Home Sweet Home

We're home! We had a lovely time with grandma and grandad. They both had to head off to work this morning, so we had to say goodbye early, but we will see them again very soon.

On the way home we stopped off to visit my good friend Sally-Ann. Her five year old daughter Emily was at school but little Matthew was on hand to provide some entertainment...

Hey, don't point that camera at me!

Oh ok then...

Matthew & Coby getting to know each other...

Teplet's Growing

Hi everyone!

Thank you so much from the bottom of our hearts for the support you have given us since Coby's birth. To those of you who regularly check in to this blog, thank you for your continued interest in Coby's progress. Since we launched the site at the end of October we've received nearly 1,300 visits.

Don't forget you can post your own comments to Coby or you can e-mail him at teplet@hotmail.co.uk. Although he is only a baby, it will be just wonderful for him to read your comments when he is older and see just how much he is thought of. It is particularly heart-warming for our friends and family across the world to be able to see how he is growing and developing, particularly for those who may not get a chance for some time to meet Coby.

Over the next few months we will be adding some fun elements to the site that you will be able to participate in - a weekly caption competition will appear from next week with prizes for the best one so please keep watching.

We continue to receive glowing enthusiasm and encouragement for the Teplet site and we hope you gain as much enjoyment from Teplet as we do putting the site together.

Bless you all!

Happy Birthday Nanna!

So Coby and I headed up North to Lincolnshire to surprise Nanna Bagnall for her birthday. Grandad knew we were coming and managed to keep it a secret for over a week (thanks Dad!). After packing everything but the kitchen sink for our two night stay, we took a leisurely drive up the A1 and arrived mid morning. Grandma was completely surprised and the look on her face was priceless. Coby continued to amaze us with his beautiful smiles and seemed happy to know that he had made Grandma happy and therefore Grandad was happy and so was I. Poor dad back home is missing us terribly though and I have to admit I could not let Coby out of my sight for more than a day!

We took a visit to mummy's friend Angela who lives in the same village as nanna and grandad. Angela is a very talented and skilled seamstress and she is knitting Coby a cardigan and making him a patchwork quilt. We had lunch with Angela and she gave Coby his feed before reluctantly saying cheerio until next time.

On our way home tomorrow we are stopping off to say hello to mummy's friend Sally-Ann and her two children Emily (aged five) and Matthew (aged one). Mummy used to live with Sally-Ann before she moved to London and met daddy. Sally-Ann is a nurse and used to work with mummy in the Accident & Emergency department at the local hospital. We have been friends for a long time and always try and pop in for a visit.
Hopefully we can get some pictures of Coby with Emily and Matthew who are both adorable!

In the meantime, here are some pictures of Coby taken at Nanna and grandad's...

All by myself...

Don't wanna be, all by myself anymore...

Coby and Sarah have gone up north to suprise Nana Bagnall as it is her birthday tomorrow.

Am alone in the house and have work to do but just can't do it. Blowing the day off and chilling out. Rare opportunity I guess and just have to take it. Going to visit my dad, have a real turkish kebab as opposed to the crappy kebabs one normally gets at 2am when drunk and gonna hang with Jus etc.

Whilst I have only known Coby for about two months he has quickly become the center of my universe. Missing his facial expressions...this is my favourite pic so far...he is so cheeky already he he he...apple did not fall far from the tree eh?

Cheeky? Moi?

Yes, its Friday

Busy Bees

Coby is two months old today! He is being weighed tomorrow and I suspect it won't be long before he is twice his birth weight of 7lbs 8oz. He has been sleeping longer through the night and is settled in his own room now. He is an absolute stunner, but then I am his mother, and he is taking notice of his surroundings much more. TV seems to be a distraction already and he loves his baby gym with the flashing lights.

Auntie June is staying with us at the moment and helping out loads. We are so busy and little Cobes is certainly keeping us on our toes.

