“About A Boy”

Mama Atzi / / No Comments

“Don’t argue with a four year old. Just don’t. They’ll out-do you any day and if they don’t have the words or a sound argument, they’ll just keep asking ‘why’.”*

 

As my baby (the first one!) reaches his 5th birthday – yeah 5! Where did that go? – I’m feeling a bit reflective. So much has happened over the last 5 years but I have to say this last year has been one of my favourites:

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My boy is wonderful, obviously I would say that because I’m his Mother, but he really is. I love being the Mama of a 4 year old boy. It helps that he sleeps very well these days, other than the midnight toilet trip and occasional bad dream, but this age is just so precious and innocent and full of wonder and curiosity that it makes me view life in a whole new way. I love seeing the world through his eyes.

Don’t get me wrong he has his moments!! Stubborn like his Mama. If I get asked to watch another Batman versus Lightning McQueen youtube video I may scream and the fussy eating I could definitely live without.

Every experience he has is almost exaggerated and whilst this might mean a few overdramatic responses to bumps and scrapes (or his little brother playing with one of his toys!) sometimes it also means you can genuinely see his joy magnified in everything he does. A playground is like Disneyworld to him, the local swimming pool is as good as the biggest water park in the world. He appreciates everything he has and I love that about him. His excitement when he receives something new or goes to an indoor playroom for the first time is wonderful and the look on his face when he feels like that is precious.

He is a very lucky boy. The first Grandchild on both sides with doting Uncles, Aunts and Great-Grandparents so he doesn’t want for much anyway but Christmas was an extra special affair this year. The first time I felt like he really understood everything that was going on. The first time he got really excited about Christ Kind and Santa Claus and had something to believe in. When he walked into the lounge and saw the presents he was so overwhelmed it brought tears to all of our eyes. But what I loved most about it was how genuinely appreciative he was of every present he had, taking time to play with everything he opened rather than just ripping through the paper and moving onto the next thing as quickly as possible (hence it took about 4 days to get through everything!)

I watched a video on youtube recently of children in a home in Africa opening care packages that had been sent from the UK. What to so many of us are simple gifts – crayons, books, small cars, bubbles – yet their reactions of excitement and sheer happiness was incredible. It was a humbling thing to watch, a reminder that we often take what we have for granted, but watching my son experience these moments for the first time is just as humbling. His reactions and sense of wonder are also magical and I just hope I can teach him to always appreciate things like that (though I sense that will become harder in time.)

Like his Mum he is pretty shy, especially in new situations or around people he doesn’t know so well, but I’m proud to say he is one of the most popular children at kindergarten and I often feel like a celebrity when I pick him up: “So you’re LJ’s Mum, —– talks about him constantly!”

And one thing we have always prided ourselves on with him-the one thing I felt we got right!-is how polite and well-mannered he (usually) is. Here in Austria people laugh when he says ‘Ja, bitte’ or ‘Nein, Danke’ because the literal translation from Yes, please and No, thank you is not used in the same way as such but for me the important thing is that the words are said. Yes we still have to remind him sometimes but generally he does it himself and I always have to smile when I say thank you to him and get a ‘you’re welcome’ in return.

In general the conversations we have now are so much more in depth and fun. His speech may not be quite what it ought by this stage but I personally am in awe of how he switches between English and German and translates things for me. And how he knows who he should speak which language with. How he can choose whether to watch a film in English or Deutsch.

I even love our arguments! Children are just so open and honest and say it how it is. Arguing with a 4 year old is hilarious and trying to keep a straight face when he gets annoyed or angry with me is pretty hard sometimes.

The running commentary about everything he does – including announcing at the top of his voice every time he goes to the toilet – is equally amusing. If a little unnecessary at times!! But Mr LJ is the boss in our house and without his voice our house would be pretty quiet and lonely.

I love our little in-jokes and when we play tricks on each other. But my absolute favourite at the moment, the one that melts my heart is our I love you chat usually reserved for bedtimes and goodbyes-

I love you LJ

I love you Mama

I love you more

I love you more

I love you the most

I love you the mostest

It changes order and has extra mores and mosts sometimes but we always agree in the end to love each other the same (although I’m pretty sure I’ll always love him a bit more!)

