I am over the moon. Our little daughter Ella Anne McDonald was born on Tuesday 9th October 2012 at 20:46. Weighing in at 7lbs 8ozs she is definitely a sleepy baby so far :-)
Everything was a bit rushed and hectic and we thought Nicky might give birth in the car at one point. We made it to Basingstoke hospital though, just, and 1/2 hour later Ella was born.
We were home midnight that day. Amazing!
So far we are just getting used to being a family of four, and we look forward to each time little Ella wakes up and has a look around.
I can't wait to find out what kind of little character she is.
Friday, October 12, 2012
Wednesday, June 20, 2012
Will is 2!
We just celebrated Wills second birthday with family and friends at the weekend. We are in shock. How can two years have passed ? It was great to see everyone, and it would seem nobody was poisoned by the BBQ food.
We feel so lucky to have such a beautiful well behaved son. He is always determined to take the next step in everything he does, and amuses us no end. People seem to genuinely love being around him as he is nearly always very smiley.
Eating and sleeping have been improving (amazingly so for sleeping), although there is still some teething to go so that could all change again!
Will is now adapting to the news that we have another one on the way due in October, (which guiltily I have not even blogged about yet!).
He thinks he will have a little sister, we have no idea as we chose not to find out at the scans.
We have started the bribery to get Will to behave at night, and to stay in his new big boy bed (which he just graduated to), all is working according to plan, for now.
Will is now regularly stringing 5+ word sentences together, and his vocabulary amazes us.
I wonder what I will be writing in a years time.
We feel so lucky to have such a beautiful well behaved son. He is always determined to take the next step in everything he does, and amuses us no end. People seem to genuinely love being around him as he is nearly always very smiley.
Eating and sleeping have been improving (amazingly so for sleeping), although there is still some teething to go so that could all change again!
Will is now adapting to the news that we have another one on the way due in October, (which guiltily I have not even blogged about yet!).
He thinks he will have a little sister, we have no idea as we chose not to find out at the scans.
We have started the bribery to get Will to behave at night, and to stay in his new big boy bed (which he just graduated to), all is working according to plan, for now.
Will is now regularly stringing 5+ word sentences together, and his vocabulary amazes us.
I wonder what I will be writing in a years time.
Thursday, May 10, 2012
Will learns the art of deception before his 2nd year
Something very amusing happened to me in the last fortnight. I was tricked by Will, who was at the time 23 months old. I did not expect it, and he got me completely. I can't believe that the little chap figured out how to trick adults.
We were sat playing with some foam alphabet characters and numbers, his favourite game before bedtime. Now whenever we have to put these toys away ready for bedtime we usually have a little clash of wills (yes he is aptly named) before he relents and helps me put them back on the shelf.
This time was different. While I was trying to get hold of the alphabet shapes, in order to put them in their bag, Will started pointing to my shoulder and saying 'Daddy... shoulder' repeatedly. I had a look at my shoulder, and turned back to Will. Who was sat there with a big smile on his face. I had no idea what was going on. I looked down to start putting the letters in the bag again and they were gone.
When I looked confused, Will started laughing, massively, out of control. It was hilarious.
I thought I'd get Will back and played my own trick on him. He thought it was just as hilarious :-) We both ended up in tears. Amazing.
We were sat playing with some foam alphabet characters and numbers, his favourite game before bedtime. Now whenever we have to put these toys away ready for bedtime we usually have a little clash of wills (yes he is aptly named) before he relents and helps me put them back on the shelf.
This time was different. While I was trying to get hold of the alphabet shapes, in order to put them in their bag, Will started pointing to my shoulder and saying 'Daddy... shoulder' repeatedly. I had a look at my shoulder, and turned back to Will. Who was sat there with a big smile on his face. I had no idea what was going on. I looked down to start putting the letters in the bag again and they were gone.
When I looked confused, Will started laughing, massively, out of control. It was hilarious.
