Birth

Early in the pregnancy we had decided for a Caesarean delivery due to certain medical circumstances. That makes the whole process very dependable. Originally he was going to be delivered on 7 March (the doctor thought he was too big to let him go over 39 weeks), but after a last-minute mix-up in the dates, was Thursday the 8th of March THE DAY. We arrived early in the morning after which we had to wait a few hours in which Lisa got preparatory drugs. This was kind of relaxed (Lisa slept, Simon went to the shops to get a paper).

At 11 we started our way to the operating theatre. Simon was allowed in, but had to change in coveralls (including shoe-covers and hair-net, see photo underneath). At first the epidural was put in place, which actually took the longest, the whole operation itself took less than 10 minutes (that is from opening up to taking Joshua out).  All this time Simon was placed by Lisa's shoulder, when sitting he couldn't see anything (just like her), but if he wanted he could stand up and see what was happening in her belly (SIMON: I only did that when they took Joshua out).

	Joshua was born at 11:48. I didn't know newborn babies looked so blue (thought we'd given birth to a smurf at first). After a quick check of the number of toes and fingers (10 each, phew), Simon got to cut the umbilical cord and then he was wrapped and given to Lisa to hold.
	the first family portrait

Meanwhile Lisa was stitched up and then taken to recovery. So there Simon was: sitting with his son !! After a first breastfeed, Joshua was placed under a heat lamp to improve circulation (and get rid of his blueness). Later that day, after the first bath he looked so cute and adorable.

The First Weeks

Having had a Caesarean Lisa had to stay in hospital for a week. This gave the nurses & midwives a chance to teach her all about breast-feeding, bathing, nappy-changing and other essential baby-care activities. She recovered quite well, thanks to a self-operated pethidine-pump. The only real issue was the breastfeeding, which took some getting used to from both sides. But practise makes perfect and by now we're old hands at it.

Simon had two weeks off and was able to help Lisa cope and get used to things, especially as she was still very sore.

Roebel, the cat, took to Joshua as if she was his mother. At first she was frightened by his cries, but soon became 'concerned' when Joshua cries and even comes and gets us to look in on him. Rest assured that we are not letting Roebel alone with Joshua, just in case ..

And there is our man !! Only 2 weeks old and still only 3 kilograms. He has established a reasonable regular 4-hour pattern of sleep, play & feed (and dirty nappies & cries), although sometimes at night he doesn't go to sleep as easy as we would like him to. He needs entertainment in the form of lights, music and some cuddling & rocking. As cute as he is, he normally gets away with it as well.

Our next challenge is going to be when Simon returns to work, and Lisa has to fend the house on her own. Only for a week-and-a-half cause then Simon's parents will come and visit for a month.

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