7 weeks already!

Wow its' quite hard to believe but yes Zachary is already 7 weeks old. This week he will be having his 2 month old injections which should be fun and also has an appointment with a Chiropractor to pop his neck back in.
In the past couple of weeks he has been having some tummy problems. We have been to see a paediatrician to figure out whether the projectile vomiting and constipation are a result of reflux and an immature tummy or whether he is allergic to lactose.
So far we have have blood tests, ultra sounds (to see if was something more serious) and lots of poking and prodding. As a result of all these tests and in consultation with the Paediatrician, some medication was prescribed. As anyone who knows us will know, Dave and I aren't really big fans of medication - let alone giving meds to such a wee tacker as Zachary. So I went and chatted to our pharmacist Geraldine - who is keen on alternate medicines. She suggested we go see a chiropractor friend of hers', apparently sometimes during the birthing process the spine can be 'put out'. I wasn't real keen on the idea of a chiro to start with - mainly because when I think chiro I think cracking of bones and I didn't really want to put Zachary through that. In fact, there was no cracking of bones - in infants the chiro just very slowly moves a head or body part and usually the part that's 'out' puts itself back in.
So since having this done Zachary has slept much better than previously. We are getting 4 - 5 hours between night time feeds which is wonderful! Still doing 3 hourly feed during the day, which I don't mind at all.
So tomorrow we have another follow up appointment with the chiro (incidentally Zachary's neck and two places in his back were out) just to check whether everything is as it should be. We have still had a few big chucks but nothing nearly as bad.
Otherwise, Zachary is packing on the pounds! He is now 60cm and 5.11kg (11 pound 3 oz) or there abouts which is wonderful to see. I think he may end up being a good 6 ' 6!! Which will make for an excellent ruck man or perhaps a fullback / winger hahaha
Hmm lets see what else has the little man been up to...ahh a few weeks ago he was Baptised with his cousin Kai, photos below. Was a very proud day for Dave :) We had the service in the Munja chapel followed by afternoon tea at Jo and Noels' house, which was lovely. Zachary has Uncle Anton and Aunty Kirstin as his Godparents.
Zachary is also now talking alot more - really loves 'chatting' to Elmo on his activity gym, and gets quite annoyed when Elmo doesn't talk back to him - this usually results in a punch to the head (Elmo's) and some rather loud squeals. Lots of smiles as well...catching them on camera is difficult but beautiful Chester the cat smiles :)
I think that's about it for now, we cant believe how quickly our little man is growing...or that its' been 2 months already..Dave was walking unassisted by the time he was 8 months old..I'm hoping we have a little longer than that as our house is anything but childproof! Anyways folks hope all is well with everyone.
All our love Shell, Dave and Zachary

Zachary - 4 weeks old today!!!!

Zachary at 3 weeks old...

Aunty Kirstin giving me a cuddle...


Nanna, Aunty Kirstin, Mum and Me...

Hello Poppa...

Here are some more pictures as promised.. We went down south to Peppermint Grove Beach this week with Aunty Kirstin who has come over for a visit from New Zealand.. It was nice to get away and try to relax.. Zachary is doing well and at 2 weeks had put on nearly .8kg which our community nurse says is very good to see as he should have been back to birth weight..

Will keep adding more photo's whenever we can...

Two weeks and counting

Good lord parenting is hard work. Zachary is trying so very hard to be a good boy, but unfortunately the little man is having tummy troubles...we have the health nurse coming out tommorow morning to chat with us, weigh him and check out our abode, which should be interesting as I have quite a few questions to ask. Mum has been a bevy of information and generally recieves a daily call asking for advice. I tells ya being a new parent makes you realise just how much your own parents did. I dont think I'll be doing this 5 times I can give you the tip. Twice maybe but definately not five times...Mum is just plain crazy...thankyou for doing what you did I love my siblings...but you're crazy woman!
So other news of my little man...well he has already figured out how to roll over..yes thats right folks we have a very advanced gent here. Babies arent meant to figure this out until they are about three months old but Zachary has figured it out in just two weeks...very clever me thinks! He has also figured out how to lift his head up for about 10 seconds...strong tacker is he! Generally he is a good sleeper...in the day...he wakes at about 1145pm and doesnt settle until 530am....eats alot as well. I think he must get this either from his Dad or his Uncle Lukey....endless pit...So I think once we get his sleeping sorted we should be okay. I just keep saying that hes a little party animal, but in truth Ill be rather pleased when he figures out that night time is for sleeping as Im a bit of a zombie at the moment.
Zachary is to be baptised on Sunday 30th March with his cousin Kai, who is 7 weeks older that he. We are having the service in the Munja chapel (Davids work) with the local Father...I believe his name is Father Gavin, Im yet to meet him, but am sure everthing wil go fine.
I could continue to write about how I could gaze at him forever, and how absolutely perfect he is, and how I still can't quite understand how this little person grew inside me...and why Ive been blessed with his presence...but I wont bore you with that...he just gets cuter every time I look at him. We are taking more photos tommorow so will post them then. Until then, Im off to get a little shut eye while hes quiet. All our love, Shell and Dave

