Goodbye Lawrence Jupp

I heard some tragically sad news today. A friend from my last place of work was killed on his motorcycle.

Lawrence Jupp was a truly nice bloke in every sense. I know this is a cliche but he was one of those rare individuals who didn?t have a bad word for anyone, for that alone he was well liked and respected by all.

He was trustworthy & friendly, with an adventurous and active streak that always put his pasty-faced IT friends to shame. I have fond memories of spending sunny evenings flying sports kites with him.

He had just returned from a round the world trip with his lovely girlfriend Claire. I remember him enthusing to me about his travel plans just before he left - I was REALLY jealous of course, not because of where he was going but because he had the guts to just pull up his roots and GO. He had a real sense of adventure which was quite admirable. I was expecting him to pop up on messenger and tell me all about his trip around now. It is wrenching to think that he is gone. My thoughts are with his close friends and family.



Here's to Lawrence, a really nice guy!

Here are is the link to Lawrence's round the world trip photo album (some really professional shots in there, it seems he was a talented photographer too!)

Here is the link to his travel blog

If you knew him please comment below.

Tags: Lawrence Jupp Lozza

IT'S A BOY (with no name)

I am very happy to announce that my wife Penny gave birth to our second son on Saturday 11th at 1:37am, weighing in at 8lbs 8ozs (3.86kg). Mother and baby are both doing well, our first lad - Ripley - is a little jealous though ;)

Photos are here

No name yet? got a few ideas, but suggestions are very welcome :)

Cheers,

Chris

Tags: newborn baby

Photo_: Evil Superman

Ripley in new superman PJs 005
Originally uploaded by ©hris.

Photo_: Ripley painting in the garden - not fair I want to eat it

Ripley painting in the garden - not fair I want to eat it
Originally uploaded by ©hris.

Penny said - Don't eat the paint - and he gave a little scowl. It is moments like this that I think he will be a handful when he is a bit older :D Cute though.

Photo_: Ripley painting in the garden - wonder what it tastes like

Ripley painting in the garden - wonder what it tastes like
Originally uploaded by ©hris.

I love this shot.. he was painting in the garden when he decided to try and eat the paint.

Photo Video_: Cornwall Visit September 2006

Photo_: My Crappy Kitchen

Ripley in demolished kitchen
Originally uploaded by ©hris.

Here is a shot of my crappy kitchen - but alas not for much longer. We are on holiday at the moment and my Inlaws are at staying at my house and installing a new kitchen!!! All going well - we will return and do the finishing touches (flooring and tiles). Yet again Penny's parents have been a fantastic help. More photos to come.

Photo_: You think your baby is ugly :)

What the fuck
Originally uploaded by Velvet Marauder.

This is a baby Aye Aye monkey. Not the most attractive creature on this earth - but interesting all the same.

Photo_: Ripley looking out of Steam engine carriage window

Ripley looking out of Steam engine carriage window - 1
Originally uploaded by ©hris.

Photo_: Ripley and me in 1st class carriage of steam train

Ripley and me in 1st class carriage of steam train
Originally uploaded by ©hris.

Photo_: Ripley and Penny by Bodmin 34016 Steam Engine at Watercress Line

Ripley and Penny by Bodmin 34016 Steam Engine at Watercress Line
Originally uploaded by ©hris.

Photo_: Ripley - self portrait

Ripley - self portrait - seriously he took this at minature railway at Frimley
Originally uploaded by ©hris.

Seriously he took this at the minature railway at Frimley. We were rolling along on the little train - he grabbed the camera and pressed the silver button (he knows this is the correct one to make the clicking noise) Hey presto - his first self portrait age 18.5 Months.

Photo_: Ripley hugging a teddy

Ripley hugging a teddy
Originally uploaded by krystufer.

Just about the best shot I have EVER taken of Ripley... problem is.. I didn't take it... Penny did :) Ah well. Well done Pen.

Photo_: Mum kissing Ripley

IMG_3017
Originally uploaded by krystufer.

Mum hardly ever gets a mention either - she also lives a long way away. Here she is giving Rip a kiss :)

Photo_: Tristan and Ripley

IMG_2953
Originally uploaded by krystufer.

I hardly ever mention my brother Tris, this is because I never really see him as he live a long way away. I am trying to talk him into starting a blog - so watch this space.

Photo_: Chris Running over Dad with the Tractor

IMG_2933
Originally uploaded by krystufer.

