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I can’t resist seeing Jack and so I returned to London for a week.  The weatherman promised rain everyday and he delivered!  However it was a cooling rain and no matter what, I was glad to miss the HOT temperatures in Virginia.

Now to update you on Jack….Here are some of my observations:

1. I have noticed that Jack can be surrounded by toys, stuffed animals, balls, blocks, stacking toys etc. and he will concentrate his interest on the smallest little edge, or ribbon or piece of elastic and sometimes even his Dad’s nose. I think he is going to be a research scientist…or ENT physician.

2. Jack loves his toes.  They are always busy.  Rumor has it that he is trying to “cross his toes” just like his dad.  So, he may be a podiatrist.

*These last ones are John’s toes

3. Jack has a well developed palate…He has decided that some items just taste BAD (peas! And I agree ) and he won’t abide them…He may be a chef.

4. Jack loves to read.  We all read to him and he seems to be taking a fancy to Brown Bear, Brown Bear….He may be an author. (He promised to not make the story so repetitive.)

5. Jack seems to be a sort of a night owl and he may be preparing himself to work internationally maybe in another time zone… Investment banker?

*This is Jack in his new sleeping quarters (my bathroom).  He is wearing his sleep costume from New Zealand…called the “ghost”. It is a big sleep sack with no arms or feet.  He is happy in it.  Why is he in the bathroom, you ask?  There is construction going on in the apartment next door.  Each day begins with jack hammers and my bathroom is the quietest place…

6. Jack loves to be serenaded, danced with, held, played with, and loved.

What more could a small boy want?

Love, Sussy

My recent visit to London started (fittingly) with a little drama… Missed connecting flight and lost bag due to a host of mechanical, air traffic control, and Delta Airlines calamities. Luckily, Caroline was able to quickly supply me with all I’d need for my 4-day stay: a pair of Nike yoga pants, a small collection of UVA t-shirts, and a Patagonia fleece. I was all set.

It was so great to finally get to see Caroline and John’s new flat and spend some quality playtime with baby Jack!

Jack has recently started eating from a short list of solid foods, so I was excited to be present for a few of Jack’s firsts. Turns out he’s a big fan of butternut squash.

Not so much a fan of parsnips. The jury is still out on whether it’s the consistency (add water?) or the flavor that’s the real problem. To Jack’s most certain dismay, Caroline plans to freeze a few days worth of leftovers to find out…

But if only parsnips were the worst of it…construction next door is proving to be more than a minor inconvenience. After the first of a few unsettling conversations with the owner, we attempted to remedy the situation with homemade pizza* and fab desserts for dinner.

*Took 3 people and 3 attempts to strategically place this monster on the pizza brick in the oven.

My last day in town was a big one. Jack wore frogs for me and charmed the ladies at the physiotherapy clinic as well with his bright smile and adorable giggles as they tickled his feet.

We also took Jack’s 6 month photo! Is there a cuter baby? I think not.

After repeat days in comfy clothes, Caroline and I decided it was time to put on jeans and step out for dinner at one of their favorite Indian restaurants before my flight home.

I am so sad to leave, but it’s been a great visit and can’t wait to have Caroline, John, and Jack back in Richmond this spring!

Lots of love,
Meredith

Unfortunately, I don’t think it is going to be as fun as this night….takeout Indian and watching Jack on the monitor is fun right?!?!

IIII (The English way of saying IV), V, and VI

Keep calm and carry on was the motto of our trip across the pond. Jack had a very eventful 2 weeks filled with many first time experiences:

*Jack’s first cookout in their backyard English Garden

**Of course Helena had to give it a good scrub before it was suitable for Master Jack

**At the Farmer’s Market picking up nibbles and bits for the upcoming picnic in Kensington Gardens/Palace

**Jack sitting up for the first time by himself

**Jack’s first adventure on the tube and Grump Grumps last

**Jack’s first feeding at the gates of Buckingham Palace

**Jack’s first taste of banana at the Lindeth House. Note the spoon was the size of Jack’s head

**Despite my insistence on giving Jack organic brown rice imported from the US, Caroline insisted on avocado…think guacamole

**I finally convinced her to give organic brown rice…Jack loved it especially with his silver spoon and porcelain Peter Rabbit bowl and tea cup…only the best for Master Jack

