Rainy Day Weekend

It seriously felt like the pacific northwest this weekend... rainy and a little chilly. We didn't do much but had lots of family time, which I loved, and got some things done around house. Some friends came over for lunch on Saturday, and afterwards I drove down with them for some "Cara time." I got a foot massage and a pedicure, and went to my friend's house who had a girl's night out party. We all brought either wine or tapas (appetizers) and just talked. Good times. I got home around midnight, which isn't so bad. On Sunday, I felt like I was coming down with something... I actually thought I was pregnant (I'm not) because it felt like I had morning sickness. Unfortunately, this made me a lazy/tired mom on Sunday, so Gabby missed a birthday party downtown. I feel bad but I REALLY didn't feel good. Anyway, Travis was a super good husband that day... he drove to an art studio that was having a moving sale. We got a great deal on a Little Tikes Cabin and a super cheap play kitchen (some European brand). The lady sold us a snazzy Britax car seat and we got a good price on this tent that holds plastic balls, so Gabby can jump around in there. Travis came home with all these goodies- plus coffee and a Beijing burrito (yum!). He put the bikes together (we had to get new tires) and he cleaned the toys like crazy while I laid on the couch. He gets the good husband/dad award for the day. :)

My Lil' Naturalist

Gabby's new thing now is that she likes to look at magazines- especially Trav's National Geographic ones because they have such awesome pictures. She looks at them and goes, "Oh wow, look at that!" or "What's this?" There was a picture of a shark and she freaked out a little because it looked so vivid and real. The other day she wanted to look at the leaves on a tree. I think there's a little naturalist in there... just like daddy...

I had a nice, definitive moment last night... it was the first time I went to a dinner party and wasn't worried about Gabby. There were other kids there and she entertained herself by playing dress-up with the big kids. It was really fun for me to visit with friends- knowing that she was having fun. She's growing up. I really like this age!

Just Another Weekend

It was a pretty good weekend... Friday after school we went swimming, but left quickly because it was a tad too cold for me. Plus, our friends, Stephen and Velora, came over for dinner. On Saturday, we took a family to the Dirt Market, a famous market where you can buy Chinese antiques. I love going there but I'm always so overwhelmed by everything. Plus, you have to be careful for fake stuff and that you don't get ripped off. People sell gorgeous pottery, Tibetan furniture, paintings, silver jewelry, jade, and knick-knacks to decorate your home with.. you just need time and patience- which is quite hard with young kids. We had a fun lunch at the "shouting restaurant." A place that's really busy, loud, and crazy- which is kind of fun. They also have cheap, yummy Chinese food. That afternoon, Gabby didn't want to sleep, so we stopped fighting it. I took her out for a bike ride and went grocery shopping while Trav played guitar with his buddy. He also went out that night with some friends later- I'm such a nice wife! On Sunday, we had a play date at the school, with all of the other ISB teachers that have children the same age. The kids had a blast! They found some water and were running around naked, playing in the sand... what a fun age...Gabby loves to get messy and dirty so this was right up her alley.

I love her new school. We get a "communication folder" every day she attends that tells us how she's doing and what she did/learned at school. On the second day, the teacher wrote that Gabby was singing constantly and settled in well. :) We are, unfortunately, having issues with her eating... she got some gluten somehow and I'm 95% sure it was from school because she didn't eat anything different on Friday. I let the teacher know and she felt bad but I have to be vigilant. In general, she's not eating much lately and dinner time has been a constant battle. I don't want her to get into the habit of getting a bunch of food choices. What we give her, is what she eats... it's hard... I can see why parents give-in to things sometimes because we're tired after a long day and just want to relax. Anyway, we haven't given up. I imagine it's just a phase. It's not as if she'll go hungry.

Gabby's First Day at Junior Pre-School

Gabby had her first day of junior pre-school (pics coming soon, I think) and she LOVED it. The first day was from 9-11 am and it was an orientation for parents and kids. However, I learned later it was really to "test" your kids at how well they would adjust to a school setting. She had no problems and jumped right in. I love this kid! We made noodle necklaces (actually I did while she was moving them around the table) and a frame for a family picture. She played at the different stations while I chatted with the other moms. So far, we're the only Americans in her class, which may seem weird for some people but now that I've been an expat for awhile it seems to be more the norm. Sometimes there's a language barrier, so it can be tough. At snack time (the part I feared), it went okay. I placed her at a table where there was no bread and told Ms. Penny (her lovely teacher who is from the Phillippines) that we need to be careful about cross-contamination. I was happy to see that they washed all the kids' hands right after. I have a hard time asserting myself at times, but when it comes down to my daughter and her health- I have no problems. So far, they've been receptive. I had to ask about what brand of glue they were using (Elmer's and Rosecrafts are okay) and they said it was a Chinese brand but will check if it is gluten free or not. I can't ask for much more. Afterwards, I dropped Gabby off so she could eat lunch and nap. Chen said it took forever to get her to sleep because she was so hyper and excited about her day at school.

Pulled the Band-Aid Off... Sort of...

