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......

zoo

We went to the zoo which seemed like a good idea at the time. We only go every 18 months or so - and I remembered why when we got there and I was pushing a buggy with Joseph in it and Poppy on my chest. Felt like I was in training for Everest.

Weather was ok but not sure how I feel about animals being caged up in a soggy Scottish environment. 

The afternoon was spent with great excitement (or not as the case actually was) at sainsburys.

Cat was babysitting for Phil & Fi in the evening - so I managed to watch a dvd.

lunch with andy

Met up with Andy for lunch today (this was after I'd run into work). We were hoping that Jo & Andy would be babysitting for us this evening - so we could see the latest Bourne film- but it wasn't on at the Dominion. As it was, J&A couldn't make it so that solved that problem....

Joseph is grumpy today which means he's likely to come out in a rash in the next couple of days. Watch this space....

roll over

No, I'm not talking the lottery. This evening Poppy managed her first "roll-over" - which delighted Grace - she kept leaving the dinner table to come back to inform us whether or not she had done another one. Grace is a big fan of Poppy - as are her mum & dad as she's given us (so far) very little to worry/moan about.......the same cannot be said for her elder siblings!

Day at the Bonham

My committee (Subordinate Legislation) had an away day at the Bonham hotel in Edinburgh. It went ok - I gave a presentation on bills and lunch was the best part of the day....the fact that I don't write too much on this blog is probably indicative of how much fun it is.

Afterwards I met Cat to try and buy a rug from John Lewis - we failed. The one that Cat bought a few days ago from Laura Ashley is not heavy enough and folds up every time you walk on it which will become increasingly annoying.

She foolishly offered to give our old rug to Les & May who collected it this evening. I'm now thinking that it might have loooked good in Joseph's room......

rebellion

Grace started her swimming lessons at the Commonwealth Pool this morning - at 8.30! This sounds early - but we'd been up for some time by the time we'd got there. There were plenty of folk there too! It's a new class, and she didn't seem all that keen to start with - but was soon having a great time.

I got back to take Joseph out - who at thta point was climbing up the walls. Foolishly I thought we could go to Starbucks wheer I might at least be able to read the sport section of the paper.....this didn't happen.

We decided to skip church for the first time in I don't know how long - but instead headed out to North Berwick wheer we briefly ewalekd along the beach before getting the inevitable ice cream. Dropped a present off for Hamish on the way home while the kids slept - but made schoolboy error of not giving Joseph enough time to sleep in the car. As it was, when Cat popped out for an hour Joseph, Poppy and I were all nearly in tears, and I wasn't the most sociaable person when Jeannie came as I was in a big grump.

I went for a run round Arthur's Seat with Phil which was what I needed -and broke the magic 30 minte barrier (29:59)!

run in

Rather stiff from yesterday, I still managed to run to work this morning. Although it's downhill all the way, it only took me 1 minute less than going the opposite direction!

The decorator has lined the walls in the sitting room - so it'll be finished tomorrow. Had a skype chat with both mum and Quentin this evening - Q finally has his computer plugged in at home.....

run home

This evening I ran home from work. That's 4.2km. I was impressed that I managed to do it without stopping - not least because it is all uphill. I even managed a respectable 24 minutes.

Phil, Andy & Jake go jogging

Took the children down to St Peter's park this afternoon. Grace was on her usual go-slow mode. I have never known a child who can walk so slowly as her. A walk which ordinarily would take 5 minutes (for example going to Tesco's or Starbucks) will take 20-25 minutes with her. I am glad to say that it is not only me who has had thoughts of murder (especially when you've got 2 other smaller kids) - as Catrin confessed to me that she has also had murderous thoughts.....Grace stops every few paces - to look at a rock, stone, flower, her feet etc. etc. You can holler all you like and threaten her with limbs being amputated but it'll make no difference. She is as stubborn as they come.

This evening I did my 2nd jog around Arthur's Seat - this time with Andy & Phil. It was a good run- and I think we all enjoyed it. It's amazing that we are still all running. I'm sure we'll be regreting the challenge that we set ourselves that night in Cloisters.....

more rain for the festival

Picked up by Richard at 7.00am for a 7.50 tee off. Shot a 77 but still managed to get beat - giving him 10 shots as well as letting hime choose where and when he took the shots (and this was after he had completed the hole). Won't be so generous again.

The rest of the day rained and rained and rained. One of the few words that Joseph can say is "raining" which pretty much sumes up this "summer". We are all thoroughly fed up with it.

Catrin took Grace to Henri's party at Craiglockhart and then headed out for a couple of hours to a children's festival event - which she said was "ok". I feel bad enough for us locals with this weather - but I feel quite sorry for all those tourists here in Edinburgh who will be vowing never to return as they get yet another soaking.

a quick jog round Arthur's Seat....

I went for a run around Arthur's Seat at lunchtime. It's 5.45km. I'm getting slightly addicted to this now....but am still not sure whether I am actually enjoying it - the run up the hill was an absolute killer - but the views toward east Lothian and over the Forth of Fife were awesome (amazingly it was actually quite a nice day).

Headed home early and had the kids tucked up in bed at a reasonable time for us to actually have a child-free evening.

Milestone

Today was Grace's last day at the Corner House (nursery). Catrin and I were feeling very nostalgic - but Grace was having none of it - in fact she was a bit disappointed that she wasn't going to "school" today (I hadn't the heart to tell her that she's going to pre-school - in what effectively is another nursery). Nevertheless, she didn't seem remotely bothered - except to make sure that she was the "Golden child" (where everyone has to say something nice about you).

I went to the opticians to fix my glasses after Grace had slapped me in the face a few days ago - and met them all just as they were 20 yeards down the road from nursery. Both Joseph & Grace demanded that I take them out for a walk - so we did our usual round the block walk(Merchiston Crescent). Joseph can't get enough of being out - he's always bringing you your shoes and howling like a dog by the door until you relent.....we'll be in real trouble when he's figured out how to open the door and let himself out.

Heroes

We have started watching Heroes the last couple of weeks - it's one of the few things that I will make a point of watching. I'm really just writing this down so that in 30 years time (if I ever were to look back at this blog) - I'll wonder what the heck Heroes was - and if I do, how dated it has now become......

I cooked a fantastic steak for us all this evening- which with a good class of Malbec makes the world feel a better place - food and wine is good for the soul.

Lowri

Lowri got here this morning - she'll be staying until Thursday afternoon. Catrin, Poppy and Lowri went shopping and this evening we had a very nice roast chicken (quite why I'm telling you this I really don't know....).

I've been very busy the last week or so doing all things Fantasy football - selecting teams etc. I realise that I'm becoming a little obsessed - especially when I found myself way too interested in a match involing Everton and Spurs and then trying to find out not only who scored - but who was substituted and what the score was at that particular time.....

Church was at Mary Erskine's school again today. There seemed to be more people there this week - I guess most people have come back from their holidays. Poppy has been very good - she was wide-eyed in hcurch and got plenty of "oohs" and "ahhs" from admiring people.....I told them 1 out of 3 wasn't bad.

12 years ago...

It's our 12th anniversary today. This looks longer than it feels when you write it down. It shows how you become increasingly blasse about anniversaries when both of you are writing the card to one another in different rooms and telling the other that they haven't yet finished but to come back in 30 seconds.....Cat bought me a pair of running shorts which I'm never going to wear and a running top which I will. No doubt I'll forget to take the shorts back to replace them and they will still be here in 12 months time.

Phil came round for 7.30am (yes, you read that right) to go for a run. I took Joseph in the buggy and we went round the Meadows. I hope Joseph doesn't expect this chauffeur treatment every Saturday morning at this time!

