My beautiful boy

Isn't he beautiful?

Daniel meeting his cousin

This is the first meeting of Daniel and Seth. They are cousins.

Here's some more...

Neil posted the last picture as I was still in hospital. It was a long labour and I didn't sleep for 2 nights! But we were kept in as Daniel had jaundice and they were monitoring him, so I only came home yesterday. Although it was a bit frustrating, it gave me some time to rest. He is so beautiful. I find everything he does absolutely incredible and wonderful. Praise God for the miracle of life. Please pray that the jaundice has all gone and won't be a problem....

and now for some more photos!

Daniel!!!

This is to announce the birth of our son Daniel Toby Roper. More to follow...

My Bump Rocks...

The bump in all its glory from a couple of weeks back...

all we need now is the baby.

Miniature Earth

I haven't come across this site before, so thanks to Ben for pointing out. It makes it hit home again how rich we are in so many ways.

Let the Games Begin...

Well, as Neil predicted, my plans to finish things off ended up taking quite a bit longer than I planned, but the intray is clear, all filing is done and I am ready to officially begin maternity leave! Now, all we need is the baby. On the other hand, I am hoping to crack on a bit with some college work before the arrival of Baby R and maybe even do some posting on matters unrelated to small children.

What a relief, though. 6 months of peace and quiet. Whatever.

Bundle of Joy

Following on from the last post, although I am not assuming that people were planning to buy the baby or us presents, can I please make a suggestion just in case anyone who is reading this was thinking of it??

One of the gifts in World Vision's Great Gifts catalogue is a mother and baby hygiene kit for new mums and babies and Sierra Leone... an absolute bargain at £9... theer is more info here

Hospitals and Inequality

My local hospital Chase Farm doesn't have the greatest reputation and locally lots of people moan about it. It is where I have been going for all of my antenatal classes and where the baby will be born. However, I refuse to moan about the hospital - not only has the care I have received been brilliant but I read newspaper articles like this that make me realise once again how amazingly blessed we all are in this country. How can I begin to complain when women in Niger face a 1 in 7 chance of dying in childbirth?