Archive for the ‘Travel’ Category
Happy Easter from cocoro!
Saturday, April 3rd, 2010 by tomono
Oscar says "Happy Easter"
How are you spending your holiday?
I went to York to see one of my Japanese friends who is living there to study English. I bumped into her in Paris 3 years ago at Michal Negrin. She’s been in the fashion industry in Japan for a long time and has now come to the UK to master English so she can expand her business. I really admire her strong will, and I learned so much about clothing within just a few hours.
York is one of my favourite cities in the UK; lovely shops and great old buildings all around. We were going to go to Betty’s Tea Room but of course there was a long queue and so we decided not to take a risk of a screaming situation with a hungry child. But if you ever have chance to come to York and fancy traditional cream tea, that’s a wonderful tea shop!
On the way back to the car we walked along the River Ouse and came across some cute little baby ducks. Their mum was so agressive when I was approching! It is the nature of motherhood.
Cute ducklings in York
When we were driving back and Oscar was having a nap, we saw a beautiful rainbow. My son is a big fan of Thomas and Friends and there is one episode called “Thomas and the rainbow”. In the story Thomas is eager to find the end of a rainbow because somebody told him there is a wonderful thing at there. He finally found the end of the rainbow one day and rainbow was shining over his friends. What a lovely story and I hope Oscar feels the same way in the future.
Oscar sleeping on the way home
Tomono x
Happy New Year!
Tuesday, January 5th, 2010 by tomonoHappy New Year everyone and wishing you a prosperous and super 2010!
I am so sorry we haven’t blogged for ages, we just got back from fantastic trip back to Japan. Unfortunately one piece of our luggage has gone missing! I bought so many lovely wrapping materials from Japan and I really wish my suitcase will come back to me very very soon!
Well, where shall I start…
We left UK on Thursday 17 December - and luckily a day before the heavy snow. We have ordered the bassinet for Oscar but surprise surprise, he didn’t want to sleep on 12hours flight at all! Both of us were absolutely exhausted but our son Oscar was just too excited to be surrounded by so many passengers and making sure they are OK by giving them high five all the way through the aisle…. Bless him.
Oscar and Lewis looking out the window
I brought a massive micro fleece blanket, lots of snacks and fruits and toys.
In order to keep him entertained we opened his Xmas presents on the plane. We got him a big red car, Xmas story book, grey jumper and a big Iggle Piggle. Maybe the grey jumper didn’t excite him, but he was so happy to see Mr Iggle piggle and kept cuddling him for long time.
Oscar with Iggle Piggle
My dad took him Xmas shopping on Xmas eve and got him a set of TOMICA cars, books, Japanese Alphabet flash cards and a big bullet train. Oscar is now officially into boyish vehicles…. I wonder if I can play with dolls with him one day…
How was your Xmas and what did you give for little friends? What was your favourite presents for little one? Since most of our customers bought as a gift, I’m really curious what kind of fabulous gift experience you had!
We will blog about our trip in Japan for a while, till then take care and mind your steps on icy roads!
Oscar and I at Amsterdam airport
Tomono x
Travel during pregnancy
Tuesday, November 24th, 2009 by tomonoIn this post I’d like to tell you about my experience of travel during pregnancy.
2 years ago today my dear friends Hiroko and Joshua tied the knot in Sydney. When they got engaged my friends and I were so excited about attending the wedding and also to visit vineyard to try local wines. I booked the flight in April but a couple months later I found out I was pregnant.
It was such a tough decision to make whether I should cancel the flight and not attend the dearest friends’ wedding or not. I would also be very jealous watching people enjoying gorgeous wine around me. I would have been in second trimester in November and I was experiencing such a joyful pregnancy period after the first few months of morning sickness. I knew I could still go but because it was not only flight from Osaka to Sydney but also from UK to Japan. It was very tempting but I had to let it go….
Josh and Hiroko - the wedding I missed
Instead, I flew to Bratislava to see my friends while my husband was in Norway on a business trip. It was only a few hours flight and my bump had only just started showing - around week 16. I remember taking lots of rest and had frequent naps during the holiday. It was my very very first time to feel baby’s kick while I was in Vienna at a Mozart concert. Listening to classical music being good for baby wasn’t a myth after all I felt.
Where I listed to Mozart in Vienna
On week 20 I flew to Rhodes (4hrs flight) I started feeling a bit uncomfortable just sitting down for a long time. Air travel during pregnancy at about that time made me feel sure that I wouldn’t take any more flight longer than couple of hours.
I remember I had very sexy flight socks called Lifesystems Flight Socks
Did you fly much when you were pregnant? Did you have any trouble or was it only me overreacting? Did you take any useful items onto the aircraft to make traveling during pregnancy more comfortable?
T xx
Useful link about travel during pregnancy: http://www.babycentre.co.uk/pregnancy/travel/gettingtherebyplane/
Long flights with little babies
Monday, October 5th, 2009 by tomonoOscar was only 4months when we first took him on to a plane. I remember being worried about his ears popping. I heard swallowing something helps so I breastfed him during take off and landing. Luckily he didn’t suffer from it at all.
I spent months and months figuring out what would be essential to pack for a 3 month trip to Japan. Since it was a long trip, we needed a car seat, baby gym, sterilizer etc etc basically everything. And why is all baby stuff so bulky?
I also packed his pillow and toys for his little bassinet. I put his unwashed sheets and pillow to make him feel like home and it even looked like a proper bed! However, despite his comfy bed, he only slept for about 30mins of the 14hours flight. For the other 13.5hours he definitely made our arms stronger….. bless him.
Oscar 'not' sleeping in his bassinet
Some people worry if baby will sleep well or won’t cry much to disturb other passengers on the airplane. I think he slept well because of engine noise and all the vibration helped too. Also air conditioner noise mostly killed baby’s scream so it wasn’t bad as I expected.
Because it is so hot in Japan in summer, we slept most nights with mild air conditioner on and Oscar slept very well because of the white noise. I heard some people even record that noise to make baby sleep well. I read that noise is very comfortable for new born baby because it reminds her when she was in mummy’s womb. Amazon has lots of audio CDs with white noise sounds for babies too such as Soothing Sounds for Baby-Vol 1 (1 - 6 months)
My whole family was there to greet little Oscar and when we got home there was a lovely welcome sign, air-conditioned room, and a fresh futon were waiting for us. It took only a couple of days for Oscar to get over the 8hrs jet lag.
Lovely welcome to Japan message
Lewis and Oscar
Oscar in the pool
On the other hand when we came back to UK it took a whole month to get back into his routine. He used to wake up in the middle of night asking for a feed, and was wide awake for a few hours. So I definitely recommend taking your little one for holiday before she/he starts having routine!
Tomono x
Don't miss out on news and promotions. Sign up today.
"We have absolutely fallen in love with your super cute baby kimonos"
Tina, London
