People have said to me that I should make the most of Callums first few months as babies grow up so quickly.
This is oh so true!I don't really know what babies should be able to do by what age, but I do know that babies haven't read the manual either and therfore they don't know too!
We have recently come back from our two pre-baptism sessions at our local church. Whilst there we saw a young baby. It was difficult to believe that our little Callum was that small once!
Niki has recently styarted doing shifts back on the Ambulances, so we both got a batism of fire! Niki had 3, 12 hour, shifts on an Ambulance that week, this meant that I had 3, 12 hour, shifts with Callum.
Those of you that know me well will know that I have the memory of a very forgetfull goldfish! I therefore asked Niki to write me a brief list of her daily routine. My three shifts went well - we had a ball!!!
Callum was being the fun smiley baby that we all know well for the first two shifts, but he started to teeth again during my third shift. He has two teeth through already, and I'm sure I can feel the next one or two that are well on their way!
Callum has been learning to situp unaided - now he has realised that he can do this he is trying to sit up all the time and dosen't want to lie down. If he isn't sitting he probably wants to stand. He is strong enough to hold himself upright but need to hold onto something to maintain his balance.
A game that we play is "Hide and Seek", we started of by holding thismuslin up between him and I so that he can't see me, you then take the muslin out of the way and say Boo! Well now Callum has found that he can put the muslin over his face and then take it away again expecting you to say Boo! each time. We have played this game alot recently as I am sure you can imagine.
The last thing that he has learnt over the last few days is to make a noise, this noise I think is mainly out of excitement. He does it when he is eating and also when he is playing. I can't think how to explain what the noise is. However if you are to take in a large breath, but make a noise at the back of your throat as if you are having troble breathing.....
....well this is what he does. With both Niki and I working on the Ambulances, it is a very familiar noise to us, and its quite scary to hear it coming form your 6 month old child. Luckily, when you look at him, he is always a good colour and is normally smiling!]]>Generalhttp://www.toogood.org.uk/index.php?itemid=31Sun, 13 Apr 2008 18:38:31 -0600Life has changed forever!!!!
http://www.toogood.org.uk/index.php?itemid=30
It already feels like a lifetime (in a good way) and huge amounts of learning have taken place. I have to admit it doesn't matter how prepared you think you are it is totally different when wheeled onto a ward in the middle of the night, with your new baby who is then put into a crib beside you and you are left completely alone to "get on with it" I was so scared!! I was exhausted from 2 or so days without much sleep, I couldn't feel my body from the chest down was given a glass of water (no champagne for me!) and then I had my defensless little man stirring in his crib and I didn't have a clue what to do. With some shushing and gentle rocking he seemed to settle and I could get a few hours sleep.
After we got home I had got into a kind of routine with Callum. I had found out that he liked to have his nappy changed before a feed and was generally in about a 3 hourly routine. Then came a growth spurt!!! Feeds every two hours, even at night. Crying seemed almost continuous. Daryl was frustrated as he couldn't really help much as I was breastfeeding. I was exhausted and in the middle of the night just felt like crying out HELP ME PLEASE!!!!!!
That all soon passed after a couple of days. Callum was changing so rapidly now. he looked nothing like he had at the hospital. He was now our little boy and not just the general baby look. He had started to smile although I knew it was wind, but you could see that he was going to have the most cheeky smile. His routine was much better and was sleeping a good 5 or 6 hours at night HEAVEN!!!!! Callum had now got his Mummy and Daddy trained and they could even tell when his crying was just for attention or whether he really needed something.
