First came the frame which laid out the main structure and support for the walls and doors which were MDF.

Once we had the frame in place, which took longer than anticipated and several trips to the attic we began fitting the side walls.  It was finally beginning to look like something.

The doors were probably the hardest to get right and we left those til day two.  It took skill, a chair, a box and a piece of wood to dangerously balance the doors on while fitting them.  They’re not perfect, but I don’t think Ruairi will notice.

While we were busily constructing our waredrobe Les and Ru were out purchasing nice things in IKEA to fit inside.  And boy did they fit.  The IKEA shelving unit was exactly 80CM across and we had exactly 80 CM of space…it just fit inside.  Lets hope we never have to remove it because it won’t be coming out without a fight.

Finally we got the shelves in, walls up, doors on (and working) and the whole thing painted.  All in all it took 2+ days but it was well worth it and I really enjoyed building something with my Dad, for my son.  There was something nice about the shift from one generation to another.  When I was a kid I remember my Dad building stuff in our house and being his little helper.  Now he was helping me build something for my son.  For a short moment a strange thought past through my mind, I saw myself helping Ruairi make something in his home 20 or 30 years from now.  Life as they say has a habit of repeating itself.

On our recent trip to Leitrim Ruairi discovered oranges and more importantly that they roll.  As with everything however it does end up in the mouth at some stage.  I find this journey of discovery so extraordinary.  I think it is this that parents are trying to get across when they describe how wonderful it is to be a parent.  It is being apart of this discovery almost every single day.

Sure there are times when you don’t get any sleep and you wish you could remember what a lie in on a Sunday morning even felt like or your romantic dinner is interrupted by screaming (the baby that is).  All of these things and more simply disappear when you are witness to your childs first time doing or finding something new in the world.

Its 11:30 on Sunday morning and I can hear our little man chatting away to himself upstairs so it must be almost Wheatabix time.  For many of my friends this might not sound like a fun way to spend your Sunday morning but you never know we might just discover something new today.

So I was hoping to do a few posts leading up to the birth of my son, however, having a kid is time consuming…who would have thought.

Plus he came on his due date! My son, insane. I honestly thought I had another week at least. In my defence so did the Dr.

His exact words were, “arrive today no, I reckon next week at some stage”. My son promptly arrived less than 12 hours after the Dr uttered those words.

So now its 13 weeks on and we are adjusting well to our new role as parental units.  tough my friends but extremely rewarding. I find myself watching less tv, I have forgotten what a pub looks like and sleep is something I read about only in books (and as most of you know, I don’t read books).   I must point out at this juncture that tho I am involved, of late by darling partner Lesley has been kind enough to do the majority of night feeds.

When people found out about my impending parenthood they would always proceed to say congratulations. This was promptly followed by so are you ready for all the sleepless nights, feeding, vomiting…etc etc.

I would smile and say as ready as I’ll ever be. As if there was some way I could travel forward in time to get some practise! The truth is, nothing on this earth can prepare you for the turmoil this one little person will reek upon your calm world. All that said there is some sort of in built instict that activates upon his arrival. Something you were only aware of when you hear a fight somewhere off in the distance and a small part of you gets ready…just in case.

Its that dormant gene that suddenly activates and makes you become more aware of your surroundings. You now have this family to protect and people who drive fast are now idiots, not cool. Yes my friends you have become your parents. It was at that moment I realised why my father always worried when I was out, even when I’m 26.  It was at that moment that I understood why my mother could not sleep until I was home from a night out and it was at that moment that I realised that all that lay ahead of me too.

The road ahead is tough my friends and I fear what I do not know, but I also revel in it. Its sends shivers down my spine to think of all the things he may accomplish and all the adventures we are yet to have. The sleepless nights and crazyiness of the last few months mean nothing to the first time we will stand on the sugar loaf together, climb Caroontoohil or maybe even Mount Kilimanjaro.