End of 2010

Three more days of 2010 left and what a busy year it’s been!  It’s difficult to believe that this time last year we were just starting out in our work here, not knowing where it would lead us.  Now we have our two babies: our company and our beautiful daughter, both named Williams-Gothuey.  The last few months have definitely been the toughest yet, though it has also been a very rewarding time.  JF has had to work very long days and has been coming home around 9pm, while I’ve been spending the day looking after and entertaining Stella and working or doing housework during her naps.

Despite the hard work, we’re so proud of the development of our company and optimistic that we will soon be able to buy a house and start to benefit from our efforts.  Stella really is the most delightful, beautiful little girl and she makes everything worthwhile.  We had a long hard look at our situation just before Christmas and have instigated some solutions to hopefully help us to grow without JF drowning under the workload, as he has been recently.  We’ve employed an administrative assistant and in two months’ time, JF’s intern will go full-time (and should be trained up by then).  JF will work from home some mornings and be with us and we are claiming back our weekends.

We stayed in Bordeaux for Christmas again this year.  It was sad to be away from family and friends in London, but it didn’t seem like a good idea to travel so soon with Stella, and at such a busy time of year.  However, my mum and dad have both been over to meet Stella this month, and we spent Christmas with JF’s mum and sister.  As last year, the celebration meal was Christmas eve, for which we had the lobster, oysters, foie gras, sea urchins to start and then my roast turkey.  We didn’t manage the thirteen desserts that evening, being too tired after opening presents and too full up after the first two courses – we left them on the table and ate them on the 25th .

We’ve now booked up to come to London in February and I’m so excited.  I can’t wait for Stella to meet the rest of her family and to see our friends.  I’m going to need to start making some plans!

Looking forward to 2011, I wonder what it has in store for us.  Our biggest project is to buy a house.  I’m sure this time next year, I’m going to be looking back and saying once again that I can’t believe what has happened in a year.

Stella Louise

Our little girl has arrived!  And what a beautiful angel!  I’ll let you judge for yourself with a few cheeky pics:

Just a few days old, in the hospital

10 days old, back home

It’s taken me rather a while to update this blog, as looking after little Stella has taken all of my time and energy, but she is worth every moment.  She took us a little by surprise, arriving at exactly 38 weeks (albeit a very healthy 3 kg) and very quickly Sunday before last (7th November).  We’d already spent a lovely day at the market, eating lunch at one of the stands at a table and chairs in the sunshine.  We’d had a quiet afternoon at home and I was just about to put the roast in the oven at around 6 in the evening when I thought something might be happening!  We went to the clinic at 7.30pm and she was born at 11.42 pm.

We stayed in the clinic for four more days, the three of us together in a room.  It was a wonderful way to start our lives together, in a restful environment and round-the-clock monitoring and support while we were recovering.  All of the babycare and medical exams were done in the room (as well as meals delivered 4 times per day!), Stella was never taken from me from the moment she was born and I felt very well taken care of.  Coming home was a huge adjustment and it took me a few days to feel confident managing the home and Stella.  I was very grateful to have JF with me most of this time – he is wonderful with Stella and shares her care with me as much as possible!

Since then, everything has changed and is still changing on a daily basis.  At first, I was terrified that something bad would happen to her and I worried about everything.  The tiredness really exaggerated matters and I found myself in a very anxious state.  Fortunately, I feel much better now and with the midwife visiting weekly now, I have someone to answer all of my little concerns before they get too big.

During all this time, somehow we’ve managed to keep the business afloat!  JF has been making trips to the office to keep on top of matters and I have been keeping up with what I can in the brief minutes I have spare .  We’ve had our agreement through that finalises the formalities regarding the English training part of our company and JF is well-advanced with a new subsidiary website that we will launch very soon!  He also has several new clients of his own, so is certainly kept busy.  Bit by bit, I am going to try to find time to take back some of my work from him and have already managed to fit in a short translation mission this week, but I think it will really be in the new year when I can start to properly work part time once again.  The teachers and JF’s assistant have been very understanding and have really helped maintain the smooth running of operations these past couple of weeks.  One of the teachers gave us a present for Stella – a baby toy with lots of “activities” attached.  I think we’ll need to organise some nice Christmas presents this year!

I must say we have missed our families during this time and are looking forward to seeing them soon.  Stella has yet to meet any of her family members, though I’m sure we’ll make up for lost time next month.  We’ve been overwhelmed by all the kind messages and emails from friends and the presents and cards that have arrived here from family and friends in England and we appreciate so much the thought and time put into sending them.  Thank you everyone!

