A Little Delinquent

What every Santa wants, locally brewed beer, dairy free cookies, and broccoli for the reindeer.

Decorating cookies on Christmas eve.

Tim and Ollie dressed up for the Christmas service.

Eating some rice with chopsticks at Wagamamma.

Like everyone else, December was a very busy month for the Spaulding clan.  Here are some highlights:

We celebrated my 30th birthday in style.  I went out to lunch with some friends on Friday and went to a movie with some of the same friends that night.  Tim graciously stayed home to watch Ollie man.  On my actual birthday, we made a trip into London to spend two nights at the RAF club.  We've visited London so many times, that its nice to go into the city and just enjoy being there.  That's also a plus when a toddler is involved!  We managed to visit some of the museums and walk around Trafalgar square at night.  Amazingly, we also nabbed a lot of sleep as a family.  Ollie was exhausted from a busy day on Friday at nursery, so he and Tim slept in until 9:45!!  That's a record in our house when jet lag isn't a factor.

The cathedral here in Bury has a crib service every year, so we enjoyed taking Ollie to help him understand the real reason that we celebrate.  Its fun to watch all kinds of little kids running around...it makes Ollie look tame!  Our friends Kate and Dave invited us back to their house for some very tasty lasagna.  If Kate ever offers anything she's made...say yes!

Christmas morning was very special this year.  Ollie isn't old enough to wake at the crack of dawn yet, so Tim and I were up making coffee before he made it out of bed.  Opening presents with a toddler is fun, to say the least.  He played with each toy before opening them all.  The joy lasts a little longer.

We spent the next few days organizing and cleaning the house.  I'm happy to say that the crib is out of storage and assembled in the nursery.  We're also down a chair in the living room.  We put one of the comfy chairs in storage to make room for the tree.  The extra stains from the stay in storage were enough incentive to toss the well loved, but old chair in the bin.  Amazingly, our little English living room is much better off with one less piece of furniture.  What a difference some space makes!

The last update is that I've decided to make the blog private.  I'll be able to post more about what's going on in our life without worrying who's reading what.  I'm very happy to add friends and family (and family of friends) to the list.  Just send me an e-mail and I'll make sure that you are allowed access.

Hope all is well!

My Handsome Boy

I haven't posted in a while, but I really should post more often about the cute things that Ollie does.  As I was cleaning and cooking to have some ladies over for a cookie swap, I walked into the living room to find Ollie sitting in a corner eating a candy cane from the Christmas tree!  I had a hard time keeping the smile off of my face as I sent him to time out and then explained why he needed to ask helping himself.  The poor kid is having a hard time waiting to open the presents sitting under the tree, so I've got to cut him a little slack.  I love this little guy...he's such a wonderful blessing in our life!

We also had a teachable moment this afternoon.  Even though I told him (not a second before) that the skillet was hot, he decided to touch it and find out for himself.  Hopefully he believes me next time!!

Until the next cute story, I hope that you are doing well!  Merry Christmas!!

Adventures in Wales

Snowdonia with Trefriw in the foreground
Originally uploaded by spauldingtj

For Thanksgiving this year, the Spaulding trio were invited to join our friends Chris, Jen, and their two month old son Cole in Wales. We had a lovely drive out to Snowdonia, watching the British terrain move from flat forests to hills and small mountains. For an island about the same size as the state of Alabama, the United Kingdom has a very diverse landscape. The other big difference is that signs in Wales have two languages on them. A road sign will say both "Slow" and "Araf." Growing up in the states, I always knew that Ireland and Scotland were fiercely independent. Only after moving to the island did I realize that Wales is just as autonomous.

We spent the first day checking out a local village near the cottage. Its an hiker's dream town, with Mom and Pop shops and more out door clothing stores tan you can shake a stick at. Wales is also dog heaven, since most of the stores in the town let dogs in the door. Risby and Tess (Wee) also devoured some sausage as the rest of us enjoyed warm drinks and a snack at a local tea shop.

The next day was even better. After a grand breakfast we set off to hike to a lake with two dogs, a baby in the Bjorn, and Ollie in a backpack. The dogs had the time of their lives, and the rest of us truly enjoyed all that nature had to offer. Cole was snug as a bug next to Jen's chest and Ollie did well riding up on Tim's back. We didn't quite make it to the lakes, but we had a great time hiking up the mountain. Ollie surprised us by walking down 95% of the mountain.

It was a trip that we'll never forget, made perfect by our friends Chris and Jen. Ever the most gracious hosts, the Spaulding clan loved spending a holiday with the Wees. Thanks again guys!

We're Expecting!

After a visit to the OB this morning and a healthy view of the heartbeat and the baby, we are very pleased to announce that the newest Spaulding is due in early July!  As soon as we get the them scanned, we'll post the pics of the bean.  The doc says that everything looks good and there's only one in there.  It was great to hear the heartbeat and to see a little movement.  We're very excited to add another little one to the family and we'll keep you updated on the progress!

The Fabulous tLohse

Our good friend Tara took another photo shoot of our fam this past week.  Its been awesome to watch her business boom during our time here in the UK.  We're really going to miss her when she and her husband move back to the states in a few short weeks.

To check out some of the pics, visit her blog at:

T Lohse Photography

Dancing

Dancing
Originally uploaded by spauldingtj

When you feel the beat, you've got to dance

Harmonica

Harmonica
Originally uploaded by spauldingtj

Ollie's showing extreme amounts of musical talent at a very young age

When the Saints Go Marching In

If you make it to New Orleans, the best place to eat is this little kitchen on Dauphine Street. Its sometimes standing room only, but you know that the food is great by the happy noises that emanate to the street. You also have to know someone to get in (or know someone who knows someone). If you're lucky enough to get in, you'll enjoy gumbo, a cocktail, or some other delicious meal made with all possible calories (don't look for anything low fat). My Aunt runs this kitchen (now famous in the Marigny), and my family and some select friends have had the privilege to eat there many times. The lucky ones are invited to watch a football game on the large screen TV, and the most privileged of all are the ones who go to a Saints Football game with my Aunt. She's been a season ticket holder for over 20 years. So, when the Saints announced that they were playing the San Diego Chargers in London, my Aunt and some friends bought their tickets.

