...some rapid heart beating

Last Thursday I had my 16 week midwife check up. It was nice to finally meet my midwife and chat over any concerns. My biggest concern was that I hadn't put on any weight despite the fact that I already have a rather large bump. The midwife laughed and said don't worry you will!! Apart from the midwife taking far too much blood for my liking the best bit about the visit was getting to hear the heartbeat for the first time. It's nice to be re-assured that Baby Brumby is growing inside. I'm looking forward to the next scan in about 4 weeks. So far the pregnancy has been good and I've not had too many of those awful pregnancy symptoms. Lets hope it continues!! :)

... a weekend with friends from Uni

This weekend we had some lovely friends come to visit who we have known since Dundee days. Ruth came over from Nottingham on the Saturday with her new husband Giles and Nicola came up from London with her not so new husband Ian. It was great to meet Giles for the first time and get to know Ian a little bit better.

We had a super day on Saturday catching up on old times and seeing what everyone is up to know. We took them all for a walk along the canal and finished with a large coke in Lock 57. Nicola and Ian stayed for the whole weekend and we chilled out on sat night with some great food and chat. Sadly they have all left now but we're hoping to see each other a bit more often than we have up to now.

This morning at Church was also a Baptism service for 6 people, it was such a moving and wonderful service and I felt privileged to be there and to share it with them all.

...book club

I was at book club again last night. We meet every month to discuss a different book. Last night we were looking at 'Stepping Heavenwards' by Elizabeth Prentiss. It wasn't my favourite book but there was so much to take from it that I couldn't dislike it. I enjoy book club mostly cause I get to meet up every month with a great group of ladies and chat about books, God and anything else we think of. Sadly I have to lead a month next year which means choosing a book. I'm a bit stumped as to what to choose, so if anyone has any ideas please let me know. Most of my time these days is taken up with reading Book Club books, and the books I like may not appeal to the wider audience. I have a few ideas up my sleeve so we'll see what falls out!! I've started the next book for next month already, lets hope it's a good one :)

....wish that other bloggers would add an RSS feed to their blogs

I do wish that all my blogging friends, not to mention anyone in particular - Ione, Olga, Liz, Nic, would add an RSS feed to their blogs so that I don't have to continually check if they have been updated. RSS Feeds are great, they link to your email account and everytime you check your emails it gives you all the blog updates.

...some building work

Ok so the title seems to imply that I have building, which isn't technically correct, but Phil has been building on my behalf. Last summer we tried to buy some garden furniture in the summer sales but couldn't find anything we liked. So this year we just grabbed the bull by the horns and bought some garden furniture. It's not exactly what we were looking for last year, but times have changed, priorities have changed and bank balances are going to be alot smaller in the future. Below is a picture of me working at the table this afternoon when I came home from my site visit. It was great to be out in the garden and the wireless Internet seems to work even if it is a little slower.

The other thing Phil has been building is the gas BBQ that we bought last year for a great price on the Internet. However Phil has now discovered why it was such a good price...it's ridiculously difficult to built. The instructions are very complicated and the diagram is not much help. But he's great at stuff like this so hopefully it'll be finished by the weekend when we have friends coming to visit and we can have our first BBQ of the year.

....a few things for the first time!

This weekend Phil and I had the pleasure of going to Barcelona for my very good friend Cheryl's 30th Birthday. Barcelona is an amazing city with loads to see and do. We arrived on Friday morning after a stupidly early start!! This meant we had the rest of the day to explore. We dumped our bags at the hotel and headed off to the Olympic village area, about 5 mins from the hotel. We both had different reasons for going here, Phil wanted to see what it was like without 5million computer geeks (this was where his conference was at the end of Feb) and I wanted to visit the German Expo pavilion designed by the legendary Mies van de Rohe. I LOVED it, Phil wasn't quite so excited.

Friday night we met up with Cheryl and James for dinner. Cheryl was very shocked to see us in Barcelona but thrilled, we haven't seen each other in ages so it was great to catch up.

The Birthday Girl is the attractive one in the middle!

Saturday was a full day of Architectural sight seeing, Phil wasn't sure about this but by the end of the day was well impressed. Gaudi is a famous Architect in Barcelona so we went to see a variety of his masterpieces. One of the most spectacular was Sagrada Familia (the unfinished cathedral), and I think I'm now in the camp that says it should never have been finished. We got a lift to the top of the towers and had great views over the city, then had to walk back down a really narrow stairwell. Very scary!!

