Happy 2008 … almost! December 31, 2007

Hi all! Sorry I haven’t updated since we got to the UK. It’s been very busy! Where to begin? Well, we got here, but our luggage didn’t! We had to run for the plane in Chicago because we were delayed 2 hours in Miami. Our Chicago flight was delayed 15 minutes, so we just made it! PHEW! It was half-full because it was to Manchester and not London, so we took a middle aisle and Jack was able to lay down and sleep.

So, we arrived in the UK, but because of the tight connection our luggage didn’t. No big deal. I had all of Jack’s essentials. Not to worry, it showed up the next day (Christmas) so we were happy to be able to change our clothes!

We had a wonderful Christmas. Jack was spoiled by everyone, and Sean cooked an amazing meal. All the family came around again on Dec. 26, which is Boxing Day here, so it’s been one celebraion after another.

We’ve been able to spend a lot of time with Jonathan and Michael as well, and yesterday we drove about 2 hours to a village near Birmingham to see Sharon. It had been 4 years since I last saw her when she was my guest on QM2. She lives in Aylesbury, which is about 40 minutes north of London, so we met half-way. And the nice surprise was that she brought her mom, Pat.

Other than that, we’ve stuck around here and done a little shopping. It’s sooooo expensive! The same Fisher Price toys we have for Jack are double and TRIPLE the price over here. Ouch! Not to mention the dollar to pound is terrible. So, we haven’t gone too crazy. We also went ice skating the other day, which was so fun. I hadn’t been in years.

Hard to believe today is the last day of 2007. I keep telling Jack he’s going to “meet” a new year, since he’s only known 2007. I won’t start reflecing on the amazing year we had, as Jack’s about to wake from his nap … speaking of Jack and sleep – it’s been a challenge! From the time we landed, he was AMAZING during the day. But nights are different! Since England is 5 hours ahead, his body clock has taken it’s sweet time adjusting. I can’t blame him, as we’re the ones who dragged him across the globe! So, the first few nights he’d wake up at 2 or 3 and cry for 2 hours as we tried to get him back to sleep (he wanted to play). But, he’s finally settled down and today he slept until 8:30! We’re getting spoiled, but I know once we get back to Miami and into our routine, he’ll be up at 6 am again. That’s ok, as long as he get’s back on his schedule!

Well, better run! Just wanted to let you all know we’re thinking of you. I’ll post photos when we get back to Miami, as we have some really cute ones.

We wish you a HAPPY, HEALTHY and WONDERFUL 2008!

Love,
Julie, Gerry and Jack

Jack is 11 Months December 19, 2007

Where has the time gone? I can’t believe my little baby boy is going to be 1 next month! Here are the pictures from yesterday. He’s at the point now where he wants to play with the paper, so the photo session wasn’t as smooth as it used to be – haha! But, his cuteness still shines through!

10 Months – the Forgotten Post December 19, 2007

Oops! I just realized I never posted his 10-month photo — and it’s a really cute one! So, here it is. Gerry took this one, and he did a great job!

Exciting News! (NO, I am NOT pregs!) December 19, 2007

First, apologies for the lack of posts. Gerry’s been out of town, and to top it off Jack got croup last week! He took meds and is doing a nebulizer (sp) a couple of times a day. He’s fine now, but that cough sounded horrible. Oh, and his top two teeth have popped through! He’ll be eating steak in no time! And, I got a cold I am sure it will be gone before Sunday.

So, the news … Friday night we had Gerry’s company holiday party. They do an employee drawing with lots of prizes – some good, some not so good. First, we won a $200 American Express gift card! Whooo whooo! (Gerry got a new GPS and I got a sweater from my favorite store.) We never win anything, so this was great! Then, they put all of the names back in the hat for the three grand prizes. They had two domestic air tickets, a confirmed Seabourn Cruise and … two INTERNATIONAL FLIGHTS TO EUROPE – which we WON!!!! I was screaming!!!!!!!! How excited are we?!?!?!?!?! We decided that while we love visiting our family in the UK, we are going to take a vacation to somewhere we’ve both never been. If things work out, we’ll be going to Vienna, Austria, some time next year!!!! YIPPEEEEEEEEEEEEE! We should have played the lottery Saturday night!

Jack’s First Kiss December 11, 2007

It’s official! Jack had his first kiss last Wednesday! Our friends Lindsay and Rico were in town for a couple of days before joining their ship (she’s a headline entertainer – incredible singer!) and they have a gorgeous daughter, Evie, who will be 2 this month. Well, Evie planted a big one right on Jack’s mouth, and he looked a bit stunned! haha! It was very sweet.

Jack is in love… December 5, 2007

…with his new ball pit! I never thought to get Jack a ball pit, until we spent the week in St. Louis. He LOVED playing in them at Erica’s and Karyn’s houses, and he was having fun just sitting in the pit throwing the balls. As luck would have it, Toys R Us had them 50% off when we got back to Miami! So, Jack got a new ballpit. Here he’s playing during his helmet off time. In the one where he is looking down, we were dropping the balls through a hole in the top, and he was so excited when they fell!

Lifetime Member! December 2, 2007

Just wanted to share that yesterday I became a lifetime member at Weight Watchers! Yeah! Now I don’t have to pay to go to the meetings. You get this by reaching your goal weight and maintaining it for 6 weeks. If you go over by 2 pounds, then you have to pay for that meeting, but that won’t happen to me! Overall, I lost 40 pounds since the end of May! And the really great thing is that if you are at your goal weight when you get pregnant (NO, I am NOT pregnant!) you get to go to WW for six months (if you are breastfeeding, 3 months if you aren’t) after the baby is born for FREE!

I feel so bad..Gerry and Jack tried to surprise me at the meeting to support me in getting my Lifetime Membership, but they couldn’t find the place and I left my cell at home! I was so touched Am I lucky or what?!