Dribbler

Coby is a new member of the Spurs Dribblers Club. He received his welcome pack yesterday which included a Christmas card signed by the team, a fork and spoon set and a Chirpy cuddly toy. As you can see from this photo, Coby is completely over the moon with his new status as a junior member of the Tottenham Hotspur appreciation society.

Twelve Pounder!

Little Cobes is doing really well. He was weighed yesterday and is 12lbs 1oz. His eyes seem to be turning a different colour every day and this morning they look bluey/green. His hair is still quite fair with the exception of a new bald strip on the back of his head.

We went along to the baby clinic for the big weigh in and had Coby's cold checked out. I have been burning Eucalyptus oil in a humidifer and the health visitor said that was a good idea. Combined with the Chamomile drops I've been using in his bath to help relieve colic and the lavender to help him sleep, Coby will be an expert aromatherapist before he can say his first words.

After the clinic I took Coby through his first car wash. He's been dirty for quite a while and thrashes around too much in the bath, so I thought a quick run through on programme 2, which includes a wax, was in order. Hee hee!

Then a mad trolley dash around Sainsbury's for the baby essentials - nappies, wet wipes, milk, Infacol and a treat for Coby - his first Thomas the Tank Engine book.

We raced home to meet Lorna who had arrived at the house ten minutes before and was waiting in her car. Poor girl is nine months pregnant and I made her wait in the car! I had bought some nice cookies to go with our cup of tea though and gave her some last minute advice. Not that she is going to need it, she will be a fab mum.

Then we drove to Stanmore to see Simone who is also pregnant. She practices reflexology and massage and is going to show me the basics of baby massage for Coby. Simone's baby is due in June and she has her 20 week scan in three weeks - good luck Sim!

Then it was home to daddy and....a parcel addressed to Coby (see next post).

A Bump to the Head

Being a new parent truly is a test of one's sanity. Last night we had to take Coby to the local A&E as he banged his head on the coffee table. While it wasn't a bad bang to the head, we immediately became concerned when he vomited some of his milk about 10 minutes later. He then fell asleep quite quickly, which is unlike Coby. So, just to be safe, we took him to casualty and had him checked over. When we arrived we were seen straight away. As one of the nurses later commented, a baby is like a VIP pass in an A&E department. At this point, Coby was quite unresponsive and we found it hard to wake him up, however, he often becomes comatosed following a drive in a nice warm car. Sure enough the little fella was just sleeping and, lo and behold, as soon as we got home he was wide awake and ready for his next round of milk.

It's A Girl

Congratulations to our friends Vicky & Ian - Vicky gave birth to a baby girl this afternoon at 1.40pm. Baby Olivier weighed 7lbs 10oz and she and mum are both well.
Fantastic news guys! Another little playmate for young Coby.

Coby's Room

Hey, this is my room!

(click on images to enlarge)

This is my book shelf with the activity bee that
Uncle Justin & Auntie Stacey bought me for Christmas.

Here is my cot - my teddy bears take up all the room!

But they are all very friendly and watch over me while I am sleeping.

And this is the wooden train that Uncle Bill & Auntie Sue
bought for me - look, it spells out my name!

HAPPY NEW YEAR

Happy New Year everybody!
May all your dreams come true in 2006

Keep up with me here at the Teplet blogspot - mummy and daddy say the next year is going to be fun, educational and full of surprises!

Little 'Uns

Here are some pictures of Coby's mini family and friends....

Cousin Jack (10 months old)

Coby's friend Rachel (aged 2)

Rachel's sister Rebecca who will be celebrating her 1st birthday on 5th January

Alicia - born just two days before Coby on the 14th November

And teenie tiny Jasmine - born 4 days after Coby on the 20th

Colic frolic & missed feeds

Coby has got a touch of colic.

Colic is evil. Basically it is like terminal trapped wind! Well, it is terminal for Ma & Pa...no rest, no settling him. Hell.And it makes his little chubby chin quiver...ahhhhh!

