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2006-10-16 10:02:48 Source: Web

Wow - there's been a lot happening! Our second night with Simon was a lot calmer and we were able to start getting into a routine around feeding and sleeping. We've had lots of help from the midwives at the hospital and Lotta will stay another day or two to try and get the breast-feeding ritual sorted out.

During Sunday we tried to help Lotta sleep as much as possible. I took Simon out of the room whenever he slept to give Lotta some peace and quiet. I estimate that she's had 10 hours sleep in 5 days! Poor thing.

Then Sunday night I spent at home for the first time as Lotta's mobility is starting to get better. She can now stand up from a chair with Simon in her arms and lift him out of the basinette.

I've finally had a chance to get some photos from my phone. I've created an album of Simon pics at http://www.cookstour.org/gallery/. Isn't he wonderful? ;-)

2006-10-14 11:10:30 Source: Web

Friday morning at 01:30 our son was finally born after a fairly drawn out labour. He weighed 3.8kg at birth and both he and his mum are doing just fine.

Fairly soon after he was born we agreed that Simon was the name from our shortlist that suited him most. Of course, he's the most beautiful boy in the world!

It's now been over 24 hours and we had a pretty rocky first night. I was able to stay with Lotta as her pelvic instability has made it difficult for her to move at the same time as holding Simon. So I was able to stay to help support them. During the night we tried to get Simon to feed, but he was sucking in a lot of air and as the night progressed he became more and more agitated with a rumbly tummy.

Eventually at around 6am the midwives suggested that they take care of him for a while so that Lotta and I could get some sleep (we both had less than 4 hours in the prior 48+!). They gave him a little formula and after he slept they brought him back to us and we all rested for a few more hours.

They suggested that I go home and rest, get some more sleep to be able to recover to help out more ove the next few days, so I'm quickly writing this before I eat a little, have a bath and go to bed. Photos later once I have more time.

Of course, we are both fantastically happy despite the tiredness. He seems to be in perfect condition and is absolutely beatiful. I can't wait to get him and Lotta home.

2006-10-12 07:18:56 Source: Web

13 days - that sounds lucky to me!

We're 32 hours into labour by our reckoning. Lottas contractions started to get closer and more regular last night and around 22:00 we went to the hospital.

First a EKG was used to check baby's heart and the regularity of the contractions. That looked fine and an examination showed that Lotta was open 2cm. Whilst positive, it wasn't enough for them to admit Lotta as a patient and they recommended we go home. We weren't sure, but in the end decided that was probably OK. We used the excuse to drive by a Burger King and get some comfort food!

At home we decided to try and rest as much as possible. As I had slept only 4 hours the night before I was feeling the effects of lack of sleep so I went to bed while Lotta used the rest of the flat. I checked in on her a couple of times during the night, but it seems that for the most part she was able to rest, slept in 20 minute intervals and had a good strategy to cope with the contractions.

Now we've been up since 7 and are both feeling ready to face the day. The comtractions are starting to get closer again and have increased in intensity. Either we check ourselves back into the hospital again within the next few hours, or at 13.30 we are booked in for a control anyway.

So much for our dreams of a quick delivery, but we keep trying to remember that every contraction brings us closer to meeting our baby.

2006-10-11 10:19:30 Source: Web

12 days.

Last night the contractions started around 01:00, we sat up for several hours, packed bags, rang to the hospital and warned them we would be on our way in a while.

Then at around 4:30 everything died down again and we both went back to sleep.

I've mentioned to several people that we are quite well prepared, having gone on several courses and read masses of books etc. Those who have had babies themselves have normally then given me scepticall looks in return. So I've countered with "The main thing that we have learnt is to expect the unexpected!". Well, we're proving that adage to be correct.

The contractions haven't stopped completely, so we're hoping that the activity levels will go up again today. Watch this space!

2006-10-10 08:00:04 Source: Web

11 days.

On Thursday we're booked in for a check-up. That is 1 week + 6 days after due date. After that check-up, we return for a control every other day until we're at 2 weeks + 6 days over. Then they induce. That's all assuming that mother and baby are in good shape, there's enough amniotic fluid etc. They can induce earlier, but in Sweden the thinking is to give every chance for a natural childbirth.

Of course, we're hoping it won't go that far, but that's the routine in case anyone was wondering.

2006-10-09 08:48:27 Source: Web

10 days over and counting. Both myself and Lotta were 2 weeks late when we were born, so we may well be following in the family tradition! But we're both pretty tired of the waiting game now (hell - I was impatient after 1 day over!).

2006-10-08 09:26:36 Source: Web

Sunday morning - will our baby be a Sunday baby? After an hour or so of contractions yesterday we thought we were underway, but nope. Baby seems to like it too much in there!

So today we're going out on a shopping trip. Hopefully the extra activity will shake baby loose!

2006-10-06 08:23:26 Source: Web

Fate is broken!

That's the conclusion I've drawn after the last 24 hours. Yesterday I had a really busy day firefighting at work and ended up with more work on my table than I had when I started in the morning (the opposite of what I've been trying to achieve lately!).

Then when it was time to leave work I sat in the car, turned the key... and nothing! My car has died completely. God only knows what's wrong, I hadn't left any lights on or drained the battery, it seems more like a short in the electrical system.

Thanks to the in-laws I was able to borrow a car within an hour! I drove home, stressed and tired and when I got there - our water supply was cut off!

Now, think about this, a stressed Steve, broken down car, no water at home. That HAS to be the time that a baby will want to come huh?

But no, so far no baby. We went out and had dinner at the local pub and when we got home the water was running again. Everything is back to normal.

Fate has taken a day off I tell you!

2006-10-04 07:44:13 Source: Web

Yesterday my Nan died. She had been in a home for a long time and had lost her grip on the world quite a while back. She died quickly and hopefully painlessly and that's a blessing.

I remember a time 15-20 years ago when we lived near her and spent a lot of time with her. She was a lovely wee woman with a Scots brogue. What I remember most is how much she loved us all to laugh together. Especially over small word games such as talking about Mike Spilligan or when my sister wrote Rollet Bayel instead of Royal Ballet.

I'll remember your laugh Nan. It's a shame that you never got to meet your great-grandson, but hopefully you can pass on the flame and instill a joy of laughter in him.

2006-10-02 09:47:55 Source: Web

Waiting waiting waiting!

I spent the weekend doing things like building a cot and rearranging the bedroom. It definitely feels like we are ready to meet baby now. I've been talking to the bump, trying to convince our kid that it's time to come out now, that we have nice comfortable clothes all ready and that it's lovely out here.

Any day now...