A surprise visitor

During January I noticed Sam was getting lots of texts and was very evasive when I asked who they were from.  A couple of weeks after Emily's birth, it transpired that he had been texting Alex and arranging for her to visit.  I was so excited!

Alex set about organising her visa which, in true Indian style went right to the wire and needed a trip to the embassy.  She also had to name Mark as her employer!

It all worked out perfectly in the end and she arrived a few days after we moved in which gave us a good incentive to sort out the spare room.  

Arun picked her up from the airport and I pretty much cried when I opened the door.  William and Oliver were delighted to see her when we picked them up from school.

                                 

It was lovely to have Alex to help out with Emily and come out and about with me.  It is so different going out with a baby here as shops are never big enough for a pram, there are no pavements and everyone wants a cuddle, usually just as she is dropping off!

Alex and I had great fun exploring, trying out nice restaurants and looking round (and buying in) local shops. We even explored a bit on foot and went off road searching for cows for Alex to take pictures of.

    

    

  

Arun was so taken with Alex's delight at seeing cows and wanting to photograph them that he kept screeching to a halt whenever he spotted one.

In the evenings, over a few g and t's (a few for Alex and a weak one for me!)  we planned a big family holiday for next year.  Sam and Mark seemed very relieved that we opted for the Andamen Islands over the Maldives!

On our last day all together we took Emily for her vaccinations.  This was a life saver as while Emily was feeding Alex picked up the vaccinations and held my place in the queue - her time in China served her well!!  Afterwards we all headed out for a farewell lunch together.

Six days seemed to fly by and we were sad to say goodbye but so pleased that Mark, Finn, Sofia and Tristan had let me borrow her.