The day that you were born

August 4, 2000

It was a great day, not too hot, not too cold. Just warm.

I did not know I was in labour, I thought I had Braxton hicks, as I got a false alarm two weeks before. You still like scaring me like you did the weeks prior to your birth date.

I got up from bed that morning and went to the bathroom to take a relaxing bath. The doctor said that it helps with the contractions. I did not have a sign, but somehow I knew the EDD (estimated due date) on your first scan at 13weeks, was the right one.

After taking the bath I made sure that everything was packed and ready to go. Grandma wanted to make me breakfast but I had no appetite, which was strange as I used to pig out when I was pregnant. (No wonder you weighed 3.5kg's) Instead, I just had a cup of strong black coffee as Ouma R said that it will make the contractions stronger and in no time you would be here.

11.00am

The contractions started getting stronger, but I did not want to go to hospital just yet and I started walking up and down in my bedroom. I was so nervous, but yet so excited that I would soon get to meet you face-to-face and just hold you in my arms and kiss your forehead. I knew deep down inside that I will still get to do it the same day.

1.00pm

I could not stand the pain anymore and decided it was time to go to the hospital. We all jumped into the car and raced off to the hospital. When we got there I was taken straight to the maternity ward. The doctor then came to check how far I had dilated. I was then only 5cm's dilated. The doctor then told the nurse to put the monitor on so that they could check your heartbeat and check my contractions. I laying there on the bed for about 1/2hour then I decided I am going to start walking up and down to bring the contractions on.

The pain was starting to get more serious and eina when I went to the toilet and saw that my mucus plug had come down. I was excited as I knew time was drawing near. Grandma watched me nervously as I walked up and down.

3.30pm

The doctor came to check on us again and was very angry at mommy for taking the monitor off. By then I was 8cm's dilated. I just looked at him while he was shouting at me and up until today I still don't know what he shouted at me. I decided to lay on the bed and be a good girl, when all of a sudden I found the urge to pee. I got up and off the bed when Grandma also told me to lay down, that's when my water broke. Gushing down my legs. I decided to make a run for it and ran to the loo, but the water wouldn't stop. When it finally did (or when I thought it had) I got up and walked back to the ward while it was still running down my legs.

At that time I didn't care anymore as I was so tired and in pain. I got back to the room and got onto the bed again. The contractions were so close to each other. I felt like crying, but knew it will be worth it in the end.

4.00pm

Grandma went looking for the doc when a nurse came by to check if I was ready for labour and when she looked she saw I was 10cm's dilated. She rushed me to the labour ward and called the doctor, who came running in with Grandma.

He calmed me down and told me to lay on my back and put my hands under my thighs and push when I feel the need to. Which I did not even waiting for him to finish speaking. In three pushes you were out and I heard you crying, while the nurse calmed you down. They then handed you to Grandma who handed you to me and I can remember the joy and love I felt. I cried just looking at you and kissed you forehead, while the doctor was stitching me up.

They then took you to go and wash you and mommy got to wash as well.

They wheeled me to our room. Unfortunately we were 6 mommy's in the room. They told me to sleep a little and to eat so that when u came to visit me I could breastfeed.

I still remember it like yesterday, when I was sleeping and just heard a feint cry that grew harder and harder. I still said to myself poor baby, when the nurse walked in holding you and you were the one screaming the roof off. You were so hungry and could not wait to latch unto my nipples. I fed you and watched you fall asleep. I burped you, just before the nurse came back to fetch you.

I was so overwhelmed with joy that night that I could not sleep at all. I couldn't wait for them to bring you to me again....

My darling son I love you and always will ...

Miracle by Celine Dion

You're my life's one Miracle,

Everything I've done that's good

And you break my heart with tenderness,

And I confess it's true

I never knew a love like this till you....

You're the reason I was born

Now I finally know for sure

And I'm overwhelmed with happiness

So blessed to hold you close

The one that I love most

With all the future has so much for you in store

Who could ever love you more?

The nearest thing to heaven,

You're my angel from above

Only God creates such perfect looooove

When you smile at me, I cry

And to save your life I'll die

With a romance that is pure heart,

You are my dearest part

Whatever it requires,

I live for your desires

Forget my own, needs will come before

Who could ever love you more?

Well there is nothing you could ever do,

To make me stop, loving you

And every breath I take,

Is always for your sake

You sleep inside my dreams and know for sure

Who could ever love you more?