I was teaching young Ripley how to drive the ride-on-mower when suddenly out of nowhere Dad jumped out and we struck him just a Penny took this shot. Nothing broken and how we laughed.

Photo_: TOO CUTE!

This photo somewhat blows his image as a little terror :) This follows on from the last photo where he was rudely awaken from his afternoon nap. He is doing the sign for sleep which is to put his hand up to his ear and tilt his head. No dice kiddo... you woke us up... we wake you up... it is the only pleasure we get. hahaha, only joking, he would sleep all day if he could. (click to enlarge)

Tags: Ripley cute tired

Photo_: Sleepy Head

I just managed to grab this photo as he was swaying back and forth after being rudely awakened from his afternoon nap. Hard to get this little chap to sleep, but even harder to wake him up :)

Tags: sleepy head

Photo_: Ripley at new House 16 Months

Mastering balance on our shiny floor in our new house. Wobbly snail about to get a shove across the room.

Desperately trying to grab my camera lens in this shot

Tags: ripley

Photo_: Various Photos of Ripley

Quite cute really. The photo where he is looking a bit lost was taken just as he woke up in our big double bed all by himself. It was a priceless moment, he didn't see me across the room, he blinked and rubbed his eyes, looked around and then lifted the covers of the blanket clearly in search of his Mum and Dad, then thinking he was on his own he did the look I managed to capture above.

Tags: pictures

Photo_: Chris and Ripley Christmas 2005

Yes, I realise this picture was taken at Christmas, but since my PC blew up I have been using my work laptop and haven't really been able to upload any more pictures. this is still one of my favourite pictures of me and the kid.
He is not very well at the moment and don't we know about it. Penny and I have been awake since 4 a.m. to top it off I am not very well either, various doctors appointments are getting to the core of the problem and I must admit I am quite worried. Too much stress from every side. Must remain positive.

Tags: ripley

Misc_: One Eyed Kitten

I felt a mixture of sadness and horror when I saw this photo of a kitten with only one eye and no nose, from Oregon, USA, it was born and lived for only one day. ;( Apparently it was a continuation of the Ragdoll breed - Oi - CAT BREEDERS stop now!

Diary_: My PC blew up

This is why you haven't seen any photos on this blog for a while. I hope to have it fixed very soon, hopefully I have not lost any data, luckily I have taken a backup of all of my photos and have some cracking images from over the Christmas period which I am dying to share.

Photo_: Refection Shot of Penny & Ripley

Photo_: Catalogue Man & Baby (Winter Wear p453 :)

Photo_: Ripley & Penny December Beach Walk

This is a lovely shot of Penny chasing Ripley toward the sea. Taken on Pendower beach on a cool but bright December day.

Diary_: Explosion at Bunsfield Oil Refinary Hemel Hempstead rocks South East of England

OK - it is 6:40am and it is Sunday - why am I blogging - because there is no other news on the internet about a massive explosion in the UK. This is a break from the norm, but worthy of an entry. Penny was woken this morning at 6am by a massive explosion which caused the house to shake. She lay there in the dark panicking. The explosion was of a magnitude she had never felt and she knew it had to be significant. She made no excuses for thinking that it could have been nuclear. As I slept she got up and wandered downstairs to try and get more info from the TV. Reports are now coming in to TV channels of a MASSIVE explosion in Hemel Hemstead - which is over 100 Miles away from where we live in Surrey!!! The reports are sketchy but it seems that an oil depot or refinary just exploded!

Penny never felt anything like it. We are still a little worried about it and so got up to make sure it is nothing more sinister. Pennys gut instinct was to drive us all to Cornwall if we were at risk from any chemical fallout from this thing. It is only 40 minutes after the explosion was heard, but there is no suggestion that anyone is in danger. Lots of people in Hemel lots windows and had the slates blown off their roofs, but other than that no deaths have been reported. Give it time. Someone must have been hurt by the blast wave alone.

If it was a fuel depot I am guessing the South East can expect a fuel crisis. Good job I work from home. Sorry - selfish - but there you go, blogs are new from the average Joes like me.

Nobody can accuse this blog of just being another baby blog - this is more info than anywhere else on the internet so far.

Fantastic photo from near me here - http://photo.kitt.net/2005/12/massive-explosions-hit-fuel-depot-in.html

Photo_: Spooky shot sliding down a tube

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Photo_: All Better bit messy

Following his feeding time strops he usually calms right down. This photo was taken only a few minutes after the last one. I like this photo, it makes me feel that my camera purchase was justified.


please click the image to enlarge

Observation_: Feeding Problems

One problem that has become apparent just recently is that Ripley is becoming a little bit finicky about his food. Hopefully this won't develop into a problem. I understand that when babies start turning into toddlers they starts to want to be a little more self-reliant. So spoon feeding is really out of the question. We now have to consider that the food we make him should be interesting, tasty, colourful, not too hard on his gums and easy to pick up in his hand without making too much mess. It was a lot easier when he just went ahead and gulped down the liquidised slop we used to give him :) Well, no one ever said it would be easy.

Here is the little fella during one of his breakfast strops. I find this picture heartbreaking, you probably think I am cruel to take a photo of him crying, well that wasn't my intention, he was smiling two seconds before.


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Photo_: Big Kiss from Dad

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Photo_: Space Invaders attacking Baby

Ripley has the right idea - run away from my space invaders. Hey - want to know how I did this? Interested in buying a kit to make it? Let me know.


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Photo_: 1st Birthday - Louise and Ali

Ripley's 1st Birthday - Louise and Ali are clearly visible in this shot - they will love that :)

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Photo_: 1st Birthday - Wooden Shape Sorter

Ripley's 1st Birthday - From Louise and Ali a lovely wooden shape sorter. Here he is trying to ram everything through the same hole as usual :)

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Photo_: 1st Birthday - Driving in his pram

Ripley's 1st Birthday - From Grandad and Grandma Grassby - a lovely pram toy that keeps him busy on our trips out around town.

please click the image to enlarge

Photo_: 1st Birthday - Wobbly Snail

Ripley's 1st Birthday - Lovely wobbly snail from our good friends Lorraine and Dan - they also got loads of really nice clothes! Thanks!

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Photo_: 1st Birthday - Wood Spin Toy

Ripley's 1st Birthday - This is what we bought him. A great wooden toy with spinning tops from a new shop that has opened in Truro.

please click the image to enlarge

Photo_: 1st Birthday - Book starring Ripley

Ripley's 1st Birthday - Really nice book from Mike, Tracey & Matthew. It has his photo in and places him in various vehicles - he finds it very funny. Thanks guys!

please click the image to enlarge

Photo_: 1st Birthday - Wigan Rugby Shirt

Ripley's 1st Birthday - He looks cute in this Wigan Rugby strip from Peter, William & Julie.

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Photo_: 1st Birthday - Choo choo 2

Ripley's 1st Birthday - Rip playing with the previously mentioned item from Grandad Howarth :)

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Photo_: 1st Birthday - Choo Choo 1

Ripley's 1st Birthday - Present from Grandad Howarth. An annoying train that talks crap all the time. Seriously though, he loves it.

please click the image to enlarge

Photo_: 1st Birthday - Chris and Rip

Ripley's 1st Birthday - This is a rare shot of me and Rip together. John had my camera and took loads of great shots.

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Photo_: 1st Birthday - Milk

Ripley's 1st Birthday - This is what he got instead of the cake - believe me he enjoyed it more.

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Photo_: 1st Birthday - Cake

Ripley's 1st Birthday - This is Ripley looking at a cake he is not allowed to eat. Such a shame. Too much sugar for a baby - good job we were there to help :)

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Photo_: Maya's 1st Birthday

Maya's 1st Birthday - Maya is Ripley's girlfriend and it was her birthday just before Ripley. Penny and Maya's mum met in the maternity ward and have been good friends ever since which is lovely.

please click the image to enlarge

Photo_: BIG Smile

BIG smile

Photo_: Cheeky Look

Cheeky look - open mouth showing his four bottom teeth, hair a mess as usual

Photo_: Hallelujah

Hallelujah - the sun has come out :)

Photo_: Walking to Mummy

Walking to Mummy

Photo_: Penny & Ripley Mid Morning Nap

Penny & Ripley Mid Morning Nap - Around 11am they both get pretty tired. This is the view on a typical Saturday morning for me. Black and White - how arty :)

High Point_: Web Popularity

I must say I am shocked! I have been running various website about loads of different subjects for years. I installed some web statistic software on my server and discovered this blog page gets a lot of unique hits!

I honestly thought this blog was primarily visited by my friends and family, but now I see it is a highly ranked blog with lots of subscribers.

I also noted that just the word 'Ripley' typed into a google image search will show my Ripley who apparently outranks that other Ripley (believe it or not) and Ms Weavers alien arse kick character.

I haven't written much on this blog lately, it has mainly been a photo journal of Ripley's development. I will try and write more to keep it interesting and hopefully informative.