We went out in the evening to Peckhams Underground - which was very nice. I drank too much red wine (and suffered for it the next day) - while Sharon (from nursery) babysat. Joseph was in bed when she arrived - but clearly knew that something was up - and his ears perked up when he heard the sound of her voice in the hall (they both have a soft spot for each other). We reckon she'll have got him up to have a play and a cuddle - but frankly didn't care - just so long as he doesn't get up at 4.30am. Not sure I'll be saying the same about Grace when she's 15...

flowers from the old romantic

Yesterday I confessed to Catrin that I hadn't bought anything for her for our upcoming anniversary (I think it's always best to keep any expectation low to non-existant). Howveer, there was no way I was going to get away with that so today IO got a bouquet from Honeysuckle florist in Morningside - and what a bouquet it is! Catrin was chuffed (and I'm not in the dog-house - so it's a result both ways).

Again I took Joseph out for a walk in the evening (to collect the flowers) - and it was a tricky balancing act pushing him in the buggy - balancing a huge bouquet on top...

6.2km

Yes - that's how far I ran tonight - and yes I am completely knackered. Managed it in 33 minutes and 2 seconds (statistical anorak that I am). I was pretty pleased with how it went - I think this is just about the longest run I've done so far - or certainly the furthese - running to Phil & Fi's then through Craigleith Park, Greenbank and back down Myreside Rd and Colinton Rd.

The kids had been out at the McGlynn's today - Joseph was bouncing up and down on a tramolene and managed to bite his tongue - so came home covered in blood. All of them were in tears when they got home - they'd had way too much excitement for one day! Apparantly they'd all been running around the garden throwing cold water on each other...I wonder if there's any chance of having a similar adult party?!

Harry Potter

I've been spending the last few days reading Harry Pooter and the Deathly Hallows. I finally finished it this evening. It's pretty frightening to think how much money JK Rowling has made from these books.....I wonder if she could spare a few bob.

a walk in the Gyle

Church was at Mary Erskine School this morning (and will be for the next 4 weeks). I must confess that it wasn't as great a venue as I'd expected - most of it being built in the 1960s - not a decade exactly noted for its architecture......

The waeather today was foul. Joseph was grumpy - but he simply had to be taken out as he was doing all of our heads in my moping about inside - moaning...it's very difficult explaining to a 20 month old child that he can't go out because it's pissing down.....

Not to be put off - I decided to take him the Gyle - for the sole purpose of giving him a walk. We didn't even go into a shop - he simply trotted down from one end of the shopping centre to the other. The things you do as a parent!

Thsi evening, both Cat & I went for a run - with Fi & Phil respectively. This could be the start of something....

bad light stops play

I headed out with Joseph this morning down to Dalry Rd - which made a pleasant change from our normal walk to Bruntsfield/Morningside. Bought a running watch at "Run & Become" - and then had a long walk home up through the West End/Lothian Rd.

Grace had a party at Clambers- so I stayed home with Joseph & Poppy. We then went into the garden downstairs (with a shed-load of stuff to entertain the little monsters) - as the weather was actually pretty good.

Managed to head to Craigielaw in the evening - teed of at 7.10 and got 14 holes in before bad light stopped my bad play.

Cat locked out

Cat locked herself and the children out of the flat this morning. I'm surprised this is the first time as it's quite easy to do. She was lucky that she hadn't pulled the door shut with either Joseph or Poppy still in the flat. As it was they all came to the Parliament - and Grace & Joseph went into the creche (Grace actually asked to go in!) - so we had a coffee (with Poppy). This actually worked out quite well for Catrin in the end.

I headed home a bit early and took Joseph and Grace out to the swing park at Harrison Gardens. Both Cat & I went out for a run this evening - it's getting kind of serious now!

A challenge!

Met up with Phil & Andy at Cloisters bar at Tooll Cross this evening.

Foolishly, we all made a pledge - that we'd be up for a 10km run on the first Saturday in November (3 Nov). This gives us 3 months to get into shape. The plan will be to run from Phil's to Andy's. I'll plan some sort of route tomorrow. No doubt I'll look back on this day with nothing but regret....

fill this in

Played golf this evening with Andrew Senew. Managed to play pretty dreadfully - but halved the match. Also discovered that I won the medal on Wednesday (gross) and have been cut by 0.4 to 6.9 - my lowest handicap ever! Quite chuffed with myself.

Can't remember what happened today - will need to check with Cat - but Nesta was also here....

Howies

Catrin & I managed an evening meal out at Howies tonight. This is one of the main benefits of having your mother-in-law staying with you - especially when you don't have to pay for babysitting services!

I think the last time we were here was when Les & May babysat when Grace was just 5 weeks old......that was our very first night out, and seems a very long time ago now.

Family back home +1

I went back to work today. It wasn't very exciting and I don't appear to have missed much the last few days.

After a short and uneventful day I headed to the airport to pick up the family who had stayed a couple of days in Wales and flown up with Nesta (otherwise Catrin wouldn't be able to manage 3 kids on the plane).

Joseph and Grace were both delighted to see me and in really good form - the flat had seemed strangely quiet the last couple of days - although I did enjoy the fact that when you tidied the place up it stayed tidy! That's all about to change once again.....

77

Medal this morning. Shot a 77 which I hope will get me cut (by 0.4)?

Quick run round Harrison Gardens then a very exciting visit to Tesco.....not.

Went for a meal with Andy at the Gurkha - followed by Harry Potter (the 5th one) at the Dominion which was pretty good.

drive home then golf

Drove home this morning (with some of the kids stuff - who will be flying back with Nesta and Cat on Thursday). Had a very good journey (just over 5hrs)- and no kids to try and keep happy in the back of the car.....

Bought a golf bag at the Fort then played 18 holes at Craigielaw on my lonesome in the evening - the weather is much better up here! Back to an eerily quiet home by 10pm.

Llanelli swim then back to Ludlow

Took the kids for a swim at Llannelli this morning - there is nothing else to do with this weather unless it's indoors. Jospeh is like a caged animal - not a happy camper and wants to get out at every available opportunity (which hasn't been often). He wasn't enjoyong his swim until he saw Grace jumping in (she's getting much more confident in the water now) - then he seemed to enjoy splashing (me).

After lunch, I thought it best to head back to Ludlow - as there are still flood warnings everywhere. A much better journey this time - and I sorted out Dad with his iTunes/iPod stuff.

and on to Wales

Everyone was leaving early this morning - Q&L stayed the night as they weren't sure they'd make it home yesterday. I went for another run down to the bridge to take a look at the river - which was still very impressive......

We were last to go - heading down to south Wales - which took over 2 and half hrs - it absolutely chucked it down for a while and the wipers were on spasmo speed.

Luned & her troops had just arrived - so the volume was quite high. I managed to get some peace and quiet by watching a very exciting final day's play at Carnoustie for the Open.

will the rest of the family make it?

The floods in the Midlands are horendous - and I half-expected we'd be the only ones to mark mum & dad's 65th......I went for a run to just short of the bridge this morning (in the rain) - which I reckon was getting on for almost 2.5 miles.

Dad & I popped to Tesco - where I bought the final JK Rowling offering, as well as some rations. The old bridge in town was closed with the waters rising - so we had to make it back by another route. Dad & I later went back to the bridge to do some "disaster viewing" - there were several houses under water - and the river had burst its banks.....

Dom, Quentin et al all finally made it and we had some sandwiches then had a meat feast in the evening (the BBQ was cancelled as the weather was still shocking). Q&L only just made it here as most of the roads they usually come on were closed due to flooding.

