Lola Eats Oatmeal

Lola finally got her first taste of something other than milk. She didn't quite know what to do, so she just sopped and spit and made a big mess - but we have broken the seal and there is no turning back. On the third try she ate 2 tablespoons and then 4. She is an old pro now that is day 4... eating a bowl of oatmeal never looked so easy. What a sweet little piggy!

Gracie does laundry!

We have this cool laundry line that goes up and down by turning a simple crank - only problem is that the crank is low enough and easy enough for Gracie to let the clothes down, down, down! On more than one occasion she has been in trouble for lowering freshly laundered towels to the floor - which have to be rewashed - arg! No matter, she never gets tired of helping when it comes to doing the laundry. Yesterday she went out onto the balcony with me and politely asked that I lower the clothes so that she could clip them! This is her version of "helping" these days. It is really cute! She just goes down the line clipping clothespins to everything. We often take a shirt out of the closet to find a stowaway clip hanging from one side or the other. I finally caught her in the act! Here she is - clipping away!

Gracie's Potty Antics

Oh my dear Gracie. She is such a mess! We have moved her little potty to the living room so she will have easy access. Since Lola arrived going potty has been an issue, so we want to make it as easy as possible. I am sure being able to potty in the only room with heat is also an incentive.

This morning our little princess decided there was indeed one more incentive to having her potty in the living room. Our rainy day agenda included a movie and I guess she didn't want to miss any of it so she scooted her little behind (while attached to the potty) across the living room until she was in front of the tv. She then decided she could also play with her Barbies while relieving herself.

I am happy to say that we haven't had any accidents for about a week! PTL! Go Gracie Girl!

A Wedding in Hong Kong

Our friend Paul has finally gotten married! We are so happy for him. It was an awesome wedding too. First we ventured to the University Chapel where he and Millicent were married in a traditional Christian wedding then we joined them and about 200 others for a banquet to celebrate their union.

The ceremony was great. It was the first church wedding I have been to in a long time, complete with a small choir. Everything was in Cantonese, which we can't understand, but were able to read most of the characters and join in on the singing and follow the readings. It was really a blessing to see our oldest Chinese friend finally get hitched. I don't mean oldest as in age, but oldest as in I have known Paul for 8 years +. He was a post graduate student at the medical school where I taught English back in 2000-2002. He was so smart - graduated top of his class. Better yet, he was not so wise that he became foolish. He found Life and pursued it with diligence. After waiting a long time he finally found his bride. And she is a prize!

The banquet was the best I have ever been to. First, once we arrived, Paul & Millicent greeted guests at the front of the hall. She had changed from her wedding gown to a beautiful blue evening dress. She looked like a princess. After all the guest had arrived and were seated there was an introduction and pictures were shown from both of their childhoods on, followed by their wedding photos. Then they were introduced. They entered with the biggest smiles on their faces. Millicent had once again changed into another beautiful white wedding gown, but not the same that she was married in. WOW! They gave some speeches, played some games and then dinner began. The first dish was delivered in the dark. The wait staff came out in a dancing procession holding plates with flashing lights. As the dish got closer we realized it was a whole baby pig that had been roasted. In place of eyes were flashing lights in the shape of hearts. It was so cool. 9 other dishes followed and we ate soooo much. The food was really good. Oh, and I guess while the first dish was being served or sometime after Millicent slipped off and changed into another beautiful peach colored gown.... gorgeous! The man sitting next to us said it is common for the bride to change several times because this is the day she is supposed to look her best. And she did! After dinner, she changed once more into a mint-green colored dress in order to see her guest off. It was an incredible experience. Sorry our camera died so we don't have photos from the reception.

Thank you Paul & Millicent for letting be a part of your special day. May God bless your marriage!
This is me and the girls with Paul's dad - I had not seen him in 6 years. He was glad to see that I now have children. He was already a happy man that day for obvious reasons!

A Haircut... 20 years in the making

Well not really, but hey I've had long hair for 20+ years and it was no easy decision to cut it off! My major motivator was no other than my lovely 4 month old daughter - Lola. While she is indeed the most precious thing you have ever seen, she loved pulling my hair. It is as though an infant has super pulling powers because they can get just the right amount of hair in their little fist and pull with just the right amount of force to torment you - and in this case - torment me into cutting off all my hair!

