<< This is a message for my baby cousin: 'You need to come out now, 'cause I can't wait any long.. anymore. You need to go to the hospital.. tomorrow! Chop! Chop!' >>
It's Week 40: We thought we would meet our little boy today, but it seems he is still too comfortable in Mummy's belly...
.. good thing is, you are still happy and healthy and mobile in there - even though your flexible long legs are still up beside your face!
It's Week 41: Another smooth Non-Stress Test (NST) - Mummy & Daddy can't wait to meet you our dearest little boy. Just a few more days now... Even Meethay Masi is impatiently awaiting your arrival and has a message just for you.
Life isn't measured in minutes, but in heartbeats. And yours is the sweetest gallop we have ever heard.
One last shot of the belly, which we have grown to love over the last months...
... we are going to miss our belly in between hugs, but soon there will be plenty of family hugs.
Preparing for the surgery by a great and caring team of nurses and doctors. Most important mummy-to-be feels comfortable and forgets about her fears ahead of the incision.
At the same time in another room, Dr Habi is getting ready in his germ-free outfit.. thinking he might go for a second career as a neurosurgeon, with those looks.
And finally.. after a perceived very tantalizing split-second of holding hands and hoping for the best, he emerged with a loud cry that instantly drove tears into our eyes.. just beautiful and overwhelming - hearing his voice for the first time and laying our eyes on him.
Over the moon with relief, joy and happiness.
First things first: Some initial checks have to be done on that crying shrumply little thing...
With blue-white-ish hands, soaked over months looking like those of a sumo ringer
Part of the umbilical cord.. a stunning sight, thinking all these months, through that simple and thin piece of wire our little one was nourished and kept alive.
Using his newly given voice to its (as we learned later that week, almost) full potential..
Roof of his mouth is closed.. an important check. All performed by our midwife Tamara.
Then, finally, being reunited with mummy who has been eagerly waiting to receive him while being stitched back up by our favourite Doctor Natalia Conde.
Bonding time.
His beautiful deep dark eyes (brown-greyish? we are still guessing..). Simply mesmerizing.
Things are quieting down, baby feels at home back with his mummy who he has been close to for all his life. Both of them including newly minted daddy are ready for the next phase.. recovery and learning how to be caring parents.
Mini Habibi's hospital luggage - with all his friends that were keen to meet him asap!
Resting near mummy's heart...
The nearer a man comes to a calm mind, the closer he is to strength (Marcus Aurelis)
Newly-bred Mummy: Exhausted, proud and ...
... beautiful as ever.
Much love to be shared.. despite the little sleep our boy has granted us in the days following his birth.. he is worth all of it and more.
Nights are very short and we are trying to use every chance we get while mini habibi is sleeping, to catch one or two of those rare hours of shut eye.
Daddy on duty to hold and comfort.. to his best abilities.
Our dearest boy lost close to 10% of his birthweight rather quickly and mummy and daddy were doing what was in their powers to not let it drop below. More sleepless nights and hourly feeds, anything for a healthy little boy.
Dressing, undressing, wiping, cleaning, holding, burping, etc etc.. the main focus for Daddy during this time at the hospital, and he did such a wonderful job.
Mummy and baby catching up on some sleep after the breastfeeding, which luckily proved to be going much better than anticipated..
Cuddled up, some daddy-son time in peace.
What Mummy thought to be a nice headpiece has turned out to be quite a funny requisite that makes Mini Habibi look like both an old man and an old woman at the same time.. his looks, we think, are expressing his agreement!
Happy moment with a successful feed.
Mummy and fashionista baby with wrinkles that would challenge those of a pug!
Day 2, eyes open wide and bright now that the puffiness has reduced. Look at that cutie pie!
Ready for a ski!
Challenge accepted.. who can make the most grumpy face?
Pacified moments.
Proud daddy.
A close-up of Liam on day 4 after birth.. much more at peace and adjusted to his new world.
Some blood samples had to be taken.. our dearest boy did not even make a pip.
Our little log-book to track nappy changes & feeds, days spin by quickly like this.
Mummy recovering well and attempting a diaper change herself.. a natural talent!
The question of Mini Habibi's name was postponed until finally we had the outer (and inner) peace to discuss and finally settle for one of the few names (or combination thereof) on our short-list. Not easy, but the final name has always been very much up there for both Mummy and Daddy.
4D5N at Hotel Triemli comes to an end, and the Habermachers are very much looking forward to going back to home sweet home.
While the delivery, the recovery, the long nights, and a more often than expected crying has been very taxing, we are looking back to this experience fondly and looking forward to this journey as a family of three as we further nurture and explore our bundle of joy...