Update

Well it has been a while since I put an update on here. We have settled into Denver and are really enjoying it here. We have already seen snow twice and it is only mid October. Where did I leave off.....

Simon is now a licensed insurance agent and will hopefully start to sell insurance soon!! It was a long journey but we got there. I also did get my job with the au pair company and recently attended a training day in San Francisco, where I had a great time and am now really excited about starting the job. So needless to say we have been pretty busy. And thrown in the middle of that Eli managed to catch Swine Flu somehow, we still do not know whether or not Simon and I have had it as we all may have had a mild case. We were really lucky with Eli as he only had fever for two days and after going on Tamiflu he seemed to be doing better and is now back to his normal ole self. I am pretty sure he is going through a growth spurt as he is eating us out of house and home right now and seems to be growing out of his new clothes already.

We have not found a church yet as we have missed the last two Sundays due to illnesses and me being away training. This past Sunday we took Eli to a Pumpkin Patch and he loved it. It was really a nice and warm day. While there he also rode on a pony and a tractor ride which he loved as well.


Well Eli will be one years old next week and we are in the process of getting his presents together and deciding what cake to make for him.

Well that is all I can think of for now. Will try not to leave it so long between updates next time.

Settling in Denver!!

Well the day finally got here. We arrived in the US on September 3rd after a lovely holiday to France where we enjoyed warm weather, spending time with family and good food. We spent some time at my aunt and uncles and a little time relaxing at a friends lakehouse and then seeing some old friends in Nashville so they could meet Eli. We finally arrived in Denver last Monday. We had a great time at my Grandparents and Eli enjoyed spending time with his great grandparents. We then made the long boring car journey to Denver. I was amazed at how long we went without seeing civilization. I mean nothing, we almost ran out of gas once... but luckily a gas station appeared out of nowhere lol. I have to say to is very nice to not be living out of a suitcase anymore. I think a month is my limit, it was driving me mad. We got here late Monday afternoon and Simon went out and bought Eli's new bed and dresser. We never bought him one in England because we did not want to have to ship it, so he has always slept in a pack and play with a real mattress made to fit it. So needless to say it was an adjustment for him and has taken nearly a week for him to adjust to it. The moving truck got here midday on Tuesday and we get unpacking straight away, I cannot stand living out of boxes. We are pretty much all unpacked just a few boxes in the guest bedroom and Simon has to paint the guest bedroom furniture. We are slightly disappointed to hear that our shipment from England has not even left yet so who knows when it will be here so we have had to buy a few extra things to tide us over. We love our new apartment, we have the most amazing view (pictures to come soon). When we arrived we had a really cold spell but that only lasted a few days and it has been a little bit warmer the past two days.

The job hunt has not been very successful so far, I did not get the job that I applied for to work from home. Simon has applied for about 15 jobs and finally got a lead and is at a job event tonight for Apple. So hopefully something will come up soon.

We went to a new church today and well it was different. Eli did not like the nursery I got paged again to come and get him as he was not settling. I sat there today missing all that we have left behind. I did not think that I would miss Bristol but I miss the comfortableness of it and I miss our friends. I am worried about making friends. Eli and I are headed to a playgroup this week and All three of us are headed to someones house for dinner on Friday. I pray that God will show us if the church we went to today is the right one for us or not. I also pray that we will find good friends.


So please pray for these things...

That Simon will find a job soon
that we will find a church
that we will make friends
that we will find the right urologist for Eli

I will post pictures soon!!

Packing has begun!!!

Well we have officially begun packing, and what a massive task it is. When going through stuff we have to think will we want that in the next three months, as that is how long our shipment could take. Luckily all the rest of the packing is going to be done by the movers so all we have to worry about is our suitcase. It doesnt seem real that in less than three weeks our possessions will be packed up and shipped to America and in one month we will be preparing to leave. After three years here I think I am ready to move back to the states, land of chick fil a , old navy and target ahhhh i cant wait.

