Events
New event posted
2008-04-04 00:00:00 by Adam Morton
Home Update #7 - Beginning of April 2008. Lots to tell you!
It has been "long time, no update" but hopefully not "no see". I have been very busy since I last wrote, and have quite a social life. What a lot to tell you! Each week I spend 3 days with my friends at childcare, 1 fun day with my lovely Nanna, 1 day just Mummy and me, and 2 days with Daddy too. I catch up with my friends Grace, Lucas and Lucas as often as possible. I have seen Fortty and made some new friends at the couple of BabySwim classes I have been to, and caught up with many friends from the hospital including Amy, Jo, Therese and Bec. I am going to start kindergym soon too!
I have just had my (corrected) 1 year assessment at the hospital and I am doing really well. I am smack dab in the middle of the growth charts for my height and weight, and am considered age-appropriate for my speech and fine motor skills. I still sit very elegantly, though do not look so elegant when I bum-shuffle my way through the house, chortling all the while! I have been improving my crawling too, and showed I can really do it today! I eat bread, pasta, and chunkier foods now, am yet to find a flavour I dislike, and love Yo-Yo biscuits particularly. I have just gotten my 8th tooth, and have also had my first hair-cut.
Other firsts to finish off my 1st (corrected) year included my first swim in the ocean, my first New Years Eve, first Easter, and first Oakbank carnival. I was lucky enough to have TWO first Christmass as Mummy and Daddys families happened to celebrate it three weeks apart, and of course TWO 1st birthdays with my real one in January and another to come mid-April once I have been happily home for one year. Best of all though, at the end of the month, Mummy, Daddy and I will have our first real holiday together. I love life!
04.04 2008 (Age 1 year & 2 months)
It has been "long time, no update" but hopefully not "no see". I have been very busy since I last wrote, and have quite a social life. What a lot to tell you! Each week I spend 3 days with my friends at childcare, 1 fun day with my lovely Nanna, 1 day just Mummy and me, and 2 days with Daddy too. I catch up with my friends Grace, Lucas and Lucas as often as possible. I have seen Fortty and made some new friends at the couple of BabySwim classes I have been to, and caught up with many friends from the hospital including Amy, Jo, Therese and Bec. I am going to start kindergym soon too!
I have just had my (corrected) 1 year assessment at the hospital and I am doing really well. I am smack dab in the middle of the growth charts for my height and weight, and am considered age-appropriate for my speech and fine motor skills. I still sit very elegantly, though do not look so elegant when I bum-shuffle my way through the house, chortling all the while! I have been improving my crawling too, and showed I can really do it today! I eat bread, pasta, and chunkier foods now, am yet to find a flavour I dislike, and love Yo-Yo biscuits particularly. I have just gotten my 8th tooth, and have also had my first hair-cut.
Other firsts to finish off my 1st (corrected) year included my first swim in the ocean, my first New Years Eve, first Easter, and first Oakbank carnival. I was lucky enough to have TWO first Christmass as Mummy and Daddys families happened to celebrate it three weeks apart, and of course TWO 1st birthdays with my real one in January and another to come mid-April once I have been happily home for one year. Best of all though, at the end of the month, Mummy, Daddy and I will have our first real holiday together. I love life!
04.04 2008 (Age 1 year & 2 months)
Comments:
New event posted
2007-11-24 00:00:00 by Adam Morton
Home Update #6 - End November
It has been a month of firsts. First days at childcare, and first whole day with Nanna, first time sick (not badly, but it took me a little while to get over it), and first LFC (Liverpool Football Club) game seen. First Xmas party, first time on Santas lap, first Xmas present (lots of fun with my friends from WCH). First holiday and long car trip (I liked being somewhere different, and was a really good girl in the car). First time at the beach and first time ever dabbling my feet in the sea! With so many firsts there was not time for much else, but we did take some pretty photos you can see in my album. (Just a reminder that most of my photos will only be up for a month before being removed to make room for the next update, but Mum and Dad always keep electronic copies). Next time I will have experienced my first Xmas, first New Year, and first birthday! What a lot to look forward to!!!
24.11 2007 (Age 10 months & 17 days)
It has been a month of firsts. First days at childcare, and first whole day with Nanna, first time sick (not badly, but it took me a little while to get over it), and first LFC (Liverpool Football Club) game seen. First Xmas party, first time on Santas lap, first Xmas present (lots of fun with my friends from WCH). First holiday and long car trip (I liked being somewhere different, and was a really good girl in the car). First time at the beach and first time ever dabbling my feet in the sea! With so many firsts there was not time for much else, but we did take some pretty photos you can see in my album. (Just a reminder that most of my photos will only be up for a month before being removed to make room for the next update, but Mum and Dad always keep electronic copies). Next time I will have experienced my first Xmas, first New Year, and first birthday! What a lot to look forward to!!!
24.11 2007 (Age 10 months & 17 days)
New event posted
2007-10-30 00:00:00 by Adam Morton
Home Update #5 - End October
Sorry it has been so long since I last wrote, but I have been very busy, and have lots of photos to prove it! Since my last entry I met my Nanny (great-grandmother) from NSW for the very first time, went to the Central Market, continued my swimming lessons, and of course, had my party!
It was wonderful spending time with Nanny, she and Neville love me lots, and I cannot wait until I get to see them again. I still have not gotten sick, even with all my excursions out into the big big world, and in fact have provided comfort to Mummys family when their health has not been that great themselves. My party went really well with lots of friendly people, and everyone amazed at how big I was. (I wore my first dress too). I am even bigger now as I have been scoffing down lots of food (more solids than milk now) and have put on another growth spurt. Luckily (for my eating, not my temper) my teeth have started coming through, and I now have two in the middle of my lower gums.
I have also started to sit up by myself. I cannot hold it forever, but I am improving steadily and am so proud of myself! I try to feed myself at food time too, but Mummy and Daddy are not sure if I am a help or a hindrance. I am really enjoying my swimming, and my instructor commented today that I seemed really at home and confident in the water. I am! Daddys Fathers Day present finally arrived and he was thrilled with our Liverpool Football Club (LFC) gear. Daddys going to try to find a LFC game that I can watch too - he wants to get me started early! Finally, I have had a look at my childcare centre and it is not that scary, so the next few weeks I shall enjoy my time at home with Mummy during the week, and with Daddy too on the nights and weekends.
30.10 2007 (Age 9 months & 23 days)
Sorry it has been so long since I last wrote, but I have been very busy, and have lots of photos to prove it! Since my last entry I met my Nanny (great-grandmother) from NSW for the very first time, went to the Central Market, continued my swimming lessons, and of course, had my party!
It was wonderful spending time with Nanny, she and Neville love me lots, and I cannot wait until I get to see them again. I still have not gotten sick, even with all my excursions out into the big big world, and in fact have provided comfort to Mummys family when their health has not been that great themselves. My party went really well with lots of friendly people, and everyone amazed at how big I was. (I wore my first dress too). I am even bigger now as I have been scoffing down lots of food (more solids than milk now) and have put on another growth spurt. Luckily (for my eating, not my temper) my teeth have started coming through, and I now have two in the middle of my lower gums.
I have also started to sit up by myself. I cannot hold it forever, but I am improving steadily and am so proud of myself! I try to feed myself at food time too, but Mummy and Daddy are not sure if I am a help or a hindrance. I am really enjoying my swimming, and my instructor commented today that I seemed really at home and confident in the water. I am! Daddys Fathers Day present finally arrived and he was thrilled with our Liverpool Football Club (LFC) gear. Daddys going to try to find a LFC game that I can watch too - he wants to get me started early! Finally, I have had a look at my childcare centre and it is not that scary, so the next few weeks I shall enjoy my time at home with Mummy during the week, and with Daddy too on the nights and weekends.
30.10 2007 (Age 9 months & 23 days)
New event posted
2007-09-27 00:00:00 by Adam Morton
Home Update #4 - PART B
As we should have expected this still being 2007, the last month did not QUITE go as expected. Poor Daddy went to hospital with a gut complaint on August 31st (linked to operations HE had at the WCH as a baby), so he celebrated his first Fathers Day in hospital, and Mummys 30th birthday too.
Luckily, because I am so strong and healthy now, I was able to go and visit him occasionally. I gave him his first Fathers Day card that I had made just for him with my hand and footprints that very morning. It was messy but lots of fun! Mummy & I spent the night of her birthday at Nanna and Grandpa (Murrays) place with Uncle Liam and his girlfriend Erin. It was Liams birthday too (25th) so everyone had a lovely time, but it was even better the next day (8th Sept) when Daddy came home without needing surgery. We then had a couple of wonderful lazy days together before he went back to work.
Since then I have been out for coffee, been both grocery and clothes shopping, had a sing-a-long at the library, 2 swimming lessons, a pilates lesson with Mummy, and even been to my very first movie! I know Mummy had said she would take things slowly for me, but she has found she cannot resist after so long in isolation! I am having a great time though, there is so much more I cannot wait to experience, and best of all, I STILL have not gotten sick.
Now, all of you, but most especially those who have never met me or have not seen me since I left the hospital, are invited to come and meet me (or re-greet me) on Sunday October 14th. We will be celebrating Mummys 30th (years) and MY 40th (weeks)! Mummy, Daddy & I will be in the (renovated) courtyard glasshouse of the Avoca Hotel (South Road, Clarence Gardens) between 2 & 5pm, and would love you to drop by if you can! It is very casual so simply drop by if that suits you, but please RSVP by Oct 8th if planning on staying a while. We would welcome your presence, but no presents please. Til the next time...
27.09 2007 (Age 8 months & 20 days)
As we should have expected this still being 2007, the last month did not QUITE go as expected. Poor Daddy went to hospital with a gut complaint on August 31st (linked to operations HE had at the WCH as a baby), so he celebrated his first Fathers Day in hospital, and Mummys 30th birthday too.
Luckily, because I am so strong and healthy now, I was able to go and visit him occasionally. I gave him his first Fathers Day card that I had made just for him with my hand and footprints that very morning. It was messy but lots of fun! Mummy & I spent the night of her birthday at Nanna and Grandpa (Murrays) place with Uncle Liam and his girlfriend Erin. It was Liams birthday too (25th) so everyone had a lovely time, but it was even better the next day (8th Sept) when Daddy came home without needing surgery. We then had a couple of wonderful lazy days together before he went back to work.
Since then I have been out for coffee, been both grocery and clothes shopping, had a sing-a-long at the library, 2 swimming lessons, a pilates lesson with Mummy, and even been to my very first movie! I know Mummy had said she would take things slowly for me, but she has found she cannot resist after so long in isolation! I am having a great time though, there is so much more I cannot wait to experience, and best of all, I STILL have not gotten sick.
