Last week the sun was shining and the world was good. With the arrival of visitors, it seemed only appropriate that the wet and windy weather should arrive to contradict the claims of fine sunshine and a dip in the sea!

The latest addition seems to be proving be a contender for the Guinness Book of Records by growing at a phenomenal rate. He fits suits built for a baby twice his age and smiles about it continually, which is fantastic. The good lady is convinced that he must be 'on' something or working out at the gym!



World record for grining

TheO has a new best friend. It lasted about a couple of hours before Reecey took flight, the evening one back to Libya. Alas only on holiday with his parents, the brief alliance gave TheO a brief, but thorough introduction to Go Go Crazy Bones, small pieces of collectable plastic that hurts a lot underfoot! The first born has now nurtured a collection of his own which accompany him everywhere, including bed.



A favourite!

Hopefully the good weather will return, with only memories of green leafy walks and gardens in bloom to remind us of the good times. TheO's viewing remains Network based, but now with the ability to recall past films, only talking of their content rather than any title. 'I want to see the one with the lady and the buttons who find the other lady and a cat' That will be Coraline then! Louyn too good for words. Sleeping, drinking and growing, fast!



On your marks, get set....go, go...

It would seem that children, from time to time, can get unwell. Just some malady that causes them to refuse summer school and demand a day at home or watching TV with the outlaws! Somehow, TheO has managed to acquire a thorough and complex knowledge of human anatomy and consequently now complains of a sore ear, sore throat and a hacking cough. Likely story! The good lady however informs me that such ailments are common with small infants! I can't help thinking that this may be related to a new electric guitar and unexplained 'sleepovers'....



Alternating directness


The latest addition continues to grow. And I mean grow!! At 11 weeks he is already as heavy as his elder sibling @ 6 months and snugly fits the dungarees that TheO found baggy. He sleeps through the night and whilst he has now found his voice, it's rarely used in anger!

As the summer winds down, the rest of the year gears up. The builders at the new house have informed me they can do no more! This is excellent news of course as they managed to use up all the money. It just remains to sweep up all the dust, paint the walls and get a staircase.



A quick beach BBQ

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!

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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!