Day by Day

This kid just amazes me. He is changing so much every day and is just so sweet and wonderful. Can't believe how amazing it is to be his Mom.

Been doing so much thinking lately about parenting techniques, parenting in general, etc. Every person, every family, every baby is a little bit different then the next. And I dare say that no combination of all the decisions made are the same for any household. It is weird - it evens feels like a competition at times - my baby did this, my baby is doing that. You want to just be happy for everyone and their accomplishments and not get caught up in it all. So that is what I have been doing lately. Not getting caught up in it all. Reading about things that I know will make me feel good about what we are doing. Enjoying the precious time that I have with Tucker.

Yes, at times - it all feels like too much. Andrew is working a lot. Long days and long nights. So I am so much like a single parent. But at the same time - I feel worse for him who hasn't gotten to see his boy awake in 3 days.

And time passes so quickly. Tucker is 7 and a half months old. Where does the time go? My little boy is now over 20 pounds, sitting up like a champ, thinking about crawling. He has figured out to lift his arms to me when he wants me to pick him up - which is so cute! He spent ALL day yesterday exploring his voice - very annoying, but so cute as well. Momma did just want 5 minutes of silence - but instead I got a loud, sweet, lovable, wonderful, fun baby boy.

He is amazing and I could not feel more blessed. No matter how tired, cranky, exhausted I get - I try to remember that - he is healthy, happy, and I am in love.

Stop Complaining

Just tucked Baby Boy into bed. Such an angel. What a blessing. So many of you have 2 or 3 or more kids plus a dog/cat/job/etc and I applaud you and am humbled by you.

Big Boy!

Good Lord this kid changes daily! He could not sit up unsupported yesterday - and today he is doing it like a pro! Now, I can't walk away from him sitting - he has his limits - but he is just amazing me. But I am learning that kids will do that. Love him.

Doing It All

Wow. I knew it was going to be more work having Abbey here - I had no idea how much more and how tired I would be. It is like starting all over again with the baby!
I love having her here. I get more frustrated with her at times cause it is annoying pushing Tucker in the stroller and having her pull at the leash. But she is getting better at it. And I have even been able to leave her out of the kennel when I leave the house for a couple hours. And that makes me feel better knowing she isn't just locked up and that we can trust her. So far;)

But I will say - it has been a hard week. I had a bit of a Mommy Meltdown and did cry the last few days more than I have in a couple months. It's tough being so far away from friends and family. Add in not having a car. And now the dog. And Andrew leaves about 7:30 every morning and comes home about 6:30-7:30 at night. So I am alone all day with Tucker and Abbey. No need to get out of sweats if I don't want to - but thankfully have enough little things going on that I need to. At least with Abbey I now have to get out of the house a couple times a day - if only for a little walk to throw the ball - it is getting outside. I just don't feel like 'me' anymore. And that is the hardest part. I miss the interaction with my friends. I miss a sort of independence of a car. I miss having a reason to shower and look like an adult.
But I also get to enjoy this first part of Tucker's life being so in tune and close to him. I get to see all the little changes as they happen day by day and watch in amazement as he learns new things. I get to snuggle with him to my hearts content and smile at him when he giggles at me!


So I don't want to feel like a complainer. Just a little unloading of everything on my shoulders so I can brush it off and move forward and stay strong. But I guess as any Mom knows - you just have those meltdown days at times and I have been having a few of them!

6 month old baby boy!

Wow! 6 months! Just seems that is how I should start this post. Tucker is amazing and sweet and giggly and wonderful. He keeps me up at nights, has started a high pitch girlie squeal for no reason, and hates taking a bottle. He is at least 18 pounds (was 17.9 a week and a half ago) and is 25 and a half inches long. He has a little scrape on his right cheek where I tripped with the stroller and he went for a tumble (thankfully strapped in). His little chunky thighs are adorable and he is the best napping buddy. He loves to bounce in his doorway bouncer- although sometimes it will lull him to sleep! He hates lying down - wants to stand up and sit up - but still needs support. Tucker continues to grow and change everyday. Andrew took about 20 minutes of video of him just bouncing and bouncing ha! He rolls over constantly and is starting to lift his butt up like he wants to figure out the crawling thing - not just doing superman while on his belly!

Abbey is here now as well. Love our big puppy girl. But wow - this is a lot of work. One week down and I am exhausted. Have gone back to taking naps with Tucker the last two days! It's difficult, because Tucker needs so much right now from me and it is hard to show Abbey the same amount of love and attention that she used to get from us. I knew it was going to be a lot of work - I had no idea. But, this is life and this is family and we do what we need to do - right? We have been heading out to the park 3 times a day for some runs with the Chuck It - not for an hour or anything, but enough to get her thirsty. Andrew has taken her out when he comes home while I am putting Tucker down as well a few nights. She is just having to adjust to not being top "dog". Baby is allowed on bed - you are not...and so on. Much easier at home where the outdoors is our backyard. Now we have to pack up the stroller and baby and go out in public to get her some exercise. And as someone else said, there is also laundry and cleaning, and exercise, and showering, and so on and so on. Welcome to Mommyhood.

So, we keep on keeping on. What doesn't kill you makes you stronger? Or want to drink;)
Love my family!

Abbey is here!

Abbey arrived! After much process with the paperwork - proper documentation on rabies vaccination, etc - she was cleared and is here in London with Andrew and Tucker and myself! The family unit is whole.
Don't get me wrong - I KNOW this is going to be a lot of extra work for myself. Like there isn't enough going on with my days that I need to add exercise the dog into it. But she is part of the family and I can't imagine Tucker growing up without her. So, like I told Andrew - I wouldn't leave Tucker or him int he States cause they were too much work - so we will make it work.
I immediately took her to the park for some good long runs to catch the ball once she got here. 8 hours in an airplane drives humans stir crazy - can't imagine how she felt not knowing what was going on. So she has gotten a workout in, fed her a little of her homemade food (yup, we make her food), let her sniff around the place, she found her bed upstairs that I brought back last week, and she is now curled up at my feet while Andrew and Tucker are curled up napping in bed. Peaceful Saturday afternoon!
Will get some pix soon of Abbey and Tucker and the whole family!

Change is everywhere!

