Movie Review - Into the Wild

Over the weekend we watched a film called Into the Wild, which I really enjoyed. It's a true story about a young man who has just graduated and gives up everything, so that he can chase his dream of living in wilderness of Alaska.

A little on the long side, at just under two and a half hours, I thought it told the story quite well, and I'll definitely be checking out the book.

From the perspective of someone who is about to take the first steps into parenthood, it makes interesting viewing, as it explores the lead characters relationship with his parents, and how this influences his decision to travel to Alaska.

Moses basket

Our Moses basket arrived at the weekend. It's been in Sinead's family for almost 30 years and has done the rounds among all the family. Given that Sinead has 15 aunts & uncles, that's a lot of babies.


Of course it went straight up into the attic

Father's Day prayer

From our local Church's newsletter yesterday

Let us praise those fathers who have striven to balance the demands of work, and children with an honest awareness of both joy and sacrifice.

Let us praise those fathers who by their own account were not always there for their children, but who continue to offer those children, now grown, their love and support.

Let us pray for those fathers who have been wounded by the neglect and hostility of their children.

Let us praise those fathers whose children are adopted, and whose love and support have offered healing.

Let us praise those fathers who, as stepfathers, freely choose the obligation of fatherhood and earned their stepchildren's love and respect.

Let us praise those fathers who have lost a child to death, and continue to hold the child in their heart.

Let us praise those men who have no children, but cherish the next generation as if they were their own.

Let us praise those men who have "fathered" us in their role as mentors and guides.

Let us praise those men who are about to become fathers; may they openly delight in their children.

And let us praise those fathers who have died, but live on in our memory and whose love continues to nurture us.

What's that smell

Well I think we've deduced that Sinead's main issues to date during the pregnancy have been an over sensitive sense of smell, and tiredness. The smell issue seems to be the one that is bothering her most. As I mentioned in my last post it had just started becoming an issue, and now it's a full blown epidemic, especially in the kitchen!!

In the morning it's just the general smell in the kitchen that makes her want to throw up, so I open the windows when I get downstairs to air the place out.

The fridge is the big problem. Sinead is unable to open it at all as the smells are overwhelming. So each morning, I get her the milk out of the fridge so she can have breakfast before she leaves for work. All visits to the fridge during the evening are conduced by me. I don't know how she's got by the last few weeks, when I've been travelling so much with work. Everyone keeps saying that it should get better over the next few weeks.

Parental Leave

Sinead came across an interesting article in one of our national newspapers recently which gives a good overview of some of the issues facing working mothers/mothers to be.

The article was in response to recent comments by Alan Sugar on the UK version of The Apprentice


The reality is that some employers are hesitant to employ women in key roles," he said earlier this month. "Regretfully, there's concern in the back of their minds that women may not be a good choice because they may come with complications and have their work and career disrupted by family stuff."

The article goes on to look at the model in some other European countries, and suggests that giving equal leave rights to men, might be a solution.

You can read the full article here - http://www.independent.ie/business/pregnant-pause-1376461.html

Do you fall easily?

Sinead had her second scan today and everything showed up fine. The baby is developing as expected and the next visit will be for be for checks on spine and heart development.

During our visit the consultant asked Sinead the falling question "Do you fall easily". Now to understand the answer given, let me take you back to last night.

We went to the Bruce Springsteen concert in Dublin. It was excellent and a good time was had by all, despite the heavy winds and rain near the end of the show. After we parked our car, and were making our way into the show, Sinead stumbled (no drink honest!!) and ended up on her bum in the middle of the street. She was a bit worried about any damage that might have happened to the baby, so when the consultant asked the question today, her answer was "not normally, but I did fall last night at the concert". Of course he looked at us quite strangely and re-phrased his question to "did you fall pregnant easily". Cue red faces from the two of us.

We got another printout of the scan, and as soon as I run it through the scanner I'll post it. All in all a nice end to the week - I'm counting tomorrow as the first day of the week as we are back to work.

Some other news. I failed my driving test on Friday. I was like a bear for 2 days, as I felt I had done enough to pass. As usual Sinead threatened to kick my ass if I didn't snap out of it, and that seemed to do the trick. So if you're reading this Sinead, I'm sorry for being a grumpy boots on Friday and Saturday. I've reapplied for the test and hope to have another crack at the whip in a few months. Speaking of whips and cracking, we saw the new Indiana Jones film on Friday night and I really enjoyed it. I'd probably rank in number 3 out of the series. #1 is Raiders of the Lost Ark; #2 Temple of Doom and #4 The Last Crusade.

Hope you enjoyed the update, going to finish cleaning the kitchen. In the last 2 weeks every time Sinead goes into the kitchen, she is getting sick due to a bad smell, which we haven't been able to track down. The fact that I can't smell it isn't helping, so we've been cleaning out various parts of the kitchen to see if we can find the cause. Tonight it's the turn of the fridge.

Some messages from Friends

From Paul Kearney (cousin and our Best Man)
Big Congrats my Good man. Fair play to both of you!

From Aileen O'Mahoney (my friend from University days, now living in Belfast)
Knew it. Fab news. Delighted for both of you.

Brendan O'Hea (my oldest friend since I was 4. Now living in England, married with 2 children)
In response to my question asking for advice and tips. Sell a kidney and have as many lie ins between now and then as possible. That's fantastic news. Over the moon for both of you.

Andy Murphy (friend from my time in Dublin. Shared a room with him the weekend I met Sinead)
I knew she (Sinead) was pregnant buddy! Shauna put 2 and 2 together when you were in Derry. That's great news.

Brendan Kearney (cousin from Derry)
That's great news lad, really delighted for both of you and hope all is well. Had my suspicions when Sinead wasn't drinking on my birthday. Take care of her and make sure she doesn't do any housework or lift anything heavy

Russ Black (friend from University, now living in Harrogate. Married and has a newly arrived baby, a few month old)
Great news, many congrats. Get plenty of sleep in. Pass on our regards to Sinead.

Daniel Kearney (cousin living in Belfast)
That's great news. Congrats to both of you.

Breda Broderick (friend from Dublin. Married with 3 boys, all under 3 years old)
This is truly wonderful news. He or she is a very lucky baby with both of you as parents. God bless all 3 of you.


Got loads of well wishes from friends and colleagues in work as well, including David, Zsofia, Ditte, Stuart and John.