I thought I'd get Will back and played my own trick on him. He thought it was just as hilarious :-) We both ended up in tears. Amazing.
Wednesday, February 01, 2012
Beginning of 2012
Last year really raced by. Will evolved into a little amusing blonde headed fairy creature who now chats away and moves everything round in the house in unexpected ways. I founded a tech startup with a colleague from my last permanent position. Nicky is back at work first two days a week, and now since Christmas three days a week.
It is hard to keep track of everything really, but I intend to blog to make sure I can always remember what was going on.
Things I really enjoyed last year:
- all the time I spent with my family, Nicky, Will and the wider family
- watching Will develop as a little person
- watching Will play and socialise, in particular he seems to get on brilliantly with his cousin Ethan
- watching Poirot with my Gran on Christmas Eve
- Sherlock series one
Tuesday, September 20, 2011
Bilbo at 15 months
We have seen some very big changes in Bilbo since his first birthday. Not in any order of importance:
- more hair (haha, still got some way to go there and currently he is a blonde)
- he now climbs everything, moves everything and runs everywhere
- the use of one word above all others... 'more'
- some intelligent tool use (I saw him get things from under the TV stand using a golf club)
Perhaps scariest of all though is just how tall he is now, and how he looks older in photos, he is changing so fast!
Oh, almost forgot.. some three weeks ago on a bike ride with Nicky and I, Bilbo decided to Christen himself Red Rebel, I almost fell off my bike :-)
Thursday, June 16, 2011
Bilbo is one year old
It is amazing really, our little lad turned one yesterday. Nicky and I were thinking about the events of a year ago yesterday, so surreal.
To see him walking around with a couple of teeth, picking things up, pointing and gurgling away is so funny. Things change so fast.
We had our first birthday party last weekend in Bournemouth with my folks. This weekend is Essex for Nicky's half of the family, and finally the weekend after that we celebrate with friends here in Newbury/Thatcham. The lucky little chap gets three birthday parties :-)
As always, plenty of pictures on Nicky's Facebook account and I will be slower to put them in their more permanent home on Flickr.
Meanwhile Will has been getting more settled in to Nursery two days a week, and still enjoys an active social life with his mum most days of the week :-)
Saturday, April 30, 2011
It was a very happy day today, Will is walking now!
Today was excellent, sunny, warm, and full of new activities and adventure for Will. For about a week or just over Will has been trying to walk, a few steps at a time towards either Nicky or I, today he took it all the way, repeatedly walking unaided to one of us, and at one point even from one piece of furniture to another, slow and kind of steady :-)
I will try to get a video of him tottering, although it is pretty difficult to catch as it is so spur of the moment.
He has no fear and is doing really well for 10.5 months old. He also started to put the hoops on the hoopla game, rather than just taking them off the whole time.
Next up will be teaching him to point :-) Always got to set the little guy goals!
We are going to have a BBQ tomorrow, hopefully the garden is level enough for him to do some more tottering on.
Its been a great couple of weekends, excepting the stomach bug which hit the family last weekend, sunshine, seeing family and we went to Lacock Abbey again for my birthday on Monday just gone. It was a magical day.
I will try to get a video of him tottering, although it is pretty difficult to catch as it is so spur of the moment.
He has no fear and is doing really well for 10.5 months old. He also started to put the hoops on the hoopla game, rather than just taking them off the whole time.
Next up will be teaching him to point :-) Always got to set the little guy goals!
We are going to have a BBQ tomorrow, hopefully the garden is level enough for him to do some more tottering on.
Its been a great couple of weekends, excepting the stomach bug which hit the family last weekend, sunshine, seeing family and we went to Lacock Abbey again for my birthday on Monday just gone. It was a magical day.
