The Prendergast's Take England: Week 2 Swad

The second part of our trip was back to my hometown of Swad. James left us to head back home, and as much as I didn't want us to be separated, I wanted the boys to see where I grew up and most importantly spend more time with my Mum and Stepdad.

We were go-go-go while we were down in Devon and London and any type of schedule for the boys went out of the window. For those reasons we decided to just take it easy for the second week and do a few things locally. The weather was still really nice so we got to do a bunch of things outside including; going to the marina and feeding the ducks, spending the day at Markeaton Park (playground and huge wading pool), and did a little shopping. Of course we continued on our food binge!

The best part about being back home was getting to catch up with family and some of my oldest friends. My brother Steven and his girlfriend had a little girl back in March so I was beyond excited to get to meet little Miss Darcey, she is adorable and getting to see her everyday was great. She was mesmerized with the boys and it's hard to imagine that the next time we see her she will be running around all over. I got a night out with my two oldest friends on the planet, Becky and Ashley, thanks to Mum and Paul as they watched the boys. It was so nice catching up over a few (many) glasses of wine. It's amazing that we can go years without seeing each other, or really talking, yet when we are back together it's like we haven't missed a beat. Hopefully they will come pay us a visit in America one day :)

As much as America is home now it is always hard to leave where you grew up and family of course. We really did have the best time though and some amazing memories have been made and the boys have gotten to know and love their grandparents even more than the last time they saw them.

The Prendergast's Take England: Week 1 London

When we decided to go to England, the one request James had was to go to London and so to London we went. We weren't able to spend too much time there this trip, but we absolutely want to do some more exploring there when we head over next time.

Even though I grew up in England I had only gone to London a couple of times and I was young so I don't remember too much, so I was just as excited as James to go and explore the city. We decided to take a bus tour of the entire city and you could get on and off at different attractions and spots. It really is a great way to see what London has to offer and what you would really like to see while there.

The tour was excellent. We didn't get off at too many stops with having the boys and strollers and diaper bags but we really enjoyed it. We did get off at Buckingham Palace, because you can't go to London and not go and see the Queen. She was in residence but we didn't get to say hi to her..lol. The other stop we hopped off of the bus for was the London Eye. There was a ton of attractions along the South Bank (aquarium, the dungeons, river cruises) that we certainly want to do in the future. We purchases tickets for the London Eye and even though the boys were extremely cranky (aka needing naps) the entire ride, seeing the London skyline was awesome. It was something else to see the old architecture mixed with the modern.

We decided to stay mid-way between the center city of London and Heathrow (James flew out the following day) so we took the underground into the city and back to the hotel. Of course this was the highlight of the day for Chase, along with riding an open top double decker bus. Transportation is his thing at the moment.

It just so happened to be James and I 5th wedding anniversary while in London. Never did I think we could get to celebrate an anniversary in my homeland. Hands down best anniversary yet; we got to spend the day with our two favorite little guys, family and fell in love with London.

The Prendergast's Take England: Week 1 Devon

We had been debating over the past year whether we should go to England this year or in 2016 and due to circumstances with family members we decided to pull the trigger and head over there this year. No matter how old you are, it always feels good to go home and although we have only been back in the States for a week it feels like a lifetime. We had such an incredible time seeing different parts of England, showing the boys where I'm from and most importantly spending time with those we love the most.

The boys and I spent two weeks in England and unfortunately James had to head home after the first week due to work. We spent the first week down in Devon with Grandma and Granddad Banfield, and slipped in a couple of days in London. The second week, the boys and I headed up home to Swad.

This was the boys first time flying, obviously Asher had no clue to any of it but Chase was beyond excited to get on the plane and head up to the clouds. I wish I could say our travel there went smoothly but it was anything but that. Our original flight was cancelled but we were put on a flight that same day just in the morning, fine no problem. Except it wasn't, it make a long story short our flight was delayed a total of 12 hours and then when we landed at Heathrow the boys and my luggage was missing. I have to say the boys did amazing. Poor Chase missed take off as he had been up so early that morning that he just couldn't hang and fell asleep while sitting on the plane waiting to leave. Asher fell asleep about an hour into the flight and stayed that way until the last hour. Thankfully Chase was awake for landing and thought it was the coolest thing ever, so much so that as soon as we touched down he yelled, "lets do that again!"

My Mum had rented us a cottage about 10 mins from Grandma and Granddads house for us all in Exmouth, Devon. The weather was excellent while we were there and we got to get out and see all Exmouth has to offer. We spent an afternoon on the beach playing in the rock pools. We had an awesome day at Country Life Park. We took a train tour of Exmouth, which of course Chase was all for. We visited a couple of seaside towns (Dorlish and Teignmouth). Took a trip to the zoo. Lastly we ate a ton of yummy food as it would be a crime to go all that way and not over indulge on chippy, carveries and English sweets.

One story that I have to share (sorry Paul) involves Chase and cows. The place we stayed was a 2 bedroom so James and I had Asher with us and Mum and Paul has Chase in with them. Each morning, when asked how he slept Chase would respond with, "there were cows in my room". We couldn't figure out what he was talking about, there wasn't any cow art work in the room or on his Thomas bedding. We were perplexed and figured he kept having dreams about cows! While discussing this one day somebody suggested maybe it's Granddad (Paul) snoring. We made the sound and asked Chase if that was the noise he was hearing. To which he replied, "yes, that's the cow!" We all lost it for a good 15 minutes. We all knew Paul was a loud snorer but that's a whole new level.