Now, all of you, but most especially those who have never met me or have not seen me since I left the hospital, are invited to come and meet me (or re-greet me) on Sunday October 14th. We will be celebrating Mummys 30th (years) and MY 40th (weeks)! Mummy, Daddy & I will be in the (renovated) courtyard glasshouse of the Avoca Hotel (South Road, Clarence Gardens) between 2 & 5pm, and would love you to drop by if you can! It is very casual so simply drop by if that suits you, but please RSVP by Oct 8th if planning on staying a while. We would welcome your presence, but no presents please. Til the next time...
27.09 2007 (Age 8 months & 20 days)
New event posted
2007-08-30 00:00:00 by Adam Morton
Home Update #4 - Late August 2007
Hello Everybody! Me again, hopefully for one of the last times before I get to see you in person. Yes, you heard me correctly, in a month or so I will be allowed to go out in the big wide world! We will take it slowly to acclimatise me to the illnesses going around (and only after this nasty flu has left the state), but Dr Andy was really happy with me and I have worked hard to stay healthy, so fingers crossed!
There is lots in store for me, swimming (in our local warm pool), baby songs at the local library, extra toys at the toy library, Mums & Bubs pilates, Mums & Bubs cinema movies, toy and clothes shopping (for me!), and - coffee - ! Mum says I cannot have any yet, but that she wants to have one outside of our house, so we are going! Do not worry about me getting tired though, these are all things we will do in the next year now that I can, not in the next month! We will also have a Meet (or Re-Greet) Freya afternoon sometime in the warmer weather. I will keep you posted next time.
So... I have continued to grow well, I now fit into 00 clothes and have even worn my first T-shirt and shorts! My length and head circumference are starting to catch up to my weight so I am a Little bit thinner, and my hair is getting thicker as it is filling in again. My teeth are oh so close to coming through, and I still look like my Daddy, though my eyes may be a mix of his and Mums. I was getting very sick of formula, formula, formula, and tried to tell Mum & Dad so(!). I have started eating solids and was not TOO fond of the rice cereal, but like it much more with pureed apple added. Yummy! I am now sleeping about 10 hours overnight so am waking up earlier, but am having a midday sleep (now Mum & Dad can get some things done), and an evening nap too. They have just finished revamping my toybox (see before & after photos), and Mum has started on my dolls house. Not sure what the next project will be just yet!
I have some favourite toys that make me smile. My (fluffy soft-toy) duckie, monkey toy, material puppy book, and some silver rainbow prism wrapping paper. It crackles! I am sure that everything I own or can reach is edible (i will do my best anyway), and I love pulling the arms & legs of my playgym toys to see how many toy hands and feet I can fit in my mouth at once! Best of all though is when Dad & Mum try to gobble ME up, kissing along my neck and tickling me. That makes me laugh!
I hope to have lots to tell you next time after Daddys first Fathers Day, Mummys 30th birthday, and my first few trips out into the world, so... until then!
30.08 2007 (Age 7 months & 23 days)
Hello Everybody! Me again, hopefully for one of the last times before I get to see you in person. Yes, you heard me correctly, in a month or so I will be allowed to go out in the big wide world! We will take it slowly to acclimatise me to the illnesses going around (and only after this nasty flu has left the state), but Dr Andy was really happy with me and I have worked hard to stay healthy, so fingers crossed!
There is lots in store for me, swimming (in our local warm pool), baby songs at the local library, extra toys at the toy library, Mums & Bubs pilates, Mums & Bubs cinema movies, toy and clothes shopping (for me!), and - coffee - ! Mum says I cannot have any yet, but that she wants to have one outside of our house, so we are going! Do not worry about me getting tired though, these are all things we will do in the next year now that I can, not in the next month! We will also have a Meet (or Re-Greet) Freya afternoon sometime in the warmer weather. I will keep you posted next time.
So... I have continued to grow well, I now fit into 00 clothes and have even worn my first T-shirt and shorts! My length and head circumference are starting to catch up to my weight so I am a Little bit thinner, and my hair is getting thicker as it is filling in again. My teeth are oh so close to coming through, and I still look like my Daddy, though my eyes may be a mix of his and Mums. I was getting very sick of formula, formula, formula, and tried to tell Mum & Dad so(!). I have started eating solids and was not TOO fond of the rice cereal, but like it much more with pureed apple added. Yummy! I am now sleeping about 10 hours overnight so am waking up earlier, but am having a midday sleep (now Mum & Dad can get some things done), and an evening nap too. They have just finished revamping my toybox (see before & after photos), and Mum has started on my dolls house. Not sure what the next project will be just yet!
I have some favourite toys that make me smile. My (fluffy soft-toy) duckie, monkey toy, material puppy book, and some silver rainbow prism wrapping paper. It crackles! I am sure that everything I own or can reach is edible (i will do my best anyway), and I love pulling the arms & legs of my playgym toys to see how many toy hands and feet I can fit in my mouth at once! Best of all though is when Dad & Mum try to gobble ME up, kissing along my neck and tickling me. That makes me laugh!
I hope to have lots to tell you next time after Daddys first Fathers Day, Mummys 30th birthday, and my first few trips out into the world, so... until then!