So it has again been AWHILE. The basics - Tucker is almost 6 months old - weighs almost 18 pounds. We went to the States for 3 weeks. Abbey will be here to join us Saturday morning - yay!
More in depth....
Oh my how I love this little guy. He is so sweet and happy and cuddly and I am so blessed to be his Mom. Just woke up from a great nap with him. I love how he likes to fall asleep all pressed into my side on his side. His little face is up in my armpit and his little body just curled up next to me.
Oh how I do not love the lack of sleep. I know it will come, but man oh man - he has gone backwards and I am hoping the last 2 nights of progress will continue. It seems he really enjoys having his own quiet room. No more sharing with Mom and Dad. Andrew had been in the guest room - just so he could get some sleep - and some space as Tucker was having a hard time getting adjusted back to London time and was in bed with me half the night. So after putting him down 2 nights ago, I crept out and said - hey, I'll sleep with you in the guest room so I don't disturb Tucker. And he slept much better that night! So we did it again last night and woohoo! So one of these days I will move his crib into the small baby room and get him all set up. But for now, Mommy and Daddy are sleeping in the same bed in the guest room. And Tucker went for an actual 4 hour stretch last night! I love my little guy - but it was nice to wake up next to Andrew and not Tucker last night. Gotta take care of all aspects of your life!
I loved being back in Black Mountain. Makes me sad to miss it again, but happy to know that we are going back to someplace that I so truly love. It is full of such amazing people and such a wonderful place to raise a kid. Can't wait for Tucker to get there and actually know he is meeting all his new friends!
He is so amazing. Learning new things everyday. Sitting up stronger and stronger - almost unsupported, but not quite. Trying out food - not sure what his tongue is supposed to do! Babbling up a storm - that boy can make some noise!
Loved him getting to meet all his family. Aunts and Uncles and Cousins and Doggies! And it was great to see them all as well. Everyone had such a good time!
Okay - more soon, but wanted to get some initial thoughts out.

4 months old!

I cannot believe 4 months have gone by already! Time really does go quickly - you just don't realize it in the moment when you are so sleep deprived!


But - Tucker is 15 and a half pounds. Growing like a champ! Neck is getting so strong - he got to have the Baby Bjorn switched up for his length and to let him face forward now. He is so happy!






I was telling one of the workers at the Child Center this morning that it is such a strange, but good feeling, but I look at him and feel like I have known his face forever - there is something so familiar about it. So in love. More and more of his personality is coming out. He is loving baths now - threw a fit the other night when we took him out. I bathe with him and lie him on my legs - and he just kicks and splashes and starts laughing!


Pure love!

A Beautiful Weekend!

So most of yesterday was spent in front of the computer getting expense reports done. But we finally finished and at 4pm we headed out for a walk to a nearby park we hadn't been to yet. The Thames Barrier Park. It is a gorgeous riverside park with huge fields, lots of pretty flowers and trees, and the weather was perfect!

So we hung out for a bit, let Tucker check out if he liked the grass or not (yes for a brief second - then not too sure about it!)

Then we headed back via the Fox Excel Pub. We had some very delicious cheese and meats and olives and hung out for a little bit before going home. Even Tucker got in the swing of things!

It was a great ending to the day - well until we got home and Tucker had a 30 minute meltdown before bed! Then woke up at 12:15 and again at 4 and finally for good at 7:15. No staying down until 2:30am last night!

I haven't told you all about the folks I have been meeting yet either. There is a great Child Center about a half mile from our house - a great use of tax money! They have all sorts of groups for kids 5 and under. We go on Tuesdays to the Under 1's group. There I met a couple gals and turned out one lives right across the street from me. Esther and her daughter Jessica who is 6 months. Through them I met Sam and her 9 month old daughter Isabella. We have also gone to the Mums and Tums group at Esther's church on Wednesdays - more Moms and babies and hanging out! It has been really nice and I am thankful for having met them. We may go to the Pushy Moms exercise group on Monday as well - bunch of moms and strollers exercising in the park!

So - things are picking up here - looking a bit better all around. Yay!

Catching Up and Growing Up and Coming Home!

Man oh man is Tucker changing and growing! It is amazing how week to week he is just learning new things, getting bigger, stronger, and both of us are feeling more confidant. He is 16 weeks as of yesterday - and will be 4 months old next Saturday - I can't believe it! His neck is SO strong - almost bobble head free. He is a drooling machine - oh my his clothes are just sopping wet. But I know that teeth could be 5 days away or 5 months away!

Had a good visit with my Dad and his wife. They were very helpful and we got out and did a few fun things. Went up to visit my cousin and her family - fun BBQ in the sun, rain, and sleet! Tucker got to meet their dog and get his feet licked - too funny.

Have made reservations for my Mom to come in July, then we will be flying home together with Tucker and I get to visit family and friends for 3 weeks! I am so excited to see everyone. It will be an awesome time.

And best of all Abbey will be coming home with me then in August!!! Yay! The family will be complete. Mom and Dad and Baby and Dog!

Tucker is starting to sleep a little longer during the night. A majority of his nights in the last 3 weeks have been until 12:30 or 2am for his first wake up! 2am is wonderful! If it is earlier he has another wake up about 2:30-3:30 and then 5ish, or just 5ish. Then I have been bringing him into bed with me cause it is SO light outside he won;t go back to sleep and I CANNOT get up at 5am and deal with the day yet. So I nurse him in bed, he falls asleep for a little longer and then we are both happy. We need to get blackout blinds!

We had a great Father's Day - Andrew got a card specially made by Tucker with foot and hand prints! Went to the Wright Brother's Oyster and Porter House (I had neither) but Andrew and my Dad loved it!

Well - Tucker is waking up from his pre bedtime nap so gotta run!

These times they are a changin'

Time goes so fast and so slow - all at the same time. My days sometimes seem like they drag ON and ON and sometimes I go - what happened, where did the day go? Tucker is changing every day. He is getting so big and strong! The neck muscles are developing wonderfully and he smiles and giggles and is so intent on watching things. He loves to be held sitting in your lap facing out - watching the rest of the room. And he kicks and runs in place with his little legs and just acts like he is about to take off!! Love him!

I am having a bit of a hard time just with feelings of missing friends and family back home and like I just sit in the house and don't know too many people here and jealous of Andrew leaving to go to work and talk to adults and have a life outside of Tucker. At the same time - I am so fortunate to have this special time with Tucker and don't want to take it for granted. Just difficult at times here in London.

Looking forward to seeing all of my friends and family in less than 2 months when tucker and I come to the states for a visit. And get Abbey! Yay - I miss my puppy dog!

Well, Tucker is napping and I have had a full few days so I am going to join him. We went to Buckingham Palace and a wonderful street market with my Dad and his wife. Andrew and I got a night out for my birthday as well while they babysat (first time leaving him! It was good - and needed) But now I am enjoying a day in my sweats.

Thanks to all of you for your love and support!!!