Monday, April 04, 2011
Nine months of Will
It is strange to think that Will has been outside the womb now for as long as he was in. It has certainly gone quicker on the outside :-) Our little lad is now:
- crawling properly (everywhere)
- cruising on all the furniture and from person to person
- balancing for a few seconds at a time stood up unsupported (sometimes clapping while he does so)
- climbing the stairs (supervised)
- climbing anything he can like furniture
- walking around pushing his walker
- starting to wave goodbye
He has also been for a ride on his trike (on mothers day). He loves exciting new things, people and places. He always wants to have fun.
New nicknames include:
- Wilberoo
- Barbary Ape
It is always fun coming home and reading him his bed time stories.
Sleep deprivation is still a problem most of the time, usually because of colds coughs etc, we are never far between some reason for him to just be a duff sleeper. Can't be long now till he sleeps better.
- crawling properly (everywhere)
- cruising on all the furniture and from person to person
- balancing for a few seconds at a time stood up unsupported (sometimes clapping while he does so)
- climbing the stairs (supervised)
- climbing anything he can like furniture
- walking around pushing his walker
- starting to wave goodbye
He has also been for a ride on his trike (on mothers day). He loves exciting new things, people and places. He always wants to have fun.
New nicknames include:
- Wilberoo
- Barbary Ape
It is always fun coming home and reading him his bed time stories.
Sleep deprivation is still a problem most of the time, usually because of colds coughs etc, we are never far between some reason for him to just be a duff sleeper. Can't be long now till he sleeps better.
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
Will at eight months
Will is hilarious. Brilliant during the day, always looking for a reaction and ready with a laugh or a smile. He is so much fun. New tricks every week, including this week just gone commando style crawling, hence his new nickname 'Sarge'.
He is now also clapping (just started yesterday), and he sometimes says 'Dada'. His progress with solids has been really good for two or three weeks now, so Nicky and I feel more confident.
While his new found mobility is great in terms of reducing his frustration, it means more work for us. He particularly likes wires, very dangerous and repetitive :-) Hence the new prison we have for him, which is currently wrapped around the TV and sound system area.
It is great watching Will interact with family and friends, and with his little baby playmates. It is kind of strange though to think that in only a couple of months now Nick will be going back to work for two days a week. That will take some getting used to.
Next steps, teach him to sit up, (currently he can only recline like a Roman), and improve the crawl action :-)
He is now also clapping (just started yesterday), and he sometimes says 'Dada'. His progress with solids has been really good for two or three weeks now, so Nicky and I feel more confident.
While his new found mobility is great in terms of reducing his frustration, it means more work for us. He particularly likes wires, very dangerous and repetitive :-) Hence the new prison we have for him, which is currently wrapped around the TV and sound system area.
It is great watching Will interact with family and friends, and with his little baby playmates. It is kind of strange though to think that in only a couple of months now Nick will be going back to work for two days a week. That will take some getting used to.
Next steps, teach him to sit up, (currently he can only recline like a Roman), and improve the crawl action :-)
Thursday, December 23, 2010
Just over six months with our little boy
It is almost Christmas, our first one with Will. The last six months have passed by so quickly, so much fun, but so challenging. We enjoy waiting for all the developmental stages, especially the real food stage which we are just entering now. As long as you remember it is just for fun at first it is easy to see the funny side when the food just gets splashed around all over the place, and when Will pulls funny faces at new flavours.
We have the usual ups and downs with small phases of cold free good health and good sleep, followed more often than not by several colds in succession and terrible nights for sleep. We are just over three weeks now where Nicky has had virtually no sleep with Will getting progressively louder in his grumping. Nobody in the house can sleep now :-(
On the flip side he smiles all the time during the day and is learning new tricks all the time. We also get to do all sorts of activities with him, a few weeks ago I went to water babies with them both and saw Will in his wetsuit :-)
I hope we all have a good Christmas and that Will's cold gets better very soon and he sleeps better so we are all rested and well again. It will be good to see all the family and let them all enjoy playing with the little lad.
So far it has been a reasonable attempt to balance work and life to ensure I see enough of Will and am around to help Nicky out enough. Its all fun!
