A NEW COLLECTOR ARRIVES

[Atlantia]

Hi all,
Thank you so much for all the kind wishes, they are truly appreciated!

Louise and Alex are back from the Hospital now. Both are doing much better. Seems like the problems were just Louises body struggling to cope with all the strain of the birth/CS and that slowed milk production drastically.
Anyway, all is going well now, we are suplimenting him with some formula.

Its good to be able to relax a bit and actually enjoy being a father instead of just worrying.

And I can come here and reply to this thread!

Stu,
"you COULD have managed to put a SMALL knife in his hand for the pic. Its never too early to get collectors started!"

LOL, I think I'll have enough troble keeping little prying hands off of the collection without encouraging him!
The Mrs HAS already mentioned it a few times.

Amuk Murugul
"Congratulations from me too / May he grow to be as famous as his namesake"

Thank you, it's a tall order! lol.
Alexander - leader of men!
Whatever path he chooses, as long as he is a good man, I will be proud.

TVV,

Thank you Teodor

David,
"woot! Woot!"

LOL!! Cheers David.

Dom,

Love the Stork gif!
Thank you buddy.

Gess,
"Congratulations!
Пусть растет здоровым ребенком на радость Папе с Мамой!
For new legs - need a drink!"

Thank you. I certainly did need a drink when he finally arrived!! Is that a tradition toast?


Nataniel,
"Congratulations, someone start passing around the cigars

Gene, what is the length and weight of your strapping lad?"

Thank you, but I'll have to pass on the cigars, I miss smoking too darn much!
He was 7lb-10.5oz, 3470g, they didn't measure him actually....
(goes to get a measure) He's now 18"/46cm.

Sajen,

Thank you.... I know eveyone thinks their baby is beautiful, but I do think he's a good looking little chap.

Rick,
"I'd suggest George Cameron as first and middle names .

My Wife was 36 hours labor; then the C section; I hear you buddy ."

George Cameron? Any particular reason?
36hrs, then CS It's certainly a trial isn't it? Were they both OK afterwards?

Katana,

"Congratulations Gene (and especially to Louise .....afterall she did do all the hard work)

At least you know that one of your 'old' weapons is still fully functioning "

Thanks David. Not sure she did 'all' the hard work... I was after all teetering on the edge of a nervous breakdown!
And Thanks, LOL, there's plenty a good tune played on an old fiddle!

Norman,
"Many congratulations to you both, now 'for you' the hard work begins!"

Thanks mate. Nah, plain sailing from here on!

Fernando,

"He sure grows up fast. I can see his moustache . Congratulations to you and my respects to your wife; you know, we do the watching, but they do the suffering."

Thanks bud, but he's gotta have a goatee beard like his dad! My mrs was magnificent, I couldn't have sat still while they tried half a dozen times to get a needle into my spine! She was absolutely heroic, I am in awe

Robert Coleman,
"Congratulations to you and your lovely wife. You two have just received the greatest gift that anyone can ask for. Best wishes for you and your family.

Merry (even if it is early) Christmas"

Thanks Robert I still can't quite believe it, just goes to show, it's never too late!
Happy Xmas to you too

Luc,

LOL!!! Absolutely! Early on in the pregnancy I did suggest that 'Apollo' was a good name for a boy....... Louise did NOT agree!

[Atlantia]

Fearn,

"Congratulations to you both, especially to Louise. I hope everyone's home and healthy soon.

Just think, now you've got someone to inherit the collection"

Thanks Fearn they are home now, and I'm extremely glad.
Inherit? I might want to be buried with it!

Mauro,
"best wishes for this big big events. I am new with this forum but I like to share this moment !"

Thank you mauro, I greatly appreciate your kind words.

Ericlaude,

Thank you Eric, my dynasty continues!

Mark,

Thanks Mark, it's a huge relief that they are both back and doing well.

Migueldiaz,

Thanks Miguel, lets hope he lives up to his name!

Freebooter,

Thanks Gav, Rose and 'Alex'? How old is your 'Alex' mate?


Marc,
"Congratulations for the new light shining on your lives

Time to start thinking on getting closed (as per with actual locks) display cabinets for the collection..."

Thanks Marc, he really is
I'm already thinking about high shelves and racks

Maurice,

"Congratulations with your best acquisition this year, and maybe in future too.
I have two kids, a son and a daughter. I thought my boy (who is 10 now) would follow me up with the collecting of edged weapons.
But my daughter (who is 5) shows a lot more interest, and likes to sit besides me when I am watching the forum, and wants to be on the pictures with my swords....So maybe she will be my successor?
Anyway, have a wonderful time with your new family member."

Wise words, and thank you. He's 'the ultimate weapon'.
Its an interesting idea, I think I'd just assumed that he'd iherit my interests, but I guess perhaps not.....

