Me and him and him

Organ Recital

I've just registered online to be an Organ Donor. At one stage I did tick the box on the back of my driver's licence to say 'yes please' but at some point that system lapsed and I am in no man's land.

It seems like a no-brainer but I always had fears of being operated on for a major organ donation and being fully awake and aware of the situation....ie. I wasn't dead.

Well, I just have to trust that the medical fraternity will know their stuff should a situation like that eventuate.

With Cam's illness and Angus' arrival there is no question as to what is the right thing for me to do with this opportunity. Unfortunately the decision to register as a donor has been precipitated by a very self-centred suite of prompts. I also believe I'll be a first-time blood donor in the very near future. And I'm fairly confident, should we be blessed with another baby, the cord blood will be donated to the Cord Blood Bank in WA once it is fully established. Someone else's brother or son may need it today.

Windy

Got some more photos to share with those who care. Click here if you dare.

AHCB has a little wind issue at the moment. I've found that assuming the role of Chief Comforter has helped me avoid getting frustrated with his behaviour. You gotta love the lil' fella.

This is one of my favourite photos of him from this week. It's out of focus and I took it by just holding the camera above his cot...but I love it.

Go Team

I've inserted this photo just to attract the attention of a different demographic of reader. Pyley, Marcus and Corey that means you.

Before we were married - and Michael was trying fast to catch up to my opinion that we were going to - we would chat about our relationship. I had already written long, emotional musings about how I felt the planets had lined up and the time for us was so right and good. He would hold my hand and smile lovingly. He would concur with my heartfelt sentiments by responding with "Yeh, I think we make a great team".





"Team"...Mmm, not the picture that really rang true in my heart. Maybe companion or lover or soul buddy but 'team' didn't really cut it with me. I thought I had to wait a while before he came up to my level of conviction about our relationship and that would be indicated when he used a better word. I was looking for something less ... football.





While changing a nappy this morning I came to a realisation that this little baby is the first 'interest' we've had in our marriage where we both have 100% responsibility. Other interests or roles we've had have primarily lay with one of us and the other has been supportive and involved. For example, Michael has been a one-eyed, committed Sydney Swans member and I've bought red and white outfits to wear to the games.





So it's interesting and great that we have this responsibility where we both share an investment with equal passion and commitment. We work together to make our newborn son's life experience the most comfortable and enjoyable we can. We don't count the number of nappies each other has changed or who has had more sleep than the other. The thought is actually inconceivable because the experience is more about the other members of the family than our own needs...but my needs are being totally cared for by another. It's another surprise discovery along the way.





When I shared this thought this morning with both the boys in my family one of them reminded me that we were a great team. And I wholeheartedly agreed.

Angus' Fan Club

Sign in here. (There's just a couple more photos in this web album)

Hip Hip Hooray for 6 week birthday

We were expecting our lives to change in so many ways. One thing I hadn't anticipated much change was in our language. During the last 6 weeks we have developed previously unused language that has mysteriously emerged from some secret place. Words like 'poppet' and 'precious' have not been commonplace in our household. M has often called me 'gorgeous' but Angus is getting the G word from daddy at an hourly frequency. I find myself making up songs everyday that have ridiculous and unintelligent rhyming combinations.

To state the obvious, we are entranced by this little one. He is a quiet soul who is content to melt your heart with long smiling and giggling (well, more gurgling) sessions after every feed. We have already forgotten that for the first 5 weeks of life he (and me!) never slept for longer than 2 hours before wanting more from the Milk Barr...day or night. We are so proud of his effort last night of two 4.5 hr stretches through the night.

On the eating front, he's capable of what we would expect from a Barr boy. He put on 2kgs in 5 weeks, now weighing in a 6kgs. For a newborn you would be happy with 150g a week growth...he's topping the scales at 400g a week. Proud.

One memorable episode this week occurred during nappy change. As legend has it, the period of 'nappy-off' is often when weeing is delighted in. Well, this time he managed to point in the direction of his face. Next I knew his eyes were welled up and his face was covered!

We've found it works better for both of our mental conditions to go out a couple of times a day. One of those adventures is usually dictated by the opening hours of 3 outstanding patisseries in our area. The others are driven by end of financial year sales, no veggies in the crisper or appointments with a host of medical professionals.

As I type he is kicking and stretching and laughing at his reflection in a mirror-mobile. I'm in love with him. Precious poppet.

You asked for more

...so there's more photos of AB here....

5am

I can make this sleepless night thing work in my favour. It's 5:13am and I've been sitting up with the little boy since midnight with only short sleeps. Michael and I have had a little conference as to why Angus isn't settling and sleeping for as long as we would like and we've got a few theories that still need testing. Michael carried out several scientific experiments on him during the first shift (9pm - 12am) to see if he could work out a way to settle him which would last more than half an hour.

I always thought when I have a baby I'll be careful not to dominate every conversation and blog entry with baby talk. I've tried not to overload the viewing audience with Angus photos but it seems you are all crying out for more. There are some below and more here for those who can't help themselves.

Time to tag team with Michael who will finish off the night of pat-pat-pat and shh-shh-shh to the little poppet in the cot who likes cuddling more than sleeping. Gotta love him though.



First smiles at Michael after playing funny games involving fast moving legs and arms.


How they both like it.


First Sunday Session at The Brisbane (our local).



He's got his eyes open and quite alert lots of the time now.


Cuteness squared.


Superman stretching.


Happiness.

Lessons in Life

One of the lessons I want to teach Angus is to "never give up". We may not be the most talented and things may not always go our way but I think it is important that we learn resilience and a determination to stick at worthwhile tasks even when things aren't quite going to plan. I thought I would wait a little longer than 1 month until I demonstrated this to Angus.

Anyway....

Angus and I sat down on Saturday night to watch his first game of football - none other than Sydney Swans v West Coast Eagles. I thought it was important that he learned early about the evils of blue and gold.

Initially it wasn't looking so good. Sydney were playing poorly and well frankly Angus wasn't really interested. But in true Sydney style slowly the game turned culminating in a 5 point win in the last minute of the game - the first time Sydney were in front for the whole night. The silence at Subiaco would have been deafening. Angus was transfixed on the TV and speechless (well he is only 1 month old)

Did I mention that I am really enjoying living in Perth at the moment?