The many faces of Christmas break

The time has been strange this holiday season. The holidays seemed to arrive at long last. At the same time, it is hard to believe that Christmas came upon us so quickly and has now passed. The family photo is of us on Christmas day. There was glorious sunshine and we had a lovely time just relaxing before trundling off to visit our friends Brett and Kirby for a lovely turkey dinner. The relaxing was interspersed with a certain amount of work. Somehow, we did not have the time to open our gifts that day. So, Christmas was extended a day. I think we spent our time preparing and enjoying French-toast brunch and cuddling the little guy. A healthy skepticism.

Christmas doesn’t take up the whole holiday. As you can see we’ve been enjoying the heated pool in the bathroom (see post below). We’ve also been experimenting with the camera. I snapped the black and white shot below while Rhodri napped at my breast. It is a view that I see so often and wish to preserve for my memory. Breastfeeding, while initially very challenging, has turned out to be one of the true joys of parenting for me.

I’ve been brewing up some resolutions for the New Year. Finding childcare will be a priority but not because we’ll need it right away. Rather, I think I’d best get used to the idea of leaving Rhodri with someone for an hour or two. Clayton will be whisking off to the Commonwealth Games from March 12 to 27. He is the returning gold-medal champion in skeet, as many of you know. This does not mean that he has a spot reserved. Nope, he’s had to shoot his way in there again. He is looking forward to the competition as I am to the play by play I shall hear over the telephone. Thank goodness for the telephone! I am rather hoping that some friends or family will come out for a visit. The company would be wonderful.

Other news of the New Year: we anticipate a little more style and grace in our steps through school. October 1, we hit the ground running. We’ve done well and are loving being parents. In fact, we are delighted that we chose this time to have Rhodri. The timing could only have been better if we were independently wealthy and could both afford to be home with him all the time. However, our balancing technique could certainly use a bit of polish and think we’ve figured out how to split up the day to accomplish this. Mum gets the mornings to study, Dad gets the afternoons and then the evening time is basically family time except for a bit of exercise. School worked out well for us this past semester but there was no denying it was hard, very hard, work. I look forward to the New Year. We’ll keep you posted as to our progress.

This JUST in. Well, we have just returned from visiting some new friends in the building. They are eagerly expectant of their first baby, and we look forward to getting to know them and their impending little one better. How exciting to have other brand new parents so close by! Tonight we noted a new development in little Rhodri. He has developed a preference for Mummy and Daddy. Apparently this is a natural development for this time in his life. In the beginning babies are generally happy to be passed from adoring hand to adoring hand; but as we discovered tonight, there comes a time when he only has eyes for Mummy and Daddy. I’m delighted. No shame here. I love it. We love being loved by the little guy. He was so shy. He cried a little bit and then burrowed his little face into my chest until he’d calmed down enough to peek out at the rest of the world. I’m nearly too proud for words. NearlyJ So proud…so proud!

Now it is time for goodnight. Happy holidays everyone! Can’t wait to talk to you all soon. Health and love and light to you all in the New Year.

PS Grosspa notes that the blog is getting boring because nobody else posts. The gauntlet is down.
A., C. & R.