November!

The first of November is a bank holiday in France, so we’ve been enjoying an extended weekend.  JF seems much more relaxed and we’ve managed to achieve everything we needed to at our pace.  If only every weekend lasted 3 days!  On Saturday, we had the last of the preparation classes with one of the midwives from the cabinet associated with our clinic.  She gave us a tour of the maternity facilities, plus a lesson on caring for the newborn.  I’m sure you can never say you’re completely prepared, but I certainly feel ready now and I think what we don’t know now, we’ll find out soon enough!  Yesterday, Sunday, we got out to the market for the first time in a month.  It was good to get back there finally and we’re certainly appreciating the nice food and cakes we bought .  How I’ve missed that these last weekends!

I was certainly pleased to get out of bed and back on with my normal life at the start of last week, albeit taking care, conscious not to get tired all over again.  I’ve enjoyed meeting friends in town and taking some fresh air and sunshine while it lasts and being able to get the house straight for the new arrival.  I’ve felt able to catch up on a little bit of work, though officially now, I’ve stopped for the time being.  I got into the office once for a couple of hours to meet with all the teachers and organised a lunch for us all, which made a nice occasion.

I had my monthly check-up with my doctor, who is satisfied that all is now fine.  I also saw the anaesthetist at the end of last week, who needed a medical history to inform him during any emergency eventuality.  With that dossier complete and having reached my 38th week, I’m feeling very calm and excited at the same time.  JF and I can’t wait for our little girl to be here now!

A Restful Week

Just a very quick update, as not a lot to say after a week in bed !  It’s a bit strange that I haven’t left the house in a week, and a shame as it’s so sunny outside, but I feel much better as a result.  Very rested, clearer in my head, physically more comfortable, despite my huge tummy.  I’ve got on well with my knitting projects, which has been relaxing and satisfying at the same time and I’ve had a few friends drop round to cheer me up, which has certainly helped.  In the last couple of days, I’ve felt able to take on a little bit of work again, which I’ve just done a bit here and there, quietly from my bed, but all the same, I feel better for getting involved again and feeling much less fuzzy .  This morning, I will have my last visit from the midwife, so I hope she’s pleased with me and says I can start getting up a little bit.  I’m at 36 weeks this weekend and therefore past any danger.

Preparations for the baby are coming on.  The house is being cleaned this week by a firm we’ve hired, since I’m not able to do any more housework.  Tomorrow, we will have the last of the baby things and JF is going to get it all set up in our bedroom.  We’re very excited!  I’ve also (fingers crossed, as nothing’s signed yet) succeeded in re-letting my flat in London, so I don’t need to go through a sale, which is a huge relief.  I’m so glad that with the immenent arrival, everything seems to be starting to fall into place.  I just hope it will continue like that!

Time to Rest

Baby threatened to make an apprearance this week.  We found out in good time, due to a chance fall that I had on Wednesday, which I had to go and get checked out at the hospital.  We thought we’d be in and out in the morning, but it seems the little one is so impatient to arrive that had the medical team not intervened, she could have been born prematurely.  I spent the day being monitored and had a progesterone injection to attempt to halt the process.  Now that I’m home, I’m taking light medication to avoid contractions, I’m being visited every other day by a midwife and I’m being made to stay in bed until I reach 36 weeks.  At least that’s only a week on Sunday, so I’m using the time to really rest and get through my knitting!

One problem about being in bed is that all the tasks I had in mind to prepare for the baby’s arrival are now hanging.  Hopefully, JF will be able to go and collect our furniture order the weekend after next and get the bed set up and then I’ll be allowed up to help arrange the room and pack the bags.  I’m really hoping the baby doesn’t arrive before then anyhow, so all being well, we’ll be ready.  Since I can’t do the housework, we’re having a cleaning firm in to give us a quote for a full spring-clean on Monday, which they should be able to come back and do early in the week.  I will definitely feel more relaxed when that’s done.

It is a relief not to be working, as I have been feeling very tired and struggling to concentrate, but I wish that didn’t mean more on JF’s plate.  He takes on everything so well, without (much ) complaint, but I hope that he’ll be able to lean on his assistant a bit too and find a good balance.

