BIG CONGRATULATIONS to Paul & Dawn Wilson on the birth of baby George, who was born at 12:24pm today, weighing in at a VERY healthy 9lb 9oz – now THAT’s a boy! Wonderful news…we’re delighted for you all 
Click on a photo, and use your [left] and [right] arrow keys to navigate.
2009 was a GREAT year for the Liverpool Skellys. By far the biggest event of the year for us was the birth of little Katrina Anne, who has just been THE most perfect baby since day one. Lucky us. When Seán was born in July 06, we figured that we couldn’t wouldn’t have another baby as good, but we were wrong. But the year hasn’t just been about Katrina…there have been plenty of other events throughout the year to keep us entertained.
2009 started with The Odyssey, Graham Hughes’ (Yvonne’s cousin) attempt to step foot in EVERY nation on Earth in one continuous surface journey, which, with 133 nations under his belt, is continuing to this day. Just prior to the start of his amazing journey, Graham asked me to run his website for him, and I agreed…delighted to be involved. “Err…can you also build it please?”, came the next request. I did, and it’s been incredibly interesting & educating to be at the heart of the project since. If you’ve not yet checked out The Odyssey, visit the website and bookmark it – it’s amazing!
While Graham was busy navigating his way around the sunnier, warmer climes of South America, the weather turned cold back in old Blighty, and Seán took delight in building his first snowman – kissing his work upon completion! I do that in work all the time. March came, and with the impending birth of a new baby, we decided to jet off to sunnier climes (Barbados) for the last big hurrah that we’d have for a few years. We were really lucky to be able to afford it at the time, and we had an amazing time there – fully recommended. One special highlight from the holiday was the chance discovery at sundown of a clutch of baby water turtles, who had just hatched and were scurrying from their nest to water’s edge several feet away – both incredible and wonderful to witness.
Back home, as the weather warmed, we started to get about and about a bit more, and we took several day trips with Seán, including one to ‘Farmer Teds’ (an interactive children’s park, set on a farm), a few to North Wales, and one particular park trip where he had a donkey ride – smashing stuff. By June, Yvonne was starting to show quite a bit (she was almost 7 months pregnant at that stage), so we decided to take a trip to Ireland to see my family before the baby arrived. It was really great, and we got to see almost everyone, just missing out on an opportunity to visit Louise, the youngest of my immediate family.
In early July, and for his birthday, we took Seán to visit Thomasland at Drayton Manor theme park, and what a day out he had – he still talks about it! Seeing as it was just down the road from Yvonne’s Aunt & Uncle’s house, we stayed over for a couple of nights and had a great laugh – they’re wonderfully kind and welcoming. A few days later, it was Seán’s birthday proper (7th) and losing the toddler look, we celebrated his 3rd birthday with the blowing out of a Peppa Pig cake. Several blowings out, in fact.
August, the month that the baby was due, and the jungle drums were getting louder! On the 25th, with exactly 38 weeks of pregagncy having passed, little Katrina Anne was born. Weighing in a 7lbs 6½oz, she’s been the model baby since…a placid, happy, smiling little angel – we’re VERY lucky. Every day is a pleasure. In September, another milestone passed as Seán started pre-school nursery, and it was kinda odd to see our little baby – not a baby any more – in a school uniform for the first time, but it was exciting too, and luckily for us – and him – he absolutely LOVES it! He can’t wait to go back – give it time, he’ll learn!
In October, with Yvonne fully recovered from the Cesaerean, we finally celebrated the birth of little Katrina with some friends, and at the end of the month for Halloween, Seán dressed up as a skeleton as we covered the downstairs rooms in spider’s webs, spiders, bats, spooky lights, halloween balloons, and laid out some goodies. Needless to say, it was the chocolate goodies that caught his eye first – kids, eh!
November, and I celebrated (if that’s the right word for it!) my 40th birthday [the big four-o] out and about for a meal, and on the night of my birthday proper, Yvonne made the most gorgeous seafood piella. Yum yum! Mid-life crisis? Forget it – just get the drinks in!
December, and for the first time, Seán visited Santa – or ‘Farmer’ Christmas as he called him – and it was the first time that he properly understood the concept of a fat red magic man on an oversized sleigh being pulled by flying reindeer! Bless him. Dressed as a donkey, he also starred in his first nativity play, although I should point out that ordinarily, he doesn’t dress as a donkey – the occasion lent itself that way. On Christmas Eve amidst the snow, and with Mummy’s help, he sprinkled ‘reindeer dust’ on the ground so that Rudolph could find his way to our house – I haven’t even done that! Christmas day…and Santa brought him the train that he had written his letter for. He must’ve been on the ‘Nice’ list.
So overall, it’s been a GREAT year. Here’s to 2010!!!
