Ruby catches a bug

Poor old Ruby. Three weeks into being a big sister and she has caught her first ever tummy bug. Admittedly we have been extremely lucky to get away for 2.75 years without a tummy bug, but the timing could have been better. There are no photos to go with this post; they would just break your heart - the pale listless face with the sad mouth. Today is the 4th day of it and she has finally managed to keep down the fluids and even had two mouthfuls of 'milkshake', so we are hopeful of reaching the end of it. We live in constant fear of our 3-week-old bubba catching it, or me - can't imagine trying to produce breastmilk while puking up every bit of sustenance.

The big brown eyes have been the killer - I have kept away from her as much as possible for fear of catching or transmitting it, and she has been banned from going anywhere near her baby sister. Not in so many words of course, but she understands the separation. What must it be like to be sick and not only has mummy been taken over by this new sister but now she can't even play with the baby. Hopefully that is only my mother guilt rearing its head rather than how she actually feels, but I can't help feeling it for her.

Who knows where this beasty came from, but we do vividly remember her effectively licking our car on Saturday. We were at a party and she got bored - Owen found her licking her fingers and then using the wet digits to 'paint' pictures on our car and re-licking fingers to carry on. Said car has not been washed for (erm...) who knows how long, so god knows what she collected off it. Probably not the gastro bug, but it does rather turn the stomach all on its own just thinking about it. One doesn't generally think "hmm, better get this car washed before our child starts licking it ... "

Back home, forever changed

Ruby as a big sister is delicious. Helpful, loving, attentive ... the only effects of such a huge change to her world appearing to be an increased clinginess and a tearful sensitivity to being disciplined or corrected. In the scheme of things, while heartbreaking when they occur, much easier than the stories we hear of thrown scissors and new siblings being dragged across the room by one leg. Ruby is a welcome and enthusiastic helper in all things baby.

Testing water temperature...

Washing the 'baby sista'...

Leah's opinion of bathtime...

But shortly thereafter, her big sister's murmured 'it's ok, it's ok' has done the trick and she's forgotten the indignity.

The adorationhas become a familiar sight, but no less heart-melting!
Leah begins to be more aware of all of us, and also sprouts an enthusiastic crop of hormone spots. Seems the ultimate in unfair - to take that beautiful smooth soft skin and give it acne!!And finally, parents everywhere will agree that no matter how much you love these kids, they really are most beautiful when fast asleep!!

Then there were four...

Early morning on 30 March 2009: the day three finally became four. Leah Michaela Grace Thomson arrived as it appears waterbabies generally do - without a murmur, gazing around and perfectly happy if slightly bemused. Dad whispered 'Oh, she's perfect' and Mum managed 'Is she ok'and 'Is she still a girl?' Leah focused her gaze firmly on her mother and issued a Pope-like blessing from the waters.Only 3 hours later, Leah's dressed in a beautifully knitted jumper created by a loving adopted Nana in England and we are travelling north for a stay at the Warkworth Birthing Centre. A marvellous place where nurses take crying babies and let exhausted mothers sleep, where an abundance of food regularly arrives and the focus is entirely on learning about this new life who has so instantly taken hostage the heart.Later that same day, two sisters meet. Instant adoration from one who has for so long been inconvenienced by the growing bump taking over Mummy's lap and sapping her energy for boisterous play. Mum watches silently, unable to believe it's really possible to be doubly touched by perfection.

The next day, Mum and Dad learn swiftly how to put two babies to sleep at the same time. And shortly thereafter learn how to fit an entire family of four onto one double bed. Anything is possible if everyone is tired enough.And then the comparisons began. At first we cannot believe that Ruby was ever this small, but photos tell the truth. Leah at 9lb and Ruby at 9lb 4oz, the only difference appearing to be an extra 4oz of baby fat.

Ruby as a little bubba...

And Leah doing a Ruby impression... All photos now have to be carefully named as it has become clear that confusion is going to reign after very little time has passed.