Ruby's 3rd Day, Ruby does a poo and has some visitors

Not the prettiest of sights on Saturday morning but this was Ruby's first poo at home and another huge landmark. After all our anxiety about if she was feeding and consuming properly, this confirmed everything was fine.

We had a visit from the midwife, who gave Ruby a once over and responded to our barage of questions, by saying that everything we were concerned about was normal.

In the afternoon, Ruby received vists from Stephen, Christophe, Patrice and Jessica. She was spoilt for gifts from Patrice; a Jellycat Dog and rabbitt blanket and Stephen gave Ruby an amazing book he'd made, on the day Ruby was born.

On the advice of the midwife, we started to integrate Ruby with the cats.

Our last visitor of the day was Claire and her brother Lenny. Claire gave Ruby some booties she'd knitted for her

Ruby's 2nd and 3rd Day: Ruby comes home!

It's near impossible to Blog at a time like this as I want to savour every single moment and experience with Ruby and Ibolya and not spend it at my laptop, writing about it. It's also incredibly painful, when the brief time you do get to compose an entry you loose it all by some fumbled use of the backspace key! And it was so well written too!

However, I also feel a tremendous burden to record as much as possible of the most important days and weeks of our lives. There's so much I want to remember that I can no longer trust to my inadequate memory, this makes my blog more important to me than ever.

So, I've created a post a day, since Ruby was born, which I'll publish straight away (to save loosing it all again) and then go in and out of them, sticking in pictures, making corrections and writing the odd line about notable and significant events and experiences, that have been happening to my new family; Ruby, Ibolya and Me.

On Thursday morning our first visitors arrived to test Ruby's hearing and eyesight. After Ruby's traumatic entry into the world we were worried about any lasting effects so the all clear was an enormous relief. As was an ultra sound scan of Ruby's head later that day. Although it couldn't yet confirm that Ruby's a genius (although a strongly suspect she is), it did show that despite excess fluid (and a very soft, sore and painful scalp) everything was absolutely as it should be in her little head.

We spent most of Thursday and Friday just looking at Ruby, staring into her eyes and just trying to take in the enormity of her arrival and just how surprisingly and incredibly beautiful she is.

Ruby's finger nails were really long when she was born and are amazingly similar to mine, as are her feet. She's got Read feet, the second toe is longer than the big toe.

By Friday morning, Ruby and Ibolya had 'passed' what was necessary to have them discharged from the hospital and Ruby could have her first bath.

Ibolya was very happy to see the back of hospital dinners.

Ruby Violet Read

I can't believe I'm writing this and I'm still finding it very difficult to take in but; Ibolya and I have a beautiful baby daughter called Ruby Violet Read. Our Little One is here and the most amazing and wonderful thing I have ever seen.

Ruby finally arrived at 09.32 on Tuesday 3rd December, after an epic labour and a super human struggle by Ibolya . I'll never know how she found the strength and bravery but my admiration for her is as big as I am proud of her.

After everything she'd been through, Ibolya took this picture of Stuart, the Gynaecologist, in-action, minutes after he'd used all of his strength to suck, pull and tug Ruby into the world.

And this was some of the incredible team that delivered Ruby. We couldn't be more grateful to them, they were absolutley wonderful. There was about 10 in the room all together with everyone shouting Ibolya on to push.

Ruby, just seconds old and just after the longest wait in the world, for her first cries. Even with forcep stripes across her face, blistered lip and a sore and swollen head, Ibolya and I cannot believe how beautiful this little girl is and how incredibly lucky we are.

D-Day

At 2.00 this morning, Ibolya's waters broke, followed by strong period-like pains. We called the Birth Centre and were told to come in at 8.30. After that, there was no going back to sleep - we were so excited. I also couldn't get out of my head all the the things I hadn't done yet, the high-energy snacks, cash, the 'Music to Give Birth to playlist and things to arrange and do for work.

A taxi (a very snazzy Lexus) took us to St Mary's and after a check up we were sent home and told to wait for the contractions to start and we've been waiting ever since.

We've tried everything you're supposed to, to start them; pineapples, walking up the stairs sideways, going up the hill, twice, in Roundwood, various kinds of 'stimulation' and even Acton Balti House Chicken Tikka Marsalas. All to no avail.

