BIG THANK YOU to the Butterfield Bank Finance Team!!

I was given a wonderful surprise at work today when Rachael, Matthew and I were thrown a surprise lunch (with CAKE!) in the office to celebrate the birth of Matthew..! 

I say surpirse, it was for me... My work collegue, Leigh-Ann, had got in touch with Rachael beforehand and Rachael knew all about it... That explained why she was so insistent that I didn't bother coming home at lunch time to see Matthew. She knew Matthew was coming to see me...!!

We were given a very generous gift from the Finance team in two baby hampers (below). Obviously my favourite item in the hampers was the little 'I LOVE DADDY' number!!

Better than this one that Mummy put him in anyway... (just my opinion...)

Thank you everyone, it was so generous and very touching... Obviously it was great to have another opportunity to show Matthew off to everyone in the office and it was also very nice to share all of Matthew's cuddles!! There is plenty to go round!

 

On top of hampers, I didnt realise that when David said that he was looking forward to attending the London Fashion Week at the weekend, that it was to get Matthew this brilliant little outfit... Big Thank You David... We look forward to when he fits in to this..!!!

We love the hat!! We sat Matthew in place to try it on...

I think he loves it too...!!

Although, still a bit too big at the moment...!!!

More pics to follow when he gets a bigger head! Won't take long with all the compliments he has been receiving!!

Getting big!!

Monday February 28th, 2011. Matthew was at the doctors today and he is as healthy as can be... The wee man is up to 9lbs 1oz...!

He enjoys to lie on his quilt now, kicking his arms and legs! Must have something to do with watching the UFC with Daddy at the weekend!! 

For everyone who has met our dog Reuben, this will give you a sense of the length of the wee man!!

He is not getting bored of me sticking the camera in his face yet... I am sure he will... his Mum does!!

This is the current screen saver on the laptop...!

It changes often...!!

Out for dinner!

Saturday, February 26th 2011, Matthew has been with us for 2 weeks already!

With Daddy coming back from winning the football, Mummy suggested it would be a good idea that we go out for a meal... There is no better place to take Matthew than the Jasmine Lounge at the Southampton Princess Hotel... Although somewhere to dine, getting the comfy couch right in front of the log fire, it was just like eating in a nice warm front living room...!

Again, Matthew was an angel and boy, was he the center of attention from all the other people dining...!!

I think we will be having many a visit up to the Jasmine Lounge in the next few weeks...!!

When Matthew met Amy!

Rachael and Jane were due one month apart and they always knew that their friendship would result in another two little best friends...

Mums to be on Christmas Day...



I wonder if they had ever considered the chances of a boy and a girl...!!



Hello!!!



I already can't wait till Matthew is 16 so i can bring out these pictures and wind him up...!!

Matthew and Amy are going to be bestest buddies with many a play date had in the future...!!!



Smile for the camera!


 Jane has apparently already penciled in date for the wedding...


Do you take this hand...



 I am just glad I have the son and it is Peter that will be paying for the wedding!!! Ha!

Bathtime!!

Another first... Matthew's first bath at home...

Rachael was given the 'bath test' in the hospital before they were discharged to make sure she was ok with bathing Matthew... It wasn't an enjoyable experience as Matthew was woken from a deep sleep to do so...!

So Rachael was hoping it would go a lot smoother this time... Matthew was a star... He just lay back in the water and let Mummy bath him! I think he could get used to this...!! 

He seemed to really enjoy getting this hair washed as Mummy massaged his head...

After bathtime, Matthew was reawarded with a feed!

A beautiful fresh smelling little baby!!

Some quality time with Daddy after work...

It was back to business as Daddy went back to work... The baby photos were up in his office and between work and emailing photos to the family, there were many phone calls to see what Mummy and Matthew were up to... "just fed him", "just changed his nappy" or "he is just sleeping"... that was about it... Still made me want to get home though...! Well apart from the nappy bit...!

No overtime today as I rushed home after 5, grabbing Matthew from Rachael...

"Its my turn now! You have had him all day...!"

"Great, I think he has just pooped" Rachael replied...

A quick change and feed and he was ready to snooze... Great! So was I...!!

Matthew's first night home...!

After two nights in hospital, mother and son were allowed home...!

After a bit of flapping around, tidying the mess Dad had managed to make in the space of two days, the house was ready for Matthew to come home...



Matthew is home

 
Obviously, we could not leave the wee man alone all night as we just sat on the couch staring at our boy, scared to look away even just for a second in case we missed something!!

A nice peaceful first night at home... This is great... no crying what so ever... hopefully it is always this easy...!!!

It wasn't all smooth running however, as Matthew did manage to spit out some of his milk and the Ducky outfit was off before bedtime...

Sweat dreams little man... x

He has arrived!!!

Mark and Rachael welcomed little Matthew Robert Dunlop to the world at King Edward VII Memorial Hospital on February 12th, 2011 at 2:10pm.



The first hello... Rachael holds Matthew for the very first time...


Rachael was a superhero during the labour and she was awarded with the most precious gift at the end when she finally had little Matthew in her arms after nine months or being looked after in her tummy... Following up with his performance at thier wedding, Mark's tears were in full flow, so much so that the nurse was asking MARK if HE was ok after Rachael gave birth!!!



The stats..!



An amazing experience and a beautiful little son... He didnt get his Dad's ears or his Mum's nose which was a double bonus... There are early signs of his Daddy's dimples which will be sure to go down well and he has been graced with Mummy's gorgeous eyes...!

Now all the fun lies ahead...!!



24 hours old



We look forward to keeping in touch and letting everyone know how Matthew is getting on...!!

Mark, Rachael & Matthew xxx