A MONTH BRITISH!

I know, I know, I haven't been here in a bit... but between going to the Dr. almost every other day for 2 weeks and moving in our place ( that's right!) it's been a little crazy.

I cannot believe that today is exactly one month of "proper" (they say that all the time here) London living and finally we are getting out of this hotel!!!! We started moving into our little terrace house on Saturday and we haven't stopped 'kicking ass and taking names' since. It is a tad small but every time I walk into the house I get so excited knowing that this is the house where we will become a family. I feel so much better since we have been able to get in the house too. No more lonely bored afternoons... this past week I have been going over there and unpacking, envisioning how great and homey it will all look when its together, and let's not forget- with every move comes a little shopping! I must admit though, I am so eager to get the house done so I can spend the next 10 weeks on making Jax's room perfection!

It hasn't all been packing and organizing though. We have made a pact to not let my obsessive need to have everything perfect, done, and organized immediately take away from the remaining summer weather here in London. We are really starting to cross things off our list. 2 weeks ago Tom found a bar in the City of London (that's the name of the town- think east village meets the financial district) where they screen movies on the rooftop. What did they just happen to be playing that night- only my most favorite movie of all time Wayne's World! Excellent! It was pretty amazing- We were sitting there on top of this grungy bar surrounded by some of the most powerful businesses in the world- "what a totally, amazing, excellent discovery (Wayne Campbell)."

The next evening we scored tickets to see the Royal Philharmonic play in the park. they played everything from classical, to The Who, and of course the Beatles. A great show that we fully intend to go back and see next year- only next time we cannot forget the picnic and wine!

Then... as if that wasn't enough of a fun filled weekend... Sunday we went for a stroll through Hyde Park. We were going to start of Hyde Park experience by catching the changing of the guard at Buckingham Palace, but as we were approaching the palace it seriously looked as if a million people were there. No Thanks! So we just walked around and scoped out the scene. We went through the rose garden, watched a tiny little dog play fetch with a 12 ft stick, walked along the lake, and people surfed. We also came across the Princess Diana Memorial Fountain. It said the fountain was built so people could walk in the water and cool down on a warm day, but let me tell you 1) again the water was FREEZING, refreshing for my swollen fingers, but cold 2) parents were just letting there go the extra mile and were using it as a public pool. Kids were in their underwear literally swimming in the 1 ft of water-weird.

    

As we were leaving the fountain we over heard some people talking about going to Whole Foods for lunch, "it's right here"- Ding, Ding, Ding! Our ears perked up and the stalking was underway. Well, what we heard was that the Whole Foods was right nearby, not another 40 minute walk (we were already walking for 2 hours) following the fastest walkers ever! Hahaha I guess that's what we get for being so nosy- but damn our lunches were tasty and we also go to check out Kensington High Street :o)

rough week

 The second week of London living has concluded- but not without a few tears and scares. Monday night we just finished dinner and are sitting down on the couch watching TV, chillaxing, when BAM- out of no where I start having this extremely painful cramping going on in my stomach. My first thought is that Jax just kicked me really hard or he moved into some weird position, but after a minute of this not going away I start to get a little panicky. It felt as if I had a charlie horse in my stomach- I'm thinking OMG am I going into labor? It's way too soon!!!Tom is not alarmed at first- he just thinks im being overdramatic, as usual- until I stand up and he sees the fear in my face. Immediately I am trying to stretch and rub out this cramp and Tom jumps up. I tell him to pull out the bible (What to Expect When Your Expecting) and look up Braxton Hicks contractions. I have read over what these are, but everywhere I read said most women don't feel them so I didn't pay that much attention. Tom's reading aloud as I'm pacing back in forth in the bedroom- we are both freaking out. Is this due to the fact that I had 2 sips of Diet Coke? Turns out it was just the Braxton Hicks contractions, but of course I couldn't stop the anxiety train now. Needless to say, Jax is OK and has been kicking up a storm- just one more side effect of pregnancy that could do without experiencing again.

As I said in my original post, my dog, Elvis will not be making the trip across the pond until October 4th. I have an unhealthy obsession with my pie (that's one of his 500 nick names). I picked him up from the breeder when he was 5 weeks old and haven't been apart from him from longer than 2 weeks since. I know, I know, it's a dog- but this little pug is my baby. He sleeps with us every night, follows us around 24 hrs a day, and is happiest when he is snuggled next to you or when you treat him to a piece of cheese. Well, knowing that I will not see him for another 49 days, as of today, is killing me and last week I couldn't let it go. It's tough being here alone in this temporary housing, with nothing to do, and no one to talk to while Tom is at work. Everyday I count down the hours until Tom comes home, but, he has worked all day and has to catch up on everything he has missed in the world all day and night and veg out. Elvis is my little buddy- we just wants to be loved and played with and he loves to keep you company- I would give anything for him to be here now. My brother and his girlfriend have been more than amazing. Everyday they either send me pictures of the pie or Skype so I can see him and say hi, which is beyond anything they have to do, but it breaks apart of my heart at the same time because I just miss him so much and feel that I would be adjusting better here with him by my side. I know it's silly, and I sound like some crazy dog lady, but my heart just melts for that little wrinkle. I am hoping that when we move into our actual home in 2 weeks that I will be so distracted "nesting" and decorating the house that the time will go by faster. 

