Baby Bea, our grumpy chunk of a Rainbow Baby
Was born beautiful and healthy on Tuesday 5th August 2014
We arrived home from hospital on Wednesday 6th August
Just after tea time and in time to say goodnight to Esther and William
And properly introduce them to ‘the new baby’
Baby Bea
Once Esther and William were safely in bed
We had dinner with Granny and Granddad
Before going early to bed
It was good to be home
I felt very tired
Having had no sleep on the postnatal ward
I also felt very overwhelmed with bringing baby home
Esther and William were so so excited
I was trying to be a good mummy to Esther and William
While feeling incredibly over protective of our newborn babe
We were all so tired from our hospital experience
That we had a good first night
It was good to be home
Bea slept sometimes in her Snuzpod
But mostly on me
I am a real believer in the fourth trimester
That mummy and baby are happiest and healthiest together
And so far that is working for us
I love having Bea close to me
In my arms, on my chest
At my breast
Hearing her breathing and snuffling around
Being able to see and feel her breathe
With the help of our Gro-light
So far, for every night of her life
Baby Bea has slept with me
(If you are considering co-sleeping, please do so safely!)
For the first five or so days
We kept on the hospital apnoea monitor
But now we use a Hero monitor from Snuza
We have been really pleased with this monitor
It has only given a few false alarms
And these have been due to us not attaching the monitor correctly
The monitor provides peace of mind
And allows David and I to get a little sleep
Bea feeds really well
She latched on perfectly as soon as she was born
And we have never looked back
When the midwife weighed her on Day 5 she had gained 20 grams
And by Day 14 she weighed a whopping 9lb 12oz
And we have been discharged
This is my fourth baby
Not only am I feeding on demand
But feeding while walking round the house
And doing other tasks
The midwife saw me doing this
Watched Bea and I together
And said, “You are doing brilliantly
You do not need me”
I love feeding Bea
I love breastfeeding
It is something that comes very naturally to me
And I had forgotten the bond with baby that it gives
The cuddles, the closeness
There is nothing else quite like it in the world
Bea is wonderful
Her first two weeks with us have flown by
In a haze of feeding and nappy changing
And remembering how to be with a baby in my arms
I have spent a lot of the last two weeks
Focused on the baby
And I am ready now to start doing more
I miss being with Esther and William
I remember the feeling when Tilda was first born
Of feeling a bit left out of family life
As Daddy took the reins
David is an amazing husband
And a very involved father
He is in every way the head of our household
Especially since Tilda died
The past two weeks
He has steered the ship
Particularly with regard to Esther and William
Esther and William love their baby sister very much
Every single day they ask if she will stay
They also ask me every day if I remember Baby Tilda
They tell us how much they love and miss Baby Tilda
And they tell us how much they like a baby that stays
They are working really hard to process what has happened
What is happening
And how they feel about it all
It is proving to be a bumpy ride
As Esther and William accept how our family is changing
Has changed
We have had lots of help
Through our first two weeks with Baby Bea
David’s parents have been amazing
My aunty and uncle have visited too
Both Bea’s Godmothers have been to meet her
And she has met some uncles, aunties and cousins too
Ami from Beebies Baby Store has been round a few times
And we have even ventured out!
Baby Bea has the most beautiful pram
She is the first baby in the UK
To own a Cosattto Ooba Kimono
It is a stunning pram
Perfect for a baby girl
Bea loves the pram
She sleeps well in the spacious carry cot
And when awake loves staring at the bright floral print
I think she loves the bright colours and contrast in the design
Mummy loves it too!
I felt so proud walking around Leeds Castle
With such a special pram
And such precious cargo
What a whirlwind our first two weeks have been
What an emotional rollercoaster
Getting to know Bea
Missing Matilda Mae more than ever
All finding our new place within our family
It has been easier than I thought it might be
Bea has become one of us
I cannot imagine life now without her
I cannot believe I thought I might not love her
I adore her
We all do
Our new baby
Our Rainbow Baby
Baby Bea
A lovely post. She’s a beautiful little girl and I’m glad to hear how well you’re all settling into having a new baby in the house xx
A beautiful post. The many different aspects of motherhood and family.
I hope you all have a lovely holiday.
X
She is such a stunner! Beautiful post and I’m so glad you’re all doing well 🙂 xxx
Such a lovely post Jenny. Bea is beautiful! Glad things are going well and you’re settled back into family life. I love the Kimono, very jealous! xx
What a great post, have been following you as have been through a very similar experience, and I agree that because of the snuza alarm, I actually managed to act like a normal mum (despite the peadeatrician telling me not to use it because of false alarms) I think everyone should have one!
Good job, you’re doing brilliantly x
Such a lovely post, I always found breastfeeding such a wonderful bonding time (although found it hard work with them getting the latch right)!
Bless the twins, it must be very confusing and emotional for them (and you too I imagine) they look like they adore Bea already though. So pleased that things are going well, that pram looks amazing-loving that print! xx
Longtime reader of your blog here. Congratulations, Bea is absolutely beautiful xx
What a beautiful baby girl Bea is and how gorgeous do E & W look holding her! Jennie, you sound like you are super Mum! Lovely post. xxxx
I’m so as it’s been easier than you thought it would be. I had a feeling she would fit right in x x c
She’s such a beautiful baby, Jennie. Congratulations to you and the whole family. I’m really happy and a bit emotional to read about your rainbow baby. William, Esther and Matilda have a really wonderful baby sister and all four of your children have an amazing mum and dad. xxx
She is so cute and looks so much like baby tilda ! Xx
I have followed your blog for a while and it has given me the confidence to co sleep with my newborn something I did not do with my other 2 children. When they were born I was unfortunately swayed by other advice out there. How I wish I’d done it with them. I love sleeping with my baby girl! Especially as she’s my last! X
Oh Jennie she is just so so gorgeous and seems to have settled in so quickly. Such a beautiful welcoming post. I’m so pleased you are enjoying your time together. You worked hard to grow her mama 🙂 Congratulations Jennie and family x
what a beautiful post so happy for you x
So lovely to read how you and your family are adjusting. Also, I love that your children talk so openly about Matilda, she will always be in their hearts xxxxxx
Congratulations honey xx
Well, what a little cracker Baby Bea is, i always knew she would just slip alongside you all and blend in with the band!!
She is a cutie and has Tildas eyes me thinx!
I wish you much joy, health and happiness and could not be more pleased for you.
Bless you all.
Lindie-Lou
XXXXXXX
p.s more picci’s, can’t wait to watch each and every stage, hope you don’t mind!!
What a lovely post Jennie and so pleased that Baby Bea has settled into the family so well. It brings tears to my eyes to read your words- what a special and loved baby she is. I genuinely believe you are one of the most special families I know and what an incredible mother you are. I just wanted to tell you that, and know that I don’t comment on every post due to mothering my own two little monkey’s…but I read every single one. xx
Ah Jennie, she is absolutely gorgeous and I am so so pleased for you xx
Pingback: Mad Blog Awards Full Circle | Edspire