27/3/2004
A chill out day. Went out for Pancakes (Daddy's Favourite) for lunch. Rested at home for the rest of the day.
26/3/2004
First trip out today, back to the hospital for Johanna's PKU test (Heel Prick). Then we all went shopping. Another good day.
25/3/2004
Johanna and Mummy came home today, we all visited Uncle Adrian on the way. Johanna settled very well in her new bed and slept from 2am to 7.30am when Mummy woke her.
24/3/2004
Today Johanna had her BCG Vaccination. She was a great girl and didn't even cry. I think Mummy was more upset than she was.
Johanna's Great Aunts Dea & Marijke rang from Holland and so did her Great Aunt Ada from Australia. Also her Great Uncle Nico came to see her.
Mummy gave her, a bath today.
23/3/2004
Had a good nights sleep. Dr Theo (Paediatrician) examined Johanna today. He said she is healthy and strong.
She will see him again when she is six weeks old. She is lifting her head already. Had a good day, slept most of the day.
Today Granny Liz and Granddad Joe, Uncle Ross, Aunt Karina and Cousin Megan met Johanna for the first time. She didn't settle too well tonight, but eventually slept until 8am.
22/3/2004
Had a good day. Slept well, in between feeds. Daddy got his little angel her first dress, Red & White and a Teddy Bear.
Got lots of flowers, cards and lovely presents. Slept from 2am until 7:30am.
22/3/2004
1:00am
Left to go to the hospital.
2:00am
Was admitted to Holles Street and brought to the delivery ward.
2:30am
Was examined by the Midwife and told I was in labour at 2cm dilated. Started walking the corridors and contractions began to get stronger and coming every 8 mins or so.
3:45am
Contractions are really strong and feeling the need to push. Still haven't had any pain relief, still walking the corridors
4:15am
Re-examined by the mid-wife at 10cm. Still NO PAIN RELIEF!! Brave Mummy. Now is the time to push.
4:33am
Record Time: 2hrs 3mins. Johanna Antonie has arrived 11 days early. She is very alert. Placed skin to skin with mummy. Daddy cut the cord and she is weighed 7lb 3oz.
5:30am
Mummy and Johanna arrive at the ward. Johanna has her first feed.
6:30am
Johanna is taken for a bath with her Daddy, after she has her first injection (Vitamin K).
FIRST VISITORS WERE:
Uncle Adrian
Aunt Meg, Aunt Kerri & Karin
Granddad Frank
Aunt Evelyn, Uncle Noel, Cousins Jamie & Abbie
12/3/2004
Only three weeks to go! Today we had an appointment with Dr Peter Boylan in Blackrock Clinic. He said that everything is going great and that the head is engaged.
He thinks Rachel may go early or near the due date. He did the usual tests to make sure everything was ok. Mummy and Baby are both well and in great form.
The baby is still moving around a lot and Mummy is not getting much sleep these days. We will be seeing Dr Boylan every week from now on. The next appointment is on Friday 19th March.
3rd and 4th /3/2004
This week we had two classes. On Wednesday the 3rd we talked about everything we had learnt over the last five weeks. We went back over how we know when its time to come in to the hospital and so on.
Also today the nurse showed us around the labour ward and told us what would happen when we get to the hospital. It was great to see everything and get familar with the rooms and what each part of the labour equipment is used for.
We have found the classes so helpful and are looking forward to the birth of our little Angel in a few weeks.
On Thursday the 4th we went back in to the hospital. This class was to show us a video of a birth that had taken place in the hospital and was taped so other couples could learn from it.
It wasn't as bad as we thought and we found it helpful to be able to ask more questions afterwards. The nurse also brought a newborn baby into the class to show us. She said "This is what its all about, a lovely newborn baby. But as she was showing the baby around it started to cry and she said this is the best part now I can give the baby back but you can't. We all just laughed, ha ha ha "
This is the last class today and we think we are ready now? From now on we will only be seeing Dr. Boylan in Blackrock Clinic.
27/2/2004
Today we were back with Dr. Boylan for a visit. It is 5 weeks today til our baby is due. Everything is going really well, and the baby is in head down position although the head is not fully engaged yet. Dr. Boylan thinks that will happen in the next week or so.
We went through the plan for the birth today and asked all the questions we had thought of since our last visit. We are not as nervous now that we have been to the classes. Next visit is in 2 weeks.
25/2/2004
This was our fifth antenatal class. They talked about different types of labour, how to breath and so on. They showed us some positions that might make it easier for Mummy and baby.
Also they showed us how the Dad's can help during labour with back massages and helping Mummy keep her breathing right and to focus on something else other than the pain. They were asking a lot of questions to see if we were listening in the last four classes.
We have found the classes to be very helpful and have only one more left next Wednesday. We also have the option to go and watch a baby being born on a video next Thursday in the hospital. We will be going to that. It will be 5 weeks on Friday 27th until our little angel is due. Everything is going really well and Mummy is blooming. Rachel looks great and I think our baby is going to be a footballer as it never stops kicking.
We have an appointment this Friday with Dr Peter Boylan in Blackrock Clinic. It is getting closer and closer and we are looking forward to becoming parents, just can't wait to see our little angel to see if the baby is a boy or a girl. NOT LONG NOW!
18/2/2004
This was our fourth antenatal class. This one was for both of us. They went back over topics from class number 2, but with a little more detail.
