Today we celebrated Jack's one-month birthday in traditional Vietnamese fashion, with ancestor offerings and a ludicrously fantastic feast. The tradition of celebrating an infant's arrival after four weeks probably stems from times of high infant mortality, as you could be pretty sure they were going to make it by then.
The feast was spectacular. Jack was passed from person to person, and eventually put in his chair so he could look around and be lulled to sleep by loud conversation. The roast pork we has was unspeakably good - I don't normally indulge too much, but I couldn't stop eating it. This was home made rather than store bought, and the fat had been properly rendered away. The mean was soft and flavourful and the skin crackly and crunchy. Amazing stuff.
Eliza and Lillian had rehearsals for their end-of-year concert (they do dancing lessons together). We can't wait to watch it next week!
Sunday, November 15, 2009
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Almost Home
We were supposed to be going home today, but decided to stay for one more night to get the sleeping / feeding pattern better established. Turns out Jack had a pretty sore tummy, which is why he was up every hour during the night, and also why a feed (temporarily) settled him.
Last night, after our candlelit dinner (which the hospital does free of charge on your last night), we decided to comfort Jack when he awoke, and feed him every three hours, instead of on demand. This really worked well; while I was comforting him and Dana was sleeping, I could really feel his pain as his digestive system got a workout. Sucking on a dummy helps to settle things, or distract him at least, and we were overjoyed when it dissipated and he managed to sleep through from 3am to 8am.
Eliza was proud as punch today to take the photo of her cuddling Jack into Farnham House for show-and-tell. Apparently Mortimer says he's "sweet".
Last night, after our candlelit dinner (which the hospital does free of charge on your last night), we decided to comfort Jack when he awoke, and feed him every three hours, instead of on demand. This really worked well; while I was comforting him and Dana was sleeping, I could really feel his pain as his digestive system got a workout. Sucking on a dummy helps to settle things, or distract him at least, and we were overjoyed when it dissipated and he managed to sleep through from 3am to 8am.
Eliza was proud as punch today to take the photo of her cuddling Jack into Farnham House for show-and-tell. Apparently Mortimer says he's "sweet".
Monday, October 19, 2009
The Milkman Arrives!
Last night was pretty tough - Jack awoke for a feed every 45 minutes or so, right up until 4am. Dana and I were exhausted, and there was little the staff could do. The little boy was hungry, and there was nothing to sate his appetite. All that changed in the early morning, when mum's milk came through, and Jack had his first full feed. Drunk and happy afterwards, he slept soundly for three hours, giving his parents a chance to catch up on theirs.
I dropped Eliza at Farnham House, and bought Dana some crusty bread, hot salami, soft cheese and pate on the way back to the hospital. Apart from oysters, that pretty much completes catching up on forbidden foodstuff.
I took Eliza straight to see mum and Jack after school finished, and we were also visited by Lainey, both sets of grandparents, Nazy and Tee. Eliza was very excited. Once everyone left, she helped me give Jack a bath, which he loved this time around, and she was very gentle and concerned throughout. Once Jack was dry and dressed, he lay in his sisters lap for a good fifteen minutes while I took photos.
I dropped Eliza at Farnham House, and bought Dana some crusty bread, hot salami, soft cheese and pate on the way back to the hospital. Apart from oysters, that pretty much completes catching up on forbidden foodstuff.
I took Eliza straight to see mum and Jack after school finished, and we were also visited by Lainey, both sets of grandparents, Nazy and Tee. Eliza was very excited. Once everyone left, she helped me give Jack a bath, which he loved this time around, and she was very gentle and concerned throughout. Once Jack was dry and dressed, he lay in his sisters lap for a good fifteen minutes while I took photos.
Sunday, October 18, 2009
A Fairy Visits
Jack slept for seven hours straight last night, which meant that his parents felt pretty well rested this morning. I took Eliza to a fairy birthday party at midday, but couldn't resist visiting mummy and her brother in the afternoon. She made quite the impression on the crowd of visitors, patients and staff at the hostip... hos-pi-tal!
