Winter Wonderland

On Saturday, we got about 4 inches of snow here in London! It was beautiful watching it snow and a bit shocking to see so much of it stick so quickly! We had a great time playing with our friend Jill and her daughters Elizabeth and Victoria. Wiley and I made it out late morning to run quick errands then go to their house for lunch. It was pretty magical to be drinking a peppermint mocha while walking in the snow!

Wil was waiting patiently at home for us to get back (read: man cave time) and play in the snow. Tackling followed.

There was a big snow angel out there. Wil was not going to miss the fun, and very delicately threw himself down into fresh snow and proceeded to do the angel motions.

Wil, Wiley, and Elizabeth built a wonderful snowman!

Winter Wonderland! (This is our square's garden)

There is still more snow forecasted this week. We've still got tons on the ground, so if it could hold off until my family gets back here from Paris, that would would be grand. I'm all for a white Christmas, but only after the jet-setters return!

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas...

Well, a lot like Christmas since it's 2 weeks away.

Here is Wiley at his school's Christmas party. They did a dance that followed the plot of the Snowman, and they sang sweet songs complete with jingle bells. And then Santa came and sang about how busy he is and did a little rap. Yeah. 5 brownies were later consumed by Wiley, and we crashed hard later that day.

Our Christmas tree! Nothing feels more like Christmas time than when you have your lights on, Christmas music on and you are with your little family.

In other news, we are just waiting. I need to get in the mindset of "December 29th" is the day. (It is, by the way). I'm currently in "Any day now!" mindset which while true, kind of just makes you more crazy than is really necessary. My bag has been packed and re-packed and I'm feeling good about that. I had Wil take a picture of me with my belly so that I could remember the end of it/I think there are maybe 5 pictures of me being pregnant this entire past 9 months. After looking at them, I was reminded why we don't take pictures of ourselves when 9 months pregnant.

Hope you and your family are enjoying the season!

Just because...

I'm not really entirely sure where we were going. Obviously a tacky Christmas party. But I had to share this one. I was going to do a sweet sentimental pictures of Christmases past, but this one was too good to pass up. Poor Wiley and his elf hat. Love you, Wil!

Strange

Strange strangers in London are just well, strange.

Some kids are shy around their teachers, neighbors, dog, you name it--anyone.

Some kids know no strangers.

I happen to have one of the latter. And living in a big city with lots of stranger action makes things...strange.

Like the time Wil was "in charge" on the tube and I looked over and Wiley was sitting in a Spanish girl's lap, and they were laughing and having the best time. Not okay, Dad.

Or the time tonight when we just had to be on what seemed like the longest bus ride ever. Sitting by the chattiest woman ever. Who I think legitimately thought that when we said we were from America, then Alabama (I always add "in the South" because some people actually have no idea where Alabama actually is situated.), that we were from "South America."

What do you say in "South American?" Can you say "Howdy do-di?"

Lady, I don't even know how to spell that phrase to even tell my friends back home about how bizarre this situation is. And South America is a completely different continent--where they speak Spanish.

"In England we say, Hello, Good Morning. Good Afternoon. Good Evening. Do you like my English accent?"

Lady, he's been here over a year. If he is like me, your accent does not phase him. It stopped phasing him after a month of being here. Nor is saying Good morning, afternoon, evening that English. If you want to roll with the stereotypes, you can tell him that in England you say "Cheerio Mate"-- a phrase used just about as much as Howdy do-di is used back home.

It got even weirder and continued with her being a nice, complimentary, overly chatty lady having me agree about his nice gloves and how nice he is ("Aye, Mom?" "Yes. (please stop.)" Needless to say, I have never been more keen to get off a bus than this evening, and proceeded to harp on stranger education to Wiley.

Good Evening Strange Bus Lady. Good Evening.

Snow...in November?

It snowed here yesterday--that's right. In November! What a wintry place we live in, apparently! Tonight and tomorrow we are forecasted to have more snow...1-3 inches in fact! Not really that much, but to Southerners, that is a lot! And it is absolutely, positively freezing--especially with that damp London air and arctic winds.

One friend at school, who moved from Charlotte, was certain school was cancelled since it is in Charlotte (and anywhere in the South) for 1 cm of snow; but this is London, and we trudge on. However, last year the city was pretty shut down with minimal snow--so maybe tonight and tomorrow will be enough to do it. London is like the South in that way--not totally prepared for winter precipitation.