The funniest thing was when we watched Tangled one day (another favourite pastime when we snuggle up on the sofa with popcorn and watch a Disney film) and they say the same thing! LJ was like ‘Hey! That’s what we say!’

Life with LJ is like living in a musical! Explosive and dramatic sometimes with mini-tantrums and crying for stupid reasons (usually because I tell him his iPad time is up!) but he’s so happy the next, making up stories and acting out scenes from Arlo and Spot and singing constantly! He loves singing and honestly, whilst by the 5th refrain of Mummy Finger where are You? I want to go on Amazon and immediately purchase the most expensive ear plugs I can find with next day delivery, I love listening to him. To me singing people are happy people and really that’s all I ever want him to be.

There’s been lots of new adventures and things to learn this year – riding bikes, swimming, gym classes, starting to write his name – and whilst there are areas we have stumbled on and some we need some extra help with I am proud of everything he has achieved so far and take such joy in the excitement he shows by his accomplishments. I am so looking forward to the year ahead.

If you are reading this and thinking that doesn’t sound like my 4 year old or mine has been doing that for years, well, you’d probably be right. LJ isn’t like any other 4 year old. But that’s a good thing because it is the differences between our 4 year olds that make them, them.

So I wouldn’t change a thing about my boy. My wonderful, handsome, quirky, funny, newly turned 5 year old boy. Who I love more, than more just the way he is.

Happy Birthday LJ!

Sweet Dreams –

Mama Atzi x

 

*excerpt taken from – http://www.heysigmund.com/developmental-stage/

“The Sum of All Fears”

Mama Atzi / / No Comments

I am very aware I have been quiet for a while. It is not because I haven’t had anything to say. Quite the opposite in fact – I have had too much. Words and thoughts, too many thoughts, have been swimming around my head since the referendum result (of which I am still in shock over!) and to be honest I was too scared to write what I really felt. After all this is supposed to be a tired Mama’s blog, certainly nothing politically based.

Having a child that wakes constantly though meant I saw the result coming at 1am and pretty much done by 4am.  Yes, I am blaming the baby on my peaking Political interests! By 7am when I dared to post on Facebook I was reeling and I have been through so many emotions since the final result was made official, which as you know for me was not the one I wanted, that it is hard to know where I finally settled. Shock, sadness, anger, fear, embarrassment and just a general feeling of uncertainty which I guess is the only one that can really play true right now. In the end the result, for good or bad, for right or wrong, has been made and as David Cameron said in his resignation speech ‘it must be respected’. But in truth it’s taken me until now to really be able to say those words and I believe I will continue to feel more proud of being part of the 63% Merton voters that chose ‘Remain’ than I will ever feel about being part of the 48% that may, in time, be proved wrong.

So instead of voicing my true opinions, I have moaned and groaned to my husband, had a little cry, worried about the future for myself and my family and friends (especially those living abroad or those that are from the EU living in the UK) and grieved for my loved ones who may never get to experience the great joy and love that I have thanks to the freedom of movement act and I have tried, for once, to concentrate on the here and now and just enjoy my beautiful children who, thankfully, get to have the best of both worlds – remain European through my Austrian husband whilst still being a proud Englander in a new, bolder Britain (she said hopefully!).

So, yes, the result has affected me but 3 paragraphs is enough on that and quite frankly after everything else that has happened since, 3 paragraphs is probably too much.

After the terrible shootings last November, I am so grateful that France survived the European Championships and never have I been so happy of a Brit win than the moment Andy Murray, so deservedly, lifted that second Wimbledon trophy. Despite the utter crapness of Portugal, possibly one of the worst teams in the whole competition, winning the Euros there was a feeling of unity, happiness, triumph and hope once more. An excitement that only sport can create and one that should never be belittled because whilst it is ‘just a game’ it brings people together and gives them something good to believe in. Something that has nothing to do with race or religion – whatever certain thugs would have us believe.

