A sick baby overseas

Sicily was absoloutely fabu-tabulous! But it was also hard work, especially when Austin started acting up - in a BIG way. For the first few days we weren't sure what was going on, and just put it down to lack of sleep, but when he stood in the lounge room screaming uncontrollably and nothing we did was able to stop him we knew something was up.

So here is a list for you of what not to do with a sick toddler overseas:

1. Just presume the your child is acting CRAZY because they are sleep deprived (insert late night flights, early morning starts, back to back activities, change of scenery, cot in new area, etc etc etc)

2. Start doubting yourself BIG TIME. There are a few small moments as parents that you sit back and think wow, we’ve nailed this parenting thing! (SMALL MOMENTS PEOPLE, this doesn’t happen often!) And then you have moments when all you can think is what in the world are we doing wrong? Everything? Surely? We must be the worst parents in the world! This was definitely one of those moments. 

3. When you figure out (finally) that something is up, don’t organize a doctor during the day because, you know, that would just be waaaaay to convenient. Wait until the evening for your child to have another screaming fit THEN decide that you should probably do something about it.

4. Don’t worry about turning on data roaming, having the address of where you’re staying written down, knowing how to order a taxi in Italian… let alone know where a local doctor or English speaking health professional is.

5. Forget all the kids toys in the dash to the local hospital (where the only bambino doctors are – a bit dramatic I know, but that’s where we were instructed to go for a general doctor)

6. Cry when your kid has a blood test….oh my THE TEARS, THE TEARS. Oh yeah, and then there were his tears too.

7. Just sit back and do nothing…and let your mind get the better of you of what might be wrong with your kid. So glad this is the one thing we did not do! Although it meant a two hour wait at 11pm at night surrounded by all the screaming bambino’s at del pronto soccorso, after all the drama it was just a viral infection (PHEW) and at least we could relax knowing it was nothing serious. 

Also, side note - bubbles are the best thing in the world to cheer up a sickly toddler!

Ciao bambino

Sicily – the land of nutella and pizza. So much for a beach diet. Beach diets are non existant in Italy! And so is fake tan – as I learnt rocking up pale and need of some bronzer. What else happens in Italy? Every nonna loves the bambino, the food is local and fresh, and the coffee is soooo good (yes please, yes please, yes please, give me all your coffees!)

We barely scratched the surface of what Sicily has to offer, we mostly had beach and relaxing time, and I’m pretty, pretty sure there is much more to do and see. Just down the road there were beautiful castle-esque villas that I was just dying to get in to, but with a sleep-deprived toddler from doing night flights we did our best.

If I’m being really honest, we went to Sicily mostly for the weather, but once we got there we just wanted to get in to all that Sicily has to offer. It’s funny how when you get to a destination with no local language skills it only takes a few days to get in to the swing of things. I’ve being si’ing and grazie’ing my local English coffee man since getting home - awkward.

I wanna go back, I wanna go back, I wanna go back. Ok, my tantrum is not setting a good example for the son. But Sicily was damn good. 

Living in London with a little one

Six weeks in and a whirlwind later we’re finally getting settled in to London life and it’s been pretty damn good so far. Our lives haven’t changed all that much really (minus all the fabulous Melbourne family and friends) but I guess you’re wondering, what have we been doing?

We’ve been visiting the ‘stay and plays’ (London’s answer to mothers group) – huge play centres with jumping castles, rooms full of toys and giant adventure playgrounds. These are ridiculously fun and an absolute nightmare to get Austin to leave but oh boy when he is there, he is just eeeeeeeeeeee-ing with excitement. (Also massive note to self – do not bring outside toys to these wonderlands of excitement unless you want to cause WW3 and tears en masse, ermm sorry and oops to the fellow mums).

We’ve been moaning about the average coffee in London. A friend told me the other day that she is now used to the crap coffee here. Sad face. I can see myself slowly changing, my subconscious becoming more comfortable with instant, my palette liking average Pret coffee. It has already started. I bought more instant coffee. It was Illy, so you know, I told myself it was ok, but deep down I know how wrong the Melbourne me would think the situation is.

We have definitely been frustrated at London’s horrible pedestrian walkers. I know Melbourne is pretty bad too, but for the most part, there is a system there: walk on the left people. Here there is no system, no rhyme or reason, and definitely no one stopping to let a pram past. You just have to GO FOR IT and make everyone part for you. Lady with a pram, coming through!

