Tuesday, January 30, 2007
News from the General Register Office for Scotland
GROS publishes a list each year of the first names given to babies in Scotland, and, since our boy obviously features in the 2006 report, I would like to report the following news:
As you will see, rather more courageous spellings included Rori (2 babies in 2006); Rorie (1); Ruaidhri (2); Ruairdh (1); Ruairi (8); Ruairidh (26); Ruaraidh (6); Ruari (11); and Ruaridh (19). Hmm! That's a lot of choice. In the hospital, we had thought about going for a less Anglicised-type spelling but, frankly, looking at this list, I am now glad we didn't... I'd like him to be able to spell his name confidently before he's, like, ten...
... Rory is nowhere to be seen, of course, though the variant Ruairidh was seventh most popular in the Western Isles (but that's not too hard to achieve - that was on the basis of 3 babies!!).
And Rory's cousins? Isla's a pretty popular name, 19th overall for girls, and Niamh not far behind at all at 24th most popular.
I also noticed that there were 6 Noahs - and I know 2 of them! What's the chances?! But baby Cathal's probably got the rarest name amongst babies I know - there were only 3 of them last year... (so, if they ever had a reunion, you wouldn't need to hire a hall...)
This is the list of all the names given in Scotland in 2006...
... there were 139 Rorys this year. Hello to the 138 other baby Rorys! I'm sure your babies are very nearly as nice as ours ;-)
As you will see, rather more courageous spellings included Rori (2 babies in 2006); Rorie (1); Ruaidhri (2); Ruairdh (1); Ruairi (8); Ruairidh (26); Ruaraidh (6); Ruari (11); and Ruaridh (19). Hmm! That's a lot of choice. In the hospital, we had thought about going for a less Anglicised-type spelling but, frankly, looking at this list, I am now glad we didn't... I'd like him to be able to spell his name confidently before he's, like, ten...
Here's the top 100 names ranked by popularity...
http://www.gro-scotland.gov.uk/files1/stats/pop-names-06-t2.pdf
... this puts Rory, with our plain vanilla spelling, in 54th place in terms of overall popularity, just above Christopher (hah! eat my dust!), and just below Jay (Jay! I mean, it's a fine letter and everything, but really!).
... this puts Rory, with our plain vanilla spelling, in 54th place in terms of overall popularity, just above Christopher (hah! eat my dust!), and just below Jay (Jay! I mean, it's a fine letter and everything, but really!).
Here's the top 10 names by council area...
... Rory is nowhere to be seen, of course, though the variant Ruairidh was seventh most popular in the Western Isles (but that's not too hard to achieve - that was on the basis of 3 babies!!).
And Rory's cousins? Isla's a pretty popular name, 19th overall for girls, and Niamh not far behind at all at 24th most popular.
I also noticed that there were 6 Noahs - and I know 2 of them! What's the chances?! But baby Cathal's probably got the rarest name amongst babies I know - there were only 3 of them last year... (so, if they ever had a reunion, you wouldn't need to hire a hall...)
Wednesday, January 24, 2007
CHARGE!
Rory of the Swan Mounted Regiment (with thanks to Diarmid for the photo..)
Saturday, January 20, 2007
La La La, Coat of Many Colours..
One benefit of the current cold weather is that it's an opportunity for Rory to wear all his lovely new furry gear...
And, as you can see, healthy yomping in the cold weather has been made compulsory - evil parents that we are (though he cheered up shortly after this picture was taken, honestly).
In other news, still no crawling, or not as such, but he has developed a sneaky way of getting to things (especially hazardous or edible things) when we're not looking. Having reluctantly ruled out teleportation, we think he has developed some kind of a crazy backflip/ bumshuffle/ tummy wriggle/ rolypoly combo.
Basically, he's doing his own moves, man.
Meanwhile, his standing up and shuffling around stuff is getting better all the time, so the smart money's on him taking a short-cut to walking... but watch this space...
And, as you can see, healthy yomping in the cold weather has been made compulsory - evil parents that we are (though he cheered up shortly after this picture was taken, honestly).
In other news, still no crawling, or not as such, but he has developed a sneaky way of getting to things (especially hazardous or edible things) when we're not looking. Having reluctantly ruled out teleportation, we think he has developed some kind of a crazy backflip/ bumshuffle/ tummy wriggle/ rolypoly combo.
Basically, he's doing his own moves, man.