Little did I know that this was the calm before the storm and that soon after the bombs, shootings and military coups would follow.

And then, as we woke up to celebrate my husband’s 35th birthday, the most awful news of all: a mad man ploughing down 84 people as they enjoyed the Bastille Day celebrations in the beautiful city of Nice, somewhere I have visited many times. Another sickening reminder that life will never be the same again.

So, yes, I have been quiet recently because quite frankly trying to write blogs about my annoying children doesn’t seem quite right when all I want to do is hold them close to me and never let them go again. Moaning about how many times Little M woke me up last night pales into insignificance when the number 10 flashes before your eyes because that’s how many children lost their lives in Nice.

I have a computer full of unfinished stories. Silly stories, about how my children exhaust me, annoy me and sometimes down right disgust me but right now I am only grateful that they are still with me to do all those things. I moan and groan and write silly things at their expense but the truth is they inspire me every day. They are my whole world and I would be lost without them. My babies make me whole and without them I simply wouldn’t be me. I am a Mama and always will be and how you cope being a Mother without a child I just don’t know. How you cope being the Mother of a child that deliberately drives a lorry into innocent people with the intention of killing them I can not even begin to fathom.

Waking up to the horrendous news of the tragedy in Nice has made me ache. 84 dead – including 10 children. For what? For kicks? For thrills? To make some bold statement? It is just disgusting, insane behaviour of sick, vile, murderers hiding behind masks and labels and pretending they are doing this for some greater good. But the real culprits are too cowardly to do it themselves so they take easily manipulated individuals. They cast their spell, brainwash these people and they attack. Innocent people. Always innocent people. What had any of those normal, happy families ever done to deserve that?

The teacher on a trip with her pupils? Brodie, the 11 year old boy and his Dad Sean, from Texas traveling Europe on his Summer break? The 12 year old son of a Nice referee who’s twin sister still lies in a coma? The 4 year old and his Mum? Yannis, the 4 year old who loved the beach? Christophe Lion, who has to live with the fact he is the only one of a family of 7 to survive? The 27 year old man who pushed his 7 month pregnant wife out of the way?

What did any of them do????

I can not imagine the pain these families are going through. Selfishly I hope I never have to. But the truth is this isn’t some game or tv show. This isn’t 24 or Spooks or some big Hollywood movie, these are real people and this is real life. This is really happening and it is terrifying.

I want my children to experience the excitement and joy of travel that I did. I want them to be able to go out into the world and meet new people. To fall in love, embark on adventures and try everything they can. But I also want them to come safely home again and honestly, right now, I am scared to let them go. I wonder what my Mum would have said or done if the world was in this state the day I came home and said ‘I got the job. I am leaving on a cruise ship in 4 weeks’.

I was in Syria nearly every weekend for 7 months. I have docked in Nice and Istanbul. We walked past destroyed buildings on our way to Hard Rock Cafe in Lebanon, Beirut where the toilet door had a sign that said ‘No nuclear weapons’ and where McDonalds next door had armed guards. I never felt a flicker of fear the whole time I was there but the thought of sending my child out into this world alone now terrifies me.

And now, literally as I write this there is breaking news of shootings in Munich. Atleast 7 dead and more injured in some awful revenge scheme in retaliation to the ‘shit foreigners’ it is reported. It feels like a world war is beginning. I guess it did a long while ago. When our supposedly knowledgable leaders invited themselves into a war that should never have belonged to them.

But whatever label you want to put on it – terrorism, xenophobia, murder – unarmed, unknowing people are innocent people wherever they come from and suddenly it seems no-one and nowhere is safe anymore.

No, we can’t not go on holiday to Turkey or not take our kids to Disneyland Paris or not watch a match at Wembley because of these monsters. We can not live our lives in fear but we wouldn’t be human if it didn’t make us stop and question our plans and actions, atleast a little. Especially as a parent.

