April pics

April has been an amazing month of weather here in the UK. We've had a lot of sun and there have only been a few days where it's been cloudy. I can't even remember the last time it rained! This isn't usual but we're enjoying it while it's around.

And I'm still pregnant! I'm almost 32 weeks along now and about two months away from the due date. I'm feeling a lot better than I did before my dad came to visit. His help for most of April really got me over the worst part. So June, here we come!

In other news, we found out that we have to move...AGAIN. We knew this could happen but were hoping it wouldn't. The owner of our flat was hoping to be away in Malawi for two years doing field work but she found out she didn't get the funding for the second year. So we're hoping to move before Bertie arrives...wish us luck!

Here are some pictures from the last two weeks. And I'm sorry to say, but our wedding pics didn't turn out. There were too many hats in the way. (and because I'm terrible at making jokes, I will say we watched the wedding from our couch in our pajamas...it was a late morning)

Testing out his old car seat for the new baby

Into climbing trees now

An Easter weekend picnic along the River Cam (and belly pics)

More Easter weekend walking with an ice cream treat at the end

First chocolate bunny

Bob the Builder (minus trousers) getting a story read to him

trains! choo chooooo!! trains!

Cal is mildly obsessed with trains. We can see a track from our house and he gets pretty happy when they go by. I taught him to call the trains Thomas, like Thomas the Tank Engine, but Sam didn't know I'd done that and she thought we were letting him watch too much TV. So I stopped doing that.

We were told about the Cambridge Model Engineering Society, which is a group of train enthusiasts who among other things make small, working steam engines. Once a month they give rides around a track out near where we used to live, so we went and checked it out.
It was pretty cool, most of the engines burn coal and seeing the older guys dressed up like engineers hammering little pieces of coal to burn was fun.
It was a beautiful day, and it was a hit with Calvin. We bought tickets for six rides and took turns taking him on the trains, probably a five minute ride or so. He was freaking out from excitement as soon as we parked the car, and as soon as he got off the train he was rushing to get on the next one. Some pictures:
That last one is when it was time to go and he really wanted to go on another train. We laughed and laughed, and then grabbed him away from the fence and rushed to the car as he plaintively whimpered 'choo chooo' over and over.

My awesome dad

Last week, my hero, my dad, flew out here on 4 days notice to help me take care of Calvin. I have been having a stressful pregnancy for the past 4+ weeks and to help make sure Bertie stays in the womb longer than Cal, my dad came out here to give me a rest and wear out the little guy every day. Cal has turned into a sprinter (perhaps a future 800m runner?) so it's great that my dad is able to chase after him while I waddle along at 28 weeks pregnant. I was having strong and frequent Braxton-Hicks contractions at 23 and 25 weeks pregnant but thankfully, they have subsided due to my respite. My "vacation" lasts until my dad leaves on the 18th of April but by then, I will be 30 weeks along. I'm still trying to be positive that Bertie will be a June baby but at least he is out of the 24-28 week preemie zone.

Here is a picture of Cal actually sitting still. Not many of those these days.

first bicycle

For his 2nd birthday, Calvin received his first bicycle from Mom and Dad. Unfortunately, he needs to grow about another inch before he can sit on the seat and have his feet flat on the ground. This is one of those beginner bikes that teaches a child to balance first, so it doesn't have any pedals. He loves it, even though he can only straddle it and waddle along. He especially likes the bell.


I went away last weekend for a girls' night in London with my aunt Mary and cousins Kath and Helen. We had a wonderful weekend and saw the musical "Jersey Boys" on the West End, which was really enjoyable. I wish I could see them (my cousins and aunt, not the Jersey Boys) more often. It's funny, I thought living in England would mean it would be really easy to drive to Wales for a quick weekend but that has turned out not to be the case. The driving does seem to take longer than it does in the US. Or maybe I'm becoming an "island-minded" girl?

I should mention that the weekend in London was also thanks to Nick, who looked after our little dude. This picture shows a happy chappy but he wasn't always so angelic for Dad. Then again, he did have a nasty cold. So thank you for the much needed break Nick!

Two!

Well it's happened...Calvin turned 2 on March 3rd and fully committed himself to being a toddler. My parents (Grandad and Nan) came out to visit for the week and to spoil their grandson. He loved it.
Unfortunately, I didn't take a lot of pictures and my usual photographer was busy (being a brilliant scientist, of course) but here are a few that capture the week. The grandparents visit was VERY short (especially for me!) but I am thankful they could make it out for Cal's birthday and will be coming back in June for the new arrival. I'm calling him "Bertie" for now, after Bertie Wooster of whom the phrase "Tinkerty Tonk" comes from. And it sounds very English too.

paparazzi at bedtime

Sunday morning pancakes

The chicken pox patient and his cat await Dad's pancakes.