3rd February 2006

He has started to flesh out a bit now. His skin is slightly less red and translucent and more baby pink. He is gaining weight at a rapid rate at the moment. I am convinced he is trying to catch up as fast as possible. I have some lovely photographs for his 2 month Anniversary. Its around his due date so from now on expect normal full term baby development. I cant wait until he smiles at me and it isn't just wind !

3rd February 2006 - Hearing Test

All new born babies now have a hearing screening test. Zachary failed his in hospital so we had to go back to Worcester Royal for a proper test. He did really well despite feeling a little bit overwhelmed by all the machines and passed with flying colours. We managed to get him to sleep peacefully after a while and bless him he didn't even moan when all the pads that were stuck on with gel had to be ripped off.

4th Feb 2006 - Cuddle with Taid

Cuddles are the best thing in the world. Zachary is still very small and really not very awake yet so sometimes he doesn't really like to be handled much. Over stimulated and tired makes him even more irritable. Since he tends to be sickly anyway we try not to overdo the excitement. Cuddling with Taid though is nice because he has a nice low voice and big hands to make you feel really secure when you are a tiny baby that makes a real difference.

12th February 2006 - Meeting Great Grandma

Meeting Great Grandma was interesting. Unfortunately my Nana has a form of Alzheimer's and these days does not know who any of us are. She knew she was holding a baby but kept asking my Mum if he was hers. She cried a little bit and said he was really pretty. I am sure it made her happy to hold him which is all that counts really. Zachary's Great Grandpa comes and baby sits for him sometimes which is really nice for both of the. Of course it also means mummy gets to have a chance to swim or something.

14th February - valentines day

Valentines Day and here is my perfect little man trying hard to ignore the fact that we are taking pictures of him. Mum knitted him a new hat to wear out with flaps to keep his ears nice and warm. Its important that I keep him wrapped up nice and warm. Premature babies tend to have immature immune systems so can be prone to catching bugs etc more than full term babies.

17th February 2006 - Sunny day - lazing about sleeping in the sun

Today was a gorgeous day so we sat in the conservatory and read books. Zachary slept on a chair for a while and looked so angelic I took the opportunity to take some photographs. He is starting to look much more fleshed out, fat and chubby as well as really long.

The moses basket that Zachary sleeps in was given to me by my oldest and one of my best friends 'Fiona'. Her little boy slept in it and she kept it for the day when one of her friends might use it too. Zachary and I were lucky enough to be the recipients of this lovely gift and because he has been so small for so long it has lasted well too.

This is the chair I put him down to sleep on. You know what they say about letting sleeping cats and dogs lie. Because he tends to be unsettled it was so nice to see him relaxed that we let him sleep and sleep. It must be so nice for summer babies to be able to sleep in the sunlit day and also to be able to wear less clothes. He has a real thing about being undressed. He hates the bath and being changed for that reason.

February 21st - Wide Awake

Wide Awake and ready to look at the world. It only lasted about 30 min but today was the first day that Zachary decided to open his eyes and have a proper look at the world. He looked quite calm about the whole thing until he realised he was hungry of course. He weighs a whopping 7lb now. He can't see far but hey at the moment he only needs to see as far as my face!

February 28th - Baby Bath Time and Sleep

Baby baths are lovely. Seeing his little feet curl up when he feels the water and watch him splash about with wonder at this liquid thing around him is so lovely. He loves his baths. Zachary's first bath was in hospital and because he was really very unaware of the world around him I am not certain how much of it he was aware of but even back then he seemed to love it. I can't wait to start swimming lessons with him and see what he makes of the really big bath - the swimming pool! After his bath he gets a baby massage which he also really loves. An olive oil rub down - what luxury.

Meantime I am shattered. Being a new mum is really hard work. Does it sound as if I am shocked at that well maybe it is something I have never really thought about and yes until you experience it you have no idea. It has been two months since Zachary came home and the thing I would love most to do right now is sleep one night in my own bed all night long! Sleep depravation has been used as a form of torture in the past. Well they should talk to the zillions of women worldwide across history who have children. Knackered - I have never known anything like it. Miraculously although you are tired to the point of exhaustion you still keep on getting up and doing what you need to do to care for your baby. Apparently human babies are among very few mammals who are completely helpless at birth and require constant need from their parents to nurture them. What you mean he can't just get his own breakfast? I've only had 2 hrs sleep but here I am making sure he is happy, clean, well fed and comfortable. I look like hell and probably smell like it too and can't remember when I last ate but baby comes first. The miracle is that I don't care. I would starve as long as he was happy. I guess that is what they call a mothers love.

I would also love to take a long Hot Soapy Bath. For the moment though I have to be happy with watching Zachary enjoy his bath and dream for the time when he sleeps long enough either at night or during the day for me to take time to either sleep properly or have that long overdue hot soapy bath. I have a bottle of luxury bath foam waiting!