Pictures of the Owen

I was trying to find the video of my Cherokee indian but I think it was on Sam's cam that I filmed it...and he being in Glasgow just now with the said cam I assume, I can't post it just now...next post maybe!

Jett just now is taking his Presbytery exam...am quite nervous for him. I hope he does well. He has been studying so hard these past weeks! I will be glad it is behind him though. Tonight he preaches in Glasgow as well so another thing to be praying about. And myself, I am here at home with the kids...and managing sooo far. I don't know how well it will go when all three are crying and needing attention...but .... oh at least two of them just started (A & A)... *sigh* these kids never seem to know how to play nicely, or SHARE! If anyone wants one of the hardest jobs in the world it is raising children...properly (notice the last word). Anyways on to the pictures...

LOL...my camera takes several flashes before taking the picture and thus he squinted... heehee, looks comical if you ask me.

Looking kind of odd... sorry I'm bad at taking pictures.

Mommy and baby.

I am so glad I never got rid of my Boppy...I haven't found the equivalent in this country (I mean I know they have something similar but nothing I think is quite as nice as mine.) Here he is exercising his neck...which is quite strong.

Yes, out of order sorry...here he is starting to go to sleep again.

And that is all for now. Tomorrow is the big day for his passport and citizenship...must go and reread their website as they always seem to be changing something! :S

Amy had her renal ultrasound done last friday. We won't know any results till the 29th (our next appointment with Dr. Macleod)...as well we get to have skin tests done that day... not looking forward to that...can't imagine it will be pain free... :( Now onwards to get more laundry hung up...a tumble dryer sounds nice just about now...but one day soon. :)

A short update on the everyday life...

Which can be dull I do say. Ah well, it seems like time is just passing so fast. It seems yesterday that I was waiting terribly impatiently for Baby to come, and now he has come and already he is two weeks old.

So, I never said that Jett's computer decided to stop working a few days before baby arrived so we've had someone take it and fix it...and don't ask me what all happened to his poor machine but it now works. Another bonus was that Jett bought 2 gbs of ram for my laptop which was running on only 256 mb (yes Megabytes NOT gigabytes)...sooo it runs a huge amount faster meaning less time waiting around for things to load and therefore less time on the machine in the end. :)

Last week we went to the US Consulate to start paper work on Owen, but we were only turned away because they had just changed things and we needed to have an appointment first... I can't help it but THIS ALWAYS happens to me!!!! Always something with the US immigration or US Customs or US something or another...rather aggravating, and very upsetting since I felt I wasted Jett's time driving down to Edinburgh and then back to Perth when he could have been studying for his Presbytery exam which is next week already!

Our tests are coming up for this TSC thing. Although Amelia's renal ultrasound is supposed to be done this Friday...another thing to sort out as these are times again that Jett would have to set time aside for...which he really doesn't have.

The communion season here in Perth is over now, most of you probably didn't know we were having communion here this past weekend, likely due to me not being able to attend much at all. Rev. Neil Ross was here to take the services, and it was very nice to see him and Mrs. Ross again. Owen was baptized Monday night by Rev. Cartwright (making it his second child from our family to baptize). Owen was well fed just before so he was sleepy and really didn't make much of a noise so I got to enjoy the address before the actual baptism.

Anyways, that is my sloppy post, and expect more like these as I really can't be spending time editing things such as grammar, punctuation marks, and run on sentences (and so on). I'm trying to work on getting more pictures of the new babe, and of my other wee ones, as well I just caught Aaron acting so funny on video...I think it is the Cherokee indian coming out in him lol! ;)

Until then I must get off and try to have an early night...

Meer fotos :) (and videos)

But not many...sorry, I'm really getting bad at this! Busy busy busy describes life right now, but things are still surprisingly relaxing (but only because Sam is here!!!). Yesterday we went to Edinburgh to sort out Owen's passport and citizenship only to be turned away because they just changed it that you had to have an "appointment" rather than just walk in... *sigh* I was upset but ah well, hopefully we'll get it done in the next two weeks.

Here is Owen, sleeping away...

And here is Uncle Sam tickling A & A

Your turn Amy!

