In search of snow...

Two weeks ago we looked at the long range weather forecast and decided that Glasgow really wasn't going to get much snow this winter. Our eagerness to introduce Emily to all that life has to offer meant we felt that we couldn't let her first months pass without introducing her to some proper winter weather. Given that it was my Mum's 80th birthday party down in England, we grasped the perfect opportunity and set out a week in advance for a spot of 'extreme' driving and snow fun. Upto now our supreme being's only experience of the white stuff is what came from Mummy boobs - so to maximise our snow chance before heading to England, we thought it sensible to head in entirely the opposite direction and start our journey as far North as we could get to before getting stranded (just in case the snow forecast for the South was entirely mistaken).

Not many flowers but lots of snow!

A somewhat hairy drive up the A9 took us to a lovely weekend with the Edinburgh Hillwalkers in Pitlochry Youth Hostel (both 'Hillwalkers' and 'Youth' being somewhat misnomers these days). And so it was that the supreme being encountered her first proper snow! However, excited as we were by the prospect of introducing Emily to the snow - she seemed to approach the matter with her usual circumspection and lateral contemplation of the matter.

Too much apres ski and she was done for

Not to be deterred by this minor setback, we thought we would up the ante somewhat, and continue our voyage of snow discovery by heading towards some of the wintriest parts of Britain to spend a few days in the Peak District. Now surely more snow should equal more snow enthusiasm but sadly it seemed to only equal more sleeping for our Emily. Still, T and I had a lovely time!

Two puddings and a tart in Bakewell

Wintery heaven

More wintery heaven

First taste of a proper pint

We walked for miles over those 4 days - each time we ventured out we hoped that the supreme being might wake up and give us some sign that she shared our love of the crisp white stuff. Alas, it wasn't to be... Emily slept more soundly with every crunchy step we took. Come the evenings though she was wide awake and happy to share in a film or a bit of evening conversation. She even learnt to suck her thumb!

"Daddy made me eat snow!"

"But who needs snow when I can eat my thumb?"

And so we left the stunning, snowy Peaks behind to head to High Wycombe for my Mum's 80th birthday bash. Our final fear was a waking baby for the long drive ahead. Worried? Was never really in doubt...

Her mother's daughter...

Behind every great supreme being is an even greater supreme mother being, and in this respect Emily is no exception. Our own supreme being is starting to take very much after her mother. They share some of the same deific traits - great strength of character and belief, a flexible and adaptable approach, and a lover of warm water (a brave cynic would call this stubborn, indecisive and able to laze all day in the bath - but I am neither brave nor cynical).

You may remember that Emily used to hate bathtime (see post on Cleanliness clearly isn't next to Godliness). But in true indecisive style she has now decided that she loves her bath, thanks to a little persuasion and perseverance from her mother. Personally I just think she has inherited the bath gene, but definitely not passed from me. I don't have the time nor the patience for the things - a watery version of golf in my view...(apologies to any golf enthusiasts out there).

Mummy, are you sure I will like this?

Ok...you're right...it's ace!!

She now likes it so much that she has managed to persuade Mummy that she has to go in the bath with her. Obviously you can imagine that Mummy had to think quite long and hard about the matter, for all of about 5 seconds, before deciding that they both can now spend lots of time in the bath together while Daddy does the cleaning. The sacrifices a mother makes....

Let's hide in here Mummy while Daddy does the chores

Emily is now coming on apace. Her new found love of bath time has been mirrored by other changes. She's now started to chat away to me when I come home from work. I like to think she's asking all about my day, but I've honestly absoutely no idea what she's saying but she seems pretty intent on having a conversation nonetheless. And so we converse in comic style - each speaking totally different languages but chatting all the same. Makes a great welcome home after a day at the office. And it's not just me she's good at entertaining - we like to wheel her out at dinner parties too. Our supreme being is great with the guests - long may it continue...

Engaging in a spot of after dinner speaking...

Festive finale...

And so my least favourite of days comes when all that festivity must come to an enviromentally friendly end. Christmas trees must be taken to the park to be turned into ornamental bark, decorations back into their box to be re-used another year, cards recycled at M&S, and leftovers eaten, composted or made into soup. It's a sad day and the flat looks very naked by the end, but I try and cheer myself by reflecting on the fun and good times that have been shared over the past few weeks, and the first major festive season of many for Emily.

