Our beautiful baby boy, Liam Grant, was born on Sunday, October 2nd 2005 at 7.32pm weighing 7lb 10oz (3.455kg) and measuring 46cm!

I went up to the Hospital for an antenatal visit on Friday 30th September and the decision was made by the Doctor's to induce me on the Sunday as my blood pressure was high and my they didn't want me going much over my due date (which was the 29th September). While at my antenatal visit, the Doctor did a "strip and stir" to try and bring on labour naturally. I went home very nervous and excited, I knew that one way or another I would have a baby in the next few days!

On the Saturday, Paul and I went out for a late lunch with his parents for his Mother's birthday (which is also the 2nd). When we got home I went to the toilet and noticed I had had a show! I tried not to get to excited as I knew that this could mean labour was still days away!

That night, I was watching TV and I started feeling period type pain and started timing it after a while, they were 10-15 minutes apart! This started about 7-7.30 but I didn't tell Paul until about 11 that night! I didn't want it to be a false alarm plus we had had a stupid fight earlier and I wasn't talking to him LOL! The pain was still bearable but I thought I better call the birthing suite and just check with them, at this stage the contractions were coming 10 minutes apart. They told me to stay at home as long as I could and to come in when the pain was unbearable and I was having 2-3 contractions in 10 minutes.

Paul's parents were staying with us that night as they were in town for a dinner dance so when they came home about midnight we all sat up timing the contractions! I thought my pain threshold was quite good but I was soon to learn that it isn't! I managed to stay at home until around 3am Sunday then we decided to go up to the hospital. It must of been a sight, there was Paul and myself, his parents, my Mum and my Aunt (my second Mum!)!!

When the midwife examined me she told me I was only 1cm dilated, how depressing! They were really nice about it though and asked if I wanted to stay or go home... I decided to stay because I didn't know if I could handle contractions at home (although the heat packs were wonderful). So we sent everyone home and Paul and I bedded down in maternity for the night although no sleep was had by either of us! I was given some Pethidine and a TENS machine to help with my pain. The TENS machine was quite an experience! I was numb by the end of it all! Not long after they gave me the Pethidine I vomited, I'm not sure if it was from the Pethidine or not though.

My waters broke around 4-4.30. They didn't gush out, it was a sort of trickle and went on for a few hours on and off. By this stage I was in the shower using all the hot water I could! It was a great relief but I knew I had to get out eventually. After an hour or so I did and tried the TENS machine again.

I'm not sure what time it was but we went up to the birthing suite and I was introduced to gas..... ah.... sweet, sweet gas! We soon became very well acquainted! I think I became addicted to the stuff because the next several hours are all a bit of a blur! I remember family coming in and out and people rubbing my back and talking to me. The birthing ball helped quite a bit, I wasn't letting go of that gas though! I also remember saying to Paul "I can't do this" over and over again. I was terrified and kept trying to put positive thoughts into my head about holding my baby at the end of it all.

Once again, I'm not sure what time it was but I was given an epidural sometime in the afternoon. During the day they examined me several times and I remember being 4cm dilated and then after my epidural 8cm dilated. I was terrified about having the epidural, I was crying and trying not to shake but as soon as I had it, the relief was amazing! I am still wary of them though, the bad stories stick in your head don't they?

Anyway, I never progressed pas

Well I am sitting here feeling miserable. I have the bloody 'flu! I'm aching all over, feel hot, have a sore throat, a headache and a stuffy nose. Oh the joys! Thanks Paul.... ggggggrrrr!! I just hope that Liam doesn't get it but he has been a bit off the last couple of days so I don't like my chances.

Well we made the decision this week that I'd be going back to work 3 days a week instead of 1. So I went and saw the childcare place and I can put him in whenever. I start back on 22nd April. I am very sad about it but I have to keep telling myself that we are doing this for him. This way we can afford private health and we can save up to get a better family car then the one we have and then we can start saving up for a house. How scary! The bills are starting to get on top of us once again so hopefully in a couple of months time we will be in a better position then the one we are in now (can't be hard).

Paul has been working as usual this week although he had Friday off sick with what I've got now. He also got sent home early Thursday night. He went to Nanango yesterday for a ute show and came away with $225 in prize money, three hats, 3 ribbons and a 6 month subscription to a ute magazine! As you can imagine he is pretty chuffed!

Liam is growing more and more every day. He can almost sit himself up, he has once but promptly fell back over so I'm not counting that hehehe. He has been very grumpy this week and I really do think that it is his teeth this time. He has been rubbing his gums together and has been very flushed and has been getting a slight temp so there you go. And.... the big news for the week..... He can now CRAWL!!!! I haven't seen it yet but Granny and Poppy had him lastnight and he did then.... of course.... he couldn't wait for Mummy and Daddy could he??? Little bugger! He has only taken about 4 "steps" but still..... our baby boy is growing up!

Well that's it for the week. There is probably more but my head is pounding and I feel like crap!

Have a good week.

Well.... what happened this week? Gotta think now!

Liam had his 6 month injections on Wednesday. The poor little man was none to impressed with the Doctor, the bottom lip was sticking out and big fat tears were rolling down his cheeks, it was very sad to watch He was of course happy as soon as we walked out of the surgery so that is good. He is in his walker at the moment bouncing up and down, very cute! He is very vocal now, always "talking" to who ever is admiring him at the time! He is a bit wary of strangers though, he has cried a couple of times now when someone is talking to him that he doesn't know! He started sweet potato this week and is enjoying that so far. Off to clinic next week with him so I will be able to post how much he weighs etc then.

Paul only worked 4 days this week because he had yesterday off for Show Holiday. Our Show Holiday is actually Thursday but Beef City were good enough to give their workers the Friday off so they all had a long weekend. He is watching the V8s at the moment and then we are off to the show for the night. A nice family night out

Well I reached my 10% goal weight this week so that was pretty exciting for me. So far I have lost 10.7kg!!! I am feeling much better for it to. I have had a few compliments now from people that don't see me every day, they can all notice the difference. It is such a moral booster. I saw the Doctor this week also, I am iron deficient, worse then what I was last time so I am now on 2 iron tablets a day and vitamin C etc etc. He also prescribed anti-depressants for me so I will see how that goes.

Anyway, we better go and get ready for the show. See you all next week