Congrats to the new babies just arrived in the past week and so on! Lovely to hear all the baby news. :)

I'm discovering (again and again and yet again) that Aaron is a pig. I made popcorn for the first time for the kids and of course, Amy doesn't like it (or thinks its disgusting, so her look suggested!) Aaron looked rather inquisitive, had a taste and then tried to devour the whole bowl full of it...heehee!

And since most of you can't see the wee manny here he is in video.

And now I must go and get lunch sorted and get Owen as he is starting to stir and almost scream. One thing about him, he has good lungs... :)

40 weeks +3days and still waiting :)

This is my last (I hope) post before baby decides to arrive. I have doubts baby wants to come this week, so we'll try to be patient for him or her to come next week. ;) So with that, here is my *last* pregnant photo of me at 40 weeks and 3 days, I'm smiling that way due to my husband amusing me. :) For some reason I *feel* huge and heavy, but when I see this I think, "Hmm, I could be bigger!" If you want to guess how big the baby will be and length nows the time to guess and leave a comment!

This is something I thought I would never do... let my young child feed himself or herself. I wonder how many times I've broken my so called "rules" about raising children! Now, I don't let him do this everytime mind you, but during supper it is nice to not worry about two babies to feed! I've got enough trying to get Amy to eat anything, sooo!

*Sigh* another broken rule...No chocolate for breakfast... does nutella count? ;) This is all I can get her to eat in the morning, unless I force her to get an egg down. "Chocolate toast" is the nowaday thing.

And the wonders of cardboard boxes!! Heehee this one is massive, and perfect for a fort, house, tunnel you name it! :)

And inside...

Doesn't he look cute and happy?

And this is for Grandma Terry. As you can see, this is the "purple" bear that I'm guessing was meant for Amelia but she decided on the white one. Both are well loved by Aaron though, and preferred by any other teddies.

A few pics

I wanted to post a few pictures up and a video clip of AA & AJ, we'll see how long it takes for the video! I think I get bored in the last week or so of pregnancy, because there just isn't enough to do...or at least I'm getting very tired of waiting. Patience! I thought it would be easier this time around since I know I can go a week over the due date, but I'm finding it not much easier. I've been working on a knitting project lately, and probably should be scrapbooking more too since my time will be greatly reduced when the new baby arrives all being well!

One of my winter projects that I thought would never get done was this baby quilt (every little block was handquilted thats why I thought it wouldn't get done!). I got it completed weeks ago, and is nicely decorating the babies bed. :) I would have made it 4 diamonds if I had enough material, but I was using scraps from two previous quilts and didn't have enough. I haven't got the quilting bug out of my system just yet I have ideas for another baby quilt!

I got Sam to take the kids out one lovely sunny day, and they of course loved it!

Tearing up the grass or ripping it up was a great game...as was throwing it in the air.

:)

And if this clip works I caught my wee ones quietly reading or looking at books by themselves. I was just finished washing the supper dishes. Aaron of course was taking his liberties too far with swatting the camera - sorry about that.

At long last a picture post :) And good news!

I just realized how overdue I am with one of these! So instead of me rambling on I'll try to be very brief! First of all, as Jett's wife, I am very pleased to announce that he passed all his exams with good marks! We should be very thankful! As some of you know, I was worried how he would make out since he lost a whole weeks worth of classes (and studying!!) plus a day or so. But he passed, what a relief.

First of all here is mom at 38 weeks (and counting now) frankly, I just want to hold him or her (the baby) and am having a hard time preparing my mind for the pain first...*sigh*

And back to oldie photos from Harris to finish up where I left off somewhere in my blog!

Here we spent a day with Ruth and Hannah in Tarbert, and this is what Amy did for almost the whole day! Hannah taught her to pedal (which was so sweet!).

Still at the house in Northton, a pic of my wee ones and me.

I think the sun was in her eyes but she looked cute nonetheless.

So she wasn't my cuddly baby, she is more so now at least!

Now...a nice pic of Jett, but why couldn't you turn and smile when asked Aaron!!

See? He can smile really nice for the camera! Hmm, he's been sprouting upper teeth just yesterday so take a good look at him here as he will be changing soon.

Who does she looks like? Me? or Jett? Or??

Hard work all packed up in nice little boxes (mostly).

More work...and it didn't through me into labour...*sigh* nope baby probably wants to hang on for a good 3 more weeks.

