Andrew's blog

There have been many things about becoming parents that have surprised us. There are also been things from organising LCA2010 that have surprised us. One of the more surprising things that is that Susanne has become more of a geek.

Not terribly surprising really, that after co-directing one of the ultimate geek conferences that you'd pick up a few things. Not only is Susanne now an expert Inkscape user, she is now at home hacking HTML, writing using LaTeX, posting on Twitter & identi.ca, using request tracking systems and last but not least IRC. IRC was vital to organising LCA, but Susanne and I have continued to use IRC now that LCA is over to chat while I'm at work, and as it turns out around the house. For example:

<MadHatter> 16:10:54> Please pick up your son
<MadHatter> 16:11:05> now please
<MadHatter> 16:11:10> NOW please
<MadHatter> 16:11:12> NOW
<MadHatter> 16:11:18> NOW NOW NOW NOW NOW
<MadHatter> 16:11:28> I'm on strike
<MadHatter> 16:11:41> Andrew
<MadHatter> 16:11:56> Andrew Graeme Ruthven!
<MadHatter> 16:12:10> Pick. Up. Your. Son
<MadHatter> 16:12:13> Please
<MadHatter> 16:12:19> Please!

The funniest part was that, even though I was using my laptop, my IRC client wasn't running. My IRC proxy was happily logging those requests, so when Susanne was cracking up with laughter (thinking I was ignoring her) I was able to catch up on what was happening...

The newest addition to the Ruthven family shot into this world with great gusto and enthusasim on Thursday morning. Dad was in great shock at being woken up at 2:20 am, when contractions began, then a mere 2 hours later at 4:32 holding his son - Adam Ruthven. Mum was in even greater shock at arriving at the hospital to be told that she was ready to push!

Mum & Dad are both incredibly proud of Adam, weighing in at 3.6kg (7lb 15oz).

Dad & Brooke brought Mum & Adam home on Friday morning, where we've had to readjust to once again having sleep deprivation.

Brooke is thoroughly enjoying having a baby brother. She is being a perfect big sister, helping us care for Adam, even helping with nappy changes! (We're hopeful this will continue...)

I've just uploaded some more photos of Brooke, who is now 8 and a half weeks old. Wow!

Update: As of 2007/06/14 Brooke is 12 lb (5.45 kg).

Susanne and I have been spending the last few months setting up the nursery in preparation for the baby. This has involved sorting through some clothes that we've been giving (in the photo the t-shirt says "I love Daddy" - thanks Naina!). We have a cot (no mattress yet, that is supposed to arrive this week), a change table and lots of other bits and pieces. It is amazing how much paraphernalia is required, just mind boggling!

A task which we still need to carry out in the nursery is to paint it. We think we've finally decided on a colour, that has been incredibly difficult. We never imagined it'd be so difficult!



Susanne's belly is a continually growing thing which seems to have a mind of its own. One of Susanne's favourite games is to play "where's the baby?". i.e., try and spot where the baby's head is at the moment based on where the bulge is located around her belly. Her belly can get really lopsided! The changes around her belly button have been quite funny as well, as you can see in the photo, it is almost poking out. The photo was taken during week 24, 6 weeks ago. It is a lot bigger now!

We're now at week 30, 3 quarters of the way through. It is still kind of hard to come to grips with how our lives will change once the baby is born. Kinda scary, but also very exciting.

So, the late breaking news of the day is that Susanne is pregnant. Woohoo!