And oh my, have we been surprised by the weather. Its not half bad, it’s no Aussie autumn – lets be real – but the sun is out most of the time, and when it is, its like some glorious sunshining hotbed of fun.  

There is actually heaps to do with a toddler and baby here in London and all of the locals are super generous with their knowledge. And the BEST PART – HELLO EUROPE! First European holiday planned for this weekend. Can’t wait.

Baby towers over London

What we learnt on our visit to Tower Bridge:

1.     London Bridge is not Tower Bridge

2.     Coffee is served scorching hot in London

3.     Pedestrian crossings really have no rhyme or reason – they are all red or all green and no drummer man so it's best not to get distracted at the stop sign

4.     Don’t wing it on the bus system – this is probably just normal person common sense but let’s just include this on the list anyway

5.     The Lawn (under The Tower Hotel) serves the most delicious mojito’s with disputably the best view of The Tower Bridge and the sparsest crowds on the strip

It's a shore thing (or at least it will be next time)

I wouldn’t say we nailed our first visit to Shoreditch but we still had fun. The Shoreditch train station is right next to ‘BoxPark’ a little shopping mecca made from container ships; pop-up stores on the ground floor and then food and bars up on the second floor.

The width and size of a container ship fitted out with clothes racks and other merchandising tables makes it a wee bit tricky to look around with a pram (ok lets be honest, it’s a lot tricky, but hey we make do) and the top level is accessible by stairs only but if you have some muscles with you it’s still worth a look around. I’m sure later on in the evening this little spot would get MIGHTY rowdy but 12.30 pm it’s friendly and inviting, with tables basking in the sunshine.

So from here we thought we’d find the shops to look around. And so we looked up and down and around looking for a ‘main’ street that we didn’t find. So (correct me if I’m wrong) but it seems pretty much most of the shops are a mix of chain stores, vintage wares and super trendy designers tucked in and around all the little alleyways. Sooo, as always, on a toddler timeframe we had to move on but we will come back and do it properly now that we know what’s going on.

But next was far more exciting. A twenty-minute walk later we were at The Museum of Childhood (NB there is a bus that goes there too if you aint in a walking mood). Three levels of toys greeted us, spanning over a hundred years of history (probably longer, who knows, lets’ just say we skipped the information booth and went straight for the fun times!). Interactive displays, fully functioning train sets, giant robots…. Oh my goodness Austin was in heaven! Ok, heaven would have been the same place minus all of the glass cabinets but it certainly made for a happier visit (no screaming and crying when you try to pull him away).

Lunch of fish fingers and peas was followed by a run around in Bethnal Park next door. With free entry and a baby’s short attention span this is going to be the purrrfect winter hangout. 

Hello London

Baby meltdown alert

Just like most of life, London touring with a baby is slightly more difficult than life without a baby but it can also be more exciting and certainly more unexpected.

Instead of just doing the walking around, been there, done that situation you actually stop and take it in, and when the small man is making ‘ooh ooh’ sounds at every passing red bus, big building and general tourist walking by the whole day takes on a whole new shiny, exciting feeling.

We started off getting the bus to Big Ben, getting off on the other side of the bridge (which immensely annoyed Pat) as I wanted to get photos looking across to Big Ben. Getting in early worked a treat as there were few people around and all was going FABULOUSLY until Austin had a super melt down ‘no more damn photos!’  The moment was made even better as several French tourists walked past with a what terrible parents are you look on their faces. But really all he wanted to do was give his legs a little run before falling dead off to sleep.

This little spot near Big Ben is a great area to do your tourist walk as there is so much in the one area. We walked up past Westminster Abbey and then down Derby Gate where there were some beautiful buildings to ogle but um yeah, I don’t know what buildings they were so, sorry can’t tell you. Some type of government, queen something.

Trafalgar square was next and if we had time we would have popped in to the National Gallery, but baby was sleeping so we were on a deadline. Time for a coffee stop so we went to Pret in Trafalgar Sqaure – my advice would be AVOID. They do not have toilets, which is pretty annoying as part purpose of our coffee stop was also to bathroom stop. Crisis was averted however as there are public (clean) toilets in Trafalgar Square. But with this in mind you may as well avoid the average Pret coffee and go somewhere else.

