The baby is here!

 

 It's become a tradition that when a baby is born in our family, a ribbon is tied around the lamp post outside my parent's home.  It's also become a tradition that Jake's tied the ribbons announcing the arrival of his little cousins.  Jake takes this job very seriously and does it with a lot of pride.  Yesterday's ribbon was blue, announcing the safe arrival of little Rylee...

 After hurrying from school to tie up the ribbon, we raced through to the hospital to visit.  Rosie was a super star yesterday, she was induced at midnight and managed to get through a bit of labour on her own, before opting for an epidural.  At 4cm, the baby's heartbeat started to drop and they decided it was best to do a Caesar.  Born 2 1/2 weeks early, at 11:22am, Rylee weighed in at a healthy 2.97kgs.   

So, without further ado, I'm more than thrilled to introduce you all to my new nephew, and Jake's littlest cousin, Rylee...

 I snuck Jake in.  He looks 12 right?  He's nearly as tall as I was when I was 13 anyway.  Look how great my mom's got too!  And look at Rylee sticking his tongue out at Jake already - he knows...

 Jake even got to hold his new cousin...

 He's super proud...

 I know it's mean, but I just had to see the whole package!  There's nothing quite like a new, pink baby.  Rylee has VERY long toes...

 A little frown.  Rylee hadn't had his first bath yet...

 Jake thinks his new cousin pulls funny faces.  Rylee - this is the guy who's going to tease you for as long as he knows you...

 I love this photo - look how proud they look...

 And this moment just about melted me completely.  It's almost tempting to think about having another one (not really, just saying)...

 This is my favourite photo!  Jake is already crazy about his new cousin.  And look how tiny Rylee really is...

 A side profile...

Auntie Jo was there.  This is the first time she's been a auntie since Jake was born.  Well, not entirely true, but Paul's niece lives in Germany, so this is the first newborn...

I'll end off with some last pictures of Rylee.  Isn't he just perfect...

There's nothing like a contented, sleepy, newborn baby.  It's not an easy job, being a parent, but it's the most rewarding one.

To Rosie & Gareth, I know you guys weren't pregnant for long, but we've all waited for so long to meet this perfect little being.  And he's all yours.  I hope that you'll let us share in his journey.  Congratulations, he's perfect!

Rylee - I'm going to hug you and squeeze you and pinch you and kiss you and smother you with love for the rest of my life!  I can't wait to get to know you!  You're one of my new favourite things to photograph already.  I love you soooooooo much!

Hope you all enjoyed the photos.  How cute is my nephew????

Love,

Auntie Sue XXX

It's all happening...

Today is the day!  Our new little baby is on it's way!!  I can't say finally, since Rosanne's only known about her pregnancy for 13 weeks, but we are all SO very excited to be getting to meet this little bug today.

Rosie's had a really good pregnancy and she's taken it all so well.  She spent a night in hospital last week with high blood pressure and the dr decided to induce her today, because she has early stages of pre-eclampsia.

On Friday afternoon I popped past to take some pictures of the baby's room and of Rosie in her final days with a big tummy.  She was exhausted, but still managed to be a good sport.

They've chosen to do the baby's room in a bugs theme.  It's bright and colourful and I can't wait for there to be a little someone living in here...

Wall art...

Lots and lots of bugs...

It's a happy space and it's filled with so much love already...

They've managed to find such wonderful things...

Looking in through the door...

The cupboards stocked with lots of essentials...

Little things for a little body - all washed and ready...

Rosie really has been a star.  She's enjoyed having a bump and, despite being really tired with her blood pressure meds, she's been happy the whole way through...

And she really does glow...

Gareth joined us for some snaps too.  He's going to be such a wonderful dad.  He's so excited...

And he was a really good sport for the photos.  I think these last few of the two of them are gorgeous...

Considering that these pictures weren't even taken a week ago, her tummy's tiny...

Lots of loving going to that unborn baby...

I must admit, knowing that looking at these pictures has made me quite teary this morning.  How their life is going to change...

A sweet moment...

We had supper last night at my mom's with Rosie and Gareth and Gareth's folks.  It was wonderful to be with them.  Rosie was very emotional when we said good night to her...

But she was happy (most of the evening) and they were both very excited...

So, Rosie went in at 10 last night and was induced shortly after.  She had an epidural, but the labour has been going fairly slowly and she's only 4cms now.  They've just made the call to do a Caesar.  Watch this spot for news!

Lots of love,

Auntie Sue

XXX

Just about time...

 Tomorrow will be just 13 weeks since Rosanne and Gareth found out that they were having a baby.  With Christmas in between, I cannot tell you how fast the time has gone and we are now all anxiously awaiting the safe arrival of our new baby.  Tomorrow she will be 37 weeks!

Saturday was the baby shower and we all enjoyed having time to spoil her before the baby arrives.  Gareth's mom made the prettiest cupcakes and since we don't know whether the baby is a boy or a girl yet, there was a bit of both...

 My mom made a nappy cake.  My parents, along with Gareth's, are headed off on another cruise to Italy in March.  Rosie's due date is the 13th and all the grandparents are leaving on the 17th.  Included in my mom's cake below is a bottle of Castor Oil and Orange Juice.  All fingers are crossed...

 It looked really pretty and the food was all divine...

 Jake decided that he wanted to be a part of the shower, he's very excited about getting another cousin...

 I love this boys blue eyes...

 Bright and colourful.  It was killer hot on Saturday - well over 35 deg C!  Thank goodness the party started at 10 - nice and early...

Finally, the mommy of the moment arrived.  She suspected we were having the shower on Saturday, although we all thought we'd managed to keep the secret really well.  At least she arrived in a dress, rather than her jammies...

 Rosie doesn't do crowds and she doesn't like being the center of attention and was quite embarrassed by all the fuss...

Jo was really great at keeping her hand-me-downs, so Rosie and Gareth haven't had to buy very much for their baby.  For the shower, we asked people to bring toiletries and nappies, if possible.  Jake was a great sport, helping to hand out presents and checking everything out once it was opened...

 Still, getting something new for a new baby is always great and Rosie also got clothes, blankets and toys...

    Jake and I got her a few things, including nappies, wet wipes, a baby book, baby grows and the basics like breast pads and Calpol...

 The baby's room has a bug's theme and one family friend embroidered the cot bumper and duvet...

 And my baby's nearly 10, how did that happen?  It feels like just the other day, I was in Rosie's chair...

 

 After the shower, Gareth picked Hilux up and everyone had a swim.  It was HOT and I felt so sorry for Rosie, she must be so hot and uncomfortable...

 But she's been a star mommy already, she's such a happy pregnant fairy...

 She's actually made it look SO easy...

As I mentioned, Rosie & Gareth were very spoiled and they had a lot of unpacking to do when they got home.  The crib was Jake's, by the way.  Jacques' grandfather, Papa Louis, built it for him.  It's bittersweet to see it up again and I can only imagine how it will pull at my heartstrings to see it filled with a baby again...

Thank goodness we had the shower when we did.  Rosie was admitted to hospital yesterday after her check up.  Her blood pressure was very high and they're monitoring her protein levels.  She needs to be in for 24 hours.  The blood tests have all been OK, which is great news.  The doctor is hoping to keep the baby in until next Thursday and Rosie's been booked off work until the baby arrives.  Rosie's been given steroids (Jake said "shew, she's going to have big muscles after that!") and the baby already weighs a healthy 2.8kgs.  Any moment now, watch this space...

Sending lots of love,

Sue XXX

PS.  I know not fabulously edited, for those of you who know, I just don't have the time I'd like to play with this...