Weekend Fun

Saturday is here and Daddy is home from work. Tucker slept pretty well - but he has started adding an extra wake up again in the night. Still down until about midnight - but now up at 2:30ish, 4:30ish, and again at 6:30 - but then I do get to sleep until 6:30 instead of him getting up at 2:30ish and then 5:30 - and staying up. So, who knows! He is now napping for longer than he normally does during the day. Usually it is about 20-45 minutes here and there. He has now been down since about 10:15 and it is 11:30! He is 3 months and should be having a growth spurt at some point (since I have learned babies don't read the books and do what they are supposed to do when they are supposed to do it!) So maybe that is the extra feeding and sleeping now. He is a cutie pie though no matter what!

I am trying to now get motivated to start working out again. It is hard after not doing a whole lot, but I am eating way too many cookies and sitting on my butt way too much. Summer is here - cannot even think about wearing a bathing suit - Ha! Nope! So, I am hoping I can start a bit of running on the weekends when Andrew is home, and try to do some indoor stuff during the week while Tucker is napping. He watched me do some yoga the other day - I have a great yoga DVD that makes you sweat, but I can't do it every day - I get bored easily. But I gotta do something cause I am going to start being unhappy with myself/body/etc if I don't. I know - 9 months to put this weight on - 9 months to take it off - but you gotta start somewhere right?

My Dad and his wife will be here Tuesday - so I can probably get a little running in the next 2 weeks as well while they are around. Get up, feed Tucker, pass him off, go for a jog. I just need to get a jumpstart, then I will be back in a groove and go from there.

Then, I will be home to visit everyone in just over 8 weeks! I cannot wait! It has been tough. I looked at a friend's FaceBook page a couple days ago and saw her pictures froma little bit ago of when she gave birth and all the friends visiting in the hospital, etc. I missed that. Tucker has missed that. You all have missed that. I am a little sad that all of you have not gotten to meet him yet - but you will soon and that will be wonderful! I have had such amazing support and love from so many of my friends and family. That has what has gotten us through. I have felt very alone at times. I have Andrew and Tucker - but Andrew goes to work for about 11 hours a day and Tucker, well, doesn't talk much;) Don;t get me wrong - I LOVE the amount of time I have gotten with him and know how special this bonding has been for both of us. But I sit in my house, no tv yet, hanging with Tucker, reading books, and going for walks. It sounds lovely, but can get to you after awhile. Need a little more stimulation/interaction at times. I don't know - I can't complain - he is happy and healthy and we are so fortunate to have this experience. I am looking forward to taking him out into London and exploring and sightseeing now that he is getting a little more settled and I am a little less scared of being out with him. I have the whole nursing in public thing down, got his stroller, carrier, and diaper bag - we are good to go.

So, it is a beautiful day outside. Andrew has gone to a coworkers house to pick up a bike he is borrowing for the next year and a half. He will start biking to work on the Greenway! Saves money and gets him exercise! Then we need to do a few errands. he wants some more summer workshirts, we need a couple new cooking pans, and I just need to get out of the house. Then maybe I will go for a jog this evening and let the boys hang out for a bit.

Have a great weekend all - love you!

Catching Up

So much more time away from the blog again! But that is the way it goes, I guess!

Tucker is growing and changing everyday. He is up to 12 pounds. And 3 months old! I cannot believe how time has flown and both dragged by at the same time. So many changes every day. I wish I had time to write stuff down every day so that I could remember what goes on day by day.

This morning I watched him trying to get his thumb in is mouth for such a long time. His issue was he was making a fist and his thumb was stuck in between his first two fingers. Not that I want him to start sucking his thumb - it was just so cute to watch!

He has started smiling so much more now - and in response to things as well. Not just gas! He will just giggle and smile at me and it is WONDERFUL.

He is growing every day. Getting so big and strong and his neck is getting stronger and stronger. It is just amazing to watch him grow.

He is starting to sleep a little better. He chows down between 6 and 7:30ish and then is down until 11:30/12:30ish. Then he gets up again about 2:30/3 and again at 5:30/6ish. Now I have to just go get some black out blinds so that he will go back to sleep at 6am! Instead he wants to get up for an hour and hang out until he realizes - oh man, I am tired! But it has been enough sleep so that I am starting to feel a little normal - not totally, but somewhat!

It was Andrew's birthday Sunday - so he got to get his very first Happy Birthday Daddy card! Picked out and signed of course by Tucker himself;) He loved that!

I love him just so much and cannot believe Andrew and I have created this amazingly perfect little creature. He is such a joy and I look forward to each and every day.

Whew!

Well, it has been awhile! Who would have thunk that a new Mummy would have such a lack of time to do extra things? Ha! It has been a whirlwind - cannot even think what has gone on - as it all seems like a blur and also seems like it is dragging out. Lack of sleep will do that to you I guess.



So sweet Tucker is now over 11 pounds. Not sure where at exactly, but at his checkup 2 weeks ago he was 10.9 so I know he is probably at 12 by now as he had been gaining just under a pound a week for the last 4 weeks - can't complain about lack of food.


But that comes with the fact that my boy likes to eat - every 2 hours or so. So I have been trying/hoping to extend it a bit here and there. I have gotten a lot of advice/suggestions - and I have asked for it, so I am good with that. But everybody seems to come from a different school of thought which makes it even harder. To cry? To nap? To sleep? So many choices to make and I must say I have felt like a bit of a failure a lot of the time. I feel like I can't make up my mind what to do and that I keep switching around and am just screwing him up. I know I am not - but sleep deprivation will do this to you.

So, an editor's note here - I started this 3 days ago and am now writing the rest of this.

About 3 days ago Tucker started, on his own, 3 hour feeding intervals during the night - 9pm, midnight, 3am, 6am. So, I decided to let him fuss a bit at me and keep going with 3 hour intervals during the day. Well, it worked great and he was fine. He would fuss a little, but then be okay. And then when he did eat - he ate so much better and wasn't cranky and it went smooth. I almost think I was feeding him too often - not that I would withhold food if he was hungry - I think every time he got fussy - I fed him - and that isn't always the answer. So the 3 hour schedule worked well for 2 days, then we had a bad day on Friday as our schedule got off a little bit.

But then his crib got here! And I set that up and put him in it last night. Now after listening to all of the advice/etc - I just can't listen to him crying - even for 10 minutes, I don't fault or anything those of you that choose that method - as I have been told - do what works for you - I just am already at my wits end and I think listening to him cry would push me over right now. But I talked to a girl here who said, put him down, pat his chest, say night night, and go. When he starts to cry, pick him up, whisper it's okay, Mummy's here, and soon as he is settled, put him back down and do it all over. So I tried that, and he got the point rather quickly last night and it was an awesome night! Had to go settle him a bunch of times in between 7:30 and 9, but we had just been giving up and bringing him back downstairs. Then he just never got the idea of bedtime and what it means. So today went well and he did good naps and alert times.