So, that is all for now, must let Sam on, and perhaps need to wake up Aaron...boy it has been a hectic morning, screaming, cranky kids, nothing pacified them but so far it has picked up. :) Off I go then.

This could be interesting!

I think I've discovered something. I do not like "old" cars. Even 10 years is far too old (unless maybe it was taken care of by some elderly person and hardly ever rode around in...). Sam already knows the main bits about the car, which is the motor on the windshield wipers are messed up (causing frustration when you don't need them running fast) and the wipers themselves need replacing, and then hmm...we've been riding around knowingly mind you, with a leaky gas tank every since we got here. And now...it rattles...Jett thinks it is the radiator as it seemed it was leaking fluid...but then again, we're not quite sure. *Sigh* the last thing I want to do is to be stuck in the middle of nowhere (and that is easily done here lol) with a car that won't go. I think it is one of those nightmarish things of mine! Oh, and our MOT is due next week just to make matters worse. I'm not really worried about all of this as it happens to many people, just aggravating to get through it. :)

And then I thought spring was here...and that evening it got cold...and colder...and windy...and what do you know another hail storm...morning arrives and it is a blizzard outside. Hmm...what happened to spring? LOL, I find this amusing, really I do.

So Sabbath we go to church and the morning service went fine. We got home and Amelia started talking about a cow and occasionally I would hear a "moo" well, I thought, that isn't anything new since we have cows, horses, hens, and a million and one sheep around anyways! Oh. The cow happens to be in our backyard!! LOL! Amelia was thrilled!! Jett chased the poor highland cow which kind of looked cute I must admit, to the road. But it just so happened he came back to taste the bush outside our dining room window. Of course Amelia was just as excited and had to look and yell at the cow to come back. During the evening service I ended up taking the kids out to the car just during the second singing and then home by myself in the said car...I wasn't too pleased about the kids being so very bad in church but again these things happen. I put on a psalm cd and was listening to that for the remainder of 30 minutes and it was very nice.

In other news Sam is coming back tonight!! Heehee, poor Sam, I'm sure he gets annoyed with the kids as anyone would after such a long period of time. AND, John comes this weekend too!! Yeah!! Not sure what Amy will think of having two Uncles over at one time...hmm, no, I think she'll love it. Aaron might not like it as much, though he does like Uncle Sam sooo much! Anyways, the time change was Saturday night and it is awful. Why do they do this to us? ;)

I was going to post pictures, but that will have to wait till a better time...when kids aren't up and screaming and wanting something every second. Oh, I'm 33 weeks...hmm, wish I were 40 weeks...ah well, time will go flying by I'm sure this coming month with so much to do so I suppose 33 is just as good as 40 for now.

Bye for now :)

Induction, Sleeping, Cuts & Blood and anything else I can think of...

I've been meaning to post something here this week but every time I sat down to it I didn't know what to write, and then wondered if even half "so-called" readers would read it. So...I scrapped those plans of posting till now.

This week has been the same as last week and so forth so not much new really to report. Only thing is that yesterday evening was the induction of Rev. Tallach to Stornoway. So, Jett and Sam went up for that meaning they got home *very* late. And the other thing was that this morning began with a late start on the adults side, but the kids were fed, watered, and dressed before we even ate breakfast and then the trouble began...Amy was in her high chair (horrible high chair...NEVER buy cheaply you get what you pay for!!) the straps were SO tight even on the largest setting that I just trashed them, so I was using the tray to keep her in, another bad thing as the tray can be easily forced or pushed off...well, she was warned twice I think and nope, she leaned over too much and the tray gave way causing her to spiral in air hit her head on the table and crash to the floor... then we see blood pouring from her mouth (it was kind of pouring not gushing, just pouring slightly)... off to the doctor we went. Thankfully she didn't go cut through her lip, though it did look like it at first, and no stitches as it would probably tear/rip the lip even worse. I took a picture of her with the cuts but you can barely see the one on the outside (the other is inside). See below...


I'm nearing 32 weeks (right?? I did count right...32 already!?) and wondering where the time has gone! Half of me is wanting it over and done with, but another part of me feels not ready to go through birth/delivery/afterbirth over again.

