Our Family & Our Life

Dear Diary, I thought I should share some pictures and bring you up to date with what's been happening. I arrived quite late into denver on monday night as my flight from newark, New York to Denver was delayed by 3 hours. But when you take into account the extra 2 hours due to mountain time then I didn't lose too much. However it was near 11pm when I got to my hotel. http://marriott88-px.rtrk.com/hotels/travel/densa-renaissance-denver-hotel/ The next day I went to the Metro taxi office at 10am and had my first look at my new office. As you can see there is much to do even before I start to install the autocab system, I haven't even got somewhere to set up and prep my computers, which should arrive next monday, hopefully. So I have had to get painters, an electrician, and the local carpet guy in to get things going, hopefully they will be starting tomorrow. This will be the view from the office... The view from the hotel room is a little better and you can see the rockies in...

Dear Diary, I think this will be a long post so prepare yourselves.... First of all, Colin and I would like to say thank you to all for your telephone calls, prayers, emails, cards and kind words after the passing away of his mom. It was very much appreciated and comforting to know that we were in your thoughts and prayers these last few weeks. Secondly, an update on the Colorado situation. We are leaving at the end of May (date to be determined) but only after Colin spends the next three weeks in Denver. He is leaving on Monday to set up the office and start the installation and return home on or about the 16th. He also hopes to have time to find us a place to live, arrange for a company car, cell phone, locate the shopping malls, restaurants, hair dressers, etc... phew, he'll have a lot to do and I'll give him a list to make sure he doesn't forget anything! In the meantime, I will stay behind and really buckle down on sorting the house and packing up. We have collected so...

Dear Diary, Yes, her Daddy really thinks she can say her name. Apparently she can say "Isladlkjfaj" and that's her name!!! Whatever, he's been trying to teach her since she was two weeks old to say "Daddy" so he is marginally disappointed that was not her first word. I will be contacting the folks at Guinness World Records later on this afternoon. She went for a check up at the hospital with the pediatrician on Tuesday and they were very pleased with her progress and growth. She was 52.5 cm. long and weighed in at 8lbs. 11ozs. We've even noticed her lifting her head up when she is on my shoulder or laying on her daddy's chest. Sitting in her chair at 6.5 weeks old Look, she has hair on her head (and eyebrows) In case you were wondering what it says on her shirt, it says "Daddy's little Princess". Enough said, right? Have a blessed Sunday. Heather, Colin and Isla

Dear Diary, I guess the correct heading of this post should be week 6 of Isla's young life, shouldn't it? Anyways, which ever week it is, she is doing well. Last week Thursday was a memorable day for us as she gave her mom and dad her first smile (if you speak to her Oma, she'll say she had one at week 2 but that is just her wishful thinking!). It was a half smile but she has since figured out how to move her entire mouth when she wants too. They are still few and far between and the best time to possibly see one is when she is about half way through her bottle. She is becoming more and more alert with longer awake periods when we have some very interesting "conversations" as was happening in the photo below. She loves to hold hands with her mom.... Colin was off work yesterday and we decided to go for a short drive because Isla likes to get out and see the spring lambs. This is not a happy face -- her lamb was just born and she was being very protective Ahhh, ba...

Dear Diary, We came across this old picture, who do you think it is?... Same dress, different generation...

Dear Diary, Here she is, all 7 lbs 9.5 ozs of Isla!!! Growing like a weed as they say but her growth has slowed down ever so slightly off her 2 ozs. a day rate she was on... Nevertheless, we are very pleased she is doing so well... Heather, Colin and Isla

Dear Diary, I just had to share a few photos of Isla taken this morning. As you can see from the dribble in the corner of her mouth, she just had her breakfast.... Isla wanted to show off some of her pretty new clothes that she is finally beginning to fit into. She has loads of lovely dresses to try on but most are still a bit big. Tomorrow the health visitor comes to the house for the big weigh in - I'm guessing 8 lbs 2 ozs but we'll have to wait and see!!

Dear Diary, The beginning of week four of our darling daughter's life saw her being baptized! Our own minister has been off ill for quite some time so we were concerned that we wouldn't be able to have her baptized at Gardenmore but in Colorado. The minister from 1st Larne Presbyterian was assigned to be in our church yesterday so the opportunity was available for which we are very thankful. We had a lovely day however Nanny Black couldn't attend as she is ill and had to be hospitalized yesterday. We pray that soon she may be well enough to come home to her family. Isla Jennifer Black wearing her daddy's baptismal gown My cousin Marie Vandenberg is back in N. Irleand for a few days and was able to join us for this happy occasion. We wish Marie well as she moves to Scotland later this week. Jenna Black with Isla Erin couldn't wait to hold her little cousin! Amy also did a great job of holding Isla and perhaps a future babysitter for her! Today is also a bi...

Dear Diary, By now most people know of our plans to move to Denver, Colorado. We we're told by Colin's boss to be in Denver for the first week in April and so we thought we would be leaving Northern Ireland probably the 1st of April for Toronto where we will stay with my family for a few days together. After that the plan is for Colin to fly by himself to Denver to organize the company and find us a place to live followed by myself, Isla and the cats a few weeks later. However, things have since changed as Colin's mom is seriously ill in hospital and it's best if we stay in Northern Ireland a bit longer. Colin will be in Manchester on Wednesday to discuss the move and our departure date with his boss on Wednesday.

Dear Diary, I have been wanting to update the blog for quite some time but just never got to it so tonight I have put Isla (pronounced EYE'la) to sleep in our bedroom and I have her bedroom (and computer room) to do work on the computer. Isla is a good baby but she is easily woken up so I figure this is the best way for both of us. Let me tell you about her first 3 weeks of life..... Well, as many of you probably know, I had pregnancy induced hypertension from about 34 weeks onwards. Even with five weeks off work before her expected due date, not much changed and it continued to go and up and down right to the end and even after her birth! At 39 weeks a midwife was at the house and my BP was well over 100 so she was obligated to call the hospital to see what they wanted to do with me. I was told to come in with an overnight bag as they wanted to monitor me for the next 24 hours. That was Valentines day and by Saturday, I was going stir crazy in the maternity ward so I asked the doc...