The past few months have been rich in events. We have had so many friend’s birthdays to celebrate, a very good friend’s wedding, baby showers, baby’s arrivals and other events. It has been really special as these events have involved some of our closest friends here in HK. We have so enjoyed be able to celebrate these occasions with them.

The newest thing to celebrate is the arrival of the 3^rd baby on team. This one a little girl named Hannah. Last week, Peter’s new little friend Finlay arrived on Christy’s birthday as well. Peter is celebrating his 9^th week of life today and did so by sleeping through the night for the first time. He also had his first round of some vaccines yesterday and took them very well compared to the other kids in the clinic. As we sat waiting, several other mothers and relatives came up to us to stare at him. I think they were looking at his blue eyes. We also went to the hospital to see the new baby and several people stopped to come over and see Peter as we waited in the hallway.

We celebrated Christy’s 30^th with a trip to the local hotel for a buffet dinner and then a family night away. Tom also threw a big surprise party with a Mexican theme. We had a lot of wonderful Mexican food and even a cake made to look like a sombrero!

Peter has made 2 trips to Disneyland and has met Mickey & Minnie. His first ride was it’s a small small world which he had his eyes open through but not sure how impressed he was about it.

We have seen 5 typhoons/tropical storms come very close to Hong Kong since July and are watching another one that should arrive in a couple of days. It brings a lot of wind & rain as well as many broken tree branches all over the site.

Tom has been busy with a long list of things since his return to work a few weeks ago. He has been working on a lot of electrical design/planning for the “Blind Xperience” which is a simulation activity to help people relate to what it is like to be blind. This has been a massive project for him requiring a lot of time and many trips to an area of town called Sham Shui Po where you can buy any electrical/computer gadget known to man.

Christy has been busy looking after Peter and learning how to manage time to get things done as he is sleeping. The top 2 things people ask everyday are 1) how is he sleeping? and 2) how is he eating? And then the comment of “you look really good considering” has been heard many times. She has been taking Peter out of the house to visit our fair trade café onsite (which is what she was managing before he was born) and introducing him to the world of fair trade coffee and chocolates.

We have really loved having Peter in our lives. His addition has not turned our lives upside down or thrown it into chaos as some hinted it would. He has been such a calm, happy baby that has made life so much fun.

On a final note, thanks to all who have sent us emails, letters, gifts and encouragement. We are slowly getting around to sending out thank you letters and photos so please bear with us!

Yesterday Tom & I took Peter in to town with us. We have to take public transport around which is a bit daunting with a stroller/pram so at this point we are carrying him in a couple different slings.  All went well on the way in and Peter enjoyed his time at the Starbucks.

In the end  he did get a change and then was fed as we walked around the shops as there was no place to sit down. People stare at us all the time now and especially Tom carrying a big blue sling with one tiny foot poking out the edge.

We have become so aware how difficult it is for the elderly, disabled, pregnant & families with children to travel in the city. There are stairs everywhere with no option of a ramp, lift or alternate route.

The other night there was three generations of feeding, grandma feeding father, father feeding son:

This is one of our favourite pictures of Peter so far.

We have finally added some new photos of Peter. We have had some busy weeks with both sides of grandparents visiting.  We also celebrated Fathers Day on Sunday (its the Australian day to celebrate it) and had a good time with Tom.

Here are some photos:

This is in our cafe. Peter likes all the bright colours on the wall. We like the coffee! =)	Playtime in his new swing - a bit of sensory overload with all the colours & patterns.
Peter's new teddy bear from Tom	I'm smiling!
Being held by my grandmas...
Hanging out with daddy	Trying to take a photo of Peter in Tom's hat. He wasn't too impressed so this is the only photo we got.

We will add more photos and updates soon. Christy's computer is corroding on the inside (thank you HK humidity) and shuts off at random times making it a bit harder to use for very long.

Peter is doing well and continuing to grow. He is a very long baby and has moved into some 3-6 month clothing just for the length of the outfits. He is now weighing in at 4.6kg.

