Our First Holiday!

I literally haven't had a spare moment in the last few weeks but tonight I decided it's time for an update.  There is so much that I want to remember, so I'll do a few posts.

Our holiday was nice, but what a change taking a baby on holiday - I think we need a holiday to recover.  Ashton had the most wonderful time!  Us - on the other hand, felt like a bunch of slaves, no doubt his 'entourage'. 

In Oudtshoorn we experienced what felt like the worst heat wave ever - and my baby suffered from the heat.  He became a little niggly as a result of the heat.  We tried to keep him cool as much as possible.  We spent a week in there, and a week in Cape Town, and it was one hell of a road trip!  No matter how early we would leave to be on our way, after about 5 hours his little body was sore and he had had enough of his car seat - can't say I blame the little guy.  We slept over in Colesberg both ways - huge relief.  The trip is just too long for the little ones.  It was so good spending time with my family, but in hind sight, it didn't feel like that much of a holiday.  My gran just loved him, and my mom was in her element - he was the centre of attention everywhere we went, and of course he played his part all too well.

Ashton absolutely LOVED the sea! We went to Mossel Bay and to Blouberg. In Mosselbay we all got into the water but Blouberg was too cold. Seeing him experience it all for the first time was quite something.

We got to change a terrible nappy in the middle of nowhere on our way there, and on the way home we were surprised by 2 explosive nappies (the first serious ones ever) on route home from Cape Town.  The one was particularly bad - it was all over his blanket and because it was so hot when we left Colesberg he was in a short romper, and wrapped in a blanket - of course it was freezing where we stopped and we were out of warm clothes thanks to the last nappy.  I just took his blanket out from under him, wiped everything off on the pavement (cringe), wrapped him up in said blanket and off we went to change and wash him.  I can't say that was one of my best moments, but definitely one to remember.

All in all, we were glad to be home.  The drive was long, and it felt like it took forever but we finally made it home and all three of us got some much needed rest after being cramped up in the car for so many hours.  Hubby got MIL to come baby sit for us for two nights so that we could rest - of course she jumped at the opportunity.

All in all, I'd do the whole road trip all over again, just to see Ashton experiencing the sea!  It's true that you see things for the first time again through your child's eyes.  What a blessing.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Holding a New Baby

I've held babies before, and have always loved it (provided they were not screaming or crying), but since becoming a mom I think something has changed.

I went to visit a friend yesterday, she had just had her baby and I got to hold her.   The most beautiful, precious, tiny baby girl.  I can't explain the feeling I got, just that it was way stronger than ever before.  This was the first time I had held another newborn baby since having mine.  I think I melted. 

She was born at 37 weeks, 46 cms and around 2,2kgs - not far off on Ashton (he was born at 34 weeks, 48cms and 2,34kgs).  I kept staring down at that little bundle of pink thinking back to when Ashton was just born.  How tiny he was, just like this baby.  The little face that was smaller than the palm of my hand.  It's unreal how quickly we get used to our little ones, and how very quickly they grow, and change.  It's a reminder to enjoy every moment we have with them.

If I think about it, I got to have my baby for 6 weeks longer than the norm, and I've said this before, but I am still so amazed that they can be born so early and be so perfectly formed, even if so small.

I almost felt broody.  Actually, I think I did melt. 

Hubby's First Pajama Drill

Last week I asked hubby if he could help me with the baby on Friday night because I really needed a good night's rest for my exam on Saturday morning.  His mom came over on Thursday as well to spend some time with Ashton, really love watching her with him, she's such a proud granny.  I had a huge migraine so ended up canceling book club (which I so look forward to every month) and she stayed the night.  Anyway, hubby agreed to help on Friday night.

On Friday morning I was up super early, got some studying done, then the three of us went to the mall (for ice cream!).  I had a Cloud 9, which is ice cream, with cookie dough, peanut butter, chocolate brownie and white chocolate sauce!  Definitely my favourite ice cream spot.  A bit pricey but I reckon we can go once a month for a treat. 

Spent some more time frantically doing revision exercises on Friday night and eventually turned in at 11pm.  Hubby had come to say good night and off he went, pillows in hand to the baby's room.  I did tell him to wake me up if Ashton get's realy niggly.  I guess he decided that I needed my sleep.

Shame, on Saturday morning he was a mess, I went in to check on them, and to take him some tea and say good morning, only to find him passed out under the duvet (with it over his head), the light on, baby plonked in the swing chair with his heady steady and no blanket.  He dressed him in a fluffy babygrow had turned up the heater so the room was like a hot summer's day. I said good morning and got a groan, then he lifted his head out of the duvet and I was greeted with big black rings under his eyes.  My hubby has never really been a night owl, so I kind of expected him to look like this!  He refused the tea, saying he would wake up and all he wanted to do was sleep.
I left for my exam, arrived there really early only to be told it is from 09h00, so I confirmed the venue, went to buy breakfast at the caffeteria, and then sat and twiddled my thumbs until it was time. I decided to leave my books at home, because I had convinced myself, what ever I didn't know by then, I wasn't going to know.  Nine 'o clock came and I made my way to the venue, greeted the room of strangers, found a chair and made myself comfortable.  When the exam started I went blank on question one, then the panic set in.  I totally freaked.  I then wondered if the boys at home were okay and decided to take a deep breath, calm down and carry on with the exam.  I read through the paper 3 times, highlighted important bits and then got down to business.  I finished 5 minutes before the bell went off, third last one to finish.  Now I wait for the results.
Afterwards I went to a birthday party, but got hopelessly lost (1 hour lost), and afterwards I stopped for petrol and paid with my card only to have the machine decline payment... then got sent inside to use another machine.  Thankfully my card worked, but once I was back in the car I got 4 sms' showing petrol money had been deducted. 

By then I was feeling exhausted by the day's events.  I made my way home, what a good feeling to be going home, my bed was calling me.  I stopped to pick up some lunch, and finally got home, only to find hubby passed out, baby in the chair, the house one big mess, and Mil trying to tidy up and organize everything again while keeping an eye on the baby.  Hubby had called his mom to come and help him, suppose it was all a bit much for him to handle, but he did really well.  He slept for most of the afternoon, and was happy that I had gotten some lunch for him, because he had woken up starving. 

I think hubby still has rings under his eyes.

Baby's FIRST Sneakers

My boy isn't even here yet and he's already styling a pair of little Reebok sneakers, thanks to his aunty T.


Look how cute they are!

Baby's First Toys

Here are pics of baby's first toys!

I got the zebra rattle and his aunty Kirsty got the cow.