For anyone interested in seeing how little Will is growing.
Showing posts with label Parenthood. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Parenthood. Show all posts
15 August 2009
Even More Happy Snappies of Will -- Part III...
For anyone interested in seeing how little Will is growing.
05 August 2009
Will Meets His Uncle...
Will's mum is behind the camera on this shot. This is most of the Baitons. My sister was at work. With everyone busy it is a real logistical effort trying to get everyone to the same place.
We spent the day out and lunched at the Art Gallery of New South Wales. You can see that Will's uncle is pretty chuffed at finally getting to meet his nephew. I think Will was equally as chuffed about getting to meet his uncle for the first time as well.
More Happy Snappies of Will...
There is no guessing that we are proud parents, is there?
The lucky little fella seems to have scored the best genes from both his parents :D
12 July 2009
Will at Seven Months...
These photos were taken with a mobile phone camera...Still pretty good though!
08 July 2009
Same-Sex Couples and Adoption in NSW
A NSW Government parliamentary inquiry has recommended that same-sex couples should be allowed to adopt children. The victory was a narrow one, so narrow that it required the chair to cast the deciding vote, and the vote is likely to reignite the nurture / nature debate sometime down the track in the event that the State Government picks up on the recommendation and seeks to amend the relevant laws and regulations.
In essence, the report recommends that same-sex couples must not be discriminated against in the adoption process. Therefore, same-sex couples are to be assessed in exactly the same way as a heterosexual couple as to their suitability to adopt children.
It is expected that if the legislation was to be amended, then this would expand the pool of potential / possible parents. It is also expected that this will provide greater flexibility to adoption agencies in ensuring that the best interests of the child are realized by allowing them to be adopted by the best possible candidates for parenthood.
If the government was to run with the recommendations, then the first step would be to introduce an amendment bill to the Adoption Act. However, considering the contentious nature of the subject matter, then there is also an expectation that this may spend a lot of time in committees seeking to determine the feasibility of amending the legislation to reflect the recommendations.
The reality is that the government is struggling in opinion polls and this one is not likely to help them on that front. It would be interesting to see whether the government would allow a conscience vote on the bill if it were ever to make it to the floor of parliament.
The amendment of the legislation is the right thing to do. The fact that gay and lesbian couples are prohibited from adopting children is discriminatory. As human beings, people have a right to live their lives free from the discriminatory discretion of the state. Same-sex couples already have the right to foster children, so it makes sense that these same people must also enjoy the right to adopt children as well.
With a bit of luck the NSW Government will not play politics with this one and just get it done. After all, it is the right thing to do.
In essence, the report recommends that same-sex couples must not be discriminated against in the adoption process. Therefore, same-sex couples are to be assessed in exactly the same way as a heterosexual couple as to their suitability to adopt children.
It is expected that if the legislation was to be amended, then this would expand the pool of potential / possible parents. It is also expected that this will provide greater flexibility to adoption agencies in ensuring that the best interests of the child are realized by allowing them to be adopted by the best possible candidates for parenthood.
If the government was to run with the recommendations, then the first step would be to introduce an amendment bill to the Adoption Act. However, considering the contentious nature of the subject matter, then there is also an expectation that this may spend a lot of time in committees seeking to determine the feasibility of amending the legislation to reflect the recommendations.
The reality is that the government is struggling in opinion polls and this one is not likely to help them on that front. It would be interesting to see whether the government would allow a conscience vote on the bill if it were ever to make it to the floor of parliament.
The amendment of the legislation is the right thing to do. The fact that gay and lesbian couples are prohibited from adopting children is discriminatory. As human beings, people have a right to live their lives free from the discriminatory discretion of the state. Same-sex couples already have the right to foster children, so it makes sense that these same people must also enjoy the right to adopt children as well.
With a bit of luck the NSW Government will not play politics with this one and just get it done. After all, it is the right thing to do.
29 May 2009
Feeding Time at the Baiton House!
We went out and bought a high chair so Will could sit with us while we ate at the table. As you can see he has take to it like a fish to water. It is a lot of fun to watch.
A good weekend to all!
27 May 2009
22 May 2009
Sydney Rain...
I do not mind the rain.
I am sure there are plenty of farmers around NSW and the rest of Australia that do not mind a bit of rain either. However, when it rains and rains this can be cause for concern. A big storm front moving down the coast of Eastern Australia is wreaking havoc causing massive damage and flooding.
