2 Months!

How Old:   2 Months!

Weight: 8 pounds

Likes:   The moby wrap, tickles on the nose, stretching, white noise, cuddles with grandparents, lights- especially the colour flashing cat on her play gym.

Dislikes:  Baths, sleep, being put down during naps (how dare I??), the car seat, injections!!

Eating:  Still breastfeeding every three hours, although we can often go longer at night. We tried formula a few times just to see if it settled her any more and Emma threw up ALL NIGHT LONG. Soy formula seems to be a bit more gentle on her stomach, but she's still quite pukey if she has it!  She's also a Tommy Tippee bottle fan (and how cute are her pink London bus bottles) and refuses anything else. 

Sleeping:  She's certainly better at night than she is during the day. At night we have to wake up two or three times for feeds. She *tends* to go back to sleep after a feed with the swaddle and white noise. I'll be honest, I thought feeding was our demon.  Nope.  Sleep is the nightmare we are struggling with at the minute.  Daytime naps?  She is not a fan unless held or in moby wrap.   Don't get me started..... I know breastfed babies wake more often, but Emma rarely seems settled enough to sleep at all - she wakes as soon as you set her down and she only tends to get 20-30 minutes before waking and needing comforting.  Any advice (or Baby Whisperers) would be appreciated.  

Routine:  Eat, play sleep- repeat - she's virtually clockwork. The toughest part of the routine is going to sleep. She tends to scream the house down when she is tired - she hasn't learnt how to drift off on her own yet. See above.

Sizes:  Hooray for 0-3 month clothes! We finally grew out of newborn, although size 2 nappies are still HUGE. She is SO long and narrow - it certainly makes clothing difficult. She seems to fit into American clothes much better than the English clothes (long and narrow). I can't wait to scope out the Carter's clothes when we get to America - I have my heart set on this spooky number.

Milestones:  Smiles!!! They are the cutest, sweetest things!!  She's also able to follow you, moving both of her eyes and her head. She's cooing - plenty of adorable sounds coming from her!

Mum's favourite moment:  We went to London to register Emma as an American citizen (how jammy is she with her two passports?) and had a family day in the big city. I feel like we hardly ever get days together but it was just perfect. Emma was with me in the moby wrap for most of the day and we walked up the Thames River Path to the Tower of London. It was just gorgeous outside - a really beautiful, family day. 

Dad's favourite moment:  The other night Emma woke up in her cradle and B got up to change her and pass her over to me for her night feed (bless him). He unswaddled her from her new swaddle (she outgrew the other ones as she's so long!) and she reached out her little arms and grabbed onto the bar of the cradle.  B tried to lift her out, but she wouldn't let go.  She was crying and clinging on for dear life!  We found it hilarious - she didn't think it was so funny.

At the Tower of London!

And what about Mum?

Weight loss:  10 pounds to go!

Clothes: I wish my shoes would fit - I'm still rocking swollen feet and hands. Maternity skinny jeans and vest tops are also my uniform, but I'm in desperate need of some new clothes.  Sure.  I'll be the typical mom in tank tops and yoga pants.  I've actually given up caring.  Everything is fashionably dotted with baby puke and I just want to be comfortable. Yoga pants are tres chic.  They are.

Stretch Marks:  Still there but actually looking less violent! I've started to use the Nivea Q10 firming lotion and oil. It's still early days, but I detect a difference. 

Belly Button:  A bit wobbly. Hey. There's no way I'm going to have stellar abs any time soon. That's ok though - there's a Baby exercise class tomorrow - we are going.  

Sleep:   5 hours a night?  Maybe?? We have been adamant that she needs to sleep in her cradle instead of the Mamaroo so we are getting shorter sessions of sleep.  Like I said - sleep is our demon right now.  

Looking forward to:  I've got my sights set on Halloween!  Even though it's utter rubbish here in in the UK, I'm campaigning for a costume get together to watch Hocus Pocus and enjoy festive snacks. Besides - it's Emma's first Halloween - I'm not missing out my first chance to dress her up!

This is what our days look like:

     
Happy Emma................................................Grumpy Emma

  
She *loves* the Moby wrap, not to mention the play gym with the super fun cat light.

And although these moments are rare, I managed to catch my two favourite people catching some Zzzzzzzzzzs.

Xx

Twenty Seven Weeks and reporting live from Ohio!

Good Afternoon, from Painesville, Ohio!

 

(I love everything about this photo.  Firstly, my sister holding the chalkboard.  Secondly, the chalkboard is the one we used to play with when we played teachers - and I was always the teacher.  Thirdly, the stairs are the ONLY location in the house for taking posed photos.  And finally, my dad took the picture on my iPhone and did a burst photo - taking nine shots of the same.  I LOVE being home!)
 
How far along:  Twenty-seven Weeks!

Weight Gain:  16 Pounds and counting.  I cannot believe it's not more than that with the amount I've been eating....

Maternity Clothes:  Mom and I went shopping in Legacy Village the other day and stumbled upon a HUGE Maternity shop (seriously - it was like the size of a normal shop with ALL maternity clothes.  My mouth was permanently dropped in shock!).  They had a huge collection of clothes from the brand A Pea in the Pod - totally adorable (and a bit out of my budget).  I got these jeans on sale and I'm practically living in them!

