sixtwentyone

Christmas Eve bake off

This was written by Faolán on 24th December 2011 at 10:00 pm when he was 2 months, 1 day, 15 hours old | Leave a Comment

Also on this day... Tens of thousands of people rallied in Moscow and other Russian cities, sending a defiant message to the Kremlin after allegedly rigged elections.

Okay, I’m not really sure what’s going on here, but final preparations are being made to the house ready for the expected visit of this Santa character.

Presents have been wrapped constantly over the last few days, the house cleaned and, tonight, a whole evening of baking!
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Dos meses

This was written by Faolán on 23rd December 2011 at 6:21 am when he was 2 months old | Leave a Comment

Also on this day... An Indonesian girl swept away in the 2004 tsunami was reunited with her parents - seven years on!

Finally, I’m two months old! It took a long time to get here – two months in total, but it was worth it…

As you can see, my first smiles are shining through. I’m more than double the weight I was when I was born and I can talk!!
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My mum’s a master

This was written by Faolán on 22nd December 2011 at 11:30 pm when he was 1 month, 29 days, 17 hours old | Leave a Comment

Also on this day... The winter solstice occurred at 5.30am today - the days are getting longer!!

All together after mum getting her Masters

Today was the winter solstice.

It was also the day that my mum graduated with her Master’s degree from the University of Ulster in Counselling and Therapeutic Communications.

We spent the day in Belfast and at the University where she received her certificate dressed in gown and mortar board, with trumpets playing and all the pomp and circumstance surrounding a graduation ceremony.
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The Innkeeper’s Breakfast

This was written by Faolán on 20th December 2011 at 6:00 pm when he was 1 month, 27 days, 11 hours old | Leave a Comment

Also on this day... Liverpool's Luis Suarez is banned for eight matches and fined £40,000 after being found guilty of racially abusing Man Utd's Patrice Evra.

After weeks of practising and learning of lines, my sister Kate‘s play was on at her school.

She was playing the really important part of Mary, mother of Jesus, who arrived at the inn to disturb the innkeeper’s breakfast. (The innkeeper was played by Kate’s friend, DJ.)
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A little bird told me

This was written by Faolán on 16th December 2011 at 4:00 pm when he was 1 month, 23 days, 9 hours old | Leave a Comment

Also on this day... Japan's prime minister says the damaged Fukushima nuclear plant has finally been stabilised, nine months after the earthquake and tsunami.

Mum and dad are off tonight to watch Lisa Hannigan in Letterkenny. This will be the first time I’m left with a babysitter. Thank goodness it’s Auntie Mairéad who has a baby – my cousin Alex. She’ll know how to take care of me!
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Lights out!

This was written by Faolán on 13th December 2011 at 6:30 pm when he was 1 month, 20 days, 12 hours old | Leave a Comment

Also on this day... Highest wave ever recorded in Irish waters formed off the coast of Donegal today. Measured by a buoy 96km out to sea west of Donegal, it was 20.4m or 67ft high!

The weather is colder so, whenever I go out, I have to put on warm clothes and a hat! Who designed these hats? They never fit!!

Today was a really stormy day. Not only was it cold, but winds of 80mph battered the house.
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98th percentile

This was written by Faolán on 12th December 2011 at 12:00 pm when he was 1 month, 19 days, 5 hours old | Leave a Comment

Also on this day... A man opened fire in the Belgian city of Liege killing at least four people including himself and wounding 123 in a gun and grenade attack.

Today was my six- (well, it’s actually seven-) week check with the health nurse and doctor.

When I was born, I weighed in at 8lb 6oz (3.79kg for you metric folk). Now I’m 15lb 3oz (6.89kg). So, I’ve almost doubled in weight!
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Holly hunting

This was written by Faolán on 10th December 2011 at 6:00 pm when he was 1 month, 17 days, 11 hours old | Leave a Comment

Also on this day... Skywatchers enjoy the last total lunar eclipse before 2014, with Australia, Asia and North America enjoying the best views.

We went on a little expedition today to a local woodland – Cnoc Na Coille Dara, part of which is owned by my mum’s family. It’s a lovely example of upland oakwood and still, parts of it at least, are in good condition.
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Snow in them thar hills

This was written by Faolán on 5th December 2011 at 7:50 pm when he was 1 month, 12 days, 13 hours old | Leave a Comment

Also on this day... Irish Finance Minister Michael Noonan made the first part of his budget speech announcing public spending cuts of €2.2 billion!

I’ve never seen snow before! I’ve seen plenty of rain, but this is different. It fell here for the first time this winter, but only settled on the hills.

It looks like fun though. On the news it was causing a fluster among the presenters and they showed lots of pictures of people playing and throwing snow at each other.
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Arty culture!

This was written by Faolán on 2nd December 2011 at 8:30 pm when he was 1 month, 9 days, 14 hours old | Leave a Comment

Also on this day... The BBC receives more than 21,000 complaints over Top Gear presenter Jeremy Clarkson's saying that striking public sector workers should be shot.

Today was the start of mum’s second exhibition in as many weeks. This one is on at the Cascade Gallery in the Waterside Theatre, Derry.

This one, though, is a collaboration (love my vocabulary) between mum and two other local artists, Pascal Tobac and Tim Stampton.
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