Amy's Fan Club

Stand By

2008-08-02T13:15:00.001+01:00

Well I assume that most of our old timers have long since finished checking in here on a regular basis but in case you have stopped by, get ready for news coming soon.

Happy Birthday Amelia!

2007-08-08T09:07:00.000+01:00

Yes I know that was two days ago! What kind of parent am I? Actually I think it's a great indicator of where we are that this third birthday is not quite the sigh of relief milestone that the last or certainly the first was. It's nice that we celebrate it for what it is rather than what might have been. Anyway there's lots of great pics to upload when I get more than 2 minutes to do it so in the meantime here's a shot from Pizza Express in Alresford for Amy's birthday tea on Monday where she attracted the usual attention from all and sundry. The staff brought her some complimentary ice cream complete with candle and kindly sang Happy Birthday, after which the whole restaurant erupted in applause led by the couple behind in the picture who would have happily taken Amy home with them.

It's Party Time

2007-07-24T11:08:00.000+01:00

Here's a picture of Amelia making friends with a bunny down at Birdworld the other day. We're on stand by for a jelly and ice cream extravaganza as we have a party on Saturday for Amelia's upcoming 3rd birthday (oh yes it's true). There's a bouncy castle, trampoline, sandpit and all the usuals. Full report to follow.

Generally she's coming along just fine and is getting ready to start at playgroup in September. She's finished her first swimming lessons and can paddle around quite well with the aid of a noodle. She's talking non-stop and has even managed to pick up some of her old Dad's trademark phrases, 'You know you want too', 'Cheers Mate' and the ever popular 'Jesus Christ!'. Well it was bound to happen I suppose. We just smile politely and vow to curb our exclamations from here on.

Sorry - Been Away

2007-07-06T17:27:00.001+01:00

Well what can I say? What excuse can I give for such deriliction of duty in not posting here for almost 9 weeks? Well those of you unfortunate to ask me what's been going on over the last 6 months will have been bored to the point of suicide with the 'other website' project. Well that's all up and running now so I have more time to do this.

We've been on holiday! Yes we visited the lovely Praa Sands in Cornwall and learned the true meaning of rain. However I did try my hand at body-boarding and we managed to spend a full day on the beach as you can see. There's so much news I don't know where to start so I'll return later with more. Have fun. Nice to be back!

Eggs-actly!

2007-04-05T12:53:00.000+01:00

Well apologies to those who have had problems returning to the blog having clicked on an image to enlarge. It looks like the clowns at Blogger have managed to take a perfectly good piece of software and ruin it. No change there then. Anyhow we get the bairn back from her brief holiday tonight which is nice. On Saturday morning we'll have an Easter Egg hunt followed by some serious chocolate munching. Here's a pic from last year's haul to get you in the mood. Have a good Easter!

Mother's Day

2007-04-01T14:51:00.000+01:00

Well it looks like they fixed the problem with the pictures so we're back full steam ahead with more posts as promised. Here are the girls enjoying breakfast in bed on Mother's Day the other week. Amelia was very excited to be helping and we made a jolly old mess in the kitchen but at least Anna got a bit of a lie-in plus the perks. Of course Amy had to have her own as well to ensure pilfering didn't occur and I think on balance it went rather well.

News-wise there's not much to report apart from Amy talking 10 to the dozen as usual. She's off to stay with Grandma & Godma this week from Monday to Thursday night so oh my Lord are we going to kick back! Cinema, curry, boozing, the lot. Actually it's more likely we'll just clean the flippin' house & then crash. What with all my extra-curricular activities at the moment any quiet time is gold to be honest.

We did have a scare with Lucy-Cat (official name), our family feline last Thursday. On noticing how thin she was, Anna dragged her off to the vet to be told there was a large lump in her abdomen which felt fairly, well terminal. She gave Lucy a pre-emptive painkiller and told us to give them a call when we felt 'the time' had come. So I stocked up on fresh chicken, pilchards, tuna, all the stuff she's not usually allowed, on the basis that if she's going to check out, she'll do it on a full stomach and being fussed over.

Well as usual the cat doesn't seem to have read the script. She's eating 3-4 times a day, putting on weight and generally giving the impression of an animal getting on with it as opposed to rolling over. Not sure what the next stage is going to be but at the moment we're just enjoying the extra time. In the meantime we have had many discussions abou Heaven etc and that Lucy is going to be going there soon. We'll see.

New Blog - Holy S***!

2007-03-14T07:18:00.000Z

Well some bright spark has decided to created an upgraded Blogger ( the host for this blog) and what a surprise, it doesn't work properly. For now there'll only be text posts without images. Let's hope someone sorts it out soon.

Flipping meddling techies!

Accepted!

2007-02-22T17:50:00.000Z

I almost can't believe it's here already but we had to submit Amelia for pre-school in September and she's been given a place. It's ridiculous to think she'll be 3 years old then and before you know it we'll be picking out the school uniform. I'm filling up at the mere thought.

It's a fair trek to the pre-school though. As of course we live in Camberwick Green where I work from home, Anna walks 100 yards to work and Amy's childminder is only a 10 minute walk, it's only fitting that we should have the huge task of lifting Amy over the fence each morning as the '3-4-5' club is held next door at the Methodist church!

Anyhow we're all looking forward to the weekend as the temperature is slowly climbing back up ready for spring - yes folks it's just round the corner. Incidentally we had a huge spike in our user stats for Tuesday and Wednesday this week and I was a little confused until I remembered we carried the bulletin on little Amillia Taylor the other day. Looks like we must get Googled fairly regularly as dozens of people looking for that story found their way here - lucky them!

Kindred Spirits

2007-02-20T08:24:00.000Z

You'll probably see this on the news but I was interested to see the report on Amillia Taylor in Miami who went home yesterday after 4 months in hospital and is believed to be the first baby to have survived following a gestation period of less than 23 weeks. This is a world record apparently, a dubious honour to be sure.

She was the size of a pen and weighed 10 ounces (284g) at birth making our Amelia look like a whopper! Amillia has experienced respiratory problems, a very mild brain haemorrhage and some digestive problems, but doctors now say her "prognosis is excellent". Apparently Amillia is latin for 'resilient', something we didn't know but can certainly testify to. Happy trails Amillia!

As for our own little 'cheekius maximus', she like us has been down with the dreaded lurgy for a few days and has coughed herself into oblivion bless her heart. She seems to be over the worst now but we're both suffering so it's a bit like quarantinesville here. Still, at least it's not bird flu.

I Can't Do It!

2007-02-07T09:24:00.000Z

After my slightly over-emotional farewell (see last post) I spent the subsequent days feeling somewhat edgy and this developed into what I can only describe as mild anxiety. Then it hit me. This blog long ago transcended from being merely a diary of how Amy was getting on, it served two other very important purposes. Firstly it overcomes the irregularity with which we all contact each other to see how things are going. I've realised that when I meet up with people after days, weeks, months etc., they're completely up to speed with what's going on. Great! Secondly it acts as what I've discovered now is a very necessary outlet for me. I can splurge endlessly about all sorts of nonsense and should you have the misfortune to stumble across AFC during your lunch hour or whatever, you've got to read it. That gives me some kind of warped satisfaction.

To be honest I really felt a sense of loss after calling time on this thing. I mean it's been two and a half years and you kind of get used to it you know. I also know some of you were sad to see it go too. Let's face it, it fills 5 minutes every now and then doesn't it? So with a focus primarily still on the little lady, but with my general ramblings too, we will march onwards to a now undetermined future.

Amy's Fan Club is back, and it's here to stay.

All Good Things...