I have still been dealing with the flat in London.  It’s up for rental and sale, so hopefully one will work out, but it’s really not a good time to be doing this and I don’t like all the dealings with the agents, current tenant etc when I can’t be there in person.  Mum and Dad have helped out in getting keys to the agent I’ve chosen and going and meeting with them, so I do at least feel supported in that way.  Can’t believe how cheeky Foxtons have been though.  They are currently letting the flat, but after a highly stressful conversation with them last week, I decided wholeheartedly not to re-use them.  Their fees last time were horrendous too.  Anyway, after I told them I was not going to be re-letting the flat with them and confirmed by email, they contacted the tenant, arranged a meeting and went around to the flat for a valuation!  When they called to tell me what they’d done, I hit the roof.

While I’m stuck in bed, I’ll try to put regular updates here on the baby and flat, hoping that within the next month there’ll be good news on both fronts!

A Year in Bordeaux

Last Sunday marked a year since our move to sunny Bordeaux and we took a little bit of time out of a busy period to go out for dinner and celebrate.  We also enjoyed our regular Sunday morning stroll through the market on the quays, the sun shining and summer still with us for the time being.  However, a new element of stress was thrown upon us when I received the same weekend an email from my tennant in the flat in Surbiton.  She is moving out in December and I have until then to either re-let or sell it, otherwise it’s going to be empty with a huge mortgage to cover.  Very unsettling!

I contacted several estate agents on Monday morning and chose two to carry out valuations on the flat.  Unfortunately, the tennant then decided to be completely uncooperative when they tried to arrange to go around, giving me a whole set of new problems to deal with.  Eventually, they’re scheduled in to go this coming Monday, but I’m concerned that this is going to be very difficult, especially as I’m not in a position to go round there at the moment.

The week turned out to be very stressful on the work-front too, but the last forms have finally been completed, non-paying clients have been chased and a new assistant has been found, so hopefully things will go slightly smoother from next week.  I have a little bit of translation work booked in for the early part of the week and new teacher contracts to complete, but I’m quite relaxed about all of that.  I’m feeling a lot more relaxed about our preparations for the baby too now that we’re starting to gather what we need.  This weekend, I finished the first side of my baby blanket and we went to the store where we ordered the bed, pram etc and they should have our order in for collection in two weeks.  Once the bed is up and ready in our room, I think I will feel a lot more calm.

To end on a nice note, we’ve rewarded our rather trying week with a nice weekend together.  Today there was a festival right next to where we live, and we enjoyed a stroll through the stalls and a lunch outside in the sunshine.  Tomorrow, we’re looking forward to catching up with some old salsa friends from London, who are visiting Arcachon for the weekend.  I’m rushing this off now, as my dinner has just been placed beside me by my wonderful JF.  More to follow about the weekend …:-)

Intensive Course and Crazy Paperwork

Although I should now be working part-time, I think my interpretation of what that entails may be slightly different to another’s.  But despite JF’s constant support and insistance that I need to do less, when it comes to a week like this one, I have to retain a certain amount of work for smooth operation.  It has actually been a very interesting week.  We have had an intensive 20-hour course taking place in our teaching room, with all four teachers involved in taking sessions, the overall programme having been created and coordinated by me.  I think the different experiences, background and, of course accents of the teachers has added a very interesting dimension to the course and I’m incredibly satisfied with the result.

Another reason why this week has been so busy is that there has still been a certain amount of paperwork to finalise as well as routines to establish and JF has been putting in extra hours in an effort to get through the remainder.  At the same time, we have both received a healthy number of new requests this week and putting quotes and programmes together has been time-consuming, although it is extremely satisfying to be in such a position, so we won’t complain just now!

Slowly, but surely, we are starting to gain security and peace of mind after this enormous step and despite the continued workload, we are finding time to catch up with friends, go out together, relax and enjoy the beautiful summery weather here in Bordeaux.  As the weeks pass, we’re advancing more and more with our plans and finding a better balance.  I taught my last lesson yesterday, so I can now work flexibly according to when I have the energy and concentration, which does vary considerably nowadays (!), and now that we have an office with regular hours, it allows JF to switch off (mentally, as well as his computer!) in the evenings when he comes home and (for most of!) the weekend.  As my doctor assured me yesterday, as soon as the baby is here, we’ll see our priorities differently – well, we have a month and a half to get ourselves ready for the rhythm of our lives to change once again.

Preparation for Baby

So far, the focus of this blog has been my transition, especially in work-related matters, from life in London to settling in Bordeaux.  Little by little, news of our latest edition to the Williams-Gothuey family has crept in, so I’m going to dedicate this whole post to our tiny bundle of joy to-be!

