A number of people asked me whether I had a “natural birth” with the boys. Did I have a caesarian section? No. On the other hand, does the picture below look natural to you?
My epidural arrived before my first contraction – the doctor was summoned from his bed at 6 in the morning, and proper order too. Labour was painless and took place between 9.00 and 3.00. It made me vomit though and vomitting as you lie on your back being wheeled along hospital corridors towards the delivery room is suboptimal. Daniel was born at 3.15 a strapping 3.03 kilos and, in what I fear may well be a pattern for life, nobody worried about him. Michael was delighted with the extra space available and turned sideways. Two burly midwives grabbed his little person and from the outside manoeuvered him into head down position while I looked on in horror and my doctor grabbed for his head (she had a lovely time in Croatia, thanks for asking).
She told me later that she thought that she’d have to an emergency caesarian and she had asked the nurses to call the anaesthetist without mentioning his name – in case I gathered that that was why he was being called. I am touched by her faith in my intelligence and powers of concentration. Anyhow, Michael was born at 15.39 and though on the light side at 2.2 kilos, he was absolutely fine. The potential caesarian, also explains why the anaesthetist turned up immediately after Michael was born and chatted away to myself and Mr. Waffle for no reason we could understand at the time. As I threw up into my little kidney bowl, I did wonder vaguely whether it was some kind of revenge for getting him up at 6 in the morning. He’s Lebanese and we were talking about the situation in the Middle East between vomits, and it was a little challenging. “Syria is not good” was about all I could summon to mind at that precise moment and even I knew that to be inadequate. I wouldn’t mind but I’d struggled through a long article in the LRB only recently not to mention having read “Pity the Nation” by Robert Fisk when I was in college.
To summarise, the stay in hospital was for a full week and despite constant interruptions (meals, nurses, obstetrician, paediatrician, physio, woman to throw out dead flowers, cleaner, tea lady morning and afternoon, water delivering lady, the odd visitor etc.), I felt pretty well. I think this was partly because, as a bad mother, I roomed out and mixed breast and bottle. Doubtless I will be chucked out of the Brussels Childbirth Trust.
It is very nice to be home though. Delighted with kind bloggers’ reactions, also flowers, cards, presents, emails and a beautiful new watch from my loving husband. Also lovely to see a bit more of my little girl (not too much more, mind, she’s still going to the creche every day). My mother has, alas, decamped to Cork where she deemed that my father’s need was greater than ours. I suppose she knows – she’s been married to him a while; in fact the boys were born on my parents’ 38th wedding anniversary.
on 06 October 2005 at 15:33
Sweetie(s) given ���
on 06 October 2005 at 16:42
Glad all is well – good to see you’re back blogging a week later – jolly good show.
Am I reading the clocks right in that the 2nd wee lad decided to join us a full 12 hours later? Poor you. All’s well…etc, though.
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on 06 October 2005 at 22:48
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I’m glad you’re back! I can’t believe you have twins now!
on 07 October 2005 at 07:15
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on 07 October 2005 at 13:38
Well done Mrs Waffle ….
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on 07 October 2005 at 16:24
Your new boys are so handsome, congratulations to all the Waffles.
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on 07 October 2005 at 16:36
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on 07 October 2005 at 23:38
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on 10 October 2005 at 08:56
Star, indeed you should not! Thanks for congrats.
Loc, no, no, second joined about half an hour after the first – clearly my mastery of the 24 hour clock isn’t all it could be.
SJ, that would make two of us.
Well, Minks, somewhat guiltily, I am mixing breast and bottle, cos I just can’t manage to breastfeed them both at the same time and doing them sequentially would mean that I would have to spend all my time under a baby…
Pog, I know, but great stuff the old epidural all the same.
Beso, many thanks, and thanks for the sweeties also.
Roach, thank you.
Beth, thank you – am impressed that you are taking time out to check on other blogs!
Negrito – for good or for the weekend?
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on 10 October 2005 at 21:45
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on 11 October 2005 at 16:46
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Caption Competition
The Princess went to see her subjects (or co-princes) in the hospital again. The visit passed off without incident (only because we hid the thermometer).
Caption competition: what is Princess doing to baby Michael ? And what is he saying? A sweetie for the best caption…
formerfilmexpert
on 30 September 2005 at 22:14
Does this make his hands move?
Kathy
(Homepage)
on 30 September 2005 at 23:03
I thought it was baby Michael talking:
“Oh, great. Here comes that kid who sticks his finger in my ear. Yeah, come on, buddy. Keep it up. One day I’ll have motor control, you know.”
Kathy
(Homepage)
on 30 September 2005 at 23:04
Waahhh!!! I wasn’t paying attention. Of course it’s more like:
“Oh, great. here comes that kid who sitcks HER finger in my ear. Yeah, come on Princess, keep it up. One day I’ll have motor control, you know. And don’t you try to kiss me, either. Blech.”
kristin
on 02 October 2005 at 21:54
Princess: [in american gangster voice] “This is my sceptre, see? And if you and your little double don’t do what i tell you to, i’ll put it in your ear like this, see? So youse better do what i tell you to.”
