Kellie - He has to have his cast on for 6 weeks, getting a new one every week as he'll grow so fast. I'm getting used to it now, as I'm sure he is. Nappy changes are a bit of a challenge but we're getting there! I guess people are staring at ME, not him.. probably thinking I broke his leg being a stupid first timer or something.. I dunno. Not that I really care, but I'm sure that's what they're thinking.

Reet - I had some really great midwives and nurses... as well as some real shockers. It just depended on the shift, I suppose. Being there for a week I met a LOT of people. There's actually more to my story but I haven't found the time to tell it yet. I might try to do it after this while Axel is having some Daddy time and I'm free. Your labour IS going to be all rainbows and butterflies, because I said so. Honestly, I didn't find labour that bad compared to everything else. Yes, the synto drip was horrible, but if I only had to do that part, and none of the c/s, or icu experience, I could do it again. So if you get to go into labour naturally etc, you should have a really great experience. The slow natural buildup of contractions is what I didn't have, which is why I think it was so hard to resist the epidural. I could only stand 2 hours of non-stop contractions before I begged for pain relief. I'm sending you positive birth experience vibes though lol. Yours will be very different to mine, I just know it. I always did have to be a rebel and do things the hard way, I should have known it would go like that for me. Oh and yes, Mum has said a few things about the cat and dog being in the house... I just told her not to be paranoid or ignored her. She's been a total drain the whole time, not offered to do anything and just wants to go shopping all day every day. Ok so she bought me some nice stuff but really I would forfeit all that for some frigging housework to be done. I even asked her why she hadn't done any laundry or anything and she scoffed and said it wasn't her job. Pfffffft. Rude! Today she's gone out shopping with my sister, and I hinted again that I had a lot of stuff to get done at home and she just said 'Oh well you'd better go then so you can get what you need done.' Yeah, thanks mum! I thought she might offer to come over later on and help, but no. It seems she's here for a holiday, not to help me at all.

Dory - I agree about the bonding thing. It's taken a couple of weeks to even 'wake up'. I do feel more connected to Axel now, but I still have my moments where I think 'OMG, who the heck are you...'. I am trying to prioritise rest, but it just doesn't seem to happen. I know it's important, but it's also important that I can move without tripping over crap on the floor.. lol. DP has been really helpful and doing housework while I wrestle with the baby, and vice versa. We kind of tag-team. Don't worry though, only the bare minimum is being done. dishes and laundry. My sister has been cooking and bringing us food which is great. Really helps! I'm glad I'm not the only one who found the transition to motherhood overwhelming. LOL, bam bam.. I will give him a cuddle for you.

AFM - Not much to add, still recovering, still adjusting. Axel seems a bit more settled today, but nighttime is just the worst. DP let me have a good sleep last night and this morning though so I feel a bit more with it today. That won't last long though lol. I have to say I miss my belly though. DP now calls me 'slim jim' which makes me laugh as I'm far from it........ but the transition from big round pg belly to having a waist etc again has been pretty drastic. Oh and my ankles are back!