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December 1998

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ANOTHER YEAR OVER...
Thursday, 31 December 1998

I always get amazed at how quickly the years are flying by - it doesn't seem that long since I was reviewing 1997 and welcoming 1998. And here it is New Years Eve 1998!

Before looking at the year as a whole, I guess I'd better bring everyone up to date on the last week.

Thomas has settled into a routine of sorts - he's awake a fair bit at night - and sleeps most of the day. All of which contributes to a very sleepy daytime and a restless night for us! But, all things considered, he is a very well behaved little boy at this stage. The visiting midwives have been a real help in checking up on Leonie and Thomas. Thomas has begun to put on a bit of weight now too - must be doing something right. As promised, I have a picture of Thomas.

Leonie, however, has not been so lucky. After getting Thomas to fairly successful breastfeeding, she now finds that she has a slight problem with mastitus - a breast infection caused by a blocked milk duct. She is rather sore and tender at the moment - we've been to see the doctor - he prescribed antibiotics.

On Tuesday, Kathryn and I went to pick up our new Camry. I must say it is a pleasure to drive. The airconditioning is a real help in this hot weather, and the general feeling of comfort and ease of driving is great. I'm looking forward to getting out on the open road so I can try out the cruise control.

We've been out doing a bit of shopping - the After-Christmas-Sales always have something going at a good price that we just absolutley have-to-have! And I found an inexpensive book I can use as a textbook for my graphics class this coming semester. (I managed to convince my Head of School to equip at least one lab with Paintshop Pro 5 - the textbook is on using that software.)

And so we come to the year in review.

For me it has been a very busy year. I have nearly finished my Graduate Diploma - only one more unit to complete. Work-wise it has been very satisfying. I have really felt like I have contributed worthwhile knowledge to my students. On a more personal front, I have made many friends in real-life as well as on the 'Net. And I have had a great time with my family: there was the Bali holiday, the many other times traveling and just being with them, and, of course, the addition of Thomas. All in all - a very satisfying year.

And to look ahead to 1999... well thats a bit harder. I have plans, and hopes, and desires. But I guess only time will tell how they pan out.

Happy New Year!!!

UNTO US A CHILD IS BORN
Friday, 25 December 1998

Literally!!!

Ummm...., remember how I said our baby wasn't due until mid January? Well...., he kinda came a bit early - yesterday to be precise.

It all started early yesterday morning - the day we were supposed to go and get our new Camry. When we got up in the morning, Leonie had a bleed, so we made a doctors appointment, just to be on the safe side.

Well, he was no obstetrician so he sent us off to the main maternity hospital here in Perth, King Edward Memorial Hospital, where they put a baby heart monitor on Leonie. It took a while for the doctor to get around to see Leonie (must have been a busy Christmas Eve), and by the time she got to see Leonie, the regular contractions had started.

Once they realised how quick she was coming on, the quickly got her into the delivery room and at 2:50pm out popped Thomas James! He was about three weeks early, and weighed just under 7 pounds - but he was here and healthy. I can still hear in my mind the little squawk he gave as he was born 8^D.

I was so glad that Kathryn was there with us to see little Thomas soon after he was born. Leonie's sister, Denise, had arrived at the hospital at about 2pm and was able to take Kathryn out when the contractions were too painful for Leonie. So she was not far away. She's such a little mother herself (even though she is only 6 years old), and was just thrilled to have her first cuddle of her baby brother.

"Santa" had some extra shopping to do Christmas Eve - and there were a few extra presents for Thomas under the tree! Leonie didn't want to be in the hospital for Christmas day, and, as the delivery had been ok, and both mother and child were well, they allowed her to go home today.

We had nothing prepared - he wasn't meant to be here yet! Fortunatley I was able to borrow a baby capsual and Denises' car to go pick them up. It is so nice to have them home today - and Thomas, so far, is a very placid little boy. When I get some batteries for the digital camera, I'll post some pictures.

So, that has been our Christmas - certainly a surprise package there, but a pleasant one. We are all a little overwhelmed by it all at the moment. Hope everyone else has had a great Christmas.

SHOPPING MADNESS
Wednesday, 23 December 1990

Leonie and I left Kalgoorlie to drive down to Perth very early Saturday morning. It was a fairly uneventful trip - especially remembering the state of our little Laser - ie, in need of a major overhaul!

However, we have decided to try to upgrade our car to something more recnet and a bit larger - considering the expected arrival of the baby in January - it would be nice to have a "new" car to drive home in. We spent Monday morning looking at a near new Toyota Camry CSX - very nice to drive, and with just a few extras. We were a bit slow in buying - the next afternoon we were to take the Laser in to be valued for trading, and found it had been sold. But, today we have made amends - we found another one - 1997 CSX with only 17,000km "on the clock" - and we are now the proud owners of the new vehicle. Well, we've signed on the dotted line, paid a deposit, and now only need to pay the balance and pick it up tomorrow.

