preparations

It is 9:55 this morning and I thought I would post to start the day off (well, literally it isn't the first thing I did this morning!!). My routine in the morning is not going very well. I mean, due to being sooo exhausted/sleepy/tired so I don't really get up till...shhh, 8:20 or 8:30! Hmm, breakfast is supposed to be 8:20...lol. Anyways, this morning was not too bad I actually got up at 8! :P I was able to read some before making breakfast, have worship and then see Jett off. After all that I have a few minutes (hopefully if Amy hasn't awoken) to get myself ready for the day. And then when Amy wakes up the routine of getting her breakfast, diaper change, get her dressed etc. But I suppose these details aren't that interesting! :)

Well, since I haven't done much at all (other then put a load of laundry on) you would think what is there to post? Well, I suppose I should inform you all (if you haven't read our wee calendar to the right of this) that we are supposed to be in Larne this weekend and the next, and therefore you probably won't hear much from us. So, this week I'm busy packing and getting ready for Friday. I've been meaning to bake and cook meals etc for the freezer...but still haven't done a single thing. I'm trying to have something in there for when the baby is born so that we still can eat something tasty and nutritious (to some degree).

Every morning part of Amelia's routine is to get her teddy, and monkey and say hi a thousand times (okay not a thousand) to them, give them lots of hugs and sometimes give them to mom to say hi to as well. It is quite cute but it makes me sad when she places one of the teddies in front of herself and tries to play as if teddy was a real person... :'( poor thing! She needs somebody to play with!

Anyways, I don't know if I will be able to post again this week so I suppose this is good bye for now!

Yes we're still around :)

I'm typing or trying to type with Amelia on my lap so we'll see how far I get. The camera is still in the state of being repaired...or so I hope! We still have mice, and lots of them ;) don't worry, Jett just bought lots of mouse traps and poison so hopefully they will simmer down a bit. I thought you might like to view a clip of Amelia again, seeing I haven't been able to post pics or and new clips up...but then again this one is new to most of you anyways! It was taken a few weeks ago, and I think I can tell that Amelia's hair has grown since then (she also stacks blocks together a whole lot more and makes very interesting towers!). Next week we're supposed to go to Larne already! Time is just vanishing by! I feel like I'm draggin behind in everything. Just so tired I guess. Anyways enough said, and Amelia is already fussing for attention. Enjoy :)

our lovely mousie

I figured you might want to know what we’ve been up to this week, but of course, no pics to show so it will be probably rather boring.

At the moment Jett is in Glasgow attending the Theological Conference, while I’ve been home getting lonely, but hopefully putting time into profitable things.

Two noteworthy things that have happened in the past two days…

Our pet mouse (as I’m calling him now) decided to make his appearance for the second time. Of course it had to happen when Jett was still away, and Amelia was sleeping, so everything was very quiet. “Ah, they must be away,” says mouse, “I wonder if they left me any food…” So out comes little mouse and sits under our dining room table, facing me! I was reading so I didn’t see him at first, but then on looking up I saw him…I stomped my foot and he ran, as fast as he could, under the fridge. On seeing that, I figured he wouldn’t come out until I had gone… but no sooner had a few minutes past I saw him again just exiting his hiding spot under the fridge. The nerve of the pest! I figured he would be a little more hesitant to come out, but obviously not! Anyways, we set up traps last night in hopes of catching the thing. And I figured that we would be rid of him by this morning. Hmm, well, it soo happens to be that yes he likes peanut butter, but for some reason he is brilliant at not making the traps go off...and yet getting his peanut butter!! I’m rather disappointed. :S

The midwife came today for the homebirth meeting thing and a check up. It all went fine, baby is head down already (as it had been for the past 2 weeks at least) and I measuring what I should be 32weeks. Interestingly enough though, the babies head seems to be quite low – no need for concern as the midwife told me… but it still makes me wonder!

One more thing, we sent off the camera, but I doubt I will hear word of it for a wee bit, anybody know how long it takes for you to receive word about an estimate for the repair or if they received the camera? I was a bit nervous sending it the way I did (by mail) but I guess it was the only option at the moment for us.

