My wife can hardly contain herself. With things looking positive in the hospital, Nicci has launched 'Operation: Ready Nursery' with great dedication. Grandpa Gilchrist very kindly bought us the cot/crib which arrived this week and together, with three functioning shoulders between us, Nicci and I built it on Saturday morning. "Today we salute you, Mr Furniture Assembly Manual Writer..."

You may spot a theme. Blue gingham is the preferred colour. Grannie Russell made the wonderful roman blind you can see top-right. The hanging quilt on the wall above the crib is Nicci's work of genius. Last time I flew back from England I had the little lamp under the monkey and the rug under the rocking chair in my luggage: both purchases from Laura Ashley. (Indeed, the rocking chair was another self-assembly effort).

Everything on our end is ready for Daniel to come home. We can't wait. He's looking more and more gorgeous every day. We call him "Mr Oh-so gorgioso". I'm still persevering with 'Belter' while Nicci insists on calling him 'sausage'.

We're off again for a quick visit to the hospital before heading on to church. We can't get enough of him!