The BeanieBlog by Alessia Lidia Kobrak

Visitors by the dozen.... and then some.

2008-02-18T15:59:00.007Z

My scribe has a few minutes free in between feeds, nappy changes and walks in the park, so he has his orders to relay the latest happenings in my short but very hectic life.

Since I was born I have been receiving my fan base practically from the very first moments, in fact Nonna, Baba and Auntie Giovanna saw me within in the first 20 minutes of life, after I quickly saw Mummy before she went under for an extra operation without me.

Then during the week or so I spent in hospital and the following time I went home to the Piper Palace, I had State visits from all sorts of people, like Allison of Malta, Maria of Italy, Oma of Godalming, Pia of London, Clelia of Sicily, Rosie & Nic of Brazil, The Kobraks of St. Albans, Opa of New York, Alberto of Italy, Robert & Sue of Lewisham, Sabine of France, Gilda & Brian of Hertfordshire, Mimi of IATM, Peter & Jane of Australia, Carole & Richard of Caprese, Marisa of Florence & Elena of Serbia plus several lesser dignitaries from places I have yet to research.

We have done some State visits as well, mainly to Basildon, but also to the local church and there I met some Church dignitaries such as Farther Roger who seems more than happy to let me get baptized some time next month. I was expecting his Holiness Benedict XVI to visit, but he was a little too busy so I had to make do with a Cardinal instead, Cardinal Cormac Murphy O'Connor of Westminster.

but he was very nice and I enjoyed my time with him, he even blessed me in church.

I even had my cousin Helena from High Barnet come, she is more my age and quite funny.

Then last weekend it was off to see Clelia of Sicily who was having a birthday and so was having a State Banquet to celebrate... an event I was happy to attend.

I think it might be time to get another meal in, and Dinde Rosie is coming back from Brazil Yehaaaaa!...... so for now Ciao A

Mummy And me!!

PS I have some photos I can share!

Pillow Time!
Mirror Mirror on the wall who is the prettiest of them all?

Probably Me!

Well perhaps both of us!
Oh it is all to much of a conundrum!

I even do a good Nude!!

Where's my Brit Award?

At least I have the best feet around.

Daddy with his Camera!
And Me with mine!

Gilda and I

Edith my friend from Church!

Now what did I do yesterday......Exactly?

2008-02-08T23:35:00.001Z

Here I am about to celebrate four weeks tonight, (yes 4) weeks of life and already the days are just merging one into the other.

Every day we get up have a feed, change some nappies (Dad seems to have this bit in hand and does not seem at all phased out by the process - and he a founding member of U.N.C.L.E.S "Union for the Non Cleansing of Loose Extraneous Stools" ), a bit of Choral practice, another nappy, some snacking, public speaking, fashion parade, nappy, food, drama practice, food, nappy, more fashion, nappy..... and all this in the first hour or so of the day.

But then every so often (up until now twice to three times a day) we receive the representatives of foreign powers presenting their credentials.

So excuse me if I don't get all the exact details down. However they do say that a picture is worth a thousand words and with all the pictures I have, ther should be enough for a 5 volume book series.

But with evenings no longer my own

- I have to stay sleeping up with Daddy while he watches TV, (this seems to calm him) , before I can get to bed and then I have to keep Mum company so she does not suffer from nightmares till I can finally get some sleep early in the morning till about 10 in the morning and then the rush starts all over again -

I will have to try and get some time out from my daily round of meetings and talks and get some thoughts down on paper.

But for now just to keep you tantalized here are some more photos.

So much to do, so little time.............

2008-02-06T23:05:00.000Z

I have much to relate, but have so little time in the day to do so.

Who would have thought that in this world there is just so little time each day to do things in.

After all, I am up several times in the night keeping Dad and especially Mum on their toes - can't have them getting too complacent and taking me for granted. Then after we have finally gotten us all up in the morning it is already almost all gone.

