Well, you all told me so. I so badly wanted to believe you, but I was too scared that it wouldn't be true for me, especially after my very tough time I had with the twins. But you were right! This time is totally, completely and utterly different and I am in heaven!
I feel like it is my birthday every day, I keep getting that excited feeling in my tummy - Max is absolutely delicious and one baby is so so SOOOOO much easier than two! I can't even begin to explain to you how different it is this time.
Yes, I know I am still in the honeymoon phase of new babyhood - when the baby is still recovering from the birth and sleeps most of the day and night, and one is still on that post birth high, and I am sure I am in for many a rough night and day, but DAMN, this is so divine.
Firstly, he is the sweetest thing. He doesn't cry much (except when hungry) and is very alert and awake. He stares at me for hours, his little face scrunched up in a frown, as if to say "You look so familiar, I am sure I recognize you from somewhere but I will be damned if I can remember from where". Plus the child is VERY advanced (as my mother would say, and did say about every grandchild - 'that child is very advanced') - he is so strong in his body, already lifting his head at 5 days old!
However, the biggest bonus of all is that there is only ONE of him. Everything I do, I do with a sense of amazement knowing that once it is done, it is done! There is no second mouth to feed, bottle to make, bum to wipe, baby to be rocked to sleep. There is only ONE! Do you know how amazing that is!!!!
This is of course, when I get a turn to do anything at all. If I am in love, Rose is totally smitten. I have to beg for a turn and when I got home from hospital she said 'you had him for three days in hospital, its my turn now'. Apparently it is still her turn.
ONE BABY! TWO OF US! WOOO HOOOO!!
(Rose said she wishes it was twins again so we could each have a baby to hold - I told her I would have to either kill her or kill myself. No offense to the twin moms, but DAMN twins are hard work, especially when you are a brand new mom)
The kids are so sweet with Max, they kiss him and rub his head and share their sweets with them. The last part makes me slightly nervous and I've had to explain that baby Max can't yet eat sweets, but that is very kind of them to offer to share.
I still have to download the pics from the camera, and as soon as I do, I will post some pics, but here is one Sister Mel took of him while we were in hospital. 100% pure deliciousness.
I was going to take two weeks off from my laptop, but I lasted one day. Half a day. But its ok! I only have one baby! I can do anything!
Next post - the birth and why I have totally changed my mind about C sections. Oh, and more pics.
PS the new blog lay out is a temp fix while we try and undo Sister Mel's little oops.
Great to hear from you! Looking forward to the next posts!
Posted by: Joey | 20 May 2009 at 12:16 PM
I am so happy for you and your family.
Your boy is simply g&d. I look at him and I am completely and utterly awed.
WOW.
Congratulations...
You have done so well.
xxx
God is good.
Posted by: Julia | 20 May 2009 at 12:37 PM
Congrats on the handsome new addition! He is utterly divine. BTW, I like this new layout way better than the old one - seems to load faster and is more balanced. Just my opinion. xxx
Posted by: Maggie | 20 May 2009 at 12:37 PM
You sound so happy - it is so wonderful to read. It actually brings a smile to my face.
The advancement could have something to do with him being a nice birthweight and so close to due date (and genetics - OBVIOUSLY!). I only say this becuase Bryce was 10 days over due, weighed 4.3 kgs and was also doing the things you mention. When I comented on how proud I was of him, the nasty NHS nurse said, "its the least we would expect of a baby this size and age!"
I still think he was advanced. :-)
Posted by: BiancaW | 20 May 2009 at 12:40 PM
He must seem very big, possibly huge and gigantic to you. Does it feel weird?
Posted by: Julia | 20 May 2009 at 12:40 PM
Congratulations!!!! He is adorable!!!!
Posted by: Heather | 20 May 2009 at 12:49 PM
Congratulations again! He is truely scrumptious. I cant wait to see him growing and everything through pictures like we've done with Adam and Kate. x
Posted by: Natt | 20 May 2009 at 12:51 PM
Too gorgeous for words!
