...little baby teeth

Jessica got her first tooth today and I wanted you all to know how excited I am. She didn't appear to suffer too much with them so I'm hoping this continues with the remaining teeth :)

I'm so proud of my little girl and her ickle teeth :)

... new website to check out!

I was fortunate to know Peter Brumby for just over 5 years before he sadly left us to return home. I won't go into all the details as you can read all about him on the new website, but for those of you who don't know him he was a great preacher/pastor and Phil's Dad. He spent most of his ministerial days at Whitby Evangelical Church.

For many years now we have talked about getting some of Peter's sermons from tape and online. Andy (Phil's Bro) has finally begun this huge task. The website is in it's early days so please do check back regularly but already there are many sermons available for download.

Happy listening and may it be fruitful.

http://www.peterbrumby.co.uk/

p.s. apparently the links aren't working, I've tried to fixed them and failed. But if you click on the link and then press F5 the correct page should appear!! Sorry for the hassle, will try and fix soon.

...the best use of 55mins in quite a while

You can always find 55mins to watch a favourite TV programme or read a favourite book or listen to a favourite album, but I must compel you to watch or download to your MP3 player this 55min talk by a remarkable mother.

http://deathisnotdying.com/eventvideo/

...sleeping all night

Since my last post my travelling has not stopped. I feel as if the last few months have been spent packing, unpacking ans washing clothes! I can't complain however as we've had a few fun weekends away. Phil hadn't had any time off since Christmas so he took a week off in March and we headed over to Whitby for a few days. What a glorious few days visiting Whitby museum, walking along the beech and having coffee and cake at Sandsend in the sun. Jessica loved spending time with Granny Jean and loved having some help during the day. It was a proper rest for us all.

A friend of mine came over from Belfast the following week and she was kind enough to babysit and let Phil and I have a night out :) When headed to bed that night Jessica (who was still sleeping in our room and waking when went to bed) was totally out for the count so I suggested that we leave her to sleep and see what time she wakes. Until this point I had been waking her for a feed when we went to bed. I was half expecting to see her at 3am but when she started crying and I looked at the clock it was 7.10am. I was thrilled and she has been sleeping through the night since. The very next night we moved her into her own room so that we wouldn't disturb her at night. She looks so cute in her big cot. :)

Last week I had a few days in Belfast for a friends 30th. I love going home because my mum is more than happy to do everything she can to help me out so I get a good rest and evenings out to catch up with friends. It's always sad to leave but I'm glad to be home and Jessica is happy to see her Daddy again.

Weaning is going well, we are up to 2 meals a day and I'm hoping to introduce lunch this week. So far she has tried carrot, parsnip, potato, broccoli, leek, mushroom, banana, pear, apple and baby cereal. Some things are preferred to others but I'm keen to let her try as many flavours as possible. Dairy products can be introduced soon so cheese and yogurt are ready and waiting. My earlier fears and anxieties about weaning have all gone and I'm enjoying cooking for and feeding Jessica. Watching her really enjoy something you have made is wonderful and if she really doesn't like something then I get to have a little pre-dinner appetiser!!

With Easter just around the corner we are looking forward to a few days with the extended Brumby family.

...some time away from home

Okay, so it's been far too long since my last post and I'll try and use Jessica as my excuse but I don't think it's a very good one. Lots has happened since my last post. Phil has been away with work twice in the last three weeks and both times I have gone and spent time with family. The first week he was away in Spain and I flew home with Jessica for a week of parent pampering. It was lovely to have some help with the little lady :). I then had a week at home to unpack, wash clothes and repack before Phil went off to Germany for a week. This time I went to London and spent a week at my sister-in-laws. Jessica and I had a lovely week with the Pattersons but it was hard work with 4 little ones under the age of 4 to look after. Poor Ali has a tough time.

