tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-283483342011-04-22T02:17:02.210+01:00What's it like to be a father to two new children at 50? Will I cope with babies, sleepless nights and crying? Or will it be a dream - like time travelling back to another life when I had two new babies in my 20's? Let's find out!Liam McCarthyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07564172691473261497noreply@blogger.comBlogger2031100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28348334.post-2315409250731732722007-07-06T09:32:00.000+01:002008-12-11T08:46:40.386Z

What a crap summer so far. When the BBC reporter Alan Johnston was freed in Gaza he said he hadn't seen the sun for nearly 4 months - I think we all could have a great deal of empathy with him. Still Helen has been determined for it to be a good summer and here wea re picknicking!

Liam McCarthyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07564172691473261497noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28348334.post-74958441121093942522007-06-29T12:48:00.001+01:002008-12-11T08:46:41.176Z

Liam McCarthyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07564172691473261497noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28348334.post-12674158170124027662007-06-23T18:35:00.000+01:002008-12-11T08:46:41.319Z

We wondered how Rosie would take to her brother Mike after he came back from Oklahoma - after all he'd been gone for a third of her life. Last night I asked her to sit in the chair ... and lo and behold she just snuggled up to her brother - lovely!

Liam McCarthyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07564172691473261497noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28348334.post-31041470261047576132007-06-22T18:52:00.000+01:002008-12-11T08:46:41.534Z

Here they are together on the blog for the first time, all of my babies; Ben, Michael, Rosie and Emily. I always said that I'd never do three things, One - have a relationship with anyone from work; Two - Have four children like my sisters and Three - never support anyone other than Leicester City. Well one out of three ain't bad ... looking forward to the new season at the Walkers Stadium!

Liam McCarthyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07564172691473261497noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28348334.post-80980857905757292132007-06-20T21:21:00.000+01:002008-12-11T08:46:41.934Z

A while since I blogged ... so how about about a phlog session - just some pictures to keep you updated!

Liam McCarthyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07564172691473261497noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28348334.post-3288787666201268062007-05-03T19:24:00.000+01:002008-12-11T08:46:42.094Z

Here they are, my two little darlings, out for lunch at the Noodle Bar round the corner on Queens Road. Poor me - I was stuck at home working away at my e-mails while Helen Rosie and Emily were living up the high life.

Liam McCarthyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07564172691473261497noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28348334.post-35888702355681474132007-04-30T19:05:00.000+01:002008-12-11T08:46:42.292Z

Phew. What a scorcher! Well not quite as hot as the Sun and the Daily Express would have you believe but good enough to let the girls have a picnic on Victoria Park - just down the road from where we live. Helen did it all in the traditional chav fashion - bought the sandwiches in packets from Sainsbury's etc ....Rosie loved it. She also kept telling Emily off for touching the sandwiches and

Liam McCarthyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07564172691473261497noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28348334.post-59474845169100731402007-04-28T21:53:00.000+01:002008-12-11T08:46:42.456Z

A magical day all round today. While I was celebrating a win as one of 4,500 Leicester fans in Barnsley, Rosie had her first go on a fun fair. Billy Bates Victoria Park fun fair is a Leicester May Bank Holiday tradition ... so Rosie is getting in early. She loved it!

Liam McCarthyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07564172691473261497noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28348334.post-27995419160529871272007-04-26T20:49:00.000+01:002008-12-11T08:46:42.632Z

Great present for my birthday - both series of Life on Mars on DVD. It got me hooked from the very first episode - I love "time travel" type shows. It was filmed at the BBC in Manchester and whilst i was there I had my photo taken with the third star of the show - the 1972 Ford Cortina. Although actually I have another shot of the frront of the car on which there is a 1975 number plate .... fishy!

Liam McCarthyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07564172691473261497noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28348334.post-14594943041089688992007-04-25T16:50:00.000+01:002008-12-11T08:46:42.822Z

Here's a new sensation for Rosie. "Its my house!" I think Rosie was a bit put out to see Emily standing in her rightful place. She better get used to it because I think Emily is going to be a real bruiser when she can walk properly!

Liam McCarthyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07564172691473261497noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28348334.post-41107523214928938752007-04-24T14:37:00.000+01:002008-12-11T08:46:42.984Z

This is currently Rosie's favourite outfit. If she sets eyes on it in the wardrobe then she has to have it on. it's an official "nike" cheerleaders outfit from Oklahoma University - for the football team I think - and was bought for her by brother Michael on her birthday. It really is a cute little kit and the best thing is with Emily growing fast she'll be able to wear it as well. Hand me downs

Liam McCarthyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07564172691473261497noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28348334.post-32849930771177416192007-04-22T14:35:00.000+01:002008-12-11T08:46:43.461Z

This is our reaction - one of relief - when we heard Leicester City had won at Deepdale and we could relax for the rest of the weekend. Sitting at the computer now doing a podcast about it - www.foxpodder.co.uk - have a listen. In fact we have just got back from a wonderful birthday weekend away. Didn't go far just down the road to the Kilworth Hall Hotel in rural South Leicestershire. Had a

Liam McCarthyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07564172691473261497noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28348334.post-49823500903067258832007-04-20T20:52:00.000+01:002008-12-11T08:46:43.604Z

Two posts in one day! Have been in Cardiff over the last couple of days and enjoyed what is a really thriving city. Had dinner by Cardiff Bay in one of the most hedonistic pieces of regeneration I have seen - all bars and restaurants along the quay with very few flats and houses close by - so noise was not an issue. Well palnned. But the highlight was bumping into the Tardis in reception at BBC

Liam McCarthyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07564172691473261497noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28348334.post-59899941809688387032007-04-20T20:47:00.000+01:002008-12-11T08:46:43.807Z

It's been mad for while at McCarthy towers. Helen is back at work - we all had the runs and then Helen got it - the girls have started at their new nursery and Leicester City are sinking deep into the s*&t. Frankly its the girsl that keep us going - just look at them. Wonderful.