2007-01-24T21:02:00.000Z

Well this is it folks and I guess it's been on the cards. Something quite strange struck me the other day and after a few seconds I was really rather glad. What struck me was that I hadn't posted anything here since early December. Nothing about Christmas, nothing about New Year. Nothing at all. What struck me more importantly, was that I hadn't felt the need to. Up until now, every turn that Amelia has taken has been newsworthy. But why? Because everything that she's done which is the same as every other child has been another tick in the box on the road to recovery and 'normality'. I remember clearly very soon after Amelia was born going down to the neo-natal unit one morning to find that the nurses had 'nothing to report'. I remember just as clearly feeling that 'nothing to report' was fine by me. 80 more days of that and I'd be happy and bless her little self, with a few bumps and ripples that's what we got.

So I guess it's only fitting that this particular news service should end with a whimper instead of a bang. No big news. No huge milestones. Nothing to report. I think it would be foolish to assume that the odd new picture from time to time won't appear here, of course that would make sense. But just as this blog started out of necessity, to get the hourly and daily updates posted as soon as possible, it makes sense that it should cease for the lack of such necessity. And we are all so, so thankful for that.

As I write I feel a little emotional that this process is coming to an end for AFC has been as much an outlet for me as a bulletin board for the wee one. I shed many tears over this keyboard in 2004, sometimes I could hardly see the letters. Through it though, friends, family and hundreds of others have watched a true miracle unfold. I feel selfish that Anna and I are the only ones to have the pleasure of being with this incredible person every single day. I can't begin to explain how much she surprises, entertains and lifts us at every opportunity. More than that she brings a smile to every face that looks upon hers, and she knows it.

One thing I don't recall doing is thanking you. I made a film dedicated to the staff at the hospital but sometimes feel everyone else needed something too. Amelia's birth wasn't the joyous occasion that we all wanted and although we know these things happen, and it was happening to Anna and me, I saw too many faces that told their own tales of dispair. I know that some of you spent long nights tired and afraid as we did, but still were always there to help and support. So with too many names to possibly mention, if you came to visit, bought something, listened to us ramble, sent flowers or a card or a text or just kept up to date here on the Blog, Thank You. You know who you are.

So with a slightly heavy but grateful heart, I bid you all a fond farewell. My work here is done.

This is Amy's Fan Club...signing off.

Bobby Dazzler

2006-12-06T20:33:00.000Z

Here's a picture of Amelia sporting her brand new 'Bob' haircut. It was getting a bit shabby and tangled round the back so Anna decided it needed some TLC. Anyway you'd think she was having her fingernails pulled out with the racket she made in the hairdresser apparently but she's please enough now. I'm a little diappointed because I think there's a touch of the Mick Hucknells (Simply Red) about her now which just isn't funny in anyone's book. 1)He's a filthy Man U fan, 2)He's got a face like a bag of smacked tripe and I just don't want the association.

Anyhow Amelia is now pointing out every Father Christmas she comes into contact with so she's in for a busy month. TTFN.

Going Potty

2006-11-30T08:24:00.000Z

Sorry the posts have been a little sparse this month but it's been all hands to the pump. Weekends are awash with the doing of odd-jobs with the decking and general upkeep taking a fair chunk of time, plus of course the normal garden chores associated with autumn. Additionally last week we decided that we were sick of heating the pigeons due to the poor state of the poly-carb roof in the dining room so installed a false ceiling with insulation above. Now of course we have to redecorate the whole she-bang so we've veered off on a bit of a tangent there!

Amelia is the best fun she's ever been at the moment. She repeats everything you say and the next day she's using it in a sentance and was highlighted quite spectacularly as I described someone as 'dizzy as arseholes' the other night. Well now we know don't we? As you can see in the picture she's learning the fun that can be had with mobile phones (it's a fake) and pretending to call people and have conversations. Bless. We're also trying to steer her towards the potty as she's now giving us advance warnings of number 1's and 2's. Finally she's got the idea that some fat bloke in a suit is coming down the chimney to give her presents. The problem is she has no concept of time so the other night after I'd explained it to her, she insisted she wanted to go to bed (at 6PM), presumably because she thought Santa was coming immediately. Unfortunately '4 weeks away' has no meaning for a 2 year old.

The Search Goes On

2006-11-21T00:02:00.000Z

Today's Jeremy Vine show on Radio 2 involved a feature about premature babies. This is due to the recent survey issuing guidelines as to whether or not babies should be resuscitated following premature birth. It's a debate that will rightly run and run but to be honest, not the one we're most concerned about. Looking ahead since we got Amelia home our issue has always been not what happens after premature birth but what causes it. With no explanation as to why Amelia arrived so soon, we have no way of knowing whether we'd face the same challenges next time with possibly a worse outcome.

With no-one to date able to give us more than a shoulder shrug as an answer, I thought I'd try national radio.

Click here for Olly on the Radio 2 Jeremy Vine Show

The above file is about 1MB and will take around 30 seconds to download using broadband. Your screen will probably be blank in the meantime.

Bonfire Night Bonanza

2006-11-08T21:36:00.000Z

Well Saturday saw what is always a monumental fixture in the Alresford calendar go off with an enormous bang. The Rotary Club's torchlight street parade followed by the bonfire and fireworks display is simply the best 4 quid you can spend in November. We of course have our own family traditions too now so having wrapped up warm we set off for the chip shop, as does everyone else, stocking up with chocolate from the Co-op en route. It is then mandatory to consume a large tray of sausage & chips sitting on the bench outside the post office. I let mine cool down for 2 minutes while dashing off to the Swan for a purely medicinal large Paddy whiskey.

After that it was time to light our torch and join the chanting locals as they followed the fire engine (for heaven's sake) down West Street and up The Avenue to Arlebury Park rec. Then it's the big countdown as the huge bonfire is lit and we all stand back in awe. I can't really explain why the monk look-alike in the picture is giving a Nazi salute but this is Alresford and we try to be as cosmopolitan as we can you know. Apologies if it causes offence. Anyhoo I'm sure he was just excited because what followed was a truly fabulous firework display fit for any rural community desperate for a bit of excitement. Ooo's and aaa's filled the air, probably because the underdone sausages from the chip shop were reacting with Mars bars and repeating on everyone but that's the price you pay for fun.

Can you live with yourself for not being there? I thought not. Well never mind, next week there'll be a thrilling update on my wonderful decking project. How do you cope with the excitement I wonder?

Bulletproof Bairns

2006-11-03T14:58:00.000Z

You may have already seen this elsewhere but it's worth repeating anyway. Tough start or not, we'll be shaping Amelia in this mould.

According to today's regulators and bureaucrats, those of us who were kids in the 60's, 70's and early 80's probably shouldn't have survived because our baby cots were covered with brightly coloured lead-based paint which was promptly chewed and licked.

We had no childproof lids on medicine bottles, or latches on doors or cabinets and it was fine to play with pans. When we rode our bikes, we wore no helmets, just flip-flops and fluorescent 'spokey dokey's' on our wheels.

As children, we would ride in cars with no seat belts or airbags and riding in the passenger seat was a treat. We drank water from the garden hose and not from a bottle and it tasted the same. We ate chips, bread and butter pudding and drank fizzy juice with sugar in it, but we were never overweight because we were always outside playing. We shared one drink with four friends, from one bottle or can and no-one actually died from this.

We would spend hours building go-carts out of scraps and then went top speed down the hill, only to find out we forgot the brakes. After running into stinging nettles a few times, we learned to solve the problem. We would leave home in the morning and could play all day, as long as we were back before it got dark. No one was able to reach us and no one minded.

