Welcome to the world Z man – I couldn’t imagine my life without you in it already. You were due on the 15th of October and I don’t know if I jinxed myself thinking you were coming early like the little dude, but everyone kept asking me ‘are you still pregnant?’ when you still had a few weeks cooking time left. It was a massively stressful time with our new business also set to open in the week that you were due – but you actually had perfect timing.

I’d been having contractions that would go for a couple of hours and then stop for the past two days. So I didn’t think much when the contractions started again at 7pm on the 12th of October. I already had it in my mind that I would take your brother’s to their first swimming lesson the next day in the morning and then I would have my OB appointment that afternoon where I would ask for a stretch and sweep and hope that I could go into labour soon after.

But at about 11pm, I realised that these contractions were coming quicker then 10 minutes apart I decided that it was time to call my Mum {to mind your big brothers} and head into the hospital. Unfortunately, right before we were about to leave, the little dude woke up. He kept asking that I lie down with him, but it was getting to the point where I needed to stand up and sway through contractions and so was unable to do so.

As we hoped into the car, Daddy asked me if he could call into McDonald’s and pick up a takeaway coffee. I agreed and we laughed about how we wouldn’t have done so on the trip into hospital with number one or number two – but we knew what we were in for and I was pretty relaxed.

When we got into hospital around midnight, the nurse informed me that I was only 1cm dilated and I could have cried – I’d been having contractions for almost 48 hours and I was only 1cm! She informed me that if this was my first baby, she would probably give me two panadol and a couple of sleeping tablets and send me home. I informed her that I was having this baby and that I was going to get walking!

I knew we were getting places when the contractions ramped up and I requested the gas and air.

At around 4am, the nurse came back in to monitor me and give me an internal – where she informed me that I was in fact 8cms dilated. She then asked if I wanted her to brake my waters to speed up the process – which I said yes to. Although, I started tripping on the gas and air as she was doing so, and I kept trying to sit up and ‘catch’ you. She laughed and told me to lay back down saying ‘these are your waters, you’re not delivering a baby yet’.

I hoped up again and waddled around the room until I felt like I wanted to push.

Pushing felt different this time around. I don’t know if I just can’t remember the pushing stage as vividly with the others, but this really seemed to hurt. And when I decided to have some more gas and air, I really started to trip out. I felt like I was travelling through time and my labouring was linked to that of family members of the future/past. And I could hear their gas and air. Like I said ‘trippy’.

Out you popped at 5:55am on the 13th of October 2016. Weighing a healthy 3.7kgs and 53cms long. You have so much black hair, the most of all my babies. Although at 2 weeks I can already see that the colour is changing and you just may end up fair like your brothers. You also had a tongue tie, like Mr Moo – but thankfully our pediatrician was willing to fix this up on the morning you were born, so you have been feeding well ever since.

I can’t believe you are here and healthy and beautiful. Another amazing little boy to add to our tribe. Your brothers are TOTALLY smitten with you. Mr Moo loves to give you hugs and kisses and the Little Dude thinks that you are the CUTEST baby. Mummy and Daddy can’t believe their blessing and we are stoked to be able to guide you on your journey through life. May you always feel how much we LOVE you – just as you did at this very moment in time xox