Sunday, April 25, 2010
The Crawl with an audience
Sorry this is long. but I had to get Abby and Sophia cheering Bella on. They are saying: 'jiayou' which literally means 'add gas/oil' it is how you cheer someone on in Chinese. Then they start saying 'come over here.' Bella is on the MOVE! She also at ten months is mimicking sounds really well, she can actually now repeat, dada and mama but if you bring out the video camera she stops! She is on target to be absolutely all over the place on the airplane for 24 hours mid June. Start those prayers now please.
Saturday, April 24, 2010
a real crawl
The week flew by...again.
As always when we return from a trip the girls both had colds/fevers/cough. They are just now getting over them really, and Bella's has lingered into a cough. But despite all the ickiness, she still managed to really start crawling this week. She still drags herself around some, but she can do the 'all fours' crawl really well. I will post video footage soon.
sweetness (at least in this picture)
As always when we return from a trip the girls both had colds/fevers/cough. They are just now getting over them really, and Bella's has lingered into a cough. But despite all the ickiness, she still managed to really start crawling this week. She still drags herself around some, but she can do the 'all fours' crawl really well. I will post video footage soon.
sweetness (at least in this picture)
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
Seriously...
I was laughing when I wrote the little list of 'I will never do this again unless...' but my laugh did not communicate via internet very well. I was even being a bit sarcastic, knowing that with our lifestyle future trips with just the girls and me are inevitable. I will take things as they come. I do not wish this stage away for sure....
Sophia was 'making' some food in her room.
'I am making whoosh joosh'
'whoosh juice?'
'no, whoosh joosh.'
'what language is that?'
'a new thing'
'a new language?'
'yeah.'
'actually it is whoosh juice clay.'
'oh so now it is whoosh juice?'
'yeah, whoosh juice clay.'
'that is the name of your food?'
'yeah'
'after your new friend clay that you just met?'
'yeah, after clay in bangkok'
'what does whoosh juice clay taste like?'
'its a little like chicken.'
(I absolutely bust out laughing).
Sophia was 'making' some food in her room.
'I am making whoosh joosh'
'whoosh juice?'
'no, whoosh joosh.'
'what language is that?'
'a new thing'
'a new language?'
'yeah.'
'actually it is whoosh juice clay.'
'oh so now it is whoosh juice?'
'yeah, whoosh juice clay.'
'that is the name of your food?'
'yeah'
'after your new friend clay that you just met?'
'yeah, after clay in bangkok'
'what does whoosh juice clay taste like?'
'its a little like chicken.'
(I absolutely bust out laughing).
Monday, April 19, 2010
THE travel day
Here is a little play by play of my traipsing across Southeast Asia (exaggeration for emphasis, stay with me here) with two very dependent children ALL BY MYSELF.
We left our home at ten a.m. and arrived in Bangkok at around 5 p.m. Not too bad, though we did change one time zone.
Our neighbor, J, helped put us in a taxi. I carried Bella in the Ergo (my newest bestest friend), a small backpack (lifesaver K!), a fold up stroller (carried on my shoulder or rolled), and Sophia in tow (with her own backpack).
We arrived at our local airport (which is new and and quite nice and is in the shape of a peacock, on purpose). I never really listen to the announcements in Chinese, but as soon as I heard the 'Sorry to inform you announcement' I went to the information desk. This is a small place, usually 1-2 flights coming around the same time in the morning and then it slows from there, maybe 5 flights a day, and to one place. The lady at the desk said due to 'fog/haze' my flight was not arriving to pick us up until sometime after 12:30. Meaning, we wouldn't leave until 1:00 or after. Ut Oh. We have learned that the very uncertain: 'sometime after...' could mean ten minutes after or could mean tomorrow. That is just how it works. We had to be on an international flight from the capital at 3:20. I asked her again: 'so, what time will it arrive?' 'After 12:30.' And I explained our situation. This lady (who very well could have been an angel sent from God), told me she would check on things for me.
