Last time I wrote I was 10 days overdue and playing the waiting game. After 12 days of going back and forth to the doctors for monitoring they decided to induce me as my fluid levels had dropped low enough that they didn't really want to leave me much longer and risk complications. So, at lunchtime on September 10 we went in to be induced. 8 hours later our little boy, Christopher James, was born. He weighed 9 and a half pounds and was perfect.
This birth was a very different experience to Steph's, not least because it was much easier. Also, for us, we were in a different country and under a different medical system.When we were admitted we were taken to our room, this room was to be mine until after baby was born, rather different from being wheeled down the corridor in the UK when you reach the appropriate stage of labour! It was rather like a large Premier Inn room with a bed in the centre, a sofa, big wardrobe/TV unit and a crib for the baby. Very subtly around the room was the medical equipment. Once in our room we were then introduced to our nurse, who would be with us right through until we had baby or shift change. During the afternoon we were fed, my diet became limited to liquids only once induction was started, and monitored in a very relaxed and unobtrusive way.
Once Christopher arrived we stayed in our room until we'd all been checked and washed and were then moved to another room, which was to be our home for two days. Two day stays post birth seem to be standard over here, that includes the father if they choose!
I had a lovely two days, I think Andy had a different story!
Some of you will have read about the floods we had in September. The rain that caused these started the morning Christopher was born and didn't stop. During those two days Andy drove back and forth between the hospital and home and Table Mesa where Steph was staying. I think each time he did a journey he had to take a different route due to the road closures and chaos that ensued.
(The view from my room, the mountains are there but you just can't see them for the mist)
After two rather restful days we all came home and started life together as a family of four.Since then, as you can imagine life has been rather busy.
Having a newborn again is lovely, however there are many things I had forgotten! We're slowly adjusting to life as four as we slot back into feeding routines, sleepless nights and the general neediness of a littly. Christopher is a delightful baby, very different from Steph. He's very placid and will happily just lie there and grin up at you.
Steph has been amazing. Considering she was expecting a sister she has unconditionally loved her brother since the moment she met him. Of course, we have moments but most of the time she is desperate to cuddle him, pick him up and comfort him when he's upset. She also loves 'borrowing' the toys that have been bought for him!
I have been amazed at the generosity of people over here. Instead of the traditional gift that you get in the UK the Americans give frozen meals. All I can say is "what a fantastic idea!" It was so nice in the first couple of weeks to delve into the freezer for dinner, it completely took the pressure off in an evening which was lovely. Thank you to those people that filled our freezer -it was wonderful.
Andy's parents came to visit the last two weeks in October - our first visitors from the UK. We had a great time with them, becoming tourists and visiting various places including the Peak to Peak Highway and Denver Zoo as well as a random farm! From my perspective, as well as just seeing them and having time to have a good catch up it was so lovely to have another couple of pairs of hands around the house to give Steph attention, help with Chris and just generally take the pressure off. Thank you Wendy and Tony.
Since Wendy and Tony left I have survived Andy going away for three days and leaving me with both children! Easier than I thought it was going to be, but still it was great when Andy got home. Life has generally started slotting into some kind of routine. We make it out the house most days now to meet up with various people or go swimming or to music class. I am thoroughly enjoying being a Mummy at home and having time to enjoy my gorgeous children. I love that Andy works 15 minutes away as he can be home early if needed and has the energy to spend time with the children in the evenings. Generally we are making the most of every moment and thoroughly enjoying our family of four.
Next on our horizon is a visit back to the UK :) A very last minute visit as we had to wait until Christopher's passport came through (my little boy is now officially an American citizen!) which it did and flights were still cheap enough so we booked some. We are coming home next week for just over a week. Andy is home for work and I am taking the children to see my family who have not yet had the opportunity to meet Christopher. I'm not sure I relish the thought of a flight with two monsters or the affect of the time change but it will be worth it to see my family again.
And then when we come home, before we know it, it will be Christmas and our next guests will be here......
For those that are interested, I mentioned earlier in this post the week of Christopher's birth it rained and rained and rained. Many of the creeks running through and around Boulder flooded. Devastation hit the roads running down from the mountains due to the sheer volume of water running down them, along with all the debris it picked up along the way. Living just outside of Boulder, the opposite side to the mountains, we were very lucky and not really affected by the floods. Many people in Boulder suffered some flood damage, mostly to their basements but it was the people living in the Canyons and to the North of Boulder that were really affected; whole houses were split in two or completely washed out and the roads into the mountains had sections that disappeared. We have been amazed at the generosity of the people out here as folk begin to rebuild their lives. The sense of community and support and help that has been offered is staggering. Where some people lost their homes, for others, their day to day lives were affected as roads were closed and what was a 40 minute commute down the mountains to work became a 2 hour commute as alternative routes were found. Boulder County worked remarkably quickly and reopened Boulder Canyon road within a month, however many other roads and footpaths remain closed as they continue to slowly rebuild. And in the background to everyday life, gradually, the people that were badly affected slowly begin to rebuild their lives.
