10k run

Today was the day that I had been "training" for (well, that's a bit of an exaggeration) - I've been running to and from work (4.6k) twice a week for the last 8 weeks - but didn't think I was ready for a 10k run.

Andy had selected a route - from my flat through Gorgie and joining the cycle path (which I didn't know existed) from Tynecastle to Trinity. We surprised ourselves at how (relatively) easy it was. I'm not going to pretend that there's a chance of me getting to the 2012 Olympics - but I was pretty pleased with a sub 1 hour run - having advised the nearest hospital that I might require medical assistance after a few hundred metres....

ouch!

I came back from work to find Grace and a friend of hers (Georgia) bouncing up and down on our bed....I'd warned them that they could hurt themselves if they fell off...no sooner had I said that, than the doorbell rang (it was Georgia's mum who'd arrived to pick her up), than Grace promptly fell off the bed....she only fell about a foot - but landed akwardly. I thought this didn't look good.....Catrin however was oblivious to her pain and thought she was up to her usual drama queen antics....it was only a few minutes later - with Grace still screaming (and Catrin preparing Poppy's first ever solid food meal...which was not the ideal time).

I finally persuaded Catrin that she needed to take Grace to hospital as I thought she'd broken her arm.  Finally, after much cajolling she relented, and took Grace to a&e. It turned out that she had indeed broken her arm....

Upon her return, she was in good spirits - and had a nice bright pink cast. Catrin felt suitably chastised for her cynicism.

Joseph

Cat has told me to say a few things about Joseph....JoJo as we call him. He can't say a hell of a lot at the moment - but is rapidly turning into a cutie - the girls at nursery love him to bits - Sharon, Siobahn & Stacey.....Joseph announced to us that he could say Stacey - which made us all laugh. Siobahn proved as difficult to say as it is to spell....

He is obsessed with pushing the McLaren buggy (the other 2 are not so good - he's very particular). He hates Tesco with a passion. Whenever you go for a walk, if there is the threat of going in Tesco, he'll blow a wobbly......Starbucks however (next door) is a very different matter.

He likes his dummies - which we use as something to shut him up. He loves Poppy (or Bobby as he calls her) and is very gentle with her - often going up to her and giving her a kiss and cuddle (unsolicited). He also has a strange fascination with belly buttons - which is a little embarrassing when we have guests and he pulls up their top (something his father encourages!). He is very good humoured - loves his mini milk and yoghurts - his favourite words are May (mess), Booby (anyone's boobs - including mine). He is great at going to bed - and is usually asleep within minutes - but is not so happy about having his nappy changed.....

Poppy

I'm glad we have Poppy. Had we not had her, I think it would have coloured our view on what babies are like. Both Joseph (especially) and Grace were pretty horrible as babies - and it's only now that we are realising how bad they were.

Poppy is a complete star - she's alert, quiet, sleeps (most of the time) when she's supposed to, is never sick (famous last words) and is generaly a delight. Although "unplanned", she has proved to be easily the most chilled out of the children that we have.

Payback time will probably start tomorrow.

adultery..or the closest I'll come to it

We went to Morningside Baptist this morning. P&Gs is meeting at the Hub and we really couldn't be bothered to go there, so we thought we'd go to Morningside where great things are happening....it's funny going to another church in Edinburgh - you feel like you're ceating on the wife (we've been at P&Gs for 13 years and have only been to 2 or 3 other services in other churches in Edinburgh in that time). I was quite looking forward to it....

The only problem was that the childcare provisions was pants - Cat had to stay with Grace & Joseph - Grace refused to go to her class - which is fair enough in a new place....I'd hoped to hear the sermon with Poppy - who for the first 20 minutes or so was perfectly behaved....however this started to unravel when she started to get hungry - and my boobs would not do....Joseph then started screaming when he saw me (for reasons that I do not understand) but it was nice to be missed....anyway we scarpered before the service ended, tail firmly between legs. I think I would have enjoyed it, had I had the chance - but I don't think we'll be repeating it for a while.....

Bourne Ultimatum

Cat & I went to the cinema this evening (at the Dominion) to see the Bourne Ultimatum - and an excellent film it is too! We enjoyed luxury sofas which were worth every penny - and the fact that we had an evening out together. Fantastic. Katy Millar babysat and was amazed that she didn't need to do anything - but to be fair to our kids - while they might be a nightmare during the day - they are usually pretty good at night.

4.30 wake-up call

Poppy was up at 4.30 this morning - and took forever to get back to sleep. By the time she did - Joseph was awake (at 5.30). The day hadn't started well....I got up with him and Grace was up shortly after 7. Took Grace for her swimming lesson at the commonwealth pool and then we went to church (back at Pollock). Maxi Bubbles has resumed, and I was on duty.

Joseph was not a happy camper when he woke from his sleep - he's got a very bad rash (again) and is extraordinarily grumpy. I could do nothing to cheer him up - and he cried for a good hour until Catrin got back from Waitrose so I could take him out for a walk. One ice-cream later and he was a changed man.

Another walk later (round the block with him and Grace) - resulted in 3 falls while he pushed Grace's buggy. Tears and more frustration......