30.08 2007 (Age 7 months & 23 days)
New event posted
2007-08-03 00:00:00 by Adam Morton
Home Update #3 - August 2007
Hi everyone! Me again! Not too much has changed since I last wrote an entry to you, but I have been growing well and having lots of fun. I am now in 000 clothes, and my weight is perfect for my corrected age. Although my length and head circumference are lagging behind a little bit, there are still closer to average than Mummy and Uncle Liam were at this age! Because I am such a big girl now, Mummy has packed away my old (000000 - 0000) clothes and neck pillows, and started buying proper girl (not just baby) clothes for me as I get older. I even have a pair of pink sneakers!
We have started going to playgroup, and Mummy and I both like meeting these new people. We dropped into NICU this week to see some of my favorite nurses, and they could not get over how big and healthy I am! I gave them lots of smiles. I giggle a fair bit now, but Mummy thinks what is most funny is that my first real laughs were at the Crows scarf being waved around. Daddy caught it on video, and everyone who sees it laughs at me laughing! Mummy has surrended though, I am a Crows girl (see my photos, I even have boots!).
On a normal day during the week, Mummy feeds me after I wake up, then has her own breakfast while I have fun with my playgym. We also talk to each other while she makes up more formula and sterilises my bottles. Then we have playtime with my toys, followed by storytime, and some nappy-free time before my next feed. Later on we might bounce on my ball, dance to some music, have a swing, and maybe go for a pram ride if the weather is nice. I am now in the full pram not the bassinet! We always set aside some tummy time and look in the mirror too, plus sing some songs, sometimes with PlaySchool. If I have a sleep then Mummy does chores or enjoys reading books and watching DVDs now that her PhD is finished. At night when Daddy is home he cuddles and feeds me, and I get my bath. Because I love to swim full-length, I am now in the big bath! I have lots of room and bubbles, a floating duckie, and lovely heat lamps to keep me warm. Life is good!
03.08 2007 (Age 6 months & 27 days)
Hi everyone! Me again! Not too much has changed since I last wrote an entry to you, but I have been growing well and having lots of fun. I am now in 000 clothes, and my weight is perfect for my corrected age. Although my length and head circumference are lagging behind a little bit, there are still closer to average than Mummy and Uncle Liam were at this age! Because I am such a big girl now, Mummy has packed away my old (000000 - 0000) clothes and neck pillows, and started buying proper girl (not just baby) clothes for me as I get older. I even have a pair of pink sneakers!
We have started going to playgroup, and Mummy and I both like meeting these new people. We dropped into NICU this week to see some of my favorite nurses, and they could not get over how big and healthy I am! I gave them lots of smiles. I giggle a fair bit now, but Mummy thinks what is most funny is that my first real laughs were at the Crows scarf being waved around. Daddy caught it on video, and everyone who sees it laughs at me laughing! Mummy has surrended though, I am a Crows girl (see my photos, I even have boots!).
On a normal day during the week, Mummy feeds me after I wake up, then has her own breakfast while I have fun with my playgym. We also talk to each other while she makes up more formula and sterilises my bottles. Then we have playtime with my toys, followed by storytime, and some nappy-free time before my next feed. Later on we might bounce on my ball, dance to some music, have a swing, and maybe go for a pram ride if the weather is nice. I am now in the full pram not the bassinet! We always set aside some tummy time and look in the mirror too, plus sing some songs, sometimes with PlaySchool. If I have a sleep then Mummy does chores or enjoys reading books and watching DVDs now that her PhD is finished. At night when Daddy is home he cuddles and feeds me, and I get my bath. Because I love to swim full-length, I am now in the big bath! I have lots of room and bubbles, a floating duckie, and lovely heat lamps to keep me warm. Life is good!
03.08 2007 (Age 6 months & 27 days)
New event posted
2007-06-25 00:00:00 by Adam Morton
Home update #2 - June 2007: No more oxygen
In less than 2 weeks time I will be six months old (2.5 months corrected), and have been doing amazingly well! I am over 5 times my birth weight, have strong arms and legs, and Mummy & Daddy cannot get over how big I am! My voice is changing too, as I make more "normal" baby sounds and squeak less, with proper full-throated cries instead of sounding like a lamb bleating. Mum and Dad still call me "Squeaker" though, and I have both a towel and a blanket with cute little sheep on them.
I still love my baths, swing, and pram rides, and hate needles, & tubes up my nose or across my face. I will try to be brave for my vaccinations coming up in 2 weeks time, but have coped well with my second oral rotavirus vaccination (makes me feel sick but will hopefully stop me getting it worse in future). Happily, on Monday 25th June, Dr McPhee said I did not need the oxygen anymore. Yippee!!! Mummy & Daddy are happy not to trip over the tubes, not to hurt me changing my tubes over regularly, and not to have to change my tanks over before leaving the house. But best of all, they can see my face without any form of ventilation, for the first time since I was born. They love it, and I love seeing it in the mirror too!
As I am such a healthy girl - I have not been sick once since coming home - I have been given permission to join the WCH neonatal playgroup. It is for babies like me, so no-one attends if they or their parents are sick, and will give Mummy and I a chance to socialise. We love spending time together, but it will be nice to have some company! We are looking forward to it! When I am a bit older, Mummy & Daddy plan to take me swimming as I love my baths so much and we have a nice warm pool nearby. I am looking forward to that too! As I get stronger we will also be able to have more visitors, and Mum & Dad have said I might even be able to have a party when its summer. I will keep you posted!
