This week of course is the worst of the year in the Foley calendar. The 26th being Georgia's anniversary - I think neither myself nor Alissa want to think back on that torrid day last year too much, but at the same time, we do want to remember Georgia. I would imagine things would be even more difficult had Emma not arrived. Jen's anniversary will be a difficult time for so many - in particular sister Sue, but hopefully the prospect of a little addition by Christmas will provide some degree of light. And of course marking the 4th year since we lost Marian is still almost impossible for us. 4 years would usually be considered a reasonably long time, and so much has happened in that time. Yet that day is as vivid as yesterday. And the gaping hole in our lives is as wide as ever.
Emma is now almost 6 weeks old. I had forgotten that those early weeks are just plain bloody hard - though maybe its something to do with it being such a novelty first time round and the fact that there is only one to attend to which makes it slightly easier. I do remember thinking it wasn't all that bad with Aibhe. Have to say Alissa has adapted really well, but if I'm to be completely honest with myself, I reckon my patience is slightly lacking on occasions, but starting to get better again. And it's not as if Emma is being difficult - she's actually being wonderful, and am a very happy Dad with my two girls.
Today the entire household ended up at the doctor with ailments - poor little Emma caught the inevitable cold thanks to the smothering slobbering love of sniffling big sister. Big sister's sathma kicks back in for winter so the cough starts. This is my 3rd period transitioning from summer/autumn to winter down under and things don't appear to change much - EVERYONE in this city gets sick at this time. And not just runny noses. People get floored. This 23C during the day and 8C at night lark....Some news. I will shortly be leaving the clutches of Virgin Blue after 2 and a half years in gainful employment. For many reasons, wide and varied (one being the rather major instability of the airline market at the moment with fuel prices going ballistic, another being career progression) I reached the conclusion that it was time to move on and when an opportunity came relatively out of left field, I jumped. An exciting and educational few years in Virgin territory during which I have actually made some good mates and contacts. Commercial Manager for CB Richard Ellis (http://www.cbre.com.au/) in Brisbane is where I'm off to - based in the CBD and on the 33rd floor of a very sexy building overlooking the vista of southern Queensland. So watch this space for an update on my new e-mail address - which from the 17th July will be enda.foley@cbre.com.au (don't use it yet!) and a new phone number will be forwarded then also.
New baby, new job. Lets not do things in half measures eh?
