Checking In

Wednesday 24 January 2018









Hello! Is anyone out there?

My goodness blogging has changed since I began back in 2010.  Gone are the days of scheduled daily posts and hello to novels written under Instagram photos and snippets of daily life on Instastories. It's strange when I've followed someone's blog for years only to have them take their life offline. I find myself wondering about them, like an old friend you haven't seen in years. How big are their kids now? Did they have any more? Where have they traveled & how is that renovation project going? I read a tweet predicting 2018 as the year blogging returns in full force. Do you think it will happen?

We're still here in Abu Dhabi, 18 months in, a family of 4, settled and comfortable.  Our little Esmé Leila was born on May 6.  We bumped (and crashed) along those first months adjusting to our new normal but now as she crawls around the house and squeals away, it's hard to believe we were ever without her. Jasper is busy with nursery school and running his masking tape airport on our living room floor.  He "just wants to watch Boeings all day long, Mom," and has a bit of panic setting in now that his sister is mobile and holds a keen interest in all of his toys. Joe has started a new position although still within the same company. It's been a great, fresh start for him after some difficult months in a job that didn't feel right.

I'm mostly wrangling kids these days. Between nap schedules and meals and school pick ups, my days are full.  I've been taking a few hours one morning a week to myself while Ezzie stays with our housekeeper.  I mostly use it to run errands or go to appointments but even a car ride alone these days feels a bit like a holiday. I've started writing a little as a contributing author on Bébé Voyage (check out my 'Day in a Life' post) and it's been nice dipping my toes in again.

Our traveling has slowed down significantly from our days in Norway. I miss the ease of Europe where everything seemed close and easy. While we certainly have options here in the East, the destinations aren't always the easiest of places to take young children. We've been doing something I never imagined I'd do - booking in at nice resorts here in the UAE when we need a change of scenery. Last year we managed a week in Croatia and a big trip to Canada and both trips were big learning experiences now that our hands are slightly fuller.  This winter, we're heading off to Thailand! We'll be meeting my in laws on Koh Samui for a relaxed week at a villa on the beach. I am so looking forward to touching down in a new country and all the exhilaration that comes with it!

I don't know if anyone comments on blogs any more but if you feel inclined, tell me what you've been up to! I won't make any empty promises about getting back to this space regularly but who knows? Maybe 2018 will see a revival.


10 comments:

  1. It does seem apparent that so many bloggers from back in the day are now only microblogging on IG. Maybe the revival is because people recognize this and want to get back to the old days. The amounts of my posts have definitely suffered within the past year as well, but I recognize why (IG / lack of "newness"), so that's the first step ;) I hope you do decide to blog more in 2018, of course. Good to read that all is well!

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    1. Microblogging - I like that term. Nice to hear from you, Cynthia!

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  2. Always good to have another medium to communicate with you through!!! Glad to be sharing some of these Abu Dhabi ups and downs with you xx

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  3. Just seeing your name pop up in my blog feed made me miss the old days of blogging! It's changed so much in such a short time, it used to be more simple and community focused I feel...so thanks for the brief trip down memory lane, good to hear from you!

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    1. So nice to hear from you, Edna! I agree - I miss the times when blogs were more personal and less commercial. Hope you're well :)

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  4. Hi! I've been a long time reader of your blog and thought I should finally comment. Especially as I have also wondered about bloggers I followed shutting up shop and then wondering about them like I knew them IRL! LOL! I don't mind insta, but I do prefer reading a proper blog post. Though I can see how it would be hard to find time to sit and write with two littles - I have two myself about the same age as yours! Hope you find the time to write more if you enjoy it!

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    1. Thanks Rachel - and hopefully you see this as it's so late! I feel like I get my feet under me, find some 'me' time and then something else pops up. The last 2 weeks viruses making their way through the family! Glad to hear from you & I, too, hope for more time to write this year.

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  5. I just came across your blog through Bebe Voyage. Another expat/traveller, I am moving with hubby and 6 month old baby to Abu Dhabi next month, after 3 years in Ireland. Excited and nervous for our new home, so I’ve enjoyed reading about your family life there. All the best, Tanya

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    1. Best wishes to you, Tanya! I hope the transition is smooth!

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