We have signed a lease on an apartment in Denver, the one we wanted as well which is a huge answer to prayer. We are now looking at jobs and what is available in the Denver area, please pray that we are able to find jobs that suit what we are looking for. I will get the results for my degree soon, so please pray that I passed. Please also pray that Eli deals with this transition well and that it is not too stressful for him as well as us.

Eli is now on the move and is getting better at his crawling every day. I do not think he will walk any time soon as he has suddenly become uninterested in walking.

Well i must get some things done around the house, it is a mess because we have started packing, cant wait for it all to be over.

It has been a while

Well it has been a while since I lasted posted on here, so I have no clue where to start. I am finally free as I finished my course about a week ago and am now just waiting on results. Hopefully I will have passed. It is so nice now not to have to worry about studying or reading. I am finally enjoying reading again after three years of studying. I think that is about all for me.

As for Eli, well he is growing so fast. He has two bottom teeth coming in really good, just waiting on the top ones to come through. He is doing so well biting and chewing things now. Everything seems to go in his mouth, we caught him eating paper the other day. He is not crawling yet, he gets really frustrated by it and just cant be bothered to try. However he does love to walk holding our hands so he may very well walk without crawling. We took him camping for the first time Monday night and well it was an adventure. He did really well didnt take to long to go to bed but at 1230 am he woke up and was wide awake. He was on an air bed with me and refused to go back to sleep, two hours later on the verge of saying lets go home as we were only an hour away from home I suggested we get his carseat and see how he does in that. Well he went straight to sleep and woke up about 645 am. So we are going to by him a camping cot for next weekend hopefully he will do better in that.

It was Simon's first fathers day this past weekend, so Eli and I made him some sugar cookies shaped saying Number 1 (cant find number symbol) DAD. We also made him a roast dinner on Sunday and he got the camping pots he wanted and Eli sponsored a penguin at our zoo, as this is his favorite animal. We now have to think about what to get him for his birthday coming up soon.

We finally got a case number for Simon's visa and immediately sent back all the papers for the next stage so now we are just waiting on a case number. We have decided on a moving company and I will be booking with them next week. We will send the sea shipment on August 20th but have no clue when we will see it next as it will be part of a group container we have to wait for the container to be filled. So when packing I have to think that we are really packing for three months, which means including winter clothes. Ahhh so much to think about. I have also started to look at insurance but have not found anything yet.

I think that is all for now.

Finally teeth

Well the day finally came when Eli cut a tooth, on his seven month birthday a tooth broke through YAY!!! Then two days later the second one came through, so he is now a little boy with two teeth popping through the service. Last time I wrote Eli had a yucky tummy bug, well it only got worse as Simon and I both came down with it on the same day, it was difficult to look after Eli when we were both feeling so yucky. But we were all better in a day so it was yucky and fast.

Eli has been doing really well with his BCG shot and it seems to be doing well and healing. We went back to swimming lessons this week for the first time in three weeks and boy did he love it. He was laughing in the pool and lots of splashing. When we got out and were getting dressed he threw a BIG temper tantrum as I had to set him down to get dressed. Man does this little boy have a temper, the other day he kicked, arched his back and screamed until he got his sippy cup back. He is a little monkey.

We went to see his peaditrician at the hospital today and said Eli will just need to be monitored, one kidney had improved but the other had gotten a little worse but time will tell.

I am currently trying to cram for my exam, it is a bit difficult with a little monkey around but I think I am getting there, I just cant wait for June 16th to come and go. I just hope I can pass it, it seems like it will be really difficult. Well I should be off to study.

First bout of sickness!!

