The trouble with keeping an account of life with the recently expanded family is getting a good photograph. Louyn being so small just throws up as your pressing the shutter else TheO finds the right moment to go cross eyed. So that's my excuse for the lack of recent posts. (These action shots will be posted at a critical time of the offspring's development, thus maximising my revenge!) I should be used to such antics from small children, if it proves difficult to achieve, I'll just resort to amusing digital comps!

Little Louyn continues to completely oppose his older brother in many ways. He sleeps well, eats well and complains rarely. He bears a striking resemblance to his mother, a fact I'm reminded of on a daily basis by the outlaws. I thinks it's just they have been a little fraught that the older son has little in common with their genetic fingerprint, so to speak. "Don't worry, lightening can't strike twice..."

TheO has coped very well with the change in family life. The loud and constant screaming only lasted a few days and we have managed to find almost all the knives. DHL have also been advised that there are NO pick ups from our address. Louyn now at 6KG and 2 Months today! TheO mastering swimming underwater without armbands and impersonating Chowder!



Close, but no cigar!

Secretly, I was quite concerned. The last few weeks of the good ladies pregnancy for me, was similar to a condemned mans final struggle for acquittal, convinced that the foreseeable future held nothing but sleep depravation, an inability to control the beer 'green light' and a severe case of cabin fever. That was TheO. But this is Louyn!

In total contrast to his older sibling, this young man sleeps, waking only for a few hours in the morning and the afternoon to ensure we do not confuse him with a stuffed Dinosaur (as if) and almost all night! Gone has that annoying pain in my solar plexus at some unreasonable time of the night.

As thoroughly irresponsible parents, we have even acquainted the latest edition with a visit to England, his Grandma and a good traditional wedding in a country house, well spiffing! Now back on the dusty rock re-stressing about houses, finishings and keeping control of the first born who is hellbent on demanding that attention be returned to full service 'right now' He does however kiss his little brother goodnight, and regularly thanks us for making him a little brother. Anytime I tell him, anytime. Now where is that chemist!

\

Mk2 @ 4 weeks

With the ability to post to several 'social networking' websites from your microwave oven I guess the news is out.

Louyn Rowland 'Whitby' Fereday began his demand for the outside world at about 4pm on Friday June 5th, a mission accomplished by 8.45pm that evening.



Louyn Rowland Fereday, nice & easy!!

You may wish to check out the family resemblance, it's quite spooky!!!

I was alerted to the second coming by telephone whilst contemplating an early finish to MY labour. With a quick drop off of the first born to the out-laws, a call to the obstetrician to confirm our rapid departure, we started the discussion of private vs. free. Free won!

Mater Dei Hospital had created a level of fear in the pre-natal classes that was difficult to shake off. The good lady had turned off when the mention of straps and the removal of any free will was mentioned. The reality however was fantastic and I'm now blessed with with a enviable beer fund to wet the baby's head. This of course is personal!

Louyn Rowland was born to the sound of a Nepalese Yoga Soundtrack with a drug free mother and a Father mildly distracted by thoughts of Nepal's other exports. After a quick spell for overnight observation, the good lady decided to 'check out' with the cries of other people's babies still ringing in her sleep deprived ears. Now back at home and getting TheO used to the idea of further family competition (oh dear) with these adventures now well back on the outside!!



The same little lad (mk2) scrubbed up!

Today marked the start of week 40. This seems to be quite annoying as no matter where I go, somebody, somewhere pops out and says 'how's your wife? I of course reply 'very well thank you' They always look a bit taken aback as I move on, REALLY meaning to have asked if the latest addition to the family portfolio had decided to emerge, but were just unsure how to phrase it.

So, no news today. Check back in 20 minutes and it may well have changed.



TheO assumes he's reached his destination!

It's 39 weeks and the good lady is fit to pop. With a rise in the temperature has come a dramatic rise in circumference. The as yet to be expelled seems to be very comfy, although there are strong signs that one long push is all that remains.

The constant complaints of Braxton Hicks 24/7 have left me confused. Is this it or is this not it. I have read up on how to deliver a child from 'in a shopping trolley' to 'in the back seat of a car' and hope that this will not be the way the 'numero duo' begins his time. Would protocol dictate that we have no other recourse but to name the child after some apect of the birthing event or surroundings? A lack of good timing at the local supermarket and we have little 'GS' or baby 'Cheese Counter' as a name.

The very idea of not even making it to a hospital and naming 'he once known as prawn boy' after a Korean automobile seems nightmarish. What would the Malta school bullies call little 'Accent' for short? All of a sudden the idea of 'Castor Oil' and other induction methods seems a good idea, just to be on the safe side. Multiple mothers with multiple children enjoy telling me that 'number two was SO much quicker. (u 2 lu!)

TheO totally oblivious to events other than to demand Chowder and a bowl of jelly!



TheO tries in vain to use the I'll huff and I'll puff inducing method!

I must have been confused. I thought for just a moment I was experiencing that moment in time when everything just gets a little too much. Having now pulled myself together after serious instruction from the good lady, I have had a moment to reflect on the past few weeks and feel many of my recent activities constitute a good reason for the lack of information on the developing family. I feel a little like Jack Nicholson in The Shinning! 'all work and no play makes Jack a dull boy' I think he typed. Musn't grumble I suppose.

Since previous entry I have tried to make a living, watched builders pull down much of the recent irrational purchase, comforted an expectant mother of 38 weeks who speaks little else than 'it's coming' with a look of complicated panic. I ask where is it coming and am told little else other than to prepare the Mastercard.

The little lad amuses himself by insisting the as yet unborn is called after a packet of Prawns and despite some friendly chat, will not budge. Perhaps a middle name.

As the lady of the house clucks and prepares the nest, my responsibility list gets longer! Birth quite possible within the next 23 minutes or so (i'm made to feel), not sure if I have enough time or brain cells to finish that rather nice Chianti and be ready for possible drive to opposite end of Island, but might as well throw caution to the wind. eh!



The young man shortly before falling into the pool.