Liam McCarthyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07564172691473261497noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28348334.post-12664197823303252762007-03-31T23:35:00.000+01:002008-12-11T08:46:43.988Z

I spoke too soon about Emily being over the sickness and runs bug. Rosie got it again, Emily got it again ... and I've had it all week. Today is the first day all 3 of us have been in anything like normal form - as you can see the girls like to have breakfast watching TV! (The TV though will be going soon). It was a horrible bug. I have lost over half a stone - and it has thrown both Rosie and

Liam McCarthyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07564172691473261497noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28348334.post-26510947471181194092007-03-25T12:10:00.000+01:002008-12-11T08:46:44.245Z

First Rosie had the vomiting bug - then poor old Emily got it. It hit her really hard and we almost took her to the hospital ... but she has just started to get back to her normal self. As you can see from this picture she is starting to take her food again and doesn't seem to have become dehydrated at all - which is really dangerous in young babies. So ... here's hoping ....

Liam McCarthyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07564172691473261497noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28348334.post-11838369309803656242007-03-21T17:46:00.000Z2008-12-11T08:46:44.408Z

Poor old Rosie. She is a bit under the weather this week so we are trying to be extra kind to her. Not pushing too many vegetables at her and even allowing her a "bikky" at lunch. She still has tantrums though - well she is 2. I'm in London but before I went I was bad daddy and made her go to bed for her lunchtime sleep even though she was crying and didn't want to go. Didn't see her when she

Liam McCarthyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07564172691473261497noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28348334.post-1124296719062720782007-03-18T16:44:00.000Z2008-12-11T08:46:44.561Z

As you can see from the photo spring is here. This photo was taken 10 minutes after I put the garden furniture out in bright sunshine. I love global warming!

Liam McCarthyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07564172691473261497noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28348334.post-6326101750740218222007-03-10T17:41:00.000Z2008-12-11T08:46:44.721Z

I think Emily is the loudest baby I have ever known. We have not been bothering with monitors because if she starts crying you know about it. Watching her grow is a joy because she is so unlike Rosie - she is desperate to do things and even at 7 months old is starting to hang on to the furniture as she stands up. I'm not sure if the stregth is in her legs or her arms - or even her brain - but

Liam McCarthyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07564172691473261497noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28348334.post-50478532836255724262007-03-09T18:50:00.000Z2008-12-11T08:46:44.920Z

It's wonderful being back home, but it's been a heavy week of travelling at work. So nice to see that Michael has made the picture of Rosie at her 2nd birthday party his background picture on his computer. A lovely momet!

Liam McCarthyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07564172691473261497noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28348334.post-7479103352551544452007-03-05T21:45:00.000Z2008-12-11T08:46:45.167Z

Darling Rosie is 2. It seems like it was just two minues ago that she was born - let alone 2 years! She is developing a real character. When I got back from the USA she blanked me for about half an hour - as if she was making me pay for leaving her at home. Her language is really coming on - lots of new words and the diction is pretty good. We'll make a newsreader out of her yet! This was her

Liam McCarthyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07564172691473261497noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28348334.post-81395185151679758322007-03-03T13:51:00.000Z2008-12-11T08:46:46.390Z

Last day of the US trip ... and I spent it in New York! I like New York as it seems just that bit more European than other American Cities - it feels vibrant and alive, full of hustle and bustle. In Oklahoma and Tulsa there was lots of movement but no action - everyone was moving about in their cars. In New York it's great that everyone walks around, that there are shops and businesses all

Liam McCarthyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07564172691473261497noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28348334.post-54745460864714839622007-02-28T23:46:00.000Z2008-12-11T08:46:46.820Z

Spent the last day in Oklahoma around Norman. Had a great lunch at Pita Pit - they should roll this out in England it would go a storm, click on the link to check out the meals. Michael bought a birthday card and present for Rosie - a cheerleader kit - and I got a hoodie for Helen at Campus Corner. Then it was off to Lake Thunderbird for a walk, as the thermometer hit 80 degrees. I'd been

Liam McCarthyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07564172691473261497noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28348334.post-69301385132232630812007-02-28T00:47:00.000Z2008-12-11T08:46:47.433Z

Drove up to Oklahoma city today and visited the State Capitol. Here are three shots ... from the outside (the dome was only built in 2001), in the Governors "blue room" whee he does his press conferences and in the senate (they were all at lunch!)After a great guided tour of the Capitol we headed off to the Oklahoma Bomb Memorial which is built on the site of the Federal Building which was blown

Liam McCarthyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07564172691473261497noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28348334.post-37917968382883811692007-02-27T02:40:00.000Z2008-12-11T08:46:47.875Z

A great chill out day today as you can see from the pictures. Went to the library this morning and then met Michael for a burger and fries lunch followed by a trip to Main Street in Norman - even saw the railway station (such as it is). I think my body clock is just coming round .. I am still wanting to go to bed a 8 and get up at 3 though! Off to he Oklahoma bomb memorial in the morning.

Liam McCarthyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07564172691473261497noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28348334.post-82848172517199014872007-02-26T00:35:00.000Z2008-12-11T08:46:48.222Z

At the Walkers Stadium the football is enough to give me a sore head - here the sun has managed it for me. It was like a summer day in February - amazing. As for the ball game it was really very interesting - I once saw the New York Yankees with Helen and it was so boring that after 9 innings it was still 0-0 and the fans were raving about the pitcher. I just wanted someone to whack the ball.