Various meal breaks interspersed with loo sessions, maybe a bath time, stories to listen to, even just hanging around

and then there is my hectic social life.

I mean how many visitors can a girl have every day, before one has to say enough, but most do bring me presents so I guess where needs must.

BUT I must keep those from further afield appraised of the momentous events happening here.

So to keep my fan club going for now - have to keep my Dinde Rosie happy, and before my scribe falls over into unconsciousness, I want all to know that I am still here (not going anywhere too soon) and will be writing about all my new adventures real soon.

But just for now here are some photos to keep you hooked to my little piece of cyber publishing, so till later..........ciao A.

2008-01-26T20:26:00.001Z

Mum and I were comparing hairstyles when we both thought that although we thought we were beautiful, it was a bit selfish not to allow others see our stunning new hairdo's.

Dad of course is a sucker for our looks and was more than eager to show off his ladies.

But what event should we grace with our presence that was the question. After much consideration we decided on the weekly Southpark Classic.

Our decision was picked up by Channel B and a film crew was sent out to cover our first venture into Formula 1 Buggy racing.

Luckily Baba and Nonna had organised a marvelous vehicle for me to race in - a Jane Salom Pro from Spain.

All that was needed was some practice.

I suited up in my Designer Racing gear, snapped a snazzy salute and clambered into my Racing Buggy, ready to go.

Then we were off.........

Around the first corner

And to the Pit Stop

For an engine overhaul and tyre change,

Finally the winners circle and the photographers.

But then I had to have the obligetory rubdown and bath...... yetch don't like that at all

But then it was all wonderful naps. Almost the best part

Later I had all sorts of visitors and cuddles........what a wonderful Day!

A

More Coming very Soon!!

2008-01-26T10:59:00.001Z

I have all sorts of things to say! But have the need for a walk. So will post when I get back!

I am taking my Film crew with me!!

A

Home at last!!!!!!

2008-01-23T17:03:00.001Z

Ensconced at home on my feeding throne.
Finally made it out of Hospital, my home for my entire life up until that exiting moment when on Monday evening 21st January 2008. Prior to that time all I knew of this world I was born into was the hospital. They were great in the high dependency ward to which Mum and I were taken to immediately after birth and then again after Mum's paralytic Ileus. Loved being there and we were well looked after.

Not quite so good in the postnatal ward, but I guess with so many of us there, all crying that there was a concert going on. ( I did not cry too much though)

But finally we managed to score a private room for the last two nights and although the location was brilliant, who wouldn't want a private bathroom? (Dad make sure I always get a private bathroom---please!), the staff were a little too busy and so our service was not quite up to the standard I had grown accustomed to from being in the previous high dependancy ward.

Anyway off we went and the new chair I was put into was quite comfortable, until I hit that cold London air. And the seat had to be put back to front in the back seat of the car, did not like this at all. Mum came to sit next to me, but while that was great even my crying (normally a sure fire way of getting mummy to cuddle me) did nothing except mummy holding my hand.....not at all what I wa after.

But the sensations was kind of different. Quite different to the rocking motion when I got Daddy to walk me up and down the ward corridors, more of a feeling of speed (liked that bit) and not so predictably rythmical.

Any way after crossing oceans, deserts and mountain ranges (lots of adventures with dragons eggs and trolls - thats another story for another time), we got back to what I was told was to be my home. I has a very nice room with my very own cot which used to belong to someone called Moses, and a bed for Mummy and Daddy next to it. I much prefer to sleep in the bed with Mummy and Daddy, and with a little bit of manipulation, I am sure I will get that bed and they may share my basket.... if they like.

Not long after I got settled into my new home, Baba, Nonna, Zia's Clelia and Giovanna arrived bearing gifts of food. These must be the Magi from Basildon.

And finally all the way from across a very big pond came Opa, to see me into my home and help me settle in, as well as take photo's (what's with all these people taking photos - have they not seen babies before?)The Photographer and his subject!............... Me!!!

