A momentous week

Theo did a couple of new things this week. First, he rolled over. Neither of us have actually seen him do this but on a few occassions now Jackie has left Theo on his back in his gym, only to come back when he was grizzling because he was on his front.

Jackie took this video in an attempt to get evidence of this happening but he was stubborn...

The other first this week was Theo had a poo in the bath. No pictures or videos of that you'll be pleased to know.

Theodore Kemble - International Man of Mystery

Theo has a passport. We were worried we'd left it a little late when we found out that he needed to get a citizenship certificate before getting a passport but Jackie spoke to the good folk at the embassy here and they were able to do both applications at the same time.

So Theo is now ready to be leaving on a jet plane for NZ...

Less than 4 weeks now and he'll be in NZ.

An interesting situation Theo has is that because he has NZ citizenship by descent, if he ever had children and they were born outside of NZ, his children would have no entitlement to NZ citizenship. Which would be an awkward situation if he was living in a country in which his children didn't qualify for citizenship. He would have stateless children.

We'll hopefully be able to get that fixed at some stage but if we don't can someone remind us to let Theo know about this situation when he's a bit older.

We've finally had some snow here over the past week. Nothing major but enough to settle for a day or so. And we've had cold temperatures too, minus 7 yesterday when we got up and about minus 5 when I went out for my run. It was a beautiful day though with perfectly blue skies all day so we went out for a good walk around Tooting Common.

Here's a few photos from the past few days...

Ready to face the cold last weekend.

Looking happy with mum who is glammed up for a hens party in town - the boys have a day together

On Sunday (after the hens party) out for a walk in the fresh snow that fell overnight

Theo dribbling at the prospect of lunch

View from our building of the snow

Crashed out, but not for long. 

All quiet on the home front

It's been a bit quiet on the home front here.

I was away at a conference last week so it was Jackie and Theo's first nights alone, unfortunately Theo had his 12 week vaccinations and reacted badly. He had a fever and was generally quite restless, he didn't sleep very well so it was tough on Jackie but she battled through on her own very well.

Since the vaccinations Theo hasn't been sleeping through the night like he was before but otherwise he's back to normal. Happy and smiley.

Here's a video of Theo working out in his gym. Theo likes to get up at about 6am, have a protein shake and get to the gym while mum gets some more sleep.

He likes to chew on his fist but I can assure you there are lots of smiles behind the fist.

When I got back from my conference on Friday I was greeted with a birthday cake and pile of presents which was a lovely surprise. My actual birthday was very low key as I was at the conference, I didn't tell anyone it was my birthday so there was no fuss.

Here's a couple of pictures of me and Theo blowing out my birthday candles. Theo clearly doesn't get it yet.

That's all for now, I hope all our kiwi readers have an enjoyable Waitangi long weekend.

Where is our Teddy Bear?

Ok so I know we've been a bit slack on putting up photos of Theo. Here's a few from the past few weeks.

He is such a happy smiley little man, he is such a Joy to have around most of the time. He is sleeping through the night most nights which is great, his behaviour during the day can be variable but generally pretty good.

One particularly special present under the tree

Present opening was too much for Little Teddy Bear

Why does dad always do this to me!

Sorry mum, I've taken you're spot. Could I get some breakfast in bed too please?

Still waiting for my brekky mum

Hi Nana, no need to be scared

Does this not look like a boy who is about to get up to some mischief

Just working out in the gym

My 3 month birthday. Just chilling with my cow. 

Catch Up

Time for a catch up, no? It's been a while, plenty has happened so I'll try and keep it brief.

Jackie's parents have been and gone. We had a great 2 1/2 weeks showing them around and having them here for Christmas.

So what have we done?

Winter wonderland was one of the first outings. Burgers, Bratwurst and Mulled Wine were consumed. There are loads of Christmas stalls, fair ground rides and games, food, booze and ice skating - what a great combo. After looking around winter wonderland we walked to Oxford St via Park Lane and some fancy car shops, which I think were of more interest than anything else for some in the group! The next day someone was stabbed on Oxford St near where we had walked, a bit of a worry.

The next thing was getting to Oxford. The people mover we rented wasn't big enough for all of us so plan B was required which involved Phil and Julie heading up on the bus.

Next day (23rd) shopping excursion to Bicester Village, coming home via our first pub of the holiday season. The Abingdon Arms in Beckley.

Christmas eve we caught the bus in to Oxford for some more shopping, and more pubs. First was All Bar One for lunch.

Then the famous Turf Tavern for pints and mulled wines.

The girls headed back to the house, the boys took an opportunity for one more pint at The Bear. A very small pub but Theo managed to squeeze his pram in, it blocked the way to the ladies toilet but the ladies didn't mind.

Christmas day started with light breakfast and presents. Somehow our Christmas tree had mountains of presents underneath it so the present opening was quite a big part of the morning.

I was on Christmas lunch so occupied myself in the kitchen the rest of the morning with some homebrew from the man of the house (who was in NZ with his wife so we had the run of their house). Christmas lunch turned out quite well if I do say so myself. Turkey was juicy and tasty, veggies weren't over done like I sometimes do, and all the trimmings were cooked well and tasty. I was quite pleased. Pav for dessert courtesy of Julie.

Boxing day, after turkey left overs for lunch we drove to The Trout for a pint and then walked to the Perch for another pint.

27th was a trip to Henley, a walk along the river and then a great meal at the Angel pub. 

Followed by a bit of shopping, they boys took the opportunity for another pint, this time at the underwhelming Catherine Wheel.

28th was a quiet day at home, with a couple of pints at the very good local pub the White Hart, probably best that we didn't discover that one sooner.

29th home to drop the car off.

30th can't remember, maybe a rest day.

31st Boys (minus Theo) went to Arsenal v QPR at the Emirates Stadium, Arsenal won. We didn't even attempt staying up for midnight, had yum yum yum takeways and then to bed.

1st I took the in laws up to Camden Market, where it poured with rain, it always does when I go to Camden. We went to the icecream shop, then to a pub for (a pretty average) lunch. The bar staff had clearly been up since the day before but were in good humour. Turns out the pub (Hawley Arms) was a Amy Winehouse fav.

This is not my mother in law

2nd In laws went out on the hop on hop off bus tour

3rd I'm back at work, quiet day followed by dinner at Bodean's in Calpham

4th I'm at work, others had a quiet day.

5th Our wedding anniversary. A walk in the morning, included a bit of sheltering from the rain in a new bakery that wasn't open so we couldn't buy anything, very confusing. Once the rain cleared we made our way to a boulangerie for breakfast - yummy pastries. Back home, the babysitters turned up and we headed out to Harrison's for lunch which was great. Food and wine was yum, service a bit slack but we had a great time. Came home via a new bakery where we got coffee.

6th I was at work again, curry for dinner from you know where. 

7th In laws packed up, final pub lunch at The Hope in Wandsworth Common. A bit of a walk before heading out to the airport.

A great, very busy Christmas. No snow, in fact it was very mild and is only now starting to get cool.

Post with a Theo update within the next few days, I promise.

He's a cutie cutie

Title of of this blog courtesy of Amber Anderson (age 2 1/2).

More photo shoot photos from the past couple of days....

Theo  chilling out at the BBC pub in Balham, it's his favourite pub too!

Warming up by the fire at the BBC

Family photo next to tree and fire at the BBC

Almost too big for his AB's jumpsuit already!

Cheeky grin of a world cup winner