Funnily enough, on Tuesday, I was going from our area just outside central London to the Marylebone area. I texted my friend to say I might be late because of the slick conditions. I felt crazy (and was sure she thought I was crazy or telling lies!) when I got off the bus and there was absolutely NO snow on the ground there. Just a few miles into the city and no accumulation. Shows how warm the city itself is, as well as the slight difference in elevation (or at least that is what I'm told) between the areas.

Wiley of course loves the snow, and hopefully tomorrow there will be enough for a snowman. I'm just trying to encourage him to stop eating snow off of London sidewalks/houses/gates/you name it.

Pregnancy in London

I'm 35 weeks. Still have 5 weeks to go until the baby comes! But I feel like it has kind of whirled by, and I want to remember a few things from this pregnancy.

Read this:

Not this:

Let's just take a look at the Mum on the Expecting book. She looks miserable. Like she is about to go through torture--wait, she sorta is. But that is not particularly encouraging for any pregnant woman. On the other hand, check out the Yummy Mummy in book 1--on the go, nappy bag on shoulder, latte in hand--nevermind that the baby is with the nanny. She is hilariously British and tells it like it is. Not to mention she has some great tips from Kate Winslet and other well-known hair, make-up gurus. You might should still get Expecting, I mean it is a classic and might be more medically reliable. But if you want to laugh and have some humor while your uterus expands to 1000 times its size (says babycentre.co.uk this week), read about becoming a Yummy Mummy.

Wear this:

A yummy mummy turtleneck (it's freezing here) from Isabella Oliver. Thanks to hand-me-down maternity clothes, I have loved this shirt. It's ridiculously comfy, it's got stretchy material, so unlike my 100% cotton turtlenecks, it doesn't stretch at the end of the day. I'm much more into the tighter shirts this go around compared to the tent like flow from beneath the breast area shirts that I wanted to burn after the last go. I think they are comfy regardless of the fact they accentuate my bump and possibly bum that has also expanded to off-set the front.

Walking.

I have walked a ridiculous amount this pregnancy compared to the first. Probably because we live in London and are car-less. But despite the fact that I curse the school run every morning now (You would too if it was 8:30 and 30 degrees outside and you have to walk a mile and a half--total.) I really think it has kept me in better shape (it is all relative, of course) and feeling better. It might have curbed some excessive weight gain, but since they don't weigh me at my midwife visits I guess we will never know!

Footwear.

Maybe because of the loads of walking, my feet seem wider than they did with Wiley. Not necessarily swollen around the ankles, but some of my flats are too tight and I certainly can't wear my black boots anymore. Leaving me with Uggs, clogs, and my trainers. Trainers are winning out today and I unashamedly wore them with black cords last week. It wasn't cute, but neither is pregnancy.

Cravings.

I have eaten an unreal amount of peanut butter, but I probably would have done that anyway. No real cravings this go. I am to a point where eating isn't the most fun thing but I attribute that to lack of space. Coffee and tea don't sound nearly as good as they used to, although I still drink both.

Healthcare in Britain.

I will be thankful to have BCBS again. They love a natural birth here which is not the way I'm going. However, despite some frustrations along the way, the care has been really thorough and good. I have seen one midwife twice, Celine from France who is kind and wonderful. The others have been good, too, but Celine is just so nice! I have seen a doctor for a routine visit once, and it was slightly disastrous. Here's hoping today's goes better! My hospital has a new maternity wing, so it feels much more modern than most buildings in London.

Wiley.

He is actually excited about the baby. He says he is thankful for the baby. He also thought there were two (a boy and a girl). There is only one. He now thinks there are four. (2 boys. 2 girls.). There is only one. Unless the ultrasound scanners are completely incompetent. We will also see how thankful he is for the baby when he realizes what this baby means to our family life. But I'm betting that Wiley will be a very sweet big brother even if he does get a bit frustrated at having to share everyone's attention with a crying baby after 4 years of having everyone all to himself.

Baby Gear.

We found a new stroller that is London-friendly (ie, I can take it on the bus, tube and the baby can be flat and nap on the go if needed)--the Bugaboo Bee. I salvaged a Moses Basket for the bed (funny story, but I have some pride, so I won't divulge that one). We have clothes from Wiley. And we will borrow a couple of other things for the first few months. Needless to say, this is a bare bones operation due to lack of space and not wanting to buy things we already have for just a few months. It is bizarre to not have a nursery to set up, and I think that has prevented me from truly nesting. It is difficult to nest in a tiny flat because no matter what you do, stuff is everywhere and you don't have a place to lay out all the baby things and say to yourself, "Ah yes, I am ready now." But amazingly enough, we don't really need all that stuff, do we?

Readiness.

I think I'm as ready as I'll ever be. Wil says this will be like riding a bike--we'll remember what to do when the baby comes. I'm a bit more nervous that I will have lost nappy changing abilities and will have no idea how to hold a newborn.

The lingo:

diaper=nappy

pacifier=dummy (I can't get used to this one)

sippy cup=beaker

junk that baby accumulates=bits that baby accumulates

mom=mum

stroller=pram

So there is a bit of a brain dump on the pregnancy. I'm totally shattered (exhausted in Brit) by the end of the day, and thankfully Wil arrives to save the night. We watch TV and put my feet up on pillows until our bedtime arrives around 9 pm. Yes. Cooking is lazy. Sleeping is hit or miss. My eyes have that "I'm heavily pregnant and tired and puffy" look that just stinks. Braxton Hicks contractions are the most annoying thing at this point. Doing breathing exercises while trying to continue to have a life with your 4 year old is not fun. Who knew that with the second baby, the rest of life spins on instead of stopping so you can nap and rest? And taxis. Those rides are happening more and more frequently. Thankyouverymuch.

I still can't wrap my head around being a family of four. And that we will have two children soon. I'm so thankful. And I can't wait for all the adventures to come.

(PS: Sorry to my sister, mom, and dad for calling Brooke multiple times Saturday morning at 7 am her time, 12 pm mine. I forgot about the time change. I just wanted the Lake phone number to get help with the dressing I was cooking from Mom (I also didn't realize it would be 6am at home). I didn't mean to alarm you into thinking I was in labor. You can obviously tell my head is in the clouds. I'll repeat call at odd hours less frequently from now on.)

Twas the night before Thanksgiving...in London

Twas the night before Thanksgiving (in London) and all through the flat,

not a toy was picked up, and Mama was looking fat.

The buttermilk was missing but the pecans had arrived,

a turkey would come- we hope he fits in the oven or we'll cry!

The child was nestled all snug on the sofa,

while stories of Little Bear flit by on the television-a.

With Dad still at work and Mama with her belly so dear,

she wished she could open just one can of beer.

When out on Facebook, the statuses they sang

"to the farm, the lake," "a feast," and "cooking" in Mama's ears they did rang.

Away to the door, she ran like a horse out of the gate,

the repairman still not here--3 1/2 hours late!

The sun had set around 3:30 p.m.

the light in Mama's brain was equally dim.

While flashes of Thanksgivings went by with family so near,

She knew all those to come would be held so dear.

The dishes they love, the family they miss,

And not to give London any sort of diss.

But to search hi and low for cornmeal!

when you find it, what a steal!

Turkey they know not,

nor Pilgrims and Indians they think of naught,

In fact, the husband proclaims to the English we fought,

Thank goodness for the day we left you lot!

While we will celebrate on Saturday,

At home to watch Macy's Parade tomorrow we'll stay.

With pumpkin muffins to eat and hot chocolate to drink,

We won't let Turkey Day stink!

Because it's not about the casseroles, the turkey, the place.

It's about being thankful in any case.

A flat that's warm, a healthy child,

and one on the way that seems quite wild!

We are blessed with so much,

we should spend each day saying thanks a bunch,

To those Pilgrims who left a country rainy, cold, and dark,

because when they landed at Plymouth, they sure hit the mark!

*Yes, I realize this could be written by a small child. Let's not judge.

**Yes, we are celebrating on Saturday. I know. Soo un-American.

***Yes, we will cook a turkey and all the fixin's. On Saturday.

****Yes, I really do want that can of beer. Let's not judge.

*****Yes, I really am thankful for more than the Pilgrims setting sail on the Mayflower (way to go, guys!).

******Yes, I said I wouldn't diss London. And then I did.

*******Yes, I am still waiting for the repairman. 4 hours later. And I'm still thankful for the Mayflower.

and 9* Yes, I know I might have mushed 4th of July and Thanksgiving together. Over here, both are reasons for a bit of patriotism in any form or fashion.

Gobble Gobble my good chap!

5

On Friday, Wil and I celebrated our 5 year anniversary. He took off work for the afternoon, and we had a delicious, delicious and long lunch at the Dorchester Hotel. It was so much fun to have a long, unhurried meal and to catch up on life. Wil was so sweet and gave me some beautiful earrings that I will probably never take off. Unfortunately for him, he had to get his gift a couple months early.

My friend, Emily Morgan Brown, sketched a portrait of Wiley. I think she did a fabulous job capturing Wiley--from his butter bean teeth to that little look in his eyes. Emily has such an incredible gift in her art, and I still have a watercolor angel she made for me when I had my appendix out in 7th grade (along with a hilarious poster)! Emily was amazing to work with- from helping tell me how to take a picture of Wiley for the portrait to doing the finishing touches to the portrait itself. If you or anyone you know is interested in a portrait, check out Emily's work or tell a friend!

We can't wait to hang the portrait up whenever we move back to the States (it was too big to bring to London).

We are so thankful for Wiley, and we are so thankful for our marriage. It has been a fun five years. As hard as living in London has/is been, I had to say at lunch that my favorite time with Wil has been in London. It has been such a blessing for us as we have grown closer and depend so much more on one another. It doesn't hurt that I don't have to share him on the weekends with anyone!

iPod/Phone?

Wiley: Ring of Fire!

Me: What?

Wiley: Actually, it would fill my bucket if I could listen to some music on your phone.

Me: What? Okay. Sure. You don't want Ring of Fire on my computer?

W: No. I want to listen to your phone.

Me: Okay. (looking at my iPhone for something about music. I find iTunes. I click.)

W: No! Not that. The iPod!

Me: I have an iPod on my phone?

W: Yes. There it is. (He points to it. It is orange if you wondered.)

Me: (Click) Oh. There it is.

W: Thank you.

And now he has set up "drums" in the den (all lights are out because he had a fort and all his animals were sleeping) and is banging colo(u)red pencils together and on the "drums." What is he listening to? Easy. Mariah Carey's All I Want for Christmas is You. On repeat.

W: Mommy. I'm listening to All I Want for Christmas is You. I like it.

It's not even Thanksgiving. And we are on repeat already plus have watched Elf twice. This is in the house of the girl who refused to turn on 96.5 Magic (B'ham) or listen to Christmas music until December 1. (I strictly enforced this in high school carpool.)

I surrender.

...to the fact my 4 year old can do more with an iPhone than I can.

...to the fact that I didn't realize Thanksgiving is in 2 weeks until yesterday. Is that even right?

...to the fact that Christmas is trumping Thanksgiving.

...and to the fact that my 4 year old has an affinity for Mariah Carey and Johnny Cash. Oh, and now Michael Buble.

Shoot, must go. He somehow found a Glee episode on the phone. Someone please tell me how Glee got on my phone!?

Cambridge

We took a day trip last weekend to Cambridge. It was a beautiful, cold-ish day. Cambridge is an easy day-trip out from London, and it is much bigger than I was expecting. Here are a few memories from our quick trip!

At Kings College. Not stepping on the grass.

Punting. (A boat steered/powered by a guy standing on the back with a long pole. Think gondolas, but less greasy Italian and more tweedy heart-of-England.

The Bridge of Sighs. Think Italy. But not really. Because the real one is in Venice. You know, where the prisoner would walk across it to his impending death on the other side. The (real) Bridge of Sighs is not in England. When our punter (?) told us about this, the lovely Chinese guys with us were a bit confused. "Oh, the prisoner walk across the bridge and is executed. This bridge?" I mean, what if, the punter did not correct him? "Yes, the student who failed his exams must walk across this bridge to be executed." Pretty sure you would have heard about that if it were true, buddy. Needless to say, Wil and I could barely contain ourselves. Even more so when the punter asked where everyone was from. "China." "China? Really?" I don't know how he contained himself. Such a professional. Unlike the obnoxious Americans behind him. America? Really? (Psh, no worries, we always like to add "But we live in London currently." Gosh, we are so exotic.)

Beautiful Kings College Chapel at sunset.

Happily punting down the River Cam.

(not our best angle, but the 3 of us, nonetheless)

And then when we arrived back at Kings Cross at Platform 10, we of course had to take advantage and check out 9 and 3/4! Woo Hoo Harry Potter.

October Re-cap

Here is a quick re-cap of the rest of October in pictures...

We celebrated Wil's Birthday at a friend's cottage in Great Rissington (near Bourton on the Water) in the Cotswolds. The house was fantastic since it had all the kids toys there along with a huge garden. They keep fruit trees and veggies in the garden as well. We ate plums and apples off the tree (Wiley loved this)! We also went on a walk and found these horses.

While in Bourton on the Water, we went to Birdland. While I thought it was going to be a bit lame, I'm realizing that I actually kind of like birds. We saw the best penguin show (I made everyone stay and watch it until the end.) and then as we were leaving, this cockatoo just cracked us up with dancing and singing. It was hilarious.
Later in the month, we went to Disney on Ice!

And that brings us to Halloween, which I've already done pictures of...I think I'm up to date now! November happenings will be coming soon!

