1st due date passes...

Today is the first of the due dates for our 3rd child. But we have another 3 (3, 6 & 8 May - don't ask me why we have so many dates, I really couldn't tell you). Suffice to say we didn't expect the baby to arrive today. I'd actually be happy of something did happen this week as I've got very little to do at work. Cat however, would like her mum to be up to take care of Joseph and Grace should something happen in the middle of the night....

As for names - we are still struggling if we have a boy. A girl's name was decided some time ago......Catrin protest that she has come up with lots of names that she likes which I shoot down - but then I don't really think that Llellwyn Ynngoch Merrerdd is either easy to say (especially if you haven't got any spit in your mouth) or very appropriate for us living in Scot-land.

House viewing

After church this morning, Grace had a birthday party (Sophie's - from nursery) at Molly's down at Ocean terminal. Cat decided that it wasn't worth driving back home only to have to head across town a couple of hours later, and besides there are shops there......

This meant that I had to look after Joseph (not a problem as the little chap slept for a couple of hours) - before I woke him up so that the pair of us could go house viewing - to a couple of properties just round the corner. The first (literally 30 yards away) was very depressing while the second was depressing in that it was very nice - but 3 of the 4 bedroom would be too small and it was offers over £495,000 (which means it'll be sold for around £600K. At this rate, we are going to need to spend getting on for £1 million for us to get what we want.....seriously considering whether robbing banks might be the career for me.

I don't need an alarm clock

Set my alarm clock for 6.45 (on the tee at Craigielaw at 7.50). But this was not required as Joseph started singing shortly after 6am. A bottle of Chateau du Lait 2007 wouldn't shut him up - neither would a dummy. He was up and he was singing. Grace was woken soon afterwards, and the day had begun.

Shot a 73 this morning and won £15 in a skins match. Very happy. Got home for lunch - Amanda and Martyn arrived an hour late due to the joys of traffic jams on the Forth road bridge. Popped to the park with them where Grace and Joseph enjoyed the fine weather and the swings.

she'll kill me if she sees this....

The mother of my children.....looks like she's about to eat one of the poor blighters....maybe this is the look she reserves for the office...no wonder they run scared - I know I do. Finally got a photo which shows the "other" side of Catrin - in this picture she's actually pushing Joseph on a swing....(the photo was deleted - she had a sense of humour failure and replaced by this one of Grace)

Anyway - I'm now officially a dead man - or at least a dead man walking until she sees this post.

We went to Watsons school this morning to take a look at their nursery - with a view to sending Grace there in August. I must confess that I didn't expect to be impressed - it is massive with over 2000 pupils in the entire school and for me that's way too big. However, the nursery was excellent and you couldn't fail to be impressed by organisation and quality of the place. What impressed me even more was that in the P1 & P2 classes, they got out their imacs.....I wonder if Grace would lend me hers when she goes there?! I think we have decided to put her there for a year and see how it goes - it'll depend if/when we move whether she goes to school but we think she's ready for a change - and it'll cost no more than the Corner House at present.

It's very sobering thinking about schooling for your children. I think I've been in denial for a while and tried not to think about it - Catrin has done all the hard graft - visiting schools etc. I just do what I'm told - but when you get shown round a school by someone you suddenly feel like a proper grown up. I kept thinking that I should be the one in the classroom.....

Picked up my new glasses today (and sunglasses). You won't notice much of a difference. They are a bit cooler than the last ones - but not a s trendy as my biggest brother who likes to think he's still young by wearing trendy glasses. Catrin told me that at least they don't make me look gay - which I guess is complementary....I think.

west wing

I'm getting into the West Wing (yes, I'm aware I'm this is after the final series has finished) - but better late than never. Currently on series 3 - but thought this would be a good thing to watch at 3am when trying to get a screaming newborn to sleep.

Today I have decided that I could live with a couple of names for boys - it's only taken 8 months. Catrin is not so convinced - but she feels relieved that at least there are 2 names I haven't flat rejected.

how much?!

Catrin bought a pair of shoes today. £55. (there was some strong words - sounding a little like clucking bell when I found this out). I've only ever spent more than that on a pair of shoes once - and that was because it was the day of a wedding for which I was best man.....(that's another story...). Now you're probably thinking I'm a tight git (and you'd probably be right) - why should Catrin not buy a pair of shoes for that? That's not that bad?! Well, yes....and no. The shoes she bought were for Joseph - who's only just 17 months old and is likely to be in them for 4 months max. Now do you see where I'm coming from?! (I should probably mention that she bought them from a friends new shop - which opened a couple of weeks ago - so there was some reason to this madness).

I went to the pub with Phil this evening - where we watched some of the Chelsea v Liverpool champions league semi final. I challenged Phil to come up with some names for a boy (we are struggling in that department). I came away with no greater idea......

champions league thriller

Cat out this evening for girl's breakfast (I think they must have got their timing wrong) - which meant that I got to watch the Man Utd v AC Milan game. Surprised myself by how much I actually wanted Man Utd to win...which they eventually did 3-2. Not a lot else happened today - work was very slow.

next golfing trip....

I've already started organising the next golfing trip - it'll be in Northumberland. Managed to persuade Catrin that this was a good idea after finding her blackberry which she'd been looking for all day. The countdown to 4th October has begun!

slobs

Church this morning but we're still both knackered (at least Catrin has an excuse). Decide to do for a drive to Craigielaw to take my clubs back which have been cluttering up the hall for the last couple of days - but neither Catrin nor Joseph or Grace get out of the car. Impressed by how active my family is.

knackered

Both Cat & I were completely lifeless today. We did manage to take the children to Harrison Park and Catrin was delighted that we'd finally managed to "win" a baby bath seat on eBay.

Downfield

Teed off at 9.30 for 36 holes of golf at Downfield. The greens were in poor condition, but the course itself was very nice. Went down in Texas scramble in the afternoon to some unbelievable golf from Mr Cluley & Mr Crummey - who both holed their 2nd shots with 6 and 8 irons respectively. What sort of chance do you have when their holing from there?! As it was, my team (John F, Jim & Willy) couldn't buy a putt, let alone make one from more than 5 feet - although we actually played pretty well.

For a more entertaining version of our 2 days away visit Jim Downie's blog.

Back home by 8.15 - and Catrin had not given birth to our 3rd child - for which I was grateful.

Carnoustie

I'd been planning this trip to Carnousite and Downfield for a couple of months and was pleased to see the day arrive. My only worry was that I might get a phonecall from Catrin middway through a round calling me back. What a dilemma that would be if I had a half-decent score on the go! (or even a rubbish one for that matter).

John Findlay picked me up (a mate of Ben's) and we headed up the road to Carnoustie. Started in pretty good weather and the course certainly lived up to its expectations - even if the golf sometimes did not. The photo was taken just after a sprinkler gave me a heart attack as it popped up without warning and soaked me under the arm....I was not chuffed!

Stayed at the Taverns Arms Inn in Broughty Ferry (supposedly the "posh" bit of Dundee - although I guess it's all relative). Many pints were sunk in the evening both before and after a curry at the local indian restaurant - which was surprisingly good. Late night and probably soar head tomorrow morning - but this might help the golf!

sunglasses

Joseph in a great mood this evening. He loves wearing Grace's sunglasses.....
Catrin & Luned took Grace & Joseph swimming this morning and Grace was "bribed" with a watch this afternoon which she is delighted with....Luned headed back home.

Cat's 1st day off...

Was spent shopping (surprise, surprise!). Here's a dress that was bought for Grace (which she was quite happy with).

Luned arrives and Cat finishes work...for now

Luned is up for a couple of nights - resting from her family. Not sure if this is the best time to mention that we're planning on heading out tomorrow leaving our kids with her....just kidding.

Today was also Catrin's last day at work - except that she'll be going back in on Thursday..and probably a few more days before the baby arrives. I just hope that they allow blackberries in the birthing room - she may need it.

scooting in Crammond

This afternoon we headed to Crammond - on the north of Edinburgh, right on the coast. You can spit into the Firth of Forth from here. It's an excellent place for children to learn how to ride a bicycle..or a scooter. Excellent that is, if your child has any sort of co-ordination at all.....which Grace doesn't!

Also popped in to see John & Imogen where both Grace and Jake enjoyed playing with Madeleine.

test drive

Took our new double buggy (which arrived on Wednesday) for a test drive this afternoon at Harrison Park. Grace was a tad big for it - but Catrin was pleased with the purchase. Joseph once again has more snot coming out of his nose than Guiness is produced in Dublin - so we've taken share options in Kleenex.