It is so wonderful here in my home, NO babies crying, nor nurses taking temperatures, and the food for Mum is so much better too. But best of all I now have TWO people at my beck and call all night, will see how long these two take to cotton on.

More later

Alessia

Dad has great hands for sleeping in!

Who is this beautiful Mummy?

When can I go home??

2008-01-21T09:17:00.000Z

Daddy & I singing "La Traviata"

Well we are still here. mind you I don't know anything else (except my home from before and that is getting a bit fuzzy).

But Mum did promise me all sorts of wonderful things in my new home and I have as of yet to see any of that.

Right now after Mum finally got better, it's my turn. I was here to long and so my weight dropped. This I am told is normal till about 10% of my body weight at birth (3.33 kg) but the hospital staff forgot to weigh me at 4 days and so I had no motivation to eat more and when I was finally weighed , just when Dad had packed the car and we were waiting to go, it was discovered that I was only 2.84 kgs which works out at a 14% weight loss. So we had to stay in and fatten me up.

But at least Dad managed to score us a private room which made a whole lot of difference. I have even discovered the joys of going totally nude!! There is now a machine that also suckles on mummy when I am not doing so, and I have to also drink from a bottle. But you know what I prefer mummy and if I have to drink from the bottle then with her expressed milk. Don't really like the formula...... yetch!

But I am drinking up everything 'cause I want to go home!!!

I did get to meet my cousins from St. Albans - Caitlin is cool, my eldest cousin! Shaun makes funny faces and Oom Paul is cuddly and easy to sleep on, but Auntie Fionarrrrrrrrr has the softest sleeping surface.

Finally Gilda (great aunt?) Clelia, Baba, Nona and Auntie Giovana all turned up too. Busy day!

Anyway here are some more pictures.

Day 4 & 5

2008-01-17T09:23:00.001Z

Things progress in steps forward and some back. But now we are post natal, C-section hemorrhage, ileas (see previous blogs) and progressing well. Mum is mum again and has shaken off her Elephant woman costume and seems to be getting better all the time.

In the last two days I have started making friends. One nice boy (Max) seemed quite keen on me - well he didn't run away, couldn't really as he was asleep on his Dad's shoulder - he'd only half my age though! I thought I would wait as there's another boy on the horizon, who is being born tomorrow, and his mummy and mine are friends, I have already met her. In fact Sabine was holding me - something to do with new born babies being held by over-full term mums helping to set on the birth process (stuff and nonsense I say, but she did start her contractions not long after that.)

Anyway Mum tells me I chatter too much and that more photos would be better. so here they are!!!

Love to all

A

Been in the world for almost Three days!

2008-01-14T22:39:00.000Z

I've just sent dad home to post this blog, they don't allow computers (or even mobile phones) in the ward. But I told him that as he seemed a tad fatigued he wouldn't have to say much but please some more photos.

Just to tell everyone that mummy is still suffering looking like an elephant with that long thing in her nose, but is better today, (still I don't need her nose to get my food).
However she is not eating or drinking which must be so hard for her, especially with that tube down the back of her throat, which must make her so very thirsty. But the doctor this evening did say she could suck on ice cubes (as long as she did not inhale or is that ingest?)

Ok I don't think Daddy can remember any more of my dictation so I will get him to post some photos.

Alessia

A Day of Trouble & Strife

2008-01-14T09:56:00.000Z

Well life out here in the real world is all go, action, noise and feeding. Quite the change from before, even if I am beginning to forget that it was lovely and warm - here every now and then the temperature drops drastically on my lower parts of my body. I get lifted up in the air (only part way though) by my ankles and my bottom gets washed - that part is nice getting rid of all that meconium etc. But the fastening of my nappies still needs practice, Dad is too slow and the air cools my bottom down plus the fact first time he put it on the wrong way round, he did ask the midwives for instructions and he must have misunderstood (it was his first try though I'm sure he'll get better with some serious practice)

Then it's time for lunch at a take out buffet - much as you can eat - they even provide soft but warm reclining pillows to rest on, followed a little walk and more sleep. Lots more action than before so I need my rest.