I would not dare get my hair cut here in the city where I live. It seems that all the hairdressers went to the same school and only learned one technique and one style. I have seen some doozies and I didn't want to be the next victim. While I was in Hong Kong I took advantage of a high scale salon and trusted my locks to a well trained stylist. Luckily I got the same guy who cut my hair last time so I trusted him enough not to watch every move he made. I just told him what I wanted and closed my eyes. The end result was a little shorter than I wanted - by about 2 inches, but I am still pleases with the outcome. The photo here was taken with a special effect so that all the lines and puffiness around my eyes couldn't be noticed. We stayed up past midnight every night in HK and didn't get home until after midnight last night... it is wearing on me and it shows!

Lola Gettin Her Groove On

Lola is our favorite household doll! We manipulate this poor child and make her do all kinds of things. Dancing is one of our favorite things... she is just too cute! Here she is shakin' it with our nanny Huan Huan. Aren't they so cute!

Grace's hair

#1 Stinkweed!

Oh the saga... Gracie and her hair. She doesn't want it brushed or combed or put up or braided or anything else. The other day while she was engrossed in some Disney movie - actually it was probably one of her many annoying Barbie movies - I french braided her hair, one side anyway. She didn't notice what I was doing until I was finished and about to put the rubber band on the end. She protested, but I won. She refused however to let me do the other side, so this is the way she went around for the rest of the day. I thought for sure she would eventually let me do it, but NO - NO WAY JOSE! What can you do?

Mom's Christmas Present

My dear sweet mother, who's age I shouldn't post, fell and broke her shoulder a month ago and has been struggling to do the simplest of tasks. You can imagine how frustrating that can be. She has on more than one occasion told me how disgusting her house has become. She always takes care of everyone and now that she is down and out she needs someone to take care of her. My Dad has done his part by helping her dress and driving her all over town, but noone has yet learned to clean the toilets or vacuum or mop.... so for Christmas I gave my mom a couple of visits from Hazel.

Mom sent me this photo Hazel with a red bow on her head Christmas Eve (actually it was the 23rd in the States). I was happy that Hazel understood just how important she is! Wouldn't it feel good to know you were someone's Christmas present.

Our new A-Yi

Huan Huan is a God-send and a perfect match for our family. Bless Wai Po's heart (our other nanny who stayed with us 2 weeks before returning home.) I think we almost drove her batty, but I think she still loves us and we do love her. It is too hard to try and live with a bunch of strange foreigners even if you do love them. It is even harder to keep up with an over-active 3 year old who doesn't like being nagged about wearing more clothes and eating more food. Anyway, after saying good-bye to Wai Po we were not only sad that it didn't work out, but also sad that we were once again without help. Having a helper here is essential to living or else daily tasks such as going to the market become mountains instead of moehills.

We met Huan Huan over the summer and immediately liked her. We had heard that she had a job that was less than desirable because of the number of hours she had to work and the low pay, so after asking Dad what he thought we invited her to work for us. She accepted and has been great! Gracie loves her and she is wonderful with Lola too. Better yet, I have only had to give minimum instruction and she has been able to wash clothes and dishes to my liking. She is also living in our city so it is a little easier having her work 9-5 instead of living with us. We Americans need our personal space and time - we are strange like that.

This photo of Huan Huan doesn't do her justice, she is a very beautiful girl. Did I mention that she speaks English and is a recent graduate of the University where Matt once taught? What a blessing! Thank you Lord.

Gracie goes to school!

This is Gracie on her first day of school! Cute and ready to go - Barbie in tow.



Shang Ke!
Gracie has been telling us that she "wants to go to school too" for a long time and this past week we she finally got the chance. We have a kindergarten just behind our apartment building and can see the playground clearly from our balcony. Now everyday Gracie goes to school from 9-11 and will hopefully master Chinese by the time we return to the States in June. Ha! She probably will knowing her. Here are a few pictures of her - she seems to be very camera shy when she is at school, so I had to hide behind a post and take this one. Maybe we'll get some better ones next time.
Gracie and her classmates get ready to line up and do morning exercise - you can see that she is already clapping her hands as the music blares! Note - she is decked out with her backpack!

Eggs!

Well at a very untimely time we have come into a whole lot of eggs. AS you can see in the photo we are stocked up for the winter, but are they ok to eat? Who knows. With the news that poultry and eggs have been found to contain melamine, the chemical that also tainted milk here in China and was responsible for making 1000s of kids sick and even killing some. I am leary of eating eggs and especially of giving them to Gracie. Too bad this is one of the foods Gracie loves to eat and we almost daily enjoy an egg sandwich. I figure if the chickens can pass high levels of melamine to their eggs, then I could potentially pass it to Lola... so I won't be eating eggs either. I guess Matt and Wai Po (our nanny) will be eating lots of eggs. Poo - I am so bummed out!