Stretch Marks:  I'm horrified to admit it....I've spotted some lines creeping their way across my chest.  Panic set in until B said "You worked hard for those stripes! Be proud!"

Belly Button:  It's starting to poke out of my shirt ever so slightly.  I'm not sure how I feel about an outie - but at least I know it goes back to normal eventually!

Queasy or Sick:   Mostly, I'm ok.  I was worried about the time difference, but that hasn't seemed to make a difference at all.  I have little flashes of nausea, but I'm fairly quick to take some B6 and eat some crackers before it gets too bad.

Sleep:  Also not bad!  I'm waking up early, but I don't mind as it gives me time to write a post or have first dibs on breakfast (Eggo Waffles......)

 Best Moment of the Week:  Coming home has been the obvious best moment of the week.  What made it even better was when my dad left the other night to help my Aunt out and returned with my brother, Brian, who is living and working in Texas.  I was shocked!  My whole family is back under one roof and I couldn't be happier!

Worst Moment of the Week:   I thought being a pregnant woman traveling on her own people would offer to help when I was struggling to lift my bag into the overhead bin....Nope.  I was barged into more than once, ignored when I was trying to lift things and even sighed at once when I was walking too slow!  There was one woman in Cleveland who offered to carry my bag up a flight of stairs after we landed - but she was it!

 Miss Anything:  B!  I hate being here when he is back home.  Baby McBerry went crazy kicking the other day when we were on Skype - I think it misses hearing his voice (although perhaps not his pokes and prods!)

 Movement:   Baby has been quite quiet recently. I'm not sure if it's the time difference, but I haven't felt it moving about nearly as much.  B said it's probably because I'm busier than I was in England, which could be the case.  Erin and Mom managed to feel a kick the other day, so they were happy!

 Cravings:   I've managed to polish off a Sam's Club punnet of Raspberries AND Strawberries.  I'm not even sorry about it.  You would believe the SIZE - nor would you believe the PRICE.  ($3.98 for 2 pounds.....!!!!)

 Looking forward to: The Baby Shower tomorrow plus visits with Family and Friends this week before I have to head back home.  I'm having an amazing time and it's making me want to stay forever.  I'm sure Mom and Dad wouldn't mind if B and I just move in here and stay?


I have had such a blast being home.  I've been homesick for awhile now, so this was exactly what I needed to help get me out of my funk.  It's been FREEZING compared to England, but luckily my grandmother's pink coat (circa 1940?) fits around my growing belly!

Aside from seeing my awesome family, the one thing I really love about coming back is the fact that nothing has really changed here.  I realised I've been living in England for nearly a decade.  That's a REALLY long time!!

But everything seems familiar - almost as though old fashioned values die hard.  People still talk to you randomly in the shop - just striking up conversation because they overhear you say something or see you looking at something they are also interested in.  You can still pay in shops with cheques.  You go out to socialise with friends after dinner in a bar.  You just drop in on people for a visit, unannounced.  Geeze - I miss it here.

I've had some proper bonding time with everyone - which is exactly what I needed.  The girls headed out for nails and a "light" lunch at the Cheesecake Factory (Have you seen their menu?!). I forget that when you order a half salad/pizza combination it's pretty much the size of a regular portion in England.

 
 (At Jack Aarra's Spa in Concord)


 (Casear salad and Margherita Pizza)

I feel like everything I've done so far has revolved around food.  Mom, Erin and I went to Menchie's - a Frozen yogurt bar which B was obsessed with when he visited here.  You get to fill your own cup with frozen yogurt, toppings and then pay by weight when you are satisfied.  We were very satisfied.



Gartman's Model Bakery in Downtown Painesville is STILL running, STILL smells the same and STILL does the best doughnuts I've ever tasted (since 1898 - Now, that's History to us Americans).  It was like stepping into my childhood when we went in there for a cheeky treat the other day.
 
 
Speaking of Frozen, we had a family film night watching it.  I saw it on the plane and pretty much cried the whole time and was more than happy when my sister suggested watching it the other night.  I'm in love with it!  Why hadn't I seen it sooner?  Best Disney film ever?  I'm thinking it could be up there.... 



Priceless time spent at home....I couldn't have asked for a better Easter Holiday.  I defiantly can't wait for the Shower tomorrow!

Xx

Dear Baby

Dear Baby,

It feels strange writing this because I've been thinking all of these things, but never said them out loud. I don't think you can hear my thoughts (that's a good thing though) so I wanted to write them down here.

This idea of being a mother terrifies me. I'm going to be 30 a few weeks after you are born, and I still feel like I'm too young to be a parent. Most people I know are onto their second or third baby - in the grand scheme of things, B and I are pretty old for first time parents. 

I'm sure everyone gets this feeling of panic. I'm going to be responsible for a little human being? How am I going to know what to do?  Why is everyone else so much younger than me (my kid is going to be friends with someone whose parents are more than ten years younger than me!)? What if I make a mistake? I know that you are exactly what we want. But that doesn't make it less scary. 