My sisters are on tenterhooks and lots of friends have been calling and texting throughout the day, eager for updates. It feels wonderful to have so many people thinking about us and wishing everything well.

All we can do now is wait. We've been sitting in bed for the past couple of hours, watching series 2 of Curb Your Enthusiasm, Hopefully everything will kick in naturally before 2.oo this morning, or if not, labour will induced at 8.30 in the maternity ward.

Whatever happens, we're well into the very final stages of our pregnancy and only a matter of hours before our precious, little baby arrives.

39 Weeks and 3 days. 4 days to due date

This is it! We're now 2 days past the 38 weeks from conception date and 4 away from the official due date of December 4th. We both feel it's 'any minute now' time and I'm feeling like I just can't wait for it all to happen. We're ready, preapared and I'm more excited than any birthday or Christmas I've ever looked forward to but, more than a little bit nervous too.

Ibolya finally stopped work on Friday, to my huge relief (now everyone can stop looking horrifed at me when they ask how she's enjoying her time off), as my sister said; Ibolya can be a housewife for a few days or so before she becomes a mother.

As you can see, Ibolya is looking more beautiful than ever. She just epitomises all those cliches about glowing and being radiant. She's all that but also just incredibly strong, unnereved and undaunted. I couldn't be more proud, or admire her more.

It's wonderful too that all our freinds and family are sharing our excitement and anticipation with us. I'm really quite liking the attention but it's also very touching that everyone is thinking about us and waiting for news. Stephen is even keeping Christophe's phone with him at work, which is so lovely.

We made a film today of the two of us, on the sofa, with the cats, talking to Little One inside Ibolya's tummy. I'm putting it on YouTube for posterity and so that Little One can watch it at some point in the future.

Water Lilies

We watched this superb, small, French film today. Beautifully acted and shot. The kind of film that could only have been made in France and was an absolutle delightful, delicacy of a movie.

Last FM

I discovered Last FM this weekend and it's absolutely extraordinary! I got an iPhone recently and I knew I'd love everything about it but what I didn't know was all the free applications you can download to it. So along with everything that comes preloaded with it, (fast internet access, email, gps, camera, ipod and not forgetting, a phone) I can now also map and time my cycle routes, play pacman, make music, read e-books, access any radio station from all over the world and now I've got Last FM. You put in the name of an artist, composer or band and it creates a radio station, playing you music you'd like, based on the name you've put in. Incredible. It's like iPod shuffle but plays you things you haven't heard before but knows your really going to like.

Mumbai

I've been terribly saddened and shocked at the appalling violence and loss of life in Mumbai this week. It's a very significant city for me, having spent many days there, on two trips to India, both very happy and special times. 

It's a magnificent city, one of the great cities of the world, and one which I know I will go back to many times in my life. I can't wait to take my Little One there and have his or her first experience of India there, as it was for me.

Some of the best memories I have of the city are of places where the terrorist attacks occurred. My first Indian meal in India (and butter nans), with Jerry, at the Leopold on Kolabra causeway. Trying to negotiate the mind bogglingly complicated, Byzantium, way to buy rail tickets, at Chatrapati station (an immense building of grandiose, neo-gothic, beauty). And sneaking into the Taj Mahal hotel, back-packer scruffy with Ibolya, for a drink in the bar, (where the Australian cricket team were also drinking) and regretting, afterwards, that we hadn't splashed out and  stayed the night.

Quantum of Solace

You can't beat 241 Orange Wednesdays at Vue Shepherd's Bush for big screen entertainment and I was very excited about seeing this new Bond installment. Especially as this cinema trip is likely to be our last for quite some time.

Seeing a new Bond always takes me back to my first big Bond screen experience, seeing Roger Moore in The Spy Who Loved Me at the Odeon in the Market Square, Nottingham. Always memorable as there was also a power cut that night and we had to stand outside for half an hour waiting for the lights to come one.
I've loved Bond movies ever since and it's fantastic that Daniel Craig (he's a brilliant Bond, the first highly accomplished actor in the role) has now reinvigorated the franchise to such an extent that it's safe to say, we have many more Bonds to look forward to for some years ahead.
As a book-end or epilogue to Casino Royal, the film works well, less so as a self contained (stand alone) Bond movie. But it's still hugely entertaining and thrilling. I'd just like the next film be a bit more Bondish, meaning; have the Bond theme at the start and reprised at the climax of action sequences, inject a little more humour (I'd love a few Roger Moore style 'raised eye brow' one liners) and some Ken Adam-ish 'set-piece' evil villain lairs.

