babyblog

Merry Christmas

Currently at my mums in Leicestershire I'm more relaxed than I have been in months. Having constant help from G and Mum with the boys and being surrounded by family is a great after 6 months of struggling in a foreign land.

I do, however, have a bad bout of flu... probably because my body has wound down!

Dylan is so excited about Santa arriving tomorrow (although earlier for some reason he decided he was going to get coal) and we were up until all hours wrapping presents last night. I have no idea how we're going to get all this stuff home - yikes.

Have been to see Nanny a few times this week after she fell and ended up in hospital. Feel desperately sorry for her as she lives day after day in her little house mostly alone and with nothing to look forward to. She was cheered to see us though, especially the boys, and I shall take them again before we leave here on Weds for a few days at dads before flying home.

Harry - 17 months

Happy another month big guy!

We're currently at your Grandma's house and you're recovering from a nasty tummy bug during which you puked and poo'd for England for 3 days straight. On the whole though, you're in fine spirits considering.

A couple of days ago we took you to a Christmas Carol Concert at the local Church. The Vicar gave a reading between songs "And the Angel Gabriel came unto Mary and said...." "ERROW!" (hello) you shouted, perfectly and loudly, much to the amusement of everyone present!

You've been good as gold on this Christmas trip to the UK so far.... adapting well to new environments. You suffered quite considerably from jet lag for a week, waking at 11pm and not wanting to go back to sleep until 3am, but thankfully are now over it.

You're walking everywhere and talking more and more each day. ERROW is the current favourite (especially while holding the phone in your hand) but you're quite handy with 'no no no' when you don't to do something (or know that you're not supposed to be doing something!) and yesterday mastered 'star' when pointing to a star.

I can't wait to see your face on Christmas morning when you see Santa has been. Last year you were too young to realise anything was going on - this year I think you'll be thrilled by the whole present thing.

Must sign off and make you some tea.

Love you big guy xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Ugh- Jet Lag

I thought we had successfully avoided jet lag after a massive 15 hour sleep upon arrival into the UK, but last night Harry woke at 10pm and wouldn't go back to bed until 2am, and I woke up at 12 and didn't go back to sleep until 5am...ugh. Woke up at mid-day today.....nightmare.

Mama Mia

Went to see Mama Mia last night in Seattle with some friends - good show! Somewhat typical of touring productions in that there were weak moments of singing and acting (oh how spoiled were we by the West End) but all in all it was an entertaining night out.

I am going out again on Thursday to a friends house and G & I are both going out on Friday night to a Christmas party... busy social whirl here! I am enjoying going out alot here though.... we have scored a good babysitter who comes every weekend which makes a big difference to our quality of life, and I also have various things on with girl friends. I am also putting H in the daycare at the gym for an hour 3x per week so that I can try to get some of this weight off and he absolutely loves it. The gym is more like a country club though, I keep bumping into my friends and fatally you can charge everything to your account so we go for coffee / food afterwards... I dread to think what the bill will be this month especially with my Spa trip also on there!

Redmond Town Center Christmas lights

Having too much to do in a short time

All of Jennifer Weiner's books

If the kids will behave on the plane!

The Christmas Invasion

It's hard, when you live abroad, to buy Christmas presents for your family. Either you have to order them online (and suffer the exchange rate) or you have to post them (at huge shipping cost) or, as is the case this year, make sure you have bought everyone something and find room for it in your suitcases! I have a busy week trying to get us all organized as we fly home on Saturday for 3 weeks.

That said, I'm really looking forward to going home for Christmas this year, not least because I think we all need a break from doing up the house!

I was going to pop to the mall this morning to finish up my present shopping but H had a major meltdown so instead I am stuck with painting skirting boards in the new playroom... joy!

Snow!

I'm over being too excited about snow after living in Canada for 4 years, but it is very very pretty when it first comes down and everything is white.