Rick Bouman is in Scotland for the week, so hopefully we’ll be seeing him at some point in Edinburgh. It must have been ages since he has been over here…just wish he could have brought one or two of his daughters with him!

Okay that was two more things I mentioned! I guess I’ve said enough!

things i did today (if your that interested)

as this will probably be just a rambling post, I don't expect even half of you to even read it! But I'll be brief...lol.

Hmm, Well, I was busy doing the little things today, things you don't like doing and things that take up a lot of time or so it seems. SO... I was cancelling an appointment, changing appointment date, buying mouse traps (yes the mouse is still alive and well), figuring out bits of information for Jett, and hmm, oh yes working on the Camera deal. I called Nikon. I filled out the repair form, now I just need to package the camera and send it off. How I wish I didn't throw out the Camera Box!! Sounds like I didn't do much eh? Well, add to the above a shower, fold laundry, and take care of Amelia who has been fussy most of the day, and talk on the phone with my mom (who plans on coming late Feb but is worried about when Joe and Care plan on coming over).

Anyways, that is all for now, I suppose I should get off now and finish dinner preparations or read etc. :)

Five Little Monkeys jumped on the bed!

I still don't have the camera sent off... and in fact I don't have any details of when or where it will be fixed yet. I'm supposed to be working hard at this... but as you can see, I feel sometimes doing laundry or tydying somewhat more important at the time. I know, I need to call and get details, estimates etc, so that this can be all sorted out. Ugh. :) Anyways, to comfort y'all, I did find something on the computer that you might like to see - I was going to post it eventually, but forgot completely about it since the camera broke. So try to enjoy Amelia playing with her Monkey... My mom might be trying to get Amelia a dolly...heehee, I'm thinking of giving it to her when the baby is born so that Mommy would have a dolly (uhm, or rather a real baby!) and Amelia would have a dolly. Maybe it will help make the transition a little easier on her...or maybe not just depends I suppose! :) Oh yes, this Monkey was from Miss Naomi Clemence. I actually didn't think Amelia would take to any stuffed animal (as we have a few) but lol, she takes to her monkey quite well...and boy does she love the story about the 5 little Monkeys jumping on the bed (probably cause mommy looks hilarious when telling it!). Enjoy!

our luxury shower

If I had my camera working I could show you our homemade shower! It isn't quite complete as we need to somehow figure out how to keep the hose where we want it in the shower, so that we don't have to hold it and try to wash our hair at the same time! Anyways it is made up primarily of this...

Yes, a garden hose! It came with my birth-pool-in-a-box that I bought off of Ebay (for a reallly good price) excellent for labour and delivery! Anyways, so we cut off a piece of the hose to a better size then 15metres. We attached it to a faucet with a tap connector/adapter and there we go a homemade shower! Of course, there is supposed to be a shower coming in our bathroom sometime, but this could take place after we leave. Anyways, I was finally able to wash my hair with something more constant than a bucket going over my head every few seconds or so! Showers are such a time saver (even if it is homemade!!). LOL, on to my next luxury of the day...

Yes...chocolate fingers...mmm, these are very addicting, and with a cup of tea it hits the spot. I just need to make sure I don't overeat on them!

We did find a place near us that fixes cameras but we have yet to get an estimate...eek. Ach well, nothing is very child proof in my home so I suppose I can expect some accidents if certain objects are too close to Amelia's reach!

I am just having a urge to be in Texas for the Friday get-together thing...there is something to be said for family, they are special! :)

bad news :(

Did you know that when you put adult toys plus baby together they do not mix very well? Well, today, Amelia dropped our digital camera... Meaning it is broken, however I don't think it is unrepairable (is that even a word?). Sooo... no pictures until we can have it fixed. Anybody know of a shop in Edinburgh that fixes digital cameras (uhm, a Nikon Coolpix L3 to be exact?).

Anyways, it is thanksgiving...and our family in Texas will be "feasting" on turkey, and stuffing/dressing, various dishes of veggies, and delicious pies of all sorts...followed by either a cup of hot tea or coffee (mainly coffee...) We definitely wish we could be there to enjoy the family aspect of it and are missing you all very much.