It was my love of history and interest in the 'evolution' of our culture (along with a boys love of 'swashbuckling') led me to understand the pivotal role that 'the sword' has played in forming our 'world'.
There really is no more emotive a symbol than the sword, representing as it does, honour to some, oppression to others, and the possibility of death to any.
For me it symbolises our mortality, the struggle of our existence and a reminder that the one decision that is truly ours is whether we are good or evil.

I hope Alex shares my interest in weapons, but if he doesn't... then perhaps he'll like my collection of Asian metalwork instead!

[Gonzalo G]

Sorry to be late, Gene. I have not been on the forum for a while. Congratulations to all the family for this new joy. Very, very, nice baby. I think he and his mother are going to be alright very soon.
My best regards

Gonzalo

[ALEX]

Gene, Louise and Alex,
What a beautiful, smart and healthy baby, just like his parents! Congratulations!!! Wishing you all happiness, good health and prosperity.

P.A. And what a great choice of name:-)

[Gess]

Hello Gene!
I liked your argument about the love of swords. We (collectors) from different countries, in the old days would not only fight well, but also to salute the enemy for his bravery. We are united by something spiritual, that is not at all. Nurture Alexander to these values.
Once again, congratulations! Health of your wife, your little son, and you (the head of the big family health and forces are also needed) of course.
In Russia there is the traditional toast: "Za nojki!" Drinks the friends new-found Father.
Protect God Your entire family, let all be well and happy.
Regards.

[Atlantia]

Originally Posted by Gess

Hello Gene!
I liked your argument about the love of swords. We (collectors) from different countries, in the old days would not only fight well, but also to salute the enemy for his bravery. We are united by something spiritual, that is not at all. Nurture Alexander to these values.
Once again, congratulations! Health of your wife, your little son, and you (the head of the big family health and forces are also needed) of course.
In Russia there is the traditional toast: "Za nojki!" Drinks the friends new-found Father.
Protect God Your entire family, let all be well and happy.
Regards.

Hi Gess,

Thank you for your kind words. I completely agree with you.
It's the great paradox of our existence, that so much of our culture and so many of our achievements are driven by, or born out of our conflict with each other.
But learning and respecting our past 'where we have come from' perhaps we can one day consign all weapons (not just edged) to museums, collections and 'dojos'.

Forums like this are a fantastic thing. Conversations such as we are having bring such diverse people together, initially because of a shared interest, but often 'evolving' into deeper, if sometimes subtle discussions where we all gain a greater understanding of each other.
Then hopefully we realise that what we share is so much more than what separates us.

On a personal level, I think back to my childhood, and I would have never dreamed that I could be 'talking' as friends to you in what was then the CCCP.
That alone is a good enough reason for me to have hope for the future and the world that little Alex is going to 'inherit'.

Best
Gene

[Atlantia]

Originally Posted by ALEX

Gene, Louise and Alex,
What a beautiful, smart and healthy baby, just like his parents! Congratulations!!! Wishing you all happiness, good health and prosperity.

P.A. And what a great choice of name:-)

Thanks mate.

Choosing a name was sooo difficult! Louise and I had very different ideas about the names we wanted lol.
It was my long chats with you a couple of months ago that put the idea of 'Alex' into the mix of names. Then towards the end, it was the only name that we both agreed on, so we started thinking of him as 'Alex'.
When he was born we both agreed it was just right for him!
He looks like an 'old soul' so a classical name suits him!
So, there you go! You have a little namesake

P.S. I'm rather pleased as it fits well with his dads classical Greek name!
'Alexander son of Eugene' lol

Best
Gene

[Rick]

Hi Gene ,
George Cameron after the author G.C. Stone .

Yeah, the C section was tough but a relief after 36 hrs .
It takes a bit to bounce back .
All will be well .

God bless.

Rick

[Atlantia]

Originally Posted by Rick

Hi Gene ,
George Cameron after the author G.C. Stone .

Yeah, the C section was tough but a relief after 36 hrs .
It takes a bit to bounce back .
All will be well .

God bless.

Rick

Ah I see!

As for the C-S, you're right there amte! Louise is begining to get back to normal now. Hell of a cut though, must be 12" long. Poor girls as sore as hell.

Best
Gene

[sandeepsingh]

Hello everybody ,

Congratulations from me too, Gene & Louise, on Alexander's arrival!

Best Wishes from India,

Sandeep

[Atlantia]

Originally Posted by sandeepsingh

Hello everybody ,

Congratulations from me too, Gene & Louise, on Alexander's arrival!

Best Wishes from India,

Sandeep

Best Wishes from India are always very welcome
Thank you very much Sandeep.

regards
Gene

[Atlantia]

Originally Posted by Gonzalo G

Sorry to be late, Gene. I have not been on the forum for a while. Congratulations to all the family for this new joy. Very, very, nice baby. I think he and his mother are going to be alright very soon.
My best regards

Gonzalo

Hey buddy

Thank you, and its very good to have you back here.
the midwife has just checked Alex over again and he''s gaining weight well now. Louise is moving a little more easily, so things look to be going very well thanks.

Best
Gene