Well it's been 4 months since my last post so I guess it was always gonna take something pretty major to warrant a return to the 'blogosphere', and here is that something pretty major!
Before the birth of no.1 I worried a lot about holding him, I had horrible visions of me dropping him and had to shake myself to stop me dwelling on it. The reality was that once he was in my arms he was a perfect fit , almost as if my arms were made with the shape of my children in mind. It was my brother in law that pointed out how natural we looked as I stood texting with one hand and cradling with the other. Now, five boys on, and still nothing beats the feeling of a new born baby's head nestled in the crook of my arm.
Little Reuben Welch was born on Monday by planned Caesarian section. A pretty undignified procedure by all accounts. The mystery of child birth is taken away when the nurse gives you a date weeks in advance. But hey at least we could plan! Working out school runs, playschool pick up and other child care matters was pretty complicated and Naomi's planning was military. Then there's the waiting. We arrived at the hospital at midday having dispatched all our children, only to find that we wouldn't be going in until 3pm which turned out to be 4pm. So four hours sat in a room waiting isn't great for the nerves. This is punctuated by various health professionals coming in to have their own little chat, specific to their role in the procedure. Finally the moment comes when your loved one is strapped to the bed and made more helpless than you've ever seen her while you turn on the brave face. Time flew and the hospital staff were chatty and light hearted given the circumstances. They took Reuben straight out and laid him on Naomi for a first cuddle. He is a tiny, helpless but perfectly formed 6lb 7oz.
Reuben has a ready made fan club who have been as anxious as I have been and now share my relief and joy. They visited him in hospital and were really excited to hear that he and Naomi were back on Wednesday, a day earlier than expected. I've been overwhelmed by the warmth and kindness of family and friends who would be forgiven for getting a little tired of us by no. 5. Instead they have pored out affection in all sorts of ways from the soppy to the practical and everything is very much appreciated.
So now we go about reconstructing our lives with a fifth child. Some say we're mad, some say stupid or even wrong but here we are, no going back and there's not a fibre in me that would want to. Yes their hard work, time consuming, expensive and all the other things people keep reminding us of but are the alternative lifestyles more attractive? My kids are my hobby, my indulgence, my free time and my obsession and I love it.
More posts to come...
