Thursday, 23 October 2008

Greetings from the Biddle Clan

Well, here we are, just ten days after our second precious little son, Kyle, entered the world and whom we absolutely adore, and I have to say that we are really enjoying being a family of 4 - albeit a bit hectic, but it's to be expected and part of the fun. Somehow our family feels more complete now too. Asked by my obstetrician, more tongue-in-cheek at this stage, if we'll have any more kids, I have to say, it would be tempting, especially as we've been blessed to have 2 content babies to date, but right now we are focussing on the family we do have and are enjoying special times together, but also, from the cost point of view, I think it's probably wise to only have 2 kids these days, sadly.

Another caesarian was in order for me which was the decision taken last monday at my check-up and scan, since Kyle didn't want to be born naturally. Given that he was a posterior presenting baby which would have made natural delivery tricky and risky at that, we also discovered while I was on the operating table, that he had his cord around his neck which was another good reason for the caesar, which I was more than happy to have, given the complications that may have ensued if I'd gone into labour. While we half prepared for having a caesar on the 13th if necessary, I guess we still thought it might be later in the week, so when it became clear that we'd be able to have the caesar later that same day, it seemed to make perfect sense. It was only when driving back to the hospital an hour later, after doing the necessary admin, then dashing home to fetch our bags before returning, that it hit me we were going to have our baby in a few hours and I'll be honest, my emotions took over for a brief spell, but then the excitement of it all made me all the more happy that it was happening. What was supposed to be a 3.30pm caesar, ended up being an hour later, with Kyle being born at 16.58pm on the 13th October. The op went well and despite feeling terrible nausea at one point during the op, and issuing a rather anxious request to the anaethetist for something to be added to my drip which he did, I have to say it was a very happy and positive birth experience. The spinal block numbed me from the waist down for a few hours thereafter, but boy oh boy, when the feeling came back to my lower regions, the pain from the cut was quite intense and for this I was given a cyclomorph jab for pain which I didn't realise would be so strong as to make me drowsy for the next 24 hours, but also controlling the pain. As is routine, I stayed in hospital 3 nights and did nothing more than feed Kyle and sleep which was what I needed, and I have to say I made the most of the chance to just rest - not even managing to read an article in any one of the magazines my family brought for me to read. I didn't even get near the crossword this time! Of course, my day was brightened by the visitors who came - family and friends and at least the day didn't feel so long. Before I knew it, thursday arrived and I was discharged and able to come home with Kyle, who although slightly jaundiced, it was not critical. As much as I was looking forward to going home, I think it was all quite overwhelming when we got home, as I suddenly felt I had been jolted back into the swing of things too quickly and hit a bit of a low on friday, which with the pain and discomfort, made me wish I could go back to the hospital for a few more days, but by the weekend, I was feeling much better and ready to pick up the pieces again and begin our lives together as a family of 4. I have to say, every day gets easier and now having had my stitches out, I am feeling much stronger and no longer on pain-killers which is great! It's wonderful to have more energy, though I obviously need to take it slowly and not rush around too much. It's fortunately only 2.5 weeks I have left of not being able to drive so I think I'll manage for that short space of time, being limited to being home with the odd trip out. Being independent as I am, I hate asking for family to take me places so for that reason it will be great to be 'mobile' again.

Kyle is settling into the Biddle family life really well and is so content - sleeping through most of Jordy's noise and seems to already have found a routine he's comfortable with, for feeding. I do feel a bit like a milk bar though - if asked what I do with my day, other than the odd distraction, be it baking or reading a book or spending time with Jordy, I'm feeding Kyle and changing nappies and the rest. But, I'm really not complaining - it's just an adjustment from being used to having more 'free' time, but I'm going to make the most of this time with Kyle and enjoy these special moments because they grow up so quickly.

Mark and Jordy are also really enjoying having Kyle around and the relationship that's developing between Kyle and Jordy is just too precious. Mark too loves his little boy and is quite proud that Kyle looks like him, as everybody keeps telling him - just with my dark hair. Jordy loves his little brother to bits and keeps kissing him on his head. Every morning he tells us he doesn't want to to go to school because he wants to be with Kyle, which is what we expected would happen, but we still take him and when he gets there, he's always happy to be at school and it keeps him busy which is good. Of course when he gets home, Jordy just wants to 'play' with Kyle and help me with changing nappies, bathing etc which is really sweet. I'm so relieved because while we tried to prepare him for Kyle's arrival, one never knows how it will all work out. Admittedly, Jordy is a bit more 'needy', demanding a lot more of our time and energy, but it's all normal, given that he feels he has competition and we both try to make time to do activities with him daily. Sadly, he seems to have lost interest in his swimming lessons, so we will have to give it a break until January again. Also with the weather being so miz, I can hardly blame Jordy for not wanting to go to lessons as it's always very windy or it's raining and it's not a covered pool, even though heated. If we wouldn't want to swim, I guess we can hardly expect them to want to swim in inclement weather - though I believe it toughens them up but they are still quite young and I'd hate to turn him against wanting to swim. Ce la vie.

Well, that's pretty much all the news we have right now but we will keep updating the blog with pics and news of the boys, so watch this space!

Until then, take care and stay safe!

Sahle Gahle, Tot Siens and Goodbye for now!

Lots of love
The Biddle Clan

P.S. Here are a few more pics of Kyle, taken on monday when he was a week old. We love him to bits!





Monday, 13 October 2008

House alterations.... stage 2


The new dining room extension with wall built and plastered, and waiting for the windows

The new dining room extension, to join the granny flat with the house

Inside the dining room extension before the wall came down and it was joined with the rest of the dining room

Before the wall and door was taken out...

The dining room all in one with wall down... in a state of repair

The dining room as one... looking towards the kitchen from the extension.

Lifting the horrible parque flooring in the passage...

The new dining room being tiled.

At last... a few more pics to show you the progress of our alterations. We've now had the dining room painted and blinds installed, but the lights are due to be installed this week so I will definitely take a pic of the dining room once the lights are up, to give you a better idea of the finished room. The carpets for the guest room and play room will be fitted this week and the furniture is arriving on thursday so I will be able to take photos of the completed rooms later this week... or at least... when I get back from hospital, if baby is due to arrive before I get to take the photos. So, lots happening this week and all very exciting! Watch this space for more...

Friday, 10 October 2008

Preggy Belly


Hi all

At last... I have a photo of my tummy, taken this week, which is growing rather large now and it feels like it can't stretch any more. All is still good, though I have to be honest, I'm suddenly starting to feel really tired and am almost 'dragging' myself around sometimes, but given that it's close to 'the end' of the line, I don't feel too bad feeling lazy on occasions.

The update on Baby Biddle... I had an appointment with Dr Payne on wednesday and while baby's head is still down, it's STILL posterior facing making it rather unfavourable for a natural birth and it's definitely tending more towards me having a caesar, which I am more than comfortable having for the sake of the baby and certainly when I hear what I could be faced with if I had to have natural, all I can say is... book me in and deliver! I'm ready now! But alas, I need to go back for one last scan on monday for the doctor to check baby's position, in the event it has turned and if not, we will have a caesar next week sometime. My doc is very pro natural deliveries, but is ultra competent doing caesars, but given the whole issue of the high caesarean rate in SA, most doctors it seems need to have a medically motivated reason for doing a caesar and apparently elective caesars are almost unheard of?!?! So yes, on monday we should have a clearer idea of what is to happen. We will keep you all posted once we know more - even if only a brief update on monday. Watch this space for more...

x Robs