Leo. x
BIG congratulations, happiness & love wing their way to Christian, Ditte & family in Copenhagen, who are celebrating the arrival of baby Lea Olsen, born yesterday afternoon and weighing in at a very healthy 3.9 kilos. Another girl in the family – hooray! Can’t wait to see the pictures 
Been fighting off a chest infection/cold for the last 2 days – breaks my heart…haven’t been able to go near Katrina since Wednesday, but what can ye do. This morning, I woke up feeling even worse…achy, etc. so I stayed in bed. Been up now for about an hour, but I’m going back to bed soon. TTFN.
Sunday 20th update: Well it’s not swine flu – thank goodness – although a week’s course of anti-biotics is on the cards. I was a little fearful for what it might be seeing as the little Katrina sleeps in our bedroom.
Nearly two weeks ago, my next door neighbour, Ida Gossage, died suddenly. She’d been ill for a while with cancer, but it was still a bit of a shock. I knew snippits about Ida’s life, but it was at her funeral last Friday that the gaps were finally filled in. She led an interesting life, having left Poland at the end of WWII – then aged 7 – when her father was executed. After some short periods in refugee camps, she and her family sailed to the U.K…eventually settling down in Liverpool. She met the love of her life, George, and moved to the U.S. for some years, before finally returning to U.K. and moving into their own place in the house next door to mine.
She was a lovely woman, always cheery and pleasant, and she always had a positive outlook, even when she became ill. It’s a shame, but then again, that’s life for you – one new life comes into this world, and one departs. She’ll be missed.
Well, it’s been an eventful few days. Two weeks ago, little did we know that Katrina would be with us so soon – exactly 38 weeks term, and with Seán having been born at almost 42 weeks, we sort of expected a few more weeks of preparation – at least mentally – but it doesn’t work like that, does it! The girlies came home from the hospital on Friday evening, and the first night at home was quite ‘unco-ordinated’…actually bizarre and odd are probably better descriptions! Three nights in, things are much better, although that doesn’t stop Seán from waking me up around 6am – Humf! Anyway, here are some more photos of the little one – click & arrow right (or left) to navigate through them.
Just a few photos of the new arrival…yesterday was a GREAT day. Long, but great.
Katrina Anne Skelly, weighing 7lbs 6½oz, born 25/08/2009 19:15
Spoke to Yvonne on the phone this morning. C-section is booked in for tomorrow, Tuesday 25th – probably before midday, but that depends on the importance other ops. Imagine the life of a surgeon…boggling. This time tomorrow, there may a new Skelly on Earth – Oh God, what have I done!!!!
On Thursday last, Yvonne & I went to Ormskirk Hospital for a routine baby check-up. With less than 3 weeks to go before the due date (8th Sept.), the baby’s not settling in one position (unstable lie), so Yvonne’s been admitted for closer observation – a bit of a surprise to us both. Yesterday, the hospital indicated that they may keep her in until the baby’s birth…and that they may induce. I could be a daddy again sooner than I thought…
[Later...]
Back from the hospital. Caesarean booked in for Tuesday…if the baby settles before then, they’ll cancel Tuesday. Watch this space…
Today is Seán’s 3rd birthday…and time just seems to be whizzing by. It’s really wonderful to see him grow up and develop, but it’s also a bit scary to see just how much he’s come into his own! To celebrate, last weekend we went to Drayton Manor near Tamworth, and Seán absolutely loved Thomas Land (Thomas the Tank Engine).
Happy birthday, Seán xx.
BIG congrats to Paul & Dawn who’ve just announced that Parker Wilson baby number two is on the way. The Liverpool Skellys are absolutely delighted at the news….hooray!! Sorry I missed you guys yesterday – someone has to bring home the bacon, and all that.
Yvonne’s off in town with some friends at the mo, and no doubt enjoying some laughter and lunch. With almost 6 months of the pregnancy gone, she’s feeling great…and has been really lucky not to have a single day’s sickness, nor feel any different (barring the need to wear bigger clothes!) since day one – just as she was when she was pregnant with Seán. For those of you who don’t know it yet, the due date is 8th September.
Last September 2008, I headed over to Manchester to spend an evening out on the beer with cousin Alex, and on that occasion, it ended just before 6am. Tonight, I’m heading out for a repeat performance, which no doubt will end around the same time…and all for the ’sound of quality’.
Last Thursday afternoon, we headed over to Ormskirk Hospital for our 20 week scan…and what an amazing sight! A perfect little baby, clear as crystal on the monitor. Can’t wait for the little one to be born (must start decorating the spare bedroom…).
…and that’s where I should have kept ‘em. I decided to take advantage of the good weather yesterday, and to do some gardening in the afternoon. Post mow, I started doing the edges with the shears, and in a silly accident, I managed to slice through the top of my right thumb…ouch! Just got a plaster on it now, but I can’t grip anything with any conviction and it stings like hell. Wish I didn’t have thumbs.