Then came bedtime. Well, between dinner, and a TV show and stuff, he was tired and we held him too long downstairs and didn't put him upstairs in his bed and when we did take him upstairs - about 30 minutes too late - he had a complete meltdown. So I just spent an hour soothing him and he is finally all calm, in his crib, and settling himself to sleep! So, fingers crossed that we are on a good path here. As Andrew just said - i guess when it is bedtome, it is bedtime. Yup!

It's not like I got any more sleep last night than I normally do - but without him on my chest all night long, I got better sleep. Don't get me wrong - I LOVE napping with him - but I need some good rest. It has been way too long and I may lose it SOON. I did take him into bed with me at 6am though as he seemed like he wanted to get up and i was not ready - so he fell asleep with me and let me stay in bed until 8:20!!!

So- Mom in law coming tomorrow for 2 weeks. Then a week break. Then my Dad and his wife for 2 weeks, then 5 weeks, and then I am home to visit! Yay!!!!!!!!

More - maybe - soon! Thanks again to all my amazing friends and family for SO much support, advice, and love. Couldn't stay half sane without you all!

Snot Suckers, Mummy's, and Spring

Spring is in the air here - it has been a gorgeous last couple of weeks which has meant I have been getting out with Tucker in the stroller more each day. I think the fresh air has done us both some good. I can say that I have only cried once in the last 5 days! That is an upswing! Little man is growing like a weed. The crying came over the weekend while he was going through a growth spurt. It was actually a combo of him feeling hot to me - and me freaking out that he could be sick. Andrew had to go to the store as we didn't have a thermometer yet, and me calling my sister to reassure myself and have someone who is a doctor and a mother and a friend on the other end of the phone. Now she did make us do the temperature rectally - to which Tucker was not happy to oblige. Andrew told him afterwards it was mean Aunt Laura who made us do it;) She said she was fine being the reason for it - but it had to be done correctly. So, it was just 99.1 - so that was good. But the rest of that day and all the next he ate and ate and ate and napped for about 20 minutes and ate and ate and fussed and napped for about 20 minutes - I was EXHAUSTED. But he has grown out of all the preemie clothes from the hospital time and a bunch of other onesies that, in order to get them snapped, they are completely stretched out in the neck and pull at his armpits. He is actually in some onesies that say 6 months! But then other 6 months stuff is still way too huge! But we measured him and a couple weeks ago he was roughly 20 inches long - and yesterday he was around 22 inches long - so he is getting longer! (Not taller as he can't stand up yet!)

Today I went to my first Mummy's and Babies group at the local children's center. It is a wonderful place and all the programs are free for Newham residents. So nice to get out of the house and talk to other adults! Even if Tucker was asleep when we got there and slept half the time! He was also the youngest there by a few months! Oh well! I met some nice ladies and one of them is actually my neighbor right across the street from me! She has invited me over tomorrow as a few other Mum's and babies are coming by her house to hang out. So exciting to meet people! Tucker had a good time as well (I guess;)) Everyone said how adorable he is and how tiny he is and how they can't remember when their little one was that small! They all said to enjoy it while you can cause it will actually go by very quickly. I keep hearing that and am trying to keep that in mind. I do enjoy my time with him - snuggling and nursing, and napping. I did go to sleep last night at 7pm as that is when he went down. Good thing though cause he was up for awhile at 1am - ugh. With SO much snot and I just felt so bad listening to him trying to breathe and all the crud in there not letting him do so while he is laying down. But - today in the mail, I got the official hospital snot sucker from Katherine - yay! Just used it and boy does it work! He is down for a nap now and I can't hear the constant gasping of breathe through the snot every time he breathes in and out. Hoping that will be a benefit to him tonight when he goes down as well. Last night was just tough - he slept most of the night on my chest as I had pillows elevating my head way up so that he was at an angle. Makes my back sore - but he had to breathe. And sleep! I have given up on trying to establish a schedule right now. It has been making me too crazy and stressed and everything. I have read SO many books and googled SO many bits of advice/knowledge and I have to keep telling myself - he is only 6 weeks old. AND he is actually only supposed to be a day or two old right now. I start to feel bad if this one book says he should be up no later than 7am and eat at this exact time and nap at this exact time and if he doesn't I feel like AUGH! So I am trying to keep daytime noisy and music on and lights on and night time is dark and quiet - but is he is exhausted, I am going to let him sleep - no stick poking. And when he wants to eat - I am going to feed him. And if he naps at 1pm(as he is now) instead of at noon - so be it! Let's give it at least 3 months and then see where we are. As long as it works for Andrew and myself, then this is what we will do.

Well - I think I may try to catch 30 minutes while he is napping as well!

Pictures

Still a lack of sleep. And I am typing one handed. But we are getting there - somehow. Here are some new pix though!

We have had a good amount of naps today - not too much, but not too little. So we'll see how that plays out tonight. Two nights ago I just had to sleep and he would only fall asleep on my chest - so we slept for just over 3 hours together. Just wasn't gonna fight getting in the basket. But then I paid for that last night when he wouldn't sleep no matter what. But today has been nice. Singing and dancing and staying alert. He is much more alert today - maybe it is the proper naps and eating and playing. Very tiring! But fun! As I said, we'll see how he reacts to this day tonight.

But he is changing more and more every day. What an amazing experience.

This and That

Today has been a chill kind of day here. Cruddy weather - chilly and drippy - so I decided no walks or errands today. We would just stay in and nap and play and nap and play. So Tucker is currently napping - fought it, but he was tired!

He did pretty well last night - yay! Got up about 4 times to feed, but settled pretty well each time (except for when I had to change his nappy - he hates that!) and slept all night in his Moses Basket. When he would wake up, I would take the Basket into the guest room (I want to let Andrew sleep a little - he has to get up at 6am and go to work all day - no naps like me!) and then nurse him and lie him back in it. Then I would lie down on the floor and shut my eyes while he fussed a bit, but then ultimately fall asleep. He never really cried - just did a bunch of fussin'. Then when he fell asleep, I brought the basket back to the bedroom and went to sleep in the bed. I felt okay when I woke up, so we'll see how this works. Now I do know it will have its ups and downs and good nights and but it's a start!

