Rochelle: Just had my waters broken! It's all happening. (14/01/08, 19:44)
Emily: Good luck Shelly! I'll be thinking about you OK. Love you. (14/01/08 19:45)
Renee: Oh my god. Am so excited for you! Good luck and I look forward to hearing more news. Renee xx (14/01/08 19:45)
Alicia: Great news. Stay strong and safe delivery. I'll never forget bub's b'day if born tomorrow. It's my wedding anniversary. xoxo (14/01/08 19:47)
Kez: Wooohooo! Go you good thing. Good luck! Oh how exciting! (14/01/08 19:55)
Ez: Yay yay yay! Good luck, you'll be fabulous. (14/01/08 20:04)
Elise: I am so so so excited! I don't think I've ever been this excited! And you are so calm. You are amazing! (14/01/08 20:16)
Alana: Wow! So exciting! You are going to do great. My phone is broke so this is Ben's number. Love you xo (14/01/08 20:33)
Kez: Is it out yet? Just kidding. How am I supposed to sleep? Just think, tomorrow, what a great day! (14/01/08 20:34)
Tess: Wow! You'll be great! Remember the pain will end. Let me know (14/01/08 20:59)
Jade: What's happening? Is everything OK? I don't know if I'm going to be able 2 sleep 2nite from excitement! (14/01/08 22:24)
Rochelle: Otis James is here! He is perfect. Born at 2:25am, 3940g and 54.5cm. He has hair! And huge feet. We are thrilled. (15/01/08 03:55)
Alison: Congratulations xxxxx love Alison Michael Joshua Samara and James (15/01/08 03:59)
Elise: I am so so happy for you! Congratulations! Amazing! I hope you are all fantastic and can't wait to see you all (15/01/08 04:07)
Katrina: Congratulations. I'm thrilled for you. Enjoy your little man (15/01/08 04:08)
Alicia: Well done and congratulations. Can't wait to meet him xoxo (15/01/08 04:08)
Kez: I told you I couldn't sleep! Congratulations all 3 of you! Can't wait to meet Lil Otis. Enjoy the cuddles! (15/01/08 04:08)
Ez: Congratulations to you both! He sounds perfect. I can't wait to meet him. I hope you got through it OK xxx (15/01/08 04:10)
Tess: I am so happy 4u guys. Congrats. Can't wait to meet him. Big hugs 2 u and him. I bet he's absolutely beautiful. Love 2 u all xoxoxoxox (15/01/08 04:11)
Jade: Oh my goodness! Congratulations! I love love love the name. He's already tall for his age! I hope your not too sore. Luv u all xxx (15/01/08 04:14)
Mum: I am so so proud of you and Phil too! You were amazing and my grandson is perfect! I love you very much and welcome to the exclusive group that is motherhood! (15/01/08 05:11)
Brett: Congrats to you both, very happy for you guys, looking forward to meeting your little man! Brett (15/01/08 08:00)
Rhiann: Congratulations guy! Wonder what took little Otis so long? When do you think you'll be home? I can't wait to meet Otis, but I'd rather come and see you in hospital and let you settle into life at home uninterrupted. This great guys, well done xxx (15/01/08 08:56)
Renee: Congratulations! I am so excited and happy for you all. I can't wait to meet your new little man! Renee x (15/01/08 09:08)
Ez: Good morning mummy daddy and otis. I hope you're feeling ok this morning, it must have been a big night. congratulations again, it's so exciting xxx (15/01/08 09:29)
Alana: Congratulations! So happy for you both! Can't wait to see you! Beautiful name! (15/01/08 09:54)
Katie: Congratulations Rochelle! I can't wait to meet your beautiful son. Kristen said you were amazing. Look forward to catching up with the new Hammond family xox (15/01/08 10:16)
Bart: Congratulations Rochelle and Phil! Can't wait to see him! (15/01/08 10:17)
Mark: Congratulations darl!!! Hope you're feeling OK and hope Otis James is well... And Phil... See you soon (15/01/08 10:19)
Lan: I love you so much. Am quite sure the most amazing birth ever. I am the proudest sister ever. You were unbelievable and a bit funny also. I'm in love the the cutest baby alive! You did it! (15/01/08 11:26)
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Otis' First Christmas
The day certainly failed to match my expectations. It was lovely, so lovely, to wake up on Christmas morning all snuggled up with my little man. I breathed in his yumminess, and remembered Christmas 2007, the impatience and fear and desire. I had no idea. None.
After waking up at around 6, Phil, Otis and I emptied our stockings (a team effort, made by Katrina, Phil and I), to find lots of chocolate-y delights. Otis enjoyed a foil-covered Santa and a foil-covered teddy bear for breakfast! I had also included a car t-shirt, some rubber Halloween bats, some jungle animal figurines, and a very special, Bonds chesty, featuring a custom-made 'Dad' tattoo transfer — I gave Phil a matching tattoo-emblazoned chesty. His, of course, read 'Otis'.