It will be 6 weeks on Friday 20th until our little angel is due. Everything is going really well and Mummy is getting bigger day by day.
11/2/2004
This was the third antenatal class. This class was just for the Mums, No Dads. Mummy learnt about relaxation techniques and other exercises.
Mummy was told to take it easy. Fourth class next Wednesday.
6/2/2004
32 Weeks Today. Today we had another appointment with Dr Peter Boylan in Blackrock Clinic. He said everything is going great and the baby is very healthy.
We heard the baby's heart beat again. They doctor also said that the baby is a good size. We will see the doctor again in three weeks time.
4/2/2004
This was the second antenatal class in Holles Street Hospital. Today we learnt about the first and longest stage of labour. This stage can last up to 12 hours. They explained about what happens when we get to the hospital in labour.
They also explained about the different charts that they use during labour, this is so we know what is happening and we know what everything means during the labour.
The must important think we learnt today was about the pain relief, ha ha ha. We were told to leave our house when the contractions are about 15 mins apart as it may take us up to two hours to get to the hospital in rush hour.
28/1/2004
31 Weeks Today. Today we had our first antenatal class, which was in Holles Street, there will be 7 in total. We met some of the nurses and midwives who will be looking after us for the next few weeks. We went through what will be covered over the next few classes. The hospital physiotherapist went through a few exercises that are good for mummy. And we were given some leaflets on baby care and feeding.
Next week we will be covering some of the different stages of labour and what we will need to bring to the hospital.
As it is now only about 9 weeks or so, until our little precious angel arrives we are getting everything ready. We have most of the baby equipment and Daddy will be painting the baby's room this week. We are really excited now and getting impatient. We have picked out the furniture for the baby's room and it will be delivered at the end of this month.
16/1/2004
29 Weeks Today. We had an appointment with Dr. Boylan in Blackrock. Once again we were able to hear the baby's heartbeat it is good and strong. Everything is progressing very well and Mummy is really enjoying being pregnant. The bump is growing a little bit every day and movements are now clearly visible.
Mummy asked the doctor about the size of our baby and the doctor said that at the moment the baby is a good average size. As the day draws nearer our appointments are getting closer with our next baby doctor visit is on the 6th February.
12/12/2003
24 Weeks Today, only 16 weeks (or there about) left. Doctor's appointment today and everything is going really well. Baby's heartbeat is good and strong and beating at about 115 - 120 beats per minute. The baby is growing nicely and starting to get bigger and stronger.
The baby has been very active and is moving a lot, at all times of the day and night. The baby's kicks are getting much stronger and Daddy has been able to feel them and see them. The baby has begun to recognise Daddy's voice and really reacts to it. Certain foods that seem to get the baby moving are 'Orange Juice and Ice Cream'.
Next appointment is in middle January and so we would like to wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year for 2004.
Week 20
No appointments this week, although everything is going smoothly. There has been no morning sickness or anything.
Mummy has been feeling more movements this week, although it can be a day or so in between movements.
We have started to get a few bits ready for the baby. Some presents we have received are:
From Fran, Tanya, Maeve & Ciaran
A Bib and 3 little pairs of Socks
From Dea & Marijke
Sleep Suit
From Joanne & Gerald
Winnie The Pooh Bear
From Margaret Murphy
Winnie The Pooh Clock
4/11/2003
Today we were back with Dr. Boylan in Blackrock Clinic. Everything is going well and he said the baby is growing nicely. We heard the heartbeat again today and it is still hard to believe we will be parents in about 21 weeks time.
Mummy is doing very well and is having a very healthy pregnancy and growing bigger and bigger with each day. Mummy felt the first flutterings of movement this week although it is too early for anyone else to feel just yet.
29/10/2003
Today we had our first scan at the National Maternity Hospital in Holles Street. We are not expecting Twins!! The baby looks well and is very, very active. At one stage he or she (We didn't want to know) was laid back with his or her arm resting behind their head.
The baby was moving and kicking a lot, although Mummy can't quite feel it yet, give it another couple of weeks. We were given a number of photo's to take home with us, check out the site to see them. The proud parents were joined by the baby's Uncle Adrian.
We were very happy to see our baby looking healthy and can't wait to meet him or her face to face. The baby is about 5 inches long as at 29th Oct 2003.
22/10/2003
Our baby's first photos were taken today by the baby's Godfather Adrian. We all went in to Adrian's college and Adrian took about 24 photos, which will be up on this site a.s.a.p. We are having so much fun and baby and mum are both doing well.
30/9/2003
Today we heard our baby's heartbeat for the first time. It was a fantastic feeling and we were both so happy to hear that our baby sounds healthy and strong.
THE GODPARENTS WILL BE:
Adrian Reilly
Evelyn Poole
Joanne & Gerard Clifford
This will be our first baby and we are both looking forward to becoming new parents.
This will be the 12th Grandchild for David's parents "Joe & Liz" Maybe even the first name holder?
It will be the 3rd Grandchild for Rachel's dad "Frank".
Baby Murphy will be a Cousin to:
Maeve & Ciaran Reilly
Jamie & Abbie Poole
Danya & Sean Pender
Shauna & Megan Murphy
Alan & Nicole Balfe
Paddy, Leanne & Kayley Whiteley
