Almost One

Dear Sterling,

Your almost one year old and every day your less like a baby and more like a toddler. Two weeks ago a light inside you switched on and you realised you could move around if you wanted too. You've been army crawling with great skill since. Although your army crawl looks very much like a swim stroke it makes me think you are the water baby I suspect you to be.

This first year has gone by fast and some days slow, actually at just the right pace. I'm so thankful I've gotten to spend your first year with you every day. We have found out groove and you have been a patient and kind baby. You have not been a upset often you've mainly been very relaxed and happy. There was only one day when you were 4 months that you cried for an hour strait I have no idea why. But other then that you've been easily soothed and comforted which has been amazing! Your the unicorn or babies, not sure how I got so lucky.

This year your Mom and Dad have grown into our rolls as parents. You and Dad are best friends, you think he is very funny and interesting. He makes you laugh all the time. You can not sleep if Dad is around because you think he's just the life of the party sometimes at 3 am you wake up and roll onto your tummy and start talking to Daddy asleep next to you. I have to convince you that Dad is a asleep and so should you. Your pretty easily convinced but it's very sweet the bond you two share.

Your best buddy is Cooper P. You guys like to chat about your Dads you also like to pull Coopers hair which he takes very well and only gives you a determined look, I think he's waiting for your hair to grow in so watch out. Your a major flirt and love chatting with the ladies and a sucker for a pretty smile. Yesterday we went out to lunch with Uncle Emilio and while Dad and Uncle Emilio went to order a man across the room made a funny face at you so you stuck out your tongue and made a face back.

You love to play with the stuffed cats we have you purr at them and very delicately pull their furs out one by one. We want to get a cat this year so I have a feeling you might not be doing that with a real cat shortly.

Your favourite foods are noodles of any kind, banana, vegimite toast, strawberries and blueberries. You love all fruit and would eat a 100% fruit and noodle diet if I let you.

Your Nana, Grandpa, Poppy, Grandma, Pop,  Aunt Hannah and Uncle Simon are all flying to Perth to be here for your Birthday! You have really brought our little family together. Your having a birthday party with the theme of wild birds because you love all birds! To the extent that if you see a model bird at the shops you point at it and want it. We have a growing bird collection at home.

We love you Sterling, I can't wait to see all the new things the coming year will bring!
Love - Mommy

Joy

Joy. Its been such a joy. He is such a joy.
I say this a lot. Having Sterling with us has changed our lives. As I expected it would. I really wanted to have a baby, for me.. for my husband, for my parents and my in-laws. For our family.

What I wasn't expecting was how much joy our baby would bring others, I knew yeah... there would be joy and all the cuddles and snuggles and gooey things that come with having a baby. But I have been caught way off guard by the joy.

The joy Sterling brings others is one of my favourite things about being his Mom. Yes he brings me and Graham lots of joy daily but he seems to touch everyone he is in contact with. Watching him with my parents, with my husbands family, that is joyous. But even just walking down the street Sterling is bringing the joy. I've seen him brighten the day of strangers in the shops, of people walking past. His charm has helped his Mom out of a few jams already too.

Sometimes I think all parents must feel like this. But goodness. We have an ocean of joy at our house. Its spills out of our lives and into the lives of others. I think its the best gift I have ever witnessed.

Heres my joy... enjoying a bath outside.

8 months went by fast!

So Sterling is 8 in a half months old!!
I have been having a great time learning how to be a good Mommy these past few months and it has been amazing watching him grow and learn. He just cut his first tooth this week and last night right before he fell asleep be asked for Da Da. Who was working a long shift.

It hasn't been easy learning this new role, but every day has been rewarding.
Sterling and I have been on a lot of adventures in this short time too! In June we took a trip to see Grandma, Poppy and Pop in Sydney and then in August we traveled to the USA to see Nana and Grandpa in Indiana.

Heres a few highlights!

My first Kangaroo with Dad!

Dad's Birthday! Sterling loved it!

First time at Grandmas!!

Being Silly with Poppy! 

Sterling meeting Uncle Simon!

At Grandma and Poppy's!

Sterling with Sarah!! Happy 40th Sarah!!

Waiting for a our flight in Dallas!

Sterling and Grandma!

Swingin on the back yard swing in Indiana

Hanging out with Grandpa at the Barn.

Ann and Kristy visit from Boise!

Children's museum with Aunt Mary and Aunt Anne for Nana's birthday!!

Grandma in the Harbour City!

Such fun!! Love this new lifestyle. So glad I have this little boy in my life! Graham and I are just so thankful and blessed!

You were worth the wait my boy! Love Mama.

Goodbye Kitty

A Eulogy for my cat

August 5^th 2016

Kit Cat Wolfla Weaire-Buchanan

2000-2016

We lost our kitty boy Kit cat today. He left us suddenly.

Kit was my cat child, he was my first pet in Australia. I met him while working as a volunteer at the Cat Protection Society of NSW. We adopted him as an adult in 2007. His first owners moved away and didn’t want to keep him anymore.

He was a was BIG cat. He hardly fit in the cage they kept him in when he first arrived at the Cat Protection Society. I met him when he came in, the very day he was dropped off. I was washing cat bowls and he was looking up at me with a sad face. A week later he was ours.

It took him a year to warm up to us, he didn’t sit in my lap for 3 years and only sat next to us about 6 months after he came home to our house.

Kit had many quirks and rules.

But I loved him anyway.

He had to have things his way or no way. I once watched him bite Graham on the scalp, thus getting the name “scalp bitter”

He would only eat from porcelain and had a set of antique gold rim dishes that most humans would be jealous of.

In his later years he loved to sleep in the back garden. He has featured in three publications on cats and even had his likeness in a art gallery in 2015.

Kit had many many human friends. And a few dog friends.

Kit joined me at work on many occasions and loved hanging out and meeting new people.

He has an alias “Smuffy Jones” which features on his very large cat carrier.

Kit went by many nick names, Kittles, Kitty, Moogie, Meow Meow to name a few. He has been my shadow for many years.

Just this morning I took a photo of him watching and waiting for the sun to come up on another cat day. Im going to miss him.

Thanks for loving us Kitty. We loved you.

A letter to Mama's to be

Gosh, there are some things I wish someone had told me before my birth experience.
So thought I would put a few of them here. Just in case someone runs across them in there hours of desperate internet searches before baby arrives.


Why is there so many things around birth and post birth no one ever talks about?
Heres some things I wish I had known..


What no one tells you..

C-Sections
You might be getting one of these, even if you are planning the natural birth you are set on. I was not prepared for how hard recovering from my c-section was.
Things you need to know:
You won't feel anything. Just a little pressure but no pain. Put your trust into the doctors around you. They do these all the time. You might feel very cold during it, and you might have very powerful shivering. If its more then you can handle ask your doctor to knock you out. You can stay away just long enough to see baby come out and then take a little nap. You'll likely wake up shortly after they close you up and you will still be able to breastfeed. Don't be shy about asking for help if your feeling scared or overwhelmed while on the table. Speak up!

Have the nurses show you ways of getting up out of bed, this was really hard for me. I struggled to get up and its important you do it safely.
You might be on a liquid diet for 2 days after your c-section, this can make you feel like you starving. Especially if you want through labour prior to the c-section.

Baby Blues
Births hidden gem. Some woman get this terribly and others not so bad. I got it bad. I felt completely out of control. It started around day 3 and peaked at day 8. It took a couple of weeks for it to even out. If your feeling like your downing in anxiety and sadness ask for help. But keep in mind that it will get better. Look at all the Mothers in your life. They endured this major shift in hormones and you will too. Remember it won't be like that forever. Do things to make yourself feel better. For me it was going on walks outside, giving my baby a bath, bonding with baby doing baby message. Talking about how I was feeling with close friends and family. Your not alone.

The sounds
New borns and Infants are loud. They make the weirdest sounds when they sleep. Be prepared that you will spend the first two weeks learning their sounds. All the sounds can be frightening at first, but as you learn more about your baby the easier it gets. But those first few nights at home can be hard till you learn what all the sounds mean.

Cluster Feeding
If you are breast feeding there is a common night (day 2 or 3) that the first cluster feed happens. Baby will suck and suck, it might get unsettled and cry, no matter what you do the baby will want to eat or it will cry. Sometimes this is made worse if your milk as not come in yet. (if you have had a c-section it is likely your milk will be late) DO A FORMULA FEED TOP UP. A what you say???? Formula Top Up. Yes. give they baby some food. by day 3 they are starting to get hungry.
However the cluster feeding is very important to your milk production so still follow babies cues. But be prepared with some formula. Just so everyone doesn't got crazy and you both get at least a little sleep.

Breast Feeding
It is hard. It is not easy and can feel very unnatural. Get advice early. Rent a pump for when you get home. Use the pump to help bring your milk on by using it for 15 minutes after every feed. Ask for help, get someone to your home, show them how baby is or isn't latching. Even if you think you have it right. Get someone in to check.  Ask every midwife for advice on breast feeding, everyone has a little different piece of advice. Use that call button in hospital. Ask lots of questions.
If you need to have a break to let you nipples heal do it early. Don't let them get too damaged before you get help. You can pump and feed baby. GET LOTS OF ADVICE.
It will feel like your showing everyone your breasts. But thats just how it is and its okay.
It gets easier, just stick with us. Get support.