So we've been busy and Jessica is well and truely out of any daytime sleeping routine that I managed to get her into before we went away :( She is still sleeping well at night so I'm not really complaining. This week Jessica has started eating solids, yipeeeee!!! Baby rice is so far the only thing she will eat. I tried apple and she screwed her face up. I then tried potato and she wouldn't open her mouth after the first mouthful. I have bought some pears, carrots and parsnips so they are on the menu for the rest of the week and next week. Lets hope she likes one of them. I'm not massively fussed if she doesn't take to it immediately. She is only 5 months old so for now any feeding she does is just to try the new flavours and get used to eating off a spoon. Weaning will start in earnest when she reaches the 6 month mark. I'm not really looking forward to it if I'm honest because at the moment everything is so easy. Her food is in ready supply anywhere we go and I don't have to be organised or worry about sterilising. However. I'm sure the change will be a good thing and we'll both enjoy the new experience.

Got to go now and look after Jessica who's attention span has dropped to about 10mins before she is looking to be lifted up or played with!

...some home made steak pie and cookies

This week I told Phil that I would make a concerted effort to clear the spare room so that he can build the new computer table and move the computer out of Jessica's room and into the spare room. All of this is to be done so that little Jessica can move into her own room and out of ours so that we can sleep better. She's a great little sleeper but all her scuffling and finger munching can keep us awake!!

Sadly, my efforts to clear the spare room have been thwarted by with antics in the kitchen. I have been working our way through the freezer since Christmas, eating the random meat I buy on offer. So this week I took out stewing steak and decided to make a steak and mushroom pie, I even made the pastry. I thought it tasted pretty good for my first attempt, but it took me most of the afternoon and Jessica was in particularly grumpy form and whimpered the whole time I was cooking so I kept on having to stop and look after her.

Today however Jessica was more than happy to play in the kitchen whilst I baked some choc chip cookies, they taste great....not sure how many there will be left when Phil gets home from work.

Life as a homemaker is so far a lot of fun and really rewarding. I'm off now to clear the spare room before Phil gets home in 45mins...let's hope Jessica doesn't wake up. ;)

... Christmas and New Year

Jessica with 'Father' Christmas

This was a very special Christmas for Phil and I, we had our lovely daughter to share it with. Phil was really busy at work in the build up to Christmas so we were please to finally be heading for the airport on the Sunday before Christmas. I was a little anxious about flying with Jessica because I know that the air pressure can be sore on little ones ears, but Jessica was an angel. She fed as we took off, slept and then fed during landing. On arrival in Belfast Jessica immediately became pass the parcel with family, friends and half of Mum and Dad's church! She loved it but I think she was secretly pleased to get to bed each evening. In the run up to Christmas day Phil and I travelled about with Jessica so that she could meet our friends. It was great to catch up with friends, especially those we hadn't seen for a long time and I even managed to catch up with some school friends (it was great to see you Nic).

On Christmas Eve we always head over to Church for the Christmas Eve Service. As there was no-one to babysit Jessica she was lifted out of bed and put in the buggy in her sleeping bag and rapped up in a snugly blanket.

Jessica ready for the Christmas Eve Service

Christmas morning was the usual 7am start with lots of present opening before a yummy scrambled egg and smoked salmon breakfast. Jessica was dressed as Santa for the occasion and sat quietly in her bouncy playing with the wrapping paper whilst we all opened our pressies. The rest of Christmas day was filled with Church, family, food, good chat and some napping!! It was a really lovely day but I'm not sure how much Jessica appreciated it.

'I'm ready to open my presents mummy!!'

After Christmas day we put our feet up and chilled out. We treasured the moments in our bedroom when Jessica was awake before we went down stairs for breakfast because we knew that would be the last time we would see her all day (except when she needed food!).

We had a couple of days at home before we packed up again and headed to London. It was a lot of fun in London eating great food and playing with our nieces and nephew. Oh and it was great to see Ali and Michael too. I just about managed to stay up for the bells at midnight and we watched the London fireworks from the attic window!! How cool.

Now we are back home and back to porridge. I have to admit I'm actually quite happy to be home and getting back into our old routine. I'm drowning in a sea of dirty laundry, but i have conquered the Christmas decorations. Taking them down always makes me slightly sad because it means that Christmas is over for another year.

All in all it was a great holiday and we're already looking forward to next year!!

