tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28611530317525548672024-03-14T10:32:20.816+11:00From India With Love...'The only people who end up without a baby, are the people who give up...Here's to never giving up"Johnny and Darrenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11697245370250367206noreply@blogger.comBlogger87125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2861153031752554867.post-82216368317009615412011-01-03T15:49:00.009+11:002011-01-03T19:31:34.598+11:00CrawlingI have been trying in vain to add a video to our blog for a while now, so I have decided that 2011 will be the year to persevere and become more tech savvy! Now, no laughing at Papa's silly audio.<br /><br /><br /><OBJECT id=BLOG_video-5ca28c3480881a45 class=BLOG_video_class width=320 height=266 contentId="5ca28c3480881a45"></OBJECT>Johnny and Darrenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11697245370250367206noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2861153031752554867.post-77009466769570341712010-12-30T22:20:00.002+11:002010-12-31T09:25:07.291+11:00Christmas Celebration & Eight Month Update<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2OeB5DGHXfd_eXuv3uVu9BpyQ11lPljLJAEoLrK5dsBd-ryTz7YX5zj_NHbsmIZyHG2NnOQQXl30AHR-iLXDMPNd4iIF00-gNahTgHQ_W-NZkdIr1h2is9jxZ6Kb1e4afxq2rEI6s8b0/s1600/1_11-14-2010_0145_1.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2OeB5DGHXfd_eXuv3uVu9BpyQ11lPljLJAEoLrK5dsBd-ryTz7YX5zj_NHbsmIZyHG2NnOQQXl30AHR-iLXDMPNd4iIF00-gNahTgHQ_W-NZkdIr1h2is9jxZ6Kb1e4afxq2rEI6s8b0/s320/1_11-14-2010_0145_1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5555119249953780098" /></a> Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas. Let your heart be light... Don't you just love that song, I do! Recently, whilst googling this particular Christmas song, I learnt that the original lyric was actually 'Have yourself a Merry Little Christmas, it may be your last. Next year we all may be living in the past'. I recently watched Meet me in St Louis for the first time this year while visiting my grandparents, a movie I had wanted to see for years now. Judy Garland made this song famous in a Hollywood classic, however the original version was considered too morbid and was later changed to the now popular song we all know and love. Our first Christmas with our darling son was everything that we could have imagined it to be and more. This time last year we were praying that our dear surrogate Sarika would be safe, healthy and happy and were blessed with the knowledge that in only four short months, our baby would be born and we would at last be parents.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbxYw7HoBDewTHHeJbE-ZKgNv-NrQ12UifgQFpbV1zI3RiUYjGOq4Uq0BperEkixO_FMojTNLjEHyxdYZNHzvygizhoBGtHkxMotnL-UHVOJoBtUGkECdrKjNdOVJAjrqTP7fBhqDn8yM/s1600/GEDC0340.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbxYw7HoBDewTHHeJbE-ZKgNv-NrQ12UifgQFpbV1zI3RiUYjGOq4Uq0BperEkixO_FMojTNLjEHyxdYZNHzvygizhoBGtHkxMotnL-UHVOJoBtUGkECdrKjNdOVJAjrqTP7fBhqDn8yM/s320/GEDC0340.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5555124048868209874" /></a> The reality of this dream is somewhat overwhelming and yes, we are still amazed at the gift God has given us. We of course started the Christmas season with decorating the house and our Christmas trees as we do each and every year since we met fourteen years ago. We have yet to venture outdoors with the exception of a garland here and there and bows on the garden lamp posts. This is most likely a blessing as it already takes us long enough to decorate the inside of the house so I can't begin to imagine how much longer outside would take too. Usually we start on the first Sunday in November but this year we were a month behind. I know that many people think this is too early, but we both just love this time of year and I am not the only one in my family to have chronic Christmas-itis. We were both so excited to have Noah's first santa photo taken and we ventured into one of Sydney's major department stores, David Jones to have this done. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmRyNgE76jJJLa_LDYKUjRkSjX8x5SltcS8muzZU_iXBlTGBp3lPuJSJzF0XNEGKoNfbvau7gWfXULdx70YjHT0bZ45XEYPT00-gQABjJ0zNw6Q6clbScW6qDkJ-wbCIYUONkn_5KCAh0/s1600/GEDC0318.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmRyNgE76jJJLa_LDYKUjRkSjX8x5SltcS8muzZU_iXBlTGBp3lPuJSJzF0XNEGKoNfbvau7gWfXULdx70YjHT0bZ45XEYPT00-gQABjJ0zNw6Q6clbScW6qDkJ-wbCIYUONkn_5KCAh0/s320/GEDC0318.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5555124788982349490" /></a>
<br />The window displays are beautiful and the store is decorated and early in the morning leading up to Christmas there are carolers too. Noah just adored Santa, let's see if we can have a repeat next year and years following this as he grows and becomes more aware of this strange man in a red suit. The above photo was the first one taken by the photographer and NoNo was so happy that he almost pulled Santa's beard off. Being one of Santa's helpers as we all know, his beard wasn't real of course. Only Santa himself has such a long beard and he needs this so he stays nice and warm in the North Pole. Ninna, Daddy and Pappa enjoyed Christmas carols in the Blue Mountains this year. We spent the early evening singing underneath the largest English oak tree in Eastern Australia. We also met with other same sex families in the Blue Mountains for a Christmas dinner and catch up at a restaurant close to home.
<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0kpJh_5vF8ziky4BTM7Q1NZz2x4548v70mESRrt9zTJD1gVi7lzFgASEFNJxsQNQNmxb-Xg8jLV2KC9Y1LgQijs1ZtSJYNdUIqBREGiFd30pYgsFmws4Jl__Tt8ZhI2upq-ZgOLIDszg/s1600/GEDC0409.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0kpJh_5vF8ziky4BTM7Q1NZz2x4548v70mESRrt9zTJD1gVi7lzFgASEFNJxsQNQNmxb-Xg8jLV2KC9Y1LgQijs1ZtSJYNdUIqBREGiFd30pYgsFmws4Jl__Tt8ZhI2upq-ZgOLIDszg/s320/GEDC0409.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5556421962216513730" /></a> We are the only male parents in a large group of mainly lesbian parented families. The Blue Mountains Rainbow Family Group is a division of Rainbow Families Australia and it is great to catch up with other families living nearby. We were lucky enough to have another visit from one of Santa's helpers during dinner too, aren't we a lucky bunch! This year, Daddy and Papa wrote Noah's letter to Santa for him since he is still a small baby. We excitedly woke on Christmas morning and followed our normal routine of morning bottle and some cereal before Noah went back to bed for a morning sleep. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgacWrI3MDEyJB9SIhKgmDVWoUhPJdVE1w8iXckYNvH5jSTy9bPgVwWfM7orU0cMO3VI1RFpBPSzFtbd5SqjiJuLidU1Ei-kbXVPW4R38zFI29uk3jtRAtmV3tguDJrM-vEMAHRJiz7vE/s1600/GEDC0428.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgacWrI3MDEyJB9SIhKgmDVWoUhPJdVE1w8iXckYNvH5jSTy9bPgVwWfM7orU0cMO3VI1RFpBPSzFtbd5SqjiJuLidU1Ei-kbXVPW4R38zFI29uk3jtRAtmV3tguDJrM-vEMAHRJiz7vE/s320/GEDC0428.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5556424135450852354" /></a> Ninna's partner, Poppy Michael came for Christmas breakfast as he does every year although for the first time ever we were very much behind schedule; understandably so with our little one demanding our attention! Still, we enjoyed a champagne breakfast and opened some presents before Noah went back to bed for his lunch time nap. I think the day was somewhat overwhelming for Noah, he was so excited and just loved the gifts that Santa, Ninna, Daddy & Papa gave him. WE definitely need to find out if Fisher Price is a publicly listed company and if so, get to buying some shares! Daddy and Papa decided that we wouldn't spoil our little boy (excessively) as he is still a baby and has everything that he needs in the world and has not yet been tainted by modern day consumerism! We did however still buy some toys; a FP talking/learning puppy, a tambourine, another FP walking trolley with blocks & Dr Seuss boxed set of books & some new clothes.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpVx0cygGiCTvf3BzZCu3r8YHG8I3Jtt_xOnMtel4FVf3BCVDXd1zjWwsM3DLKmkoG9IfKYdxWu0CYOmHWkKral40sY9OoJQiYT8F9SGYpQGE3gzTtlufi0DwNFdS0Ht6KXUjU0bMqP4M/s1600/GEDC0429.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpVx0cygGiCTvf3BzZCu3r8YHG8I3Jtt_xOnMtel4FVf3BCVDXd1zjWwsM3DLKmkoG9IfKYdxWu0CYOmHWkKral40sY9OoJQiYT8F9SGYpQGE3gzTtlufi0DwNFdS0Ht6KXUjU0bMqP4M/s320/GEDC0429.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5556425382177379538" /></a> We knew that family members would be very generous to the newest addition of our household, and they were. Ninna bought Noah a beautiful limited edition Disney Christmas tree that plays carols and the small characters spin around the tree, some books, new shoes and clothes and a keepsake Christmas ornament for the tree. Poppy Michael bought NoNo a beautiful Blinky Bill book. Grandma & Poppy went totally OTT and bought books, books and more books, toys a plenty; including many made by you know who, Wiggles DVDs, clothes, and a new beach towel. Aunty Becky & Uncle Stephen bought NoNo a FP 'Little People' train and an Elmo doll dressed as a chicken that does..the chicken dance. Noah is still not 100% certain of this one! Aunty Trella and Uncle Patrick bought Noah a wonderful alphabet floor rug that is in his bedroom, books, books and more books, a xylophone and hooded towel too. Have I mentioned that we love reading to our son? Noah enjoys story time too and it is wonderful spending time with him reading and watching the expressions on his face.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRD0Ya1530H5Tmpj7XZ9fYxX34M7r-H71FjKhF8nx7syOgd0YWhInC5MwCLFeEoJY743vaPYRms0kWwAu4f_lyo7s2Z5BuQUthQaUhoJJLSn07G_bPl17FBqVtuKiWJUeb044bqBk2Dcg/s1600/GEDC0483.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRD0Ya1530H5Tmpj7XZ9fYxX34M7r-H71FjKhF8nx7syOgd0YWhInC5MwCLFeEoJY743vaPYRms0kWwAu4f_lyo7s2Z5BuQUthQaUhoJJLSn07G_bPl17FBqVtuKiWJUeb044bqBk2Dcg/s320/GEDC0483.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5556427154849811314" /></a> I pray that the love of books and reading stay with him for life. Uncle Brett bought Noah a Christmas teddy bear and a FP musical bird bath that sings from one to ten and your ABCs too. Darren's niece Hollie and her partner Dan bought us the most beautiful Swarvoski crystal baby carriage and rocking horse for Noah's room. They are simply stunning and will be especially treasures as our son grows up. We also had fun opening presents from Aunty Tans and Uncle Trent; a Royal Doulton Bunnykins figurine, bath time toys and PJs. Aunty Ed gave NoNo a teddy bear too. Uncles Michael, Jarrad and cousin Reid sent us a beautiful tin plane that we just love, a book (The Night Before Christmas) and Nanna Lyn from Tasmania sent a small children's bible. Aunty Rhonda & Uncle Mark from Port Macquarie sent a beautiful set of outfits. Aunty Tanya & Uncle Chris from the Paris of the West (see earlier blog entries for clarification) sent a beautiful boxed set of Little Golden Books (the Christmas stories). One of Daddy's work colleagues sent an enormous Mickey Mouse toy which we added to the now mountainous collection of stuffed toys in Noah's bedroom (note to self, no more stuffed animals)!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4enJ_H74o3rHf_S_uZkvM_54HIC1Hn5d1dHvIdKpZDTKygsPNrih11-MDUJkuIAZDNMc6IBLIPUbj2ETkkpChDJPzCxs-KBXKc3rK-th_87UmPZXCd3xelxzQ5n-jsiQby4oAz01vBW8/s1600/GEDC0489.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4enJ_H74o3rHf_S_uZkvM_54HIC1Hn5d1dHvIdKpZDTKygsPNrih11-MDUJkuIAZDNMc6IBLIPUbj2ETkkpChDJPzCxs-KBXKc3rK-th_87UmPZXCd3xelxzQ5n-jsiQby4oAz01vBW8/s320/GEDC0489.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5556427916669590706" /></a> Neighbours Carol & Mark gave Noah an embroidered legionnaire hat with a penguin and his name. To say our son is loved and was spoilt would be the understatement of 2010. I a sure that I have missed gifts and the kind people who gave them to us. There is just strong></strong>SO MANY GIFTS!<strong></strong> It is amazing to witness the mass of toys and books one little boys has in such a short period of time. We are truly blessed beyond imagination and still wonder at the bountiful life we enjoy here in Australia. It does make me sad to think of those less fortunate, especially at this time of year Children who are not as lucky as Noah and will go without. We did have the obligatory 'tears before bedtime'. Noah was playing on the floor of the conservatory with a mountain of gifts around him and fell, hitting his chin on a box and cut himself. Not too badly, but bad enough for a bit of blood and plenty of tears. All was good again however with a big cuddle from Daddy & Papa. We enjoyed Christmas lunch at Johnny's parents house who live nearby. Aunty Becky & Uncle Stephen along with Aunty Mags and Uncle Charlie came to the Mountains for the day and enjoy our first Christmas with NoNo.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJB-jLXZdPp-vYbyuFhsYLN2ZV8vKtbuTks4KunRMR4M0gjcPQCSbGWQxT6XdBRjW3yFIdFKDmFiOC77DeOS6zfqvHRm1MaNlq38P6meaIPWzLoHk0Pvd5hZOPH8IuZBzbgfzJ6kLLu-g/s1600/GEDC0445.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJB-jLXZdPp-vYbyuFhsYLN2ZV8vKtbuTks4KunRMR4M0gjcPQCSbGWQxT6XdBRjW3yFIdFKDmFiOC77DeOS6zfqvHRm1MaNlq38P6meaIPWzLoHk0Pvd5hZOPH8IuZBzbgfzJ6kLLu-g/s320/GEDC0445.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5556429760703796514" /></a> We had a sumptuous feast prepared by Grandma, Papa & Aunty Becky including the yummiest turkey and stuffing, glazed ham, prawns and oysters, salads and desserts just to make sure we were well and truly full! The weather was simply perfect, we had such a beautiful day. The sun was shining and there was a slight breeze, lucky considering that it has been four seasons in one day these past weeks. For December, the weather has been all over the place; a blazing hot day and the A/C is turned on, Noah sleeping in a singlet and nappy and then, the next day it's freezing and the heaters are on again to keep us warm. No wonder NoNo has had summer sniffles and coughing off and on for days...again! After our beautiful Christmas Day lunch, Daddy, Papa, Noah and Ninna headed down the Mountain to Aunty Trella and Uncle Patrick's house for Christmas dinner. We enjoyed an equally delicious dinner albeit somewhat lighter than lunch with family; Atlantic salmon with asparagus spears, balsamic glazed cherry tomato and lemon butter sauce, roasted chicken, salads and a Christmas punch with punch! <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjNCeCubWvUIL9TL8ZzgkG-uQB2XmH4rpI1CDQH_SAtqukhLUp8ENfMuJv5XJOE9SakAp_60NVkfcpI7lyPy3V4yPW4_LPlTBokLWkUJo3Z7SlUUxueTGTCId1fI2HbRO1kyZBh17SPG8/s1600/GEDC0491.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjNCeCubWvUIL9TL8ZzgkG-uQB2XmH4rpI1CDQH_SAtqukhLUp8ENfMuJv5XJOE9SakAp_60NVkfcpI7lyPy3V4yPW4_LPlTBokLWkUJo3Z7SlUUxueTGTCId1fI2HbRO1kyZBh17SPG8/s320/GEDC0491.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5556431957313288482" /></a> We had a lovely Christmas day with our son and returned home just before midnight. Noah was so tired and managed to sleep for a few hours before we returned home but still, the day was long and he sure did make up for lost sleep over the coming days. Apart from the excitement of Christmas day, other news of interest is that our son is now officially crawling! No longer content with the strange bottom shuffle or a backwards crawl, we now have forward thrusters activated! It was so exciting to see and we are now actively mobile. Noah is also holding his weight very comfortably on both legs and can support himself unaided by either Daddy or Papa when holding onto the furniture.
<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbgqPyEaXdRDsYNLO2m2SDDqQrZ7R5IvESWlQsVEdTblQgqNUtLAq5dY7LKmL5Lew-_3W7mBnxWYEp28DHDpW6mUvS6k1p8Jj7bE7Qm57EunTdndEvC6JjQBSYuzvlUq3lsKHSOtAwYHw/s1600/Noddy_in_bath.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbgqPyEaXdRDsYNLO2m2SDDqQrZ7R5IvESWlQsVEdTblQgqNUtLAq5dY7LKmL5Lew-_3W7mBnxWYEp28DHDpW6mUvS6k1p8Jj7bE7Qm57EunTdndEvC6JjQBSYuzvlUq3lsKHSOtAwYHw/s320/Noddy_in_bath.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5556604323299082482" /></a>
<br />The other thing Noddy enjoys is jumping and I mean JUMPING. All the time, be it on the floor, bed, lounge or Papa's lap and I have the bruises on my legs to prove it people. Noah is so very active and loves to move. We are definitely going to have to enrol this boy in some kind of active sport. Tomorrow is New Years Eve and we have a quiet night planned with friends we often catch up with. Noah will be spending the night at Grandma and Poppy's house after months of pleading from Grandma, her wish is granted. We want to end 2010 by wishing everyone 'out there' the very best and pray for healthy pregnancies if you are pregnant, positive results if you're trying to conceive and blessings beyond compare for 2011. Johnny and Darrenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11697245370250367206noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2861153031752554867.post-77891656221228466832010-12-16T20:08:00.006+11:002010-12-16T21:05:50.724+11:00I Should Have Stayed in Bed TodayThe east coast of Australia was hit by a major storm this afternoon. MAJOR! The suburb of Penrith near when Johnny works had a whopping 33mm of rain in 15 minutes and the temperature dropped 7 degrees in 10 minutes. From our little travel agent in the mountains we could see the storm rolling in. The sky changed colour again and again as the bright afternoon day turned dark blue, green and black. Thunder, lightening, rain and hail. I am very sad to report that Orlando the Ocean Racer Volvo did not do so well when he went head to head with mother nature this afternoon. I believe that the below will be more than sufficient in detailing our distress at today's events!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP5TcGwGzSkswaEaSct9lZrcxBiI5ZHpN8XKVZjdcCDDioNYaRV_GrTWbd3CSEex4ucG_CGuztCvou1MRaH5dxcXTJr_Af78xFjZ8N0kmqE7ONr4cQkyDIKYBzRxCUO7-CqtVuXz6LFWg/s1600/16122010.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP5TcGwGzSkswaEaSct9lZrcxBiI5ZHpN8XKVZjdcCDDioNYaRV_GrTWbd3CSEex4ucG_CGuztCvou1MRaH5dxcXTJr_Af78xFjZ8N0kmqE7ONr4cQkyDIKYBzRxCUO7-CqtVuXz6LFWg/s320/16122010.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5551206101976272242" /></a><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYyQnCaZO0pNhI67U2wcjlxeyh1r8UFs2Ki3rldxGT5ybqVXu6jMmIeDMVtQ4-musbcjBoduHqBFdmmOk_1Bk2ae0Sfl3-CQxG6-fueotAGM6WS87mECyi9vBC5D9WM_50xluINA5qxvQ/s1600/16122010%2528002%2529.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYyQnCaZO0pNhI67U2wcjlxeyh1r8UFs2Ki3rldxGT5ybqVXu6jMmIeDMVtQ4-musbcjBoduHqBFdmmOk_1Bk2ae0Sfl3-CQxG6-fueotAGM6WS87mECyi9vBC5D9WM_50xluINA5qxvQ/s320/16122010%2528002%2529.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5551206470791163074" /></a><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8BLkr7GLGSXfNSNNxTd39eICmxhN6JMV0X2xmfwW8WlGAN_tmKub05LSYj8wUt23Z7ow7aPslikYrrcLI0e_vSpRxDgdqLe1hpkSUssQ6CfIMpxmRBaxS953NlHoenUx_iq-i6hUylVQ/s1600/16122010%2528003%2529.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8BLkr7GLGSXfNSNNxTd39eICmxhN6JMV0X2xmfwW8WlGAN_tmKub05LSYj8wUt23Z7ow7aPslikYrrcLI0e_vSpRxDgdqLe1hpkSUssQ6CfIMpxmRBaxS953NlHoenUx_iq-i6hUylVQ/s320/16122010%2528003%2529.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5551206756425532786" /></a><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilBYC2s4MEAvG0cRCwxa8Rwn7RcMBpBN2AcBmnGRrPlnw3Oyqh_kwM4o7Yo2swxLczJHBW_qn9ChwxFGO0DVUyr0CtweBsTVD1WtFJmSXO4uoBPFFTixxmmZwtfvX1zyTRSret7tvCSuE/s1600/16122010%2528005%2529.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilBYC2s4MEAvG0cRCwxa8Rwn7RcMBpBN2AcBmnGRrPlnw3Oyqh_kwM4o7Yo2swxLczJHBW_qn9ChwxFGO0DVUyr0CtweBsTVD1WtFJmSXO4uoBPFFTixxmmZwtfvX1zyTRSret7tvCSuE/s320/16122010%2528005%2529.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5551218654871468162" /></a><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz62BYb3VJgf270-Kf016zZUx6FU-rhMloyzWllpM-JZtnCMJYztxQaVypwaShviNWvpkZOu1IpA4T3EZs5wn32JJf96uLiMwcA0uylcKT2Q2zPWm6Q8f0OlwqNtfRLR0vPPfg7PD_7nE/s1600/16122010%2528009%2529.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz62BYb3VJgf270-Kf016zZUx6FU-rhMloyzWllpM-JZtnCMJYztxQaVypwaShviNWvpkZOu1IpA4T3EZs5wn32JJf96uLiMwcA0uylcKT2Q2zPWm6Q8f0OlwqNtfRLR0vPPfg7PD_7nE/s320/16122010%2528009%2529.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5551219122172425186" /></a>Johnny and Darrenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11697245370250367206noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2861153031752554867.post-14987064117943870622010-12-14T10:57:00.001+11:002010-12-15T14:05:35.044+11:00Where Is My Contented Baby?Where oh where has my contented little baby gone? Someone please let me know if you find him.....PLEASE!<br /><br />Since Noah's birth, Daddy and Papa have been following the contented baby routine by Gina Ford and it has worked a treat for us & Noah. That is, until around six weeks ago when we returned from Melbourne. The weather in Australia this year has been all over the place, unseasonably cold and then hot, cold again, snow today, heat wave tomorrow and since our fateful return flight from Melbourne to Sydney late October, our little man has been the discontented baby. Gina Ford help me! In an ideal world, at just over eight months old Noah's routine should read something similar to the following;<br /><br />7am <br /><br />Happily awake in his bed waiting for Daddy or Papa to come down & greet him for the morning. Sing a Disney'esque song whilst changing nappies handed to us by cute little blue birds. This is followed by a morning bottle and 1 weet bix mashed with a little banana. We usually play a little and read a book, then depending on where Noah is spending the day, either madly rush around getting ready for work or laze about in our PJs for a while.<br /><br />9.00am<br /><br />Morning sleep until 10.30am<br /><br />10.30am<br /><br />Awake from our morning sleep and again happily chatting to himself waiting for his parents.<br /><br />11.00am<br /><br />Morning Tea which now consists of 1/4 mango sliced, 3 lychees and a bit of banana<br /><br />12noon<br /><br />Lunch time bottle and solids (100gms) of what ever I have made the week prior and is in the freezer.<br /><br />2.30pm<br /><br />Afternoon sleep until 4.00pm<br /><br />4.00pm<br /><br />Awake again waiting for Daddy & Papa with some play time until 5pm when it's time for a bath. We have our dinner (100gms of solid food) around 5.30pm and a night time bottle between 6.15-6.30pm.<br /><br />7.00pm<br /><br />Blissfully and peacefully drift off to sleep without crying or distress whatsoever.<br /><br /><br />The above routine was our reality from three months of age until six months of age with the occasional and I mean very occasional wake here and there. Noah was sleeping through the night and was the picture perfect contented baby. I don't know what happened. From what I hear, what we are experiencing is normal and we simply have to grin and bear it. Below is an idea of 48 hours recently when we visited Great Grandma & Great Pop.