Ten minutes later she found my crew and me heading toward the bathrooms (Sophia did so awesome with the potty). She said she could get me on the other flight that would leave at noon. Go figure, one flight cannot make it due to fog but another can??? Do I even want to fly at this point? I was so thankful for this. We moved to the other waiting area which actually had a little outside part to it, it was perfect for the longer wait. The angel also brought us two meals (I was shocked, I have seen many delays but have never seen them serve food because of it. We usually pack sandwiches but since we were supposed to arrive in the capital right at lunch time and because my bag could not hold another thing, we had only small snacks). I did not eat much of my meal, but Sophia ate some of hers. At that time the lady told me that the other flight was actually coming earlier than expected, but that I could get on whichever one came first, not to worry. I thanked her profusely for all of her help. And we waited.
Many people talked with us, two men from up north were very polite, Sophia did not mind them. One of them complimented me on my Chinese (when you say one sentence you get a compliment, he was being polite), I replied by telling him it 'still is not okay' and that he spoke so fast I was could not understand him too well. His friend (who I could understand fine) laughed and said: 'yes, he does speak too fast.' I sighed with relief. He kind of reminded me of my friend Nikki from back home. Sometimes I would have to replay her messages to make sure I understood what she was saying (in English mind you.)
I nursed Bella, then fed her her solid food on the plane. We had the row to ourselves because they made the guy next to me move. This is because fyi, the right side of the plane only has enough oxygen masks per seat, while the left side has an extra one per row. Therefore if you are carrying an infant (without a full ticket), they need to be provided an oxygen mask. Instead of making all three of us move to a left side row, she moved the man, and made the one hour flight much better for me. Another gift.
No problems in the capital. Sophia had to go number two, which I knew would be my biggest dilemma all trip. But it was great timing, I wasn't carrying Bella, she was in the stroller. We were in a bit of hurry to check in but I searched for a clean handicap bathroom (western toilet). Note to anyone who cares: do not use western toilets in places where people are not used to using them. I never use them in this airport. They are always filthy and more than once I have seen people standing on them and squatting (because they don't care about closing the door, apparently), always go for the squatty. But I could not do that with Sophia and all her issues. The first handicap bathroom I came too was very clean, unbelievable. And we all could fit in it. No problems!
I thought I was in a hurry but no, not at all. Number of people checking in to fly to Bangkok: 0.
Yes, with all the instability and riots and closings of places, most people stayed away. This happened to be the best time to fly to Bangkok all by myself with two little ones. Thirty people. I counted. That is how many people flew. Why in the world did they just not cancel the flight? No idea, but I was so glad. While waiting we were very hungry. Early afternoon and not much lunch, so I searched the place for something decent to eat. Easy, and clean. I just could not handle giving Sophia hot noodles without a table, etc. So, in the very back of the duty free shop I found one lonely box of saltines and 3 small bags of peanut M&Ms. Perfect. Sophia and I ate crackers and chocolate for lunch. (I did not give her that much chocolate). Bella fell asleep in the stroller.
Then all of sudden Sophia says she has to go 'poo poo.' And the look. I grabbed her, held her tight against me, I grabbed my backpack (no one there to watch it), left Sophia's backpack of toys, on purpose, and pushed the sleeping baby as quickly as I could while carrying Sof on my hip. We made it in time, and...wait for it...she 'didn't have any' (poop). WHAT? '(deep breath, very calmly): 'Sophia you just said you had to go, you go poop and I will give you more M&Ms).' Shameless, I know, but it worked. I just could not handle the drama that moment entailed again, not alone. We happily went back to wait, Sophia's toys present and accounted for.
The flight to Bangkok was empty so that was awesome. It still is hard to feed Bella solids on an airplane, as she wants to move around. She sat at my feet (in bulkhead), and played while I ate, and then I held her to feed her. Sophia wanted to sleep so we moved to a back row to spread out, and She slept great the last 45 minutes of the two hour flight.
The only other time I needed help was on the bus that carried us from the plane to the terminal, it was a huge step down that Sophia could not make. I had all my stuff and Bella on my front. So someone just picked up Sophia's other arm and we both lowered her down. Customs and everything else was fine (because who in their right mind is flying to Bangkok). And guess who was waiting for us??? A bit unexpected, David made it there to greet us. He had a doctor's appt and wasn't sure if he would be out in time, but he was! Reunited at last.
