Daniel To Undergo Operation

Daniel visited the doctor today as his hernia is getting rather large and swollen - although it is not hurting him. It looks terrible as it has made the skin over it very taunt and shiny.

Well, the doctor could not push it back - he could do so a month ago - so it will need to be operated on.

The operation is on Friday morning at Sandton Clinic. It will involve Daniel having general anaesthetic which is not easy for a baby but is better for a 4kg baby versus one that is less than 3kg (the situation a month ago). We are obviously a bit nervous about such a small guy having a general, but it could start causing him a lot of discomfort if we leave it and with the Xmas exodus to the coast about to happen - we need to deal with the issue now or risk inferior treatment in an emergency room.
The procedure is relatively simple and babies recover very quickly from it. He'll be home within an hour two of the operation.

Otherwise, they are both settling down nicely. Emma is a little "prima donna" in the early evening which takes a little bit of patience and working through every trick known to her parents!

Emma and Daniel received their first Xmas present today. We are going to follow the Thatcher tradition of buying them each a Christmas Tree decoration every year that they will then put onto the tree so after a few years they'll have a nice collection with lots of happy family memories. The first decorations were sent by Granny Lesley and Granpa John in England. Thank you - a nice start to a family tradition.