Week Two

well we survived week one, routine getting established, got the hang of going for walks in the afternoon and getting the washing etc, cooking etc done while she naps.

Week two saw a visit to a friend who was in China at the same time as us ...so chance to see Molly and her big brothers. Getting used to the big buggy now - although still using the Chinese stroller for short journeys in the car as it is so lightweight and practical. I guess we will probably invest in a better Maclaren stroller at some point in the next week or so.


Nelly had her first trip to Cafe Rouge for lunch this week, after our coffee at Debbies we walked to Cafe Rouge and met ROb for lunch - it is now something of a habit as it is an OK place to eat within walking distance ...we fed her a jar of Hipp Organic stuff but she was not at all keen and was much more interested in the Croque Monsieurs we were both eating! well it was calcium and protein.

Week Two saw our first experience with Calpol! fairly lucky I think that while we were in China she was absolutely fine and no medication was required! ON the Thursday of the second week at home she was very clingy all day and I suspected that something was not right. That evening she went to bed very early and woke at about nine thirty with a fierce fever...so we quickly got out the thermometer and in our panic and anxious state neither of us could remember how to use it! it is one of those ear ones so bit difficult to get to grips with, fortunately our friend and neighbour Kate is a GP so I ran down to ask if she had a thermometer we could borrow and what advice as I had already given her Nurofen that evening. She told me I could use Calpol with Nurofen and then we spent the night with a thermometer in her ear and a cold flannel on her head! the temperature came down and went up again so we managed! Scary or what!

The next day we had planned on taking a trip up to see Julia TIm and Isabel, but I really did not want to take her out so we stayed in all day in the warm. In the afternoon she was much better and I managed ot get a haircut and left Rob in charge for an hour and a half!

Our really good friend Emma came over on the Saturday and we took her to Streatham Common and then shared a bottle of champagne at teattime to welcome Nelly !

Sunday February 19th was Chinese New Year and we arranged to meet three other families that were in China at the same time...we had Dim Sum ....all good fun and the girls were pleased to see each other...so nice that they are all going to be able to meet up regularly and play -. We will be going to Monkey Music and Gymbabes with Molly and Nina. there are about five invited to Nellys birthday party...


Not feeling well when Uncle Frank came round ..........

Out on the Common with Emma

Dim Sum -= Kung Hey Fat Choy....

Molly our friend from Dulwich with one of her proud brothers

FIona and Nina

What time will we get a table - she won't sit still for long!...

Laure Gilles and Lucille
Nelly at her God Brother's birthday evening! Our Godson Connor was really keen to be Nelly's God father so I told him that he was probably a tad young for that but we could make him her Godbrother - so he is very proud of this fact

God Brother COnnor amusing Miss Nelly on his 11th birthday!

Nelly and Molly first play date... while louise and debbie discuss Monkey music and gymbabes...!

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week one with nelly

I enjoyed writing and updating my blog so much while waiting for Nelly that I have decided to start a new one entitled life with nelly! there are so many people who enjoyed the blog ( not sure why! ) and so many of our friends have now moved out of London that we thought it would be a great way for keeping people up to date with what she is up to here in London...We got back to London on February 3rd after a long journey.

Week One was very much about settling her into her new surroundings -I must say I was very nervous thinking that all the changes that she had come through may affect her, it is so hard sometimes to know what she is thinking, but she settled into her room really well. The first night's sleep was difficult for all of us as all our body clocks were out of sync...but within a couple of days we were getting into what may loosely be described as a routine! but nothing that Gina F would recognise.

I must say week one was a lot harder than all the time in CHina as suddenly I had to start thinking about what to feed her, what would she eat if not COngee...would she like what I cooked, whatshould we do all day etc etc I also suddenly realised that for the first time in 43 years I could not do things when I wanted to - no more jumping in the car just to pop out for some shopping, just nipping into the shower at 11 because I had been too lazy to get dressed, just making a cup of tea an dfinishing it, just cooking something without finding a small person grabbing at my jeans! etc etc etc ............

so once I had come to terms with all that ( and I understand it is all perfectly natural ...yes we had tears ' Well the Health Visitor turned up just as she went down for her nap and then made me take all of her clothes off to weigh her!!!!!!!!!!!AAAAAAAAAAAARRRGHH...oh well she is not a bad weight 18 pounds ) the routine kicked in I realised that Annabel Karmel recipes like all recipes are a good base but hey its so much easier to personalise them to your own way of cooking... I mean is there something wrong with the seeds of a tomato for an almost one year old! In one recipe she asked me to de seed all tomatoes and the recipe below she said use a tin of peeled plum toms!!!!!! And I also dicovered that most of the stuff that has been lurking in the freezer for the last GOd knows how many years needs to be thrown away in favour of small child size pots of fish pie, bolognese, etc etc ...

Week One also saw us driving up North to visit both grand parents. My Mum was 70 on the 11th, so a large celebration party was held in both honours...see photos below...both Grandma P and Poppa N were ecstatic with the new arrival as were the new cousins ( first and second ) quite a busy time but she slept well in the travel cot and was not too phased by the new car seats. The one person I have not yet mentioned of course is Delilah the cat ( she just came and pershed herself in her usual position behind me while I type! ) She is wary - but has not run away, when we got back she had taken up residency in the Big Buggy ...and there she sleeps on a large rug when it is not in use. A tad territorial and she hals also taken to sleeping in the playpen but after a few weeks she is getting used to Nelly and lets her stroke her - no scratching as yet!

Meet the family ...we have been waiting so so long!

Very Proud Grandma with Number One Baby !!!!

It took a long time getting there but SK now we can see our children playing together!

The Centre of attention at the party

Tell me that Hungarian nursery rhyme again Pappa Frank!

First Monday in London , first time on a swing in a rather oversized anorak....

Is this your car Mama??? I don't want to go shopping!

OK Kamran one of the the boys in the street came round - he bought me a really cool radio and we stayed up late playing with balloons, his brother Reuban slept the whole time he was here!