The Forge

The best bit of the weekend was a big family lunch, to celebrate my Mum's 70th birthday, at the Forge, Garrick Street.

I'm a bit biased as my very dear friend Christophe runs the Forge but that said, it was the most perfect and lovely place for this special family occasion and I was rather proud of myself for suggesting it as a venue.

The staff couldn't have been more fantastic, the food was great (incredibly good value for money) and the surroundings, sophisticated and elegant.

Everyone, including all my nieces and nephews, had a really happy time.

The Pelham

On Saturday night we all assembled at the Pelham Hotel, South Kensington, for a surprise party to celebrate, my brother-in-law, Matthew's 40th Birthday.

Ibolya, Little One and Me

Dad and I

Mum

Mum and wine

Me and my brothers-in-law, Matthew and Matthew

A round of 'Happy Birthday' for my Mum

Sara and I

Jane and Sara

Shelves

The nursery is now very near completion and on Saturday afternoon, I completed what I think is a profound rites of passage. For the first time in my life, I put up some shelves. Surely a landmark event for any man, especially me, who hasn't got a practical bone in my body.
I loath and despise DIY so I'm very proud of myself that I survived and the shelves are up, looking alright and seem to be level, safe and secure.
Now I can load them up with all the children's books I like.

Gracelands

Saturday lunch at one of our very favourite places, Gracelands, College Road, Kensal Green.
Ibolya looked fantastic against this lovely wall, at KG tube station.

I was fat and greedy and had the Gracelands burger

but really wished I'd ordered Ibolya's wonderful veggie tart and salad.

Nursery Wallpaper

Our very dear friend Sarah came to our aid again last night and put up the wallpaper paper (a limited edition Cath Kidston) we'd bought for the nursery. After the success of the wallpaper she put up downstairs, a few months ago, we were very honoured that she was happy to do this again for us and all for the cost of my Pish Fie.

Sarah made really easy work of the papering and we couldn't be happier and more excited with the results.

Thank you so much Sarah, we'll be enjoying what you've done for us for years to come and we're immensely grateful.

The paper completes such a massive transformation of this room, from the Dialysis Room of the previous owner to becoming the bedroom of our first child.

Week 38 and 2 Weeks To Go!!!!

Ibolya and I went to the Birth Centre this morning for the latest ante natal check up. We always get a bit nervous before these, thinking about what-if's and worrying ourselves that perhaps Little One's progress might now have taken a turn for the worse or that things might now, not be what they should be.
So the happiness and relief we get when everything proves to be just fine is just incredible.

We were seen this morning by Chief Midwife Pauline who oozed confidence and reassurance, giving Ibolya and Little One an absolute 'all clear'.
Ibolya's blood pressure is perfect and she said how amazing she's looking and what a wonderful tummy she has. She really does, it's absolutely beautiful.

Little One is 'average' size (I didn't like to hear my little one described as 'average'), has his head deep inside Ibolya's pelvis and is all lined up, the right way and ready to go. We heard that beautiful, pounding heartbeat again, which never fails to make us both well up. It's such an incredible and emotional sound.

Pauline gave Ibolya a stern talking to about stopping work and how she really must now focus on psychologically preparing herself for labour. She's absolutely right and I've got to try harder to make her stop.

Our due date is exactly 2 weeks away, today, and also the date of our next appointment.
It's incredible to think that, as the hospital won't let Ibolya go more than 11 days over the due date, whatever happens, our little baby will be with us by next pay day.

Florence

Yesterday we received these wonderful pictures of my youngest niece, Florence.

Florrie recently turned 6 months old! And she's looking very good on it, bless her. She's such an adorable little poppet.

Her Berlin t-shirt reminds me how desperate I am to go there and is my most want-to-visit place in the world, right now.

It's my Mum's 70th birthday today and my brother in law Matthew H's 40th so we're having 2 big birthday celebrations at the weekend, when we'll see Florence and all my dear nieces and nephews, I can't wait.