Toilet business aside, we finished off our London tour morning on The London Eye. £20 per adult later we were flying high up in the sky.

Can’t wait for more London touring <3

In the market for good food

Do you want the good news or the bad news first?

Well, lets start with the good news. The good news is I have a fabulous sightseeing day out that I can share with you, that I think you will just LOVE, LOVE, LOVE. The bad news is it is mostly weather dependant (which in England equals rain, rain, rain), but when in Rome do as the romans do – and in England if it is raining you just get on with it. Which means that there is ONLY GOOD NEWS!

So now to the important stuff… a day out in London! Our day starts in the idyllic Regents Canal. Depending on how fit/sporty/motivated you are feeling you could start this walk as early as Angel allowing for a leisurely one-hour stroll. Or if you want to get the beauty of the canals without the ardour of a lengthy walk then start a bit further up towards Haggerston train station (this may, or may not have been where we started our journey – hint, it was definitely where we started). The canals are very pretty, with colourful long boats floating past and if you’re lucky like we were you might get the lazy English sun beating down on you as well. 

Either way, the destination is going to be the Broadway street market. Vintage clothes, delicious cakes, fresh produce and the most amazing food (I dieeee for the fried buttermilk chicken burger). 

Now I don’t want to overhype my little day out here, because although I am giving it 5 stars it is not visiting Big Ben, and it is not visiting Westminster Abbey and well, it’s not visiting any of the ‘big sights’ of London. It is a lazy, leisurely Saturday morning devoid of rushing and the big red bus tourist trap. So if you’re in London and you’ve got 101 things planned to do (likely) but you’re two days in, burnt out and craving a break from the rushing this will be the most fabulous day for you. And after you’ve perused the market you can kick back at The Market Café with a drink and let the morning float by (this may, or may not have been how we ended our journey – hint, it was definitely how we ended our journey, and what a fabulous way to do it!).

How to delight in Dalston

So we’ve DONE IT, we’ve moved to LONDON! HOLY MOSES! Ok, ok, I will calm down this is probably only exciting for me and not really anyone else.  

And we’ve started this new adventure by staying in Dalston while we get set up (finding a rental, a job, a cot etc etc etc). Equal parts uber cool and uber grunge there are quite a few hidden gems in this small borough. And although from the outset it is easy to assume that Dalston is not a ‘child friendly’ zone, assumptions (like me) are often wrong and we've definitely found that between the partiers, suits and other renegades there are actually many families. All this said, when we come to the end of our month in dearly Dalston I think we will have a) had a blast and b) be ready to move on.

But before we pack up our lonely belongings to make a new home, I have to share some of my new fave spots.

1.     The Dalston Eastern Curve Garden. Now, when I mentioned ‘hidden gems’ above you probably thought I was being metaphoric and not literal but the Eastern Curve Garden is literally hidden behind a wooden wall. And once you go past this wooden wall you will find quite the treasure trove of goodness, an oasis if you might. A BEAUTIFUL big garden, curving (yes as the name may suggest) down and around between tall buildings and the flats that surround, in the space that was once the railway line that linked Dalston Junction Station to the goods yard.  

There are herb gardens and shared plots, buckets and spades to get down and dirty and a café to keep hydrated. Though be warned, the coffee is served cafetiere (that’s plunger coffee to you and me) – a brutal shock to people demanding a latte in the gardens (me). Beer and wine are probably the drink de jour and well hell, why not, especially when the sun is beating down on this beautiful hidden garden.

For the kids there are trikes strewn over the grass, worn to death, looking both appealing and eery at the same time. There are events and classes running in the garden, spanning across a range of topics including pizza making, herbal remedies and drop in gardening sessions. This little treasure trove appeals to the big kids and kids alike A+

2.     Ok, now lets assume you’ve had a FAAABULOUS time in the garden and have worked up quite a hunger (and hankering for coffee), so now I know the most perfect place to refuel. Just across the road past the Dalston CLR James Library is Route Cafe the most delicious café in Dalston (alleged by me).  The coffee is delicious, strong and not too milky. It is also scorchingly hot (a UK trend?). The food is so delicious, fresh and tasty (try 'the hangover' the most amazing combination of scrambled eggs and cheese in a tortilla wrap topped with chorizo and a warm tomato salsa....mmmmm). There are takeaway baguettes, fresh salads, cheeses and salumi to take home for later and also some wine to round off your meal.

