Oysters

Dressed up to go out - Steve & the viking in his baby Yoda jumper (which I also knitted). We took Graeme & Vanessa to the airport, then figured out how to get to the fish markets. Steve wanted to get me oysters - was craving seafood all of pregnancy, only because I couldn't have it. We got oysters!

Burping

Steve burping Oliver. It looks like he's choking the poor child, but he's not.

Viking

This is my favourite picture, Oliver in a viking hat. The viking hat. I learnt to knit just so I could make this viking hat. Spent the last 3 months of pregnancy just knitting - very worth it though - look at the little boy. Right after we left hospital Graeme & Vanessa came for the weekend. They were so helpful, doing everything around the house for the first few days we were home. I didn't realise how helpful they were till they left, & we were left with doing our own laundry & dishes etc. We did get meals though for the next 2 weeks from our bible study - so considerate of them.

Celebration Dinner

The night before you leave hospital, they give you a special celebration dinner, which is just basically just the normal meal, decorated a bit more to make it fancy, eaten downstairs in the staff cafeteria. They make an effort to decorate the tables with candles and flowers. You put your child in the nursery & off you go. I was feeling so ill from numerous painkillers they kept handing to me & still not able to walk properly. We almost didn't go down to dinner. But we did. And it was nice.

Hospital Gown

Every baby got a rolling basinette which doubled as a bath. There was a section underneath where you could put nappies, clothes, wraps, etc. It was brilliant. In the nursery there was a cupboard full of linen & nappies where you could go to stock up. This is Oliver in his cute little blue hospital gown, the minature version of the one Steve wore during surgery.

Hearing Test

Another sleeping baby picture. He got his hearing tested & didn't wake up!

Me & Oliver

Why do I look so cheery? Maybe it's because I was in hospital & didn't have to do any laundry. They had these bins which were cleaned out once a day & you threw all your baby linen into it. Maybe it was because my child slept all day. Apart from eating and sleeping he didn't do much else. I do so love quiet sleeping babies. Maybe it's because I'd just had lunch & they give you these menus to fill in & you can choose the things you want for each meal. It was the highlight of my day - filling in that menu.

Oliver Stephen Day

This is Stephen & Oliver on the day Oliver was born - 22nd July 2006. I had him by emergency caesarean & I have no idea how I managed to take this picture. I remember hearing, before I drifted into sleep, Steve discussing with the midwife whether to leave Oliver in my room with me or not. I'm so glad they put him in the nursery - I was in no fit state to be looking after the poor child, I couldn't move, how was I supposed to get out of bed if I needed to pick him up?