The children all played really well - Abigail & Jemima looked after Grace, Henry, Charlotte & Joseph and it was good to see them all get on so well....

a long long long drive through crashes and floods

We spent over 8hrs in the car today - driving down to my mum and dad's for the family get-together to "celebrate" their respective 65th birthdays this year. The journey was one that we weren't looking forward to - especially when warned about "hazardous" weather down in the Midlands.

We were going about 10mph for about an hour due to a crash on the M6 near Warrington - but then our troubles really began....as soon as we got onto the A49 - not that far from Ludlow - we had to get through several parts of road which were in some instances up to 2 feet deep....Craven Arms (about 5 miles from final destination) was a standstill - we were there for an hour - which with 2 screaming kids (unsurprisingly grumpy after such a long journey in the car). Grace, on the other hand thought this was great fun - and demanded that I go through every puddle/river there was.

The most frightening moment of the journey was not in the car - but in a service station. We had stopped for lunch and Joseph was in the soft play, while I looked after Poppy and Cat took Grace to the toilet. Just as C&G were goping I couldn't see Joseph (it was literally a split second) - and there was a frantic panic for about 3 minutes trying to find him in a very busy service station on one of the busiest days of the year......we found on the road outside (he'd walked about 20 yards) in the arms of a woman who had "rescued" him. Needless to say we were relieved. But it wasn't a moment in my life I'd want to have to go through again.....

running after the buggy

More rubbish weather today - so we headed to the joys of the Gyle. I took Joseph (nothing new there) and walked him round the shopping centre until he got suitably knackered and opted to jump into the buggy. Catrin was impressed......however the most exciting thing I bought today was 14 pairs of socks and 6 pairs of boxer shorts......wha hey!

Lunch at M&S cafe and then in the afternoon I played golf with Andrew where we got lucky with some almost half-decent weather.

When I got back, I went for a run (with Joseph who was being a complete pain in the arse). I pushed him in the double buggy for a 25 minute run (and was completely knackered)- but he really enjoyed himself and was slightly depressed that it all had to come to an end....

early bird

Green light to play golf today - and when I teed off (at 7.10am) - I was the 1st peron out there - hardly surprising really given the ludicrous time of day. However, I always enjoy being up early and getting what I consider to be the best part of the day. The golf wasn't bad either - a 78 which I was pleased about given the difficult conditions (wind and some light rain) - along with the fact I haven't played for a couple of weeks.

Joseph has been a nightmare today. I took P&J for a walk this afternoon and tried to buy a pair of trainers to run in. Joseph had a meltdown. This was not the first time today. When I got back (at a very respectable 11am I might add), Catrin had murder in her eyes. I thought it best that she go out on her own before someone downstairs sees a child being hurtled out of a 1st floor window. Starbucks did the trick and she came back in a much better frame of mind a couple of hours later. In this time, I enjoyed playing with some lego that she'd bought for Grace way too much. I never played with it as a kid and found it strangely addictive - building an ambulance, a fire station, fire engine and helicopter.......the fact that I'm even writing it in my blog is worrying - it clearly shows that there was too much enjoyment. Funnily enough Grace quickly got bored while I continued to build.......maybe I need therapy.

Anyway - Cat had her hair cut today (short!) - and of course I like it dear.....I tried again to buy a pair of running shoes (as well as top, socks and a very sexy pair of lycra shorts). Now I look the business - but the same cannot be said of wheezing bald git collapsing after a hundred yards. Still - the neighbours probably think it's funny.....

will this rain ever end?

This has to be the worst summer we've ever had. It's still pissing down - and I'm now more than a little pissed off.

Managed my 2nd run this evening - but less successful than yesterday - I'd eaten too much dinner and should have gone out a bit later...but hey ho. Still pleased that I didn't die of a hear attack.

2nd filling and my 1st run in 25 years...

That's a slight exaggeration - but I haven't done a run in years - certainly 15. I was impressed when Catrin took up running last year to do a 5K charity run - she improved pretty quickly....I'm hoping to do the same. However, I half expected to stop after a couple of hundred yards - coughing up blood and about to implode. I actually found it easier than I expected. OK - so it wasn't a marathon- but I managed to run for 15 minutes without stopping which I was chuffed with.....knackered now though! I reckon it must be 2km that I did. The plan is to see whether I can hack it and to run and cycle each day to and from work (i.e. cycle in, run home, run in, cycle home etc.).

I had a 2nd filling this morning - again there wasn't much to it - I bet child birth isn't what it's cracked up to be either......

happy 65th mum

It's mum's 65th birthday today. I bought her and dad (it was his 65th back in March and I had so far failed to get him anything) tickets for the Gala performance of Falstaff by the Welsh National Opera. "Gala" simply means more expensive.....so I hope they enjoy it. The ridiculous thing is that all (4) regular performances were already sold out - and this is March 2008!! Anyway, I hope they enjoy it - it's got Bryn Terfel in it - and it's on St David's Day (1st March - my birthday) - so it should be a good occassion to be in Wales for.....

This evening we went out for a meal at Palmerston's in Morningside with Jo & Andy. Fi babysat. It was fantastic to get out and have a sensible conversation without kids. This is what life used to be like....

another ****ing flat tyre!

Today didn't start well. After I'd dropped Grace & Joseph at nursery, I got back to my bike to discover that I had another flat tyre. Grumpy. There was also some swearing. Clearly, it's the tyre not the tbe at fault. This meant that I had to walk to work - which was a pleasant change.

Bizarrely, on the way back home, while being passed by joggers, I had a thought which I must confess I never would have dreamed of in a zillion years....wouldn't it be a good idea to run to wrok every day! Whoa! Steady on! Am I nuts? Quite possibly (I have 3 children after all). Benefits of running are that it's cheap and I can't get a flat tyre. Drawbacks: it'll hurt, I could have a heart attack and die, and it's boring as hell. Let's give it a try then.

sophie-anna's party

After a quiet church service, Grace had been invited to Sophie-Anna's birthday party at Moray Place Gardens. While this should normally be a safe bet in the height of summer - after the weather we've had so far, this was looking like being an unwise decision. However, the weather was reasonable (we got wet for about 2 minutes) and Grace was well behaved until she did the usual trick of turing into child from hell on the way home.

valium anyone?

I have worked out that on average, it takes 3 hrs to get out of the flat. This morning proved this statistic. We headed out eventually to try and get a light for the sitting room (failing miserably)so decided that we should try and get lunch at Toast in Marchmont. We also failed to secure a table there - but sat outside of the patiserie next door. Joseph insisted on pushing his buggy into oncoming traffic - and there were a few moments when both Catrin and I would have been happy for him to do so.

To relieve the tension of a stressful morning - where most of us were either grumpy or grumpy with everyone else - I took Grace to see Shrek 3 with Phil, Gregor & Ruaridh. This was mildly entertaining - but was worth the entrance fee just to see Grace's excited face a few moments before the film began.....

I went to a stag party in the evening - at Stooshies on Victoria Street. It's been a long time since I was out on a Saturday night...and I felt very old. Everything is so loud - it's no wonder the youth of today shout at each other - they are all deaf. The food and company was good. It was Ben's stag party and he was the last surviving batchelor of my Craigielaw golfing fraternity....

Au Pair from Brazil

Catrin interviewed a girl today to look after the children for 3 days a week (picking up Grace and then the other 2 from nursery for 4 hrs before we get home). Cat said she was very good, friendly and "just what we are looking for". I hope so.....Even better if she looks something like this.

yet another flat tyre

The joys of riding a bike in Edinburgh....once again as I was about to get onto my bicycle this evening - the front tyure was as flat as a pancake - I must have had a slow puncture. Managed to pump the thing up and pop into Edinburgh Bicycle Co-op - who are currently enjoying my business at present more than they ought to be.

finally back on wireless

Got our BT Home Hub today - and as expected - it wasn't the plain sailing installation process that was sold to me. Ended up phoning their technicians (who were either in India or Birmingham). After 35 minutes, they finally sorted it out. But at least the thing is working....for now.

that didn't hurt!

