Thanks.

We have been back in the US for one month. It is hard to believe it. One month ago I was rushing down High Street Kensington with Hoyer in his stroller, today I am in rush hour traffic and in line at the drive through bank. One month ago Kyle was hoping on the tube to get to work, now he jets off to Miami for the week. Things have changed and in many ways nothing has changed at all, but I have to admit, I think it is us who has changed more than anything or place.
I miss my friends in London, I miss my life in London but I am ready for my life in the US to start, wherever that may be....while some things are starting to feel like normal again others are a bit harder to get used to. Hoyer is used to his car seat, I know my way around town again, I have caught up with lots of friends and family, Kyle is busy at work, Hoyer is taking music classes, I have joined a gym etc. We are settling down into life. Our house is vacant now and we will begin to paint and update things in order to move in in the next week or two. (fingers crossed)
We had a great Thanksgiving with both sides of the family in New Orleans, Birmingham and Mobile. We have so much to be thankful for.

All signs point to milk

All of the sudden, my efforts have paid off and Hoyer has made me proud!! He has an understanding of the baby sign language I have been teaching him for the last 3 months. Milk is his first sign and I will post video of him doing it soon. It is really nice to know what he wants. Now, on to please and thank you.....

too cool for school

Hoyer has been weight listed. That' s right, 9 months old (today) and on the waiting list to get into school!!
We had a tour today and met the teachers at All Saints Preschool in Homewood, we can walk from our house (if we ever get in...!) I really liked the school and it goes all the way until the kids are 5 years old, so it is perfect for us. It is a mother's day out program for now, 9-1 and up to 5 days a week! I am wishing and hoping!

Drop and Go!

The YMCA is a life saver. They not only have free babysitting services while I work out, but I can also drop Hoyer off anytime and run errands-it is called Drop and Go and it is going to change my life!!

My new park

Kensington Gardens and Hyde Park are pretty fantastic and I do miss them, but today, I walked through Mountain Brook and fell in love. Hoyer enjoyed the 5 mile trek with my friends, Renee and Sidney and Sid's dog Dixie too!

Hoyer Happenings

Hoyer and Andy

Pop plays peek a boo


Hoyer and the jack in the box

BB Fuzz

Nan and Grand took went out with us last night to the Library for their Thursday night show, we were all entertained by BB Fuzz! He plays lots of original children songs with a southern twang. Hoyer was mesmerized and soaked it all in , he was just locked onto the guitar. We were also treated to dinner out at the Fish Market after the concert!

Kindermusik

Hoyer participated in Kindermusik today. We have enrolled for the rest of this semester, which ends the week before Christmas. He really enjoyed it and it was nice to get out and see other babies and moms. He loves music and we get to practice at home with the CD too!

Gold Fish, Hoyer is in Love.

Rain and Wind

We have seen 32 mph wind gusts already and lots of rain, but nothing to be too concerned about as Ida makes landfall in Alabama this morning. Hoyer and I will be spending the day inside today, cooking and watching movies.
Our hotel is packed with soldiers from the coast who were moved up just in case anything were to happen, sometimes this area gets bad tornadoes, so we are glad to have them here to protect us, but we don't anticipate anything like that, seems very mild.
It is kind of nice to have a rainy day, because in London, we would have rain, but it was never enough to keep you inside, this rain in Alabama is heavy and fat and we are staying in for sure.
What are some good rainy day activities?

Word Count

Hoyer is up to 4 words:
1. Mama
2. Dada
3. More, although this sometimes sounds a lot like Mama
4. Bye Bye

The Gills, Benefields and Kyle all left this afternoon and that is when Hoyer mastered 'Bye Bye' he had the wave down and the b sound, but today he put it all together, so cute. Kyle and I both looked at each other and our jaws dropped.

We had a great visit with GG and Pop and Chumba too. Hoyer really took well to Chumba, they played on the ground together, we are still trying to teach Hoyer how to be gentle...good thing Chumba is old and sweet. Her ears and tail were the favorite target.

