Fairy Tiptoe

This is a snap of Bellas new alter-ego - Fairy Tiptoe!!

1 week on

So Little Louis (as he seems to be constantly referred to) is now into his second week of being alive and I must say he's settling into it beautifully. Although he came out crying his head off he has been pretty peaceful since then and is an absolute diamond at night time, hardly making a fuss and not waking anyone up (apart from V who is feeding every couple of hours). Its amazing having a new baby around and I am really proud of Team Barr and the way we have all adjusted to the new man in all our lives. Harrison has been, as Harrison tends to be, an absolute super star, very loving and caring and affectionate towards Louis. Being nearly 6 has given him an advantage and he is coping brilliantly. Bella is a little more difficult to gauge, she loves Louis and wants to hold him and cuddle him but in her less happy moments, in the mornings or if she wakes up in the night, she wants V and I think she slightly resents not getting her mummy to herself, especially during feeding time. On the whole though she is doing well and we are proud of the way she is coping.

Babies are just so adorable, you get stopped in the street so random strangers can have a look and a coo at him! Getting him changed and dressed was a challenge at first, we're used to Bella who can help (when the mood takes her) and who feels a bit more substantial, Louis feels like he might snap!!

It's a BOY!!

Finally, six days late, little baby Louis has made an appearance and what a handsome little fella he is to!! Labour started at 11.30pm on the 12th and after 4 hours of breathing, panting, sweating and pushing (V was quite busy doing something as well) he was born at 3.30am. Home births are definitely the way to go, after the birth, the rest of the messing about and the tidying up you are left alone in your own house, in your own bed and no hospitals. I'd recommend it to anyone.

Louis has had a good first day, after an initial 2 hour continuous cry when he was first born he has settled down and had a quiet day, sleeping a lot and feeding regularly. He's been opening his eyes from time to time but it seems to overwhelm him and makes him cry!! I know how he feels!! He seems to look more like H looked as a new born with perfect little lips and a tiny button nose, he's also got slightly odd ears, they are almost flat against his head and look like a rugby players!!

V and I are both knackered now, we've both been awake now for pretty much 36 hours so we're looking forward to hitting the hay tonight. We just hope that Louis is kind to us and sleeps through until morning.

5 a side goal (for Rob!!)

For those who work for facist dictators here is the best 5-a-side goal ever, again.....

Eat your greens...

Arabella has always loved broccoli, and I mean LOVED broccoli. To the point of nicking it off of other peoples plates and having almost a whole plate of her own. She like the stalks more than the tops so she eats them from the stalk up, usually in one go!! Here's an example of her feelings about broccoli

Where is this baby?

Well it is now three days since the babies due date came and went and still no sign of the little monkey. Its such a horrible state of limbo knowing that it can come at any moment or not for another 10 days. You can't do anything or go anywhere or plan anything because you just don't know whats going to happen and when.

One positive though is that its given us time to (finally) nail down the name situation. Here's what we've settled on:

Boy: Louis Ryan Jake Barr
Girl: Ruby Sky Tallulah Barr

We all like both names and Arabella can say them as well which is a Brucie Bonus!!

Cool paint job

I saw this on one of my lunch time wonders around Shoreditch. Thought it was wicked so I took a snap and now its on the web, you've gotta be impressed with that eh!!

Master Photographer

H has excelled himself this time with a nice still life of his guitar and a self portrait!! Particularly like his accomplices feet appearing in the second one!! I'd love to buy him his own camera, anyone know any good kids ones??

Arrival this week

The due date for the baby is this Friday but I am not sure we'll be meeting the new addition quite that soon. Which is a pity because V is now so big and so uncomfortable its not funny, I feel so sorry for her, it doesn't look like much fun having another person wriggling about inside you, squashing all you internal workings!! But, as ever, being the trooper she is there has been very little moaning or self-pity going on. All she is interested or worried about is the baby and its brother and sister. And that's why she is such a brilliant mum!!