Sterling Boy

Sterling Lyman Weaire-Buchanan arrived February 17th 2016. Just in time for the second act at 8:56pm via emergency c section.

He was a little surprised at birth but calmed down when he got to have cuddles with his Dad. Graham was amazing an excellent Dad from the start, doing first diapers/nappies and looking after me. The birth and recovery was difficult for me, but Graham was my hero. Im so thankful for such a loving and supportive husband. He sure loves his boy. A few days after Sterling arrived my parents arrived from the USA and so did Graham's from Sydney. We also welcomed Graham's Dad Craig for a few days when we got home from the hospital. It was lovely to have all the grandparents together for a few days. We had Karen and Stuart for 2 weeks and my parents for 6. Im so grateful for their support and wisdom.

So thankful to have this little boy in our lives!

 4 weeks old

Daddy and Sterling in the delivery room 

Mom's first hold! I think she is pretty happy in this photo!  

Sterling meeting his Grandpa Hank. 

Nan and Grandma! Grandma Karen's first cuddle!  

Poppy Stuart's frist hold! 

 My friend Sarah with Sterling. Sarah was support for Graham and for me during the birth. I was so glad she was there, especially for Graham as I was out of it for most of the time. She and Sterling will always have a special connection. 

2 weeks old

Time has passed quickly and now my boy is 3 months old. He is a happy, calm and kind baby. Im so grateful after all the trying, IVF, tears, and doubts this guy is with us. Thank you to the support of our many friends and family.  My friend Sarah and my Kentucky sister April made my hospital stay more bearable, and helped me through my pregnancy worries.

Thanks to everyone who prayed for us, thought of us and just lent me their shoulder in the past 3 years. Thank you for your love and support. Thanks to my work mates, Pippa, Fiona, Sarah, Nicole, Cadi, Kathleen, Thom, Rachael, Anna, Robyn and PJ who suffered through my IVF journey on the daily. Your patience and support meant a lot.
And to Cadi, who gave me her sardine car when she left Perth so could get to IVF appointments easier. Thank you, your gift keeps going.

To my boy

I love you

   Im so excited your here

- Your Mom

A letter to my baby boy.

Dear Baby Boy,

This week your 34 weeks old from the moment your cells sparked and divided into the little person you are growing into.

Your Dad and I have been waiting a long time to meet you... Years in fact... Now that its only a few weeks away till the day we get to meet we have so many feelings and emotions coming to the surface.

Your Dad is thinking about you every day. At night he feels you kick my belly with his hand and smiles. Sometimes you'll be kicking away and I will put your Dad's hand on my belly.. but you suddenly go quite. I think you know he must be watching. Tonight he held up some of your clothes and said "I can't believe we will have a little boy this big one day". I agree its hard to believe too! We have been waiting so so long to meet you.

How long? Well, at least 7 years. We got married 10 years ago, and didn't want to have a baby right away I was 23 and your Dad was 24. We still had some growing to do. Lucky for me and your Dad we got to do a lot of growing together, we had lots of adventures, learnt a lot of important things about being good partners to each other. By the time I was 27 I was ready to meet you, ready to have a little person to love and cuddle. I didn't know I was in for a long wait at the time. While waiting for you it was hard not to feel a little down sometimes...
But when I look back, I think you have come at the perfect time. Im so glad your Dad and I got to spend 10 years together trying to become good, strong, hard working people. I think we will be better parents to you for it. I also have lots of embarrassing stories to tell you about your Dad, which I know will come in handy as you grow up.

Im not nervous to become your Mom. Im hopeful.
I hope I take all these new changes in my stride, and overcome any obstacles we might face the same way I have overcome all the other obstacles in my life. One day at a time. Even one minutes at a time if need be. I hope I am patient and kind, loving and understanding, and only firm with you when its to your own benefit.

Your being born into a small but loving family, you have a Nana (Pat) and Grandma (Karen) that can't wait to meet you. You have a Grandpa (Hank), a Pa (Stuart) and a Pop (Craig) who all can't wait to be your best mate. You have an Uncle Simon who will be your biggest fan and if you play your cards right will spoil you rotten (he's a softy). You have lots of extended family and friends who are all waiting to greet you too. Your roots will cross two countries. Australia and America.

Im so thankful your almost here! I know both your Dad and I are about to fall in love with you, I can't wait to see your Dad hold you! Its the part I am looking forward to the most. Because I love you and your Dad more then anything in the world.  Im so so glad your Dad and I get to have a little boy like you to love.

See you soon Baby boy..
Your Mom is ready and waiting!