Our trip

Sunday morning we touched down at grey, depressing Heathrow and I felt pretty sad that the last 10 days spent in Washington and California had come to such a quick end. We were so busy while we were there that the holiday literally flew by. The flight over wasn't great, from now on we will definitely do direct only, however Calum was as good as you can expect a toddler to be after 14.5 hours on a plane stuck on Mom and Dad's laps.

We spent our first few days at my Dad's in Arlington and then headed down to Redmond on Friday for a mini-reunion at good old El Torreador with the girls who hadn't been together since Tara's wedding 2 years ago. The next day was my birthday, celebrated with everyone (including babies) at Ashley's for a BBQ. That night I had a family dinner in Issaquah at this really great new restaurant called the Flat Iron Grill which was amazing. It was a special treat to have my cousin Jake come over from WSU where he's attending summer school to celebrate-next time I see him is likely to be back in Pullman next year when he graduates, can't wait to show Mark where I went to college! On Sunday we spent the day with my Mom, doing some shopping and heading down to Spuds on Lake Washington where Calum enjoyed Mark's strawberry milkshake. That night Mark took Calum swimming in the pool at my Mom's and on Monday we went to the Mariner's game with my Dad and my Aunt Sue. Unfortunately Mark had to have an emergency tooth extraction so photos from that day all show him with quite the "long" face!

Family dinner
Calum, Westyn and Makena

Our attempt at a baby group shot (minus Keri and Kena!)
El T's
In Pioneer Square on the way to the Ms game

We headed down to LA on Tuesday where we spent the first two nights in the OC. Tara and Justin took us to "the Wedge" in Balboa to watch the big waves and crazy body boarders who rode them, then to the OC Fair which was a true American experience for Mark who couldn't get over all of the food, rides and good old American white trash. We saw a rodeo, took Calum and Jackson to the petting zoo where they had a blast, and made Justin and Mark (and even Tara!) go on some scary rides. The BBQ carne asada Justin cooked up that night was a treat. The following day we went to Laguna Beach and had fish tacos, then to a "secret" beach Justin knew of that had 1000 steps (or maybe more like 300) going down to get to it-not ideal when carrying a 27 lb baby! The beach was worth it though, so pretty and picturesque-I could have stayed forever but we had to get back up to LA and needed to avoid the insane traffic there that had already eaten up hours of our trip.

Calum and Jackson at the fair
Calum and Mark at the petting zoo
Family pic at "the Wedge" in Balboa
Dett, Tara and I at Laguna Beach
Besties-Jackson and Calum

We checked into our amazing hotel just off the 3rd Street Promenade in Santa Monica and spent the first evening just the 3 of us, the first time we had spent any time just the 3 of us since we got to the US! The next day Dett was an amazing tour guide, taking us through "LA in a Day"-we drove through the valley, Beverly Hills, past Mann's Chinese Theatre and the stars on Hollywood Blvd, down Sunset and past the Viper Room and then on a side tour to the Century Plaza for some shopping and Pinkberry, an LA must. We then headed to the Farmer's Market and the Grove which was probably the highlight of the day for me. That night we all had drinks around the fancy pool at the hotel (Calum and Jackson included-as Tara says, they totally partied!) and then had a great dinner in Santa Monica (thanks Mark G!).

Tara, Dett and I at the pool bar at Shangri La in Santa Monica
Enjoying a drink at the LA Farmer's Market
Farmer's Market

Come Saturday morning I have to say I really wasn't ready to leave. We had such a good time with everyone and I think Mark was really starting to get into LA, I completely messed up by scheduling such an early flight and not giving us more time in LA to have a look around. None the less, on the drive to LAX Mark did say that he's sure we will be back lots over the next couple of years so there is still hope!

What Calum's Doing Now....

This weekend we didn't celebrate the 4th of July like everyone else back home but we did manage to get out on Sunday for a little picnic at the park behind our house where they were having a neighborhood get together to celebrate the addition of a few new play toys in the playground. After a day up in London buying bits for the house the day before, it was nice to have a chilled out family day. The weather here has also been amazing so it was nice to actually be outside enjoying it.