Firstly, I’m delighted to say that the results of our third trimester scan last week were excellent.  She is right on track, already weighing an estimated 1.7 kg, and absolutely perfect.  She clearly has Jean-Francis’ feet, so she is now my little monkey, and we think she might be like me around the nose and mouth.  In any case, she is definitely a little angel and we just can’t wait to see her properly.

Now that I’ve reached 33 weeks, it’s started to feel more urgent to get things in order; the house, her equipment, our case for the hospital.  I’ve registered at the maternity and they’ve given me a huge pack to read, including a list of what I need to bring, so bit by bit, I intend to get through that in the next couple of weeks.  The clinic brochure made me laugh, as it looks like I’m booking into a hotel, rather than to have a baby.  I’ll be staying a minimum of five days, so just as well the facilities are good!

Today, I spent the morning at the midwives’ centre and am now half-way through my preparation classes.  Today, she talked about when to go to the maternity, the stages of labour and introduced us to the procedure for the epidural.  We also talked about clothing the baby and their sleep and baths, amongst other things.  I think the classes are excellent; very clear and relevant information, with very honest and reassuring responses to any questions and a built-in relaxation session each time.  The group size of two to three is also ideal and ensures complete inclusion.  My next class is late morning next Friday.

I’m still busily knitting and sewing away, the deadline drawing closer and the uncertainty growing as to whether I’ll finish before baby is here.  At the moment, I’m thinking that I’ve taken on a bit of a monster with the blanket I’m making, but I’m sure she’ll treasure it in years to come – at least I hope so!

Time To Rest

Well, I haven’t completely slowed down, but I have managed to dramatically cut my workload this week, so it’s a step in the right direction.  At the start of the week, I finished with two major clients; one has finished their course, but hopes to come back for conversation and the other will continue with another of our teachers.  According to the midwife, I am still not rested, so I must spend even more time off my feet this coming week in order to avoid imposed bed-rest.  I have been warned!

As for the business, it’s healthy and growing, but paperwork is still heavy at this early stage and we’re grappling with setting up systems for (and understanding) accounts, billing, payments and generally getting into a routine.  Difficult to do when we’re still chasing the URSSAF to finalise the creation of the EI.  On the up-side, new requests are still coming in and the clients are giving good feedback regarding the new teachers.  We’re looking forward to a little office get-together that I’m organising this Friday lunchtime so that everyone can get to know each other.

Aside from work, we have bought the pram and cot for the baby and I have been enjoying doing some knitting, and sewing and catching up with friends.  This weekend, I finally got around to buying some proper maternity tops, as my stretchy T-shirts were not going to last much longer over my seven-month bump.  I went out very proudly to a friend’s party on Saturday evening in a new glam top and it felt good to get dressed-up!

Me trying to look glam!

Time to put the computer down and make the most of what’s left of my Sunday evening.  Tomorrow morning, I have a gentle yoga class, then I’m going into the office for the afternoon.  I need to meet with one of the teachers, sort out some paperwork and put some new flyers around for our neighbours in the building.  Hoping I can tempt some of them in to join a conversation group or class.

La Rentrée

Time to breathe a sigh of relief after a very busy week!  With the return to school (and work for many families) we have received a flurry of requests for both adult and children’s lessons.  In addition, I took on two sizeable translation projects, both with very short deadlines and totalling over 10000 words.  In order to cope with the new teaching demand, I have taken on another teacher (there are now 4, all from different English-speaking countries) and I hope that the growth pattern will continue for at least this month.

Another result of this hectic week is that I will now work part-time as of Monday.  I have been doing far too much and it is not good for either my health or the baby’s.  I have found myself some days turning on my computer as early as 6.30 and turning it off as late as midnight, and I do feel a real need to relax and clear my head, as I have allowed myself to get very stressed-out.  I am looking forward to having the time to prepare for the baby’s arrival, whilst not completely letting go of my work just yet.  I have scheduled in the odd coffee and chat with some friends and I think I’m definitely going to enjoy these next couple of months.

Yesterday, I had my first meeting with one of the midwives who work at the clinic where I will have my baby.  I am very pleased to get started with the classes there and my next one is next Friday morning.  I was very reassured to discover the support network on offer both before and after the birth and it does make the preparations easier knowing that there is such help.

Despite the fact we’re well into September, we are still getting glorious summer weather here and hopefully we’ll make the most of this weekend to get out exploring the area once again.  We’re also planning to go and buy the pram and cot today – the essentials!