This will hurt me...

As we enter the week before Henry turns two years old, I thought that I'd kick of a retrospective of Henry-related pictures. Think of it as a pictorial 'this is your life'. I thought that I'd begin with one of Henry and I on the second day after his birth. We're both a bit buggered, and I still find it odd that the most energetic of all involved in the birth at this point was Jen, who had actually done most of the work. I will claim some credit though, as holding her leg up in the air for a good hour with nary a complaint was not easy.

As you will be aware, those of us here in the Southern Hemisphere entered spring last week. I thought that I would allow you to revisit the dominate landmark of Hobart in order to illustrate what constitutes ‘early spring’ in Tasmania. This was taken this morning at about 7:50 am, yet again out on the fire escape of my workplace. I have featured this same viewpoint once or twice already (well, maybe three or four times), but it looked rather pretty this morning, so I figured that I’d show you again. And I must add my hearty congratulations to sometime commentator Tania upon the birth of what appears to be a colossal son, Will, who topped the scales at 4.7 kilos (10 pounds, six ounces). The Steenholt organic orchard empire will no doubt be short of many a pear and apple over the coming years once this fellow shifts to solids! No word yet on the state of his hair.

If Jen is right, then she IS in labour. But now Henry is in bed and not much is happening, so I am managing to do a few pre-posts to continue the streak! Don't expect much though, I'm reaching into the grab bag and slinging you some random pictures and a few of my favourite poems. Well, that last bit is a lie today, because the above photo - while admittedly not my most technically proficient - is to this point my favourite. It's the first one of Henry. It was taken about two minutes after he was born (nearly twenty-one months ago). I think that its wonderful. Are you allowed to dedicate someone else's poem to someone? Anyway, if you are , then this one is for dear little Henry. After Making Love We Hear Footsteps Galway Kinnell For I can snore like a bullhorn or play loud music or sit up talking with any reasonably sober Irishman and Fergus will only sink deeper into his dreamless sleep, which goes by all in one flash, but let there be that heavy breathing or a stifled...

Here are just some of the wonderful and shocking things that have happened on this day in history: 1429 – Joan of Arc ends the Siege of Orléans, pulling an arrow from her own shoulder and returning wounded to lead the final charge. The victory marks a turning point in the Hundred Years' War. 1664 – Louis XIV of France inaugurates The Palace of Versailles. 1824 – World premiere of Ludwig van Beethoven 's Ninth Symphony in Vienna. 1832 – Greece is recognised independent by the Treaty of London. Otto of Wittelsbach, Prince of Bavaria is chosen King. 1840 – Russian composer Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky is born. 1892 – Leader of the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, Josip Broz Tito is born. 1895 – In Saint Petersburg, Russian scientist Alexander Stepanovich Popov demonstrates to the Russian Physical and Chemical Society his invention – the first in the world radio receiver. Today, Russia and Bulgaria celebrate this day as the Day of Radio . 1915 – World War I: a German subma...

In his formative month, Little Henry took a shine to HO FM radio, and listened to it throughout the day for his first three weeks. He loved its mix of classic rock, 80s and 90s nostalgia and modern hits. In fact, he was born whilst listening to it. As I was perched on the bed, clutching a thigh and watching the top of a head emerge from indust2’s privates, I reflected on what song would be playing when he was officially born. As I first glimpsed the head, Johnny Farnham was singing “Burn for you”, I crossed my fingers hoping he’d stay in a bit longer (he did). Part of me hoped that “Stairway to heaven” would be strung out long enough for him (it wasn’t), “Take it easy” by the Eagles quickly zipped through, the came “Great southern land”, (which I wouldn’t have minded), but I wished the abysmal “I wish I were a punk rocker” song would have ended more quickly than it did. Regardless, he remained wedged firm through the Beatles “Get back”, Jewel’s “You were meant for me”, John Cougar Mell...