I feel like I need to dedicate a post to little Anthony. He has been coming on in leaps and bounds. He has been rubbing off his cradle cap himself with his hands when he gets in a tizz! He is able to go backwards and incredibly forwards as well in his baby walker. He sturdy little legs with his sumo thighs are well made for the walker - I'm going to have to baby-gate the stairs soon.
He has mozzy bites on his head now, as well as on the sole of is foot and bless him never seems bothered about them. He "hates" sitting still, today he tried to leap off my lap in a cafe when I was trying to put his bib on - the monkey!
He is always happy when he is in the carrier, forward facing. Luckily I have invested in a robust carrier which supports his weight and protects my back! He loves nothing more than going to a shopping mall and walking around where he shouts, shrieks, waves his arms and legs around, beats his chest, smiles and dribbles constantly, grabs anyones finger who come near and tries to shove it in his mouth, and generally draws enormous amounts of attention!
Feeding him when we are out has become an embarrassing situation as I sit quietly in the corner discreetly trying to feed him whilst he thrashes around, shrieking, taking a few gulps, choking and coughing, straining to see everything that is going on around him and hence flashing my boobs to everyone in the vacinity!
After 2 weeks of night feeding every couple of hours, I have caved into pressure and bought some baby rice for him. He couldn't believe it when the spoon finally headed for his mouth, and then came the confusion as he gummed the first mouthful around and tried to work out how to swallow! It was so cute. He has since had a bit of carrot and some pear today. I am now going to have to prepare little purees for him and make sure he gets a couple of spoonfuls a day, I am looking forward to it, but also not looking forward to all the preparations!
He is great at going to bed at 7.30 every night now, which means I can eat dinner and focus on Amelie before she goes to bed. Amelie is still besotted with her baby brother and always tries to comfort him if he is crying, and never tries to stop me from going to him. She cuddles and kisses him whenever she can. He loves seeing her too and appreciates her attention. He doesn't mind her squeezing his ears at all! He loves her blowing raspberries on his tummy.
Unless Anthony is very hungry or very tired, he never fails to smile at someone who has time to talk to him. He loves attention and I think is going to be very sociable and incredibly active. I haven't weighed him since we got here, but he has grown out of his 6-9 month babygros - and he is only 4.5 months old, so I think he is also going to be a big boy!
Everyone loves Anthony very much. So I can't wait for everyone in the UK and Ireland to see him again. Anyway, enough now, off to bed! x
Tuesday, 24 August 2010
Sunday, 22 August 2010
Knackered!
We have had a fun filled and long weekend. We went to the beach again yesterday - all the way to Lantau Island (where there is a gigantic Buddah). It was a lovely day where we met with Ross, Danielle and little Matthew, Jen & Mitch and caught the ferry over together.
Amelie spent ages in the water with Ray having fun in the waves - so much so that she forgot to ask to go to the toilet, to do a poo. There was a fairly large clean up operation in the public showers which had me gagging and trying to run away with embarrassment at the same time! Apart from that it was lovely and we had a lovely meal at a mediterranean restaurant on the beach.
During this time a small wild herd of cows wondered onto the beach and the calves were adorable. People were petting them and taking photos. Apparently a nun set them free in the area in the 1970s and they have been around that area ever since! We had a fun journey back with both children falling asleep all over the place. Amelie was even asleep on the taxi floor as it broke suddenly outside our house!
Today we went back to Lantau island (45 mins in the car compared to several hours yesterday on public transport) for Gemma's birthday, for an "all you can eat" buffet to remember. It was the nicest food of the highest quality - similar to a cruise ship I suppose. Unfortunately Ray and Paul didn't eat or drink a sausage as they are still diligently doing Ramadam (don't forget to sponsor them, they are doing a stirling job, admirable really to eat and drink nothing all day long in this heat!).
Wondered around a shopping centre after lunch. Wanted a pair of shorts, but there is no way I am going to find anything to fit someone as obese as me (by HK standards!), I couldn't see ANYTHING that would fit round my backside!
Amelie spent ages in the water with Ray having fun in the waves - so much so that she forgot to ask to go to the toilet, to do a poo. There was a fairly large clean up operation in the public showers which had me gagging and trying to run away with embarrassment at the same time! Apart from that it was lovely and we had a lovely meal at a mediterranean restaurant on the beach.
During this time a small wild herd of cows wondered onto the beach and the calves were adorable. People were petting them and taking photos. Apparently a nun set them free in the area in the 1970s and they have been around that area ever since! We had a fun journey back with both children falling asleep all over the place. Amelie was even asleep on the taxi floor as it broke suddenly outside our house!
Today we went back to Lantau island (45 mins in the car compared to several hours yesterday on public transport) for Gemma's birthday, for an "all you can eat" buffet to remember. It was the nicest food of the highest quality - similar to a cruise ship I suppose. Unfortunately Ray and Paul didn't eat or drink a sausage as they are still diligently doing Ramadam (don't forget to sponsor them, they are doing a stirling job, admirable really to eat and drink nothing all day long in this heat!).