I had better get going though, if I am to find any information about this camera thing....ugh, another hassle. :( I suppose this does remind me that these material things do not last and will not last.

There is much to be thankful for.

it is 11:30ish

Well, with some hesitancy I'm posting another pic of meself up here... I don't think it really shows how much I've grown since the last pic, but maybe you can tell! Anyways my waist is measuring a lovely 39inches all around - heehee, bigger then my hubby :) Supposedly I'll be 31 weeks this Friday all being well. My the time seems to go fast and then again at other times it seems to drag.




And of course a pic of my husband reading a book one of the books that he has to have read by next week! We've been partly reading it together which has been nice. He is resuming his classes, 2nd term, today - and I'm afraid got to the manse late this morning due to traffic!

Last night we had some company over. I felt so scatterbrained though...so things to me seemed so unorganized and last minute - but maybe not so much to others.

Anyways, there isn't much else thats new here, or my mind just decided to quit working properly for the day... :) I think its been like that for ooh, 7 months now? ;) Better give Amelia a nap soon so I'll end this for now.

Breakfast time :)

Sorry that this is not interesting but it is all I could get of her lately! Dinner time just now so I have to be off! On to Perth tomorrow, all being well. :)

a yesterday note

I would have posted something up yesterday but time would not allow. Jett got a surprise phone call from Mr. Watkins who just so happens to be in Scotland! So, we met at a Starbucks just a minutes walk away from Mr. Cartwright's. A very nice visit indeed, and I'm so glad Amelia behaved herself!! Jett and I were going to get pics of us all...but that still didn't happen...sorry just another pic of Amelia I guess! Now...I need to start my huge pile of ironing...6 of Jett's dress shirts, one normal...one or two or three of mine...and etc. :) And I've decided on Caesar salad stuffed pitas for lunch...mmmm :) Oh, and we have a mouse in the house. At least it is NOT a rat!! :)

one more note...

The ministers that were at the communion were Rev Cartwright and Rev Angus Smith... It was so good to see Mr. Smith again as it had been already 4 years since I saw him last. I can't help but think of him as a special preacher. We have fond memories of him and his wife being with us in Chesley and then in Texas.

The Rev. Donald Maclean, who is currently living now in Inverness, came for the Sabbath communion service. Being 92 years of age, and a communicant for 70 years...it was very nice to see him as well. He took the evening prayer meeting and he still seems, though frail now, pretty much the same as I saw him 4 years ago.

Okay, enough of me rambling on...

:) yes we are back again! :)

We are home now and trying to get back into our ordinary routine again. Of course there is always a ton to do when you’ve been gone for awhile, or are coming and going and have no time to clean etc. So this morning, I’ve been busy doing laundry and discovered that tomorrow will be a lovely big ironing day…how I dislike ironing! Monday, Jett and I went first to the book room in Glasgow and bought books etc. They have a nice section for children and Amelia of course came home with a new book – I didn’t know that Bible board books were even available but they are and they have a nice variety too. We bought one on Ruth for her. The cost was £2.50, for anyone wanting to know. I was eyeing everything on that shelf thinking to myself, ooh, that one is nice, and so is that and… well you get the picture! But Amelia doesn’t need all of them all at once (as I was telling myself) and that I can buy as she grows. Anyways, Jett has wanted a pocket bible with a zipper for quite awhile now so I let him get it (I’m saying I let him, because he asked if he could…lol!!) He bought for me a devotional, Evening Thoughts by O. Winslow, I have Morning Thoughts but I left it in Texas as it is a heavy big book. Anyways, enough about our purchases!! We went to Mrs. Dunbar’s for dinner – it was very nice. I do think Amelia liked it there (as Mrs. Dunbar had toys and lots of special snacks for her). Then off we went to the last service of the communion season which went very well. I wanted to mention that the Sabbath services were exceptionally good, and the table addresses I felt were very good as well. Johan Campbell was so kind to keep Amelia so that I could go to the table – I was expecting that I might not be able to but I was very glad I could go! And Amelia was very good for her as she was for Sarah during Edinburgh communion – another relief for me.