Liam McCarthyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07564172691473261497noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28348334.post-428416653847262062007-02-25T02:36:00.000Z2008-12-11T08:46:50.816Z

I am spending a few days with Michael in Oklahoma and today we went up to Tulsa. Downtown is just a few tower blocks and lots of parking lots - and no people. So we drove to find out where they all were and found them at Expo - this is the Expo Oilman guarding the entrance. What we found was the most astonishing gun show - yes real guns, bullets, knives .. all to buy and take away - it was a

Liam McCarthyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07564172691473261497noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28348334.post-9416700281177625932007-02-19T09:00:00.000Z2008-12-11T08:46:51.277Z

How times change ... just a few years ago I was at the bar in this very same place with Ben & Michael having a drink and a meal for Ben's birthday. Now just look at the children - my god am I mad? Never mind time travlling in "Life on Mars" - I'm doing it without an accident and still living in the present.

Liam McCarthyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07564172691473261497noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28348334.post-19000175736180216372007-02-17T09:17:00.000Z2008-12-11T08:46:51.438Z

What a bouncy and happy baby Emily is. Here she is after being stuffed full of green organic baby food - and what a smile. The food around her mouth makes her look like one of those civil war cavaliers - the laughing one!

Liam McCarthyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07564172691473261497noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28348334.post-6790500550484849232007-02-15T21:05:00.000Z2008-12-11T08:46:51.745Z

We have Jamie Oliver as the "naked chef" so here is Rosie May McCarthy - the "dribbling chef". I was in a finance meeting at work and got this picture from Helen of Rosie making MASHED SURPRISE. The surprise is there are no spuds in it. A packet of SMASH a few frozen veg and plonked in some shells to serve. Quite good for a 2 year old!

Liam McCarthyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07564172691473261497noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28348334.post-55522644765852389342007-02-11T21:10:00.000Z2008-12-11T08:46:51.897Z

Ahh. Doesn't Rosie look like a sweet little girl? Here she is at her friends 2nd birthday party at the Leicester City Farm. As you can see she loves the puddles ... and 10 seconds after this photo was taken she was flat on her face in this one. Just as well Helen had a change of clothes and lots of strong powder to wash the animal Sh*t off.

Liam McCarthyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07564172691473261497noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28348334.post-71834240479355776552007-02-08T10:02:00.000Z2008-12-11T08:46:52.064Z

A snowy day in Leicester and we all had the chance for a bit of late rise. Rosie - for the first time ever - decided she would sit in our bed with her milk and biscuit while Helen had her cup of tea. I'd like to say I made the tea but I failed this morning after getting up at 5 to see if I could drive to Wales.

Liam McCarthyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07564172691473261497noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28348334.post-39093734642271792062007-02-04T08:53:00.000Z2008-12-11T08:46:52.644Z

Our favourite child book is "The Contented Little Baby" by Gina Ford. Can't speak too highly of the routines and all the general "common sense" stuff. Both Rosie and Emily sleep through and seem generally very content so it has worked for us. But I am not sure of Gina Ford had this in mind when she wrote her book - still this is Emily being very very a contented little baby!

Liam McCarthyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07564172691473261497noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28348334.post-73772069003116458282007-01-29T11:05:00.000Z2008-12-11T08:46:52.773Z

Somehow it is becoming easy to forget how Emily is growing up. With Rosie we noticed every new thing she did - with awe. Now poor old Emily is just left to get on with things. Grandad noticed today how strong her little legs were so we loaded her into the baby bouncer and watched her swing away on the door frame. She seemed to be really content. I guess we hadn't noticed this latest spurt in

Liam McCarthyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07564172691473261497noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28348334.post-24671129066769076302007-01-25T21:44:00.000Z2008-12-11T08:46:52.895Z

Been away for a few days and not near the computer so it's nice to get back to the blog. I woke up in Northampton this morning and got this lovely photo from Helen of Rosie making chocolate cakes - or more accurately eating cornflakes while the chocolate melted! Great to see her growing up and especially understanding more and more of the language - she isn't speaking much yet - but it will come.

Liam McCarthyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07564172691473261497noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28348334.post-79605855091805360372007-01-20T13:40:00.000Z2008-12-11T08:46:53.124Z

Ahh ... after my rant yesterday I have calmed down now. Here's my little calm-down helper, Emily. She is growing up so fast and it's hard to keep reminding yourself that she is really not just a little baby anymore. She has a real character!

Liam McCarthyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07564172691473261497noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28348334.post-1169235301993681242007-01-19T19:30:00.000Z2007-01-19T19:37:41.246Z

This is Pat - Helen's dad - eating something he prepared earlier. He does most of the cooking at home, and by a strange co-incidence so do I. You see I'm not the only one, I even got my white sauce recipe from a mate down at the football. Yet read todays Gaurdian and some middle-class journo in the Guardian trots out all the old streotype rubbish about only women cook and they feel guilty cos

Liam McCarthyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07564172691473261497noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28348334.post-1168955019335039942007-01-16T13:39:00.000Z2007-01-16T13:43:39.350Z

Wow don't they look a handful. Can you imagine having these two round for tea? I am only glad that Helen is staying off work for another couple of months off work - when she goes back I'll be looking after both of them every weekend. I can't wait ... er honest guv!

Liam McCarthyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07564172691473261497noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28348334.post-1168893899440021232007-01-15T20:40:00.000Z2007-01-15T20:44:59.463Z

Did I say news kills? Sorry I meant new skills! Isn't language wonderful - and Emily would swearing like a trooper if she could. She gets very frustrated with this stick-on toy and today I found out why. She pushes and turns the wheel and shakes it so that the toy comes loose and falls off the table. What she is after is the juicy stick on base to put in her mouth. Babies eh!

