Elliot’s first swimming lesson got off to an unfortunate start since we got into the pool at Grandma’s house, only to find that it was too cold for Elliot – basically the pool had been cleaned and in doing so needed some additional water in – this had simply not got up to the right temperature yet.

Not to be disappointed, we decided to have the swimming lesson in the jacuzzi bath – well without the bubble jets on.  The temperature was perfect and he LOVED it – so much so that Auntie Clare was persuaded to let Tyler have a go too – he was a little hesitant at first but pretty quickly saw the benefits too.  Pictures will be available tomorrow once Simon has sorted them from the camera – there is a piece of video or two as well, so subject to them being short enough, we will post them for all to see.

The week simply did not get any better – think Simon has spent as much time in the car this week as he has done sleeping….. One bad journey a week is acceptable, but 7….. oh my.

Finally we have decided (perhaps against our own personal judgement) that a camcorder in a necessary item to ensure that we capture much of Elliot’s early days.  Simon has trawled the tradernet researching the multitude of different machines available, and decided that a hard disk type of recorder is probably best, since all footage will only be downloaded to the computer in any case 🙂  Said item has now been ordered but typically seems unavailable (out of stock) at the vendors approached.  So, now we wait…… hoping that the item will be delivered in time for Christmas.  Either way, it won’t be here in time for tomorrow and Elliot’s first swimming lesson.

We have had many nights this week of little continuous sleep, although at least he lies in his cot alone and talks to himself rather than screaming the house down.

The old video footage is now nearly all digitised – the only challenge is the 1985 Majorca video has come off one of the spools, meaning that the player cannot drag the tape through the machine – hence we can’t watch it.  The tape is about to be opened……

5 hours 45 minutes – the time taken to listen to 5 typical music albums on CD…..

OR, the time taken to get from home to Simon’s office and then back again – in one day!!

The bad weather seems to have caused havoc on the M62, M60, M6 and M56 recently and today was absolutely NO exception.  Fortunately a cuddle with the little one tends to put all recollection of said horrific journey well and truly to bed 🙂

Vicky has got most of the Christmas wrapping done it seems, and the tree is looking great with the presents all scattered beneath.

Vicky was up all night with the little bugger last night – seems that the transition to sleep in the cot without his carry cot is not quite so straightforward.  It of course has meant that whilst he was full of smiles and laughter this morning as Simon was leaving for the office, he has been like a bear with a sore head for most of the day apparently 🙁

He has been invited to his first birthday party as well over the weekend – Emily-Mae’s first birthday party will be this Friday – so Elliot and Vicky will be there to celebrate Emily-Mae’s happy day.

Well, we got the Christmas tree up and decorated last night and then we finished off today, with the icicle lights outside and the brief pieces in the dining room.  We have decided to not have a real tree this year and have put the tree that usually sits on the upstairs landing in the lounge.

So far, Elliot has been totally disinterested in the lights which comes as surprise.

The work has begun on the old VHS videos of Simon and siblings as kids in Sandyhills, and at home etc.  Amazing to see all of the old stuff again and really brings it back to you.  Is great to see old Sam again, and it has to be said, LARGE plums !!

The recording of the videos to digital will probably take some time – possibly weeks, but for those of you who might be on video, it will be found – Vicky and I did laugh today at some footage of Richard Hunter at about 3 years old, pushing a dolls pram up and down the garden at Rothwell Road – very nice !!

I think we have decided to save some cash and buy a video camera – the footage has taught me that Elliot will never get his early days back and it would be nice to have such things recorded for when he gets a bit older – I don’t think we appreciate this sort of thing until it is too late – thanks to Mum and Dad for doing it for us.  Timmy, there will be footage of you coming up very soon – be warned 🙂

It has become very windy over the weekend – to the point that it blew the patio heater over and damaged it (fortunately not beyond repair) – I guess that will teach Simon to not be a lazy ass, and sort it out in good time next year.

Well, yet another weekend gone, with only 3 or so until the Christmas holidays – this year really has shot by massively.  The countdown begins….