Photo's of Zachary

Welcome to the world Zachary David Smith

Well what a 48 hours we've had.. David and Shelley are proud to announce the birth of Zachary David Smith, born at 4.15am on Friday 22nd February 2008, weighing 6lb 1oz (2746grams in the new measurement). Born 7 days early with 10 fingers and 10 toes, both mummy and bub are both doing fine...

It all started 12.30pm Thursday with Shelley's weekly checkup to our obstetrician where she was told she was 3cm dilated and the Braxton Hicks contractions she was having where actual contractions and she was officially in labour (and wasn't expected to make Saturday). By 11.00pm Thursday night we had Shelley in the bath trying to get comfortable, by 1.00am Friday morning we were headed to Peel Health Campus. On admission we were told Shelley was only 4cm and would probably give birth by mid morning. About 1.30am we were shown to the labour suite and introduced to our midwife Simone, Shelley then discussed the option of pain relief and the posibility of having an epidural. Simone was happy to oblige until after her own examination announced Shelley was 9-10cm and was in full labour and would she like to start pushing now... Well, we did manage to get a shot of Pethidene, call the Grandparents and let them know it was happening now and not in 8-10 hours like we were expecting and the rest is hisory. Zachary was born naturally at 4.15am.

It's late, we've had no sleep, so I'll leave you now with a few more photo's and will let Shelley fill the next with all the gory details...

34 Weeks..and the countdown begins!

Well, as you can see by the above pictures mummy is still growing and giving me room to move (barely but just enough). I'm not ready to come out yet but will surprise everyone in the next 2 - 6 weeks. The nurserys' ready, the nappies are stacked and the countdown to B Day has begun. Yesterday Mummy and I enjoyed a wonderful day at my baby shower. We recieved many beautiful and thoughtful gifts from friends and family and played a few games to round the day off nicely. Aunty Emma organised the games and Aunty Jess prepared a lovely feast for all...with a little help from Nanna. Im still having fun shifting about in Mummys' tummy....and mum is still feeling rather tired. We look very much forward to hearing how everyone is going so please let us know when you have the time...

My First (unofficial) Christmas.... By Scrat!

Happy New Year to every one and may it be a great year for all (you'll get to meet me so it's bound to be great)...

Well what have I been up too? I'm now 31 weeks and 6 days old (only 57 days to go) and I've been causing mummy all sorts of aches and pains. Mummy and Daddy keep saying they will get their revenge at my 18th or 21st Birthday if I don't behave but I just love moving about and letting mummy know I'm here, tho it's hard not to tell I'm here, and I just love the sound of Daddy's voice and play up everytime he talks to me or Mummy...

We spent Christmas at home with Aunty Em and Aunty Jess and kept ourselves cool by swimming in our new pool and eating lots of different foods and then had Boxing Day with Daddy's family down at the beach. It was about 40 degrees and Mummy cooled us down by staying in the water for most of the day... After Boxing day we all headed down to Busselton for a holiday with Ma and Pa Smith, Uncle Anton and Aunty Bec, Uncle Paul and Aunty Zoe and my cousins Isabella, Cooper, Harry and Riley. Aunty Meg and Uncle Dean didn't come down as Aunty Megan was due to have another little cousin on the 30th December and felt it best to stay in Perth (my newest little cousin still hasn't arrived)... Daddy had a really relaxing time and enjoyed not being at work for 8 days and me and Mummy just enjoyed having Daddy around all the time. We went fishing, swimming at the beach, went to an animal farm and lots of sleeping. I had a great time!

Next week Nanna and Pa Nichols are coming home in a big plane from overseas and I can't wait to see them (well for them to see me anyway). Mummy can't wait as well and is getting all excited about their return... For Aunty Kirstin and Uncle Luke that are over seas I will post some more photo's shortly so that you can see what Mummy looks like now (yes she does actually finally look pregnant)....today we had our check up with Doctor Kell who says that I am growing very nicely and am now "head down" which Mummy and Daddy have figured out is why Mums' ribs are getting a beating. Mummy was excited because regardless of all the eating she did over Christmas she didn't put on any weight. Mummy and Daddy also got to listen to my heart beating, which they always like. From now I have fortnightly checks till I'm 36 weeks old and then every week after that....Well I have to go for nap now so will update you all later... Bye bye...