Lele de bao mu lai le - the nanny has come!

Our nanny is more than a nanny - she is family, joined to us via our friend and sister Dora. Dora has been my best friend here in China for well over 7 years and since she moved to Australia last summer we have missed her dearly. When we found out Fan Jie Mei, our last nanny, was also pregnant we knew we would have to find someone to come and help us. You cannot imagine how difficult it is to go out here. Buying vegetables and other things becomes impossible if there is no one to help look after the children. If I take Lola I only have 2 options. I can walk - a long way - and take the stroller, which is preferred to keep curious fingers out of her face and to avoid getting coughed on, etc. Option 2 is to take a bus or taxi, in which I can't very well manuveur the stroller while holding Lola and trying to corral Gracie at the same time. If I don't have the stroller then I have to hold Lola which means it is incredibly difficult to look through the veggies, purchase them and carry them. Oh, and then there is also Gracie which needs to have her hand held in case a rogue taxi or bicycle, which there are many, comes flying by.

Needless to say, we have been in great peril with no one to help us for the past 3 weeks. Granted we have many friends, some of which have come and helped us clean, others who have gone to the market, and others who have come to play with Gracie. But we need someone every day. Now Wai Po (mother's mom - aka Grandma) has come! We are so thankful. She is so sweet and could not have dreamed of having such a perfect situation. Here was Lola's response. All Smiles! Welcome Wai Po!!! We love you!

Gracie all made up

With my make-up.
She learned all about make up from her Mims while we were in Bangkok and now every chance she gets she sneaks into our room and ransacks my make-up. Usually it is just powder and lipstick, but today she got into my mascara. It initially scared me because all I saw was the big black dot above her eye. Later when I was closer I noticed that my little princess has actually gotten mascara onto her lashes. Wow - I can still remember the first time I tried that - back in 5th grade and I don't think I was so successful. Way to go Gracie - but stay out of my make-up before you put your eye out!

Gracie deals with sharing Mom

And not always very well...
I was warned that she would probably revert to her pre-potty trained days and boy has she ever. She has even gone a step further. At first we weren't too worried that this would be a problem. She stopped going poopoo in the potty, but was still using at every other time. I figured she'd get over that set back soon enough, but last week she decided to randomly pee on the floor. Her added treat rolled around in it and spread it all over the living room floor. Why? Because Mommy was cooking with a friend and Daddy was holding Lola while he worked on the computer. Noone was paying any attention to the almost 3 year old who was supposed to be enjoying her daily dose of the tube.
I wish I could say this was the only such incident, but yesterday while she was playing with our friend Tina in her room she peed on the floor and then decided to play in it, rubbing it thouroughly through her hair. We had to wash a lot of blocks and her floor mats as well as her! Will it ever stop? Tornado Gracie has kept us on our toes the past few weeks. She wants to be sure noone forgets about her. As though we could. Needless to say, my house looks like a rat's nest. Our nanny hasn't arrived yet and I do well to get us all dressed and fed each day as I follow Grace around trying to divert disaster. But this is all worth it! I sure love my girls.

Dr. Gracie

Dr. Gracie strikes again. This time her patient was a living breathing baby girl named Lola. I can already tell that these two are going to have a ball together. Gracie thinks Lola is her baby and is very proud to tell everyone about her new little sister. I am so glad that she has given Lola such a warm reception!

Gracie's haircut

Gracie girl has been talking about getting a "haircuck" for several weeks now. We went to get one before Lola was born but the scent of Tiger Balm ran me out of the salon. Yesterday we decided to have a mommy/daughter afternoon out and decided it was a good time to get her "haircuck". We went to a little salon across the street and Gracie climbed right up in the chair. She was such a big girl and I was surprised that she let the hairdresser comb her hair, spray it with water, pin parts up on top of her head and cut it. Then she endured the blow dryer and even let her use a curl brush to shape her new do. So here are a few pics and if you are really interested you can watch the video, although that is especially for the grandmothers.




I sure hope all those curls come back! wha....

