Hello!

I'm finally here...but only for a few seconds as I'm still in the process of "getting organized" around here. We arrived safely yesterday from Halkirk, and it was a lovely time up there...pictures to come about that sometime. But for now, I'll start with some oldish photos of when John was last here...and maybe a few Canada photos...maybe! :)

One day I caught Aaron like this...he conserves space you see.

Owen...he looks different now :)

John peeking through the big Douglas Fir tree at Scone Palace.

Sam and Jett

John :)

Piggy back riding...

I thought this was a beautiful spot for girly photos...

Unfortunately we aren't dressed as pretty. :( (Still at Scone Palace)

Mr. Mischief

One of the big trees there...

A picture of the interior of Beck's reception hall.

Little Man slept through the whole thing (nearly!!) The other two were being looked after by my dear bro-in-law Sam (Thank you!!!)

Little Miss Flower Girl...apologies for the glare!

And for other wedding pics, you'll have to look elsewhere (Care's blog) as I didn't take many at all!

This would've turned out very cute if Amelia was smiling right...

And then Julia looked a little too cuddly in this one...lol, ah well so much for trying to get nice pictures of cousins!!

Must be off now. :)

Just so you know...

We are enjoying our time here in Canada *very* much! :)

Quick update.

Owen's passport came in yesterday! Soo, all being well, in about a weeks time we should be boarding a plane with three children under three...oh dear! :S I've been consoling myself with the thought that Sam will be still with us then...but still if they all decide to do some screaming fits it won't be a very fun ride...likely they'll enjoy the excitement (or Amy will). :)

I've been rushing with these baby announcements and thank you's...I've done too many this afternoon, but at least most are done for the UK. And you think you save time by ordering cute announcements...I guess not when you have three needing attention!

John and Sam are up in Inverness for the weekend (communion season) so a quiet weekend at home for us I suppose.

Next week is a big week...full of seeing doctors, cleaning and packing... I sense tiredness and exhaustion but look forward to some relaxation at the end. Maybe.

I likely won't be updating this much next week or for the next 6 weeks while in Canada (sorry!). I think I need some time off for awhile. So till then, I shall say bye!

My Indian...

Here's promised video clip!


And Owen...

I'm surprised at how much he looks like Amy!

Ok he looked too cute in this outfit...yes the jeans should really be a brown or beige colour I think, but I think this vest (ahem, jumper?) is so cute (Thanks to Nome for knitting it!)

Hmm...Somehow he looks like me here. :S

It is sooo difficult to get any photos of these kids sitting down and looking at the camera...well, here is the back of them I thought it was quite neat.

Jett's presbytery exam went well, and they were "satisfied"...as well as his sermon. I'm glad that is over for him! Yesterday Jett and myself and wee Owen trucked off to the Consulate (Edinburgh) and finally got things sorted...well, it should be! We should have his birth certificate and passport within 10 days (hopefully sooner than that!). This morning was hectic...hmm, I think almost every moment lately is hectic! One thing goes wrong and then another and so on. Well, this morning was like that. I was changing Owen's diaper when I realized he wasn't quite finished and he made my bed wet...and his as well...sooo, here I was stripping off the mybed (after I put a diaper on him that is) and then his bed. The kids needed baths this morning so I was occupied cleaning them. And now they are cranky and crying, what to do! Ok better run...

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... :)

Owen's Birth Story

I've attempted to start on this sooner but one can't expect to get much done in the recovery days. :) So here is a run down of the events (if Owen doesn't awaken before I end this that is!). Monday I was having irregular contractions throughout the day (fizzzeled out by around dinner time) but again they weren't anything I could really say "this is it". But just in case baby was deciding on coming the next day I made cookies, an extra meal, bathed kids and did a couple of loads of laundry. Saw the midwife Monday afternoon and though things looked "favourable" she mentioned it could be next week before we see any baby, so I tried not to get my hopes up, though I figured since this was the first time I was feeling painful contractions baby was due to come soon (or within days). So the question is did I labour through the night? Heehee...well...keep reading :)