As Calum is getting older we are realising more and more that he needs to have activities to do and isn't always going to be content tagging along with us anymore. Besides, this is the age we've been waiting for-those first few months with baby are lovely but it's so hard not being able to get any reaction back from them or being able to do anything with them. Calum is tons of fun these days, loves rough housing around with his Dad and he and I have lots of fun playing games together and having a laugh.

Other things Calum is doing these days:

*He loves to brush his teeth-I think this is mostly because of the taste of toothpaste but at least he likes it! He's now got 4 top teeth and 2 on the bottom. Unfortunately he also likes to grind his teeth from time to time so the ones in the front are a bit rounded and look like real baby teeth. Does anyone know how to get them to stop this? Worst sound in the world and the more I react, the more he does it!

*He also loves to brush his hair and has even realised that my brush is for the same, even though it has plastic bristles and is about the size of his head. Whilst he doesn't realise how good looking he is (I'm his Mom so I'm allowed to say this!), I think he's catching on-the past few times I've come to collect him from the creche at the gym he's been staring and talking to himself in the mirror.

*He says "night, night", Dada, Mom Mom, Nana, Gotcha, and makes barking and quacking noises. We have lots of fun at dinner saying words and having Calum try to repeat them back to us.

*He loves the Goodbye Song from our Talking Tots class that we do every Thursday. I think it's finally taught him when you use Goodbye. Anyway, this class is awesome-it teaches toddlers how to communicate and use their words and in the few weeks we've been going, I've noticed a big difference in Calum. The song goes something like- Goodbye, goodbye, goodbye, goodbye, goodbye. Goodbye, Calum. Goodbye, Calum. Goodbye, Calum-we'll see you soon. Everyone goes around the little circle at the end of class and sings it and then the toddlers go up and get their sticker for doing good in the class. Pretty cute to see Calum's little face light up when it's his turn.

*Calum isn't walking yet but we're thisclose. He stands by himself without holding on to things but rather then trying to take a few steps when I stand near, he thinks it's a game of falling forward onto me or backwards onto his bum. I'm hoping he saves his first steps for America, but we'll see!

*He's started feeding himself, but will only really do his desert (a small pot of strawberry yogurt every night). If you say Calum does it, he will grab the spoon and feed himself. Finally he's also learned not to throw the spoon on the floor after every bite. If you make the mistake of feeding him desert, be prepare to face the wrath of Calum-he hates you taking away his chance to get praise for doing it himself.

*He's started throwing temper tantrums. Like serious temper tantrums. Don't even think about taking something away from him or interupting him if he is into playing with whatever it is he is playing with. I'm a bit worried about this actually, Mark has a notorious temper he inherited from his Irish Mum and I've been known to throw a strop or two myself so this house can't handle another one!

Anyway, no need to fill you guys in on anymore because in exactly a week's time we're going to be able to see you and you can see for yourself! Have a great week x

Silly Daddy

Had to post this video from the other night but let me preface it with a few points:

1. It's been really hot here, like in the upper 80s/90s which is why Calum is in his diaper and Mark is not wearing a shirt. We haven't all of the sudden turned white trash or anything, promise.
2. I wouldn't normally let Calum play with a fan, when this all started I was in the kitchen and Mark was "supervising" Calum.
3. Even though it would seem that Mark is scaring the crap out of Calum, as you can see-he thinks it's hilarious.
4. Mark actually does wear underwear.
5. Yes, that is a ridiculously heinous tatoo Mark is sporting. He got it when he was like 18, and it's awful. Promise we haven't turned into white trash.

I'm sure all of you parents out there love the sound of your children's laughter as much as I do. As I was recording this tears came to my eyes and each time I've watched it since, I have the same reaction. This is what it's all about.

3-5

Monday was Mark's 35th, unbelievably because as he so kindly reminded me when he went out the other night and got asked for ID(!), he looks like he's about 25! We celebrated by going out on a much needed date to one of London's top Italian restaurants headed up by an English celebrity chef named Theo Randall: www.theorandall.com. The restaurant was on Park Lane which is one of the most exclusive areas in London full of luxury hotels, Rolls Royces and perfect for people watching. Probably the highlight of the meal were the most amazing elderberry Bellini's, I treated myself to 2 followed by 2 glasses of prosecco so needless to say by the time we left the restaurant, I needed some fresh air!