Lola's Arrival

Lola Mei Owens - September 9,2008 - 2:40 p.m. - Bangkok, Thailand - 7lbs 8ozs - 20.5 inches

Lola arrived after a very uneventful labor that lasted quite a long time. I woke up from my nap on Monday afternoon (Sept 8th) and knew I was having some contractions. I timed them but they were 15 minutes apart and not very strong so I didn't concern myself to much. We had planned to go to Chinatown that evening, but because we woke up late from naps we decided to go to a local restaurant that promised entertainment in the form of folk dancing and live music. It was our first visit to a Thai restaurant too. We took the Skytrain and after a small hike arrived at the open air barn that served as a restaurant. Other than the stray cats and kittens frolicking around our feet it was a very nice dinner. We stuffed ourselves with coconut curry soup, fried veggies (even lettuce), cashew chicken, and some other stuff.
After returning home we put Gracie to bed and decided to watch some t.v. so that I could figure out what was going on with Lola. The contractions were still coming and after everyone else went to bed I decided to stroll around the lobby for a while and time them. At first they were 8 minutes apart, then 7, then 6.... then 5. But they still weren't very strong - or at least not very painful. At 3 am I decided to go to the hospital to get checked out and sure enough I was dialated 3 cm, but their machine indicated I was only having contractions about every 15 minutes. They admitted me and Matt and I settled in. We both took a short nap and at 5 am my doc arrived and ordered me to be hooked back up to the machine. She didn't want to waste any time and asked if I wanted an epidural and pitocin to speed things up. I refused of course.
They hooked me back up to the machine and those silly contractions were still 15 minutes apart but I was dialated to 5cm. Then we waited, I walked around, I showered... and at noon the doc wanted to break my water. I refused of course. I was dialated to 7 and wanted to see what would happen. At 1 I was dialated to almost 9, the contractions were still 12 minutes apart, but by now the doc was saying I needed pitocin to help push that baby out, and I should probably go ahead and get the epidural too. I was not to keen on it but after prayer I just decided it was ok. So they gave me an IV which was horrible, then pitocin which did the job and my contractions picked up a little. It still didn't hurt though. I was really in limbo about the epidural - but was scared not to get it after my experience with Gracie. Now I wish I hadn't. It was the most terrible part of my birth experience. I hate needles and I hate the way an epidural makes your legs feel numb. I don't like not having control of my muscles either. They gave me the epidural at 2 and the doc said wait a few minutes and see... she announced that the baby would come by 3 - before shift change.... oh that is what all that was about! At 2:35 I could feel the pressure so they had a look then started transforming my bed into a contraption more fitted for birthing a baby. They threw Matt some scrubs and ordered him to change and 5 minutes later I was pushing. 4 pushes and Lola arrived! No stitches needed! Wow! Apparently my diet was good for controlling baby weight too - Lola was almost 2 full pounds lighter than Gracie. Matt was upset that they didn't let him cut the cord and shooed him away when he wanted to get closer to witness the birth. An Australian midwife had come up to be with me and she explained they were very afraid of infection. Ha! That's funny and ironic if you know what a germaphobe I am.


Here is Lola a few hours after birth. The fam came up to have a look and give her some love. She responded with her ballerina pose. Princess #2 has arrived!


Gracie was very excited about her new sister. She loves to hold her and give her kisses. I am so thankful that Mackie (Matt's mom) arrived in time to be with her while we were at the hospital. Gracie did so well. She played with her Mims all day, took her nap like a good girl, and even ate well. That was an answer to prayer! Back at the hotel Lola got a lot of attention. Everyone enjoys just staring at her. Here is Mimi having some time with her new grandbaby. Lola was Matt's grandmother's name, so it is especially special to Mims. We know Grandma Lola was looking down in delight too at our new little miracle of life. Thank you Lord for you give good gifts!

Thailand field trip

I saw 100+ kids on a field trip the other day. They were like ants scurrying over a freshly dropped piece of watermelon. Being a teacher, it was quite endearing, but I was a little taken aback by the lack of supervision. I had opted to stay at our table at the Taco Stand and read my book while Matt and Gracie went to see the sharks and play at the aquarium, so when I went to meet them later I was amazed to see the tangle of 8-9 year old Thai boys. They were cute as could be, but they were everywhere. The food court is on the main level and the aquarium in on the floor below - and it was obvious they were on a field trip to the aquarium - but they were all over the food court; some getting ice cream at Swenson's while others opted for McDonald's. Where were the adults? As I was waiting for Matt and Gracie to exit the little ones began to converge on me - they were being gathered and told to sit in rows just beside me. As they wandered down the escalator or out of the gift shop one of the 3 adults that were obviously their teachers would direct them to sit down. So here were all these children, too many to count, eating their various goodies or playing with their souveniers and I was just in awe at the amount of freedom they were given. It made me nervous, although I think I was the only one. I just kept flashing back to counting heads, buddy systems, and parent chaperones. It amazes me how careful we are in America sometimes - in Asia kiddos ride their bikes to school in very scary traffic, take the public bus, go here and there alone, and no one thinks a thing about it. China seems safe, but Thailand with all the sex trade and scandolous looking characters? Not so sure I'd be as relaxed with all those precious little charges.

For now - I just have to look after one, and in a few weeks 2.... that'll keep me busy enough!

Dr. Gracie checks out Two Mei

I think Gracie actually chose this specific doll because it included a doctor's kit. She has been working on all her barbies and Two Mei ever since. (Two Mei is the baby's name.) She checks her temperature under the arm and declares - "it's 19", then checks her heartbeat and says "it sounds good". She also uses the dental mirror to check baby's eyes and then looks into her ears with the otoscope. She finishes her evaluation by giving the baby a shot and then asking her to spit into the little spit pan. Or whatever that thing is called. She is very thorough. Gracie has said before that she will be a doctor like Uncle Billy and Aunt Tracy - I think she is well on her way!

Two Mei

I committed a cardinal sin by leaving Gracie's baby at home - and we are to be away from home for 2 months. She cried for her the first night we were here in Bangkok and we knew we had to get her another baby immediately. Her baby back home is names Mei Mei which means little sister in Chinese. She has names for all her babies. Anyway, after going to Toys R Us and picking out a new baby I asked her what she wanted to name her. She thought for about 10 seconds and said "Tu Mei" Well I thought that was so cute that she gave her a CHinese name. Tu is actually a surname in China, although I had no idea how she came up with that... I thought it was very cute. The next day she called her baby Er Mei (pronounced R May) and I reminded her that she had named her baby Tu Mei and she agreed, yes, Tu Mei. Then I realized after she interchanged the two names several times that what she had actually named her baby was #2 Mei, because Er means two in Chinese. How clever - now we have Mei Mei and Two Mei.

Kids come up with the wildest things... and we often miss out on the intellect behind it all.

...because it's too hot.

Gracie is too funny. She has heard us warn her about temperature one too many times I suppose, because now her favorite excuse is ..."it's too hot".

Here are a few examples.
Gracie, can you pick up your toys? Noooo. Why? Because it is tooo hot.

Gracie, do you need to go potty? No, it's too hot.

Today she was in the pool with Matt and I went down to watch her newly acquired skills. I asked her to show me how she kicks with her kick board. She was highly resistant. Finally I asked, "Gracie why don't you show mommy how to kick?" Because it is tooooo hot.

I have a feeling I'll be adding to this list. I have thought of writing this blog for over a week and have forgotten most her cutest quotes... so check back with this one!

Org-something veggie burgers

Matt deemed my last batch of veggie burgers, um... very good! So I thought I should share the recipe.
Cook 1/2 cup lentils and 1/2 cup brown rice together for about 40 minutes in 3 cups of water.
Use most of it, I left our about 1/2 cup after it was cooked because it expands and makes much more than 1 cup of rice & lentils.

So throw the following into a food processor and blend well:
previously cooked lentils and rice
1 can red kidney beans (drained well)
1 small carrot cut into small pieces
1/4 teaspoon cumin
1/4 teaspoon Mrs. Dash or other season all spice

Now add to food processor:
1 small green bell pepper finely diced
1/4 - 1/2 cup finely diced onion
1 egg
2 pieces of whole wheat bread or white bread crumpled

For spicey burgers add some jalepenos - yum!

Blend again at medium speed until well mixed.
Mixture will be thick, but won't form burgers very well in your hand.
I use a 1/2 cup measuring cup and scoop the mixture out and into the frying pan forming a blob which I mold into a patty using my spatula. As they cook they start to hold their form a little better - you can add more bread crumbs if you want - that'll do the trick. Anyway, put some oil in the fry pan and cook those patties about 3-5 minutes on each side. Be careful when you turn them, but if they fall apart just reform them into patties using the spatula. I put a piece of cheese on top just before taking them out. Serve on a bun with all the fixins you care to have! Mustard, ketchup, and cheese was awesome and enough for us!

Matt ate 3 of these bad boys.
This recipe will make 6 good size patties or 8 medium ones.
You have to try these - they are scrum-didly-rumtious.
Or something like that!