Well we have had our first bout of sickness. We are still unsure why Eli has been sick because it has been so intermitten. But we were awoken at 5 am to a baby who had been sick all over his bed. We had to give him a bath and put him in bed with us. We called the out of hours doctor and they said to water down his milk so we did and he did fine with that so I continued the day and tried to get him to eat lunch but I had fixed potatoes which he really doesnt like so instead he had a yoghurt. For dinner, we cooked pasta and cheese for him and he didnt want to eat it but he eventually ate it all and then a yoghurt. Boy was that a mistake!!! It all came back when he was having his bottle. It was so strange that he had been fine all, day had kept everything down and then all the sudden an explosion occurred. Well the doctor said he should be fine but to get a urine sample to send off just in case because of his dilated kidneys an infection can be very harmful to him. So we put him to bed, thinking he would wake in the middle of the night because he hadnt eaten much. So we went to bed as well as I was exhausted, having had to finish a paper on the day my baby decided to be ill. But good news is that it was my last paper to write!!!!! Now just the exam to pass, so please pray I get some revision done and can pass it. To our surprise, Eli woke us up at 8am this morning, poor baby was soo tired. Since he had been fine all day we continued today with normal food and so far, fingers crossed we have been alright so we dont know what is going on. We stayed home from swimming lessons to be on the safe side. The funny thing was that after he was sick last night he just smiled away laughing at us. So he has not acted like a sick baby at all, it has been very strange. So we shall see if this just passes. We go for an ultrasound tomorrow to have a look at his kidneys, hopeful everything will have gotten better again.

No teeth yet, we keep checking every morning but nothing. I hope that it wont be too much longer.

I have just put my baby to bed without dinner as he refuses to eat and I do not want a repeat of last night so we shall see how this goes, he is just moaning so I just put him in bed.

Six months Old

Well Eli is now six months old (as of last Thursday). He is now a big boy haha or he thinks. He has tasted chicken and roast dinner. He is going to eat pasta bake and cottage pie this week. He is doing so well and is eating food with lumps in it. We tried to give him a rice cake today but he was in a funny mood and had his mouth firmly clenched shut. I think he is teething because he was not really in the mood to eat today and has not been sleeping well at all in the night. Last night was a horrible night again, he woke up several times and then cried from 2-330 am until we gave in and put him in bed with us in which case he went straight to sleep, what a cheeky little monkey. So tonight we are going to be strong and not going to give in, the health visitor said we should not get him out of bed. So we shall see how that goes. We really hope those teeth come through soon. Eli has also started to babble loads recently, a real chatter.

On Friday we are heading to spend the weekend at a friends and then to the Lakes District for the following week with some friends. It will be a much needed holiday.

As for Simon's visa, we got a letter from the Embassy this week requesting more information but we are waiting to hear exactly what they want then we have to send it back and they will look at it again so we are unsure at this point when we will be leaving. We may have to stay in the Uk a little longer and apply for my UK visa. So please pray that it will be a smooth and timely process.

We had a lovely visit from my cousin Jenni this past week, it was great to have her here to visit and spend time with us. More pictures to come soon.

Finally he can roll over!!!

Today is the day Eli decided to stop be lazy haha. He started to roll over on his own!!!! He had been so close all he needed was one little push and he was there. So today we worked a little harder and he got there. I will post the video later, as I managed to capture his first roll over!!!!

Today we had swimming lessons after three weeks off. He got so excited when we got in the pool but the excitement soon wore off as the pool was a little too hot this week he got tired of it. I dont blame him it was hotter than it should have been. But all in all he still enjoyed it, no crying after going under or anything probably just tired as well.

I cant believe he will be six months old this time next week. Where has the time gone. I cant wait to see what he is like with all the new foods he will be trying soon.

We are also headed up to the Lake District with some friends soon so that will be so nice. It will be nice to get away and spend some time together.

Also, Aunt Jenni is coming to visit!!!! We are so excited as it has been January since we have seen her!!!! I know she will be amazed at how much he has changed.

I started to look at moving companies today and got a pretty good quote!!! I cant wait for everything to get moving. Please keep the visa process in your prayers as we are still waiting to hear back from the Embassy.

I am just watching Eli roll over again and again, he seems so pleased with himself when he does it. He grins from ear to ear. It is also funny to watch him on his tummy, the determination to crawl is there, so i dont think it will be long!!!

Well must get some things done around the house and put Eli down for a nap, he should be tired after swimming lessons. We are going to try to go to the park today as it is a beautiful day!!!

Happy Easter!!!

