Hi everyone,
Just wanted to introduce myself and see if there are any other expat moms/moms to be in the area.
I am a Californian/Oregonian that has been living in London for nearly two years now with my British/American husband, who has dual citizenship. We are expecting our first baby in May and everything has been going well so far. I actually love my birthing centre (Homerton), the service I have received from the NHS has been good, and I get free dental and prescriptions throughout my pregnancy and a year after. Wouldn't get that in the States! The downside is obviously missing family and friends during this special time in our lives - thank goodness for facebook status updates and skype
My mother will be coming over for the birth so I am definitely excited for that!
I am gearing up to take my citizenship test in the next few months as I need to renew my visa and apply for indefinite leave to remain. When the baby is born we will need to get his passport in order - he will be both British and American automatically... wish it was that simple for me too!
Pregnancy has really done a number on my food cravings. Why can't I find corn pops cereal anywhere? Random, I know and I haven't had them in decades, but when I was in Mexico last x-mas I had some and they were amazing, like crunchy delicious kernels of gold! I also want some REAL Mexican and/or Mexican/American food! I am still searching for that one restaurant to change my life in that regard, haven't found it yet - suggestions welcome.
Things I miss from home besides people and food:
1. My car - Sometimes you just want to get out of the city on a whim and it's just too expensive to be spontaneous with public transport in this country. You really have to book everything in advance to get a reasonable price it seems.
2. American sized refrigerators - my flat currently has a dorm size fridge, like the one I had in university. It's comical to watch me try and get anything out of it nowadays with a huge pregnant belly. I just sit on the floor like a little kid to reach things.
3. A garden - yes I know for a price I could rent a flat that included a garden, but I don't 'have it like that' and those places are typically on the ground floor which means less security and more likelihood of a break in. I had a huge garden back home and it's that time of year where I get the blues over playing in the dirt.
Well, that's me in a nutshell. Look forward to hearing from you all!
x
