NaBloPoMo 8: Arrival and Outings

Friday May 12th 1995

Just writing quickly to say we're home!!!

The Baby Angel, born Monday 8th May, 8.06pm, 50th Anniversary of VE Day.
Weighing 7lb 8 1/4 oz.

She was a 'water baby' and the 40th baby delivered by the Alpha Midwifery Lead Care Team.
(ed: thank God for the Alpha Team!!!!)

Will write more about the experience later. Tonight: sore, tired, nervous(?), overwhelmed with love and the magnitude of caring for her. Having just established hospital routines we now have to start all over again with new 'home' routines! A challenge.

(ed: note I didn't get home til the Friday! That doesn't happen too much nowadays. They seem to boot you out as soon as possible. I really valued the few days to settle down, rest and recover with expert advice on hand.)

Friday 26th May 1995

Well, just as I arrived in the UK on my birthday last year, so The Bestie has arrived here on hers! She and A got here around 10.45am just as the washing machine and the downstairs toilet packed it in!! Mum and Dad were on their way out to a wedding in France. Mum has been stressing all week over what to wear and the fact that she doesn't want to go, however she seemed in good spirits this morning.

Must go off now for a snooze.

June 5th 1995

The Bestie and A have been and gone. It was nice having them-my intro back into the "real" world. The BA was really good and only had one horrid night/morning, Sunday 4am- Monday 11am. I was exhausted. She also managed to give me a hickey as I tried to settle her on my chest and she latched on....to my neck! I got the giggles and couldn't prise her off so the resultant bite was black! :-D

Went to Leeds with The Bestie and A on Weds 31/5/95. Our first big car trip. She was very good. She was awake for a lot of the trip just looking at me and the teddies over her pram cot. We had been to Stonehenge the day before in the car but she was in her car seat that time. She was VERY good.

Other outings include:
First trip to Alldays (a convenience store) 18/5/95. Learned two things; never go out without a rain cover AND Bassett is not a pram friendly area. No ramps on kerbs and very dangerous road crossings.

21/5/95
Greek BBQ at Middle Sis' (aka Auntie L) place. DELICIOUS food! Had haloumi cheese and retsina. Walked around Shirley (a suburb) with Auntie L and B-I-L(aka Uncle J) who pushed the pram. That was a sight to see!!!! (J is over 6 foot and very lanky).

23/5/95
Shopping to Portswood. She slept in the sling. Very good. Slept all the way through.

28/5/95
Pub lunch at the Bush Inn at Ovington. Did the biggest, messiest nappy yet. Went everywhere. Had to change her in the boot of the car, tights off and all! Even went onto the pram sheet :-(


Today (5th) and last 2 days, she has discovered her hands. Fixes eyes on them over her head and then brings them towards her face, following with her eyes.


(Picture: On the bridge at Ovington with Auntie L and A.)