Where have I been???

Dear Baby,

Things have been quiet here in cyberspace.  You wouldn't know anything about that though, as it's been mummy and Emma fun days nearly EVERY day.  For everyone else reading my posts, I've been right here - in Ohio - trying to figure out how to live life again.

I'm not going to lie, I've had my fair share of pangs of homesickness since returning to my original home.  Like now - I'm currently writing this post whilst having a glass of wine and listening to KLFM.  My mom asked why I'm feeling so nostalgic.  I can't quite put my finger on it.  Perhaps I miss the comfort of the life we had?  I know we will be settled soon, but I'm just guessing that may be the cause to my desire to shop at Tesco or eat at Middleton Steak House.  

It's been a bit of a culture shock (coming home).  I mean, this is the post I should have written weeks ago, but I couldn't bring myself to write anything down.  I was so set on returning home but at the same time I loved so many things about living in England.  After eight years I was coming back.  Was it a failure?  Mission accomplished?  I don't know.  

In truth, I had the experience of a lifetime living in England.  It was amazing.  It was hard work.  It was incredibly frustrating, downright hilarious and overwhelmingly busy.  I loved the experience - I just didn't love it every day.  

When I was preparing move to England I frequented a forum for present and new teachers moving with Bluewave Teacher Recruitment Agency. I met a woman who was returning to America after ten years of living in England. I asked her why she wanted to come home. She said she was ready. 

I never really understood that. Initially, anyways. To me, England was going to be a potentially permanent move. It was just so new, exciting and just so quentisential. 

I don't know what attracted me to the country; perhaps it was the accent or the literature. Maybe the scenery. The tea. London? Whatever it was, that choice led me to a whole new world which shaped me into a completely different person. 

Eight years. 

Eight different homes (72, 47, 125 Gaywood Road, Poppyfield, London Road, The Cottage, 212 Main Road and Watlington!)

Seven counties visited outside of Norfolk (Kent, Cornwall, Devon, Leicestershire, Cambridgeshire, Yorkshire, Sussex)

Six hilarious yet challenging years in the English department

Five musicals with the King's Lynn Players (Witches of Eastwick, 42nd Street, Guys and Dolls, Hot Mikado, The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas)

Four holidays abroad with B (USA, France, the Maldives and Mexico)

Three cars - ALL Manual Drive! (Renault Clio, Volkswagen Polo, Mini One)

Two job titles (Drama Teacher and English Teacher)

One wedding. 

One husband. 

One baby.  

You.

Eight years.  I can’t believe I have closed that chapter of my life.  Some moments I catch myself thinking about England and missing the people or places.  I don’t think that will ever go away.  I haven’t had any pangs of doubt or worry; I still believe moving back here to America was the right choice for us as a family.

But that doesn’t mean that I don’t miss the place which held so much value in my life.  If it wasn’t for that outrageous moment where I declared that I was going to move to England, there would be no Daddy or you. What kind of life would that be?

You only lived there for a fraction of time - your first home and room and town was only yours for 9 months. But let me assure you, that place was full of wonderful people and places.  

The lessons I learnt there are immeasurable.  

Then again - the lessons we are learning here are pretty exciting too.  We have a new house, jobs and are making new friends.  There are so many exciting opportunities just waiting for us.  I can't tell you that I prefer one place over the other because I love different things about both.  Both are my home. Both hold my family.  Both have my heart.

You may ask me in years to come why we moved.  We did so because we believed it was the right place for us as a family. I missed my family. We moved for you.  I can't wait to see what you do in this exciting place.

Love always,

Me xxx

Ten Months!

My Chalkboard is somewhere between here and King's Lynn!

How Old:   Ten months!

Weight:   21.8 pounds

Likes:   Walking (whilst pulling our fingers off), hitting things with her spatula, bouncing, chasing mummy, eating (especially peas), rocking out to music.

Dislikes:  Sitting - it's so overrated, being held too close, the hot Ohio weather last week, animals (it's like a new fear...I'm planning on exposing her to as many as I can!),  tomatoes, lime green hats (Uncle Chuck's managed to terrify her).

Eating:  We are slowly coming off of Nutramigen and replacing it with three meals, snacks and plenty of watered down squash. I can't get her to drink water, so I put a tiny squrit of Robinson's fruit squash in her bottle and she necks the lot.  As it's been so hot here, I am desperate for her to drink anything.  She has a new safe food - beef!  She loved the steak ground and mixed with veg, but was not keen on the mini meatballs. I'm trying stewed tomatoes today!  She's now starting to dislike us feeding her purees so we are leaning towards more finger foods.

Emma's first trip to Little Italy!

Sleeping:  Emma has been an absolute gem with settling into American time.  She didn't really sleep on the flight but went through the night the very first day we arrived.  She's still sleeping 7-6:30 with some hour long naps in the day.  

Routine:  Usually when Emma wakes up we give her breakfast right away.  She then has a play for an hour or so and it's back to bed for a nap.  After, we tend to get her out and about until bottle at 10:30 and lunch at 12:30.  She then has an afternoon bottle at 3:30 followed by dinner at 5:30 and bedtime milk at 7:00.  I'm not really sure how we got into this routine, but it seems to be working!

Sizes:  She's a solid 12 month USA sizes - I'm not entirely sure what she would be in UK sizes as most of our clothes are American.

Milestones:   Walking with help, feeding herself (finger foods), waves and clapping (plus the odd high five!).  She can do something if she is shown once - using her spoon as a drumstick, rocking, etc. She can wave, high five and give kisses (only if you're mummy) on demand.  She even has started to fake sneeze and say what sounds like "Ah-choo!"

Mum's favourite moment:  There have been some absolute gems of moments this months.  The clapping or the pure look of glee on Emma's face when we gave her the lawnmower to push.  She has so much personality at the moment and I'm loving it!

Dad's favourite moment:  While waiting on B's new Kia, Emma started to get bored in the waiting room.  B put her on his shoulders and started chasing me around the showroom.  She was shrieking with laughter - proper baby squeals and laughs.  We were in hysterics as she was so delighted by the whole scenario.  

She loooooooves the new Radio Flyer trike

Moving to America has been one HUGE endeavor.  I have a separate post in the making outlining the move and all of the joy surrounding that.  It is so nice to be with my family; I really appreciate the help with Emma on a daily basis.  It's also been wonderful to have my darling B back after his relentless shifts before the move.


I don't know who looks happier!

We are obviously missing England - our friends and family mostly - but we are slowly working our way through and establishing a life here.

So far we have:

1.  Bought a car

2.  Registered Emma at a Doctor

3.  Signed up for an Old Navy, Babies R Us, Starbucks and Dick's Sporting Goods store cards

4.  B got a fishing license

5.  Registered for a one year membership to Anytime Fitness - I love it!

6.  Eaten our weight in good food - Salads at Arabica are our favorite
7.  Bought a big girl car seat - Graco All in One

8.  Eaten Froyo (most important item on the list)

Emma is settling right in.  She loves her new room and the new toys which Nonna has borrowed/found for her.  She has played with her cousin James (probably the most adorable game of peek-a-boo ever). And she has made loads of new friends.  We have a  few more playdates scheduled or on the horizon, plus some great ideas for things to do in the area (thanks for the suggestions!).  I've just bought her a swim suit as I'm pretty sure we will be spending plenty of time in a paddling pool if the weather is anything like it was last week!

We are anxiously awaiting the arrival of our shipping (scheduled for arrival in Cleveland on the 25th May) as we are keen to have our high chair and other bits and bobs.  I don't even remember what we packed, come to think of it.  In order to make room for our lives I had to get rid of everything in my old room - funny how much stuff you have saved over the years!  I found everything - photos, old notebooks, essays, a time capsule, old report cards.  I even managed to find $100 in a card from when I got straight As - it pays to go through everything!

All in all, we are getting there.  It's been so very hard to leave the people we love, but distance means so little when people mean so much.  You're in our hearts.  I hope you all know that.



As for us, you know I'll keep blogging.  Emma is getting bigger and more and more clever - I don't want you to miss any of that!  So if you don't get to see me or talk to me every day to find out what is going on, I'll keep you updated here, on instagram or on Facebook.  Don't worry - we will be right here.  Thank you, cyberspace.  You managed to close that gap that is the Atlantic.

Xx

5 things I will be taking back to England with me

The past two weeks have just flown by.  I cannot actually believe that my time here in Ohio is over and I am going to be heading back to ol Blightly over the weekend.  It's even more difficult to believe that the next time I come back, I'll have Baby McBerry with me - in the flesh!

There are a few things I'll be  taking home with me in addition to my kick butt gifts for Baby.

1.  Raspberries and Strawberries are ALWAYS a good idea
I'm fairly certain I've eaten close to six pounds of each over the past two weeks.  (Think my belly has grown?  Nope, it's just fruit and Fritos)   I LOVE berries.  Baby LOVES berries.  Why on earth don't we buy berries in England?  

Berries are always a good idea.  PYO season will be here before we know it, so there's no excuse for us not to stock up on these delicious little gems.  In the meantime, Tesco may charge an arm and a leg for them....but it's totally worth it.

2.  Happy Little Trees

I can't actually believe you can still watch Bob Ross on WVIZ. I just stood watching him the other day in awe.  The Bob Ross philosophy has always made me smile - there are no mistakes, just happy accidents. Things that don't appear "right" can be turned into something great. Perspective is a beautiful thing. Thanks, Bob. I needed that reminder. 

3. Tradition 

We have so many family traditions. When you live about 4,000 miles away you tend to become slightly removed from tradition.  It could be convenience or lack of resources, it could be because some things just aren't done. For one reason or another, I've lost so many traditions.  

I haven't coloured Easter eggs or gone to a fish fry in seven years. Seven. I've taken to hiding B's Easter egg - merging the two ways of celebrating Easter. I'm not sure he likes searching for his chocolate in the house, but it's tradition. Baby McBerry will definitely have an Easter basket.  Baby will definitely be dressed up for Halloween.  Baby will send Valentines and wear green on Paddy's day. Tradition. It's important.

4.  The McDonalds Filet-O-Fish Song

Seriously.  What is that advertisement?  I can't get it out of my head.  I don't like filet-o-fish - let alone McDonalds.  I have visions of singing this four weeks down the line and no one will have a clue what I'm talking about.  I know.  And that's torture enough!

5.  Sometimes you just need to curl up on the sofa and watch Frozen

When I come back to Ohio, I like to spend my evenings with my family.  We've gone out together to get ice cream, we've popped out for drinks at the Winking Lizard, but my favourite times have been curling up in the living room and watching a film with the family.

B and I work so hard during the week.  It seems by the time we get home and eat I have a few hours worth of work to do and before you know it - it's bed time.  Is it worth it?  I don't think so.  Obviously things need to get done, but I think recharging in the evenings needs to be a new priority.  Besides - who could pass up on the opportunity to watch Frozen?

Five things that won't take up any room in my suitcase, but five things I'm more than happy to be taking back to London with me.  It's hard to believe that the next time I'm back here it could be for good.  

B reminded me today that we need to spend the next year relishing all that England has to offer.  He's got a point.  What I've always loved about living in England is the "quintessentially English" things. Stay tuned - I have a feeling the next year is going to be a year to remember.

Xx

Twenty weeks! Halfway there!!

I wanted to thank everyone for their kind words and support over the past few weeks. It's been amazing to receive so much feedback - online and in person from here and afar. I'm always shocked by the number of hits my posts get (especially as I think I'm just rattling off utter rubbish). I'm just glad people want to know how B and I getting on - it's just going to get funnier and funnier (as we have NO IDEA what we are doing).  
Stay tuned - you may get a chuckle or two!

(Photo update!)

How far along:  Twenty Weeks!

Weight Gain: 9 Pounds!  Wow! 

Maternity Clothes:  I ran out of excuses....and clothes.  See  below for the update!

Stretch Marks:  Nope!

Belly Button:  In but feeling rather vast. 

Queasy or Sick:   I'm feeling pretty good even though I've had a few vomity days. Every time I smugly remember I'm vomit free - boom - I'm hugging the toilet.

Sleep:  I'm sleeping really well.  My only problem is I need to get more and more of it. I'm not interested in staying up any later than 9 - this makes me a real social recluse. I don't care how anti-social I appear. Grumpy and pregnant just aren't a good mix. 

Best Moment of the Week:  It's been half term - every day is wonderful. But really it had to be the scan on Friday.  Baby was all arms and legs - which isn't a surprise if you've seen my arms and legs.  Baby also kept it's legs crossed, so we had no chance of finding out the gender!  Auntie Erin thought it was a good sign - conservative baby.

Worst Moment of the Week:    Having to pay out £90 to remove the buildup of winter grime on my tyres - at least it will save me from screeching every time I stop the car!

Miss Anything:  I've had a real hankering for Stilton and white wine. A proper wine and cheese tasting - but more than a taste. More a jumbo sized selection.... a lunchable to end all lunchables...I just have this really refined a pallet, ok?

Movement:   I've worked out what "flutters" feel like and I've had loads of them!  B can even feel them now!  Baby doesn't like me resting the iPad on the edge of my belly. That message has been received loud and clear. 

Cravings:   I'm not sure there's been any mad cravings. I'm just far more obsessed with certain foods and won't rest until I get to eat what I want. Soft pretzels, for instance. Where on earth am I going to get an Aunt Annie's Pretzel in King's Lynn?  Solution.  And Lemon Curd? I'm obsessed at the moment!  I've just had a very big fail trying to make buttermilk waffles...so, moving back to America is really the only option here.

