Monday

- Got new wheels and bearings for my mal-skate. It's good to get back out and cruise around. Need to be on a bit more to get some of my old tricks back...

- Going to a golf driving range tomorrow - should be fun, haven't done that in years!

- Is $100 a lot to pay for meeting room hire for only 4 hours?

- Mem Fox is a very good children's author

- Jodi Picoult is a very good grown ups author

Happy Monday - may your socks keep rocking...

S t R

Merry and more

Hi Team

Welcome back. I'd like to belatedly introduce my fourth child... born in Aug 2010 WILLOW EVIE is doing really well. Adored by her big sisters and brother she has slotted in to the family beautifully (I love newborn's - they just lie there...[from a Dad's p.o.v. at least]).

It was pretty cool how she came into the world; if you'll indulge me I'll share the story.

Background:
We live is SA with no family within 1,000kms. The plan was that Mrs Rockin' Socks's Mum would come down from QLD about a week before her due date. This was essential so the other kids have supervision while I support my lovely wife with the pushing. There were 2 local friends (Mum's from Stella's school) who we had as back up at a stretch [more acquaintances at that stage].

The Action:
2 weeks early; 2am. Yes, 2 weeks early - 2am. All of the above plans went out the window... contractions!

"Dad is it the middle of the night?" was the quizzical sleepy enquiry I received from Stella as I carried her out to the car; PJ's, Lambie and all. So by about 3am I had a 17 month old, 3 year old, 4 year old, hospital bag and woman in hard-core labour loaded in the car and was racing up the expressway towards Flinders Hospital. (Side note - for those that know Adelaide's south with it's famous one way expressway, I was stoked to get it going in our favour (north) at this time of morning).

Into the the emergency bay we haul - Megs out, kids stay. I help her get admitted and support her to about the second door through - told her I'd meet her up in the birthing suite and she somehow comprehended. Keep in mind she had been doing some serious dilating in the car (for the Mum's - 'correct', the car is not the best place to get from 1 to 10cm).

Me - back out to car. Kids - wide awake watching an Ambulance unpack another patient (good learning for them I'm sure). Move car out of emergency bay to car park. Find a park, get out the stroller and nappy bag, and jackets, and toys, and a blanket or two (who knows how long we'll be in here for...?) Me - carrying one, pushing another in the stroller, giving strict directions to the other to 'stay on the path', 'don't touch that', 'push the 3 button'... Did I mention it's somewhere around 3am.

Get up to the Maternity Ward - get let in. Whole family in Meg's birthing suite, midwives bemused (sort of supportive). Realise it's not the best place for a 17 month old when the waters break! So, off I trot stroller, 3 small kids and all to find a waiting room. Bonus, it is closed in, has a TV and not much else that the kids can mess up or break. "Why don 't you try lying down and going back to sleep", I foolishly request. I casually spend 5 minutes settling them and then duck out to see Megs. No sooner do I walk in the door than the magic moment happens. I reach her side just in time to see the first tufts of Willow's hair - magnificent; Birth is truly a miracle. In no time at all I was craddling my 4th little bundle of joy! As per the other three I have to be prompted to tell Megs what sex she was. And as per the other three I get to cut the umbilical cord. After that I got my camera. Such proud parents were we!

Oh the other kids. Yeah - I shot back over to them and shared the good news. I gave the midwives a few minutes to get Megs and Willow organised and then we all went in for cuddles! A truly family affair. Willow had met her entire family within 5 minutes of being born.

Yup she was a good size as you can see (4.455kgs - thats 9lb 13).

Then me and the non-baby kids went home and crawled into bed at 6am. Poor Stella (our oldest) still had to go to Kindy in the morning. But it was great that she got to take some cool photos of her & Willow togther with her to Kindy to show off.

There are lots of great moments with newborns; first baths; big sister's cuddles and big brother & sister kisses;

So that is the story of Willow - the light of my life (well one of 5 lights really).

Until next time - may your socks ROCK and keep your feet warm.

S t R