Ach well, Jett is very busy studying now (even though he has time off from classes) for the presbytery exam. He has two books that need to be read, one is the autobiography on Paton, and the other is Guthrie’s The Christian’s Great Interest (I hope I have that right). It is very nice that we have the “extra” room for his study!

By the way, I cannot seem to find Amelia’s toothbrush anywhere… I am afraid she threw it in the trash but I can’t be certain! Last week Jett was going to call me after his classes so I was to make sure I had my cell phone near by… well, the morning went and I still couldn’t find it. Then I heard it start to ring. I felt funny being a woman with this huge bump attached to me running around the house trying to find this silly ringing cell phone… ahhh, it was in the kitchen… but where?? It was still ringing… okay…it was by the coffee maker I thought, no…I don’t see it, then I realized the ringing was coming from the trash bin…… Ohhhhh bother!! Amelia had my cell phone last, and I guess she must have thought it to be trash!! It was funny digging in the trash to get my cell phone but kind of yucky too as it wasn’t on the top but somewheres in the middle… yuck! :P

All right, I’ve lost track how far along I am…:P I need to check my notes I think I’m 29 weeks but maybe I’m 30 now…ach well, I had better not get ahead of myself!

All right enough writing from me! Pictures will have to wait for another time as I'm still trying to get some of us all... will be back hopefully tomorrow at least with something! :)

reason for not posting

I suppose I should have let you all know that we were planning on going to the Glasgow communion this weekend, and that is why there hasn't been any movement here in the past few days. Today I decided to stay at home due to feeling utterly exhausted...last night I was feeling quite ill, so Jett figured I needed to rest more. Whether I'm really resting...well, I have been doing laundry and tydying up around here as it has been needing it badly and I guess trying to relax a wee bit. It has been kind of hard traveling back and forth for services, but I think I am feeling it more because I'm pregnant and have Amelia to deal with. I don't have any pictures to post, but hopefully once we get settled again after the communion this blog will be up and running again. So hold on and we will be back, all being well, shortly. :)

really good muffins

I tried a recipe that I got through Mercy and boy are they ever delicious! I suggest you try them too! http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Banana-Crumb-Muffins/Detail.aspx

Sorry dont know how to do the link thing. :)

obstacles, rhogam/anti d shot

Hmm, too interesting of a title isn't? Well, my first obstacle is this washer/dryer in the way...we had to disconnect it and have it ready for today (as our new one is arriving) but the problem is how am I supposed to wash the dishes?? I decided instead of being lazy and using this an excuse to having a messy kitchen I took all my dishes into the bathroom and washed them in the tub...heehee, worked well and Amelia thought it was neat to be able to watch me.

Well, Jett and I have been discussing the Rhogam shot (over here they call it anti d) we have never heard that it was an optional shot and never heard of any risks involved with it. But I had just recently discovered that it is optional, and that there are risks... of course Doctors won't tell you that - they never do. Anyways, thanks to a message group I've been subscribed to dealing with homebirths and stuff associated with that I found out that it was optional and it took me a while to research a little bit more to find out that it isn't really necessary during pregnancy. I hope I'm not going to confuse anybody with tidbits of our recent discovery. I did have a shot during my pregnancy with Amelia BUT I didn't need it as she turned out to be the same blood type as me. And actually the shot given 'during' pregnancy is a "just in case" shot - but not necessary. So we are opting for no shots during pregnancy as there are risks involved with the actual shot as it is a blood product, I of course will get a shot within 72 hours after baby is born but only if the baby is rh+ve. Hmm, have I bored you yet? Or confused you? :) I'm happy, because that shot hurts... and I'm not good at getting any sort of injection whatsoever. Anyways here is a pic of Amelia smiling under her binky/pacifier.

