It's a Girl!

Kathryn Isabella Maston, called Kate, was born Monday 25th January at 9:28am. We were able to take her home Monday evening. She is doing very well and Andrew has quickly taken to her. He discovered today that he could hold her and has constantly wanted to hold her since then.

At hospital.



Andrew putting on her hat. He kept taking it off and trying to put it back on.


Andrew holding Kate.


Cuddles

Kisses



Video of Andrew holding Kate.

Moses Basket

I decided yesterday to get the baby's moses basket ready and to show it to Andrew so he could get used to it. When he saw it he said "Isla," which is the name of our friends' new baby. He had seen her in her moses basket the week before. I explained that this was for Andrew's baby, to which he repeated "baby." The moses basket was left sitting on the couch while I tidied up dinner. While I was in the kitchen, Andrew took the moses basket off the couch and carried it to the kitchen door. Then he climbed into it. It was so cute that I had to get a few quick pictures. But then I needed to get him out of it so he didn't break it! He was very unhappy when I took him out and put the basket in the other room out of his reach.

Our exciting news

No--baby number 2 is not here. But we have other news: We will be staying in Scotland for a while longer.

Jason has been appointed New Testament Tutor at Highland Theological College in Dingwall, Scotland. He will be starting in February, so we will be moving to the Dingwall area shortly after baby number 2 is born. The College is small and a mix of on-campus students and distance learners. Jason will be working with students who are preparing for ministry or are already serving in churches as pastors or lay leaders. He will also be able to continue his research and writing. Erin will be able to stay at home with the kids.

Dingwall is about 115 miles (3 hours) north of Aberdeen, near the city of Inverness. Dingwall has a long history and, with many walking trails beginning there, it provides a great starting point for adventures into the highlands of Scotland.

This job is an answer to prayer as so few positions are currently open. We received our new work visas exactly one week before Jason's interview.

We invite you to visit us in the Highlands of Scotland.

This Could Be Interesting!

Our close friends recently had a baby. Today Andrew met her for the first time. We were interested to see how he would respond. We thought he might be really jealous because he is used to having all their attention. He was fine with her being around, watched her a bit, and then carried on playing. However, when I tried to hold her he was very upset. We had him sit beside me but that didn't suffice. Then I tried holding him on one side and her on the other. That worked for a minute until he started trying to hit her. So...life could be interesting when his own brother/sister arrives and Mummy can't just pass her back to her parents!!

Christmas

We seem to have started a Christmas tradition that we really need to change...Andrew being sick! Last Christmas all three of us had a stomach bug. This year Andrew was very sick. Poor boy started with vomitting and then had a high temperature, chesty cough, sore throat and ears for a week. He has never been this unwell. All he did was sleep, and when he was not sleeping he only wanted to be held. Once in a while he got a burst of energy for about 30 minutes and wanted to play, but then he would crash. He didn't eat much either, so he has been making up for it this week by eating all the time. So we'll hope to break this trend next year!

We managed to open presents on Christmas morning. We thought Andrew would be more interested this year and understand what to do. But he had no interest in unwrapping. Once unwrapped though, he was happy to play with his toys.

Barney video. He loves Barney!

Thanks Gigi for the singing toothbrush that plays Frosty the Snowman over and over and over again! He loves it.


He also likes his new scribbler (etch a sketch).


I am now 35 weeks and look huge!

This video is of Andrew playing with one of his new toys. He is able to sort the colours with just a little help.

Growing Boy

We have had two new developments recently. In the morning Andrew always goes down to say hi to Jason. He climbs in bed, gives him a cuddle and then heads to the kitchen for breakfast. As he leaves he says "Bye,Bye" and waves to Jason. Last week he said "Bye,Bye Daddy." That is the first time he has put two words together. We were so proud!

The other was when Andrew was taking a nap. It is not uncommon for him to talk on and off during his nap. Last Saturday he had been talking a bit. When I went up to get him I got a surprise. His car seat which sits against one wall had been moved across the room and one of his toy baskets had been dumped. But he was back in his bed. Funny thing was Jason and I had never heard any noises to suggest he was out of bed. And, he did this all in a sleep bag!

Andrew loves hopping/jumping. He actually gets both feet off the ground.

Grandpa Maston gave Andrew another KU outfit. He looks really cute in it. And he is obsessed with his NWA pilots hat Gigi gave him.



This pic is at 32 weeks. We are now at 34 weeks. Not long to go!


Andrew loves to listen to the "Happy and you know it" song on his Barney video. He claps, stomps, and jumps with the characters. He will even point to his face when they do. It is really cute. I don't know what the upset at the beginning was. Maybe it is because I wasn't singing along. I didn't want to scare any of you with my voice!



This is just a funny video of Andrew playing with a laundry basket and camera case and talking up a storm.

The Holiday Season Has Begun

Andrew's Uncle and Aunt sent him some Thanksgiving pajamas. They are so cute! Andrew is also becoming a daredevil/acrobat. He loves jumping, climbing, and hanging upside down.



Andrew loves wearing hats. However, we likes wearing them inside and not outside! This is a hat Gigi made him.

Jason's parents came for a visit a few weeks ago. The Saturday before Thanksgiving, we had a Thanksgiving dinner with his parents and our Scottish friends. It was a lot of fun and I greatly enjoyed the pumpkin pie. Andrew really liked the turkey.

The weekend after Thanksgiving we decorated our Christmas Tree. Andrew was a great helper and really enjoyed it. I finally had to hide some of the ornaments because we had enough on the tree but he wanted to keep putting them on!





29 weeks. We are now at 31. Only 9 to go!

Andrew has learned to give kisses, with sound effects included.

Our independent son

I am still amazed daily at how independent Andrew is becoming. He is now 19 months old. When Andrew woke up this morning, we came down to the kitchen for breakfast. He wanted up in his chair. Once in his chair, he reached towards the counter and said "apple." He has been saying this word for a few days now and is obsessed with eating apples! So I gave him an apple and he started eating. Then I decided to try to get him saying "apple" on video. He can't quite get the "p" sound out, so its very cute.