She's Here...

Welcome to the world Harriet Pearl McKinnon. She made her early arrival into the world on February 1st 2013 at 5:56pm weighing a slight 2.85kgs, measuring 49cms long.

I cannot believe it's been nearly 2 years since I posted about welcoming Ted into my life. He turns 2 next month and seems like he has grown SO much since arriving home from the hospital with Harriet.

My c-section went really well, it was quiet and intimate and I wasn't *too* nervous. My milk has come in and Harriet and I are bonding and feeding well. She is smaller than we had expected but is thriving nonetheless.

More photos to come!

xx

24 hours

The last 24 hours have been rough. Really rough. I'm feeling slightly better this evening but woah mumma, I was a bag of emotions last night.

Yesterday morning we had a photographer friend come to the apartment to take some family photos. And it just wasn't meant to be. Edward was unsettled for 90% of the shoot, as you can expect with a newborn. At one stage, he was lying nude on this beanbag and I picked him up for a cuddle and he wee'd and poo'd all over me. It was hilarious. Abi didn't want to be in any photos and I was a terrible mother, offering her bribes like candy, cupcakes and lollies and she finally caved and smiled for about 10 photos.

After the photographer left, Edward slept briefly while we lunched and cleaned the apartment. Then off we went to Castle Hill to visit the Early Childhood Clinic for Edward's 1st check-up. The nurse was a complete bitch. She said all the wrong things. Also, she looked like a slightly slimmer version of Mama Fratelli from The Goonies.

Edward has lost 20 grams since being discharged from hospital and this nurse really came down on me hard about it. It really shook my confidence and made me feel like a failure. I'm not following any set guidelines and I'm demand feeding him whenever he wants and she basically implied that I have been neglectful.

After we left the clinic, while James minded Edward in the car, Abi and I popped into Castle Towers to buy a dummy for Edward and some breastpads for myself. I got tired walking through the mall and a little shocked that this will be my life in a few weeks. Suburban house wife. With 2 kids. It rattled me abit and I got back to the car and confessed to James that I will miss city living sometimes.

Things really got bad on the drive home. I started to feel weird. And by the time we got home and started dinner, my whole body shutdown. I got the chills and shakes, a high fever, my hands and feet were cold and purple, my nails were white, my teeth chattering and then I looked down at my chest. Bright red, sore, lumpy boob. Mastitis. I had developed mastitis with Abigail as well but it resolved itself without antibiotics. I sat in the sofa while James contemplated calling an ambulance because he was so worried.

Abigail wasn't herself either, crying and whingey, which didn't help the situation. She had a slight fever too. Poor James was running around, taking care of all of us. We finally got her into bed and I had a big cry to James about how I felt. I took a long hot shower and tried to massage the lumps out. I climbed into bed at 11pm, exhausted and emotional. At 3am when Edward woke for his feed, I woke up and felt wet. The entire side of my bed was wet with sweat. My whole body was covered in sweat. I cried the entire time I fed him. Doubting myself and telling James that maybe I should give up breastfeeding and switch to formula.

This morning, I made an appt to see a Doctor and took Abi along too to have her checked over. She and James both had a tummy virus last week with lots of vomiting and diorrhea so I thought maybe she wasn't completely better yet. After an excruciating long visit with this new Dr, it was determined that Abi has a bad case of thrush and a possible urinary tract infection. I have mastitis with a possible urinary tract infection as well so off we went to the pharmacy to fill our new scripts of drugs. I also got a script for some motillium to help with my milk supply.

Walking in the city was terrible, I will never get used to how terrible some people treat eachother. Even though I'm not pregnant anymore, I still feel tender and sore. And people just walked into me, and Abigail, which made me sick. Pushing a little 2.5 year old, out of their way, whilst talking on their iphone and smoking at the same time. Sometimes I just want to punch some people.

We got home and started our meds. I was supposed to try and catch urine in a pee cup from Abigail, mid stream, which is IMPOSSIBLE with a toddler. So I sterilised her potty and she did a wee on there and I filled the cup that way. James ran the urine sample back to the medical centre this afternoon and we will get the results later in the week. She seems better already with the cream to treat the thrush.