Liam McCarthyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07564172691473261497noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28348334.post-1168692855996186672007-01-13T12:50:00.000Z2007-01-13T12:54:16.016Z

It may have been a big week for Apple with the new iPhone and iTV. What next? Well for me here is my latest Apple - a copy of Get Back by the Beatles for the juke box. The juke-box is a 1975 Rock-Ola, holds 80 songs (140 if you count the "B" sides - I am assuming you know what a "B" side is, if not ask your granny) - so it doesn't hold as many songs as an iPod - and it is a bit bigger!

Liam McCarthyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07564172691473261497noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28348334.post-1168538477924996602007-01-11T17:57:00.000Z2007-01-11T18:02:35.700Z

Here they are. Rosie and Emily McCarthy - telly tarts both! As I tried to stand in front of them to take this photo Emily insisted on leaning to one side so she could carry on watching Balamory. Emily has had a very bad cold and has been a bit of a handful lately - still sleeping through the night - but now I am back at work how Helen could do with some rest, she's on her knees poor girl.

Liam McCarthyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07564172691473261497noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28348334.post-1168443960499395232007-01-10T15:36:00.000Z2007-01-10T15:46:00.890Z

A couple of pictures for Mike in Oklahoma. Last time he was at Sheffield Station there was a building site outside. There still is but the massive plaza is now coming on stream - literally. There are huge stepped water features and an enormous stainless steel snake like sculputure with water cascading down the sides. Impressive or what?

Liam McCarthyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07564172691473261497noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28348334.post-1168349413008008542007-01-09T13:24:00.000Z2007-01-09T13:38:39.053Z

Wow. First time Rosie had my sausage stew - and she loved it! Not cooked it before because Helen hated sausages while she was pregnant, but she let me cook it yesterday. It's easy peasy ...dry fry half a dozen good quality sausages until they are brown on the outside, chop them up and put them in a casserole dish with; one chopped onion, some new potatoes, mushrooms, chopped up carrots, a tin of

Liam McCarthyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07564172691473261497noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28348334.post-1168254200164581002007-01-08T10:52:00.000Z2007-01-09T13:39:19.146Z

I think we have just about chilled out after our New Year party. A great time was had by all - 13 adults and 8 toddlers plus Emily. Phew! Here they all are having tea. I am not sure what their parents feed them but one bowl of my home made lasagne and it was poo city - with nappies being changed everywhere. One poor boy - Hardy - was too late and we found him walking round with poo coming out of

Liam McCarthyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07564172691473261497noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28348334.post-1168182233631251632007-01-07T15:00:00.000Z2007-01-07T15:03:53.646Z

Rosie with the roses that are starting to bloom on January 7th. It may be me but I think the roses are out pretty early, even if they do get a lot of sun in our south facing front garden. We have had blossom out in the back garden as well. Mind you it will cold again in a week or so when the cricket fixtures come out!

Liam McCarthyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07564172691473261497noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28348334.post-1168119741409091172007-01-06T21:34:00.000Z2007-01-06T21:42:21.460Z

I've been a bit quiet on the posting front recently. What with Christmas, New Year and Christenings. Still should be picking up a bit now ... especially after getting some photos from Mike who has been travelling round the USA by train over the Christmas / New Year holidays. The fact that I've got the pictures should mean he is back safe and sound in Norman OK. Phew. This is a picture he took in

Liam McCarthyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07564172691473261497noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28348334.post-1167560960100342732006-12-31T10:18:00.000Z2007-01-06T21:33:52.010Z

Thought I'd post a few pictures from Emily's Christening at St Luke's Parish Church in Thurnby on 17th December. The one above is George and myself with Emily after the service. You can also see me, Helen, Rosie and Emily in church, a proud father with his daughter .... and "Girls Aloud" - Emily in the pub afterwards with sister Rosie, mummy, granny and great granny!

Liam McCarthyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07564172691473261497noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28348334.post-1167474108507197192006-12-30T10:16:00.000Z2006-12-30T10:21:48.530Z

Move over Elton John, Rosie May McCarthy is knocking on the door to stardom - not! Here she is entertaining the family on boxing day. When she shouts into the microphone she really does sound like she is singing "I shot the sheriff" - the old Bob Marley song. Mind you the automatic rhythm track on the organ is starting to grate a little now.

Liam McCarthyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07564172691473261497noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28348334.post-1167343021505683002006-12-28T21:53:00.000Z2006-12-28T21:57:01.526Z

Rosie enjoyed her first real Christmas although at 21 months she isn't really sure what is going on - although she has clocked that people keep bringing her presents. We put chocolate coins in her advent calendar so she is used to unwrapping chocolate and she was very upset on boxing day when no body could unwrap a smartie for her! She soon got used to the taste though.

Liam McCarthyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07564172691473261497noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28348334.post-1167035455597337642006-12-25T08:23:00.000Z2006-12-25T08:30:55.616Z

Mike - here are the presents ready to open ... Rosie hasn't seen any of theses yet ... so you are the first! Hope it's not too cold in New York and you are enjoying your trip. Speak later. Dad.

Liam McCarthyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07564172691473261497noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28348334.post-1166713634038914742006-12-21T15:04:00.000Z2006-12-21T15:07:14.060Z

Poor old Granpa. There he was holding Emily when Rosie came downstairs from her lunchtime sleep and also wanted a piece of the action. What is a Grandpa supposed to do? Thats absolutely right - give in!