Went to bed not too late but not dreadfully early either :( and slept soundly till 3ish in the morning by a massive contraction that I couldn't do anything but groan, or moan (whichever word you prefer) realizing that this was much more painful than on Monday I thought that this might be the start. I tried laying down again after getting up for a wee while, but that didn't make the contractions go away and they were just as painful...soo, I told Jett to get up since this might be it. I wasn't completely sure myself, as I had contractions like this before and they fizzeled out (previous pregnancies) but for some reason my instinct must have been saying "THIS IS IT!" J asked if he could take a shower which I said yes to, figuring baby wasn't going to come that quick. We got ready to go and I felt as if the contractions were getting weaker and irregular but I still felt we should go in. I called the midwife unit and talked to her and she said to just come in. Sooo off we went... I was beginning to think things weren't going to happen until we got there and I had another really hard contraction. Got up to the unit and I fell in love with the midwife, she was so sweet, quiet and caring! I had fears about previous midwives I had seen that were on my team but obviously I had nothing to fear now. She checked me out and I figured I wasn't as far as I wanted to be (I was right). And so I held off of going into the birth pool for as long as I could. Knowing me I wanted it to be my last resort for pain relief. :) After maybe 45 minutes have no idea about time now, I decided to get in, Jett thought it was a bit early (lol) because as soon as I got in my contractions died down for a while. But it wasn't long and they came back with such force...yikes, don't really want to write more about that stage as it was the toughest part for me mentally. But it wasn't as if contractions were on top of each other like with Aaron they were steady just exceedingly fierce!! Anyways, it wasn't long again, and I was pushing baby out this time around I felt more in control rather than Aaron's birth! I even caught the baby which was something I mentally was thinking of doing previous to the onset of labour. Sooo...labour was from 3am-6:15am. At least all the meaningful labour was then, Monday probably was some sort of labour but nothing to really count as "this many hours" or so.

Anyways, it was probably my best labour and delivery, although the hardest mentally. But here are some pictures of a *very* newborn baby Owen...he wasn't even an hour old here.
Again...

I think he looks more like his sister...more Smith maybe?

And again.

And this was taken yesterday...sorry he was grimacing.

And that is all I have for now! Must run and pick the wee manny up. :)

Announcing the arrival of...

Owen Ernest Smith

born at 6:15am, Tuesday, May 26th.
weight: seven pounds, ten ounces
length: nineteen and a half inches

Mother and Owen are doing very well. Amelia has taken a great liking to the new one. Aaron still has a bit of difficulty when Owen cries--he cries too, in sync with Owen. But when Baby's asleep, then he's cooing over him. Very cute! :)

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.

Thank you to...

Anonymous! Whoever you are that has been sending us "maternity allowance" for the past so many months, we want to extend our thank you's! Perhaps this person doesn't look at my blog, but I doubt that, so, thank you thank you thank you! You do not know how much this has helped us pay for just the necessities (children's clothing, maternity clothing, hospital bag items...the list could go on!).

"O thou my soul, bless God the Lord; and all that in me is Be stirred up his holy name to magnify and bless. Bless, O my soul, the Lord thy God and not forgetful be Of all his gracious benefits he hath bestow'd on thee. ....Who with abundance of good things doth satisfy thy mouth; So that ev'n as the eagle's age renewed is thy youth." Ps 103

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.

The First Four Years...

On May 12th, 2005 we were married, which makes four years (yesterday). A lot has happened in just a few years...two children born, and one very soon to be born, two years of Jett's divinity course are completed...and the list of course could go on and on.

Oh dear...so, this was my first embarrassing moment with my new husband. :) Don't worry I was naive then, hopefully I've learned some by now, I mean I know I have learned some! If he actually followed through and dug the knife into the top cake...a shocking surprise would follow as the two top layers are styrofoam. :)

So, Jett also celebrated his 34th birthday on Monday the 11th. And no, we aren't sharing his birthday nor our anniversary with the new baby...and no he or she isn't born just yet.

And now I must go and try to get some things done. 39 weeks and counting... *sigh* why does the last part of pregnancy have to be soooo long? :)

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.

Back in Perth...

We finally arrived! We're finally unpacked! And to top it off the windows are slowly being cleaned (the inside at least)...okay, so the last one wasn't that great. :)

It was a busy first part of this week, with last bits of cleaning the house, bedding and etc to loading the car up and traveling to Tarbert to stay with Ruth for the night. I wasn't sad to say goodbye to the house, but I'm feeling the sadness of not being in Harris...I admit it, I miss being in Harris! What a different life it was, very peaceful and everyone knew everyone. Ah well, life moves on I suppose. So, we got on the ferry the next day, and traveled to Perth...it was a long drive, and not at all good for a pregnant lady (37 week pregnant lady I might add) . We were able to eat McDonalds food. But I lost it all by being horribly sick that night before I fell asleep. My mom thinks I did too much, I think she was right. Anyways, I'm pretty much back to normal, although my feet are swelling a bit and that feels odd, and uncomfortable, at least I can say I really only have a couple more weeks left of this pregnancy...so I can't complain too much.

Friday I got to see the unit that we hope the baby will be born at...not quite what I was hoping for, but not exactly a full dissappointment either...but not homelike enough is just it. Ah well, all I really care about is that HUGE birthing pool they have (2 of them I should say) so I suppose colours and other such things shouldn't matter too much, I won't care about it when the time comes...(not true!! I did when Aaron was nearly born! I thought the carpet looked just awful...heehee). Okay, I'm rambling about nonsense now, so I had best get off.

Tomorrow is the Sabbath, and I'm glad for it, I need a day to be able to sit and relax and meditate, read etc. Will post next week all being well. :)