One month on...

As May draws to an end we inevitably think back over everything that happened and thankfully didn't. It has certainly been a tough start for Alfie and for us as parents... nearly two weeks in hospital before we even considered a life of looking after a newborn. We've quickly realised that visiting friends and seeing their babies sleeping silently in the corner of the room didn't quite paint the fullest of pictures! (Why didn't someone warn us - only joking!)

Alfie is now into his forth week and going from strength to strength. While we never want to forget what he's been through we also know that it's important to look at the brightest of futures he has earned for himself. One day he will look at this blog and see what he has already achieved. Beth and I have been talking about memories etc while trying to record Alfie's life in his beautiful baby book. It seems he doesn't quite fit the mould already (would you expect anything else from Beth and I??) We were trying to work out which bits of his story go on which page!

In an attempt to draw a final line under everything and truly look forward I wanted to create a simple little film and dedicate it to Alfie and to you guys for all your unending support, kindness and generosity. We have been touched by all the cards and gifts that have arrived by the sack load. In some ways it has made us feel that little bit further away from you all, but at the same time so much closer. I hope that makes sense?? We will be sending out birth announcement/thank you cards by the dozen in the next couple of weeks...

We would also like to dedicate it to the staff at the John Hunter Hospital here in Newcastle, Australia. We honestly believe that they are the only hospital in Australia equipped to give Alfie the fighting chance that he took with both hands (babies are flown from all over Australia to be cared for here!) ... luckily we live just minutes away. There are some truly amazing people doing amazing things in the Neonatal Unit, we feel that we never knew many of their names but each will have had a lasting impact on Alfie's life. Alfie thanks them in his baby book, we thank them with this film.



NB: The music in the clip is wires by Athlete. It has long been a favourite of mine but has taken on an even greater significance over the last four weeks. Its amazing how music has the power to express things perfectly in a given time and space.

I went for a lower quality version of the film so that your broadband connections can have a fighting chance...