Why is it that there is never an easy balance?
Nature is a wonderful thing and has amazing destructive force to boot.
Well, it has been raining for three straight days now.
The photo is of Will and I on a trip to Darling Harbour on a day when it was not raining.
20 May 2009
Will Learning to Crawl...
Will has taken a liking to the newspaper and pretty much anything else that has some colour to it. It is proving to be good inspiration to get him on the move.
Kids are truly amazing. I might be biased, but I do not think that I am, when I say that young Will is truly amazing.
It may be a big responsibility, but it is also a privilege, to be intimately involved in bringing a child into this world and raising them to face the future.
Now, that the little fella is on the move me need to make sure that we have everything baby-proofed.
Kids are truly amazing. I might be biased, but I do not think that I am, when I say that young Will is truly amazing.
It may be a big responsibility, but it is also a privilege, to be intimately involved in bringing a child into this world and raising them to face the future.
Now, that the little fella is on the move me need to make sure that we have everything baby-proofed.
05 April 2009
25 March 2009
Will -- 24 March 2009
I figured it was time I posted a few new picks of the little fella (the last one taken by his Mum on her new mobile phone)...
Will is healthy and growing fast. It is amazing to watch.
26 December 2008
The Art of Power Napping
Or is it cat napping? Whatever it is there are vast swathes of cyber space devoted to these short bursts of sleep. Some of these sites purport to be academic, informative, or just plain after your hard-earned cash. However, for me it is the art of synchronizing my sleep patterns to those of Will.
He tends to sleep for a couple of hours and then needs a good feed. A good feed is obviously a very tiring experience as it is followed by more sleep. Thus the pattern repeats. Although, I must say the last couple of days we have had an arrangement where the little fella sleeps in really short bursts of 20-30 minutes. This has serious potential to kill me in a very short period of time. I do not need a lot of sleep but I am not sure that 20-30 minute bursts are my thing either.
Hence the need to learn the power napping skills. I was thinking of looking around, learning a little bit more, and then maybe buying a tape (or the more modern version of a tape, a CD, or more modern still download something to the mp3). However, the last couple of days seems to suggest to me that I have either worked it out or I am just getting more used to the parenting thing.
So much so that I am writing this after one such power nap.
Happy holidays to all. May they be safe and prosperous.
He tends to sleep for a couple of hours and then needs a good feed. A good feed is obviously a very tiring experience as it is followed by more sleep. Thus the pattern repeats. Although, I must say the last couple of days we have had an arrangement where the little fella sleeps in really short bursts of 20-30 minutes. This has serious potential to kill me in a very short period of time. I do not need a lot of sleep but I am not sure that 20-30 minute bursts are my thing either.
Hence the need to learn the power napping skills. I was thinking of looking around, learning a little bit more, and then maybe buying a tape (or the more modern version of a tape, a CD, or more modern still download something to the mp3). However, the last couple of days seems to suggest to me that I have either worked it out or I am just getting more used to the parenting thing.
So much so that I am writing this after one such power nap.
Happy holidays to all. May they be safe and prosperous.
09 December 2008
Fatherhood 2
A fatherhood update.
Yes, it is 01.30 in the morning. I have just finished feeding and changing little Will and after burping him and then getting him to sleep, I figured I would jot a few lines on the experience of being a father so far.
Every moment is an amazing one. It is amazing to watch my Wife and Son bond. It is amazing to watch what Will does as he struggles to look around and find me when I am talking. My folks are here at the moment and they are amazed that the little fella responds to my voice and tracks my movements with his eyes. I do not know the ins and outs of child development and hence do not know if this is normal behaviour in a 10-day-old.
It is fun learning and understanding what certain movements or sounds mean. These are important lessons as they are likely to save you from getting shot in the face with a warm stream of pee as you open up the nappy to make a change. I have to say that this was a lesson learned the hard way. I am still not convinced that there is any medicinal benefit in drinking pee. I once read somewhere that Demi Moore used to drink her own pee. Maybe she can drop by and leave me an explanation as to the benefits.
Will seems to be such a wise young soul. His facial expressions are those of a much older kid and his eyes seem to always be searching and asking the piercing questions of life. Then again perhaps this is just my fatherly bias :D
He is a good kid. Definitely not a yeller, screamer, or crier. He has already mastered the art of getting a cuddle (pulling a face and holding his breath till his face goes a little red like as though he is going to cry gets people running from all directions).
