Both a very happy day and at the same time frighten day in the Cuff household. Charlie's Aunty Michelle was married today to Mr. Guy Evans. Unfortunately mum, dad and Charlie missed the big day as Charlie spent 7 hours in the Emergency room of the RNS Hospital. Charlie, over the past 10 days, has had extremely bad diarrhea and lethargy. Which came to a head today. We had had tests from the local GP over the past week with nothing to report - they could find nothing!

After many horrible blood tests Charlie was diagnosed with Viral Gastroenteritis - a viral stomach bug that cant be treated - you have to just wait for it to work its way out of the system. Charlie has not been herself for a couple of days now.

We hope and pray that things get better in the next couple of days. To all those people at the wedding who gave us well wishes - Thank you very much from Mum, Dad and Charlie. Thanks for thinking of us at this scary time.

Thursday 30th October 2003

We all went on a little walk through Centennial Park today (see the photos). Was a lovely day and the little lady saw her first duck, swan and goose. Things have been going quite well.

Charlie has been putting on weight well. She got a gold star from the early childhood center; they are very pleased with her development.
Yesterday we trialed feeding the little lady with a bottle. Took about 10 minutes but she managed to get the hang of it. Don't think we will bottle feed for a while just a few so she won't refuse it in the future.

Last weekend Charlie went to her first wedding. She was an extremely good girl. Slept through the ceremony, had a feed and then slept all the way through the speeches and dancing without stirring. Lets hope that continues for the next few weddings we have been invited to. All in all things are going well.

Saturday 18th October 2003

Well it has been just over three weeks now since our lives have changed. Bel is not really getting much sleep. All in all things are going quite well. We have had a few shocking nights of ZERO sleep and screaming baby. But when I look at her whilst she is sleeping all the cries, dirty nappies and baby vomit on my new shirts dont matter. I think it is fair to say that I'm "Besotted!"

Tuesday 7th October 2003

Charlotte had her first visit to the local "Early Childhood Centre" today. Her weight and growth is looking like being 'normal'. We had to get her there in the new pram. It was alittle of an epic to get her in. After a few tweeks and turns of the nobs we were able to move in a straight line.

Wednesday 1st October 2003

Things are going well. All three of us managed to get some quality sleep last night. A few good four-hour blocks. The little lady had her first bath yesterday. Was a great success - she loved it. Just check out the photos.
I think we are getting to know her little cries. Feed me, change me, give me attention! I'm also getting used to Charlottes cries. ;-)
Her little umbilical cord fell off today. So it looks like she is going to have an innie for the rest of her life. But things may change.

Sunday 28th September 2003

Charlotte arrived home today, after a rather stressful ride home in the car. Although there were no tears - dad had troubles fitting bubs in the seat. But got there in the end.
Talk about a reality check. Here we were, just having left the hospital, saying to ourselves "What they hell are they thinking letting us go home with this little thing, are they crazy". We managed to get things working and the big introduction between Charlotte and Max. All in all quite a successful introduction to the big wide world.