25.06 2007 (Age 5 months & 18 days)
In less than 2 weeks time I will be six months old (2.5 months corrected), and have been doing amazingly well! I am over 5 times my birth weight, have strong arms and legs, and Mummy & Daddy cannot get over how big I am! My voice is changing too, as I make more "normal" baby sounds and squeak less, with proper full-throated cries instead of sounding like a lamb bleating. Mum and Dad still call me "Squeaker" though, and I have both a towel and a blanket with cute little sheep on them.
I still love my baths, swing, and pram rides, and hate needles, & tubes up my nose or across my face. I will try to be brave for my vaccinations coming up in 2 weeks time, but have coped well with my second oral rotavirus vaccination (makes me feel sick but will hopefully stop me getting it worse in future). Happily, on Monday 25th June, Dr McPhee said I did not need the oxygen anymore. Yippee!!! Mummy & Daddy are happy not to trip over the tubes, not to hurt me changing my tubes over regularly, and not to have to change my tanks over before leaving the house. But best of all, they can see my face without any form of ventilation, for the first time since I was born. They love it, and I love seeing it in the mirror too!
As I am such a healthy girl - I have not been sick once since coming home - I have been given permission to join the WCH neonatal playgroup. It is for babies like me, so no-one attends if they or their parents are sick, and will give Mummy and I a chance to socialise. We love spending time together, but it will be nice to have some company! We are looking forward to it! When I am a bit older, Mummy & Daddy plan to take me swimming as I love my baths so much and we have a nice warm pool nearby. I am looking forward to that too! As I get stronger we will also be able to have more visitors, and Mum & Dad have said I might even be able to have a party when its summer. I will keep you posted!
25.06 2007 (Age 5 months & 18 days)
New event posted
2007-05-27 00:00:00 by Adam Morton
Home Update #1 - May 2007
It has been a while since I last gave you an update, straight after we arrived home, as I have now been happily home for 6 weeks. Mum & Dad can tentatively say we have a routine, though it changes every day(!), and we are all becoming more comfortable. By now I am sleeping in my cot in the nursery like a big girl, can control my head really well, like to push myself along with my legs, & have started trying to turn over. I keep moving myself up in my cot so my blankets only come to my waist, & still like sleeping with my arms up too, but keep warm in my lovely new clothes & blankets from everyone.
I have had my first set of vaccinations & was a brave girl who did not cry for long after the (4) needles. Unfortunately my other (oral rotavirus) vaccine did not agree with me as much - my poor tummy! My oxygen requirement has decreased (to a flow of 0.6 L/min) so that is really good, & has been helped by Mum & Dad keeping me isolated so that I do not get sick. Although I do not go out and meet people, I have had some wonderful visitors, & went to Nanna & Grandpa (Murrays) place on Mothers Day. Daddy & I gave Mummy some music DVDs for Mothers Day, & we dance around the house to them every day.
Soon Mummy & I will start going to neonatal playgroup so that will also be a lot of fun for us both. Daddy & I like to watch football together. We have fun watching - & sometimes sleeping through it too! I already have some Crows gear, though Mummy still thinks Dad had agreed I would be a St Kilda supporter if born a girl. Daddy strongly denies it!!! I have seen a lot of our neighbourhood too during pram rides if sunny, & now know where all the play equipment is for when I am older. We are all looking forward to spring but having a lot of fun in the meantime. Until the next update....
27.05 2007 (Age 4 months & 20 days)
It has been a while since I last gave you an update, straight after we arrived home, as I have now been happily home for 6 weeks. Mum & Dad can tentatively say we have a routine, though it changes every day(!), and we are all becoming more comfortable. By now I am sleeping in my cot in the nursery like a big girl, can control my head really well, like to push myself along with my legs, & have started trying to turn over. I keep moving myself up in my cot so my blankets only come to my waist, & still like sleeping with my arms up too, but keep warm in my lovely new clothes & blankets from everyone.
I have had my first set of vaccinations & was a brave girl who did not cry for long after the (4) needles. Unfortunately my other (oral rotavirus) vaccine did not agree with me as much - my poor tummy! My oxygen requirement has decreased (to a flow of 0.6 L/min) so that is really good, & has been helped by Mum & Dad keeping me isolated so that I do not get sick. Although I do not go out and meet people, I have had some wonderful visitors, & went to Nanna & Grandpa (Murrays) place on Mothers Day. Daddy & I gave Mummy some music DVDs for Mothers Day, & we dance around the house to them every day.
Soon Mummy & I will start going to neonatal playgroup so that will also be a lot of fun for us both. Daddy & I like to watch football together. We have fun watching - & sometimes sleeping through it too! I already have some Crows gear, though Mummy still thinks Dad had agreed I would be a St Kilda supporter if born a girl. Daddy strongly denies it!!! I have seen a lot of our neighbourhood too during pram rides if sunny, & now know where all the play equipment is for when I am older. We are all looking forward to spring but having a lot of fun in the meantime. Until the next update....
27.05 2007 (Age 4 months & 20 days)
New event posted
2007-04-16 00:00:00 by Adam Morton
- HOME -
Three cheers everybody - I am finally home with Mum and Dad! First though, I celebrated my 100th day with help from the lovely WCH staff. They kindly brought balloons, a very feminine beanie kid (poodle) called Fifi, and a commemorative certificate all for me, and a cake for Mum and Dad too! We all spent last weekend in the parenting unit at the WCH as a practice run, then have been happily home since Monday.