The first 10 days of fatherhood have been fun. I am tired because of not enough sleep. I am sure the Wife is even more tired than I. Hence the need for a system of shifts or rostered response obligations.
To all of you who have passed on their good wishes and blessings, thank you! For all of those of you who have provided advice and suggestions, thank you! For those of you who have just simply said, "enjoy it!", thank you too.
Good week to all!
Yes, it is 01.30 in the morning. I have just finished feeding and changing little Will and after burping him and then getting him to sleep, I figured I would jot a few lines on the experience of being a father so far.
Every moment is an amazing one. It is amazing to watch my Wife and Son bond. It is amazing to watch what Will does as he struggles to look around and find me when I am talking. My folks are here at the moment and they are amazed that the little fella responds to my voice and tracks my movements with his eyes. I do not know the ins and outs of child development and hence do not know if this is normal behaviour in a 10-day-old.
It is fun learning and understanding what certain movements or sounds mean. These are important lessons as they are likely to save you from getting shot in the face with a warm stream of pee as you open up the nappy to make a change. I have to say that this was a lesson learned the hard way. I am still not convinced that there is any medicinal benefit in drinking pee. I once read somewhere that Demi Moore used to drink her own pee. Maybe she can drop by and leave me an explanation as to the benefits.
Will seems to be such a wise young soul. His facial expressions are those of a much older kid and his eyes seem to always be searching and asking the piercing questions of life. Then again perhaps this is just my fatherly bias :D
He is a good kid. Definitely not a yeller, screamer, or crier. He has already mastered the art of getting a cuddle (pulling a face and holding his breath till his face goes a little red like as though he is going to cry gets people running from all directions).
The first 10 days of fatherhood have been fun. I am tired because of not enough sleep. I am sure the Wife is even more tired than I. Hence the need for a system of shifts or rostered response obligations.
To all of you who have passed on their good wishes and blessings, thank you! For all of those of you who have provided advice and suggestions, thank you! For those of you who have just simply said, "enjoy it!", thank you too.
Good week to all!
03 December 2008
Fatherhood 1
As those who read the all over the place postings that I make on this blog of mine will be aware that the Kid, William Alun Baiton (AKA Will) was born this past Friday at 07.35. We are blessed to have Will healthy and with all the necessary vital parts in the places they are meant to be.
The first couple of days through to Sunday were tiring as I was sleeping on the floor of the hospital. However, we were only getting hour long sessions or so with Will at certain times of the day.
We, as a happy family, were able to head home on Sunday and so we did. Some of you have been gracious in your comments in welcoming us to the "no sleep zone", thanks!
Hopefully, we can get Will's sleep clock in sync with ours and that this will happen sooner rather than later. The little fella is a pretty good sleeper during the day. He comes into his own in the wee hours (I now know why it is called the wee hours) and is a voracious drinker / feeder of the good stuff! I have know sleep deprivation in the past but not like this.
Since moving to Indonesia I have become a solid sleeper in terms of being able to sleep through just about anything and any circumstances. However, this has meant that I am sleeping a lot lighter than I usually allow myself as I am sleeping with a view to hearing even the slightest murmur out of Will.
Nevertheless, when all things are considered, I would have it no other way! I am loving the being a father thing and I am looking forward to the challenges ahead.
The fun and games have begun.
I will post more pictures later!
The first couple of days through to Sunday were tiring as I was sleeping on the floor of the hospital. However, we were only getting hour long sessions or so with Will at certain times of the day.
We, as a happy family, were able to head home on Sunday and so we did. Some of you have been gracious in your comments in welcoming us to the "no sleep zone", thanks!
Hopefully, we can get Will's sleep clock in sync with ours and that this will happen sooner rather than later. The little fella is a pretty good sleeper during the day. He comes into his own in the wee hours (I now know why it is called the wee hours) and is a voracious drinker / feeder of the good stuff! I have know sleep deprivation in the past but not like this.
Since moving to Indonesia I have become a solid sleeper in terms of being able to sleep through just about anything and any circumstances. However, this has meant that I am sleeping a lot lighter than I usually allow myself as I am sleeping with a view to hearing even the slightest murmur out of Will.
Nevertheless, when all things are considered, I would have it no other way! I am loving the being a father thing and I am looking forward to the challenges ahead.
The fun and games have begun.
I will post more pictures later!
28 November 2008
William Alun Baiton
I promised to post and here it is.