Prince: ‘Oy! Oy!’
Sarcastic Journalist
(Homepage)
on 03 October 2005 at 05:17
Princess: “And this, Michael, is how babies are made.”
Michael: “That’s not quite how I remember it.”
geepeemum
on 03 October 2005 at 10:21
“But daddy I need to get my sweet back out.” (if only I could type that in French…)
kristin
on 03 October 2005 at 17:28
does this help?
Mais, Papa! J’ai besoin de ma doucette!
(i’m sure that’s wrong. how do you say candy in french?)
Peggy
(Homepage)
on 04 October 2005 at 09:44
Sweet in French would be “mon bonbon” never heard of “doucette” before (is that Canadian French?).
Caption competition “ET phone home”.
belgianwaffle
on 06 October 2005 at 14:21
Gosh you’re all very clever…after much deliberation here in Waffle towers we have decided to award the sweetie to geepeemum. Congratulations on your extraordinary good fortune.
Locotes
on 06 October 2005 at 15:00
I know the competition is over – but I’ve put a LOT of thought into this – and I believe the exact utterances were…
Princess: “Tee hee”
Michael: “Feck off”
a href=”http://www.20six.co.uk/belgianwaffle”>belgianwaffle Waffle Palace tonight announced that the Princess had paid a courtesy call on her new subjects. She prononced herself pleased, and deigned to kiss them on leaving. Although only 36 hours old, the Mrs W was pleased with the way it went, and also very grateful for all the kind comments and sweeties. Bobble Jordana Locotes Looking forward to weary posts about sleepless nights…
Lilo Bobble gracehart belgianwaffle Mrs Waffle asked me to tell the world that we had two baby boys (Daniel and Michael) today, Tuesday 27 September. One is 3 kilos (about 6 pounds 11 ounces) and 51 cm – the other a more svelte 2.2kilos (5 pounds) and 48 cm. Apparently, this is within the range of normal for twins (we’d probably know this if we ever got time to read our scary twins book). Mrs W. is tired but happy.
on 10 October 2005 at 08:56
Oh Loc, a winner if only submitted on time.
First Contact
new princes have caught on to court etiquette quickly: they have given her a number of presents every day, which may have helped them gain acceptance. A diplomatic incident theatened when the Princess attempted to retake possession of her turtle-shaped bath thermometer, but courtiers were able to smooth
things over…
on 28 September 2005 at 22:10
Ooh I have just received some sweetie largess to give to our 20Six new Mums! But it won’t let me give it to you. Be back later *shakes fist at system*
Minkleberry
on 29 September 2005 at 07:55
what a gracious princess
poggle
on 29 September 2005 at 11:05 Just make sure you hide the dolls’ pram – we used to steal my baby sister when Mum wasn’t looking ….. mind you, we always brought her back eventually.
(Homepage)
on 29 September 2005 at 13:26
Congratulations!!! My Internet goes down for a day, and look what I miss. 🙂 I have no sweeties to give, but if I did, I would give them all to you for judicious dispersal among the Princess and her subjects.
May you have joyful days and restful nights.
on 29 September 2005 at 14:50
Serves me right for not spending every waking hour on 20six waiting for updates – I go and miss the main event. Well many many congratulations, you seem to have done a fine job there.
(and congrats to Mr. W as well – ignore whatever herself might say, your role in this was just as important!)
😉
on 29 September 2005 at 21:52
Congratulations to the Waffle family. I hope you’re getting enough sleep.
on 29 September 2005 at 23:16
At last I can give a sweetie x
on 30 September 2005 at 02:32
Lots of blessings to the royal family!! ^^
on 06 October 2005 at 14:18
Thank you kindly for sweeties and good wishes. I feel exceptionally popular!
Happy birthday boys
on 27 September 2005 at 19:50
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ESM
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on 27 September 2005 at 20:02
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Friar Tuck
on 27 September 2005 at 20:35
on 27 September 2005 at 21:33
When’s the party?
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on 27 September 2005 at 23:32
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[anonymous]
on 28 September 2005 at 00:47
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kristin
on 28 September 2005 at 05:49
xo
on 28 September 2005 at 06:40
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Congratulations to you!!!
on 28 September 2005 at 10:12
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on 28 September 2005 at 11:46
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LondonMom
on 28 September 2005 at 12:44
on 28 September 2005 at 12:54
JoJo & 20six Team xxx
One sweetie each!
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on 28 September 2005 at 13:17
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on 28 September 2005 at 14:13
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on 28 September 2005 at 14:17
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Boy, Mrs Waffle must feel a lot less heavy now. 😉
You did a very good job, they look adorable.
