"We'll take a cup of kindness yet...

...for auld lang syne." Happy New Year to one and all, welcome to 2009 and here's hoping that the turbulence of 2008 rescinds somewhat this year. Ching ching to that.

The festive season brought Noah into contact with those magnificent men in their flying machines en route to England for a Christmas at Granny and Granddad T's. Something I was dreading to be honest (the flying experience that is, not Granny and Granddad...) actually turned out as well as we could have hoped for, reasonably quiet airports, no screaming on the plane and no delays of any significant note (excluding Granddad T's attempts to get out of the car-park but that's for another day...) lead to a relatively stressless experience. A wonderful Christmas was had by all and similarly the New Year's jollies down in Co. Clare were also excellent. Most were enraptured by little Noah and his unbelievable growth in size, hair and reaction which we were delighted with. He is now at the charming stage of smiling on cue, laughing at Daddy (someone should be...) and generally being a whole bag o' cuteness. The below clip is taken from Christmas and shows Noah at his most delighted, in his Mummy's arms having a good old chuckle...

I have captured a few of the Christmas / New Year moments in the third volume of The Gallery, which can be accessed via the below link. Enjoy the pictures...

Browse the Gallery vol. 3...

The New Year to date has brought with it a stockpile of snuffles for Noah who is now sleeping in a Karvol paradise, a viral infection which had lead to three daily administrations of his whopper-sized inhaler (regular puffer with top Gun pilot style face mask and accompanying tube) and quite simply the runniest nose in Western Europe. Despite all this nasal-based unpleasantness, Noah has been in great form and can always be relied upon for a smile and a cuddle which are so desperately craved amidst the January blues. His physio is progressing well; he is now sitting up by himself, admittedly holding himself up with his arms but still some great progress. He is mastering the press-ups despite his protestations when he is put on the floor mat for his daily workout in the gym. Next stage is to master the crawling motions and see if he can propel his little frame across the floor unaided, we are realistically expecting a good few more months before this happens but if you're not optimistic yourself then who else is going to be for you? For my own part, I am resolving to writing a blog post at least every two to three weeks so you are fully entitled to hold me to that and lambaste me if I should not hold my end of the bargain. I will wrap up this post in the same manner in which it began, with the always relevant words of Robert Burns.

We two have run about the slopes,

and picked the daisies fine;

but we’ve wandered many a weary foot,

since auld lang syne.

For auld lang syne, my dear,
For auld lang syne,
We’ll take a cup of kindness yet,
For auld lang syne.

We two have paddled in the stream,

from morning sun till dine;

But seas between us broad have roared,

since auld lang syne.

For auld lang syne, my dear,
For auld lang syne,
We’ll take a cup of kindness yet,
For auld lang syne.

And there’s a hand my trusty friend!

And give us a hand o’ thine!

And we’ll take a right good-will draught,

for auld lang syne.

For auld lang syne, my dear,

For auld lang syne,

We’ll take a cup of kindness yet,

For auld lang syne