It is great to be home, but a bit strange without the lights and noise that I am used to at the hospital. Mum and Dad say that I am really well-behaved as I only cry occasionally, and usually just to let them know I need something. They are a bit sleep-deprived, but we are all settling in well.
Since I left the hospital I have done lots of wonderful new things, and some more of my favorite activities. I had my first car ride on the way home, my first play-time on the floor, my first pram ride, and have loved having more baths, massages, and time in the electronic swing. Mum and Dad have loved having me home, and it has been great seeing lots of Dad as he took the week off from work. Mum and Dad think they will make me rich before my first birthday though, as my swear-jar fund is growing every time they trip over my oxygen tubing!
I will probably be on oxygen and fairly isolated throughout winter, as if I pick up even a little cold or infection I will have to be re-hospitalised. So Mum and Dad plan to have a quiet winter and hope to spread out my visitors, after a bit of time to settle in first. The healthier I stay through this winter however, the quicker and better the rest of my growth and development will be, and I will soon be back on track but 3 months older than originally expected!
Now that I am home there is so much more that I can do, including enjoying the fresh air and sunshine for the first time. So my website will probably be updated much less frequently, as I will be busy doing other fun things. But I am looking forward to seeing or meeting everyone who cares about me, sometime soon.
Signing off from the Morton home, Freya.
16.04 2007 (Age 3 months & 9 days)
Three cheers everybody - I am finally home with Mum and Dad! First though, I celebrated my 100th day with help from the lovely WCH staff. They kindly brought balloons, a very feminine beanie kid (poodle) called Fifi, and a commemorative certificate all for me, and a cake for Mum and Dad too! We all spent last weekend in the parenting unit at the WCH as a practice run, then have been happily home since Monday.
It is great to be home, but a bit strange without the lights and noise that I am used to at the hospital. Mum and Dad say that I am really well-behaved as I only cry occasionally, and usually just to let them know I need something. They are a bit sleep-deprived, but we are all settling in well.
Since I left the hospital I have done lots of wonderful new things, and some more of my favorite activities. I had my first car ride on the way home, my first play-time on the floor, my first pram ride, and have loved having more baths, massages, and time in the electronic swing. Mum and Dad have loved having me home, and it has been great seeing lots of Dad as he took the week off from work. Mum and Dad think they will make me rich before my first birthday though, as my swear-jar fund is growing every time they trip over my oxygen tubing!
I will probably be on oxygen and fairly isolated throughout winter, as if I pick up even a little cold or infection I will have to be re-hospitalised. So Mum and Dad plan to have a quiet winter and hope to spread out my visitors, after a bit of time to settle in first. The healthier I stay through this winter however, the quicker and better the rest of my growth and development will be, and I will soon be back on track but 3 months older than originally expected!
Now that I am home there is so much more that I can do, including enjoying the fresh air and sunshine for the first time. So my website will probably be updated much less frequently, as I will be busy doing other fun things. But I am looking forward to seeing or meeting everyone who cares about me, sometime soon.
Signing off from the Morton home, Freya.
16.04 2007 (Age 3 months & 9 days)
New event posted
2007-04-13 00:00:00 by Adam Morton
Superstar!
I am a superstar! You will not believe it, but I just might be going home next week! I have improved so quickly since my lung operation that Mummy and Daddy have been invited to join me at the hospital this weekend. That way we can all spend time together as a family, and they can learn a bit more about how to take care of me (adjusting my oxygen etcetera) with help from the experienced midwives when they need it. I will miss my lovely friends in the nursery, particularly from NICU, but cannot wait to go home either. Just Mummy, Daddy, and I.
13.04 2007 (Age 3 months & 6 days)
I am a superstar! You will not believe it, but I just might be going home next week! I have improved so quickly since my lung operation that Mummy and Daddy have been invited to join me at the hospital this weekend. That way we can all spend time together as a family, and they can learn a bit more about how to take care of me (adjusting my oxygen etcetera) with help from the experienced midwives when they need it. I will miss my lovely friends in the nursery, particularly from NICU, but cannot wait to go home either. Just Mummy, Daddy, and I.
13.04 2007 (Age 3 months & 6 days)
New event posted
2007-04-08 00:00:00 by Adam Morton
Graduation to SCBU1 @ 22:00:00
I have made so much progress since my surgery that I have already graduated from the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) to the first level of the special care baby unit (SCBU1). I was almost ready at the start of this week, but I was loved so much by my friendly nurses in NICU that I was allowed to stay there until my Easter graduation. Not long now til home!
08.04 2007 (Age 3 months & 1 day)
I have made so much progress since my surgery that I have already graduated from the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) to the first level of the special care baby unit (SCBU1). I was almost ready at the start of this week, but I was loved so much by my friendly nurses in NICU that I was allowed to stay there until my Easter graduation. Not long now til home!
08.04 2007 (Age 3 months & 1 day)
New event posted
2007-04-08 00:00:00 by Adam Morton
Progress: Bottles, Bathing and Cuddles
I have had such an amazing week! Since getting onto the infranasal oxygen I have started having cuddles and baths with Mum and Dad again, my feeding times have been stretched out to 4 hourly (6 per 24 hours), and I have even started taking all my feeds as sucking feeds (bottle or breast) instead of down the (naso-gastric) tube! It is all important progress, but the best part of the week has been having my first cuddles with Daddys family: Gigi (Lyn, my grandmother) and Papa (Harry, my grandfather), Matt (my uncle) and Annelle (my aunt), and with Mummys grandma Little Nanna (Helene). I was also lucky enough to have extra cuddles with Nanna (Mums mother Andrea) and Grandpa (Mums father Neil). It has been a great week!
