Waiting for Santa Claus

So we're just sitting here waiting for Santa to turn up...4 more sleeps to go.

Bathing

3 days old and you were starting to smell so we had to give you a bath.  This was an exciting time for me as I enjoyed bathing your sister and watching her kick around.  

You really didn't like getting undressed and you hate it when your mother or I wipe your bottom so I wasn't to sure how you were going to handle a clean and then being dried.


You got into the bath pretty easily and seemed to really enjoy relaxing on your back. Of course your sister had to come in and watch and she was very interested in how little you were and your little penis.  She kept looking at it and saying "Jack Pe-nus".

After about 3min you started getting grumpy so we pulled you out. As expected you hated being dried but one you were back in your clothes you were very happy and relaxed.

Your second bath was a lot better and you stayed in kicking around for about 5 minutes.  Getting dresses was a lot quicker and you didn't seem to cry as much.

You have a Name

It took a just a couple of days to finally lock in a name for you.  Your mother and I both felt it was a bit harder to decided this time. Not sure why.

Once we got to see you we realised that you were a big strong boy and needed a name that would reflect that.  I went through all of the All Black front row names to see if any of them were a good fit.  We though about calling you John and Thomas but neither of them really fit well.

Finally we decided on Jack.  You are going to be named Jack and be our little pirate.

Meaning & History

Derived from Jackin (earlier Jankin), a medieval diminutive of JOHN. It is often regarded as an independent name. During the Middle Ages it was very common, and it became a slang word meaning "man". It was frequently used in fairy tales and nursery rhymes, such as 'Jack and the Beanstalk', 'Little Jack Horner', and 'Jack Sprat'.

Gender: M Meaning of Jack: "God is gracious" Origin of Jack: English, diminutive of JohnJack's Popularity in 2014: #2

Your first Day

Today you had lots of visitors and lots of action.

You had your granparents visit early in the morning and meet your sister for the first time.  We then discovered you were having a little trouble breathing so sent you back to hospital for observations.  At 4pm they said you were all ok and yet us head back to Waterford Birthing Centre.  That night Uncle Chris and Aunty Chontel popped in for a quick visit and a little hold.

Your first day has certainly been a busy one

Your Birthday

At long last you have finally arrive.

We were booked in for Wednesday at 8am. We were all ready and headed up to the hospital where we expected them to take your mother through to the birthing suit and get the process going.  Upon arrival we were told that they were very busy with other births and because you were so happy in there that we could go home and wait for a phone call to come in.

So home we went.

Any waited we did.

Finally at 7pm we decided that the hospital wouldn't be calling and that we really needed some dinner.  You mother really wanted Roast Pork with cracking and apple sauce.

Murphy's Law: Just after she had finished and was feeling really fill we got the phone call to head up and that your mother was going to be induced. I remember her saying "Great, I'm going to vomit that pork up later". And she did.

By 9pm we were at the hospital and the next hour was all about getting ready. Finding a bed, having a lure put in, pumping up the yoga ball.... and for me counting down to midnight when my new xbox game was being released. Yes little one... Dad had planned on being at the midnight release.

At 10pm they decided it was time to pop your mums waters and get this show on the road. It was a pretty quick process and it was really time to meet you. I was starting to get excited and nervous. Your mother on the other hand was beginning to remember the pain that labour was. "Oh man, I remember this part, and it hurts".

Your mum was in great spirits and begun to work hard on getting ready for you arrival.  Things started to progress really well and I don't think your mum new just how well she was doing.

You were also working really hard and the midwife, Leanne, kept a close eye on you heart rate but you were a super star.  We spent a bit of time in the shower as the hot water felt nice and helped with the pain of the contractions.

By 1am on Thursday morning your mum was really feeling like she needed to push. I knew that I was finally going to be meeting you soon and started to get really excited. Both you and your mum were doing so well working hard to make the delivery as easy as it could be.  As with your sister the best spot for her was on the toilet. Just like your sister you were almost born sitting on the loo. The midwife knew that you were going to be big and said "You can't birth on the toilet, this baby is to big for me to catch."

How true that was.

By 2:45am you were so close. You mum was really working hard and you were about to be born on the bathroom floor.

3:08am and for the first time I got to see you and your little chunky cheeks. Both midwives were so impressed with how big you are and how well your mother did.

Eviction Notice

YOU HAVE BEEN SERVED

8:00am, Wednesday 18th November. Your mother is going to be induced.

OVER DUE

You were due to arrive on the 6th of November. We are now Monday a week later (42.3).

I've always said your mums womb service must be to good. 

It has been another tough time waiting for you to make an appearance. Lots of visits and phone calls and we are very excited. Last week we tried to get them to pop your mums waters to start the labour process but they advised us not to. 