We did not have Play stations or X-Boxes, no video games at all. No 99 channels on TV, no videotape movies, no surround sound, no mobile phones, no personal computers, no DVDs, no Internet chatrooms. We had friends - we went outside and found them. We played elastics and rounders, and sometimes that ball really hurt! We fell out of trees, got cut, and broke bones but there were no law suits.

We played knock-the-door-run-away and were actually afraid of the owners catching us. We walked to friends' homes. We also, believe it or not, WALKED to school; we didn't rely on mummy or daddy to drive us to school, which was just round the corner. We made up games with sticks and tennis balls. We rode bikes in packs of 7 and wore our coats by only the hood. The idea of a parent bailing us out if we broke a law was unheard of...they actually Sided with the law.

This generation has produced some of the best risk-takers and problem solvers and inventors, ever. The past 50 years have been an explosion of innovation and new ideas. We had freedom, failure, success and responsibility, and we learned how to deal with it all.

Have a good weekend.

A Smashing Little Pumpkin

2006-11-01T17:51:00.000Z

Apologies to the old folks, that's a Nu-Metal music reference you won't get but what the heck. Well many of you won't know but I go a huge bundle on Hallowe'en. It all started way back when I happened across a low-budget slasher pic by the same name on BBC2 one dark October 31st when I was about 12 or 13. Well the worm certainly turned for me and since then I've been been a respectable appreciator of spine-tinglers of the silver screen and a big fan of Hallowe'en in general. Of course if I like it everyone has to so last night we had the standard hollowed out pumpkin for starters but with a string of pumpkin lights across the window, small night-light pumpkins in the window, inflatable ghouls, glow-in-the-dark ghosts and party balloons too. Our star attraction of course was our own gorgeous gourd Amelia.

I think we fed most of Alresford's under 12s and a few over 16s too with sweets, in exchange for their rather fabulous costumes & disguises. We in turn feasted on my traditional fried chicken & chips, marshmallows and sponge pudding. Oh baby! Anyhow Saturday is Alresford's world famous fireworks extravaganza which follows the torchlit parade through the main street. Biggest problem this year is with a tray of chips in one hand and a torch in the other, what do I do with Amelia? I'm sure we'll figure it out.

Little Vegas

2006-10-27T11:24:00.000+01:00

I bet you didn't know that was Alresford's nick-name did you? Well every year on the second Thursday in October, Broad Street is transformed from it's quiet leafy existence as the main street with a small market, into an almost exact replica of the world famous Las Vegas strip. Well, OK it's not quite the same but it don't half get the locals off their behinds. 'Hook-A-Duck', 'Coconut Shy' and 'Burn The Heretic' are just 3 of the family fun attractions for this 1 day only event.

We did try to get Amelia on the Cups & Saucers ride but the rotation was starting to look like dinner would reappear so we sacked that in favour of a pleasant stroll ooo-ing and ahh-ing at the lights. Personally I make it my business to visit all the donut and pork roll stalls but Amy has all that fun to come. Have a nice weekend.

It's Potty Time

2006-10-23T20:13:00.000+01:00

Aaah Michael Bentine. Footprints in a model sandpit from an invisible miniature person....what a show! Those were the days etc. Anyway enough of my reminiscing, Amelia is starting to look like she may be getting ready for the old potty training stuff. We have one in the bathroom and she can sit on and get off and she knows to wipe herself although she's not sure why yet. Don't worry love, some blokes never figure it out. Today though she learned how to pull her trousers down and pull them back up again! It doesn't sound like much but I still stuggle sometimes, it's me back you know. So hopefully quite soon she'll be making regular visits to the bathroom for little deposits. It'll be a real boost all round as she can keep her mother company while she's in there.

Three Lovely Birds

2006-10-18T13:36:00.000+01:00

A couple more pics from the recent jaunt to Cornwall here. First Amelia and Anna feeding some very friendly lorikeets with their favourite nectar treat. Actually although most of them were very well-behaved there were a couple of swine birds in there too. Fortunately none of them started tucking into either of my ladies. Down the road a bit we revisted Cheney Mill Farm Park which is always nice and Amelia got to stroke this very sweet corn snake. They're deadly of course but we can't have her growing up frightened of these beasties you know.

On the other stuff it's all fairly dull at the moment. This weekend should finally see the last chapter of the deck saga written which is fortunate because the dry days are a bit thin on the ground at the moment. Amy & Anna are off swimming today but it's basically all quiet on the western front here.

The deck takes shape...as I fall apart

2006-10-10T21:23:00.000+01:00

Well as you can see the frame of the deck is now finally complete. Not bad eh? And yes it IS all level before you ask, and this didn't come together without considerable blood, sweat and tears I can tell you. There was still plenty to do after we got back from Cornwall and I was all set to get cracking this weekend until I was struck down on Friday night with the mother of all stomach bugs. Actually it was a hang-over from the slightly 'loose' week I had on holiday but without putting too fine a point on it, the troops were evacuating from every port. Amelia was not herself either on Friday so as is customary at the moment I was attending her bedside at around 3:30am when the call from on high came and I spent a good portion of the next hour downstairs, conversing with the big G on his porcelain megaphone. I felt terrible and ached all over in a flu-ish, kind of way with a touch of African Sleeping Sickeness too I'm sure. It could be - I read about it. Anyhoo morning broke and I managed to nobly stagger into the garden to begin some deckwork. After a full programme on Saturday and Sunday the end result was as you see now. What you can't see is that I was immobile for the entire evening & night. I must have wrenched a few muscles because by about 2:00am I literally couldn't move. Must be getting old.

Also I can't take all the credit because Anna played a sterling supporting role all weekend by keeping young Amelia occupied. Also in terms of navigating the tricky bits around the drain and that strange circular concrete thingy by the fence (origin unknown) she was invaluable. Not for the first time since I've known her she would chime in with gems like 'you realise you can't put that in there until you've screwed that on properly'. Ooh matron.

So to the bairn! Amelia had her annual appointment with her original consultant Dr Ian Rodd back at the now slightly less familiar, Royal Hants Hospital. As expected he's thrilled with her progress and I think would have signed her off completely were it not for the fact that good practise means they'll keep an eye on her until she starts school. Actually to say he's just thrilled with her progress is an understatement, he's astonished. To emphasise the point he highlighted some new research which has concluded that in the Severely Premature birth bracket (24-28 weeks) they have discovered that 50% of babies are disabled as a result, and 50% of those severely so. Although we'll never forget Amy's start in life I often think we're not thankful enough for how truly amazing she is. Here she is with her new backpack which she adores.

Back From The Beach

2006-10-05T17:47:00.000+01:00

Flipping typical eh? You get back from holiday and if the site's not chock-a-block with holiday snaps the next day the complaints start rolling in! Hey-ho, nice to know there's people still checking in. So in time for the weekend here's the first of a few choice shots from our superb week down in Praa Sands. It would be very un-English not to talk about the weather so to be brief, it was generally changeable with all days giving a general mixture of sun, cloud, mist & showers and none a complete write-off.

Amelia was thrilled to be away with mummy and daddy as you can see from the first picture and we made sure she got down on the beach as much as possible too. I resisted the temptation to buy a bodyboard and squeeze into a wetsuit but it's only a matter of time - cameras at the ready for that one! It was general holiday fayre when there's a 2 year old in the gang so plenty of farm parks, ice cream and the like.

Other photographic highlights to thrill you over the coming days will be Amelia feeding a goat, a parrot and stroking a very sweet corn snake. Unfortunately no footage exists of her cuddling the 5-stone 12-foot Python - just as well as the grandparents might catch a glimpse of the look in that particular reptile's eye when she sidled up to him. It's the same look that comes into mine when the McRib is back on offer at McDonald's.

