The Eccentric American Mama in Cumbria

Cyril's going to be a world traveler before he even turns 1, one of the advantages or disadvantages depending on how you look at it, of having family all over the world. Some of these long distance trips will include the addition of his Daddy, however because someone has to pay the bills the majority of the time Cyril and I will be travelling solo and anxiously awaiting the arrival of Daddy for a smaller portion of the trip. Before our first trip to Massachusetts, and then Washington to visit my brother, I was filled with anxiety. Cyril was a trooper on all 8 flights despite the fact he was travelling with his zombie mother. Now as we prepare for another transatlantic journey to California, I am filled with the same anxiety. Fortunately this time we'll have help as Josh will be flying with us both times. Despite this you can never really be too prepared. Which is why I've begun the packing list 1 week in advance. As most of you know I'm a pretty organised person, ...

Cyril turned seven months old yesterday and to welcome that milestone he got his first cold. Pain is watching your seven month old battle an awful cold. Every time he coughs after eating he projectile vomits, usually on me. Just picture the exorcist because that's what it looks like. Every. Time. My motto for giving Cyril medicine, vaccinations, food, etc is that if I would take it then I'll offer it to him. Well I rarely take medicine when I'm sick but to watch him struggle that first day without any medicine broke my heart, not to mention I was awake all night with him as if he were a newborn. We snuggled together in the guest bed, more like he snuggled his stuffed up nose, boogers, phlegm, and occasional vomit into my pyjamas and I stayed awake to make sure he was breathing. The whole night. Not that I needed to do this since it sounded like a train whistle every time he breathed but I blame first time mom syndrome dealing with baby's first illness. Anyway I digr...