<br /><br />10DEC - 6pm to bed<br /><br />11DEC - 3am-3.50am awake, screaming and nothing would pacify or soothe him<br /> 6am awake for breakfast bottle and solid food<br /> 8am-8.30am asleep in the car<br /> 10.45am lunch and bottle<br /> 11am-1.30pm afternoon sleep<br /> 5.30pm dinner and bottle<br /> 7.15pm put to bed and cried until 7.50pm eventually giving in to sleep<br /><br />12DEC - 12.15am / 3.00am / 5.00am waking at different times through the night<br /> 6am breakfast bottle and solid food<br /> 8.50am-10.20am morning sleep<br /> 10.45am morning tea of banana, apple and cinnamon puree<br /> 12noon lunch and bottle<br /> 2.40pm-4pm afternoon sleep<br /> 5pm dinner and bottle<br /> 6.40pm-10.30pm asleep in the car on our way home<br /> 10.30pm-11.35pm cried and cried. Changed nappy and gave another bottle to <br /> calm and sooth<br /><br />13DEC - 5.45am awake<br /><br />Noah is taking 200ml of formula four times a day and each solid feed is around 100-150gms depending on whether or not he is hungry. <br /><br />It could be teeth, he quite distinctly has two teeth still coming through. Could it be his ears? A friend suggested we take him to the DR to check on his ears as maybe swimming or the pool has given him an ear infection. Turns out that the DR could not see either ear drum as they were blocked with wax - yuck! Papa has not wanted to over clean Noah's ears so they have been getting done once a month, this obviously has to be looked at. So, is it his ears causing discomfort and that is why every time we now lay him in his cot he turns into the devil child? My poor darling, I wish I spoke baby, tell me what is wrong!!! We have been dropping olive oil into his ears twice daily in the hope of softening the wax and we are headed back to the DR tomorrow for a follow up and if there is no improvement I am demanding they do something for him. So perhaps it is simply a combination of teething, sore ears & summer heat causing our angel to be so restless. One glimmer of hope though, he slept through again last night!Johnny and Darrenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11697245370250367206noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2861153031752554867.post-7995076907710532652010-12-12T22:34:00.010+11:002010-12-13T11:46:46.361+11:00Meeting Great Grandparents<div><div><div><div><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 240px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5549957928197290610" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEbtHC2AatYC4yeRIkL6zw6phKYFXzRIYsm2Zqyq9jaOlz9lCL0ivKUbPlV8_Hfdns3QFd2T2VgapCWmWYObBqzHkpw8-FVerND7-nOANOgaLvBE-dnE3tRgf4bBcTHE2jkc6NuVNV32Q/s320/GEDC0379.JPG" />Noah, Papa & Aunty Becky had a wonderful weekend on the NSW South Coast where our paternal grand parents and Noah's great grandparents live. It has been so long since I last saw my grandmother and grandfather and this was going to be the first time Noah met them. Grandma and Pop's home is located high on a hill in an enviable location overlooking the Tasman Sea with truly breathtaking views. Growing up, this was our annual holiday location every Christmas. Long summer days spent with cousins playing cricket, badminton, billiards and spending what seemed like endless hours with our grand parents. My grandmother is a wonderful, wonderful cook and there is nothing she can not or would not make for her grandchildren and this is still the case. I finished work on Thursday and excitedly headed home to pack for our mini getaway. Daddy was working this weekend so Papa was going solo. It takes so, so long these days to pack for a weekend away. </div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-DMWBTwrUy80WLjrDOL5eZfxjJmh9iB1DR0aQ5n7J0CeG70ZA-fKN0F55yLB_TuIDn7Mljhf2tGtfQb685ZDMRVvyKcYIWJPnSxzi6e9kwG0CweeImQEKpKecRxRg3mbPLpfrOTHoFrA/s1600/GEDC0382.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5549958318142136514" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-DMWBTwrUy80WLjrDOL5eZfxjJmh9iB1DR0aQ5n7J0CeG70ZA-fKN0F55yLB_TuIDn7Mljhf2tGtfQb685ZDMRVvyKcYIWJPnSxzi6e9kwG0CweeImQEKpKecRxRg3mbPLpfrOTHoFrA/s320/GEDC0382.JPG" /></a>I quickly remembered how full the car was on our last weekend away in Dubbo and trust me, this time was no exception. It took me an hour and a half to make sure I had everything needed and pack it into the car. Aunty Trella and Ninna were on hand to help feed Noah whilst Papa got everything ready, showered and headed out the door. Noah comfortably in his baby seat and Papa about to shut the door and.....vomit. Unclip seatbelt and take Noah back inside the house for a quick re change and wipe over, Papa a clean shirt free from baby vomit and we're back in the car and driving down our street headed 300km south to the picturesque seaside town of Dolphin Point. It's a long drive made even longer when you're travelling by yourself and the weather is thick with fog and misty rain. I relied on our car's GPS 'just to be safe' and w<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUgpaoLUx9jUlGxNN47ew_Vf1D0gf5QC8KRMHjrtlAgBM4ZuJV9gky20PZ3Q_lk0jn126VrlsboP9KUfBMMO4A5gkhwExH1BxRNtYjn2MwSUMizi1P_DEsJCbz6I-H8DE-oJW8yM1ihoA/s1600/GEDC0371.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 240px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5549959463920964914" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUgpaoLUx9jUlGxNN47ew_Vf1D0gf5QC8KRMHjrtlAgBM4ZuJV9gky20PZ3Q_lk0jn126VrlsboP9KUfBMMO4A5gkhwExH1BxRNtYjn2MwSUMizi1P_DEsJCbz6I-H8DE-oJW8yM1ihoA/s320/GEDC0371.JPG" /></a>hat an event in itself this turned out to be. I comfortably drive for an hour and a half until I hit the pretty town of Bowral in the southern highlands. Bowral is famous for it's tulip festival in Spring and we often make a day trip travelling here enjoying lunch and a spot of shopping. As I left the town I was instructed by Lee (my GPS man) to take a left at an unfamiliar bridge, so I complied. It wasn't until 20 minutes or so later that I realised I had taken the scenic tourist route. I was literally in the middle of no where. The road barely wide enough for my single car was meant to be two lanes and the fog! I was so uncharacteristically panicky. I was on unfamiliar roads, with no passing traffic, homes, street lights and could not find my way back to the freeway. Turns out the scenic tourist route was bypassing the towns of Wollongong, Kiama, Berry and others travelling via Kangaroo Valley which is lovely and I would have liked it had it been the middle of the day and not raining, misty and wet. I literally did not have a passing car for over an hour. I ended up meeting the freeway again just before Nowra with only an hour until I arri<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqhCV0YkpVpfvWMgiPJuva2kzBKXe3tUW1-tnzdNlYFxmCKVE0U7cFACyyLV9EZmWJ9i6lmjC_irPH8uVQq7iWnv8CzWi-Zff40GOHqLC71J4dNWuUn_5cmG5ULbLMcrwKCouUHWGPxdg/s1600/GEDC0372.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 240px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5549960038260330386" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqhCV0YkpVpfvWMgiPJuva2kzBKXe3tUW1-tnzdNlYFxmCKVE0U7cFACyyLV9EZmWJ9i6lmjC_irPH8uVQq7iWnv8CzWi-Zff40GOHqLC71J4dNWuUn_5cmG5ULbLMcrwKCouUHWGPxdg/s320/GEDC0372.JPG" /></a>ved at my grandparents. I did eventually arrive at just after 11pm and the unpacking of the car began. Noah happily asleep in the back seat and Papa unpacking, unpacking, unpacking. I am instantly transported to my childhood on climbing the landing stairs and walking to the front door. The familiar smell of my childhood and that of my grandparent's home magically works wonders with my mind and I am in that happy place again. I am a child of 11 or 12 years with my sister, cousins and extended family surrounding me. The sound of laughter fills the air and my heart is warm and full of love as I let this feeling envelop me. This are the childhood memories I want Noah to have. We had a wonderful weekend and it was especially good seeing my grandfather who at 86 years old has been unwell for some time now. I don't like the thought of him not being around and it is a hard admission the thought of him not being with us much longer. Pop has become frail in his old age, losing a large amount of weight, not eating properly and finds it frustrating not being able to do<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgn3iBEyWb6qJZbNE2v8VOfOpoinhGpaisSwSuIvWAOfnlejdsqRCRxMP99IHtH5y1SuMUQJkt6ZLafLMZb9meggYHAbwYnJeME3jDBy2gG14B1BCrSkZXEMrpmacwIeSeIW9RVfmyHCw/s1600/GEDC0374.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 240px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5549960500599948930" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgn3iBEyWb6qJZbNE2v8VOfOpoinhGpaisSwSuIvWAOfnlejdsqRCRxMP99IHtH5y1SuMUQJkt6ZLafLMZb9meggYHAbwYnJeME3jDBy2gG14B1BCrSkZXEMrpmacwIeSeIW9RVfmyHCw/s320/GEDC0374.JPG" /></a> the things around the home and garden he once done without issueą„¤ He also has dementia (thankfully no longer progressing due to medication), this has however affected his short term memory. He can easily recall the events from more than 30 years ago but something that happened last week, even earlier that day is much harder for him. My grandfather is also spending more and more time reminiscing about his years in the Pacific Islands during WWII and the friends he made and sadly lost. I know this plays on his mind from the stories he recalls to me and Grandma often tells me he often wakes from nightmares. I know that the absolute worst of what he experienced during the war he keeps to himself. Grandma, always her stoic self happily reminisces about 62 years of marriage and I can see that it is hard for her to see the husband she once knew change so drastically in front of her eyes. The time I spent with my grandmother growing up I am sure helped pave the way for my love of cooking. The time spent in her kitchen, combined with that of my mother are some of the happiest memories I have as a child. Nothing was ever too much or too outlandish for her to prepare. This is still the case. The next morning I quietly snuck into the pantry for a peek and yes, they were there. The cookies from my childhood that she had made in advance knowing we were visiting. Two containers full of coconut and walnut bikkies - - yum!!! I quickly had two even before breakfast had begun. Their familiar buttery texture and smell are drug like to me. Over the weekend we enjoyed, chocolate cake, sticky date pudding, caramel tarts, lemon tarts, pavlova and a treasure trove of home made delights we all enjoyed. Noah and Papa had their first real taste of Summer at the coast too. The weather at home has been so unseasonably mild and temperate that I was not prepared for the 35 degree days we had. Thankfully there is a wonderful sea breeze and the ocean to enjoy and cool off in. I have to say though that the vision I had in my head of Noah and I at the sea-shore and the reality could not have been more different. In my head we were blissfully floating in the water, chatting and splashing away, the current carrying us to where the open ocean meets the lake and then walking back to the lake only to be carried away again. The reality was far more abrupt. The water was freezing! Absolutely chilly and Noah hated it. We therefore spent our time playing in the sand (another vision in the head that needed reassessing). Noah decided that he would rather eat the sand and I mean EAT IT and from time to time rub it in his eyes than enjoy playing and sitting with his Papa. We therefore had an interesting 30 minutes or so at the beach quickly to return home for a thorough shower and afternoon nap! </div></div></div><br /><br />It truly was a wonderful three days and I am grateful that Noah has finally met his great grandparents. I am planning another visit early in the new year, January hopefully. By this time (fingers crossed) Noah will be back to his happyily contented sleeping soundly through the night self...this is another post!Johnny and Darrenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11697245370250367206noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2861153031752554867.post-87982776135409718602010-12-05T22:30:00.002+11:002010-12-09T10:36:34.746+11:00A Day of FirstsWe woke this morning as we normally do. Rising just before 7am to Noah babbling to himself in his cot. Daddy didn't start work today until after 10am so we had breakfast together; Noah his morning bottle and <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">weet</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">bix</span> and Daddy & Papa their coffee.<br /><br />Papa was playing with <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">NoNo</span> on the lounge room floor and then the bite. Papa was letting Noah blow raspberries on his cheeks and suck his chin and nose and ouch! Teeth! Two teeth appeared overnight. The bottom middle two teeth on the bottom gum line. It was so exciting and I hurriedly ran to share this milestone with Daddy. Our boy has teeth! Now, I won't be able to take a photo just yet as they are teeny tiny on the gum line and trying to see them ourselves is a <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">mammoth</span> task so just imagine what it will be like trying to pry open your baby son's mouth long enough to capture that all important shot. For that photo update, watch this space.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6jcUEK9RksxGYsqtaLYj8aJXiTpS6TkJyWmkk0yNcu1v1Ys5btx467mrw0MSnwptVEHf7xkoEQP2tgeDBIAgwadpcFllqXRTEKD_6XVU_eYjBpGZQgqdJY0wPCuS7d2gAJfrcqkJcjYY/s1600/ruby+monique+and+tollie+with+noah%255B1%255D.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5548459069725831106" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6jcUEK9RksxGYsqtaLYj8aJXiTpS6TkJyWmkk0yNcu1v1Ys5btx467mrw0MSnwptVEHf7xkoEQP2tgeDBIAgwadpcFllqXRTEKD_6XVU_eYjBpGZQgqdJY0wPCuS7d2gAJfrcqkJcjYY/s320/ruby+monique+and+tollie+with+noah%255B1%255D.jpg" /></a><br />We had another first today; Noah's first birthday party. I was so excited to open an email last week and find that at seven months and 24 days Noah had his first birthday invite. We both enjoyed the morning spent at Leo's 2<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-error">nd</span> birthday and we played party games and pass the parcel. One of Leo's mums made the most beautiful bib for <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" class="blsp-spelling-error">NoNo</span> that was his gift in pass the parcel. It is a little tight around his neck so when an extended is added, I'll blog the photo. It<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt5pi9qr3MSXI8FoCzdadHOGR1oEHvM2cuL83Ma3TIg07wpjqaJrM90Hg3JE1Td5-6e22b2y9WHjrqkeHhUdAxuBTF38a0U_DCpMDSPQ5OeyN0j5VLm4ji3s3bbCH6yXQ4zWu-g_lLVBU/s1600/noah+opening+parcel%255B1%255D.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5548459291138762642" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt5pi9qr3MSXI8FoCzdadHOGR1oEHvM2cuL83Ma3TIg07wpjqaJrM90Hg3JE1Td5-6e22b2y9WHjrqkeHhUdAxuBTF38a0U_DCpMDSPQ5OeyN0j5VLm4ji3s3bbCH6yXQ4zWu-g_lLVBU/s320/noah+opening+parcel%255B1%255D.jpg" /></a> is truly wonderful! So we have had a wonderful Sunday and a great day of firsts. Of course <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_6" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">every</span> day with our little wonder has many firsts but these two I though deserved special mention.Johnny and Darrenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11697245370250367206noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2861153031752554867.post-77744782462208708872010-11-26T22:30:00.001+11:002010-11-26T22:30:01.012+11:00Noah's Six & Seven Month Update<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6liO4l3Pj-XWt1RwylnYuswwUbCJXFtMrGrCJkI2yXTdeYRpm34CjsQ2bv-TsxrIvsamUyRZBgkp9R8fW396rh2exSWd3NndRaRyJHj9qtKf6FbGtNSQiBbJiT-PonB26m4o9-A6jMo4/s1600/GEDC0205.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 240px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5538459616429281970" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6liO4l3Pj-XWt1RwylnYuswwUbCJXFtMrGrCJkI2yXTdeYRpm34CjsQ2bv-TsxrIvsamUyRZBgkp9R8fW396rh2exSWd3NndRaRyJHj9qtKf6FbGtNSQiBbJiT-PonB26m4o9-A6jMo4/s320/GEDC0205.JPG" /></a>This post is long, long, LONG overdue and I apologise. Life has been hectic beyond belief and it just seems to be gaining momentum! Just wait until Noah is crawling and then *gulp* walking, Where is the stop sign PLEASE! Perhaps it's that life <em>seems</em> more hectic than it actually is, simply because Noah has been sick...again. Our poor little man has been coughing and sneezing with a snotty, <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">mucusy</span> nose. Combine this with a lack of sleep and you have yourself an unhappy little chappy. We have had the tiniest of tiny tastings of what a Spring day should be like in the Blue Mountains since the start of September but, Jack Frost and his Winter pals have not wanted to leave us this year. We even had snow in October which is unheard of where we live given that the altitude of our tiny mountain village is only around 750 metres above sea level. I have mentioned in older posts that Darren and I both adore the cold weather, mist, rain and chilly Winter days, but this year we really want some warm weather to 'chase the blues away'....gotta love Ella Fitzgerald right!<br /><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBQ4eiTmdrw2ZvXEy6VcEdbgkGabBsuaSbC0BiZDSfi0rh675vDF6lgVFMiFZHs7iZ5WdBqHEcnitGxwmpDgQzQuAw7YhtnJl8YrHNXTbt7TGK8dNdw9e7agvXrYhwUjZqeHPSHQz1JIY/s1600/GEDC0219.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5543695494788543922" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBQ4eiTmdrw2ZvXEy6VcEdbgkGabBsuaSbC0BiZDSfi0rh675vDF6lgVFMiFZHs7iZ5WdBqHEcnitGxwmpDgQzQuAw7YhtnJl8YrHNXTbt7TGK8dNdw9e7agvXrYhwUjZqeHPSHQz1JIY/s320/GEDC0219.JPG" /></a> </div><br /><div></div><div>The above paragraph has been in 'drafts' for weeks now and I have come to the realisation that even though I may not blog as often I like, what's the point of worrying; <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">que</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">sera</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-error">sera</span>. I love Doris Day too! The purpose of this blog is two fold really. It is a resource for other intending parents to use when planning their own family through surrogacy overseas and it is for our son. I want Noah to have this blog, our thoughts, feelings and emotions to look over and have when he is older. From India With Lo<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDlZgqH2tJhJpsiAnS3GuPEZrXJUmTQUJVkkAdpn8fxHTpsHRZ2c47AFrv3lhMNpzhSmPzYi2F86NaU8eOVcD4hTXcfyULL7VbNpOoQkp8M9kpijVvL5H-cQnmjUzJ5-VJAqlN-HdXwcA/s1600/09102010.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 240px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5543793687777538114" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDlZgqH2tJhJpsiAnS3GuPEZrXJUmTQUJVkkAdpn8fxHTpsHRZ2c47AFrv3lhMNpzhSmPzYi2F86NaU8eOVcD4hTXcfyULL7VbNpOoQkp8M9kpijVvL5H-cQnmjUzJ5-VJAqlN-HdXwcA/s320/09102010.jpg" /></a><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-error">ve</span> will become a book for he & us to share and read together. A gift from his parents detailing our journey to his birth and the first twelve months of life with his Daddy and Papa. I don't yet know if I will continue blogging after Noah turns 1; what will be will be, right!. The past two months have been as always filled with many great adventures, shared laughter, tears and a few sleepless nights! Noah, Papa, Grandma and <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" class="blsp-spelling-error">Aunty</span> Becky travelled west to the country town of <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_6" class="blsp-spelling-error">Dubbo</span>. Affectionately known as the Paris of the west in our family. It was for a family wedding that we travelled here and it was officially Noah's first wedding! <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_7" class="blsp-spelling-error">Je</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_8" class="blsp-spelling-error">t'aime</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_9" class="blsp-spelling-error">Duboo</span>! The drive from where we live to <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_10" class="blsp-spelling-error">Dubbo</span> is just over four hours and Noah slept the entire way. He is the perfect, contented baby (thanks Gina Ford)! We arrived at our destination and the cute cottage we rented for the weekend escape. By the time we unpacked the car and were indoors it was around 11pm. Noah decided to wake up on <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq13V50_o_Cf44CEWKwTvE3cD0lAVc3h4rDVUkDLDQ0UrNdOyqbqNW8wpTAq5rw6uSiz9g9K1WNHToGhp70p3AymSns8TKTXDUYntzdLPlEN3EHtet6lgQaAOpFOS-AfymiUgd3_x5KyI/s1600/24112010%2528002%2529.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5543798523225252194" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq13V50_o_Cf44CEWKwTvE3cD0lAVc3h4rDVUkDLDQ0UrNdOyqbqNW8wpTAq5rw6uSiz9g9K1WNHToGhp70p3AymSns8TKTXDUYntzdLPlEN3EHtet6lgQaAOpFOS-AfymiUgd3_x5KyI/s320/24112010%2528002%2529.jpg" /></a>our arrival and not to sleep in his travel cot. Grandma tried keeping Noah happy while Papa unpacked the mountain and I mean MOUNTAIN of luggage that is now required for a simple two night get away. It was then left to Papa to relax his little one and ensure his safe boarding on the 'sleepy train' for another night. After two hours I gave in and in the end Noah spent the weekend sleeping in the queen size bed with Papa. Other than this minor blemish on an otherwise perfect sleep routine, we had a fun weekend and enjoyed seeing our extended family and had a <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_11" class="blsp-spelling-error">grea</span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiamBT6wneuv9gX7WlhP-CmCx8TJnebySxI-fH2HqeH_wRw2OAqXYZ7gmd5BmiCkum7dLVyUXsVsyc9Ua6CtrY4mmYt1g15HEpq_NBwOlUuihHNcD6NRf6hLaeBpf_y_7UhrXI122oulOY/s1600/20112010.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5543797122135392322" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiamBT6wneuv9gX7WlhP-CmCx8TJnebySxI-fH2HqeH_wRw2OAqXYZ7gmd5BmiCkum7dLVyUXsVsyc9Ua6CtrY4mmYt1g15HEpq_NBwOlUuihHNcD6NRf6hLaeBpf_y_7UhrXI122oulOY/s320/20112010.jpg" /></a>t night at cousin Em's wedding. She was the perfect blushing bride and looked beautiful! We have also spent time enjoying picnics with friends and their children as the weather finally warms up and Noah just loves being around other kids. He really is fascinated by them and they seem to enjoy being with him too. Tans and Trent who are close friends living nearby to us and their three children Mason, Mischa and Sienna just love being around '<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_12" class="blsp-spelling-error">Bubba</span> Noah' and they are all so beautiful and gentle with him. We're just so excited to see them interact and look forward to them growing older and spending more time together. Once a month the Sydney members of the Gay Dads Australia Support group meet for a catch up. Usually it is a picnic or we meet at a park or children's play <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtL1Lhmo1uao7IKIp919V982kJ6kdlqCeYv-7M0GWsr0ssRZ6pSbVMJhMuCA_Y6ymTe6CkUbQvIkbPEr-jq1me4HZ6IJbSsrG3ykaMaK1KoEx3j47DsxCJMDg1gGwJSW7Yi5Bm3KfAADo/s1600/12092010%2528001%2529.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5543800028484994594" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtL1Lhmo1uao7IKIp919V982kJ6kdlqCeYv-7M0GWsr0ssRZ6pSbVMJhMuCA_Y6ymTe6CkUbQvIkbPEr-jq1me4HZ6IJbSsrG3ykaMaK1KoEx3j47DsxCJMDg1gGwJSW7Yi5Bm3KfAADo/s320/12092010%2528001%2529.jpg" /></a>centre depending on the weather. </div><div> </div><div></div><div></div><div>Our family have been to one get together since Noah was born and decided this month to return to Sydney for a planned picnic. We have been waiting for Noah to recover from his seemingly never ending cold and the warm weather to join us. Papa, Daddy and Noah hopped in the car, provisions on the ready and headed to Sydney. Turns out that Papa was not as prepared as he first though he was. We arrived at <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_13" class="blsp-spelling-error">Pyrmont</span> and I had forgotten the address of the meeting point. I also did not have any contact numbers and could access my email from my phone. We did try three separate parks in and around <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_14" class="blsp-spelling-error">Pyrmont</span> but in the end had our own private picnic<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia4FUJaG9FQkFslAOaSJO08K3n7j3nn69GpeH74egSAArIePSvb0i9d8ERVmE-NrHTj6ykQr3pclVXNGZtG2iwHQNkKNwlPEF8QXyYu7zY3I9_TdjgF3FKuWT25dj45clT-JcNLJCg-XI/s1600/GEDC0272.