Tuesday, 30 December 2008

Christmas 2008

I can't even think where to start. What a Christmas we had though quiet it was eventful. "Let's start at the very beginning, it's a very good place to start".

The Monday before Christmas my mum and dad arrived bringing with them my 88 year old Grandad for the holidays. Not a moment too soon as in my current condition we have been surviving on scraps of leftovers that I could face pulling together while hardly being able to stand for tiredness and hold my breath so the food smell would not make me vomit. But that is all more than you want to know right? My parents did what parents do best and took over the kitchen so I could rest and eat some healthy foods. With all the excitement nobody slept much on Monday night. Tuesday was the day for getting in the food supplies to get us through the time of feasting and by the afternoon we were all knackered (to use a Scottish word). Early evening things were not so enjoyable as my grandad became confused and seemed very unwell. We had to arrange for a doctor to come to the house to see him and the doctor called for an ambulance to transfer him to a hospital in Aberdeen. He was suffering from a severe urine infection. By tea time he was in the ambulance on route to the hospital.
Christmas eve was busy as mum and dad drove an hour to the hospital, one way, to see grandad and David and I entertained an energetic and confused by all the people appearing and disappearing 18 month old. We had our big Christmas eve meal in the evening and we all really enjoyed it. Abigail went to bed quite well and did not try to stay awake for Santa (at least this year). The rest of us had that inevitable last minute wrapping to do and setting out the presents for the morning. So it was a late night again.
"IT'S CHRISTMAS" came the shout from the bedroom - Mama and Dada's bedroom that is! Since being on hoilday Abigail has been sleeping until 9am most mornings and Christmas was no exception. We got up and ate some breakfast before venturing into the livingroom for the surprises that Santa had left.





Abby was so overwhelmed and exclaimed over and over "Oh, OH, OHHH". We opened a few of the presents and her stocking but she began to be distracted so we left her to play with some of her gifts while we got into stockings and a few presents. After a wee break Abigail was ready to get back to opening. Like most kids all clothing items were looked at and put aside. We eventually got through everything. Her 3 big presents where the Fisher Price ABC animal zoo, a rocking horse that she named "See Saw" and a tiger ride on toy.





Before we knew it is was time for Christmas dinner, followed by a nap for Abby. In the evening we headed over to the Gaunts' house to visit with their family. When we arrived Abby received yet more gifts. She got a fluffy pick housecoat that is just adorable and a stroller which she loves to push back and forward from the livingroom to the kitchen. We went out a few days after Christmas and bought her a baby doll to push in the buggie as she just had a little rag doll.







Boxing day we were joined by David's parents and brother and after our evening meal my parents left to head home for a few days as my dad had a hospital appointment on the Monday. David's family stayed over one night before going home and we enjoyed our time with them.
At the weekend Abby and I came down with nasty colds so we stayed home all weekend and David played nurse maid.

Meanwhile my Grandad remained in the hospital. He was to be discharged on Tuesday so my parents drove back up and collected him. He was much improved though he had gotten a cold in hospital the urine infection had cleared up and he was more him self. He had to have some blood tests taken on Thursday so they stayed with us until then. Which again was great with me as I didn't have to cook. It was also helpful on Wednesday as I had to get my first scan in the morning so we had built in babysitters.

The scan went well and we were relieved to know that everthing was fine and as it should be. I have had a lot of spotting in this pregnancy and we have had a few scary moments when we thought this wee one would not make it. Yet here we are at about 13 weeks, making my due date about the 9th of July. I will see my midwife on the 18th of January to do paper work and blood work. We are pleased to introduce you to our new little mystery........



If you need a little help it is a profile shot. the head is on the left side and there is a wee hand at the top in the middle. The leg is the long bent object at the right side and the body is the oblong shape running along the bottom. I hope this helps. It is a very similar picture to the one we had of Abby at the same stage.

David was responsiable for the devo to bring in the bells at the Church building on Hogmany. Due to my sickness and tiredness I stayed home with my parents. My Grandad was in bed before ten and the rest of us went to bed ASAP after midnight. So it was a quiet New Year.

We hope that you all had a great time over Christmas and New year and that God will bless you in 2009.

Lead up to Christmas

Thought I would post some picture updates in the run up to Christmas before I publish anything on Christmas.

Cheese! If you look close you will finally see some hair!



Visit from Grannie and Grandad. Can you spot the problem......



..... Abby had some slipper fun.

We had some snow, so in her welly boots, that at the time were too big but all we had, she and Dada took to the snow.



Helping!? put up the Christmas tree.



Trying on Dada's gloves.



Look at these baby blues....



Christmas is just so exciting it brings out some crazy faces!

Monday, 1 December 2008

Unwell

Sorry it has been a while but I am sure that you will all understand when I update you on our news..................

I just haven't been feeling very well lately and as some of you might be guessing already we are expecting another member to our family in the summer! We don't have much more information than that as I don't get a scan until the very end of this month. I think I am about 8 weeks and so would be due early July.

I will try to post more soon when I feel a bit better.

Saturday, 8 November 2008

New Game

Abigail invented a new game that she loves to play in her cot when we take her out of the sleeping bag. She had just woke up from her nap today and I just hard to get some video for our Blog. Just watch ......


Wednesday, 29 October 2008

Balloon Fight

Here is some video of the fun and games we shared with John Anthony, Kristen, Brennan and Jonathan when they visited with us.

