A bit of this, a bit of that, but luckily none of THAT!

Well, it looks like I might have finally hit the jackpot with a child who actually LISTENS to his mother (total hit and miss with the other two who don't listen AT ALL).  Poor Maxie boy has been very obedient so far.

First I begged him to say in past 30w so make it past the early preemie stage, then just long enough for me to complete the move into our new house.  Then just a few days longer, until I had settled the kids in the new house.  Then, just 3 more days while I got my bits waxed, my feet pedicured and my roots done (BTW, have dyed my hair one colour again, those roots were killing me).  Then, the final wait was just until after my father's surprise 60th birthday party last night that my sisters and I had organized.  And he listened! It was touch and go last night, I was convinced he was going to make his arrival, as did everyone else there who gave me a very wide berth every time I swaddled past.  I am 37w1 day today, yay! Good boy.  Here, have a chocolate that I shall kindly eat on your behalf.

Last night was a HUGE success.  It took us 40 years, but we got him!!  We got my dad!  For my entire life, my father has been able to guess what we had bought him for his birthday or Christmas.  In hindsight, distinguishing the difference between soap-on-a-rope or yes another pair of socks couldn't have been too difficult, but we used to go to great lengths to try and 'surprise' him every year. And never succeeded. 

But we got him last night!  He had NO idea.  My siblings and I had booked a night away for him and my mom for his 60th birthday (yes, my dad is only 60.  He got married at 18, and had me at 19. And is even more in love with my mom today, 41 years later, than he was then. Its a beautiful love story).  We had booked a beautiful (upgraded to VIP) room and a breakfast and told him that dinner was included.  At first he didn't want to go!  Him and I are a lot alike, we LOVE being at home.  But thank goodness, my mother convinced him he had to go because his children had arranged this night away for him.

In the meantime, we organized that a few of his close friends and of course us were at the restaurant 30 minutes before.  We then sent a text msg to my mom to say 'come down' and as he walked in we all went 'SURPRISE', and he was!  Surprised!  It took us 40 years, but we got him!  He genuinely did not know.  You have no idea how happy that made Nina, Mel and I.  Paul wasn't there as he couldn't come home from London.  But YAY!!!!  I am sure Sister Mel will post pictures on her blog, I don't have any yet.

So, happy birthday my darling Dad, I love you more than words can ever express.  I hope you enjoyed yourself last night.  WE GOT YOU!

Lastly, I was busy cleaning up my inbox this morning, and I had to smile at the three emails next to one another in my inbox, such a good synopsis of my reproductive life in three lines:
 
The first one is a email from a Parents Via Egg Donor list I have belonged to for many years. When I was trying to conceive, I was seriously considering using an egg donor and the woman on this list taught me so many things.  They are the most wonderful, intelligent, caring people ever.  I think they instilled the seed that would eventually become my wonderful business, Nurture. 

Next is the Preemies for Africa list that I joined after Ben was born, desperate for some support and hope.  After he died, I became a support person for other preemie moms who lost their children. Now I just read the notes occasionally.

Then, an email group I joined after the twins were born, not ever knowing that I might to brush up on these tips and advice again four years later!

Funny.  Made me smile.  How my life has changed over the last 10 years.

PS the Bag is packed. I am ready. Not that he should come now, but if he does, the bag is packed and ready.

Comments

[ruth]

good boy maxie, you are the one to teach your mother how easy parenting/pregnancy/birth etc can be. nice job thus far. she deserves it after all the drama and heartache - yes, a nice ordinary non-dramatic birth with a peaceful placid easy-going baby who sleeps and doesn't get colic and is generally remarkably gentle to her. keep it up max.
stay there til you are properly cooked my boy, and until your momma's body is at the perfect moment to let you move on out and into the next stage of your long, healthy life. her arms are itching to hold you, so don't make her wait too long. after all, your siblings were all in such a rush to arrive that she barely had time to breathe.
and what a considerate lad, waiting til your grandad's big day was up already - thoughtful and humble to boot.
there will be chocolate and champagne flowing the world over when you finally make your grand entrance.

