tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-63560858122017978892011-07-08T03:26:48.093-07:00A young Mother's journey through moving from the UK and taking on the challenges of living in a new country and being a new Mom.Victoriasurfhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04489388729722023221noreply@blogger.comBlogger301100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6356085812201797889.post-46392303136974575102010-01-01T19:10:00.000-08:002010-01-01T19:18:17.024-08:00

I can't believe how long it has been since I posted here. What on earth have I been doing with my life? Well for one thing, my pregnancy is very nearly over. The time has flown (up until this last month)and I'm looking forward to meeting my baby girl. The Dude is growing up so fast. He talks, sings, plays with his Thomas trains and gets more adorable as the days go by. He gets taller too! Writing

Victoriasurfhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04489388729722023221noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6356085812201797889.post-48290992137672044392009-09-11T15:05:00.000-07:002009-09-11T15:06:29.140-07:00

Hello! Am receiving a lesson on the internet from my good friend Stephen :-)

Victoriasurfhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04489388729722023221noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6356085812201797889.post-48015445688950312402009-08-16T17:19:00.000-07:002009-08-16T17:21:38.616-07:00

It's that time of year where the kids are going back to school and your little ones are in need of a new wardrobe ready for Fall. If the idea of cost brings you out in cold sweats, don't panic. This week is Connecticut's annual sales tax holiday on clothing costing under $300!For this week only, sales tax is omitted from shoe and clothing purchases providing the total bill comes to less than $300

Victoriasurfhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04489388729722023221noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6356085812201797889.post-39261025811918002762009-08-14T08:20:00.000-07:002009-08-14T08:27:09.701-07:00

The Dude had his weekly toddler class today. We experimented with watercolor paints. I have to say I admire his ambition for not getting it on his clothing. I wasn't too happy about the fact that he didn't give a tiny rats ass about mine. Still, he made his first masterpiece and it has pride of place on my fridge next to his Crayola efforts. At the rate he's knocking them out I think I'm going to

Victoriasurfhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04489388729722023221noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6356085812201797889.post-71624505162732151412009-08-13T16:10:00.000-07:002009-08-13T16:18:03.112-07:00

It's been a tough couple of months for me and I was starting to feel very despondent. But as my Dad always taught me, when the going gets tough, work harder and you'll get there in the end. I'm pleased to report that he's right. I landed two regular jobs this month for two wonderful websites. I've never felt more confident about myself and my ability to succeed. I knew the motivation would get me

Victoriasurfhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04489388729722023221noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6356085812201797889.post-67559951958527654932009-08-08T11:21:00.000-07:002009-08-08T11:39:54.878-07:00

The Dude and I love visiting the library. He enjoys choosing books for Mommy to read to him and I love watching him make his selections. It's so funny to watch him pull books off of the shelf and discard the ones that don't interest him, while he holds on for dear life to the ones that do. He's only 15 months old.It reminds me of the visits my Mom and I used to make to the library in London. It

Victoriasurfhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04489388729722023221noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6356085812201797889.post-79682244550156816792009-08-07T08:08:00.000-07:002009-08-07T08:18:16.776-07:00

Since I've come into my second trimester I've found that I have more energy to burn in the mornings than I have done for weeks - that's right folks, I'm due again in January! So when my little guy takes his nap, I sit at my computer and get writing. I've never been more motivated and I just hope that it stays with me well into my parenting career. Obviously there will days where it will be more

Victoriasurfhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04489388729722023221noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6356085812201797889.post-69092517910564186562009-08-05T11:36:00.000-07:002009-08-05T11:41:46.702-07:00

I did it. I finally broke into the world of social media. It was a long time coming, but I'm ready for it. And so far, I've really enjoyed it. It's a new approach to self-promotion which I've felt my writing has needed for a long time. But for me, it's also a way of connecting with other parents, Mama's, writers, and friendly faces in general. So, if you can't get enough of Expat Mama, come

Victoriasurfhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04489388729722023221noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6356085812201797889.post-12871218056128727922009-08-02T10:27:00.000-07:002009-08-02T10:36:05.831-07:00

Little Dude has been attending some toddler classes recently at the Children's Museum of South Eastern Connecticut. (Fabulous place if ever you get the chance to visit!) Every week they have an activity to do such as playing with felt shapes. This week, we played with bubbles and I have to say I've never seen a child so transfixed. He was so in awe of the delicate balls of soapy water floating

Victoriasurfhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04489388729722023221noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6356085812201797889.post-28989936219608538922009-07-25T10:49:00.000-07:002009-07-25T11:04:51.334-07:00

I'm all for finding ways to make life a little easier, so long as it's cheap, sustainable and without negative consequences. So, I managed to pluck up the courage to do my grocery shopping on-line. It was a little daunting at first, but something that I now would thoroughly recommend - especially to all of those busy Mamas out there. It took me 20 minutes to do my shopping and the beauty of it is

Victoriasurfhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04489388729722023221noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6356085812201797889.post-18519907838248625692009-07-23T12:26:00.000-07:002009-07-23T12:39:46.656-07:00

It's a moment in life that I never want to repeat again as long as I live. I'm sure plenty of you have been there and can sympathise. My Hound went missing. It was awful. Thankfully, four and a half hours later he returned but was covered in bug bites, scratches and all kinds of crap from the woods. Where he went we'll never know. I'm just glad he's home. But it got me thinking about something

Victoriasurfhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04489388729722023221noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6356085812201797889.post-16640728485535531672009-07-09T12:22:00.000-07:002009-07-09T12:35:57.835-07:00

It's been a while since I've posted on my blog. As you can see, Expat Mama has had a virtual make over - a much needed one! I'm so excited with the final product and I would like to say a huge thank you to Shannon over at eightcrazy design for her help and talent in realizing my vision for this site. It's magic!There have been many changes since my last post. Little Dude turned one, started

Victoriasurfhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04489388729722023221noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6356085812201797889.post-10483841544902300582009-03-30T15:44:00.001-07:002009-07-04T09:44:08.366-07:00

I've been reading a wonderful book called 'Gorgeously Green' by Sophie Uliano. My Mom bought it for me and it arrived in the mail today. (Thank you Muv!) I've nearly finished it.It really is eye-opening to see how many little changes that you can make to have a 'Green' life-style and still maintain it in keeping with how it's always been.Sophie - a fellow Brit living in the States, has become a

Victoriasurfhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04489388729722023221noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6356085812201797889.post-39563157071396826732009-03-27T14:46:00.000-07:002009-03-27T15:01:37.685-07:00

Little Dude recently acquired a music table. It's one of those toys that drives you crazy after a while, but he really enjoys it. He prefers the buttons that play music than those that teach him the ABC. I don't blame him to be honest!My husband and I have recently been discussing what to buy him for his 1st birthday. The subject of toy that he can push came up. I'm all for it, but can't help

Victoriasurfhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04489388729722023221noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6356085812201797889.post-25762194809323371352009-03-25T10:09:00.000-07:002009-03-25T10:32:03.645-07:00

It's wonderful that we have a whole day devoted to keeping our planet healthy. I am a huge supporter of Earth Day. It's a great way to teach our kids about the importance of doing our bit for our environment. But in my honest opinion, every day should be earth day. Even if the activity you do is simply recycling your yogurt pots or hanging the washing in the yard to dry instead of bunging it all

Victoriasurfhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04489388729722023221noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6356085812201797889.post-250496706210197952009-03-24T10:36:00.000-07:002009-03-24T10:45:43.430-07:00

Little Dude is turning one next month, so naturally we have decided to have a small party to celebrate. After finding the perfect invitation and sending it online, I feel like I've been punched in the gut. My little guy is nearly one and I have no idea where this year has gone. It feels like yesterday when I held him in my arms for the first time. Now he's walking around the furniture and playing

Victoriasurfhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04489388729722023221noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6356085812201797889.post-46480226287931803932009-03-21T13:53:00.001-07:002009-03-21T14:05:31.247-07:00

I have been growing some herbs for a little while now. I get so excited when I see new seedlings appear. So when our family took a trip to the local 'Home Depot', I took a stroll through the garden center.It felt like a candy store! All kinds of vegetable packets and grow kits lined the shelves and a variety of bulbs hung on stands. But what amazed me even more were the amount of people buying

Victoriasurfhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04489388729722023221noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6356085812201797889.post-70775509878877741052009-03-04T15:41:00.000-08:002009-03-04T16:23:44.417-08:00

I've always been conscious of my style and the way I look, which is why when I walked out of the salon a year ago I was mortified that the stylist had turned me into a member of an 80's rock band. Just give me my hot pink, electric guitar and I'll be on my way.It's taken a year to grow it out to a reasonable length from which I can start to repair the damage. Don't get me wrong, I have had it

Victoriasurfhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04489388729722023221noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6356085812201797889.post-79456602369517457892009-02-23T08:09:00.001-08:002009-02-23T08:22:27.668-08:00

We've never had a problem with getting our son to sleep. He takes after his mother in that respect - I have a very good relationship with my pillow. But recently, he's been fighting sleep and refuses to be put in his crib.We tried everything in the book. Fed him, changed him, bathed him, read to him, checked to make sure he didn't have a fever, rocked him, sat with him and eventually left him to

Victoriasurfhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04489388729722023221noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6356085812201797889.post-86861433469376790612009-01-24T11:17:00.000-08:002009-01-24T11:33:17.473-08:00

I have two puppies whom I refer to as 'the beasts'. They are hilarious and highly mischievous. They are also my babies and I love them more than you will ever know.Black Lab puppy sat in my yard the other day howling, growling, barking and snarling. This terrified me as I thought we had an intruder. I went out to see what was going on and noticed that he was going crazy at next door's driveway. I

Victoriasurfhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04489388729722023221noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6356085812201797889.post-88003768531898677762009-01-15T16:29:00.000-08:002009-01-15T19:30:33.421-08:00

At lunch time today, I went through my usual routine of preparing Little Man's food, sitting him in his high chair and putting his bib on. I didn't however, bank on needing to wear protecting clothing myself.I loaded his spoon with mushed up wholewheat pasta, broccoli and peppers. I was so close to getting the spoon near his mouth, when he decided that the only way he was going to eat was if he

Victoriasurfhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04489388729722023221noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6356085812201797889.post-32067990979909172942009-01-13T08:44:00.000-08:002009-01-13T13:00:54.866-08:00

I have a sign above my kitchen window that reads "Sheep Happens". Boy ain't that the truth.Hubby and I have been sharing a car for a week now as our other car has gone in for repair and is racking up a nice, huge bill. Grrrrr. Our drive is buried under snow as we don't have a plough yet so I can't even take the little one out for a walk and cabin fever is creeping in. To top it off, my house

Victoriasurfhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04489388729722023221noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6356085812201797889.post-68688136185321347812009-01-07T15:05:00.001-08:002009-01-07T15:20:39.054-08:00

It's official, I'm tired. I am what I call a 'sleepy sheep'. My son woke me at 6.30am, but was easily comforted again by his pacifier. Then he woke me at 7.30 and although my eyes were open, my brain was still snoring. It has been all day. My eyes are heavy and there isn't enough caffeine in the world to keep me alert enough to sit through a conversation. Man I miss my pillow.Little one is just

Victoriasurfhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04489388729722023221noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6356085812201797889.post-18380684020177690852009-01-05T17:40:00.000-08:002009-01-05T17:50:20.781-08:00

Little one got a new stroller yesterday. Today he took it out for a test drive. It's light weight, easy to maneuver and looks good. Trouble is, I can't see my little man anymore. He's forward facing, exploring his surroundings in a whole new way. I miss him. I miss seeing his gorgeous little face, looking up at me for reassurance. I miss being able to see his response to the world. I miss his

Victoriasurfhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04489388729722023221noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6356085812201797889.post-42353187649218727612008-12-31T16:25:00.000-08:002008-12-31T16:54:54.305-08:00

It's nearly the New Year and so I have decided to jot down my resolution. I'm usually pretty bad at sticking to new years resolutions, but I figure it's because the ones I choose are boring and meaningless and wouldn't benefit me, even if I did stick to them. To combat this, I have thought a lot about the things that are important to me all year, every year and how I can better myself because of

Victoriasurfhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04489388729722023221noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6356085812201797889.post-82214590476921020192008-12-18T13:46:00.000-08:002008-12-18T13:53:27.081-08:00

The expression on my son's face was priceless. He's been ready to move for weeks but yesterday he walked for the very first time. I should add that he was gripping my hands for dear life, but he did it none the less. I feel very proud, a little overwhelmed and a whole lot of love for him and his new found ability.While I was praising him and clapping at his new talent, he looked at me as if to

Victoriasurfhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04489388729722023221noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6356085812201797889.post-15481815744820705682008-12-13T18:42:00.000-08:002008-12-13T18:57:05.578-08:00

I belong to a Mom's group in my local town and I love it. I thoroughly recommend it for all Moms who are looking for a support network. I've made some great friends and experienced some things that I never would have considered doing on my own. I've also learned a lot about life in America and the cultural differences between parenting here and back in the UK. (I have to say, I did avoid the

Victoriasurfhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04489388729722023221noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6356085812201797889.post-70309113032160250282008-12-12T18:47:00.001-08:002008-12-12T19:07:44.905-08:00

Nearly. Very Nearly. I can see the determination in his eyes, his wanting to gain his independence. My son is learning to crawl. We have the Superman-doing-the-front-crawl position down pat, but the ability to propel himself forwards isn't quite there. He's very much like his father though, determined and stubborn. So I'm guessing it'll be any day now. Better start moving my china up to higher

Victoriasurfhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04489388729722023221noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6356085812201797889.post-44310907831223402442008-12-09T16:27:00.000-08:002008-12-09T16:50:40.123-08:00

My son had his first ever bout of mischief today. My husband and I went out for dinner at our local diner (I ate waaaay to much pie) and little one decided he wanted what we were having. As he reached desperately for the Cola I thought to myself, 'I should probably start baby-proofing the house over the next couple of weeks and, Sugar + caffeine do not equal bed time!' I could play defence in any

Victoriasurfhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04489388729722023221noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6356085812201797889.post-51936517456910420432008-12-08T15:51:00.000-08:002008-12-08T16:41:33.044-08:00

Today is officially my first ever experience with blogging and I'm a little nervous. It's true, I'm a blog virgin. But I'm ready to take the leap, so here I go!In the last year, I've moved countries, got married, had a baby, started my career and have managed to come out the other side unscathed - so why am I so worried about my new venture? It's always a little scary to journey into something

Victoriasurfhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04489388729722023221noreply@blogger.com2