Callum has even got Guinness and Scrumpy trained!!! Guinness seems to have taken on the role of overall protector. He is always nearby and pops by Callum now and again to make sure everthing is ok and gives him a quick lick on his hand. Scrumpy on the other hand has taken it upon himself to be a babysitter! Every small noise Callum made he would run over to us and nudge us. If we happened to be out of the room he would run up and jump or nudge us and then run back to Callum and continue this pattern (in his search training it is called a refind and can take a while to master). When it comes to changing Callum is picked up and Scrumpy sits there looking at Callum and looking at the changing mat as if to say "well that's where he goes get on with it" If Callum is taken out without Scrumpy, when we get back Scrumpy runs about making sure that we are all home safe and well and then Callum gets a quick lick on his hand or side of his head as if to say "its ok you are home now and I can look after you again" Somehow I think those two are going to be as thick as thieves and get into all kinds of mischief together.
So, now we are nearly 2 months old. Callum has grown out of all his newborn bits and is threatening not to be in the 0-3 month clothes for very long. Not surprising as he has an apetite like his Dad, can't really complain as it is better that worrying as he doesn't eat at all. We are all alot more settled and life is all the more exciting. Callum has started smiling a lot and very nearly giggled properly last night. Daryl and I were in stitches. He has a great personality but can wrap us round his little finger. Occasionally I get moments sat there watching him asleep thinking "I love you so much I just hope that I am being a good enough Mum for you" but I guess I will always feel like that, especially when he gets sick or hurts himself.
Now we are starting to look forward to his first Christmas. He won't really understand this year but it gets the adults in training for next year. Although Callum already has shown an interest in all the twinkling lights. His Grandad has booked him for his first visit to see Father Christmas in 3 weeks so we will see what he makes of that (if he is awake)]]>Baby Thttp://www.toogood.org.uk/index.php?itemid=30Sat, 1 Dec 2007 01:15:18 -0700Introducing Callum
http://www.toogood.org.uk/index.php?itemid=29
Callum arrived at 23:30 on the 6th October 2007 weighing 6lb 15oz
Niki endured at long and tiring labour..........21.5 hours of Active labour, and evry drug available lead to a vontouse delivery, but following this, both Mum and Callum were safe and well.
I got to hold our little man first, our Maroon saggy skined magot in a bundle of towels - how fantastic! This was the bit that I was worried about - holding our baby, give me a puppy anytime and I will pick em up and swim them around as if I have been doing it all my life, but holding a baby, your own baby, is something that is very different!
After Niki had been patched up and we left the theatres (after being told the rugby score by the anethatist) we went to the recovery room (where we agreed on his name) and then off to the ward where I got 5 mins with Niki and Callum and then promptly got kicked out!
A few of the family (and friends) got woken at about 02:00 in hte morning to tell them the good news and then on to the inlaws for some champagne!!!
The following morning my arms were killing me! I am not sure wether it was holding Niki's habds and runbbing her back during the delivery or holding on to young Callum that did it]]>Generalhttp://www.toogood.org.uk/index.php?itemid=29Sat, 17 Nov 2007 04:08:04 -0700Baby Update
http://www.toogood.org.uk/index.php?itemid=18
After being told Baby T (Maggott) would come early there is still no sign!
Baby is due to make his big entrance into the world on Friday so I guess there is still time. Had a Midwife appointment on Tuesday and the head is now engaged so that good news and everything else is fine just waiting for Baby to decide what day they would like to be born.
I personally think that he has seen the weather and decided not to make an appearance until it is warmer and drier and who can blame him!
Well that's all for now until there is news on Baby T making their big debut.]]>Generalhttp://www.toogood.org.uk/index.php?itemid=18Wed, 3 Oct 2007 12:50:37 -0600Foundation Degree Course
http://www.toogood.org.uk/index.php?itemid=17
I have very little information to be honest.
I believe I will be expected to attend Uni 1 day a week, a training school 2 days a week, and then will have 2 shifts on the road a week leaving me with 2 days off.
This will continue for the next 3 years where I can then practice as a Paramedic. Should I wish to continue onto a degree, I will have to re apply after a year qualified on the road and then complete a further year at University, this should end up with a BSc Hons!!!