The day after it started the health visitor told us to use Infacol. The infacol seemed to have an effect after a couple of days and those two days were hard work. Feeds took twice as long. Unstoppable screaming more or less after every feed. Murder! Poor Coby.

When the Infacol finally kicked in it was bliss. Anyone got any tips for colic? Ivan, checked your book and is very useful.

Note: If the health visitor tells you to stay on infacol for a couple of weeks unless your guts tell you to stop...just stay on it for two weeks. If the colic stops that means the infacol is working and not that he is cured! Ma & Pa learnt a valuable lesson there for sure.

Then, two nights ago, Coby missed his 2am feed. It was Christmas Eve and he slept from about 10 until about 5...wahoo! He missed one again last night. I think this is the start of him sleeping through more. Seems to be from about 11 until about 4...hooray!

Seasons Greetings

Hi, Coby here wishing you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Can you spot me among all my lovely presents?

Here I am...!

Father Christmas & Santa's Little Helper

What a picture!

Special Little Pudding

Coby gets into the festive spirit!

Too many mince pies and mulled wine, eh dad?

Blue is the colour

As most of you are probably aware Mr T and I are fans of Tottenham Hotspur, so naturally it would follow that Coby's favoured colour is also blue. Here we have him modelling the latest design from the Early Spurs collection as bought for him by Uncle Mark, who cannot wait to take him onto the terraces at White Hart Lane. Obviously he has a few years to wait before Coby is old enough to shout "We love you Tottenham we do". In the meantime, we have our hands full keeping the Arsenal fans in the family away from Coby's influence (boo hiss those of you who bought him the Arsenal Teddy).

Cute as a button

Coby has developed a view on the world that consists of opening one eye, scanning the scene before him and then dropping off to sleep if things don't look interesting. He is quite a clever little bunny. The other morning while lying in bed with mummy, he appeared to copy everything she did. Mummy opened one eye to check on him, so did Coby. Mummy stretched, so did Coby. We both dropped off to sleep together, napped for about half an hour and then woke up at the same time, again opening one eye first to check each other out. Within the next few weeks he will begin to focus and, more importantly, start smiling, which I am very much looking forward to. In the meantime, to encourage his senses and reflexes, I have been singing, reading and talking to him as well as exercising his legs and arms and trying out a little baby massage. He even seems to be responding to noise and colours from the TV. We're hoping he doesn't become addicted to Eastenders and Coronation Street just yet, but we'll keep you posted.

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY

Today is my mummy and daddy's wedding anniversary! They were married at Port Lympne Animal Park in Kent three years ago today. Here is a picture of them on their wedding day...



Happy Anniversary mummy and daddy love Coby xxxxxx

Chubby Teplet

What an earth is in formula milk these days?? Young Coby now weighs 9lbs 12oz!!
So the breast-feeding didn't quite work out for us after much tears and trauma, but such is life and I've come to terms with the situation now and stopped beating myself up about it. Coby, on the other hand, doesn't have a care in the world and is supping happily away on his bottles and filling out nicely.

Hertfordshire Explosion - We are fine

At about 6am today massive explosions hit fuel depot not too far from where we live.

We were feeding at the time and heard and felt the blast...weird...and assumed it was a tremor. We live 25 km away and it still sounded like it was next door.

A few people have got in touch to ask if we were affected...we weren't thankfully. Other than having to change our trousers. Thoughts go out to all those involved.

Thanks for all your texts and emails.

Congratulations!

Massive congratulations to our friends who are expecting babies..

Cass & Chris - we are so excited for you - can't wait to introduce Coby to Baby D.

Simone & Anthony - what happy news, especially following the birth of your nephew in September. Coby is going to have so many little friends next year!!

Keep well everybody and take it easy ladies - if we can do anything for you, just say the word!

Enjoy every moment of your pregnancies.

And.....

Congratulations to the wonderful friends we made in our ante-natal classes. We have all given birth now to beautiful babes...