I wrote to one friend yesterday that I have been feeling so self absorbed this last month. I don't know if that is just a new mom thing or what, but I am sorry for any unreturned emails, status updates left unremarked on, calls left unmade. This little guy has thrown us for a loop and every time I remember to do something, he wakes up or needs to nurse and I forget it by the time I am back to the computer! But I am so thankful for all of my friends and family. You all have been great and I appreciate all the support.

So I am giving in to the crappy hair that will be mine for the next who knows how long! Going to just keep growing it out and throw it in a ponytail! I did go and get a box of hair color (sorry Micah! I had to) so I could color the grays!

What I really need to remember - someone please help me - is to get a pair of dish washing gloves! This house has a clothes dryer - which is unusual for London - but it does not have a dishwasher. And my hands have been washed SO many times the last month they are dry and raw and I need to get gloves!!!

Tucker has been doing a great job of his tummy time and lifting his head - it is GREAT! He is so wonderful and amazing. He makes the funniest faces. And in the morning when he wakes up - oh my the stretches and contortions he goes through is hilarious! Head goes back as he is yawning and arms go out and the head goes back again and it just goes on! ha! Then he will nurse and fart int he middle of it all and pause while nursing and get these big eyes and look up like, oops, that was me! Or he will just poop while nursing and it is going in one end and coming out the other! You know you're a mom when you are eating spaghetti, trying not to drop it on your kids head as he is nursing and pooping and you just eat away! Hehe! Yup, that was lunch today.

Anyway - props to all my Mom friends out there - you ladies rock and I am more in awe of you now than I was before. Going through it you just can't explain it unless you have been through it. And Dad's - you all rock as well!

And the LOVE that I have for this little guy - just incredible. Never felt anything like it. He is my world.

Sleeeeeeeeeeeep

I know I know - Mummy's mean making sweet boy look like a combo of Daddy and Groucho Marx. But it is a little funny!

So sleep is a BIG thing on my mind lately - as I am sure it is on many parents minds - especially new ones. I have asked a few questions to friends on FB about pacifiers, and co sleeping and crying and have gotten many strong responses. People believe in what they do - and that is good - if it works for you and your family, then great. So now we have had to figure out what works for our family.

Pacifier - I have gone and gotten one. I let him have it if he wants it at sleeping times. he takes it some times, he doesn't at others. Most folks have said - it is easier to take away the pacifier (or dummy as it is called here in England) than it is to take away their thumb. And my friend Kriste also said - some women claim they don't have a pacifier, but they do - it is their breast. And that is true. I had been noticing that I was just trying to see if he wanted to feed even though he just had, and all he wanted was to suck for a sec, or just pretend to suck and not really eat. So I was becoming a pacifier. So, that is where we are with that.

Co-sleeping - I really like the idea of it. However, what we are dealing with here in the UK is a double bed and it is barely big enough for Andrew and I, let alone adding a baby we are trying not to squish. If we were back in Black Mountain and had bought the king size bed - then I would say yes. There just isn't the space here! But I have brought him into bed in the morning once Andrew has gotten up to get ready for work to keep him quiet for a little longer and to get some sweet snuggly time.

Crying and sleeping - whew! Last night I gave up on co sleeping and trying to lay him in his Moses Basket and put him into his froggy seat that vibrates and gets him to bed so nicely. So he slept in that on the floor next to our bed last night. I just had to catch a decent hour or two or rest so I didn't lose it. So any thoughts/advice/comments are appreciated on trying to get some sleep all across the board and have a healthy happy baby and family!

So, I will let you all know how this goes! But thanks for all the comments/well wishes/ support/ prayers/ advice - we appreciate it.

Love, the Marsh's

Mummy Time!

I LOVE looking at those chunky little cheeks! I am so happy with how well Tucker is growing and how alert and sweet and wonderful he is. I am also exhausted and tired and stressed and everything else at times - but I guess that is to be expected. Also to be expected - less time to write things down here, even though I desperately want to - just to keep a record of it all for my sanity/posterity. I want to look back on this and remember how I felt and what was going on day by day. So this post may be a mish mash of thoughts, but it is what comes to mind. I am, as every new mother is, exhausted. Tucker is going down well at first at night - and then usually again about 11ish, but that 2-3 am wake up call sucks. He is VERY alert then and wants to be up for an hour or more. And that is when I am fading fast and just trying not to fall asleep holding him before he falls asleep! he is also very congested and I think that adds to it. Not sure what to try. The nose sucker doesn't work as his nose is just too tiny for it - not going to stretch out the nostrils! The midwife is coming by today, so I can ask her about it all. But it is just sad to listen to him trying to breathe properly and just getting snot and stuff. So I lay there and hold him mostly upright and just pat him and rock him and love him. Sweet guy. We had our first real weekend at home where there was no major running around of errands to do. So Andrew got to spend all weekend here with us and get some major snuggling time in. That was nice. Although work beckoned yesterday - for me - and I spent about 7 hours on Skype calls and trying to sort out stuff for some 5/10k timing events we have going on this weekend coming up back home. Very frustrating trying to get stuff done over Skype when I can't actually be touching the machine and pushing the buttons that I think may fix something, etc. Thankfully we have some awesome folks helping us out back home and they are worth every penny! Cause I was ready to throw in the towel! I am reading up a storm - 2 books in the last 5 days. Got a library card and take stuff out to read while nursing Tucker. On that note - he's awake - time to nurse!

Praying for a good day

Monday - the start of a new week. Andrew is at work, the plumber came and fixed the shower, Tucker had a good night's sleep - which means so did Mummy (up a number of times, but right back asleep!), so this morning I am praying that today will be a good day. I know I will be tired. I know Tucker will get fussy, I know not everything will go my way. But I have a sweet baby boy who wants to cuddle with me, a husband who loves me, and a roof over my head. Breathe in and out.

Oh and as of today - I would still only be 37 weeks pregnant! Here is the little man when we went out on our great adventure Friday to get his official birth certificate.

BUSY!

So I have realized until I get the bouncy seat my mom has ordered for me - I don't have a lot of time to add to this blog/do anything. I have a stroller and his Moses Basket and other than that no means to put him down. He is not a fan of laying flat on the floor - so that is out. Mummy's arms and back are tired. But he is a sweet sweet baby and I just could kiss and hug and snuggle him up!

But being a Mom is hard work. It is time consuming and draining and exhausting. Even a little tougher being so far away from friends and family and doing it alone. I am really missing all my support right now. I know it will all start to get easier, and he is so worth it, but man oh man!

But really - how cute is he???

Dinner time.

Home at Last!

We are home! Got to sleep - well kind of, when I wasn't waking up to feed Tucker - in my own bed! And Daddy got some sweet snuggling time in this morning on the couch. Our little angel!