**Jack’s first stay at an English B&B, The Moss Lodge

**Jack sharing his first pint with Daddy…I told John not to do that

**Jack’s first swim with Daddy

**Jack trying out his new high chair (of course Caroline found the most expensive one in London). A birthday gift for John from us and Nanny…not sure how excited John is about this

Other highlights include:

**A castle in Wales….if you have seen one you have seen them all

**Abbey Road…I know I am walking the wrong way of the album cover… no need to email me

**The London essentials

**We frequented many pubs across the United Kingdom

** And ate many full english breakfasts

And on a very sad note…On the 2nd of June 2012 the cupcake place closed…Caroline is still in mourning

England and the countryside were lovely but alas our visit has come to an end and it is time to go home to the good old USA and my Yukon Denali.

Love, Grump Grump and Helena

LAKE DISTRICT IN A PICTURE:

GRUMP GRUMP’S FAVORITE PART OF THE TRIP: Napping!

**People started throwing spare change at him thinking he was a homeless person

And being banished to the library to eat dinner with the children;)

*Jack is on the floor

HELENA’S FAVORITE PART OF THE TRIP: One of our many hikes….story audit….we only did one very short walk;) Grump Grump thought he pulled a hamstring…

JOHN’S FAVORITE PART OF THE TRIP: Changing Jack in a parking lot after a blow out!

*Notice Johnny was nowhere in sight…he was running and gagging…true story

CAROLINE’S FAVORITE PART OF THE TRIP: Spending time with family of course:)

JACK’S FAVORITE PART OF THE TRIP: Conversing with the ladies

Swimming with Daddy

Learning about Beatrix Potter’s Peter Rabbit

*Grump Grump wants this clarified that this is Mr. McGregor and not him

Getting dressed up for the Diamond Jubilee

And meeting the Queen with Mum:)

We had an amazing trip–thanks Johnny and Helena for many wonderful memories (and a few we would like to forget like Jack crying for the last hour of the car trip). Up next Johnny and Helena’s blog….

John and Caroline encouraged us to come over for a visit with our 16 month old.  Careful what you wish for…

It was the first time to visit London for all of us, and the first international travel for Charlie.  We had a smooth trip across the pond on an overnight flight.

A long night and day, but getting close to the Jobe house.

The first order of business was a quick pint at a traditional British pub, which oddly enough also offered delicious Thai food “take away” (carry out).

It was GREAT to spend some more time with Jack.  He and Charlie became fast friends.  Jack learned how to tickle this week.

We saw lots of London sites and tourist attractions.  Getting around town was easy, but we quickly learned that in and out of the Tube and all over the city, there are no ramps.

Jack also met his first (big) dog this week.  Our good friends Lanier and Brian Pietras live over in London while Brian attends the London Business School.  We’ve known each of them since our Freshman years at the University of Richmond.  Like the Jobes, they are old and dear friends (who happened to marry each other), so there were lots of familiar faces on our trip.  Jack met Josephine St. Claire, their red-boned coon hound, when they hosted us all for dinner.  Baying at the end of a tight leash is how we’ve come to know and love Josephine.  We later enjoyed a walk with the Pietras’s through Kensington Gardens on our only sunny day in London.

On more than one occasion Charlie has been accused of a striking resemblance to Winston Churchill, so a visit to the Churchill Museum and War Rooms was a must.

 

We had a later bout with one of the pelicans that inhabit St. James park.  They stand 4 feet tall and have been known to swallow pigeons whole (you read that correctly).  They like pigeons and Charlie’s Cherrios.  His Dad, using a backpack shield and attempted kick to the head, was able to occupy the great bird long enough for Katherine and Charlie to make a quick get away.

The day’s excitement was far from over.  Quite by accident, we stumbled upon the Queen on her way to open Parliament with her annual Queen’s Speech.  It was an impressive parade of top military brass and royals.  We struck up a long conversation with a lovely British couple who acted as our personal guide to the parade.  They could not have been nicer and they have a good story themselves.  Their son is Marcus Mumford of the Mumford & Sons band so, thanks for a great time, Mum and Pop Mumford!

We repacked and hopped a train out to Bath, England where we had rented a house for a weekend getaway in the English countryside.  The Jolly Jobes at the famous Royal Crescent in Bath.