I decided to go to the doctor about this eczema issue of ours (Amy and me) and got cream for both of us...I'm happy to report evidence to it being under control as it was extremely aggravating to us both. But, I do fear of it just flaring up again once we have used the cream up, or gotten completely rid of the eczema. We shall see.

Here is Amelia Jane first thing one of the mornings this week, she came down with her three little teddy bears (she claimed both that mom in law gave for the kids, and of course John's bear). I thought she looked very sweet here hugging the purple one (Aaron's bear according to Amy!!).And here they both are up still in their night clothes playing with bears.

As far as sleeping is concerned, I must admit my shocking surprises that my son is making! He has been sleeping through the night for quite sometime now (as long as he is fed real well during the day). As well as that, he is learning how to go to sleep by himself in his own playpen/travel cot, without my assitance. I cuddle him for a couple of minutes and then I put him lying down in his bed and he stays that way till he falls asleep (WOW!). He has been an easy baby that is for sure, but this was entirely unexpected, and he has been doing this for at least two weeks if not more - it is wonderful. :)

Speaking of which, here is my little man on the ride-on toy. I put him on, and he loved it, in fact too much because he would get so angry and scream when I took him off...*sigh* human nature comes out so readily.

And then I had to post these. Something else I've noticed different of my boy compared to Amy, is that he likes to get on his tummy to play.

I think it is really cute!

What a cute smile! :)The weather has been lovely here for a good part of the week, what a nice change compared to the winter! So much is coming up in the next week and month (April). Next week (I was properly informed) is the N.Tolsta communion of which Sam will be all being well going to. This monday, Jett hopes to have the students over for dinner, Wednesday a prenatal appointment, and April is covered with Leverburgh communion, the Youth Conference, and our moving to Perth... oh dear, lots to consider and do! But for now, I need to get off and hang up some laundry.

A bit of everyday life from Harris

I'm still here and posting away! :) It has been a busy weekend with the Tarbert communion, but now that that is passed, and my laundry it nearly caught up (it never will be fully) I feel more free to do things like post...well, maybe.

This week has been filled with... the Monday service, and Tuesday groceries in Stornoway, Wednesday "catch up" day, and Thursday the same, and now it is Friday and I'm kind of doing all sorts of things, a little bit of cleaning, laundry, ironing, baking etc (as housewives we do so many tasks in a day it is rather tiresome to list).

As my last post or so mentioned Amelia's newest diagnosis - Tuberous sclerosis, I've been endeavouring to read more about the subject, and of course, am not finding much to encourage me...but(!) the doctor did say she has a minor case of it which is good. Another good thing is, that she can still outgrow the epilepsy which was my fear that she wouldn't be able to and therefore have to take medication for the rest of her life. I know I'm thinking way in her future, but I wouldn't want to risk anything that would make her not be able to have children (they currently do not know what the drug she is taking does to pregnancy). Another good thing is, that we do not have to get the tests done until we are in Perth again, I'm very much relieved, especially for Jett's sake! I just knew it would be hard on him with his studies and I don't think I could take him suffering from missing classes, or study time because of this. The tests although are important, but the doctor feels it is safe enough to wait. Another thing is that because she does have benign tumours in her brain, she will have to be monitored every two years to make sure they are not growing as well, they probably will have to take scans/ultrasounds of her kidneys and/or vital organs to ensure no growths there. You know, I've been thinking why did all of this have to happen now? And I just realized how thankful I have to be that it didn't happen sooner!! If it happened earlier in Amelia's life it could have been worse off for her development, and not to mention the cost in Texas for medical care!! So, this is the right time, and a mercy too that it didn't happen sooner. So theres a wee bit of an update there.

And the weather is looking more and more like spring...ahh! Although just now it is grey out it has been sunny rather than grey for the entire day...I think! :)

Aaron in the stroller that belongs to the house...isn't he cute in the sweater/hoodie!! Thank you mom for this, it is one of my favourite things to put on him now.

Amelia pushing Aaron in the sun...sorry about the pacifier but I'm not caring anymore what people think about it (or at least I'm not letting it bother me much) most people don't have to go through moving this often, plus having her go through such a time of sickness.

Another view again from the house...yes, I don't walk very far, simply put I can't. I've got dreadful pain now, and it is worsening as baby inside gets heavier. The doctor also mentions that walking can actually worsen my condition...so no window shopping (lol, no shops around here anyways).