Mummy on the other hand has not had it so easy. After the pre-landing exercises (that did go on a bit - and I did not have be squeezed out but was plucked out all of a sudden - now that is a real shock to the system - I was not too happy about that one I can tell you (like I told them at the time) - I was expecting to get my first lie on the warm reclining pillows in the cafeteria, instead off to be weighed and rubbed down with a towel and handed over to Dad. Because there was a problem with Mum, as sometimes happens she bled a bit too much after her C-section and when her uterus did not clamp down hard and so stop the blood as it was supposed too - maybe it was too tired from all that pushing to get me out through the tunnel - it was floppy and sloppy and so Mum lost 2 liters of blood, which I think is a bit careless of her as she only has 6 liters to begin with, so they had to transfuse blood back.

But then after a day out and she was getting better, off the morphine drip, eating and I was being introduced to other members of the family, to Baba, Nona, Zia Giovanna and Great Zia Clelia as well as my Dinde Rosie (she is nice with long hair maybe I can have long hair too one day) Allison, Melissa and Mimi. My social circle was growing, but then mummy started to hurt, a little at first but then more and more. By seven at night it was bad and just as I had settled in to a nice long meal (with reclining seats), I was taken out and my buffet table (with the rest of mummy) was wheeled away for tests - x-rays and stuff, don't really understand it too much - when they found out that mummies bowel had gone to sleep, I guess with the rest of her when I was born, only it did not wake up when mummy did, so now that she was eating and drinking after coming off the pain medication she was getting blocked up. That really hurts so back to the intensive care ward where we first landed after my birth, and mummy was back on morphine, they put a nasal tube down her nose to her tummy to let the stuff there come out ( it was not going out the normal way) and they put her on a drip and now no more food or drink as the sleeping bowels are allowed to wake by themselves. Poor mummy first she gets hyper-emesis (one in ten pregnant mummies get that) and she was sick (throwing up) every day of her pregnancy (except a period of six weeks in the middle when she missed a few day here and there) right up to the birth. Then the C-section and the loss of blood, again not totally uncommon, but certainly not usual. And another somewhat rare thing, her sleeping bowels.

I missed most of all this as I got to sleep in Daddies arms while she was being wheeled out for her tests and our bedroom was transfered back to the intensive care ward. And all this was just after Dad scored us a bed with a view by the windows seems there is more to this world than the people I have met and the two corridors and three beds we have been to, but I will explore all of that when I wake up a few more times, right now sleeping in daddies arms is much more appealing .........

Just a quick note and addendum

2008-01-12T18:52:00.001Z

It was such a huge long night and of course I lost my manual in the process which has all my spellings for me and so I got my name slightly wrong.

It is.......... Alessia Lidia Kobrak. (Poor Dad had no sleep and Mum had 2 litres of blood transfused - another new word for me...perhaps something to do with confused - anyway that is why the spelling was off. Will confuse everyone unless I get my story straight.

So induced at 10:35 with 1st pessary. Contractions at 11:00 (full blast). Around 13:15 one inch dilated. Then 17:30 about 5 inches dilated .......but then got stuck at around 6 inches and so finally at midnight after attacking my head with a needle the doctors decided on a C-section. For me was great but Mum suffered and I did not see her till about 2 hours later, as she had to be put under general anesthetic (Why did she have to fight that nasty soldier just when I had arrived, and she lost 2 litres of blood in that struggle. But I spent the 1st roughly 2 hours of my life with my Dad - he is really soppy! I bet I can wrap him around my little finger soon enough, mind you he did fool me into sucking his thumb for just about half that time before I discovered suckling mummy works far better - it get yummy food. Daddies thumb just gave me jaw ache. Well you'll keep Dad. I won't fall for that one again.

