I really am a Mummy!

It feels like it is the most bizarre things that really make me feel like I am a Mummy. Not the things you'd expect like feeding times or nappy changing but those more random tasks. Angus and I were talking about it the other day and one of the things that we both agree is a real 'parent moment' is that ten minutes after bed time when you come downstairs, tidy all the toys away, clear up the tea things, put the dirty clothes in the laundry etc. It is the same routine pretty much everyday and it is literally just a few minutes of your day when you make the transition from family time to grown-up time and somehow it just defines being a parent.

I had another of these moments yesterday when I had to get Coco ready for nursery. It was her first day and a momentous occasion in itself but it was when I was standing with my permanent marker in hand writing 'Coco' on her snack box, beaker, bib and bag that I suddenly realised I was a Mummy!

Coco had the most amazing first nursery experience. She was only there for an hour and a half but she completely loved it. She's going to go three times a week now, just for a couple of hours, but she is such a sociable little thing that I think she will thrive being able to be with other children for a while. Plus, it gives me some time out! Yesterday I took the opportunity to do a 3-2-1 Shred exercise class. All I can say is OMG! I have NEVER hurt so much in my life... and still do! What a killer, I think I will opt for something a little gentler next time.

The weather is still beautiful and we were honored to be invited to the boats dock BBQ yesterday afternoon with the best homemade burgers I think I have ever tasted. I had thought that I was the queen of homemade burgers but I definitely have to hand the mantel over to Donnie - mine aren't a patch on his. He has given me his recipe though so I will have to try and replicate them at our next BBQ.

Looking forward to a sunny weekend with my delicious little family xx

To Mac or not to Mac?

I need a new laptop fairly urgently. Mine keeps crashing, takes forever to do anything, mouse pad seizes up all the time and can take up to six or seven times to get started in the mornings. So, the question is do I take the opportunity to go over to Mac? I love my iPhone and find it so simple to use so have faith in Apple products, it just feels like a big change!

Great day yesterday, Coco had her first swimming lesson. She has been swimming loads and is very confident in the water but I didn't have a clue how to move on from bobbing around with her in front of me. Yesterday we did loads of games, used floatation aids and even started teaching them to kick and doggy paddle. It was amazing. She had a complete blast laughing and splashing her way through the whole half hour.

We were finished in time to make it to the boat for the second half of the footie. All I have to say is... phew! We looked so much better than previous matches but I am still very nervous about Sunday.

A rest day from running yesterday but back to it today. Both Angus and I are really enjoying it so far - long may it continue. We made the most of our evening off and the gorgeous weather and sat out in our 'yard', eating, drinking (Angus on wine, me on water as I am still on this ridiculous diet) and watching the sun go down. Another brilliant movie this evening - An Education - well worth a watch. (Thanks for the recommendation Mums and Lot.)

Having Too Much Fun!

I have simply been too busy to sit for even 15 minutes at my computer to blog - and my computer is playing up but that's a whole other story - or keep in touch with anyone properly. Sorry everyone at home, I have been very slack but will do my best to improve.

Still no real joy on the local friend front but there is time and I am hopeful. However, I seem to be discovering things to do all of the time. I won't dwell on Friday too much, lets just say pub, football (boo), home for drinks with friends (yay) and then an evening in with a gorgeous supper and Coco Before Channel. For those who haven't seen it, you must. I loved it. It is a heart wrenching story and beautiful to watch and, of course, features another Coco! I am on a film mission at the moment. I have joined Blockbuster and DVD rental is cheap here so I am going to make my way through all of those films I have been meaning to see for ages. I have even made a list! The others I watched last week were Rachel's Getting Married - good, interesting to see Anne Hathaway in a more gritty role and The Gift - not so good. Kind of enjoyed it and kind of got spooked but we guessed the ending quite early on. Was expecting better from a pretty good cast.

Saturday was fun, the weather was superb and spent the morning hanging with my brother before packing up a picnic and going to watch the polo in the afternoon. I have always wanted to go to a polo match and haven't done it yet in the UK but I am so glad I went here. It did feel extremely English and very bizarre hearing American accents all around us. The American's sure know how to 'do' outdoor events though. The picnic / BBQ spreads we saw were truly awesome.

From the polo, Coco and I drove to the airport to pick up Angus. It is lovely to have him home and he passed his Celestial Navigation with flying colours, what a clever chap he is.

I am so pleased that Angus was home to celebrate his first Fathers Day with Coco. She obviously spoiled him rotten giving him a lie-in, cooking banana muffins for breakfast, buying him his favorite chocolate and taking him for a ocean walk in Sachuest Point National Wildlife Refuge (a good find - great walking right around the shoreline).