Anyway we are sitting up at the hospital having a check up on your movements and heart rate. 

Must be any day now. 

Any Day...

Well I hope it's any day now and your mum is crossing her fingers aswel. You are a very big baby and are very active kicking and turning all the time. 

We had a midwife appointment with Katrina yesterday and she said that you were very happy in their and that you are now 4/5 engaged. That made you mum both happy and a little disappointed as she wants you to come now.

I was suppose to be heading down to Christchurch this weekend Geocaching but as you are so close to cooking and yup our mum is feeling very sore she has asked me to stay. That's ok with me as it's also the semi final for the rugby World Cup and New Zealand is playing South Africa     Oh gosh  I hope you don't come that day. 

Your room is almost ready for you and we have got out all the baby clothes and washed them. It's funning looking at how small they are and thinking that you will be that size.  We still don't know if you are a boy or girl so the clothes that we have packed are green and greys. Don't worry you won't be put in pink or blue. 

Our name choices haven't really changed much from the previous post. There a lots that I like but your mum won't let me have and the same goes for her. With your sister we played a game of mini golf and the winner got to choose...maybe we need to do the same for you. 

We are both really excited for your arrival and it seems like things are dragging on. I hope you are not like your sister and go 15days over due. 

Not long Now

Its hard to believe but it is actually not that long before your are due to arrive.  Your mother is very much counting down.

At night she is finding it very hard to sleep as you are so big and heavy.  She is also getting really bad heart burn which is making it hard for her to sleep at night.

You are a very active baby. At night I can feel you kicking hard, very hard.  I am able to watch your mothers stomach jump around as you kick and move. It is very exciting to watch.

We have been thinking of names for you.  We still do not know if you are going to be a boy or girl. Everyone is saying that you are a boy but I'm just not sure. There is a part of me that would be excited to have a son but it would also be awesome for Emily to have a sister.  So really we do not mind what you are just as long as you are a healthy child.

Anyway back to names.  Here are some of the different ideas that we have had.

Boy

James
Jack
John
Thomas


Girl

Clarke
Emilia
Isabel
Sophie
Scarlett
Anna

Such a big little baby!

20 weeks now baby and you are growing rapidly! You are a whole week larger than due date-however you enormous sister was always over sized as well. 

At the scan, Emily was such a brat and wanted to see the fish more hen you so Dad had to follow her (now she's tall enough to open doors), and left me alone in room. So now he is convinced that I know what gender you are! I keep thinking boy (so we will see if I'm right)) , and he swears I must know that from the scan. 

We can't wait to meet you no matter if your a boy or girl! I would love a sister for emily as I only have your uncles, but would love a boy so I can say I have one of each! Having you is a blessing in itself! Love you like toast already Nigel! 

20 Week Scan

Today is a very special day for several reasons. One it is the first day of your blog and the official start of recording all the different and amazing things that you will achieve in your life.

You are a Willis and no matter what you will be able to do anything.

20 weeks is a long time I guess but it has also been a very quick time.  You big Sister, Emily, has kept us busy as she is a very adventurous and stubborn girl.  You are going to have to be careful with all your toys as she will no doubt try and take them from you.  Don't worry just tell me and I'll sort it out.

Me that is a funny thought. I guess you don't really know who I am yet. I mean you have heard my voice and I've tried to speak with you a couple of times but I guess you couldn't hear me as you never replied.  I'm your Father... I Think.  I'm looking forward to meeting you and seeing if you are going to be a boy or a girl. I kind of hope you are a boy as I'm a little out numbered and need someone on my team.

Anyway I bet you are a little interested in how we found out that you were going to be joining the family.  It was a while ago now but I still remember the day clearly.  I was away at the time on School Camp with my class, Room 13. We were out at a place called Lake Ruatuna. While there I received a call from your mother and she was crying.  I asked her what was wrong and she said she was pregnant. I was super excited and was upset that she had told me over the phone and I wanted her to be with me to give her a big hug and explain that everything was going to be great.

I made her drive out to the Lake so I could see her and give her a big hug.   And that, our new Willis, is how I found out you were going to be joining our family.

Over the past weeks we have managed to keep you a secret from most of our friends and family. They all had an idea but we didn't want to tell them until after the 12 week scan and once we knew you were happy and healthy.

Just the other day your mother felt you kick for the first time. It was pretty exciting for her but I still haven't felt you kick yet.

We had your 20 week scan and the radiologist said that you are very healthy and growing at a good rate.  She thinks you are about a week ahead but if you are anything like your sister you will probably arrive late.

6th November is your expected arrival