The days before Christmas

Last two weeks have been busy, with lots of people around, midwife and health visitor visits, first bath, first pushchair experience and first shopping trips to Salisbury, Southampton and Eastleigh. We also registered Maria, who became now an official British girl. Will is back to work after his two weeks of paternity leave and I am trying to keep up with a few hours of sleep.

Maria Emma is now 3.24 kg and she is a very healthy girl, eating very well and being awake for quite a few hours during the day and night. She enjoys the bath and hopefully she will enjoy swimming in the near future, too.

Mama Lili (grandma from Romania) arrived 12 days ago and she has been enjoying a lot the time spent with all of us; it's great to have her here. A big "Thank you" to everyone at home for the beautiful presents sent for Maria.

Grandma Mary and grandpa Peter came over again, this time bringing over Aunt Katie and Uncle Ron.


We received more flowers, cards and presents from family and friends. Could you guess what this is??

It is a nice bouquet of flowers, indeed, but not a normal one... a very special one. If you look closer you notice some "roses", but they are actually baby sleep suits, vests and hats. What an ingenious idea. Thank you Auntie Katie and Uncle Ron for such a cute and special present.

Last Thursday we went to introduce Maria to badminton. She watched her daddy playing and met our club friends. Wendy and Bob (from badminton) also visited Maria at home a few days before our badminton practice. Yesterday, we went to Will's work and my work to show Maria to our co-workers. They were very pleased to see our little girl and were surprised of the amount of hair she's got.

My mum just bought a very nice Christmas tree for us, which is ready to be decorated. Christmas Day will soon be here and we can hardly wait...

First week as parents

We have enjoyed a lot our first week as parents, learning how to cope with not too much sleep during the night, changing nappies, breastfeeding and playing with Maria, as she is awake for quite a few hours (especially during the night).
Last weekend we had visitors. Maria's new friend, Sam, came over to say "Hello" and see how we were doing. Priscilla (Sam's mum) and I were due in the same day, but Maria came a week after Sam.

Mary and Peter (grandma and grandad) came over from Burgess Hill to see their first granddaughter. We had a great time together and they were really delighted to meet Maria.

Over the last week we got lots of cards, flowers and presents from our family, friends and co-workers.

Waiting now for grandma from Romania to arrive.

With grandma and grandad

Maria Emma's Birth

Yesterday (27 Nov), Maria Emma, our little baby girl arrived at 4:23am. She was born in Winchester, weighed in at 3.09 kg and she has got plenty of hair. All 3 of us are doing well, after a long labour and first night and no sleep. Here are some pictures of Maria in her first day.

Our Garden

Here are some pictures of our garden. Will loves gardening and he already started building the veggie patches, planting some herbs and vegetables and together we planted an apple tree and a cherry tree that we received as presents from our parents and parents in-law.

Planting the cherry tree...

A few days before the arrival of our baby

I have had a quite relaxing time at home after I started my maternity leave. Will and I are very excited about the big event, which should happen anytime now. Mary, Will's mum came over last week and went for the last baby shopping and to get the 38 weeks check. The baby seems to be quite well and healthy. We still don't know what we have, so it will be a nice surprise. 

Two weeks ago, Will took some pictures of my bump, as many of our friends requested to see pictures with the little one, still in my belly. As a result, I thought I would send one of our favourite pictures to a photo contest on Hipp website and we won the bump of the month prize, which is a £25 voucher for Mother Care.

Now it is only a matter of days...