Trip to the dentist this morning for my first ever filling. Catrin was delighted that I was terrified - and kept reminding me to think about what she went through when giving birth to our 3 children......but I needn't have worried - the dentist was excellent and I hardly felt a thing.

divorce papers waiting?

A mixed foursomes golf game at Gullane 1 had been in the diary for some time. Catrin had given me the green light some time ago. - but evidently had forgotten - especially after a long week's holiday looking after 3 children......she had forgotten and was not amused. The fact that Jospeh and Grace were playing up did not add to her mood. I kept my consel as we headed to church. After dumping Joseph in the kids area I was off - but could feel Catrin's burning eyes in my back......I could only hope and pray that they behaved themselves (and fortunately they did).

The golf was good - I played with Shona Leisk at Gullane 1- and we were doing pretty well until 3 putting the 12th & 13th and that was when it all started to go wrong. The weather was also incredible - clas of thunder and lightning - not the ideal conditions for golf - but we remarkably stayed dry.

wet & wild

The end of our holiday. It rained every mile of the 320 miles back home - and we missed a crash on the M6 which would have caused serious delay by a matter of seconds. 6 hrs in the car with 3 small children surprisingly went much better than you'd think.

It's good to be home - I no longer need to duck every time I go through a door.....

stratford

We had a fairly quiet day today. I took Joseph into Stratford to pay for the house in Welford and we also went to M&S to get some food for this evening. Managed to get a salmon for 4 people..ooops. Joseph was grumpy as soon as he got into any shop and we got an absolute soaking from the shop to the car (like you wouldn't believe). Tourists must hate this country.

In the evening, I went with Joseph and Grace to drop stuff of at Q&L's that we'd borrowed (stair gate etc.). Grace now in the front of the car seems very grown up......

National Trust bonanza

Kenilworth Castle (ok so it's English Heritage), Baddesley Clinton & Packwood House up near Warwick. The weather was actually pretty good....

Chippenham

Visited the Matthews family down in Chippenham - a place that I've lived very close by but never actually stopped.

sunday lunch at the Thomas'

Sunday lunch at Quentin & Lynne's. Grandpa & Grandma joined us. Grace enjoyed playing with Charlotte & Henry (although feigning to be shy to start with).

the long drive to Welford

317 mile drive to Welford on Avon in the Cotswolds. Made good time with a stop for an hour. 6 hrs door to door.

Arrived to discover no hot water and it's been raining (a lot). Kids grumpy. Joseph managed to fall down the stairs twice in the first couple of hours that we got there. This could be a very long week.....Wondering why we bothered coming in the first place. Finally got the kids off to bed - but it wasn't looking like being the best night's sleep for anyone.....

nanny interview

This evening we interviewed a potential nany (we are not even sure we want one). This was quite a terrifying ordeal as she clearly knows more about kids than we do. Intimidated? Oh yes. She was very good, competent, but a bit too Norland nanny for our likings, so we'll be re-thinking. It was (I think) a good exercise as it has helped to clarify our thoughts (or should I say Catrin's).

safari

It was absolutely chucking it down this morning - and  as much as I tried to put off the inevitable, I had to get on my bike to get to work. Within a few hundred yards I was soaked - but consoled myself with the benefit of a free breakfast as it was National Cycle day (which I was blissfully unaware of) so got a cereal or porridge......hmmmmm. I'd rather have a free fry-up - but I guess that's hardly taking the healthy lifestyle option.....

Loaded Apple's safari onto my laptop this evening. I am a fan of all things Apple - it's so well presented with better fonts and is easier to use......this is in contrast to my experience with BT Broadband. Today I received a BT Hub phone - but no Hub. They have no record of me having ordered one. They are kind of chicken and egg - i.e. you need one with the other - and they should have been sent together. I had a rant at the chap at the other end of the phone - for which I felt considerably better. If I'm organised enough, as soon as the hub arrives (another 7 days) - I'll then cancel my provider and find someone else who actually is able to organise a piss-up in a brewery....because BT cannot.

a grim day

Cat was at Olivia's funeral this morning - and she said it was a pretty harrowing experience.

In the evening I got a text from Andy - whose dad had died after a heart bypass - so today has been a grim one. These events put your daily troubles (children misbehaving, internet problems etc.) into persepctive.

speak English!

This evening I had the unbridled joy of speaking to someone from India trying to fix my internet connection. Now - before I'm accused of being a racist xxxxxx, and although his English was probably as good as mine - his diction was not. There's only so many times that you can ask "sorry, can you repeat that" before both you and him get seriously pissed off. The computer language/jargon doesn't help - so it's like talking to an Indian while you both try to converse in Martian.

After 47 minutes (I have a timer on my phone) - he decided that there was bugger all he could do and so I am still without wireless technology......a big fat waste of time. Had the chap been from the home counties - we'd have discovered in a third of the time, that there was bugger all they could do. So, I'm now back to traditional broadband (not wireless) - which works and is quicker than if I were wireless. Only problem is that someone is bound to break either a neck or leg when they fall over. Sod's law it'll be me.

Daddy's Day

I was woken this morning to Grace thrusting a present in my face (I can think of worse ways to start the day). Joseph had made a card for me (with some help I understand) - as had Grace - but Catrin had managed to lose it. Fortunately, Grace didn't seem too bothered.

Grace had told me at bedtime last night that there was a surprise that she wasn't allowed to tell me about - but then proceeded to show me where my present was hidden. I was waiting to see whether she could resist temptation and not tell me what was inside - she clearly wanted to - but was as good as her word to her mummy.

After church, we went home and Catrin popped out as part of my "special" day was to get a round of golf later in the evening. Grace and I played "Rain or Shine" which is really one of the most stupid children's games about - random luck - which annoyingly you can't even deliberately lose...and so I won both times. Grace not happy.

When Cat got back we had the briefest of excursions - to Lucas and Starbucks before the rain descended. A quick dash back (with Grace on my back) just about killed me.

Golf was undoubtedly the highlight of the day for me (sorry family!). I played unbelievably well - going round in level par - 71 - my 2nd best score ever. I even managed to hole some monster puts with my new putter. A very happy camper.

Barber's for lunch

Joseph and I popped out this morning to do some errands - the weather was crap so we headed out to the VW garage to get some oil (it had been flashing and my dad had been hassling me to get it looked at) - apparently they use more oil before engine gets run-in.....we also popped to M&S and Boots before heading back for lunch - as the Barber family were coming over.

Jeannie, Andrew, Phoebe and Isabelle duly arrived and it was lovely to see Grace and Phoebe play so well together - Grace was delighted that they had their own dining table - after my broken chair episode the day before.

Sod's law that Andrew mentioned that I hadn't called him recently with any IT problems (he's a bit of an IT geek - well he does it for a living so you've got to use these people haven't you?!). This evening I couldn't log onto the internet - server down grrrrr.

broken chair

Had a bit of a scare today. While sitting having lunch - holding Poppy - my chair collapsed (it split in 2). Now I know I'm not exactly super-slim - but my weight was not the problem - the chair was rotten and simply collapsed. I had to do a bit of a juggle with Poppy as it was all in slow motion....got a sinking feeling and I didn't know what was going on - but I held Poppy in the air - fortunately she avoided being dropped or hitting the table as I went arse over tit.

This must have looked quite funny - but both Grace and Poppy were in floods of tears and didn't find it a laughing matter. Neither did I at the time.....

