Family Hour

Amazingly we are pretty busy, even with both of us working less than last year (me much less).  Luis has been busy creating the most perfect Spanish centre for his lessons (I have to do a separate blog on this) and I have picked up a couple tutoring sessions.  Of course looking after Sebastian is pretty full on too and well the days just seem to fly by.  So we have decided to try and take an hour a day to do something nice, as it is unlikely we will have a long length of time off again.

 As part of my routine, I would like to come back to my running lake every day to walk, as it is so beautiful (this has been challenging though!).  But I did manage yesterday morning before our family hour coffee date.

We went to the marina  for a coffee.  It was such a beautiful day and such a nice thing to do.  Lola did come too but it was boiling hot and she was hiding under the table with her bowl of water and I did not get her in a photo.

Proud Parents

Everyday we are proud parents but yesterday was just one of those extra special days.  We had heard about this inflatable tube that goes around babies necks to help them learn to swim a few weeks ago and had completely forgotten about it until we saw one in a shop the other day.  It was very inexpensive and although I had little faith it would work, we thought why not just try.  And did it ever work!  He loved it, we could not have been more pleased or proud.  It took all my energy not to post videos all over social media beaming about our Sebastian.

 He really just loved it.  It was properly amazing and I cannot wait to bring him again.  

Our time came to a fast end when the rains just came out of no where like proper rainy season weather.  What a great day!

Vegan BBQ

Well now that we have this BBQ we have to make use of it.  Therefore, the theme for the kick off of Vegan club this school year was BBQ.  Again, lighting the thing was not easy and not sure how many more we are going to manage before donating it some coal BBQ master.  But hey ho it got the job done and this time we did not serve frozen or burnt burgers so we have improved.  Everyone also brought some delicious food and a lot of over eating was done.  

 I was super proud of these, mainly as they looked so pretty

 Sebastian had his best nights sleep to date, he did not want to miss anything last night and when he went to bed was pretty tired.  

 All the food.

 Games 

I forgot to put this on him at dinner!

We did it!  A long day trying to get everything ready and entertaining Sebastian but it all came together.  Behind us is stacks and stacks of mess, but worth it.

Ladies NIght

Just before Sebastian's two month birthday and I made it out for a ladies night!  Only me and one other lady, but one of the best so we were always going to have a grand time.  I would lie if I said I wasn't a little wobbly leaving the house but I also knew the boys and Lola would be more than fine without me.  

 Lovely Emma took me out for dinner and even gave me a gift, that was just for me and not for Sebastian!  I love the book of quotes, I have already found some great ones and sure they will appear on here soon.

She is a real gem and we had a great evening.  I also came to a happy and sleepy home which was great.  

Mat Leave

Okay, I am finally getting into this Maternity leave.  You would think taking loads of time off work would be easy... But I have struggled with the lack of routine and getting nothing done everyday (well apart from looking after a baby!).  I have worked out that I have actually worked pretty solidly since the age of 12 when I took my first baby sitting job.  Even at University, both under graduate and masters, I had a job.  So although the prospect of not working for ten months was exciting, the reality has been difficult.  But I am on it now!  Lots of things planned, mainly looking after Sebastian but also some volunteering and taking up some things I had wanted to do in my 40th year (more to follow).  But even on those days where I have nothing planned  I think I will be okay...

 Our new hang out, it is like we rent it all too ourselves, no  one here during the week.

 So we just find some comfy chairs and chill out.

There is loads of veggie healthy food too, and with our members discount super good value.  So again, as much as I wanted to hate this place, I am now continually eating my words (this may change when they bring coach loads of tourists in, but for now we love it!).

Amanda the Mum

This weekend was full of ups and downs.  I just had no idea how huge the emotional journey is having a baby and all the feelings that come with that.  There were some I definitely expected.  I knew I would miss my parents, as I just cannot believe he will never know them.   I knew I was bound to feel a bit tearful here and there and that I would feel lonely with our families not being here.  What I did not expect is just how life altering a baby is and that I would struggle with my own identity.  I do not know what I thought, that a baby would just appear and life would carry on just as I knew it???  I am not complaining as I am so very thankful, but it is an adjustment as i learn to somehow be a mother and Amanda at the same time.

 My first big shock was giving up wine not only for the pregnancy, but also after.  iI seems my wine bottles have now been replaced with these ones.  This may seem trivial to most people (as it probably should) but I guarantee if you ask most people who have known me for years, a wine glass in one hand is how they would describe me.

 Exercise and sports has always been a huge part of my life.  I had all these grand ideas about running races, playing tennis, and Muay Thai after the pregnancy.   But really my exercise regime now entails carrying and dancing with this bundle of joy.

 And the biggest adjustment of all is somehow going from being the social butterfly I am, to Saturday nights with baby toys and feedings.

I had a weekend of tears and then happiness and then tears again.  And I am sure that this is not the end to the emotional roller coaster, but I think I am more prepared now.  And also I am not scared of the changes anymore, as I look at the picture above (I love it so much on blog twice), I am one lucky lady to have such a great family.

Sunshine and Swimming

It has been such a beautiful week, the sun has been shining and there is very little indication that this is the height of the rainy season (which is probably nothing to be celebrated).   However, we did take full advantage of the out of season weather spending two days with Jodi, Dylan and family in the sunshine.

 Sebastian all set for his first swim on Wednesday.

 Clearly he was a natural, it was a proud parent moment.

 Blue Tree is a new place that has opened one minute down the road.  I was dead set against it when they were building it and now have done a 180 and love the place.  I have learnt many things over the last 7 weeks, one of the most important things is I should have never said the words 'I will never...'.

 My little family.

 And last night we went to spend Jodi's last night with her and family at their hotel.  This was my idea to keep all mosquitoes from Sebastian.  I think it was pretty brilliant really.

 Another swim day.

Love these people.  What a lovely time we had and we cannot wait to see them again soon in Singapore.