Briley's first few hours of life

Once Briley and I had been taken up the the post-natal ward I encouraged Rob to head home for a bit of sleep & to be there when Madison woke up to tell her the big news.

Rob headed off on the 45 min journey home & I worried about him driving on no sleep & waited for his text to say he was home.

The midwives on the ward were very nice  & offered me tea & toast (best meal i've ever had lol) I was so hungry by now. I did a bit of tweeting in the early hours & took my first photo of us with me looking half decent ;-)

Later in the morning the midwife came she asked me what my plans were & I said i'd like to go home if I was allowed to. She told me I could go & have a shower & I had to remind her I had a catheter in due to the epidural. She took this out & waited for me to stand to check I was steady enough on my feet. She told me due to the catheter I had to produce a decent wee in order to be discharged.

She agreed to watch out for a sleeping Briley while I went for my shower.

Was SO nice to have a proper shower rather than a quick top & tail from a bowl, I did my wee but wasn't enough to satisfy the midwife so cue lots of drinking from me.

I had a chill out on the bed while Briley slept & clock watched till 10am, visiting time. Next thing i hear is ohhhh's and ahhhh's from the midwife's as my beautiful  daughter & Rob appear. Moo was clutching a big bunch of flowers so proudly & she ran over & gave them to me along with a massive hug :-) 

I asked her if she would like to meet her brother. She peered into the cot in awe. We sat her on the end of my bed and I handed her Briley <3

Seeing my baby girl with her newborn brother was amazing. She kept calling him her & insisted he was her sister but we kept calmy correcting her & assuring her he was a boy. She sat with me & read a magazine but started to get bored (understandably) & loud which I didn't think was fair to the other mums on the ward . 

During her visit I had managed a satisfactory wee so was just waiting to be discharged. I told Rob to take moo out for lunch & that i would text him when I could leave. They dissapeared off to McDonalds while i tucked into jacket potato. The peadiatrician came & checked Briley over & the midwife came & gave me my paper work & removed my cannula. 

Rob & Moo came back & Rob packed the car up while moo & i got Briley ready & in his car seat. We walked out of the hospital as a family of four, moo helping her dad carry the car seat with her new brother in. Moo & I fell asleep in the car on the way home so Rob had to wake us when we got back.

Robs parents were waiting for us to see their new grandson. We got him & the bags inside & Robs mum met her grandson for the first time. When his nappy needed changing Robs mum said 'I need to see this, I still can't believe he's a boy' ha ha. 

Robs sister & nephews came over to meet Briley & we had a few pics of all the kids together.

My mum, her partner & my brother came over to see Briley and i had my first pic at home taken with my son less than 24 hours after his birth <3 My mum promised there would be photo's of me as i'm usually the one taking them I miss out :-(

The next few days was a flurry of visitors and getting used to being a family of four.  Brileys first few hours & days were so different from Madison's and I feel so very blessed to have had my VBAC & to experiance a 'normal' birth & his first few days.

Briley at 6 months

Briley,

6 short months ago you came into my life after the natural delivery I craved. I can't remember life before you were here you have completed our family.

I was worried I couldn't & wouldn't love you as much as I love your sister I didn't want to share my love for her; but i needn't have worried. The moment you were placed on my chest my heart simply doubled in size.

We slipped effortlessly into a routine once we were home. A routine of eating, sleeping, pooing & cuddles lots of cuddles. You are Breastfed & it has been easier with you as I had already fed your sister I knew what I was doing & it seems as if you do too so we make a good team. Your a bit of a snacker so your feeds have never been very long but were always frequent. Since you started solids they are less frequent but you feed much longer. You like boob to fall asleep with but your equally happy to self settle which is fine by me. I love how you cling onto me as you feed & will really miss it when we decide to stop. 

Your sister has amazed me with how she has adjusted. She has her moments (mainly when your feeding) but mostly she loves to help me look after you & is the best big sister you could wish for. She spends time singing made up songs to you & bringing you toys. Watching you together makes my heart soar & i'm sure you'll be firm friends & argue like mad!!

Briley, you are so chilled out & easy going your smile lights up the room & people can't help but fall in love with you. We started weaning at 4 months as your weight gain started to tail off. You love your food & get so exited when you see your bowl & spoon. Your legs & arms go & you scream excitedly. You insist of putting your hands in your mouth while your eating making a massive mess but mummy doesn't mind (much lol)

You have mastered using your hands & now grab for everything & anything within your reach. Mainly hair & mostly mine & your sisters while we are blowing raspberries on your belly. Your very vocal & babble continuously while you are awake. You have an exited high pitched scream with we frequently get treated too. You now giggle when we tickle you or blow raspberries on your tummy or cheeks. 

You love cuddles & snuggle right on in & hold on tight you are so loving just like your sister & i hope it continues. Our new favorite game is kisses i pucker up & give you kisses & you tease & tilt your head back so i can kiss under your chin which then makes you giggle it's amazing how fast you learn little things. The recent thing is putting out your hands to me when i put my hands out to ask if you want picking up. It's so amazing to see you do things like that but also a reminder your growing up way to fast.

I try to give you lots of free time on your play matt as you love rolling about. You never stay on one spot now you have mastered rolling both ways. You have such strong legs you push yourself along on your forehead to reach things you want to play with. You love to be on your feet pulling & pushing on whoever is holding you till your upright. You will take steps while holding onto our hands & look so proud of yourself when you do.

Briley, I love you more than words can express. I cannot imagine my life without you now. You & your sister are my world you drive me crazy at times but I love you unconditionally.

Keep smiling, keep making me proud baby boy.

Love you to the sun and back

Mummy

xxx