Anyhoo this weekend it's back to Project Tricycle and pushing on with the decking for the back garden before it turns into just a crap paddling pool. Still if we have a very brutal winter I could hire out skates. No! We will finish or be damned! Have a good one.

'Project Tricycle'

2006-09-21T18:56:00.000+01:00

As many of you know, we have no driveway and the back garden is predominantly lawn. Not any more! Against all sane advice I've dug a whopping great hole outside the back door and the plan is to turn this into a fairly large expanse of decking. One main use for this will be to let my little treasure wear herself out going round and round it on her trike.

On Saturday when the wood arrived there was only one place the lorry could unload - across the road. This left me with only one alternative - to carry the lot back to the house myself. 38 deckboards, 32 joists and 3 x 4-metre posts - that's just over a tonne of timber folks, hoiked on my ickle shoulder in just over 2 hours. Did I feel it the next day? You bet your cahunas. Anyhoo once the wood was shifted there Amelia needed to pose triumphantly on my behalf with shades of the Kenny Everett Show. All we needed to do now was arrange the wood in a kind of deck-like configuration right? What could possibly go wrong?

Tune in later for more news. We're off to Cornwall again for a week so have a great weekend(s) until we get back and make sure you enjoy what's left of the Summer. You'll miss it when it's gone.

Ouch!!!!!

2006-09-14T00:41:00.000+01:00

On Sunday Amelia suffered her first crunching head injury and boy did she feel it! She had just come into me to show off her new frock and shoes and was on her way back to the nursery where mummy was. She broke into a run and on reaching top speed, promptly tripped over her own feet. She put her hands out to stop herself but they merely went either side of the doorframe, leaving her forehead to connect fully with the corner of the wood with her full weight behind it as she fell.

The noise was incredibly loud when her head hit - that awful sickening 'crack' that you know is not good. She absolutely screamed the place down and we shot into the bathroom to get some ice on it. True to form of course, ten minutes later it was like nothing had ever happened. She's got quite a badge to commemorate her trip but no lasting damage we hope. Hearts in mouths as we weren't sure how tough her little bonce would be. Thankfully it's as thick as her Dad's so no worries there then.

Sleeping Sickness

2006-09-01T08:47:00.000+01:00

Well, not strictly speaking but flippin' heck this child won't sleep at the moment! Last night she was awake 10 or 15 times which meant another 4 hours in the chair for me with a stiff neck as a trophy. She seems to be sleeping very lightly, plus she's having dreams which are obviously concerning her so the end result is no sleep! We've tried lights on, lights off, music, you name it but it's always the same. Actually a couple of nights ago she slept through so maybe we're over the worst but we look like a family of pandas at the moment.

Anyhoo here's the little fairy dressed as, well a fairy. Have a great weekend all.

Big Ten

2006-08-29T11:35:00.000+01:00

Well another milestone passes as the visitor count for Amy's Fan Club tops 10,000. I don't have very sophisticated web stats so I can't analyse it too much but with continued new visitors from the UK and around the world it still seems that the site is providing a service to its patrons - whoever you are! With many of the dangers associated with Amelia's untimely arrival now subsiding it's really just a good way of seeing how she's coming on and there's nothing wrong with that. As friends and relatives are all over the world it's very easy to blink and miss an entire stage of someone's life so AFC is here to stay, for now at least. Keep well and thanks for checking in.

Sorry Vin

2006-08-18T09:37:00.000+01:00

Well, well, well. Last week we had the great pleasure of entertaining Amelia's godmother Kay plus of course Pierre and nipper Ethan, and just look at the shenannigins that went on! I have to say credit to Ethan that when he saw the obvious chemistry between Amy and my godson Vin in Holland, he was straight down here to lay down the law. Actually on occasions Ethan's attempts to snog my daughter bordered on harassment, but I think she's old enough to make her own mind up. There comes a time when as a parent you just have to let them go. [Sigh]. Your move Vin.

Another Belated Birthday Blog

2006-08-18T09:33:00.000+01:00

Happy Birthday yesterday for lovely Anna who turned 30 again for the fourth time. Thanks ever so much for the cards & gifts, I'm sure she'll thank you all in turn. I made another cake. We ate it.

Belated Birthday Blog

2006-08-11T09:56:00.000+01:00

Well I've been busy haven't I? I've spent most of the week either in the car or on the roof of a school in Hove (long story). Anyway Sunday last was of course Amelia's 2nd birthday and therefore cause for great celebration and back-slapping all round. Thank you so much to everyone for all the wonderful gifts and cards, there's hardly a spare surface left to put everything.

We started the day at home opening the pressies and cards and generally just stooging about. In the afternoon we went across to the Trodds who's son James was celebrating his 4th birthday, and enjoyed a very relaxed afternoon hijacking someone else's party. At around teatime we headed for Andover to see Kate, Neil and the boys for a special birthday tea and cake.

Amy's in good spirits generally although she was running a fever midweek but this has subsided now. She is having trouble sleeping though so we're trying to figure out why but in the main, mustn't grumble. The words are also coming thick and fast so get ready for a conversation next time you see her.

Have a good weekend.

Thinking Back

2006-08-04T08:58:00.000+01:00

Well we're into August and it's almost that time again. We don't do a lot of looking back these days but on Sunday we'll be thinking of exactly 2 years ago when Amelia's arrival took us all by surprise and changed our perspective on life forever. Although I don't dwell on the past anymore I can honestly say I look at my daughter every day and am truly thankful; but doesn't every parent? Alas not. I'll be extra thankful on Sunday but I'll also be thinking of those less fortunate.

A huge thank you to everyone who has sent cards and presents. The pile is growing and we're very grateful, especially Amelia! There's no official party on Sunday but we'll be celebrating at home together. In the afternoon we're off to someone else's birthday bash ironically and then to Auntie Kate's for tea. Another jelly and ice cream bonanza I suspect.

Have a good weekend and I'll leave you with a pictorial retrospective. A couple of shots from our previous two notable August 6ths.

It's About Bloody Time

2006-07-28T13:05:00.000+01:00

No, I don't mean me putting another post on the site. I'm referring to the fact that I finally managed to give blood the other day. I've been trying to start repaying what Anna and Amelia had during that weekend a couple of years ago but due to my unstable thyroid medication ('it's me glands I tell ya') they wouldn't let me. Anyhoo got the all clear this week so shot down there to drain a pint, got too hot & dehydrated, went white, nearly passed out but delivered the goods and polished off most of the digestives afterwards. Four more like that and I reckon we'll be all square.

On the Principessa front Anna took her to the health visitor this week and she's up to 20lbs! (ooooh). Also she's back on those growth chart whatsits. You may recall she dropped off at the start of the year and we all panicked a bit as she wasn't gaining enough weight. So that's all fine and she's now started throwing words out all over the place and stringing two together occasionally. This means of course that the swear box is now in operation and I have to count to 10 a lot. Hope it's not too late! Have a good weekend, more next week.

Dutch Courage

2006-07-15T22:05:00.000+01:00

Well we just got back from The Netherlands having visited my old mucker Sy, his lovely lady Weiteke & my top, top godson Vin. As you can see Amelia has gotten straight on with the job of soothing her husband-to-be's furrowed brow. There was a brief but electric kiss shortly after this photo was taken.

If I can get my technical head on there's some footage of Amy on the front of my bike whizzing through Utrecht at top speed. Don't hold your breath though - it's in Apple Mac format!!

How quickly they grow up

2006-07-03T15:13:00.000+01:00

Sorry there's been nothing for a few days but you know how it is. I've decided to lay a new patio at the back so I've been a bit preoccupied. Anyway this snap from just the other day and Amelia's new photo face. Somewhere down the line she's learned to do this smile on demand so happy snaps can now be guaranteed henceforth. She does seem to have become much 'older' in the last few weeks and this to me is the first photo of a 'little girl' as opposed to a toddler. We're off to Utrecht in Holland this weekend to see my godson, Vin and Amelia's godfather Sy. Brando impersonations at the ready.