Loads of love to all of you xxxxxxxxx
Posted by: ann | 20 May 2009 at 12:52 PM
CONGRATULATIONS girlfriend! And what a handsome little lad he is too - G&D just like his parents!! Am WAAAAAAAY THRILLED for all of you! How YOU feeling after the c-section tho - u coping okay?
MWAH
xx
Posted by: rindacella | 20 May 2009 at 01:14 PM
Trust a sister to mess up your blog! :) Your little bundle is too gorgeous for words and it must be so nice for you to ahve only one baby and one that is full term, no wires or tubes surrounding him.
He is the most gorgeous little thing and I am very, very, very jealous!!
x
Posted by: Debbie in the UK | 20 May 2009 at 01:23 PM
You sound blissful and he is gorgeous. I am so thrilled for y'all.
Posted by: Kristin | 20 May 2009 at 01:30 PM
I love the little camo babygro - so not only is Max famous, but his also hip and happening....
Posted by: Bev | 20 May 2009 at 01:35 PM
He is gorgeous!! Congrats to all of you.
Posted by: Pamela | 20 May 2009 at 01:35 PM
Congratulations! I'm so pleased you can really enjoy this baby. First time around it's all new and with twins, double trouble. I hope second time around continues to be a breeze. Soak that deliciousness up. :-)
Posted by: Heather | 20 May 2009 at 01:35 PM
Look at those gorgeous baby toes! What is it about those tiny little toes? Congrats again Tertia, you deserve all the happiness in the world!
Posted by: Chris | 20 May 2009 at 01:51 PM
It is wonderful to hear you sounding SO happy! That's exactly how I felt when my 3rd child, my surprise child, my post-infertility wonder was born, too. And I still feel that way, even though he's 10 months old. Over the moon! Enjoy every delicious moment!
Posted by: Andrea | 20 May 2009 at 01:54 PM
he has four legs!
but the bottom lip is so very very adorable!!!
xoxo xo xo
Posted by: tess | 20 May 2009 at 01:58 PM
he is beautiful, Tertia, and it's so good to hear how in love with him you are.
However, you are scaring the _____ out of me because my twins are coming in 11 weeks and I'm a 1st time mom (4 years after starting to try)
Posted by: Leigh from 123 blog | 20 May 2009 at 02:18 PM
congratulation from switzerland for your marvellous little boy! enjoy him as much as you can. (yes, rose, enjoy him too... ;-))
Posted by: vr | 20 May 2009 at 02:32 PM
I have never been so happy in my life to say: I told you so!
I'll throw in a "neener neener neener" and hope it doesn't mean anything dirty in Afrikaans. :)
Enjoy every minute. God knows you've earned it!!
Posted by: Amy | 20 May 2009 at 02:41 PM
Am so so happy for you (and just a little jealous too!), and for Marko and the twins. Many congratulations.
Posted by: Sue | 20 May 2009 at 03:28 PM
Congratulations, Tertia! Max is gorgeous, so no wonder you're head over heels and having to fight Rose for him.
I'll also throw in some peer pressure for you to keep posting. Don't resist the laptop, Tertia! Your friends inside it want to hear from you. (Luckily I am too far away to fear reprisals from your sisters....)
Posted by: Summer | 20 May 2009 at 03:28 PM
One is AWESOME. I told you so! Nine months have passed by, and I am still loving life with just one baby. The twins on the other hand...still kick my ass every single day. I told my husband that if I was guaranteed to have only one at a time that I would happily go on to have 4 or 5. He is now quaking with fear ;) Of course, our chances having one as nature intended are slightly below zero.
I'm soooo glad that life with Max is a joy. He is totally yum yum adorable.