Looking forward to:  We have a really busy week this week, but most importantly we are having our couples massage on Thursday for our Monthly Anniversary gift!  I'm so glad I booked that.....a much needed treat!

Why hello, bump!

B and I have been debating names this past week. We are both dead set on our girl name, but our boy name has been spoken for - so it's back to the drawing board for Baby Boy McBerry. Being a teacher, names are a real problem.   There's a list about a metre long of names that could be quite lovely - could be - if it weren't for some child who ruined the integrity of that good old name and has haunted my memories.

Maternity Clothes! I finally had success!  After going into *every* shop in King's Lynn, I finally visited New Look - and geeze - talk about having to eat my words.  There wasn't a massive selection, but it was the best selection I had ever come into contact with.  Clothes were affordable and - gasp - stylish.  They actually are cut in a flattering way - I especially love this red top as I can wear it with leggings or trousers (when I find some) and B really likes the black dress (similar) (my chests looks huge...of course he loves it).  Mom and Erin also came to the rescue and are sending me some US maternity trousers....Frumpy is not ok - and I'm lucky I have my family to help me fight the limited maternity clothes selection!

In other news, I've started a youtube Pregnancy Yoga class, seeing as there are NO classes for much of anything maternity related in the West Norfolk Area.  At least it's something to keep me moving and stretching.  I tried a session the other night when I was feeling pretty lousy and the breathing and gentle stretches genuinely made me feel better!

B and I are also attending an Expectant Parent Night at Mothercare.  Now this is a good idea.  A friend recommend it and I'm really glad we have signed up - there's loads of freebies, plus teaching of first aid/CPR, advice on feeding and safety and other shopping/buying options.

For my emotional well being, I've joined Lauren Conrad's Book Club to keep me reading and engaged in a life beyond work.   "Where'd you go, Bernadette" is the book on the table at the moment - it was only £3 on Kindle, so I was more than happy to jump on board!  The only problem?  You have to read section 1 by 6 March.  I finished the whole thing in 24 hours.  Oops.  A good read though - I loved the style of the book with emails and faxes and articles.  It just helped to shape the characters!  I've now started Gina Ford's "The New Contented Little Baby Book" at the recommendation of a few friends.  I've learned a lot - it's terrifying!

As half term is coming to a close, I'm jumping with glee at the next break - in six weeks time I'll be in America with my fabulous family!  Baby needs to experience Ohio.  I've been so homesick recently, so I can't wait to see my US family and friends.   My sister sent me this picture the other night of my mom and I felt those pangs of homesickness creeping in again.  Luckily, Auntie Erin has it all sorted and we have a checklist of places to see (mostly food places) to settle my pregnancy cravings for Ohio!

Xx

Bump Shot: Week 16

It's been a frosty week, but even the colder weather welcomes some bright skies!

Of course I can't complain as Ohio has been dumped on with snow this week.

How far along:  Sixteen Weeks! 

Weight Gain:  4 pounds!

Maternity Clothes:  I am still determined to wear my regular clothes and have even begun experimenting with skirts. How high can they realistically go??  Maternity jeans at weekends and evenings though - I need the comfort!  I'm wearing a pair from Top Shop jeans - amazing!

Stretch Marks:  None - and I bought new Weleda stretch mark massage oil. The smell of all of the others left me queasy - we found this in Boots and although it's a bit expensive it smells and feels great!

Belly Button:  In - but actually looks bigger. Is that normal??

Queasy or Sick:  I'm waiting for the day when I get to say NO. I've had really bad nights and mornings this week - I've even messed up my vomit free streak. The doctor has taken me off of one of the medications and now I'm suffering again!  Don't get me started!

Sleep:  Quite good when I manage it. Tuesday night I woke up at 2:30 and could not for the life of me get back to sleep. I was a walking zombie all day. I was stressing and worrying and then feeling queasy. It just wasn't a good night. Luckily, I seem to be back to normal. 

Best Moment of the Week:  So much great stuff happened - a Spa Day for Heidi's 40th at Congham Hall and the amazing package my brother sent with the most brilliant gifts in it - but really it's a toss up between Poppy and Bella planting their faces into my belly to sing Twinkle Twinkle Little Star to Baby McBerry and FINDING A HOUSE!!  I haven't mentioned that little gem yet becuse....

Worst Moment of the Week:  Being told our landlord is selling our house. Boom. B got the call last week and I was just devastated. I love this house. I've planned a nursery for this house. It's OUR house!  Long story short - B took control and sorted it in a week. The new house is gorgeous!

Miss Anything:  Blue Cheese and wine. I want to be in a position in life where I have a fridge full of wine, champagne and nice cheese.   I really REALLY want La Gachere wine from the vineyard we stayed at in France two summers ago!

