Baby number two – arrived at last!

Well – our newest addition certainly kept us waiting. Thirteen days late to be precise, by which point we almost felt like the main event had been cancelled and I was destined to be pregnant forever. It all started whilst we were watching “Take Me Out” (I know!) on Saturday night. The contractions started really strongly at about 9:15pm , were slightly irregular but generally carried on getting stronger and closer together. I had literally been texting my Mum half an hour before saying nothing was happening and I hoped he would come soon – clearly he must have read the text and realised he needed to get a move on. At half past 10 I decided to go into the shower, my Dad was on his way to collect Winston, midwife number one was on her way and Jared had started filling up the birth pool.

The midwife got here soon after 11 and I joined her downstairs at about half 11 to be examined. I hadn’t met the midwife before so was initially quite anxious but she was just as amazing, professional and brilliant as my usual midwife. She examined me – I was 6cm, blood pressure was fine, baby’s heartbeat was fine and my waters broke. Shortly after 12am I decided to get in the birth pool, the second midwife arrived and he was here at 12:49am. As soon I got in the pool everything got more intense and painful – I’m sorry to say it was definitely more painful second time around and I found the pushing much harder work…at least it was all over within 3 and a half hours and the relief was instant.

He was quite blue when he came out from the trauma and sheer speed of it all, so they had to give him a good rub to liven him up. He looked huge to have just come out of me – it really is all rather miraculous! The midwives stayed until about 3am to make sure we were all well and to tidy everything up. I had a shower and then we all went to bed. Rufus was understandably exhausted from the birth so the three of us managed to have a cheeky lie in. Jared’s parents visited in the afternoon and then Jared rustled up a roast dinner. Just what we needed.

Winston met Rufus on Monday but his cousins were over so he barely noticed Rufus and I obviously didn’t want to put pressure on him to understand who he was and why he was at our house – there is plenty of time for that. My parents offered to take Winston back with them which we decided was a good idea – so we could catch up with sleep properly, he could be spoiled a bit and would mean he had lots to tell us when he got home. I cannot describe how much more relaxed I feel about looking after a newborn compared to last time.

Rufus fed straight away so there has been no stress regarding feeding – we are both really enjoying the moment rather than worrying about if we are doing things right or wrong. Rufus has been sleeping lots and is just scrumptious. We’re not sure who he looks like but he certainly looks like ours! I have been doing very little – I almost feel like Jared and I have been on holiday! Winston came back today and we really had missed him. He seems so big and I can’t wait for us all to get to know each other better. So exciting.

Randomly the joiners could come on Monday so our kitchen is now finished. Not exactly great timing but we didn’t want miss a slot as they are very busy. I felt for them as I think they must have felt a tad awkward. It was quite humorous having family to visit with drilling going on in the background. It was so worth it!

A lot of people have asked why we’ve chosen the name Rufus and where it is from. Again, sadly there is no great story or reason. We just both really like it, he looked like a Rufus and that is reason enough!

E xx