all baby all the time and more

Kai's Birthday Party!

I have to brag here about my friends, Rachel and Mark. Whom, as you may have already read about, are new parents of Kai. We've been home now with the new baby since Friday. We tried Kai in my room the first night - I would bring him to his mom when he got fussy and ready to feed. But, since then they've kept him in their room, finding it more simple to just respond immediately with him in their room. Rachel and Kai are doing great at breastfeeding. Mark is incredibly supportive and loving. It is beautiful to sit back and watch. She is ceaseless in her learning - searching for answers for natural healing remedies or about how to wrap her little bub in her moby wrap. If you want to see a good birth video, she's more than willing to share her own on DVD. Don't know if it'll make it to you tube, but it's a worthwhile viewing if you ever get the chance. She did so beautifully. Or check out Orgasmic Birth, which we watched for inspiration and empowerment the night before Rachel went into labor. It is definitely worth checking out too!

Kai's first bath :)

If you want the story firsthand from Rachel herself or more pictures check out their blog.
Here's my story:
When I woke up last Tuesday morning around 9 am, Rachel said to me "Just so you know, I think I'm in labor, Kim (their chiropractor/friend/videographer) is coming over". She'd been laboring on her own for 3 hours and continued to do so with Mark until about 11 at which time it got much more intense. We had considered going for a walk, and although she managed to get her hair and makeup done in between contractions, she was ready to go to the hospital by then instead. We made the 5 or so minute drive downtown with Rachel enduring 2 contractions. She was amazing, focused, breathing, vocalizing the pain... Not 5 minutes after she arrived into her birthing suite, her water broke with a startling pop! making the way for Kai to arrive less than an hour later. She finished out her labor leaning over the edge of the bed allowing Kai to slowly make his way into his daddy's arms. It was peaceful and amazing. She kept commenting how she couldn't believe (but was glad) labor was over! Kai was placed on his mama's chest, and about 45 minutes later, slowly but surely, he made his way to her breast all on his own and found a perfect latch. They stayed for 3 nights in the hospital, settling into their new relationship, working out the feeding rhythms, sleeping intermittently and sifting through the less than desirable hospital food for the good bits.

Rachel is still hopeful about going to the Grampians this week to see the countryside! We're going to try to go to Melbourne Wednesday. And although she's trying to make sure to rest and do her postpartum exercises, I have no doubt we will have some more non-newborn related adventures this week! In the meantime I'm trying to keep up with the housework, make a few extra meals for the freezer and help out with the nappie changing. Their friends have been bringing meals everyday though! So, I've also gotten to sneak in a few good cuddles in between. Kai is an amazing cuddler. So deliciously soft and sweet. It feels so indulgent to get so much baby therapy! He's beautiful and it's just amazing to imagine the young man he will become. Look at that sweet face!He is so lucky to have such attentive and loving parents. And I am so lucky to have had the priviledge of being a part of their experience of becoming new parents. I have learned so much from just observing.

One word: calendula - Amazing healing, soothing properties for postpartum mom and baby! Rachel's reading me information about nappie rash and natural remedies, this very moment.

Some other treats worth mentioning:

• Vegan/raw Chocolate Mousse made out of....you'll have to see for yourself. It is mmmhmAZING.

• Watching the Bledisloe Cup-Rugby Union match-Aus Wallabies v NZ All Blacks. (no, just on TV) and learning the difference between Rugby Union and Rugby league. Union is WAY better.

• Swimming and sitting in the hot tub regularly at the gym :)

• Giving Kai his second bath: