We're off in 5 hours!! Yikes! I'm terrified. My hands are shaking. I can't eat. The cabs gonna be here at 2am. Paul and I just got colds yesterday. Is this going to be the worst 24 hours of my life? Perhaps. But Portland, you are so worth it. I can't wait to be back in the warm bosom of the Pacific Northwest.
If you wanna hang with us and the Doonlet please email me at: sherriedooney@yahoo.co.uk.
We leave for the UK on November 6th. Love you all! And please send me good travel vibes!
Thursday, October 15, 2009
Sunday, October 11, 2009
8 Months
The boy loves his strawberries! And he loves to laugh! Sometimes I start laughing at him and then he starts laughing at me laughing and then we just laugh and laugh together. It's awesome.
We visited Terry and Stu at their allotment the other day. They were working hard on all their veg while we took it easy in the shade and had some lunch. We have our names on a waiting list for a plot in the same allotment as them, we're number 5. So right around the time Charlie is old enough to put to work diggin' and plantin' our turn should come up!
Charlie got his first cold a few weeks ago. You may be able to spot the snot in this shot. It was horrible! I felt so bad for him, he was obviously confused as to what was happening to him and why he couldn't breath. It lasted a full week and it was hell. But he's all better now.
This photo is deceiving, Charlie could never manage a piece of food that big. He hasn't mastered the skill of chewing yet and chokes on anything bigger than a pea. But he's still eating everything we give him and I'm slowly introducing more chunks. He loves toast, ice cream, spaghetti, sweet potatoes, semolina, yogurt, fish and bananas.
Oh and apples!
We ate these for dinner that night. They were delicious!
He can sit up all on his own now! He can roll over from back to front but not front to back. He gets stuck on his tummy in his crib all the time. Arrggg!
Here he is with our friend Tay. He's not exactly into other people yet. Other babies? Yes! But strangers are a drag.
We take him and Beans to the park all the time and he loves it. He touches the trees, watches Bean run up ahead, is mesmerized by the ducks and likes walking through the row of Oregon trees.
He's a big fan of Daddy's. When he comes home from work Charlie is all smiles.
He's just learned how to clap! I'm amazed. How can something so simple bring me so much joy?
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
No One Likes A Lonely Yank
Can you believe it's September?? Where did the summer go? I think I say that every year. I'm really looking forward to fall however. I absolutely love fall. It brings thunder, rain, cold snaps, hot water bottles, color, Halloween, the smell of burning leaves and wedding anniversaries. It's my favorite season. It will also bring us back to Portland! It's been a whole year since our last visit and I promised my Pops I'd come back home once a year. So it's a good thing Jenn's getting married in October, that's the main thing that brings us back.
I'm dead nervous to fly with the baby. Will his ears be hurting? Will he cry the whole way there? Will I get mad stink eye from the other passengers? Will he be getting over the jet lag just as we have to come back? Will all my hard work establishing a sleep schedule to ruined? But I know it will all be worth it to see him in his grandparents arms. No one tells you this but after you have a baby you get super sappy and cry at anything.
Things around here are okay. Charlie is doing great! He can rollover now and he can sit up for short periods of time. He's eating, smiling, pooping, playing and nursing everyday. But believe it or not this blog is not about Charlie.
I need some Sherrie time, some bitchin' and moanin' Sherrie time. I'm homesick...again. Probably just because I know I'm visiting soon so Portland is really on my mind. But it's more than just that. Being a mom and not having my friends or family here is turning out to be harder than I thought it would be.
I'm finally coming out of the baby fog. The first few months are so full on, the baby is all you can think about! All your energy is spent keeping the baby alive and happy. Faces come and go and somehow the groceries get bought and the garbage gets taken out, but really you are nothing more than a mothering machine. You run on empty with your foot on the gas pedal all day and all night.
But now things are calming down and Charlie and I are in a groove. We understand each other. I can distinguish between his cries and he gets my jokes. I'm no longer being milked every hour so I can think about life again. Or rather trying to have a life again.
Being here with a baby has been very isolating. So I thought I'd join as many mommy groups as I can. I started with the one at the Health Center up the street. It's a post natal support group where you learn about weaning, baby sign language and things like that. I met a gal and we exchanged numbers. Oh how excited I was! I came home and told Paul and Maria "I got a girls number!" But it was not to be. Unfortunately I didn't make the cut into the cool gang. "Thanks for applying Sherrie, but you're just not what we're looking for". Which is a middle class, white, English woman. I met the cool moms in the park last week and they walked two by two leaving me in the back...alone...twice. Whatever. I took note of the other mom's on the outside of the clique: the black mom, the Asian mom and me, the American mom. Whatever.
I went to the Tots club today for the first time. I didn't talk to a single person and not a single person talked to me. And all the kids were way older than Charlie. But it was pretty laid back and he got to play with new toys and watch other kids interact. They have a sing along at the end and he dug that. So it's good for him. And it seems like the kind of place I might meet someone at some point so I'm gonna keep going. We also start Music Shakers next week. It's a babies only group that does sing alongs. Fingers crossed for that one.
I've never been in a position where I had to make a certain type of friend. It's odd. I really need to communicate with someone who is going through the same thing I am. But also someone who gets me. I really, really miss my friends back in Portland right now. I really miss Americans in general. We may speak the same language here, but a lot gets lost in the translation.
I'm gonna keep trying. There are millions of mommy groups here, it's like nappy valley! My special someone is out there right now, perhaps looking for me :)
We took a drive through the country side to Henley in Arden last week. Just for ice cream. Which we ate in a graveyard.
My wedding bouquet got destroyed somewhere in the two transcontinental moves I've taken since being married. So Paul, the old romantic, had another one made for me. He was keeping it a secret but I saw him disappear with one of our wedding photos and he wouldn't tell me where he went. I was pretty sure he was putting a hit out on me.
Fun with plums! Which by the way, stain like a mofo.
I'm dead nervous to fly with the baby. Will his ears be hurting? Will he cry the whole way there? Will I get mad stink eye from the other passengers? Will he be getting over the jet lag just as we have to come back? Will all my hard work establishing a sleep schedule to ruined? But I know it will all be worth it to see him in his grandparents arms. No one tells you this but after you have a baby you get super sappy and cry at anything.
Things around here are okay. Charlie is doing great! He can rollover now and he can sit up for short periods of time. He's eating, smiling, pooping, playing and nursing everyday. But believe it or not this blog is not about Charlie.
I need some Sherrie time, some bitchin' and moanin' Sherrie time. I'm homesick...again. Probably just because I know I'm visiting soon so Portland is really on my mind. But it's more than just that. Being a mom and not having my friends or family here is turning out to be harder than I thought it would be.
I'm finally coming out of the baby fog. The first few months are so full on, the baby is all you can think about! All your energy is spent keeping the baby alive and happy. Faces come and go and somehow the groceries get bought and the garbage gets taken out, but really you are nothing more than a mothering machine. You run on empty with your foot on the gas pedal all day and all night.
But now things are calming down and Charlie and I are in a groove. We understand each other. I can distinguish between his cries and he gets my jokes. I'm no longer being milked every hour so I can think about life again. Or rather trying to have a life again.
Being here with a baby has been very isolating. So I thought I'd join as many mommy groups as I can. I started with the one at the Health Center up the street. It's a post natal support group where you learn about weaning, baby sign language and things like that. I met a gal and we exchanged numbers. Oh how excited I was! I came home and told Paul and Maria "I got a girls number!" But it was not to be. Unfortunately I didn't make the cut into the cool gang. "Thanks for applying Sherrie, but you're just not what we're looking for". Which is a middle class, white, English woman. I met the cool moms in the park last week and they walked two by two leaving me in the back...alone...twice. Whatever. I took note of the other mom's on the outside of the clique: the black mom, the Asian mom and me, the American mom. Whatever.
I went to the Tots club today for the first time. I didn't talk to a single person and not a single person talked to me. And all the kids were way older than Charlie. But it was pretty laid back and he got to play with new toys and watch other kids interact. They have a sing along at the end and he dug that. So it's good for him. And it seems like the kind of place I might meet someone at some point so I'm gonna keep going. We also start Music Shakers next week. It's a babies only group that does sing alongs. Fingers crossed for that one.
I've never been in a position where I had to make a certain type of friend. It's odd. I really need to communicate with someone who is going through the same thing I am. But also someone who gets me. I really, really miss my friends back in Portland right now. I really miss Americans in general. We may speak the same language here, but a lot gets lost in the translation.
I'm gonna keep trying. There are millions of mommy groups here, it's like nappy valley! My special someone is out there right now, perhaps looking for me :)
We took a drive through the country side to Henley in Arden last week. Just for ice cream. Which we ate in a graveyard.
My wedding bouquet got destroyed somewhere in the two transcontinental moves I've taken since being married. So Paul, the old romantic, had another one made for me. He was keeping it a secret but I saw him disappear with one of our wedding photos and he wouldn't tell me where he went. I was pretty sure he was putting a hit out on me.
Fun with plums! Which by the way, stain like a mofo.Sunday, August 9, 2009
6 Months
The boy is 6 months old today. No way is that possible! It really seems like just yesterday that he was born. Parents always say time goes by so fast with your children and now I know why.
Charlie's an amazing person already. He laughs all the time even though he can be a bit moody. He smiles whenever Paul or I walk into the room but often cries huge crocodile tears when the checkout lady smiles at him.
He can't roll over yet, still working on that one, but he can suck on his toes all day long. He's in the 99th percentile for his length (71.5 cm) which means he's a tall boy. If you can describe someone who can't yet stand up as "tall". He's outgrown lots of his 6-9 month clothes and wears onesies for 12 month olds!
He has one dimple on his left cheek, in the exact same place as Paul. When he gets excited about anything he throws his hands out, then back in, clasping his hands together under his chin. It's so cute and so very coy.
He loves to play hide-n-seek! But not your average game of hide-n-seek where you just hide behind your hands. He loves it when you stand behind a wall and then jump out.
Whenever we pass a mirror he likes to stop and flirt unabashedly with himself. When we nurse he prods my nostrils and tugs at my lip.
He's interested in anything we're eating or drinking and will eat anything I put on a spoon. The other day he had pureed zucchini, he wasn't too sure about it and even gagged a few times but then he ate it all up. He's learning how to use his pink sippy cup, he never really did the whole bottle thing.
He still loves being outside and giggles when he sees any other babies or kids. Next month we can start "Tots Club". It's a Mom and baby playgroup just down the road at one of the old churches. It's only two quid in, but tea will cost you 60p and toast will set you back 25p.
Charlie's an amazing person already. He laughs all the time even though he can be a bit moody. He smiles whenever Paul or I walk into the room but often cries huge crocodile tears when the checkout lady smiles at him.
He can't roll over yet, still working on that one, but he can suck on his toes all day long. He's in the 99th percentile for his length (71.5 cm) which means he's a tall boy. If you can describe someone who can't yet stand up as "tall". He's outgrown lots of his 6-9 month clothes and wears onesies for 12 month olds!
He has one dimple on his left cheek, in the exact same place as Paul. When he gets excited about anything he throws his hands out, then back in, clasping his hands together under his chin. It's so cute and so very coy.
He loves to play hide-n-seek! But not your average game of hide-n-seek where you just hide behind your hands. He loves it when you stand behind a wall and then jump out.
Whenever we pass a mirror he likes to stop and flirt unabashedly with himself. When we nurse he prods my nostrils and tugs at my lip.
He's interested in anything we're eating or drinking and will eat anything I put on a spoon. The other day he had pureed zucchini, he wasn't too sure about it and even gagged a few times but then he ate it all up. He's learning how to use his pink sippy cup, he never really did the whole bottle thing.
He still loves being outside and giggles when he sees any other babies or kids. Next month we can start "Tots Club". It's a Mom and baby playgroup just down the road at one of the old churches. It's only two quid in, but tea will cost you 60p and toast will set you back 25p.
Thursday, July 16, 2009
Picture Post
Legwarmers aren't just for ladies!
Charlie has just started weaning and he loves eating new food
And by new food, I mean my face
Charlie having a particularly good mohawk day
If Charlie had a myspace page this would be his profile picture!Here is my beautiful new niece Kayla, born July 14th -7lbs 6oz
Congratulations to my sister Rose!