The Constant Gardener

2006-06-19T22:37:00.000+01:00

A couple of snaps from a recent jaunt to Manchester.

Ready For Summer

2006-06-12T15:41:00.000+01:00

Here is Amelia in her swimming cossie. It's the only one she's ever had, the smallest we could buy and it's still miles too big for her. Anyway she's muttering more and more words almost on a daily basis now, she can do various animal impressions and she'll even join in for the start of 'Row Your Boat'. Canines are appearing too so what with the blistering heat and all she's not sleeping too well.

Club Tropicana

2006-06-02T22:00:00.000+01:00

Well we're back from our week in the tropics - Praa sands, Cornwall to be precise. It's a few miles shy of Penzance and around 17 from Land's End if that helps. Anyway a truly wonderful place for a holiday if anyone's interested - plenty of things to visit including to truly awesome Eden Project. The slightly foggy picture of the 3 of us was taken on one of the enormous biomes there which housed thousands of tropical plants hence the humidity and condensation on the lens.

Weather was misty for 3 or 4 days and then absolutely incredible for the rest. It had everything the Costa Del Sol has but without the permanent building-site look, arrid landscape, yobs, beaches jam-packed with tourists, lousy food and bucket-flight to an airport 40 miles from where you're staying. Give me Blighty any day.

The other picture is of Amelia shovelling sand around but her spade has some history - it was mine. 30 years ago it was me making sandcastles in Wales and now I've handed it down the line. How's that for an heirloom?

Take It Easy

2006-05-23T14:01:00.000+01:00

Ready for hols

2006-05-19T10:10:00.000+01:00

We're all getting ready for a week by the seaside as we head off to Cornwall next week. As usual it'll be sandcastles and packed lunches all the way and hopefully Amelia won't be teething like she was last time. She's starting walking a bit as you may already know and this of course signals the start of a new phase which includes 'gone in 60 seconds' and generally bumping into stuff and falling over. Here she is after bathtime debating the usual trials and tribulations of life over a bottle of warm milk before bed.

The Eyes Have It

2006-05-08T15:36:00.000+01:00

So obvious I'm sure I must have used that one before. Anyway another milestone passed on Friday last when I took Amelia to the hospital for her latest eye check. Remember that for premature babies, the eyesight is always one of the most worrying aspects that can suffer, especially if there has been significant ventiliation required at birth as with Amelia. Well amazingly after various flashcards, eyedrops and torches into the pupils it was reported that not only have there been no side-effects from her prematurity but quite the opposite and her eyesight is astonishingly good. Although test results at this stage are exaggerated apparently she can still be described as having 20-20 vision and has now been officially discharged from the Opthalmic clinic.

None of this of course comes as any surprise to those of us who've tried to sneak a Custard Cream past the nosy little bugger.

Reap what you sow

2006-04-27T22:44:00.000+01:00

Ain't that the truth? Amelia and I with the beginnings of the Wilson-Barnes 2006 crop, to be made up predomenantly of Sweetcorn due to its low maintenance and my love for the plant. There'll also be some Amy Beans, a few peppers and the odd courgette but nothing extravagant. Also pictured is herself with this year's haul of Easter eggs (thanks all) and telling us how many she'd like to have eaten.

A Grand Day Out

2006-04-10T21:07:00.000+01:00

As a forerunner to Anna's impending start at the Watercress Line we were invited to attend one of their famous Days Out With Thomas (The Tank Engine), so Saturday last we donned full packed lunch provisions and made the long journey up the hill and into Thomas-land. It's a flippin' ace way to spend an afternoon I can tell you, and several donuts and candy floss bags later we were all steamed out....literally.

Moment of the day though was stolen by the principessa of course. On noticing the countryside whizzing by she realised that ever-present companion Pooh (stuffed toy) had a poor view from the seat and so lifted him up to the window to let him see out. Bless.

Hello Rat Race, Goodbye Amelia.....

2006-04-05T20:32:00.000+01:00

....well for 3 days a week anyway. Yes folks, Anna is about to rejoin the ranks of those being paid to work for a living instead of having to create a human being from scratch and simply receiving bed & board. So as of April 18th she will become the new Marketing Assistant for the Mid-Hants Railway Watercress Line, Alresford's very own steam line which of course as most of you know, runs right past our house. On Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays from then on, Amelia will spend the day with her childminder up the road. There she will learn the ways of the Force and become a Jedi like her father; or at the very least she'll play nicely with others and do lots of drawing and stuff.

Chill Out!!!

2006-03-29T00:10:00.000+01:00

We had a small problem last week with a blister on Amelia's gum brought on we think by the molar underneath. She is currently cutting 4 teeth and at one point last week a blister which had formed over her bottom left, burst. The following day it had gone a very strange colour and the poor little mite was in a considerable amount of pain. Anna carted her off down to the doctor where her temperature was taken an an incredible 40°C. Bearing in mind that 37 is normal, 38 is running a fever and at 39 and above you're in danger of suffering from seizures or fits known as febrile convulsions. They prescribed antibiotics and told us to get the temperature down immediately. Anna got Amelia straight into a cool bath and thankfully she cooled off and as suddenly as the whole episode began, it subsided. The medicine seems to have done the trick with the gum looking much less angry and Amy back to her usual chirpy self. She is pictured here painting pots for Jane and Ffelsh in honour of Mother's Day,

Welcome My 'Son'

2006-03-20T23:42:00.000Z

I'd like to take this opportunity to welcome into the world Vin Sixsmith who was born on Thursday 16th March in Utrecht, Holland. His parents of course are Amelia's Godfather Simon, and the lovely Wieteke. The reason for his inclusion here is not only that he's my Godson, but of course that he's probably the only lad I'll ever willingly let within 100 yards of my little princess. Careful son, I'm watching you already.

8,000 Happy Customers

2006-03-20T23:37:00.000Z

So busy this week I almost missed our 8,000th visitor to the site. It's an amazing number of people, especially when you also consider that the hits have come so far from 66 different countries too.

'S No Problem

2006-03-09T21:41:00.000Z

Last weekend Manchester was a positive Winter wonderland and this gave Amelia her first taste of snow - literally. It was quite something to see her leave tiny little footprints in Mum & Dad's back garden. She was just recovering from a very nasty bug which actually had all the hallmarks of Salmonella poisoning. She had spent a week vomiting back anything more than a thimble of water and suffering chronic diorrhea. Anna and I had spent the previous 4 days in shifts during the night reducing her fever and making sure she had at least some water so as not to dehydrate. It was the first time she'd been properly ill since leaving hospital and it reminded us of something important; although she is acting just like a normal toddler she is still tiny for her age and something like this shows just how few reserves she has. Having not had a mouthful of food for days she dramatically lost weight and began to look very gaunt. Thankfully she's back wolfing it down now but she's lost the chubbyness around her face and limbs that we'd begun to take for granted. Some sausage and chips should do the trick.

Waynetta!

2006-02-22T12:53:00.000Z

Had to put a couple of shots up showing Amelia in her ill-fitting velour Snoopy leisure suit. She's got a couple of large teeth coming through at the moment so night-times are a little up and down but apart from that she's a real poppet. No sign of any more words but the walking is coming on a treat.

Walk This Way

2006-02-17T09:34:00.000Z

As some of you already know, Amelia is now walking between people and places albeit somewhat erratically. She's still very small so we think her brain is stopping her from really pushing on to proper walking as she's not tough enough to take the knocks yet. Still she's crawling like a lizard so she's never in the same place for long.