Tim, O, and I trekked into London yesterday to meet up with the Saints fans, donned Saints gear ourselves, and set out into the city yelling, "Who Dat!" to anyone wearing Saints or Chargers apparel.  We came across all sorts of Londoners who wished us and our team well, and we danced to the buskers playing "When the Saints Go Marching In."  The highlight of the day was our hour long private ride on the London Eye. We enjoyed wine and canapes as we took two revolutions on the Eye, courtesy of my Aunt's good friend Ross. Thanks Ross!! We had a fabulous time chatting, eating, and drinking while we took in the beautiful sights. It was a once in a lifetime opportunity!

Ollie as the littlest Saints fan, had a great time running around the cabin, watching the trains, boats, birds, little people and cars.  Who knew you could see so much from one place!

Family pic in our Saints gear

Todd and Aunt Booga

All of us on the Eye

Tagged

10 Years Ago (Oct. 1998):

1. I was a sophomore at Maryville College

2. I rode horses three or four times a week on the Equestrian Team (and loved every minute of it)

3. Kat and I were living the good life in Lloyd Hall (they tore the building down soon after we graduated)

4. I was suffering through 8 am organic chemistry classes

5. I was a Bonner Scholar (received a small stipend in return for 10 hours of volunteer work in the community)

5 Things on Today's "To Do" List:

1. Finish Thank You notes

2. Laundry

3. Workout

4. Clean the Bathrooms

5. Pick up the Mazda from the mechanic

5 Things I would do if I were a millionaire:

1. Buy a Horse

2. Pay for college for O

3. Find a way to give back to my community

4. Travel

5. Take care of my parents and my in-laws

5 Places I have Lived:

1. Bury St. Edmunds, UK

2. Boston, MA

3. Birmingham, AL

4. Wichita Falls, TX

5. Maryville, TN

5 Jobs I have Had:

1. Mom

2. Chemistry Teacher

3. Optometry Assistant (can't remember the exact title, but the person you see before the eye doctor)

4. Camp Counselor

5. Cashier

Alright...answer if you dare (if you haven't already)

Updates from the Island

Ready to go the the b'day party.  What you can't see is the street sign that says Fen Way.

Life is flying by like a speeding bullet, so here's a quick update:

We had a GREAT time in Rome.  Check out our Flickr page to see the pics.  The food and wine were amazing and the art and culture overwhelming.  

Top 5 favorite Things about Rome (in no particular order):

1) The Wine and Food

2) The gellato's

3) The Vatican Museum and St. Peter's Bascillica

4) Time to hang out with just Tim

5) The other amazing sights in Rome (Colosseum, Forum, Pantheon, Trevi Fountain, Spanish Steps, and a few more)

Top Five Things I could do without in Rome:

1) Visiting a crypt decorated with old bones

2) The ever present and annoying street vendors

3) Graffiti

4) Loud Americans 

5) Paying 9 euro for an espresso and cappuccino 

Ollie had a birthday party on Saturday afternoon with his pals Will and Bryson.  Between the three boys, we had quite the party!  Ollie didn't stop until we strapped him in the car to go home.  He had more sugar that day than I think he's ever had before.  While looking for a recipe for a b'day cake, I discovered that vegan = no dairy and no eggs.  Hallelujah!  Despite my cooking efforts, O did not enjoy a baseball cupcake.  Skittles please, Mommy.

Ollie still amazes Tim and I everyday.  O man is still a whirling dervish most of the time.  His favorite thing is to say that he's fallen down.  While the kid takes his fair share of toddler diggers, he's usually referring to imagined falls.  His imagination runs wild, as we shooed an invisible bee out of the living room this afternoon.  Man, is Ollie a ton of fun.

Picking Pumpkins

Picking Pumpkins
Originally uploaded by spauldingtj

What else should you do on a lovely fall October day in England?

How I spent my Vacation

The Eternal City

Is an awesome place to visit. Nuff said.

More pictures at www.flickr.com/spauldingtj

Welcome to the world Cole Wee!

Our friends Chris and Jen welcomed their son Coletrane Otto on the 30th.  He's weighing in at 5 pounds 15 ounces and 19 inches long.  Congrats guys!  You'll be great parents. 

making cookies

making cookies
Originally uploaded by spauldingtj

A happy helper!  The snickerdoodles turned out really well, despite not having eggs or butter in them.  I replaced the eggs with applesauce and the butter with a dairy free margarine.  O ate some of the dough, but none of the cookies.  Turns out that he's getting his 2 year molars...ouch!  I think the last one is breaking through, so we're almost done.

Animal Adventures

Ollie and I were very happy to greet Tim at the jet on Tuesday evening, after 48 hours of delay.  Its a mental challenge to have to wait longer than you anticipate for a homecoming.  

Wednesday morning, while O was at nursery, Tim and I went to Go Ape in Thetford Forest, which is about 30 minutes from our house.  We enjoyed some good laughs and great fun as we went through the five high rope courses and the zip line at the end of each.

Today, despite the wind, cold, and drizzle, we saw all sorts of animals at the Banham Zoo.  Ollie had a blast looking at all of the animals and making all sorts of animal sounds.

We're off to have a date night...can't beat dinner and a movie!

I'd Rather Be Riding

So, life is busy as usual, but I decided to take some time to myself while O was at nursery this morning and treat myself to a manicure, pedicure, and haircut.  I drove to Newmarket after dropping him off to find the happy sight of thoroughbreds in the midst of their morning workouts.  I can't tell you how fun it was to see several dozen chestnut and bay horses prancing around, either warming up for a sprint or cooling down after a good run.  Its not everyday that you see a 1000 pound animal crossing the road, and as most of you know I used to ride on a very regular basis back at school.  It was a nice way to start my Friday morning.  

In Ollie news, he is getting simply adorable.  There have been MANY times this week where I have to stifle a giggle so that I can get him back on track to what he's supposed to be doing.  I mean, everything he does is cute.  Ok...when he won't take his nap (like this afternoon), that's not so cute, and I could do without the whining.  But in general, he's stinking adorable.  I'm a little biased I think.  What does he do that's so cute, you ask?  Its the general two year old, exploratory, inquisitive toddler stuff.  I need to write this stuff down!  

