More Pics...

... on the dazeflypics site here

Introducing Mr Joe Stanley Finn...

...born via Caesarean Section at 8.14AM at Mercy Hospital, Melbourne this morning, following 13 hours intensive labour and 12 hours pre-labour preceding that...

Mum, dad and bub are all utterly exhausted but doing well.

Weighing in at a healthy 10lbs 8ozs [4.74 kilos], 53cm tall and head circumference of [ouch!] 39cm. Joe [not Joseph] is blue-eyed, with dark curly hair and an instant taste for the boob: clearly a product of his father's genes, though physically does paradoxically resemble his mother rather more than his dad.

They aren't currently accepting any visitors given the recentness and intensity of the event, but will probably have daytime open house on discharge from hospital, at a time to be announced...

Dad is currently stunned, feels jet-lagged and overwhelmed at the fruit of his loins. Not only has he now got a son, he's become both a parent and father. Mum is also reportedly dazed and confused, though the vast amounts of prescribed medication may also be a contributory factor.

More news and pics as things progress. Well, hopefully!
Links to more pictures here

A Very Brief Update...

4 days overdue and counting...

Thought we were about to have Junior a week ago when C had what we thought were the start of contractions, but... false alarm.

Since then... zero, nada, zilch.

Going in hospital tomorrow [Sunday] for a heart trace, but all precautionary as baby is well, happy and surrounded by plenty of fluid.

If no movement by the end of next week, the discussion about induction begins...
Watch this space!

And 2 bits of news we didn't pass on. Claud got offered a permanent post at 35 weeks or something, which means partial paid maternity leave and a guaranteed job when she comes back. They've suggested she comes back sloooowly, part-time with even the possibility of some work from home. They realised what an asset she was, even at that late stage of pregnancy, and snapped her up! Cool, huh?

And I just got a promotion!
Sort of a management role within the same Community Mental Health Service. So I get to keep contact with my clients etc., but take on more of a clinical lead and supervisory role, and step up when the manager's on leave.

I'm pretty happy, needless to say, as I've only been there what seems like five minutes, and it's also a bit more dosh, which means the mortgage on the new house can definitely be paid while Mrs B is on maternity leave!