Our New Addition

And now we are four...

Thursday 27 November started off like any other day. I woke up with some tightening around my stomach but thinking that they were just Braxton Hicks I didn't give it a second thought. We went about our daily routine, Shad got Ryan dressed and fed, and I drove the little fella to school. Then I headed out on my errands run, first to the post office then a quick stop at the supermarket, and as I was trying to decide whether to go to Central to pick up a few more last minute baby things or head to AMC for a hot chocolate and pedicure (one final opportunity to spoil myself :)), the tightening in my tummy got a little stronger and more regular. Talking to Karen over the phone, I described the feeling and my ever sensible sister just quietly said "eerr maybe you should go home and call your doctor". Thinking that it was probably good advice, I drove home, timed the contractions and called my OB who told me that it was time to go to the hospital!

At that point, I was feeling very relaxed about everything thinking that it was probably a false alarm and the hospital would send us home after they had checked me over and we would still be able to make our 2.30pm appointment come Monday for the planned C-Section. But this little baby had other plans, and by the time we got to Matilda, I was already 2cm dilated and the contractions were about three to four minutes apart. After speaking to my OB we decided that since I was already in labour, we'd try having a natural birth instead of a caesarian.

At 8.43pm our little girl Mia entered the world with her eyes wide open and an extremely loud cry for such a small parcel. Weighing in at 2.39kg, she was tiny but healthy. We are extremely thankful for her safe arrival and feel very blessed that we have two healthy beautiful kids.

Is this happening now? But we weren't scheduled until Monday...

Yes it's happening - those peaks at the bottom are contractions - 3 mins apart

Fresh out of the oven

Our new baby Mia

First portrait with Mama and Daddy

Little wrinkly foot

Kor-Kor meets Mia for the first time

Living it up with the Matilda Hospital room service

Slippers too - hospital or hotel?

A view over the South China Sea from our room, not bad for Mia's intro to the world

Daddy and his babies

He may be a big brother now but he will always be Mama's baby

All bundled up and ready for the journey home

A new teddy bear for Ryan

Playing with big brother

Err, does she have to stay here tonight?

Enjoying a soak in the hot-tub

Big baby, little baby

Siblings sharing a moment

Don't cry, Kor-Kor will look after you...

Who's who? Ryan and Mia, both 4 days old