Harris life in Doha: February 2013

I just noted in my last post I said I would try and update this weekly....ummmm well several months later.......life has never been busier. Since October we have:

1. Had our first Christmas in Doha

2. Sold our house in the UK

3. Moved house in Doha

4. Bought a car

5. Had several visitors to stay

6. Last but not least....had a baby - welcome Dylan Woody Harris

Christmas in Doha was great although very strange going to a Christmas tree light switch on on a sunny day and listening to carols in the sunshine. Lots of the big international hotels do lovely things for Christmas like have life-size edible gingerbread houses and christmas carols with the opportunity to meet santa. We went to the Marriot on Christmas Eve for the carols and Emily saw santa and we drank eggnog - it felt very festive. on Christmas day we took Emily out on her new bike and enjoyed our first family Christmas just the 3 of us (as was then). Once Christmas was over our beautiful baby boy made an appearance on the 28th December (photos attached). Giving birth out here was much the same experience as back home except it was in a private hospital and I was lucky enough to be upgraded to the VIP suite (I don't recall getting two private bathrooms on the NHS!). The birth went well and Dylan is now 6 weeks old as I write this. He is a very chilled out baby (which is a good job with a big sister as hectic as Emily). Emily loves Dylan and loves to cuddle him and show him things. He does get the occasional sly whack or missile launched at him but on the whole Emily loves being a big sister. Moving house with a 2 week old baby is not to be repeated - stressful doesn't quite cover it. We're all settled now though and I have attached pictures of the new place. Emily now attends nursery 5 days a week from 7-1 and loves it. The commute to nursery goes via the animal market and she gets very excited by the daily drive by the camels and various other animals. Emily is growing up quickly and is adorable half of the time and the other half drives you crackers!! Everything has to be inspected, pulled out, tipped up and thrown about - she certainly keeps me on my toes. It has been nice to have cooler weather over the winter - most days are like a british summer day - its heating up again now though. I have attached some photos (in a random order) that hopefully cover everything that has happened since I last updated the blog. It definitely won't be as long next time.......