Princess Gracie

Here is Gracie all dolled up in her newest Princess attire. She would have nothing else but this little plastic crown and feather covered paid of heels to adorn herself. She pranced around for days in this get-up and still has not gotten tired of either of the accessories since we returned home. And now she has her Princess dresses to add to the flare. I love that she loves Princesses and Barbies and all that girlie stuff!

Gracie Swims

Gracie isn't afraid of anything. She loves a good thrill which isn't limited to "Scary" movies like E.T., jumping from high places, and diving into the pool even though she can't swim.

Matt did his best to teach Gracie to swim while we were in Singapore. There was this great pool on the roof of the Y where we stayed and they went swimming several times. There was no shallow end or kiddy pool so Gracie just bobbed up and down in her swimmy arms enjoyed climbing the stairs and jumping back in. She also learned to blow bubbles, kick her feet and float with Daddy's help. Maybe she can get swimming lessons next summer when we go back to the States.

Good Stuff!

While in Singapore I visited the OB several times. She had one of those cool 3D sonogram machines and we got a really good look at Lola Mei. She even smiled for her Daddy which was nice since Matt had missed all the previous sonograms. Lola has Gracie's nose... and we think they are going to look a lot alike.

We are so excited about having another little princess. Gracie talks to Lola every day and is quick to tell others that her baby is in Mommy's tummy. Sometimes she even pulls her shirt up and says "I got a baby in here!" Too cute. Gracie really enjoyed seeing the 3D images of Lola too, even though they are a little alien-like.

Sickies

Wow - what a month. We went to Singapore thinking thinking we would get to enjoy the beach and pool and cleanness of that country, but instead we struggled through one sickness after another. Arggg. Day 3 Gracie came down with fever to accompany her cough so that kept us from going to church as a family the first Sunday we were there. Day 5, I started coughing, much worse than Gracie even, but thankfully didn't have a fever. While at the doctor I was given the other normal tests and found out I had a UTI... then the blood tests returned to show that my cough was due to pneumonia, so I ended up on 2 different antibiotics - yuck, especially while prego. Day 8 Matt got a stomach virus that kept him in the bed for the better part of 7 days... which meant we lost a lot of time and I got no rest. Gracie was not very cooperative being stuck in a new place, still getting over being sick, and not being able to play with Daddy. Finally by the 3rd week we were all on the mend and all seemed to be well. Except for my rapid heartbeat... also known as tachycardia. Going back to the doctor it was determined that I have gestational diabetes. Great! Exactly what I wanted... so no more sweets for me.

So this is the depressing blog... let me get to the good stuff!

Got a Package from Mimi

We knew Mimi was sending some things along with Matt's B-day gift - we expected a few things, but when we opened the box we realized right away that we were about to experience Christmas all over again! Gracie had the most fun! The video says it all - so just have a look!
Thanks Mims - We love you!!!

Mommy's Little Helper

Gracie has become such a good little helper. As a tradition she has always been in the kitchen along side me making goodies, this is something I remember doing when I was her age. Sitting on the counter while my mom cooked - "helping" whenever I got the chance.

Here are a few ways Gracie likes to "help"...

#1 she is my mixer.Whether making a cake, cookies or pancakes Gracie always mixes. Sometimes she likes to add a little of this or that, but I try to discourage such acts. For example, while a guest was visiting (of course) Gracie decided to add about a half a cup of water to our pancake mix - needless to say it didn't taste quite right. On the whole though, she has become a very good mixer and even keeps most of the contents in the bowl now.




#2 Gracie snaps green beans. In China we have these beans that are like 2 feet long and very rounded. They don't, for the most part, have strings that need to be removed so I just let Gracie go to it. She snaps all sizes and sorts her pieces. This usually keeps her pretty busy while I am preparing whatever else we will have for that particular meal.


#3 She loves to fold towels and other things. This is really funny - because sometimes she will go out to the dryer (which takes on average 3 hours to dry anything) and gets things that are not completely dry. She'll folds and I'll put them back in the dryer. She loves doing laundry. She has actually mastered folding dish towels and taught herself. I just can't get over it! I hope she doesn't grow out of this one!

#4 Making cinnamon bread. We don't do this often, but Gracie loves to sprinkle the sugar/cinnamon mixture over buttered bread. It is great for her fine motor development!


What can I say - my little girl is growing up so fast! She is such a joy to us and the above is just a few reasons why!

It's a girl!