In time, life will go on as normal for us. After Nice and before these recent attacks we were allready back to posting about our happy days on Facebook, laughing at people chasing Pokemons down the street, looking forward to the Olympics gearing up in Rio. Already newspapers, with this hideous story of Nice and the military uprisings in Turkey that are threatening to destroy the tourist industry in what is actually a peaceful and beautiful part of the world and for the most part no where near where these issues are occurring, are being used for fish and chips and wrapping up valuables for people moving.

Once these madmen in Munich are caught or more likely killed most of us will move on from this ‘story’ too.

In time, we will just remember 14/7/16 as one of those awful moments in history like 9/11 and 7/7 and we will pause and have a minute or 2 of silence.

But for the families affected by all of these things life has been changed forever. In time, things may move on, may even get better but they will never be the same again. A part of them will be forever missing.

And our world has also changed forever. Terrorism is no longer just part of those tv shows I mentioned. It is a reality.

And because that could just as easily have been us celebrating in Nice or shopping and eating a McDonalds in Munich I for one am finding it harder and harder to just move on.

I will forgive, because we can not give into the hate they so badly crave. I will hope, because above all else this is something they can never take from us. But I will never forget and I will never let them win.

So please. Enjoy your Facebook statuses. Share in my moans and groans and sympathise with me when I tell you I am still not sleeping. Chase your Pokemons. Laugh at silly You Tube videos. Post crazy Snap Chat photos. Eat. Pray (if you want to). Love. Live your life to the fullest. But whatever you do never take anything for granted. Never forget. Never give up. And never blame the majority for the sickening actions of a minority. #EveryLifeMatters

Sweet Dreams –

Mama Atzi x

 

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“Terrorism must be outlawed by all civilized nations — not explained or rationalized, but fought and eradicated. Nothing can, nothing will justify the murder of innocent people and helpless children.”

ELIE WIESEL, Nobel Lecture, December 11, 1986

 

References:

Reported information and statistics www.theguardian.com

Current Munich news as reported live on Austrian tv channel ORF 1

“24”

Mama Atzi / / No Comments

in or out

What a week of whinging and whining it has been and not just from my teething 1 year old! I spent the last 2 weekends working in the UK and the madness that has grown from one week to the next in regard of the referendum (taking place as we speak!) has been horrendous.

For me, having already cast my overseas vote by post 2 weeks ago, I could breathe a sigh of relief (sort of) and step back to watch the battle from the sidelines but for those that had not yet decided I can only imagine the confusion being dredged up.

The absolute bitterness that has been evoked in some people is shocking and regardless of the outcome tomorrow morning I think Britain has a lot of rethinking to do – whether independently or as part of the EU.

The lies that have been broadcast in relation to “Brexit” are actually ridiculous and the worst part is that people believe them. It worries me that some people are so uninformed and take certain statements as gospel, without further investigation. Not only that but these same people are making noise about something they do not even have the facts over. Trusting tweets and Facebook statements or a single headline in The Express without reading the full story or looking into other accounts to me is unfathomable and yet these people are going to vote today (well, if they actually had the sense to register and put actions to their words) and help change our country forever.

I think most shocking of all has been the way the sickening death of MP Jo Cox has been used, ironically by both sides of the fence, to gain support or knock down others. Whilst she was an avid fighter for the Remain group she was much more than that and though she would perhaps be happy if her death led to others researching her work and voting the same, or opposite, because they have been rightly convinced either way, I don’t believe someone that felt as strongly about politics as she did would want people to vote her way ‘just for the sake of it’.

More importantly though she was a Mother, a wife, a sister, a daughter, a granddaughter and in her final moments I imagine she saw only the faces of her beautiful children and her husband with whom she shared them. When this madman chose to take away this beautiful person (inside and out from all accounts) I very much doubt her mind was on the upcoming referendum and I think it is an additional tragedy that her final memory was used in such a way.

Yes, it is a scary time. One of unease and uncertainty. Even if we get the result we want no-one really knows for sure what the future holds and we will never know which was the better option because, for right or wrong, the result tomorrow is definitive and can only go one way. There is no going back. We have to move forward. I just hope however we do it we can do it together. I hope this obvious split between us does not fester and cause more hate and fear because we all know who’s hands we are feeding into then and that is a slippery slope. We already live in a world where terrorists are a reality and not just the thrilling storyline on ’24’. We can not give them any ammunition. Whatever the outcome we have to stand together for a Better Britain, a more peaceful world and be strong.