Cooking Update

The store is out of the chocolate chips, so we haven't been able to make chocolate chip cookies yet.  Ollie enjoyed some jello tonight for dessert instead.  I made raspberry jello with orange juice instead of cold water...gives it a nice kick.  Sugar cookies are next on the list...I'll let you know how those go!  I also bought several different types of flour, so dairy free pancakes are in the near future : ) 

Playing

Playing
Originally uploaded by spauldingtj

Ollie is saying, "Thomas get Mater, Oliver get Mater." For those of you who aren't die hard Thomas fans, Oliver is one of the green trains. Just thought it was a cute moment to watch O play on his own without knowing that the camera was on!

Chocolate Chip Cookies

Most people know about Ollie's food issues.  He spent the summer of 2007 puking, and after numerous visits to the doc and then finally to a pediatric gastroenterologist, O was diagnosed with an allergy to casein.  Instead of being lactose intolerant (lactose is a carbohydrate), he is allergic to the protein in milk.  This means that we avoid anything that has milk in it (yogurt, butter, or anything cooked with milk) and the protein in soy is similar enough that we avoid soy as well.  It is a pain, but its far better than not knowing the cause of the puke!  

  

Today, I had a dietician come to our home to help me make sure that he's getting as many calories and the right kind of calories as well.  We're doing pretty well overall, according to Ruth.  She was able to give me some pointers and some recommendations for a dairy-free margarine that we can use on toast and in recipes.  So, with a new margarine and some dairy free dark chocolate chips, Ollie and I are going to bake and eat our first batch of chocolate chip cookies this afternoon!  I can't tell you how excited I am to watch him enjoy something that so many kids his age are able to.  I'll let you know how it goes!

Oh, there's a silver lining to all of this as well.  Ruth gave me the stats (can't remember them now), but most kids grow out of this allergy by the time they're two or three.  She thinks that O will be ready to slowly reintroduce some dairy this spring!  

Here's the recipe for the Deceptively Delicious Cookies that some friends were asking about.  They're REALLY yummy...

1 cup firmly packed brown sugar

3/4 cup trans-fat-free soft tub margarine spread (I normally use light butter)

2 large egg whites

2 t pure vanilla extract

1 (15 ounce) can chickpeas, drained and rinsed (I usually process them in a blender)

2 cups semisweet chocolate chips

2 cups all-purpose flour

1/2 cup old fashioned oats (like Quakers)

1 t baking soda

1/4 t salt

1. Preheat oven to 350.  Coat baking sheet with cooking spray.

2. Mix the flour, oats, baking soda, and salt in a bowl and set aside.

3. In a large mixing bowl, beat the sugar and margarine with a wooden spoon or on medium speed until smooth.  Beat in the egg whites and vanilla, then the chickpeas.  Add the flour and mix on low speed until a thick dough forms.  Add chocolate chips.

4. Drop the dough by tablespoon full onto the baking sheet, spacing the cookies about 2 inches apart.  Press gently with a fork to flatten.  Bake until the cookies are golden brown and just set, 11 to 13 minutes; do not overbake.  Transfer to a rack to cool.

5. Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days.

Hilarious!

Its times like these that make me REALLY miss living in the US.  Check out this link if you want a great laugh...

Tina Fey Parodies Sarah Palin on SNL Premiere - TV News, Sarah Palin, Tina Fey : People.com

Tears are rolling down my cheeks!  

Thank You

Abi and I ventured up to Nottingham yesterday so that I could run in the Robin Hood Half Marathon.  There were something like 13,000 people running in some capacity yesterday.  Its an amazing experience to run 13 miles in a crowd!  The town of Nottingham put on a great event, with tons of cheerers, lots of water stands, and a jazz band playing live music.  I saw scooby doo, a caveman, a super hero, a cow, a mouse, and a man pushing another in a wheel chair.  It was an incredible experience that I will never forget.  If you get the chance, Nottingham is a great town with great architecture, fun history, and a fabulous shopping area.  On our drive home, we also detoured through Stratam to avoid some traffic.  We saw three huge churches and lovely brown stone buildings as we sat waiting for traffic lights.  

I wanted to post a thank you to everyone who has encouraged and supported me as I trained and ran the half marathons...

To my husband and son, thank you for the support and the encouragement to run both half marathons.  Having you both in my life inspires me to be a better person.

To Abi, thanks for making the mini road trip with me, thanks for cheering for me, and thanks for encouraging me throughout the whole process.

To Julie S, thanks for training with me and for running the Mildenhall Half with me.  Yesterday wouldn't have gone so well if you hadn't been my running buddy!

To Anna E, thanks for watching Ollie on some of the long training runs...couldn't have done it without your help.

To friends and family, thanks for the encouragement and the congrats.  The kind words are very much appreciated!

Congrats--again!

Congratulations again to Dori--this time for finishing the Robin Hood Half Marathon in 2:02!

Fun finds

Google Analytics is amazing!  I could tell that someone in New Orleans (I'm guessing my Aunt B) checked my blog on the 9th of September AND I could tell that someone (Katie) checked my blog from Hanoi!!  I was able to find some extra blogs to add to my list!!!  Thanks friends...its good to read about your adventures : )

Helping Mommy

Helping Mommy
Originally uploaded by spauldingtj

Isn't that the cutest grin that you've ever seen!  Does this kid know what to do in front of a camera or what?  Last weekend, Ollie and I adapted a recipe to meet his dietary needs. They actually turned out really well without eggs or milk.  Ollie nibbled some of them, but I don't think that he was to keen on the texture just yet.   Things here are going pretty well.  The sun made a brief appearance last Wednesday while Ollie was at nursery.  After a nice run, I took the pup into town so that I could enjoy Market day and a cuppa at our favorite coffee spot.  You might think that tying a dog to the center of an outdoor table would signal dibs to the world, but not so to one couple walking by.  Fortunately, the couple took my polite hints well enough and let me enjoy a cappuccino and a chapter of my current book while the dog ate a pigs ear from the pet stand.  I don't often indulge on pure Mommy time, but the day was to nice to pass up.  

In other exciting news, we're planning a T & D getaway to Rome for a few days in early October.  Instead of carting Ollie-man around to the Coliseum and the Vatican, he's going to spend a few days with some friends.  I'm not sure if they'll be able to pry him away from the train table or the copious amounts of little boy toys.  We're going to have a trial run while they watch Ollie for my second half marathon.  Really, I'm going to run an entire marathon if you don't think much about the two week break that I took in the middle!  