...smiley faces, Granny Jean and a trip to London

A lot has happened since I last wrote, although it has only been a month it feels much longer. Jessica and I are both doing well and are getting to know each others little quirks. I can't say that the first 6 weeks were tough cause I think Jessica is a pretty good baby but the first smile is so wonderful. Her little face lights up when she smiles and you know it's not just wind!! We are finding our routine and managing to get out of the house most days to visit friends, go to mum's and tots, go to postnatal group and have walks into town when it's not raining! At the moment my days seem so filled with getting out and about, feeding, changing and burping that I find little time for anything else. Housework is a slow process with clothes washing and cooking taking priority.

Granny Jean (Phil's mum) came for a visit a few weeks ago to meet Jessica. As we had predicted she had Jessica smiling within 30secs! It was lovely to have Jean in our home again and to watch her interact with her 4th grandchild.

My brother made a surprise visit (U.Michael I) to see Jessica for a few days. It was lovely to have some company during the day.

Last weekend we finally made it to London to introduce Jessica to her cousins (and A.Ali and U.Michael II). Lottie was so excited to meet Jessica. She had recently told a teacher that she had two sisters, Hannah and Jessica but Jessica lived with A.Helen and U.Phil because they couldn't look after her. Lottie spent most of the weekend saying how cute Jessica was and how much she loved her. This was interspersed with conversations about 'when Jessica is a big girl tomorrow she will be able to sleep in my room'!! We had a lovely relaxed weekend away from home.

Lottie and Jessica

All the cousins

Christmas seems to have crept up on us and finding time to think about presents let alone buy them was proving difficult. However in the last few days I have managed to make my Christmas cards, put most of my present in my Amazon basket and write the Christmas newsletter. I'm now looking forward to a relaxing Christmas and plan to put the tree up this weekend :)

...sleepless nights and endless feeds

I know it's been far too long since I last posted but lets be honest I've just had a baby, I have an excuse. Also my laptop has died so I'm having to use Phil's comp and I don't really like it! But I did promise Ione that I would post some more pictures since she's not on facebook. So here are a few that my Brother-in-law took after I got out of hospital.

... baby Jessica Eve Brumby

I know it's been a while since I last posted, but I've been off having a baby. This is just a very short post to let those of you who haven't heard that Phil and I are now the proud parents of Jessica Eve Brumby. Born on Monday 13th October at 5.37am, weighting 7lbs 15oz. Although the labour didn't quite go as planned both mum and baby are recovering well.

... the last few weeks of the bump

I thought a few photos of the bump before it goes were in order. Not the best photos but it certainly gives you an idea of the size of the bump!!

The last of the tomatoes come off the plant at 38 weeks

My stomach takes on some strange shapes now there is so little room inside!

Me looking huge!!

... the waiting game

So I'm now only 4 days away from my due date and I really can't wait to meet our little baby. Everyone says that the last few weeks are the worst and I would tend to agree. Not because I'm not enjoying pregnancy but because everything is that bit more difficult now than it was before. Little things like putting socks on, washing dishes, picking up things that I have dropped have become mammoth tasks that where possible I am avoiding. Also most of my clothes are now too small even though they are maternity clothes. I wish I'd bought a big smock dress!! Speaking of clothes a very good friend sent me a lovely parcel this week containing 2 feeding tops and a feeding night dress, all are lovely and I was really touched by the pressie. She also bought me my favourite crisps that can't be bought in England. TAYTO cheese and onion. She bought me a whole box and even bought Phil a box of bikers!!

I also took delivery of a gorgeous feeding chair that my Auntie kindly bought for me, sadly it's in bits and needs to be built by Phil when he gets home form work tonight. I've already tried but I've decided it's best to wait.

I'm trying to stay busy so that the days don't drag, I'm catching up with friends when I can and still trying to sort out the house. Let's hope we don't have to wait too much longer and that the next post contains some baby pictures :)

... a private cinema visit

On Saturday Phil and I decided to go to Cheshire Oaks to meet his brother and do some shopping. Shopping and me don't agree at the best of times so with only 2 weeks to go until this little ones makes an appearance I was definitely not looking froward to it. Wonderfully 'The boy in the Stripped Pyjamas' was being shown at the cinema and they had an early morning showing, so all problems were resolved by me going to the cinema whilst the boys shopped :) The film was brilliant, but as always not as good as the book and the Germans having English accents was particularly strange. I had the cinema pretty much to myself, there was me and 2 other people so it just felt like I was curled up in my living room watching the film.