[Kathy]

Congrats on a successful party for your dad AND for making it past 37 weeks! It must have been a nice escape for your parents after the struggle with your mom's cancer. How nice of your sibs and you to plan time for them to escape and just vacation. And how nice of Max to be a good listener already. Let's hope that quality sticks.

[K]

Happy Mother's Day! Thinking of you in the hours, days, weeks and months ahead x

[caz]

So glad he's still in there.
You had me worried when you didnt post for a few days.
Happy mothers day to you!

[Liesl]

37 weeks!!!!whoopp whoop!!! Well done!!!! X x

[Alison C]

Max, you are so good for staying in for over 37 weeks! Take your time because we know you are worth the wait.

Tertia, good job on surprising your dad. Have another chocolate for me.

Love to your whole family xxx

[SHIMI]

hi
blog walking
nice to be here

[furiousBall]

Happy Mother's Day, keep cooking that bun in the oven :)

[beyond]

happy mother's day, tertia. enjoy your kiddies, all three of them...

[May]

What a great surprise! We'll be flying to see my dad next week - he's also turning 60 - and I don't have a clue what to get him. A surprise party would have been great, but the party is organised by he himself.

[Kirsty]

Your dad is only 60??? I can't believe that! You're like - a.n.c.i.e.n.t, but your dad is only 60!!! ;-)
Happy b'day to your dad, Happy mothers day to you, and happy 37 weeks to maxie! Happy,happy,happy all round!

[Charmaine]

So glad you got to surprise your Dad! Max is being the perfect little boy too which is awesome. So happy for you Tertia. Just had to wish you a Happy Mother's Day today and your Mom too. It's been a hard year for her so Happy Mother's Day to you both. Love you T!

[Stacey]

Happy Mother's Day! Enjoy all three of your children (even the boy with the obstructed view)!

[Sarah]

37.5 weeks! That is practically overdue in your realm of experince! Wonderful wonderful news.

[Kristin]

Congrats on pulling one over on your dad.

Its so nice hearing you happy and content.

Happy Mother's Day.

[Diana]

My daughter was born at 37 weeks. It was lovely. She was 7 pounds 8 oz and although she got pretty tiny while she was learning the whole "life" thing, it was so wonderful not waiting for 3 more weeks. :-) I'll be thinking of you all week and hoping you meet your lovely baby soon!

[Netta]

Happy Mothers' Day!!

Thinking of you!

[Annelise]

In case everything kicks off...good luck Tertia! Thinking of you and of course, crossing every digit and limb that I can

Annelise

[Judy]

So good to read how well you're doing, T. And happy birthday to your Dad!

[ruth]

you know what is very groovy? that max is gonna be a taurus like your dad, so he will be the same stable, loving, steady, non-dramatic type. funny, your blog title is so apt for every situation you find yourself in!
thinking healthy happy baby thoughts, and calm peaceful mother thoughts, and healing vibrant grandma and grandpa thoughts, and supportive happy-clappy sister thoughts, and helpful responsive husband and older sibling thoughts for you . . . .

[cat]

Good luck Tertia, you are out of the woods! My twinnies were born at 37 weeks 1 day and were fine - not a minute of ICU.

[Pin]

I'm sure you can, but I can't WAIT anymore!!!

[tess]

will he be so obedient once adam and kate take him under their wings?

[lolismum]

Yeah I am with Tess. My second was the perfect little angel. Happy, smiling, obedient, until she got old enough to learn all sorts of misbehaviors from her older sister. Now it's all, "No, it's mine", "I don't want to".

Well done Max, keep cooking.

[Jeannie]

37 weeks is full term! Yay!

And what a young dad! How lucky you are. Your father will really be able to watch your kids grow up! Nice that you could surprise him, too.

I'm dying to see pictures of the new house if you are settled in now.