After the morning’s breakfast excitement, we went for a walk to the left of the hotel along the ocean walk to the ‘praia’. I think ‘praia’ which means ‘beach’ in Portuguese is a bit exaggerated because all I can see is big rocks. Some crazy people were even swimming. I preferred to watch the waves, fish and a pretty white bird.  Papa saw his first live starfish- a big one too! He told me there were lots of prickly see urchins next to it. We then walked up a BIG steep hill to see the view. I preferred the little barking ‘Wah wah’ (puppy) and kitty cats myself. There are lots of kitty cats here. When we got back to the hotel, I watched the scuba diving lesson in the pool with interest. Maybe one day I have to try that…

Then we thought we would see those fish Steven told us about. Trout! Up in the hills in the national forest. Apparently a UNESCO heritage site! Beautiful forest, lots of ferns and fish of every size up at Ribeiro Frio. I like fish. I hope Papa buys me some for Christmas when we get home… And then we had a yummy lunch. A cute almost cabin-like place with a grill and family run. All locals there. We had something really yummy and local that Mama and Papa kept spelling out ‘F I S H’ – why I don’t know… But it sure was good and talk about fresh! I ate it with potatoes, rice, tomatoes and more torta bread! Afterwards Mama bought me a poncho with a hood. It was quite cold up there in the mountains. Afterwards we tried to see some famous viewpoint but it was covered in fog. Maybe next time!

At dinner everyone was saying hello to me again. After dinner we listened to live music and I liked to clap with everybody else – which they seemed to find amusing. A couple ladies were even trying to line dance. Despite studying them with great interest, I’m not quite sure I got all the moves down!

And now it’s sleepy time again. We’ve done a lot in 2.5 days! Night night Doudou, Binkie Bear, Stewart, Mama and Papa! I really like Madeira!

We skyped with Grandma while Papa relaxed. Dinner time again. I am making more friends. I like our waitress who organised it so we have the perfect table in the corner by the window. Complete with a nice highchair for me. I really like the bread! I then met Steven from Liverpool who told me about some cool fish to go see and ‘Auntie Chris’. She is always very elegant.

Mama took pictures of me in my Christmas dress next to the Christmas tree and then I ran around the lobby awhile before ‘sleepy time’.

A good friend reminded me “when a baby smiles in her sleep, it is because an angel is whispering in her ear.” I like to think those whispering angels are her great grandparents and KO, whose namesake Lil’ J carries as a middle name in her memory.

We are now a family of three! Gone are the days of a quick trip to the store, a long restaurant dinner without making sure Lil’ J is in a good mood or sleeping first… That said, we are adjusting well.

It’s an interesting phenomenon being a mother with a seemingly easy baby. Having heard the horror stories about lack of sleep, disagreements between parents, days of screaming, baby blues and a sense of isolation, I am almost embarrassed to admit, we are happy and enjoying being a family of three. Perhaps our prenatal schooling, ‘know it all’ advice from baby books and tales of parental woe sensitized us and prepared us for the worse. Yet, honestly, life has changed, but it is far from over as we know it!

The first month was admittedly a challenge as I recovered physically from a c-section and we learned to understand Lil’ J’s needs. Thankfully my mother was here the first three weeks to lend valuable hands and support to get us into our new groove. (Thank you Mom!)

‘My children are my world’ a friend recently wrote on Facebook. I would re-phrase that to read, ‘my daughter is part of my world.’  One day, Lil’ J will grow up, start school, meet her first love, experience a broken heart and later go off to college. As a mother, I believe I can best set an example for my daughter by continuing to be myself and not sacrificing my lifestyle and personality. Travel, work, family, friends and dinner conversations with my husband are important to me. While life has indeed changed, it carries on with Lil’ J – admittedly with some adjustments.

For every excuse I give myself that a road trip is a chore, it gives me all the more reason to give the carseat and its contents a spin. (traffic jams and all.) For every person that says it will be difficult to travel, it drives me to plan the next voyage. (travel cot included.) For every minute I feel sorry for myself about being ‘home alone’, I set a luncheon date with Lil’ J in tow. For every opportunity to have a girls night out or join my colleagues for an offsite (even on maternity leave), I am working up the courage to ask for babysitting help (advance planning being key for all concerned). For every breastfeeding diehard’s subtle tone of disapproval and comment about the importance of breastfeeding for mother, child ‘bonding’, I thank my lucky stars I am not stuck with a child on my boob, can plan easily and even invite my manager to give my daughter a bottle (to her great delight).