Movement:   No, but I get so many niggles of pain - I often feel like tapping on my belly and asking if baby is comfortable - he/she's certainly making me uncomfortable!!

Cravings:   Avocado. Of course this could be because this week Baby McBerry is the size of an avocado. We've already had guacamole and chips and then avocado, tomato and mozzarella salad to appease me. 

Looking forward to:  The February half term. I cannot wait for a break just so I can catch up with marking and sleep. 

In the world of work, this aren't exactly going to plan as I'm feeling so rotten in the evenings. Wednesday night I was in bed by 7. 7!! I'm working so hard while I'm at work and then in the evenings, when I was usually putting in about four or five hours of marking, I'm virtually unable to do anything!  I'm getting panicked as my marking needs to be done, but I've had no time (while well) to actually do it. 

I think I have a plan though - so let me trial it and I'll get back to you. 

In the meantime, I'm starting moving preparations!  Here's a shot of our new house - it's HUGE!  Hopefully we will be in by mid March - just in time for St. Paddy's day!

I'm most looking forward to the little things - loo roll holders, a table in the kitchen, heating that doesn't lock out in the middle of the night and leave us freezing, getting away from a main road...the list goes on!

How we are going to fill a four bed house is beyond me - I mean, there are four toilets.  Such options!

Tonight B and I are headed to the Comedy Club at the King's Lynn Corn Exchange.  I bought him tickets as part of an anniversary present - a prepaid/pre-organised date for every month.  January's gift was the comedy club!  How's that for a fun night out?  Hoping I don't puke...

Xx

Ofsted Aftermath

It's hard to explain the education system to my friends and family back in America.  "It's just not the same"comes out of my mouth nearly every time I mention work.  And then there's Ofsted.  

I wrote a few weeks ago that we were shocked by the fall in our GCSE results.  From the first day back the bar has been raised - a much greater demand has been placed on the quality our teaching, marking and the behaviour and progress of our students.  We knew Ofsted were coming and we knew they wouldn't be happy.  

While the changes are fabulous and really good for the kids, it's exhausting.  I'm proud of my work and I know what I need to do to be the best.  But it is time consuming and incredibly tiring.  I will get to work at 7:30 and finish working around 10:00pm - daily.  Perhaps that is just the territory that comes with being an English teacher.

And then on Wednesday we received the call that Ofsted was arriving in 20 hours.  Not even the pretty sky could take my mind off of it.

So two days later I've survived.  I was rated Good with outstanding features.  I shouldn't complain, but I was slightly disappointed as I was judged Outstanding last year.  As for the school - well, we don't know yet.  I've been told that there's a lot of work that needs to be done.

I'm anxious.  I'm nervous.  I'm upset.  I'm not really sure what is in store, but I know what I'm like - I will work hard to be Outstanding - late nights and working weekends included.

Considering my diet consisted of half a pizza, a doughnut and twelve cups of coffee over the two days Ofsted were in, I'm going to focus on eating right and getting my energy letters back up.  Green smoothies definitely on the menu.

Difficult times ahead....hopefully I can keep finding the positives.

xx

Cornwall - Part TWO!

I was so excited, I couldn't wait to post Part TWO of our Cornwall holiday!  On Day three we hit the roads and did a mini tour of north Cornwall.  

Port Isaac was our first stop - it is one of the more popular places to visit as an English tv show Doc Martin was filmed there.

It was another beautiful day, so we didn't mind stopping for a cup of tea by this cracking view.

Following that, we travelled up to Trebarwith Strand.  It was what looked like a tiny little beach near Tintagel, but when we actually got out to explore we saw it was a massive stretch complete with rock pools, pirate caves and about a hundred surfers!  As the sun was hiding, we decided to explore the caves.

I couldn't help having a little splash in the water (freezing water, I should add!) before we left.

We then headed north to Boscastle - famous for PASTIES!  Being a vegetarian, I never get to try the exciting flavours, but you can't go wrong with a good old vegetable pasty.  

I have never seen the tide so low in Cornwall - usually this area is completely covered in water!

When we returned to Bude we thought we had better make the most of the sunshine and had fish and chips and a halloumi salad on the beach.  We brought some Blue Moon (YAY to this being sold in the UK!) - the recipe for a perfect evening if you ask me!

It's only fair to point out that following this photo we were wiped out by a massive wave and I only just managed to jump up with the camera.  

But seriously....how is THAT for a sunset!  The beach at Widemouth Bay will always hold a special place in my heart as that is where Rich proposed - BBQ on the beach, bowls (bocce) and bonfires!

Here's to many more Cornwall holidays!

xx