Happy 4th! (aka the best time to be back in the USA)

Following the age-old phrase 'when in Rome,' we jumped right back into the swing of things today. What say you Brits? It's just an average ol' Saturday? Not here. It's Independence Day! A day to celebrate being finally free from those durn Redcoats. Here are our highlights (so far) from the holiday weekend:

1. William got yesterday off work. Woohooo! Long weekend! We celebrated with banana pancakes on our new pancake griddle. (That's right - we may not have our own house but we did buy a brand spanking new pancake griddle. Only the essentials.)
2. Flag shirts. If you do not wear red, white and blue on the 4th of July here you are by FAR the minority. Not only that - you're weird. It's simply a must. William and I sported his and hers flag shirts while the kids wore white shirts they spray painted with red and blue paint (genius idea by my sister Anna.) 
3. The parade. Americans really like to kick up their heels whenever they can. Halloween, St. Paddy's day (?!), a solo trip to the grocery story (you MUST treat yourself to a frappuccino) - whatever it is, it's time to go all out. On the 4th of July, every city, town, village and suburb has their own parade. Continuing the tradition of my childhood, we made a float (wagon) and the kids partook in the Edmonds 4th of July parade. One word: chaos. (See the stunned faces below). A delightful barbecue followed, complete with aunts, uncles, cousins and two kiddie pools.
4. Fireworks. I'm just assuming this will be a highlight because, let's face it, it always is. I plan on watching the Kenmore fireworks display (what up Log Boom) from the comfort of my parents' living room. Although, when Freddie and Elsie are old enough to make it past 8pm, we'll almost certainly head to Edmonds for their evening do. Can't beat that pre-fireworks dance party on the dusty park grounds. Hip hip hooray!

Living in the U.S.A.

Well, we've been stateside almost 2 months so I guess it's time for a Kay/Kearns family update! We arrived in Seattle on April 28th, with a well-rested Elsie (5 hours sleeping on William's lap on the plane), a semi-well-rested William (dozed with Elsie) and a very tired Freddie and I (spent most of the flight eating, drinking coffee and watching TV). We were met by 3 of my 4 siblings, waving American flags and welcome signs. What can I say, Americans are expressive! As always, it was a relief to get off the airplane and take a big breath of fresh air.

We continued on a sickness run (no, I haven't yet gotten past the chicken pox misery of March/April. Brutal!) and within a week of arriving I had mastitis and after another week William had mono and a bad throat infection. Thank heavens for antibiotics and lots of family around to help us rest! We are all (even Freddie after his recent fall off a rock/bloody head/trip to the ER) back to good health now, thank goodness!

We've been enjoying the Seattle summer, which apparently started in April this year! It has been hot and sunny pretty much every day since we've been here. We packed away the coats and snowsuits, gone through copious amounts of sunscreen, and Freddie has freckles. Adorable. He is suddenly so mature and capable (he'll be the first to tell you he's 3!). He climbs trees, dresses himself (even the sandals!) and can cruise on his balance bike and scooter. He looks after his little sis very well and loves sharing the new 'kids room' with her. They chat a bit before naps and bed and miss each other when the other one's not in there, too.

Elsie has followed in her climbing brother's footsteps and climbs up on toys, chairs, cushions, and anything else she can reach. She isn't saying much (other than the constant 'hiya' and 'hi' to her cousins, Nina, Grandpa and her favorite companion — Booter, my sister's dog) but she signs 'more' and 'all finished,' so can definitely still get her point across. Her volume has increased as well, which helps. :) Both Freddie and Elsie are beside themselves with excitement every time their cousins come over or we all meet up somewhere. Instant friends!

The job front has been amazing — William got a job within two weeks of us arriving (did the interview two days before he got mono) and he's really been enjoying it. I've been working with my sistahs (check out Cascadia Content for all your web copy/content needs) but despite being busy somehow William and I are spending more time together than recent years. Nice to have so many babysitters nearby!

We REALLY miss our friends and family across the pond. Hope you are all doing well and planning your Seattle holidays! ;)

Happy 1st Birthday Elsie!!!

Yes, it's been awhile since my last post but I have a REALLY good excuse. The day after I wrote that post we discovered a few spots on Freddie. Chicken pox? Noooooo, it couldn't be. IT WAS. Fast forward a few very itchy, very tired weeks later and they've both had it. Whew. 

The pox may have canceled Freddie and Elsie's joint birthday bash (meant to be last weekend) but at least we could celebrate her big day today. That's right - at 5:40pm on April 25, 2014, the biggest surprise of my life popped out. A girl! For some reason, we were absolutely convinced we were having another boy and were SHOCKED it was a girl. 

I was in labor for 3 days, most of which was spent having contractions at home and out in my favorite spot, Holyrood Park. It was painful but there were breaks, including the night before I had her when I wolfed an entire Dominos pizza (large). YUM. Margaret and William cheered me on until 4am on the morning of the 25th when we decided it was time to go to the hospital. Elsie didn't arrive for more than 12 hours later and during that time I tried pretty much every pain relief option available. Haha. Tens machine, birthing pool, gas and air and, finally, an epidural. 

Once the epidural was in (took three tries...yikes!), I relaxed and waited for our little gal to show up. We chatted with the midwife, medical student and doctor. In a bizarre turn of events, the doctor was the same woman who did my c-section with Freddie. AND, in another bizarre turn of events, the medical student just treated Freddie in the children's hospital last weekend. I was touched that he remembered Elsie's birth and even more touched that he said he almost didn't recognize me (45lbs lighter haha). 

How do I describe Elsie? Snuggly, sly, determined, sweet, fearless and feisty. Another pea in our pod, I couldn't imagine life without her. What an awesome year it's been for this little gal. We love you Elsie!!

E for Elsie.

Picking off the blueberries.

What a little 1-year-old!