30th and 31st October 2008 - At Patty's family dinner

Hello little Em,
Wednesday was a strange day. It was warm in the morning , then it got cloudy in the afternoon, started thundering and a very strong wind - like a mini-hurricane - came from the north-east. It blew and rattled our blinds, sent branches and leaves flying over the house and within half an hour the sun started to come out and a beautiful double rainbow arced across the horizon. You will love rainbows - they are so pretty
and they tell us that the rain is almost over.


What a lovely surprise to have you and your Mom and Dad at Patty's family dinner last night! I didn't think Mark and Tammy would want to drive all the way from Glen Anil with a tiny baby but they had you warmly wrapped up and you spent most of the evening swaddled in your little orange carry chair like a cocoon!
Patty is my only sister and is your grand-aunt. She is 3 years older than me but she is quite frail. Patty has COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disorder) and feels that her years are numbered - so she really values her family nights on a Thursday. She was so thrilled that Mark and Tammy brought you to her place. Her little Yorkshire Terrier, Muffin, was very confused by your little whimper noises. When you gave a little 'meow' sound, she ran to the door and started barking! We are sure she thought she'd heard a cat! You will love Muffy - she is a sweet little dog and just the right size for a little girl.

Every Thursday Patty prepares a big meal for all of us - last night there were nine people at the table. Greg and Sharon sat at one head and Patty at the other. Finn, Richard and I on one side and Mark, Tammy and John on the other.
Richard had cooked spare ribs on the braai, Patty made chips and I made a big salad.
Now about John. John is my walking friend - he is 75 years old and has walked many thousands of kilometers around Europe. We have made him an honorary great-grandfather! Last night Tammy asked John if he would like to hold you. He was very nervous and quite overawed by the experience. (John is a bachelor and has never had children). He thought you were a miracle and told Tammy that he thought she was wonderful because she knew how to care for you.
Richard - Mark's 20 year-old cousin (my brother's oldest son) also held you. He lives in Johannesburg but has been staying with Patty for a few weeks. Richard idolizes Mark and couldn't wait to hold his baby. He was so thrilled when Tammy asked him if he would like to hold you too.
You were so good little 'Milly. You slept and only woke up for a feed and a change of nappy and then you went back to sleep again.

31st October:

We've just had an sms from Mark to say that they took you to clinic today and you have put on 300g!! That is wonderful news - you have no regained all the weight you lost while you were in hospital.