mangobrain

Zoe Jessica Allison-Weston 2007-10-01 00:00:00

Born on Sunday the 23th of September at 09:29, weighing 3.3kg (7lb 4oz in old money).

She's the happiest, most contented little thing - barely cried when she was born, and has barely cried since, either. Other than being changed, or bathed in cold water (thanks mummy), she doesn't really mind much of anything. She's even been going through a phase of sleeping through the night (well, 9pm to 4 or 5am), which shouldn't really be happening at this stage, but which Anne and I obviously hope will continue. When she's awake, she's incredibly alert; looking around, staring at people, grabbing things, trying to eat anything that gets close enough to her mouth, and being absolutely mesmerised by screensavers, it would seem.

The biggest problem at the moment is finding clothes. Depending upon which shop you go into, babies either don't wear socks, are never newborn, don't wear T-shirts, or various other things getting in the way of what I'd always assumed would be a simple task. Even Mothercare insist on selling short-sleeved T-shirts - only available in neutral colours, not specifically for boys or girls - in twos, and trousers in threes.

Second on the list would have to be changing. I really can't get the hang of it; Anne only slightly more so. I would never have believed how easily a baby who isn't even rolling can get liquid all the way up their back, right up into their hair. I would also have never believed that I would take to the task as naturally and readily as I have, though, so it isn't all bad.

In fact, "naturally" just about sums things up, really: the most powerful feeling I have, and something I wasn't expecting, is one of everything being exactly how it should be; everything feeling so right, so normal, so.. natural. Of course she's a girl. Of course that's how she looks. Of course that's how she sounds. She's always been here, hasn't she?

To finish, here are the obligatory photos. They already fail to do her justice; every day, her face looks fuller, her head rounder, her eyes wider and her skin smoother. At the moment, though, they're the only (digital) ones I have.