I had never seen a baby squirrel, then I found this photo of one online.
Baby
Little Violet Rose
Regular readers will remember that last November, we had a new baby in the family. My cousin’s daughter gave birth to a lovely little girl. She named her Violet, after my late mother, with a middle name of Rose, after my grandmother. This moved me immensely, to know that my mum’s name would live on in our family.
Last week, we went down to Essex to visit her. She is now nine months old, and still such a joy. Always happy, rarely crying.
Here she is, enjoying her lunch.
After a walk along the sea wall, we took her to the park, where she loved being on the swing.
Getting up speed.
Swinging close to the camera.
It was great to see her three days in a row, and to watch her playing with the toys I had brought her.
Our family continues, into the next generation. My mum would be so proud and pleased.
Old Photos: Pete through the ages
I found some very old photo albums today. Unfortunately, they were of the ‘sticky’ pages type, so it took some careful peeling to get the photos off the backing. I then took digital photos of the prints.
(All the photos can be enlarged, by clicking on them)
My baby photo. 1952
A blurry shot of me as a toddler, in my grandparent’s back yard. 1954.
Spot the almost-white curly hair!
Suited up at a family wedding, aged fifteen. 1967.
With my first wife, Sally. We were both twenty-seven. 1979.
I will be doing more posts of old photos, as and when I discover them.
Ambulance stories (13)
Another old ambulance post from 2012. My first baby!
It’s a boy!
When I did my training to become an ambulanceman, the maternity module was basic, to say the least. It consisted of a plastic pelvis and a woolen doll, with a placenta and umbilical cord (also in wool) attached. A short session of passing this through the pelvis at different angles was followed by an instructional film. This seemed to have been made in the late 1950’s, judging by the vehicles, and the clothing worn by the small cast. Using a willing female ‘star’ of a certain age, a real delivery in the back of an ambulance was filmed in glorious technicolour. It all went off well, with no complications, and ended with smiles all round.
There was some talk about breech births, cords around baby’s neck, and infant resuscitation, as well as pregnancy complications, like Pre-eclampsia, and placenta previa. This was added as information, as we were…
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Joy, and Sadness
Violet Rose. 6lbs 1oz.
It has been a good few years since we had a new baby in my maternal family. I was delighted to go and visit the latest arrival, Violet, last weekend. She was delivered by C-section, and I am pleased to report that Mum and baby are both doing really well.
The added joy of seeing the new baby was that she is named after my mother, Violet, and also my grandmother, Rose. As I have never had children, it made me feel very happy to know that my own mother’s name will live on in this new addition to our family, and I know that my Mum would have been touched beyond belief.
Then this morning, along came the sadness. Violet’s great-grandfather, and my last surviving uncle, passed away after a long illness, at the age of 87. He never got a chance to see Violet before he died, but at least he heard about her being born, and had seen a photo.
R.I.P. Ivan Cowburn.
The circle of life continues.
A grandson comes to Beetley
As I posted recently, we have been happy to announce the arrival of our new grandson. He now has a name! He has been called Kayton. This is without doubt an unusual name, and almost unknown in the UK. It is more popular in America, where it is used for both genders as a first name, and is common as a surname too. He is unlikely to face any confusion in later life, with such a unique monicker.
His arrival was similar to that of a visiting film star, at least in terms of the amount of baggage required. It is amazing how someone so small can require so much attendant luggage. Within moments, our large living area was filled to the brim with the accoutrements of babyhood. Bags, bottles, wipes, nappies, more bags, clothes, blankets, large teddy bear, and more bags. Then there was a substantial bean bag for him to rest on, and a fleecy throw to keep him warm as he did so. Not that it was needed of course. Between a loving mother, and doting grandma, he was always enveloped in one set of arms or another.
Despite his tiny size, at least for now, long fingers and large feet indicate that he may well grow to be very tall. He had a good appetite, enjoying his milk, and only crying when he wanted more, or was unable to expel painful wind. He was unusually quiet for an infant, and very alert too, holding his head up well, and watching what was going on. I had a hold of course, and he seemed fairly settled in my tentative grasp. Photos were taken in abundance, including some of me holding him, and many more involving Mum and Grandma.
It was also Ollie’s first encounter with a tiny baby. He gave Kayton some careful sniffs, and looked enviously at the large stuffed bear. When the baby cried, Ollie rushed to his side, presumably to offer help, unsure how to do so. Other than that, the dog didn’t bother him at all, and spent most of his time trying to find somewhere to lie down, in the small spaces not filled with things needed for baby.
After the evening meal, we took mum and baby home, filling the car boot with bags and prams, and adjusting the unfamiliar travel seat to fit into my car. It was the first of many visits to come, and it went very well. I passed my initiation as Granddad, and met the latest addition to the family.
A New Addition
At 14.23 today, after almost twelve hours in labour, Julie’s daughter Vicky delivered a healthy baby boy. The yet to be named new arrival is healthy, alert, and very hungry! He weighed in at a creditable 8lbs 9ozs, and I am pleased to report that Mum and baby are both doing well. Julie was at the bedside for the birth, and the overjoyed new Grandma even cut the cord. Vicky will be kept in overnight for observation, and should be home tomorrow, all being well.
Naturally, we are all delighted with the news, and welcome the new addition to the family.
However, I have barely mastered being a step-dad to Julie’s children. I am now going to have to learn to be a step-Grandpa. Any tips and advice will be most welcome. It looks as if Christmas is going to be busier than ever this year.
beetleypete 