Mark always tries to act like he doesn't want to have his birthday be made a big deal, but check out the smile when they brought his special bday desert!
M so not into having a touristy pic taken before dinner

We headed up towards the Ritz to Mayfair, and to Nobu for a drink. Nobu is like THE place for celebs to go to when they are in town and I thought Mark might enjoy a glimpse into what was his life just a few short years ago. I loved being out with my husband and hope he enjoyed his day.

The day before was Father's Day. Bummer for me because Mark is impossible to buy for! We had a low key one, decided not to drive up to his Dad's grave and instead went to Blackheath to our favourite little brunch place just the 3 of us. The day really made even more clear to me how special our little unit is, and made me appreciate how lucky we are. Mark lost his Dad when he was 12, and in the past it's always been a bit of a sad day but this was the first time I felt like he could really enjoy it and see the legacy that lives on although I know he misses his Dad just like I miss mine. Every holiday is another one not spent with those that I love and I just wish I could snap my fingers and be home whenever I got homesick.

This was the mood Calum was in for our brunch.... Not a Happy Baby like the book says!

4 years and that little nagging never goes away. Yep, June 19th marked my 4 year anniversary here in London. Hard to believe I made the jump and actually did it, packed up my bags and moved 5,000 miles across the world to see what life had in store! Not a day goes by that I don't think of my friends, my family, or some little memory that I have of home. Do I regret my decision to come here? Of course not, but it doesn't mean that I don't want to someday move home so I can have everyone I love in one place (well, almost everyone anyway!). That means everyone has to do their best sales job when we're home next month-especially you, Dett and Tara! x

Wednesday for our impromptu World Cup barbecue. Pretty sure we aren't ready yet to manage two little ones!
Uncle Mark & Rhys-he loves babies! Neither of us could remember what it was like to have one this little though.

Team USA

The England v. USA game on Saturday was a big event around our house, with Mark firmly on Team England and me supporting Team USA. Calum, being half American (which I kindly reminded Mark about a million times of on Saturday), was somewhere in between but since we couldn't find a Team USA jersey around here, he sported an England "kit" for the day (kit is the word for uniform here). We had the Verghese family around despite the fact that our living room is in a state with bare walls and dust covering just about every surface, the 60 inch HD flat screen with surround sound has been dying to show itself of for just these sort of occasions!

Unfortunately due to a UK-wide error, anyone watching the game in HD missed the England goal at the start of the match! We did however get a chance to see the US "goal" and in the end, I guess I'm glad it was a tie because whoever's team lost was never going to hear the end of it. We had a bet going that the person's team who won got to have a day off from baby duty the following day. Since it was a tie, I did most of the baby duty on Sunday per usual (only joking, Mark does tons when he's around on the weekends but still got to be the one who slept in on Sunday!).

Calum pointing, which he just discovered last week. I think you can really see a resemblence in Mark and Calum's profiles here...

The World Cup is a true experience here in England and when I arrived 4 years ago, just in time to catch a few games of the last one, it was amazing. I can't begin to describe it, England is nowhere near as patriotic as the US but when it comes to the World Cup they really have us beat. Football (soccer) is THE sport-they don't have 3 big ones like we do to chose from, and the entire country backs the same team, it's fantastic. The large majority of our neighbours have England flags waving either on their cars or in their yards, and just about everyone on the day was wearing some piece of clothing with the Three Lions on it (their logo). The streets and stores are a ghost town, everyone and I mean everyone, is watching the game-mostly in the pubs but also at home like we were. Great thing here is that you can bring kids to the pubs although because they are so packed I probably wouldn't bring Calum this time, but definitely for the next one in 2014 when he's a bit older. Even though I don't understand all of the ins and outs of the game, it's still lots of fun to watch and I look forward to the next match this Friday and I will be following Team USA's progress with hopes that they finish better then England in the end so I still have a chance to gloat ;).

Mark's brother Paul, our nephew Max and Mark in their England kit

TEAM USA!

Calum posing in his new swing, just after we got back from getting his hair cut. In Mark's own words, he is "livid" about how the hair cut turned out. At least it grows back!

