on Sunday! My heartfelt ‘Mabruk’ brightened his face with a smile as he waved goodbye to go back downstairs to his family.

This morning as we headed out on an errand, Yassir came up to us with a little bundle in his hands. His two-day-old son was wrapped up fast asleep. As we watched, that beautiful newborn moved his lips in a happy dream about his most recent meal. We stretched our limited Arabic to compliment Yassir on his son. The moment was not lost on Nikki. In the car she relived the memory, repeating, ‘new baby! new baby!’ What a privilege to glimpse a precious new life!

Twenty months of breastfeeding, and it finally happened this week – mastitis . Fortunately mine was a mild case. Ben and I saw the nurse, Jeannie, and she diagnosed me, told me I could either take antibiotics or try to build up my body’s ability to fight and tough it out, only taking antibiotics if things got worse. I prefer the non-antibiotic route, and so was advised to rest, drink plenty of fluids, take vitamin C, eat healthily, and of course to keep the affected breast as empty as possible. This is aided by warmth (hot showers, hot water bottles), massage, and frequent feeds.

After Jeannie gave us her helpful advice and we were about to leave, she asked, ‘You are church-going people, right?’ We agreed, and she said, as if it was the most obvious thing in the world, ‘then pray!’ She said to Ben specifically that he’s been given authority over his family and that he should pray for healing for me. What a wonderful encouragement! Ben did pray for me, as did both his and my parents, and I was healed very quickly. The swollen place stopped being swollen, and the next day I was almost back to my usual energy levels. Now, two days later I am completely healthy, praise God!

I was healed just in time to be able to share Freedom in Christ material for the first time with a friend this morning. Yea! It was a blessing to be able to put last autumn’s training into practice. Later this evening I was also able to host a group of girls from the church for a dinner of fajitas and black bean soup , table tennis, and BANG! Many thanks to Meg and Brent for the BANG! card game, which was enjoyed by all.

Michael turned one month old yesterday…

… and Nikki is 1.5 years old today!

One of the benefits of living abroad is being able to claim extra holidays! As an American visiting Britain on Mothering Sunday, I was both surprised and pleased to receive an immense bouquet of red and pink tulips this morning. Thank you, Ben!

Ben has had three wonderful weeks off since Michael was born. He has one more week of leave planned, and we have decided to split it as two weeks of half-days. That way I can more gradually get used to being double teamed by two children under the age of two.

Today was Ben’s first half-day of his return to work, and fortunately he opted to work from home this afternoon. There were a couple of times when I urgently needed his extra set of hands to help Nikki when I was immobilised feeding Michael. I can see already that I will be doing a lot more babywearing at home, in addition to when I am out and about. Let’s hope I am a pro at this by the time Ben is back to full-time work!

 

Michael’s newborn measurements

Weight: 3.79kg, 8lb 6oz, 80th percentile
Length: 53.0cm, 20.9in, 95th percentile
Head Circumference: 35.0cm, 13.8in, between 50th and 75th
percentile