Having a belly ache is so not fun, especially when you are prego. After 3 days, I went to the doctor. On Friday, Tracy (who is a good friend, a doctor and former student) arranged everything and went with me. The OB checked me out and said she thought all was ok but ordered a sonogram. I was happy to see the little form growing inside me once again - it is truly amazing. While the doctor was checking to make sure there were no troubles she also told me that the little person in my belly is indeed a girl! We are excited to welcome Lola Mei into the world come September . I must say this was the best experience I have had yet at a hospital here. Everyone was so nice, and even the students who came in for a look stayed a healthy distance away. I was also in a newer wing, everything was clean and tissue were readily available once the sonogram was finished! Jia You Nanchang - I am proud of the improvements I am seeing!

And they lived happily ever after...

Dora finally came back to China for her Chinese wedding ceremony. We were so happy to see her, especially Gracie! I think Dora was happy to see Gracie too!

A Chinese wedding is quite different than what we have in the West, fortunately for Dora she got the best of both. She was married in Australia back in January with the full deal. Church wedding, Christian ceremony, big dinner reception, the whole package... Here in China it was a little different for her than it is for most Chinese girls, mainly because she married a foreigner. He didn't do all the customary things because he is not Chinese.

Usually the bride will get ready at her home and the groom will come with his entourage to pick her up, which entails him begging to be let into the house, many red enveloped being slipped through a crack in the door and a lot of jubilant noise. Once he has his bride he'll take her away on a ride through the city, usually with a long train of cars following each decorated with some flowers or double happiness stickers or balloons. Of course the bridal car is done up the most.

We did do the ride through the city, and everyone knew we were coming. They even had a truck with men hanging out the back lighting strands of firecrackers every 100 yards or so... it was a loud experience. Actually, I think Dora's parents set off more firecrackers than I have ever seen or heard at a wedding or any other event. They began when Mathew took her down the steps and into the courtyard at her parents home. He carried her all the way to the car and then we followed after when the firecrackers were done popping.

After the ride we went to the hotel where we were staying and checked in - Dora had to change into the traditional wedding clothes, which are usually red, but she opted for a more colorful and I must say more beautiful dress. Then it was off to the big dinner.

The dinner was actually good - I know I said in an earlier post that wedding day food is usually strange and pretty much inedible for a 'lao wai' like me. But being in a small town and going to more normal type of restaurant we got more normal food. Lots of tofu dishes, peppers, peanuts, then the pork, pork fat, chicken, and cucumbers. Other than the swine, I ate plenty.

After the dinner we went back for naps at the hotel, then had dinner with all of Dora's family back at her parents' place. Gracie learned to kill mosquitoes and had a very good time doing it. She bonded quickly with the children of Dora's cousins and even cried when it was time for her new gege (big bro) to go home.

The next morning we were back at the house for breakfast and more firecrackers. It was a nice trip and we really enjoyed being with Dora and her family. We also got the chance to get to know her husband, also named Mathew, a lot better. He is such a nice guy and I am so happy for Dora. She is doing well - living in Australia, working as a Chinese traditional medical doctor alongside her hubby, and missing Chinese food!

Dora and Mathew came back home with us and spent the rest of the day and night before going to Yunnan Province for a honeymoon. We shopped and ate yummy food and repacked their bags before they left. It was over too fast and I have gone back to missing my best friend. Wow! Congrats Mathew and Dora! I love you guys!

Love is in the Air

The newlyweds during the ceremony

We always love a good wedding. Today we attended one for my student and friend, Thomas. It was great to see him and his lovely bride and also catch up to some of my other long lost students who have since moved to various cities to practice medicine.
Me with former students - Josh, Lox, Johnny, & ?

The interesting thing about weddings in China is the food. You would think they would have the best food at a wedding, but that is never the case. I cannot remember a wedding that I left with a full belly, ah, except that there are so many toasts you are eventually full of whatever you are drinking. Today I got full of orange juice.
Yum - Pork joint, absolutely no meat here!

Let's see if I can remember some of the delicacies... there was turtle, some sort of intestine dish, a pork joint (photo included), a fish, chicken soup (the only thing eatable), clam something, frog parts and pepper, and a few snack type dishes. Gracie ate more than either of us - that is because she is mostly Chinese.

Well, good thing we didn't go for the food! We did have a very enjoyable time and Gracie made lots of new friends. The MC was so loud, but very entertaining - the exchanged between Thomas and his bride were priceless. Congrats to the newlyweds!
Me & Matt with Thomas & his bride

Overnight in Shanghai

What a whirlwind!
I had this crazy stomach ache a couple of days ago that didn't really go away and after a while I couldn't decide if it was my intestines hurting or my uterus. Being 20 weeks prego made me feel a little anxious about the whole thing so I gave my doctor a call. I expected her to say take some Tums or drinks some whatever... but after describing the pain she said I should go to a doctor. She wanted me to go to HK, which at 7pm on a Wednesday is virtually an impossible task. It was somewhat necessary because all the good doctors in our city were already off at that time and wouldn't be coming back to work for several days.