Anyway, sorry about the mixup, but I promise I'll get better at spelling.

More soon and more photos too.

love you all and thanks for the many, many, many (I can't count how many many's) of letters, emails and sms's I received. Will try to meet you all soon

Best beani..... no Alessia.

At last I have Arrived!! What a journey!

2008-01-12T07:50:00.001Z

Well out at last!!! It's all still too much to comprehend so for now I have a few photos for you to look at and when I have time - suckling on mummy is hard work and Daddy (poor dear must be exhausted) needs to get some sleep - I'll tell you all about it.

Look forward to meeting you all soon

Beanie aka Alesia Lydia Kobrak

Born at the Chelsea & Westminster Hospital at 01:08 on 12th January 2008. Weighing in at 3.33 kilograms (that's 7 pounds 5 ounces I think). I am 53 centimetres tall, and have brown hair.

Enjoy the photos.

I'm coming!!!!!

2008-01-11T07:52:00.001Z

The bell is sounding, the chocks are being removed and we're getting ready to fly! The day has come for me to leave this happy place, so warm and comfortable, my home for as long back as I can remember - it is however getting just a little tight in here right now.

The tunnel awaiting and so I have to be off.

Mummy Daddy and I am going to hospital to be induced..... so here I come

There's a light at the end of the tunnel!!!!

2007-12-30T17:56:00.000Z

Well, we have been doing all sorts of exercises since I last spoke with you all, both mental and physical too. The latter is rather difficult as space in here is getting really rather tight, I can stretch out one leg (that's what those lower extremities are called I have discovered from the manual as opposed to the upper appendages being called 'arms') or an arm, but that is all unlike moving them at all at the same time.

But the mental exercises are much more interesting. Mummy and Dad are continuing there Hypno-birthing techniques and now after talking about rainbows and how nice the whole process is going to be, most nights we manage to fall asleep, even though I am usually wide awake at this time and getting ready to explore and have another session with the manual

But just the other day there was an unusual happening - well most things are still unusual as it is still all very new, but this was newer than most. A lot of people came to our home, all of which I had sensed before, but not all together as they were this time. We had Oma and Grandpa John, Baba and Nonna, Giovanna, Robert and Sue (his wife), Clelia (who keeps making things and giving money for me), as well as Mummy and Daddy. Oh there were two small furry people called Nellie & Jed who are much smaller than the others and walk on all four appendages at the same time. As they arrived I sensed that they suddenly lost interest in even me, as the Turkey was smelt by them. (The manual tells me smelling is all to do with the nose - a small appendage in the middle of my face - but you would know all about that I think, for me I tried it but got all sorts of the fluid in me which I did not like much. I wonder if air will be easier to smell and breath when I come out - not long now!!!)

So the turkey was much more of an interest to them, especially as it had been cooked and was on the trolley, so at their height, they did not even have to jump up to get to it. It was being offered on a platter to them, or so their thinking went. They have much simpler thoughts than the others and so easier for me to follow.

I worked out that Baba had not gotten up extra early that morning (just as I had been going to sleep if I remember correctly), so that the Jellies (Oma calls them that) to get it before the others had a chance, so I told Mummy through the emergency line all about it, - I know that it is only to be used for telling Mummy that we are ready to get on with the next bit - and we saved the day (and the turkey). We were the heros of the day. Maybe they could have made more of a fuss about my quick thinking, but soon there was far too much else happening to thinking about it.

