On the Metro to the Green Festival

For the first time in ages we've taken the girls on the metro. It's easy to forget how useful free transport is for the under 5's but they both adore the metro trains.

More Weight loss

Well again i haven't posted for ages.

In all honesty not much to report, weight loss has stalled, but i'm down a stone from the last update, so i'm please with that progress anyway. I was hoping to be under 16st by now, but i'm actually hovering around 16st 7lb at the moment.
Despite the exercise and the weights i've been lifting progress is frustratingly slow. I have been telling myself it's because i've been gaining muscle mass but i'm deluding myself, i've not put enough effort (or dietary effort) for any real hypertrophy.
So i'm keeping it short again. basically good things so far

Total Weight loss now roughly 4st 7lb. with another 2st 7lb before i reach my initial intended target.
Started new job in Jan
Elliot is doing well
Billie is well
and i'm all good!

Only negative so far this year has been the dogs ailing health. It appears that he has liver failure but for the moment he's on steroids and has been eating and regained some of the weight he lost. So thus far he seems ok.

Weight Loss

Haven't posted on this blog for a very, very long time. Mainly because i've been too preoccupied with the little one (who is now not quite so little) she's approaching 17 months old already. Gosh time flies when you're having fun.

Basically in July 08 i decided that i'd had enough of my overeating and basic snacking for no reason. As a result I weighed myself and was disgusted with the result. I was 21st! That means over the space of five years 2003 - 2008 i'd put on at least 4 stone and lets face it even 17st isn't exactly healthy.

So Between July and November if been spending as much time as i could swimming and gymming. Currently i'm weighing in at 17st 5lb. Overall i'm happy with the weight loss to date, there's been a few times i've fallen off the wagon but overall i've continued to lose weight steadily. This month things seem to have tailed off and i'm really not behaving as i should, i've been eating all those things i've been avoiding and i've not been to the gym at all. So I've managed to convince myself thatif i post here and make this knowledge public, it might give me that push i need to try and behave myself.

So the goal for Christmas it to try and get my weight down to 16st 7lb. If i can get into the 16st bracket i'll be happy, but if i can get down to that target i'll be extremely pleased.

Only negative at the comments so far are:

1. The cost of new clothes! Going from a "tight" 42" waist back down to 38 means that those clothes that did fit now hang off me and need replacing! Same goes for all the shirts and tops etc.. XXXL was the only decent fit before, at the moment i can't seem to find a happy medium with the XL or XXL stuff, hell i've even got some older "L" tops that are close to being wearable.
2. The gym and swimming time is frustrating as it means that i'm missing time with wife and child (which annoys them as much as it annoys me). It's not so bad if i swim first thing in a morning before work, but i'm a late riser so getting up to do this is a real chore, and also means that i have to use the second car (which we're looking to sell very soon).
3. Missing all the naughty things. I couldn't confess to having cut the bad foods out of my diet entirely but changing the habits of a lifetime is very difficult. I struggle to walk past, Burger King, McDonalds, Greggs, Peters, KFC etc..etc... without getting a case of severe drooling. I've also always had a fascination with chocolate, so i'm finding avoiding anything Cadburys is virtually impossible. So i've taken to the "treat size" bags full of them. At least if i have one of them i've not deprived myself of something i crave, but i've also not gone completely overboard.
4. Events, Birthdays, Fireworks, Party's etc..etc.. i find myself unable to participate to the extent i used to previously. I'm now concious that everything i put through my lips be it drink or food, it impacts upon my target, and consequently i often find enjoying the moment to be much more challenging.
5. Holidays and Days off! God those times where we go away, similar to 4, how do you avoid food if you're sitting around doing very little? I seem to eat when i'm not doing anything else, therefore i'm finding that i have to make a great deal of concious effort NOT to eat when i have spare time.

Right i'll leave it there for now, but i'll post again soon, i'm going to try and keep a slight record of my weight loss here, whether it's a weekly or Monthly entry i'm not sure at the moment.

Long Weekend! Airshow and Wedding

Well just a quick update, was at a friends wedding on Saturday, was good to see people we hadn't seen for ages. My only bugbear was that due to the wife's op she's still banned from driving, which meant that i was completely unable to drink as i was forced to do the "driving thing". Ordinarily I'd have stayed locally and it wouldn't have been an issue, but with the baby in tow, and a family outing on Sunday i figured the best bet was just to get some kip in our own bed before the next day.
Bamburgh castle was fabulous, really nice and well suited to the civil ceremonies, the "Scottish invasion" was successful and kilts were worn by all the menfolk involved in the wedding (making me glad I wasn't!)
Congratulations to the pair, i really can't believe I've been married two years already, and there's a sprog in the cot. God that's flown over.
I'm too shattered to blog about what we did on Sunday with the family, but I'll say this. Sunderland International Air Show, 5 Adults, 3 Children (0-3) a picnic and a rising tide!
Here's one of the video's i took, it's a small clip from an F16 flypast that was jaw dropping.