We headed over to Mum's, and all sat around the tree, opening gifts with gusto. Otis was given a rocking giraffe (Santa), a box of Duplo (us), a Dr Seuss book (us), a bubble (Santa), a spinning Elmo chair (Mum), a kick/boogie board (Bart), a Bananas in Pyjamas ball (Mum), some Christmas bibs (Jord), a Baby Genius San Diego zoo DVD (Lan), a bath toy (Lan). Then at Noelene's he received a book and a football (Noelene), money for the WeeRide, which we purchased yesterday (Noelene), a pull-along puppy (Ben and Kim) and a Reebok tracksuit (Sandra).
He was very cute in his Santa suit — complete with the words Ho, Ho, Ho on the bum — but VERY clingy (I heard no end of it from Harvey, as per usual) and very tired. It was all just too much. He slept for 2.5 hours in the middle of the day, which gave me time to enjoy my meal and talk to other adults. But he was dreadful again by dinner time. Not a happy boy.
Maybe next year will be different!
After waking up at around 6, Phil, Otis and I emptied our stockings (a team effort, made by Katrina, Phil and I), to find lots of chocolate-y delights. Otis enjoyed a foil-covered Santa and a foil-covered teddy bear for breakfast! I had also included a car t-shirt, some rubber Halloween bats, some jungle animal figurines, and a very special, Bonds chesty, featuring a custom-made 'Dad' tattoo transfer — I gave Phil a matching tattoo-emblazoned chesty. His, of course, read 'Otis'.
We headed over to Mum's, and all sat around the tree, opening gifts with gusto. Otis was given a rocking giraffe (Santa), a box of Duplo (us), a Dr Seuss book (us), a bubble (Santa), a spinning Elmo chair (Mum), a kick/boogie board (Bart), a Bananas in Pyjamas ball (Mum), some Christmas bibs (Jord), a Baby Genius San Diego zoo DVD (Lan), a bath toy (Lan). Then at Noelene's he received a book and a football (Noelene), money for the WeeRide, which we purchased yesterday (Noelene), a pull-along puppy (Ben and Kim) and a Reebok tracksuit (Sandra).
He was very cute in his Santa suit — complete with the words Ho, Ho, Ho on the bum — but VERY clingy (I heard no end of it from Harvey, as per usual) and very tired. It was all just too much. He slept for 2.5 hours in the middle of the day, which gave me time to enjoy my meal and talk to other adults. But he was dreadful again by dinner time. Not a happy boy.
Maybe next year will be different!
Monday, December 22, 2008
Communication...
Otis is starting to communicate so much effectively! It's so much fun. Finally, I have a bit more insight into his mind... I am getting acquainted with him on a whole new level. I love it.
He now waves the moment he hears the words "bye bye" or "goodnight" uttered. His waves vary in style, enthusiasm and effort — if he's feeling lazy, or, perhaps, a little reserved, he simply flops his hand about, the movement only starting at the wrist. This is minimum effort, maximum cuteness. At other times the whole arm flaps up and down madly, accompanied by a manic cackle and massive, toothy smile. Sometimes the whole body moves as well — this is more of a goodbye dance. He waves to all and sundry — me, Phil, Grandma, the ladies at the fruit shop, characters on the TV screen.
The biggest development, which has occurred only this last week, is that he is now pointing. He points in awe at things beautiful and bold — a squawking cockatoo, the black and gold taped telegraph wires that hang above the crossing on Morts Rd, Christmas ornaments... Dare I say it? Me! He points because he wants to get closer to whatever it is he's selected. This is, most often, me. He's very clingy again all of a sudden. His happiest moment is when he climbs on top of me after waking in the morning, we lie there, chest-to-chest, cheek-to-cheek, and breathe against one another. He often strokes my face, pulls my hair. Sucks furiously on his dummy. I've never been on the receiving end of such infatuation before!
Another thing he's doing now is mimicking us. He's far from accurate, but there's no mistaking it. I say "byyyyyyye" and he says "baa". It's the start of something...
He's shaking his head more too. Mostly when I try to feed him and he's not interested, or when I ask him to give me something ("Ta, Otis"), or when I tell him not to do something naughty.
At 11 months he weighs 10.4kg and is 78cm tall.
He now waves the moment he hears the words "bye bye" or "goodnight" uttered. His waves vary in style, enthusiasm and effort — if he's feeling lazy, or, perhaps, a little reserved, he simply flops his hand about, the movement only starting at the wrist. This is minimum effort, maximum cuteness. At other times the whole arm flaps up and down madly, accompanied by a manic cackle and massive, toothy smile. Sometimes the whole body moves as well — this is more of a goodbye dance. He waves to all and sundry — me, Phil, Grandma, the ladies at the fruit shop, characters on the TV screen.
The biggest development, which has occurred only this last week, is that he is now pointing. He points in awe at things beautiful and bold — a squawking cockatoo, the black and gold taped telegraph wires that hang above the crossing on Morts Rd, Christmas ornaments... Dare I say it? Me! He points because he wants to get closer to whatever it is he's selected. This is, most often, me. He's very clingy again all of a sudden. His happiest moment is when he climbs on top of me after waking in the morning, we lie there, chest-to-chest, cheek-to-cheek, and breathe against one another. He often strokes my face, pulls my hair. Sucks furiously on his dummy. I've never been on the receiving end of such infatuation before!