Jen, Jay, and young Michael Aldridge joined us for the Bath weekend all the way from Wiesbaden, Germany where they have lived for two years.  Jen and Jay are also old and dear friends from the University of Richmond who happened to marry each other and who also now have a son and life long buddy for Charlie.  This rampless museum of the ancient Roman baths from which Bath gets its name offered baby backpacks.

Seeing, hearing, and speaking no evil while dining out in Bath.

We got Jack a Paddington Bear to commemorate his first time on a train, which left from Paddington Station where the famous lost bear story takes place.

Jack can’t believe these people are back in his flat!

But, now we are off to Paris!  Many thanks, John, Caroline, and Jack for such hospitality.  We felt right at home!

…and, as we left, Jack and Charlie were sporting matching coats and matching runny noses.

 

 

Can you believe it has been a year?!?!?! We sure can’t! I looked back at my first post and surprisingly it still resonates. There are times when we still feel like this:

Mostly when it comes to parenting:)

But we are trying to keep with the motto:

Charles and Katherine Hutchens come on Friday with their little boy Charlie and we can’t wait…2 babies in this flat is going to be interesting: ) Wish us luck and keep an eye out for their blog!

Wow…I have been in Virginia for 16 days and it has been unbelievable!  You can’t imagine the things and the people that I have seen.

 

It all started when Mommy

 

 and Daddy

 buckled me into a car seat and put me in a tube filled with lots of other people for 9 hours!!

It was only later that I learned it was called an airplane.

The car seat was not comfortable and I was unable to sleep BUT I heard my Mommy say “you are being so good” as we left the plane.  At the curb I saw that white haired women who keeps smiling and talking. They called her “Sussy”

Sussy drove a huge truck and after installing that dreaded car seat, we were off to my Mommy’s house.  It was sunny, I was happy, Mommy was happy and Daddy even got to drive the truck…We drove and drove…and drove! It was Easter weekend and everyone was going home to be with their families, just like us. I cried and cried…I was tired of that seat, Mommy was tired of my crying…we stopped and I had a snack and Mommy had some Combos…We climbed back in the car and drove and drove some more and arrived home after 8 hours to see a really tall man, my Uncle Stephen, his wife Margot and an older man who has MY SAME NAME!!!(Papa Jack)…Mommy and Daddy were so happy to be home.  Mommy fed me and put me in a cage in a very dark room with a face on the ceiling

 

…It made me stop nursing, it was so….. interesting.

Mommy and Daddy slept in my room…we had a sound machine and it was very dark.  In the room was a window that was covered with this….do you know what this is and why anyone would have this in 2012?

 

Every morning when I woke up my Mommy (or Daddy) brought me downstairs to “play” with Sussy. They were tired and they wanted to go back to sleep. Sussy was fun but she was always trying to make me do things I didn’t know I could do… BUT….

Now I can:

Hold a ball.

Grab a ring.

Almost roll over,

Sit in a Bumbo

 

Look in a mirror and spin an attached ball

Give a high pitched squeal

Lift my head..

    

Pull Sussy’s hair and

 Best of all I can suck my thumb and toes…and they are delicious.

 

 

Every day different people came to see me and play with me…sometimes we drove to places and saw even more people.  All of my Aunts and Uncles came home to see me. Everyone wanted to play with me.  It was lots of fun.  On Easter Day we went to my great Aunt Patti’s house and there were almost as many people there as on the airplane! Another night we went out to dinner with my Grump Grump and Helena…Today I am going to my Grandma Sue-sue’s and my cousin Parker will be there. Mommy and Daddy and more new people will hold me and play with me.

 

Tuesday we leave to return to London. Mommy cries when people leave her. I think she will cry when we need to leave these people but I will give her one of my smiles, maybe a squeal or two and Daddy will comfort her.   He will say…”In a week Charles, Katherine and Charlie are coming” and she will smile.

 

Love,

jack (with a little help from Sussy)

Virginia here we come!!! Alarm clocks are set for 3am, Mr. Squirrel (Jack’s favorite toy) is packed, and John is equipped with his noise cancelling headphones… wish us luck!!

**Thanks Berkley and Margarita for making sure Jack had some Virginia love:)