Tired!

Oh so very tired... I really can't explain it either. Elliot is sleeping well (not that she wakes me up crying at night anyway) I'm getting plenty of sleep, i've been in bed far earlier than i used to be and i'm not working long hours. So i really can't get to grips with why i feel so drained.
I'm normally a very yawny person anyway, but things have been getting daft this last week or so.
I took a few minutes break this morning to get away from the computer screen but within a few seconds i was feeling like i was drifting away and almost asleep. I'm lucky i didn't fall off my chair. Thankfully no-one really noticed at all.
In between my spurts of wakefulness and tiredness i've watched another episode of dexter (hilarious monologging - if that's actually a word.. god i love Disney - and quirky humour.) And the final Episode of Heroes Season 1 was shown on Monday evening (Sci-Fi ftw!) and WOW! what an awesome way to end a series... quite literally with a bang.
Some friends have been trying to tell me how awesome Lost has been but frankly since Sky One got hold of it and Virgin stopped carrying Sky One, i've not really felt it's loss (no pun intended). I might try to get my hands on the DVD's but really don't know if i'll bother.



Just for those who have no idea what the hell Heroes is.. i reccomend you keep your eye on BBC2, i believe they are starting their First Season run this month (the 22nd is ringing bells with me)

Dexter

Well i've just been watching the pilot of a series called "Dexter" on FX, it's an interesting new series that was shown last year in the states, but has only just begun it's run in the UK.
It's a slightly offbeat series, personally i'd call it a dark comedy. If you've not heard anything about it at all try this the clip above is the american trailer for it.
It's all about a forensic scientist that has a slight problem... he's a serial killer, but not just any serial killer, he stalks killers himself and kills them before the police find them. I've only seen the one episode so far, and i dont want to spoil things by giving the plot away. All i will say is that the monologues and quirky script had me in stitches, very reminiscent of American Psycho.
I really do suggest you take a look if you get chance! Fab!

Do i feel any different?

This is one of those questions that EVERYONE seems to throw at me since Elliot's arrival. My initial response was pretty short and succinct. But I've had a few days to think about exactly what's happened so far and whether i really do feel any different now I'm a father.
Yesterday i changed my answer slightly, i told Dom (and i quote) "I've had nine months to get used to the idea of being a father, if i wasn't ready now i doubt i ever would be."
and I've spent the evening thinking upon that. I would guess the truthful answer to the question is quite simple, it's a one word response beginning with Y and ending with S, but that really doesn't quite get to the heart of the question. It doesn't even give people an answer that they can dissect or consider.
However It's deeper that that, much deeper, you see the answer I've been giving is No. And even now five days in i am still sticking to my guns and saying No, i feel no different at all. The fact is that i have felt the way i do today about Elliot since the day i found out she'd been conceived. I really can't be any more truthful than that. To expand on what i said to Dom, i think it's just a case of saying. No, I do not feel any different than i did before she was born. But i will freely admit that whilst i do not feel different, i do think differently.
I think more about what can i do that will make her or Billie more comfortable, i ponder upon what more i can do to help them both, i wonder what she will look like in 1 week, 3 months, 12 months, 4 years, her 18'th birthday.
I look into her eyes and i know that i am going to be the most weak willed father there is, no matter what she wants, she can have it.
But no, i do not feel differently, i felt this way since the second i was told we were having a baby.

Welcome to the new world order

Baby Elliot!

http://babyaven.blogspot.com/2007/06/elliots-arrival.html

I'll leave it quite simply at that for the time being, there's a story to tell, but right now isn't the time for it i'm sure.

To everyone that's been texting me over the last few days/weeks, the wait is finally over!

Thank you everyone!

I realise now that my last post

was actually quite pre-emptive. It seems that the last couple of days have flown by and the "contractions" have actually been nothing more than "braxtons", sadly this has meant i've been at work repeatedly (though it's actually a burden i have partially enjoyed). God knows when things will change and the baby will arrive, but it's probably quite safe to say now that it's probably going to be soon.

Interesting or perhaps not

Well it's entirely possible that this whole labour thing might actually start some time soon. we've gone through plenty of braxtons and cramps etc.. but we really don't know quite when things will start.
I've been in a foul mood today so i phoned ahead when i left work to warn her, to be greeted by someone just as frustrated on the other end of the phone. It seems she's been having cramps repeatedly this afternoon, but they dont presently seem to be worsening or anything. So god knows what's going on to be quite honest.
I'm still in a bad mood, but now at least that means there's two of us being quite grumpy lol.

