In Jesmond

More photos

Life as a family of five continues to be fun but tiring - Magnus is generally being good through the day (and attracting a lot of attention from the women of Stonehaven), not too bad at night, but he generally has some sort of screaming fit in the evening. Again, this could have something to do with his dad coming home from work but could just be coincidence.

My dad very kindly bought Magnus a nice play nest, which I finally got inflated and put together. He seems to like sitting in it, although we often have to kick Calum out first.
Anyway, we've taken a "few" more photos, the best of which can be seen in the album by clicking the picture below.

2008-02-27

Things are looking up

I have recently finished reading The Cloudspotter's Guide by Gavin Pretor-Pinney, a Christmas present from my dear sister-in-law, Amy. I have to say that I thoroughly enjoyed this charming and informative book. Although I still can't remember and identify the ten basic cloud types, let alone their various species and varieties (hey, at least I know know that clouds can have varieties and species), I've found myself looking at and appreciating cloud formations considerably more than previously. There is possibly a thin line between Cloudspotting and Daydreaming which I may cross from time to time, but that's OK - I think my life's better for it. Unfortunately, my phone camera doesn't really have the resolution or the depth of colour to capture great cloud photos but these two aren't too bad. I really like the wavy one:

Life Is Good

Well, it's almost two weeks since Magnus was born, and we're starting to adjust to having a baby in the house again. As far as sleep goes, we're getting more than possibly expected, but still not as much as I'd like - and Vikki gets even less since she's doing all the feeding, and doesn't get to go to work and fall asleep at her desk. As a general rule, Magnus has been a fairly peaceful baby over night and during the day - in the evenings when daddy gets home, he tends to bawl a bit more. Is this just coincidence we have to ask ourselves.
Lachlan and Calum largely ignore their wee brother, but occasionally show signs of affection or annoyance depending on how noisy he's being. He'll no doubt get more interesting when he's big enough to push around in cardboard boxes, dress in weird clothes, throw balls at etc.
We've had a lot of people stopping by to meet the wee fella, and our friends have been amazingly generous with all their gifts. Big thanks to all, even though I know most of you won't read this. About time you did, if you ask me!
Anyway, here are some photos from the last week or so, including ones of my Auntie Aileen, Eleanor and her family, and Sonia who is an old friend of Vikki's family and babysat when Vikki was a little girl. Click on the picture below to see the album.

2008-02-15 Magnus

The gory details

 

This is a photo of me with Magnus in his new pram today in Aberdeen. We had an emergency shopping trip to get nipple shields and cuddly toys! All smiles now but it was a bit different before he was born... Do you really want to know? OK, I'll tell you.
I was booked in to be induced on the Friday afternoon (1st Feb) as Magnus was 10 days past the due date. At 8am the midwife called to say not to come in cos they didn't have enough staff for the number of pregnant women. I was a bit put out as I was so fed up of waiting but didn't have any choice but to lump it. They said to come in the next morning at 10am. We arrived then to be told that there were five women ahead of me in a queue to be induced and I would probably get sent home again! I cursed all women who manage spontaneous labour! They agreed to give me the prosteglandin pessary to ripen the cervix and said come back in six hours. So we went for a walk to a cafe on Rosemount Viaduct, then the art gallery, then John Lewis and by then contractions were starting so we walked back to the hospital to let them know. They still didn't have a bed for me and only two of the women had gone upstairs to deliver. Then they didn't have a choice cos the contractions got close together very quickly and I was begging for gas & air. My contractions were only 1.5 mins apart when they finally got me a room and the pain was excruciating! I wimped out and asked for an epidural only to be told that the anaesthetist was in theatre. Then the midwife was saying that we didn't have time so that's why I had an epidural-free birth experience I wasn't being brave it was just too quick! Fewer than three hours in the end and I needed stitches. Next thing that happened was the stirrups on the bed wouldn't work so they had to change beds; then the midwife felt faint and sick while doing the stitches so they had to get another midwife! I think she had missed a tea break or something... I've had stitches twice before and never had that effect on a midwife before! At least they put me in my own room afterwards instead of the usual 6-woman ward. It was all worth it though cos Magnus is gorgeous and soo cute. I'll have to finish now cos he's just woken up for a feed!

More Magnus

Well, Magnus is two days old now and is settling in nicely. He's sleeping well. During the day - at night he's keeping me and Vikki awake. He's had a wee outing in the pram and been cooed over by various other mums and dads waiting for their kids at the school gate (and grandparents and teachers and lollipop men).

As promised, some pictures....

...you can see bigger versions here.

Magnus

It's a...

...nother boy. Born on 2/2/08 (which is 2/2/08 if you're a Merkin) at 21:47 (although I think it was more like 10 to 10 because I want him to grow up to be a cowboy), and weighing in at 7lb 13.5oz, he will be called Magnus Andrew Shanks. He and Vikki are doing well, spending tonight in the hospital, but hopefully home tomorrow. Updates and pictures to follow.