Saturday, 25 October 2008

Busy Lives

We have had such a busy time lately. Firstly my Dad, Mum, Grannie, Auntie Melita and Auntie Evelyn all came up for a couple of nights and stayed between here and John A and Kristen's. It was so we could all be together for my mum's birthday, we had a great time other than the fact that I had a terrible cold and stomach virus. The day they left David's Dad, Helen and Daniel all arrived and stayed for several nights. Then we had some quiet time until Thursday when we had Billy, Fenella, Beth, Hannah and Holly for dinner. Later John Anthony, Kristen, Brennan and Jonathan came for a visit before they head out on their US trip. They were with us until Saturday and we had a great time. The kids also had a blast, it is obvious that Abby loves to spend time with her big cousin. On the Friday morning we went to the swimming pool in Peterhead we had great fun though the pool was quiet cold. After lunch and nap time we took the kids on a walk to the harbour to see if the seals where there. It was amazing the seals came right up to see us, it was very cold and windy but we all enjoyed the excerise and fresh air. That night the extremely tired kids all went to bed and slept well while we ate dinner, som'mores, melted chocolate and watched a movie. We had a film called "Facing the Giants" from our movie club. It is about a high school American football coach who is struggling with his faith. The acting is far from award winning but is is a good holism film with a good message.

Here are some photos of that time and some others. She was given a couple of warm coats for the winter weather and we got her a hat set.

2 of the seals at the harbour. They look far away but they were actually very close.



Standing at the harbour. David, Kristen and a wee Jonathan.




Boddam light house with the setting sun, beautiful



John Anthony, Brennan and Abby looking at the seals



Out for a swing



Hat, gloves and scarf




Pappy reading the "Gruffalo's Child"




New Parka jacket




New puffy red coat




"HI"

Tuesday, 30 September 2008

Fun videos

Here is a clip that I took a few days ago......


Saturday, 27 September 2008

Birthday Cake

Video of the big cake moment.


Friday, 26 September 2008

Video of birthday celebrations, bubbles and swing.







More later...............

Photo Update

Hello to our readers,

Just some pictures of life since our big move off the island.

The first lot are Abby's first adventure to the safari park with her Grandparents, Aunts, uncles and cousins. It was a fun day in which she spent most of it people watching instead of animal watching.








This next lot were taken when we had the joy of having Nathan, Stacey and Kellan stay with us shortly before their return to the US.






These pictures are of Abby first personal swing. Given to her from her Mimi and Pappy for her 1st birthday. (She did not get it until we had moved into our new house)



These next few pictures were taken on our 2nd celebration of Abby's 1st birthday. Since we were still on Lewis on the actual day we could not celebrate with family so we had a party for her a couple of months later when more of the family could get together. We have videos but I will post them later.




This was Abby's first experience with the bubble machine. Needless to say she loved it and continues to do so!



I will post lots of video clips soon. And please feel free to stop by or come and stay anytime - Just phone ahead to make sure the beds are not already taken!

Saturday, 6 September 2008

Moving and settling

We made our move to Boddam. Everything went as well as in can when you move. It was all very overwhelming with boxes everywhere. At this time we would like to say a huge thank you to those who provided us with delicious meals while our home was in chaos. Also to those who helped us move in and organise boxes and furniture.

We have been in for about a month now. Everything is out of boxes but it there is still some things that need to find a home. Abigail had a hard time for the first few weeks just getting settled in but she seems very happy with her new home as you will see from the video clip below. Though doing well Abigail is going through a really bad teething time at the moment and is very clingy to her mama at the moment. We hope both things pass quickly.

David is enjoying teaching Maths and doesn't seem as stressed as last year. I am enjoying having friends and family closer by and we are both glad to be back in church fellowship.

We have some people coming to stay with us for a couple of weeks from the 13th but after that we would love to see you all and want to give you an open invitation to visit, just give us a call to book in!


Wednesday, 16 July 2008

Off the Island!

We are off! We feel a bit like the cast of Lost only we have made it off the isle at last. We left on the 7th July by the way of the ferry with our cars and some belongings while the rest was taken to storage. Like most goodbyes there were mixed emotions, we were sad to leave such a beautiful place where we had a safety and freedom that we had not experienced before. On the other hand we are glad to be back somewhere we can be more accessible to family and friends, we also look forward to returning to worship with the Church of Christ.
As some of our regular readers will know David found a permanent job in Peterhead (about an hour north of Aberdeen) teaching Maths, he will begin in mid-August. Also we are in the final stages of buying our first home, it is in the village of Boddam just 3 miles south of Peterhead. We are so excited to finally be putting down some roots as they say since we have moved about 5 times in 3 years! That is enough for any one. We are currently staying with my parents in Stirling while we wait for our entry date on the 6th of August.

Abigail has been struggling with the transition and has not been settling to sleep very well at naps or bedtime. We ask that you pray for her in this unsettled time. We will be glad to get her into our new home and back into her routines.

David and I are both enjoying a bit more of a relaxed schedule and have been taking it in turns to sleep in.

We will keep you posted on our move as it progresses.

Saturday, 28 June 2008

Video From the big Birthday

Birthday Pictures





More pictures from Abigails first birthday.

One Year Old!

Hello everybody! Well, it's remarkable but true; Abigail is one year old! She celebrated her first birthday yesterday with her parents and Grannie and Granddad. The day started with a bit of balloon kicking.



This was followed by a normal afternoon. Then, after her afternoon nap (or lack of nap) Abigail changed into her party dress, which has waited for this day since she was born!


After the initial session of posing for the obligatory photographs it was time to tear into some presents.



Then dinner....





Then some more presents


A little more posing



And finally, Abigail wound down, watching her reading video with a new friend


Needless to say, she slept well last night!