adventures of an american housewife in the south of france
Currently Browsing: Knocked Up Abroad

On Becoming a Mom

Even though I stopped blogging over 2 years ago, I still check in on this space from time to time.  A few months ago I came across this post sitting in my drafts folder.  I wrote it about 2 months before Ramona was born and it was entertaining to see my thoughts reflecting the change that I was about to experience, especially now that I am a mom of two.  Those feelings of excitement and anticipation before...

Ramona Rose at 5 Months

Sweet Ramona is 5 months old today. What a difference a few weeks makes. Ramona's first month of life was difficult, like it is for most newborns. Unbeknownst to me, our battle with evil, evil thrush had begun and our poor, Little Miss had her days and nights mixed up. By her second month of life, she had flipped to a normal day/night schedule, the thrush was being treated, and her disposition improved, as...

Ramona Rose at 4 Months

Four months.  Already.  I think I'll be using that word a lot.  I never knew time could move this swiftly. We have a very happy, smiley baby girl these days.  And quite the little chatterbox! She literally spends hours babbling ooh, ooh, agoo, agoo, gah, bbrrr, ahh!  One time she even sighed, Ohhh yeaaaahhhh.  She loves it when we mimic her sounds and "talk" with her.  I think we're in serious trouble when...

The Evolution of a Roll

On New Year's Day, just shy of 12 weeks old, Miss Ramona Rose rolled over. I know, I know. She's the first baby ever to do this. We're sending out autographs upon request. Michael and I were so excited and proud. Watching Ramona's determination to flip from her back to her belly and begin the journey of mobility was fascinating. She worked hard all day and by the evening, she had mastered the roll. This girl...

The Namesake

Do you remember when you used to be able to wait for visitors at the gate in the airport?  You would sit in the hard, plastic chairs watching the plane land, waiting for the jetway bridge to be attached, listening as the gate opened and searching eagerly to find your loved one as all the passengers filed through the door.  That's what I think of when I remember my Grandpa.  I think of waiting in airports, excited...

Postpartum, The French Way

Ramona's first month has flown by and it's been exciting, awesome, terrifying, challenging and beautiful all at the same time.  Many days have been hard, as expected.  Postpartum hormones were a bitch and caring for a colicky baby with thrush has been no picnic either.  But sweet Ramona is the light of our life and we are learning from her every day. Ramona's schedule is constantly changing, so we're doing...

And Then There Were Three

We've been so lucky to have my Mom in town helping us out these last three weeks.  My recovery has been long and painful, so I'm honestly not sure what we would have done without her!  She cooked, she cleaned, she shopped, she rocked, she bathed, she swaddled.  Initially her trip was only planned for two weeks.  My Grandma hasn't been doing so well, so there was even a point during her trip when we thought she...

Ramona Rose’s Birth, Part II

I don't think I'd ever been so excited to wake up before the sun. I rose at 7am and crept around the dark apartment with Fig, fixing some mint tea and an egg, peeling a banana, thinking about what was going to happen in a few hours.  I had been told not to eat anything after 6am, which was the first of several erroneous messages I received from my doctor's "secretary."  The idea of getting up at 5:30am for...

Ramona Rose’s Birth, Part I

During my pregnancy, I kept a journal for Ramona that I wrote in each week from Week 5 when we found out I was pregnant, to Week 40.  This is what I wrote the night before she was born. Darling Dear Ramona, It's quite strange knowing in advance the day your life is going to change forever.  Right down to the hour.  I can't believe that by this time tomorrow, we will know you, hold you, kiss you....

She’s Here!

We're so excited to introduce you to our daughter! Ramona Rose arrived at 2:52pm on Wednesday, 10/10/12, weighing in at 3.51kg and 48cm long! We are so thrilled and in love! I'll be back next week with Ramona's birth story and more pictures. À...

« Previous Entries

Design by RoyCreative