The only other excitement today was me registering at Catrin's Doctor (so we are all at the same place) and having to pee into a very small container (which I did very well, I might add).

Grace had her usual swim - complicated by the fact that there was some triathlon the following day so we had to park miles away (we nearly aborted) and were subsequently late - we weren't alone - as the place was virtually empty).

new sofas!

Our 2 new sofas arrived this morning. The jury was out on them when I left for work - but now that we are both getting used to them - we are happy with our purchase. The photo makes them look lighter than they are. Our only dilemma now is that we think we need to redecorate the sitting room (wallpaper + get a new rug). Also coming round to the conclusion that the utility room is the final (and only untouched) room to be done......more scratching of heads.

dentists and doctors

A family trip to the dentist today - it doesn't get much more exciting than this.....this was the first time for Joseph to see the dentist (and one that he didn't particularly like - I heard screaming and I'm not sure whether the dentist actually managed to prise his mouth open....). Grace was superb - quite happy and both she and Catrin were given the all clear. I was reasonably confident that my teeth were in good shape - even though I've only visited a dentist 3 times in the last 15 years (and the last 3 times have been in the last 2 years) - something I'm not very proud of. However, I was absolutely gutted to discover that I need not one filling - but 2. I've never had any fillings in my life - which isn't a bad record - but am not looking forward to the inevitable pain and suffering with needles etc. Needless to say Catrin thought this was hilarious......

After this bad news - I then went to the Doctor (another profession that I don't visit very often - about once every 10 years). I have a lump on my wrist and was half-expecting them to tell me that my hand needs to be cut off immediately or else that I've got 3 months to live. No such drama. I have a ganglion cyst.

Phil came round in the evening to help me take a couple of sofas to the roadside for the council to uplift. I had hoped I'd be able to offload them to someone on gumtree - but the toe-rag who wanted them failed to turn up. You can't even give stuff away these days - ungrateful sod. A couple of very pleasant (but expensive - £3.20) pints followed at Montpelliers where Andy joined us. Good to have some male chat- although this was at the expense of missing the final of the Apprentice. Managed to get some lovely photos of the children before we put them to bed. If snot were gold - we'd be millionaires - poor Joseph has so much of it.........

house viewing (again)

Mum & Dad left this morning - and we went to church - where for a record 3rd week on the trot I was not doing children's work. I went out in the afternoon on my own (Cat told me that I needed some time away from Grace who has been driving me nuts) to view a property on Braid Avenue. This was one I'd seen before (about 3 years ago) but this time it was even more tempting.....

After getting back home, I told Cat to go and see it herself.

John & Imogen came round - with Madeleine - they'd been to the Taste of Scotland festival on the Meadows - which they said was good - but expensive. I think we are both exhausted from my parents visit so today was pretty low-key.

ice cream at the botanical gardens

Jospeh needed some activity (he's constantly picking up a jacket/coat and pulling you to the front door - very much like a dog that wants to go on walkies....) so Grandpa and I took him to Bruntsfield Links where he kicked a ball for a short while - although he was more fascinated by a dog. He did howveer walk all the way back - no mean feat and pushed the trolley too (with some help from Grandpa). This will have worn him out! But he's on great form.

Had a lovely afternoon with children and grandparents at the Botanical Gardens today. We all enjoyed watching Joseph taste everyone's ice-cream (that lad's not daft) and then watch them shout and run round the rest of the gardens.

traffic wardens

I've never been a big fan of traffic wardens. There can't be many children out there who think..."one day I want to be a traffic warden" - or if there are I've yet to meet them. I'm not going to bore you with all the details - but my beloved wife and my parents have both received parking tickets this week - and both have had valid tickets displayed.

In Catrin's case - she had 2 tickets on her dashboard - and the warden only noticed the first expired one. Innocent mistake perhaps. It shall be contested.

The one today was even more ridiculous. We have permits outside our flat. I have bought a book for visitors for permit holders. Tickets were carefully filled in this morning - making sure that we had the right day, date and year as well as time. Or so we thought. Apparantly when you are staying all day - you are supposed to put one time (the start) - i.e.8.30 for all 6 tickets (which last 90 minutes each - and therefore cover until 5.30 when the permits apply). What we did was to put the times in that each ticket lasted (i.e. 8.30, 10.00, 11.30, 1.00, 2.30, 4.00). This is incorrect - and even though we have bought the tickets and displayed the tickets - we have a £30 (or even a £60) fine.

Fucking stupid. (sorry for that bit of bad language - but we are rather pissed at them). Had we removed each expired ticket every hour and a half - we'd have been ok and not received a fine. There is a lesson here somewhere- and that is that the council is run by a bunch of moronic, money grabbing tossers.

The other excitement of the day was one again nearly losing "Lamby" (no not Botham's friend) but Grace's dearest toy that she's had from birth in John Lewis. Grace was really quite upset (probably helped by my anger at her droppng it) - but after about 20 minutes of looking, praying and asking, we had discovered that it had been found and handed in. Grace was almost as relieved as I was - but the day would get worse when dad would atke a closer inspection of their car. Faith in humanity oce again put to question.

mum & dad meet their final grandchild

Mum & Dad arrived this evening to meet Poppy for the first time. The flat is about as clean as it's been in quite a while which hopefully give them a better impression than the reality of normal life.

At work I had the delirious news that the committee on which I work will be chaired by a numptie and have quite a lot of numpties serving on it. All sharp implements were taken away from my team as we were immediately placed on suicide watch. This really is rather depressing as it mean that the next 4 years is likely to be dealing with people who'd rather not be there and have no interest whatsoever in what they'll be doing. Fantastic. Really makes it worthwhile getting up in the morning.

the apprentice

I don't watch a lot of tv - there's not much that is that good - but this evening there was some top telly. I am a bit of a fan of The Apprentice - a "job interview" on tv that last several weeks - where the criminally insane try to out-do each other every week. Tonight's was a masterpiece of drama - and I must say that Alan Sugar played a very dangerous but clever game with one of the contestants. Quite simply it was magnificent and made for great tv. Sir Alan, I applaud you.

The rest of the day was not so exciting (unless you think that Staples stationery is a good night out) - for that is where I went. Light-bulb fitting was also on the agenda and was successfully completed - but I still don't think I'd make it as an electrician.

The children were in good form - Joseph is a hoot at the minute and we are looking forward for him to show off to his grandparents who'll be coming up in a couple of days time.

facebook

Have started playing around with facebook - a social networking thingy which is for people who need their ego massaged and who have nothing of value to do (that'll be me then) as well as way too much time on their hands at work (ditto). I can see how this sort of thing could become addictive if you have no life and don't get out much. Should be right up my street then....

gumtree

Yesterday evening I put a coffee table onto gumtree and within 24 hrs I have got rid of it (ok, so it's free) - but who cares? The aim was to get shot of it before my parents arrive on Thursday afternoon, as it's currently sitting in the spare bedroom. For anyone out there trying to get rid of stuff that you no longer need and it's too good to put on the dump - give gumtree a whirl - it's environmentally friendly and it's a win/win scenario.

property viewing

Managed to get a whole sermon this morning in what was an emotional service - especially as we were thinking of Olivia's family and the church that they attend - Morningside Baptist Church meeting at the same time. Very sobering.

I tried to see 3 properties this afternoon - Grace was out at Georgia's house - meaning that we had a window of opportunity - especially with Joseph taking his nap and Poppy still in good form and fast asleep....The only property I managed to see was on Blackford Rd (the other 2 - one was sold and the other didn't have Sunday viewing). Very interested. Now have to go and do some maths to discover whether we can afford it (we probably can't).

oops...I did it again!