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5543806970194972978" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia4FUJaG9FQkFslAOaSJO08K3n7j3nn69GpeH74egSAArIePSvb0i9d8ERVmE-NrHTj6ykQr3pclVXNGZtG2iwHQNkKNwlPEF8QXyYu7zY3I9_TdjgF3FKuWT25dj45clT-JcNLJCg-XI/s320/GEDC0272.JPG" /></a> just the three of us and enjoyed the afternoon sun relaxing on our <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_15" class="blsp-spelling-error">blanky</span> playing with our little boy. Noah and daddy have started swimming lessons together and our little one has taken to the water like the proverbial duck. We thought this would be the case as bath time has ended up with Papa on his hands and knees drying not only the floor of the bathroom but the hand basin, walls and toilet which end up covered in water from our son, he just loves it. Swimming lessons are meant to be a weekly occurrence, every Friday morning. A quick trip in the car after Noah's morning sleep and lunch to our local swim centre and a 30 minute lesson or thereabouts. But as you all know, the best laid plans....Having been so sick we have missed a few weeks and can you b<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6s8CkSZRYkeFKhCFLNpJuda2fr2SbX12pcmMfJ-3lcnGeQSLrgUyVU-OOIVMvAwZ41iE9ZMZHy8epItNOWsbWQg0LWUmmK7Qendqi7v9iE3OrN25xzgokvV2dv3hpN0gODY7qqMi3Z3w/s1600/GEDC0281.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5543805471646333026" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6s8CkSZRYkeFKhCFLNpJuda2fr2SbX12pcmMfJ-3lcnGeQSLrgUyVU-OOIVMvAwZ41iE9ZMZHy8epItNOWsbWQg0LWUmmK7Qendqi7v9iE3OrN25xzgokvV2dv3hpN0gODY7qqMi3Z3w/s320/GEDC0281.JPG" /></a><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_16" class="blsp-spelling-error">elieve</span> that if you miss more than two you need a DR certificate to make up the classes! Perhaps due to the fact that they are paid for in advance and only operate during the school term. Noah's last lesson for the year will be the 17<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_17" class="blsp-spelling-error">th</span> December but I know that Daddy and Papa are going to continue taking him to our local pool during summer. We have a beautiful pool located in a wonderful bush setting, with shady trees, it is so peaceful. There is plenty of soft grass to relax on with a summer evening picnic and we can enjoy balmy nights and a refreshing swim! We are still waiting on Noah's first tooth to appear and thought we were there a few weeks ago. There was a tiny white speck on the bottom gum line that had Papa convinced a tooth was moments a<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisPdSaiqhFOjfiPM8VITsp2gt0j0qY_Z3obdA-WDZj0kg7_hzl91FekMXxZYEcHzGpABVp-SXxqhUw3zyn_p_3szMwEq5m99d9BQ2-FzA990s3tmltyWXBSSqH8dcjHhNLMByMKCCv2nU/s1600/GEDC0277.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 240px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5543808847046387378" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisPdSaiqhFOjfiPM8VITsp2gt0j0qY_Z3obdA-WDZj0kg7_hzl91FekMXxZYEcHzGpABVp-SXxqhUw3zyn_p_3szMwEq5m99d9BQ2-FzA990s3tmltyWXBSSqH8dcjHhNLMByMKCCv2nU/s320/GEDC0277.JPG" /></a>way and then...gone. Noah will be 8 months old in 12 days time so it can't be too far away. There is an 8 month old girl in Noah's swim group that already has three of her teeth; two on the bottom and one on top and it is utterly adorable! Noah does seem to be drooling more and more every day combined with chomping down on anything put in his mouth and rubbing his gums. I am told, these are the signs a tooth or teeth are not far away! We have had Noah to our local GP a few times these past two months for his six month immunisations, general check ups and also to a paediatric <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_18" class="blsp-spelling-error">opthomologist</span>. Noah weighs just over 9 kg & you sure can tell when you pick him up! The very top of both of Noah's iris have a tiny crescent moon spec of white which you can see the colour of his iris through. Of course being first time parents and wanting to be safe rather than sorry, we booked an appointment months ago and saw the specialist recently. It turns out to be nothing of concern which is wonderful news. It was explained that the tiny spec of white is hypo-pigmentation an<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvkmC2Z9JHZz26r-suOAhHShCdNCc4kwGbwYKv5hNxwDqw6PRqP7uNFePFFcLdMMwQ6v-cNe5MoZH_o1Xw0X2FEfAxjKyWpS8MJ9YEasf2RFnBUh9Kowlon3SMajhxdZCYNRjk2UPU6Tk/s1600/GEDC0279.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 240px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5543808090212794866" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvkmC2Z9JHZz26r-suOAhHShCdNCc4kwGbwYKv5hNxwDqw6PRqP7uNFePFFcLdMMwQ6v-cNe5MoZH_o1Xw0X2FEfAxjKyWpS8MJ9YEasf2RFnBUh9Kowlon3SMajhxdZCYNRjk2UPU6Tk/s320/GEDC0279.JPG" /></a>d does not have any affect at all on his eyesight. We were at the specialists rooms for close to three hours and the full eye check up was around two hours duration...$200 later, thank you for coming. Noah has been expanding his culinary world this month. As well as enjoying the deliciousness of HEINZ progress formula, STAGE II four times daily, Noah is now enjoying the following home made delights: Stewed Apple, Pear & Blueberry / Pumpkin, Carrot, Zucchini & <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_19" class="blsp-spelling-error">Quinoa</span> / Pumpkin, Carrot, Zucchini & Sweet Potato / Stewed Apple / Sweet Potato & Avocado. We have recently also introduced KIDS <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_20" class="blsp-spelling-error">Weet</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_21" class="blsp-spelling-error">Bix</span> for breakfast mixed with some formula and mashed banana which Noah simply adores and it turns out so does Daddy! Papa has yet to venture down the road of giving it a try as the smell of the formula is enough to discourage me, but it seems not Daddy! Noah is now also enjoying a morning and afternoon snack of some fresh fruit of which our favourites are: Blueberries that have first been peeled and slightly <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_22" class="blsp-spelling-error">mooshed</span> by Daddy or Papa, Peach pieces (ditto peeling & <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_23" class="blsp-spelling-error">mooshing</span>) & Mashed Banana. Our little one certainly has <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjfzzUQUkVMRSIfnHEFwg-RillRYONzkfT1oTuQFdKzjJFgJV2uGKh36mMgMQYRIJPlMEux62r71ZhVaAfqNKHDDKn22NhWftVt5KFNuRcqxZRCGa5N_w36aPS7yBgEoHdg9IWzRNbLIA/s1600/GEDC0208.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 240px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5543699400898258818" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjfzzUQUkVMRSIfnHEFwg-RillRYONzkfT1oTuQFdKzjJFgJV2uGKh36mMgMQYRIJPlMEux62r71ZhVaAfqNKHDDKn22NhWftVt5KFNuRcqxZRCGa5N_w36aPS7yBgEoHdg9IWzRNbLIA/s320/GEDC0208.JPG" /></a>developed a palate for veggies and fruit for which we are thankful. We have had to resort to some store bought food now and then as travelling with home made food is not always practical or possible but thank<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisNm7v_rSvuLIgreeTA7DXTSFIyoXCMAGpCxUnWc4EdWC28-hHWKQC_szqkwonFlYJ7-aHOlwtQm99DkstNjRCwHdBuc4PYqjc3cNr1Y8U7wf_HD1jq-3Gv3FaM36yreRrGeymrur6E_s/s1600/GEDC0283.JPG"></a>fully there is an abundant choice of organic baby food on the market and the variety is not too <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_24" class="blsp-spelling-error">shaby</span> either so we make do. We recently returned to Melbourne for four wonderful days catching up with our friends Jarrad, Michael and their truly beautiful son Reid. As always we had an amazing time & only wished our visit had been longer. We rented a private apartment decorated in the French Provincial style which was perfect for us <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_25" class="blsp-spelling-error">Francophiles</span>. Anyone who has been to our mountain home will attest to the fact that we are BIG lovers of French style. Complete with kitchen and laundry facilities it was simply...divine and a perfect pied a <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_26" class="blsp-spelling-error">terre</span> on the outskirts of Melbourne <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_27" class="blsp-spelling-error">CDB</span> for the three of us. We enjoyed a lovely day trip to <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_28" class="blsp-spelling-error">Daylesford</span> with the boys enjoying lunch, coffee and the array of gift shops in this pictures<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgwb82tsaQGq6FDB7keIdw2PZ-2z3U6VXiSMn_Ym_g_txYDzT6IV2MyeZTNJXB_pVbWROhJ5yPL78m8ZDfK3ceMWJOO0U8X3ewz7RK_zalpFRXiI-SN2ywHrlRT1TMSXhflXfXfeDM6f4/s1600/GEDC0258.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 240px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5543701587284416818" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgwb82tsaQGq6FDB7keIdw2PZ-2z3U6VXiSMn_Ym_g_txYDzT6IV2MyeZTNJXB_pVbWROhJ5yPL78m8ZDfK3ceMWJOO0U8X3ewz7RK_zalpFRXiI-SN2ywHrlRT1TMSXhflXfXfeDM6f4/s320/GEDC0258.JPG" /></a><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_29" class="blsp-spelling-error">que</span> town. The remainder of our time was spent enjoying great company, meeting new friends and the delights of delicious food and superb wine. Not to forget the deluxe edition of scrabble. My newest favourite board game. We always love visiting Melbourne and our dear, dear friends and eagerly await the next time we're together again. Did I mention to you however our pram was misplaced by a certain domestic airline? We arrived into Melbourne <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_30" class="blsp-spelling-error">Tullamarine</span> nice and early so as to avoid afternoon peak hour. Jarrad had agreed to meet us at the airport and we disembarked ready for our four days of relaxation. Baggage carousel number two had our luggage ready and waiting. We then head on over to the oversize baggage counter and wait. Noah happily chatting to himself and Daddy & Papa commenting how quick we always seem to get our luggage when we fly. This dear reader was our fatal mistake, the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_31" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">Achilles</span> heel of this trip. Wait until you have all your luggage before praising your chosen airline you have just flown with. Other guests prams, surf boards, baby seats, appliances and God knows what<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjRmhP9W4oqxIfiUnWF4KsfVzsqIHmH4a0v_P2n3Y0bCRGEo4W6gzV-mCjhZzwXKIEbtQQzCTtUBspop2IOyxXNNSURk7LgTCag7Ei9ZOUhrj9MlHUTsefVBBdSczTgfJPKhyphenhyphen8amgE2xk/s1600/GEDC0271.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 240px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5543707757130017842" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjRmhP9W4oqxIfiUnWF4KsfVzsqIHmH4a0v_P2n3Y0bCRGEo4W6gzV-mCjhZzwXKIEbtQQzCTtUBspop2IOyxXNNSURk7LgTCag7Ei9ZOUhrj9MlHUTsefVBBdSczTgfJPKhyphenhyphen8amgE2xk/s320/GEDC0271.JPG" /></a> else they had packaged into boxes, <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_32" class="blsp-spelling-error">eskys</span> and the like were being dropped off at a cracking pace. But not our pram. Ever the optimist, I was convinced it would be next to arrive. Now, when we departed Sydney airport we checked our one and only pram at the gate and this is where we made our first fatal mistake which destined our pram to the abyss of missing luggage. Darren laughed out loud to himself that wouldn't it be funny if we arrived and there was no pram. Funny? One is not amused! Having handed over our boarding pass' we are assured by the staff checking our flight that all would be OK and our pram <strong>would</strong> be in Melbourne with us when we arrived. We then board the aircraft and are now blissfully unaware of what drama lay ahead of us and the fate of Noah's Princely Carriage! Back to Melbourne and forty minutes or so later and still no pram. The next flight arriving had begun to have their luggage pass by on carousel number two, it was then we <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_33" class="blsp-spelling-error">raised</span> our concern with the airlines dedicated ground staff and discovered that yes, the airline had lost our pram. In fact there was no record of the pram even leaving Sydney or the whereabouts of it's current location. Even a phone call to the gate and staff there failed to reveal an answer. Our <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_34" class="blsp-spelling-error">pra</span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgimy_9Of6cDYU6OIa57wLANoLtyD-TSePcvXEqQhvcu38uRu-nvieWdo2P22fqWY94j4-RrHVeF7lAKxO_t1pHb60wvsO2jiLwgpEcn3WXtmEYRVw1oBx_rNmWzGSzOllZazTMZeTzUYc/s1600/GEDC0198.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5543710185311228674" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgimy_9Of6cDYU6OIa57wLANoLtyD-TSePcvXEqQhvcu38uRu-nvieWdo2P22fqWY94j4-RrHVeF7lAKxO_t1pHb60wvsO2jiLwgpEcn3WXtmEYRVw1oBx_rNmWzGSzOllZazTMZeTzUYc/s320/GEDC0198.JPG" /></a>m went <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_35" class="blsp-spelling-error">awol</span>. Not happy would be an understatement! I completed the mandatory lost item form, gave my contact number to the airline staff member and hoped for the best. We had been waiting for the pram for over an hour. We then readied ourselves for peak hour traffic into the city! That night we enjoyed a wonderful BBQ and an unseasonably warm Melbourne night for the time of year and our pram woes seemed to be a distant memory. It wasn't until after a few glasses of deliciously sweet bu<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkNVNCnb1TVE2O-m4ct_x1P8awbeNkSEXbdB8TxC85lXTNsLfypPcTxT285PfAo8usWh_MT0ipCaeq_AC4t-wsdP2gDZJUJsfEJi5ob5FXpZlAnr_gM5mSAsbgabQAvm_6-ge7RheqApg/s1600/GEDC0260.JPG"></a><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_36" class="blsp-spelling-error">bbles</span> I realised I had missed a call from the airline. I phoned back but of course no answer after hours. We did eventually get our pram back. The same night we arrived in fact, around 11.30pm. We do not know the details of the sordid adventure it had but we are glad she returned to us. </div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Johnny and Darrenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11697245370250367206noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2861153031752554867.post-48911268269870554142010-09-21T21:52:00.013+10:002010-09-27T21:49:01.961+10:00Noah's Five Month Update<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmVNYZEsRB598FRwN1Lk8S4taCWoP9TA05AGlrLcEIaqqZNwlUZZR7yJ_AsWScI8dsnMj-XsmWl5o6vyeA30Ou7LigM5TpakDsq8fbAhfvb9xZj3klGtKkDC-1z3jSe2PgtDOlSF-oSnE/s1600/GEDC0122.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5519337668123225730" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmVNYZEsRB598FRwN1Lk8S4taCWoP9TA05AGlrLcEIaqqZNwlUZZR7yJ_AsWScI8dsnMj-XsmWl5o6vyeA30Ou7LigM5TpakDsq8fbAhfvb9xZj3klGtKkDC-1z3jSe2PgtDOlSF-oSnE/s320/GEDC0122.JPG" /></a>Five months, actually more than five months have now passed. Our son is five months and two weeks old tomorrow, the 22<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">nd</span> September. Each day with Noah brings new joy to our lives. Joy as any parent will tell you unlike any other. Most days I find myself walking into Noah's room to simply stare at him. I stand at the side of his cot quietly watching his chest move up and down as it fills with oxygen and then as he exhales how his little face, cheeks, and nose move. His face twitches & squirms usually as a result of me rubbing my nose against his cheek or stealing one more kiss for the day. I have discovered that there is never enough kisses shared in any one day. I find myself holding his tiny hands, thanking God we have a healthy, happy baby boy. There is so much that is wrong and sad in this world today but for that moment when I am standing next to Noah, nothing else matters. It is bliss.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUq2tNsqwscrmi_WfZLfVe0L3JywlqxmeSMHA5EW0AkT-bKUgPrlN2KeCa0AvjDR5yme0trrTQFrJT9BgnDkka4WY7iDJ-Hr11XFtFJ42PcmHHuG9qlUGaKbs_TlY0Rl_4LxZDXWZEbnk/s1600/GEDC0119.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5519338560682589090" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUq2tNsqwscrmi_WfZLfVe0L3JywlqxmeSMHA5EW0AkT-bKUgPrlN2KeCa0AvjDR5yme0trrTQFrJT9BgnDkka4WY7iDJ-Hr11XFtFJ42PcmHHuG9qlUGaKbs_TlY0Rl_4LxZDXWZEbnk/s320/GEDC0119.JPG" /></a><br /><br />We have seen the arrival of Spring this month and for the first time, Darren and I are welcoming her with open arms. We both adore the cold weather, Winter especially. The colder the better. This year has been the exception. We have had a cold Winter and what seems to have been a very long Winter. This coupled with the fact that Noah has been sick, meant that we were eagerly awaiting warmer weather. As mentioned in earlier posts, Noah had croup not long after we returned from India and Winter set in. It was simply awful and the cough was only one aspect of the illness. The past five to six weeks has seen us visit our local GP three times due to a consistent cough, awful wheeze and the most yuckiest of runny noses and subsequent mucus, apologies! This infection did not want to leave and we were both so worried, feeling there was nothing we could do.<br /><div><div><div><div><div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0Sc-CtHT0xRSp4-n1LUl83gN9yKEYiQL2_zt5lk2gDFM03gEeQBQ1eFJyCDJA8yc12rlFKWkGNrWb_1Jm1h-rDW_Y-9u8EZJq4P4xqXSLQybXISfrRpDh5SvGIGqB0XCtBzq-Dm3Gjy4/s1600/GEDC0177.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 240px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5519339441028771122" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0Sc-CtHT0xRSp4-n1LUl83gN9yKEYiQL2_zt5lk2gDFM03gEeQBQ1eFJyCDJA8yc12rlFKWkGNrWb_1Jm1h-rDW_Y-9u8EZJq4P4xqXSLQybXISfrRpDh5SvGIGqB0XCtBzq-Dm3Gjy4/s320/GEDC0177.JPG" /></a><br /><div></div><div>Noah has been wheezy off and on since his immunisations at four months of age but the cough came a little later, then followed by the yucky nose. It was so terrible and there was just nothing we could do to offer relief to him other than a steam vaporizer in his bedroom and lots and lots of love. On our second visit to our GP Noah was diagnosed with <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">bronchiolitis</span>. This now <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">seems</span> to have passed and our boy is 99% back to his normal self. It is so good to wake up in the morning and have a child free from coughing, sneezing and being terribly congested. For this and other reasons, Spring we welcome thee! This month Noah enjoyed his first ferry ride on Sydney Harbour. Typically every August we celebrate the birthdays of Darren, his brother Brett and sister Tracie with a family get together. This year we were a little late and made it in September. We agreed to meet at the Ivanhoe Pub in Manly for a family lunch and we were joined by our nieces Hollie, Hannah & Brooke and nephew Chad. <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-error">Aunty</span> Rob and Uncle Charlie from the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-error">NSW</span> north coast also joined<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxh6HI_ZIbIrmeWisxz2RU1CHIfmCydu-b321xh59DH3Op6NMnHQxOjYxUIcFJdLyMnsP9IYxxahqJaTpeAO1Zx97kgKQPNDXRX5M2H9ZXSWxGcSF7nqTk9tudQ8k1zXaRvyulszLmcr0/s1600/GEDC0117.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5519340257977524850" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxh6HI_ZIbIrmeWisxz2RU1CHIfmCydu-b321xh59DH3Op6NMnHQxOjYxUIcFJdLyMnsP9IYxxahqJaTpeAO1Zx97kgKQPNDXRX5M2H9ZXSWxGcSF7nqTk9tudQ8k1zXaRvyulszLmcr0/s320/GEDC0117.JPG" /></a> us. The weather on the day was drab and grey, yet we still had a wonderful time & our boy was so happy and well behaved the entire day. There was so much excitement and people to meet that sleeping and any resemblance of a routine went out the window for the day. This did not matter though and <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" class="blsp-spelling-error">Nono</span> was still his happy self and not one bit grumpy! This month has also seen a wonderful milestone for Noah and his daddies; solid food. We decided at just after five months of age, having shown growing interest in our meals and drinks that we would start Noah on some solid food. So, we readied the video and still cameras, set the high chair up in the lounge room and defrosted some home made organic pumpkin puree made by Papa. And, it was a smashing success. 50grams of pumpkin goodness was eagerly eaten and then a bottle of formula to boot. Needless to say we had a wonderful first experience of solid food and Noah has been enjoying a wide range of home made deliciousness these past two weeks. Those infant <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_6" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">taste</span> buds have been enjoying a wide selection of gourmet fare including; organic pumpkin puree, organic <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv-KkEy4gUqDMCYzEMv6OKoqAzGwAMTyg2rT2zx6FVAa0O5jwCLnBmAD642sBMuzV6I9c0W3V-SMOvjeDi5mjz1Wl_Qg2wx-umhO9amLtM9bCw-sa3Pk059UQTDF2TCfGxomAU7hV9lVk/s1600/GEDC0150.JPG"></a>apple puree, pumpkin and corn puree and organic sweet potato puree. I just love spending <img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5519343381805281138" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW3jJmF5Gm4Oh_BN8IGJzq-samvS7pKFL3pDLqkE1AcZoGTJVfZko12S4TI4LZ7bhKn6KpuwAB3ZlXoewYg-5E455_eb00tIKErWw7rjlm1MwjXbZLagUZ2DHDrhnl4LBBqTAJl_rAwD8/s320/GEDC0150.JPG" />time in the kitchen at the best of times and especially love knowing that I am cooking home made, prepared meals for our little man. I can't wait to try some new flavours and textures and see just what he likes the most. At the moment it seems to be the sweet potato. Both daddy and papa are adventurous with their food & we're sure that Noah will be just the same. I also have to share something that keeps happening more and more often over the past couple of weeks and I wonder if this is a trend with other new parents? Our wonderful surrogate is always in our hearts and the front of our minds. We often chat about her, her children and extended family and hope they are well. We hope she is happy with the choice sh<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8aLQS_65yHaCSL7peOOllJsTbsOT2qJOSYVuYOCPJJTAt0BkkUe14OIurV9X38w36kZA1VEWNsdBRBSUoaiAtejYroGtqfiT2bUAinBnhHOUpUCNmYO9YUGXOyfP0C3pdA0Tgr-5VbnM/s1600/GEDC0190.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 240px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5519348929171167746" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8aLQS_65yHaCSL7peOOllJsTbsOT2qJOSYVuYOCPJJTAt0BkkUe14OIurV9X38w36kZA1VEWNsdBRBSUoaiAtejYroGtqfiT2bUAinBnhHOUpUCNmYO9YUGXOyfP0C3pdA0Tgr-5VbnM/s320/GEDC0190.JPG" /></a>e made to have a child for us & wonder if she would do the same again? The more we spend time with parents of multi-child families the more we think of a sibling for Noah. For us however it's not as easy and straight forward as it is for others out there. We're not wired to reproduce and the plumbing is all wrong to boot. Do parents of children conceived the ole' fashioned way think of siblings so soon? Is this normal? Are we selfish? Are we crazy?!? Shouldn't one healthy child be enough for any family? Having a child is such an emotional and life changing experience that neither of us were prepared for. Yes we <strong><em>anticipated</em></strong> just what life would be like when Noah came into our world. Yes we <strong><em><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_7" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">anticipated</span> </em></strong>that life would be amazing, stupendous, tiring and all the more richer having him here with us and it is. However, we were not prepared for how we would feel once we knew he is an only child. There are plenty of single children in the world and there does not seem to be any detriment to their development, life skills, happiness or how they feel about their life. So why question this, are we being selfish I ask again? Why does a sibling keep coming into my mind and then out of it again? Our pregnancy with Noah was text book perfect. Not a single hitch. Are we tempting fate by thinking of trying for a brother or sister for Noah? </div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGoTolII1IE3lj_UZsw3XcPRXzRl6i1OvlkXowTVfl3vInaoaTncc-qB8RQW620lFgtHJRDvy8AF5iaDLSDo4nkDEoeaKIOV41NcKp2H8dCL6ZXL6z55Hr5wqfHCyCsjX00A5ousLGPgs/s1600/GEDC0185.