We have the usual ups and downs with small phases of cold free good health and good sleep, followed more often than not by several colds in succession and terrible nights for sleep. We are just over three weeks now where Nicky has had virtually no sleep with Will getting progressively louder in his grumping. Nobody in the house can sleep now :-(
On the flip side he smiles all the time during the day and is learning new tricks all the time. We also get to do all sorts of activities with him, a few weeks ago I went to water babies with them both and saw Will in his wetsuit :-)
I hope we all have a good Christmas and that Will's cold gets better very soon and he sleeps better so we are all rested and well again. It will be good to see all the family and let them all enjoy playing with the little lad.
So far it has been a reasonable attempt to balance work and life to ensure I see enough of Will and am around to help Nicky out enough. Its all fun!
Thursday, August 26, 2010
The Words of Will
Something my dad did for us kids was to keep a book of words (or more accurately noises) we made and more or less when we made them. To keep with the family tradition I want to do the same thing. So here goes.
I actually think Will's first word was the same as my first word, 'aboo'. Not sure what it meant for me or him, but there you go.
Other words:
- agoo
- abyss
- acar
- boop
I actually have video footage of him from yesterday saying 'aboo' :-)
I will periodically update this so I don't forget things Will says.
Update (late 2010):
More words of Will, as accurately depicted as possible:
- Oh David (honestly, that is exactly what it sounded like)
- Ewooow
- Ah ah
- Hurkeekoo
Update (February 2011):
- Baa baa baa baaa (spoken as if a Lord at the House of Lords)
- Dada
I actually think Will's first word was the same as my first word, 'aboo'. Not sure what it meant for me or him, but there you go.
Other words:
- agoo
- abyss
- acar
- boop
I actually have video footage of him from yesterday saying 'aboo' :-)
I will periodically update this so I don't forget things Will says.
Update (late 2010):
More words of Will, as accurately depicted as possible:
- Oh David (honestly, that is exactly what it sounded like)
- Ewooow
- Ah ah
- Hurkeekoo
Update (February 2011):
- Baa baa baa baaa (spoken as if a Lord at the House of Lords)
- Dada
Update (Feburary 2012):
- Dad dad (all the time :-) )
- Acidic Boo (sounding like a Morta Kombat finishing move)
- Ninny (meaning music) has just evolved into Didic
- M (meaning milk - pronounced Ma) has just evolved into Mutt which I find funnier
Update (October 2012):
- The moon is following me
- Loot since late Spring/early Summer (meaning look)
- Holt since late Spring/early Summer (meaning Hulk)
Update (December 2012):
[On the way back from hospital very poorly with ear infection and tonisilitis]
W: 'Daddy are you happy ?'
D: 'Yes Will I am happy, I am very proud of you, you are such a good boy.'
W: 'Daddy are you my friend ?'
D: 'Yes Will, I am your friend, I am your daddy and I love you.'
W: 'We've got everything we need.'
- Stoody [we are not sure what this means but he usually calls daddy this] he has been saying this since ~ August September 2012
Update (October 2012):
- The moon is following me
- Loot since late Spring/early Summer (meaning look)
- Holt since late Spring/early Summer (meaning Hulk)
Update (December 2012):
[On the way back from hospital very poorly with ear infection and tonisilitis]
W: 'Daddy are you happy ?'
D: 'Yes Will I am happy, I am very proud of you, you are such a good boy.'
W: 'Daddy are you my friend ?'
D: 'Yes Will, I am your friend, I am your daddy and I love you.'
W: 'We've got everything we need.'
- Stoody [we are not sure what this means but he usually calls daddy this] he has been saying this since ~ August September 2012
Life is hectic
Somehow though I found a way to get hold of Red Dead Redemption, which turns out to be a beautiful game, in terms of scenery, and pretty good in terms of story too. My evenings generally start when Will and Nicky have gone to bed these days, which is a bit too late in all honesty :-)
Will is keeping us busy. Still feeding like a monster, and shrieking when he does not get his way. He actually slept from 9 till 5:50 on Tuesday night, we were amazed. Quickly back to his usual patterns again though the next night.