*If anyone is interested in renting the Cotswolds cottage, I can give you the information.

Happy Halloween from London!

From carving our pumpkin to dressing up as Sir Wiley the Knight and trick or treating with friends, Halloween was a lot of fun this year! Here are just a few pictures of the brave knight and his scary pumpkin!

Mercy/Merci

We are listening to Indelible Grace as we bake our pumpkin foods. Our recently carved pumpkin is watching us at Wiley's request.

The word "mercy" comes on in one of the songs.

Wiley: What does mercy mean?

Me: It's like forgiveness. You show mercy by forgiving.

Wiley: So, when I disobey, I can say mercy? (At this point he is definitely pronouncing mercy like "merci" and I am seeing some confusion coming)

Me: Well, no, you shouldn't disobey, but if you do, you ask Mommy and Daddy for forgiveness, right?

Wiley: Well, why can't I just say "Merci?"

Me: Okay, "Merci" is different that "Mercy." Merci means thank you in French. So it is a different thing entirely.

Wiley: How do I say "Mercy" in French, then?

Living in Europe + Southern Accent when saying French words = Lost in Translation 4 year old Theology

London is a funny place.

I'm learning that when you ride the tube or bus (by yourself), listening to an iPod is a little bit magical. So, I decided to walk down from Bond Street towards Green Park (straight through lovely Mayfair) while listening to my tunes (at a safe volume, mind you).

I'm be-bopping along feeling great and loving life (my sassy jeggings and boots might have something to do with this) when I join a crowd taking pictures of this:

What? Who really rides this around? And then parks it in Mayfair? As another picture-taker said, "London is such a funny place."

And then the doorman at the Marriott Grosvenor House said 'hello' and gave me a cheeky smile. I took it as a compliment and decided not to make him feel badly so I let my coat hide my 7 month pregnant siloutte from him. London is such a funny place.

Resume

I'm working on updating my resume (or CV, as they say here in London). After adding a few recent activities, I looked at my pregnant belly and thought, "Where is the space where I put that?"

Where do I write about my skill (or lack of, as a mom? Can't I put that down as job experience? I'm exhausted enough at the end of the day with only one child that surely it deserves bold print, a couple bullet points and some recognition right?

Oh, motherhood. I guess this sweet face will just have to do.

Lipstick

walking down our street today. or near it. we pass a young girl (okay, probs my age) wearing bright. pink. lipstick.

if it had been red, she might have belonged on pretty woman.

i can't even find that shade when i google "bright pink lipstick trend." it's like the color of bubblegum. of my iphone case.

so maybe it's not a trend.

wiley turns to me and says: oh mommy. look at that make up!

me: what?

wiley (about facing me): you need some of that!

me: what? (I know what.)

wiley: that pink lipstick. you need some that! i like that.

me: laughter. that is all i can give him.

wiley: (reconsidering, he is looking more closely at his mother who rarely puts any make up, much less lipstick) well mommy, i think you can stay just the way you are. i like you that way too. can i have a kiss?

and that is why four might be the cutest age ever.

and four is also a reason why i don't have to explain that that shade of lipstick is really not cute at all, that it shouldn't pass the doorframe of my house, particularly on someone on my precious baby's arm. but we've got some years before we start that talk...

One Year Anniversary

Wiley eating ice cream after our tour of the State Rooms at Buckingham Palace last week.

One year ago today, we were collapsing into bed after a long flight to London. Our bags were stacked in a friend's flat. We had either gotten fixings for ham sandwiches/grilled cheeses or we had gotten take away pizza (both dinner fixtures that first week). We might have watched a Friends re-run. Either way we were really tired.

I was posting Bible verses that a friend had made me in the bathroom, in the kitchen, on the dresser. Verses that got me through flat searching and the realization that London was home. Verses that reminded me that He is in London too. It is funny to look back on those first couple of weeks. Part of me would love to go back to those. But only because it would mean that Wil would be home for almost a month and that we would travel and do fun things. It was hard but mostly exciting. Taking turns going to answer e-mails in Starbucks. Skyping with my friends in the Starbucks bathroom (maybe one of the sketchier things I've done). Eating Nutella constantly. (I still think of those first 2 weeks whenever I eat Nutella on toast.) Maybe hard is the wrong word. It was the unknown of what to expect. But the excitement and fun of knowing you are going to be doing it with your best friend and a pretty darn cute (then) 3 year old.

