Weight: 13 lbs 14 1/2 ounces 20 percentile
Height: 24 3/4 inches 25 percentile
Head: 16 3/4 75 percentile
There is that Hart head slowly peeking again...
Thursday, April 25, 2013
Saturday, April 20, 2013
the expat life
It has started... My heart physically hurts for London. All day yesterday I have been missing my expat life.
I can't really pinpoint what triggered it or how the feelings became suddenly overwhelming. I just remember sitting on the couch, looking around a room in a house that is not mine, and facing Tim to say, "I miss London."
"Me too," was his reply.
"Like, a lot," I said back.
Before moving back to the states I started reading, "The Art of Coming Home" by Craig Storti, a book that KPMG gave us weeks prior to our move. It is recommended that even family members read it.
It was very interesting to say the least. Can you believe they have books on this? I was informed ahead of time by my expert expat friends about the roller coaster of emotions an expat goes through while living abroad. I didn't fully understand it, but I took their word for it. And sure enough, throughout the two years I would catch myself at those various high and low and twirly points along the ride.
Mid-coaster ride I had been prepped a bit about "reverse culture shock". Yes, there is such a thing. Again, I didn't understand, but I believed it.
So to finally sit down and read about this, so called "reverse culture shock", was eye opening for me. I wish I had the book with me so I can share some excerpts with you, but it is currently packed in a box on a boat sailing the deep blue sea toward LA.
I was very curious upon reading when reverse culture shock would hit me. Every expat has a different experience. How long will it take for me? How severe will it be? How long will it last? Will I ever be the same? Can "home" truly not feel like "home"? Where is "home"? And do I need therapy???
Ok, the last one is kinda a joke, but really, I did think it!
Fast forward exactly one month later from our departure date and I am finding myself throughout the whole day looking at old instagram pictures of London, seeing pictures of our old flat, and so desperately wanting to go back. I even had moments where I would close my eyes and envision myself there, looking out at our amazing view....
Maybe, it was the fact, that as my dear friend puts it, "...when the dust began to settle from the rush and excitement of being 'home'," that triggered this awkwardness of being stuck between two worlds. We bought our cars, settled our bank accounts, ran a bazillion errands, met up with old friends, went on a family vacay... and now the chaos and enjoyment of all the re-introductions of American luxuries has come to an end.
I know this sounds crazy. I don't expect you to understand. But I know my fellow expats totally understand and that's comfort for me to know, I'm not crazy.
So, yes, I cried at night in bed last night. Also laughing because the emotions were all so bizarre! Tim and I stayed up discussing our feelings about our experiences. After all he is the only one that can truly understand. He is having a hard time too and in different ways.
Today I'm better. But I don't know what tomorrow will be like. So if you ever talk to me and I seem out of it, I'm sorry. I guess I will have normal days and not so normal days as I try to figure out my "normal". So be nice to me, please. :)
I can't really pinpoint what triggered it or how the feelings became suddenly overwhelming. I just remember sitting on the couch, looking around a room in a house that is not mine, and facing Tim to say, "I miss London."
"Me too," was his reply.
"Like, a lot," I said back.
Before moving back to the states I started reading, "The Art of Coming Home" by Craig Storti, a book that KPMG gave us weeks prior to our move. It is recommended that even family members read it.
It was very interesting to say the least. Can you believe they have books on this? I was informed ahead of time by my expert expat friends about the roller coaster of emotions an expat goes through while living abroad. I didn't fully understand it, but I took their word for it. And sure enough, throughout the two years I would catch myself at those various high and low and twirly points along the ride.
Mid-coaster ride I had been prepped a bit about "reverse culture shock". Yes, there is such a thing. Again, I didn't understand, but I believed it.
So to finally sit down and read about this, so called "reverse culture shock", was eye opening for me. I wish I had the book with me so I can share some excerpts with you, but it is currently packed in a box on a boat sailing the deep blue sea toward LA.
I was very curious upon reading when reverse culture shock would hit me. Every expat has a different experience. How long will it take for me? How severe will it be? How long will it last? Will I ever be the same? Can "home" truly not feel like "home"? Where is "home"? And do I need therapy???
Ok, the last one is kinda a joke, but really, I did think it!
Fast forward exactly one month later from our departure date and I am finding myself throughout the whole day looking at old instagram pictures of London, seeing pictures of our old flat, and so desperately wanting to go back. I even had moments where I would close my eyes and envision myself there, looking out at our amazing view....
Maybe, it was the fact, that as my dear friend puts it, "...when the dust began to settle from the rush and excitement of being 'home'," that triggered this awkwardness of being stuck between two worlds. We bought our cars, settled our bank accounts, ran a bazillion errands, met up with old friends, went on a family vacay... and now the chaos and enjoyment of all the re-introductions of American luxuries has come to an end.
I know this sounds crazy. I don't expect you to understand. But I know my fellow expats totally understand and that's comfort for me to know, I'm not crazy.
So, yes, I cried at night in bed last night. Also laughing because the emotions were all so bizarre! Tim and I stayed up discussing our feelings about our experiences. After all he is the only one that can truly understand. He is having a hard time too and in different ways.
Today I'm better. But I don't know what tomorrow will be like. So if you ever talk to me and I seem out of it, I'm sorry. I guess I will have normal days and not so normal days as I try to figure out my "normal". So be nice to me, please. :)
Thursday, April 18, 2013
first bike
Due to this move and having all of Marisa's close friends in London, we decided to give Marisa a big birthday present this year versus having a birthday party.
It was fun to go shopping with Tim and pick out a bike just for our little girl! The first bike in our fam!
She was really excited about it. Especially the pink bell.
Oh yeah, I forgot to mention, Marisa got glasses a week before our move back to the states! She loves them.
It was fun to go shopping with Tim and pick out a bike just for our little girl! The first bike in our fam!
She was really excited about it. Especially the pink bell.
And her first trip on the bike was to the local 7 Eleven for slurpies!
Oh yeah, I forgot to mention, Marisa got glasses a week before our move back to the states! She loves them.
Happy 6th Birthday Marisa! We love you so much and so lucky to have you as our daughter. XO!
aloha!
We love any excuse to travel, obviously. Actually, no excuse needed, we just love to travel. And my sister's graduation prompted a wonderful vacation for us at the perfect time!
We did not want to come home afterwards and today we have all been suffering from major Hawaiian water withdrawls.
On our last day in Hawaii Natalie asked Tim,
"Can we stay in Hawaii forever?"
"Yep!"
"Fo-wheel?!!"
Oh Natalie, I wish that too!
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On our last day in Hawaii Natalie asked Tim,
"Can we stay in Hawaii forever?"
"Yep!"
"Fo-wheel?!!"
Oh Natalie, I wish that too!
Monday, April 1, 2013
easter
Happy Easter, from The Harts!
(I just can't get enough of the mini dress shirt and tie. Oh my...)
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