Grace had another birthday party today and Cat was out with Poppy at a "girl's breakfast" (women gossiping about men forum). This meant that it was, yet again Joseph and me (remember this JoJo), and he was pushed around Mornigside in the Lordly manor that he enjoys, as well as a trip to St peter's Park for some fun on the swings.

I picked Grace up from the party at Craiglockhart - and managed to make the fatal man mistake of congratulating someone when they are pregnant - when they are evidently not.....I may have got away with it - as the said person either pretended not to hear me or dismissed me as a moron (probably the latter). I've done this before. I really ought to know better.

After a nap (I was knackered after all that walking) - we all went to Hermiston Gait where I bought myself a new putter - Grace was playing up at the time - and my purchase was surprisingly met with no resistance from Catrin. I must remember to ensure Grace is in a foul mood every time I want to buy something to deflect the attention onto her while hoping to buy something shiny in the future....

bank account

Poppy has opened a bank account. (Well I opened the account for her). This, I am sure will be something that she will be eternally gratefulk for - especially when the day comes (which isn't far off) when all 3 of our children have more savings than their parents (currently this applies only to Grace- but Joseph isn't far behind). To be fair - this isn't hugley impressive when you consider the meagre amoun of cash that we actually have in savings. This thought process then leads you to worry that you ought to have some savings - and that wonderful cycle of worry and depression has started. Joseph (for it was him that I took, and not Poppy) had a great time in HSBC - wondering around as if he owned the place, entertaining the staff - and he was in remarkably good form on the bus in both directions.

Jo & Andy came round in the evening, once the kids had gone to bed. It was good to catch up - we've not seen them in ages - but I guess we have been busy getting used to a new arrival. Hopefully, in a few weeks we'll have some sort of (albeit depleted) social life once again....

a black day

We received one of those calls last night that no-one ever wants to get. A little girl of 4 had been killed in a hit and run. It was the niece of one of Catrin's friends - a girl that Grace has been to a party with. What makes this even more terrible is that her older brother (who is 6) witnessed the crash - and saw his little sister and mother hit by a car going 70mph. This will be with him for the rest of his life. How can you explain this to a 6 year old? The "accident" happened just yards from their front door - on a quiet residential street. The girl's mother - Rachel has been in theatre all night as they try to save her legs. Her husband had to have the worst conversation they'll ever have when telling her that Olivia had been killed. Olivia has a younger brother - who is 2 and a new baby sister who is just 2 weeks old. One can't begin to imagine what this family must be going through.

Being a parent has made us so much more sensitive and emotional about tragedy -especially when young children are involved. The fact that Catrin knows Rachel and Olivia (albeit through a friend) has brought it that much closer to home. What can you say or do at a time like this? We have sent emails to friends asking for prayers for the family and Catrin cooked a meal for Katie's family (she has 2 boys and is expecting in July) - who has been at her sisters bedside for most of the day. Neither of us slept much last night - and are exhausted by the emotion of what has happened. Our first reaction is probably what most parents do in times like these - gather up your children in your arms and give them a kiss and a cuddle. Suddenly their most recent misdemeanours seem irrelevant. The family are all strong christians - and are very close. Fortunately they all live in Edinburgh so will be some support in these awful times to each other - but it just seems so wrong that a girl of 4 can have her life taken away from her and ripped from her family in such horrific circumstances.

The driver? He ran from the scene and police are trying to find him. He'd had 2 crashes in the 10 minutes before this fatal one. No doubt - when finally caught he'll be given a 5 year ban from driving and 3-5 years in prison...for an offence which is essentially murder and one that has ruined the lives of that family. He'll probably not even show any remorse. It just makes your blood boil. We are completely flat. Reading news articles just makes you want to cry.

However, this evening we had our parents evening at the nursery and were heartened at what we heard about 2 of our wonderful children. The girls looking after Joseph clearly know him very well and love the little chap. He's a cheeky star and is really starting to blossom. They thought he was maybe speaking Welsh - with his chat. We found this hilarious as it's just his complete gobbledegook! He loves babbling away and clearly believes he is having a chat with you - but it's a language that only he "gets". Grace is very independent and knows her mind - she's not easy, but I guess we wouldn't have it any other way - she's very bright (yes, I know I'm biased - but it's true). Bossy, confident and leader were words that were used (or inferred) - and that's about right. The nursery is doing a grand job and we are very happy that both Grace and Joseph enjoy it so much - and more importantly that they have so many friends and like (and are loved by) the teachers. We are both very proud.

parents evening...or not

We geared ourselves up for our first parents night this evening. Our babysitter arrived so that we could go and hear how wonderful our children are at the nursery. However, it transpired that my dear wife had the wrong date. It's tomorrow night. Babysitter was then relieved of her duties and there will be a replay tomorrow night - a good job that she's a friend (Louise) - as this could turn out to be an expensive habit.

A warning to all men who are considering starting a family - make sure that you have all your important chats with your missus before your kids arrive - as her brain will be frazzled during pregnancy and after the birth. Catrin can't remember anything these days (although this does sometimes have its advantages). She has to write anything down to have any chance of it getting remembered. During her pregnancy she was clumsy and forgetful. Now.... I can say anything to her with every confidence that she'll have forgotten in 5 minutes or so. Unscrupulous men would use this to their advantage...."but dear you told me to go to the pub/golf course with my friends".

2 day week

I could get used to a 2 day week. I'll be off tomorrow and Friday (taking paternity leave) and with the bank holiday yesterday - I'll only be at work on Tuesday and Thursday. I'll be off both days for the next couple of weeks as I've still 6 days to take - and as Grace & Joseph are not at nursery on those days, it seems sensible to give Catrin some help.....she doesn't want to think about what it will be like when it's just her and the 3 of them....but she's got 3 weeks before that happens.

Another miserable day - pissing down all day and we are getting fed up with this weather - the benefit of having a new born at this time of year was supposed to be improved weather and ability to get out. So far, this has not been the case in May.

Day off!

Day off from kids today. Fantastic! Both Joseph and Grace were in nursery - it's a bank holiday but they remain open - praise the Lord. This meant that I was able to get a round of golf. Happy to shoot a 79 in windy conditions - especially when I haven't played for a few weeks.

Catrin & I popped into town with Poppy who has been a complete star. Tried to open a bank account - but realised our stupidity when thinking about what bank holiday actually means.....let's hope Poppy hasn't inherited our brains.

football on the links

Church in the morning - but no Maxi Bubbles as I have a few weeks off.....Played football this afternoon with Joseph and Grace on Bruntsfield Links. Grace is much better than Joseph at the moment (he's only 18 months old) - but I already wonder how long this superiority will last. She bullies the poor chap a bit at the minute - but he does sometimes deserve it.....his favourite habit is to rather annoyingly turn the tv on and off all the time. While this isn't a problem when CBeebies is on, it is irritating on the odd occasion that something half decent is on. He regularly gets shouted down by Grace, then Mummy and Daddy. Feigned innocent bewilderment follows - but we believe he knows exactly what he's doing....

parks and more parks

What did people do before parks were invented? (probably send their kids down the mines...). Today we went to not one park - but 2. It's hardly comparing Disneyland to Busch Gardens - as it was Bruntsfield Links versus Blackhall (we went there as it was further away and therefore took longer to get there - other parents will understand why you do this from time to time). Not a lot that one can say about parks - there are swings, climbing frames and other "fun" things designed to injure or kill your child. We have decided that 3 children is pretty "full-on" when all 3 are there. Putting a positive spin on it - when you have 2 or less - it's comparatively a piece of cake. But I'm a glass half-empty sort of guy - so I'm looking at it as 18 years of stress, exhaustion, expense and frustration.

food fight

No work for me today as it's a long weekend (meaning I have Monday off too). There have got to be some benefits of working with politicians!