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5519349634940656802" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGoTolII1IE3lj_UZsw3XcPRXzRl6i1OvlkXowTVfl3vInaoaTncc-qB8RQW620lFgtHJRDvy8AF5iaDLSDo4nkDEoeaKIOV41NcKp2H8dCL6ZXL6z55Hr5wqfHCyCsjX00A5ousLGPgs/s320/GEDC0185.JPG" /></a> <div></div><br /><div>The chances of a positive pregnancy are lessened with a frozen embryo transfer or '<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_8" class="blsp-spelling-error">FET</span>'. Then there is the nine months. In fact more than the nine months; the two week wait, waiting for beta numbers, waiting for the all important heart beat, first trimester, second trimester, third trimester and normal birth. Nothing is certain until your healthy child is born and even then...Both Darren and I felt such a connection with our surrogate that I don't know if it would feel right trying again with another woman. Is this selfish? Is this normal? Again, what is normal? My mind is awash with the thought of possibilities and what could <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_9" class="blsp-spelling-error">be's</span>. There is also the reality that commercial surrogacy is not as simple as simply saying yes, let's do this. One has to be financially able to cope with the unknown. What if there are complications during your surrogate's pregnancy etc. And then having a child is but one aspect of life's story. There is so much we as a family have yet to experience together. We want to provide the best possible life for Noah. Will a second child bring more financial stain that we can deal with? I suppose it is a feeling of melancholy that has me asking these questions of myself. We have had a month away from blogger and the online surrogacy world. Checking in on new intended parents, their stories and blogs again has re-kindled the feelings of anticipation, hope, joy and love of knowing that there is a new life about to be born and that life is that of your child.</div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Johnny and Darrenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11697245370250367206noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2861153031752554867.post-10735010798195953182010-08-23T12:16:00.036+10:002010-08-25T07:46:29.406+10:00Noah's Four Month Update<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPH5IA8jcNAPOtMNzYEfGS0pfU2te1S2xZCQ8MtAnBa4yB-PitpeytVYNe0m_neJQRoFGOnxd_XgWYu7dltzX1RzyzziXMq2sJFhWuWOdaZZWRC_-okFR9sDh_ibLqeCdNNFMJbqfGyjI/s1600/DSCF3319.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 240px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5508922962700312578" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPH5IA8jcNAPOtMNzYEfGS0pfU2te1S2xZCQ8MtAnBa4yB-PitpeytVYNe0m_neJQRoFGOnxd_XgWYu7dltzX1RzyzziXMq2sJFhWuWOdaZZWRC_-okFR9sDh_ibLqeCdNNFMJbqfGyjI/s320/DSCF3319.JPG" /></a>As each day draws to a close surely as the setting sun, our little man is growing, developing and enriching our lives. Noah is fast becoming a baby boy with a wonderfully gentle, loving and warm personality. Our son is now four months and 16 days old. He has truly perfected his sleeping routine and again we sing praises to the 'Contented Baby' routine by Gina Ford. To the non believers of having your newborn in a sound routine, it can and is being done, not only by us but parents everywhere. I was amazed when I attended parents groups and there were children older than Noah who were still waking in the night and then others who had wished they had tried a routine but thought it was not possible. We have been following the routine as recommended by Gina Ford since Noah was born in April.<br /><br /><br />We did not feed on demand as recommended by the nurses at Hiranandani Hospital. Rather, we cho<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTO7TZutJCkfLduzqiIaMyAsGa-jq72aLWgQA6hYlm0nkUp0XbwEJJRGzvutVUEjle_2UD08qN61vOKzHgEMtKtbM8fSipwFd_6bxt7F9EwWcbbRhWp-fXl3hIbXW9cUy8DEYcieAtGEc/s1600/DSCF3352.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 240px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5508924710784552162" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTO7TZutJCkfLduzqiIaMyAsGa-jq72aLWgQA6hYlm0nkUp0XbwEJJRGzvutVUEjle_2UD08qN61vOKzHgEMtKtbM8fSipwFd_6bxt7F9EwWcbbRhWp-fXl3hIbXW9cUy8DEYcieAtGEc/s320/DSCF3352.JPG" /></a>se to feed as outlined in the 'Contended Baby' and the results speak or I should say sleep for themselves. Noah has been sleeping through the night from 7pm to 7am since he was three and a half months old and nothing has changed. He is perfection at bed time and, as the clock approaches 7pm, his beautiful little eyes start to become heavy and in a matter of moments he boards the sleep train bound for sleepy land, as we say in our home. This routine has been important for us knowing that both of us would be returning to work so soon after Noah was born. Darren returned to work just after Noah was one month old and Johnny has just returned to work too. We needed to know that our son was going to be happy, healthy and in a strong routine and, he is.<br /><br /><br />The past month has been one of major development for Noah. He is no longer newborn and this is very obvious to us when we compare him to other young babys; cousin Reid who is seven weeks old and cousin Alexander who is four weeks old. No No (Noddy) is growing up.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF18_HiaqDKfU-unjBaRHZfCoAyFbdEOq8OAC1nVpMyQY-yFUBjHLl68GiYSU4UI2NpJe-arKjSWFl1TmCBjOGorYr0m3FfGP0URsp3-BRoV9keZtYUYiPsmOWaGyroKqugFsay6cFAY0/s1600/DSCF3295.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5508927234589240210" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF18_HiaqDKfU-unjBaRHZfCoAyFbdEOq8OAC1nVpMyQY-yFUBjHLl68GiYSU4UI2NpJe-arKjSWFl1TmCBjOGorYr0m3FfGP0URsp3-BRoV9keZtYUYiPsmOWaGyroKqugFsay6cFAY0/s320/DSCF3295.JPG" /></a> Our son can now hold his head up high on his own and is no longer a rag doll when sitting upright. He really enjoys tummy time but not for too long Papa! Noah is laughing out load every day and especially loves it when Daddy wakes him up with his morning wake up song; Good Morning! Nothing compares to the joy we feel when we walk into Noah's room of a morning, opening the blinds and there is our little star looking up at us smiling, giggling and waiting for us to pick him up for his first cuddle and kiss of the day. He is so happy to see his Daddy and Papa and the squeals of delight are simply divine! Noah really enjoys Fisher Price's "Little People" too. We have a couple of Baby Einstein DVDs and the Little People Discoveries DVD which runs for fifteen minutes. We usually find this being played at around 10:30am just before a mid morning bottle. The five 'Little People', Michael, Maggie, Sonya-Lee, Sara-Lyn and Eddie enjoy a number of adventures together such as helping Farmer Jed with his corn field, helping a little car stuck in a tree, playing with the animals at the zoo and helping each other. The DVD is not long and Noah just loves sitting on the sofa watching while Papa and Daddy run around the house trying to get a few chores done.<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrz9s8EZWG8Vzc1-118HSmgr9qvOh2B10JWL0xnlvx81GEyMPz3HvJmdlygqhKmLaPUPTzM8xT3cJAtp6PFC1LaRytxTvd5WboJ-Pw0zgOPJO3itUAn2cCfF2z6fcDqCgrrYVUcfo2Sx0/s1600/GEDC0012+(2).JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5508942443631783682" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrz9s8EZWG8Vzc1-118HSmgr9qvOh2B10JWL0xnlvx81GEyMPz3HvJmdlygqhKmLaPUPTzM8xT3cJAtp6PFC1LaRytxTvd5WboJ-Pw0zgOPJO3itUAn2cCfF2z6fcDqCgrrYVUcfo2Sx0/s320/GEDC0012+(2).JPG" /></a> Noah has also had his second immunisation booster this month: diptheria, tetanus, pertussis, polio, Hep. B, rotavirus, pneumococcal and hib. When we went for the two month check up and immunisations he was such a trooper, but this time round he was less eager to accept what was being offered by the community nurse. Perhaps it's because Noah is growing and becoming more aware or maybe he was simply having a bad day. Regardless he did not take the oral vaccine easily and one of the two needles he was given really, really upset him. He took longer to calm and settle this time round but at least we know he is protected from illness that can be prevented. Immunisations are a topic of discussion amongst new parents and we know that some people are against vaccinating and other would not have it any other way.<br /><br /><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 240px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5508932903265193986" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEingTrn6Vv0uzQX60gWEZBd293Lz4sOqI4fZdiRUER9OG_AK8G0b3aL8bMNiCKbg9eLpwb6cJUxRKn_xcZlR5iTrO684mXvaZdJzdc2eP6a9ceBpmBXsyhRT_RiNTT9FcIQ3zmfSFDGxCA/s320/GEDC0110.JPG" />A large section of the community where we live in the Blue Mountains of New South Wales like to live a simple, hassle free and alternate lifestyle. I suppose you could say the city of the Blue Mountains welcomes with open arms the inner hippy in all of us. And sometimes, with this chosen way of life many people like to live as naturally as possible and this sometimes means not having your children immunised. To each his own, we live in a wonderfully accepting society (could be more so) and if you don't want to do something, you have the choice not to do it. For our family however, Johnny in particular immunisations are something that was non negotiable. When I was in high school, a young boy in year 10, his third year of junior high, came to school one day with a cane. The kind of cane you see vision impaired people using to assit in walking. I though nothing of this at the time, consumed by my own world and that of my friends.<br /><br />Later that same year I left this school for a twelve month student exchange program to live in Japan. When I returned to Australia in 1997 I discovered from my younger sister that the boy who had brought the cane to school had in fact contracted the measles. This boy gradually lost his eye sight, went completely blind and was then bed ridden before he passed away.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br />This young boy aged fifteen years old had died from the measles.<br /><br /><br /><br />I remember Becky telling me that the school community at the time was in total shock at his passing and nurses in our local hospital required counselling after he died. I still often think of this boy and his family. I can not imagine the pain and anguish that his parents and brother must have endured knowing that he was about the lose his life because of the measles, a preventable disease. This is why I always felt that if we had children there would be no question in having him or her vaccinated. And, on to the next topic of debate, politics!<br /><br />Isn't this meant to be a blog about family, our son and our experience in India and not a social soapbox?<br /><br /><br />I won't venture too far down the political brick road other than to say that Australia has just had a federal election over the past weekend and we are still awaiting the results to hear who our new Prime Minister will be. Neither of the two major political parties won my a clear majority. and both now need to try and coerce the independent and green parties to form an alliance with them to have a clear majority of power in the senate or it's back to the polling booths for us all. One of the hopes Darren and I have coming into this election is that the government will recognise our family as equal to that of our straight counterparts and even (gasp) allow us to publicly declare our love for one another and have this recognised as valid and equal too. You know what people; doing this will not result in the world as you know it crumbling and falling apart! The sun will still rise in the East and set in the West. Autumn will still follow Summer and Spring will still follow Winter. There is still hope and change will come. But change, major change always seems to take a snails pace to happen don't you think?<br /><br />This past month Noah and Papa went to their first local school's open day and I'm sure this will be the first of many as we decide where is best to nurture our little boy and provide the best opportunity for him to grow and develop both emotionally and academically. So far so good and we will go again next year to look at the school's facilities, chat with staff and students. If we decide this is where we want Noah to be educated, we will pay the enrollment fee, sign the paperwork and place him on the waiting list for kindergarten in 2010. YIKES!<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGIL24e0ccgl1aMm3mM1n0L_7iygfZ39w-l9B3jfCe8UsYFHfnqg5N70lMsD02B3B5iX-22cOtAH3c6z2_ZTPizB5Gfj0qC8EoISUQkdLaecsCCGeqs10ULURZQGOxJsjjErOW44IxEDk/s1600/GEDC0115.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5508936712700023890" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGIL24e0ccgl1aMm3mM1n0L_7iygfZ39w-l9B3jfCe8UsYFHfnqg5N70lMsD02B3B5iX-22cOtAH3c6z2_ZTPizB5Gfj0qC8EoISUQkdLaecsCCGeqs10ULURZQGOxJsjjErOW44IxEDk/s320/GEDC0115.JPG" /></a><br />We have had some wonderful day trips, outings and visits from family and friends over the past four to five weeks too. Daddy, Papa and Noah started off with a very full day exploring Sydney and some of her outer suburbs. We started our day with a spot of shopping trying to find some cute outfits for No No. We then enjoyed a delicious seafood lunch at Nicks on world famous Bondi Beach and spent our afternoon enjoying coffee and a spot more shopping in the cute village of Woollahra in Sydney's Eastern suburbs. We decided to finish the day with dinner at a yummy Mexican restaurant in Glebe, in Sydney's inner west. A total of ten plus hours out with our little man and Noah was perfect! He woke, ate and slept when he was meant to and enjoyed a great outing with his dads.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg63LkaWhb2p3ZaW376Mqf9wlpsPjPaekzj3rl4R1C1eOxPABcxebl64JhOhs_8eHe9UDyfJ3nXi3GjniHVBmrAZpRnlX8EaKS0tSOYVKFtusZpeb3xDbH50Havl39V3uh5Md3-TMG8E3c/s1600/Hartley_Valley%5B1%5D.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5508933736405930402" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg63LkaWhb2p3ZaW376Mqf9wlpsPjPaekzj3rl4R1C1eOxPABcxebl64JhOhs_8eHe9UDyfJ3nXi3GjniHVBmrAZpRnlX8EaKS0tSOYVKFtusZpeb3xDbH50Havl39V3uh5Md3-TMG8E3c/s320/Hartley_Valley%5B1%5D.jpg" /></a><br /><br />We also took a day trip west of the Blue Mountains to the small town of Oberon, famous for wild mushrooms in Autumn and truffles in Winter. This is where Uncle Brett lives. We also had a visit from friends Fara and Matt this month, with the wonderfully exciting news they are expecting twins which was a surprise and a half! We knew they had been trying IVF and did not know they were successful until we saw them this month. Cathing up with this pair is akin to walking into the FRRO in Mumbai, swanning around without all your required paperwork and then leaving with your child's exit visa in hand within the hour...next to impossible. We have been trying to catch up for lunch since our return from Mumbai in April and finally managed to do so in July. The expectant parents managed to keep their pregnancy a secret and when they arrived we were met with a five month pregnant belly! We are so excited for them and know they will be great parents. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtys2YOSQ_GxZVnQBhG3RfEkfA91XOluhWbc1dGVaC3qQLUBFhePWM1KXOuLuEqUoFVrsnyaTcIA6kdBIn0EIFqvPA5rCVU7b_KH2eqAEKhXFtmLq1q0z-ZyrF9hGetXhVpeem5jH68LU/s1600/GEDC0103+(2).JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5508939863892613538" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtys2YOSQ_GxZVnQBhG3RfEkfA91XOluhWbc1dGVaC3qQLUBFhePWM1KXOuLuEqUoFVrsnyaTcIA6kdBIn0EIFqvPA5rCVU7b_KH2eqAEKhXFtmLq1q0z-ZyrF9hGetXhVpeem5jH68LU/s320/GEDC0103+(2).JPG" /></a><br /><br />Aunty Nadyne, Uncle Murray and Cousins Emerson and Makayla also visited us from Newcastle in July. This was the second time we had caught up with Johnny's sister, brother in law and children since we returned from India. And it was a great opportunity to relax at home and enjoy some time visiting wonderful cafes and shops which are abundant in the Blue Mountains. We always have a fantastic time when we meet up and sharing the joy of parenthood with them adds another dimension to our relationship.We also enjoyed a wonderful weekend with dear friends, Jarrad, Michael and th<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOGYFYofETabdxnVGgiihSle2Ad3UU3SsJekNzAfZGh8V__jYnj3uuJ-wQBNLQyTj_xYQVYD384FYeBhNu4hIm2TwWvY7TJJavhvACEEVfpfYYhim8LdbNEVEZNDww9d3j0TcLYdGqsHg/s1600/GEDC0032+(3).JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5508945036609327010" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOGYFYofETabdxnVGgiihSle2Ad3UU3SsJekNzAfZGh8V__jYnj3uuJ-wQBNLQyTj_xYQVYD384FYeBhNu4hIm2TwWvY7TJJavhvACEEVfpfYYhim8LdbNEVEZNDww9d3j0TcLYdGqsHg/s320/GEDC0032+(3).JPG" /></a>eir newborn son Reid, born in India in June of this year. We had a beautiful weekend exploring some of the surrounding areas in the Mountains and again, enjoyed delicious food and beautiful wine but most importantly shared great times with remarklably wonderful friends. These boys and their son mean so much to our family and we are delighted to have continued our friendship since the birth of our children. In them we have friends for life.Johnny and Darrenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11697245370250367206noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2861153031752554867.post-56212031328943201322010-07-13T13:17:00.014+10:002010-07-13T15:08:10.667+10:00Noah's Three Month Update<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMx3i9c7Wot2ucHEFI4mnl6gADLtuqhnO1Y8cnPAK5OfNbb4yHSuq7AtrFFgo7Y2MTCbzN1USdOWCc_ILPBeVt1Dg8nIARpKH5xDNIgK4WyGwvTPtba_Yp1kHNlv_E3bReLOMWWxvflA8/s1600/GEDC0098+(2).JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 240px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5493226531020775170" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMx3i9c7Wot2ucHEFI4mnl6gADLtuqhnO1Y8cnPAK5OfNbb4yHSuq7AtrFFgo7Y2MTCbzN1USdOWCc_ILPBeVt1Dg8nIARpKH5xDNIgK4WyGwvTPtba_Yp1kHNlv_E3bReLOMWWxvflA8/s320/GEDC0098+(2).JPG" /></a>Where have the past 90 days gone? Well in fact 95 days! We have had our son in our lives for almost 100 days! What an amazing 95 days they have been too, unlike any other we have experienced before. And, just as wonderful as we had dreamt they would be! Prior to your child's birth, people tell you that the love you feel as a parent is unlike anything else you could possibly imagine. You love them unconditionally from the moment you set eyes on them. We all know how this story goes right? But, experiencing this love, this change in oneself is amazing. One can not put into words how this truly makes you feel. How is such a thing possible and what if it doesn't happen to me? You often hear pregnant woman speaking of this. Having a child grow inside of you for nine months, giving birth and feeding your child creates a bond for life. But, how do dads create this bond & does this same bond happen when our surrogates give birth to our children? Does it exist for them? One would imagine it does, right, but maybe resigning themselves to the fact they have fallen pregnant to help another person become a parent, a joy they already know for themselves<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi76QOkRRI-Nupm2KxK_ciimP_ptjW4yJo74PRI0y-T8fRpyC5OsJlltXB1qi8lLwD7v6WU5A4wemLpDglCAgtE-I9g3Y4hVz7EKbJQkAdK63tGXDOd-Ai6wMfWIoE8sDf5unDmfu1Ov6Q/s1600/1st+haircut+at+3+months.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5493230900510685538" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi76QOkRRI-Nupm2KxK_ciimP_ptjW4yJo74PRI0y-T8fRpyC5OsJlltXB1qi8lLwD7v6WU5A4wemLpDglCAgtE-I9g3Y4hVz7EKbJQkAdK63tGXDOd-Ai6wMfWIoE8sDf5unDmfu1Ov6Q/s320/1st+haircut+at+3+months.jpg" /></a> first hand is how they cope with these emotions. For dads the world over, we are not able to carry a life inside us so we bond by talking with our unborn child and caressing our partner's pregnant belly. Great if your partner lives with you and you happen to be heterosexual, but again, what about Darren and I and other intended parents the world over who don't have that pregnant belly there with us? Many IPs we have spoken with talk about a fear of not bonding with their child when first born and I think this is normal. You are so detached from the daily realities of being pregnant that it's no wonder we have to sometimes pinch ourselves and reaffirm that YES, WE ARE PREGNANT! Many of us are not even in the sa<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIFYOz_zO7xdnyZUihyphenhyphenURRf1zspzgqM-vhijrIpX4j97fW6SdPcU5wPS18Vaz__eDvVcC0vB8y8h16TzQcEzHp6eiDTjIAT-v0y2iPFf8ORz-wEKQVsf5g-McgVuisvkkk4FsrgsPqtbk/s1600/GEDC0069+(2).JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 240px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5493235380020031330" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIFYOz_zO7xdnyZUihyphenhyphenURRf1zspzgqM-vhijrIpX4j97fW6SdPcU5wPS18Vaz__eDvVcC0vB8y8h16TzQcEzHp6eiDTjIAT-v0y2iPFf8ORz-wEKQVsf5g-McgVuisvkkk4FsrgsPqtbk/s320/GEDC0069+(2).JPG" /></a>me country as our unborn child for the majority of their pregnancy. Some are lucky to travel midway through the nine months and be there for ultrasounds etc bu the majority are not. We are relying on another human being to take care of our unborn child for us at a time in our lives when it is not yet possible for us to do so. We are kept in touch with 'our' pregnancy via email, skype and ultrasound photos via email. Fo Darren and I, our surrogate remains our angel and we know this is the case for most of us who have travelled down the path of commercial surrogacy. Without these woman willing to bear a child for us, our children would not be with us today, bringing unimaginable joy to our lives. Our surrogate is an amazing woman who has made being parents possible for us. This is the most wonderful time of our lives and something we previously only ever dreamed of. But this is not a dream, this is real. The bond we have with Noah was a natural, instant emotion we had the minute we knew he had entered this earth. We were not yet in the same country as him, yet to meet our son yet it was there for us. In Singapore, waiting for our flight to Mumbai we received the news we had been waiting to hear for what seemed like a lifetim<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpmmSIOjzCKS7O9cgzdxHVmJBXdBIB0ocmyMcdPGlNmJ6fv_i-VT-Fdf0Z1JBbF9D5EQDhiuIKjTDHetFNK1Ah5hrF9dm5a0__Q7TS5BMpPGaJSAeV2Dt3TMrmWrg_JLYKtOtn0cf4wmU/s1600/GEDC0085+(2).JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 240px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5493243692534786434" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpmmSIOjzCKS7O9cgzdxHVmJBXdBIB0ocmyMcdPGlNmJ6fv_i-VT-Fdf0Z1JBbF9D5EQDhiuIKjTDHetFNK1Ah5hrF9dm5a0__Q7TS5BMpPGaJSAeV2Dt3TMrmWrg_JLYKtOtn0cf4wmU/s320/GEDC0085+(2).JPG" /></a>e....your baby has been born, congratulations! The first photo we received of Noah was of Dr Yash holding him minutes after he was born. Darren and I were amazed that this little life, our son was real and waiting for us in Mumbai. Waiting for his dads to arrive before he even knew we existed, before he had met us or knew how much we already loved him. More than anything in the world. This emotional roller coaster plays out I'm certain in 'normal' pregnancies too. There are mothers too who fear they will not bond with their newborn child when born. I guess this worry it heightened for those of us who have to go to such lengths as we do to bring a baby into our lives. Even more so to those of us unable to fall pregnant on the first, second, third, fourth, fifth and sometimes even sixth or seventh attempt. Our resolve at not losing focus on becoming parents amazes me. I have such admiration for these people and pray for their happy ending. I repeat, we both repeat to ourselves time and time again just how lucky we were to have success on our first attempt and to have a smooth text book pregnancy. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxIi3KoIvwQLYLQTIWwVyTYhTq-6mSYDF99uXGFwZATb9J8BWjN7GuvztAmFSuPCGiiUjIzpHn1lk2cA1irihwunJejTwKVHAVyVe8WT4877sL0b6ZKN_n6jYyd8cQBde9TdXVdl4cOSs/s1600/GEDC0104+(2).JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 240px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5493247343356315634" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxIi3KoIvwQLYLQTIWwVyTYhTq-6mSYDF99uXGFwZATb9J8BWjN7GuvztAmFSuPCGiiUjIzpHn1lk2cA1irihwunJejTwKVHAVyVe8WT4877sL0b6ZKN_n6jYyd8cQBde9TdXVdl4cOSs/s320/GEDC0104+(2).JPG" /></a>Others have not been so lucky and it is heart breaking. The past three months have seen Noah, Daddy and Papa create some wonderful memories together and I thought I would share some of them with you now. So.....drumroll please. In no particular order, the first three months of life for Noah Robert have seen him enjoy the following adventures. Rushing about Bombay in an auto rickshaw less than a week old. Dining out with friends from the USA at three days of age. Of course taking his first international flight from India to Sydney and having his first complimentary upgrade at 17 days of age....thanks British Airways! Flying to Melbourne to meet his two wonderful uncles who have recently become dads themselves! YAY! Shopping with Daddy & Papa for his first pair of shoes. Enjoying yum-cha in Sydney with Papa and his friend Mel. And last but by no means least, sharing an in calculable amount of laughs, hugs and kisses with his two loving parents. We love and adore you so much our darling son. I pray we can live up to our expectations at being the best dads you could ever hope for.<br /><br />***********************************************************************<br /><div align="left">To Our Darling Son Noah: </div><br />You were our dream of love, hope and joy. Then you were born to us, a perfect, darling baby boy.<br />Months spent praying for a safe arrival. Nights and days of tears and fears.<br />Now you are home with us, your parents for life. We're here for you, all of your years.<br />May life be kind, generous and always glad. You can always rely on us, your two loving dads.Johnny and Darrenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11697245370250367206noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2861153031752554867.post-5629095489490764082010-06-30T15:50:00.001+10:002010-06-30T16:05:39.337+10:00No Time To Blog<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheEsLcSr-uim9krxyCV7jM4XzUsIr3MmsL5i241Trutmew_LPOyereIk8PIweEZbKpKbitvUlTTZceMTdo1kSgdBlW7OelYCuj1c7FBSvS59jtxnKMq8IKCkDWZZ4FQfbVTnU46hMVeTA/s1600/Renaissance+%231.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 222px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5473316217493507570" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheEsLcSr-uim9krxyCV7jM4XzUsIr3MmsL5i241Trutmew_LPOyereIk8PIweEZbKpKbitvUlTTZceMTdo1kSgdBlW7OelYCuj1c7FBSvS59jtxnKMq8IKCkDWZZ4FQfbVTnU46hMVeTA/s320/Renaissance+%231.JPG" /></a>How long has it been since your last time? For me it has been 18 days. I seem to have no time to blog anymore and this post has been a long time coming, sorry for the delay. Prior to Noah joining our family I had a grand plan of 'stay at home parenthood' in my little country boy head. Baking, gardening, preserving (yes preserving) quince are almost back in season you know! The required amount of housework and of course time spent playing & reading to our son. Maybe too a little time enjoying outings with friends and family. HA! To say that I am busy is an understatement of unimaginable proportions and time poor simply does not cut it either. Is there such a thing as the lack of time poverty line? If so, I'm there my friends........The above paragraph was started on the 20th May and it is now June 29, almost July! Jeesh, I <strong>HAVE </strong>to find the time to blog, this I know. There just doesn't seem to be any time available. Today is different though. Today is the first day Noah is spending with someone other than his Papa. But more on this later.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRvMpbdlijgL1ljmzs_h0Jx9MvfDkzSrbsJuF35xojM2DwYprcxCLbEtjq6Pethu_sq6qKA7rCf2TJtH8PsEeSSFMPKMCQyai-KZ6TvkuIqL6Ri56MPJg8Msa1WV7Gp5anvGPVyT_7YhE/s1600/GEDC0018.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 240px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5488067939322340754" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRvMpbdlijgL1ljmzs_h0Jx9MvfDkzSrbsJuF35xojM2DwYprcxCLbEtjq6Pethu_sq6qKA7rCf2TJtH8PsEeSSFMPKMCQyai-KZ6TvkuIqL6Ri56MPJg8Msa1WV7Gp5anvGPVyT_7YhE/s320/GEDC0018.JPG" /></a> As I said above, prior to returning home and daily life with an infant, I had planned to update our blog on a weekly basis with cute photos of our son & humorous stories of what was happening in his life and how he was growing and developing but that has seriously taken a back seat. I also mentioned above that I was looking forward to preserving some fruit, quince in particular as I simply adore it! Well, this too didn't happen and I am super miffed. Quince come into season in Autumn and are a strange looking, rock hard, yellow, furry nothing. That it until after hours and hours and hours of poaching. This non descript fruit becomes blossom red and the fragrance tells you it is ready. YUM!!!! Well, I excitedly rushed into my green grocer last week expecting to buy a kilo or two of quinces only to be told I have missed the boat this year. The best of the season is long gone. How did this happen? I was so looking forward to this once a year delight. In the now common domain of my baby brain, I had thought there were weeks to go until the end of the season. HA! You silly boy. Were you not in India for the first month of Autumn??? Was you son not born just as the leaves were turning golden brown?<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsN015g3MqSkSsQoo8sg724X5P5sfUPe-LCs5R_2F-1H_LBOQFTfBKE1mCs7Wz8dT6-DvV6cpupxJ2WxaGHbxWgPBS83pLwoSwPguNuMPdJXTKMrg0h_T1LQG4u4do0Xtcg7gaCMxgodU/s1600/GEDC0034.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5488071306836275922" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsN015g3MqSkSsQoo8sg724X5P5sfUPe-LCs5R_2F-1H_LBOQFTfBKE1mCs7Wz8dT6-DvV6cpupxJ2WxaGHbxWgPBS83pLwoSwPguNuMPdJXTKMrg0h_T1LQG4u4do0Xtcg7gaCMxgodU/s320/GEDC0034.JPG" /></a><br />Alas, another year will have to pass until I can enjoy this most humble of fruit. Never mind, good things as they say will come to those who wait and wait and wait as this is the case when poaching quince. Now onto the second reason for the delay in posting and I like to think the most valid. Yes I am time poor there's no mistaking this fact. Baby up-chuck now and then on my shoulder, no time to change my shirt. Just a quick blend and you would never know it was there. Except of course if you are wearing black. My computer has not been allowing me to access blogger and facebook. Eve<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilHVQZZr-rjJqhs61k9pt7EuZ0jxfJ8mrTzdiv730yuJ34rttyPRXCkQczNQIUETy64xy2-UNAvbGEhnNSyXGfbJ7Iwr_fR5vY6Gt_DQv56JQiofwUec4bvU66P6xu7jI7mTqRA-Ue3WA/s1600/DSCF4114%5B1%5D.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5488075489468817698" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilHVQZZr-rjJqhs61k9pt7EuZ0jxfJ8mrTzdiv730yuJ34rttyPRXCkQczNQIUETy64xy2-UNAvbGEhnNSyXGfbJ7Iwr_fR5vY6Gt_DQv56JQiofwUec4bvU66P6xu7jI7mTqRA-Ue3WA/s320/DSCF4114%5B1%5D.JPG" /></a>ry other internet site known to man kind there has been no problem at all. But these two for some unknown reason have been a no go for weeks now. Of course, there have been much more exciting things going on in our loves than the above. Our perfectly wonderful son is almost <strong>THREE MONTHS OLD. </strong>Can you believe it? In nine days time Noah will be three months old and yes, the time does pass by ever so quickly and I now can see why parents say it only seems like yesterday when.....It really does only seem like yesterday. Already Noah has become an infant, no longer the newborn baby we brought back to Sydney from Mumbai. He is starting to become a little boy with an amazing personality to match. He is now holding his head high as his neck muscles start to develop.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3oH3mW98bNdbAiokHFFRj6ZAk64XQEm8aQ-WltoizwH4xI_MymaIpxyj_0TzYXVd026ZYp8T42XxPhoRKSL5ScR_4GXIdkYyp8S2BTdaQgCeYUvlCN4AL0zt7ULWXepxkW8YD3TvU-10/s1600/DSCF4089.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5488430487885661538" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3oH3mW98bNdbAiokHFFRj6ZAk64XQEm8aQ-WltoizwH4xI_MymaIpxyj_0TzYXVd026ZYp8T42XxPhoRKSL5ScR_4GXIdkYyp8S2BTdaQgCeYUvlCN4AL0zt7ULWXepxkW8YD3TvU-10/s320/DSCF4089.JPG" /></a><br />Tummy time is still kept to a minimum and it usually is on my lap/chest or with a swaddle under his chest for five minutes or so. Noah has settled into life with us perfectly and we with him too. From the very beginning we were determined to have a routine and after reading too many parenting books on which is best. Feeding on demands versus feeding to a routine, we opted for a routine by Gina Ford, author of the fabulous Complete Sleep Guide for Contented Babies. And, we are happy to say at two months three and a half weeks, we officially have our contented baby sleeping from 7pm to 7am! YAYAYAYAY! Noah really is such a good little boy. We did have to tweek the suggested routine around a month ago and thanks be to J whose little boy is also following the same routine. Your advice as you know worked a tr<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEdeGJPBv8T_JW-kW3OGr88gnch1hWicYDCATpafl8ijO5c6gX5FvzCtVwjdjAaF6rEZFL10ibdylmIasKArmjTIbP4OjPXI3oUUDIJPOsXcDTGvuev74ewzkNR9iC3XqdnIM2vsbEphI/s1600/DSCF4123.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 240px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5488433263733294498" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEdeGJPBv8T_JW-kW3OGr88gnch1hWicYDCATpafl8ijO5c6gX5FvzCtVwjdjAaF6rEZFL10ibdylmIasKArmjTIbP4OjPXI3oUUDIJPOsXcDTGvuev74ewzkNR9iC3XqdnIM2vsbEphI/s320/DSCF4123.JPG" /></a>eat. In a nutshell, Noah's day starts at 7am and is awake for two hours and then back down from 9am to 10am. From the time he wakes up at 10am, it is up for two hours and then down for two hours and so on and so forth. Until 4pm, when he has a quick 45 minute nap until 4.45 and is then up again for a bath, night time feed and lots of kisses and cuddles until 7pm when he goes back to sleep again. The routine has worked really well for us and Noah too. His awake time is really positive and he is not in the least bit grumpy and we all enjoy this time together. The sad reality of having to return to work is soon going to breathing down my neck. In a matter of weeks I will be returning to part time work and no longer spending every hour of every day with out little boy. This saddens me so much to think that there will be magical <em>first </em>moments I am now going to miss out on. But hey, the majority of parents have to work right? Also, we were not the winners of OZ Lotto's $50M last night so we <strong><em>have</em></strong> to work. But all is not lost. We have our healthy baby boy who is perfect. We have each other, our health, home and the wonder of a lifetime of joy ahead of us with our son. This post has been <strong>SO </strong>long overdue and even now, it is tomorrow (two days since I started the second paragraph). The day is over and I have a MOUNTAIN of laundry to fold. Prior to ending this entry though, I want to take the opportunity to congratulate our dear friends who we met last July when we cycled in India. A couple from the state of Victoria whose first attempt ended in a heart breaking miscarriage. Months of waiting to hear news of their second attempt....pregnant! We welcome their darling little boy into the world and know they are going to be the best possible parents. Congratulations guys, we love you and look forward to creating many happy memories with our combined families! Below is my current favourite photo of Noah taken a week ago. What do you think? Adorable no<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEGqcDhpFq0oZLFof8uA62yTMzuXxUvyctgdpaVrMV47Qq4WzEsRjSjv2a99mHCr9yBLhuUAtZKn9MelG5q5q6cVpCArm3Ml-VE3EsI1ze4FYZCUfMBBNe4rRuGqpiRtR42VlCK421u-w/s1600/DSCF4121.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5488439345961588114" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEGqcDhpFq0oZLFof8uA62yTMzuXxUvyctgdpaVrMV47Qq4WzEsRjSjv2a99mHCr9yBLhuUAtZKn9MelG5q5q6cVpCArm3Ml-VE3EsI1ze4FYZCUfMBBNe4rRuGqpiRtR42VlCK421u-w/s320/DSCF4121.JPG" /></a>?Johnny and Darrenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11697245370250367206noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2861153031752554867.post-71583292257833004392010-05-02T18:23:00.016+10:002010-05-06T17:11:19.611+10:00Home<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgvO1Nu1qMzkZE2VFPPbjmj_m3ajuOvyLjKpZ4Caf6olcV0vJtKK-8qHZaqUa_OjSScv-cwxAeDE6SLW_MbEgEFU4_rwT-i7Wri1jZ918J2r8htfevBRSU8XPjQQjs_gXBKwBrIWoHKwo/s1600/GEDC0163.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5466589162790621154" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgvO1Nu1qMzkZE2VFPPbjmj_m3ajuOvyLjKpZ4Caf6olcV0vJtKK-8qHZaqUa_OjSScv-cwxAeDE6SLW_MbEgEFU4_rwT-i7Wri1jZ918J2r8htfevBRSU8XPjQQjs_gXBKwBrIWoHKwo/s320/GEDC0163.JPG" /></a>As Dorothy famously said; "There's no place like home". And, as we all know too well she was right. It is great to be back. It has taken our body clocks a while to re-adjust to having Noah in our lives. In <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">Mumbai</span>, the responsibilities of daily life are but a distant memory. Housework? Cooking? Cleaning? Simply pick up the phone and dial room service. Hop in an auto rickshaw and in five minutes a plethora of dining options are at your disposal. Leave a small card on the bed, return a short while later to fresh linen and one's room cleaned, fresh water supplied for the next 24 hours. Being home deals the new parent a different hand of cards. One has to shuffle these cards and manage daily chores with the demands of your new born plus the added bonus hand; sleep deprivation! But, we are not complaining after all, this is what we have all been waiting for.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3J-wvNKNnJ9TWQKVvRaXxyzC4f1_wmirK8UARRdV_m4IcLP1sV2PhMuBEq2gFcrwYz5F3_qkrpzIAwqIeT3lkVDJZDLOYD3islbFHo8amk5PvpBsWNH7xkL_nlvaZemJFbHEbOSBf97E/s1600/GEDC0176.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 240px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5466595328126385538" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3J-wvNKNnJ9TWQKVvRaXxyzC4f1_wmirK8UARRdV_m4IcLP1sV2PhMuBEq2gFcrwYz5F3_qkrpzIAwqIeT3lkVDJZDLOYD3islbFHo8amk5PvpBsWNH7xkL_nlvaZemJFbHEbOSBf97E/s320/GEDC0176.JPG" /></a> Prior to us leaving India on Sunday, we said goodbye to Greg, Rob and their beautiful baby girl Addison who is simply divine. We had such a great time with them all and are glad they too are now home safe and sound. Both the guys were right, we did end up having more bags for the return trip then when we first arrived into <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">Mumbai</span>! Our flight from <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">Mumbai</span> to Singapore was in the morning this time round, departing at 10am. We used the fantastic <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-error">Vikas</span> to take us from our hotel to the airport and anybody travelling to <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-error">Mumbai</span> should avail themselves of his services. He and <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" class="blsp-spelling-error">Ajit</span> are both great guys and will make sure you are taken care of and arrive at your destination in air conditioned comfort. THANK YOU <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_6" class="blsp-spelling-error">VIKAS</span>!!! Our Qantas flight into Singapore arrived on time and we were met by ground staff to assist with our mountain of bags and the transit to our next flight. Thankfully we had the wonderful Baby <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_7" class="blsp-spelling-error">Valco</span> carrier which was a God send. Thank you to the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_8" class="blsp-spelling-error">Tigerlilycats</span> for their insight in recommending this to us & the bottle drainer which arrived the day of our departure from Sydney! Noah used the carrier the entire time we were in <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_9" class="blsp-spelling-error">Mumbai</span> and it meant we did not have to disturb him when travelling from the hotel to <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwvK5XgAN_mfRiKlwRZ3jtlPCnR-sMdz546AnhILquNfJlSf4dnoWYsuiyHLv3iPF1_bDUjKgrTWfEf8hzvT4BerCMHPXM7dcHuXOmXQjP2L5dokavxaYfvbFryZswMxJ49v_TREYpYHw/s1600/GEDC0174.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5466599864772759554" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwvK5XgAN_mfRiKlwRZ3jtlPCnR-sMdz546AnhILquNfJlSf4dnoWYsuiyHLv3iPF1_bDUjKgrTWfEf8hzvT4BerCMHPXM7dcHuXOmXQjP2L5dokavxaYfvbFryZswMxJ49v_TREYpYHw/s320/GEDC0174.JPG" /></a>where ever we wanted to be. He even slept in it while we took an auto here, there and everywhere. Our flight from Singapore to Sydney was with British Airways and thankfully there was no delay due to a certain Volcano eruption the week prior. This was our only concern as we arrived at <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_10" class="blsp-spelling-error">Changi</span> International Airport. The cabin crew on both flights were amazing and everyone wanted to meet little Noah who, was an absolute dream on both legs of the journey home. Not a peep. He slept, ate and pooped just as he had on the ground in India. You would not have known there was a newborn in the cabin with you unless you snuck a peek at his cherub like face. We were lucky enough to be upgraded to <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_11" class="blsp-spelling-error">BA's</span> World Traveller Plus cabin or premium economy cabin which was just perfect and the best way to end our flight home. The cabin is a dedicated 32 seat cabin in front of economy and just behind business and it was not full. We had the centre row of four seats to ourselves and the extra space and seat recline was appreciated! Our thanks also have to go out to the <strong>BEST </strong>travel agency in <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_12" class="blsp-spelling-error">NSW</span>, <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_13" class="blsp-spelling-error">Jetset</span> Blue Mountains and their never ending help whilst we were in India. Nothing was ever too much trouble and we thank the entire team there, especially agency manager Lisa. <a href="http://www.jetset.com.au/bluemountains">www.jetset.com.au/bluemountains</a>.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq6CjZSroyp_OZd8nROXlPi0bKFett9wc-ejZFEyu7uSNAkmuTILs4t_c7KY0bWTFMSUsbFXUlRlo0HHWCS7mlmLXOqrAcfSSs-Wa68DbNheEohcm9XQGukspTHb6LWSjU6nU98G43o0c/s1600/GEDC0168.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 240px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5466604947520691714" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq6CjZSroyp_OZd8nROXlPi0bKFett9wc-ejZFEyu7uSNAkmuTILs4t_c7KY0bWTFMSUsbFXUlRlo0HHWCS7mlmLXOqrAcfSSs-Wa68DbNheEohcm9XQGukspTHb6LWSjU6nU98G43o0c/s320/GEDC0168.JPG" /></a> From 33 degree <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_14" class="blsp-spelling-error">Mumbai</span> heat to a crisp 13 degree Sydney morning, the temperature difference was very noticeable when we landed in Sydney at 5.15am Monday morning. This, combined with sandals and light shirts we were very eager to breeze through customs and immigration to our heated car for the drive home. Speaking of which, customs too was easy. Simple and straight forward without issue in <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_15" class="blsp-spelling-error">Mumbai</span>, Singapore or Sydney. Sure we had the obligatory where is the mother question when we left <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_16" class="blsp-spelling-error">Mumbai</span> but other than that nothing! Having an infant with you is akin to Moses parting the seas. Queues become non existent and one simply glides through formality with the simplest of ease; which we are completely fine with thank you very much! We arrived home to welcome signs, balloons, flowers and kindness from friends and family. Darren's mother & Johnny's parents had organised a wonderful morning tea with some friends, family & neighbours and everyone went to so much effort for the three of us.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHk_TQMadvsQWBebWyZT2suX2I9ddFZVnMn4vK23_Z74q1kpf5RcIax3LLp_hhnpeXrKZOw7PXvlmT1uEzDgWDyz6Ek1NvgN0qHU244u-RNR2p9kRufkPH2WK6ZAqGT8xmwc6IAd-SqrA/s1600/GEDC0164.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5466612240875089874" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHk_TQMadvsQWBebWyZT2suX2I9ddFZVnMn4vK23_Z74q1kpf5RcIax3LLp_hhnpeXrKZOw7PXvlmT1uEzDgWDyz6Ek1NvgN0qHU244u-RNR2p9kRufkPH2WK6ZAqGT8xmwc6IAd-SqrA/s320/GEDC0164.JPG" /></a> Thank you to our parents, Tracie & Patrick, Scott & Julie, Tans, Michael and everyone who made us feel so welcome on our return home. We are blessed to have such wonderful family and friends surrounding us and our son. Now that we are home, what's next? This week has seen us having to get used to a new routine with Noah the centre of our day. Our little boy is doing so well and it is hard to believe that in four days time he is going to be one month old! He is sleeping very well and daddy and papa are trying to stick to our chosen routine which he seems to like and appreciate! He is currently feeding from 100ml + each feed every three to four hours and longer after his midnight feed. Last night for instance he fed at midnight and then again at 5am which is great news for us.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7CLmhEDbyGdvcFi0NK2FQy9vSuYqUI4bvDqK-Buuov8FfBk10zHn-DHKMzTKCNuYU_KSrpRzm7x_SmDm94tKpDupjkcG1z__pdMLWsKZgSg8p58ozOiTS7_FsZQ6v4-1wCoqpAkcNzPs/s1600/GEDC0178.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 240px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5466619040519887314" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7CLmhEDbyGdvcFi0NK2FQy9vSuYqUI4bvDqK-Buuov8FfBk10zHn-DHKMzTKCNuYU_KSrpRzm7x_SmDm94tKpDupjkcG1z__pdMLWsKZgSg8p58ozOiTS7_FsZQ6v4-1wCoqpAkcNzPs/s320/GEDC0178.JPG" /></a> We have had a couple of outing since being home but have preferred staying in as it is truly amazing how even the simplest of tasks can become a mammoth effort in organisational skills. We are expecting a visit from the community nurse this week to check on Noah's progress and general health yet, other than that and maybe a coffee date here and there our week is our own. We are indeed glad to be home and are enjoying just that. Being home and being parents. We are both so thankful that our son has been born and is in excellent health, this is what we have been waiting for and, what some people are still waiting for. After two, three, four or sometimes more attempts still waiting. We know we have been blessed to have been successful on our first attempt and we never take this for granted. The wonderful support and friendship of Dr <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_17" class="blsp-spelling-error">Sudhir</span> and Dr <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_18" class="blsp-spelling-error">Yash</span> that has been forged over the past year and a half will be life long. We are very strong advocates of Surrogacy India and their services, <a href="http://www.surrogacyindia.com/">http://www.surrogacyindia.com/</a>. Why wouldn't we be? Look at the result for us. We know yes, our surrogate did not agree to carry a child to term for purely altruistic reasons but still, we admire her wonderful generosity and are thankful that we had the opportunity to meet her, her family and <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_19" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">convey</span> in person how we feel about the amazing gift she has given us. We would not change this for the world. There seems to be so many <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_20" class="blsp-spelling-error">IPs</span> pregnant at the moment & equally as many still trying. It's easy once you reach the other side to speak words of wisdom but we truly believe that one should never give up. To everyone who has been with us every step of the way and to those we have only just met, thank you. Support is the one thing you can never have too much of and for that, thank you.Johnny and Darrenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11697245370250367206noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2861153031752554867.post-60709185237827906522010-04-23T03:40:00.012+10:002010-04-23T04:44:30.870+10:00Parenthood...Days 4 to 14 & Mumbai Madness<div><div><div><div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbgkIwioqPaLgZ0cwZnAys9CBQBmwSfNiOmMYQpxxpuiCQhOEa2mbnadJqDMmG3eGQUOOe-QpmF3DHO33vV9MrFTfYis-uqSJhvgkosFycWGfsg5R-yDCMzBkgwQRU-_gG-EqGivT7Xcs/s1600/GEDC0131.