Maddy & Justin - baby Louis was born on Tuesday 1st November

Angela & Richard - baby Alicia was born on Monday 14th November

Paula & Mark - baby Jasmine was born on Sunday 20th November

Vicki & Simon - baby Oliver was born on Tuesday 22nd November

Michaela & Tony - baby Lola was born on Friday 25th November

You're all stars!

This is the life

Just a few more cutsie pictures for the album.....

Daddy is so warm and cuddly - I could stay here all day


Hey, I wasn't ready! And what's with the flash?

Ok, why does my hand look really big?

Pots of Art

Coby's feet were immortalised in paint when we took him to Pots of Art in Hitchin. Being the creative artist in the family, dad was left holding Coby while I set to work with the pottery and paint - what fun I had! I could have attempted a whole dinner set of plates, cups and saucers but Coby will only sleep for so long.



The best thing about our day out was meeting up for the first time with the five other babies born to our new friends from the NCT ante natal classes. Coby got to meet Louis, Olly, Alicia, Jasmine and Lola. They were extremely well-behaved and Coby did not move a muscle while his feet were covered with blue paint. Here he is overwhelmed to meet Alicia (left) and Jasmine (right) for the very first time. All three could hardly contain their excitement.

Perfectionist mum looks on, hoping for the perfect footprint!


The end result - two plates, one mug and a photo frame! Perfect!

POPS: The sick truth about MILK

Tonight on POPS (brought to you by the Coby News Network) we bring you a disturbing report. We show you the tragic face of milk addiction. We have exclusive footage before, during and after an addict gets their fix.

Produced in the milk fields of Sainsbury's this dangerous drug is most commonly purchased in carton form (although we hear that tubs of powder will soon be available). 59p a carton might not seem a lot to you and I but to a baby it's a fortune and they will stop at nothing to satisfy their twisted craving.

WARNING: Some of our viewers may find these images cute.

The truth is ugly and just before a baby gets his or her fix they writhe and distort such is the anguish. In this pose we see a baby threatening the reporter with some kind of martial arts move unless they hand over their milk stash.



At a certain point during the 'feeding' the baby becomes aggressive and lashes out until they are placed in the position below. Apparently when they take the milk air gets trapped and they have to be winded.


That image was hard to capture and an undercover POP was nearly killed in the process.

Finally peace is restored (see below) and the baby is becalmed. For now. Until their sick milk habit once again forces them to kick and scream until someone gives them their next hit.



Milk IS a drug and people are being hurt - lives are being ruined and yet still the government does nothing to outlaw this vile substance.

How do POPS deal with this harsh reality? One day at a time!

NEXT WEEK ON POPS: We uncover the sick truth about Nappies. Who makes 'em, who wears 'em and what goes on inside.

Fade to black. Theme tune kicks in.

[BAD BOYS BAD BOYS WATCHA GONNA DO WATCHA GONNA DO WHEN THEY COME FOR YOU...]

It's all too much!

This is Coby's favoured method of relaxation when he's had a good feed. It makes it difficult to tip him forward to wind him and who would want to disturb this little sleeping Teplet anyway?

The picture was taken a couple of weeks ago when we were still in hospital, hence the cannular in his right hand.

It seems like it was only yesterday and the last three weeks have absolutely flown by, but we are as pleased as punch to be home in time for our first Christmas together.

A Poem for Coby by Nanna Ann

My little boy blue with the button nose crying for his milk

He wiggles his perfect pink soft toes, his hair and skin like silk

I love every inch of him soft milky little lamb

And soon I'll nurse and cuddle him and push him in his pram

And when he grows a little I will take him to the park

He can feed the ducks and eat icecreams, chat and have a lark

He will find the swings and slides such fun, adore the fair and zoo

I can teach him of lifes wonders, there is so much we will do

Each moment I will treasure with this precious little man

And cherish him forever, because I am his gran!