We have had beautiful day yesterday and today so Eli and I have made the most of getting out and about. We went to the park yesterday and saw some friends there and had a nice time, although being beautiful weather and a Saturday the park was packed but we managed to get some time on the swings, which he loves. 

Today we went to church this morning and then went to have a picnic with some friends. We had a great time just sitting in the nice weather and chatting. Hopefully the nice warm weather is here to stay. 

Eli is going to have some pictures taken tomorrow as we have a free coupon (dont want to let those freebies go haha). I have bought him a nice cute new outfit on sale. But when we got home today Simon has taken some really nice photos of him (posted below). 

Eli has not been sleeping very well lately, we are not quite sure of the reasons but believe it is a mix of hay fever (allergies), teething and relying too much on a pacifer. So to remedy this situation we have decided he will not have a pacifer when he sleeps now. Last night was the first night, he cried a little to go to sleep but eventually went to sleep and he woke a few times but went back to bed on his own so we shall see how he does tonight. We are hoping those teeth will pop through soon, we can only hope haha. 

He is now on most fruit and vegs and seems to be enjoying them but did have a few days of not eating well but we think he must not have been feeling that well. The doctors wont give him anything for his hayfever so the poor little boy has to suffer in silence. He looks so sad with the red puffy eyes and a runny nose. 

We also have been living the last week and half without any hot water to wash up (shower is electric so not a problem) and heating because our boiler died last Sunday and we are currently waiting for a new one to be fitted on Tuesday. It is amazing how after not having it you just get on with boiling the kettle to wash up. 

Granny and Grandpa are coming to visit this week and we hope the weather will be nice enough to take them to the zoo and Bath for a day. I know they will be amazed at how much he has grown recently, he has changed so much in the last month. He is growing way too fast haha. 

well I am off to bed as Eli is gone to bed and I am exhausted from getting up with him last night. 

Sitting up all on his own

Eli is now sitting up all by himself for about 10 good minutes. He is also becoming more used to laying on his front and waves his arms and legs about then becomes very frustrated as he is not going any where. It is quite a funny site to watch, I dont think it will be much longer before he is on the move, which worries me as I look at our flat and look at everything he can get into haha. It is time to start looking into making this house Eli safe. 

Eli is also now sitting in a high chair like a big boy and he seems to really enjoy it. He is able to sit with us while we have dinner. 

There is still no sign of teeth yet but i dont think it will be too much longer. I think it will be relief when the tooth finally cuts through. 

His personality is really starting to develop. I think he is going to be one little monkey. He has become very loud and jabbers alot of the time as well as moaning and screaming just for fun. 

At swimming lessons last week Eli swam all by himself from the instructor to me (about a foot). He is really enjoying swimming as this week he started to splash in the pool and gets so excited when we get in. We are on break from swimming and Wiggles and Giggles until after the Easter holidays, we are going to miss those classes as he enjoys getting out and about.

Better clean the house while the little monkey sleeps. 

Though you guys might enjoy these, then you can see first hand what a monkey he is. 

19lbs and counting!!!

Well Eli now weighs 19lbs, I know what a chunker. I am not going to be able to carry him in his carseat now because he is sooo heavy. He is also 69.5 cm long (not sure what that is in inches). We met his new health visitor on Monday and she was so nice. She answered all the questions we had and said not to worry about Eli drinking his milk as he loves his solids and in a month that will be what is most important. He has now eaten potatoes, sweet potatoes, carrots, butternut squash and apples. We tried avocado last night but he was full so he just wasnt interested in it but he seems in different to what he eats, his facial expression never changes, which I guess is good. We recently bought him a new high chair and he loves it he is able to sit at the table with us. Our friends also lent us a new toy for him to jump in which he loves (i will put new pics on soon).

Here in England, it was mothering Sunday this past week and it was a beautiful day. I was able to sleep until 8am (Eli has been getting up at 630 am most mornings) and had waffles brought to me in bed. Eli got me a nice new stroller for mothers day, one that should be easier to maneuver around town. We have only taken it out once as the weather has not been great and we only got the rain cover today.