So what's this year's celebrations been like? Well for me it started in mid-December celebrating my 40th with T, Emi, and a lovely brace of pheasants. I also got given a parachute jump which is very exciting - so watch out for the blog on that. The next day my parents arrived with cake, and more laughter and good times were had. Their departure a few days later was swiftly followed within 15mins by the surprise arrival of my brother, in time for a lovely night out with friends (including a guest appearance by the Dodds) whilst T kindly babysat Emily. Coming in late meant there was a visitor in my bed...

Who's been sleeping in my bed?

And then it was a short pause for breath and Christmas was upon us. Pre-Christmas drinks were had with friends and last minute preparations completed. It was always going to be a special time this year with the addition of Emily, and she was now (for a change) really waking up to the world. Whilst sleeping is still a favourite pastime she is definitely now more alert, starting to enquire about her surroundings and communicate with us.

Emily soon learned that Dad was kidding when he said Christmas was cancelled 

and so delivered a well deserved left hook...

The days after our lovely family Christmas at the Gurneys (see Daddy loves Christmas) were spent with my niece Ruth. Ruth arrived just after Christmas and joined in looking after Emily (apart from nappy changing), helping entertain the neighbours (top marks for mince pies) and wins the prize for the best Christmas present this year (a completed version of a baby cardigan my sister had started knitting before she passed away - simply magical). 

Cousins - 19 years apart, but much loved shared

And then New Year came and went (see Happy New Year) and first footing season started with visits made to friends and colleagues. T made up for her pre-Xmas mince pie drought in fine style and we both enjoyed visiting so many people. Thank you all for your hospitality.

But there are many visits that still need to be made and more good times to be shared. For those near enough for us to 'pop in' we will try and do so in the coming weeks. For those further away you are no less in our thoughts, but we will need to work on our planning to see you in 2013. Wish us luck - there are never enough weekends to spend with you all.

For me 2012 was magical and the start of a wonderful journey. Despite today being a sad day (probably my least favourite in the year), the amazing festive season and wonderful times had with so many, have stood me in good stead to move forward into 2013 brimming with excitement. So much can happen, so many adventures to be had and shared with T and E. I can't wait...so bring it on.

My two favourite people in the world

Happy New Year...

Nothing says New Year like steak pie

2012 was a massive year. The Jubilee, Olympics and Paralympics might have been some of the big hitters in the UK but T and I also had our own annus mirabilis. It started wonderfully with our wedding in Feburary, T turning 40 and discovering she actually was an identical twin (surprise, surprise I hear you cry). Then we found out T was pregnant, and so 2012 ended with the birth of our beautiful daughter Emily and me turning 40 on 12/12/12. We worked out it would be pretty much impossible to beat this year for its significance.

Seeing double and it was only 8pm

So to celebrate the ending of a very eventful 2012 we invited the Gurney's over to the west coast, to help us bring in the New Year and return their Christmas hospitality. Unfortunately fate had other plans as apparently their car exhaust went wobbly. Personally I reckon not being able to find a garage open late on Hogmanay was a lame excuse as John could have just tied it up with Layla's tights if he really wanted, but instead T suggested that if the Gurney's can't come to New Year then we take New Year to them. So off we trotted back east, a car full of Hogmanay dinner, returning to North Berwick like the proverbial bad penny. I even took my own whisky having helped John 'taste test' his over Christmas. It seemed to do the trick as their door was open and their hearth most welcoming once more.

John raising the New Year toast

So our New Year came in delightful style with smoked mackerel pate and salmon, steak pie and fine cheese, some very excited children and a drop of malt to wash it down. Poor Emily didn't quite know what to make of her first New Year but even she managed a wee tipple at the bells.

Drinking up at the bells

The next day saw John undertaking the first part of the North Berwick triathlon by completing the Loony Dook. Plain stupid if you ask me but he seems to get a perverse pleasure out of it.

Dip anyone?

John Gurney - Man of Iron

So there it is, the close of 2012's great adventure and the dawn of 2013's uncharted sea. What will it bring I wonder? Well, whatever comes your way, Tanya, Emily and myself want to wish you a healthy, happy and magical new year and 'lang may yer lum reek'!