    

   

the greatest year of my life... so far

This past weekend was our first wedding anniversary- WOW! As I think about what the past two year have brought me I am in shock of how lucky and blessed I am to have such a great an amazing man to love me. 2 years ago when he proposed to me, I thought it was the best year ever; that was everything I had every wished for since I had met him 6 and a half years before. Forward 10 months and we had the most amazing, beautiful wedding and a fantasy honeymoon that I had thought only existed in the movies. We started the next chapter in our lives- becoming husband and wife.. how could the year get any better. Well, 5 months later we find out we are pregnant with a wonderful baby boy! As the weekend approached, with the 1 year milestone coming full speed ahead, I though this was truly the best year of my life and I owe it all to my husband for making me so happy and loved. Then it occurs to me... has this been the greatest year of my life or will I reflect the same as I am now, a year from today, with our son in my arms and consider once again that it can't get any better?

Fiji- in our over water bungalow

So, this time last year we were on our honeymoon in Fiji. At that time, we both thought we would be celebrating our first anniversary a little differently than we actually did... living in London, 30lbs heavier, never really crossed my mind of possibilities. We went to Bournemouth  (pronounced Bornmith) a quaint beach town on the southern coast of the UK. It was pretty, relaxing, and peaceful. well until the pregnancy hormones kicked in full force and the emotions too over my body for 16 hours- oops! Its as if I cannot have any feeling or emotion without it becoming completely over the top lately. Between being excited  about Sunday, concerned about my sugar ( it was very high for no reason all weekend), and feeling extremely self conscious about not "looking good" for my husband on our anniversary as I wobble around with all this pregnancy weight- let's just say I lost my cool for a little bit. Finally, after having Tom reel me back to reality our fun weekend was back on track with eating at the most amazingly delicious, little Mexican place ever, indulging in some much needed diabetic vanilla ice cream, and just laying on the beach- it was the perfect, relaxing, anniversary we both wanted and needed. 

made it without a scratch...almost

Well week one of London living has concluded and we made it unharmed...kinda. Friday was gonna be my first day of venturing out on my own. I was finally feeling revived from last weeks shenanigans,  I woke up at a "somewhat decent" time, got dressed and put my face on. I was going to meet Tom  at work, grab some lunch and get our mobiles until... BAM! this giant, heavy radiator cover falls down on my Achilles. OK, seriously, we all know i love to exaggerate but no joke- it looked like a murder scene in here. I probably should have gotten some stitches, but being the stubborn person I am, I didn't want to call an ambulance (I couldn't walk) so, i just sat inside waiting for Tom to get home from work. A very exciting day indeed.
Saturday, we once again tried to get our mobiles. I cannot understand why it is impossible to just walk into the store pick out the phone/plan and walk out. Apparently, that is close to impossible here- Tom has gone to the store 4 times to get the damn phones, and nothing. Well guess what- after being there for about 1 1/2 hours on Saturday  we still came home empty handed.
Sunday Funday it was. We went to St. Paul's Cathedral, the Unilever House, walked across Blackfrairs Bridge, and hung out along the Thames. Along the river they had a free little Bulmers drinking area with a band so we stopped and hung out in there for a bit- Tom discovered his new favorite drink- Bulmers (haha he hated it!) Afterwards we walked some more (I hobbled)  and really just tried to get a feel for the small area we were around. It was a nice, relaxing afternoon exploring our new home.

Then and Now

2 years ago I got engaged in Paris...
1 year ago I earned my masters degree and got a great job- a week later I married the love of my life...
5 and a 1/2 months ago my husband was offered his dream job in London...
the next day we found out we were pregnant and decided to move to across the pond.

which brings us to today- I am now 6 and a 1/2 months pregnant with our son, and on day 5 of UK living!
Tom had to go to work the day after we arrived so i have been on my own most of the week, which is exactly what i needed after last weeks craziness. Saying goodbye to friends, family, and my dog (he's joining us in exactly 60 days from today), being homeless and staying at my in-laws, tying up all loose ends in the US, and being diagnosed with gestational diabetes 2 days before we left- i was more than exhausted and stressed out to stay the least.

we are currently staying in a short term apartment (a hotel suite) until the 27th while our new cottage is being moved out of and renovated. The area we are staying in is nice, but just a tad different from what I am used to. for one we don't have a car- which you don't need because you are in the city but that alone takes some getting used to. We have walked around the neighborhood a couple of times- restaurants, shops, the tube (subway) are all within a 2 minute walking distance. once we get our mobiles (cell phone) i will venture out and explore the city more in dept, but a big preggo shouldn't be walking a strange city by herself with no phone :o)

I would have to say the most interesting aspect of moving abroad so far would have to be the grocery shopping. unlike in the US, you don't go to the store and stock up on everything you could possibly need for 2 weeks or so. Here you take a tiny little basket and put three things in it and go. We went our first day to get a few things we needed for the week- eggs, meat, cheese, salad, veggies, bread, soda, and water. we look around and realize 1- we are the only ones with a shopping cart and 2- the woman with 3 kids in front of us has 2/3rds less in her basket than we do. We both just look at each other and say" we have a lot of learning to do".