5 weeks old today, but this isn't the kind of baby shower I was expecting. 

Celebrating my 40th (week from conception). 

Suddenly, I realise we're three and a half hours from Auckland. I think I took it pretty well. 

Hanging at the motel in Mt Maunganui (and experiencing the second power cut of my life) with Aunty Gay, Mum, Aunty Viv. 

In Tauranga with Shirley. 

Everybody tilt their heads on my mark: Uncle Gary, me, Aunt Viv, Mum.

Sunning with Aunty Viv. 

Another literary nod, this time from Indian author Vikas Swarup, described by Dad as a post-modern VS Naipaul. Not that there's any pressure on me to become a great author.

"What's up with the new guy?" 

Not even a week old, I'm army-volunteered for my first professional assignment: participating in a near-term baby brain wave study for the University of Auckland (in the real thing, I wore an Axl Rose-style bandana over the electrodes. This is a ham-fisted recreation by Dad). My payment: one Hairy Maclary book, to be held in trust until I can read it. 

A series of good omens

As a Gemini I am of course not superstitious by nature.
But consider what's happened in the two weeks after my birth:
- The Warriors won two games in a row for the first time in two years
- Dad has won Lotto two times in a row ($29 + $79)
- George Lucas has made released his first okay movie in 20 years.
- I was born exactly 9 months after my parent's wedding day, to the day and exactly six weeks, to the day, after my cousin Eli
- There was a meteor shower last night.
It's enough to make a boy think.

Sleep is good. 

First break dance to Grandmaster Flash. Just how old are my parents, anyway? 

After a tough day, it's good to relax and watch the first Lions game. 

I'm unimpressed, but mum and dad think the elemental, sleepless struggle is finally worth it after they're able to score one of the coveted baby car parks outside the entrance to St Lukes.  

Flashback to day 1 in NICU. 

Ch--ch-changes. 

No photos. I wish.

The now infamous milk monster face.