Here are some photos taken recently of Abigail and Ryan with Clare and me.
Ryan is now 7 months old, with two bottom teeth, and Abigail is 2¾.
Unfortunately, this February will go down on record as a bad month for coughs.

Every now and then, something unusual happens on your doorstep, and it's great to go any have a nosey.
A ferry called the Riverdance got into trouble in the recent storms and ran aground on Blackpool's beach near Cleveleys.
The Riverdance has had its cargo and fuel removed and is in the process of being refloated.
You can see the scale of the ship against the houses in the first picture, it is huge, and you can see it from all the beaches.



A big thank you to Clare, Abigail and Ryan for my go in a helicopter!
For more pictures with a boaty theme, check out these holiday photos.

Here's a follow up video clip of Clare taking Abigail down the slide at Brockhole Visitors Centre.

:-)

In December we had a long weekend in the Lakes with Ian and Christine, Mum and Terry, and of course Abigail and Ryan.
We stayed at The Burnside in Bowness and spent an easy time playing around the hotel and nipping out all under the guise of Christmas shopping - of which we did nil.

Ryan was 5 months old and it was our first experience with all four of us sharing a room. The first night Ryan didn't settle, the second night it was Abigail's turn, but the third night was perfect - well, alright at least. Abigail was six months old when she went on her first Christmas Shopping Weekend.

The Burnside has a swimming pool (with dolphins and kites on the bottom) which was great for Abigail and Ryan. The weekend started out with bad weather, but as you can see, turned glorious. The outdoors pictures were taken at the playground and grounds of The Brockhole Visitors Centre which we had all to ourselves.

The photos were taken in Autumn just on the cusp of Winter at home, Stanley Park and in the Lakes.
At this time of year, the Lakes is absolutely perfect, we couldn't have wished for a nicer crisper autumn day.

This is Ryan at 15 weeks getting accustomed to his UFO space walker.

Here are some photos taken of the kids in September when Ryan is 12 weeks old.
The little man is an absolute star, no trouble!

Here are some more photos taken of Ryan with his big sister Abigail.
Ryan is 9 weeks old, Abigail is 2 year and four months old.



Intense Concentration
I think Ryan is a grand master in the making, check out the concentration he's giving the console.

Here are some photos of Ryan taken between 6 and 8 weeks old.
He has begun to support his head by himself, and he can recognise us and smile too.
Abigail has upgraded her cot for a 'big girl's bed' and has also mastered the alphabet song.

Well it happened a month ago, I'm now one month into my thirties.
I'd like to be dramatic and make a big deal out of it, but to be honest, I've not really noticed.
There has been a lot going on.


To celebrate my birthday, we had a party at the Blackpool and Fleetwood Yacht Club. Lots of people came and Alex organised a tremendous selection of fine food and even raised the bar with Nautically themed bunting sporting photos of me through the ages. Lauren was back too which was great!

I would like to say a massive thank you to everyone who came to my party, for the lovely presents and for all the planning and work that went into making it happen. I had a great time!

I'm skipping week 4 and moving straight onto week 5. Ryan was poorly with a nasty cough but is on the mend now, so...
Ryan is now 5 weeks old. Abigail is two, and I have just turned 30 - hence the jelly and ice cream.
Hoorah!

Here are some photos of Abigail and Ryan taken in his third week.
Already, the little fella is holding his head up and looking around.


Also, here is Chris and Terry doing some wood work.
They're not actually building an ark, it's a new roof for the garage; but looking at next door's foundations, an ark might be a good idea.

Ryan's second week is going smoothly. His mum and I are getting over the worst of nasty colds, but he's doing great, his sister is also doing brilliantly. Brother/Sister relations are very positive at the moment, and I hope that they stay that way. Night times are a mixed bag of good and could-be-better, but nothing to really complain about. We need to make the most of today and the weekend as I'm back at work on Monday.

We have been absolutely overwhelmed with cards, presents and well wishes, thank you to everyone!

Yesterday tea time, Abigail and me went to the hospital to collect Ryan and Clare.
Abigail was very excited to meet her little brother for the first time and give him some balloons she'd selected.
Baby Ryan delivered a present for Abigail too; a Dora The Explorer Scooter and roller skates.
Last night was our first night at home and we got off lightly!

At 4:06pm on Monday 2nd July, baby Ryan Maxwell Hastings was born weighing 9lb 1oz.
Mother and baby are doing great!
Clare is sore and triumphant. Ryan is hungry and sleepy! And I am very proud and relieved.