Weeks 3 & 4

Second fortnight on Earth for Malena, and a busy one!





Monday the 3rd to Friday the 7th of June:
Daddy rides to work (alright it is only a 10 minutes ride but he does it even when it rains!) and has a pretty busy week at work and at home, helping mum a lot during the nights and with Malena quite unsettled in the evenings!
Mum becomes a member of the Australian Breastfeeding Association, with 24/7 helpline and lots of advice from mothers around; juggles between medical appointments, feeding and eating at the same time, trying to sleep in between.
Papi Jean-Pierre now takes care of the house, after the garden, with lots of cleaning and painting; Mamie Jojo takes very good care of everyone at home, especially
the "Little One" (Serbian meaning for Malena, Russian meaning for
Malinka...).
Malena has her professional identity pictures taken for her passport
(awful experience as babies should have eyes opened, looking at the
camera, mouth closed, no special expression, no hands of parents,... -
hard work!).
She keeps on receiving parcels with surprise gifts from New Zealand, North Bridge in Australia, England, France or Melbourne! Thank you again to all these generous friends and their family!

Saturday, first day at the beach (Coogee)!
Special note to Hannah: congrats&thanks on the hat you made, see how it fits Malena perfectly!






Always very cute with her mum...




Trying the pink dress given by her grand parents.




Sunday, introduction to the French Connection...
Magali is first,



then Kilou... (with Agnès only looking this time, as sick with a cold...)



then Candice and Gael!



Monday, thanks to our good friend the Queen of England, whose Birthday is celebrated randomly and falls today this year, Louise and Matt come back for another taste of Malena!












Tuesday the 10th to Friday the 13th of June:
Nothing major except that we had to say Good bye to Mamie Jojo and Papi Jean-Pierre!! That was a bit hard and Malena was very unsettled the following day, missing them already... They are now back home at Djerba, in Tunisia, where we hope to visit them sometime in the next year(s).

Malena's First two weeks

Day -1

Friday, the 16th of May 2008

6am, Géraldine is woken up by her first contractions. They last all day, and we even go to the hospital at 2pm, where they say nothing happened, and, disappointed, we go back home. From 4:30pm, contractions are very regular, all 10 minutes apart, until 4am when we decide to go back to the hospital. This time was the good time!

Day 0

Saturday, the 17th

Born on Saturday the 17th of May 2008, at 10:25am, in room 7 of the Delivery Suite of the Randwick Royal Hospital for Women.
Helped by lovely midwives Kate, then Rose and Michelle (graduating midwife), Malena arrived with her back facing her mum's back, not the easiest way around, but Géraldine was tough enough to push her out in 1 hour and 45 minutes, kindly encouraged by the patient Dr Leader.

Lots of beautiful dark hair, and very happy parents!


Started to look for milk after 20 minutes on mum's chest.
Malena is 3.160 kg for 51cm:

And wants her dad's finger to suck in order to calm down







And she does look great, doesn't she?

Our little Kangaroo (or baby guru)




Very strong neck, and always head bumping when hungry.
She spends a lot of time staring at us, making eye contacts all the time.

Day 1

Sunday the 18th

Still in hospital, the first night was relaxing for everyone, sleeping 4 hours then feeding for 1 hour, nice cycle for the first 24 hours.


with mamie Jojo, Geraldine's mum.

Day 2

Monday the 19th, last day in hospital

The night was less resting for mum and dad, as the "little one" (Serbian meaning of Malena), wanted to feed all night long!
During the day, we checked the breastfeeding and bathing classes, and the 2 girls went to a physio class.
Then, first travel in a car:

And finally home!


And discovering the new bed: a very comfy hammock lent by Graham:

Day 3

Tuesday the 20th

Second night of continuous feeding for Malena, but Michelle, another midwife that came to visit us gives us some clues and tips to keep her awake while feeding, so that everyone can have real sleeping time.
And still, very cute smiles while dreaming:


With Happy Mamie jojo and Papi Jean-Pierre:

Day 4

Wednesday the 21st

The night was better, and the second visit of Michelle brought better understanding to our little baby's needs.
First visitor: Agnès!

Day 5

Thursday the 22nd

First time going out for a walk in a sling, to Peter's of Kensington to get a gift for Daniela:


Then we get the visit of Graham, Anahita and Jarrah:


And then David and Daniela:

Géraldine is relaxing finally...

Day 6

Friday the 23rd

Last visit of another midwife. Everything is fine, and no, mum's breasts are not empty!
Then, the visit of Louise and Matt:

Day 7

Saturday the 24th

Very good night of sleep for everyone (compared to the previous ones).
First smile when awake at her dad at one week old!
Sunny morning, breakfast on the terrace with the whole family.

Day 8

Sunday the 25th

The night was a bit short, and Malena's breasts have become really big, so we make a doctor come to see her, but nothing to worry about he said!
Today is Mother's Day in France so we celebrate!

Day 9

Monday the 26th

First day back at work for Aloys.
Géraldine, her parents and Malena enjoy a nice and relaxing meal at the Europan in Rose Bay.
Finally a bath with Daddy!

Day 10

Tuesday the 27th

Tough night for the new parents, as Malena goes back to short feeds and wakes up every two hours...

Day 11

Wednesday the 28th

Malena is now 3,220 kg (up 300g in one week) , this confirming she is feeding well!
First official presentation to Aloys' colleagues at the Fox Market. The afternoon is a bit less fun, with Malena crying most of the time, while she was a little sleepy angel at lunch time!

Day 12

Thursday the 29th

First visit to Peter Kash the osteopath. Apparently Malena did not unfold completely after her birth, and that would explain the crying when digesting in a compressed abdomen... So he does some work and as well on mummy.
The evening is indeed quieter and Malena seems more settled.

Day 13

Friday the 30th

First Mother's Group meeting at the early childhood cent (new mums with babies from 0 to 8 weeks gather to chat and share) where Malena shines by her cuteness and quietness.

Malena stares at her teddy sheep, one of her first present - offered by mamie Jojo. The sheep is now her official friend in her pram!

Portraits

Day 14

Saturday the 31st

First visit at the Randwick Royal Hospital for Children, as Malena was coughing, but the very nice doctor reassures us and we go home and sleep!
Then daddy gives Malena a wonderful bath and a body massage with apricot kernel oil!

Day 15

Sunday the 1st of June

We got the visit of Illaria and her parents Alicia (Geraldine's friend and former colleague) and Marc. Illa is 4 months old and is all smile for her new little friend!



Crazy Dad!


And with the giraffe and the huge card Aloys' colleagues gave us!