Potty training, to me, is a bit daunting... maybe it's because I'm a first time mom, or maybe it's all the people who tell me how easy it is or ask "Is she potty trained yet?" Gabby has been going pee and poop a lot on the potty but we always put a diaper on afterwards- this time it's commando, baby! By the way, EVERY Chinese kid is potty trained by now because they walk around with split pants or no pants and pee and poop on the street. Anyway, I digress... so to Chen (our ayi) this is not that big of a deal. On Thursday, I told Chen to just put Gabby in big girl panties (which are too big- dangit) and just go about your day because she needs to learn, pee on herself, etc. On Thursday, Chen told me that she peed her pants but also peed on the big girl potty. Right on. On Friday, she apparently peed on some ayis. Not sure how that happend exactly. I couldn't understand with Chen laughing and covering her mouth- plus, I suck at understanding bad English. Apparently, she peed on some ayis, though, and it was really funny. On Saturday, she peed on the towel when she was watching TV BUT pooped on the potty afterwards. Awesome. Of course, Travis and I kept asking her if she had to go and she finally said okay. One thing that sucks about China is that you can't easily find normal restrooms, so I put a diaper on her when we went grocery shopping. Is that bad? I know you're supposed to be consistent but she played on a bouncy castle and I had visions of pee going everywhere... what if she pooped again! AH! On Sunday, she missed the toilet and pooped on Travis. I also think she got gluten because her poop was a bit runny- I wish there was a way to check without paying an obscene amount. I love her so much, though. She offically knows her ABC's, still hates the number 5, but is talking up a storm.

Something fun! We bought a toddler seat for the back of my bike, so I can take her places. I'm super stoked to take her to the store or whatever this weekend. She loves it too! I'll have to send video or something.

All in all, another fine weekend with awesome weather. We went swimming on Saturday and Sunday but still haven't gotten the house totally organized. We really need new curtains but I don't know how long we'll be here... We've been asking people if they're staying next year and almost everybody is... living here is comfortable, there are no jobs in the States, there are direct flights, we love our ayi, etc. but T wants an Administrative job and I want to support that, so we'll see... we have a lot to talk about.

Gabby Didn't Pee Last Night!

Gabby has been sick and slept in our bed last night, which we don't normally do but once in awhile it's nice. Poor thing was coughing up a storm (much like her momma since I'm sick too), so I think she felt comfort sleeping with us. When she woke up she said that she wanted to pee-pee on the potty, so of course I jump up and placed her on there. A couple of seconds later- the longest pee she has ever had came out. In addition, the diaper was completely dry from last night so she's getting some bladder control. According to my reading this is a good sign. Yay!

On a more downer note, I'm hating China today. It's been raining non-stop for over a day. It doesn't help that I'm sick and work is really busy. I'm so tired of schedule changes- this is my least favorite part of being a school counselor.

Our First Jewish Bris & More

We had quite the busy weekend... On Friday, we had to work. Duh. Afterwards, we headed to the Pommie for a drink and caught-up with some friends. Later on, the school hosted a Welcome Back BBQ which was good fun- free food and drinks, although the food wasn't great. Chen, our ayi, stayed the night, so we made the most of that and headed over to King's Bar to visit with people- always a good night. :) On Saturday, we had an AWESOME day. Mainly because of where we live... In the morning, Gabby and I took a walk to the local mini-mart (called Lion Mart) and I bought some food and then on the way back we stopped at the playground. After her nap, the whole family walked literally 5 minutes and we were at the pool. We ran into some people there, so that was fun. She LOVES swimming and Travis used to teach swim lessons and is a fish himself so they had a good time playing. That night, Travis took Gabby and made her dinner while I walked back to the clubhouse and got a pedicure. I timed my walk and it was only two minutes. Sweet. It's so convenient here! On Sunday, we went to our first Jewish Bris. After 8 days of being born, it's a ceremony where the boy gets circumsized in front of people. Yikes. However, this wasn't an officical Bris because he was already snipped. It was more like a celebration of life, since he was one month old- and happy and healthy. Travis got to wear a yamaka during the ceremony, which I should have taken a picture of. We had no Jewish friends growing up so we love learning about all of this. Plus, I used to have a thing for Jewish guys growing up (Adam Sandler, Jerry Seinfield, and Adam Horovitz from Beastie Boys). Yah, not sure what that was all about but the point being that I always found the culture interesting. On Sunday night, we did our usual grocery shopping for the week. I made Gabby these yummy baked chicken cutlets with parmesean cheese, parsley, and paprika. I got the idea from my gluten free cookbook. Travis and I liked them but it wasn't a hit for Gabby. Oh well, she still gets them for dinner tonight.

On a different note, I think I'm getting sick. I feel like poop (body aches, sore throat, etc.) and the weather is bad too (rainy and steamy)...

Gabby Highlights- She's talking more and more Chinese. She told the ayi "teach me" in Chinese, as she's enjoying learning both languages. She's saying a bunch of words that I'm not even sure what she's saying. I can tell it's Chinese, though. The ayi shows her pictures of animals and she's starting to same them in Chinese. It's pretty cool to watch.