4 months old! Endings and beginnings...

Well, i was slow in posting before, but this is ridiculous!

Sorry, about the lack of updates, obvious excuse being a new parent and all that, but to be honest original reason for the whole blog was to follow the pregnancy, and the birth kind of finished that 'section' off! So i'm doing this final post, putting up some recent pictures, and leaving it there....

.....and starting another one, which can have a better, and more, accurate URL, and i will try, i really will, to post a bit more regularly - short and sweet with lots of pics i think is the way to go! Also, can people just drop me a comment please, so i know at least someone is reading and it's worthwhile continuing? Pretty please? :)

So, brief re-cap for those that not been in so much contact with - been such a great 4 months, it's flown by, had so many ups, and a few downs, but now really settling into things and have got into a pretty good 'routine'. So much to be covered to be honest, so i'll keep it brief, perhaps little sections eh?

First few weeks
Crazy - all over the place, lots of sleep deprivation, cryin, oh the crying, but you know what? It was great! So many visitors, gifts, well-wishes, all pretty over-whelming to be honest - even now, memories are fading, and loooking back "ah, it wasn't that bad!!" (No, no other ones planned just yet!!)

Feeding and weight
Biggest area of concern but through the worst now i think. most of you know i guess but Eve wasn't putting weight on well or consistently - starting low on the NHS weight gain charts, and soon dropping off it completly - below the 0.2 centile - not good! Susan was breast feeding, and although took a few days getting used to it, got going well, and Eve certainly fed well, it was just she wasn't getting the fat, calories etc she needed, for a reason we don't know - certainly nothing Susan had done, she has been incredible.

Anyway, putting Eve onto formula, on doctor's suggestions, worked wonders - about 40 ounces in about 4 weeks! She became a different baby - so much more content, 'filling out' - she was small, but now really catching up - been weigned next week, and i'd say she's 12 / 13 pounds. That's nearly a stone! Oddly, her height and head measurements have always been fine, so she's going to be tall, slim and brainy :) and beautiful of course!

Personality and control (what an odd title!)
Eve has been so alert, right from the word go - so many people comment on her lovely wide eyes and she has been so good at following you with her eyes, and now head. Her first smile was amazing, and now we get them so often, she really is i think a happy little baby - sure, gets a bit grumpy now and then, usually needing sleep, a feed or a poo. but don't we all get a little grumpy then? :) She has a great 'bottom-lip' sulk, which to be honest is so sweet you can forgive the crying that will follow! She's really good at head and neck control, and sitting up too.

Bathtime
We love bath time - first time i was terrified, now done so many, could do it with my eyes shut. Though that would be silly. Eve loves the water - been swimming a few times too, so so cute in her little swimming costume and rubber ring!

Out and about
Pushchair is great - it's like a transformer, car seat is great, love going out on walks and only forgotten things like blankets and spare nappies once or twice! It's easier than i thought getting out and about with a baby, have to say, even managed to get to the Lakes and Wales for some hols earlier this month, which Eve loved

Sleep
We're clawing it back!! No serioulsy, big lack of uninterrupted sleep in first few months, but now Eve is going pretty much through the night - 8pm to 6am most nights. I'm very happy with that! She's still in with us at the moment, but soon to her cot in the nursery. Going to have to get a little sleeping bag (type-thing) for the winter, she loves to kick off her blanket (also, babies assume the funniest sleeping position - the 'dissected frog' i think Chris called it!!)



There is so much more i can write, i'll remember a dozen things as soon as i've posted this, but i love being a daddy, it's the best thing! Susan loves being a mummy too. Bloomin hard at times, but worth every effort. Those first smiles, giggles, happy bath times, funny habits, etc all such lovely moments.

Anyway, who cares about that - all you want is some piccies!

Well, my facebook and myspace accounts have lots of earlier ones - go sign up, especially facebook, not just for kids! You can see those pics here, i think, even without an account: -

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=5356&l=b882f&id=540371702

And join up if you haven't already!

And here are some recent ones: -



She threw this onto her own head!

I love her so much!!! She loves looking into the mirror with her daddy, loads of smiles, but as soon as she sees a camera, the smiles go!


Bumbo seat!

Please send me some comments or mails, and this will be the final post for THIS blog - hopefully to be continued on a much more regular basis over at:-

http://tim-susan-eve.blogspot.com/
(nothing there at moment though)

See, a much better URL for our family!!! (though i oddly decided to keep them darn hyphens, even though i usually forget them myself timsusaneve just don't look right!) Any more kids and i'll start again!


Love Tim, Susan and Eve xxxx

Eve Connie Jelves

Eve was born at 4.49am, on Friday 27th April 2007 - 10 days overdue, but she's here now and it was such an amazing experience.