I still feel pretty rough. No fever, but still clammy and have the chills. My boob is super sore. I'm emotional, so emotional. I keep reminding myself, it's only been 2 weeks since Edward was born, but I'm so hard on myself. I want the breastfeeding to work now, with no sore boobs and no more sore nipples. And for my sweet babe Abi to be all better.

James has uni exams this week for Grad School and has been trying to study at the same time. God only knows how he juggles it all.

So yes, it's been a HELLISH 24 hours. I feel like a need a holiday! I know things will get easier. It's still early days. We are all still adjusting to life as 4. I just want the house to be ready so we can move in and get settled. I have no idea how the HELL we are going to move house in 1 month with a newborn...

Prince Edward

Looking a little rough here, not much sleep yesterday

What I've learned about my son Edward in 9 days:

• He doesn't like being swaddled for bedtime.
• He loves hearing Abigail's voice and his eyes follow her around the room.
• He is very, very sweet.
• He seems more quiet and placid than his sister was when she was newborn.
• He loves to sleep in my arms.
• He loves being in the water and loves having his head massaged.
• He is so small that 0000 size clothes are baggy on him.
• He prefers to cluster feed than sit on 1 breast for 45 minutes.
• He is my little prince.

30 minutes old

1 day old

First bath at the hospital

My 3 loves

Father and son

He's here...

Introducing Edward James McKinnon, born Monday 7th March 2011 at 2:14pm. Weighing 3.4kgs, length 50cms and head circ 36.5cm.


Just arrived home from the hospital. Will post more pics and birth story soon.


xx

Flashback Friday.

Foo Fighters - Everlong (Acoustic Version)


Hello.
I've waited here for you.
Everlong.


Not long now till my baby arrives. I'm feeling everything I should be. Nerves. Excitement. Anxiety. Happiness. I just can't wait.


Happy weekend to you.

New Purchases

Peter Alexander Wide Leg pants for the hospital

Peter Alexander Long Pants for the hospital

3 x Lovable feeding singlets for the hospital

3 x Lovable Maternity Feeding bras... Very sexy...

1 x Country Road newborn onsie for the hospital

1 x Country Road beanie for the hospital

1 x Country Road baby blanket for the hospital

Flashback - July 2008

I'm feeling very maternal today and looking at photos of when Abigail was born. I can't believe in a few weeks, I will have another newborn again.

I'm a little nervous about giving birth in Australia. Abigail was born in Singapore and my birth experience over there was fantastic. The level of care, the amount of attention, support and advice I received was outstanding.

I have heard horror stories of maternity wards, cravy midwives and lazy Obgyns but I know I am in good hands. My Obgyn is very qualified and respected. I feel very confident in his hands.

Here I am, in Abigail's nursery, the night before she was born. I loved that blue tee. I wore it everywhere in the last few weeks of my pregnancy and the local Singaporeans loved it too.

Here is Abigail, 3 days old. I look a mess of course, I forgot how little she was.

This is Abigail and I on discharge of the hospital. On my left was one of my favourite midwives who cared for me. On the right is the Head Lactaction Consultant who was fantastic. She was firm but supportive and understanding. The language barrier wasn't much of an issue, the hospital I gave birth in catered for locals but mostly expats.



Weekend Recap

Late Thursday night, my husband sugested we should head to the beach house on the Central Coast.  Friday morning, he had an early conference call with his boss in the States while I packed 2 overnight bags and off we went.


After a quick drive up the F3, we stopped in at Bateau Bay Woolworths and did some grocery shopping. Once we arrived at the beach house, into our cossies we were and headed to the pool. Abi is going through a phase of only liking the "baby pool" which is about 50cm deep and has a fountain in it. James and I sat in the big pool while she ran around cooling off. We finally coaxed her into the big pool but she held onto me for dear life.


The whole weekend was disgustingly hot but relaxing. We spent most of Saturday in the lagoon pool which has a beach-like entrance which Abi loves. We had cold showers. Applies lots of moisturiser and sunscreen and zinc.