Wondered around a shopping centre after lunch. Wanted a pair of shorts, but there is no way I am going to find anything to fit someone as obese as me (by HK standards!), I couldn't see ANYTHING that would fit round my backside!
Thursday, 19 August 2010
19th August
The weather is cooling off a little I think and somehow there appear to be fewer Mosquitos. Aunty Wendy says that its because we have entered Autumn on the lunar calendar. Anyway, it is welcomed with open arms, I am feeling a lot more comfortable, but I am sure it is partly because I am getting used to it.
I ventured into Central today to meet Caroline (Anne-Marie's friend) who has a wee 3 week old baby. Lovely to chat about, babies, Wigan, Hong Kong and life in general. Also a trip to Marks and Sparks made me feel very at home! Amelie was very good and bounced on the sofa in the cafe for ages after eating 2 cakes. Fatigue got to the poor little thing on the way home as she fell on the travellator and fell asleep on the bus just as we were about to get off! Anthony was a dream, with the usual cooing and curiosity on the MTR (train!).
We went to the beach about a week ago and travelled there on a junk! It was a lovely day trip out. If I had closed my eyes I would have thought I was in Thailand. The hills were so lush and green, with white beaches and clear blue water. It was just a shame that some big party boats had idiots throwing their cans etc straight into the sea...and some had washed up on the beach where the kids were playing.
Yesterday I took Amelie to a playgroup called Leapfrog, which was a car drive away in Sai Kung (I drove, brave I know!). It was lovely and she enjoyed it. It is properly structured and supervised, like a sort of Kindergarten class, but with Mums there too. There was a nice outdoor area for them to play too, which is unusual in HK. Am going to look into another playgroup closer to home too.
Ray is now cycling to school successfully and has bought himself some proper cycling gear so he looks like he is doing the tour de France. Apparently his lycra pants have created a stir in the admin office...but he is oblivious (June told me!)...I'll get a photo of him at some point!
Photos to follow...
I ventured into Central today to meet Caroline (Anne-Marie's friend) who has a wee 3 week old baby. Lovely to chat about, babies, Wigan, Hong Kong and life in general. Also a trip to Marks and Sparks made me feel very at home! Amelie was very good and bounced on the sofa in the cafe for ages after eating 2 cakes. Fatigue got to the poor little thing on the way home as she fell on the travellator and fell asleep on the bus just as we were about to get off! Anthony was a dream, with the usual cooing and curiosity on the MTR (train!).
We went to the beach about a week ago and travelled there on a junk! It was a lovely day trip out. If I had closed my eyes I would have thought I was in Thailand. The hills were so lush and green, with white beaches and clear blue water. It was just a shame that some big party boats had idiots throwing their cans etc straight into the sea...and some had washed up on the beach where the kids were playing.
Yesterday I took Amelie to a playgroup called Leapfrog, which was a car drive away in Sai Kung (I drove, brave I know!). It was lovely and she enjoyed it. It is properly structured and supervised, like a sort of Kindergarten class, but with Mums there too. There was a nice outdoor area for them to play too, which is unusual in HK. Am going to look into another playgroup closer to home too.
Ray is now cycling to school successfully and has bought himself some proper cycling gear so he looks like he is doing the tour de France. Apparently his lycra pants have created a stir in the admin office...but he is oblivious (June told me!)...I'll get a photo of him at some point!
Photos to follow...
Tuesday, 10 August 2010
A week in.
We are all over the jet lag now, so at least we are getting a decent night's sleep - well Ray isn't really as he has stayed up chatting and drinking most nights. We are all covered in bites of one description or another. We think we are getting bitten at the dinner table as most are on our legs! I caught sight of my white spotty legs today in Tai Po - most attractive!
We went to the local swimming pool the other day. It is extremely clean and pleasant. It is outdoors and has about 4 different pools including a huge paddling pool for the little ones. Amelie loved it and had much fun being chased by Alex! Anthony slept in my arms in the shade of the paddling pool. He is so cute he has taken to sucking his thumb to comfort himself and to get to sleep.
Amelie has been out on several trips without us. She is so independent now and loves being part of a gang of children! She has been to the cinema twice and also to "yam cha" with Gemma and her family. I asked her last night if she liked being in Hong Kong and she said a cheery "yes".
We saw a couple of flats today. One was so small the bedrooms were like large cupboards with floor to ceiling windows - giving you the impression you would fall out. Oh and Ray would have to carry his bike up 23 flights of stairs to store it on the roof. All in all, not for us! The other was ok, 3 bedrooms, decent sizes, could live there. We won't decide yet anyway, will just look around.
Ray and Paul have decided to do Ramadan for charity http://www.justgiving.com/Ray-and-Paul-for-Ramadan . They are certainly in for a challenge in to not eat OR DRINK anything in this heat! Good luck to them I say.
Looked at a Kindergarten today for Amelie. Seemed very nice with lovely bright colours and friendly people. She would wear a uniform. I was welling up imagining her sitting on the little chairs. There are so many to look at in Tai Po, will have to get some help working out which ones are better.
