A gym membership was too expensive, so we opted for the 'home gym' approach 

There are far better bath shots avalible, but some complain about a nude Ben. Personally, I don't see the problem and neither does Ben but in the interest of keeping the peace . . .  

Yes, I've sunk to this level - Anne Geddies would kill me 

Lemons and Sugar

I'm about to notch up weekend number two. Last week was Junior Youth - a genuinely good time. Senior Youth Camp is at a top bush site. I love it. I love Senior Youth. But this year I'm disappearing from Hayley AND Ben. That does suck a bit. Not as much as standing in a queue at Home Affairs or having to sit through an episode of Idols, but . . . well, you know what I mean. Coming home is great though. (But this time I promise to say hello to you first babes, before I go for Ben). So, like much of life, it's bitter sweet. Scott

Awwww . . . . 

Some may not be fully into the moment of the burp, and I understand that half digested milk is an aquired taste. But you gotta love the deep stare. 

30

The card says it all. I'm 30. I thought I would be a whimpering wreck, but instead I'm feeling fine. The reason? Hard to say. It's been a beaut day, I got some running socks from Ben and the book, 'Planet Simpson' from Hayley (about the impact simpsons have had on pop culture) and some other goodies from good friends. I also got a rather large cash injection from the folks which means I can go on a guilt free shopping spree for the first time in a while (ever?). I'm preaching tonight and excited about it (hope everyone else feels the same!), so your looking at a pretty good day. I did realise that when Ben is my age, I'll be 60. That didn't do a lot for me, so I just stopped thinking about it. So now I'm fine again. Happy b'day to me. Scott

 

 

Vital Statistics

For those of you who are interested in this kind of thing . . . Ben is now a month old He weighs 4kgs He is staying awake and alert for longer He still gets presents for no particular reason As far as we can tell, he is enjoying life Scott

Ben's head gets so floppy that he needs some help to keep it from falling off. 

Hey, I'm taking a bath here! 

Thanks, 100, no shoes

First of all, thanks Walshy! I think the last time I saw you was over a game at Risk at the Strad. It's nice that once mortal enemies plotting world domination can now be helping each other out. Mind you, I think I lasted about 20min in that game before I was blown into oblivion. But hey, on the Strad, everyone was a winner. You'll notice that you now have to type in the letters before you leave a comment. Your 4 second time donation will save my blog a lot of grief. Also good to note that this is my 100th Blog. Top work everyone for sticking with it. Ben's got quite a bit of reading to get through . . . when he learns to read. And I'm dedicating this 100th post to the Aussie cricket team who could have so desperately used my 100 in the Ashes the other day. Sorry boys. By the way, it's a balmy 26 degrees in CT today and my shoes are off. When we went to Kirstenbosch on Sunday we got ourselves a yearly pass. So now that Hayley and I are members, we can come and go as we please . . . for free! (If you ignore the cost of the yearly pass) I can definately see myself taking Ben and some reading to Kirstenbosch and kicking back under a tree. The world is my office. Scott

Need some help

Some bad news - my blog has been breeched. Blog spam has invaded and is causing chaos. If it was just rubbish about pimple cream and beach real estate, that would be one thing. But there is a recent comment which links you to a dodgey site. I don't want to be a victim, so can someone tell me how to delete comments from my blog! In the meantime, gentlemen, exercise self control. Thanks. Scott

Hayley and Ben 

Kirstenbosch 

I'm in the big bath now! 

Yo 

The Monkey is Gone

Tonight I discovered that people’s generosity sometimes hurts. We have received so many meals over the last 3 weeks that we are having trouble keeping up with them all. And because I’m only human (and sometimes, as I’m sure Hayley will attest to, very human) I end up abusing the generosity of others by having cheesecake for breakfast.

So why does this hurt? Because tonight I went back to the mighty Celtic Harriers and joined the 4:45min/km crew for a run. Sure, at a water stop they congratulated me on Ben’s arrival and seemed genuinely excited. But I still think the route was changed at the last minute to include every hill in Cape Town for my initiation back into the group. The mountains of the Cape are beautiful, until your shuffling up them with bursting lungs.

At least now the monkey is off my back (after tonight’s run, he is blown to pieces by a monkey shotgun). I’ve learned to treat cheesecake with respect and hopefully have started to ensure I won’t become a pear shaped, pasty skinned, sideline-shouting dad for Ben.

Scott

My favourite moment

Wow. Imagine if you could craft a day simply made up of all these moments! It would probably be so awesome our heads would explode. Well, as promised, here is my 2 cents.

My favourite part of the day is when I wake Ben up. He is now stretching with all the concentration that only comes when you are caught between the love of sleep and the anticipation of the day. This is accompanied by the yawn that makes me want to yawn too. But the cute serenity is then suddenly broken by the Hiroshima of a farting symphony that makes me laugh every time. Man, this kid is a quick learner.

And in all it’s ‘everyday-ness’ that’s my most favourite moment.

Scott

PS: I didn’t intend for there to be any great lesson in all this, just kind of seemed like a fun idea. But now I think about it, let’s not worship the moments, but rather see God’s gracious goodness in them, and be thankful.

Reality Blogging

Ok, let's try this.

I'm going to ask you a question and you give us all the answer via the comments. This will really only work if you give it a go, otherwise this post will feel like the Wallibies fan club - pretty damm lonely. After you've had a chance to tell us your answer, I'll post mine. Everyone cool with that? OK. Ready, steady, Go . . .

What is the favourite part of your day?

And let's try and steer away from 'going to bed', if your life is that painful well . . . I'm sorry. It could be an event or a fleeting moment in time. Either way, let me know.

Scott
PS: I try and steer away from the painful self congratulations of a new dad, but that picture in the bath - does he rock or what?!

Reach out and touch somebody 

I'm three weeks old . . . and I'm hav'n a bath. 

Date Night

Petit Prawn Ragout
Black tiger prawns and calamari rings, pan fried in extra virgin olive oil, garlic, chilli, basil and tomato pulp. Served on puff pastry, rocket and a herb butter swirl.

Lamb Rump
Marinated in olive oil, lemon juice and white wine vinegar. Served on garlic and nutmeg mashed potatoes. With Mediterranean oven roasted vegetables and tzatziki.

Malva Pudding

That was the backdrop for last nights date night. The first one A.B. (After Ben). Irm’s and Leight’s held the fort (thank’s guys!). It was good night, and the tradition will continue.

Scott