During the last few weeks, Susan's blood pressure, which has never been a problem, has been all over the place, and combined with a few other things, wasnt good for an overdue pregnant lady - biggest concern was something called Pre-eclampsia, which can be very serious. We had a few 'dashes' to the hospital after the community midwife found high blod pressure, but of course when we were there, with their more sophiticated equipment, it was closer to normal. We booked to be induced at 2 weeks overdue, but the hospital bought this forward to Thurs. 26th. due to protein in urine / high blood pressure.

Come that Thursday, we were at the hospital at 8am, got checked in and settled etc. We probably didn't get too much sleep the night before and both had a real mix of feelings. The process was 'started' at about 9.30am, with a pessary, which isn't to nice, and takes time to work - progress is checked every 6 or so hours!! So, cue waiting...reading...wandering around the hospital...lunch (which wasn't as bad as you fear with hospital food). Around 4ish, Susan by then was starting to feel some real discomfort and by 6ish, contractions had started in earnest - this was scary, as an induced labour is basically a lot faster and more intense. Susan was in a lot of pain - every few minutes, so no chance for resting between. Susan was examined, her waters broken and we were moved to a delivery room.

She used a borrowed TENS machine (which Tim had tried a few weeks earlier, and found to be just annoying!!) and the gas air, which helped a bit, the latter being great, making her high as a kite!! The pain was getting too much though, so she had an epidural about 9.30ish, by which time she was 'only' 3cm dlated,so we were prepared for a very ong labour. The epidural was fantastic, gave so much relief - to Tim too, yes i know it's nothing but seeing your wife in agony for hours isn't the best thing - and we were able to get some rest. About 1am, Susan was examined again, and was about 9cm dilated - things had gone much quicker than we'd feared, so this both got us really awake and excited!

Anyway, a few hours on, Susan started pushing, i naively thought it'd be all done in 10 minutes or so. Well, we both did! Over an hour later, Susan very, very tired, and although progress had been made,no baby yet - head (with hair!!) just about visible. This bump we'd known for the last months was actually a real baby inside! Anyway, babies hear rate was fluctuating a bit and needed a Ventouse to help out the last little bit - once this was attached and the room got a lot fuller with doctor, etc, out pops little Eve - being a girl defying everyone's expectations of a boy! Except Tim's! Last 10 or 20 minutes were a little scary but as soon as we heard the first cry and saw her, it was just amazing. She was perfect - the first thing i noticed were her HUGE feet, then a quick scan, all seemed ok.

Bit of a blur after that, clean up Susan - only needed 1 stitch, which was really good. I got a quick glimpse of the 'business' end....not nice!! Took lots of photos, we both cried (start of a few times for me to cry over the next few days!! I'm such a girl...)

After an hour or two i left to phone family, then a few more hours for bonding.cleaning up...moving Susan to a ward. I went home for a few hours kip, went back, got lots of visitors, lots of photos, new experiences etc.

We left very late Friday evening, getting home (for what turned out to be not much sleep!!) about 10pm. Hospital just wanted to make sure we were ok with feeding, Eve had wee'd and poo'd etc. n fact, just like to say now that the much-maligned NHS deserves some credit, we could not fault the care, support, facilities etc of the Leicester General - the staff were just great - you here so much moaning, but out experience was amazing. In particular, Angie and Nikki, the midwives who were with us the whole time in the delivery room, were so, so good. My hat goes off to these people, and our heart felt thanks.

Anyway, here's a few pics - few different to ones i e-mailed out i think. More in a week or so - so far, birth was just the start !!

Any day now!

Hi,

We're now officially overdue, 1 day at time of writing!

I'm back at work, nervously waiting for a phone call, after a lovely 2 weeks off for Easter. We were hoping baby would arrive early, so my paternity leave could run straight after Easter, but alas not to be. We normally go away somewhere at Easter, but it was a nice change to be at home, got lots done - we're as ready as we're going to be i guess. Nursery is finally all finished, and if you look back at previous posts, you can see it's looking a lot better. Finished the main bits quite a while back actually, just last few odd bits, that always seems to drag on. well, they do with us! Had to have a lot of electrics work done, but at least that's also sorted, so when come to sell house, one less thing to worry about.

Susan is going a bit stir-crazy and bored at home, we're both anxious and excited, of course, all sorts of mixed emotions. I'm sure it's going to come at a silly time, and guess that'll be the start of the lost sleep.

I finally got my Nintendo Wii a few weeks ago (about 5 weeks to wait for pre-order!!) and we both love it, Susan especially - first labour bought on by intensive Wii Play or Sports? Who knows!! I make no apologies for my love of video games, even as a 'grown up' - i don't think our kids when they're older will be asking too hard for the new systems, i'll get them first!! Having said that, no way i'm getting a Playstation 3 till a big price cut - silly money. Won't be long, no-one wants them, supposed massive over-stocking.

