It has been ten days since I last tapped away on these keys, the final stages of the pregnancy growing more difficult and exhausting as it became an effort just to get to the end of each day. I intend to write about the complicated and difficult birth experience surrounding Harvey’s arrival soon, but for now – meet the beautiful boy who has captivated us in the six short days that he has been around.

He is worth every bit of pain, trauma, exhaustion, shock that his arrival incurred.

We are very much enjoying getting to know his quirks (the midnight random shrieks before going peacefully back to sleep being one of them) and savouring what is (to all intents and purposes) the final newborn experience for our family. Harvey’s brothers and sister are completely enamoured with him and clamour to be the one to get the next cuddle.

Of course it hasn’t been all sunshine and roses – we are also battling exhaustion, new family dynamics (more tantrums and emotional outbursts from one in particular), a slowly healing body and a bout of jaundice that almost required readmission for photo therapy. But through it all, we have been carried – with the bountiful delivery of meals that gets us through each day, the flowers, cards, presents, visits and massages – and feel the strong support of the incredible community surrounding us.

We are beyond grateful.