We're Alive! I Promise!

Hi there... as the title states, yes, we are all alive and healthy. Iain and I have been working hard to handle a newborn which is a lot tougher than we ever thought it would be. So far the first month has gone well but we are pretty tired. I spend a good portion of my day feeding Callum since we are breastfeeding. I'm not going to go into the details of this but it isn't easy! A newborn eats between 8-12 times a day and Callum isn't exactly the quickest eater. I know he gets that from his daddy. So I spend most of my day and some of the night feeding him while Iain does the housework, changes diapers and supports me with the feeding process. Callum has also had some "firsts"- first doctor's appointment, first bath, first trip to Target (our favorite store!), first time peeing on Mommy, Daddy and the couch as well as his first Mother's Day. All of the events have been memorable- some funnier than others. We also had the pleasure of spending a week with Pappy Al- my dad- who helped us tremendously in the first full week after Callum's discharge from the hospital. Pappy Al cooked, cleaned, mowed and held Callum so that Iain and I could rest. We loved spending the week with him and hope to do it again soon. Thank you to all of you for your emails, texts, gifts, cards and food which are greatly appreciated during this happy but overwhelming time. The first month has been great and I'm ready for Callum to give us a few smiles for our contribution to his well being. Hopefully in the next couple of weeks. Hope all is well and love to all!

Welcome Home

This is just a quick update to let you know that Callum is home with us. He was discharged on Wednesday and we've been enjoying his company ever since. Obviously we've been busy since this is the first time I've managed to get online. Although the first night was definitely a challenge, I am loving every minute of it. He had a doctor's appointment yesterday and is doing well. Callum is a bit jaundiced but they ran a blood test and are not concerned. We just need to keep an eye on him. I'll post some new pictures. Thanks again for all of your thoughts, prayers and assistance over the past week. Iain and I appreciate it. We hope that you are able to visit us in the near future. Happy Mother's Day to all the mothers out there. I have a whole new appreciation for the holiday.

Baby!

Just an update from mommy now that I am finally home and recovering. Callum is doing much better than he was two days ago. Although he is still on antibiotics for the pneumonia and must remain at the hospital, he is breathing on his own at a normal rate. He previously looked like he had just run a marathon with the pace of his lungs and chest. Today he was completely unhooked from the oxygen which meant that we were able to hold him. There is truly nothing like holding your son. He is just perfect and completely beautiful. Yes, I know I am completely biased and okay with it. I've posted a few pictures. Callum was born weighing 7 pounds 10 ounces at 21 inches long. He has blue eyes and soft brown hair. His face is round and his head isn't too cone shaped but Iain said that he was when he first arrived. My eyes were still shut. Despite the delivery, which wasn't bad considering the miracle we got in return, I am absolutely amazed by Callum. We cannot wait to bring him home. Leaving him at the hospital was probably the hardest thing I have ever done and getting Callum home means so much to both of us. His Scotland Teddy Bear from Gran and Grandad Burnett is keeping him company in our absence. Thank you so much for your messages, texts, prayers and well wishes. We will let you know once we get our little guy home. I am praying that it is before the weekend, but until then, we will visit him and get ready for his arrival. Lots of love to everyone.

Baby Update

Callum had another x-ray this morning and the pediatrician is happy with his progress. Mary will be discharged today and I`m told Callum may be home by Tuesday. We can`t wait to hold him. Thank-you all for the kind messages of support.

Our baby has arrived

At 2.42am on the 2nd of May, Mary gave birth to a beautiful baby boy. We have decided to call him Callum Albert William Burnett. "Callum" is a popular Scottish name; "Albert", as many of you know, is Callum`s grandfather`s first name and; William was my grandad who recently passed away and for whom I can thank for so many wonderful memories. Callum`s journey into the world was a difficult one. A day (make that several) that I`m sure I will never forget. I had left work on Wednesday night and in bed by 1.30am on Thursday. Mary rolled over to give a good-night kiss and her water broke. Approximately, 25 hrs later little Callum was born. This was a very long and difficult delivery and I cannot understate nor ever fully comprehend what Mary went through - she was so brave and demonstrated such incredible inner strength. She is now recovering well and I hope that she will be back home by Sunday. Callum will not be home for at least a week. He was breathing very heavily and we were told he a had pneumonia in one of his lungs. I have thought about him all day and it was heartbreaking seeing him attached to all those tubes. He is being well taken care of at the hospital nursery and after a call tonight his O2 level has been reduced from 44 to 39%. He has been a little fussy but is improving. I thank our families and our friends for holding us in their thoughts and prayers.