Liam McCarthyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07564172691473261497noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28348334.post-1166120648236532912006-12-14T18:16:00.000Z2006-12-14T18:24:08.250Z

Sad news today. Mick Beesley died in the night. Mick was my life saver in hospital in 2000. I'd had three heart operations in quick succession and spent 3 months in hospital. By co-incidence Mick had an infection in the same valve as me. He was in the bed opposite and just looked after me - I was getting divorced at the time so with the operations as well I was really just ready to give up on

Liam McCarthyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07564172691473261497noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28348334.post-1166020806113556692006-12-13T14:35:00.000Z2006-12-13T14:40:06.130Z

Yes here it is - another first. This time it's Rosie enjoying her first proper Christmas party at her playgroup in Bushby. As you can see from the photo and the food on her plate as compared to the girl next to her she hasn't got the whole stuffing yourself at Christmas thingy yet. Still I am sure it will come.... I have just bought her some chocolate coins for her advent calendar!

Liam McCarthyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07564172691473261497noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28348334.post-1165671777680466952006-12-09T13:38:00.000Z2006-12-09T13:42:57.696Z

This is me with Rosie, Emily, Phil and Ted. Phil and Ted is the make of super dooper push chair we got from New Zealand for the girls. Emily is just big enough to sit up now - so we have set it up as a double buggy. Neat, isn't it? Saves a lot of space on a normal double buggy and you don't have to push everyone else off the pavement. Plus it fits round the aisles in local shops. Great.

Liam McCarthyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07564172691473261497noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28348334.post-1165257101995287042006-12-04T18:26:00.000Z2006-12-04T18:31:42.016Z

Every picture tells a story so I thought I would let you see two! Here is Emily having her first food - ever. Helen mixed up some baby rice and then offered her one spoonful. As you can see she was a little unsure. But then she couldn't take here eyes off the spoon or Helen. She absolutely yummed it up, grabbing the spoon all the time. Rosie, meanwhile, had some pork chop, veg of the day and

Liam McCarthyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07564172691473261497noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28348334.post-1165156057484481102006-12-03T14:23:00.000Z2006-12-03T14:29:34.286Z

Isn't Emily growing like mad? She can just reach out and grip things now - with a little bit of concentration. This is her with Rosie's new slinky which she got in Ormskirk. Sadly it's still there - the slinky not the town! Rosie had great fun with it and even took it out to the market for a drag along the street behind her.

Liam McCarthyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07564172691473261497noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28348334.post-1164969713237361662006-12-01T10:33:00.000Z2006-12-01T10:41:53.253Z

It's alright ... don't worry, Emily isn't turning into a West Ham fan! I haven't seen her for nearly three days and here she is in a cafe with her mum blowing bubbles for England. Missing her and Rosie something rotten. Still when I am driving back from Liverpool this afternoon and they are crying in the back of the car I may change my mind.

Liam McCarthyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07564172691473261497noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28348334.post-1164619811815615912006-11-27T09:26:00.000Z2006-11-27T09:30:11.830Z

We went to see James Bond last night and Ben came round to baby-sit for his little sisters. Here's Rosie sitting on his lap and watching 64 Zoo Lane. She went to bed at 7.30 and cried for a few minutes because she couldn't be with Ben ... but she dropped off after 5 minutes and slept through till 8. So I think normal sleeping service has been resumed - well i hope so!

Liam McCarthyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07564172691473261497noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28348334.post-1164449515090171762006-11-25T10:08:00.000Z2006-11-25T10:11:55.103Z

Well here is the picture I have been waiting for. Postman Pat or ... "Po Pa" was one of Ben and Mike's favourites when they were growing up. Now it's back and bigger than ever before - with the correct ethnic mix for Greendale(!) - and Rosie is really getting into it! So we are going back to the future.

Liam McCarthyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07564172691473261497noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28348334.post-1164279868985791462006-11-23T11:01:00.000Z2006-11-23T11:04:29.003Z

A day on the road in Liverpool today. Just look at those cranes! It'll be great when it's finished - probably. Poor old Rosie woke up at 6 o'clock this morning with a snotty nose and full of cold, but Emily slept right thropugh from 7 - 7 - what a star. Me? I just slept to the gentle hum of the mini-bar in a hotel. Peaceful.

Liam McCarthyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07564172691473261497noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28348334.post-1164208277256348972006-11-22T15:06:00.000Z2006-11-22T15:11:17.273Z

Hey, meet the gang ... 'cos the gang is all here. I'm just off to Liverpool so won't see Rosie for a day or so. Very difficult for me, but as long as she has her DVD's she is fine with it. Anyway here she is bigging it up with her mates at the farm park in Leicester. Wait till they are out on a binge drinking spree in a few years!

Liam McCarthyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07564172691473261497noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28348334.post-1164109662339018022006-11-21T11:12:00.000Z2006-11-21T11:47:42.356Z

What a great sight - Emily not looking wary of Rosie anymore. Rosie has stopped being quite so heavy handed with Emily which is a relief. Its also good to hear Rosie coming up with some more words like "DaDa" and "Whosie" ... she can also say mummy -but obviously that is less important!

Liam McCarthyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07564172691473261497noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28348334.post-1163964147186364132006-11-19T19:07:00.000Z2006-11-19T19:22:27.200Z

Michael did 10 things he loves about America in his blog (see the links on the right) so thought I should reply. 1; Drive in banks. In this picture the second building in from the right is the first dive in bank in the UK. Opened in 1962 in Charles Street. 2 Free Refills; used to get these all the time at school - milk in 1/3 pint bottles. 3: Football; what can I say - blue army. 4: High Speed

Liam McCarthyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07564172691473261497noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28348334.post-1163694948829688272006-11-16T16:32:00.000Z2006-11-16T16:35:48.830Z

Been doing really boring paper work this afternoon - but I guess someone has to. Helen had a researcher call from the British Crime Survey - they are doing random addresses across the country so I had Rosie in the office with me. How do you solve a problem like Rosie? Put on Winnie the Pooh on a little DVD player ... brilliant, and it works evety time!