Went to the park next to Botanics where we enjoyed playing hide and seek and then a brief walk round the gardens followed by an even briefer lunch (Joseph decided that throwing it is more fun than eating it). This was a little stressful - especially wehn it started to rain while we sat in the "sunshine" (it's May and it's baltic - what happened to the good weather in April?).

I headed out with Joseph later in the day for a walk (we seem to be doing a lot of this at the minute) - but he's never very happy coming back home (understandable when you consider he now has 2 sisters).

more court cock-ups

In court again this morning - but this time for a bit longer. However, 2 witnesses failed to turn up (the prosecution sent citations but to the wrong address). Surely this would be something you'd expect them to get right if you are a lawyer and going to court?......there were only 5 witnesses after all.....the result? case deferred until 23 July - where they can waste more people's time (and employers money). There were about 50 potential jurors for 15 spaces......quite why they need so many is anyone's guess. It seems that our judicial system is not only crap at locking people up - buyt it's also crap at organising itself but excellent at wasting people's time and money.

Took the rest of the day off as a paternity day (I get 10 days). Grace & I went for an ice cream at Luca's followed by a coffee at Starbucks and then I took Joseph and Poppy in double buggy to Phil & Fi's (Cat took Grace in the car). Beat Gregor 43-4 at football (he's only 5 - so I didn't do any 2 footed tackles....)

The evening was spent watching Liverpool get beaten by a poor Milan side 2-1 in the Champions League final.

in court

I woke up with crippling pain in my back this morning - I could barely get out of bed. Serious discomfort....after a hot shower and ibuprofen I began to feel a little better, but still can't rotate my head properly and my neck/top of back is in pain every time I move....

Being the good citizen that I am - I still thought it best to head to court (I have jury duty). But when I got there (along with 79 other potential jurors), we were told that the trial won't start until tomorrow and that I should phone back after 5pm today to see what's happening. The whole thing is a complete shambles.

gotcha!

A great start to the day which has cheered me up no end. Upon checking the numerous mousetraps that are in the flat this morning - I was delighted to see that one of them (in Joseph's bedroom) had caught offending animal. See previous post "beware of the flip flop murderer". He had been warned. Let's just say that it's passing was very satisfying. I only wish I'd set up a webcam so that I could have seen (and heard) the trap catch its prey. Would have made very impressive YouTube viewing.

I danced round the flat like I'd just scored the winning goal in a cup final. Wife and kids all bemused. I'm realising that I am getting too much sadistic pleasure from this, so may need to get psychiatric help....

I saw a physio this morning- who confirmed that sleeping on my front was not a good idea (hence the crippling pain). He was actually pretty good and obviously knew what he was talking about - and has given me some exercises which make me look like a complete chump to my work clleagues.....still, better that than crippling arthritis in 15 years.

knackered!

Last night's sleep deprivation caught up with us this afternoon. After a night where all 3 of our bundles of joy were up (fortunately Joseph was quick to go back down) - we were conked out by mid-afternoon. Both Cat & I lay asleep on the sofas and the children could have turned the place upside down for all we cared (and Joseph and Grace did their best).

The Ringrose's invited us round for afternoon tea which would have been very civilized had Joseph not been a pain in the arse. This was a day which you were simply glad to get to the end of and I'm even looking forward to embracing Monday morning tomorrow....

headbutt the soft stuff my son

It was Phoebe's birthday party today - in East Linton. I didn't fancy going - so Joseph and I stayed at home to do some "shopping" while Cat took Grace & Poppy. Shopping included buying a couple of mouse traps (I now have a small collection) and some gizmo which you plug into your socket and it emits a noise which will annoy them enough that they'll bugger off somewhere else. Now, I'll admit that this isn't as satisfying as torturing the little sheisters or battering their heads with a rolling-pin - but it's the result that counts (hopefully).

Rather fractious lunch with Joseph at Starbucks - where we couldn't find a baby seat and the staff were utterly useless. This didn't help my humour.

Family trip in the afternoon to the park by St Peters School in Morningside where Joseph managed to fall over and have a very tasty crack on the head....he decided the choose the one bit of concrete rather than the acres of bouncy soft stuff that they are meant to hit their heads on! Typical.

grumpy git

I was very grumpy today. This was a result of several factors:
1) found mouse droppings in the flat
2) water coming into the bathroom from upstairs (yet again)
3) aches and pains in my back are absolutely killing me
4) didn't get much sleep because of back pain
5) I'm a grumpy sod anyway - so why break the habit of a lifetime?

Other than this - I was a joy to behold (as my dear wife kept telling me). She's remembering that when I don't get sleep I'm not a lot of fun to be around.

I took 2 of the little horrors to clambers this morning - meeting up with Grace's friend Emily from nursery. This went well, until Emily had to go - at which point both Joseph and Grace turned into children from hell.....it's amazing how quickly children have this ability - one minute they are playing nicely and they are the apple of your eye...the next...and for no good reason, you'd be quite happy throwing them off a tall building.

The day did get better - Catrin took Grace for her swim- so I took JoJo & Poppy in buggy down to work where Poppy met some of my colleagues who didn't seem too bothered to put their work to one side. I then went into swanky new offices for Edinburgh Council to register her birth (with Joseph). Wow! What an improvement! The place was in serious need of a facelift when the parliament was there - but they've done a really good job and restored the place to its former glory...miles better than the place I now work....

Got wet on the way home as it started to rain - and of course I hadn't got the raincover for the buggy (and even if I had, I expect I probably wouldn't have been able to get the sodding thing on). Joseph was less than impressed.

rubber hits the road

Nesta (Cat's mum) left this morning. I took her to the airport just after 7 - so we are now alone to cope with 3 children. I did warn her that we may be sending out an SOS within the next 48hrs if things all start to go horribly wrong.

the hand of history

An historic day for Scotland today. A Nationalist took the position of First Minister for the first time in..... a long while. I was in the chamber at the time of the vote crowning Alex Salmond - there to make sure that msps managed to correctly press a button (and not accidentally vote for the wrong person - I kid you not!).

This evening also saw Catrin and I pass a landmark which has freaked us out a little. We went to Watsons College where Grace has been enrolled for nursery in August. It was a "new parents evening" where they welcomed new parents, tour of nursery etc. We'd already done this a couple of weeks earlier - so mostof it was pretty dull and pointless. But it hasn't stopped us feeling older, more resonsible, and also re-live our own first school days - which for me involved a lot of tears....let's hope that Grace handles it better than I did.

3 little monsters....

Managed to take some lovely photos of the children this evening (see my Flickr website). Poppy yet again has been a complete star and we are finding her to be a thousnad times easier/better than the other 2. She sleeps, eats and when she's up is very alert. Although I will doubtless have challenged Sod's law with such a proclomation and given her good behaviour the kiss of death....the 3 of them managed to stay still for more than 5 seconds on our bed where I got some nice shots.

The evening passed without sighting or sound of any mice. Maybe he read my blog.

beware of the flip-flop murderer

This evening our flat resembled a scene from a Tom & Jerry cartoon. Out of the corner of my eye I saw something small and furry dart across the lounge....grabbing the nearest weapon (a tv remote control) I went in search of the offending animal.

I have killed mice with my bare hands before. One was battered to death with a wooden spoon on the kitchen floor - with a single blow of such ferocity that not only did it kill the poor mouse but also shattered the spoon. Another mouse has been electrocuted in our toaster (well, he was stupid enough to go in there) and it was only after I'd popped the bread down that I saw his head pop out of the toaster - writhing in agony as he lay trapped between the bread and the electric bars. This was perhaps the most smelly (burnt mouse is not pleasant) and grizzly death that I have witnessed - but also the most enjoyable (yes, I am a sadist).