He has started to smile and look around at the world around him (he still can't see very far). He generally a happy, relaxed baby who sleeps well most days/nights.

We took Peter for a check up at the clinic and he weighed in at 4.36kg (about 9.4 pounds). He is gaining weight and showing his baby fat rolls on his legs and arms.  Photos to come soon.

Late yesterday afternoon Peter started to get very sniffly and started to develop a bit of a cough. We've been assured by veteran parents that he is ok but last night was long and rough for young Peter, he didn't seem to want to settle down which has continued through to today. Hong Kong, like the US, has some interesting medicines, there is currently an ad on TV which advertises to send your child off to a good nights sleep. We found something even better today, and were only sad that it took us a full day to find it.

After several hours of sitting with Peter we decided to dangle things in front of him to see if he would like to swat with his lengthening arms. We found the greatest sedative ever, we put a mirror next to him, and he has spent hours talking to his new friend, smiling, waving, yelling, brilliant!

Tom went to register Peter in the system and to get his birth certificate today.  We had to wait 2 weeks as the hospital must send the documents of his birth to the government office and then we have to go in and give them his name and our details.  Tom was there for a few hours as they checked Peter's name spelling several times (mostly because of his middle name). He now is officially named and exists as his own person.  We even got a giant congratulatory envelope to put the certificate in that is pink and covered in lots of gold foil lettering.

Young Peter has a range of facial expressions which is likes to cycle through in quick succession. Here's the sampler with appropriate interpretation:

"I'm Hungry"

"Still Hungry."

"Blue Steel"

"Words cannot express the horror of what awaits at the next nappy change."

Tonight we gave Peter his first bath, all we went well.

This afternoon both Christy and Peter were released from hospital which was great news all round. After an uneventful trip home everyone is setting in well.

Christy and Peter will be released at 3pm this afternoon. Excitement all round.

Yesterday Peter was discharged from the neo-natal ward of the hospital, this is not the tragedy, it is particularly great news. Peter was moved out of neo-natal and into the ward with Christy at lunch time yesterday. As Peter is now in the general wards it also means that friends can now visit Peter and Christy.

Some of you may remember the baby Uggs, which are shown above. They don't fit! As every full blooded Australian knows the Ugg is the pinnacle of footwear, poor Peter appears to have exceptionally large feet (taking after father). He shall have to wait to feel the pleasure of an inside out sheep against his feet.

You saw them here first, Peter's second day:

Last night at 11.08pm baby Peter Cordell Pike was born. He weighed in at 3.7kg and was delivered by cesarean section. The labour was long and Christy is recovering well. Peter was taken to the ICU for tests after the birth. All is well with Peter and Christy was able to see him this afternoon.

Baby is on the way, Christy went into the hospital tonight at about 3am. More news as it becomes available.

Tom brought home this watermelon yesterday which we thought we'd compare to baby. Have hit 39 weeks and are just waiting for the baby to decide that it is far too cramped to stay inside any longer.

Hi all, not much to report but thought we'd just write and check in as people are probably watching the blog waiting for news & photos.  Baby is still happy where it is for the moment and getting bigger and stronger every day.

Please continue to think about getting Tom into the labour & delivery ward as we have sent in his application to attend and have been notified that it has been received. All is still a bit unknown as to when and for how long he can be there.

Again there is a list of "rules" to follow including the following:

1) no food & drinks allowed in the delivery room

2) no wandering around

3) no luggage is allowed

4) must leave after baby is born

The good news is that they do really look after the baby well and focus on this. As they have so many people coming through than in other countries, they are more strict to rules than other places.

Well we have now made it to 35 weeks, 5 to go. Tom and I went shopping in a place called Sham Shui Po today. Definitely one of the busiest places especially on a Sunday! This is the part of town where you can buy any electrical/computer part known to man.  We were looking for new phones as ours are on their way out and you can't hear what people are saying anymore. We were successful in our shopping adventure.

Thought a photo in the midst of the craziness would be good.