Yes, you’ve guessed right – the star of the story is child yet unborn. We did take a lot of exercise to provide him and mother-to-be with fresh air. What you see here is roundabouts of Turtle Lake near Tbilisi. It’s circumference is about a mile long, and our excursions usually consisted of two rounds

Same lake, just the opposite bank. There are not much photos taken in pregnancy, as my lady was reluctant to be shot at before the child be born. Do not believe them to tell you physicists are not superstitious. This time auntie-to-be with a camera prevailed, though J. And info for those who know what I’m talking about – most of my ‘WTR’ mileage comes from this round-the-lake route

We’ve been to our physician today, and he (Mr. David Gagua, for those thirsty for every detail) haven’t let my lady back home with me. ‘Almost ready she is’ he said, ‘better let her stay here’. I’m lonely. Or maybe I’m just testing new rechargeable batteries I’ve bought on my way home yesterday… judge for yourself J

‘Here’ of the previous entry being Murman Iashvili Children’s Hospital. It’s being repaired now, so the second story does not have window casements. M-m-m… and don’t ask me who on earth decided to paint it in this psychodelic fashion… we all live in a yellow submarine, but you already know that. I especially like this car parked just under the ‘no parking’ sign J

Father-founder – Murman Iashvili. Good man he must have been, and one to love children. I don’t suppose yet his artistic taste would have extended to appreciate new colouring of the hospital he founded J

If you walk around main building, you’ll find one and a half-storied wing where Orioni – maternity home, is located. Here already mentioned Mr.Gagua is the boss, and this is the place where our star shall be born soon, but for know my lady is captive and lonely and a little bit nervous…

Luckily, windows may be opened, and captives may look out and breath an air of freedom, and see their husbands

And the latter may play harmonicas [violons, cellos, pianos, organs – underline applicable] for their beloved’s heart’s ease…

But harmonica tends to bring blues, even if it be tuned to major…

So let us feast instead and be merry…

And enjoy innumerable inscriptions on the windowsill immortalizing children born in the same maternity house. I suppose happy fathers did it, as the mothers would have been forced to write upside down from the inside. Is it a tradition? Should I follow the lead? M-m-m, it looks rather like vandalism, I rather won’t… but let us wish health and happiness to all mentioned nevertheless

Women in childbirth tend to eat well and a lot, they say. Yet out of six cutlets three were eaten by the bringer (i.e., me), and two fell to another ‘woman in childbirth’s share. Here she is, taking an after-dinner lie-down  - just like my lady.

Other ladies abide in this building, and they have visitors too, of course. Just mark that man on the left is not a visitor, neither a robber, but a house painter.

Maybe this is his doing, maybe one of his mates has written his name up on the fifth floor wall of the adjacent building. Unless they are going to paint this latter soon enough, name ‘Lexo’ (derivate of Alexander) will be there to be seen for a long time…

Job well done, one is free to wash oneself up… and have a chat with a lady… Same tap was used by yours truly to wash too, as husbands are not let in into maternity house and have to wiggle out of difficulties on their own somehow…

Talking of visitors, there were all types … just don’t know whom exactly these two are going to visit…

Lot of time spent in the car these days, and lot of driving done. Looking closer, you’ll find that dashboard shows quite a nice number – 1 kilometer to go to 150K overall. Of course I haven’t covered all that distance recently J. But today this car ain’t going anywhere – the final countdawn has began…

I was not allowed to take my own camera into the operating room – one of the nurses was to take a polaroid shot once all was over. In fact, these were only hours I was let in myself at all, to help and sooth and calm and countenance. And lo! New life is born J and is just two minutes old! Proud father, happy mother, and little George Lashkhi Jr. JJJ

Day one of my fatherhood or Prince Charming on his White Stallion Rides Fast to the High Tower where his Princess is Abiding…

Prince has to pass many obstacles and dodge dragons on top of battlements around the Tower, be frightened by increased gas prices and take heart in moderate engine capacity of his Stallion…

… be puzzled by paradoxes (like ‘do not smoke’ inscription above an ash tray full of cigarette butts)…

…and be met with a closed window, as after childbirth infection-safety conditions are hardened… But he is rewarded with a joyful sight for his fright and trials…

… and lovable sleepers yawn at him through the glass…

On the day the wall came down

They threw the locks onto the ground

And with glasses high we raised a cry for freedom had arrived

There were two of us.

Now there are three of us (and child’s granfather – George Lashkhi [now the most] senior, grandmother and aunt and all the rest of course J)