It's party day ie. weening party at Coteford Childfren Centre at 1.30pm with all the other mums and their
4-6 months olds.

Will I be the only man ?

Charlotte woke up at 4am. Ouch. That was a struggle. Usual change and feed and back off to sleep until 7am, then off to the station to drop mummy off.

Dropped Charlotte's banana on kitchen floor after I peeled it. First thought would be to rub it down, but no, I threw it away. Luckily had another one left. As usual she loved it.

Timing is now crucial in order to make the party so a little play and a sleep then lunch.
Lunch for Charlotte was chicken and apple. Get where I am going with this? Apple because she loves fruit and to mask the chicken.

Well she did not know whether to laugh or cry but ended up crying all  the way through it. But she ate it.

Then my lunch - quick soup and sarnie (gulped) change her into her party clothes and out in the car to make it by 1.30pm

Arrived at Coteford in loads of time, so strolled in with an air of confidence.

"Hello Steve." (They knew my name!)

"Go straight through; they've already started."

"Started?" What time?

"1pm?!".  I have got the time wrong, and have now got to go in with everyone looking at this man, who can't tell the time, with a six month old baby.         

Yes. I am the only man.

"Hello," I said, "this is Charlotte and I am Steve, AKA Tyrone Dobbs from Corrie, as my brother affectionately calls me. Err. Ha ha! Err."

"Introductions haven't been done yet, Steve, but thanks anyway," they said. "So ... you're the stay at home dad?"

Charlotte mood - Happy throughout for an hour. Had a 'number two' then got a bit grizzly. Tired. Time to go.
Charlotte feed - Solids under extreme duress and perseverence. Milk no problem.
Stress factor - Some but not like 'City Stress'.

Steve Knight is a 45 year old shipbroker from Ruislip, and married to Helen, who works for the same employer.

In July, 2012, their daughter Charlotte was born. Steve is now primary carer, on six months' paternity leave, while Helen has gone back to the office to support the family.