Lily is now 1 month old and continues to bring us so much joy! Lots has changed over the last month some of which I think we weren’t quite prepared for but I can safely say we wouldn’t change any of it.

Over the last week Lily has started to make different sounds from sort of “grunts” to “squeals” of delight, she is a very alert baby and loves to look at the things around her and focuses on people and studies them very carefully. She is allowing me to get more sleep than in the first weeks with her settled into a good sleep pattern at night, although I have also mastered the art of sleeping sitting up!

Last week Lily went to her first Guide camp- at just 3 weeks old I am sure thats a record; Girlguiding certainly likes to recruit them young! My Guides certainly loved our newest member and even made up a song all about Lily!

She is growing well too; last week she weigh 7lb 10oz and measured 53cm in length- she has such long legs!

Tomorrow Lily will be 2 weeks old and I can’t believe how much has happened since then! We have spent the past fortnight together as a family as Matt has had two weeks paternity leave and Lily really has been the centre of our world!

The first week was a bit of a blur for me especially up until the Thursday as I was so ill having lost 700ml of blood in labour; it wasn’t until the Wednesday evening that it was made clear how poorly I was when the hospital asking me to come in for a blood transfusion the following morning! I thought I was just recovering from labour and it was normal to feel the way I was. After the 3 units of blood was given and a day spent on my own ward in hospital with Matt and Lily for company I was feeling much better- and have been going from strength to strength since!

Lily has been doing well - we have now been discharged from our midwife and are seeing our Health Visitor now who is coming to weigh and measure Lily again this Tuesday! The past few days we think Lily has been having abit of a growth spurt as she is very hungry but we have almost perfected the sleeping routine at night- Daddy is getting most but we will let him off as he is back to work tomorrow and he is always on hand to do his bit if Mummy gets really tired!

We are still managing to do our own things and Lily fits in around us. We have been out and about with Granny and Auntie Emily when they and Grandad Ian came to see us last Saturday and we have also been out with Nanny, Auntie Alice and Grandad Steve when they came to see us last Sunday- Lily was spoilt of both occassions…

Lots of people have been in touch and we have a mantle piece full of lovely cards and as you can imagine Lily is the luckiest little girl in the world with all the presents she has recieved!

Tomorrow as I mentioned is Matt’s first day back at work, both Lily and I will miss him lots during the day but there will be plenty of time in the evenings for our little family. Nanny and Auntie Alice are coming to keep us company too tomorrow so I am sure we will have lots of fun!

Lily has finally arrived! The long 9 months (and 1 day) wait is over!

At 2:32am today (2008-07-07), Lily arrived in Lincoln County Hospital. She weighs 7 pounds 2 ounces and has lots of dark hair already!

Anneka’s labour went well, with only gas and air, along with an injection as pain relief. Once giving birth to Lily, Anneka had to going into theatre to complete the birth process - leaving me to hold Lily for over an hour!

We’ll be writing much more in the coming weeks about Lily, but I’ll leave you with this picture taken shortly after weighing her:

We are now entering week 38 of 40 and still no sign of our little daughter! I have been having a few stronger pains and “contractions” over the last few days which could be a sign that the end is nigh but as I keep reading on the baby websites (Baby Expert and Baby Centre) I have signed up to you never can really tell!

Today we have been to Toys R Us again as we needed to purchase a Cotbed mattress for the cotbed we brought way back in December as when we came to assemble it there was no mattress! (A minor detail we forgot to check in all the excitment). Anyway as well as that they had a sale on some really cute outfits and as perusual I just couldn’t resist and ended up buying a very summery outfit, a sun hat and not one but two pairs of shoes although one pair are 6-9months and so will have to go away for now!

14 Days and counting lets hope they are speedy….

We’re now entering week 37 of 40 week wait for Lily!

A fortnight ago, we decided to prepare the house, by cleaning the room to become the nursey; gathering together all the baby items; building the cotbed and pushchair - that were purchased way back in December! We’ve videod the whole process and will be posting it soon for all to see!

Soon after, early Monday morning Anneka started getting contractions. The frequency increased and once we had arrived at the Doctors to see the midwife, we had to rush to the labour ward - thinking this was it! After a further 48 hours of resting and monitoring on the antenatal ward, Anneka was discharged from the hospital, with a course of antibiotics. An infection had brought on the symptoms of labour!

So, we’ve since been resting and waiting, in anticipation of Lily’s arrival. We made a further trip to the hospital since, due to similar pains. At least we have now had enough practice and know exactly where the labour ward is, along with the various amenities.

All I can say is that I hope she hurries up and makes an appearance soon!