Eighty Days Is A Wrap

2006-01-16T22:25:00.000Z

The short film chronicling events from 2 days before Amelia's birth until the day we brought her home, now entitled Eighty Days for obvious reasons, is finally finished. I am happy to email Windows Media versions to anyone who wants them (email Amy from the Blog site) but as a great deal of footage used is of quite poor original quality due to obvious conditions, I would strongly recommend the DVD version. These are free to all of you regulars and should anyone outside the gang want one, again email Amelia from the site and I'll setup a PayPal invoice for you to pay by credit card to cover postage etc.

It's just over 10 minutes long and everything I hoped it would be. Kleenex at the ready though, it's strong stuff.

The Chocolate Gene Has Kicked In

2006-01-13T11:50:00.000Z

Oh she's a Wilson-Barnes alright. Well Amelia is scooting around the house on all fours banging her head whenever she gets the oppotunity - ah such joy. She fell off the bed the other day and yet it's true, babies do bounce! My heart is in my mouth every time I hear a crash, bang or whallop in the vicinity.

Off to Manchester this weekend for the annual mutual hatred society meeting between the good and righteous Blue side of the city and that evil worm-riddled pile of offal from the Old Trafford area. I dare say we'll watch the match too.

Posh frock

2006-01-05T13:06:00.000Z

Christmas was a hoot as always and this year Amelia had another posh frock to wear. Last year's lasted around half an hour as I recall before it was on the receiving end of a particularly violent bowel movement from her ladyship. This year she managed to keep it on all day and what a picture she was too.

Creepy Crawly!

2006-01-02T10:36:00.000Z

Well 'touch wood' the antibiotics seem to have done the trick and Amelia is coughing & snotting a great deal less. Phew! One strange side-effect is that she has now started crawling!!!! She's been on the verge and has been cruising around the furniture for some time but just hadn't got the hang of propelling herself forwards. So the stair-gates are up and we've ordered the spare pairs of eyes for back of the head insertion. Be afraid!

R.I.P. Tagboard

2005-12-31T00:22:00.000Z

Well the Tagboard has finally bitten the dust. In my opinion the odd message being left was being overshadowed by the number of cursed pop-ups that free hosting of the board brought with it.

Poorly Poppet

2005-12-28T12:35:00.000Z

Well Merry Christmas one and all etc etc. Hope you all had a great time and are now glad to be back at work. As if.

Amelia has been coughing & sneezing on and off for the best part of 5 weeks now so this morning I visited the docs with her, the upshot being a course of antibiotics. Because Amelia was born with chronic lung disease, a result of the prematurity, we have to be on the lookout for wheeziness in the chest. Having had a good listen this morning there was evidence that it was causing a problem there so decided best course of action was to knock it on the head - so to speak. Amelia's lung problem has always meant that even though she should be fine generally, she'll basically never be a marathon runner either. It also means that chesty coughs have to monitored particularly carefully.

After all this time out of the unit and with Amelia generally making progress it's easy to forget she was a very poorly poppet indeed so better be safe than sorry.

Sandcastles

2005-11-30T09:30:00.000Z

Another wish from last year comes true for me.

Holiday Snaps

2005-11-23T23:04:00.000Z

Well we got back at the weekend from our short jaunt down to the Sarf-West; Lyme Regis, Weymouth, Bridport and all in between. How wonderful dear old Blighty can be when the sun comes out. One week of uninterrupted, brilliant sunshine coupled with sub-zero temeperatures - that's chips-in-a-cone weather in my book. Anyhow here's a few snaps of the lady with either or both of us and there's that sandcastle I promised to come too.

By the way the short film of Amelia's first 80 days entitled Hallelujah has run into editing snags and has had the release date put back slightly. Expect it in your Christmas stockings.

Getting Ready For Hols

2005-11-09T21:59:00.000Z

Well we're only 2 sleeps away from our first solo family holiday. A week in Lyme Regis in November may not be everybody's idea of the trip of a lifetime but it's heaven for me. We've got the original family buckets and spades from Manchester and we'll build a sandcastle come rain or shine if it kills me. I don't care if the weather reaches biblical proportions, I'm going to enjoy my seaside holiday with the girls. Talking of which young Amelia is learning to blow kisses, very close to standing unaided and has learned that shouting and stamping your feet doesn't equal getting what you want.

Happy Anniversary

2005-10-26T18:10:00.000+01:00

Hallelujah

2005-10-26T00:11:00.000+01:00

We've always said that we'd celebrate two days equally; Amy's birthday and the day she came home. This web site has been a kind of online diary since Amelia was born but to celebrate October 26th I've been piecing together some footage to express my thanks for the past year. It's called "Hallelujah" after a song which was very close to my heart at the time Amelia was born and if you drop me an email I'll send you the film. In the meantime, here's what's known in the business as a teaser.

Hallelujah Teaser

Alresford Turns Out In Full

2005-10-13T20:29:00.000+01:00

Well we've just got back from the annual traditional Alresford Fun Fair which for those of you who know it, means the complete transformation of Broad Street into an avenue of 'Carnies'. Yes Carnies - you know - travelling folk. Small hands, smell of cabbage? With me now eh? Anyway we slipped into the chippy first for essentials then into the Swan for a livener and headed for the lights. Rides galore including the Big Wheel, Teacups, Haunted House etc plus umpteen chances to win a giant Winnie The Pooh, Tigger or any amount of tat you can shake a stick at. Great turnout this year as always but Amelia still too small to go on any rides of course (drat). Still I got my dogburger with cheese and a bag of Candy Floss so I'm happy. Roll on bonfire night!

First In, Last Out

2005-10-13T10:12:00.000+01:00

Amelia here with her Great Grandmother, Nanny Barnes. Strange because Nanny was one of the first people to see Amelia after she was born but this is the first picture of the pair of them together.

All Systems Go!

2005-10-11T22:57:00.000+01:00

Well tomorrow it's footy on the box and all the essential go-with paraphernalia - chips & dips etc etc, and Thursday is the World Famous Alresford street fair when Broad Street is transformed into a full-size fun fair for just one day. Hook a duck, shoot the target, knock down the coconut, win a fish etc etc. Fresh donuts, pork rolls & chips in a cone - oooh I can't wait. Most importantly though Amelia will be there for the first time no doubt with eyes like saucers. We must remember not to leave her on the big wheel though.

We're also getting ready to celebrate another very important anniversary soon. Any guesses? I have a very special surprise gift for anyone who's interested. Stay tuned for more details next week.

A Warm Welcome

2005-10-09T21:21:00.000+01:00

No ill-effects so far from Amelia's MMR last week so fingers crossed it stays that way

Today was very pleasant as it was the family service at St John's church in Alresford where Amy was christened and the time where she is officially welcomed by the congregation. It was packed to the rafters and Amelia was well-behaved as always except for a desperate need to prod and poke the woman in front for some reason. She was one of four babies christened in the last month and Phil our vicar being the card he is couldn't resist a Ronnie Barker tribute with a four christening candles joke.

Amelia is pictured here as we set off in part of her new Autumn collection.

Ouch!!!!!

2005-09-27T21:57:00.000+01:00

Spare a thought for the young nipper on Wednesday as she's having her MMR jab in the morning.

Christ Almighty

2005-09-23T11:59:00.000+01:00

Amelia resplendent in my old frock for her Christening last weekend. Our usual low-key affair of course but it was most pleasant. The sun shone and it was generally a great day to be alive.