We went to swimming lessons yesterday and each week I am amazed at how much he loves it. This week he got so excited when we got in the pool. We are going to try and go swimming on Sunday with Daddy as he doesnt get to see how well Eli is in the water as he is at work.

Eli is napping so I should try to get some things done.

Well Eli is growing so fast I can hardly believe it. We went to swimming lessons yesterday, he seems to really enjoy them. This week was a little different as we actually let go of them underwater, he was such a good sport. I hope he continues to love the water.

Eli has also now eaten carrots, potatoes and butternut squash. He is still not too interested in drinking milk so I think we are going to do three solid meals a day and get milk in him when we can. We are going to have the new health visitor around on Monday to meet us.

We went to the zoo this past Sunday as it was one of the rare Sundays Simon has off work. I think Eli enjoyed although I am not sure if he really knew what was going on. We have bought an annual membership so hopefully we can go more often when the weather gets really nice (haha we shall see if that happens here). The weather has been relatively nice here I just wish we had a garden to enjoy it but we do go out on a walk just about everyday which he really enjoys.

Well he is asleep so i might try to get some things done.

Finally all settled!!!

Well we are finally all settled in our new house and it is such a relief. The internet is also all back on, nearly too late as my paper was due today but I managed to get it done without the internet, now we just have to see if it is okay. 

Update: Eli is nearly 19 weeks old, where does the time go???  He is growing so fast. I will put some pictures on here soon when I figure out how to do it. Eli has started to teeth, he is not too interested in having his milk so we are going to give him some potatoes tomorrow.... we will see how he likes that. We had him weighed today as he has not been eating much I was worried about him, he gained just over one ounce in the past 9 days, not really good although he still is a big boy so they will not get worried unless he continues to gain that little. We are hoping he will like eating big boy food. Eli started baby swimming lessons last week and he just loved it. He went under and everything, was slightly shocked when he came out of the water, but not a single tear, what a big boy. 

Well I better tidy the house a little before Eli wakes up and we head out shopping. 

Moving

Well we are nearly all packed and ready to move to our new house. I know I will feel much better when it is all said and done, which will be next Tuesday. I am also looking forward to a nice holiday in France. I am super excited that the doctor has cleared me to go skiing. I am only going to go half a day and only green slopes as I need to take it slowly. Eli is coming to the mountains with us but will be looked after by granny and grandpa. Eli has begun to eat a little rice cereal at night before he goes to bed and he seems to really enjoy it.  I am also starting to wean him to a bottle as me feeding him is not working, he is just a super hungry boy. I also took him to see his health visitor yesterday as I was worried about him last week when he was just crying and really grumpy. We agreed that he is teething, and he is not liking it. He is chewing on his fist constantly. He is also doing better at night and mostly sleeping through, only waking up once. I only hope that the move will not upset his routine. I do know that when we move he will be happier as I currently dont have time to play much with him and there is not much room to play with boxes everywhere. Also when we get back from France we will begin baby swimming lessons, i am very excited about this and hope that he enjoys it. Well i should make the most of Eli sleeping and get some stuff done. 

I thought I would start a blog for those who might want to see what we have been up to. I have not been very good at update emails so maybe this will be better.

Eli is now 15 weeks old, we can hardly believe how fast he is growing. I was looking back at pictures when he was a newborn and I couldnt believe how big he has gotten. He now weighs 16lbs 7oz, he is in the 93rd% for height, weight and head circumference.

Last night he went in his doorway bouncer for the first time. He wasnt too sure of it at first but after a little while he got the hang of it and seemed to enjoy it. Last night he had one of the biggest temper tantrums so far, he just screamed and screamed at us. We changed his diaper, tried to feed him and burped him and he wasnt having any of it. He finally calmed down and then began to laugh at me, what a cheeky little boy. I have decided he is a little spoiled rotten as he needs to be constantly entertained. I am trying to get him to play on his own sometimes but he likes me there talking to him and playing with him which is hard when you are trying to pack up the house to move. 

Well I should go as he has just woken up from his nap and I still have lots of packing to do!!