Time and tide wait for no man

[Sandy Buttcheeks]

My darling daughter, and youngest of the family, is 18 in one weeks time, and I cant believe that the years have gone by so quickly. I once read a book (Anthony Peake, mibbe?), that theorised that time was not a constant, that it went at different rates for different people. Hence why, when you're young, summers seem to last for ever and birthdays take ages to come around, yet when you're older, time flies by. Fascinating concept that was well argued, but ultimately bunkum I'm sure. However, I shall hang on to my childishness as long as I can, just in case. It may not make me feel any younger, but at least I still get to go in the huff if my wife forgets to buy me choc ices.   

Must dash, got my zimmer to polish.

[Tarquin Thunderthighs lll]

I fully empathise, Sandy. My youngest daughter will also turn 18 later this year. I cannot comprehend how that has happened. My eldest daughter, who presented me with my beautiful first grandchild but five minutes ago, informs me that my second grandchild is due in September. That's ages away...but I half expect it to be tomorrow. 

Throw us one of those choc ices, willya...?

[Redundant]

I have a Grandson turning 18 this year, and that sucks more for me than when my children each passed that threshold, I learned to play and listen better as a Granddad than I did as a Father, which is not to say I wasn't a good Father, I just could have been so much better.

With all due respect to your book author I don't agree that time is not a constant, I believe it is a constant, all that changes is the perception of it.   Enjoy the choc ice, as I am on my perennial pre-holiday diet I'll have to stick to the vicarious version.

I hope your daughter, and your family, have a wonderful celebration of her birthday.

[Roger Kettle]

I'm also nodding my head in empathy.
I'll never forget the night my wife came home with our newborn daughter, our first child. Not having slept for about 48 hours, my wife was exhausted and, understandably, fell fast asleep in no time at all. It was at that moment my daughter started crying. I remember looking around and thinking "Who do I call? Presumably there's some kind of nurse/nanny service who will be at my door in seconds?" The stark truth hit me between the eyes---something I honestly (and stupidly) hadn't given any thought to. It was down to me, and me alone. I picked up my daughter and held her until she stopped crying. It was almost like that famous "Del boy" moment. I stood with her in my arms looking out of the bedroom window at a dark November night as wind and rain lashed the panes. I said something like "It's going to be all right. We can do this". I had to wake my wife a couple of hours later so that she could feed our daughter. I was quite emotional as I gently said "Don't you EVER do that again".
Seems like yesterday, that wonderful night, nearly 28 years ago.

[Tarquin Thunderthighs lll]

Damn, that grit again...

Beautifully poignant memory, Roger. For me, it was almost 31 years ago to the week when I went through that same emotionally-charged experience. It really is a life-changer, and I walked about with a fixed grin for at least 24 hours.  I couldn't wait to get back to the maternity ward to hold my beautiful baby daughter once more. Proud doesn't begin to cover it. This was The Meaning Of Life cradled in my arms. Nothing could have prepared me for that moment. Nor indeed the thunderous explosion in my tiny daughter's nappy as I held her, which I have to say was as unnatural a sound as it was unexpected.

My wife had drifted off moments earlier, so I offered my child to the nearest nurse, with an apologetic, "I think she may have filled her nappy."  I'll never forget those slowly and carefully folded arms, the widening stare deep into my eyes, with the gentlest, but most purposeful of nods. And that grin... that wicked, wicked grin.......

[Diane CBPFC]

I knew nothing about babies when I had my first at age 27, I had done a bit of babysitting but that kid was about 8.  I was fortunate to be married to the man I am, his home had been a busy foster home growing up and he knew what to do when a baby had a belly ache or the croup. Hubby did all sorts of things with our first born that I would not have thought of, such as carrying him though the cattle pasture. It was all pretty lovely except when his first word, which should have been "Mum" was instead "cow!"

[Tarquin Thunderthighs lll]

 

Apparently, my first word was 'ashtray'. Seriously.

[Diane CBPFC]

That makes me feel a bit better. 

[Sandy Buttcheeks]

For her 18th, there will be a new member of the Buttcheeks family. May I present Apllo Buttcheeks.

[Tarquin Thunderthighs lll]

To save people prostrating themselves in front of their screens and scrolling feverishly, allow me, Sandy (very cute - what is it?)...

[Sandy Buttcheeks]

The lady are getting it from calls it...a dog !   

Its actually a wee bichon fries, and much as I'm trying to put on the household-alpha-male-fatherfigure-no-grit-in-my-eyes type thing, he does tug at my heart strings  (wee mite !!)   

[Tarquin Thunderthighs lll]

Sandy, I think the breed you're looking for is Bichon Frisé. I'd be very careful about pronouncing it your way in front of your daughter.

[Diane CBPFC]

Lovely Sandy :-)

I too had some good news in the puppy department, as you may remember I am a CKC Kennel breeder of Westies. I haven't had any to sell for almost three years but then out of the blue one of my dogs had a singleton pup. I am calling her Hope because she is the hope that the others will also decide to breed.

I am not advertising her yet as I don't want people around while I am trying to paint my bathroom.

Here she is at one week old last Thursday.

[Sandy Buttcheeks]

Sandy, I think the breed you're looking for is Bichon Frisé. I'd be very careful about pronouncing it your way in front of your daughter.

It's the bloody auto correct on the iPad ! Mind you, if it doesn't learn the difference between the grass outside, and the flooring inside kinda quick, well...   

Here she is at one week old last Thursday.

Absolutely gorgeous, Diane. No wonder you're hoping for more. 

[Malc]

My oldest is now 35, he lives in Bristol. I was privileged to see him arrive into this world, as I have been since with my two younger boys, and the night I had to leave him with his mum in hospital and drive home, I couldn't remember a thing about the journey. I just parked the car and then said "how the f**k did I get here?"

The next night I was asked around to my friends' house. My wife and I were the first of our three couples to have a baby. I spent the evening talking about the birth to the two women, whose eyes were like saucers, and who asked innumerable questions, whilst the guys played with toy cars on the carpet.