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 240px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5463019129724181778" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbgkIwioqPaLgZ0cwZnAys9CBQBmwSfNiOmMYQpxxpuiCQhOEa2mbnadJqDMmG3eGQUOOe-QpmF3DHO33vV9MrFTfYis-uqSJhvgkosFycWGfsg5R-yDCMzBkgwQRU-_gG-EqGivT7Xcs/s320/GEDC0131.JPG" /></a>This post has been days in the making and I mean DAYS! Time is no longer our own and blogging has had to take a back seat I'm afraid to feeding, changing nappies, washing bottles and baby clothes & napping! Our days in Mumbai have been as busy or relaxed as we want them to be, yet still there are not enough hours in the day. We also have had to learn that we <strong><em>DO </em></strong>need to nap during the day when Noah does. This was made abundantly clear today on our way back to our hotel from the Australian Consulate General in South Mumbai when we fell asleep in the car. The past ten days or so have been amazing. No adjective will suffice in describing our time here so amazing will have to do. Our son has changed our lives and for the better, we both know this. He is perfection personified and so utterly beautiful. Our birth certificates took 7 days to arrive to us & this included a delay due to a public holiday. Dr Sudhir was great in arranging all the necessary paperwork and birth certificates for us to obtain Noah's citizenship by descent....that's right <strong>OBTAIN. </strong>Our boy is officially an Aussie as of yesterday and the turn around was super quick. <img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 240px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5463020656382400642" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEFI8rPf1RhUeNQh1Xjk9Kz-CC_ISWx0T0xDynuCnG9gn4nXCOKbIWyaMaGVwlsvpxN1u8WqNTMp64JgKT6KosKWS-q2foJqv1ocnp3BkwHfqeoFplBOql7YVPPGSPXOjKe7GjyfYoeLs/s320/GEDC0145.JPG" />Like we said, Dr Sudhir arranged for all the paperwork required to confirm Noah's citizenship by descent; letter from Hiranandani hospital confirming he was born there, signed and stamped letter from Dr Soni confirming she delivered him, letter from Dr Pai confirming he performed our IVF and finally a letter from SI confirming our status as IPs under their care. Along with our surrogacy contract and the fee of Rs5400 we visited Blue Dart couriers at Galleria in Hiranandani Gardens and sent our documents to New Delhi. We had confirmation the next day of their receipt and then we began the phone calls. We were given the standard 'this will take four weeks to process' and not disheartened we insisted on speaking with the team leader Varun Gupta who handles citizenship by descent applications. He is very familiar with surrogacy and what is involved so he asked we call back that afternoon after 2pm. In the mean time I emailed hi<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUWwKO6klpgrXYHvQsh7KJWet_965lpchVe0VuZ5AsWNXIZObvAc_rGaZfHJolpaMqoxwB04AEUx3KRlKa2RqLqzj5OWzcS-3TQF-VIQ1PLyCKUEJu5vW9Ykd5CopC59Y2e41cn0vI13c/s1600/GEDC0132.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 240px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5463023424629784786" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUWwKO6klpgrXYHvQsh7KJWet_965lpchVe0VuZ5AsWNXIZObvAc_rGaZfHJolpaMqoxwB04AEUx3KRlKa2RqLqzj5OWzcS-3TQF-VIQ1PLyCKUEJu5vW9Ykd5CopC59Y2e41cn0vI13c/s320/GEDC0132.JPG" /></a>m directly (he was cc'd in the email to us from DNALABS in Sydney confirming Noah's parentage) advising we had our flights booked for Sunday and we needed citizenship processed ASAP to ensure time to have a passport and exit visa processed. Voila, 24 hours later we have a third Australian citizen in our hotel room and a passport to collect from the Consulate General tomorrow. It could not have been easier or smoother for us and for that we are thankful. The passport application process was straight forward too. Our original certificate of citizenship for Noah was couriered to us today from New Delhi and we requested a scanned copy of the original be emailed to the Consulate General to expedite our emergency passport application which was done without issue. Tomorrow we visit the FRRO after collecting Noah's passport at 9am. We have been fortunate to spend the past 13 days in <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpBK90IaQxwgeA4OWlyDuMhdWVjPDlzwDAZPiJ1Ox4J56lCUMq-Yv151ixcqoDp6EC-VuskzhI82B4P-ZZYNAdEQjLfxqFyQsRMmxmTgxyW0Rq0JZ0WSfBz17Xu-IXKQDU4L1yLu1sGOw/s1600/GEDC0141.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5463025541256447746" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpBK90IaQxwgeA4OWlyDuMhdWVjPDlzwDAZPiJ1Ox4J56lCUMq-Yv151ixcqoDp6EC-VuskzhI82B4P-ZZYNAdEQjLfxqFyQsRMmxmTgxyW0Rq0JZ0WSfBz17Xu-IXKQDU4L1yLu1sGOw/s320/GEDC0141.JPG" /></a>Mumbai with some fantastic people and we have especially enjoyed sharing time with Greg, Rob & Addison. We have been shopping, eating and sightseeing our way around the city with the three of them plus the docs and it has been a blast. Last night in particular we visited a small complex around 50km outside of the city which showed what village is like in Rajasthan. It was great and we had a fantastic time with the guys, Dr Sudhir, Dr Yash & Ajit. There was traditional dancing, fire eaters, magicians, puppet shows, camel rides, bullock rides, fresh sugar cane and mango juice stalls, henna painting, pottery wheels to throw small vases, arcade attractions like an old fashioned fair...just fantastic. It was such a great way<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi29x6QXLYdCrC6pipP4leq0cQ-gLUnZP1FY-QjLry-DvtguYiMQFI3fJyXdHSQmD500GpaS-4b2bjCw2y_kupGyf7pxx6Hy9bEZcC3g_ISW2riZ-Qo4FQyFcnIypduug4zzA2KbvH9mcs/s1600/GEDC0142.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 240px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5463027029562506498" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi29x6QXLYdCrC6pipP4leq0cQ-gLUnZP1FY-QjLry-DvtguYiMQFI3fJyXdHSQmD500GpaS-4b2bjCw2y_kupGyf7pxx6Hy9bEZcC3g_ISW2riZ-Qo4FQyFcnIypduug4zzA2KbvH9mcs/s320/GEDC0142.JPG" /></a> to spend time with the docs and share something really special that we will remember always. We had such a great time that by the time we got back to our hotel it was close to 1am! We then slept and fed Noah at 2.30am and again at 5am and had to be up and ready to leave our hotel at 8.30am for the 10am appointment at the Consulate General. Hence being so tired today. We were due to see Greg, Rob and Addy prior to their leaving and catch up for lunch in South Mumbai, but our passport could not be issued same day and subsequently we did not visit the FRRO today. That adventure awaits us tomorrow! We were so tired we ended up back at our hotel by 1pm and slept for four hours. Our hotel at Powai has been great and it is very convenient to Hiranandani Gardens and the stores, cafes, restaurants & banks there. An auto rickshaw into Hiranandani costs between Rs 30-40 depending on traffic compared to the Rs200 in an A/C cab. We would highly recommend to others coming back to Mumbai for baby pick up to stay at one of the hotels at Powai. Yes the VITS is popular and we too almost stayed there but are now so glad we're here. The hotel ha<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAwDjyyuqwf7kf8k2xLBaVrdOfw9nLKKsW5SQe4JKpq-tIUD-XpVQSSbJuEtSNRqLppbqo5sVHd_sherOcy_NoSJtRjBud4p26wmSyZKGvyBVnaQHKN9PfQc1CO0tWOXEsCALmQdtI-IU/s1600/GEDC0150.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5463029283083836882" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAwDjyyuqwf7kf8k2xLBaVrdOfw9nLKKsW5SQe4JKpq-tIUD-XpVQSSbJuEtSNRqLppbqo5sVHd_sherOcy_NoSJtRjBud4p26wmSyZKGvyBVnaQHKN9PfQc1CO0tWOXEsCALmQdtI-IU/s320/GEDC0150.JPG" /></a>s some beautiful grounds and the pool area is to die for with a grassed area to relax in the shade! So what is left for us to do in Bombay? When we booked our flights here we anticipated a stay of just over two weeks and it has proven to be true. 16 nights is the total for us. We arrived on the 9th April and we leave Mumbai this Sunday the 25th April. A total of 16 days. Noddy's exit visa is issued tomorrow and two days later we will be on a plane back to Sydney. Now that the time has come we are sad. Sad to be leaving our hotel room we couldn't wait to leave, sad to be leaving the smog, heat and crowds we are so unaccustomed with. Sad to be saying bye to Dr Sudhir and Dr Yash, now friends for life. And sad to be leaving Bombay, the birth city of our son. We will however be back so goodbye is not forever!</div><div> </div><div>For those of you reading this contemplating if surrogacy in India is right for you, just as we did...the proof is in our son. And you could do no better than to have Surrogacy India, Dr Sudhir and Dr Yash by your side.</div></div></div></div></div>Johnny and Darrenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11697245370250367206noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2861153031752554867.post-78433526116865465212010-04-13T13:29:00.019+10:002010-04-15T15:02:44.787+10:00Parenthood...Days Two & Three<div><div><div><div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg158BAKIe7_Olzoan4jSGCv7OLP6b-OMKBA8lxIkIiqeR6Nj_pCOuvfy20wWdCukahyUCcTFwzTxJ5L0-HN2k1EIXkOyAs0kM0OwO2SQk0N5J6158DqEOKgj6ktcRAVCBkv9HHJFbWqXM/s1600/GEDC0093.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5460003779567054114" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg158BAKIe7_Olzoan4jSGCv7OLP6b-OMKBA8lxIkIiqeR6Nj_pCOuvfy20wWdCukahyUCcTFwzTxJ5L0-HN2k1EIXkOyAs0kM0OwO2SQk0N5J6158DqEOKgj6ktcRAVCBkv9HHJFbWqXM/s320/GEDC0093.JPG" /></a> This our newest favourite photo of Noah, aged five days in our hotel room at the Renaissance Hotel with his teddy from Aunty Nadyne. Every time we look at our little boy our hearts fill with overwhelming love for this little person. He is so utterly perfect and we can't stop with the kisses! Life without him in our lives is now unimaginable. Strange how a child can have such an affect us it's parents in only a matter of mere moments. Our baby boy is here for life and we are so in awe of him. We have done a little of the required paperwork and formalities to arrange Noddy's return to Australia but more is to be done. For those of you out there doing surrogacy in Mumbai, we'll include a little bit of info you may find helpful & some cute pics included!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5WJ1_XKxirynG6Nzz6dZjJfdd2V88GrbCNs9CXvgTLr7goCkxXrSi98Bmx-X1Yqeq3aHmBGbpu-4nWxwIGKF5qkl60n5V_rM1i0R4dSYSSvE1HJFdqZ3jAhh4LAiafYP9Pd63uGxqGn0/s1600/GEDC0051.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5460005333205376066" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5WJ1_XKxirynG6Nzz6dZjJfdd2V88GrbCNs9CXvgTLr7goCkxXrSi98Bmx-X1Yqeq3aHmBGbpu-4nWxwIGKF5qkl60n5V_rM1i0R4dSYSSvE1HJFdqZ3jAhh4LAiafYP9Pd63uGxqGn0/s320/GEDC0051.JPG" /></a><br />We have almost all of our paperwork to send Noddy's citizenship application off to New Delhi. We are going to use Blue Dart couriers located at the galleria at Hiranandani Gardens. Other couples have used their courier service and they are both reasonably priced and reliable. We visited the ICICI bank branch also at the galleria at Hiranandani Gardens and obtained the bank demand draft to send along with the citizenship application. The fee charged by the bank to do this was Rs110 & we double checked the exchange rate at a cyber cafe across from ICICI bank. Dr Sudhir has arranged our signed and notarised affidavit and we have met with Pratik who reviewed our surrogacy contract. He was kind enough to come to our hotel to do this for us and this was covered in his standard fee. We also learnt from another Aussie couple in our hotel that the High Commission are also asking for a letter from our hotel stating that Noah is staying here with us until further notice, thanks Ken and Mike. </div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh38PNcc9UXw7ixHhMwAzIQAY15hpUt6oZWuw0BIiQGrmGBbHR2pRaS5cde3MjFH7t-XaRm2HaA4BijFcEiWSS5FzYo0nE9HTJCl4UGmA8cSUMOs8yHe4JVXl88dW7Gn0nCfGThVpOI0L0/s1600/GEDC0080.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 240px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5460015911782386610" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh38PNcc9UXw7ixHhMwAzIQAY15hpUt6oZWuw0BIiQGrmGBbHR2pRaS5cde3MjFH7t-XaRm2HaA4BijFcEiWSS5FzYo0nE9HTJCl4UGmA8cSUMOs8yHe4JVXl88dW7Gn0nCfGThVpOI0L0/s320/GEDC0080.JPG" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Last night was especially exciting as SI had seven babies attend their first combined 'baby party' at a fantastic restaurant in Powai, Saffron Spice. Parents and babies from Australia, the USA, Israel and Belgium attended this wonderful extravaganza and the entire SI team were there to celebrate with us. Drs Sudhir and Yash went to so much effort and it was an amazing night with memories to last our lifetime. It was great to meet so many new parents of surrogate babies and again to see Greg, Rob and their little girl. It was also an opportunity for some secret kisses between Noah and Addison watched over by the ever caring Dr Yash.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYCfwEprvJMW-oFkbMSJOKcgpZ5Al8__vJH5PK9v-KE_xN7o5paX3KfVu5MUkieYBVDlvAOjkQ6_inH715VED3FAwCx_aE_t5u5SvRiU0_FGcCoB9oMYj0d8w6CrMKVKmNKNbeCexJ2Qs/s1600/GEDC0092.JPG"></a> Noah also received a beautiful outfit from the docs which both Darren and I adore. This should fit him in time for his 1st birthday. All the parents chose to give their babies and Indian name and the 'naming ceremony' was lovely and heartfelt. Noah's Indian name is...Ansh which means a part of me or oneself. We left the restaurant around 10.30pm and were unabe to get a taxi so Noddy had his first auto rickshaw ride back to our hotel. Both Darren and I were laughing at how no one would dream of doing this is Australia. Here we were weaving in and out of mad traffic and Noddy on our laps in his travel bassinett.</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3qFEpq4dBxF9m-fQhxd6eXxBUShS4Jp2_MY2_nrhdK_GjmybZVeN365c74UpjILlhoRXWjPCMSrlVXwBxSBZbgXsTSS4-vvZ6bTItwi5m4B_fxkaV_x55yv4qsy_7RYxwC0s14VU2hjw/s1600/GEDC0087.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5460218357945401570" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3qFEpq4dBxF9m-fQhxd6eXxBUShS4Jp2_MY2_nrhdK_GjmybZVeN365c74UpjILlhoRXWjPCMSrlVXwBxSBZbgXsTSS4-vvZ6bTItwi5m4B_fxkaV_x55yv4qsy_7RYxwC0s14VU2hjw/s320/GEDC0087.JPG" /></a>There is a public holiday in Mumbai this Wednesday so hopefully we will have Noah's birth certificate Thursday or Friday at the latest. When can then courier his documentation to the High Commission to process his citizenship application. It is then a matter of waiting and then applying for his passport and finally an exit visa from the FRRO office. The latest we have heard from Aussie couples is that the FRRO really is not as bad as expected. Yes it is very busy and hot but exit visas have been issued in a matter of hours with the help of Parashaar (My Man in India). This blog entry would have been posted much earlier but time is no longer our own. Noddy is sleeping well, anywhere between two and a half to four hours at a time and feeding from 50ml to 100ml each time. He is so good to his daddy and papa & we love him so.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRdA3S5-aeLwjOBj_vxRPEYfaDhAxO2xy3BLyOYBcZNqhKMTtl4yZg1oe9plJAIbT_Lcw3Pmr23uWewXOU97St9NPkV1kxBslJ1VI67VeH7MYaD4JLE-W_5ZxXA6FM9teMBI83_UVxQIY/s1600/GEDC0092.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 240px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5460221657450947922" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRdA3S5-aeLwjOBj_vxRPEYfaDhAxO2xy3BLyOYBcZNqhKMTtl4yZg1oe9plJAIbT_Lcw3Pmr23uWewXOU97St9NPkV1kxBslJ1VI67VeH7MYaD4JLE-W_5ZxXA6FM9teMBI83_UVxQIY/s320/GEDC0092.JPG" /></a><br /></div><div></div><div></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcTI-o_vkatxuMJOr4z47OssQHUjNueMuwLGGVvuUK3egB2-Ob4jgkp-BYJTrjMPkDCNfaMNL2JyWMTooR3PDGoLT8_ShaKrffwdX_n51PbMemNbfZN0JQN-HEbKwaZaBf-nMVKH6rf6o/s1600/GEDC0091.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5460223193446803410" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcTI-o_vkatxuMJOr4z47OssQHUjNueMuwLGGVvuUK3egB2-Ob4jgkp-BYJTrjMPkDCNfaMNL2JyWMTooR3PDGoLT8_ShaKrffwdX_n51PbMemNbfZN0JQN-HEbKwaZaBf-nMVKH6rf6o/s320/GEDC0091.JPG" /></a><br /></div><div></div><div><br /></div><div></div><div><br /></div><div></div><div><br /></div><div></div><div><br /></div><div></div><div><br /></div><div></div><div><br /></div><div></div><div><br /></div><div></div><div><br /></div><div></div></div><div><div> </div><div><br /> </div><div>Noah, Addison & Dr Yash (LEFT) </div><div> </div><div>Drs Sudhir & Yash & the SI 7 (RIGHT)</div></div></div></div></div>Johnny and Darrenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11697245370250367206noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2861153031752554867.post-51391709845259186912010-04-11T18:55:00.013+10:002010-04-12T01:12:37.195+10:00Parenthood...The First 24 hours<div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_TRSHLG9jXJHQpzzOopCP4icD9dEMVBjtvQ-7lWZIZlBAiq8fBvyuzL6CGDov8gcvlfSkEUrKZKSIBWwUDmmd0nL0r44hiDRUjgWyTsIPhwXJDm9oICzKchxV0Gy5KsyJ0W_obZ5uu9Q/s1600/GEDC0038.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5458881386366585970" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_TRSHLG9jXJHQpzzOopCP4icD9dEMVBjtvQ-7lWZIZlBAiq8fBvyuzL6CGDov8gcvlfSkEUrKZKSIBWwUDmmd0nL0r44hiDRUjgWyTsIPhwXJDm9oICzKchxV0Gy5KsyJ0W_obZ5uu9Q/s320/GEDC0038.JPG" /></a> We finally have our boy at the hotel with us. Our first 24 hours as parents has been more than we could have ever dreamed of. The love that we have for our son is overwhelming and all consuming. He is our angel and we are so blessed. We were lucky enough that Dr <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">Sanjeev</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">Ahuja</span> (Noah's pediatrician at L H <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">Hiranandani</span> Hospital) agreed to discharge him last night instead of tonight. The sisters in <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-error">NICU</span> basically said to us that since he had such a good birth weight and was eating and pooping well, there was nothing they were doing that we could not do in our hotel. Yesterday afternoon we met with Dr Anita <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-error">Soni</span> (the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" class="blsp-spelling-error">OBGYN</span>) who delivers for all the surrogates at <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_6" class="blsp-spelling-error">LHH</span> and had her sign some paperwork required for Noddy's citizenship and we chatted about our surrogate and of course baby Noah.</div><br /><div></div><div></div><div>We feel it needs to be said that Dr <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_7" class="blsp-spelling-error">Soni</span> is fabulous. She really does an excellent job in caring for the surrogates under her care and every Tuesday that our clinics surrogates visit her, Dr <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_8" class="blsp-spelling-error">Yash</span> has results back from her & is onto any issue or problem..stat. Like the medico lingo? She is so approachable & down to earth and takes no crap from nobody. Thank you Dr <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_9" class="blsp-spelling-error">Soni</span>.</div><br /><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAtQvVdVAylcZLc1_rb1ug-G9Be1YX6cJH3s46VhtUbmrtDnn6-3LdEqO80OgV6332KogO1UtWNbMs5IUMpHdMlNBoEX10mFBQMmHdu_o_d7vqNBgY_nu8bjUx5lazopUTne5TfmKHkq4/s1600/GEDC0041.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5458888072855154786" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAtQvVdVAylcZLc1_rb1ug-G9Be1YX6cJH3s46VhtUbmrtDnn6-3LdEqO80OgV6332KogO1UtWNbMs5IUMpHdMlNBoEX10mFBQMmHdu_o_d7vqNBgY_nu8bjUx5lazopUTne5TfmKHkq4/s320/GEDC0041.JPG" /></a>We finished the discharge process in around an hour and a half and Dr <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_10" class="blsp-spelling-error">Sudhir</span> and Dr <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_11" class="blsp-spelling-error">Yash</span> met us for the final stages to expedite Noah and us leaving the hospital. We then travelled to <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_12" class="blsp-spelling-error">Juhu</span> Beach and met Greg, Rob and their beautiful little girl Addison and had dinner at their hotel. Rob's mum is over the from the US and together with the docs, the nine of us had a delicious Italian dinner and Noah and Addison their first date. Now I now there's a certain young man in Arizona that seems to think he has already been betrothed to Miss <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_13" class="blsp-spelling-error">Blosser</span> but you know these young Aussie boys! </p><p>Anyway, we had a wonderful night and it was great to finally meet the guys we had been chatting with online for so long now. Thanks to <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_14" class="blsp-spelling-error">Drs</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_15" class="blsp-spelling-error">Sudhir</span> and <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_16" class="blsp-spelling-error">Yash</span> for their wonderful hospitality and time spent <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_17" class="blsp-spelling-error">with</span> us all. We ended up back at our hotel quite late as the drive from <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_18" class="blsp-spelling-error">Juhu</span> to <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_19" class="blsp-spelling-error">Powai</span> is not that close, especially on a Saturday night. Our first night was....I'm not sure. We had no expectations on how it would be, so lets just say we woke up tired. Noah was a <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_20" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">littl</span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDMPKDCBEK6yeboSFzdNJwd5NHvUtJue952YVGi1WJTNSEiXN5mHBmg69hS5Qpw2Z48oaOvqlK4LC9N9ddssGFHFhDGQh0ScmxXbvtkZJPhdCDuV-8HmFI48ssVcM1ZgRM44mc84wF9U0/s1600/GEDC0055.