Friday, July 3, 2009
Sunday, June 14, 2009
Summer Has Begun!
We took Charlie to his first summer "fete" (a posh English word for fair) at St Anne's Church, just a few blocks from our house. They had a raffle, cream tea and lots of stalls selling brick-a-brack. We were checking out some ceramic cooking pots when a man came up to me and said "Those are a bargain at just five pounds and they're quite heavy." I picked one up and said "Oh GOD! It is heavy, you could really kill a man with that!"Then I realized I was talking to the vicar. Nice one, Sher.
The good weather has finally reached Great Britain! We spend all day out in the backyard taking advantage of it while it's here.
Check the new hairdo!
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
4 Months Old
I can't believe it's only been 4 months since Charlie was born. It feels like he's been a part of our family forever. He's grown so much in just these few months. Its amazing to watch him change, grow and learn.
He wakes up smiling every single morning. He'll happily kick and coo on the bed with us all morning long. Then we go downstairs and he sits in the nursing chair, watching as I make tea and breakfast.
He's mesmerized by our dog Beanie. He watches her no matter what she's doing and laughs. He recognizes his sister Maria and laughs when he sees her.
Charlie and I take a bath together every night before bed. He loves to stomp his feet and grab the washcloth. He practices his floating but isn't so keen on it. He loves nothing more than having a bit of naked time. Even if he's in a bad mood, if you take off all his clothes he will laugh and kick with delight.
He can stand on his own (with me being his balance) for ages. Which makes it easier to put his trousers on. He drools...a lot. He blows spit bubbles like a champ. He makes the cutest noises when he talks to us and hearing them makes me want to cry.
He's still rocking a mohawk but also has lovely soft hair coming in. His eyes are an amazing shade of green. His fingernails are shaped just like mine and my Dad's.
He's really starting to get good at grasping whatever he fancies, usually this is my hair. He loves to ride in the Baby Bjorn and almost always falls asleep. When the weather gets nice I lie him on a blanket outside and he spends all day looking at the sky and trees. If he's crying Paul takes him out front and walks him up and down the street, and he'll calm right down. He sleeps through most of the night, most of the time. When he wakes up (around 4:00am or 5:00am) each night I bring him into our bed to nurse and sleep with us for another few hours. This is when I am happiest.
He wakes up smiling every single morning. He'll happily kick and coo on the bed with us all morning long. Then we go downstairs and he sits in the nursing chair, watching as I make tea and breakfast.
He's mesmerized by our dog Beanie. He watches her no matter what she's doing and laughs. He recognizes his sister Maria and laughs when he sees her.
Charlie and I take a bath together every night before bed. He loves to stomp his feet and grab the washcloth. He practices his floating but isn't so keen on it. He loves nothing more than having a bit of naked time. Even if he's in a bad mood, if you take off all his clothes he will laugh and kick with delight.
He can stand on his own (with me being his balance) for ages. Which makes it easier to put his trousers on. He drools...a lot. He blows spit bubbles like a champ. He makes the cutest noises when he talks to us and hearing them makes me want to cry.
He's still rocking a mohawk but also has lovely soft hair coming in. His eyes are an amazing shade of green. His fingernails are shaped just like mine and my Dad's.
He's really starting to get good at grasping whatever he fancies, usually this is my hair. He loves to ride in the Baby Bjorn and almost always falls asleep. When the weather gets nice I lie him on a blanket outside and he spends all day looking at the sky and trees. If he's crying Paul takes him out front and walks him up and down the street, and he'll calm right down. He sleeps through most of the night, most of the time. When he wakes up (around 4:00am or 5:00am) each night I bring him into our bed to nurse and sleep with us for another few hours. This is when I am happiest.
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
Holiday In North Wales
Here's our cottage
And our crazy good view
Naked baby! Check that belly!
Beans loves the beach
Watching some telly with Daddy
Beanie has a bit of lap jealousy going on
BWWWAAHHHHH!!!
Charlie's first train trip, on the Snowdon Mountain Railway
We had a great time in Barmouth! We just took it easy, walking to the beach everyday, flying kites, collecting rocks, playing games and seriously relaxing. It was amazing.
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