And so goes sunflowersbythesea’s experience with motherhood so far. I am a very proud mother, have the most beautiful baby in the world (of course ) and am ever thankful my husband and daughter help me get 6-7 hours of sleep a night.

Welcome Lil’ J. We are all so glad you are here and wish you a happy, healthy, safe, long life surrounded by love and full of adventure. You have my personal commitment that I will try to be the best mother I can be. The journey ahead promises to be an exciting one.

On that note, your passport arrived today!

Team Radio Shack bus in Wanze, Belgium - Tour de France - 6 July 2010

I can’t explain why I like the Tour de France. Perhaps it all started in 1990 when my Mom and I were visiting Paris and marveled at the fact there was no line at the Eiffel Tour in July.  That is, until my new French language skills picked up snippets of a conversation at the elevator… “Tour de France, aujourdhui (today)…” I turned to Mom incredulously.  ”Mom, I think I know why there is no line. The Tour de France is ending in Paris today!” With no waiting time, we easily saw the view, had a nice lunch in the Eiffel Tower restaurant and as luck would have it, walked over to the edge of the Left Bank just as American Greg LeMond passed by with the peloton to win his 3rd Tour.

Over the years the sport has been tarnished by doping scandals and rumours. It is difficult to know what to make of it all. The negativity can be frustrating and it seems so easy for people to criticize and judge cyclists like Lance Armstrong. I’m not sure if we will ever know the real story but I am not embarrassed to say I am a fan of Lance. The man has overcome enormous personal and physical challenges over the years. Undeniably, his Livestrong organisation has provided thousands of cancer survivors and their families with support, as well as counsel on healthy living for many others. While there are clearly those who are not fans of Lance (his collection of turbulent romantic relationships spring to mind), it is difficult not to respect the determination on his face when the man gets on that bike.

Today I saw that steely resolve and competitive spirit for myself.

Lance Armstrong in Wanze, Belgium - Tour de France, 6 July 2010

Having fallen yesterday, together with 60 other cyclists because of slick, hilly roads near Spa, today promised to be another challenge for the seven-time Tour winner, with 8 km of cobblestones on the 213 km menu.

Wanze was animated and full of activity. Amateur cyclists were out in force, families cheered, music blasted and the riders descended from their huge air-conditioned team buses to be confronted by media and cameras. It was a thrill and I can say I was there for what Lance says (really) this time, ‘will be his last Tour de France’. So Lance came in 18th in the standings today?There are still three weeks to go! I look forward to telling our daughter the story one day. In the meantime, she will receive a yellow Tour de France baby bib.  I couldn’t resist…

Having grown up during my ‘formative years’ in the US Virgin Islands, piercing baby girls’ ears from birth is standard practice. Culturally, it is also a very common custom in India and Africa.

I knew exactly that I was opening up a kettle of worms with this question and secretly relished it. It has been interesting to see the response – surprisingly about a 50-50 split.

Some mothers say they will absolutely wait until the daughter is old enough to ask and take care of her earrings herself. This camp stands strongly behind the claim, “it’s her body, and she has the right to choose what she does with it.” Others say in their experience, it is much easier to pierce their daughters’ ears when they are babies because they don’t fuss with them and never remember the pain. This group would not hesitate to do it again. And then there are the crazy ones, like the radically conservative woman in an internet post that likened piercing baby girls’ ears to child abuse. Pleeassse.

I was around 10 when my ears were pierced.  I still remember the pain and blood – and that revolver-like tool they used. Eek! Frankly, one side was not done very well either.

While I appreciate the views of those that say they choose to wait until their daughters ask, I can’t help but wonder, what little girl these days (in my culture anyway) does not want to have her ears pierced? They  always seem so proud to show off their tiny jeweled lobes! I also buy into the argument that it is easier to clean and watch out for infection when the baby is an infant. This, versus a five year old who is into everything, or a 10-year-old who still remembers the pain.

Ultimately this decision is about personal choice and beliefs.

Can you tell I will be piercing my baby daughter’s ears with little diamond studs or gold loops?

I’m not sure her father or other Belgian relatives will be wildly enthusiastic about this idea. That said, I am quite certain her African godmother will side with me!

Returning home, a big smile at last. The cleaning lady has really taken on the challenge of guessing baby girl’s name (all for a bottle of champagne). 35 names (that work in both English and French) were listed on a piece of paper.  She didn’t find it yet – but is so close!  Impressive effort all the same.