Tucker is Wearing his Going Home Outfit Today!

We are going home!!! Tucker finally weighs enough - 5lbs 10.3 ounces - and is not jaundiced! Yay! They even tested his breathing and he is all good to go! Thanks for all the prayers and well-wishes!

Baby Sunbathing

Well, a big high with Tucker's weight gain. Now he is back under the lights getting a baby tan because of the jaundice levels. So, no going home today. Blood test again at 8pm - probably too soon for a change - and every 8 hours after that until his levels get better. Mommy is frustrated with them not testing him a few days ago instead of waiting until weight was correct. We could have been dealing with both issues at once and his levels probably wouldn't have gotten so high. Can't expect them to go down with us not seeing the light of day for the last 10 days. So, after a really good cry with the midwife, I am better and ready for another night oer two in the hospital.

Hang in there Tucker - you are strong and sweet and Mum and Dad will hold this over you later on in your life;)

2.475 kilos!

Is today the day?!?!?! Tucker gained so much weight overnight - he is now at 9% and they are happy with that. They are doing some blood work to check his levels of jaundice - so bearing that coming back under the level - we get to go home! Good thoughts our way please for low jaundice levels!!!! Trying not to get hopes up - but yay! Weight is kicking booty!

London 2012 Baby!

Andrew went back to work yesterday. Nothing else to do around the house and no sense in using his days off while we are still in the hospital just waiting to gain weight. Use them when we can be home as a family! So his coworkers gave him a whole set of London 2012 onesies, hat, bib, scratch gloves as a baby gift. Too cute. Tucker will be able to fit in them in a few months! But here is the cute bib!

Weigh in again this morning sometime - good thoughts!

Who's on First?

So my midwife this morning sent me to take Tucker to the Pediatrician Exam Room. I get there, wait my turn in line for 15 minutes, then when I walk in this is the conversation that ensues:

Hello again.
Again? I already check her?
Yes, you checked HIM 2 days ago.
So why you here?
The midwife told me to come
Why?
I don’t know – she told me to get him checked out
Why do you want her checked out? Something wrong?
I didn’t ask to get HIM checked out – the midwife told me to. He is good except needs to gain some weight
So why you here?
Cause the midwife told me to come
Why?
I don’t know you will need to ask her.
So you want to get discharged?
Well yes at some point – but I was told he needed to gain more weight – he is at 11% of birth weight right now
So you want to go home
No – I want to do what you all think is best. He gained .02 kilos but is still only at 11% - you tell me
Well why don’t you stay another night and we weigh her tomorrow?
OK – that had been the plan – to weigh HIM tomorrow and go from there.
OK

AUGH!

.02 Kilos!

Tucker gained .02 kilos this morning - yay! Only .09 to go to be able to get him discharged. Looking at a few more days here I think. As long as we go up each day - Mummy will be happy and stay relatively sane.

1 week

Happy 1 week birthday to our sweet baby boy Tucker. Mummy and Daddy love you so very much. It is truly amazing how wonderful and sweet and precious you are. So tiny and fragile. Praying for some weight gain so we can take you to our new home soon.

What a week it has been. So many highs and lows. A brand new baby. Strong enough to stay with Mom. Jaundice. Crying over blood tests - both baby and me. Getting the hang of breastfeeding little by little. Tucker eating more. And yet still not gaining enough weight. We have to keep telling ourselves that he was 6 weeks early - so a week or two or three in the hospital isn't a bad thing. They are just ensuring he is strong enough to go home and not come back.

Gonna get some sleep. Hopefully Tucker will wake me up many times to eat.

Up one minute, Down the next

I was so excited about how well Tucker and I did last night breastfeeding. Then they came to weigh him right at feeding time (so no food for the last 3 hours) and he takes a big ol' poo - so he ended up losing .01 kilos. Augh.
So another night here for us. Gotta get my boy a cheeseburger.

Overnight Breakthrough!

What a great night. Not sure how much weight Tucker has or has not gained - but he had a great night! Finally latched on really well and nursed for 20-25 minutes every 2-3 hours. The midwife even came in at one point and noticed how full his cheeks were while feeding. Yay Tucker! Keep eating! Mummy and Daddy love you!

Little Things - Figuratively and Literally

Tucker gained .02 kilos! That moved him from 12% weight loss to 11% and put him on the upswing. Can't go home today - but he is moving in the right direction!

I finally remembered to ask Andrew to bring me my razor with him - so I got to shave my armpits for the first time in 8 days - yay!

And on a funny note - on the news last night - a man's voice came on saying " Do women rely too heavily on pain medication during labor?" Andrew looked at me and busted out laughing. I was like - really? A man just said that? And just funny to be in the mother/chhild unit of a hospital when this came on.

So, at least one more night in the hospital. I think I am starting to go a little jaundice.

Feeling the love

Really feeling it tonight. So much love and support and prayers from friends and coworkers and family. Baby boy is sleeping and has eaten well all day. Just need him to gain .47 kilos to be big enough to go home.

This is a card I wanted to put up earlier - but the Internet wasn't working well. I finally have my laptop (been using Andrew's) and have access to it again. My sweet nephew William made this card for us with no prompting for Valentine's Day.

Night.

Disappointment and Amazement

So Tucker just got checked out by the pediatrician. All good except for weight. Was really thinking he had a good night - but he lost .5 K from yesterday. So down from 2.74 K at birth (6 pounds .65 ounces) to 2.4 today (5 pounds 4.65 ounces) which is more than 10% of his body weight so he stays. So disappointment we are staying, but amazed at how well he is doing for 6 weeks early. Just need to not expect to go home tomorrow and take it day by day. Easier said than done, yeah?

Early Morning Reflections

I am so in love.

Had a much better night of sleep last night. Tucker woke up regularly to eat - and ate well - and became a little more alert as the night went by - which in turn made me feel much better. when Andrew left at 8pm at the end of visiting hours, I was crying a bit about it all. Just want to go home. Just tired of this hospital bed. Just missing having friends here to help out/talk to/get support from. I thank all of you who have us in your prayers. Much needed and appreciated.

When Andrew was here yesterday I left him with Tucker and went into the halls of the hospital just to stretch the legs. Saw the sign for the Interfaith reflection room and hiked up to that. Nice to sit in there in quiet and just pray. That is when the tears started for me. Just been such a hard week.

To look at this tiny creature knowing he is a part of me and to just want him to get stronger so much quicker than he is - just starts to get to you. To see them taking his blood at 2am and hearing him cry so hard while I am so tired - crushes you inside.

