Kernovich Abroad: The Adventure Begins

We made it to London last Thursday and each day we are here we settle in a bit more. Tyler was amazing on the flight over and slept 7 hours of the 8 hour flight. The trick was to put him in his carseat and use the "parakeeting" technique of draping a blanket over the top of him so he was isolated from lights and distractions. It worked like a charm and JJ and I got some much needed rest and relaxation. Arriving in London we found that our stroller didn't make it out of Chicago but the folks at Heathrow gave us a lovely little euro stroller loaner and we were on our way. We are here in a temporary furnished 1 bedroom apartment by the Tower of London for about a month until our belongings are shipped by sea. There are a few things I would have done differently in hindsight, one of them being that we should have bought more furniture here and moved right into our flat in Hampstead instead of shipping it all and waiting in corporate housing. It's been really difficult to make this place our own with what we have in a couple suitcases. But our things should be here the first week in November so until then we are on what feels like a month long vacation! We are getting to know the surroundings here in the Tower Bridge area. There is Borough Market right across London Bridge that Leana showed us when she visited last weekend that has tasty fresh produce and food options. Also our place is just a short walk for JJ to work so that has been great. We had a wonderful time with Leana last Saturday when she was here for a conference, and then took a family river tour on the River Thames Sunday. Today we went to Potters Park right by Tower Bridge and the setting is just amazing!

Tyler is growing so fast! Every day he gets a little more steady on his feet and a little more adventurous. So that means lots of bumps and bruises as he cruises around this tiny little apartment with lots of sharp corners! Feeding him solid foods has also been interesting. We don't have a high chair here and for a while when JJ was home we did a tag team feed where JJ held him (well restrained him) and I fed him. Feeding him on my own has been more challenging, especially since he's developing more independence and now usually refuses to be spoon fed. I use two techniques: spoon feed with him strapped in the car seat, or let him eat off the floor in his diaper and get messy. Just depends on what mood we are both in. We ordered a high chair from Amazon UK that is expected to arrive on Tuesday and that can't come soon enough!

We still feel a bit out of place but we are learning and adapting more every day. I'm really looking forward to moving into our flat in Hampstead and settling in, but until then we are going to enjoy all the sights that Central London has to offer!