You sound like you're from London!: Another Blog, Another Guest Author: the Sister Edition

Since Allie is busy being mommy these days, I (Auntie Katie) thought I'd take over the blogging duties for this week. It probably won't be as funny as Mom aka Grandma Caryl's blog but I will do my best. As my Christmas/birthday/Valentine's present, my loving husband paid for me to fly over and visit Allie and Mat and little Poppy (really I think he just couldn't think of anything else at the moment and needed an out).

First things first. Poppy is the cutest, sweetest and at the moment, poopiest baby girl in the world. Right now she's sleeping on Allie's chest, facing the ceiling with her mouth wide open. And quite possibly pooping again. She's starting to figure out the whole 'I have the power to manipulate my parents and make them do what I want' and she's only 5 weeks old! So proud! Allie has almost figured out that it's okay to let her cry for a few minutes at a time but I think she's just enjoying the time when Poppy will willingly let herself be held without trying to wiggle away.

As with any new parents, there is a learning curve. Like as soon as you put a new onesie on a baby, they will vomit silently in their swingy chair. Or you have to fasten both sides of the diaper in order to keep the pee on the inside and not all over the second brand new onesie you just put on the baby after they vomited on the first. And the best one of all... the new baby will be a cluster-feeding, cluster-pooping, crying mess right up until the point dad comes home from work and then they will fall asleep while he's holding them while mom looks on like 'Really?!'

As a first time visitor across the pond, I wasn't really sure what to expect so I just decided to not have any expectations. Allie will tell you that I am one of the most laid back tourists she's led around England, which is probably just code for 'Seriously just tell me what you want to see.' But having already had a baby myself and knowing how stressful it can be to bring a new infant out and about in the city, I didn't want to put too much stress on her or Poppy. And this is my vacation from the real world for a bit so if I want to sit in the flat with Allie and eat crumpets (which are amazing.... like a pancake and an english muffin had a baby smothered in jelly) and just stare at Poppy, then that's okay with me!

That's not to say that I didn't do any touristy stuff. One of the first recommendations from Grandma Caryl was to go to Borough Market and get this amazing grilled cheese on crack sandwich. That is truly the only way to describe it. Until you talk to my husband who said and I quote: 'You traveled halfway around the world to another country and the first thing you eat is a grilled cheese?' Yes. Yes it is. But he's just jealous because Borough Market sent my foodie senses off the chart. There were so many things that smelled amazing. I could have spent all my money in one day. Which brings me to my one piece of advice for traveling to London that both Grandma Caryl and I failed to realize would not happen.

Do not think you can come here and lose weight with all the walking you'll be doing.

That was my plan when I came over here and I'm pretty sure I've gained at least 5 pounds (and not the good money kind of pounds). Grandma Caryl said the same thing: 'I'm going to do so much walking... I'm sure to lose weight!' Neither of us took into account the sheer abundance of good food that just begs to be eaten. And you will eat it. You think you won't. But you will. My downfall started with fish and chips at the Folly and then a cupcake stop after St Paul's Cathedral. Anyone sensing a theme here?

Sunday was a whirlwind walking tour of the big sights. Mat had the day off so it was a family affair with everyone out. We started on the South Bank where Allie experienced, for the first time, the inability to take a good picture of either the London Eye or Big Ben because THE SUN WAS IN THE WAY!! Grandma Caryl goes to London, it's rainy and cloudy and windy. I come to London, it's sunny and warm. We managed to get a decent picture of Big Ben after crossing the bridge by Westminster Abbey and the Houses of Parliament. A leisurely stroll next to a park led us to Buckingham Palace and finally Trafalgar Square. The tour was only interrupted by a few Poppy feedings and one ice cream stop for Mat.

It was Monday morning that Allie realized the problem with commenting on how much Poppy slept and only woke up to eat and worrying that she was constipated. After Poppy woke up almost every hour starting at 1am, she then pooped 5 times and had 2 baths. Gotta love that learning curve. She'll never complain about not enough poop and too much sleep again! Monday night ended with (surprise!) more good food at Jamie Oliver's Barbecoa. Poppy decided she wanted to eat with the grownups at the restaurant. 4 times. All the good food put us in near food comas!

Monday was my trek out on my own day to Westminster Abbey for the tour and the British Museum. I couldn't get into the Abbey because it was closed for an event which I later found out was my chance to catch a glimpse of the Queen. Yeah. Like Her Royal Majesty the Queen. If only I had been there two hours later!

I think this is long enough for one blog entry. The rest of what I could talk about is just more food we've eaten and at this point most of you are probably headed toward the fridge anyway. Poppy and Mat have gone off to dreamland and I'm sure the tired momma is not far behind. Good night from across the pond!

Tired Mom (or Mum) here - I have about 10 more minutes before my eyelids become too heavy to hold up so I'll quickly add some photos!

First off, Mat and Poppy in dreamland: