Announcing

I think it's finally time to announce our latest Patterson. Oscar (Ozzy) Clive was born on October 3rd at a whopping 9 lbs 13 oz and 23 inches long. Mama is proud to have managed it naturally and got her desired water birth. Gwyneth is an amazing big sister, although she thinks her brother is "a bit smelly." Oscar is a great wee baby, and we're all so proud to have him here.

Settled

The question we've been asked since arriving in this country is "how are you settling in?" or "are you settled?" The answers to those two questions were usually "good" or "yes" depending on which question exactly was asked. In my mind, getting settled was about setting up shop and everything in the house having a place. Now I'm really starting to understand the significance of the question. It's much more than a physical settling, but one of the heart as well. After almost reaching the 1 year anniversary of our arrival, I can now honestly answer "good" and "yes" to the questions. My emotional heart has begun to catch up with my physical one and has finally seemed to arrive. No doubt it will be troubled from time to time with the distance from family, but it is so refreshing to finally feel like the key has turned and opened the lock and we've crossed the threshold and Northern Ireland is now home. Now that makes me happy.

We've got loads of photos on the camera waiting for the upload, ones of pregnancy, ones of travel and other fine moments, but until then you'll just have to settle for a couple that were taken by granny and grandpa when we were visiting them...

Cousin Lauren so graciously teaching Gwyneth the ways of a princess


Gwyneth catching her first fish with her tutor Uncle Colin looking on


P.S. Eight more weeks until baby is due!!! I'm looking forward to having full ownership of my body again, but am slightly reluctant to welcome the sleepless nights and added responsibility of having an additional baby. Sure, it will be lovely, but it's best to be honest with oneself and just admit it will often be challenging.

Few Cute Things

Gwyneth on her 4th pancake or so...we lost count. These were not miniature pancake "coins," but the real deal, substantial



Gwyneth's latest acquirement, her pride and joy. We were given an amazingly nice set of practically new matching of doll accessories: pack n' play, pram, front baby carrier, diaper bag with accessories, etc. Some parents of a girl at church were clearing out some toys that their daughter failed to play with and Gwyneth reaped major benefits. We remind her that although these came from our friends, they are truly a gift to her from Jesus. We've been wanting to buy some items like this for her, but haven't because it would have been so costly. She ABSOLUTELY LOVES her dolly gear, and has been playing with it non-stop. What a blessing!





We are currently in a state of flux right now, Wes is soon to start a new job, more about that later, we're trying to secure a new rental property for July (which is proving to be quite difficult, lots of hoops), and we'll be holidaying in June/July, which we're also excited about...that and the belly continues to grow to enormous. The summer is full of promise.

Oh, and Gwyneth thinks she's having a baby too!

More Photos

Enjoying the Seaside with Mommy and Daddy. It's one of Gwyneth's favorite places to go. This occasion we found a wee hermit crab, which Gwyneth enjoyed examining!




15 Weeks


At 16 weeks, we all went in to see the midwife and told Gwyneth how she'd get to hear the baby's heartbeat and described the heart and all it did and what it sounded like and took turns listening to each other's chests. Although I was fairly confident that all was okay with the baby because I had daily felt consistent movement, we got a bit of a scare. The midwife couldn't pick up the baby's heart beat, just my own pulse (which made me hold my breath for a few moments) but it did mean that we got to see the baby on ultrasound, which was even better. Gwyneth was thrilled to see the baby and has been talking about it for days! I think she's ready for a sibling.

Gwyneth is all little girl, not a bit of baby left in her. In some ways I'm relieved to see that stage over, but there are times when I miss the babe in her. I guess I'll get to start all over from the beginning.

Pop! 17 Weeks

Officially Registered as a Childminder

I just got the phone call a few minutes ago that I am officially registered as a childminder and can now start accepting children into our home and provide them with daycare. I'm thrilled! This process has been a long one, and it finally looks as if I'll be able to begin making some financial contribution to our family "pot." So, as you think of us, please pray that God would provide me with and abundance of families and children that I could mind. I'm longing (hardly a strong enough word) to make a trip home this summer and part of it is relying on me being able to actually afford the plane ticket (surprise, surprise).

On a Gwyneth note, she's of course being chattier than ever. Yesterday the librarian commented on how clearly she spoke and how she seems to be blossoming with her speech. She told the librarian how "daddy reads the books to me" when we were checking out our new finds. It's also really fun to have her come up to me and say "mommy, whatcha doing?" Every day she surprises us with her songs and sentences and connections. She's been brilliant the past few days.

Thirteen Weeks

As promised, there were to be pregnancy photos. Here is one of me at 13 weeks. It's definitely true that the belly "pops" faster with the second pregnancy. Luckily, with having a toddler to chase after the weight doesn't seem to come on quite as easily, although I have two more trimesters and a week for that.



This is what I have to look forward to and this was still a few weeks before Gwyneth made her appearance! Oh boy! I have a lot to look forward to!

Out of the Thick, or Is It Just Spring?

As you may have noticed, or not, because you've given up on this blog, things just haven't been very busy at this website address. Well, I'm hoping that's about to end. This winter has been a real downer, which really when I think about all that's been going on, it's not a surprise. We just left our family, friends, house, sold all our stuff and moved country, had to figure out bank accounts to socialized medicine, learn the new rules of the road on the opposite side, find new friends and new jobs...and in the midst of that, it turned from a slightly pleasant, but drizzly August into an oppressively gloomy, cold, rainy and dark winter. For any person, would be enough to turn anyone slightly mad. It sent me into hiding under my duvet, wondering if I would ever want to come out again. I'm out again, tentatively, but I'm out. It's good. Part of me wonders if it's because God is doing an amazing work in my life, or if it's just because the sun has come out for about 5 consecutive days (although I still consider that a miraculous work of God when living in N. Ireland). Either way, I'm taking the change in mindset and running with it, and unbelievably am posting. It's not much, but I figure I'll post some pictures of the highlights of this winter...and hopefully there will be eternal sunshine in my mind from here on out, or as much as there can be in an imperfect world.

Grandma and Grandpa Visit


Rope Bridge


Marching Onward with Daddy


Quiet 2nd Birthday, Because Gwyneth Was Quite Sick...She Didn't Seem to Notice Her Birthday Cake was Lame


Photos Taken on New Year's Eve





Gwyneth's Christmas Miracle


Our False Christmas Miracle...Loved Actually USING the Potty for a Day, Now It's Hit or Miss


Oh, and for our biggest news, there will be a Patterson #4...or shall I say IS a Patterson #4, due to make an appearance towards the end of September! Talk about an unexpected shocker, but we're pleased. I'm sure there will be plenty of gigantic belly photos to follow in the near days.