OLD and NEW

I was pleased with this pose. A neat guy is LJ.

Fay checking out the house we built back in 1974 in Mittagong.

We lived on Oxley Drive between the Powers and the Parkers!

Yep, it's still standing! Trees and shrubs have kicked on big time!

We lived here from 1974-77. Sold the house May 1980 for $52,000.

Caught up with a bunch of folk from Southern Highlands in March.

Fa and Coops! Looks like we're both happy.

Owen Cooper is one of the happiest little blokes around.

THREE NEAT CRITTERS

This guy hangs around our caravan down at Cudmirrah, along with a bunch of rels.

This bloke, Owen Cooper, 8 mnths old, is a super happy bloke. And a bit noisy!

This fella, LJ, is pretty neat (more ways than one eh Bren?) Here was a quiet moment he shared with Pooh - a gift from Great Marg back in October 2006. He's now 2 yrs and 5 months. (LJ and Pooh actually. I incorrectly had him down as 2 yrs 7 months... guess he's just so mature for his age!!)

Been busy checking out houses down the south coast. Seems there has been some serious interest in our house in Dubbo. We'd better check things out. See blog below...

Next week I'll fill you in on the coming Bike for Bibles ride - Cairns to Melbourne in April.

TWO YEARS AND A CHRISTENING

Logan Jack turned 2 and Owen Cooper was Christened! Yep, that was enough for one day... or maybe one weekend!

Great fun and beaut to have friends and family gather for such an occasion.... or rather such occasions!

Children are a gift from God! No doubt about it. Sometimes we wonder don't we? But Deb and Brendan are so fortunate to have two such great little guys. Logan Jack can say TA, he can cover his mouth when he coughs and he is even getting the message about using the toilet! He just smiles at people and they melt. He's a cool dude! Owen Cooper.... born on the fourth of July..... he's still pretty small, but is coming along really well. It's also great to see kids who are so loved by family, friends and parents. How important is that eh? I think that gives them security. Really neat being a grandfather, I can tell you. Mind you I had to wait over 60 years for that!

Fay and I are off to Newcastle to visit #2 daughter, Peta and her man Jon. Then to Salamander Bay for a holiday. The kids are all going to join us there also which will be great.

Wonder if anybody still reads this?????

LOVE THOSE HOSPITALS!!

Well, Owen Cooper McLaughlin came out of hospital after 48 hrs.

Went back into hospital because he was jaundiced.

Out of hospital once he had better colour (and numbers were down).

Owen to hospital (visit only) for blood tests to monitor his jaundice via blood tests.

Owen looking good. (see above photo).

Logan Jack McLaughlin (big brother) into hospital early hrs of Tues for a high temp. Spent several hours there with his dad Brendan.

Logan Jack (LJ) back home but then temp went up again so back to hospital, this time with Deb and I. (see photo on lounge prior to going in).

So, the story continues. He's still in hosp at 10:30 am Wed and is on a drip. He is on penicillin which Fay is pleased about. Fay (Nan) is busy feeding Owen when there's no one else available!! (Sounds a bit rough!) He's been great, and doesn't really worry about all this stuff that's happening.

The St Geo hospital has been pretty good I reckon. (I don't like hospitals. Inherited that from my Dad, Jack.)

Meanwhile I'm getting restless and think I can't do much around here so I'm thinking of heading back to Dubbo by train and leaving Fay here to help the McLaughlin team.

Just so you don't get confused:

Logan (LJ) - 21 months, blonde curly hair (massive curls). In hosp.

Owen - 12 days, black hair... plenty of it. In the lounge room!

SMALL HICCUP!

Well, he's been home (Owen Cooper) but because he was jaundiced, he had to go back for blood tests and is now back in hosp (along with his reluctant mother, who would rather be at home with her three men). His grandad (Fa) is glad he has a good preference in cars!!

Photo take on Nan and Fa's bed when he was briefly home. Just one night.

Puts a new slant on Skins Golf Tournament eh? Logan gives Fa a few pointers.

Owen gets hs first bath from his Dad. Quite experienced I might add. Nurse was impressed.

Yeah, well I can take it or leave it, says Muscles.

Even big boys like a cuddle from Nan now and then.

The McLaughlin men! Handsome blokes eh?

Nan with Muscles back at Mortdale. There's some experience there eh?

Still awaiting blood test results which are hopefully good enough to allow Owen Cooper to leave the hospital... for the second time in a week.

Time: 2:30 pm Wednesday 9 July. (Happy birthday WJ!)

AMERICAN INDPENDENCE DAY

Amazing what happens on American Independence Day! Yep, 4th July 2008 at 11:02 pm, Owen Cooper McLaughlin arrived.

Weight: 4610 g (10.17 lb)

Length: 55.5 cm (21.867")

Verdict: BIG, DAMN BIG!

We were hanging round home (Deb and Brendan's home.) Labour pains had been happening... infrequently. Waters burst. Fay said "Things will start moving now."

After a phone call to the midwife, Deb and Brendan left for the hospital about 10:10 pm. It was probably about 10:30 pm when they walked (struggled) through the doors of St George hospital. Owen Cooper arrived minutes after 11 pm! How cool is that?

Here's the October 2006 model - Logan Jack, who wins everyone's hearts. He's nearly 21 months old.

Here's the whole family about 12 hours after the event. They're all pretty happy.

There's something special about a grandmother (Nan) when she nurses her grandchild for the first time. Deb senses that too in the background. A special moment. Deb doesn't look too bad for 12 hours after giving birth.

A mother with her two boys. Well, two of her three boys I guess!

Is this a proud Dad I see before me? I wonder what's in store for this little bloke?
Deb is expecting to stay in hospital for 48 hours before being "released".

What a precious little bundle of joy eh? Mind you, he's got a hard act to follow too. We're looking for a photo of Deb just after she was born. We figure you wouldn't know which is which!

Thanks for your prayers, your celebration with us and the many who have sent in messages already. Thanks heaps. How come we were out of the country when #1 was born? Bit less pressure I guess!