March 2013: Robin - What are YOU doing in Canada?!

Another month.....another holiday for the Rowlatts??? ;)

Our long planned ski trip to Whistler, Canada was finally here. The trip out went fairly smoothly, with a man sat near us swiftly vacating his seat on the plane once he realised he had a neighbour, Robin had her own Business class seat the whole way to Vancouver and made full use of the Highlife entertainment…Baby Jake, on a loop, headphones not needed!

That Baby Jake loves a good joke!

Sightseeing in Vancouver wasn’t easy as the weather was particularly miserable the first couple of days but we and Dan Powell made the most of our day to explore the city’s sights.

A short drive out of Vancouver took us to snowy Whistler and our lovely big house where we met with the rest of our “crew”. Robin loved all the group fun and attention. She made full use of a bunch of toys we borrowed for the house and especially loved trundling around with a buggy which wasn’t much fun for those trying to sleep in past 9am ;)

Breakfast with a backdrop

Robin with the Olympic RingS

Book and cuddle time with Uncle CP

Reading about why she loves her Daddy with Uncle Matthew

 Along with fun in and around the house, we went in to town for some sing a long fun at the library in Whistler and visited the local Squamish museum.

We’re going on a bear hunt

The first night back was not much fun at all. After a couple of hours sleep, I left for work with Bun and Bo sleeping like babies.

Some "firsts" in March

First trip to Columbia Road alone with Daddy

First trip to the National History Museum

CHEEEEESE!

A family pose following a trip round the Tate Modern with Chris, Amy and Aoife. Robin may have set an alarm or two off on her way round the exhibition…whoooops!

Easter was fun this year as we got involved in some real activities!! Robin made her first Easter cakes at nursery. She would not let go of this little cornflake cake all the way home or all evening, finally giving it up around bath time!

Our NCT friend, Ehryn organised the lovliest little Easter Egg hunt for the kids in a local secret garden. It was a chilly but lovely afternoon and we and kids loved it!

February 2013 - A series of unfortunate events, leading to time at home with Daddy. Also, an announcement.

February began with a series of unfortunate events. Our car was not outside Number 10 when we returned from holiday, Philip was put on redundancy notice from work and our Nanny “left” us.

All these things small shocks added up, and we them took fairly badly as our dear family and friends know (thank you all for being so supportive). BUT they led to one amazing thing. Robin and Daddy spending lots of time together. With Nana and Nani away in Australia, me going back to work full time, and no childcare, Philip was thrown in to Daddy Daycare and did a brilliant job.

First trip to the British Museum

A 5 nations spectacular feast at Kim and Chris', courtesy of Kim and LN.

The Owl and the pussycat in their boats

We found out in December that we were expecting another little member of our family but with lots of other things going on, we announced the good news to everyone one our 12 week scan was complete.

Little Noodle arrives in Early August and is a little boy to complete a little pair!



First Giraffe lunch complete with milestone Balloon





We discover Robin’s Paul McCartney expression

 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DADDY!!!

January 2013 - Thai Robin

We Rowlatts banished the thought of January blues with a fairly late planned holiday to the land of smiles…Thailand.

Having read lots (too much) about flights with toddlers, jet lag etc we were quite terrified about how the journey may pan out but in fact, the night flights were helpful and Robin managed to sleep well on the way to Bangkok with us also catching a few hours sleep too. We arrived in Bangkok into the glorious heat of the early evening and checked into the Four Seasons who had a lovely cot and welcome pack all ready for Robin. Fortunately we overlapped with Ali and Phil Hitchell for one night in “Bangers” so they met us for our first ever real Thai meal at the hotel.

The next morning was an early flight out to Koh Samui and a bumpy boat transfer to our Anantara Resort on Kho Phangan. Although I was slightly nervous the big bumpy waves somehow soothed Robin into a short nap on the way to the islands.

Our first meal at Anantara Rasamanda. The children’s rice soup goes down well!

The next 10 days were just wonderful. We enjoyed wonderfully warm days and nights, lots of swimming in the sea, great meals and lots of sleep for us all. A wonderful side effect of sun is the feeling of sleepiness and here is where Robin started on long naps and sleeping through the night in her very own little room (our walk in wardrobe!). After 15 months of waking at least once a night, we were in shock!!

It really did feel like a holiday with us all catching up on reading, movies, sleep and eating well. It must have been quite a different feeling for Robin, being able to run around in just a nappy and her vava (jewellery). Philip says she was in her element in the sea, singing and laughing while splashing in the warm water.

The staff at the hotel and in fact all Thai people in general just LOVED children which was lovely as we always felt welcome and treated well, everywhere we went.

The first time Robin really saw the moon and the stars was on our beach in Thailand and she fell in love with them. She still was not saying many words but “Star” was a favourite by the end of our time there!

Our little plunge pool, perfect for splashing with Mummy and Daddy.

Grandad Rowlatt made the long trip from Pattaya to stay with us for a few days which was really lovely. It was lovely for us all to relax in sunnier surroundings than normal. We all had a fantastioc relaxing time and Robin loved spending time with Grandad.

Enjoying Breakfast with Grandad

After a full 11 days in our little paradise, we head back to Bangkok for a night and day before flying home. Grandad came to see us in the capital and we took quite a few sights in one day.

Bye Bye Ko Phangan

Reading the Guidebook with Grandad



The Rowlatts at the Palace

 Our flight home went as well as could be expected for a 13 hour trek with a toddler. We arrived back in London to face below freezing temperatures which was quite a shock after our two weeks in the sun.