Vogrie

The weather was superb when I got up this morning and I had grand plans of having a kickabout on Holyrood park with Grace and Joseph followed by a picnic. However this was put to the sword by the famous Edinburgh "Ha" - and I expect that isn't the way it's spelt. J, G & I came out of a surprisingly brief and enjoyable trip to Sainsbury's at Cameron Toll (I have a worrying tendency to enjoy such trips - especially when it's quiet and it's a store I've not been in before - I've booked myself in to see a shrink).

We entered the "superstore" at 9am and it must have been 15 degrees - with clear blue skies - but came out and it was cold and grey and 10 degrees cooler. No doubt those smug folk down south will have been enjoying tropical weather - but then again they are blessed with the M25.

Aborting the trip was never in question - but it was altered somewhat - with Starbucks on the Royal Mile (again) being the lucky recipient of my custom and Joseph's half-eaten food on surrounding floor, walls and customers who were unfortunate enough to sit within firing range.

Vogrie was the destination for the afternoon - a fine country house with kiddies play park near Gorebridge. I was unaware that anything remotely nice was near Gorebridge so was pleasantly surprised when Phil & Fi suggested it - and even more relieved to find that it was well kept and offered great entertainment for kids - all at the princely sum of £1 per car. Gregor & Phil joined us in our minibus for the trip.

We played football with a couple of young lads - brothers - Ramsay and Archie - whose parents were both bemused and relieved that we took them off their hands for an hour or so while we had a penalty taking competition. I think they were glad of the break. I won the penalty competition (yes, I am aware that the children were 7,6, 5 and 4 - but a win's a win and you've got to take them wherever you can). However, I think I may have overdone the goal celebrations somewhat when, after the final penalty went in, I wheeled off, shirt over my head, in airplane scoring mode, culminating in 3 metre slide on grass with fists clenched shouting "GOAL" at the top of my voice, while kissing my shirt.....

Dom's got a blog!

Miracles never cease. Not only has Dom downloaded his photos of their family trip to Florida - but he's also got a blog. Goodness me - my family are following me into the 21st century - even dad was asking about getting an Apple computer - he clearly wants me to get one so that when his goes wrong, he can phone me up and I'll "fix" it.....Little does he know that I'm flying by the seat of my pants and simply confuse the old crusties by techno-speak.....worried I could get found out....

Anyway - Dad - fyi (that's for your information)- Catrin has told me that she will both kill me and divorce me if I buy one - although I would have thought that this should have been an either/or option. Suffice to say, she's wearing the trousers - and as she's bigger than me (at the moment) it's not looking likely....

new shoes...finally

Success at last! Finally (after 3 previous failed attempts in Edinburgh shoe shops) I managed to find some shoes which Grace liked and agreed to wear. She has been going through a 'chav trainer' phase recently and Grace and her mum have been clashing big time when it comes to getting dressed in the morning.

At age 4, I just cannot accept that I already have to give up all influence and control over how my daughter dresses. Unfortunately for me, she is just as much of a control freak and knows exactly which buttons to press to get me to totally lose my rag. So, of late, my previously well dressed little girl has been wandering about in pink & white trainers, jogging bottoms, a cinderella tiara and wild hair. This has resulted in hot tempers and many tears every morning.

Today, however, John Lewis came up trumps - Grace marched in and saw these bright pink, patent shoes and decided that she just had to have these 'the same as Emily'. Gone was the usual painful shyness as she declared single mindedly 'I want these' to the shop assistant - she didn't even want to see anything else. I gently explained that they might not have her size (usually the case) but she was having none of it. Mercifully, they DID have her size and she insisted on wearing them out of the shop - Hallelluiah!!! We shall see how long it lasts - in the meantime, we just need to wear sunglasses every time she wears her very bright, shiny new shoes.

On the issue of little feet, Joseph has also been making big progress on the walking front. Finally, I think it's fair to say that he is walking, and he is extremely chuffed with his performance. He has come on a lot in the last few weeks, and is turning out to be a cheeky little chappie. His favourite trick at the moment is throwing food down the side of his highchair, whilst looking directly at us as if to say 'what are you going to do about this?' He also is an expert at pinching Grace - gets a reaction every time..........

more shopping

The joys of even more shopping today - but just with Joseph. The excitement reached its crescendo at the purchase of a digital cordless telephone....can't say life gets any better than that! We did have an excellent lunch at Vin Caffe where Joseph showed how well he could throw food around. However, he has been in top form the last few days - in spite of his spots and his walking is improving day by day.