The cinema trip was made complete by a visit to my favourite restaurant, 'Nandos' and then a trip to one of my favourite shops, 'The Paper Mill Shop'. It was a fun Saturday :)

Sunday was a little sadder, the tomato plant that has been dominating our living window all summer was finally cut into little pieces and given a new home in the compost bin. We have had a bumper crop of tomatoes and loved watching the crazy plant grow, but next year Phil will have to buy me a green house before I consider buying any more tomato plants...it was just too big.

I'm now sat waiting for my good friend Sarah from home to arrive. She is hopefully going to look after me this week whilst Phil's away with work. Lets hope the baby doesn't decide to make an appearance whilst Phil's in London!!

... maternity leave

I'm now fully embracing maternity leave. I went to Mums and Tots on Monday, met a friend for coffee on Tuesday, saw the midwife on Wednesday, went to Funsters today and tomorrow I plan to get my hair cut and meet a friend for lunch. I'm now starting to think that I don't really have time for a baby. How will I ever fit them into my busy schedule.

I love being at home, getting the house ready for it's new arrival, cooking for my hard working and wonderful husband and generally meeting up with friends for a chat (one of my favourite activities). I still feel pretty unprepared for the babies arrival. I need to pack my hospital bag, sort out the nursery and unpack all the stuff we have bought or been given. I'm sure it'll all come together in time. Only 4 weeks to go, not that I'm counting!!

....Funsters

A few ladies in the church regularly meet up with their children at a local soft play area called Funsters. You don;t have to have children to come along, but you do need to not be at work on a Thursday. This Thursday was my first visit to Funsters, maternity leave is lovely. It was great to finally get along and chat to a great group of ladies from the church and their friends. I'm looking forward to many more lazy mornings drinking coffee, eating chocolate and chatting with friends. :)

... appreciate the award

It's always lovely to be appreciated, not sure why Ione nominated me for this award since my blogging is not very frequent, but thanks anyway.




The rules of the award are:

1. The winner can put the logo on his/her blog.
2. Link the person you received your award from.
3. Nominate at least seven other blogs.
4. Put links of those blogs on yours.
5. Leave a message on the blogs that you’ve nominated.

So here's my seven.... (in no particular order)

Dancing Nic (old school friend who I randomly found in the blogging world, it's been great to be back in touch)
Wittering (a fun church friend who makes me smile when I read about her beautiful family and their action packed days)
Olga's Blog (one of the best bloggers out there who records all events with photos and blogs)
Liz Griffen (a friend who lives in France and is preparing to do great things)
Girl Talk (an amazing blog by a mum and three daughters, I have learnt so much here about being a Godly women...I'm hoping to put it into practice some day soon)
Grizzy's world (a fab friend who makes me smile, laugh and always welcome)

Sorry could only find 6 that were important enough to make the cut. Thanks to all of you who brighten up my day, there are a few more that I check now and again but these are the 6 most regular bloggers.

... a few more busy weeks before maternity leave starts

Since my last post Phil and i have been pretty busy. We have had family and friends staying with us mid week and we have been up in Scotland for a wedding. Phil's cousin got married a few weeks ago just outside Edinburgh so we travelled north for the weekend. Our good friends Cheryl and James looked after us and totally pampered me (I wasn't complaining). We headed over to Edinburgh for the day on Sat for the wedding and to catch up with the rest of the family who had managed to make it. It was a really fabulous day and everyone really enjoyed it...I even managed to find something to wear over the ever growing bump!

Phil and I before the wedding

The lovely bride and groom with Phil's Aunt and Uncle in the background

Johnny and Angelina with their cute little son Lois

Our final visitors of the summer before I put a ban on all future visitors before the baby comes were Phil's sister and her family. We absolutely love it when the Patersons come to visit, cause we have lots of fun, good food and great chats. Also they brought their 3 adorable children who really brought the house to life. The Patersons were here for a week and we had so many great times that I can't mention them all but here's a few photos from the week.