Then he snuggles up into my chest and falls fast asleep and I could just melt. I can't tell you how many times he has been kissed! I could just kiss and kiss and kiss him. Oh wait - I do.

Nothing in life goes as planned. I have learned that. And this was no exception. Tucker being early, me crying for drugs, Andrew having to run around town getting errands done we thought we had more time to do. But in the end - we have this sweet, amazing, adorable little boy. And he is worth it.

My butt hurts from this hospital bed as well.

My husband is amazing. He has been so wonderful through this all. So supportive and caring. He is going to be an incredible Daddy and I love him more and more every day.

Andrew's Words

I know I wrote my recollections of everything - but here is what Andrew sent to his Aunt and Uncle. I like his wording and thoughts of it all.

" Yes, Tucker decided he'd had enough and arrived 6 weeks early. He's 6 pounds (2.74k). They don't measure length here anymore - but he seems proportionally long enough to me. Given how early he is everyone is rather surprised how big he is. Even the Doctor, a wonderful Italian guy, was caught off guard when his head started to crown.

Jen is well. Tucker is a bit jaundice and as such is spending his time under what looks like a baby sized tanning bed catching some Vitamin D rays. His glucose levels are good/great = he's getting better at breastfeeding. To ensure he was getting enough calories the tried one round of formula - apparently he didn't like that as he threw it up all over me 30 minutes later. Good boy - that stuff is nasty.

So at this point it looks like Jen and Tucker will come home tomorrow (Sunday) but more likely Monday/Tuesday.

Big picture it's good that they have somewhere to stay. Not sure is Mom told you but we had just completed the move into the new place on Monday morning. We had been in a temp lodging/apartment while looking for a house to rent. Last week I was getting started at work. Jen was hunting for a place - in hindsight - all this activity could have helped Tucker along. Anyway - Monday night was the first night in the new place. Tuesday morning - after I'd gotten up and dressed for work - Jen mentions that she had been up during the night - that she'd had a bit of leaking. Wow - I was literally walking out the door for work when this announcement was made. (In the back of my mind I said "Well - hmmmm - why not wait until I get to work and have the doctors phone me from the hospotal?!?!?") So we got on the bus and went to the hospital. Thankfully it's only 4 stops away or about a 12 minute walk. It was 07:30 when we arrived at the ER. We were escorted to the Baby Department for a "check up". One thing led to another to another to yet another surprise and next thing you know Jen is trabsferred to the Delivery Ward and admitted! This was precautionary - they wanted Tucker to stay in for at leat another 48 hours so they can get a full round of antibiotics and steroids on board. So I go home after midnight - somewhat dazed. I get back at 08:00. A mid morning exam confirms that waters have broken and Jen is 1-2 dilated! What? Tucker's ont he way! Holy cow!

Now remember that we've only been here 10 days. We don't have a GP doctor - haven't take any baby classes - don't have any way to communicate with anyone. Given that we thought we'd have 6 weeks to get ready for Tucker we didn't have any baby stuff either - no nappies or wipes, anything! So I rush out to get supplies and a pay as you go phone. I'm rushing around like a crazy person. Talk about a day not going the way you thought it would when you woke up.

I get back and find that things are a bit nuts. Jen’s labor pains had up until that point been relatively mild. Apparently they came on in a huge way – 10 minutes of crying and screaming saw the “no drugs” birth plan go out the window and Jen got an epidural. While I was out shopping we’d somehow skipped from 3cm to Eleven! At 18:00 the Italian Doctor announces – in a perfectly stereotypical accent - “It is time for baby to come” and tells the mid-wives that Jen is begin pushing at 19:00. Pushing commenced on schedule and then was delayed mid push for 10 minutes to facilitate a mid-wife shift change (welcome to government run health care). Around 20:30 the doctor stops by to check in and says “Why isn’t baby here?”. At that point I see a bit of concern/frustration in his face. He takes off his sport coat – tucks in his tie – asks me to help me with a gown and pretty much says to the midwife – “Step back – I’ll show you how to deliver a baby!” This guy was great – totally personable and caring – but in charge! Tucker wasn’t going to get the better of him. Thirty minutes of pushing and encouragement went by in 30 seconds and Tucker arrived at 21:00. Jen was absolutely wonderful – wow – I can now semi-understand the “nothing hurts like childbirth” comment.

So Tucker is here. Such a beautiful tiny little guy. Lots of black hair and deep dark eyes - we've only seen them a few times."

I love my husband. He is a great Daddy.

Tucker Andrew Marsh

Has arrived! What a week it has been. Born on March 2 at 9pm GMT and weighing in at 6 pounds - he is a strong little guy and fighting to get out of the hospital soon! 6 weeks early, so there goes all our great planning;)

Ok - so more info then some of you want, but just a recap so I have it all down!

Monday we finally moved into our new place - had been moving things over all weekend, but that night was our first night in the house. My water broke probably about 1 am, but I had no idea what had happened and actually waiting until we got up in the morning to say something to Andrew. Yeah, not the smartest thing to do. So instead of him going to work, we headed off to the hospital. On a bus. When we got there they checked me out, yes your waters broke but probably good to just monitor you and get you on antibiotics and steroids (in case he did come early, build up the lungs) and try to hold it off for at least a couple days. They admitted me to the antenatal ward and started to monitor things. Mid afternoon they said, you are having contractions pretty regularly. Really? Turns out all the times I just thought Tucker was shoving his foot or butt up into my ribs - was really contractions. Who knew?! It didn't hurt - I just thought he was moving around. So, then they sent me to the labor and delivery unit. I spent the night there and when Andrew came back the next day - things started moving quicker and quicker. Water totally broke, contractions still going, dilated 2-3 cm. Andrew left to do a quick errand (get a pay as you go cell phone as we had NO contact with anyone - phone not hooked up in house for another 10 days) and when he got back I was at 5 cm and moving. Also, my whole I can handle the pain plan went RIGHT out the window. Bring on the epidural. I can take pain - this is like no other. I was a crying fool both with the pain and with the thought of a needle in my spine. But it worked - felt much better! Andrew was like - what happened when I was gone?! After that, within a few hours I was fully dilated and the nice Italian doctor told the midwives, she will start to push at 7. he left, I started at 7:15, he came back at 8:30 and said - no baby? This baby needs to come now - and he took off his sport coat, tucked his tie into his shirt, Andrew helped him with a smock, and he had me push and the baby came out at 9! Sheer exhaustion. But a sweet baby boy to knock any of those feeling away.


A couple minutes old.



