Joe Leon Steer was born on 26 February 2009, at 10:37pm! What an amazing thing to behold – the fruition of Bel’s ever-expanding belly, and a turning point in both of our lives.
The past two weeks has been filled with many moments of sheer wonder, and some of sheer helplessness/frustration/terror! As any new parent knows, I guess, this business of looking after a freshly-minted human is quite the extraordinary adventure.
I will say, no amount of reading books, antenatal classes or advice from other parents will really get you prepared for the real deal.
However, it is a quite incredible thing to behold. The bags under our eyes are a fixed feature, we’ve not slept more than four hours at a stretch since Joe arrived – but we’re still smiling, still happy, still smitten with this amazing little wise man who changes every day…
beautiful!
17 February 2009 – 11:02 am
This past Sunday we made a baby sleeping hammock! We’d heard of them and they seemed like such a great way to start a new human off in the world, as opposed to being lost in a giant crib. So, we eaded off to e-bay, looked at quite a few of them and were about to buy one when we thought hey – we can do this ourselves! So a trip to spotlight, a raid on the recycled timber stash downstairs, some retired climbing gear, a bargain at the hardware store and a few hours later, we’ve got 90% of a hammock made.
I should post a photo, but I’ll do that when its all finished. Just a mattress to go – needing some advice from the sewing guru, my mum.
It was a good antidote to being spanked again by the old organ pipes on Saturday – attempting to read the crux moves of third bird resulted in some education about boldness, trust and footwork, via sliding out of a hand jam and reducing my skin cover somewhat. Yeeow! Bring on a face climbing mission next…
11 February 2009 – 5:30 pm
In around 3 weeks there will be a new little human doing its new human thing in our household. What a crazy thought! Its both exciting and scary – but its been done billions of times before… no doubt I’ll write even less about life here when the little’un arrives!
Its been an intense weekend, dominated by word of a devastating bushfire for our close neighbours to the north – and potential actual physical neighbours in the near future. This stuff always makes me think about how we would react, what we would do faced with a similar situation. The armchair emergency responder comes out, as it does all over the world, no doubt. Most likely, we’d end up in the same basket.
Next, we await the great blame game – just like we did after the Canberra fires in 2002. Not much justice for the folks who watched their world burn down – the money that the lawyers will suck up would be better spent on staving off some mortgage repayments, or helping replace homes, or something. Anyway, thats my same old rant. Its Australia, there will be bushfires.
And finally, the world of fun and rock and biking. Sounds like it was wise to skip the tahune marathon this year – tales of woe and fused brakes abound! And rock.. glorious rock. The pipes have been good this past month, with a couple of fine ascents and a notable grovel up the classic Arthurs Circus – body chimney insanity! but sooo much fun…
I just finished reading My Forbidden face, a book written by an Afghan woman who spent late teenager-hood under Taliban rule. I couldn’t put it down! I’ve not ever paid much attention to whats been going on there, and I feel really quite amazed by it all. I think I will definitely try to dig a bit deeper…
Its a book I should have read years ago, and would definitely recommend to anyone. We could sit back and say ‘its nothing to do with us’, but thats not really true. Our alliance with the United States and our complicity in their foreign policy puts Australia at least a little in the hot seat.
I’ll hope that Australian soldiers are there for the ‘right’ reasons -that is, ‘right’ according to Afghanis, not some crazy US policy.
It all seems very Orwellian to me. The worst part is that people who just want to get on with their life, and preserve a rich and ancient culture, are suffering for it.
24 December 2008 – 10:22 am
Coming back from 6 weeks away and seeing your partner suddenly 6 months pregnant is quite a thing to behold – all of a sudden its gone from a ‘bump’ to a full on ‘belly’. I’m constantly in awe of it, this basketball-size thing that Bel has sticking out front, that wriggles of its own accord, and holds a little human life.
It has a beauty all its own, something strange and amazing. I’m still not over it, a month later. Its absolutely fascinating!!
24 December 2008 – 10:19 am
Probably the least of all things, but exciting for me! The long running bike-replacement-project is done. Its together, its been out on the trails, and its fun! Another british steel hard-tail frame, an on-one inbred 456. Quite the unusual ride, but it is loads of fun so far, especially pointed downhill… pictures? hmm. maybe later.
24 December 2008 – 10:17 am
…and no sooner were we married than we took off again! This time together, and a little less far away than Antarctica. We spent 4 days investigating the scene in Bright and Mount Beauty, little mountain towns in Victoria.
we found a nice little self contained unit to stay in at Mount Beauty, and spent most of the time soaking up the relaxing atmosphere there. Its a winner.. despite almost constant rain during our stay.
So now, we’re keeping an eye on real estate, and putting aside the pennies in preparation for a leap back to the big island in the forseeable future.
I’m looking forward to seeing snow more than once a year again… and having a nice little home base with Bel!
24 December 2008 – 10:13 am
With much water under the bridge since last post [quite literally a few thousand kilometres of it], I think a split approach to life’s goings ons is best.
So the big event? Making it back in time for my own wedding! We had a an extraordinarily busy two weeks finalising preparations, and putting Bel’s planning into action. But the end result was a really amazing day!
We had planned to be married on the beach, but right on cue as Bel arrived the skies opened, and we hustled it back to our lounge room. Very cute, a lounge room wedding. Since the reception was out the back, it all sort of just rolled on into an afternoon and evening of great food, great company and general celebration. What more could one ask?
We owe a big thanks to our families and nieghbours who pitched in and helped, and for all those who attended and made the day a wonderful occasion!
Ahhh…
7 November 2008 – 8:16 pm
hello from Antarctica! I’m currently on board the Aurora Australis, which is acting as a giant chisel, chipping our way in to Davis station. It’s been an amazing trip – we’ve been all over the place trying to get different personnel retrieval jobs done. Thankfully everything is under control, and we’re now resuming the reason for being here.
Unfortunately for our science group, we’ve had no time to do things on the sea ice – but we have succeeded in one instrument ground truthing exercise on the fast ice and we’ve done plenty of aerial surveys over the ice edge and the Vestfold hills.
But at least, we’ve got something done. The Australian Antarctic season has been reshuffled and some science scheduled to happen later on has just been dropped outright, so we’re thankful to have something done.
All that aside, its quite surreal to be writing from this amazingly, devastatingly beautiful place. Lots of penguin and iceberg watching to do, and just soak in being in this vast white wilderness…
I hope all is well in the north.. its certainly fine here.
29 September 2008 – 9:16 am
What do all those things have in common? They’re all a part of my next six months!
Yes, Bel and I are tying the knot in December. It’ll be great! Typical of us both there was no down on one knee stuff. I think we were drinking tea in the lounge and said ‘how about we get married?’. So its all happening. Invites are made, Beer is made, and Bel is having a great time organising every last detail.
Bel is also the proud grower of another little human. Its due in late February, and so far, all is going well. First trimester survived by us both, and the 20-week scan coming up in just over 12 days. Exciting! I’m looking forward to meeting this little person.
Whats next – PhDs. Yep, I’ve taken the plunge and decided to be a student again. Taking up a PhD project on GPS positioning of LiDAR instruments. Basically, locating a helicopter, to the nearest centimetre.
And finally, Antarctica! I’m off for five weeks on 12 October. When I come back Bel will be HUGE! There will be loads of catching up to do.