The trip was fine, obviously. But I did vow to only do it again by myself under the following circumstances (big smile):
We left our home at ten a.m. and arrived in Bangkok at around 5 p.m. Not too bad, though we did change one time zone.
Our neighbor, J, helped put us in a taxi. I carried Bella in the Ergo (my newest bestest friend), a small backpack (lifesaver K!), a fold up stroller (carried on my shoulder or rolled), and Sophia in tow (with her own backpack).
We arrived at our local airport (which is new and and quite nice and is in the shape of a peacock, on purpose). I never really listen to the announcements in Chinese, but as soon as I heard the 'Sorry to inform you announcement' I went to the information desk. This is a small place, usually 1-2 flights coming around the same time in the morning and then it slows from there, maybe 5 flights a day, and to one place. The lady at the desk said due to 'fog/haze' my flight was not arriving to pick us up until sometime after 12:30. Meaning, we wouldn't leave until 1:00 or after. Ut Oh. We have learned that the very uncertain: 'sometime after...' could mean ten minutes after or could mean tomorrow. That is just how it works. We had to be on an international flight from the capital at 3:20. I asked her again: 'so, what time will it arrive?' 'After 12:30.' And I explained our situation. This lady (who very well could have been an angel sent from God), told me she would check on things for me.
Ten minutes later she found my crew and me heading toward the bathrooms (Sophia did so awesome with the potty). She said she could get me on the other flight that would leave at noon. Go figure, one flight cannot make it due to fog but another can??? Do I even want to fly at this point? I was so thankful for this. We moved to the other waiting area which actually had a little outside part to it, it was perfect for the longer wait. The angel also brought us two meals (I was shocked, I have seen many delays but have never seen them serve food because of it. We usually pack sandwiches but since we were supposed to arrive in the capital right at lunch time and because my bag could not hold another thing, we had only small snacks). I did not eat much of my meal, but Sophia ate some of hers. At that time the lady told me that the other flight was actually coming earlier than expected, but that I could get on whichever one came first, not to worry. I thanked her profusely for all of her help. And we waited.
Many people talked with us, two men from up north were very polite, Sophia did not mind them. One of them complimented me on my Chinese (when you say one sentence you get a compliment, he was being polite), I replied by telling him it 'still is not okay' and that he spoke so fast I was could not understand him too well. His friend (who I could understand fine) laughed and said: 'yes, he does speak too fast.' I sighed with relief. He kind of reminded me of my friend Nikki from back home. Sometimes I would have to replay her messages to make sure I understood what she was saying (in English mind you.)
I nursed Bella, then fed her her solid food on the plane. We had the row to ourselves because they made the guy next to me move. This is because fyi, the right side of the plane only has enough oxygen masks per seat, while the left side has an extra one per row. Therefore if you are carrying an infant (without a full ticket), they need to be provided an oxygen mask. Instead of making all three of us move to a left side row, she moved the man, and made the one hour flight much better for me. Another gift.
No problems in the capital. Sophia had to go number two, which I knew would be my biggest dilemma all trip. But it was great timing, I wasn't carrying Bella, she was in the stroller. We were in a bit of hurry to check in but I searched for a clean handicap bathroom (western toilet). Note to anyone who cares: do not use western toilets in places where people are not used to using them. I never use them in this airport. They are always filthy and more than once I have seen people standing on them and squatting (because they don't care about closing the door, apparently), always go for the squatty. But I could not do that with Sophia and all her issues. The first handicap bathroom I came too was very clean, unbelievable. And we all could fit in it. No problems!
I thought I was in a hurry but no, not at all. Number of people checking in to fly to Bangkok: 0.
Yes, with all the instability and riots and closings of places, most people stayed away. This happened to be the best time to fly to Bangkok all by myself with two little ones. Thirty people. I counted. That is how many people flew. Why in the world did they just not cancel the flight? No idea, but I was so glad. While waiting we were very hungry. Early afternoon and not much lunch, so I searched the place for something decent to eat. Easy, and clean. I just could not handle giving Sophia hot noodles without a table, etc. So, in the very back of the duty free shop I found one lonely box of saltines and 3 small bags of peanut M&Ms. Perfect. Sophia and I ate crackers and chocolate for lunch. (I did not give her that much chocolate). Bella fell asleep in the stroller.