Posted by: Chickenpig | 20 May 2009 at 03:35 PM
He's a bonny baby!! Congrats!! :)
Posted by: Val from CapeTown | 20 May 2009 at 03:47 PM
Beyond delicious. Well done Tertia. Enjoy, enjoy, enjoy!
Posted by: Michele George | 20 May 2009 at 04:11 PM
So sweet! Not only Max, but your adoration for him. It is a thing of beauty to behold. :)
Posted by: Tine | 20 May 2009 at 04:14 PM
I'm just so happy for you. He is an adorable little boy. Enjoy your post birth high. You deserve it!
Posted by: Stacie | 20 May 2009 at 04:16 PM
Oh man! He is absolutely gorgeous! And - just check out those feet!!! He'll be doing bare-foot watrskiing in no time at all (being advanced and all also helps!)
Posted by: Kirsty | 20 May 2009 at 04:18 PM
So so so happy for you - and so glad you are getting the chance to revel in the newborn phase for a change! You have earned this chance, my dear. Congratulations to all the Albertyns on your new addition - can't wait to watch him grow!!
Posted by: silene | 20 May 2009 at 04:26 PM
When the Big Mama wasn't looking Grant's sister fed him a bag of Simba chips the one day, when he was a baby and he LOVED it, with the pieces of chip dribbling and drooling all down his cheeks & chin, making big happy gurgles. And he still does (sometimes with the original sound effects). And he still hogs the bag for himself...
Posted by: Adi | 20 May 2009 at 04:33 PM
Congratulations! And I must just leap to Sister Mel's defence, for me the funky display started BEFORE Mel was posting for you...
Posted by: Margot | 20 May 2009 at 04:56 PM
What a happy, wonderful post! Max is simply precious. Enjoy!! They get big so fast!
Posted by: Stacey | 20 May 2009 at 05:36 PM
He is absolutely beautiful!
As a twin mom, I often find myself a bit envious of the singleton moms. There are so many little moments I missed, and was so overwhelmed because there were suddenly TWO! babies.
Posted by: AmyElle | 20 May 2009 at 05:49 PM
He is beyond gorgeous and divine! Mazel Tov/Congrats to the Albertyn's!
Posted by: Jana | 20 May 2009 at 05:57 PM
What a lovely surprise, eh?
Posted by: Sarah | 20 May 2009 at 06:29 PM
"there is only ONE of him. . . . . If I am in love, Rose is totally smitten. I have to beg for a turn . . . The kids are so sweet with Max." Hahahaha I totally called it!
Posted by: victoria | 20 May 2009 at 06:52 PM
TOO GORGEOUS!!! So, so thrilled for you! (and the rest of the fam!)
Posted by: Lindsay | 20 May 2009 at 07:06 PM
How's Marko doing? Is he getting more involved in the infant stuff this time around? It seems weird neither you or sister Mel has mentioned him at all in any of your updates... not even an errant "we" thrown in anywhere. Is he, too, now glad you guys went for that one more? Is he just as smitten with his new son?
Posted by: Elle | 20 May 2009 at 07:25 PM
Tersh, this baby certainly has a very excellent head, and nice long legs too, of course ;-)
I so hope you've got Dr Karp's 'Happiest Baby on the Block" for when little pooh-bear really wakes up. I don't know if you used it with A & K, but it's a Godsend.
Have a ball,
XOXOXO
Posted by: Molly Morgan | 20 May 2009 at 07:35 PM
My husband just walked by my laptop and said "are you looking at Tertia's baby AGAIN?" Tee hee. I love everyday miracles and Max sure looks like one to me. Congrats!
Posted by: Joy | 20 May 2009 at 08:05 PM
Welcome, beautiful Max, and welcome back Tertia.
Posted by: Anna | 20 May 2009 at 08:10 PM
I have a big smile on my face reading your post. You sound so happy! Enjoy your gorgeous baby! I love the new blog layout too and am glad that you put ads in. I am going to click on them so you could get revenue. Your blog is my absolute favorite blog.