William Alun Baiton was born at 07.35 on 28 November 2008. He is a healthy 3.7 kgs and 50cm in length.
Mother and baby Will are doing well.
If any of you are wondering "Alun" is the Welsh spelling of Alan.
Alan is my father's name and today is his birthday.
Enjoy the pictures!
21 November 2008
Fatherhood In A Week
Friday is the day of the weekly visit to the doctor to get the good, the bad, and the ugly news from the doctor on how things are progressing pregnancy wise.
The Kid now weighs in at a hefty 3.5+ kgs and is expected to pack on the grams over the next seven days or so. The doc is of the opinion that next week will be as good a time as any for the little fella to make his grand entrance into the big bad world as we know it.
Any hopes of a normal vaginal birth have been dashed by the size of the little fella's head. So, next Friday, which also happens to be my Dad's birthday will be the big day.
I will be sure to post all the vital statistics sometime on Friday next week. Then again I am not sure that I will be getting too many spare minutes from now on.
The Kid now weighs in at a hefty 3.5+ kgs and is expected to pack on the grams over the next seven days or so. The doc is of the opinion that next week will be as good a time as any for the little fella to make his grand entrance into the big bad world as we know it.
Any hopes of a normal vaginal birth have been dashed by the size of the little fella's head. So, next Friday, which also happens to be my Dad's birthday will be the big day.
I will be sure to post all the vital statistics sometime on Friday next week. Then again I am not sure that I will be getting too many spare minutes from now on.
14 November 2008
Wet T-Shirt
And the winner is ...
Have a look at the face on this kid. Is he saying, "Hey dad! The score is 1 - 0 to me!"
08 November 2008
The Moment of Truth 2
And this has nothing to do with Barack Obama. It does have something to do with biracial though.
Friday mornings are "check-up" mornings at the doctor. They started off monthly, then went fortnightly, and now are weekly. So, yesterday morning was spent at the hospital waiting for the doctor to arrive. Apparently, he had a surgery to perform and was running late.
When he did finally arrive and the USG was done and the prescriptions written, he piped up with, "everything is looking good, and that the birth could be as early as next week!" Now, this was one of those moments where you go, "but you said early December! What's wrong with early December?"
Well, it seems that everything has gone so smoothly to date and the Kid (likely to be named William Alun) has grown to a point where there is not a whole lot more room to grow more, and might just say "bugger it", it is time for me to be out of this small world and into the big bad world on the outside.
I will be sure to keep you posted.
Friday mornings are "check-up" mornings at the doctor. They started off monthly, then went fortnightly, and now are weekly. So, yesterday morning was spent at the hospital waiting for the doctor to arrive. Apparently, he had a surgery to perform and was running late.
When he did finally arrive and the USG was done and the prescriptions written, he piped up with, "everything is looking good, and that the birth could be as early as next week!" Now, this was one of those moments where you go, "but you said early December! What's wrong with early December?"
Well, it seems that everything has gone so smoothly to date and the Kid (likely to be named William Alun) has grown to a point where there is not a whole lot more room to grow more, and might just say "bugger it", it is time for me to be out of this small world and into the big bad world on the outside.
I will be sure to keep you posted.
23 October 2008
Pending Fatherhood -- An Update
I am into the counting days mode already.
The birth might not be expected until the end of November or the beginning of December so I could probably keep counting down in weeks but that would be no fun now, would it? The Doc says that he thinks 7 December is a pretty good guesstimate.
We are excited.
Now, the little fella has obviously inherited the old man's genes as he is about 600 grams heavier than he is supposed to be at this stage. The last time I jumped on the scales I was about 600 grams heavier than I should be too!
He is a really active little bugger as well with a back-to-front sleep clock. That is when we want to sleep he wants to play. This is probably a bigger issue for the wife than it is for me as he practices his mixed martial arts techniques in the womb.
45 days to go!
The birth might not be expected until the end of November or the beginning of December so I could probably keep counting down in weeks but that would be no fun now, would it? The Doc says that he thinks 7 December is a pretty good guesstimate.
We are excited.
Now, the little fella has obviously inherited the old man's genes as he is about 600 grams heavier than he is supposed to be at this stage. The last time I jumped on the scales I was about 600 grams heavier than I should be too!
He is a really active little bugger as well with a back-to-front sleep clock. That is when we want to sleep he wants to play. This is probably a bigger issue for the wife than it is for me as he practices his mixed martial arts techniques in the womb.
45 days to go!
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