Whenever I'm worried, I focus on you and us and our little family. I don't know what kind of a mom I'll be, but I know what kind of mom I want to be. 

I'm going to be the mom who bakes. My mom and grandma taught me how, and I'm going to show you everything I know.  We will bake cookies at Christmas and cupcakes on a rainy day.  We will bake blueberry pie in the summer and rosemary cookies when we fancy a snack.  I promise I will write all of the recipes down so that you can make them if I'm unable to help you. 

I'm going to be the mom who sits with you while you do your homework.  I'm a teacher and I put a lot of time and effort into my students. You will be no exception.   I love the idea of helping you as you learn and explore new things.

I'm going to be the mom who reads to you. Every night. We will read together, you will read to me, we will read side by side.  We will go to book shops (if they aren't a thing of the past) and a book is always a gift you can take home.   So many kids tell me they hate reading or they never read with their parents.  I think my fondest memories of childhood involve reading books with my dad - especially A Woggle of Witches or Watch out for Chicken Feet in your Soup.

We will eat as a family, we will go on outings as a family, and you will know the importance of family. Family is not an option, nor is it a sentence. I've been lucky enough to be a part of a family where we loved, shared and enjoyed being together. Your Auntie Erin and Uncle Brian are still two of my best friends - I would do anything for them and I know they would do the same for me, you and Daddy. Grandma and Grandad US and UK are the same.  It doesn't matter what country we live in, you are loved by people across a sea. Family is imperative. 

We will have pudding and there will be chocolate or cookies in the house.  I'm not going to ban you from eating things, but I will always make sure we have blueberry or strawberries or other fruits and vegetables that you love. Food will be fun and tasty - I promise you that.   I don't care if you want to sit and eat the whole carton of raspberries the day we buy it.  They are good.  Eat them!

I'm going to support you in anything you choose to persue. If it's illegal, B and I will intervene (sorry, but rules are rules). I'll be a soccer mom, football mom, ballet mom, band mom - you name it. I'll be there and I'll be cheering you on with B. Just get involved in something and we will be there.

I promise I won't dress you up in hideous clothes. If you look back at photos and wonder what we were thinking - I do apologise. Trust me - they were cute in 2014.  I like to think I dress in a classic way, so I'll do my best to give you timeless clothes.  And when you want to try on my high heels or lipstick (even if you are a boy), I will love you for wanting to be a grown up.

I hope you have my stubbornness - it's shown me how to stand up for what I believe in. I hope you have my determination, because it showed me opportunities are endless. If I could pick up and move to another country, you can do anything. I hope you have your Daddy's motivation - he's a fighter and so will you be and I hope you have his sense of serenity. He keeps calm - you need to too!  

You have no idea how much I've dreamt of you and how in love with you I already am. Most importantly, I promise to love, trust, cherish, value and appreciate you. 

And when you look at all of this, everything I have written, I'm not sure I should be terrified. I was raised by great parents, and as long as I use the tools they gave me, I - and we - will all be fine. I know the mom I want to be, and it's not too different from the person I am today. I can't wait to meet you and actually take on the role of "mom."  Until then...

Love always,

Me 

Xxx

Remembering Emma

I've been MIA for the past couple of weeks because work has been so overwhelming.  I've found it difficult to keep on top of the demands - mostly demands created by myself as I want to be Outstanding.

My perspective has changed.

On Thursday I received the news that my grandmother - Emma Garofalo - passed away.  She had just underwent surgery to remove cancer in her kidney and stomach and seemed to pull through.  She was making a strong recovery when she took a turn for the worst.  

Receiving that email and making the panicked phone call to my mum was the worst feeling in the world.  My grandma was a fighter - she was an amazing woman and I viewed her as immortal as she faced death so many times and came out on top. She was 84 and lived a full and beautiful life.

I bought my plane ticket and am now sitting at the kitchen table - the heart of my childhood home - writing the eulogy I will deliver at her funeral on Monday.  When my mother asked me to speak I was honoured yet terrified.  I know I'll be able to do her justice.

On the evening I found out about my grandmother, I was meant to bake doughnuts for a charity event we were holding at school on Friday - Macmillan coffee morning.   What better way to honour my grandmother than by baking - one of her claims to fame - for a cancer charity.  I managed a dozen and left a note on the top - just thinking someone buying the doughnuts may see it.

I was visited by the head boy and one of the other senior prefects who organised the event.  Both hugged me and expressed their sympathy for my grandmother's passing.   They asked if they could dedicate the event to her and made a large sign for the hall.  I was so touched by the kindness and thought our students possess.  They raised the equivalent of $4,000.

So now I'm left with my thoughts.  My heart is heavy, but it's also softened as I remember that I work in a school full of beautiful and caring people.  Check out their video here.

I've learnt that no matter how difficult times may be, as long as there is love in our lives, we will be just fine.  Nothing else really matters in the end.

 

 In loving Memory: Emma Garofalo

Sister, Mother, Grandmother, Friend and so much more

1929-2013

 xx