Catwoman

2005-09-20T17:57:00.000+01:00

Well I thought I'd never see the day. Our cat Lucy is usually conspicuous by her absence but the two ladies seem to have struck up some kind of rapport. I'm deeply untrustworthy of cats to begin with so for Amelia to ally with one at this very devious stage of development is a worry. I expect rollerskates and banana skins around every concealed corner from now on.

More posh frocks

2005-09-14T22:50:00.000+01:00

My two best girls all dressed up. Amy's is particularly special but it is the party season after all! She's got another one to put on this weekend too - looks like I'll need to be saving now for the teenage wardrobe budget.

Hoodie Alert!!!!

2005-09-13T17:15:00.000+01:00

I know I'm biased but how cute is she???

Growing Up

2005-09-12T08:56:00.000+01:00

Just a quick snap of Amelia from Saturday. She's got a fifth tooth on the way and has almost learned to say 'Daddy' to get my attention.

Happy Birthday Amelia!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2005-08-10T18:08:00.000+01:00

Well there we go. That's what a year goes like folks. Quick wasn't it? Not much happened really - don't know what all the fuss is about.

We popped the corks and toasted young Amelia's first year and almost forgot that the first 3 months were something of a trial. Today she's been at the clinic and according to them she's doing everything she should be and more so that's fine by me. Here's a couple of choice ones for the album.

Countdown

2005-08-05T16:51:00.000+01:00

It's a little strange that in exactly 24 hours Amelia will be 1 year old. Some reflection on the past 12 months but most of all a big celebration. Let's boogie!

Teddy Bears Picnic

2005-08-03T22:10:00.000+01:00

As we prepare for what can only be described as a Jelly & Ice Cream Extravaganza this coming Saturday, we enjoyed a very pleasant Tuesday morning at the Teddy Bears Picnic for former residents of the Special Care Babies Unit. Don't get me wrong it's an infrequent gathering with this and the Christmas party the only two major events on the calendar but it's a chance to catch up with one or two parents who were there with us and especially some of the staff. River Park in Winchester was the setting for what turned out to ge a grand day out.

More Pics

2005-07-29T15:50:00.000+01:00

A couple more pictures to take us through to the weekend; one on the plane to Venice and two more from the garden the other week. Have a good one!

Morecamelia

2005-07-26T00:04:00.000+01:00

Early June brought a historic trip for Amelia as we headed up to Morecambe. Ian & Julie were staying with us the day Amy was born but had never seen her in the flesh and it also gave is the chance to introduce her to Phil & Jane pictured here. These four along with a seemingly endless army of wellwishers in that neck of the woods have kept us going with avid interest in the site and countless messages of support since day one. Cheers folks.

Due to some logistical mishap there are no pictures on my camera of Amy with either Julie or Ian. If anyone has any please forward to me immediately for publication.

The Party Frocks Are Out

2005-07-24T22:44:00.000+01:00

In a trial run for her big day on August 6th, Amelia donned her party frock for Izzy Bee's 1st Birthday bash this weekend in Romsey. Aww.

Baby Buddies

2005-07-21T22:33:00.000+01:00

Herein the first official pics of Amelia with Pierre & Godmother Kay's little rascal Ethan LeFort. Friends for life hopefully just like their mums.

Amelia On The Moon

2005-07-19T20:26:00.000+01:00

Well not really but you get the idea. This was the first time Amelia had ever made steps to walk and we managed to catch it on tape. She'd done maybe one step earlier in the day but not a proper sequence like she actually wanted to walk somewhere.

This a Windows Media file so you'll (not surprisingly) need Windows Media Player to watch it.

Easy Does It

First taste of melon

2005-07-18T08:42:00.000+01:00

Yesterday was tremendous fun and momentous in more ways than one. Keep checking back this week because at some point I'll be posting a very important piece of footage. In the meantime here's a couple of pics of Amelia enjoying several mouthfuls of summer melon.

Who'd believe a salesman?

2005-07-14T18:08:00.000+01:00

I mean, I know I said there'd be regular updates and of course I meant monthly. Only joking. As most of you know I have a new job and for the first time in 8 years I'm not my own boss anymore. The upside is I don't have to deal with all the crap anymore either - well that's the theory anyway.

And so to more interesting, Amelia related matters. Our bundle of joy is doing just fine and although there are still only 2 teeth showing there's more on the way and she is teetering on being able to stand unaided; until she falls over of course. Anyway there's loads of pictures to sort out but in the meantime here's the pick of the crop from our recent jaunt to Venice. More soon.

Yes I Am A Bad Man

2005-06-09T09:11:00.000+01:00

OK so I've had so much abuse hurled at me these past couple of weeks so enough already -I know I'm a low-life slacker. Anyway let this mark a return to regular updates on the little lady.

So much has been happening over the last month it's going to be quite a job to catch up but we've been to Manchester, Morecambe, all over the place. Amelia is now 10 months old would you believe and is now 15lb. Anyway here's a couple of shots from Amelia's first barbeque at the end of May.

Bigger
Bigger
Bigger

Not Always Such An Angel

2005-04-29T04:21:00.000+01:00

Parents will relate to this but as you can see from the time of this post all was not well tonight. Amy woke at around 2:45AM as he is a bit snuffly and not sleeping so well. We sorted her out and she's now out like a light but me....wide awake. Guess I'll start work early today. Hey-ho.

'It's a mess down there'

2005-04-25T11:08:00.000+01:00

This morning Amelia was trying to be independent so Anna thought she'd hand over complete control of the Weetabix bowl and spoon. The result was inevitable.

Click here
Click here

Nothing To Report

2005-04-22T13:33:00.000+01:00

Boring you may think - not so my friends. No news is good news with this one much of the time. She's just doing all the things she's supposed to be doing so we're happy with that. Just in case you really don't have anything to do this afternoon here's some video clips to watch while you're munching your afternoon biscuit. Also here's Amy obliging as I try to get a picture of her emerging teeth.

Have a nice weekend.

Open wide

Clip 1
Clip 2
Clip 3
Clip 4
Clip 5
Clip 6

N.B. Files are around 1.3MB taking around 40 seconds to download with a broadband connection.

Crikey It's Got Teeth!

2005-04-19T15:13:00.000+01:00

Well after a couple of weeks of teething there's two small 'disturbances' on Amelia's bottom gum which on closer inspection have small sharp edges. Awwww!

Toothpaste here we come!

Radio Ga-Ga

2005-04-18T14:24:00.000+01:00

This is the interview on the Nick Girdler show in it's entirity. I've broken it up into 11 x 1-minute .wav files for those of you who know what that means. Most of you will just be able to click on the file & select Open from the subseqent question box and after it's downloaded it should start automatically. iPodders out there will have to wait for me to convert the whole thing to MP3.

See if you can count the number of Amelia's 'Ga-Ga's' caught during this interview. Anyone'd think we were there to talk about her.

Radio Solent Part 1
Radio Solent Part 2
Radio Solent Part 3
Radio Solent Part 4
Radio Solent Part 5
Radio Solent Part 6
Radio Solent Part 7
Radio Solent Part 8
Radio Solent Part 9
Radio Solent Part 10
Radio Solent Part 11

Alternatively all 11 files are contained in 1 single ZIP file which you can download here:
Radio Solent Complete Beware this is nearly 25MB and will take quite a while to download whatever your connection.

N.B. Files are aroung 2.8MB each taking around 40 seconds to download with a broadband connection.

Amelia FM

2005-04-18T12:46:00.000+01:00

Having been resoundingly told off by Nick Girdler on Radio Solent this morning for my tardy updates of late I decided to get a couple of pictures online straight away.

Thanks to the BBC South people for making us feel so welcome and for making us a tape of the show. I'll hope to get this up online later today for anyone who missed the broadcast.