Lots of food was arranged on the table for us all to eat, and I got to taste lots of it. Slices of pink fish called Salmon, baby eggs from a bird called quail, pigs in a blanket (neither wool garmented porkines nor anything to do with that silly name) but very tasty snacks from the same animal. All sorts of stuffing balls, dates with cheese stuffed in them, biscuits from Germany, France and Italy, as well as that Turkey we had saved. The others also drank a magic drink with real gold floating on bubbles in it, but we were not allowed to have any as it was alcoholic. (The manual told me it was a poison you guys imbibe some times and that it can make you feel strange. I am feeling strange all the time now, it is all so new, I won't need any)

Anyway not only food and drink in copious quantities was consumed but then they began strangely giving each other all sorts of things, not just to me as is the usual way they behave around Mummy and me. (Manual tells me it has to do with the birthing day of someone else a long time ago. But I got all sorts of stuff this time too. I got a special gym for exercising my appendages when I come out, also more clothes and money from Mummies aunt Clelia (again) - These are vouchers which I can change for presents at a later time - and a whole basket from Baba and Nona's neighbors with all sorts of things in them.

Mummy got lots of stuff too, a big picture frame for putting pictures of me on (its a digital one - are there any other types?), all sorts of bubbly things for her bath, and even a nice bracelet she wanted. She particularly liked the gloves I got Daddy to buy for her when he was in Italy.

But in the end it all got a bit too much for me - they really can do things for such a long time without feeling sleepy. Me it was time for another nap

20 Days and Counting

2007-12-12T12:19:00.000Z

Ok it's been a few fours, actually I'll call them four-pluses now, as I have discovered other bits attached to each of my appendages, (but I can't count so high yet, in order to work out how many on each one), since I last expounded my theories of human interaction on baby shopping. That and the afore mentioned counting discovery has kept me totally absorbed in cognitive pondering. (I found this biological constructed dictionary/manual the other four-plus, from which I have been absorbing all sorts of new ideas......and wordings)

But not so long ago Mummy and Daddy went out (with me of course) on a grand adventure. It was Sunday, what exactly does that mean, no sun to be seen anywhere — raining in fact — and they call it that strange name. Still we got in that strange room that moves me and mummy about from side to side and backwards and forwards, until we stopped shaking and got out at a bridge called Kingston. They walked around for a bit in the rain - Mummy and Daddy are still a little strange to me in what they do, I don't quite yet understand all their actions, but I do like them more and more.

After some four-pluses of walking and having short conversations with different people I have never met before, (from the way Daddy talked with them I am not too sure if they had either), they got back in that moving about room, but this time for only a very small amount of four-pluses, only two in fact, then went into a building where they were met by a woman with a very nice voice, not squeaky at all — just soft and gentle — who told them her name was Katherine.

We sat down, well Mummy did, I after all am still floating (new word) in all sorts of directions but mostly facing towards the pulling-towards direction, "Down" if I remember from the manual correctly, strange but "Up" does not pull, something else I must ponder on.

Anyway after sitting with several other people already there, in fact two fours of people, the soft gentle voice began to tell us all about what people had been thinking that birthing was going to be like.

Really they need only look at the manual, it is all in there, but maybe they can't read it as there is not much space in here for me let alone anyone else to read it — maybe I will try to bring it out with me, note to self must remember to do that.

It seems that a very long counting ago, only mummies were allowed to be around when the birthing process began, oh them and strangers, but no daddies. I don't like that idea at all, however my Daddy will be there when my birthing comes, I'm sure.

Then more recently everyone got the idea that birthing has to be very painful, stressful and unpleasant, not the powerful, emotional tranquil event it is meant to be, as it says in chapter 11 of the manual. So much so that nowadays mummies are preconditioned in their minds that it will be very painful, stressful and unpleasant and so it is. Then they tell others how their experience was and this fear is perpetuated and reinforced for others. Why don't just they read the manual?

They discussed various earlier people who had in the past been expounding different ways to treat the birthing process, using pools of water, sitting on balls and not being rendered unconscious (the mother), that is such a silly idea, I mean how can a mummy help if she is unconscious? But it was all getting a bit repetitive, so I played with the manual a bit, kicked it and even got it twisted around my lower appendage.