Baby Rhys

This week we have been enjoying living in the new house and trying to keep out of the way of the electricians (who are installing spotlights in all of the rooms in the house) and the painters (called "decorators" here which sounds so fancy!). Before the madness started Mark's sister Tracey came over for lunch with Baby Rhys. Rhys had a fairly traumatic entrance into this world and arrived almost 7 weeks early. Despite a shaky first couple of days, he only spent 2 weeks in the Special Baby Care Unit and has proven to be a strong, healthy boy since he went home with Mum and Dad. Tracey is a natural with kids so it's no surprise how easily she's settled into motherhood, makes me realise what a mess I was when I had Calum!

Calum checking out his little cousin

Rhys was born the day before Calum, on April 23, so he's 7 weeks today. Next to Calum you can really see just how much babies change in a year and I find myself totally forgetting what it was like to have a baby of that age. Mark and I pulled out the photo album last night and just couldn't begin to imagine where the time has gone, there is nothing like a baby to make you realise how fast time goes by. We also couldn't believe how much Rhys and Calum looked alike, although Calum was a bit bigger at Rhys' age since Rhys was a premmie. Looking forward to watching these two grow up together and undoubtedly become best friends.

Tracey and Rhys, 6.5 weeks

Tracey and Calum, 3 weeks

58 Lakeside Drive

A week later and I think we are finally setting into our new house. I have to say, I love it and I'm pretty sure Mark and Calum do, too. The move went off without a hitch, hiring professionals was worth every last penny in the end. Mark's family was also amazing in helping out, but thank God we won't be moving again for a long time!

The week before we moved he and Nana sat outside in the sun

Before moving in I had doubts, it had been so long since we last saw the house and I worried if it was really the best one for us. Everyday I love the house more and whilst it's going to be a work in progress over the next couple of weeks (spotlights fitted in every room, painters coming to paint all of the rooms, new carpet and a new fireplace), in the end I know it's really going to be our dream home. The space is amazing, I just can't get over how big it is! So far we've spent 80% of our time in the kitchen and with the nice weather (finally) arriving, we are really going to make use of the deck which is larger than our old backyard.

This move has just really made me feel like a grown up. The house symbolises the transition into that next phase of our lives, the grown up phase, and that for me is cemented in that I have an official guest room! The t.v. we installed in the kitchen, whilst a small thing, was something I have wanted since I was a kid. I have very fond memories of my Grandma watching the news in the kitchen on what must have been about a 6 inch screen while she was cooking and it's little touches like these that I want to add to our home to make it really feel like home.

Calum acts like he's lived here all of his life-he seems to sleep even more soundly and has absolutely loved exploring and opening all of the cupboards in the kitchen. A second dream comes true for me this weekend as we're finally going to put up Calum's swing set that the family bought for his 1st birthday. I always wanted a swing set growing up as a kid and now I'm finally getting one!

Loving the cupboard under the stairs
Exploring the kitchen cupboards

Yesterday Calum and I went on a short walk to explore the massive pond and park just behind our house. Initially I was pretty excited about just the pond, it makes for a gorgeous view from the back bedrooms and Calum loves ducks so I knew we would spend lots of time down there. I was so excited to find that if you follow the path around the pond it leads to the most amazing little hidden park complete with a huge grassy field and bandstand, a great toy area and picnic benches. I'm pretty sure we will be spending lots of time down there in the next few years and as we were walking down the path which borders our back fence, I could imagine Calum in a few years being a typical boy and exploring the woods back there (with supervision, of course!).

View of the back of our house from the park
Loving the swings (but not his hat!)
Calum's view of the geese and ducks

Anyway, we're loving it and I hope you all come and visit at some point as I can finally entertain! Otherwise I've been really busy trying to balance work (whilst Pat is away on holiday and having surgery I am trying to fit in every spare second I can), spending time with Calum and feeling like I am giving him enough attention, getting settled in the house and oh yeah, my marriage which unfortunately seems to come at the bottom of the list at the moment although I am looking forward to celebrating Mark's birthday in the next couple of weeks and going on a much needed date soon-I can't even remember the last time we went out!

Have a great weekend, it's going to be 27 here so time to fire up the barbecue!

Checking out the back deck