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5458892630575962130" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDMPKDCBEK6yeboSFzdNJwd5NHvUtJue952YVGi1WJTNSEiXN5mHBmg69hS5Qpw2Z48oaOvqlK4LC9N9ddssGFHFhDGQh0ScmxXbvtkZJPhdCDuV-8HmFI48ssVcM1ZgRM44mc84wF9U0/s320/GEDC0055.JPG" /></a>e restless and I think we managed a total of around three to four hours max. When we had finished Noah's early morning feed around 6am and had him settled, the three of us went back to bed and slept for three hours until just after 9. We fed little Noddy again and the had some time by the pool for a little morning sun as he was a wee bit jaundiced. Today our son has been nothing other than perfect. He has been taking around 45-50ml of formula every three hours without issue and burping well and then sleeping another three hours until his next feed. Our decision not to warm his feeds, rather give them to him at room temperature seems to be a non issue which is great. He is feeding fantastically.</p><p>We met another Australian couple staying at our hotel today too and their little boy who is simply beautiful. We chatted about their time in India and the are expecting to leave this week, maybe Wednesday. They have been here for around two weeks and have had two public holidays during that time so hopefully the quick turnaround continues for our family too!</p><br /><p>Tomorrow morning we will head into <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_21" class="blsp-spelling-error">Hiranandani</span> Gardens to the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_22" class="blsp-spelling-error">ICICI</span> bank to arrange the bank demand draft for Noah's citizenship application and in the afternoon we head to South <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_23" class="blsp-spelling-error">Mumbai</span> to meet Dr <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_24" class="blsp-spelling-error">Jayant</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_25" class="blsp-spelling-error">Rele</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_26" class="blsp-spelling-error">who</span> will perform the DNA test required again for citizenship. We are expecting our birth certificate copies this week and we shall then courier these documents to New Delhi...One step closer to returning home!</p>Johnny and Darrenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11697245370250367206noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2861153031752554867.post-50978128554809667492010-04-10T00:04:00.006+10:002010-04-10T00:46:10.622+10:00Introducing.....Noah Robert<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAj3S8UNi21PgDZBXAgidAFzdnLktoMwK4MkIKn9XAs2fN7gmVxP3LhRzIyHvfL-iAIjnBs4cAvL0YkEvz5kSrszKl__mPbZ6EvRj4Rz-AL0Ln6SiYfw6R-9wIbAXRceYx15P3uiLizUQ/s1600/GEDC0030.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5458139488863593970" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAj3S8UNi21PgDZBXAgidAFzdnLktoMwK4MkIKn9XAs2fN7gmVxP3LhRzIyHvfL-iAIjnBs4cAvL0YkEvz5kSrszKl__mPbZ6EvRj4Rz-AL0Ln6SiYfw6R-9wIbAXRceYx15P3uiLizUQ/s320/GEDC0030.JPG" /></a>Well, here it is folks. Our grande finale. Our son, Noah Robert was born in Mumbai on the 8th April at 4:51pm local time weighing in at 3.57kg.<br /><br /><div><div><div>Darren and I are both over the moon with the excitement at having our little boy in our lives, albeit currently across Lake Powai as he is still in Hiranandani Hospital and we're in our hotel room at the Renaisseance. Not too shabby let me tell you. We would have like to blogged earlier but what a day we have had!</div><br /><div></div><div>The first photo is of Noddy in the NICU this morning; 17 hours old and perfection personified. We managed to feed our little boy once today and change his nappy, cuddle him and whisper little songs into his ears. He is so wonderfully beautiful and perfect we are overwhelmed with the love we feel for this little person...our Noddy. Since our first visit to Hiranandani last July there has been an additional NICU room attached for those babies not requiring critical care so that parents can feed and spend time with their children prior to being discharged. The standard time in NICU post birth is 72 hours apparently. So<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMqo9DjJ7xaWxo3lR29zxuOkkygIV3BWv6wsysva8o2WereKavaglHaQqXFZicyUZg4oel-NlnPGajuuAvT-gp7t5z4KGZnj_wRvJryl2mvd8TLDAjeTntJcGkBMvgr400fU8CRSWuxkA/s1600/GEDC0032.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5458141031809311714" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMqo9DjJ7xaWxo3lR29zxuOkkygIV3BWv6wsysva8o2WereKavaglHaQqXFZicyUZg4oel-NlnPGajuuAvT-gp7t5z4KGZnj_wRvJryl2mvd8TLDAjeTntJcGkBMvgr400fU8CRSWuxkA/s320/GEDC0032.JPG" /></a> like a child on Christmas morning we are waiting with baited breath for Sunday to arrive.</div><br /><div></div><div>The second photo to the left is of Papa and little Noddy in the NICU. Now, the nursing staff assure us the room is kept at an ambient 21 degrees celcius but when you're wearing a hair net a-la-KFC and a face mask with zero ventilation and a floor length gown it's more like 121 degrees...We both arrived at the hospital at 8:45am after 4 hours sleep after what seemed like the longest possible flight to India. We met Dr Sudhir who led us to the NICU and it was then we met our angel. We were planning for a much more relaxed return to India but little Noah had other ideas for his daddies. After speaking with Dr Yash very early on Thursday morning we decided to fly out that afternoon and thank goodness we did. On arrival into Singapore we phoned India and Dr Yash gave us the news that after a long labour, our surrogate was admitted for a c-section and our son was born very shortly after. Dr Sudhir emailed us some photos without the news on whether or not we had a boy or girl. We wanted to wait until we arrived at the hospital to find this out.</div><div></div><br /><div>This morning we spent an hour or so with Noddy and then the remainder of the morning at Hiranandani Gardens; shopping and having lunch. We went back to the hospital for Noddy's scheduled 12:30 feed only to be told he had already been fed...We still spent time with our boy singing to him and cuddling while sneaking in a few photos.</div><div></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSKXMsmJ-4lMz9Anq0B5Dd69YhSNLF-TvejNrIid4guNtC_punsV4-kyZbIwSDuxaTLCpb6_-_h5lT1OGcsAQXWn902V35-xGpAcIdvmN8DZti8UaQSliNWQWHyy9MySASN87IAVzxWyE/s1600/GEDC0033.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 240px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5458143645542041570" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSKXMsmJ-4lMz9Anq0B5Dd69YhSNLF-TvejNrIid4guNtC_punsV4-kyZbIwSDuxaTLCpb6_-_h5lT1OGcsAQXWn902V35-xGpAcIdvmN8DZti8UaQSliNWQWHyy9MySASN87IAVzxWyE/s320/GEDC0033.JPG" /></a><br /><div>The last photo in this post is of Noddy and his daddy who is so in love with his little boy it is beautiful to see. We already have experienced such love and a wonderful bond with our son it is hard to put into words. We just want him here with us now.</div><div> </div><div>Of course, none of this would be possible without the amazing and we mean <strong>AMAZING </strong>support of Dr Sudhir and Dr Yash of Surrogacy India, Dr Pai who performed our transfer, Dr Soni and our surrogate.</div><div> </div><div>Words will never be able to convey the deep gratitude we have for such an amazing woman and the gift she has given us. </div></div></div>Johnny and Darrenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11697245370250367206noreply@blogger.com28tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2861153031752554867.post-27680329651543894172010-04-07T23:55:00.006+10:002010-04-08T06:58:43.972+10:00Change of Plans.....We are Leaving for Mumbai!!!<strong>SCREETCH!!!!!</strong><br /><br />We have been on the phone with Dr <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">Yash</span> as our surrogate has gone into labour and is now at <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">Hiranandani</span>. Dr <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-error">Soni</span> confirms that we are in the early stages of labour and it can not be delayed. We have just spent the past two hours changing flights and hotel and frantically finishing packing. We arrive into <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-error">Mumbai</span> around 2am on Friday morning and will have an update then.<br /><br />This is not a drill, we repeat...this is not a drill.<br /><br />Our life is about to change and we can't wait!Johnny and Darrenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11697245370250367206noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2861153031752554867.post-783390874757617092010-04-03T11:03:00.006+11:002010-04-03T11:33:07.415+11:007 Day Countdown<img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 273px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5455700165794513522" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv3UcH141DPyPrFb7FQ5t7W3O9qiEtoUFcYrZ7rYo21yexiVzA2N1dBOV-j1nbujhQjegU6YQX8rdc9TIB9rJowV_B265MmvqY2zzsmOcqUlvdW6QTX85ffb2-jXM8kY1cjVl5tzixGP4/s320/37+weeks.jpg" />This time next week we will be en-route to Sydney International Airport and exactly 38 weeks pregnant. Darren is cool, calm and very collected and I am too to a certain degree. My head is still spinning wildly like you wouldn't believe but maybe <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">that's</span> due to the washer being on spin cycle at the moment.<br /><br /><div></div><div>First of all, congratulations have to go out to Greg and Rob <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">Blosser</span> and their wonderfully, beautiful little girl Addison Claire. One of three <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">babys</span> born to SI <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-error">IPs</span> this week. We are so looking forward to meeting the three of them when we return to India next week.</div><div></div><br /><div>Next week, 7 days! Gosh the time has come by quickly, thankfully we have a four day weekend at the moment to try and get things into some kind of order before we leave home. We're both working right up to the day prior to us leaving, so Monday will be spent packing our bags and making sure we have everything that we need and don't take the silly, fluffy stuff we do not. We chatted with our beautiful surrogate again this week and she is<strong> SO BIG! </strong>Dr <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-error">Soni</span> is very happy with Noddy's growth and weight gain that a planned c-section has been arranged on the day of our arrival into <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" class="blsp-spelling-error">Mumbai</span> or the following day which means that provided nature doesn't decide to introduce Noddy to the world any sooner, our darling will be born at either 38 weeks 1 day or 38 weeks 2 days. She seems very happy still albeit very tired and probably glad to be seeing the end of our pregnancy. We are amazed at the truly wonderful gift that she has made possible for us.</div><br /><div></div><div><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_6" class="blsp-spelling-error">Drs</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_7" class="blsp-spelling-error">Sudhir</span> and <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_8" class="blsp-spelling-error">Yash</span> also said that it appears Noddy may be <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_9" class="blsp-spelling-error">SI's</span> biggest baby born to date......Not sure if this is a good or bad thing? Any opinions of this? Noddy is just over 3kg according to Dr <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_10" class="blsp-spelling-error">Soni</span> as of last Tuesday. We are planning to chat with our surrogate again tonight Saturday and will again next week before we leave for India. </div><div></div><br /><div>Our last week as a childless couple. How will it be spent; date nights, romantic dinners? Probably not. Darren is working long, long hours in the last week before his time off work and we still have to prepare for the possibility of dropping everything and trying to find a flight to <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_11" class="blsp-spelling-error">Mumbai</span>.</div><div> </div><div> </div><div><strong><span style="font-size:180%;">WEEK 37</span></strong></div><div>Fetal size: crown-rump 35cm (14 inches), crown-toe: 47cm (18.5 inches). Fetal weight 3kg (6.5 pounds). The average size of a healthy full term baby in Australia is 3.5kg. There are many variations on this figure and the size of your baby is linked both parents birth weight and their adult height.</div>Johnny and Darrenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11697245370250367206noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2861153031752554867.post-15260656300707970882010-03-26T10:59:00.009+11:002010-03-26T12:48:03.135+11:00Two Week Countdown<img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 238px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5452749233362375090" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTDPAhyUGW7vcz3dZcuTu2i5OJlznX1cv0ciqpCBLdTeAENFkbQgTv1KvnrZadN9XvqBykcy45CAt7O3mtmpKz9erIG5meFE9UgYrZ1PjvqXwzZI6BWibOZ3Kc47UKaRv5UjG5134QIYc/s320/36+week+baby+belly.JPG" />Tomorrow, Saturday will mark 14 days until our departure from Sydney and more importantly, our return to Mumbai to see Dr Sudhir, Dr Yash, Team SI, our wonderful surrogate and finally meet our darling Noddy. <div><br /></div><div></div><div>Giving myself over to the thought of finally becoming a parent gives me unbearable pins and needles throughout my entire body. Goosebumps, dizziness and tingling in the base of my neck are just some of the sensations when I imagine <strong>our child</strong> in our lives. A child that no one can take from us. A child that will call us it's parents. A child that will wake in the morning and want us, it's daddies to hug and take care of them. My mind is racing at a million miles an hour and I keep repeating to myself that <strong>WE ARE ABOUT TO BECOME PARENTS!!!</strong></div><div><br /></div><div>Last night we had the opportunity to again chat with our surrogate on SKYPE and see her happy smiling face. Having such fantastic technology available to us and a willing surrogate to chat regularly has made the past nine months seem all the more real for Darren and I. We have been encouraged by the positive news and feedback during the course of our surrogate's pregnancy for us. Some IPs have chosen to visit India mid pregnancy which is a great way to stay in touch with your chosen surrogate but for us we opted not to do this. SKYPE had made the many, many miles seem not so far and our surrogate closer to us which we are grateful for. We asked our SM last night how she was feeling and if baby Noddy was moving much to which she replied that our baby likes to dance of a night time! She cracked up laughing and so did the other girls in the room with her. Every time she laughes it is so contagious and makes us happy. A happy pregnancy = a happy baby!</div><div><br /></div><div><strong></strong></div><div>Below is a screen shot from our chat last night on SKYPE. SI clients will recognise the happy smiling face of Jaya in the background, one of the members of "Team SI". </div><div></div><div></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho4PAFmntSRPwo8Z-BGylFEQmSHjUhuQj1NcbqACIh2EuD3zdeWMGKRR_8GwKwszWTpluzbDx_EYguzTyQXvuBYasd8vVUjaozaF5X7om5njsNz_WH4B1-Xmw181sP_23O0aUy2SAnZFI/s1600/skype+screen+shot.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5452749105685811250" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho4PAFmntSRPwo8Z-BGylFEQmSHjUhuQj1NcbqACIh2EuD3zdeWMGKRR_8GwKwszWTpluzbDx_EYguzTyQXvuBYasd8vVUjaozaF5X7om5njsNz_WH4B1-Xmw181sP_23O0aUy2SAnZFI/s320/skype+screen+shot.JPG" /></a><br /><strong><span style="font-size:180%;">WEEK 36</span></strong></div><div>Fetal size : crown-rump 34cm (13.5 inches), crown-toe 46cm (20.7 inches). Fetal weight 2.75 kgs (6 pounds). From about 24 weeks it is possible for your health care professional to determine what position your baby is in. This may change quite a few times as your baby grows, until some time between 32-36 weeks, when the baby runs out of room. A baby usually lies in the cephalic position, that it head down and legs curled up towards the ribs. This is an ideal position, as a baby's head is larger than the rest of it's body, so if the head fits through the pelvis, the rest of the body will. On less frequent occasions, the baby can be in a breach position, where it's head is under the ribs and the feet pointing toward your pelvis.</div><div></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghzA8WYAh2qz-ffqaNDEYkyg3d_Qo0LGjsfIemF-kkWwi815gUK2Mk2Pfv4BJcjgudvZCu3tz9eBhMHQcyW1ZyF6ydXETebzRM-PNepJ47Rp_xLcb26OyyeubLop3zAQjkpoNSS9sQULE/s1600/week+36+Essential+Baby.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5452742819105001570" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghzA8WYAh2qz-ffqaNDEYkyg3d_Qo0LGjsfIemF-kkWwi815gUK2Mk2Pfv4BJcjgudvZCu3tz9eBhMHQcyW1ZyF6ydXETebzRM-PNepJ47Rp_xLcb26OyyeubLop3zAQjkpoNSS9sQULE/s320/week+36+Essential+Baby.JPG" /></a><strong>Engagement</strong></div><div>This is when the baby's head has entered the pelvis. It usually occurs at around week 36 for a first time pregnancy and later if you have already had a child.<br /></div>Johnny and Darrenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11697245370250367206noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2861153031752554867.post-79968201704320419192010-03-18T10:09:00.012+11:002010-03-18T12:27:26.248+11:00Why The Questions?Is this normal practice when you congratulate expecting parents? I know that when family, friends or work colleagues announced they were expecting we never asked these sort of questions or made such comments. Perhaps it's because we're a same sex couple. Maybe people think because we don't have a traditional 'mother' in our family unit that some how we won't be able to cope and people seem to be counting down the day til our demise. It could be that after 13 years together, people think Darren and I are looking at impending parenthood through rose coloured glasses? Or maybe I'm just being overly sensitive and perhaps <strong><em>they</em> </strong>are right...<br /><br /><br />Am I crazy and delusional?<br /><br />Are we wrong to be so excited about Noddy's birth that smelly nappies and sleepless nights don't come into the equation? We know that with a newborn baby comes sleep deprivation. We know that our time is no longer our own. We know that for the rest of our lives we will have a life depending on us as parents. We know that we may never again be able to leave the house, hair perfectly quiffed and shirts vomit free and you know what........we can't wait!<br /><br />Some of the questions and comments I'm referring to that some people seem to be throwing our way include:<br /><br />" You won't know what hit you" - Thanks, I never thought of our baby as a hazardous projectile!<br /><br />" Give it five to six weeks and then I'll ask you again" - The reply when asked if we're excited.<br /><br />"Just wait til the baby won't sleep and stop crying" - Response to Johnny's excitement of being a stay at home dad.<br /><br />Then there's the chuckle from mothers. A chuckle similar to a secret handshake as though they are members of an exclusive club and now that we have '<em>signed on the dotted line'</em> there's no turning back. A chuckle so sinister that it's true meaning will only be understood by us when Noddy arrives. Then and only then does the reality of membership to this club reveal itself.<br /><br />I now want to ask a question. Does this happen to you dear reader? Is this <strong><em>normal </em></strong>and have you had to answer such questions or had similar comments thrown your way? Like I said, perhaps I am the crazy, delusional and overly sensitive one here?<br /><br />What do you think?<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGhkl5pmLMOSwteHZBvq2Go7Ho65Rl4tCngCT2KGHTSUxt6veegyOw5PuH9YCOxRi9cInaGkQ2DiCDQ9Pdy70HjAYv2m2ySRuej28wSUxpgb6tFsGerCWg_6D71y6jXKCwQSA50fqcWCs/s1600-h/DSCN7122.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5449748465857969522" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGhkl5pmLMOSwteHZBvq2Go7Ho65Rl4tCngCT2KGHTSUxt6veegyOw5PuH9YCOxRi9cInaGkQ2DiCDQ9Pdy70HjAYv2m2ySRuej28wSUxpgb6tFsGerCWg_6D71y6jXKCwQSA50fqcWCs/s320/DSCN7122.JPG" /></a><br />Noddy's room is not quite 100% complete but we are almost there. The timber has all been painted and the prints we bought at Disney Land in 2005 finally have a home in Noddy's room. There is still a bookcase and toy box to paint and then that's it. No more painting of furniture. YAY! All of Noddy's clothes and bed linen has been washed and folded and we have his/her bags packed for our return to India. We on the other hand will most likely pack a few days prior to our scheduled departure.<br /><br /><strong><span style="font-size:180%;">WEEK 35</span></strong><br />Fetal size: crown-rump 33cm (13.2 inches), crown-toe 45cm (20.25 inches). Fetal weight: 2.5kg (5.5 pounds). Fat has continued to build up under your baby's skin and is responsible for providing energy and regulating body temperature. These fat deposits have also changed the appearance of the skin, making it pinker (rather than red) and less wrinkled. Fingernails are developed on the fingers, but still may be growing on the toes. Eyelids can be opened and closed and blinking is possible. The irises are also now light sensitive and will dilate and contract depending on exposure to light.Johnny and Darrenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11697245370250367206noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2861153031752554867.post-21538328181115576152010-03-11T11:49:00.012+11:002010-03-12T11:39:24.700+11:00Week 34 Update<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ8DkMIh7NTXFrvbCrAotKxS3rC0jZxs61eS480Z2ewl2UlzB7cjfduqrSUojHQNlPf2Y3ASQxCZ8wWS3ZUTtgIfkcqZaNPeG4WLYJv3yE3HFXfZjz-fDAdP1j9mlSorc2m1Kq-neiLhY/s1600-h/34+week+baby+belly.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 249px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447185014677020098" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ8DkMIh7NTXFrvbCrAotKxS3rC0jZxs61eS480Z2ewl2UlzB7cjfduqrSUojHQNlPf2Y3ASQxCZ8wWS3ZUTtgIfkcqZaNPeG4WLYJv3yE3HFXfZjz-fDAdP1j9mlSorc2m1Kq-neiLhY/s320/34+week+baby+belly.JPG" /></a>34 weeks! You can't begin to imagine the smile from ear to ear on our faces at the moment; well, I know that some of you can! Noddy's impending arrival is becoming very, very emotional for us and every time we hear from <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">Drs</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">Yash</span> and <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">Sudhir</span> with a photo, report or ultrasound scan we're elated. Daily we're being greeted with "not long now" and "is the baby here yet", from friends and extended family.<br /><br />This morning for instance, I woke as usual and first thing was to turn on the computer. Every morning I wake, check for emails, photos, scans, then it's off to blogger to see what's been happening to our surrogacy buddies world wide, then the SI forum for new posts and updates, then the Australian Embassy website in New Delhi for any changes to requirements for children born in India from a commercial surrogacy arrangement and then my work emails. Once this morning ritual is complete I can then feed the cats, change their <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">litter</span> trays, iron shirts for work, make the bed, have breakfast and then feed myself and get ready for work. Usually it's Darren who is the first to leave for work but not today. When I woke and saw the above photo and the latest email from Dr <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-error">Yash</span> I ran upstairs smiling to myself and thinking, "we may be soon be waking up to an email or phone call that our SM going into labour"!<br /><br />We're on the one month count down folks!<br /><br />This wasn't the case this morning though. Our dear surrogate had an ultrasound two days ago and we were reading the results and an email from Dr <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" class="blsp-spelling-error">Yash</span> telling us that from next week, week 35 our SM will be moved to the SI clinic for the remainder of the pregnancy to monitor her so that should she go into labour early she is being cared for and looked after. We re-packed Noddy's bags last night, nappies, bibs, bottles, singlets and what seems like a thousand other items for such a small person. At least we'll be prepared!