Then all of sudden Sophia says she has to go 'poo poo.' And the look. I grabbed her, held her tight against me, I grabbed my backpack (no one there to watch it), left Sophia's backpack of toys, on purpose, and pushed the sleeping baby as quickly as I could while carrying Sof on my hip. We made it in time, and...wait for it...she 'didn't have any' (poop). WHAT? '(deep breath, very calmly): 'Sophia you just said you had to go, you go poop and I will give you more M&Ms).' Shameless, I know, but it worked. I just could not handle the drama that moment entailed again, not alone. We happily went back to wait, Sophia's toys present and accounted for.
The flight to Bangkok was empty so that was awesome. It still is hard to feed Bella solids on an airplane, as she wants to move around. She sat at my feet (in bulkhead), and played while I ate, and then I held her to feed her. Sophia wanted to sleep so we moved to a back row to spread out, and She slept great the last 45 minutes of the two hour flight.
The only other time I needed help was on the bus that carried us from the plane to the terminal, it was a huge step down that Sophia could not make. I had all my stuff and Bella on my front. So someone just picked up Sophia's other arm and we both lowered her down. Customs and everything else was fine (because who in their right mind is flying to Bangkok). And guess who was waiting for us??? A bit unexpected, David made it there to greet us. He had a doctor's appt and wasn't sure if he would be out in time, but he was! Reunited at last.
The trip was fine, obviously. But I did vow to only do it again by myself under the following circumstances (big smile):
- the children can each feed them selves unassisted
- the children can each use the bathroom unassisted
- the children can entertain themselves
- the children can walk unassisted
- the children can fill out all their own forms
- the children can carry all their own stuff
Sunday, April 11, 2010
This is it
I may or may not post from Bangkok. So this may be it for a while. David has talked to many people in Bangkok and things seem okay for now. We will play it by ear. He will get there before us and assess everything which is comforting. We may stay a week, we may stay a day.
I survived the week + without him, but missed him terribly. If only I can survive tomorrow. I have had multiple people tell me I am crazy...so I am beginning to think I am. Just need much grace tomorrow.
I told Sophia we were going on a 'big adventure' and she kept saying, 'yep, not a little one, but a big one.' You got that right.
Until next time.
I survived the week + without him, but missed him terribly. If only I can survive tomorrow. I have had multiple people tell me I am crazy...so I am beginning to think I am. Just need much grace tomorrow.
I told Sophia we were going on a 'big adventure' and she kept saying, 'yep, not a little one, but a big one.' You got that right.
Until next time.
travel plans
well, things in Bangkok are worse now. We are still trying to assess what to do. This absolutely is the worst possible time for the political uproar/unrest that is Bangkok, but they didn't ask me did they?
We are still definitely flying into Bangkok tomorrow we will arrive in the early evening. I am not sure if we will actually go into the city. Where we stay is in the heart of the trouble and all of our favorite malls/shopping venues/restaurants are closed. We may stay close to the airport and come right back or head to the beach for a few days...
we will let you know
We are still definitely flying into Bangkok tomorrow we will arrive in the early evening. I am not sure if we will actually go into the city. Where we stay is in the heart of the trouble and all of our favorite malls/shopping venues/restaurants are closed. We may stay close to the airport and come right back or head to the beach for a few days...
we will let you know
Saturday, April 10, 2010
It's still Saturday
what the morning looked like: girls busy. still in PJs
love pig tails, don't you?
girls at the piano
sophia is being drama queen as she 'performs' the song.
We watersplashed after naps and it was so much fun. Bella sat in the stroller while we squirted the guns. Sophia did wonderful, but a lot of times she preferred to wash our bicycles or water the neighbor's plants than play water war. What a little lady. She did accidentally squirt water pretty hard right in my ear, took me back a step. K took some pics, like always so I will post some when I get them.
we are still going to Bangkok. We will meet David at the guest house and assess the situation, we may actually just turn around after one day if necessary and if we can get a flight. We will see.
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