08.04 2007 (Age 3 months & 1 day)
I have had such an amazing week! Since getting onto the infranasal oxygen I have started having cuddles and baths with Mum and Dad again, my feeding times have been stretched out to 4 hourly (6 per 24 hours), and I have even started taking all my feeds as sucking feeds (bottle or breast) instead of down the (naso-gastric) tube! It is all important progress, but the best part of the week has been having my first cuddles with Daddys family: Gigi (Lyn, my grandmother) and Papa (Harry, my grandfather), Matt (my uncle) and Annelle (my aunt), and with Mummys grandma Little Nanna (Helene). I was also lucky enough to have extra cuddles with Nanna (Mums mother Andrea) and Grandpa (Mums father Neil). It has been a great week!
08.04 2007 (Age 3 months & 1 day)
New event posted
2007-04-01 00:00:00 by Adam Morton
Final type of oxygen ventilation
It has been four days since my lung operation and I have been recovering so well that the staff have decided to take me off the tube ventilation a little early. Mum and Dad are really happy as the tube ventilation contributed to creating my nasty lung cysts in the first place. But best of all, my next type of ventilation is not the CPAP nor the inTRA-nasal oxygen I have been on before, but the inFRAnasal oxygen I was never well enough to try! This is the type of oxygen I can go home to Mum and Dad on, so everybody is amazed I have got onto it so early!
01.04 2007 (Age 2 months & 24 days)
It has been four days since my lung operation and I have been recovering so well that the staff have decided to take me off the tube ventilation a little early. Mum and Dad are really happy as the tube ventilation contributed to creating my nasty lung cysts in the first place. But best of all, my next type of ventilation is not the CPAP nor the inTRA-nasal oxygen I have been on before, but the inFRAnasal oxygen I was never well enough to try! This is the type of oxygen I can go home to Mum and Dad on, so everybody is amazed I have got onto it so early!
01.04 2007 (Age 2 months & 24 days)
New event posted
2007-03-28 00:00:00 by Adam Morton
Lung surgery (thoracotomy) @ 13:30:00
Though the rest of my development has progressed really well, I have been having some trouble with my breathing. The ventilator caused some cysts to develop in my lungs when I was 2 weeks old, and they have been gradually squishing up my healthy lung tissue and my heart. So an operation was planned to stitch up a cyst in my upper right lung, and remove the ruined third of my lower right lung (lower right lung lobectomy).
Although my expert surgeon had done many lobectomies on older kids for other reasons (masses etcetera), this was the first time both he and my neonatologists had planned such a surgery in these circumstances. However, once Dr Kirby opened up my chest, they realised I was already squeezing out everything I could from my lungs, and did not want to take out anything they could possibly save. Fortunately, the lung tissue not affected by my cysts looked a lot healthier than had been expected. So, Dr Kirby deflated all the big cysts then stapled and "oversewed" them to stop them from reinflating after the surgery. This had been done successfully only once before in Australia (in Melbourne).
Dr Kirby did such a great job, even though it was the first time he had performed this operation, that the result looked "technically perfect" in my X-ray done about an hour after the surgery. The deflation of the cysts reopened a whole heap of space that the healthier part of my lungs had not been able to use while the cysts were there. Now my normal lung tissue is expanding to fill the space, and my total lung function will improve (though it is still slow-going because of my prematurity). I am now back with the friendly nurses and extra attention in NICU1 for a while, then will make my way through the nursery levels as planned until I go home a month or so after my due date.
28.03 2007 (Age 2 months & 21 days)
Though the rest of my development has progressed really well, I have been having some trouble with my breathing. The ventilator caused some cysts to develop in my lungs when I was 2 weeks old, and they have been gradually squishing up my healthy lung tissue and my heart. So an operation was planned to stitch up a cyst in my upper right lung, and remove the ruined third of my lower right lung (lower right lung lobectomy).
Although my expert surgeon had done many lobectomies on older kids for other reasons (masses etcetera), this was the first time both he and my neonatologists had planned such a surgery in these circumstances. However, once Dr Kirby opened up my chest, they realised I was already squeezing out everything I could from my lungs, and did not want to take out anything they could possibly save. Fortunately, the lung tissue not affected by my cysts looked a lot healthier than had been expected. So, Dr Kirby deflated all the big cysts then stapled and "oversewed" them to stop them from reinflating after the surgery. This had been done successfully only once before in Australia (in Melbourne).
Dr Kirby did such a great job, even though it was the first time he had performed this operation, that the result looked "technically perfect" in my X-ray done about an hour after the surgery. The deflation of the cysts reopened a whole heap of space that the healthier part of my lungs had not been able to use while the cysts were there. Now my normal lung tissue is expanding to fill the space, and my total lung function will improve (though it is still slow-going because of my prematurity). I am now back with the friendly nurses and extra attention in NICU1 for a while, then will make my way through the nursery levels as planned until I go home a month or so after my due date.