Ollie and I are planning some nice surprises for Dad, who should be back from a long "business trip" in just a few more weeks.  I would tell you, but then I'd have to kill you (or block Tim from reading the blog).  Alright...I'm off to bed after a nice evening with the girls.  I was able to employ one of the babysitters last minute in order to escape to the movies.  Hope you're all doing well!

Popsicle

Popsicle
Originally uploaded by spauldingtj

Eating a rare treat at the Bressingham Gardens.  This video isn't nearly as cute as the other one, but I've figured out how to easily upload videos.  Thought the grandparents might enjoy this, at least.

I Love You Daddy

I Love You Daddy
Originally uploaded by spauldingtj

The first "I love you" goes to Dad! Its amazing to watch Ollie's vocabulary skills develop. We're also working on please and thank you, but they're not nearly as cute. Gramma's, hopefully you're next!

Congratulations

...to Dori for running the Mildenhall Half Marathon on Friday morning.  Well Done!

Tim

Sleeping Angel

Sleeping Angel
Originally uploaded by spauldingtj

There is nothing like the looking at your child as they sleep...a perfect picture of peace and serenity. Ollie's still doing well with the big boy bed, so I finally removed the crib from his room while he was at nursery today. We'll see how nap time goes!

Ollie does the funniest things sometimes. After a pretty naughty morning, I asked Ollie if he wanted to go to bed. I've found that he acts out if he's particularly tired or hungry. Since he wasn't eating much, I thought I'd try option B. Oddly enough, he answered "Ollie nap," after I asked him! He made his usual noises, but when I checked on him, he was curled up in the corner between his animals.

Since I'm on the sleeping topic, I'll give you the complete update. His bedtime has been bumped up to 7:30 or 8, depending upon our day. I was actually able to get up BEFORE him this morning, which was a welcome break. If he hadn't heard me moving around he probably would have slept in later. With the later bedtime, he's had later wake up times too. It probably helps that I tried my hardest to get him to stay in bed until 7!

Since I have the crib out of his room, I have finished hanging things. All that I need to do is order some pictures to fill a couple frames, and his room will be DONE! I'm also in the midst of painting our house. I know, you might think that its not worth it when we'll only be here for another year and a bit, but I am done looking at dirty walls. So if you're in my neck of the woods, pop over sometime and check out the "slate green" in my hallway or the "crushed cotton" in the master bedroom.

Hope all is well with you all!

All About Me

"Its when you're safe at home that you wish you were having an adventure.  When you're having an adventure you wish you were safe at home." - Thornton Wilder

I sometimes feel that I should put an advance warning on a long, wordy blog.  Perhaps I should let the reader know that I'm about to expound upon my life and thoughts in a chaotic, tangent filled, ramble.  But...I won't warn you.  Its a blog and if you don't want to read it, you won't.

I recently stumbled across two friends' blogs and I've enjoyed reading about their adventures this summer and I'm inspired to write more about ME this post and less about my kid.  In England, there seem to be two types of spouses.  Those who have kids, and those who don't.  Most of us will eventually wear the Mommy hat...it's just a matter of time.  Despite the inevitability, there is a divide between the two.  No one can prepare you for the all consuming job of motherhood.  So you join the club, looking over your shoulder with sad eyes during another two am feeding at the days gone by.  The Moms wonder what those people without kids do to fill their days (they must be so happy ALL of the time!  Honestly, how do they fill the hours?), and the "single" gals stay busy taking care of life (running their own small business, continuing their education, helping the Moms with their little ones, keeping our community strong, and taking care of life in a different country).

So, I  sometimes feel a slight pang of jealousy after browsing my friends' summer stories...I can't travel easily, I can't sleep in (I say a prayer of thanks when I don't hear my "alarm clock" until 7 am), I can't go out at night without paying an ungodly amount to a babysitter, and I can't lay on the sofa and watch movies all day (or do anything else that interferes too much with nap time).  Its so easy to fall into the "what ifs" day dream, but its a slippery slope. 

Its all a reminder that the grass is always greener on the other side, you shouldn't wish your life away, and you can't have your cake and eat it too.  I have to remind myself that one day, I will sleep in again.  I too, will be able to travel on a plane without chasing a toddler up and down the aisle, and reading Where the Wild Things Are to my not-quite-two-year-old son brings an amazing amount of joy to the both of us.  My life would be so different if I hadn't had a baby and the experiences and friendships that go along with the journey. 

If you see me chasing my busy kid around, please remember a few things:

I have galloped bareback, I was at Woodstock '99  watching the Red Hot Chilli Peppers play while the fires started, my husband and I had a very romantic long-distance relationship during college, I'm training for a half marathon in 8 days (and I'll probably run another one two weeks after that), I finished a sprint triathlon this summer in 1 hour, 32 minutes, and 45 seconds,  one day I will get my masters degree and find employment outside my home, I love my husband, and I love my little boy.  

I am a great Mom, but I am more than just a Mom.   

Life is a juggling act, so we have to examine the balls that we have in the air to see if they're still worth the bother.

  

My life is made wonderful by the fabulous friends that I am privileged to know.  My husband, is of course, the best friend that I have.  I also have friends that I can call after a six month lapse in communication, and talk like we live down the street.  I have a great friend who endlessly listens to my worries, fears, and insecurities and always gives me great advice (you know who you are), I have a friend who hires a babysitter and has her husband stay with my kid so that I can get out of the house.  I have a friend who kid-swaps so that I can get a workout and another who watches my kid so that I can train for the half-marathon.  I have friends who laugh at my jokes, give me parenting advice, and I have two friends (who write about their summer adventures) that were willing to watch my son so that my Mom and I could enjoy some time together in London.  I have a great family that loves me and cares for me while my husband is away, great in-laws who spoil me (and take care of me), and a fabulous husband who works very hard to provide for our family and who also trains very hard to be the best at what he does (the guys and gals all train very hard).

My life is full of blessings, so here's to appreciating what you have when you have it.  When you start to add them up, the blessings overwhelmingly outweigh the "what ifs."  My cup runneth over.