We went to the local swimming pool the other day. It is extremely clean and pleasant. It is outdoors and has about 4 different pools including a huge paddling pool for the little ones. Amelie loved it and had much fun being chased by Alex! Anthony slept in my arms in the shade of the paddling pool. He is so cute he has taken to sucking his thumb to comfort himself and to get to sleep.
Amelie has been out on several trips without us. She is so independent now and loves being part of a gang of children! She has been to the cinema twice and also to "yam cha" with Gemma and her family. I asked her last night if she liked being in Hong Kong and she said a cheery "yes".
We saw a couple of flats today. One was so small the bedrooms were like large cupboards with floor to ceiling windows - giving you the impression you would fall out. Oh and Ray would have to carry his bike up 23 flights of stairs to store it on the roof. All in all, not for us! The other was ok, 3 bedrooms, decent sizes, could live there. We won't decide yet anyway, will just look around.
Ray and Paul have decided to do Ramadan for charity http://www.justgiving.com/Ray-and-Paul-for-Ramadan . They are certainly in for a challenge in to not eat OR DRINK anything in this heat! Good luck to them I say.
Looked at a Kindergarten today for Amelie. Seemed very nice with lovely bright colours and friendly people. She would wear a uniform. I was welling up imagining her sitting on the little chairs. There are so many to look at in Tai Po, will have to get some help working out which ones are better.
Thursday, 5 August 2010
1st Few Days
The first day was pretty hard. After 4 hours sleep I got up to THE most roasting heat imagineable. My body thought it was the middle of the night and I was knackered anyway. We then had to sort through the carnage of luggage and create some order in our little top floor abode. Amelie was by this time already calling her room "My Room" and was blissfully playing with the hundreds of toys Gemma had cleared out for her.
I started to feel better in the afternoon when I realised that the aircon in the living room wasn't broken, that ghekos are a good thing because they eat mosquitos, that it was almost certainly gheko poo and not mouse droppings that I had spotted behind the wardrobe and Ray came back from Tai Po with the most amazing savory buns for me to eat!
Yesterday Ray and I went to Sha Tin to look for a baby carrier for Anthony who is enthralled with everything these days. He doesn't mind what we are doing as long as we are moving and he has a good view. Anthony strapped onto Ray's front attracts enormous attention, particularly from admiring, cooing women who think he is adorable. He also looks completely "gwai lo" compared to Ray which sparks interest too!
Our little flat is feeling more like home today as everything is unpacked and the maid, Sarri, has been tidying and cleaning for us. Amelie even has curtains now in her room thanks to a spot of DIY by Ray.
Today I feel pretty normal as we all had normalish sleep apart from an hour and a half between 4.30 and 6am when Amelie was pretty determined to get up and start the day. We are off to Sha Tin again to have lunch with Andrew and May, and buy the baby carrier (1/2 price today)! Anthony is sitting next to me smiling and cooing, Amelie is watching her beloved Spiderman as I type this.
I started to feel better in the afternoon when I realised that the aircon in the living room wasn't broken, that ghekos are a good thing because they eat mosquitos, that it was almost certainly gheko poo and not mouse droppings that I had spotted behind the wardrobe and Ray came back from Tai Po with the most amazing savory buns for me to eat!
Yesterday Ray and I went to Sha Tin to look for a baby carrier for Anthony who is enthralled with everything these days. He doesn't mind what we are doing as long as we are moving and he has a good view. Anthony strapped onto Ray's front attracts enormous attention, particularly from admiring, cooing women who think he is adorable. He also looks completely "gwai lo" compared to Ray which sparks interest too!
Our little flat is feeling more like home today as everything is unpacked and the maid, Sarri, has been tidying and cleaning for us. Amelie even has curtains now in her room thanks to a spot of DIY by Ray.
Today I feel pretty normal as we all had normalish sleep apart from an hour and a half between 4.30 and 6am when Amelie was pretty determined to get up and start the day. We are off to Sha Tin again to have lunch with Andrew and May, and buy the baby carrier (1/2 price today)! Anthony is sitting next to me smiling and cooing, Amelie is watching her beloved Spiderman as I type this.
Wednesday, 4 August 2010
On Arrival...
Amelie and Anthony were little darlings on the aeroplane(s), everyone remarked how good they were. I caused more trouble by reclining my seat onto a man who was quietly enjoying a glass of wine - red. Needless to say there were many yelps and sighs from the row behind as they tried to mop up the mess! Oops! I'll always check in future. The underlying stress for me was whether all the luggage would arrive safely given that we were lucky enough to have had everything allowed on with no excess luggage charges! When exiting the arrivals I was pushing 2 fully loaded trolleys (much to the amusement of passing passengers and awaiting crowds), followed by a squealing Amelie who was crying and attracting further attention over not being able to ride on the trolley! Funnily enough, Ray had raced ahead with a third trolley, with a beaming, dribbling, Anthony strapped to his front. Luckily we didn't have to wait long before June, Andrew and Chris arrived to deliver us from the chaos of Hong Kong airport.
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