We are looking forward to a little holiday in late September. It will be good to take Will down to Bournemouth and spend some time round the beautiful South Coast.
Our little was weighed at 14lb 3 oz at nine weeks, so is still gaining plenty of weight :-) He started grabbing things about a week ago, and shakes his rattle.
Will is keeping us busy. Still feeding like a monster, and shrieking when he does not get his way. He actually slept from 9 till 5:50 on Tuesday night, we were amazed. Quickly back to his usual patterns again though the next night.
We are looking forward to a little holiday in late September. It will be good to take Will down to Bournemouth and spend some time round the beautiful South Coast.
Our little was weighed at 14lb 3 oz at nine weeks, so is still gaining plenty of weight :-) He started grabbing things about a week ago, and shakes his rattle.
Sunday, August 08, 2010
Will is almost two months old
It is amazing really how fast things are happening. I thought I had better keep a log of things to help me remember all that we would want to about this time in our lives.
First of all, the photos and movies are in the usual places, I keep them up to date a little bit more often than this blog.
So, on on to things I want to remember.
- rolling from front to back at nine days old, I think he could have done it younger but I was too worried as a brand new parent to put him on his front :-)
- first smile on camera at six weeks old exactly, he had smiled before but it is difficult to catch
- at six weeks old Will was 12 lb 1 oz
- at seven and a bit weeks Will has started trying to talk to us quite often, he had made noises at us before but we did not think he was deliberately responding
All of this is great, but Nicky is still definitely having a hard time, he still wants to feed hourly, and fights sleep all day long when he really could do with getting a bit more.
First of all, the photos and movies are in the usual places, I keep them up to date a little bit more often than this blog.
So, on on to things I want to remember.
- rolling from front to back at nine days old, I think he could have done it younger but I was too worried as a brand new parent to put him on his front :-)
- first smile on camera at six weeks old exactly, he had smiled before but it is difficult to catch
- at six weeks old Will was 12 lb 1 oz
- at seven and a bit weeks Will has started trying to talk to us quite often, he had made noises at us before but we did not think he was deliberately responding
All of this is great, but Nicky is still definitely having a hard time, he still wants to feed hourly, and fights sleep all day long when he really could do with getting a bit more.
Monday, June 28, 2010
Will goes through his tests
Today was a busy day for Will, he had his 10 day checkup at the doctors... closer to 14 day really but never mind. He passed with flying colours. Then he had his hearing screening done by the health visitor... again no problems. Nicky and I were very pleased.
We have definitely classified Will as a hungry baby though... feeding every hour. On the flip side though, although he fights sleep all day, he has had a good couple of nights... hopefully a sign of things to come :-)
Also very positive he is gaining weight nicely, at one week, he had crept back up to 7lb 5oz from his lowest of 7 lb 2oz... just 70 hours later he was 7lb 10.5oz.. amazing.
I started an all Apple web presence solution, its just the easiest way, anyhow, website on its way, and over at mobile me some movies of Will.
We have definitely classified Will as a hungry baby though... feeding every hour. On the flip side though, although he fights sleep all day, he has had a good couple of nights... hopefully a sign of things to come :-)
Also very positive he is gaining weight nicely, at one week, he had crept back up to 7lb 5oz from his lowest of 7 lb 2oz... just 70 hours later he was 7lb 10.5oz.. amazing.
I started an all Apple web presence solution, its just the easiest way, anyhow, website on its way, and over at mobile me some movies of Will.
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
Our son Will was one week old today
We can't believe how fast time is flashing past, probably the lack of sleep :-) We have already had a load of worry, as first time parents I understand this is perfectly normal. The good news is he is feeding well, and starting to get back towards his birth weight. It is amazing how well Nicky has taken to motherhood. I am struggling to keep up with things but trying hard.