Well that's +5 days!

And still absolutely no sign whatsoever! (is that a real word? doesn't look right all combined like that) No broken waters, no cramps, no pains, no aches...
I'm starting to wonder just when exactly this little blighter intends on arriving. Today (18th) is our anniversary, we've been married now for two years. (cotton? someone suggested i believe) I really can't think of a more useless anniversary gift. Gold, Diamond, Pearl, Platinum, Silver etc.. i understand, but cotton? paper? card? Those just sound like pathetic excuses to make people buy cards and gifts for each other! Which is also something we've decided not to do this year. In my own personal belief it sets a bad precedent, as i very much doubt we'll ever start up the gift buying again. But i guess we've got something else to look forwards to spending money on at this time of year.
I was also made aware today that depending on it's arrival date it may well not be the Gemini expected. In-fact it would be a Cancer, though i have to admit i know nothing about star signs (outside my own) and have little belief in their stated attributes, though i do know from experience that most people are quite convinced my "Scorpio" attributes are quite telling. So i'm going to do some research and find out exactly what these star signs may mean for my offspring.

Well this puts us into the positives... hmmm

Well when i posted yesterday afternoon (well today really but seeing as i'm posting again after midnight it really is tomorrow!) i was hoping in my heart of hearts that the due date would be the day i met my offspring. However the evening has passed without any sign of the happy event (with the exception of a few kicks and movement) so as we cross into the T-Plus 1 day mark i guess i should just buckle myself in for the ride.
All these midwives and mothers that repeatedly said "your first is normally late" appear to know what they're talking about. Now honestly the only good thing i can find about this is that judging by the weather i'd rather he/she didn't arrive this week, i'd rather enjoy my paternity leave with a little sunshine so we can bond in the sunshine! But frankly i'm getting frustrated at work now. Nothing at all to do with the work, just the fact that i think in my minds eye i've already forseen this coming break and have planned what we'd be doing today with our newborn. But as per normal the control is removed from my hands and passed firmly into the realm of fate.
What an utter bastard! Well wish us luck! I'll try to post updates daily, i'm actually quite enjoying the calming effect of being able to get the frustration out without anyone caring about the webspace i waste (well possibly with the exception of Google, Blogger and the providers that make this space available!)
Oh and Sister! Enjoy texting me because i'm going to make sure when or if you have one of these things i will rub it all back in tenfold! :P

T-Minus 0 days!

Though the signs of labour seem to be nowhere in sight. Most recent contact indicates that she is in fine fettle and has no intention of birthing today.
Sadly until the "event" begins i'm stuck at work, so i'll keep this short and succinct. Frankly i want to be at home with my wife, but frustratingly as HMG only deem 2 weeks leave to be appropriate that's impossible at this time.
With all the fuss over pensions at the moment you'd think that the government might cut fathers to be a little slack at the moment. Seeing as we're in the middle of a "Baby Boom" (i have my doubts but the sensationalist media; ok i don't really mean that but i thought it was funny! have informed us that there is indeed a boom of babys presently) One might think that it would be sensible to encourage those of us that want to procreate to have more children who will work to pay off our pensions over the next 70 years. But it seems even the sensible decree to allow fathers to be four weeks paternity leave has been rejected. Four weeks! for gods sake it's not like the time isn't needed. But then as men we are second rate citizens these days, not even needed for procreation apparently.
That'll do for now, it's not as if my complaints will change anything, perhaps i should consider becoming an MP!

T-Minus 1 Day

Or at least that's the way i figure it? Due tomorrow therefore today must be plus 1 day? I got myself all confused and thought tomorrow would be plus 1 day but after a relatively longwinded conversation with myself i've decided i was wrong.
Well today has thus far passed with little to no incident. Aside from the fact that i was at work all day (though i wouldn't call a 6 hour day a full day!). I got home this evening to find the in-laws were here, sadly they didn't stay long. But they did stay just long enough to half inch (albeit with my permission) my Firefly series DVD's. frustratingly i was looking forwards to watching the "Serenity" pilot tonight, so i'll have to make do with something else to fall asleep to (hopefully something more entertaining than listening to Billies snores!)

There's been a few "events" tonight, mainly the occurrence of what we believe to be a few Braxton Hicks. It's all fun though, so i think i'll go get some sleep now. Will post again later if there's any news.

Ooooh.. wonder if there's any CSI on...

