Paternity Leave - Week 2

Above: Oliver with Grampy Des and Nancy

Last week I took my second and final week of paid paternity leave. It was too hectic to be described as a rest, but I did get to spend time at home with Hayley and Oliver and I managed to help out a little more than I can when at work.

Oliver is smiling much more now, especially in the morning. It's priceless when he smiles.

We also used my paternity leave as an opportunity to take Oliver to meet some of Hayley's family down in Wiltshire. We stayed with Hayley's Dad and also visited various other friends and family down there.

Fortunately we had a courtesy car while Hayley's car is in the garage. We wouldn't have crammed everything in otherwise.

Nancy (Hayley's Dad's partner) adored having Oliver to stay. I think she would happily have sent us back up north and kept the little fellow down there with her. She declared him the best behaved baby she had ever known. It was hardly surprising, as she pampered him at every opportunity: back massages, tummy massages, lots of hugs and cuddles.... and she often let him lie on the carpet without a nappy, resulting in the occasional soaking of the carpet!


Above: Nancy gives Oliver his evening back massage

She cooked fantastic meals for us and it was nice to be able to rest a little more. All in all it was a great little break and there were a few tears when it came time for us to leave.

The next visit will probably be at Christmas. We will definitely need a bigger car or some roof storage by then!




Above (top): Hayley with Shannon and Emma
Above (bottom): Oliver meets his Auny Becky and cousins Lewis and Connor