More photos below:
First walk and top and tail
First visitors
Will meets his cousin Ethan
Fathers day and first bathtime
Tomorrow we are going to register Will, so we need to figure out his middle name(s).
More photos below:
First walk and top and tail
First visitors
Will meets his cousin Ethan
Fathers day and first bathtime
Tomorrow we are going to register Will, so we need to figure out his middle name(s).
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
Our baby son was born today
Today at 09:55 our son Will was born. He weighed 7 lb 13 oz. The birth was quick but not easy, mother and son are recovering well. I am hopefully going to pick them up tomorrow. I can't believe this day has arrived. He is an amazing little baby, and Nicky and I are both already completely in love with him.
For Nicky and I this is a dream come true. After our sad news last summer, we have worked hard for this, and Nicky in particular has been a star. I am so proud of her. Here are some pictures.
I am looking forward to seeing them both again and I only just left the hospital :-)
For Nicky and I this is a dream come true. After our sad news last summer, we have worked hard for this, and Nicky in particular has been a star. I am so proud of her. Here are some pictures.
I am looking forward to seeing them both again and I only just left the hospital :-)
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
The nursery is complete
Tomorrow Nicky will be 36 weeks, so after a small panic now our nursery is complete, photos at flicker. This is both exciting, and extremely scary. There are piles of tiny nappies in the wardrobe. Yep, that room used to be mine! How times are changing!
Thats about the only DIY I have ever enjoyed :-)
Thats about the only DIY I have ever enjoyed :-)
Sunday, April 25, 2010
33 today, baby just a couple of weeks away
Life is changing rapidly. Nicky is doing just fine with the pregnancy, and we are now only 5 - 9 weeks away from the big day. We have been busy heading out to Ikea to buy cots and matresses, chests of drawers, little outfits. We have a car seat, a pram, piles of nappies. Life is definitely changing.
We had a reality check this week too when our friends Carl and Lorraine had their little baby, five weeks early, all are ok, but it made us realise we may not have as long as we think!
We are both handling things quite well, relaxed and happy, I hope everything turns out well, and the sleepless nights do not go on for as long as people say :-)
We had a reality check this week too when our friends Carl and Lorraine had their little baby, five weeks early, all are ok, but it made us realise we may not have as long as we think!
We are both handling things quite well, relaxed and happy, I hope everything turns out well, and the sleepless nights do not go on for as long as people say :-)
Friday, April 02, 2010
I am an uncle at 32 (almost 33)
So I became an uncle on 23rd March. First time for me. Went to meet my nephew Ethan. He is a cute little baby. Good as an angel during the day, and according to my little sister Heidi, a nightmare at night at the moment. Hopefully things will settle down for them all over the coming weeks.
This makes reality hit home, now that Nicky and I are getting closer to the big day, (14th June apparently)!
I am getting old :-)
This makes reality hit home, now that Nicky and I are getting closer to the big day, (14th June apparently)!
I am getting old :-)
Thursday, December 10, 2009
Lucky number nine
Its been a long time since I blogged, part of that is because I have moved jobs and been involved in a very intensive first project, part of it is just laziness, oh and a fair bit of gaming on my PS3 also. Its time I shared some news, it turns out 9 is our lucky number. On the 9th October Nicky and I tested positive with a pregnancy test, then on 9th December we had a very good 13 week scan.
We are overjoyed, particularly as we went through an ectopic pregnancy in the Summer which was devastating. Now the reality of our situation is starting to sink in, and we can enjoy the whole thing. Life will be changing soon.
I have some scan pictures over on Flickr in case you are interested., showing progress over the different scans. I will post updates on this, so I can look back over it as much as anything.
We are overjoyed, particularly as we went through an ectopic pregnancy in the Summer which was devastating. Now the reality of our situation is starting to sink in, and we can enjoy the whole thing. Life will be changing soon.
I have some scan pictures over on Flickr in case you are interested., showing progress over the different scans. I will post updates on this, so I can look back over it as much as anything.
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