The Craigs: October 2006

Four out of five for Peters and Lee (29.10.06)

It was a turkey shoot down at sunny Portman Road for a Sunday lunchtime feast and after two succesive home defeats it was the turn of the visitors to be in the firing line.

A high-tempo performance by Ipswich Town from almost the first to the final whistle gunned down the Hatters and the 5-0 scoreline could and should have been much worse for the Bedfordshire team, unbeaten in the league since mid-September.

Four of the five goals were scored by Peters and Lee - that's Jaime Peters and Alan Lee and not the 70's duet!

Here are the goals from Sylvain Legwinski's opener, to Lee's hat-trick via a first goal for Peters.

Legwinski rises high from the corner kick to flick a powerful header into the Luton net.

Despite all the attempts at goal and the woodwork being hit twice, Town are only one nil up at the break. However, in the second half, the flood gates open...

Jaime Peters opens his account following an Alan Lee knock down header from a high ball.

Next up, it's the turn of Alan Lee to score, what turned out to be the first of his three goals within just 24 minutes.

Lee's second and Town's fourth is lashed in from close range.

A 'nailed-on' penalty is nailed in by Alan Lee to secure his hat-trick and a five-nil win for Ipswich Town.

Meet the Grandparents (26/27.10.06)

A flying visit to Northampton on Thursday 26 October witnessed a quintet of Craigs gathering for the first introduction of the new arrival to the Grandparents.

It was Isabel's first journey outside of Cheshire and she took the 250 mile return journey in her (small) stride sleeping for 99% of the day trip.

Below, the newly titled Grandad and Grandma Craig meet Isabel for the first time.

A parting shot of the five Craigs before heading back up north.

Special thanks to Jacqui and Jim Bean of Wellingborough for supplying Isabel's wardrobe for this outing.

Next day, it was the turn of Granny Schmit's inaugural meeting with granddaughter.

Isabel was done with travelling for the time being so hosted this introduction. Granny Schmit travelled north from Farnham and as it was their first meeting, Isabel made a sign to show at Macclesfield train station. Luckily there were no other granny-granddaughter meetings on platform one to greet the Reading train, so a potential chaotic mix-up was avoided.

Granny and granddaughter maintain an air of formality with a handshake.

Isabel's attire for this meet was supplied by Mary & Jason Erb of Cheadle Hulme. Thank you Mr & Mrs Erb.

Visiting Hours: 10.30am to 4.00pm (22.10.06)

The Craig residence was an open house on Sunday with visitors arriving to see the new kid on the block.

The spectators didn't come empty handed either, as the luckiest lady in Cheshire was showered with yet more gifts ('Thank You' letters are definitely being written this week!).

The morning rounds were conducted by the Houghtons and first up to hold the goods was Baba G's mum Fiona.

The wriggling parcel was then hand over to Baba G's dad Stu.

Godson George (aka Baba G) showed off his inflatable doughnut, later loaned to Isabel after realising he was no longer the junior member of the gang.

Before departing, the group recorded the moment.

Next up in the afternoon slot were the Erbs bringing generous gifts from the east (well, SK8).

Mary took over the merchandise whilst sharing a joke with Kate.

Mary and Kate see the funny side of Isabel's wind issue.

Last but not least to be summoned for baby handling duties was Jason.

Before leaving, another group shot to record the occasion.

...and finally, the hostess takes a short break following a busy day of entertaining.

Lunch with Lord Clyde in Kerridge (21.10.06)

To mark the end of the first and start of the second week in charge of the Baby Maintenance Department, Isabel's parents had a luncheon appointment with Lord Clyde in Kerridge.

Unfortunately Lord Clyde was out (since 1863) but luckily friends from the Craigs' antenatal class were in attendance.

The trio of trios for lunch were the Leightons - Esther, Simon & Hannah (aged 4 weeks), the Mitchells - Alex, Grant & Eleanor (aged 6 weeks) and the Craigs - Kate, Jon & Isabel (aged 1 week).

The Lord Clyde is a long-established smoke-free public house, so was a suitable venue for small people.

Kate holding court (and Isabel) with Esther (& Hannah) and Grant (& Eleanor) maintaining interest.

Clockwise: Alex, Simon, Kate (& Isabel), Esther (& Hannah) and Grant (& Eleanor).

Grant (r) and Jon playing 'Guess the weight of the baby'.

Post-lunch, the nine headed back to the Leightons' residence for tea and coffee.

After comparing car seats, conversation appeared to run dry between Hannah (r) & Isabel.

Coincidentally, the cows grazing over the Leightons' garden fence were owned by Esther and Kate's midwife, Ruth (no joke!). It's a small world.

Thanks to the Leightons for their hospitality.

After returning from lunch Isabel did some sleep modelling of a new cardigan received yesterday from cousin Gillian from Daddry Shield, which was a perfect fit (thanks Gillian).

And finally...Isabel providing a discreet signal that it was time to change her nappy!

The eighth evening would therefore end the same way as each of the previous seven - at the changing table!

The First Four Days (14-17.10.06)

Firstly, many thanks on behalf of Isabel for all the flowers, presents, emails, texts and cards received over the last few days. We will be sending personal responses shortly.

Secondly, Isabel is very smart for a newborn as it appears she arranged for daddy's broadband to stop for the first time ever (for a full 2 days) so that time could be spent at the changing table rather than on the PC.

The office kindly bought a book for my recent birthday entitled 'Everything You Need to Know About Becoming a Father' and one of the sections covers 'The Battle for Sleep', which suggests that new parents' sleep deprivation is similar to that of a prisoner of war under interrogation! A rather extreme comparison I initially thought, but by 'Day 3', Kate & I would have willingly given up bomb-making blueprints to the North Koreans.

On the subjet of napping, it is suggested that newborns sleep on average 16-18 hours per day and young Isabel seems to be keeping those stats well and truly intact, as you can see below. Unfortunately the other 6-8 hours when awake have mostly been between midnight and 7am.

Day One.

One hour old (before a bath!) and asleep whilst practising aircraft directing techniques.

Day Two:

Thirty six hours old and getting ready for her first venture into the big world. Luckily Isabel slept through that experience as (despite a previous practice) it took at least three attempts for mum and dad to slot the baby seat into the motor!

Day Three:

This one is a very rare sight as Isabel is actually asleep in her Moses basket.

Day Four:

Test drive of the new wheels for a short spin into Poynton village...and yes....asleep.

Chauffeur Kate under starters orders.

Sleeping in the baby gym.

...and finally, at the end of a busy day, taking a short nap before the night time activities!

To be continued...

Isabel Francesca debuts in Macclesfield (14.10.06)

To a bright, sunny autumn morning, Isabel Francesca Craig entered the world in north east Cheshire today at 07:50, weighing in at 7lbs 12oz.

The labour process commenced on Friday 13th, lasted 18 hours and Kate was a real trooper throughout.

Below are a few photos of Isabel's first day. She is not having her first bath until tomorrow morning, so is still carrying remnants from her nine month stretch inside!

Isabel's credentials

One hour old..

..and already showing signs of boredom at one of her dad's stats.

Proud mother with daughter

New dad

12-hour old Isabel takes a nap (again)

Paraskavedekatriaphobia

If you suffer with Paraskavedekatriaphobia
then you may wish to stay in bed tomorrow.

Is this for real?

The Painted Monasteries of Southern Bucovina (13.09.03)

One of the less trodden European tourist paths (well it was when I visited) lies in Bucovina in north east Romania, close to the borders of the former soviet republics of Ukraine and Moldova.

The main attractions in Bucovina are the 500-year old painted churches and monasteries, covering seven sites.

Below are some photos from Putna.