Thanks again to all my visitors!

Christopher Howarth

Photo_: Angelic Baby on the Sofa

Ripley sitting on Sofa looking angelic - very diceptive :D

Photo_: Sea Weed

Why did the sand blush? Because the Sea Weed :)

Photo_: Ripley, John & Louise on the beach

Ripley John and Louise on Lancing Beach

Photo_: Got ya glasses Grandad

Ripley grabbing Grandad's glasses

Photo_: Light Fantastic

Ripley is Great - no computer trickery here - just a long exposure and an led - fun!

Photo_: Just Woken Up look

That "Just Woken Up" Look

Photo_: Apple Chomping

Close your mouth when you are eating an apple

Photo_: Catching a ride home

Catching a ride home

Photo_: Ripley & Grandad Grassby

Ripley & Grandad John

Photo_: The Bird Baby of Alcatraz

Ripley in the baby prison - A lend from our friend (and only blog regular) Mike

Photo_: Caught in the act at the Washing Machine

Caught in the act - Ripley's obsession with the washing machine continues

Photo_: Cheeky Monkeys

Cheeky Monkeys

Photo_: Curious Ripley

Ripley having fun - head shot

Digital SLR

I have purchased myself a Canon 350D Digital SLR. I love taking pictures, especially of Ripley as he grows up. When I was young I had an old Pentax SLR, I would spend hours planning the use of 24 shot rolls of film and rarely having the money to develop them. My step dad has a Canon EOS SLR and I was always using it, so it is logical that I should get a Canon EOS type DSLR today, hopefully it will reinstate photography as my favourite hobby. You never know I might even take something good. At least the quality of the photos on this blog will increase :)

6.5 Month Update

In the last couple of days he has started his first crawls across the living room floor. He mainly pulls along with his arms but is working out that the odd kick with the legs helps him go faster. Sometimes he gets into the rhythm and he is off. We cannot leave him alone for more than a few seconds. The other day he propelled himself off the sofa, I caught him before he touched the ground but the shock made him cry and I felt bad about that. He sits up by himself now too. His tooth is just poking through and is causing him pain and us sleepless nights. It is difficult at the moment, especially as I have a new job and am trying to concentrate on that. The job is going well, I am off to Paris then on to Amsterdam in a few weeks, I miss everyone when I am away, but as I am working from home now I can take my coffee breaks with my family. Here is a photo of the little fella sitting up by himself.



Oh yes, took him to have a look around the Surrey show the other day, he got moo'ed at by a very big cow and cried for about an hour. I guess we can strike farmer off the career list.

Tired but Smiling

Everything is cool at the moment. Pen and I feel like we have a handle on things, we have a routine, we can predict most events before they occur and so we feel comfortably in control. We still get bloody tired and that can be a strain, but then Ripley smiles every-so-often and we both remember what it is all about. Looking forward to our first Christmas together. Will try to upload more photos later, I have some nice new ones.

Don't forget to visit http://www.kitt.net/ripley/ for the video wall.

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My Current Favourite Photo 

Back 2 Work

Went back to work today, I am missing my family badly. I am very tired, but in a way it is nice to see my friends again. I am happy to say that Penny is doing fantastically well at being a full time Mother. It is a tremendous shock to the system when you are handed a little screaming pink thing and told to get on with it, she is meeting the challenge head on and winning (funk management speak is creaping into my blog - I truely am back at work). Penny's Mum & Dad are being a fantastic help.

Anyway, long may our family continue to get stronger. Bought him some emergency dummies today, he likes to suck the nipple of the bottle when he is full - he then looks horrified when he gets milk from it. A dummy may help him relax, we will probably hold off from giving it to him straight away, they are seen as evil by Midwives (don't ask me). Also bought him a surprise gift - Photos later I should think.

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Forget Atkins...

I have a brand new diet that has been proven in trials (run by me) - it's called the Ripley diet and it is ridiculously simple:

Step 1) Have a son, name him Ripley
Step 2) Run around like a crazy person, feeding, tidying, changing, washing, etc
Step 3) Ditto - in the middle of the night
Step 4) Forget to eat
Step 5) Repeat steps 2 to 3 until he leaves home.

I have lost 2 kg in the last week on this new diet :)

Seriously, I am having fun, Penny is coping much better than I thought, the kid is quite good when compared to the screaming monster I imagined he might be. So let's see how it turns out - hopefully my Dad will be coming to visit soon, Penny and I cannot wait for Rick and Ripley to meet (although Dad still hates the name :S) More photos soon.