I am by no means a political expert. I read arguments from both sides, researched statistics, considered the opinions of those I know who are more worldly and intelligent than myself and eventually voted based on my own personal experiences and gut instinct.

It shouldn’t come as much of a surprise to hear I voted to REMAIN. I enjoy the simplicity the EU allows when it comes to living and working between my home country and that of my husband. My children are half English, half Austrian and I am happy they can enjoy growing up in a world where their 2 homes are all part of a greater union. I am still proud to be British and I don’t believe this needs to change because we are not ‘completely independent’. In this world of uncertainty I think it is important to have friends. I am not going to go into more details. I certainly don’t want to bias anyone or inflict my opinion on you. This referendum is about everyone in the UK speaking up for themselves and what they believe in. I only hope, whatever you vote, you back your belief up with information from a variety of sources and not just what you have had thrown in your face on social media.

For me it is important to remember migration works both ways so I have voted, not so much for me, but for my children. I want them to grow up in a world where they are free to make their own choices, where travelling around Europe and learning about other cultures is easily accessible. I want my children to be able to fall in love with whoever they choose and to do so without prejudice. I want my children to embrace their neighbours and to be the kind of people that, wherever they go, they will work hard and contribute to the society that has homed them.

I actually have yet to meet a single person who wants to leave, including strangers I have talked to on the plane or in a cafe, but remain or leave I believe there are many people who still share the hardworking values that actually made Britain great in the first place.

A lot of those people are from the EU. Hardworking, lovely people who have done more to contribute to our society than many who were lucky enough to be born in the UK.

I believe in educating my children to be proud of where they come from without taking anything for granted and being accepting and tolerant of others – wherever they come from. I believe in fighting for my country and not blaming others for our supposed downfall.

In less than 24 hours time we will have an answer but IN or OUT my values will not change. I hope for others they do.

 

Sweet Dreams

Mama Atzi x

“I Don’t Know How She Does It”

Mama Atzi / / No Comments

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Recently I watched the film “I don’t know how she does it” starring Sarah Jessica Parker as a working Mum and I think the title sums up the basic plot.

It’s a must-see for any of us that are trying to juggle a career as well as being the ‘perfect Mum’ and a reminder that no matter how hard we try we will never quite live up to everyone’s expectations. But what I love about this film is that it highlights the fact that, actually, that’s ok. We don’t have to be perfect at either role all the time. We just have to be there. Turn up, do our job to the best of our ability and most importantly know that when all is said and done family has to come first. Because we can say we are working for a better future or life for our children but they aren’t children for long. In a blink of an eye their childhood is gone and if you’re not careful you’ll miss it.

I love the fact that SJP doesn’t give up the job she loves for the family she loves more because as she says “without this job I’m not me” but it does highlight the fact that when you have kids, things change. It’s not easy to adjust to a life where spontaneity is rare and being able to go out for drinks with your girlfriends at short notice is unheard of. Shopping trips involve logistical planning and overpacked bags with enough nappies, bottles and a change of clothes to last the afternoon.

Where romance is being able to watch a whole film uninterrupted or eat a meal with 2 hands and sleeping through the night is the new sex.

For the most part you’re exhausted before you even begin.

Your life is never your own again and that’s why it’s important to hold on to that part of yourself where you perhaps feel a little more successful than you do at home – well sometimes!

But to be a working Mum is to be in a constant battle of yourselves. Black power suit (or whatever you wear for work!) on one shoulder versus puked on, exhausted self on the other. Finding the perfect balance is hard but worth it (I think anyway).

And women do all this under the cloud of a gender bias too. I’m not going to get into that discussion – I’m a dancer so I accepted inequality in the workplace a long time ago but it is there and exists even before we have children because, of course, the assumption is that we all will.