Abi pondering

Abi giving me the 'stink eye'

Yesterday morning we all slept in till 10am, bliss. Then James and Abi headed to the beach and I relaxed on the sofa. Then I headed to the spa in the resort for an eyebrow wax and 90 minute pedicure. My feet are soft and my nails are bright orange! I loved sitting in the treatment room with my therapist talking about babies and beaches and girly things.  Most of the therapists know me at the spa because I'm such a frequent visitor. James and Abi met me at the spa lobby with an umbrella which was sweet because just as we walked out, a huge storm hit and I would have been drenched walking to the beach house. Abi ran home in the rain and loved every minute of it.

My bump + orange nails

Taken from our balcony. Just as the storm hit!

After my treatment, we drove home via the suburbs of Sydney to my parents house to say hello. We then all headed to the new house to see the weekly progress. New walls are being built, the butler's pantry frame is up and the plumbing is being attended to. We have an inspection tomorrow and I will get new photos then.


I'm 35 weeks pregnant today. I can't believe it. Sleeping is becoming difficult, my insomnia has ramped up a notch. So has my anxiety. But I know in a matter of weeks, my baby, my son, will be here. I can't believe it.

Photos taken on my iphone, so excuse the crappy quality.

Boys Nursery - Bedding

Now that I have revealed the sex of our bub, I can post lots of BLUE things.

We loved the Dwell Studio cot sets when we shopped around to dress Abigail's cot. The designs were gorgeous and looked so lovely.

I've been looking at boys cot sets and am struggling to settle on just one design, I love them all. James likes the Transport or Owl set. I like the Skyline or Owl set. What do you think? Our cot is white with dark brown sides.

Skyline set

Owl Set

Transport Set

Transverse Baby

Here is my bubs. I can announce that we are having a BOY and we are all over the moon. Look at his little face! He looks just like Abigail did in the womb. I have heaps of 4D photos of her too. The cord is right near his face too, the detail is amazing, isn't it!

I had my 34+ week appointment this morning with my Ob/Gyn and again, everything looks fantastic. Baby is growing well, strong heartbeat and rolling around in my belly. But peanut has moved, from frank breech position to transverse. I felt alot of activity and kicks last Saturday and my belly changed shape. I'm convinced that is when he moved from breech to transverse.

So the diagnosis is the same. We are hoping baby turns in the next 2-3 weeks. After that, we aren't sure if baby will have the room to turn. I've been doing some stretches on all fours, and pelvic stretches too. My back and hips are loosening up alot. My hips are not aligned and my left side is KILLING me most of the time when I sleep or sit down with my feet up.

I had another blood test to check my iron levels and my anti-D levels too for my blood type. Hopefully no antibodies are present and my iron levels have increased.

Less than 6 weeks till my baby is here. I can't believe it. It's getting CLOSE!

Photos taken this morning on the balcony. The sun is out, and despite the heat, I'm really enjoying the last few weeks of summer.

Breech Baby

I had my 32+ week appointment with my Ob/Gyn this morning and everything looks great. Baby is of small to average size, with a strong heartbeat and chubby cheeks. Nor! Look at that little face! I cried watching the 4D scan this morning, the baby starting to look so REAL!

Baby is still in the breech position. Little peanut has changed from breech to transverse to breech in the last 4 weeks. 2 weeks ago baby was complete breech which is head up and feet down low, kicking my bladder all the time. Now baby is frank breech which means the feet are up high next to the head and arms.

My iron levels are very low too so off I went to buy some iron supplements. I have to be careful about having low iron levels because of my negative blood type. I'm sure after a week or so, my iron levels will increase. This does explain though, why I've been feeling so tired!

I'm hoping baby will turn before my next appointment in 2 weeks. If not, then an elective c-section it will be. I did have my dreams set on a successful VBAC but at the end of the day, it's not how the baby is born, but that the baby is born safely.

Less than 8 weeks till my little baby is here. I'm starting to get so excited. I was talking to my sister on the phone this morning and we are going to plan a baby shower. I didn't have one with Abigail, because I lived in Singapore so I figure this time around, I'd love to see all my friends before the birth and for them to see me, all big and glowing. Also, with the house renovations, we are so busy and haven't had much of a social life lately, I'd like to see everyone before the big move too.

Ok, I'm off to find my Baby Bjorn carrier and give it a clean and then perhaps take an afternoon nap. James is on his flight home to us. No more waking up with my arms around a pillow, now I can cuddle the real thing.