Posted by: Jean | 20 May 2009 at 08:32 PM
i knew you'd be in heaven. (ha! i told you so!) he is absolutely adorable.
Posted by: beyond | 20 May 2009 at 08:36 PM
gosh he is absolutely adorable tertia! and i have to admit, he's a real little original hey! doesn't look like adam or kate..looks 100% max! beautiful beautiful!
i'm very keen to hear your views on c-sections.........??? why, what ...hey? share share....
Posted by: renee frouws | 20 May 2009 at 08:38 PM
Max is absolutely gorgeous. I'm so happy for you!
Posted by: Beth | 20 May 2009 at 08:51 PM
He is so incredibly, addictively gorgeous! Even if you don't post text, more pictures will keep us all at bay. Well done!! Lots of love, Gabrielle
Posted by: Gabrielle | 20 May 2009 at 08:57 PM
Oh, I'm in love, too.
And confession: You make me want to have another! I'd love to experience that "there's only one of him!" phenomenon.
Enjoy every minute. Kisses!
Posted by: snick | 20 May 2009 at 08:59 PM
He is beautiful, and I am so happy for you. Enjoy him. It looks like he's thinking how it good it feels to finally stretch out.
Posted by: wendy | 20 May 2009 at 09:03 PM
Oh yes, my memories of my (single) older boy 4 years ago are delightful! The twins (8 months tomorrow!) are so so so much tougher (with the standard caveat that of course they're delightful too. It's just that with two of them, it gets to be a bit too much, um, delightfulness. And the perpetual guilt over whichever one you're not cuddling/feeding/holding at any given time!)
You definitely picked the right order to do it in! And Max is adorable... look at those legs! Why on earth do baby legs look so edible? And the fingers look like pianists'!
Posted by: Roberta Harris | 20 May 2009 at 09:12 PM
I LOVE those little newborn feeties. I just want to eat them up!!!!
Posted by: Aurelia | 20 May 2009 at 09:21 PM
I did not say I told you so (having no qualifications to do so) and am a little bummed to learn that those who did were right, as it makes me wonder why I found caring for my singleton so difficult at that stage.
Plus I suspect you've made a vast number of twin-moms-to-be quake in their boots.
But he is stunning and it is delicious to see you so happy, and those things more than make up for it. Many, many congratulations.
Posted by: Alexicographer | 20 May 2009 at 09:43 PM
I am so very happy for you. Congratulations and well done to you. Your happiness is lovely. This time with a new baby is amazing, that giddy joy of falling in love with your baby, this feeling is utterly beautiful. Enjoy every last second of it because there will be hurdles to get over, but an expert like you wil have no bother!!
Best wishes.
Posted by: J from Ireland | 20 May 2009 at 10:02 PM
Yep, he is delicious alright! I'm so happy for you. Enjoy every minute - I know you will. :-)
Posted by: kristylynne | 20 May 2009 at 10:08 PM
He's absolutely gorgeous Tertia! Wish I lived closer... would've come to take photos for you
Posted by: Jeanette | 20 May 2009 at 10:24 PM
Things sound fantastic and he is one gorgeous baby! Looking forward to more pictures!
Posted by: Sharon | 20 May 2009 at 10:52 PM
While you are getting your blog fixed... You could get that get that "Babies designed by " bit updated too :-)
Posted by: Heather | 21 May 2009 at 12:08 AM
Ohhhhh I'm so happy for you!!!!!!! It's it just amazing to share a new baby with a FAMILY, so different than when the first were born and no siblings. While the older kids make it more work, it is also so special to see them fall in love to hey? Enjoy all of the love floating around there! I hope you still have your lucky couch and are treating it well (oh....and Marko too).
Posted by: One of Two Mommies | 21 May 2009 at 12:39 AM
Tertia,
Is is adorable!
SO very happy for you and so very happy that you are happy!
