our (not so much) teeny tiny teddy bear

When Taj was born and he was in the Childrens Hospital in Melbourne, my dear friend/surrogate little sister Emily came to visit us and she brought this gorgeous hat for Taj. When I first saw it I thought it was just beautiful, but like alot of his clothes, it was packed away safely as there was NO chance it was going to fit him. In fact, this hat looked like a tent that he could have curled up inside quite easily, let alone wear it as an actual hat.

This morning we made the usual treck to drop off Lee to work, and because it was a bit of a chilly night, I decided to put a hat on, couldn't find his normal one, and saw this one instead. It still looked MILES too big but I figured I could just tie it up or something. But sure enough, it fit!!! Lee isn't a big fan of kids clothes with 'ears', but even he had a hard time not thinking this was the cutest thing ever. :)

in honour of our little buggalugs....

I would easily be one of the most painful people to tattoo. :) Thankfully Lee and I know our tattoo artist, Squirell, so it's not so bad, but I am really a shocker. I squirm, I fidget, I hurl and pass out (ok, a slight exhageration - just :P) but this is the result of two sessions and a couple hours of well worth it pain. :) 

This is my second tattoo, I got my first one (below) last year in memory of our son Brock, and I love having his name on me forever.

He was born just under 20 weeks so in the eyes of the law it wasn't required for us to register his birth/death and therefore he didn't get a birth certificate. We have, however, been very lucky to have him officially listed on Taj's birth certificate as our son and Taj's brother. I love Brock's tattoo, but I always feel a bit sad when I look at it. I'd always wanted to get a tattoo but I don't really like to 'show it off' (if that makes sense). So when Taj was born I wanted to get a tattoo for him. Something bright and cheery and happy, just like him, and also one that people could see and go 'wow, nice tattoo, who's Taj?' and I can go 'Taj is my son, and here he is, isn't he gorgeous?' :) So, I got his handprint and footprint (taken when he was 4 months), his name and also a crown. I chose a crown because we were told by one of the nurses at the Womens' that in India, Taj means 'regal' and 'king'. After we found that out it occurred to us that Brock and Taj have that 'King' link with Brock's middle name being Kingsley. :) I also wanted to get a tattoo for Taj, for the pain factor. He went through so much pain in the first 3 months of his life and he was so tough and brave and such a little fighter. So even though I am pathetic when getting a tattoo, I wanted to be 'tough' for him  and go though some pain as well and get something in his honour. :)

I have a feeling he approves.... :)

A brief history of Taj (so far...)

Taj Albert Thompson, born 22/03/2010 1.496 kg, looking like a robo-baby.

This was my first cuddle with Taj, 30 hours after he was born. I was moved around the hospital about 4 times and got a bit lost in the system and because Lee was with Taj, I guess they didn't rate cuddles with Mum high up on the list. I've made up for it ten-fold since. ;)

Wired for sound

My handsome hubby and our beautiful boy.

 

Gorgeous balloons and flowers but THE worst tasting jelly beans ever!

Cherished cuddles with Daddy :)

 Benjamin Button :)

Big smiles at his second home, The Royal Childrens Hospital.

First ever bottle feed

Finally wearing clothes! Premmie sized pumpkin patch miles too big, he makes them look like dolls clothes now :)

 

Finally in an open cot - woohoo!!

 

Finally in Bendigo and first cuddles with Grandma.

 

Long-awaited cuddles with Grandpa.

 

Being doted on by Gran and Grandad

 

 FINALLY HOME!!! 24/05/2010

Photos taken by our dear friend Anglea

At Grandma and Grandpa's house not long after he started to really smile. He hasn't stopped since.

 

Taj and Aunty Min

 

Big cuddles with big cousin Ty, they adore each other. :)

 

A sign of things to come :)

 

Me and my favourite lil men :)

 

Ty is such an awesome big cousin, he adores Taj and Taj loves him right back :)

My boys :)

Me and my Buggalugs :)

 

This is the smile that can turn the worst day into the best day

 

My blue-eyed boys

 

Completely different baby from in the first photo. We are so so lucky. :) :)

Where has 2010 gone????

Right here....

It's hard to believe it's almost been six months since I've updated this blog, it only feels like yesterday, but so much has happened!!

Taj ended up being sent back to Bendigo on the 7th (I think...) of May 2010 and he spent 2 weeks in the SCBU at the Bendigo Hospital before FINALLY coming home on the 23rd of May 2010. The staff at Bendigo were magnificent and we were also lucky enough to meet some beautiful Mums/Dads and Bubs as well who we've kept in contact with.

Coming home with Taj that first night was totally surreal. We both got no sleep what so ever, even though we'd been parents for 8 weeks, it felt like we were brand new parents and honestly had no idea what to do!!! Being parents has not been easy, it's been bloody tough, there have been arguments and tears and hissy fits, but to be honest, one smile from Taj makes it all worth it. Lee and I are adjusting as well. The first month after Taj came home was report writing time for Lee, I knew it was important, but to be honest, to me, report writing was secondary, and as soon as Lee got home from school, instead of giving him time to relax and then focus on reports, I was giving him Taj straight away because I needed a break. Selfish, I know, huh? Needless to say, report writing is coming up again and we are much more prepared. :)

I adore being a Mum. Taj is just the most amazing, beautiful, sweet little man and I can't imagine my life without him. :) I know it might sound a bit cliche, but there is honestly no other love like the love that I feel for Taj. Lee and I look at each other sometimes and say 'we made him' and are very very proud of ourselves. :D I've been lucky enough to meet and make some awesome friends since becomming a Mum as well. The Mums and gorgeous Bubs through the Mothers Group and also our neighbours and their awesome kids across the road from where we live. :) We have also been blessed by our amazing friends and family who supported us through everything. We would not have been able to make it this far without anyone of them, it blows me away some days how much support we had. *massive group hug*

Well, it's time for the little man's bottle, so I'd better sign off. I'm looking forward to blogging again very very soon. :)

Luv Natt XO