This ray of sunshine prompted me to think of my friend Kims column, ‘the things that made me smile today’. So here is what what made me smile today – everything considered:

- a good lunch with a friend

- a big hug from another friend who I hadn’t seen in three plus weeks – (neither of us being huggers)

- coming home to 35 name guesses for our little girl and a very clean house

- my Dad and sister finally getting Skype and calling with the families

- the husband taking me out to dinner (Italian) yum.

- and of course, a lot of kicks from my daughter as if to say, ‘hey Mom! don’t stress out, it’s all about me now! I’ll be there in another month or so! Hang on!’

Kiawah’s beauty has a way of capturing the soul of its visitors. Life on Kiawah is quite literally picture perfect. Relaxation and tranquility come with the territory. Motorbikes are not allowed. ‘Quiet hours’ are enforced between 11 p.m. - 7 a.m.

“When facing the ocean, deck lights and shades must be down from 10 p.m. to 8 a.m. from May 15 to October 31, which is loggerhead turtle nesting season, to help the hatchling turtles head toward the ocean, rather than to artificial light which confuses their sense of direction.” (Article 20 of my rental contract.) Gotta love it. Note to self: one day I will join the volunteer turtle night watch team to ensure baby turtle hatchlings get safe passage to the ocean’s edge.

This  year we had more time to appreciate Kiawah’s rich abundance of activities (in addition to indulging in The Sanctuary‘s award winning spa). Morning walks on the beach were my favourite way to start the day.  First footprints in the sand, treasure hunting for sand dollars and whelks.  Jellyfish sightings. Amusement at watching the seagulls and sandpipers on the morning buffet line, “Mine, mine, mine!” they screeched protectively of their morning catch when they saw me coming.

Sunrise on Kiawah Beach - and the morning buffet line

Kiawah also has an excellent nature conservancy. We joined island naturalists with a passion for fish and wildlife on walks and rides into the ‘outdoor classroom’ and got up close and personal to the island’s 400+ resident alligator population and 26-strong wild dolphin pod. We happened across two of the 40 tagged bobcats (rare encounters apparently) and lost track of the number of white egrets and pelicans we saw. We watched mackerel jump in golf course ponds like popcorn and were delighted at the sight of a bald eagle soaring overhead.

At night I would fall asleep to the waves crashing against the shore. I woke upon my return to Belgium missing this soothing sound – only to be replaced by the dull drone of the neighbouring motorway. My mind turning over the possibilities, could I one day afford a place on Kiawah?  When can I go back?  Do I need to wait until April? (Island residents say October and November are beautiful months to visit too when the sweet grass is in bloom.)

Does ‘Big Mama 400 pound alligator’ sun herself in front of her multi-million dollar second residence in autumn? Do adolescent dolphins still find amusement at sneaking up to unsuspecting dogs and giving them a splash or pulling off string bikinis on tourists bragging about their swim with wild dolphins? These stories are too good to be made up! Is the best place for shell seekers really at both ends of the island?  I look forward to going back and finding out. And may I always continue to share the secrets of this low country island jewel with the special people in my life.

See also: Kiawah-ta? Friends, fun and alligators

Don’t believe me? Check out some of the pics, ‘the good, bad and ugly’, courtesy of WPIX.com, here.

How extraordinary to walk through Times Square at 8.30 AM,  only to realise the true St. Patrick’s Day revelers have already been toasting St. Patrick since the wee hours of the morning. Saw dust floored McSorleys Ale House are among those Irish institutions in the city that have opened their doors before sunrise for more than 150 years to the brave hearted – all in the name of Irish heritage. One can’t help but admire the gumption, strong livers and devotion of this crowd that begins the day by standing in line around the block – only to drink up or be forced to leave. Beer at 8.00 AM???? Hmmm…..

If you’re not wearing green in New York City on St. Patrick’s Day, one thing is clear, you feel out of place. Forget your own heritage, Hispanic, African, Asian, Jewish… it doesn’t matter. When in New York on March 17, wear green or be prepared to explain why your wife threw away your favourite green t-shirt or how the dog ate your plastic shamrock pin.

Beer taps flow, jaws gape on the street at how short the skirts have become – how do these girls sit down (do they?).  Meetings are cancelled and colleagues mysteriously disappear for the rest of the afternoon…

Celebs abound to add further sparkle to this green day. Jennifer Aniston and Gerard Butler are in town promoting their new movie, ‘The Bounty Hunter’. Gerard Butler heats up the ‘Good Morning America’ studio with his good looks and Scottish charm.  He may be Scottish, but he is surely a Guinness man! Jay-Z, Beyonce and Swizz Beatz later make headlines by taking the stage with Alicia Keys.  Can’t help but wonder, what does a wrap up party at Madison Square Garden for this group of A-listers look like on St. Patrick’s Day in New York City? So close but yet so far to be a fly on that wallpaper!