Lounging around in reception

Anna & Amy

Amy On Radio Solent

2005-04-18T09:25:00.000+01:00

We're on the Nick Girdler show at around 11 O'Clock this morning I think so tune in if you can or click on the link below and then click on frequencies/listen then Listen Live to hear it live.

BBC Radio Solent

Self-Service

2005-04-18T09:07:00.000+01:00

Amelia is now getting impatient at the fact that she isn't doing things for herself. One result of this is that she insists on grabbing the spoon and thrusting it towards her face as you're trying to feed her. The end result is fairly self-explanatory.

Wet-wipe anyone?

N.B. File is aroung 1.8MB taking around 40 seconds to download with a broadband connection.

Weetabix - So much fun

RSV All-Clear

2005-04-15T09:21:00.000+01:00

Today Amelia was at the clinic for her last appointment regarding the RSV jabs she's been having since November. She seems to be absolutely fine and is apparently the only baby in the study who hasn't been ill at all throughout the past 5 months. Clever girl!

Nile Be Seeing You

2005-04-14T08:08:00.000+01:00

Just a quick post as I'm getting ready to put some new video on the site today. As you can see from the list down the left-hand side of the page we get more than our fair share of visitors from overseas. Recently Qatar, Turkey and Peru dropped in and during this last week Egypt was the latest. Pharaoh-nuff I say - Anna is the best mummy I know after all.

Back Online

2005-04-01T14:18:00.000+01:00

Sorry folks for not posting anything - pretty hectic hereabouts. So Amy's RSV jab went pretty much as expected with her screaming the place down, poor lamb. Even I raised an eyebrow when the doctor decided he was going to take the blood sample required from a vein in her head! Not too easy to look at that one I can tell you.

Anyhow sharp-eyed observers will have noted that the 12lb 7oz she weighed 2 weeks ago meant that she had basically put on an ounce a day over the previous month - excellent stuff! At the moment Amy is drooling a lot, a little off her food and prone to moodswings. Yes folks, teething here we come.

The usual pose with a full tummy

An unmissable legging & boot combo

Amelia is developing new ways to shut the parents up

In the garden at last

Check out the hat!

It's A Boy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2005-03-18T10:42:00.000Z

Today is a truly great one in the Wilson-Barnes household because Anna's bessie mate Kay & hubby Pierre had a baby in the early hours of this morning. Ethan William Lefort was born at 1.51AM on Friday 17th March and weighed 7lb 9oz (known as a 'whopper' round these parts). Mother, baby & nervous wreck father all doing well.

In the meantime our own bundle of fun has her monthly jab in the arse today when we take her to the hospital for her RSV injection. This is the respiratory virus that teeny-tinys like ours are very susceptible to. Fortunately it's the last one for this year but she has to have bloods done too so the poor little mite'll be like a pin-cushion before we're done. She'll also gets weighed so will update that later too.

Finally bigger than Ted

Excuse the sick

It's Been A While

2005-03-03T22:51:00.000Z

So sorry for the lack of posts over the last couple of weeks but most of you will know we've been a little pre-occuppied. Anyhow last Friday was a major outing for Amelia as we went to see the opening stage of the Sunseeker Rally down in Bournemouth. This is basically when some of the UK's fastest Rally cars tear through the Winter Gardens to whoops of delight from all in attendence. Amelia of course was wrapped up like Scott of the Antarctic and knew very little of the proceedings but she was there. As indeed were Tom and Carrie who stayed over and assisted once more in our renovation of the hall, stairs & landing (one day I tell ya', one day).

Anyway enough of the small talk, what about the small person? Well she's begun sleeping through the night now (mostly) which also means Anna is enjoying the rare luxury of several hours uninterrupted sleep. Amelia is having mushed up goodies 3 times a day and as you can see from one of the pictures, she's even started on the Farley's Rusks. She's late on this one of course from a Wilson-Barnes perspective, just ask Mum.

One of the most amazing things that she's just started doing this week is properly giggling. It's usually with Anna and for no real reason, she obviously is just finding things funny from time to time. It's really special to be able to watch her personality come to life. She's a happy little soul and no mistaking.

The messier the better

A firm grip on a Farley's

Nearly filling the bath - lengthways I mean.

The messier the better

Welcome Qatar, Turkey & Peru!

2005-03-03T18:06:00.000Z

Yes it was nice this week to see new visitors to the site from Qatar, Turkey and Peru. I'm sure that I'm not the only one who immediately thinks of the word 'darkest' in association with Peru, alongside lost small bears and marmalade sandwiches. Ahh, all this to come for a certain little lady.

All Clear!

2005-02-17T16:04:00.000Z

We were hugely relieved this morning to be told that all of Anna's blood tests came back negative for any irregularities. This basically means that there was no specific cause for the abruption which led to Amelia's premature arrival and therefore no reason why it should happen again. We'll be following up with more enquiries but this is a major shot in the arm for us.

Important Appointment

2005-02-16T12:36:00.000Z

Tomorrow we're all off to the hospital for another chapter of our life since Amelia came along. Anna has had complex blood tests for a condition called thrombophilia and tomorrow we find out the results. Thrombophilia is the potential to develop dangerous blood clotting in the veins or arteries and there is a possibility that it is this condition which led to Amelia's premature arrival. The cause of the initial bleeding may never be known but the body's reaction to it, clotting resulting in labour, could be this condition.

What the outcome will be regardless of the answer we don't know, but tomorrow is the first step to finding out.

All Sport Cancelled

2005-02-14T12:00:00.000Z

I mean what's the point? If we can't win the Rugby or the Cricket and the knuckle-scrapers from Stretford are still prevailing even though monkeys strictly aren't allowed in the Premier League, why bother?

Anyway enough of 'them', here's some pics of Amelia on her visit to Yarnton the other week. She caught up with Kay (due in a couple of weeks), Pierre & Alfie.

Kay, Pierre, Alfie, Anna & Amelia

Herself

Herself

Herself

Prepare to do battle

2005-02-11T10:41:00.000Z

Well this is it. The definition of the fight for Good vs Evil. It's derby weekend. Time for our knights in Sky Blue, guardians of truth and decency to do battle with the festering disgrace that is, them down the road. Yes its City Vs United on Sunday and we're on our way up this afternoon to Mancunia for the festivities. There'll be pies, there'll be chips, there'll be heads in hands. There'll also be a tremendous fuss made of young Amelia no doubt. Plenty of cooing and head-sniffing is in order.

Amelia does De Niro

Still watching the telly

6 Months Old

2005-02-07T11:01:00.000Z

Yes, sharp-eyed AFC devotees will have noticed that yesterday Amelia was 6 months old. On Friday she was weighed and is now 10lb 4oz so Anna and I celebrated with a take-away curry and Amelia celebrated with milk. Yesterday we had a wander round Winchester and I remembered a rather lonely stroll I made the day after Amy was born. I'd have given my right arm then to be in the position we're in now so I couldn't help feeling somewhat emotional. Anyway here's the star of the show in some pics from the weekend.

The duck is always popular...

...sometimes very popular

As is the TV

But we're pushing the books as hard as we can.

Trouble In Togo

2005-02-06T23:48:00.000Z

Regulars will remember we welcomed the country of Togo here at Amy's Fan Club after receiving an online visit from a resident, but what we didn't know was that a controversial power struggle was about to ensue. Apparently the death on Saturday of Gnassingbe Eyadema, their leader of 38 years resulted in his son being sworn in for the reminder of the term of office. This brought world-wide condemnation as it was the parliament's speaker, who under the constitution, should have assumed power after the President's death. Don't ask me why I care, I just think it's a bit of gossip but 'read all about it' here.