28.03 2007 (Age 2 months & 21 days)
New event posted
2007-03-25 00:00:00 by Adam Morton
Cuddles
I have had such a wonderful time in the last week! I had my first ever cuddles with Nanna and Grandpa (Murray) on Sunday - it was great being in their arms, though I am still very tiny compared to Grandpa! Gigi (Grandma Morton) arrived just in time to give me a lovely quick cuddle before my surgery on Wednesday, and I look forward to more cuddles with all of them and Grandpa (Morton) sometime soon.
Best of all, I spent all the day before my surgery cuddling with Mummy and Daddy. Five and a half hours of cuddles! Yummy! No wonder I did so well during and after the operation!
25.03 2007 (Age 2 months & 18 days)
I have had such a wonderful time in the last week! I had my first ever cuddles with Nanna and Grandpa (Murray) on Sunday - it was great being in their arms, though I am still very tiny compared to Grandpa! Gigi (Grandma Morton) arrived just in time to give me a lovely quick cuddle before my surgery on Wednesday, and I look forward to more cuddles with all of them and Grandpa (Morton) sometime soon.
Best of all, I spent all the day before my surgery cuddling with Mummy and Daddy. Five and a half hours of cuddles! Yummy! No wonder I did so well during and after the operation!
25.03 2007 (Age 2 months & 18 days)
New event posted
2007-03-24 00:00:00 by Adam Morton
Swinging
Something else I have been enjoying over the past 2 weeks is spending time in the NICU electronic swing. It has 6 speeds and 10 songs and is extra comfy. I can spend hours in it! I cannot wait to get home and try out my own swing too!
24.03 2007 (Age 2 months & 17 days)
Something else I have been enjoying over the past 2 weeks is spending time in the NICU electronic swing. It has 6 speeds and 10 songs and is extra comfy. I can spend hours in it! I cannot wait to get home and try out my own swing too!
24.03 2007 (Age 2 months & 17 days)
New event posted
2007-03-11 00:00:00 by Adam Morton
Bathing and Breast-feeding
I really am a big girl! Mum and Dad are now giving me proper baths and I have got the hang of this breast-feeding thing too - easy!
I showed Mum and Dad just how quickly I can learn as I have breastfed almost every time offered since last weekend. They say I snort like a piggy I enjoy it so much, but it is great, food and a cuddle all at the same time!
Mum and Dad also like to give me a bath. I thought it was really strange the first time they put me in the water, but a lot of fun, and I have not cried or whimpered once. I have even tried a frog kick or two!
11.03 2007 (Age 2 months & 4 days)
I really am a big girl! Mum and Dad are now giving me proper baths and I have got the hang of this breast-feeding thing too - easy!
I showed Mum and Dad just how quickly I can learn as I have breastfed almost every time offered since last weekend. They say I snort like a piggy I enjoy it so much, but it is great, food and a cuddle all at the same time!
Mum and Dad also like to give me a bath. I thought it was really strange the first time they put me in the water, but a lot of fun, and I have not cried or whimpered once. I have even tried a frog kick or two!
11.03 2007 (Age 2 months & 4 days)
New event posted
2007-03-09 00:00:00 by Adam Morton
Suckling @ 20:20:00
It has been a busy couple of days, but with my new oxygen system the doctors are happy for me to try out lots of new things! Tonight I got to have a really close cuddle and suckle with Mummy so I could start learning how to breastfeed. It was especially nice to be so close to her, and I did learn a little bit, but enjoyed sleeping next to her too! After all, my milk has always been given to me before without much effort from me, though I do love to be given my dummy too. Hmm...
09.03 2007 (Age 2 months & 2 days)
It has been a busy couple of days, but with my new oxygen system the doctors are happy for me to try out lots of new things! Tonight I got to have a really close cuddle and suckle with Mummy so I could start learning how to breastfeed. It was especially nice to be so close to her, and I did learn a little bit, but enjoyed sleeping next to her too! After all, my milk has always been given to me before without much effort from me, though I do love to be given my dummy too. Hmm...
09.03 2007 (Age 2 months & 2 days)
New event posted
2007-03-08 00:00:00 by Adam Morton
Big Girls Cot @ 14:30:00
I have been growing and maturing so well lately that I have been allowed to leave my humidicrib behind and swap to a big girls open cot! While not as warm as the humidicrib it means I will now be able to use my pretty blankets and muslins that friends and family have given me. The nurses all think I am extra cute - but 00000 still swims on me!
08.03 2007 (Age 2 months & 1 day)
I have been growing and maturing so well lately that I have been allowed to leave my humidicrib behind and swap to a big girls open cot! While not as warm as the humidicrib it means I will now be able to use my pretty blankets and muslins that friends and family have given me. The nurses all think I am extra cute - but 00000 still swims on me!
08.03 2007 (Age 2 months & 1 day)
New event posted
2007-03-07 00:00:00 by Adam Morton
"Adult"-type oxygen @ 12:30:00
As another sign of my improving health, the doctors swapped my ventilation system today to high-flow intra-nasal prongs. The prongs are the same (but smaller) as the ones they use for hospitalised adults, and provide me with the extra oxygen I need but without the heavy tubes of the CPAP ventilation system I was on most recently.
07.03 2007 (Age 2 months)
As another sign of my improving health, the doctors swapped my ventilation system today to high-flow intra-nasal prongs. The prongs are the same (but smaller) as the ones they use for hospitalised adults, and provide me with the extra oxygen I need but without the heavy tubes of the CPAP ventilation system I was on most recently.
07.03 2007 (Age 2 months)
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