In this world of social media it is easy to show the world how well we do it because only the good stuff is ever shown to the public. We can all be as successful as we want to on paper because who wants to flaunt their failings? No-one really knows what goes on behind our computer screens or how hard it really is. In reality ‘how she does it’ is to wing it most of the time. And that’s why I really enjoyed watching this film because it sums up how I feel every day!

I shared SJP’s excitement of opening her wardrobe to find an outfit that doesn’t have a stain on it.

When asked by a colleague if she has a Rice Krispie on her jacket rather than hide it or just get rid of it she tastes it and then explains ‘ah no it’s just pancake batter’. How many times have I done something similar not even noticing anymore that maybe to those without kids that’s not normal behaviour?! And thank God it did turn out to be chocolate! ?

Like SJP’s character (because I’m sure the real SJP would never do this) I would be the Mum that buys a cake and passes it off as her own. (Although most people know I can’t bake to save my life so that little trick probably wouldn’t stay a secret long!)

I fall asleep choreographing routines and making lists to make lists!!

When she cries because she discovers the babysitter has taken her son for his first haircut I cry with her. And for me that is the most apt part of the film. That even dressed in a smart suit carrying a briefcase and off to her high-powered job in investment banking she is still a Mother and only another Mum can understand the importance of a ‘first hair-cut’ and how heartbreaking it is to miss it. Or any ‘first’ for that matter.

Jobs come and go but from the moment you meet your baby you are a Mama and that’s one role you will never quit – even if there are days you might seriously consider it.

There are people I know who make the juggling of work and Motherhood look not only easy but attractive. As someone who struggles to find the time to get jobs done every day I really don’t know how they do it. I am in constant awe of their time management skills and wish someone would share the secret with me.

Still, when I take a step back I realise I’m not doing quite such a bad job, in either role, as I think. My school is doing well and my boys are healthy and happy. They are surrounded by love and provided with new experiences and opportunities to learn and have fun every day. We have clothes on our backs, a roof over our heads and food in our cupboards, we even managed a family holiday this year. So my house might be a mess, I’m certainly no Nigella Lawson in the kitchen, I still haven’t mastered the German language, I don’t update this blog half as much as I would like and I’m on my phone doing work stuff way too often but when all is said and done I am there when it counts and my boys will always be my first priority (the big one included).

So I might not know how ‘she’ does it but I’ll just keep doing what ‘I’ do and maybe one day someone will say that about me! (Just as long as I never invite them round my house ?)

Sweet Dreams –

Mama Atzi x

“The Holiday”

Mama Atzi / / No Comments

For a family of seasoned travellers we don’t seem to have much luck when we go away and this, much awaited vacation, was no exception….

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My husband and I met working on ships and so were lucky enough to get to see some of the world together. Even if it wasn’t exactly a holiday – well for him anyway as he had a “proper job” onboard – we did see some amazing places together: India, South Africa, Namibia, The Norwegian Fjords, Iceland, The Seychelles amongst others and the times we had and the memories we made there were fantastic. But a few hours here and there are not the same as a proper holiday somewhere. When you work on a ship there is always a time pressure. If you are not back on board by your curfew you get a warning, if you drink too much and get caught you get a warning, you bring something on or off that you shouldn’t, you get a warning. 3 warnings and you’re off. So whilst it is amazing your time is still not fully your own, to do with it how you please.

And when you finally settle down on land with someone from another country you inevitably spend your holidays in the home-land of your other half. For the 5 years we lived in London most holidays were spent in Austria or visiting my family in Norfolk. We only went to another country once in all that time and that was due to a wedding.

Once we moved to Austria then holiday was reserved for England. So this trip This ‘proper holiday’ where you stay in a hotel where the sheets and towels are cleaned for you and all you have to worry about all day is whether to lie by the pool or the beach. Where all your drinks and food are just there waiting for you and you don’t even have to wash up afterwards. Well, this was very much what we have needed. To put it in perspective we haven’t even ever had a honeymoon so I think it is fair to say we deserved this holiday. But of course, when you have kids, anything goes….

