We've arrived!

I am writing from my new bedroom in Stirling, Scotland at 14 Morris Terrace. Liam is kicking and cooing on his Judy quilt beside me... he has no idea yet that he's an international traveller! Brendan has gone to school, so the bopper and I are spending our first day alone together (this has not happened yet in Liam's short life!). So far it's been a good one. Liam doesn't seem to notice the time change - he kept to his nighttime schedule last night, which made Mommy and Daddy very happy indeed! In fact, he's been absolutely golden since we left... not surprising since he's the best boy there ever was (in my opinion anyway!!!).


We left home on Sunday, October 31st at around 8pm. We travelled with Mom & Dad and were joined at the airport by Jess & Joel (the glowing newlyweds!) and Patrick. Our flight was scheduled to leave at 10:40pm, so we spent a bit of time with the family after checking our bags and before going through security. The goodbye was poignant and I cried as we waved from behind the security gates... but time will fly, I'm sure.


Liam was a champion traveller! He wasn't bothered a bit by the change in pressure as the plane took off. He was nursed-out by the time we actually left (having eaten his fill as we taxied around waiting to leave, which took longer than expected) - but he munched on his soother and then fell asleep. He stayed asleep for the entire first leg of the trip, from Ottawa to London. I managed to sleep a bit too, but I don't think B got much rest. He doesn't sleep well on planes. 


We arrived at Heathrow at around 9am, local time. We made our way quickly to Terminal 1, where we were to connect to our flight to Edinburgh, only to discover that three of our bags had not been checked to our final destination! It was a bit of a drag to have to go all the way back to Terminal 3, pick up our bags, and go back through customs and security, but we tried not to let the hiccup bother us too much. Liam kept our spirits up, smiling at us from his car seat as we raced through Heathrow's underground tunnels. After bus rides, tunnel running and standing in lines of various lengths (or queues as they call them here), we finally made it to our connecting flight just before boarding closed. We were accommodated with seats together (our tickets had us in separate rows) and settled in for the short flight from London to Edinburgh. Liam cried a bit but was consoled by breakfast (or lunch or whatever it was!). He then spent a good half hour charming his adoring mama with smiles before falling asleep in Daddy's arms. 


Our flight out of London had left at 12:30 and we arrived in Edinburgh about an hour later. We picked up our luggage and then took a taxi to the train station. After the 40 minute train ride from Edinburgh to Stirling, we hopped another cab home to Morris Terrace. It was a bit of an ordeal to transport our luggage from plane to cab to train to cab to home (there's no packing light with a baby - 3 of our 6 checked bags were made up of his clothing and gear, plus car seat, diaper bag, and backpack!), but we made it with help from gracious taxi drivers and station employees. Liam was decidedly hungry when we finally made it home (it was around 4pm at this point), so we immediately found a spot to sit down and remedy that. Once he finished, he and I took in our new surroundings. Fourteen Morris Terrace is a nice little apartment in centre town. We have 2 bedrooms, kitchen, bathroom and a decent sized living room. I think we'll be quite at home here. 


Our first evening in our new home was very enjoyable. I had a hot bath (heavenly after 14 hours of travelling), we had dinner and watched a bit of tv, and then went to bed. I was worried that Liam might have a restless night since he had slept so much while we travelled, but much to my delight, he only woke up once to nurse! B and I are both tired today, but a couple more good sleeps should have us feeling better.  


Brendan left for school around 8:30 this morning. Liam and I walked with him to the bus stop, and then went exploring. The day is cool and a bit rainy, but I was eager to walk the streets, so we bundled up and set out. I very much enjoyed my first taste of Stirling. I love the cobblestone streets and old buildings. I look forward to spending the next seven months getting to know this place and its people. 


A highlight from my walk: an old man with a cane called me lassie as we passed each other on the sidewalk! He said something else but I didn't catch it - I guess it will take some time to figure out the local-speak!


Here are a few photos taken this morning:

14 Morris Terrace (brown door)

The view from front our window:

Some shots of the streets of Stirling:

St. Mary's - our new parish 

Whistlebinkies, a traditional Scottish pub!
Beside it is John Cowane's house (Scotland's wealthiest 17th century merchant)

My baby and me!

All pooped out from our walk!