If you want to find out how I am getting on, have a look at my Ambulance blog.]]>Generalhttp://www.toogood.org.uk/index.php?itemid=17Sat, 15 Sep 2007 06:28:02 -0600Baby T - Update
http://www.toogood.org.uk/index.php?itemid=16
Niki's tummy was a little larger than it should have been (I said he might have shoulders like mine! Ouch!!!)
The midwife then asked the due date - and then suggested that we might like to pack a bag for Niki (if we hadn't already) as we might need it a little sooner than might have been suggested.
The nursery has now been emptied of Boxes, and the walls have been stripped - best get a move on!!!]]>Baby Thttp://www.toogood.org.uk/index.php?itemid=16Sat, 25 Aug 2007 15:15:27 -0600Paramedic Degree Course Selection
http://www.toogood.org.uk/index.php?itemid=15
I have passed my selection tests to gain access to the foundation degree in Paramedic Science at Portsmouth University.
I have to pass an interview and then could start in either September, October or January.
I believe the course is day release (1 day a week) but don't know much more than that.
I will of course keep you updated!]]>Generalhttp://www.toogood.org.uk/index.php?itemid=15Sat, 25 Aug 2007 15:09:58 -0600The home straight!!
http://www.toogood.org.uk/index.php?itemid=14
I must admit to starting to get quite excited about it all really. I explained to Daryl it is the kind of apprehensive excitement just before a holiday of a lifetime. You are excited but also unsure of what exactly is going to happen. At the moment I am not worried about the birth at all but ask me again after.
We have started getting lots of bits and pieces together now and at the weekend bought the paint etc to decorate the nursery over the next 3 weeks. That is probably when it will really start to sink in for us. Luckily we have bought removable stickers so if maggott doesn't like the animals in a couple of years we can change them without too much bother. As far as baby bits go we made a list and then cut it down to essentials and nice to haves then again into bits we need as soon as baby is born and those that can wait. This was a great idea as the whole thing was alot less daunting now and I am pleased to say that we are pretty much there. Although it is all still in various carrier bags until the nursery is decorated. That reminds me I really ought to consider packing a bag for the hospital at some point.
As for maggott, well he seems to be growing daily now!! Every day I look down and swear my stomach has grown. I am looking forward to being able to see my knees and feet again without putting them up!! He has now advanced again and is not so much kicking as wriggling and stretching. It is very strange to see your stomach move into all sorts of strange shapes and to see a lump slowly move across your belly. And the feeling is twice as strange.
We were hoping to get around to seeing alot of people before maggott is born but it looks unlikely that this will happen. So next time the majority of you see the Toogoods it will be 3 and the dogs!!!! Don't worry I will make sure that we phone you in advance so you are prepared for the invasion ;o)]]>Baby Thttp://www.toogood.org.uk/index.php?itemid=14Tue, 7 Aug 2007 03:54:02 -0600The end of the begining or the begining of the end?
http://www.toogood.org.uk/index.php?itemid=13
I passed the hard part - the essay questions, but failed the 'easy' part the Multiple Choice.
To say I was gutted was a bit of an understatement!
Anyway, I have now applied for a Degree Paramedic Course - lets see how long they can drag out my selection this time!]]>Generalhttp://www.toogood.org.uk/index.php?itemid=13Fri, 3 Aug 2007 07:21:51 -0600Update
http://www.toogood.org.uk/index.php?itemid=12
.....Fat , I mean.....
......getting bigger, I mean....
.....blooming
Maggot is very active and you can even feel hands or feet through her tummy!!!
She keeps getting these Braxton Hicks things and also other aches and pains but apparently they are all normal. As Niki said, why is it that nobody ever talks about these aches and pains!
Other than that everything is going well.
She has an appointment with her Obstetric Consultant this week, her visit with the midwife the other week went well so we arn't expecting any surprises!
We have started buying bits and pieces - Lots of bedding, bottle sterilisers, thermometers, towles etc, but lots more still to get!