Liam McCarthyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07564172691473261497noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28348334.post-1163522968064171322006-11-14T16:46:00.000Z2006-11-16T16:27:33.480Z

It struck me today how quickly Emily is growing. To check this out I sat her in Rosie's high chair ... see what I mean? I am busy trying to blow up a huge rubber ring by mouth at the moment - so that Emily has a secure place to start to sit up in .... if Rosie will stop poking her that is!

Liam McCarthyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07564172691473261497noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28348334.post-1163271060513401322006-11-11T18:43:00.000Z2006-11-11T18:51:00.530Z

There I was concentrating on the match and I got this wonderful picture of Rosie having real fun washing up. Look at that smile! Just wait in a few years time we'll get all the old excuses ... "I washed up twice last month" or "It's Emilys turn - she hasn't done it for ages" or even "I hate you, no one at school washes up". Still lets enjoy this wonderful moment.

Liam McCarthyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07564172691473261497noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28348334.post-1163098564808713442006-11-09T18:53:00.000Z2006-11-09T18:56:04.833Z

Helen is a softy. It's been quite cold here so she has been and bought some furry sheepskin boots for Emily. poor old Emily isn't used to wearing thigs on her feet and spends most of the time trying to kick them off - mind you she has a right laugh while she's doing it!

Liam McCarthyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07564172691473261497noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28348334.post-1162917252697245252006-11-07T16:30:00.000Z2006-11-07T16:34:12.720Z

Up early and off to London for the day - so very nice to get back early and have a little smiling Emily plonked on my lap. She is a real sweetie. She stares at you right in the eyes and just smiles and smiles, and sometimes giggles a little - even while Rosie is having a paddy while Helen puts her coat on in the hall.

Liam McCarthyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07564172691473261497noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28348334.post-1162754874098287242006-11-05T19:23:00.000Z2006-11-05T19:27:54.110Z

Helen tried to teach Rosie some new knife skills at tea-time. "Look Rosie, put some cheese spread on your knife and spread it on your toast". As you can see one word from her mother and Rosie is very obedient. However this time she decided to cut the middle-man, so to speak, and eat the spread straight off the knike. Only 20 months and already cutting out carbs!

Liam McCarthyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07564172691473261497noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28348334.post-1162542812055003972006-11-03T08:28:00.000Z2006-11-03T08:33:32.066Z

What exceptional weather we are having. At last the autumn is starting to feel like winter is on the way. Both the girls are wrapped up against the cold - and Rosie is loving running around the park and jumping ikto piles of crisp leaves. Rosie went to nursery at 8 today through until 5. We had to scrape the frost of the car windows and made our way through the rush hour traffic. She was the

Liam McCarthyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07564172691473261497noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28348334.post-1162313098241010052006-10-31T16:29:00.000Z2006-10-31T16:44:58.256Z

You might be forgiven for thinking that we have been looking after an alien at home. However I can assure you that this is not ET leaving our house on Halloween - but Rosie in her outfit. She would just not keep her hat on ... still she enjoyed running around with other children all dressed in black. She has another party tonight so I wonder if we'll be more successful in getting her hat

Liam McCarthyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07564172691473261497noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28348334.post-1162057132925396022006-10-28T18:38:00.000+01:002006-10-29T19:03:26.916Z

Rosie has to have wellies for the nursery but she is so small that the only ones we could get are just a little bit to big for her. But we are now bringing them home from the nursery each week to get her used to walking in them and she is doing very well. I tried to get her to walk through puddles but she wasn't going to have any of that. Mind you I am quite sure she would have been very happy

Liam McCarthyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07564172691473261497noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28348334.post-1161959191218596062006-10-27T15:20:00.000+01:002006-10-27T15:26:31.233+01:00

Emily is turning in to a proper little Charlie. I love the way she is always looking around - she follows people around the room, and everything she sees she takes it all in. She's been examining her hands and has just started doing "Rosie" leg exercises - moving them up and down. I can hear her now as I write rubbing her feet up and down her chair like a cricket! It's like having a perpetual

Liam McCarthyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07564172691473261497noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28348334.post-1161785837457459212006-10-25T15:09:00.000+01:002006-10-25T15:17:17.500+01:00

Here it is at last. Grass in the garden. No more bloody gravel - with builders rubble constantly coming through. We have somewhere that the girls can run around in, have the paddling pool in and play ball in. Of course it isn't finshed yet. We need to let the lawn settle down over the winter and in the spring we can decide where to put some trellis, flowers and furniture. When Mike comes back

Liam McCarthyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07564172691473261497noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28348334.post-1161539780395916642006-10-22T18:49:00.000+01:002006-10-22T18:56:20.413+01:00

I love this picture. Helen managed to get a snap in while Rosie was happy to be still-ish for a moment on the sofa. Just look at Emily - she stares right at you and follows you round the room. Today I heard her do a baby "giggle" for the first time. She has also started to sudy her hands and the look in her eyes while she does it suggests that she is trying to work out if the hand is hers and she

Liam McCarthyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07564172691473261497noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28348334.post-1161460894639083242006-10-21T19:55:00.000+01:002006-10-21T21:02:35.523+01:00

Ben has bought himself a house! It's a three bedroom semi with a garage and garden and he is doing really well in kitting it all out. He seems ever so proud - and so he should be. At 23 years old he's a graduate running his own business and now with a big mortgage to pay off! Here he is proudly showing off his kitchen. Looking forward to a meal there soon.