The night before we flew to Turkey (yes, we went to Turkey and before you ask no we weren’t worried and yes we felt safe the whole time) I went on a rare night out with the ladies. I knew it wasn’t going to be my night the second I saw the missed call from my husband, who never phones me when I am on a night out. After a few calls and texts it becomes clear I need to get home quickly and when I do there are both boys wide awake and in bed with my husband because poor LJ has been sick everywhere, several times. We manage to get LJ to sleep finally but Little M is wild and running all over the place while I finish getting sorted for the holiday. By the time we get him to bed we have about 2 hours before the taxi is arriving!

We get to the airport, drama free, and then at security poor LJ is sick again – all over the floor! By this point I am also not feeling too good and soon after leg it to the toilet myself. A bug seems to have hit us. Little M has at this point also been suffering from conjunctivitis for a few days prior to the trip and isn’t 100% either so when the ‘Delayed’ sign flashes up on the screen it’s really not boding well. It’s the first flight of the day – how can it possibly be delayed already?! 

Somehow we board and depart on time. Hooray! LJ sleeps and all seems a bit better (once I have visited the toilet one more time!) and then, just as I have given Little M milk and am trying to lull him into a nap, he also projectiles all over himself and me and of course in the drama of the night before I have no spare clothes for him.

We arrive at the resort tired and covered in dry sick but the resort is beautiful and the sun is shining (I have surpassed myself on finding this place!) and all seems well again – until Stefan’s tummy also starts to feel a bit dodgy. By this point I think the holiday is doomed but somehow we all seem to be back on track after an afternoon nap and our first of 7 amazing dinners.

The weather was great for the first 2 days and then came my birthday. Actually I have no complaints. The weather forecast said rain all day but infact the morning was gorgeous and when it did rain, in the late afternoon, Little M was asleep in his pushchair, me and Lukas were snuggled and playing on the comfy sofas by the pool and the guys were at the bar in prime position to keep bringing me spritzers whilst making friends with the nicest bar man at the hotel (something that always comes in handy!) Back in the room I had a lovely cake waiting with Happy Birthday iced on the plate and I definitely made the most of the all inclusive bar that night. Everything was looking up so of course….

The next day we discover what looks like an allergic reaction on the baby. The spots came on and off for the rest of the holiday and a couple since we were back (although now nothing since). We thought it was the milk so went out for Aptamil but it wasn’t. Maybe something in the food but he really didn’t have anything he hasn’t had before. Our only real thought was the detergent or some kind of bug from either the beach or the beds. We still don’t know. Thank fully it didn’t seem to affect him and because of LJ’s allergies we always have piriton on us just incase. The plus side – nap time was great!

Thursday saw a full day of rain which was pretty gutting but luckily we had ship friends now living in Fethiye to meet up with so it didn’t dampen the mood and our last day was great. So despite it all we really did have the holiday we had hoped for. A shame that stupid tummy bugs didn’t give it the best start but when it comes to children, especially when they are in Kindergarten, unfortunately these things come to try you more often than you would like and usually at the worst possible times. Sod’s Law.

The moral of the story is it doesn’t actually matter what happens on holiday the important thing is that you make the time to go. Being away from home and work and real-life and getting to spend some quality time with our family was just amazing. Illness, bad weather, allergic reactions, whatever, it’s still better when you’re away from the real-world in a sunny climate full of happy, friendly people who are all there for the same reason – to relax and enjoy themselves.

I thought I would be really depressed once I got back home and I suppose for the first week I was suffering a bit of the post-holiday blues but actually now the sun is starting to shine here too, work has been great (if a little stressful at times!) and I feel inspired again for the first time in a long while. For me traveling the world has always been top of my list. Now I am a Mama it has to come a little lower but knowing we can do both and have an amazing time despite illnesses, bad weather and allergies makes the future all that little bit more exciting.

So bring on the next one…….

Sweet Dreams –

Mama Atzi x

(We stayed at the all-inclusive Jiva Beach Resort, Fetiye, Turkey. Package holiday with Tui (Thomson Holidays) and we would thoroughly recommend it).