We made so many precious memories the week we spent in Devon. I was so happy that the boys got to meet their great-grandparents and vice versa. It was lovely for us to spend time with my grandparents and finally visit where they have been living for quite some time. Of course having James to ourselves for a full week (meaning, no work) takes the cake!

Asher James: Ten Months

Another month in the books with our little Asher and creeping closer to him turning One! Now that he has crawling mastered there is no stopping him! He is taking steps (quick steps at that) holding onto our hands and I'm sure he will be walking within the next couple of months. He wants to keep up with big brother in the worst way.

Stats: We don't have an official weigh in/doctors appointment until he turns 1 but I'm guessing he is just over 24lbs and around 30 inches long. He is wearing all 18 month clothing at this point and by fall will be in 24 months.

Sleep: Not too much has changed in this department. He still wakes between 5am and 6am to eat and goes back to sleep in our bed. We had a couple of rough nights due to teething but then on the flip side he has started to settle himself back to sleep when he wakes in the night...yay!

Social: Still dealing with some separation anxiety but I know it comes with his age and it's just a phase he is going though. He loves to play with Chase and has started to hug him, especially in the bath and it's just the cutest. If Chase tries to talk a toy from him he completely flips out trying to keep the toy and defend himself. He has also become a little flirt, always managing to catch the eye of a girl/woman and eats up the attention they give to him.

Diet: Shockingly enough Asher has become a little picky about food. I don't know if it's due to teething or he is trying to claim some independence but it's a little frustrating. I can't complain too much as he still eats a ton and a wide variety of food.

Skills/Milestones: Crawling at lightening speed and is holding onto our hands and taking steps. As much as I don't want him to grow up part of me can't wait for him to walk as he is heavy! He can say nanana (banana) and awwdo (all done). He hasn't been quite as chatty as Chase was a baby but this past month he has really become quite vocal. It's adorable to hear him 'talk' and you can tell he is really trying to tell us things in his own little way.

Favorites: Mummy, Daddy, Chase, play food and play kitchen, the splash pad, paci, little people zoo and animals.

Asher James: 9 Months

9 months??? How can it be? Time with this little guy is just flying by at warp speed. He is learning some new skill everyday and is growing faster than I can keep up with. However baby boy loves his snuggles more than any baby I've ever known and you better believe I am taking full advantage of them.

Stats: Those rolls don't lie he is our chunker for sure, and yes I squeeze him all day every day! At 9 months he clocked in at 23lbs 10oz (95th percentile) and is 29 inches long (76th percentile). He will not be a shrimp of a kid. Doctor was very pleased with his progress and said he is extremely healthy, and cute, which of course I agree with.

Sleep: All in all I can't complain. He goes down between 7/7:30pm, wakes up at 6am to eat and goes back to sleep (in our bed) until 8:30ish. He is currently on two naps a day, roughly around 2 hours total. He does usually wake up once or twice a night for his paci and goes back to sleep. I think I've had only one sleepless night this month so I consider that a win. The one area we really need to work on is letting him put himself to sleep. He doesn't do well with it at all, cries hysterically to the point of hyperventilating so I really haven't been pushing it. Usually he falls asleep within 5 minutes of being rocked so for the time being that's our routine and honestly I really don't mind the cuddles and ending his day with a little one on one time is perfect.

 Social: He is a very social baby, as long as I'm around. If I even think of leaving the room while at a playdate, get ready for the water works. I do remember Chase going through some separation anxiety around this age so I know it's normal for Asher to act that way. From having an older brother with an active social life, Asher is always on the go. We have been frequent visitors to the pool and splash pad, and to my relief Asher is a little fish. He has also gone airplane watching, taken trips to the beach and had a Day out with Thomas and Friends. Asher does well around his little friends Eli and Isabelle and loves watching Chase and the big kids play. Of course his best friend is Chase. I love to watch them play together and it is quite obvious that Asher looks up to Chase.

Diet: We know from Asher's stats that he is no slouch when it comes to eating. Kid loves his food and you know what that makes my day so much easier. He is on table food 100% of the time. I love that I can give everyone the same thing for meals now. His favorite foods are yogurt, any fruit, bbq chicken and quesadillas (he loooves going to Moes for lunch). This past month he has dropped his mid-day bottle and now drinks a bottle at 6am and before bed. He has mastered the sippy cup and drinks 3 cups of water a day.

 Skills/Milestones: so many changes in this department, the biggest one is Asher is now mobile. Two days before he turned 9 months old he decided to crawl. He had been trying so hard for the past two months to get moving so I almost cried when he finally did it. He is so happy and much less frustrated that he can get around the house now and somewhat keep up with his big bro. As I mentioned before he has the sippy cup drinking skills down and he feeds himself now. He can pull up on objects such as the water table, toy chest, walk etc. Clapping is something else we can add to the list. He is also saying "mama, Dada, and makes a certain noise for Chase and another noise for Cisco. Plays peek a boo. Gives kisses.

Favorites: Mummy, Daddy, Chase, Lightening McQueen car, ball, touch and feel and lift the flap books, playing in any body of water (water table, bath, pool etc), being outside in general.

We had Asher dedicated on June 14th and Fairvew Village Church. We have been attending church for over a year there and we really like it. It was a special day and it was so nice to have our family this side of the pond be there with us. Of course we missed having the family in England being there.

Asher is the biggest sweetheart around and a smile that makes your heart melt. We are so blessed to have him as a part of our family.