A cuddle with Amy Jane...sorry about the red patches on us...we're infected with eczema!! HAHA! :)

Hmm, I guess her eyes aren't as blue as I thought they were. Maybe they'll turn green like Jett's...aww, that would be cute! :)

Ok must let Sam do an exam.

Not just epilepsy but also tuberous sclerosis.

On a Saturday afternoon I got a phone call from the Dr. Macleod (Glasgow, Neurologist-Pediatrician) stating Amelia's MRI results... I was hoping for something else but this is what it is and I just need to accept it, submit to the Lord's will. Amy's MRI showed subtle abnormalities. We had thought we ruled out TS (Tuberous sclerosis) by having a certain eye exam although TS can affect more than just the eyes, such as vital organs: brain, kidneys etc, so I guess we weren't quite out of the water just yet, although the doctor really didn't think anything would show. So these "subtle abnormalities" I am supposing are tiny benign tumours.

What does this mean for us? Well, it means her epilepsy is caused by T.S. It means we have more tests to do - my guess is that they can make sure there isn't any other benign tumours on other vital organs, and tests to do on the parents too because this is supposedly a genetic thing. Not sure what kind of tests they can do on a pregnant mama though!

Needless to say, I was in tears after the conversation with the Dr. maybe from feeling helpless in the situation, and maybe also knowing it isn't over yet (more tests to do, etc etc). Anyways, it has happened this way. Everyone's trials are different in this world. But all things are ordered by the Lord. "All things work together for good to them that love God..."

On another note, we just finished the last service to the communion season in Tarbert and it was very nice. I was glad Samuel was here to take the kids out during the table address and so forth. All in all a very good time I think for us all.

Must get groceries at some point this week (meaning a trip to Stornoway), and catch up on my mounds of laundry, house cleaning and the usual housewife things. Off to fold some clothes, and get two wee ones off to well needed beds!

Before the weekend comes...

I figured I ought to post something here! I realize I haven't been regular or as often in posting since Sam came but that is okay, I felt I was posting maybe a bit too often anyways. So maybe once a week is better? :)

Not a whole lot to say really, only that I've made it to 29weeks on Monday (I guess it will be nearing 30 weeks shortly!), and that the Tarbert communion is this weekend. I expect I'll be quite worn out by the end of it all but maybe I'll just have to make Sam work harder... ;) don't worry, I'm not serious.

And here is Amy Jane laughing, sorry about her eyes but I've been battling eczema on her eyelids and therefore they are a bit red.

A close up on her preschool work...or toddler work whatever! I thought this was a neat idea I picked it up from someones blog.

Another smile...she is finally getting better at smiling for the camera!

Oh wow...don't I look cute. I'm kidding (obviously). Here I am at 29 weeks and a couple of days!

(enter interesting title here)

Hello from Harris. I know I haven't posted in a weeks time or is it more? I can say I've been busy, and in another sense I can't. The beginning of this week has been busy with regards to Amy's MRI and lumbar puncture, and then last minute change of plans and Sam, Aaron and I are at the Campbells for two nights. So, we got home yesterday finally, and it was nice to get some laundry (much needed laundry that is) done - well, it is still incomplete but it is getting there. Of oourse with Sam being here I should have loads of extra time...well, not really, I feel definitely more relaxed and not stressed out with the kids but I still have to do things (of course!!) and Mr. Sam has been using the computer as well, so time is limited. Ok, enough of my excuses!

So Amy went through the MRI just fine and the puncture. I was worried because they had her fasting from 3am in the morning till after the scan...and it just happened to be that they were having difficulties with the machine and therefore the scan (which should have been in the morning) ended up being in the early afternoon. But, she survived and though groggy when she woke up she was basically herself (so I was told).

Must check cookies...mmm fresh chocolate chip cookies. Cookies checked and Sam is asking for another one, I guess they pass? ;)

I was going to post this photo awhile ago addressed to the Guy (Waiter) at IHOP...this is what happens when you offer broccoli for dessert at least with my daughter! :)

And some chocolate crinkles I made last week, can you tell I'm trying to spoil Sam?? :P Not really.

Ok off to get one more cookie for myself and Amy. :)