We've found ourselves referring to Jack as "she" on more than one occasion, probably because all this is reminding us of our first child. I've taken to calling him "the big man" as a result, although his mum still occasionally calls him "Jacky Boy", which is just unacceptable :)
This afternoon we had a steady stream of visitors. It was great to see Daz and Ilsa, Jack and Kate, Hoff and Elaine and Liza and Wil. Just to confuse everyone, we've moved rooms yet again. We now are in room 1307, which has a double bed. We also found out that we're being discharged Wednesday, instead of Tuesday as originally thought. So if you want to visit, please show up between 3:30 and 5:30 or between 6:30 nd 8:30 on Monday or Tuesday, room 1307, St. Mary's Ward, St. John of God Hospital, Murdoch.
We've found ourselves referring to Jack as "she" on more than one occasion, probably because all this is reminding us of our first child. I've taken to calling him "the big man" as a result, although his mum still occasionally calls him "Jacky Boy", which is just unacceptable :)
This afternoon we had a steady stream of visitors. It was great to see Daz and Ilsa, Jack and Kate, Hoff and Elaine and Liza and Wil. Just to confuse everyone, we've moved rooms yet again. We now are in room 1307, which has a double bed. We also found out that we're being discharged Wednesday, instead of Tuesday as originally thought. So if you want to visit, please show up between 3:30 and 5:30 or between 6:30 nd 8:30 on Monday or Tuesday, room 1307, St. Mary's Ward, St. John of God Hospital, Murdoch.
Saturday, October 17, 2009
Big Sister
Last night, after our hospital food dinner, I phoned up Hayashi restaurant in Applecross and ordered beef tataki (which is essentially raw beef) and an assortment of sushi. Dana was happy to devour these forbidden fruit, which you'll see if you click through to the photos.
Today Jack had his first bath, which he didn't enjoy. Yesterday he had a tummy full of mucus, and now that he's gotten rid of it, he seems to be very hungry, and is constantly trying to feed. So even the distraction of a bath, which took him away from his potential source of nutrition, was annoying to him. Fingers crossed that the milkman will make a delivery on the morrow!
Eliza got to meet her brother for the first time today. She was very excited as she laid eyes on him, and I managed to capture the moment. She wants to be involved in every way, even offering to change nappies. She had plenty of cuddles, and was always gentle. Let's hope that continues!
Today Jack had his first bath, which he didn't enjoy. Yesterday he had a tummy full of mucus, and now that he's gotten rid of it, he seems to be very hungry, and is constantly trying to feed. So even the distraction of a bath, which took him away from his potential source of nutrition, was annoying to him. Fingers crossed that the milkman will make a delivery on the morrow!
Eliza got to meet her brother for the first time today. She was very excited as she laid eyes on him, and I managed to capture the moment. She wants to be involved in every way, even offering to change nappies. She had plenty of cuddles, and was always gentle. Let's hope that continues!
Friday, October 16, 2009
And Then There Were Four
Dana, Jason and Eliza are happy to announce the safe arrival of Jack Lloyd Hutchens at 8:12am on Friday the 16th of October, 2009. Jack weighed in at 3.034kg, and was 47cm long at birth. According to the paediatrician, he is "sweet as".
We are on St. Mary's ward at St. John of God in Murdoch, and would love visitors between 3pm and 8pm on Sunday and Monday. We'll be moving rooms at some point, so see the staff when you arrive for direction!
I'll post updates here over the coming days and weeks, and we'll be uploading lots of photos.
We are on St. Mary's ward at St. John of God in Murdoch, and would love visitors between 3pm and 8pm on Sunday and Monday. We'll be moving rooms at some point, so see the staff when you arrive for direction!
I'll post updates here over the coming days and weeks, and we'll be uploading lots of photos.
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
Boy Imminent
Wow... been over a year since we've posted! You'll notice that I've changed the blog template from girly-pink to gender neutral green, in anticipation of our new family member, who is all set to arrive Friday morning. Check for updates early and often!
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