After they put the needle in his hand to give him antibiotics for the next 2 days :(
We have been in the hospital since then as they needed 48 hours to get back the blood work and give him antibiotics - all clean there. Then he got some jaundice so he was under a light therapy machine for a couple days - all better now.
Getting his baby tan;)
Now we are waiting for him to eat a little better today/tonight. he lost .6 pounds since birth - not a ton, but it is 11% of his body weight and they are only happy with up to 10%. So hopefully tomorrow we will go home.
In the meantime, we have been blesses with amazing friends and family and all of their prayers and support. It has been difficult doing all of this so far away without being able to have so many of you come visit. It really has been a tough week at times and I am missing you all more than ever. Many many thanks to my sister who, being a doctor and a mom, has so much knowledge and has been calming and supportive to Andrew and I and has been our line of communication with our parents during the tough times.

Welcome Tucker Andrew Marsh!

Settling In - London Style

Whew! We have a house! So excited about it. So ready to move on to the next project - getting ready for baby!

So here are a few pictures of the area and the house that I took yesterday.

This is on the walk from the train station to the house - the whole half mile on the right is a beautiful park. And that is a horse through the trees.

This is the Newham City Farm right before our street. It is a very cute petting zoo that our landlord told us if we go early Sunday morning, we can also get fresh eggs from!

The exciting kitchen table. The landlord and his wife left us flowers and a hope this is a happy and comfortable house card.

Andrew showing you the cupboards of the kitchen. Woohoo!

Tucker's room - missing a few key items - like a bed. And a dresser. But that is what the next few weeks are for!

Our bedroom - with a new duvet - oooohhhh. That is all they have out here - no sheets and blankets.

So now the computer is giving me fits - I wanted to add two more pics, but it won't do it. So that is it for now on the pictures.

Last week was a bit stressful. House hunting while 33 weeks pregnant in another country is HARD. I walked too much, stressed too much, but in the end it paid off. Spent this weekend slowly moving our bags from Stratford to Beckton and now we have an address!
29 Fulmer Road
London
E16 3TE

I am getting my exercise from all the walking though. Have to find one of those fold up rolling bags that you see folks using at grocery stores to carry stuff home in though. AM going to need to make 4 trips to the store to be able to get everything we need and carry it home. I have been walking to the store - nice walk - and then taking the bus back with the groceries. next trip is cleaning supplies, a shower curtain, hangers, and an alarm clock. Exciting!

I have had a lot of my friends/family hook me up with people they know living here - so that is nice. On Thursday I am going to meet another Jen in Greenwich for lunch. She is an American and has 2 kids that have been born here in London, and it will be nice to chat, meet a new face, and learn what hoops I have to jump through to get Tucker his US Passport.

Missing all my friends back home - thanks for all the well wishes and prayers. Love you guys!!

Well, off to meet Andrew and get some dinner and head home. More later!!

Andrew started his job today - yay! I am looking forward to hearing all about it when he gets back tonight. We had found his building when we went out Saturday so he knew where he was going. Should be exciting!

Me - I went out this morning to meet a realtor in Bermondsey. Nice place - small, but doabale. A little too far to get to a park to walk Abbey in is the only issue there. But it's weird - dogs are allowed on the buses and the tube - which is actually nice, not weird! Hopefully will look at another place this afternoon or tomorrow morning.

It is definitely taking some getting used to. Still call our house on Seldom Home 'home'. Thankfully it has been a busy weekend so we have done a lot of just getting our bearings. Today has been odd being all alone. No hubby, no dog. Just me getting work done and researching rentals, and learning the ropes.

More interesting updates soon!

London Time!

Well, it's official - we are here! Obviosuly been a bit too busy to write in the last month, but after a very good nights sleep, we got up at 7am (London time) and are ready to go this Saturday!

The trip here was uneventful. Packed 11 bags - well 9 plus two holding the computer and monitor - and all 11 got to London no problem. Took a quick one hour nap - had to - and then went out to do a little recon. Had a house viewing visit - got to the area on the tube and said no way are we living here. Check off list. Went on the tube to a place we are supposed to see today and said - can email that realtor and say no thanks as well. I think we will end up south of the Thames. Not too far a commute and more neighborhoody feel.

So, ready to head off this morning and view one more place. And make a few phone calls about others. Will take my camera today and document it all!

Love to all my friends and family who are keeping us in their thoughts and thanks for all the well-wishes and blessings!

Still Crazy!

Still running around like a chicken with our head cut off over here - but getting stuff done little by little. But why does the list constantly feel like it is growing?

I am about to enter into my 28th week of pregnancy - loving it all! Had our appointment Wednesday and I am all good and healthy! Glucose fine, no anemia, only gained 2.5 pounds last month, uterus is the right size. Yay! So little Tucker will get a doctor's note that says Momma can fly in February and he will be born in England. Whew!

Looks like our travel date will be February 10th - ish. That puts me at the end of 31 weeks and enough time to get settles into a place in London and be prepped for baby to arrive. Andrew and I are very excited about this opportunity - very overwhelmed - but very excited. So much to do in 3 and a half weeks!

I am trying to take time out now and then and see friends and have lunch/coffee/etc. I don't want to get so wrapped up int he next few weeks that I have lost all touch with everyone and then miss them even more than I already am when we leave. I know we will be back. I know I am coming back in August. But I love it here in Black Mountain. I love my friends. My support system of other Mom's that I was so excited to have on call if I had questions once Tucker arrived. I know I can still call from London - thanks Skype! But it isn't the same as having someone over so I can shower or talk or cry! We can do it though. Andrew is going to be a great Daddy and this whole pregnancy has made me love him even more every day. And I cannot wait to look into Tucker's eyes for the first time and hold my sweet baby boy.

So that is the chaos going on here. My sweet friends are throwing me a baby shower next Friday with the knowledge that I don't really want to ship a bunch of stuff to London. But I really just want to celebrate Tucker with them and get this ritual as a first time Mom. That is more important to me - the celebration, not the gifts. I have such amazing Mom friends and have learned, and will continue to learn, so much from them.

Love you all!

London Bound?!?!?

Well, so Andrew was offered a position with the 2012 London Olympics and they want him to start in February. What?!?!?! Yup, we are moving to England for 18 months. It has been a crazy last month or so getting stuff sorted out, and it still isn't sorted out 100%. But he did finally accept the position today and the will be sending him his package of more detailed information tomorrow.

Well that sounded calm and wonderful. Don't get me wrong - it is wonderful and exciting and a great opportunity! It is also scary and overwhelming - especially being 26 weeks pregnant. So, there will be much more detail to come and I am SO THANKFUL for my friends who have offered support and help and love and friendship. Without you all I might just start drinking! ;)