I have even battered a mouse to death with one of Catrin's flip-flops. They are not as effective as a wooden spoon - I think it took 4 blows - and it was the most comical mouse murder you're likely to witness as the little chap appeared from a mountain of shoes (yes - Catrin's) and tried to run for its life. It almost made it to the safety of the bed - but I just managed to strike the final blow as I fell into the pile of shoes - wounding myself in the process on a stilleto.

So, back to this evening.....a tv remote proved to be unsuitable, so I quickly nipped into the kitchen to get my weapon of choice - wooden spoon. However, all I could find was a salad server (the next best thing). Armed with one in each hand, I enetered the arena in true gladiator fashion.

Turning sofas upside down, the little chap scurried off - quite possibly the quickest mouse in history. Turning the next sofa over saw him cowering under it - and it was only then that he realised that his cover was blown and I was winding up to put another colourful mark on our new carpet......but quick as a flash he was off again. I have never seen a mouse go so fast. After turning the spare room upside down (where Nesta was sleeping) I drew a blank and headed off to bed deflated.

But, sure enough within a few minutes, the mouse could be heard in the darkness nibbling away in our bedroom. He may be laughing now....but I will have the final say. My advise to you Mr Mouse - beware of the flip-flop murderer. You are a dead-mouse walking.

Tom gets bad press....

Church this morning - lots of people asking about Poppy. I led the story in Maxi Bubbles. Another miserable day - and the kids (especially Grace) are a pain in the bum. I took Joseph for a drive later on in the early evening to Balerno just to get him (and me) out of the house.

Nesta saw a mouse this evening. This was not the best news I've had in a while - and I found some mouse droppings in the kitchen to confirm. Bastards. I now know how Tom felt every time he saw Jerry.

Gullane 1 & getting wet in Peebles

Played Gullane 1 today with Richard - and enjoyed every minute of it - apart from the result (I lost 2&1). Will hopefully get invited back there again.....

It chucked it down this afternoon - and i our wisdom we decided it would be a good idea to take everyone out in the car to Peebles (that's 7 of us). The first problem that we encountered was trying to get the seat which sits in our hallway cupboard back in the car......I'm no rocket scientist, and Catrin is considerably brighter than me, but it was pretty hard work....after several choice words - we vowed never to do this again.

The next problem was that with all the seats in, we couldn't fit our new double buggy in what remained of the "boot". Took all 3 wheels off it and then once everyone was finally in, if they all breathed in and sat with underpants on heads, we finally managed to get it in....more expletives.

Catrin couldn't find the raincover for the new buggy (we've only had it 4 weeks) - and it's not as if we live in Buckingham Palace, so this was somewhat frustrating - especially as the rain was getting heavier.....Grace then decided she wanted to sit in another chair....a chorus of "you're staying right there" followed.

Upon arrival at Peebels, we realised that we had brought nothing for Joseph who was getting very hungry. There were a catalogue of schoolboy errors that even a first-time mum wouldn't have made - let alone "proficient" parents that we are now supposed to be and grandparents (who've had 5 themselves).

After a brief walk in the park, we aborted the trip and headed back cross-country via Innerleithen - where the views would have been magnificent had it not been pissing down. We were relieved to arrive back home.

Half-day

Half day at work. Take Grace to the commonwealth pool for her weekly swim. The take Joseph for a runabout in his charriot round Morningside and Bruntsfield. Poppy has so far been an excellent baby - waking just once in the night. I know it's early doors - but the signs are good (just watch this space for colic, reflux and every other illness known to man to inflict us).

back to work...

I'm back to work today (which doesn't mean I'm doing any). Both Grace & Joseph are at nursery - and as it hardly takes 4 of us to look after one baby....I head back to the office until the cavalry have gone to be rested for another day. This is kind of like what Chelsea would like to do - resting players so that they are fit and ready for the big matches. I am "super-sub".

Catrin had vists form the midwife (who stayed for ages - our coffee must be good!), Jeannie & Louise - so was kept pretty busy. Robert has been sanding doors and windows and Nesta has done a shed-load of washes and ironing.....so after all their hard work, I've agreed to let them stay another night!

the cavalry have arrived

Robert & Nesta arrived this evening. Joseph and I picked them up from the airport. They were delayed - but Joseph had great fun in the vast open space at the airport - and was running round like a mad man. There were quite a few glances from even the most hardened travellers at how cute he was - as he was babbling away with not a care in the world....

Grace went to nursery this morning - the plan being that Catrin could get some rest. In the end, I took Joseph to Craigielaw as I had a couple of errands - and he always enjoys the ride. Today was no exception.

After picking her up after lunch, I took G & J to Harrison Park - sothat Cat could get some sleep with Poppy who so far seems to be pretty good. Later, we all headed out (the first time we'd used the double buggy for real) to Tesco and Luca's - before the boys headed off to pick up Gigi & Taid.

so far so good

Enjoyed a very civilized night - not woken by any child - but I'm keeping my mouth shut in case it all goes horribly wrong. But whisper it softly...Poppy is a good baby - better than the 2 monsters that we were "blessed" with before.....

Cat & I even managed lunch out at a restaurant (with our youngest sleeping next to us) at the Olive branch bistro in Morningside - and very nice it was too.

Poppy is like a little kitten - hairy and very very small - Joseph seems to have grown to giant size in the last couple of days and is almost as heavy as a small rhino. When he falls over (fairly frequently) the ground shakes.

It's only now dawning on me that this is our family complete. Walking back from nursery with 3 children was very special - and a sign of things to come. 5 is a good number. A big sister and little sister is sure to give Joseph plenty of grounds to have middle-child syndrome.

1st bath

Bank holiday today - but nursery is open. How good is that?! Joseph and Grace go yo nursery after a night where Poppy behaves herself pretty well....but Joseph was a complete nightmare. He ended up sleeping with me (or rather rolling about in bed with me) in the spare room from 3-4am. He finally got to sleep but Grace woke us up at 6.45 - who was so excited that Poppy was here.....

Finally got the little toe-rags off to nursery by 9 - and took Poppy with Grace so that she could show off her new baby sister. Other kids not impressed - but all the female staff went gaga. Forgotten how much women love newborns. Mental note to take Poppy on my own to places with lots of good-looking women.

Enjoyed a quiet day with Catrin and Poppy - the only journey we all had was in the car to my work and then to Blackhall M&S. Catrin was mortified that Poppy has now been corrupted by commercialisation and the big bad world.....well that didn't take long.

Midwife visited in the morning and we gave Poppy her first bath which I taped for her wedding day. Phil & Fi popped round later on with the boys.

Poppy comes home

Poppy and Catrin stayed the night in the hospital, and in order to make life a little easier, we decided it best that they both get some rest in the morning - away from siblings....I took Grace and Joseph to church - and even had the opportunity to listen to a sermon in peace and quiet and get some rest myself!

Jo and Andy kindly came round to babysit and brought lunch with them. They stayed while I headed off to pick up the latest (and final) addition. It's always amazing that you can forget how to put a baby car seat in - but forget I did. By the time I made it to the hospital, Catrin was more than ready to leave.

The arrival went pretty well - Grace was absolutely chuffed and demand that everyone look at her little sister - while Joseph looked unimpressed.

Esther popped round with Katie later in the afternoon - and we tried (and failed) to take our first family photo. Grace wasn't interested - and Joseph wasn't keen to.....actually, looking at the picture - neither was Poppy. Ominous start....let's see how our first night goes....