Bouncing Amy

Thought you might like to see a little of Amelia bouncing on the bed. Every time she sees this clip of herself she starts to laugh. :)

laundrettes and chiropractors

My house is a catastrophe, and it isn't getting any better. I'm tired at the moment and don't feel up to much at all - although I need to get a good dinner for tonight. I have a whole chicken in the oven, so that is one big step, the rest (veggies and potatoes) are easy. Had to go to a laundromat today because we we're running very very low on clothes (and me being pregnant I dont have 'that' many maternity clothes although much better than last time). How was I supposed to know it was going to cost me £3 a load?? I couldn't believe it!! Jett couldn't either! In America/Canada its around a $1 or $1.25 (could be closer to $2 in Canada). but £3?? I ended up only doing three loads and that doesn't include drying...so I decided I would hand dry even my diapers this time. Can you imagine spending $18 on three loads of washing?? I'm sure my family can't believe this cost. Well, our new washer/dryer is supposed to arrive Tuesday. Just up the road from the laundrette was the chiropractors office that I had called yesterday - so we decided to stop in and just check out the place. It just so happens that the female chiro that is there, is American...heehee, and from California! :) There is a male there too and it happens to be he is from Calgary (Alberta Canada). LOL, I thoguht that kind of funny. :) So, I have an appointment with her Wednesday afternoon. Finally a female! Jett still is studying hard for exams which start Monday and last till Wednesday. Oh, and Amelia? She is busy whining a lot...I can't seem to make out what she wants but obviously she has the essentials (clean diaper, water, food, toys etc) but she just complains about me being busy with other things other than her. Wait till she has her brother/sister here, then she will have to learn to be content with what she has. Better be off! :)

sorry here are the pics

The first pic is a classic photo of Amy with her daddy, obviously shes very tired in the pic, and probably had just stopped crying and was being soothed by daddy. The next one I was surprised I got...heehee, she looks cute. :)

 

 

 

broken washing machine

Yep, it is broken...it will not spin. So, now we are getting a new one next Tuesday and in the mean time I'll be visiting our nearest laundromat (called laundrettes here). Not very wonderful when your a clothing diapering mama and have to wash them every other day. I'm beginning to wish I had a few more diapers but I need to be patient (because if I don't I'll end up spending money on cloth diapers that I don't want...I'm picky ya know!). I still find it interesting how I started doing cloth when I figured that was just an old-fashioned thing and I would never be doing that. I'm surprised how easy it is, and how economical it is for us. I need to figure out what I'm going to do about the next one coming...I'm thinking about doing disposable for a while with him/her before moving to cloth (partly to save me a wee bit of work, and also because motherease onesize diapers are pretty huge on newborns!).

The prayer meeting is tonight, I'm hoping Amelia will be good in the vestry.

health visitors, wash machine...etc

Well, it has been quite a while since I posted, and I thought I would have posted by now, but of course there is always something that can keep one from posting.

Uncle Lyle's family left yesterday morning, leaving our place very empty I'm afraid...except the toothpaste they forgot. I'm afraid I'm already trying to do things to keep me from getting lonely etc. It is a help that Jett is here though. His classes do not resume till next weeks exams are through. I didn't find this out till the communion season. So I have him around for a while...but not really since hes studying for the exams.

I got a letter in the mail stating that a health visitor was coming this afternoon at 2pm...well, it is now 4.08pm to be exact and no visitor yet. My wash machine is making horrible noises so I had to stop my wash...it was Amelia's diapers...grr, so I had to wash them by hand, and wring each one out and hang them up outside...not fun at all. I hope nothing serious is wrong with the machine, but I feared I would break it if I continued the cycle!

Pregnant me, I thought I was supposed to see the midwife today, but even though on my calendar it stated Tuesday not Wednesday, I missed it... :S Felt pretty dumb when the midwife called to see if I was all right, and why I didn't make my appointment... thankfully she is nice! :) Jett is concerned about me getting my Rhogam/Anti D shot, but as far as the midwives go, they aren't concerned yet.

Here are a few various pics - I thought I would have many many more but I forgot how busy communion seasons are.





This is where Gerrit slept... (just kidding)

Amelia's diaper rash is finally going away after going to the doctor and getting an anti fungal cream.

Well, I had best be off and go work on dinner...chicken tonight, potatoes...and a veggie. Very much the usual. :) Would do fried chicken, but they don't have Ranch dressing here...can you believe it? No ranch dressing?! :'(

Oh, and one more thing, it is Claire Marie's first birthday, so Happy Birthday Claire! Hope she had a lovely day. :) Here is a few hugs and kisses from Amelia and myself and probably Jett to if I asked him! XOXOXO! :)