Swing

Swing
Originally uploaded by spauldingtj

Wow! I finally figured out an easy way to upload videos. Hope it works and enjoy! Ollie sure did. We had a nice day at the Steam Gardens and Museum. Thomas was there that day, so Ollie had a blast seeing Thomas the Tank Engine and his pals.

Such a Joy

Ollie and I have had such a good morning.  Life has been so hectic and busy lately that I decided to really relax today and enjoy his company.  

We played with his "new trains" and some of the other toys in his room.  He spent a solid five minutes putting the trains on top of the wooden bridge just to watch them slide down one way or the other and say "Wee!  Thomas, wee!  Percy, wee! Oliver, wee!"  There is also an engine named James, which he calls Jimmy.  For the life of me, I can't figure out where he picked that up!  

We read some stories before naptime (one of our favorite activities...you can't beat cuddling time).  It's amazing to see him explore and discover the same books that we've been reading for months.  

The big boy bed is still going well.  I'm going to bite the bullet and remove the crib next week.  I was also able to locate the charger for the camera battery, so I'll post some pictures soon.

Compromise

I LOVE this age.  Okay the tantrums aren't fun, but it seems that Ollie and I have figured each other out lately so the tantrums seem to come less often.  Its a fine balance between accomplishing what I need to and letting Ollie take the time that he needs to explore and discover.  It also helps to have a regular food and sleep schedule.  Anyway, we had the perfect example of this compromise on our walk home this evening.  A good friend invited us over for dinner and since she lives only about a half a mile away, we walked.  Ollie didn't want to ride in the stroller on the way home, so I let him walk for a little while.  The street that my friend lives on is rather busy, so I wanted Ollie to ride in the stroller.  Since he has perfected the arching back/board baby technique, forcing him into the stroller isn't an easy option.  So, I decided to try and reason with him.  He needed to ride in the stroller, but when we got to our neighborhood he could get out of his stroller and walk.  I'll be darned, but it worked!  The walk into our neighborhood also took about 30 minutes, but we thoroughly enjoyed picking grass, petting the cat and dog that passed by, and inspecting the ground.  Its an amazing experience to watch him explore all of the things that we take for granted. 

One quick story before I sign off.  While we were on a walk in Germany last weekend, Ollie picked up a stick and began to walk with it or pull it behind him (who knew how much fun a stick could be).  At one point Tim handed him a taller stick (Ollie was hunching over so that he could walk with the stick like a cane), but Ollie told Tim that it was Daddy's stick.  After a few more paces, he stopped and picked up another stick and handed it to me saying, "Mommy's stick."  Its the little things in life that bring joy.

A German Wedding

Tim and I were honored to travel to Germany this weekend to attend the wedding of our good friends Lukas and Anna.  We've known them for several years and have become closer since we moved to the UK.  Lukas and Anna are always gracious hosts, and this weekend was no exception.  Not only did we meet some really interesting people, we had a very unique and unforgettable experience.  

Ollie was able to hang out with Erik (2) and Sophie (2 1/2).  Even though none of them were proficient at their first language, it was amazing to watch them communicate and play in the universal language of toddlers.  I think Ollie has even picked up some German words over the weekend.  

Every experience that we've had with Germans (okay, they are friends and not just random people off of the street) has been great.  Although we were the only non-Germans at the wedding, everyone that we ran into spoke very good English.  It speaks to their good manners, but many times someone would apologize for not speaking proper English (and invariably they had near perfect fluency).   

Overall, we had a very relaxing and long weekend.  Tim was able to take Friday off, so we relaxed and enjoyed some quality family time.  Ollie finds lots of pleasure in throwing rocks and identifying every thing that he can.  He runs an almost constant commentary on what he sees, what he's doing, what he has just done, what he's about to do, and if all else fails he will talk about his favorite things.  We'll ride along in the car for a little while and hear, "Freight cars.  Naughty freight cars." (Thanks Grandma M for the Thomas videos!)  Freight cars sound a lot like white cars.  It was an exciting moment when Tim and I realized what Ollie was saying, because Ollie will often repeat the word or phrase until you acknowledge what he's saying.  A good strategy when you're working on diction.  A quick note on all of this chatter, by the way.  I remember hearing, many times, that I would be so excited to hear him speak his first words (very true), but very ready for him to stop talking once he started.  I must say that the second half of this statement isn't true.  The exploding vocabulary helps he and I communicate better, which cuts down on temper tantrums (always a plus).  So, I love the talking.  Ask me again in a year, and maybe I'll feel differently.  I hope not.  

Big Boy Bed

It all happens SO quickly!  Ollie is asleep in his big boy bed for the first time.  I thought I'd just put it in his room and let him get used to it, but he was so excited about it that there wasn't much choice in the matter.  He climbed into it and proclaimed, "sleep, Ollie."  And, instead of the tantrum associated with bedtime, he fell asleep after about 15 minutes of winding down time (pretty standard).  Let's hope the happiness continues!  And a big thanks to Kim.  I learn so much from observing her and the great way that she raises her oldest son, Adam.  Taking her lead, I told Ollie that he had to stay in bed until we get him.  So far this evening, its worked!

Ollie Update

Ollie continues to thrive in toddler-hood.  He says a TON of words, with new ones everyday.  I'm afraid that glimmers of terrible twos appear without warning.  Ollie is still a very opinionated kid, and look out if he's tired or hungry.  On the flip side, he's also a very sweet kid giving kisses and hugs to everyone.  The picture is of a play-date with Adam and Will.  They were giving each other a group hug.  You can see my hand stabilizing the toddler tower, since they often push each other over in the process.  Little boys...never a dull moment!

Busy Day!

                     William Ellis Kinzer, 7 lbs. 12 ounces, and 21 inches long

                      Josiah Paul Ganske, 8 lbs. 2 ounces, and 19 inches long.

We're very pleased to welcome both William Ellis Kinzer and Josiah Paul Ganske, both born on July 24th (Zach Segal's birthday).  We're very thankful that all three of these baby boys made it into the world safely.  Congrats guys!

Zachary David Segal

Our good friends welcomed their second son into the world this afternoon.  He's 21 inches tall and a hefty 8 lbs 7 ounces.  Congrats Kim and Scott!  Days like today are great reminders of the miracle of life.  Kim is a great Mom, and its been nice to have her a little ahead of me to warn me of the pitfalls of parenting.  I know that she and Scott will be fabulous with the second one as well.