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Riding the Rollercoaster

Wow, my earlier analogy of waiting for a kid being like queuing for a Rollercoaster was spot on, cos now I am riding it (emotionally). Last night at 3am was a low, I was at home asleep and the mobile sounded, Penny was distraught, I won't go into details but sometimes when you are tired and the kid is crying you start crying too. I calmed Penny down (remarkably quicky I was proud to say). I put the phone down and felt so useless, I turned of the light and my thoughts built up and a wave of panic rushed over me, consumed every part of my head, I turned on the light and run into the bathroom, not sure why, maybe felt like I was going to be sick or something else. I sat and waited for logic to take over - I am not alone. I was right - I am so lucky to have so many people who want to help and that fact cheered me up. I managed to get to sleep. The bright sunny day that presented itself made me feel truely excellent and whats more, after the call, Penny got 5 hours sleep and felt 100% better, the kid have even learned a few extra facial expressions (not just Monkey) - Photos later I promise, meanwhile Pen's parents are cooking me real food! FANTASTIC.

One last thing, 60 or 70 text messages from friends and family! Wow! Also My Mum, StepDad & Bro came 300 miles to surprise visit! Fantastic to see them! Stunned.

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Pennys Parents

... are bloody fantastic. I feel it is only fair to mention them in this blog as it is easy to take for granted people who are always helping. Penny just told me they have popped down to finish painting the nursery, it is funny, Penny and her parents keep asking me if it is ok!!! That kind of statement just adds to my massive feeling of guilt. Anyway, one thing I have learned is that caring in-laws can be very helpful and I know (by the subtle purchase of a cot) that they plan to continue helping when the kid arrives. I miss having my Parents (and step parents) around to help, unfortunately they all live a long way away so don't have the option, so Penny is very lucky to have them living just around the corner (and so am I). I have no idea if they read this blog but...

Thanks John & Belinda

I am sure I can dig up an amusing photo of them when I get home, watch this space.

Long Weekend

So I survived Dan's stag do (see photos below). I had a great time go-karting & quad-biking, dancing and drinking. But at the end of the day I really missed just chilling out at home with Penny, I feel like I have lost a weekend. Now I am back at work, tired out and run off my feet. In the words of the great Danny Glover - "I'm getting too old for this shit" - wise words indeed.

The only thing that happened this weekend that related to the "bump" was my rather strange method of testing prospective names; while in the "gentlemens" club on Saturday I introduced myself to the dancers as Ripley - the reaction was encouraging - "so and are you talented" one lady retorted with a much practised sly smile. Well I suppose it makes for an interesting story for the wedding speech in 20 years time.

Anyway, this post has probably just dropped me down a few pegs in the estimation of my family - sorry :) - that's the problem with being pathologically honest.

Stag Weekend

My good friend Dan Gilbert is getting married to the lovely Lorraine in a few weeks. This weekend is his stag do. The entire weekend is going to be spent clubbing in Nottingham. I am looking forward to it, but I am nervous. Sod's Law dictates that Penny WILL give birth while I am pissed as a newt, gawping at strippers. I must be getting old, because at this point I would be happy to spend the weekend sitting on the sofa with Penny - feeling the bump wiggle. Oh well. I will keep my chin up, try not to drink too much and (for the sake of Lorriane) try and keep Dan out of trouble. I am sure an amusing photo will follow.

My Dad & Coco - My dad is always complaining that I never have photos up of him - this of course is total rubbish as I have loads (I keep them in draws) - so to prove a point here is a photo of him on my weblog - I'm sure he will love the publicity. 

Penny & Me in Cornwall - I love this photo - it was used on the front of our wedding invites and is sufficently vague as I am no oil painting. 

Pen says a Cold - I say a Flu

I have been at home yesterday and today, feeling ill as hell. I am glad to spend time with Penny, but I feel really ill and the last thing I want to do it give it to her. She keeps tempting fate by saying that the baby has increased her resilience to bacteria and viruses. I have no idea if that is true, but today she is complaining about a stomach bug. Oh dear. Anyway, I have discovered how to upload photos using Hello (tm) so you can expect a few more photos brightening up the place.

First Scan Photo - taken at week 12 & enhanced by me, for some reason these scans were much better than the ones that were taken later on (22 weeks). At this point we didn't know the sex (but Penny was convinced it was a girl so we decided on Daisy as a name) :)