Emma Bridget

Well here she is - Emma Bridget Valkenburg was born at about 7:30 on Wednesday 1 July.

She weighed 3.9kgs and is already 51cm tall - no wonder Cath was being skopped all over the place.

She was born naturally via a vacuum extraction while mom had an

epidural (that wore off on her left side halfway through the night).

labour was long although officially, I don't know how long.

I can tell you that contractions started at about 2am of the previous

day and we went into hospital at 7 only to be told that Cath

was only 1cm dialated (needing to be 10 to push)!

A few hours later not much had changed and so later that eve, now with cath only 2-3 cm, the doc broke her waters to move things along.

We got about 2-3 hours of sleep that eve and the next morn Cath was 10cm and ready when the doc came round.

WHY WOULD ANYONE DO THAT MORE THAN ONCE!!!!!

is what I have to say on the subject.

Cath had a body full of endorphins to get her through but me... frankly I'm still shattered.

I saw things no man should ever see.

As re our little Emma, named after Catherine's baby sister Emma, I can tell you officially that she is the most gorgeous creature in the world. She looks like her mom, which helps of course, and has won my heart hook, line and sinker. I was told that babies often look like their dads at first (as a way of showing them the child is theirs most likely) but this one has Cath's nose, lips and apparently, though I haven't seen it yet, her mom's dimple too.

Awesome. I fell in love with that dimple about 10 years ago and now I have another one to look forward to.

Cath would try and help the baby along (when still preggies) by standing up and walking around. In these moments, I stole her bed and wouldn't give it back... mmm - so comfy - the nurse thought this was shocking and took a photo as proof. I think it was shocking too... look at her... just standing around when clearly Ineed a cup of tea. Honestly. Lazy bitch.

They wouldn't give us this chart, so we took a photie of it. The top squiggle set is the baby's heartrate and the bottom one is a record of Cath's contractions. please note - off the charts on a few occasions. The ones when the pain went up and then flatlined at the top for a good few seconds were the bastards. It was tough, but I managed quite well. What's the big deal with this pregnancy thing huh? Easy peasy.

The tough ol mom. Nothing gets the better of Cath. She's ready to do it all again.... but what's the hurry huh?

Ah the bliss - all over, Cath enjoys her first meal in yonks.
Mmmm - toast!

Three generations of Heany (now Valkenburg) girls.




Proud Dad with the precious cargo.



Ag noonie man!

Wrapped up warm-like.