But when they started with relaxation techniques it became was much more interesting, I enjoyed that.

There is this story about a coloured rainbow they have to tell each other, describing the different colours, and what they are supposed o think about it. It does go on and on, but it brings them down into the unconscious state of the mind and they relax and feel very refreshed, so much so that Daddy fell asleep, - I know because he made those soft snuffling noises he makes when he sleeps at the time I wake up.

Even mummy was so relaxed and so free of stress that I didn't get any stress through the manual, as I sometimes do, especially when she is sick in the mornings. Now Daddy reads that story to Mummy every night and she falls asleep instead of lying awake all night and passing me stress, which makes it difficult to read the manual, so that is very good.

We then all went out as a group and found a house with other people drinking in it, sat in a big room and chatted about what they had discussed before in the first building. Then food and drinks were delivered by a nice voiced person. Mummy had a fish cake and some potatoes which was so tasty that I fell asleep.....

Shopping on B-Day minus maybe 27

2007-12-04T10:10:00.001Z

Well, it's been a few twos now since I last let you into my sanctuary, which by the way seems to be decreasing in size every day.....very odd.

Anyway yesterday (after a day of just resting and eating lots, which Mummy managed to keep in for me) we left early and went to meet Mummies Godmother. Now that is an odd concept for me to get my head around. She is not related to either Mummy, and thus by extension me, nor is she the mother of the big Boss upstairs.

But she sounded very nice, even squeakier than Mummy, is called Gilda and loves to hug. So I got to hug her too, I like her! There was also someone called Brian who I think is there to drive her around and buy her cups of tea, very nice voice. They were waiting at a shop called Mothercare, where we were to buy some things.........for ME!!!!

Now I am arriving in some 29 or so days with nothing, nada, not even any nappies, -(or so my manual book tells me, which won't be of much use soon as it is beginning to melt away...some bits I can't make out anymore), just a big smile and a huge curiosity to learn about new things, everything in other words, as it is all new. But I have managed to press those buttons it told me about and now Mummy and Daddy are out buying all sorts of stuff from places I have not heard of yet, such as Madrid, Monte Carlo, Nice, Rome (I rather like the green jacket Daddy bought me in a nice shop by the Trevi Fountain), and other places I can't remember anymore.

I must have pressed this button rather hard, as now other people out there are getting me stuff too. I have heard that I will be getting my very own baby bath from someone called Rosie, Nona and Baba are going to get me a pram all the way from Spain called a Jane, Auntie Jeep is getting me a jungle gym, — not too sure what that is, but it sounds interesting, and my cousins from Oregon are getting me a Bjorn Baby, what ever that is, but Daddy seemed to know all about it and sounded pleased.

And now we were going to buy me somewhere for me to sleep in, for when I finally arrive. The store is very, very, very huge. So huge that I could really move about in there I think. We went to the back and there, next to the strollers, were the sleeping appliances. They looked and pondered, lifted up and discussed all sorts of these appliences. But in the end I got a lovely big basket that used to belong to someone called Moses, with a stand so I don't have to sleep on the floor.

But then I must have accidently pressed that button again because Mummy and Dad went crazy, we also got a changing mat, which I first thought was for exchanging me, but I then realized it was not called an exchanging mat, so is for something else... so much to take in and learn about. Loads of nappies to go with the changing mat. And a machine Daddy was pleased about where the old nappies go into and just disappear.

Also some bottles and blankets, a rather weird thing called a nursing bra. This seems very strange, it is a covering that turns my food bar into a cabriolet, but I suppose if it keeps the rain off while I am feeding it must be useful.....whatever will they think of next.

Finally after a ton of twos time, Daddy did something truly wonderful, he had a golden magical wand, (sort of flat though), and after looking at it and sliding it though a small gap, the nice people in the shop gave all the bags and bags and bags and bags - thats right, there were two twos of bags.....that must be four, - so four bags, to us and we went and put it all in the car. (That is what they call that machine which pushes us around from side to side and whooshes all the time, I am getting used to it and actually quite like it now).

