Little Smiler

Well it's been quite a start to Rosie's short life, much of it in and out of hospitals, yet throughout everything, even after umpteen prodding with needles and intravenous lines she always manages to smile. A lovely way to reassure Karen and I that she was indeed okay despite how bad we felt for her, it's moments like those that make it plain to see why I find her such an inspirational little character.

Whilst we are aware Rosie may well be slower to develop than the average baby she certainly hasn't been helped by regular, long stints in hospital. Now her heart is on the mend and she's (hopefully) seen the worst of her bronchiolitis for this winter we have noticed her development speeding up.

One of the main things she's focussing on isn't the usual sitting up, grabbing things etc but how many different smiles she can add to her portfolio!

Here are a selection of my recent favourites...

I wanted to end this first blog post by sharing the lyrics to a song I've listened to alot throughout my life but never have the words had as much meaning to me than they do today.

Don't you look at me so smug
And say I'm going bad.
Who are you to judge me
And the life that I live?
I know that I'm not perfect
And that I don't claim to be.
So before you point your fingers,
Be sure your hands are clean.


Judge not
Before you judge yourself.
Judge not
If you're not ready for judgement.


The road of life is Rocky
And you may stumble too.
So while you talk about me,
someone else is judging you.


Robert Nesta Marley. 'Judge Not' 1962.   Listen here