Can normalcy be found?

A hurried slice of pizza on Times Square, broken green beads strewn across the sidewalk.  Jubilation and flirtation for those on the high of a fabulous beer buzz lead to weariness, stubble and a dire need for Tylenol.

What a memorable day New York City for this redhead (courtesy of her Irish bloodline).  Here’s to you St. Patrick.

Email chains from Belgium, Germany, the United Kingdom, China and the US evaluated the options.  We were not prepared to freeze in sub zero temperatures in Germany, Hungary, nor risk being hit by flying oranges in Binche, Belgium. Did we need Kolsch beer, bars of chocolate, flowers, sweets, or actually enjoy having shaving cream and silly string on our coats? And even if it was Valentine’s Day, could we get by without those flattering winks from charming Italian gentlemen? Wasn’t the idea of carnival weekend really about being together after all?

And so Brussels became our carnival hub for 2010. The ladies descended upon ‘Europe’s capital’ for a weekend of camaraderie, champagne, food and shopping (in that order). Saturday’s dinner was a hearty raclette, a convivial winter feast of potatoes, melted cheese, charcuterie (cold cuts) and vegetables. This was accompanied by an indulgent champagne tasting (a deliberate deviation from the Swiss tradition of tea and coffee). Gold leaf brushed chocolate lips and hearts added a sweet finish to this Carnival, Valentine’s and Chinese New Year meal.

Somewhere around 11.00 PM, it seemed like a particularly good idea to open up the new Wii.  Fortunately we had a Wii expert to show us the ropes.  We were soon in tears of laughter as we created our ‘characters’ and female likenesses – going so far as adding ‘sexy’ goatees, pigtails and droopy eyebrows for amusement’s sake. Cool characters in place, we officially opened the ’2010 Champagne Wii Olympics’. Our butts were quickly whipped in a bowling game by a seemingly sweet innocent blonde who claimed she never bowled. The room then transformed into an intense tennis match. Competition was rife, cameras flashed and beads of sweat threatened to roll down brows as the volume of laughter increased and time became obsolete.

This was Carnival 2010. We now have the carnival dates until 2016. There are no excuses not to get organised in advance. I like to put my own spin on the hearty carnival cheer,”Kolle Alaaf” (‘Cologne is alive”). For me, it means “Carnival is Alive“. May the key ingredient for carnival reunions (with or without a Wii, Valentines or Year of the Tiger) always be: good friends.

Related stories: Carnival 2009 – Viareggio, Italy: ‘After that bear we’re going through‘

Admittedly, I embarked on this little journey with zero expectations.  A fan of big American shopping malls, I’ve yet to be impressed with Belgian ‘shopping centres’ for reasons I can’t quite explain.  Perhaps it’s the pay parking (with no validation) or the limited food choice.  Or the frustration of always having to go to different shopping centres to find exactly what one needs.  The perfect shopping centre just doesn’t seem to exist.

Mediacité Liege offers hope

Mediacité Liege offers hope.  Having opened its doors in December 2009, and beyond the occasional sighting of a sink not working properly in the bathrooms or wiring hanging from the walls, the shopping centre is slowly but surely nearing completion. Colourful design and modern furniture beg the question, is this a shopping centre or a gallery? It also offers an impressive array of choice (unique to Belgian shopping centres) including the likes of small boutique stores and large UK retail chains such as Primark and New Look.

And there is a decent array of food!  Food courts are none existent in Mediacité, but if you are looking for a good Chinese lunch or a unique hamburger restaurant, you will find it.  Such was my experience at Célébrities, where hamburger chic exists and I couldn’t decide if I was in Miami or Belgium between the velvet ropes, white bar stools and mayonnaise with my fries. Check out the photo gallery here to see for yourself. The manager even wore a suit and tie.  Now that IS weird, but admittedly, kind of cool for a hamburger joint.

The highlight? There is a Saturn! This is a fabulous German electronics store which is always a must on trips to Germany.  The best part is this particular store takes debit cards and credit cards, unlike my experience in its sister stores.  With such great prices, credit card or cash, you can be assured that it is impossible to leave Saturn without an armload of CDs and DVDs you never intended to buy. It took all my willpower to stay away from the computer section to not be tempted by the iPad…

I’m not sure I can ever give the honour of calling a Belgian shopping centre ‘a mall’ – but Mediacité has potential. Did I mention they validate parking?! I’ll be back.