Time Out

So what do you do with a misbehaving toddler?  All parents go through the discipline question...it's inevitable.  Tim and I don't love the idea of spanking (at this age, at least), so time out seems like an acceptable alternative to let Ollie know that some behavior is unacceptable.  So, this morning when he pulled Risby's tail, I put him in time out.  He's only there for a minute, and when he's done I reinforce, "No pulling Risby's tail."  Ollie knows that he isn't supposed to do it.  I continue to get some work done around the house, and I notice that Ollie is bringing lamb, bear, bus, and Sally (from Cars) to sit in time out with him (he put himself there again).  "Bus, time out, lamb, time out."  It was adorable, but oh the guilt I felt!  After we returned from the gym, I gave him a reprimanding look for eating a freezer cube (its nontoxic, but it doesn't need to be destroyed).  I didn't intend for him to go to time out, but he sent himself there anyway.  Oh, the things these kids do!  He keeps a smile on my face, that's for sure.

At the Beach

At the Beach
Originally uploaded by spauldingtj

While my Mom was here, we went to Southwold, a cute town on the coast about an hour from where we live. We had a good time and Ollie loved everything about the beach. Unfortunately, its not North Carolina, so it wasn't very warm. What you see in the picture is as far as I went into the water.

Spaghetti Night

IMG_8121.JPG
Originally uploaded by spauldingtj

Gotta love a toddler feeding himself. Man, does this kid love spaghetti sauce!

Editorializing...

Want a good read about the US and the problems we face?  Check the link below:

Article on income inequality

Comments are welcome... encouraged in fact.  I like this article because I think it gets to the heart of what politics and government is all about when it asks: "what kind of society do we want to live in?"

- Tim

Driving

Driving
Originally uploaded by spauldingtj

This is one of Ollie's favorite places to be. He loves to "drive" the car and I often find that the windshield wipers and blinkers are on once I start the engine. Always good for a laugh!

cheering section

cheering section
Originally uploaded by spauldingtj

reference previous post -- here's Ollie with the sign he made (OK, well he didn't really make it) for mom.

He didn't quite get what was going on (when Dori got in the water he starting taking his clothes off because he thought he was going to go swimming too), but by the end he had it figured it out and was very happy to see mom at the finish line

Triathlons and Barbeques

Happy 4th everyone!  We decided to celebrate Independence Day with some British friends and neighbors and some old friends who are moving to our (relative) neck of the woods.  We made do with Coors Light instead of Sam Adams, and Tim made his famous burgers.  

Since we're staying in the UK for another year and a half or so, we decided to rent a storage unit nearby in lieu of moving house.  We're putting Ollie in the bigger room and his room will become a study/storage room.  I bought blue paint for Ollie's walls, so I'll update with pictures once I get the room painted.  After moving furniture, we managed to take a walk through some of the public footpaths that fill the countryside here in Suffolk.  Our walk began through a horse pasture, home to a large and very curious chestnut.  Ollie, as always, was a character.  He had a great time pulling a large stick behind him and checking out the goodies that nature had to offer.  Things were going well, until he decided to stop, turn around, and announce "Home, back," and he began to walk in the opposite direction.  We were able to continue on a bit further, but it was the beginning of the end.  After our walk, we visited the Flying Fortress where we enjoyed a pint and Ollie enjoyed his dinner, the wheat field, and the playground.

Tim and Ollie were great cheerleaders for me as I took raced another sprint triathlon this morning.  I managed to finish a 750 m swim, 18 km bike, and 5k run in about an hour and a half.  The run was a little bit short, but overall the course was pretty good.  Two of my friends ran the race with me, which was a nice treat.  After a hot bath, a power nap, and a neck rub, I'm as good as new.

PS Check out the Anna and Jim link to the right if you're interested in a more detailed description of our trip to Bordeaux

No Excuse is a Good Excuse

It seems that every night arrives after a very busy day, leaving me little to no time to post.  As I was checking my friends' blogs (something I do obsessively), I realized that I should just go ahead and post even if its not the perfect post.  Ollie man and I took the trek down to Gatwick Airport this morning to drop my Mom off.  We were very sad to see her off after the best visit that we've ever had.

We were REALLY lucky and didn't hit any traffic to speak of, and the day was beautiful and sunny as we drove down the M11.  Since Ollie slept in the car, we stopped at the BXtra to buy some paint supplies and a new lunch box.  We're switching Ollie to the bigger room and converting his old room into a really big closet.  You know that men designed the bathrooms in the UK, because the only thing that you can plug in in the bathroom, is a shaver.  This leaves me several feet away from a mirror as I dry and fix my hair.  So, the new room will be the place for that.  Exciting stuff!  Well, I'm acutally really excited to get Ollie's room set up, because we're going to put him in a big boy bed AND I will be able to take a shower while he's napping (sounds like a small thing, but its actually a real hassle).  He's able to climb out of the crib, he just doesn't know it yet.  We'll have to take the plunge one day, so it might as well be before he hurts himself climbing out.

Ollie's still a busy little guy.  He says a TON of words and his enunciation gets better everyday.  He can clearly say "Thomas," as in the tank engine.  McQueen has a rival for his affection.    Ollie has been a ton of fun lately, as long as he's not throwing a typical toddler temper tantrum.  Ollie is no shrinking violet and will let you know exactly what he'd like you to do, and if you don't do it, you might see the angry upset face.  Fortunately, the episode's don't last too long.

Alright...I'm out.  Hope everyone's well!

Bavaria and Bordeaux

Where to begin...the past three weeks have been the busiest on record for us.   I promise to elaborate more (with pictures), but here a quick summary: the Mackay/Laney clan arrived on the 23rd of May to visit the local scenery before hopping on another plane to Munich.  We spent a great week in Garmisch-Partinkirchen with my parents, my sister and brother-in-law, and their three kids.  We ditched them with Ollie at the airport in London and began the drive to Bordeaux with our good friend Tom.  Our friends Jim and Anna met us in Bordeaux city, where we enjoyed a fabulous Moroccan restaurant and a bottle of Dom courtesy of Tom's future employer.  We then enjoyed a child-free week (Thanks to Mom and her friend Danielle) in the countryside of Bordeaux.  As you can imagine, the full details will take more than one post.

