Ash's NYC: March 2015

Finally catching up to introduce Archie Grey Jones to all my 23 blog subscribers. Wow what a roller coaster. It is round two but it's amazing how much your forget in the constant evolution of your kids.

Last Wednesday the 18th started out as an interesting day. Tracy woke at 5am and said she thought she was going to have the baby today. She had mild cramping in her back which gave her the feeling. I ended up going to work as we were not sure if it was a false alarm or not. Tracy's sister, Brenda, was over from the UK and we were planning a delicious Sushi train lunch in the city. As it turned out that was not to be.

Around 11.30 Tracy spoke to me and said she thought I better come home. The cramping was progressing and getting stronger. I headed back on the train with a detour via the local hamburger shop. Thought I better carb up for the possible arrival. By the time I got home Tracy was having contractions at roughly 8-9 mins. By 1.30 things had really heated up so we thought we'd get to the hospital to allow plenty of time to settle in.

We arrived and it was a bit of a struggle to get into the room. I was checking in and Tracy was doing a great job at keeping it together. Once in the room I was going to go park the car but the midwife told me to stay. Lucky I did as within 20 mins little Archie was born at 2.22.

It was a very different experience to Flynn. So much faster in all respects. It was a little scary when he came out as he was encapsulated in the membrane and so was a little quiet until it was removed. Apparently this is good luck in Chinese culture. Tracy did a wonderful job and pulled up really well.

Our experience at RPA was very positive. Archie was born in the birthing centre which is their more natural and active birthing wing. The midwife who assisted was top notch and the environment overall made for a very calming experience. We spent a couple of hours in there and then moved up to the ward where we were lucky to score a private room. Tracy stayed in overnight and was lucky enough to come home on the Thursday.

So here we are a week later. Things have been going as well as they could be. Archie had a visit to the doctor yesterday for a checkup and he's regained his birthweight which is positive. He's like his big brother and an eating, sleeping, peeing and pooing machine. We were a little worried about how Flynn would adapt but he has been great. The first night was quite cute as Flynn would cry every time Archie would but this quickly eased up. Since then Archie could be screaming his head off and Flynn will sleep through it. Every morning Flynn wakes up and he doesn't want to see mummy or daddy but his little baby brother Archie. We'd been pretty vigilant about reading him books on new babies over the last few months and we really think that's helped. Finally his royal highness, Dasha, is also coping well. He's been a little sensitive but nothing a bit of fresh ham off the bone cannot fix.

So stay tuned for more of the Archie and Flynn show.