Hiya! It’s me and Baby C…

Hello… As I may have mentioned, I studied over many years while raising the girls and Baby C. It became a part of our weekly routine with me going to Uni one or two days a week, in between school, day-care and after-school activities (hi my uni girls). I had twelve months off work after Baby C was born, this helped me to raise him without the worry of work, but also to complete Uni placements (unfortunately bad timing). The placements were unpaid full time work, of which I had already put off while I was heavily pregnant, but were a necessary part of the study degree.

I will admit some days were a blur, and others I could hardly keep my eyes open; particularly averaging 4 hours sleep a night with Baby C feeding and 3 am cuddles (couldn’t miss those). I had two months off Uni after Baby C was born, it was pretty good timing as far as dates went, with the end of the semester break. I recall having to prep the husband with the notion of having to take time off work, to fully care for Baby C for two weeks mid February and another two mid March. He was going to be in for a shock at how much work a near three month old bub was (yet I was prepared for the shock “WHAT THE?!”). Not only that, but as mentioned placements were all unpaid work as a student; where I had to ask for extra time off during the days so I could express baby C milk (husband again did google searches and it was called liquid gold!). I was a jersey cow and even the slightest noise like a baby or child crying I would leak like a hose. I recall having to pack an extra Uni shirt and nursing bra with my trusty washable nursing pads, so I could quickly duck out and change if I began to spring a leak (I had to look clean and professional you know!)…

So, as you can imagine, here I was a little stressed about how my husband was going to cope with a new born, and doing the whole get the girls ready and school thing; along with how I was going to cope not being there (I think they call it mother guilt?). My husband informed me the first week was pretty much a “NIGHTMARE”, but the second week was “MUCH” better, because he had relearned about babies again, feeding, settling and those all important tired signs…he said he made up a song called ‘the spew towel’, which put a bit of humour in his day before each feeding time. I recall it was also my birthday and Valentine’s day the week before, where my husband with Baby C and some lovely friends (miss you), visited on the day during my placement and brought flowers and hugs. What a difference friends make in your life!!! I recall Baby C was very settled that day; he even smiled many times too – that could make any tired mum smile (even cry) back too.

Well, of course we got through the difficult weeks, and the few squabbles over tedious things like, “Why didn’t you buy the nappies yesterday?” Without the bad days, there wouldn’t be the great ones to appreciate all the more. You would be pleased to know I passed the placement, and was able to get on the with the remainder of the course (thankfully). My husband was a bit like a ‘super hero’ and I managed to repay him (if you get my drift)… It is wonderful to think this time together for husband and Baby C, formed an inseparable bond that is still like rock solid (red) glitter glue today…

My husband jotted down details about a dream he had the night before Valentine’s day that year. He said “I dreamed the future, Baby C was about two and a half and all the kids came into our bed one morning, everyone was happy and Mister C (two and a half years) had a delightful funny personality and was making the family laugh. It gave me some fond hope cause having a baby is hard work. I swear we just somehow forget all the crying, piles of nappies, constant attention, hours not settling and waking up through the night”. Turned out his dream wound up being mostly true, our Baby C grew up to be a zany happy Mister C.

A word from Mister C…

Mister C complained this evening in the bath his other front big tooth was wobbly. His big sister Widy came in and helped him wiggle it, and turned it to break the root. A little blood came out and dripped into the bath. No tooth came out then… Mister C looked puzzled and said, “Will all the blood come out of my body now there’s a hole in me and my gum?” “No Mister C, you have lots and lots more blood in your body to keep!” I replied. Later at the dinner table, Mister C let out a small gasp and spat out his mouthful of food on the plate. “Yuk!” Said the girls. He looked startled and said, “The tooth’s gone and I swallowed it.” He took a big breath and shed a tear. Later he said, “Will the Tooth fairy come tonight, even though there’s no tooth to give?” “Of course, my son”, Daddy said.”…

Stay tuned…

Lots more fun and silliness to come. We will finally reach the one year milestone and the walking and RUNNING…. Thanks for reading and night from Mister C…