– 8:07 am

You were five months when we flew out of Riga on Wednesday. I went back to some of your earlier pictures and my word you’ve changed! Lookswise, you are a completely different person. You have more or less the same (evolving) personality but look more like Michael Jackson post-transformation.

Unfortunately, you developed a nasty cough and cold leading up to our departure. Those minus temperatures can be extremely harsh. So Liza and I have been struggling with you, doing our very best to alleviate your suffering. I’m sincerely surprised by how much pain I feel watching you cry from so much discomfort. Maybe it’s amplified because I know, by contrast, you are an extremely happy child, always laughing and smiling. And somehow, between the crackling cough and runny nose, you still dig deep enough to bring out your true self. I applaud you young man. Your father applauds you.

Oh, by the way, your mother and I now have the same chesty cough. My lungs want to come out every time I open my mouth. So thanks for that. But at least now we know how you feel. Also, administering your medication has been a pain. You fucking hate it. So I just bought this little thing to try out tomorrow.

You also have swollen gums so you’re probably teething. That’ll explain the at times incessant fretting, gnawing at anything and everything, unreal amounts of dribble and constant rubbing of the face. You’re going through the motions for sure.

I’ve been experimenting with your food for some time, not frequently but occasionally. Whether it’s bits of papaya or a wild fruit of some kind. You had juice from a granadilla once. I didn’t even know that’s what it was called. I googled “fruit that looks like a passion fruit” to find out. Your mother never stopped me but she always gave me the side-eye. But I’m just expanding your palette. I tried your Aptamil. It tastes like shit quite frankly. You’re an African, you must understand the range and variety of all things food. Besides, you didn’t complain once and seemed to enjoy exploring these new lands. Admittedly, just because you accept it doesn’t mean it’s good for you so I was very very careful. I also don’t know if you have any allergies.

And speaking of food, your mother bought a “how to wean your baby“. It’s very much like her, to buy a hardcover. Looking at our Amazon orders, she also has a “What, when and how to feed” on the way. I feel like for this I would break character and go in blind, giving you the closest thing edible. I was raised this way. That was a long time ago though and I am welcoming of structure and new information.

Right. I’m going to get out of your hair now. Every soft tissue in my body hurts. It’s like I’ve been badly beaten but no one believes me because they can’t see the bruises.

Thursday evening was the first time I went back to playing football since my injury. I don’t remember any nerves, just a strong desire to get the “look who’s back” comments out of the way. Everyone was great and welcoming, more worried than I was. No one would tackle me. Thank fuck for that.

I came out of that training session unscathed and grateful. My knee was (and is still) killing me though. I’d been running at less than fifty percent speed midway through but decided to push through the pain. I found a new limit to gradually exceed.

Good thing I had a sports bath that evening with magnesium flakes to help soothe my muscles. I’d be in a wheelchair otherwise. But yes, I definitely got that post-first game back feeling, with aches and pains all over. You can’t see it, but it’s there and I feel it.

Picking up from the last sass post…