Another thing he's doing now is mimicking us. He's far from accurate, but there's no mistaking it. I say "byyyyyyye" and he says "baa". It's the start of something...
He's shaking his head more too. Mostly when I try to feed him and he's not interested, or when I ask him to give me something ("Ta, Otis"), or when I tell him not to do something naughty.
At 11 months he weighs 10.4kg and is 78cm tall.
Friday, December 19, 2008
The selfish side of parenting...
This is an idea I have for a freelance piece, so I'll only be very brief in communicating it here.
There is a notion that mothering is the pinnacle of selflessness. How untrue this is. In some ways, it brings out my worst, most selfish side — it reveals this to me, and, also, perhaps, my son.
I am a mother because I wanted to be. I fantasised night and day about snuggling up to a warm little body, about carting around a cute little face — a cute little face I created. I relished the spectacle of my pregnancy. I felt smug about my ability to conceive and carry my baby to term.
Me, me, me, me, me...
I could go on.
Why is it that I love him ever so slightly more when he's asleep?
Right now he's sleeping on our bed — his bed, too, I guess — next to his Daddy, who's reading. He's sprawled out, sweaty and absolutely stunning.
There is a notion that mothering is the pinnacle of selflessness. How untrue this is. In some ways, it brings out my worst, most selfish side — it reveals this to me, and, also, perhaps, my son.
I am a mother because I wanted to be. I fantasised night and day about snuggling up to a warm little body, about carting around a cute little face — a cute little face I created. I relished the spectacle of my pregnancy. I felt smug about my ability to conceive and carry my baby to term.
Me, me, me, me, me...
I could go on.
Why is it that I love him ever so slightly more when he's asleep?
Right now he's sleeping on our bed — his bed, too, I guess — next to his Daddy, who's reading. He's sprawled out, sweaty and absolutely stunning.
Friday, December 5, 2008
Things I love about Otis...
I love his long hair, the white gold threads that cover his ears and curl at the nape of his neck.
I love his two scarily sharpened bottom teeth, the teeth he exposes whenever he smiles.
I love his fits of giggles. His face splits in two and widens. His cheeks redden and his eyes sparkle.
I love his sturdy little legs, legs that allow him to stand with assistance, to crawl at a furious rate, to climb, to pull himself up whilst holding onto my jeans. He stares up at me beseechingly, innocently, as if he knows how irresistable he is.
I love the way he forces complete strangers to interact with him. He coos and laughs and stares until they respond in kind. He's definitely not shy!
I love the way he shakes his head when he's had enough breastmilk or food. He closes his eyes, smiling, seemingly so satisfied in the knowledge that he is communicating with me.
I love his searching toe. I love that he has a searching toe. Phil says its searching for Mama...
I love that he now sleeps so well during the day. His day sleeps are predictable and easy. One 1.5 hour morning nap, and one 1 hour afternoon nap. Perfect.
I love his reaction to other children. The joy and excitement is palpable. He kicks his legs, waves his arms, grins and hyperventilates. You can't miss it. This gives me confidence in my decision to book him into Occy's Place for next year. I know he'll be just fine.
I love that, when he's in the mood, he'll now wave goodbye.
I love cuddling him, warm and stunningly pretty, during the night while we sleep. I used to want him out of our bed — now I cherish the fact that he's still in it, for much of each night, knowing just how much I'll miss it when it no longer happens.
I love his two scarily sharpened bottom teeth, the teeth he exposes whenever he smiles.
I love his fits of giggles. His face splits in two and widens. His cheeks redden and his eyes sparkle.
I love his sturdy little legs, legs that allow him to stand with assistance, to crawl at a furious rate, to climb, to pull himself up whilst holding onto my jeans. He stares up at me beseechingly, innocently, as if he knows how irresistable he is.
I love the way he forces complete strangers to interact with him. He coos and laughs and stares until they respond in kind. He's definitely not shy!
I love the way he shakes his head when he's had enough breastmilk or food. He closes his eyes, smiling, seemingly so satisfied in the knowledge that he is communicating with me.
I love his searching toe. I love that he has a searching toe. Phil says its searching for Mama...
I love that he now sleeps so well during the day. His day sleeps are predictable and easy. One 1.5 hour morning nap, and one 1 hour afternoon nap. Perfect.
I love his reaction to other children. The joy and excitement is palpable. He kicks his legs, waves his arms, grins and hyperventilates. You can't miss it. This gives me confidence in my decision to book him into Occy's Place for next year. I know he'll be just fine.
I love that, when he's in the mood, he'll now wave goodbye.
I love cuddling him, warm and stunningly pretty, during the night while we sleep. I used to want him out of our bed — now I cherish the fact that he's still in it, for much of each night, knowing just how much I'll miss it when it no longer happens.
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