But the majority of me prefers to re-read my blog posts during that first month from the comfort of our second flat. With a new life inside of me. And with the knowledge and if I can say it-satisfaction-that it has been one year. We've lived here, in London, for a year. I never, ever would have thought I would type or say those words. We know where to go to get most things. I have a slight city-side that can get a little cross or maybe we'll say can stand up for myself when I want something done. We'll call it thick skin that I might should not be too proud of. We can navigate the tube and bus systems. We love our church so much. We get asked for directions. I may not have Wil home for almost a month, but you know, after that honeymoon period, the first year living in a foreign country is sometimes more hard than fun. It's nice to be on this side of that.

I'm grateful for this city. In the way it has opened our eyes to the world. In how we have turned to one another and depend upon our little family so.much.more. For how it has made us appreciate our dear family and friends and country too. We've met some amazing people here. I'm not gonna lie, I sometimes get a thrill telling someone I live in London.

And we'll always have London.

When Wil comes back for work. When we bring Wiley (and baby) back and show them where we lived. When we visit the city or send friends here for visits. Maybe when we take a retired trip around Europe. We'll say "remember that time..." and London will again be our city.

So, one year. Cheers! Here's to some more London memories to be made, friendships to be deepened, our faith grown stronger, and our family grown closer.

{Want to look back on our first month?}

Fall

Kensington Gardens in early October 2009

I'm taking a break from Junior League work (shhh, don't tell!) to do a quick post on fall.

Walking to school this morning with Wiley, we had a productive and positive conversation. While we had a few tears at the start due to the stroller getting parked back inside, we rallied for some fun, fall talk. (Pushing a stroller in the morning to school before caffeine doesn't usually lend itself in my case to lovely conversation with anyone. I'm working on it. And being honest.)

The leaves here are starting to change color. We talked about how tomorrow is October 1st. His aunt's birthday. And as I declared, the official start to we-bake-with-overpriced-imported-canned-pumpkin day! We also got excited about carving a pumpkin, jumping in leaves, dressing up for Halloween, and in my head I envisioned my door having a yellow mum as well.

Of course, Halloween leads Wiley to thoughts of Christmas. And, as he reminded me this morning, our new baby coming around Christmas. But before we get ahead to Christmas, I can't wait to enjoy this fall.

I want to bake my pumpkin bread and muffins from Birmingham's Junior League cookbook, Magic. Then I'm going to try this Pumpkin Roll via Fly Through Our Window. And after carving, I'll toast our seeds as that was a new-found treat last year.

What will you do to celebrate fall?

Let's Break it Down

For anyone who needs a laugh today...Picture this:

Wiley is standing on sofa.

Wiley: (singing some tune) Come on, let's break it down.

Me: Wiley, what are you saying again?

W: Come on, let's break it down.

Me: And what exactly do you mean by 'let's break it down.'

W: I mean come on and sing.

Me: Oh, so when you say 'let's break it down' you mean it's time to sing?

W: Yes, and it means you can dance.

Me: And where did you learn that?

(I was betting on Aunt B)

W: Well, when I was in your tummy, before I was born, God was making me. He told me that when I get my mommy and come out of her tummy that when it is time to dance with her, I'll say 'let's break it down.'

Me: So, God told you to say 'let's break it down?'

W: Yes.

(pause)

W: So, come on Mommy, let's break it down.

I just revisited this to confirm, and I quote:

Me: Tell me again who told you to say 'let's break it down.'

W:God of course. When I was in your tummy. Before I was born. Why do you keep forgetting this?

You're back in London when...

1. you have to rotate shoes multiple times per day because they (even the ones you wore all the time in the States) are all rubbing blisters due to a sudden increase in walking.

2. you have sudden car envy. (see #1)

3. you have mild cramps in the pregnant belly region due to sudden increase in walking. (see #2)

4. your calves and legs already feel slimmer due to sudden increase in walking. (ex out #2)

5. you start out walking, then end up running to catch a bus so you don't have to wait 10 minutes for the next one...resulting in #3. except you don't catch it. the man reading a paper near the stop intervenes and silently laughs as you huff and puff, clutching the belly region.

6. your english neighbor directs your son to keep the communal garden grass free of rocks. he's four. you are tired. she is drinking tea. alone. on her patio. that opens up to beautiful garden.

7. your previously mentioned english garden-sharer tells you about how she thinks the trees need to be trimmed in the garden, particularly the maples. they are blocking out the sun. you think, "what sun?" and say that you think the trees are beautiful the way they are. english garden-sharer-peaceful-tea-drinker-stereotypical-pruned-english-garden lady labels you a tree hugger. she used the words "some people think the trees are crying when they are cut."

8. your fruit and veg box friends send you the loveliest pamphlet on autumn foods chock full of the weirdest english sayings ever compiled in one place. you need a dictionary but still feel a most bizarre affection for your fruit and veg box friends.

9. your child is exhausted in the afternoon because school is back in swing.

10. you re-heat your morning coffee because jet lag's a beast.

Gaucho Pants

First of all, weather was fab down here for Labor Day weekend. Especially if you were lucky enough to be lakeside. Sunshine and a nice breeze. Heavenly.

Second of all, last night I was desperate for some comfy clothes (the night before I was desperate for a Sprite). Like ones that won't make me feel even tighter than I already feel. And not tight as in--wow, you've been working out--but tight as in, my skin feels way too stretched in the mid-section. This makes no sense to my friends my age who have stellar bods but to the mamas who have, or well, are moms and have thus been stretched and such, you know that feeling. Uncomfortable tightness that results in you telling your handsome husband that you just wish he could carry this mass around for 24 hours to give you a break. And I'm only 23 weeks. Let's talk about how much worse this is going to get.

Or let's not.

But the point is, I pulled out these uglies from my "maternity clothes" rubbermaid storage box.

Yes, Gauchos.

You might love them. But I vowed after having Wiley never, ever to wear them again. And frankly, I'm surprised I didn't actually burn my 2 pairs.

Thankfully, or maybe not, I didn't. So, I put on my gaucho pants the other night and a large WFU t-shirt in bright gold (Screamin' Demon t-shirt to be exact), and looked like an enormous, rotund vision in black and gold.

Here's what I learned:

1. Gauchos are not flattering when your back end multiplies in size exponentially. They just aren't. Nor do they do much for short, rather stub-like legs.

2. Gauchos make me think of cowboys, but they aren't cowboy-like at all. Why do they make me think of cowboys? Or Mexico? Maybe Cowboys in the war with Mexico a long time ago? Texas history help anyone?

3. Gauchos are comfy and as long as you don't look in the mirror or wear them out of the house, they might be okay on preggo days when you just don't really care anymore. Again, a low point must be reached that calls for desperate measures.

4. If you like gauchos, I'm sorry to offend. But if you wore gauchos almost everyday for 9 months you would hate them too.

5. Hate is a strong word. Pants is also a (strong?) word that causes me to hesitate because in London/the UK, pants=underwear. So part of me thinks I'm saying gaucho underwear, and thus wants to say gaucho trousers instead. Yes, trousers.

6. I'm thinking British and now wearing gauchos. Stick a fork in me. I'm done.

Adios, Y'all, Cheers!

Sorry, Birmingham.

I'm pretty sure the rain followed us from London. I think y'all need it, but nonetheless, it rained about 3 days straight over there right before we came over here, and I'm kinda really ready to have some warm sun on my face. Or hot sun.

Not to mention, our English friend we brought home with us is not going to believe us that the weather here is better than London's if this mess keeps up. So, rain: cut it out.

Chicken

While we were in Switzerland, Wiley noticed the abundance of cows and goats. Our hosts told us that their friends (actually the Pastor of their church) had chickens. Wiley was all over that one. Surprisingly enough, Wil actually took to the chickens and helped Odette (or Ode?) put the chickens (hens, as she said) back in their area. As he explained later, 'you just have to pick it up and not be afraid of it. They will try to fly, so you have to hold them tight so they can't move their wings.' And there you have it: Farmer Wil. I'm not going to lie, we kinda want chickens someday. Hens to be exact! Who wants to be our neighbor!?!

* and clarification from previous post...wil says I made it sound like we were coming home soon. when it really isn't till early next summer (we think, and if that is His will). but what i was trying to explain is that when you factor in a baby & a couple weddings, it leaves a few less opportunities for weekend trips around europe and the like. so, take note. i am enjoying our time here and now. and no, wil, i am not counting down the days. thankyouverymuch. now, go take care of some chickens!

Cheryl Cole

Not so much about the singer, herself. But as I'm listening to "Fight for this Love" by Cheryl Cole (who is from very tip top Northern England, meaning you will hardly understand a word she says in her thick accent, but you should try just to hear it.), I realize that even this silly dance song is something that when I hear, I think of and will think of our time in London.

While we still have more time here, with a baby on the way, I can't help but feel like our life in London is winding down a bit--at least when it comes to traveling and the spontaneity that our sweet 4 year old allows. And even though I can't wait to live closer to family and friends, be able to call them on my cell phone just to chat, and have some of those home comforts again, I am admittedly in this moment feeling a little sad that this season in London feels like it is winding down, or that I can see the light at the end of the tunnel. And we still have about a year left (we think) but when you throw in a newborn that time is going to fly.