If you’re only in London for a few days, this is probably not a 'go out of your way' destination, but if you’re in the area with some spare time I cannot recommend these two little spots more.

There's no whining with food and wine

Family goodbyes are always hard but don't punch as hard when there's good food and wine. Add a birthday and a winery (Shadowfax in Werribee - yes it was deeelicious) and then luckily the emphasis is no longer on you but the bigger picture of a family get together, gossip and laughter. 

After letting Austin do some running around outside, go son tire yourself out, we headed inside to a packed restaurant of what appeared to be several ladies lunches (fine venue choice ladies) a few Sunday family lunches and a jazz band to boot. 

Austin actually sat patiently for half an hour (not a bad effort) but silly mum and dad gave him his lunch before most people had even arrived which meant there was no sitting still when we all wanted to wine and dine. OOPS. So we will know for next time to synchronise the eating for everyones benefit. 

Luckily the fam were more than happy to take him out in turns, creating a little Austin relay where he got to visit the vines, the herb garden and the outdoor eating area. Lucky boy!

The day was rounded off with crying cousins, basketballs, whipped cream and a delicious chocolate cake.

Austin could not bare to have his afternoon nap, I'm having WAAAAY too much fun mum, so was little Mr Grumpy pants by the time we left. Pat sat in the back of the car to entertain him making me feel like a bit of a chauffeur driver but at least we avoided 40 minutes of wailing. 

Not a bad way to spend a Sunday arvo, definitely a day to remember.

5 reasons I became a mall rat after having a baby

When it comes to kids fashion big shopping centres can be frowned upon: large chains, international brands, nothing unique. But for me after having a baby hitting up the big shopping centres were a god send, especially my favourite Chadstone. Why, I hear you asking? Well fret not, I will enlighten you with my 5 reasons I became a mall rat after having a baby:

1. Parent rooms. They are pretty swish these days. You could basically just hang out in there all day if you wanted (which you don’t because hello there are so many amazing shops to be checked out). TV’s, games, soft cushions… oh and that’s just for the adults! Feeding rooms, microwaves, nappy stations… yep they are pretty decked out. And for a stressed out new mum sometimes the thought of whipping out the boob in the middle of a shopping centre is enough to make you hide at home so THANKYOU for (the politically correctly named) parents room
2. Babies grow like CRAZY in the first few months and although I stocked up on an array of the wonderful and crazy baby shopping has to offer before he popped out, there is always something missing, something grown out of and something new needed
3. The weather is always good in the shopping centre. Searing hot sun? Torrential rain? Fear not! No need to stay at home the bright lights and shiny shops of the mall are a-calling
4. There are SO many good kids stores all in the one place. Now, I am a big fan of the local kids store, especially as this is where you are most likely to find the cutest, most unique, locally made goods….but Chaddy will give these little pockets of goodness a run for their money, simply due to the convenience factor of having everything all in the one spot. Seed, check. Bonds, check. Pure baby, check. Cotton on baby, check. Bardot Junior, check. Armani junior, check (but ahem, they are a bit out of our price range). Country Road, Gap, Zara, Pumpkin Patch, and then of course you have Myer, DJ’s, Target and Kmart…phew! If you don’t find what you need after visiting all of these bad boys maybe you’re looking for the wrong things!
5. There was one other thing that worked a charm in those early few months as well… and that was the constant movement of the pram as I weaved between the shops being the perfect rocking motion to put Austin to sleep and keep him snoozing for a rejuvenating long nap…something that I really struggled to get him to do when he was little. Of course mister one year old is too grown up for that business now, but instead we can take him to the indoor playground before heading off so that he can tire himself for a snooze in the car. Or more accurately just stand awkwardly on the sidelines because he is too nervous to get in to the action just yet.

All this aside there is nothing worse than being lost in a big shopping centre, unable to find what you want and walking around in circles… so no matter if it’s chaddy or highpoint or your local centre, it’s probably a really good idea to make sure you go often so you get to know the centre inside out and reap the rewards of shopping up a storm.