Next I took Phil off to Parc Gruell which if I'm honest I wanted to see because S Club 7 come here in their movie (I know I'm sad but S Club are fab) :) Apart from the monster climb up to the park it was a super afternoon, the sun was shining and we had a picnic on the curvy seats. Then Sat night was the big get together for all of cheryls family, 17 of us piled into a very busy restaurant and picked random things to eat (the menu was in Spanish and all waiters spoke Spanish). It was really lovely to kick back and chat to loads of lovely people that I haven't seen since there wedding day.

Sunday had a slow start to the day due the previous late night. I thought I should really let Phil see something he is actually interested in so we went to Camp Nou for a tour of the stadium and the museum. I have to admit that it was quite spectacular, especially sitting in the directors chair and pretending to be a footy commentator!!



We spent the reat of the day wandering around La Rambla area before we flew home. We will definately go back to Barcelona, but who knows when.

In the midst of all that excitement I have decided to take up knitting. The reasons for this will become clear as you read, but inspired by an old friend from school I bought a book, needles and some yarn. I'm currently a quarter of the way through a Debbie Bliss Buggy Blanket. It is lots of squares of different colours with a lovely blue external trim.



I'm enjoying knitting at night whilst I'm relaxing, but sadly my reading is suffering at the moment. I never was very good at balancing things.

Really the biggest news is that Phil and I are, God willing, having a baby in October. I am now 13 weeks pregnant and we are both very excited. So far I have been very lucky and haven't really had morning sickness. I have been a little sleepier than normal but nothing too drastic. But now that I'm moving into the second trimester I am hoping all signs of nausea and tiredness will be a thing of the past. Although we are absolutely thrilled with our liitle bump it was a bit of a surprise so finacially we aren't as prepared as we had hoped, but good friends and family are already coming out of the wood work and offering clothes, baby things, etc so this should help alot. I'll keep you posted as time progesses but for now here is the first scan images of the baby.

... a fab 70th Birthday

A few weekends ago Phil and I had the pleasure of spending the weekend with Mrs Brumby Senior (aka Jean). It was Phil's Mums 70th and although Jean didn't want any fuss, we did :) So much to her delight (we think) we arranged for Andy (her other son) and a few of her Whitby friend to come round for afternoon tea. It was a great surprise and a lovely afternoon was had by all. Even the cake was amazing, but that's probably because I didn't make it or decorate it!! In the even Jean, Andy, Phil and I all headed out to a really posh restaurant in Whitby for some top nosh. It was a super evening full of laughter, we were only sad that Ali, Michael and their little ones couldn't make it. But they sent a specially recorded Happy Birthday message which made everyone smile.

I still can't quite believe that Jean is actually 70 since she's still teaching virtually full time, has bags more energy than me and acts like a 20 year old most of the time. But we hope there are many more happy birthdays to come over the years.

... a free meal and a mad weekend in London

It's hard to believe that on the 19th Feb 1998 Phil and I went on our first date. What a wonderful 10 years we've had, we've experienced so much together and grown in our love for each other every day. To celebrate we went out for dinner at a local restaurant. We had a lovely night reminiscing and then to our delight we were informed by the manager that on a wed night they have a raffle and one table wins a free meal. WE WON!!! It's totally irrelevant that we were the only people in the restaurant!!

We then headed down to London on Thursday night to spend the weekend with Ali and Michael and our nieces and nephew. This was the first time that we had met little Sam so we were very excited. He's an absolutely adorable little boy. We also had lots of fun playing with the girls. Hannah is now walking and just potters around the house minding her own business. Lottie is full of chat and likes to give you a running commentary on everything she is doing.

It was also lovely in the evenings when all the little ones were sleeping to chill out with Ali and Michael, eat nice food and put the world to rights. It was a really special weekend for many reasons and we want to thank Ali and Michael for everything :)


Lottie, Hannah and Sam with their favourite Auntie (ok, so I'm their only Auntie but that's not the point)

... a week at home alone, and survived!

This past week Phil has been in Barcelona with work, he tells me that it was hard work and long days, but he was in Barcelona eating nice food and not in the office. Some people have all the fun. I one the other hand was at home, working!! I did however disprove some of Phil's theories.

Theory 1: That I steal the duvet....the duvet has remained in the same place all week and hardly needed me to make the bed when I got up in the morning. I conclude that Phil gives me the duvet during the night :)

Theory 2: That I trash the house....the house was tidied on Monday night and stayed tidy all week. I conclude that Phil finds my stuff and throws it round the house to make it look like I trashed the house.

Theory 3: That I'm allergic to the bin...I had to put the bin out whilst he was away AND put the recycling out. I conclude that I don't like this job and would rather Phil did it, which he does graciously.