T-Minus 2 Days

Yup, it's getting close now! The bump has been pretty vocal tonight with plenty of kicks, squirms and movement but no sign of any "Braxton's" so presently there's little sign of any impending birth type events!
We've been talking about names again, i think we're pretty much decided on the names we like, it's just now a case of waiting to see whether they're suitable. I'm sad to announce that i will not be allowed to name the child Elmo and paint it red, my protestations that we should try and get the newborn onto sesame street as a replacement for the puppet have fallen on deaf ears!
I shall post further announcement tomorrow evening.

T-Minus 5 days

Assuming that the little blighter arrives on time (as such neither late, nor early!) then the delivery can be expected at any point on Wednesday of next week. It's quite amazing when i look back and think about how long i've been waiting for this moment.
I have to be completely honest and say that as of this moment i'm really not phased, worried or even the slightest be scared about the coming whirlwind of activity and shock we're about to undergo. Frankly i think i'm slightly stunned in anticipation.
The nursery is done and the house is in relatively good shape, so it's all just a waiting game at the moment. In an effort to distract myself as much as is possible from the strangeness that is coiled and ready to occur i have been spending my online time playing a number of games. I'll list them for ease:

• Company of Heroes - i'm afraid i am still absolutely pathetic at this game versus other players. I always thought i was pretty good at RTS games, but the manner in which people seem to dispatch me i think it's relatively clear that my performance is definitely below that which i believed.
  
• ARMA (Armed Assault) - Wow! just literally WOW! i remembered Op Flashpoint being a fantastic game, i regularly used to play it repeatedly and discuss my exploits with Ryan, but i've been utterly blown away by ARMA. I have only just started playing the single player campaign tonight (for the last four hours) and i have to say that it's just as good (if not far superior) to the original. In this one you even get to pick and choose auxillary missions to improve your chances in the main missions. Wow! simply amazing, the depth is fantastic. There's been a couple of missions so far where i've been at the point of death and crawling 2000m to an evac point with a chopper and infantry chasing me in the pitch black because my legs have been shot out from under me. Well done Codemasters, fantastic work!
• Battlefield (2, 2142 & Vietnam) - Now i wont review these, but they're simply the best FPS action to be had for pickup and play killing. I'm not a massive fan of Vietnam or 2142 but they're great for taking your mind off things with a few good kills.
  

A friends informed me that he's ordered IL-2: 1946 so i think i'll install that again this weekend if i get chance, i've got so much planned but what's the odds that as soon as i start having some fun the littleone will make it's presence felt and force us to spend some time debating whether labours started!

I'll leave it at that for now, oh other than Vastian, if you're watching... YES i'd love to give you a hand. Personally i've been thinking about doing something similar but for book reviews. With my wife being in the trade we've got hundreds of books lying around, that we've either read or ignored. I'm tempted to start Archiving them and writing reviews myself. So your ideas piqued my interest despite being a slightly different topic.

D Day - Anniversary

I've just realised i completely missed this anniversary, I've had so many things buzzing around my mind recently that i really didn't even notice the sixth had been and gone.
So with a mind looking back now i'm just going to post a poem. Quite apt i feel, i found it posted on the BBC History websites.

Do not call me hero,
When you see the medals that I wear
Medals maketh not the hero,
They just prove that I was there.

Do not call me hero,
Now that I am old and grey,
I left a lad, returned a man,
They stole my youth that day.

Do not call me hero,
When we ran the wall of hail,
The blood, the fears, the cries, the tears
We left them where they fell.

Do not call me hero,
Each night I stop and pray,
For all the friends I knew and lost,
I survived my longest day.

Do not call me hero,
In the years that pass,
For all the real true heroes,
Have crosses, lined up on the grass.

By Rob Aitchison

To all those Veterans irrespective of nationality or the battles in which you fought.

Here's the semi finished pic!

As the title said, semi finished pic here. The wardrobe is behind the door. Just need to put the sheets on the cot and shove a couple of shelves up. After that we're done! Well with the exception of missing a baby to put in the room! Though it will actually be sleeping in our room for 6 months i'm led to believe the nursery is a necessity!

The morning before

Well this is what the nursery looked like this morning, very little done other than the painting, carpet and the curtains. The inlaws were up today though and finally the basics are up. The room isn't too big at all so it's impossible to show the whole room in one shot will post the semi finished pic later

Well the rooms still not finished!

The carpet stretching will be done tomorrow! (Which sounds like some bizarre sexual event that the lesser spotted female homosexual might be found engaging in) This in itself means that by the end of tomorrow the room should be completely done, possibly with the exception of shelves. This is because we have only really just decided that a bookshelf is necessary (Though considering the other halves trade it's really suprising it took us so long to settle on putting one up).
I've finally uploaded an image though viewers must take into account that the image is roughly 2 months old so the bumps is probably at least 1/3rd larger than it appears here.
I'll post an image of the room as soon as it's done