The local park!!!

Cute Sam trying to crawl

Lottie and Hannah discover the joys of Wheelock Farm

We enjoy the delights of the cafe!

I am man, I make fire!

Ali, Phil and I enjoy the late summer evenings with the help of the chiminea and a big bowl of crisps

It's been a busy but wonderful few weeks, I am now officially on maternity leave. This has come a few weeks earlier than I'd hoped, but I'm happy to listen to the doctor and I'd only be working for the money...who needs that anyway. So depending on when this little baby comes the next 4/5 weeks are for me to get the house, my head and Phil ready for the arrival....I can't wait :)

...a busy few weeks

Over the last few weeks we have had the pleasure of having lots of visitors. I love when people come to visit us, mostly cause I don;t have to pack or miss Church. A few weeks ago my parents stopped off in Sandbach on their return from Paris. It was a really lovely relaxing weekend and we even managed to squeeze in some baby shopping. New grandparents to be are very generous :) We spent most of the weekend catching up, chillin' out and drinking tea.

After they left I have a few days to get the house ready for my annual girlie weekend. Every year 4 of us from Uni get together to chat, chat and chat. We also eat and drink and chat. We all love these weekends and normally head to London and take in a show. However this year the girls took pity on me and my current circumstances and came to Sandbach instead. It was a fab weekend and we enjoyed a day in Knustford followed by a yummy meal out. In fact we all loved it so much that we have decided to ditch London and just meet in someones house each year. Next year we're off the Belfast :)

The Girlies left on Sunday afternoon and Phil's Mum and Aunties arrived that evening for a stop over before their flight from Manchester (at a silly time in the morning, I'm glad it was Phil's mum) to Turkey. It was great to see Mo and Jean again and join in with their madness!!

Thursday night we had some more visitors. Friends from Uni who stopped off on their way to a wedding in Cheltenham. It was really great to see them and their adorable little boy.

Jean and Mo return tonight before heading back to Whitby on Tuesday so no doubt tonight will be a very funny night filled with all their mad holiday stories. I can't wait.

We have only one mad weekend and one mad week of visitors left before I put my foot down and say NO MORE PEOPLE until the baby is born. I'm feeling the need to now get semi-prepared for the new arrival and need a few weekends at home with Phil to do this. Let's hope the baby doesn't arrive early!

... emotional overload

I'm normally a quite rational person, which is good since Phil can't stand irrational women. My emotions are usually in check and don't fluctuate wildly once a month like some women's do. However, the last few weeks have been a completely different story. I've had days at work were I've swung between wanting to crawl under my desk and cry and wanting to kill the next person who speaks to me. But I've stayed calm for the sake of my co-workers (I don't want them to think I'm totally mental). Sadly Phil hasn't escaped so lightly. I have taken to crying for no reason, for example, last night when he mentioned that he was going to go on his computer I broke down into a fit of tears and cried for a good 10 mins....he didn't go on his computer after that!! I'm hoping it's just the crazy pregnancy hormones and that they don't last for the next three months, cause crying is hard work and tiring! Apart from that I'm completely fine and loving being pregnant :)

... a 40th and a triple baptism

Last weekend Phil and I went to London to help Ali get ready for her 40th birthday bash. It was really just an excuse for me to play with the kids all day so I was happy. Phil, Ali and Michael did all the party prep work. It was a really great day getting ready and the party was a lot of fun, Happy Birthday Ali!!

Lottie giving big baby cousin a kiss

The weekend was a double celebration. Ali and Michael took the opportuniy of having all the Aunts and Uncle's in the one place to get thier three children baptised on Sunday morning. It was a priviledge to be asked to be Godmother to Hannah and to take part in the service. We love each of the children very much and pray for them and Ali and Michael as they are raised in a loving Christian home.

Lottie, Hannah and Sam

The Paterson Family

Phil and I with our niece/Godchild