Also glad you are allowed to post as I was thinking not letting you get to your computer for 2 weeks was just cruel to you and all your fans.
Now I don't want you doing any WORK on it, mind you - just keeping us informed of your baby bliss :-)
All the best,
'wishIknew'
PS Not sure what you mean about C-sections - kind of scared to read your next post as I still have one to go through on July 2nd. Please put a warning at the top if those about to go through a C-section should not read.
Posted by: 'wishIknew' | 21 May 2009 at 04:29 AM
Thought I wrote "He is adorable!" (not sure how I ended up with Is is but guess I was too excited in my typing)
Posted by: 'wishIknew' | 21 May 2009 at 04:30 AM
Congratulations, T! This Maxie boy is G&D like his mother. Thank you for temporarily fixing your blog, at least I can see the posts now. It looks good the way it is, leave it! So glad to hear you are all happy. I believe you, one baby would be sooooooooooo easy. Twins are hard work, especially now at 2yrs. But we love em all the same.
Posted by: Helen | 21 May 2009 at 05:43 AM
He is beautiful! So pleased to hear that things are going well.
Also, it keeps asking me to enter a valid email address? The one I was using was valid (my dotcom one). Gone to gmail one as a backup.
Posted by: Veronica | 21 May 2009 at 06:22 AM
Never mind, the email thing is a type pad problem. Off to email them myself.
Posted by: Veronica | 21 May 2009 at 06:25 AM
CONGRATULATIONS! ! ! Sooooo adorable.
Posted by: Sharon | 21 May 2009 at 08:43 AM
He is simply edible! I was itching to see him so checked out Mel's blog and got my first pic of him! Darling sweet little boy. I am so glad all is well as I knew it would be! You are so lucky and you deserve this! Also great to hear Adam and Kate have taken to him...who couldn't?? Hugs to all!! xxxxx
Posted by: juliette | 21 May 2009 at 08:56 AM
CONGRATULATIONS. He's lovely, Tertia, and I'm so glad you're having a (relatively) easy time with him.
I'd love to hear all kinds of messy details about your c-section, too, you poor bugger. Hope you feel better soon.
My nosy guess about why you guys haven't mentioned Marko much (at all?) is because you're respecting his privacy? I tend not to mention my husband because I don't want to infringe on his privacy, except then a couple people honestly thought I was a single mother, hahahahahaha. Whoops.
xxx
Posted by: Meg (Twitter Meg) | 21 May 2009 at 10:36 AM
Oh my word!!! I cannot believe my eyes!! I am in love as well.......
Posted by: Pin | 21 May 2009 at 03:21 PM
He is simply wonderful and gorgeous!!! I'm so thrilled for you and your family. I'm happy to hear that you're finding it easier this time around. It must be nice to be able to spend the time staring at him and not having to rush off to tend to another.
Enjoy him!!!!
Looking forward to hearing more about him and how Adam and Kate are adapting to their new role.
Posted by: Bridget | 21 May 2009 at 06:38 PM
Deliciousness! Congratulations to all!
Posted by: Sarah | 21 May 2009 at 10:53 PM
Ahhhh. Just wallowing in the cuteness. I'm so jealous. But congratulations anyhow:)
xoxoxox
Billie
Posted by: Billie | 22 May 2009 at 04:29 AM
I am so happy for you and the family! What a beautiful, sweet boy your Maxie is! Congratulations!
Posted by: Janet | 23 May 2009 at 04:32 PM
I did it in reverse. Singleton (colicky demanding little boy!) and then the twins. I found the TWINS easier! They were such angel babies :)
Sigh, you are making ME want another. Stop it already and take tons of pics of little Max!
Posted by: Amy | 05 June 2009 at 04:39 AM
Found your blog via Cecily and had to comment! I have my own Baby Max, born on May 21, 2009! I will now spend time reading all your posts while I should be actually working... :)
Posted by: Jen | 19 August 2009 at 09:31 PM