Freddie celebrates his 2nd birthday. Max and Stanley present the cake. It’s an emotional moment. Will he/won’t he blow out the candles? The party goers watch with bated breath…

Dear friends,
I just want to give you some unexpected news…
Re: the pregnancy, sadly we’ve run into complications.

We had the 20 week scan yesterday (8th Dec) and alarm bells were raised re: spina bifida. After a pretty horrendous 24 hours of waiting to find out more, we saw the specialist and he confirmed that it’s a very clear case with little hope for the future. As a result, we’re terminating the pregnancy next week. All very sad, but we feel this is the best option for our baby and family.

It’s unlucky, unfortunate, but you know, these things happen. I just want you to know that we’re OK and taking it all in our stride. We’re obviously dealing with all the emotions that go with making a difficult decision like this, but we’re strong and looking to be positive.

Although it seems a little strange to deliver this in an email, I wanted to tell you just to avoid any awkwardness or discomfort in receiving this information on the spot or much later.

We hope to carry on as normal, as soon as possible.
with love,
Claire and family.
X

We’re expanding! Me, literally.

I’m eating like a horse and loving it. Pau is cooking D E L I C I O U S N E S S - “all for you my love” Remembering the process is exciting… daunting… lovely… and here we are again, due to meet our little one end of April 2010. I’m not quite half way yet but convinced I’m twice the size at four months compared to the first time. Already I feel the bump shifting and my sleep is not quite as restful. So we’ve settled into the idea of becoming a troop of 5 and in four weeks we’ll get an idea of just how male heavy this family is going to be. Girl or boy? I can’t wait to find out!

Can you tell yet?…

This summer - A three week extravaganza of visits to Pau’s family and friends during a super hot August. Based in Barcelona, we experienced everything from mindless humidity in the city to breezy trips up country. We piled in a rented car and took ourselves off for adventure, visiting Xavi in Calella de Parafugell, Oriol and Emma in Banyoles, Monica in Solius and made a brief return to see Ruth in Vilassar. The photos show our day trip to Monica’s house in Solius and a brilliant cycle ride around Banyoles’ lake thanks to sports master Oriol!

Frederic Gaston Ros Thornton would like to extend his cordial invitation
to his first birthday party on Saturday, the seventh of February 2009…

Meanwhile out on the streets, local businesses providing the daily hit of inspiration along my buggy route disappeared behind metal shutters with most shops and cafe’s closing for the entire Chrsitmas week! Can you believe it? A typical Stokie I may well be, but approve of this commercial inconvenience I did not - Jee’s c’mon - I NEED MY LATTE!

With all the extra time in the house, Freddie adapted a few new skills - The powers of ‘chuck’ is pretty entertaining - The contents of our home are now divided into Bounce or Break!! It’s really marvelous. And enthusing over chasing Mr. Gin who rapidly trots off in the opposite direction only to find himself temporarily cornered. When Gin reaches ‘fed-up’, he sits on the fifth step of the stairs and watches Freddie pull himself to standing and jump in a frenzy of excitement whilst slamming his hands at the bottom - It’s only a matter of time…

“Ooo!… rla-ba… da-d”

At ten months Freddie is:

Talking “rla-rla-rla-rla” with turbine tongue action! Teething but not yet showing any teeth. Crawling,  from reverse to now 5th gear! Propping himself up on the bongos. Waving & clapping (just about). Copying us and raising both hands above his head in happiness - Bien! (Or super hero style - Stretching both arms in front of his face and looking at us with a happy zap like intention through the gaps between his fingers). Eating a healthy 3 meals a day with pudding, and making fun - Half way through mealtime, he’ll lean over to one side and look at us sideways until we do the same..

Gasp, I’m in love.