Hope you all are well and I'll leave you with the news that the Spaulding clan is set to reside in the UK for another year!

All our Love,

Tim, Dori, and Ollie

My Favorite Men

Reading
Originally uploaded by spauldingtj

Ollie LOVES to read stories, especially with his Dad. Not much is better than story time with the old man. Here's an update of the cute things that he's up to these days...when Ollie sees his toothbrush (or the bathroom its kept in, for that matter), he says "Toofies," which translates to "Mom I'd like to eat my toothbrush and I would love it even more if you'd put some of that yummy Thomas the Tank Engine toothpaste on it!" His obsession with McQueen continues and Mommy's kiss fixes everything. He loves to "help" vacuum the stairs or sweep the kitchen floor, and he likes to give the dog treats. We're in the stage where he'll pull me (or you) along by the hand if he wants you to sit with him, move, or anything else his toddler mind thinks up.
Hope all is well with everyone. We're busy planning our 5th anniversary trip to Bordeaux (combined with Grandma Mackay's trip to England...gotta love Grandparents!) and the trip to Bavaria with my sister, her husband, their three kids, and my folks. Should be a TON of fun and I can't remember the last time that I had two full weeks of vacation. Stay tuned for pictures!

for sale

market day
Originally uploaded by spauldingtj

OK, some explanation here. The bazaaris in Bury sell many things: meat, cheese, vegetables, flowers, cards, books, and clothes. This particular stall has been selling clothes for as long as we've lived here anyway.

It might just be my foreign sensibilities, but I have always thought the type of clothes they sold at this particular stall was slightly odd...it just doesn't seem like the kind of thing that you would generally buy outside, in front of 200 of your neighbors!

I've wanted to get a picture of this unique point-of-sale for a long time, but was unable to muster the courage to stand there with my camera and take a picture...I don't embarrass all that easy, but I didn't want to get a reputation for being 'that pervy guy' taking pictures of knickers on the street.

So anyway, I was stuck. Normally in this situation I would use a telephoto lens, which is a good way to get candid photos of places and people without having to interrupt them by taking pictures of things they probably consider quite boring and usual. This place sits right against a building however, so that wasn't an option.

So this weekend, I was reading a book about Ian Fleming and had a flash of genius; on saturday I took ollie up in the pushchair, borrowed dori's camera, and flashed a picture, 007-style, as I walked by. Truly great (or truly sad), depending on your viewpoint I guess.

Important Phone Calls

Phone Calls
Originally uploaded by spauldingtj

In the latest and greatest stage of development, Ollie has begun some imaginative play. He feeds lamb, puppy, McQueen, or bus (some of his favorite toys) bananas, pretzels, raisins, or whatever else he's snacking on. His bus obsession continues, so much so that he told the phone this morning, "the Bus! Car!" followed by some unintelligible phrases.

We're in the middle of Ollie's first ear infection. Knew that one had to come sometime. Fortunately, I think that we caught it early enough to avoid the super bad middle of the night high fever.

We're excited for a visit from the family in just a couple of weeks. We've told Ollie that Aunt Becky, Uncle Chris, Grandma, Grandpa, Alex, Sarah, and Katie are visiting soon, but all he seems to care about is his cousin Katie. She's four months younger than he is and they really hit it off. When they all get here, I'm sure that he'll be pumped to see the rest of the folks as well. We're blessed to have some great friends for Ollie, but there's something extra special about cousins. We can't wait to have them here!

Hope all is well with everyone. Drop us a line anytime and let us know how you are!

Take Care,
Dori

Ready to Party

Ready to Party
Originally uploaded by spauldingtj

In the Tunnel

In the Tunnel
Originally uploaded by spauldingtj

We're having a grand time with this age. Ollie loves to "help" with whatever I'm doing. We water the plants, cook, give treats to the dogs, or whatever else Mom or Dad are doing. Tess Wee is with us this week and man does Ollie love her. Ollie has also developed a love for "Puppy," a stuffed puppy dog that Meg gave him a LONG time ago. His other favorites include "There's a Wocket in My Pocket" and "Dinosaur Roar." Doesn't get any better than rhymes! He's very happy to read Dinosaur Roar over and over again. Mostly as a stall tactic to avoid bed or nap time.

The man's also going through a bout of separation anxiety. We pulled up to his nursery today, and he began to cry and scream before I'd even parked the car. The ladies at the nursery assure me that its harder on me than it is on him, and its a phase that he's going through. I hope so!

Ollie in the Gardens

Ollie in the Gardens
Originally uploaded by spauldingtj

We've had GREAT weather here in jolly ol' England. Here's a pic of the man enjoying some outdoor time. He loves the fresh air.

Down With the Aphids!

The return of spring weather motivated me to garden a bit during Ollie's afternoon nap.  We're fortunate to have several rose bushes in the garden, but they're already covered with aphids.  Instead of covering the roses with noxious chemicals, I think that I'm going to head over to the garden shop again and see about some natural predators.  If only the spiders ate them!  We already have a generous helping of eight legged creatures out there.  

I'll post some pictures of the garden soon.  My mother-in-law is very handy in the garden and helped me get it started this year.  Should be nice once everything gets going.

Ollie's doing really well still.  Slept about two and a half hours today...woo hoo!  We're going to a luau themed event this evening so I'll post a picture of him in his real deal Hawaiin Shirt, courtesy of Katie Mills.

Hope all is well with everyone,

D

Papa

Papa
Originally uploaded by spauldingtj

Ollie LOVED his Papa. Anytime we were away from him, he would ask in his adorable toddler voice "Papa, papa?" Its going to be a beautiful relationship as Ollie gets older.

On a side note, Ollie continues to do really well at nursery. He didn't even blink as one of the ladies took him back to the toddler area this morning. And normally, when I come to pick him up, he heads right for the door.  Today he was content to stay and play a little longer. 

In other good news, the transition from one nap to two seems to be complete. He sleeps between 2 and 3 hours in the afternoon, instead of one hour with a very grumpy afternoon ahead.  Its amazing how much you can get done without the pitter patter of his little feet!

Tired Boy

Tired Boy
Originally uploaded by spauldingtj

After two days in London, Ollie was ready to sleep anywhere. Sleeping children are so peaceful, aren't they? We had a great time with Grandma and Grandpa Spaulding, visiting the Natural History Museum and the Churchill War Rooms. Ollie had a fabulous time with the grandparents. Come back soon!!

The man is still a ton of fun. Ollie has definite ideas about what he does and doesn't want. He does like to watch Elmo (five-minute podcasts) and he does NOT like any type of clothing/diaper change. It slows down playtime to much. He really likes his books and will sit in a laundry basket on top of a pillow with Elmo, lamb, a blanket, and a few books while I shower or straighten the room.

We've hit another milestone this week. For the first time, Ollie used the potty. We've had many episodes where he says that he wants to use it just after a bath, only to have him pee all over the floor. It was nice to hit the bulls eye for once. We're in no rush to complete the training, but if he asks to use the potty who am I to deny him!

Keep an eye out for some great pics. We had a session with the fabulous Tara Lohse while the folks were in town. The sky was blue and the sun was shining...can't get better than that!

Ollie Update

Closeup
Originally uploaded by spauldingtj

Ollie is more fun than not these days (when he's not recovering from a cold, that is!) He says some two word phrases like Choo-choo, bye-bye. Bye-bye is his new favorite these days.

Coffee with Grandpa

Coffee with Grandpa
Originally uploaded by spauldingtj

We're having a great visit with Grandma and Grandpa Spaulding. It sure is nice to have extra help when Ollie hits the "five o'clocks" as we call them.

McQUEEN!!

McQUEEN!!
Originally uploaded by spauldingtj

Yes, those are swimming trunks he's wearing. If Ollie sees even a little bit of these, he grabs them and begs to put them on. He's a little obsessed with cars, trains, and Elmo. That's a boy for you!

Cooking Attire

Cooking Attire
Originally uploaded by spauldingtj

After Tim wore his apron one evening, Ollie asked to wear it. He does the cutest things sometimes!

A Climber on Our Hands

Squinty Smile
Originally uploaded by spauldingtj

Yes, Oliver has learned how to climb OUT of his crib. Right in front of me, after an afternoon shower, the kid hiked one leg over and scaled down the side of the crib. I'll post a picture of his new big boy bed soon. Hah! The kid has an amazing amount of upper body strength.

On another note, Ollie is doing REALLY well at the Green Wellie. I celebrated by taking a riding lesson. Its been a really long time since I've trotted without stirrups! In typical English weather, the sun shone and spit hail on me within an hour. Me time is a fabulous thing.

not broken yet

not broken yet
Originally uploaded by spauldingtj

OK, one more: our daffodils (2 weeks behind the rest of the daffodils around town), weren't big fans of the snow either.

al fresco

al fresco
Originally uploaded by spauldingtj

And, in case you didn't get it enough already, it snowed this weekend, throwing my plans to enjoy a glass of wine on the patio into disarray.

sweater vest dudes

sweater vest dudes
Originally uploaded by spauldingtj

I have been accused of being behind the camera far more than I am in front of it, so I am posting this picture to prove that the rumors of my disappearance have been greatly exaggerated. Note from this picture that even though I try to dress like my son, he still ends up looking cooler than I do!

Tim

Ollie and Mom in the snow

Ollie and Mom in the snow
Originally uploaded by spauldingtj

I'm Dreaming of a White Easter

We had a GREAT Easter Sunday today, celebrating with some good friends. Despite the snow falling in big chunky flakes, We trekked out into the snow to attend the services held at the Abbey Cathedral in downtown Bury. After church, we enjoyed a quick coffee at Cafe Nero, and then it was off home to get ready for our dinner guests. Ollie did us the great favor of taking a two hour nap, so we were able to relax and enjoy ourselves when the guests arrived instead of slaving away in the kitchen, like we usually do! We had the pleasure of six adults and four babes (Ollie was the oldest) for Easter dinner. I'm happy to say that it was a success.

Go Gmail

Books!
Originally uploaded by spauldingtj

I'm making the switch to gmail after several years with yahoo. If you're sending an e-mail to me, the first part stays the same and the last part is @gmail.com.

Ollie and I had a nice day today, but unfortunately no camera. He played in the creche (British word for nursery) while I jogged with the jogging group at the gym. After a nice nap, we walked into town so that Ollie could chase the ducks. There's not much cuter than a toddler trying to pet ducks and the ducks staying just far enough away. After some quality time in the playground, we met our friends Julia (a Mom friend), Archie, and Thomas (twin one-year-olds) at Starbucks for a nice dinner. It was a great way to break up the often painful late afternoon. By the time we arrived home, Ollie was almost ready for bed.

We're off to the nursery tomorrow, so I'll let you know how that goes. Hope you're doing well,
D

Goodnight Gorilla

Goodnight Gorilla
Originally uploaded by spauldingtj

Ollie did the cutest thing the other day. As I was putting clean sheets on our bed, he gathered the pillows and made a spot for himself. He then went into his room and brought back lamb (his favorite stuffed animal) and one of his all-time favorite books, "Goodnight Gorilla." He then began to "read" to himself, using some of the same hand movements that I use when I read the book to him. It was so cute that I stood around the corner and pretended to do something else so that I could watch him without disturbing the moment.
In other Ollie news, we counted his words and he's over fifty. A light went on in his brain on Sunday, and he now understands what keys do. He took the car keys and walked around saying "KEY, KEY" as he tried to put them into anything remotely resembling a keyhole. Ollie still loves his dog, and can say "Risby" pretty clearly. On the down side, he's got the patience of a one year old, which means none at all. We have a little teddy bear stool that I've named the patience stool. I sit him on it while he waits for whatever I'm getting (lunch, milk, snack). It sort of works.
Ollie's going to nursery for the first time on Wednesday. The socialization will be great for him (he's got a LOT of Tim in him), and I'm very excited about some me time. Its a win-win situation! On our initial visit, I had a hard time tearing him away from the sand-pit. Overall, I had a warm and fuzzy feeling about the place, with nice, friendly staff and loads of activities to enrich his time. I'll keep you posted.
Hope everyone is doing well!
Talk to you soon,
D

Give me the Camera!

Give me the Camera!
Originally uploaded by spauldingtj

Ollie only tolerates picture taking for so long before he wants to play.

Ollie in the Daffs

The Daffs
Originally uploaded by spauldingtj

Among the daffodils. Ollie had a great time walking and looking around the pretty yellow flowers.