Meanwhile, his standing up and shuffling around stuff is getting better all the time, so the smart money's on him taking a short-cut to walking... but watch this space...
Monday, January 15, 2007
The evidence of Rory's success
Saturday, January 13, 2007
Happy New Year (yes, I know it's the 13th)
This is my belated chance to report that Stephen and I celebrated New Year this year by drinking champagne, at home in Edinburgh's Shandon area.Yes, that's right, it was Moet...
... in Shandon!
ahahahahaha!
Interestingly, the box the fizz came in is probably Rory's favourite thing just now - so much for expensive toys, huh?
Anyway, those weren't nearly enough Christmas photos, right? Here's more...
During our pre-Christmas visit to my parents' house, here's Rory plus his Great-Granny at dinner...
... and Isla checking out one of the gifts she gave to Rory (just to make sure it's good enough for him, naturally).
Not strictly Rory-related but here's one of my favourite presents - fancy wellies!Oh, I was the toast of the canal, stomping in puddles on Christmas day, I can tell you. The wind and the rain now hold no fear...
Here are Magees aplenty on Christmas day... L to R, you can see Rory's: Uncle Matthew, Auntie Susan, Cousin Niamh, his Dad, the boy himself (head of the table, obviously), his Mum, Susan's Dad, Rory's Granny (and, taking the photo, invisible Granda!)
Post-Christmas visit from Uncle Alex and Auntie Carrie, here admiring Rory's new toy animals...
... and not forgetting Harri of course! She didn't seem to mind too much getting prodded by the boy.Friday, January 12, 2007
'Mon the Wee Man
Ah yes.. the cordite, the wailing of the defeated - THE ACRID BUT HEADY SCENT OF VICTORY!
They came from across the globe - but they couldn't handle the Woo ("YOU CAN'T HANDLE THE WOO!"). Rory has won the Little Trekkers photo-competition. Of that there can be no doubt.
For those of you who missed it here is the AWARD WINNING entry..
And in a storming week for the Woo - he also got a BADGE for swimming.
And, er, had some yoghurt...
They came from across the globe - but they couldn't handle the Woo ("YOU CAN'T HANDLE THE WOO!"). Rory has won the Little Trekkers photo-competition. Of that there can be no doubt.
For those of you who missed it here is the AWARD WINNING entry..
And in a storming week for the Woo - he also got a BADGE for swimming.
And, er, had some yoghurt...
Tuesday, January 02, 2007
THIS JUST IN
Should have said earlier - for those of you keeping score/a wallchart/money on it at the bookies Rory's tooth count is now a mighty FOUR. Two up, two down...
Another two hovering menacingly in the upper jaw. Hence him chewing EVERYTHING..
In other developmental news
(BONG) He ate broccoli..
(BONG) He used a spoon to eat soup
(BONG) He's puling himself up on stuff and enjoying a wee stand..
(BONG) The Ginger Cat is now established as his private obsession. True love.
(BONG) His new gig is flirting with randoms everywhere he goes. Particularly the ladies...
And in sport..
He can catch a little - throw a lot and kick a fair amount. Aussie Rules here we come..
Another two hovering menacingly in the upper jaw. Hence him chewing EVERYTHING..
In other developmental news
(BONG) He ate broccoli..
(BONG) He used a spoon to eat soup
(BONG) He's puling himself up on stuff and enjoying a wee stand..
(BONG) The Ginger Cat is now established as his private obsession. True love.
(BONG) His new gig is flirting with randoms everywhere he goes. Particularly the ladies...
And in sport..
He can catch a little - throw a lot and kick a fair amount. Aussie Rules here we come..
AWAY WITH A GINGER
First Christmas, by the way. Tho Rory, being honest, got present fatigue after about 2 minutes and only had eyes for shiny paper and his Gran's sausages thereafter.
Having had time to digest - he's now thoroughly delighted with his massive haul - so thanks to everyone who was kind enough to get him something. Slightly tight-lipped thanks from us to those of you who got him something that makes a noise.....
Anyway - extra special thanks to Rory's Great-Grannie who made him his own stocking. With his name on. So no danger of Santa missing Rory out over the coming years...
Having had time to digest - he's now thoroughly delighted with his massive haul - so thanks to everyone who was kind enough to get him something. Slightly tight-lipped thanks from us to those of you who got him something that makes a noise.....
Anyway - extra special thanks to Rory's Great-Grannie who made him his own stocking. With his name on. So no danger of Santa missing Rory out over the coming years...