Liam McCarthyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07564172691473261497noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28348334.post-1161360307188593922006-10-20T16:58:00.000+01:002006-10-20T17:40:47.606+01:00

What do you do when you get the chance to hold an umbrella for the first time? You spin it around. You walk with it in front of you so you can't see where you are going. You bump into things - and generally have a brilliant time. Here is Rosie after getting back from the nursery today. She was busy running after the "mowes" as she calls the cats in the streets until she spotted Helen's umbrella .

Liam McCarthyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07564172691473261497noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28348334.post-1161251653353810202006-10-19T10:48:00.000+01:002006-10-19T10:55:00.323+01:00

Another day and another away day. This time in ????? can you guess the city from this photograph of one of the iconic new images of this regenerating city? A clue ... it isn't Middlesbrough! The thing about going off for the day is how difficult it is to go out of the front door if Rosie is up. She is starting to look really sad when I go out (or Helen does) and it makes it very hard. Still I am

Liam McCarthyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07564172691473261497noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28348334.post-1161099027718169752006-10-17T16:22:00.000+01:002006-10-17T16:30:27.736+01:00

Helen says she heard Emily giggle yesterday. I know she smiles - as you can see in this photo - but I have never heard her giggle as yet. Still I am sure Helen was right, she tells me she usually is! Poor Emily was asleep in her pram yesterday and had a rude awakening when Rosie started bashing her with a doll. Sisters eh.

Liam McCarthyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07564172691473261497noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28348334.post-1160903325660646172006-10-15T10:03:00.000+01:002006-10-15T10:08:45.680+01:00

Great day yesterday at Laura (my niece) and Dave's wedding. Rosie loves seeing her cousins and enjoyed the biggest bowl of ice cream I think she has seen in her life. She'd have also had some chocolate drops - but Helen ate them! Ben did the disco and Rosie was so taken with it. She spent an hour on the danceflorr chasing the lights and looking up at her brother and pointing to him behind his

Liam McCarthyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07564172691473261497noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28348334.post-1160762035403428342006-10-13T18:50:00.000+01:002006-10-13T18:55:05.266+01:00

Up at 5.30 and on the 6.30 train to London this morning. Not the best way to start a Friday! Still back home at 4 just in time to see Rosie back from the nursery - and in a surprisingly good mood! Lovely autumn day in London and I took a short time out in-between meetings to grab a cold drink and sit in the gardens at St. Pauls Caathedral. Wonderful.

Liam McCarthyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07564172691473261497noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28348334.post-1160590387299507812006-10-11T16:54:00.000+01:002006-10-11T19:13:07.546+01:00

A week now and both Rosie and Emily are still sleeping through the night. I am not sure how Helen has done this - obviously lots of hard work - but I guess there is still and element of luck in there somewhere. Still its "hats off" to Helen - even though she is wearing her new birthday hat from her mum and dad!

Liam McCarthyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07564172691473261497noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28348334.post-1160379216281579022006-10-09T08:28:00.000+01:002006-10-09T08:33:36.296+01:00

Emily has woken up very, very happy and content. So I thought I would try and capture her smile on camera. This is a little one. As always the smiles are huge but when you put the camera on they gtend to fade away as the camera is more interesting. Rosie has woken up very tired and emtional. We went to Liverpool yesterday and she saw her cousins - but she didn't get a proper sleep in the day -

Liam McCarthyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07564172691473261497noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28348334.post-1160253184665589762006-10-07T21:25:00.000+01:002006-10-07T21:33:04.690+01:00

What a great little girl Emily is and she richly deserved this kiss for her sleeping prowess. This is her ninth week and she is already sleeping through. She goes to bed at the same time as Rosie between 6.00 and 7.00 - Helen then wakes her at 10ish and feeds and changes her, she then sleeps through till around 6.45 - 7.00, when Rosie also wakes up. Unbelievable. Brilliant. I have to say I am in

Liam McCarthyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07564172691473261497noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28348334.post-1159994764238733102006-10-04T21:41:00.000+01:002006-10-04T21:46:04.253+01:00

Rosie is doing so well with her walking. She really loves running round the grass on the park chasing a ball. Here she is in the middle of Victoria Park, round the corner from home, and overlooking the University of Leicester. It's really autumnal today, the heating is on, the bath is run and I'm wondering if I need to take a big coat with me to Manchester in the morning? Can't wait for Rosie to

Liam McCarthyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07564172691473261497noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28348334.post-1159891120294071312006-10-03T16:54:00.000+01:002006-10-03T16:58:40.310+01:00

Thinking back all those years ago ... around 20 ... it used to be "how are the boys?" with Ben and Michael ... now its "How are the girls?". I still can't believe I'm starting down this road again. But at least they both sleep through the night - even Emily did 7-7 last night. Rosie is starting to take a real interest in her sister now. At first it was just poking her in the eye ... but now

Liam McCarthyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07564172691473261497noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28348334.post-1159778259105903072006-10-02T09:32:00.000+01:002006-10-02T09:37:39.116+01:00

At last I can relax as my wife reaches middle age. Here is Helen waiting to blow out the candles on her birthday cake - with the help of the Whitmans. Rosie pottered around all evening and really enjoyed the birthday tea, Emily was a darling - as always - and I felt knackered, running round with a cold. Still it's not every day your wife says goodbye to her youth!

Liam McCarthyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07564172691473261497noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28348334.post-1159634536781764292006-09-30T17:34:00.000+01:002006-09-30T17:42:16.796+01:00

Back home from Cumbria and how good it is to see that Emily is losing her spots and her nappy rash is very slowly improving. Helen has been on the web and thinks it may linked to lactose intolerance. This is rare and we don't think that Emily has it ... but reading up articles from The lancet on the web it looks like some babies can't cope with the first milk from the breast and need the richer

Liam McCarthyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07564172691473261497noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28348334.post-1159519222979846912006-09-29T09:36:00.000+01:002006-09-29T09:40:22.993+01:00

Had a great trip up to the lake district over the last couple of days. I rarely go off the M6 or out of Carlisle when I am up this way so it was brilliant to be re-aquanted with the lakes. This is Windermere from the conference hotel. Although I have to say I do miss the girls and Helen - when I am on the road, so the enjoyment is a little limited!