We all went to church this morning, (well, not Chumba) where Hoyer is on the waiting list for their mothers day out program. It was a great church service, a bit long and Kyle is all confused with the Church of England traditions vs the Episcopal ones, but he will catch up. We dropped Hoyer off at Sunday School and he did really well, what a nice break! The way they do it is to sticker the child when you come in, you keep a portion of it, your claim check, and they play and enjoy the games and toys. It is really nice to have the time to worship without being distracted by Hoyer's needs. When we picked Hoyer up, he had an additional sticker on him, letting us know that they had changed his diaper. I like the sticker system.

The weather here has been perfect, 72 and sunny. Hoyer is wearing short pants and bubbles and we have since discovered his attitude toward grass and rough surfaces on his knees and legs. He crawls on his toes to avoid the rough feeling, it is quite the sight...

Speaking of weather, we have a storm brewing...more notes on that later this week.

Teething Bites

Hoyer has 2 teeth!!!!!!!!!! Finally.

THE game...LSU (POP) vs. Alabama (Kyle)

It is a big game day today not only in the Gill Benefield Household, but all over the South! Everyone is talking about this game, it is on everyone's mind. Who will win? I don't care. Hoyer did sleep in his LSU onesie last night, but the day before he wore his Alabama bib, so it is even steven as far as that goes...Kyle and my dad have ventured down to Tuscaloosa for the game, they are going to try and get tickets. They stooped at an ATM on the way, and it looks like the extra cash is needed, someone offered us tickets this morning for $500 each. Ha. This is THE GAME, the winner gets major bragging rights and with Thanksgiving and Christmas coming up, the winner will for sure rub it in the others face. I made Kyle and Dad promise to be nice...I just hope Kyle doesn't end up in the LSU section, that might just cause some chaos...
While the boys are off, Mom and I are going shopping. Men have hobbies and so do women...

Hoyer on Film

To see videos of Hoyer just look to the right...the new video corner is all set up and I will update every so often.

Nomads

This Sunday Kyle leaves for Miami. He will be there through February for a special project for work. Once he has work and living situations under control Hoyer and I will head down too. Hoyer and I will lead a nomadic life between Miami, Alabama and Louisiana.
For now we are enjoying Alabama and time with family. The Benefields have been having lots of Hoyer time already and the Gills will get their fill this weekend. Even Chumba, the dog, will get time with Hoyer, everyone has a lot of making up to do.

America, I am happy.

Wow. There is so much I love about America. It has been 48 hours since we stepped foot on her soil and already I am overwhelmed by 1) Customer Service 2) Choices of things to consume 3)Great Food 4) Friendly people 5) Nice Hotels. Maybe I took all this for granted when we used to live here, but now it all sticks out like a sore thumb.
We are staying at a Marriott that has a full size kitchen, ( with huge stainless steal appliances and washer and dryers!) The biggest flat screen tvs in each room, wonderful office area, huge bathroom, King Size memory foam bed, it is so nice. Breakfast every morning and beer/wine and dinner Mon-Wed. Plus the rooms are cleaned everyday, sheets changed twice a week. Do you think we will ever leave??? Across the street is a super wal-mart. Now, it has been forever since I stepped foot in a wal-mart, probably since college, I turned into a bit of a Target snob soon after. But, this wal-mart across the street is brand new and it is awesome. We were able to get everything we needed ( not food, we made a special trip to Whole Foods for that...) in one stop. A phone, ( pay as you go is the future according to Kyle) baby bedding ( temporary until we move in to our house and I can get Hoyer's nursery fixed up, but very cute for now) toiletries, detergent, a water filter, I mean we got it all, so easy and people were so nice, even strangers were nice. Wal-mart is back on my good list.
Whole Foods was a great trip too, so much to choose from. Now our big fridge has food! They even have an international aisle with English foods! ( International Aisle could be the perfect name for the American Aisle we have been begging Whole Foods in London to bring to their store!)

For now, we are so happy. When Kyle leaves on Sunday, we will be sad.

We are home!

We made it and I am so excited, but will have to update later. Kyle and I are off to Whole Foods to do a little shopping while Nan and Grand watch Hoyer. So nice to be close to family.