We ate some lunch, Mummy just a sandwich, but Daddy had something which smelt delicious, (I can't wait to try all this stuff called food), it smelt of cow meat, hops, barley and carrots, and potatoes....oooh yummy. Then finally we went shopping again, but this time as it was not for me, so I felt sleepy and.....

B-Day minus about 30

2007-12-02T09:40:00.001Z

Not too much new to tell you about except yesterday after a pleasant afternoon when I slept quite a bit, there was a fair bit of movement as Mummy (and that other one) went outside.

Now I have been outside before, I should say we have been outside before because of course where I go Mummy goes. My immediate environment does not change that much, there is a change in the muted lighting conditions, noise levels rise and fall, and sometimes the temperature will fluctuate a bit. But this was new different. For one thing it went on for ages, so very, very many counting up to two, that I lost count of the twos I had counted.

I can only count up to two, I touch one of those extensions for one and then the other one for two. Of course then occasionally I touch one of the other ones and then I get confused, even frustrated and kick it away.

Does this mean that there are more than two of things out there? Hmmmm....... I'll ponder on that later

Anyway lots and lots and lots of two's later, during which time Mummy, (and I) were pushed around quite a bit from side to side and couple of times to the front and back, when strange noises like whooshes only more constant, over the background noise of what I have been told is music — (Dad likes to listen other people talking about things but then Mummy makes a magical movement reaching forward, and they start singing) — we arrived and went into an other house where there were other voices.

I recognise these ones, as one that is called Nonna (that's Mummy's mummy I think), Baba (Mummy's Dad) and someone called Jeep sometimes and Giovanna other times. We had arrived at our other home, you see I have been here before, several, counting up to two, times before.

Inside after Mummy sat for a while, we had some dinner. I enjoyed this food as I tasted some lettuce all cut up, an egg (hard-boiled, not allowed the runny ones yet) tomatoes and some new things, I heard Daddy call olives some twos before. We even had a tangerine and some orange juice that Baba likes to squeeze himself, very nice of him because I do so like orange juice, and best of all Mummy didn't have to rush to the toilet and throw all that yummy food out, as she has done so many twos before.

Then we sat and they discussed all about that poor lady who was in prison — (not sure what that is, but it does not sound nice by the tone of their voices when they say that word) — may get forty lashes all because she allowed some children she was with to call a Teddy Bear Mohammed.

I was beginning to think that might be a bit silly, as the big Boss upstairs had so many names, surely he could lend one out occasionally, and that woman I think, had made a mistake unintentionally, but then I fell asleep......

B-day minus 31 (or there abouts)

2007-11-30T23:49:00.000Z

Hello!

My name is Beanie! (Actually that is just a working title at the moment as Mum & Dad are still working out my real name. - They haven't even worked out my gender yet.)

Well, it's very nearly finally December and I am on the home stretch, only 31 days or so to go, until I arrive. I can't wait and am expecting the full works — marching band and fireworks. Well, actually anything at all will be like that as it is pretty quiet where I am at the moment. Just some muffled noises and some dimmed lighting effects.

I have recognized a couple of voices, one belongs to someone calling itself Mummy that speaks in a squeaky little voice and a more gentled one, and the other, a bit further away is measured, deeper and oddly reassuring. This one I don't hear as often as the first one, which has named it Daddy, — funny names but then they have called me Beanie, after all.

Last night I had a pretty quiet time and I even slept a bit, I think, I'm not too sure what that is yet, but I did do a few kicks with these appendages that I have attached to me, that was quite fun for a while, before I went back to sucking these little bits sticking out at the end of them.

But I have been told that next week my head will engage and then I won't move so much anymore.

Ok that is it for now. I'll be back to report when I have more to tell you. hmmm......love that little bit I am sucking on......might just call it a toe.