Friar Tuck
on 28 September 2005 at 16:25
on 28 September 2005 at 16:45
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on 28 September 2005 at 16:53
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on 28 September 2005 at 22:31
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on 29 September 2005 at 12:00
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Dutch Mama
on 29 September 2005 at 15:51
on 30 September 2005 at 20:28
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on 06 October 2005 at 13:54
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Today is my due date
Is there any news? There is not. Well, I bought a new teapot, does that count? I thought that my ticker ruler might do something exciting to celebrate but it’s just sitting there stolidly saying “0 days left” so I’m going to remove it in a huff.
on 23 September 2005 at 10:53
They’re obviously comfy in there. Or waiting for ‘their’ new car to turn up.on 23 September 2005 at 11:00
Whoo! Congratulations on your new teapot!on 23 September 2005 at 12:05
one sugar and a chocolate digestive please!Angela
(Homepage)
on 23 September 2005 at 13:20
A new teapot is ALMOST as exciting as twins, right?I’ll be thinking about you. Best wishes to the family of five!
on 23 September 2005 at 13:41
going past due date with twins, is almost unheard of, they must be way to comfy in there, go for a bumpy car ride, and a really hot curry.on 23 September 2005 at 15:34
Well not tooo fast now newshoes because the doctor isn’t back until tomorrow night.Pog, it’s here, drove around in it today. Bloody enormous.
Norah, I knew you’d be pleased for me and two sweeties. Ta very much.
Jojo, all sweet things are banned – you must suffer with me.
Angela, even more exciting from some angles, I guess.
Amerly, well maybe I should enjoy this time…
on 23 September 2005 at 15:38
In that case, I expect they’ll be making an appearance shortly, ay?on 23 September 2005 at 15:43
Come out little ‘uns!on 23 September 2005 at 23:04
In that case, raspberry leaf – straight, with a side of ryvita (how on earth do you spell that?)on 24 September 2005 at 12:50
Presume so, pog…But it’s kind of quiet without them Chintzy.
Jojo, wish I’d seen this sage advice before I went shopping this morning.
on 26 September 2005 at 16:26
That’s a shame – I was looking forward to some sort of spangly, explosive finale from your ticker as well. How disappointing. Oh well. I suppose the eventual arrival of the twins will be exciting itself. Well, a bit.😉
Sleeping Arrangements
Mr. Waffle: So what will they sleep in?
Me: I was thinking I’d get Moses basket thingys.
Him: What are they?
Me: Little baskety things.
Him: You know, I’m really beginning to understand why my parents put me in a drawer when I was a baby. Drawers are the perfect size for babies. And it hasn’t done me any harm.
Me (mutinously): Our babies are not sleeping in a drawer.
Him (placatingly): We could put stencils on the side.
Me (definitively): No.
on 05 September 2005 at 12:29
I think that’s the most optimistic heading ever. Where will our babies ‘sleep’? Not, WHEN will our babies sleep? or WILL our babies ever sleep. The power of positive thinking..on 05 September 2005 at 13:29
I had exactly the same conversation with Jimi-except he wanted to use the contents of the drawers as blankets.
Incidentally, Jimi is a twin and he and his sibling slept together in a cot when they were new. They liked being close and slept better as a result.
on 05 September 2005 at 14:57
Between Mom and Dad, i.e. in your bed. Isn’t that what parents are supposed to do nowadays to grow fully-confident children?Can they share the Princess’ old bed? One on each side. At least in the beginning.
I thought this drawer thing was a great laugh!;) ???
on 05 September 2005 at 19:15
I slept in a Moses basket! Apparently it was very handy for dinners out too, no cots or prams, just carry me in and lay me down under the table…on 06 September 2005 at 13:32
Moses baskets are a disaster to strap into a car.
Sus: so that’s why you spend so much time under tables. And here was I thinking it was the drink…. 😉
[Joke.. joke… pace.]
‘waff: you might I think enjoy this.
on 06 September 2005 at 22:15
Can I send you a book on baby care for Mr Waffle perhaps?!!on 07 September 2005 at 08:25
Pog, exactly, and expected levels of sleep deprivation are likely to lead to precisely that result.HJB, you are bad, but accurate.
Minks, glad I’m not the only one with a drawer obsessed spouse. I do plan to stick them together. My latest thought is maybe in the travel cot.
Peggy. Yes. But we will sacrifice their confidence for our sleep. We are cruel and unnatural.
Sus, have investigated the cost of these things in mothercare; they are horribly dear. Am considering alternatives.
Jack, I’m sure you’re right. But how do you know?? Thanks for link.
StarCorner – that would be very welcome…
on 07 September 2005 at 08:54
Three cheers for being ‘cruel and unnatural’. But the sweetie goes to Mr. W for thinking that “We could put stencils on the side” was a big selling point..on 07 September 2005 at 09:50
You know That Quiet Kid — the one who says very little but is always watching someone or something with total intensity, soaking up every detail and nuance of the moment? The one who consequently grows up to keep doing it and becomes a font of the most incredible and varied human & related trivia?That would be me… 😉
on 07 September 2005 at 10:19
Oh Jack, that was all contained in the dot dot dot..on 07 September 2005 at 18:26
I had a cot under the sink.Really. M and D were building the house.
on 08 September 2005 at 08:54
KE, Mr. Waffle is thrilled. Ta.JD, Sus, stop it!
BHM, sounds very secure and comfortable.