Phil did however miss that all important commercial event that we never even celebrate..Valentines Day. So to make up for it he brought me home some lovely presents from Barcelona. I was expecting perfume from the airport but he excelled himself and brough this home for me instead....


If you have good eyesight you can read that the heart shaped cookie says 'Mobile World Congress 2008' and the bottle of champers was about the be thrown out!! It's the thought that counts :)

Phil is now home and although he's tired its been great to catch up properly and spend some time together.


I noticed that my video of Stricty Come Dancing Live didn't work, so here are a few photos. Sorry they are so far away.

... Strictly Come Dancing Live!

On Saturday night Phil took me to see my favourite TV show live. He bought me tickets for Christmas and I have been very excited waiting to go. The show was absolutely fab, just like to the TV show. There were nine celebraties and pro dancers, each competing for the glitter ball trophy. Each dancer did a latin and a ballroom dance, scored by the judges and then the audience got to phone in and vote. As much as I love Darren Gough, on the night I wanted Louisa Litton to win. Goughy won so I wasn't too disappointed. We had a brill night and even though it felt like we were on a Saga holiday, I still want to go next year!

... a weekend with Julie, Sarah and John

Three of my friends came over this weekend from Belfast to visit Phil and I. Sarah and Julie are friends that I have know since I was 15 and are very loved and valued. It was wonderful to have them over to our house for a whole weekend, instead of our usual evening visits to their houses when we're in Belfast seeing my parents. We had a wonderful weekend walking, chatting, playing cards and generally having a good laugh. Thanks guys for making it a special weekend for me.

... Christmas Part II

A few weekends ago Phil and I went over to Belfast to have Christmas with my parents. You might be wondering why we would have Christmas in the middle of January, but this year my parents were in Uganda visiting Jill (my sister) over new year so we didn't get a chance to see them. It was lovely to go 'home' and catch up with Mum and Dad and hear about their travels. We also had a chance to catch up with a few friends which was great.

.... some sorting and tidying

Apart from feeling miserable with the cold, it has been lovely to have a whole week at home. Phil and I have worked fairly hard this week trying to unpack boxes that haven't been opened since we packed them 2.5 years ago in Dundee and generally sorting things out in the house. It has been lovely to be at home whilst on holiday (we're normally off seeing family or friends). Today we went to look for a new mattress in the sales and came home with a new KING SIZE bed and mattress. This is very exciting since the bed we have had for the last 4.5 years of our married life has been third hand. We can now finally get rid of the spare room double bed that I dislike, alot.

We also had some wonderful news this week when my sister-in-law gave birth to her third child. Samuel Brumby Paterson, arrived safely on the 3rd January weighting 10lbs. After two little nieces it is nice to now have a little nephew to spoil rotten!!

... Christmas and New Year

They both seem to have passed in such a blur. The delight at having finished work on the last Friday was amazing and the knowledge that I had 2 whole weeks off work was wonderful. Phil and I headed off to London for Christmas and had a really great time with the whole Brumby/Paterson family. It was lovely just to chat, chill out, and relax with family. Normally we alternate Christmas and New Year with our families, but this year my parents were heading to Uganda to see my sister Jill for New Year so we came home and crashed. We had wonderful plans to go to Glasgow or Whitby but I was stuck down by this wonderful throat infection/flu/cold/constant headache that left me sleeping on the sofa for days. I dragged myself out on New Years eve, having convinced myself I was better and went to the Church Party and then a party with some friends from Church, but the next day I was wiped out again. All I can say is I'm glad I'm not back at work this week!!!

Hope you all had a good Christmas and a Happy New Year.

... Christmas at the office

Christmas is always an exciting time of the year in our office as everyone competes to get the best present from the contractor/QS/engineer, so you can imagine my disappointment/excitement when instead of the usual bottle of champagne or expensive bottle of wine I received this...


The disappointment at receiving a Ram Rocket soon disappeared when I realised it could be a powerful weapon when used against Phil.

So it's Christmas time and the pressies are wrapped and we're ready for a fun filled family Christmas. I hope you all have a lovely Christmas and New Year

... a visit from the in-laws

A few weekends ago we had a wonderful visit from Ali, Michael, Lottie and Hannah. After their last visit we new what to expect so all child unfriendly objects were moved out of reach and sleep was off the agenda. We had a great weekend with Lottie entertaining us from the very start. It's great to have her running round our house and chatting non-stop. We had endless hours of interesting conversations. It's always so much fin to have the Patersons to visit and we are all excited about the arrival of baby 3 in January.

Last weekend Phil and I had our first weekend alone for about 6 weeks. We were so excited that we decided to go to IKEA, I know we're mad. It wasn't as bad as we expected and we got the bookcase for the kitchen that we had hoped for. We crashed out on Saturday night and watched a movie snuggled up under a blanket on the sofa.

We are now getting excited about Christmas and starting to think about what pressies to buy and formulating plans for New Year.

... a wedding and a wee trip up north

Phil and I went to a wonderful wedding a few weekends ago of Phil's old Dundee flat mate, Stuart and his fiance Sharon. Since the wedding was in November we were worried about the weather, but it was a wonderful day. Loads of our friends from Uni were there so it was great catching up with them and some folk who we haven't seen since uni days. I wore, for the first time ever, killer heels and managed to walk on them for most of the day. I'm afraid that by the time of the evening doo I was barefoot.

We spent the rest of the weekend with family and visiting my nanny who is very poorly in hospital. Then on Sunday night we headed up to Portstewart (North Coast of Norn Iron). It was so lovely to get away from digital TV, computers and all the hustle and bustle of life. We had a long walk on the Strand followed by dinner out in my favourite place to eat, The Ramore Wine Bar. My friend Sarah joined us for a few days and we had a great time catching up, shopping and playing Uno far too late at night.

A wonderful time in Northern Ireland was had by all.

... a visit from the parents and an MBE party!

It's not very often that I can say that my parents are coming for dinner. But last week they were on route to Lanzarote with 2 friends and had a stop over in Manchester. It was really lovely to see them and Dad really liked seeing the new house. We had a few hours of fun teaching the oldies how to play on the Wii!! Sadly they had to leave at 6.00 the next morning to get their flight but it was worth the early morning to see them.

Last weekend we headed down to London for Phil's Uncle Johnny's MBE party. He was awarded an MBE for services to Sri Lanka, were he works as a Church of Scotland minister. Johnny and his wife Patrica where involved in relief work after the tsunami, which by Gods grace they narrowly escaped getting caught in. The party was great, it was so lovely to catch up with family away from the usual weddings.

The rest of the weekend we just spent time with the Brumby/Paterson family at Ali and Michael's. We had lots of fun with Lottie and Hannah who are now getting so big. Lottie is chatting away and is very cute when she's calls me Auntie Hewen :)

Although we weren't there for Halloween I had to add these photos of them before they went to the Church Pumpkin party.


Lottie as a scary Lion


Lottie and Hannah (Hannah is a pumpkin!)

... a weekend with a good friend

What a wonderful surprise when my very good friend Sarah phoned me on Wednesday morning to say that her husband John was coming over to Manchester for a conference and could she come to see us for the weekend. The answer was YES!! We love having friends to visit but sadly our friends from Belfast don't often get a chance to come over and since we try to see them when we are home, they feel less of a rush to come.

I picked Sarah up on Friday night from the airport and we just crashed out in the house and chatted into the wee hours of the morning. Sat was a very lazy day for Sarah. Phil and I went to the Ordination of Gary Aston (our new Assistant Pastor) in the afternoon.

Saturday night was of course wet aside for the rugby. Phil had arranged last week for his brother and friend to come round so Sarah and I just slotted into their plans. Whilst we were waiting for them to arrive Sarah produced a wonderful gift for each of us. I think I loved it more than Phil, but he was still very happy with the pressie. 2 IRELAND RUGBY TOPS!! Phil then felt he had to wear it to watch England and subsequently feels he was the sole reason that England lost, I don't think he'll be doing that again!

Sadly Sarah had to leave again on Sunday but it was a really special weekend and I'm hoping her and John will come to visit again soon.

...need some more sleep

I only seem to write this when I've done something interesting at the weekend (since I apparently don't do anything interesting during the week) but today I thought I'd step outside the norm. I didn't do anything 'interesting' this weekend but I did have a great weekend. We had a wonderfully busy weekend at Church, handing out the notices, meeting more new people, looking after lovely kids in creche and after the evening service having the YP round to our house. We had the opportunity to share our testimony with the YP which although this was scary it was actually really helpful (well for us anyway).

Work as usual has been mad busy this week and it seems to be getting busier as the weeks continue. Lets hope we organize ourselves soon and book some time off work. I feel tired all the time. Although I'm loving work at the moment some times I have to remind myself that I'm an Architect cause what I do each day is more in line with a counsellor/people manager, but it's fun so I shouldn't complain (not that I was)

I'm looking forward to this weekend because I'm going to the Northern Women's Convention in Manchester with a group of ladies from the Church.