Liam McCarthyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07564172691473261497noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28348334.post-1159368618507813522006-09-27T15:46:00.000+01:002006-09-27T15:50:18.526+01:00

It's 3.00 p.m. and Rosie has just got up from her daily nap. As you can see she is being a little grumpy - what is she going to be like at 14, a real grump? This is one of her two knitted dollies that she got when she was born. Not sure who gave them to her but she is always talking to the pair of them. Today dolly is honoured to be in the chair watch 64 Zoo Lane.

Liam McCarthyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07564172691473261497noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28348334.post-1159261856289636542006-09-26T10:06:00.000+01:002006-09-26T10:10:56.306+01:00

Ahhh ... isn't Emily cute when she is asleep? This picture is the result of me trying to get her to smile. She lay there looking at me for a while, then gave the biggest yawn and promptly went to sleep. Seems like the story of my life really.

Liam McCarthyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07564172691473261497noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28348334.post-1159196057622814362006-09-25T15:47:00.000+01:002006-09-25T15:54:17.636+01:00

Oh my god the kids are shopping in Gap. Here's Rosie running out with her new Wellies - although to be honest I don't really think she knew what was in the bag it was just a good chance to be independent. That is the theme with Rosie at the moment - an independent Miss. Poor little Emily just lays there and takes it all in (unless she is asleep or feeding) mind you she slept for 10 hours last

Liam McCarthyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07564172691473261497noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28348334.post-1159115084828847292006-09-24T17:15:00.000+01:002006-09-24T17:24:44.853+01:00

Heres one I prepared earlier! Actually I found it on my phone today - it's one that Helen took of Rosie and her Granny at tumble tots. I took Rosie to my mum and dads grave today and when I said the words Granny and Grandad to Rosie she immediately started to runa round and look for them! I am sure she misses them after having seen them for so long during the summer. As for my mum and dad I know

Liam McCarthyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07564172691473261497noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28348334.post-1158925150123185542006-09-22T12:26:00.000+01:002006-09-22T12:39:10.143+01:00

Here are a couple of new shots of Emily. She seems to be growing like mad. But sh is also really suffering from a serious nappy rash condition. Helen has tried cream from the doctor for two different problems - niether of which have worked, but she thinks she may have cracked it with a new cream for a fungal infection. I have to say if my bottom was so sore I'd be sooo miserable, but Emily is a

Liam McCarthyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07564172691473261497noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28348334.post-1158788974261925142006-09-20T22:39:00.000+01:002006-09-20T22:49:34.273+01:00

I thought you'd like to see a picture from Michael who has flown the nest - big time - and is spending a year at Oklahoma University. You can catch up on Mike's exploits by clicking on the link to his blog on the right hand side of this page. Wow - I am used to being at the Walkers Stadium in Leicester to watch the City play in front of maybe 19-20,000 people. Here Mike has a picture of the first

Liam McCarthyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07564172691473261497noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28348334.post-1158668125247412672006-09-19T13:11:00.000+01:002006-09-19T13:15:25.260+01:00

So here we are back at work and trying to get into the swing of things. The sun is still shining but it's time to break out the fleeces in England. Was it just a week ago that we Rosie was in the pool with her grandparents? It seems like an age. But then anything seems like an age after a 750 mile drive from Bergerac to Leicester via Paris! I'm off to Liverpool tonight for a conference - but I am

Liam McCarthyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07564172691473261497noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28348334.post-1158428506473864612006-09-16T18:36:00.000+01:002006-09-16T18:41:46.486+01:00

More new shoes for Rosie! She can walk very well in these big whopping 3.5's. And I think she is only a week or so away from discovering that she can run. I'll never catch her in our corridors at home so we also got a new stairgate for the top floor. What a performance at the fitting though - tears, tantrums and then a smile and a goodbye wave for the salesgirl. £26! £26! Still you've got to get

Liam McCarthyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07564172691473261497noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28348334.post-1158100977031347332006-09-12T22:43:00.000+01:002006-09-14T19:37:46.373+01:00

My what a change a couple of weeks can bring. When we came to France Rosie was very unsteady on her feet - now she is running around all the time and not bumping into things. She ends each day absolutely knackered. I can't wait until she is at home and can play with her toys and have the run of the house - it is going to be a whole new world for her. As for Emily - she is five weeks old today

Liam McCarthyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07564172691473261497noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28348334.post-1157984348565340462006-09-11T15:14:00.000+01:002006-09-11T15:19:54.316+01:00

Another chance to get out on our own - with Emily of course - for lunch. We went to Sante Foy le Grande for lunch in the square. With it being Monday we got a parking space alongside the River Dordogne. Then it was back to Eymet via the scenic route and a chance find of a very oopmarket golfing chateau / holiday complex ... and a great opportunity to have a drink by the practice putting green.

Liam McCarthyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07564172691473261497noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28348334.post-1157914779921680792006-09-10T19:56:00.000+01:002006-09-10T19:59:39.953+01:00

Bearing in mind that if we hd been in England we would probably have had the heating on - this isn't bad at 4 in the afternoon on Sunday 10th September! It's me and Helen enjoying a splash in the outdoor pool of Janet and Victor - friend's of Helen's mum. Lovely!

Liam McCarthyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07564172691473261497noreply@blogger.com0