<br /><br />Latest results on Noddy's development are;<br /><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_6" class="blsp-spelling-error">BPD</span> - 8.94<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_7" class="blsp-spelling-error">cms</span> compatible with 36w1d<br /><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_8" class="blsp-spelling-error">HC</span> - 32.77<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_9" class="blsp-spelling-error">cms</span> compatible with 37w2d<br />FL - 6.58<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_10" class="blsp-spelling-error">cms</span> compatible with 33w6d<br />AC - 31.48<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_11" class="blsp-spelling-error">cms</span> compatible with 35w3d<br /><br /><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_12" class="blsp-spelling-error">FHR</span> - 114<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_13" class="blsp-spelling-error">bpm</span><br />EST FETAL WEIGHT - 2629<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_14" class="blsp-spelling-error">gms</span><br />Average Gestational Age - 35w5d<br />EDD - 08 April 2010<br /><strong><span style="font-size:180%;"></span></strong><br /><strong><span style="font-size:180%;">WEEK 34</span></strong><br />Fetal size: crown-rump 32cm (12.8 inches), crown-toe 44cm (19.8 inches). Fetal weight: 2.25kg (5 pounds). Your baby is now perfectly formed and has the proportions of a newborn. Now it's simply a matter of your baby gaining some weight and doing some further maturing before he/she is ready to be born. It's becoming more cramped in your uterus as your baby continues to mature. Consequently your baby curls up more and starts to move a bit less. Everything is mature now except for the lungs which will continue to prepare themselves for breathing air after birth. Although the lungs are not fully developed, almost all babies born at 34 weeks will survive, but will probably experience some breathing difficulties.Johnny and Darrenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11697245370250367206noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2861153031752554867.post-81931731319769506932010-03-08T11:18:00.024+11:002010-03-10T12:03:49.429+11:00Our Baby Shower<img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446066973118826802" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwCY8Pxq5eXtZcU0d5sR5zTvmh1M7306zLyDFE7YaTJYWiYoGlNxd5ghj9wbYoWHdXjfZ8Ie4g1OUxnWfs_C1iaujwxJC0sWkrRxPVFa-w-udWovLDdfgyrpwOUqV1e_Ow72RuUt032lw/s320/DSCN7118.JPG" />Yesterday we had a great group of 35 family and friends celebrate an afternoon of 'Bombay Baby Madness', our baby shower. We had planned a garden party but the always unpredictable Blue Mountains weather had other ideas and we ended up indoors.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6Utx3D7e_yMNliobjj3Ri9DKM6UHQur3eLSFxsuc-8v4go33NLN6WG66pgrmlc-xApyqgoU2uD4XnpRZ6jSMM_dw5e98upq9R8073K9B7i1wbsTJY762Ix0mPlBp-ZvdUxxszaaiawgM/s1600-h/DSCN7139.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446201297851657858" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6Utx3D7e_yMNliobjj3Ri9DKM6UHQur3eLSFxsuc-8v4go33NLN6WG66pgrmlc-xApyqgoU2uD4XnpRZ6jSMM_dw5e98upq9R8073K9B7i1wbsTJY762Ix0mPlBp-ZvdUxxszaaiawgM/s320/DSCN7139.JPG" /></a> We had a wonderful afternoon celebrating with some close friends and family and we're sure everyone had a great time too. Not everyone we invited was able to make it but we know those of you that couldn't make it in person were there in spirit, sipping bubbles from afar! How great do our cupcakes look!<br /><br /><br />Johnny's younger sister as you know from <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDi4Eg8p6W3EAx8OMu71ACgGCHHujz4WcBjiVBkBFEAj5P22oc5C8QtjqGeeew_akBk9KXCsyXv6WypPpt7miX4ig8YLjtCYMuftb3GpJo_fxbD0mtYEmt0rzJf904n607NZhvus7gVIs/s1600-h/DSCN7127.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 240px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446068735368685842" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDi4Eg8p6W3EAx8OMu71ACgGCHHujz4WcBjiVBkBFEAj5P22oc5C8QtjqGeeew_akBk9KXCsyXv6WypPpt7miX4ig8YLjtCYMuftb3GpJo_fxbD0mtYEmt0rzJf904n607NZhvus7gVIs/s320/DSCN7127.JPG" /></a>earlier posts is a cake decorator extraordinaire! Beck did such a wonderful job and the cupcakes were yummy. Thank you to all the wonderful people who came and shared our day with us. I had very, very grand plans and some of them had to go out the window at the last minute. We did want to arrange somebody to come to the shower to apply henna to our hands but at more than $300 that idea was given the flick. We did purchase some henna cones ourselves and made stencils and were ready but ran out of time on the day. I did though have time the day prior to try my hand at some <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">mehndi</span> on our two nieces Emerson and <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">Makayla.</span><br /><br /><br />We had a yummy Indian themed lunch consisting of saffron rice, chicken tikka, dhal and eggplant curry, vegetable samosa and a selection of naan and pappadums.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6ljc7AqIVbt8cMtTGGxrtimjfCbpFVxhcaMzEfjk8-4-eupFwLJ5oU3_VSSDD3chr1FwOUBaNvKUF01DWFGppWvcobxiia4hEtTC6y46_P8hRbGAN_liChyYmoRuBfRDnp09cp-q5L6o/s1600-h/DSCN7146.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446202414627145874" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6ljc7AqIVbt8cMtTGGxrtimjfCbpFVxhcaMzEfjk8-4-eupFwLJ5oU3_VSSDD3chr1FwOUBaNvKUF01DWFGppWvcobxiia4hEtTC6y46_P8hRbGAN_liChyYmoRuBfRDnp09cp-q5L6o/s320/DSCN7146.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg50OEo9wIBUCTTl6_as5ebgwMfUD_GJKia_ENmylTP28pBRbQuAI9dPGn48LMPpmbV5GJ1bUghfzKCSESg5WXci-oe3sKAKUp1PPqLMaJXU5E-Q5h1dHScj8z46SR_gbee9daMCXhbMMM/s1600-h/DSCN7140.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446071486255877522" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg50OEo9wIBUCTTl6_as5ebgwMfUD_GJKia_ENmylTP28pBRbQuAI9dPGn48LMPpmbV5GJ1bUghfzKCSESg5WXci-oe3sKAKUp1PPqLMaJXU5E-Q5h1dHScj8z46SR_gbee9daMCXhbMMM/s320/DSCN7140.JPG" /></a> The day could not have been the smashing success that it was without the help of our wonderful family. Our parents who have been helping us over the past months leading up to this day, helping us with purchases, organising and decorating the house and Noddy's room. To our sisters who helped out immensely on the day both in and out of the kitchen enabling us to mingle and enjoy the company of our friends, thank you! We have a wonderful family and to have you share this day with us was a dream come true for the two of us and one we will remember fondly when Noddy is harassing us to borrow the car!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit4GNzXhW1z2xan8HHaNlgX9SREDfwo4gdQVZHUpJFjw5zZx0auRFp4FXmGq53rpwMyojZ5EzRyuejd2I9SLalpjNA-0ldDv6AloTSOEPwvNQjC30roTAvfv636ZG7yA-BcLxDRi4fC3s/s1600-h/DSCN7156.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 240px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446077404669485474" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit4GNzXhW1z2xan8HHaNlgX9SREDfwo4gdQVZHUpJFjw5zZx0auRFp4FXmGq53rpwMyojZ5EzRyuejd2I9SLalpjNA-0ldDv6AloTSOEPwvNQjC30roTAvfv636ZG7yA-BcLxDRi4fC3s/s320/DSCN7156.JPG" /></a><br />Noddy's room is almost complete. We're 99.97% there. We have one piece of furniture left to paint and Darren has offered to do this. We have managed to empty the wardrobe in his/her room and put our Christmas ornaments in storage boxes. Darren has framed some wonderfully cute pictures of Pooh Bear, <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_6" class="blsp-spelling-error">Snuglepot</span> and <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_7" class="blsp-spelling-error">CuddlePie</span> (Australian <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_8" class="blsp-spelling-error">gumnut</span> babies) and Big Bird to hang on the walls and finished painting a mirror we had in our old study which now finds a home in Noddy's room. When complete, we'll post a few photos here for you all to admire!<br /><p></p><p>It's true that dreams really do come true and we are so very, very grateful to have reached for the stars and manged to find Noddy. I hope that those of you out there contemplating surrogacy take the plunge and reach for the stars too. You <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyKw1akf8lQ62xpR2nWWTN3jymv_Pdc5CivDdD84Fsc-C5YXeaXL32Y4N1kNhSyXKrcdVQ6_rBtGxe6BUOISs8H_6cfQngyz4bzNmNK_bU4YKDsTckb06e-qma-_i0Z6nXWNK2Rb6e_l0/s1600-h/DSCN7124.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446204259991644754" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyKw1akf8lQ62xpR2nWWTN3jymv_Pdc5CivDdD84Fsc-C5YXeaXL32Y4N1kNhSyXKrcdVQ6_rBtGxe6BUOISs8H_6cfQngyz4bzNmNK_bU4YKDsTckb06e-qma-_i0Z6nXWNK2Rb6e_l0/s320/DSCN7124.JPG" /></a>may get a <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_9" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">pleasant</span> surprise just as we have.</p><p></p>Johnny and Darrenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11697245370250367206noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2861153031752554867.post-24577465667209714622010-03-05T09:51:00.003+11:002010-03-05T13:04:04.914+11:00Week 33 Update<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoNlNXMnt6qb5qFneRmMbCdsstIHxhCT3WvSwvcFDpxeUMbXsaQUx6dyHPFkoWjAwShcpN3Cr8seiatiPNJhFXCq86ZeqlB1Lb_D9sl1XtAckL0cxmyMSX6OWYvUlCAH00rEfJXY0QAws/s1600-h/33+week+baby+belly.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 250px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5444916785007065122" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoNlNXMnt6qb5qFneRmMbCdsstIHxhCT3WvSwvcFDpxeUMbXsaQUx6dyHPFkoWjAwShcpN3Cr8seiatiPNJhFXCq86ZeqlB1Lb_D9sl1XtAckL0cxmyMSX6OWYvUlCAH00rEfJXY0QAws/s320/33+week+baby+belly.JPG" /></a>Have a look at that wonderful belly! I wish we were already in India. We really want to spend some time with our surrogate before she goes into labour and Noddy joins us. I pray we have this chance. Noddy is developing beautifully and it looks like the elevated WBC count from last week is decreasing which is a relief both for us, the docs and our surrogate. From this latest photo sent to us by Dr Sudhir, you can really tell that our surro. has put on weight, especially in her face. I hope she is happy and healthy. She must now be really starting to tire and be coming to the end of her patience with Noddy growing so well. When we last spoke with her on skype, she said the baby must be very hungry as she is eating lots! If those chubby cheeks on our latest 3D scans are anything to go by, she is right!<br /><br />The latest results from Drs Sudhir and Yash on Noddy's development are:<br /><br />BPD: 8.32 cms<br />HC: 30.00cms<br />FL: 6.45cms<br />AC: 27.45cms<br />FHR: 131bpm<br />EST Fetal Weight: 1955gms<br />EDD: 14 April 2010<br />The placenta is anterior and grade II in maturity<br />The amniotic fluid level is adequate<br />The internal os is closed<br />Cervical length 3.56cm<br /><br /><br />We are hoping to chat with her again tonight, our home PC has been done....again! Our replacement as been couriered to us today and I'll set it up after dinner. This Sunday we are having our baby shower and I'll be sure to post photos for those of you overseas or interstate that can't be here in person. Currently the weather forecast is a little stratchy. Not sure if we'll have sunshine and warmth on an Autumn day or not. I hope so. We've been getting gift packs ready for our surrogate's kids for our return to Mumbai and want to find something special for her too. We are thinking a piece of jewellery (maybe ear rings or a bracelet)?<br /><br /><br />Noddy's room is almost complete. The light we bought and painted has been installed and looks great! We have one last piece of furniture to paint and then that's it. No more painting! YAY!When everything is in it's place we will post a few pics to share with you all. Tomorrow will mark the five week count down until we fly back to Mumbai. I hope Noddy can hang in there until our arrival and that he/she is kind to our dear surrogate in these last weeks of her pregnancy for us.<br /><br /><br /><strong><span style="font-size:180%;">WEEK 33</span></strong><br />Fetal size: crown-rump 30cm (12 inches), crown-toe: 43cm (19.4 inches). Fetal weight: 2kg (4.4 pounds). Until week 20, your baby spent most of it's time in a wakeful state. Between weeks 20 and 28, he/she started to have periods of activity and quiet. After week 28 your baby started to experience active sleep (eyes and body moving, heart rate speeding up then slowing down, facial expressions changing and changing breathing patterns). From week 28 onwards, it is likely that your baby starts to develop a pattern of deep sleep and active sleep. During the active sleep periods, your baby's brain undergoes stimulation, which probably helps it to mature.Johnny and Darrenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11697245370250367206noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2861153031752554867.post-346430142004508132010-02-25T10:33:00.008+11:002010-02-25T11:02:15.427+11:00Week 32 UpdateThe past seven days have passed by in much of a non event as the previous seven. Both Darren and I are putting the finishing touches on Noddy's room. We have bought a much smaller light for the room as our current chandelier is now too low and we keep hitting our heads on it every time we enter the room. We bought a five arm light fixture from a local 2nd hand store that we plan of painting white and adding some white shades. Currently it's brass and has bad 80s glass shades...urgh. A little bit of DIY should do the trick and at only $45 it's a bargain. When complete I will post a photo. We have also finished painting the timber trim above our panelling and now just three pieces left to be painted (wait, four) and then...voila! Darren has had two beautiful oak pieces of furniture since he was around 19 years old that we are going to paint white, a bookcase from our dear friend Bron, who recently moved to the USA will also get the same treatment and then a rocking chair currently federation green will also get a lick of paint or two or three as I think it may need. The weekend ahead will be a busy one! <div><div></div><div><br /></div><div>For some unknown reason I have been feeling anxious when thinking about Noddy the past few days. Most likely because our surrogate's WBC count has been a little elevated. Drs Yash and Sudhir were on the ball and quickly placed our surrogate on a five day course of antibiotics just as a precaution. This along with reading other IPs threads on the SI forum has helped me to relax slightly but I can't quite put my finger on the reason for this unwanted anxiety. </div><div></div><div><br /></div><div>There has been some sad news this week in the surrogacy community we find oursleves a part of. Couples who have had negative results and others coming to their second trimester miscarrying. It is terribly devastating and I can not begin to imagine their anguish. This also reminded me of a client recently who came into my work place to book flights to the UK. </div><div><br /></div><div></div><div>Their daughter was pregnant and all was well. Baby was growing as it should be and 'normal'. The soon to be grandparents were elated. </div><div></div><div><br /></div><div>Then, all of a sudden their baby didn't continue growing. It's heart simply stopped. By this stage, the expectant mother was 35 weeks pregnant and just thinking of what awful sadness she, her partner and their families must have gone through gives me goosebumps and saddens me beyond expression. WHY, WHY, WHY?</div><div><br /></div><div></div><div>How on earth does one cope with such sadness and loss? I am shaking my head as I type these words.</div><div></div><div><br /></div><div>I suppose I am anxious as any new parent would be. Both Darren, myself and our families are so looking forward to this new arrival. A new life. Noddy is already so loved and cherished the <strong><em>fear </em></strong>that this wonder could be taken from us scares the hell out of me. I pray this is not our fate.</div><div><br /></div><div></div><div>Onto a lighter and happier note, we do know that Noddy <strong>IS </strong>growing well and <strong>IS </strong>healthy and we have <strong>NO </strong>reason to be fearful or anxious. We <strong>ARE </strong>in the best of hands and our surrogate <strong>IS </strong>going to deliver a beautiful, healthy baby boy or girl very soon. I was so happy to wake up this morning and find more 3D scans from two days ago, the 23rd February. The scans show Noddy's approximate gestational age at 31weeks and 5days.</div><div> </div><div> </div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLXKQS7lfAhd5cx4myqm51v5omBw8_4JS9R7J_kZQh57ZR627EPkIt7E2bQ_kP5Zl2LEFWJULXY4-3n5ezQ_Pv-wIBuS-DOPrL6W0TXaE9byDxAJKv71XuvanF4XOl3V39DCPwrlzHFL4/s1600-h/Noddy9.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 114px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5441962727432388066" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLXKQS7lfAhd5cx4myqm51v5omBw8_4JS9R7J_kZQh57ZR627EPkIt7E2bQ_kP5Zl2LEFWJULXY4-3n5ezQ_Pv-wIBuS-DOPrL6W0TXaE9byDxAJKv71XuvanF4XOl3V39DCPwrlzHFL4/s200/Noddy9.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_u-tu4jtSLmi4QH53UdUx7RWJt-_r3Ec1ZMCOXIdcmOWrGWhAmoN8Sa3FZ-Lyc6bFwGH2FUqRji9p5CY79DP8WqT0_s5QwUwm-3XdPejb75E0KNyKTdw-4Ywhk5e6t_sO_AhIN7ciR-A/s1600-h/Noddy7.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 114px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5441962574748406018" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_u-tu4jtSLmi4QH53UdUx7RWJt-_r3Ec1ZMCOXIdcmOWrGWhAmoN8Sa3FZ-Lyc6bFwGH2FUqRji9p5CY79DP8WqT0_s5QwUwm-3XdPejb75E0KNyKTdw-4Ywhk5e6t_sO_AhIN7ciR-A/s200/Noddy7.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYyTg49b0UOt2Q7-wsBJyyLsMoOhQDs0Jtw3vrVv-NG6Bool5ayb8vj747UIfrp7NC5aTOfVS4va2SuK6OQRYYvYRGRAf8TRFLQKjq7Z85_6l3fCtzSQoL6HXnGR3CQbBkZqHHe3RYqVY/s1600-h/Noddy8.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 114px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5441962664603335762" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYyTg49b0UOt2Q7-wsBJyyLsMoOhQDs0Jtw3vrVv-NG6Bool5ayb8vj747UIfrp7NC5aTOfVS4va2SuK6OQRYYvYRGRAf8TRFLQKjq7Z85_6l3fCtzSQoL6HXnGR3CQbBkZqHHe3RYqVY/s200/Noddy8.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /></div><div></div><div><br /> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div><br /><strong><span style="font-size:180%;">WEEK 32</span></strong></div><strong></strong></div><div><div>Fetal size: crown-rump 29cm (11.6 inches), crown-toes 42cm (18.9 inches). Fetal weight 1.7kg (4 pounds). This week your baby has continued to grow and his/her lungs and digestive system have also continued to mature. Your baby's senses are functioning and by week 32 the mind may have even started to function. Your baby still needs more time in the womb to continue maturation, and the build up of fat stores.</div></div>Johnny and Darrenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11697245370250367206noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2861153031752554867.post-37625867306709923822010-02-19T09:22:00.015+11:002010-02-20T17:56:05.139+11:00Week 31 UpdateThis week we reach 31 weeks in our pregnancy and are one step closer to Noddy reaching full term. Technically we only have six weeks to go right? A baby born at 37 weeks is considered 'full term' and then we can really let out a sigh of relief.<br /><br />We are starting to prepare our essentials list for our return trip to India. Bottles, formula, nappies, clothes, baby sling vs carrier, cotton balls, bibs, burp cloths, bottle steriliser, hanger for drying small laundry items in our hotel room, bottle drain stand, ipod, laptop and the other gazillion items to make sure we have every possible scenario covered. Of course this can't be achieved and we will be as prepared as we can be and the rest.....we will deal with if and when we need to. You know we're not going to have a refluxy, colicy baby! <strong><em>PLEASE!</em></strong><br /><br />Our wonderful surrogate again this week has been for more check ups and scans and the latest results are looking good for Noddy's development...<br /><br /><br />A single live foetus is noted in cephalic presentation with spine to the left.<br /><br />Liquor - Adequate.<br />Placenta - To the right and Grade O Maturity<br /><br />BPD - 78.6MM<br />HC - 286.7MM<br />FL - 57.2MM<br />AC - 272.0MM<br />EFW - 1685GRAMS<br /><br />This week we would also like to say a <strong>BIG THANK YOU </strong>to the many people who have kindly helped us over the past 12 months plus. Many of you out there we have only ever met in this virtual world and having your support, kindness, encouragement and ever willing ear to listen to us has made our journey much more enjoyable. When we started to seriously consider commercial surrogacy in India we were just as apprehensive and trepidatious as the next person. Having people to email, talk with and allay our anxieties meant we could focus on what was really important and that is creation. Noddy.<br /><br />We met Stephanie and Adam whilst in Mumbai and their cherub Micah. Chaya and her princess Ella also made us appreciate the reality of what we were about to do and that yes, it is possible!<br /><br /><br />To our numerous online supporters; M&J, Jason & Brendan, Greg & Rob (can't wait to meet you two), Rhonda & Gerry, Megan & Bob, Lisa & Nik, Jojo and the others I have forgotten....thank you. You all know the stress involved in becoming parents half way around the world and no one else can relate to these crazy emotions more than the people going through the same things as us.<br /><br /><br />To our wonderful doctors in India, Dr Sudhir and Dr Yash. Words will never express the gratitude and awe we have toward you and your staff for your wonderful commitment to Darren and I. For us, there is no other clinic we would have other than Surrogacy India and will continue to sing your praises to one and all that will listen.<br /><br />And finally, our family. Both sets of parents and siblings have been amazing in their steadfast support and unwavering faith in us and the desire to become parents. Family is one of the reasons we chose to become parents. We love you all.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTuUe9BYDcD6q0rKw8_Bc8vOOQzyvG5otLxtHtUOnAOjioPMM7l1Y022097z-4KWYC5Gui3ER_FM3jF-DUB5E56eZppZWoMwWheqhTdexAbP2A84Ez9ORDmPOeIzwXmHlyta7lAZL2QSE/s1600-h/31+week+baby+belly.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 268px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5439804739823247570" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTuUe9BYDcD6q0rKw8_Bc8vOOQzyvG5otLxtHtUOnAOjioPMM7l1Y022097z-4KWYC5Gui3ER_FM3jF-DUB5E56eZppZWoMwWheqhTdexAbP2A84Ez9ORDmPOeIzwXmHlyta7lAZL2QSE/s320/31+week+baby+belly.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><strong><span style="font-size:180%;"></span></strong><br /><br /><br /><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><strong><span style="font-size:180%;">WEEK 31</span></strong><br />Fetal size: crown-rump 28cm (11.2 inches), crown-toe 40cm (18 inches). Fetal weight : 1.6kg (3.5 pounds).<br />The eyes are now fully formed and the eyelids have separated, allowing your baby's eyes to open. Once the eyes are open, your baby will start to see and focus (within a limited range). Your baby now has a fully developed breathing rhythm and his/her lungs begin to prepare for breathing air in the outside world. Sucking and swallowing skills also continue to develop in preparation for feeding. Your baby passes about half a litre of urine into the amniotic fluid each day.Johnny and Darrenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11697245370250367206noreply@blogger.com7