This week it is back to normal, Angus back to work, Coco and I doing our thing - we have joined a gym, signed up for swimming lessons and joined the library so we're getting there. But most importantly, our fitness regime started this week. Angus and I have signed up to run the Eden Project Half Marathon on 10th October which gives us about 16 weeks to get 13-mile fit! Arrgghh! We did our first run together yesterday and we were both pleasantly surprised at how well it went. OK, so it was only 1.3 miles, but a good 1.3 miles! Watch this space for our ongoing improvement.

Finally, any film recommendations would be gratefully received.

Where are the other Mommy's?

I am full of burger and the baby is sound asleep so I am taking advantage of the peace and quiet to have some blogging time.

Having had a disappointing morning I am feeling a lot more buoyant after a lovely lunch with a friend. You see the friend thing was what was so disappointing about my morning. After yesterday's 'Momless Mom Meet-Up I set out today to go to the Baby Gym having been reliably informed that takes place on Monday's and Thursday's and you just turn up and pay. On arrival I discovered that actually it only runs from October to May! This is no good to me - I need things to do in exactly the few months it is closed. Anyway, I was determined not to be defeated and having spotted a group of Mums with babies heading into the library, I followed. Does this sound too stalkerish?

The library looked promising - a handful of women with children roughly Coco's age were sitting playing and chatting in the children's area. I confidently plonked Coco on the floor and started finding books for her and pretty soon the opportunity arose for me to strike up conversation. You know the kind of thing; "How old is your child?", "He's so cute", bla bla bla and then I jumped in with, "So I'm new in town and do you know of any baby groups in the area?". I thought this was fairly inoffensive and tame but your should have seen everyone shut down! It was bizarre! Feeling fairly disheartened I brought my friend search to an end for the day, how on earth do you meet people in this town? Thank goodness for a lovely lunch arrangement to help make me feel a little less of a Norman-no-mates.

Quick question - Coco has taken to throwing all of her food off her high-chair tray straight onto the floor - literally every bit of finger food she is given - any suggestions on how to stop it? It is driving me mad! She is much better today by the way. No temperatures so far, no Calpol and seems back to her old self. Good news for everyone.

We're Back!

Hello All,
We are back after a brief trip home (it probably seemed more brief than it actually was), but we're on the move again and experiencing yet more new parts of the world. This time we are based in Newport, Rhode Island,USA. Other than passing through for literally 24 hours last year, this is a first for me and so far so good.

The flight out was complete luxury for no other reason that the fact there was an extra pair of hands - thank you for coming along Mums.

I was a bit nervous about our home for the summer, I had made a decision based on a few photos which had made the place look tiny, so it was a huge relief to discover that the house is actually gorgeous. It is small, but not as small as expected, and it is clean, comfortable, well equipped, beautifully decorated and generally an overall lovely place to be. Angus and I have an ongoing competition to see who manages to find the best accommodation - I didn't think I was going to beat the brilliant Antigua house that he found us but this certainly gives it a run for its money. So one all me thinks.

Our first week was a bit of a tourist gaunt and we enjoyed having Mum with us to do some sight-seeing. In just a week we fitted in Nantucket (my best day yet - beautiful island and has made me want to read Moby Dick), Boston and Newport. Not only that but we ate lobster, clam chowder and drank cocktails watching the sun go down over Newport Harbour... life is tough I tell you!

This week has been much more normal. Angus is off doing his Celestial Navigation course so we are trying to find our feet and get settled for the summer. Our calendar is filling up with 'Moms Groups', Baby Gym, Playgroup and swimming. I might even fit in a bit of spinning for myself and, oh yes, work!

I went to a 'Moms Meet-up' this morning. Excited about meeting some new people I set out early only to get there and find no other Mums, um, there is something wrong there. It did however lead me to discover the delightful village of Wickford. An old (by American standards) harbour town with leafy streets lined with traditional clapper-board houses that include the epitome of Americaness - a front porch! Some even had rocking chairs on them! Coco and I sat and enjoyed a cup of tea in the sunshine on the waterfront whilst watching the world go by. Not quite the Mummy friend making I was expecting but lovely nevertheless. 

Unfortunately, by the time we got home Coco's temperature had soared again, it has been a problem for the last couple of days, high temperature after 3pm. Poor thing. I think it might be time to see a doctor, just for peace of mind.

My mantra for the next few days is 'I will blog, I will blog, I will blog', hopefully making regular updates part of our daily routine or at least a few times a week. So on that note... speak soon!