This song explains exactly how I feel about you.

MOMMY LOVES YOU MORE THEN ALL THE RAINDROPS IN THE WHOLE WIDE WORLD!!!!!

and the reading ......

*drum roll*

went great ... besides the fact that his teacher gave him an Afrikaans reader. Now I don't have a problem with Afrikaans, BUT he is in an English class. He does understand Afrikaans. He can speak Afrikaans and YES he can read it.

My concern is: isn't this going to make him confuse his words more then he already is doing?

I'm so concerned about this, because all the books we buy for him is in English. We talk to him in English, but his friends talk to him in Afrikaans.

Sjoe, I'm so confused. I'm thinking of writing that teacher a letter or better yet setting up an appointment to go and see her.

So proud of my boy!!!!!!!!!!

He has finally been given a new reader at school and he is so excited and wants to read to me tonight. Wow!

My prayers are being answered.... Thank God!!!!!

Now for that teacher of his that told me if he doesn't concentrate on his reading she will fail him this year. This is for you:

Ages 6 to 9

Learning to read:

When children start school they are usually excited about learning to read and can't wait to read stories for themselves. Often, though, they are disappointed because reading turns out to be more difficult then they expected. Many children, even very clever ones, take quite a long time to learn to read. Also, the books they learn to read at first are not nearly as interesting as the stories you have been reading.

What can you do?

The golden rule is not to make an issue of children's difficulties with reading. The last thing they need is to be made to feel anxious; what they do need is encouragement and praise. Pressure to succeed may just confirm for them that reading is difficult and unpleasant. The whole idea of books and reading may become a nightmare - an attitude which can remain with them for life.
Practise with your child by all means, but practise only with homework reading, not when you are reading to him for pleasure. Read aloud with your child, occasionally pointing to the words, until he or she feels able to continue alone. If he begins to struggle, join in again immediately in a supportive way. This helps to build confidence and establish a fluent pace. It also helps the child to understand the sense of the story, which is what will capture his interest and inspire him to persevere.

Reading aloud

There are two levels of reading: the level the child can manage on her own, and the level she can understand but cannot read by herself. Don't worry if the level she can manage on her own is lower than you would like. Continue to read aloud to her, choosing stories she enjoys but which are too difficult for her to read on her own. The more a child enjoys listening, the more likely he is to want to learn to read at the level by himself. The Winnie the Pooh stories (A.A. Milne), Thomas the Tank Engine stories (Rev. Awdry), the Just So stories (Rudyard Kipling), and Alice in Wonderland and Alice through the Looking Glass (Lewis Carroll) make ideal choices for reading aloud.

First Readers

A reading series is often a good introduction to story books which can be tackled independently. In a series, the language and vocabulary are kept at a consistent level, even if the titles are by different authors. For example, the Beginner Books series includes titles by Dr. Seuss, like Hop on Pop and The Cat in the Hat; it also includes titles by other authors like The Best Nest by P.D. Eastman and The Digging-est Dog by Al Perkins.

Young Fluent Readers

At this stage children will start developing their own tastes. You can help them assess whether a book is likely to appeal to them by teaching them to look at the cover, dip into the story, or read the synopsis on the back cover or at the front of the book.
Some children go through phases in which they will read only books on a particular theme or by a particular author, or books which you might not consider worthwhile. Leave them to it. It is the pleasure of reading that you want to encourage. Discrimination can come later. So, if they want to read every single title in the 'Animal Ark' series by Lucy Daniels, or they are hooked on the Famous Five or the Secret Seven series by Enid Blyton, be prepared to take them to the library once a week (they should have their own library cards by now) to show your support.

PS: tomorrow I will update on how the reading went ...

Update: Varney

Thanks Wendy for your kind words ...

Rushed home yesterday and took him to the doctor. Doc had him on oxygen for 1/2 hour and increased his dosage of the Asthavent and Beclate.

He also has flu, which triggered the asthma attack. He is booked off from school for the rest of the week. Still had a fever when we got home last night, but he feels much better today.

Doc gave him flu meds and an antibiotic.

I hate it when he is sick. Makes me feel sick as well.

My darling son, I hope you feel better soon, you are such a strong little guy.

Thanx mom, for always being there when Varney is sick, if it wasn't for you I think I would have been insane by now.

Well, that's the update.

P.S: readers please keep him in your prayers.