O for Obama

Henry and I were so excited to see our new President sworn in today! Go Obama!

First Steps

On Tuesday, aged 18.5 months Henry made his first tentative steps! It was a very exciting time, especially as Henry and mum were home together to practise. Today he walked 10 steps and is building up confidence every day. He is very proud of himself and so are we!

Here's looking at you: 2009

Happy New Year! Henry woke up just before midnight to welcome in the New Year with us. Today he munched on marmite and crackers while we watched his first film together- James Bond's Dr. No. He is being initiated into the classics from an early age! Henry is 18 months now and a wonderful little toddler. He is very mobile although not quite brave enough to walk by himself yet. He is certainly strong enough so once he lets go of us or the furniture, we know that there will be no stopping him. Everyone we meet comments on how wide his vocabulary is. He knows lots of animal noises (including "cock-a-doodle-doo") and can say words such as turtle, bubble and happy. He likes to imitate us both so has a peculiar British/American accent right now. Every day is better than the last with Henry and we know that 2009 will be a wonderful year!

Christmas in the Carolinas

Eating typical southern food (fried green tomatoes, catfish and grits, cornbread and sweet tea) at Jestine's Kitchen in Charleston

Beautiful ante-bellum homes in Charleston by the waterfront

Christmas Day on the beach!

Christmas 2008 was spent with the Harmon family in Charlotte, NC and Charleston, SC. We stayed with Chris for most of Christmas week at her place in Folly Beach- it was warm and sunny and we really enjoyed being there. Thanks Chris for being such a great hostess! Henry loved going down to the wooden fishing pier and was brave enough to touch a live shark that had just been caught, a stingray and a squid. He also enjoyed watching the pelicans, dolphins and seagulls from the pier. He had a brilliant time with his cousins Phillip and Victoria!

Thanksgiving in England and Germany

Laura and Henry eating fish and chips by the beach

Jonny, Bryan, Henry and Finlay make playdough sculptures

Henry meets James Tiberius Holt!

With the lovely Heidmann family in Hamburg at the Christmas Market

In November, we took a 2 week trip to the UK and Germany. It was a wonderful time, and Henry got to play with his cousin Finlay and catch up with all the Street/Mott clan. We had a proper Thanksgiving party in Littlehampton and spent many days at the beach. Henry really loved playing the piano with Finlay and discovered the joys of playdough for the first time. We also got the chance to see Venessa (old friend from Norfolk school days) and her 6 month old son James. In the middle of the trip we visited the Heidmann family in Hamburg. Despite freezing cold temperatures, we braved the weather and enjoyed gluhwein and Christmas markets. Henry got to speak a little German too including "auto" and "hallo" with a pretty decent German accent!

Weekend in Boston

In early November, we took a trip up to Boston to meet up with Becky, Jeremy (old friends from St. Andrews) and their new baby Clem. We had a lovely time in Cambridge around the Harvard University Campus (even though we told Henry that he should start seriously considering St. Andrews or Cornell for his future academic endeavours) and spent the whole day with the Tipper-Dean family. Clem is quite delightful! The next day we met up with Kelly and Dimitris, our friends from Cornell, for brunch and a jazz bar. Henry loved the music and the french toast and oatmeal warmed us up in the Boston winter.

Obama-mama and baby

Henry and I voted at the Brooklyn Museum this morning. We went straight to the head of the queue and cast our vote. We have old fashioned voting machines in New York, so Henry helped push the switch for Obama. An amazing and emotional experience. I am so proud that my son came with me for my first vote in the U.S.