3 weeks old...

Harry in his jungle friends outfit given by Aunty Moo...

I've started expressing some milk in the evenings so that Russ can also get a chance to feed our beauty...What a face!!

Bath fun

Such a smart looking boy...

Our second favourite past-time...

First weeks

Wow...I can't believe that it has been almost two weeks since the birth of our boy. The days are melting into each other and Russ and I are completely drunk on love for him.
The boy is co-sleeping with me and gets to feed whenever he wants without a fuss, so we experience very little crying or unhappiness. Adapting to life with little one is awesome...I'm not fighting anything and am just letting things unfold naturally. He seems to already be establishing his own routine...works for me :)

My mum got us a really cool carrier, which the boy loves. We've been going on regular walks and he stays toasty warm against his dad's chest.

Lola gets in on the fun too...

Massages in the sun...one of our favourite past times...

Young master Harry

 Harry is here...

It has now been five days since our beautiful son's birth. We are absolutely smitten. Russ managed to take the week off work and I am endlessly grateful to him and my mother for their support, help and love.

Having a home birth has been one of the singularly most important events of my life and is one that I am proudest of. It was a long back labour, as Harry was lying posterior and was extremely exhausting and difficult. But after 27 hours I could feel his head moving down and it gave me such an immense boost of energy that the final part felt easier than the labour itself and more exhilarating than anything I have ever experienced.
Russell and my mother gave me firm acupressure on my lower back throughout labour, and in combination with the warm water of the birth pool was immensely effective pain relief. I also swear by Rescue Remedy and Arnica, as they did wonders during the times my body was shaking with exhaustion and shock. An angel friend of mine who is an osteopath happened to come around that day and gave me a spontaneous treatment which I am convinced helped a lot.

And then, in a whirl of fluid and exclamations, Harry spun out into the world and was caught by his father. We had instant skin-on-skin contact and he looked at the world around him calmly with an alertness I didn't think possible in a newborn.

Here is a photo story of the labour and birth, as well as some pics of Harry. Hope you enjoy!

30/06 Labour started that afternoon.

30/06 setting up the pool

1/07 Last few hours of labour

Acupressure for pain relief

  

Welcome Harry...

Proud Ouma

First 3 days...