We picked Grace up araound 4pm and headed out to Starbucks for a coffee. Apparantly Grace had been an angel at nursery - but we must have picked up a different child. How is it that she can be so good at the Corner house and yet so horrible with us?! Her most used phrases at the moment are: "I don't like you mummy/daddy", "See" (usually with clenched teeth - when something has just gone wrong (about every 15 seconds), "Well" (when about to start an argument as to why you should be giving her a sweet - about every 10 seconds).

Otherwise she's delightful.....

Easter Sunday

I dropped Catrin & Grace at church this morning while Joseph and I went for a walk into Newington (we couldn't go because he's still got the pox). Joseph enjoys geting pushed about in the buggy - but made plenty of noise when we had a coffee at Metropole.

Picnic in the wind at Dirleton followed by a quick visit to Yellowcraig. Grace has a go on the ropes - but she's not the most co-ordinated. Joseph enjoys the swing with me. Pop in to se Andrew & Joanna Senew and their new baby - Iona.

oh happy day!

Getting up at 6am is not always the best way to start the day. However, the weather was glorious all day and I was playing in a medal - teeing off at the unearthly hour of 7:10. Shot a gross 73-8-65 which I was chuffed with and which should get me cut and maybe even win some cash. Easily my best medal round. Ironically, I putted poorly.

We had an easter egg hunt in the back garden for Grace this afternoon - hopefully 35 of them should be enough....Grace insisted I hid them again after she found 34 of them (and no - I didn't eat the last one - maybe we'll find it next year....

Dave & Cathy Richards had foolishly agreed to look after Grace & Joseph this afternoon- and when we told Grace that we would be heading off into town she wasn't amused. After some coaxing and persuasion - she still wasn't very happy - but we left her anyway. What terrible parents we must be...

The joy and excitement of opticians and sofa shopping beckoned.

US Masters in the evening.

shopping and lunch

Good Friday.

We all headed to Ocean Terminal in the morning - where I actually bought some clothes from White Stuff. Catrin was impressed that I was keen to shop and realised that my willingness to shop happens only once or twice a year and got a pair of jeans and a top. Grace got some books...popped in to Victoria Park in Trinity where Grace had a bit of a strop. Nothing new there then....

Lunch with Jo & Andy - Joseph sleeps in his travel cot while we have a very relaxing and enjoyable lunch. Drop Cat and Grace off on way back to get some shoes - but again fail to get some...at least her mum is as "successful" at this as I was the other day!

Catrin realised that the Masters is on so we made a deal that we'd watch a dvd (The Queen) this evening - and then I could watch the golf the next couple of evenings. She makes a schoolboy error by falling asleep halfway through the film...

no work for me today

I had to take the day off today as Joseph has chicken pox. Popped into town with him on a glorious day (shorts & t-shirt weather!). We then had lunch at the Queens cafe opposite the parliament and sat outside watching the world go by.

In the afternoon, we went to the meadows - with the inevitable visit to Luca's and Starbucks. Off to see a property this evening then to Ignite with Phil, Andy & Andrew for a boys night....

chicken pox

Joseph has chicken pox. There had been a few cases confirmed at nursery the last few days - and the inevitable has happened. He's been a bit grizzly the last few days - so we figured something was up.

Catrin has to go off to Greenock to finalise a set of accounts tomorrow - so yours truly gets to have a "day off" to look after Joseph. I'll be reminding Cat that this isn't the first time I've saved the day - and will be using this as capital some time to come....

Blog

Been updating this blog this evening - it's taken a while. Now up to end of September 2003....

wheels....or lack of

This morning didn't start too well. Having dropped the children at nursery, I got back to the flat to discover that the wheels from my bicycle had been removed. They were still there - evidently the thieves must have been disturbed - but they really should have checked to see whether there was a lock on the bike (there was). Needless to say, there were some choice words for the sad little shits - and what I might do to them if I were lucky enough to catch them in the act.

Fortunately, it took little to no time for the Edinburgh Bicycle co-op to fix it - and I'm able to cycle to work tomorrow.

1st April

Joseph was up in the night - streaming cold (again). Cat thought it best to stay with him while I took Grace to church (I'm sure that the fact it was a family service had nothing to do with it).

Andrea - the new children's director came and had lunch with us - and it was good chatting and then playing games with her and Grace.

I took G & J to Harrison park - where Grace enjoyed the swings again. It was a glorious day - and she was in great form - although she has been in the habit of saying "I don't like you daddy/mummy" when you don't agree to give her a sweet...