Annnnnyway, slight side-track. Er, what else?? You know in my first post (or second, can't remember) i said MySpace is for kids? Well, it is, but i got one now, ahem.. and it's great for finding old friends etc! So i'm at:-

http://uk.myspace.com/timjelves

A few pics up there, that's about it at the moment. I'll update that as often as i do this blog!! heh heh :)

Anyway, here's nursery as is now. Bye for now!

4 weeks to go!

Getting very close now, and as this pic shows, i wouldn't be surprised if baby came earlier: -



Taken about a week ago, and as you can see, Star Wars influences haven't been totally eradicated since being married...

Anyway, a few updates: -

Susan is doing really well, but starting to get a bit fed up with the whole awkwardness, water retention, weak bladder, etc that comes with a pregnancy. She's bearing up really well though, and i love her more and more each day. I'm so proud of her! :) Susan's taking iron tablets, her iron has always been a little low, pregnant or otherwise, but they seem to be doing the trick at the moment.

Susan had her baby shower a few weeks back, organised by Wendy and Katie. For those that don't know exactly what that is - and i'd have been in that category! - just an excuse for lots of gifts and women to get together and gossip. ahem. All had a great time, Susan was very touched so many came (it wasn't a surprise, she kept hinting strongly for one!) and we now have more talculm powder than Boots!

Tim went to the pub.

Nursey is looking pretty good - should be all finished next week - photos to come. Certainly a transformation from what it was.

We've got just about everything we think we'll need, Susan's hospital bag is packed (mine isn't) and I hope baby comes during my easter break, so i won't be at work! Little things like putting clothes in the wardrobe and building the cot hit home at exactly what is coming! I'm starting to get both really nervous and also incredibly excited - this is huge isn't it? Well, i've known that all along of course, and i'm sure i'm as ready as i'll ever be but it all still amazes me.

I think we've decided on names we like, and of course not knowing what sex it's going be (i still have to bite my tongue when people ask "Do you know what it is?" - "why yes, we think it's a baby!") means we have both boy and girl names. Nothing is 100% decided though, so late suggestions welcome!

Finally, we're both really anxious to finally meet this baby. What will it look like? Who will it follow after? Boy or girl? How heavy? And a million-and-one other questions.

Parentcraft classes

Not quite got this regular posting sorted yet...short and sweet is the way to go i think. Though is anyone actually reading??

We've done our 2 'Parent Craft' classes together - ante-natal in other words - and Susan attended a third, women only one (involved breast feeding so men weren't allowed due to too much sniggering probably...).

The classes were really good, covered a lot of subjects, mostly focused around labour and delivery, and we got a look around the General's maternity unit - it always seems so calm and quiet there, hope it stays that way when we are there 'for real'.

First class was taken by a very stern lady, who scared me little but she did warm to us later on. I get the feeling she thought (probably quite rightly) that men are, well, idiots pretty much.

I've already forgotten half of what was talked about, but it was interesting. Second class focused on massage and comfort during labour etc. No we didn't watch a video, no we didn't have to do any breathing exercises, as such, and it allayed a lot of our nerves and fears. Still terrified, but hey ho!!

There used to be more classes, but NHS cut backs and all that. Isn't the UK just turning into the most rubbish country you could imagine?

New Car

Wow - i really should post more often... sorry :)

Anyway, I think 'short and sweet' may be the route to prevent this blogging drought. If anyone is reading? Anyway, on with the blog!

Here's our new car: -

A pproper family car - how grown up we are...It's great like driving a bus. Well, a small bus. Certainly a step up for Susan, after her Metro...sorry, Rover 100. Though Susan's done great adapting, driving it more than me i think!

We decided early on in the pregnancy that a bigger car would be better, and buying the travel system confirmed the fact - small baby = loads of stuff! I had no real preference to be honest, but Susan had always liked the Citroen Xsara Picasso (and blimey, aren't they common? Now we're driving one, we've noticed about half the country seem to have one...). I saw an advert in the college staff newsletter, really good price, only 1 previous owner and came at right time...so, we got it.

Now to get rid of our old cars! The Metro should be easy, a queue of people for that, and i don't think should have too much trouble getting rid of my 206. Any one interested? £2000ish, though not looked at list prices yet. I even cleaned it (inside!!) the other day.

So we're going to be a one-car family - how very green of us. From September, i very likely won't have parking at work, as we move to a much nicer campus, but with less parking, so back to bus and bike, which i don't mind at all, so cheaper to just have one car, and Susan to use it mainly.

Bus is £3.70 return at the moment, which is scary. I'm cycling average of twice a week, so i put idea to Susan that i get to keep the £7.40 saved. Funnily enough, she didn't go for that idea!

Still, biking = great fun, getting fitness back and cheap, bus = able to read more which is always good - i used to get through so many books in the years of bus travel before i had my car. Also met my wife on the bus!! (Though not planning to do that again!!).

My what a beautiful baby!

Getting in some practice, though perhaps it should have been Tim, as Susan pretty much knows what she's doing!

And, yes, Tigger is a giant among cats. Though he's on a diet, so don't tease him.