Apart from that - the rest of the time has been the usual mad panic and such getting Christmas shopping done - Leonie is so hard to buy for. I think I know her pretty well - but it is so hard to find just the right thing for her. Kathryn is easy by comparison. With late night shopping we have been out and about, on the go, running around like headless chooks, for several days now. I sometimes wonder why we do it - then I see Kathryns smile at the Christmas tree set up in Nanna's loungeroom - then I know why...

HO! HO! HO! - HOLIDAYS AGAIN!
Friday, 18 December 1998

Yep, thats right - I'm outta here for a few weeks again (not as long as last time).

Tomorrow, very early in the morning, Leonie and I drive off down to Perth for Christmas. We sent Kathryn down by plane last weekend (and hasn't it been a great week - so quiet...).

I have spent the week trying to get loose ends (like marking) and such stuff done before I go away. There was the inevitable socialising as well, and the mad scramble to get parcels posted off to relatives all around Australia (from Townsville in Far North Queensland, all the way down to Tasmania off the south).

So, here is the obligatory Christmas Greeting for you all. Hope everyone has a safe and happy end to 1998 and a prosperous 1999 and beyond. If I don't get to update this over the next two weeks - see ya in the New Year - I'm back early this time 8^). Cheers!

BETTER LATE THAN NEVER
Thursday, 10 December 1998

Well, finally got it in to the Tax Office - my 1998 return that is - bit late, but hey, THEY owe US! So I figure a little leniency won't go astray 8^). There's so much to remember - it helps to have a tax accountant.

As for the last few days - its been rather strange weather. Rain over the weekend and Monday - buckets of it as the remainants of a tropical cyclone (the Southern equivalent of a hurricane for all you Northerners - and yes, like the toilets, it goes the other way!). And now its stinking hot - and humid to boot. All of which is rather odd. Yes, it does get hot here in summer, but not this hot this early in the season.

All this discussion of weather to set the scene to a couple of events on the social calander. Monday night was the end of year graduation parade for the cadet corps - the wet weather meant this was held in doors. I had a part in the parade - that of Flight Commander - and executive position - which means I got to give some orders so the troopies would march properly. *grin*

This year we reactivated a previous award - The Flight Commanders Award, a perpetual trophy, and a new one - the Drill Instructors Award for the best drilled cadet.

Then on Wednesday evening it was Kathryns end of year concert. Her Year One class did an old Ray Stevens number - "Along Came Jones". I got a few photos of the brilliant performance. And I'm not being just parent-proud there - it seemed that this act got the best audience reponse of them all. Kathryns in the front row of the chior group. See if you can pick her...

Today was a bit of a mixed up day - lots of running around getting things done in town - the tax return, then we had to get a few things for Kathryns class luncheon/party that parents were invited to, and lastly in the afternoon we had another ultrasound scan done. The baby is doing fine (still think its a boy), althoght Leonie is feeling the heat a bit. Apparently the baby is like a little furnace in her belly. This time also we managed to get a video of the ultrasound. Its really amazing stuff when you think about it.

Work isn't quite over yet though - still abit of marking to do. I did a bit tinight before posting this entry. Now I'm really tired, and feel quite drained... zzz ZZZZ zzzz *yawn* G'night all!

HEY! I AM STILL ALIVE!
Sunday, 6 December 1998

Another long gap between entries! Ok, I have no excuse other than the usuals. Maybe I am just finding it hard to keep this up. I don't know how Amelia did it for three years! But even she gave it up after a while (if you are reading this Amelia - I still sometimes wonder how you are and what you are up too...)

So, the last few weeks have been pretty hectic (but you know I have to say that to justify my absense). Kathryn's 6th birthday came and went, there was a washed out cadet camp one weekend, time slipped away from me completing my assignments (I finally got the last assessment faxed off to my lecturer last weekend), then there has been final classes and marking (I still have a bit of that to do to finish off the academic year). In between there was the necessary family and social commitments (both real life and 'net - although you'd probably think that by now I'd have learned to restrict that - Leonie thinks I'm addicted).

Last week we had a visit to the Kalgoorlie Regional Hospital to familiarise ourselves with the facilities in the Maternity ward. Its amazing to think that there are only about 6 or 7 weeks before Leonie is due... Leonie is doing fine, if a little tired. Kathryn is getting excited about the baby - for her birthday she got one of those Baby Born dolls - it really does cry and wet the nappy! She has a deep interest in all thing humanly biological - and, yes, she knows all about *sex* having watched numerous videos and read several books (well - looked at the pictures), and even accidently walked in on... no, we won't go there 8^).

And now its a week into December - and there is still so much to do before we go down to Perth for Christmas...