Where there’s a way, where’s the will?

Tada! Despite the way, I have lacked the will to update this site. But now, finally, I seize the opportunity to elaborate a little on our recent weeks, and to start Jamie’s seventh gallery.

But what have we been up to? My many (pipe-dreamt) blogs would have covered such interesting things as another heli-flip two weeks ago, the recently successful NASA mission to the space-station, our stop-go frenetic life at home, the productive division/multiplication of our cell group, Jamie’s recent visit to his cardiologist, a nice breakfast at fishhoek last week, the aircrash and the corresponding airshow… so much news… so little will!

But of course the important topic is that of Jamie’s heart. As has (thankfully) become the norm, the checkup revealed that despite still having the holes, his heart is performing extremely well, and is unlikely to worsen in the next few years. Having said that, the window for the surgery will likely open early next year, so we’ll be pressed to start planning for the op. More news when relevent, but suffice to say that right now we are just extremely grateful for his health, and are enjoying him day-to-day, leaving the thoughts of surgery until we need to tackle them.

And is he not an absolute delight these days – much to Jan’s and my amusement. His determination to reach the impossibly distant cellphone, remote, gadget, gizmo etc is always accompanied by the most mischevious grin/lunge/soundtrack, and as our friends often quip – I think he may just be showing early symptoms of the ‘stoute’ virus! I caught him this morning trying to disembark his cot while meant to be sitting calmly, so it would appear that the days of Jamie-proofing our house are imminent.
That’s it for now. Happy reading…

African Aerospace & Defence Expo

Before the pictures, let me state the following: Yes. Military hardware is really cool. Yes, it makes me excited. No, I cannot see why we need even 10 percent of what we have bought. Makes no sense. At all!

These are photos, some by me, some by Vere.

These are captures off the DV footage that I took, so the resolution is weird, but quite nice pics all the same!

Jamie’s seventh month

Herewith my wonderful son…

Jamie-tv

Heck, this one has really taken a long time, but it’s finally available for download. It’s in DivX AVI format though, so you may need to get a codec or player to view it. If so, download it (free), then install it.

Jamie’s Birthday (DivX AVI, 72Mb)

If you haven’t viewed some of the others, they’re here

Sitting Pretty

And not only is he sitting, but he’s actually actually teething now too! His little morning routine is quite fun to watch as he seems quite happy staying in bed for anything up to an hour after he’s awake. I’ve been propping him up lately, and he’ll sit and play and gurgle much better.

Anyway, the other very significant news is that he’s cut his first tooth – bottom right to be exact. While Fowler would probably say we’ve only got a pixel worth of tooth, it’s a flippin’ sharp pixel. Tradition (apparently) dicates that you celebrate the first tooth with pancakes, so we’ll be supping on one of my favourite foods tonight. Thanks Jamie!

Lurkcity of Cape Town

It’s been quite a busy week. Monday I was back at UCT for a seminar, and shock-horror if I didn’t bump into Phillip Milne. Now a description I like using is “a man amongst men”. I can’t quite apply it verbatim to describe Phillip, but if I change it to “a lurker amongst lurkers”, it fits beautifully! Anyway, that chance meeting (and I use chance because this was essentially an academic seminar, and the last person I’d ever expect to see at something like that…) has stimulated a surge of inter-alumni email and, consequently news.

It’s been fun, and kinda makes the old UCT days seem extra cool, although I have to pinch myself and remember that during most of the old UCT days, I was actually cooking burgers and lurking at the Jacob’s Motel with Trent.

So Phil and I took a picture, and I’m considering framing it and hanging it like a certificate somewhere. In recognition of my days at the Lurkcity of Cape Town. Ahhh!

Sixth Months on Friday

Yip. I’m late. Despite my best intentions, this should have been posted Friday. Just a quick word to mention that Jamie, our firstborn miracle baby turned 6 months on Friday. For those who followed the drama with us of discovering that he has a heart defect, and considering the dire prognosis we received from certain people, it goes without saying that All Glory to God for bringing him to this point. Jamie is a thriving, completely healthy, tough-as-nails little boy, who despite the condition of his heart, is absolutely normal and full of beans, energy and laughs. We visit the cardiologist this coming Friday for a complete scan, and will know more about the road onwards after his diagnosis. We are absolutely in love with this little guy, and once again thank God for his vibrant and cute little life. Happy Sixth Months son!

The dreaded update

One observation about a blog is that it’s fun-factor is inversely proportional to it’s out-of-date-ness. Since our return from holiday, life has flown by as usual, and coupled with some diverse sleeping habits from the youngun, I feel like I’ve barely kept up.

Of most significance must be Jan’s (dreaded and miserable) return to work. I think one word quite clearly describes the extent of this change: CRAP. From having been with Jamie all-day, every-day for 6 months, I have witnessed evidence to suggest that the separation is awful. So in a nutshell, this has been a very hard period for my dear wannabe-housewife.

But, as one loses, another gains. Lindiwe, our long-time domestic worker passed her Child Minding course with flying colours, and is now Jamie’s nanny (or whatever the PC terminology is: Domestic Cleanliness Engineer, Home & Welfare Supervisor, Director of Homeland Operations…). He seems quite taken with her, and is settling into his three-parent family quite well. He’s also loving his baths, doing a fair bit of sitting, and constantly stretching the physical smile-width constraints. Which is nice.

Also of significance was that we spent a fair chunk of weekend-time on the LOST island, and are now hopelessly pensive as to the arrival of Season 2: Part 2 at our DVD shop. Nails were bitten. Meanwhile, far, far away, my parents were being forcibly Settled on the CATAN island by Vere, who championed 4 of the 6 (yes SIX!!) weekend games they played. Aye Carumba!

And then. Obviously the most important for the Captain: Tuesday saw the rotors swirling and the smoke billowing, and fortunate passers-by would have seen a dashing helicopter dancing (staggering…?) across the sky. But oh-how-I-love it.

Last night, we joint-cell-grouped with another gang, and were priviledged to hang out with Bryan and Sharon, down on a holiday from their Turkish Missionary lives. Amazing stories, and amazing lives. Thanks guys!

Updated Jamie’s Sixth Month Gallery (and by the way, he’s 6 months tomorrow!!)