Love Nanna xx

Poo position

I just learnt something invaluable about parenting. Be creative, think outside the box and NEVER give up.

Man I felt like I had entered a special level of hell. Coby woke up (Babe, is it...Yep) 20 mins ago grizzlin' which escalated to the full lung quickly.

I took him to the spare room to feed etc. Would not settle on the bottle much and realised he was passing a stool (what a great expression eh?). Actually by the sound of it he was passing an entire Ikea store...even the plants and swedish meatballs!!! At one point I even jokingly asked him if he was giving birth??? Got a dirty look from him for that.

After a few minutes the screams had escalated even beyond a full lung to something like a civil warning (perhaps the Russians really WERE coming??? maybe he COULD hear the bombers??? checked the sky...no sign...phew...removed protective tin foil helmet).

Could not feed, could not soothe, could not stop him waking Hertfordshire. ARGH!

Lightbulb moment!

Instead of sitting him on lap in the feeding position I turned him to hold him horizontally in my arms.

Success. Not hungry. Not screaming. Sleeping. For now.

Clearly he prefers to poo on his side. Not on his back or sitting up. Brilliant. Will get onto the council tomorrow to see if horizontal toilets are eligible for a grant.

Moider Moider

It's 5am ish and I have just done a feed...feel inspired to blog about it and feel creative...bear with me:

It started with a grizzle about 30 minutes ago...I stirred.

The grizzle escalated slowly, and yet fast. Like lightening really.

He was hungry. I positioned him on my knee facing me which is very comfortable for us both, grabbed the correct bottle and aimed it his mouth.

He either finds the next bit hard or amusing but he then moves his mouth to get to the bottle and misses completely. Very zen...very funny. If he just stayed still the bottle would meet his mouth...oh no...too simple...oh well.

Finally teat meets tounge and we avoid hearing a 'full lung'.

Two minutes of silence bar some heavy breathing and slurping. Story of my life eh?

Oh no, Daddy forgot to attach the bib. Bottle withdrawn. SCREAM SCREAM SCREAM.

Almost like he is being murdered...as if withdrawing the bottle to attach his bib is a crime against humanity. Am convinced social services will come swinging in through the windows at any moment like Tom Cruise in Minority Report.

Bib attached. Bottle re-offered. Mouth whizzing about in every direction but the right one. Eventually bottle docks with mouth. Silence. Milk is his drug and I am his dealer.

Slumber mixes with gluttony (is that a baby thing or a genetic thing?). Towards the end he is almost sleep-feeding (what a great idea eh?).

He relaxes. I burp him...so love his burbs and farts...crack me up. I place him gently on the bed to see if he is off to slumberly-wumberly land. Maybe. Could it be? Is he off? WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH! Nope. Legs moving about. Possibly a poo?

Pick him up. Wind some more. Few drops more of milk. And finally, to sleep, perchance to dream.

'night.

Coby checking in...

Hello everyone! This is Coby reporting...

I have been sleeping a great deal today and even mummy had a nap on the couch with me. She and daddy have been watching these things called DVDs, but they seem to make them fall asleep so they can't be much fun.

Yesterday we had a visit from Jenni the health visitor. She popped me on some scales and I now weigh 8lbs 5oz. Is that heavy? Mummy says I am a greedy guzzler but I don't know what that means. I think its good though because mummy gave me lots of hugs afterwards and said she was proud of me. The midwife came for the last time today and said me and mummy can be discharged. We will now get regular visits from Jenni which is good because she is nice and gave mummy and daddy lots of advice about me.

Tomorrow we have an appointment to register my birth and we will get a special certificate. In the meantime auntie Dee and Uncle Rob are coming tonight for pizza. Uncle Rob is a Spurs fan just like me, mummy and daddy, so I am going to wear my Spurs outfit especially - mummy is going to take a picture so you can all see how cute I look.

Anyway, better go as I need milk, a nappy change and more cuddles!

Cheerio love Coby xxxxxxxxxxxx