I want to share with you Cheryl Cole. I want to make you tea around 3:30 in the afternoon. I want you to come to London, and I want you to walk to school with Wiley and me. I want you to take our bus to All Souls with us on Sunday mornings when we seem to be the only ones on the streets. I want you to see how hard this move was. (In case I haven't told you about that one.) But I want you to look at my family of three, and soon to be family of four, and see how much we've grown together as a family--just our family. I want you to feel how loved and cherished I feel by Wil here. How we are all the other has here aside from our Lord, because it takes time to make new friends. And how that has pulled us even closer. I want you to see how the Lord has been with us. This entire time. From my tears on our interview trip to my heart changing towards our move in August to our actual move in October. I want you to see and know that the Lord is not just at Wake. Or Birmingham. He is in London, too.

So, while earlier this week I was in tears over the healthcare system here and the thought of how we would actually get this baby out was too overwhelming to think about, this morning, listening to Cheryl Cole, all I want to do is praise the Lord for this season. For London. Because slowly I'm beginning to cherish this time and this place--simply for how the Lord has used it to bless and grow our family.

And now back to my "Prepare for trip to USA" playlist...American Girls (Counting Crows) and Fortunate Son (CCR) are up next followed by some Brooks and Dunn, the Boss, and Garth Brooks. God Bless the USA, but thank you Lord for our season in London.

flowers on my mind

since seeing this simple, colorful arrangement get whisked together at the market in lausanne, switzerland, it has been on my mind.

it looks as though you might have just picked these as wildflowers on a walk through the swiss countryside. the casual wrapping in swiss newspaper doesn't hurt either. how beautiful would arrangements done simply with such carefree colors and composition be at a wedding--perhaps an outdoor one, with mason jars serving cold drinks? wil, should we renew our vows?

the Monument

Last week, Wiley and I headed to the City with a friend and her mom to see the Monument. After arriving at London Bridge Station and being a bit turned around, we asked the London Dungeon man with fake blood on his face for which way to go to cross London Bridge. He directed us to Tower Bridge. We didn't fall for it. So often visitors here (and I've certainly never had any of these confused friends...haha) think London Bridge (very boring bridge) is Tower Bridge (very beautiful bridge). He must have heard our accents and assumed we were confused tourists as well. We were only directionally confused semi-locals, thank you very much.

After running into Wil and Grant near Leadenhall Market, we grabbed lunch at a stand there (delicious Mediterranean meze plate) and a sandwich for the children and headed down to Monument again. Thanks to semi-often trips for a curry in the City this summer, I was able to get us to Leadenhall and back again, which is always fun. Not that it is particularly hard! :-) We annoyed the City suits trying to take in a peaceful lunch as the children chased pigeons all around the Monument.

Here it is! 313 steps to the top! I did it at almost 20 weeks--and the fact that I'm proud of this may or may not be a bit pitiful. Needless to say, the children and mamas were tired after this day of walking.

The Monument was built as well, a monument, to the Great Fire of London 1666 and the consequential rebuilding of the City. The Fire destroyed a major part of the City including damage done to St.Paul's Cathedral. The column itself is the exact distance (202 feet) between the itself and the site of the beginning of the fire on Pudding Lane. Built and designed by Christopher Wren, who also designed St. Paul's, the column was initially used by scientists to carry out experiments, but thanks to traffic, it was not stable enough to measure accurately some of those experiments. Today, for 1 GBP for a child and 3 GBP for an adult, you can climb the stairs, enjoy a great panoramic view and get a certificate at the end that says "You did it!"

Looking towards (from left): Canary Wharf (far left, tall buildings), Tower of London, Tower Bridge (not London Bridge), and Southbank area...

Looking towards Parliament (far, far left, tiny tower-like building), London Eye (big circle!)

Looking towards St. Paul's (dead center)

We waved to Wil when we looked this way! Looking at the Gherkin (pickle shaped or as Wiley says rocket-shaped building), Lloyds of London is directly in front of it with blue cranes on the top. It is an inside-out building with all of its "insides" like plumbing on the outside.

Wahoo! We did it! My friend (the mom) got a picture of the 4 of us with our certificates, hands in there, jubilant looks on our faces, V for victory signs, you name it. When I get that I'll be sure to brag, I mean show you that, one too.

All in all, I am feeling less and less inclined to do the London Eye when you discover a few other ways to get the Panorama of the skyline of London that doesn't involve hoards of people. For a cheap and quick way to see the City in particular, and Parliament from a distance, check out the Monument!