Exciting Arrivals!

I was super excited to receive two important deliveries today.  One is Sebastian Henry's first passport, I am so happy that at three weeks old he is already on course to be quite the world traveller.  We are working hard to ensure that he has several different passports that will hopefully open loads of door to him. I have struggled my whole life to feel a true identity with a place (or people to accept the identity that i have chosen), I am hoping that we teach Sebastian to embrace being part of many cultures and how beautiful and special that is.

 Look at how cute his picture is!

The second thing he has little choice with.  He has to be a Liverpool fan really, we cannot accept any other teams.   Just wish he had the chance to watch just one game with his Grandpa Henry...

The Let Down (not Sebastian!)

I am so over the moon to have Sebastian, I never thought it would happen and I feel extremely happy it did.  That is the truth.  But that does not mean it is easy.  Over the last couple years with the ectopic pregnancy, the struggles of getting pregnant, being pregnant, the birth process and now being a new Mum, I realise how much about having babies is not discussed and how many women suffer. There is little discussion and preparation of many of these things.  The hormones are all over the place, the recovery from the birth is long, the extreme exhaustion and I could write loads about the pressure and extreme difficulty of breast feeding .  Never mind the judgement you feel all the time about being a bad Mum, whether there is any or not.  Therefore, I was thrilled to see the first episode of The Let Down, recommended to me by my sister.  It is fantastic and really seems to cover having babies a thousand times more realistically than Hollywood.  I hope these shows keep coming and the joys but also pains of babies is more openly discussed.

Again, I am over the moon to have this little gem.  I know how lucky we are to have him and i love him more and more every day (which seems impossible).  Just think it is so important to discuss the whole process openly without it seeming like something mummies have to keep to themselves.

Daily Routine #2

After reading yesterday's blog yesterday Luis pointed out we have actually fell into two routines and interchange them without even realising.  Yesterday Luis was in charge of recording Daily Routine #2.

Sometimes days we walk along the road to town and others through a path that takes us by this church.

 We then head to the river to look at the ducks.

 We then find somewhere for lunch (the other day we usually buy it at supermarket).

Always stopping for a coffee, for someone that does not do hot drinks I have definitely had a lot here.

And then we go home for the evening and hope for the best.  Last night was a good one!

Daily Routine

I have now been in the UK for seven weeks, Luis for 5 weeks and Sebastian for two.   We have pretty much perfected a daily routine, not a cheap one being Marlow but one nonetheless.  We start the day anywhere from 8am-11am, depending on Sebastian's night, have some breakfast and head into town.

 Sebastian having his breakfast

 We start with watching some boats at the Lock.

 Next we hit the high street and look at a few shops.  Today Lola was our focus and we got her some presents for our return.

 Then it is usually time for a break at our favourite Italian coffee shop.  

Our last stop in our loop is to the grocery stores, usually marks and Spencer where we chose our lazy meals for the next day or so.

We come home to a very tired Sebastian, here he is crashed out after a tough day.

Be Kind and Family

There are many things I want for Sebastian Henry and there are many things I would like him to be.  But by far the most important thing to me is that he is Kind.  I hope that he will grow to be a man that shows kindness to the people, animals and world around him, all other qualities would be a bonus.   Therefore, I was thrilled about this book we found yesterday, and so happy it will be his first book from me.  I highly recommend it to all, children or adults.  It is fantastic.

Really beautiful and a great gift for any right wing friends one may have with children (just to let you know they may not like the book).

 I have been so lucky to have been able to spend so much time here with my Hopkin family and to have Nicola and Freda here for ten days.

 Nicola, Freda and baby Sebastian

Today Nicholas came again to meet Sebastian Henry, we had a another great day with him.  He is really one of the most switched on young adults I know.

My favourtie picture yet, Sebastian chilling out after a long night of screaming.  Poor fella has had a few long nights as we figure out this whole thing!

Phuket in Marlow and More Pictures

I find it so weird when I see people from one part of my life in another part of my life, weird but also nice.  It is just great that Jacqui's mum only lives ten minutes from Marlow and that we were able to see her, Brian and Quinlan here.  

 Great to see them and again they spoilt us rotten with lovely gifts for Sebastian and Champagne for me!

 Luis baby sitting so me and Nicola could go for lunch.  So cute!

 We then did hand and foot prints for Freda and Sebastian, Sebastian did not love this!

 Super cute outfits from the Fisk family

Sebastian this morning chilling out after an entire night of screaming!

Celebration Dinner

I have now hit a wall so this will be a blog of few words (if you saw my sleep tracker you would see why!).

 All the kiddies together.  Poppy, Izzy, Sebastian and Freda

Sebastian with bunny, sent from Amy in Canada. So lovely

 One week old Sebastian with froggie from Auntie Nicola :)

 Well just because

 Sebastian celebration thank you dinner!  We can never thank the Hopkins enough, but we will forever try!

 Super duper lucky to have this lovely lady for the night.  Love Shelagh to bits and was so happy to see her!

 Following a very wise women's advice, how to drink and baby.   Thanks Auntie Jillian!

I love this! Nicola and Luis with the kiddies.