As soon as I got off the phone with her I called our driver and asked him to check on tickets to HK and the closest cities that are have easy access to HK. Of course there were no tickets, being the night before a National holiday didn't work in my favor. When I got home I called another friend who so brilliantly called the airport and found a couple of tickets to Guanzhou which is only about an hour from the HK border. Problem was we had about 40 minutes to get the airport ( oh, and pack, go to the bank, and get Gracie ready to leave). We knew that was impossible, but we hoped they might make an exception. We got there 10 minutes late and the gate was closed - they wouldn't allow us to buy the ticket because it was too late to check in. (The plane wasn't scheduled to leave for 20 more minutes.)

So we went on to plan B. We had already called the doctor back and asked if the next morning would be ok? She thought if there was a real problem it would be best to get to a hospital that could help me. So we found one remaining ticket on a plane to Shanghai and purchased it. They said if Matt and Gracie waited until 10:15 (flight left at 10:45) they could buy a ticket if someone didn't show up. Of course, everyone showed up - the day before a holiday and everyone wanted to go to Shanghai for vacation. So I went alone.

I flew Spring Air - a new private airline here. It was like being boarded onto a cattle car. There was no 1st class or business class. As soon as you entered the main door you were immediately greeted by rows of passengers. A douple row of 3 all the way back to the tail of the plane. Crowded doesn't really describe it very well, but I guess that is what I would have to call it - CROWDED! That was the longest hour long flight I have ever taken.

When I arrived in Shanghai the place was jumpin'. I stood for about 20 minutes in the taxi line and was finally on my way to the hospital - an international deal. Upon entering the ER I knew it was a major holiday - I was the only one there. After giving blood and pee they said I could go and come back in the morning for a sonogram ( which is what my doctor wanted me to have asap). SO much for going to a bigger and better city. They asked if I had somewhere to stay and I did, my Chinese sister lives in Shanghai, but it was about 45 minutes from the hospital and since it was already 2a.m. I asked about a hotel instead. I could hear the doctor,a fellow foreigner, and the nurses discussing this and he said I should stay at the hospital. I told the nurses I didn't want to pay several thousand if I could pay several hundred closeby... which got a free night in an ER bed. They turned the lights off and everything. I was the only patient all night long.

The next morning I had my sonogram - which was awesome. The baby is so big and developed. We tried to find out if he is a he or she is a she, but I guess since Daddy wasn't there he/she refused to give it up. Anyway, the sonogram doctor said everything was ok. Then I saw an OB doctor who was very unconcerned and said all was ok. So about 8 hours after arriving at the hospital I left and went to my friend's. This is Tian Tian's family - his photos are on our website. We had a nice lunch and I even got to go to the neighborhood Papa John's and buy a pizza for dinner. Yum! We got a ticket online and at 3:15 I was on my way back to Nanchang on a real airplane eating snacks and reading magazines (neither of which were on my flight to Shanghai).
Tian Tian loved pulling around my little suitcase.
Me & Lillian, my Chinese sister. I had to hide
behind her because she made me look like a whale!

I got home less that 24 hours after we left for the airport the previous night. We had an awesome pizza dinner, I discovered that my wallet had indeed been stolen (probably at the bus stop) the day I left for Shanghai, and then I went to bed at 8:30. What a day! Went to Shanghai and didn't even get to eat a salad.

Noise! Arggggg

Ok, I know I live in a developing country, but give me a break. All around us are noisemakers. I have decided that this must be a profession in China. There are many worse things than being woken by a sledgehammer shaking your building - oh, like the sound of metal cutting metal, which is what is currently being done daily on the 1st floor just under our apartment. Today though it was the sledgehammer at just after 7am. Now I know that is not so early, but this just happens to be my Saturday - aka the day I can sleep a little late. But whether it is Saturday, Sunday or Wednesday doesn't matter - the noisemakers work 24/7. I have prayed daily to have a loving spirit toward these people I know are just doing their jobs, but goodness - do they have to start at the exact moment the sun comes up. Do they have to work through nap time every day? I guess so, but sometimes my attitude is - just let me get the heck out of here. We'd move except that where ever we might move would most likely have the same problem. Noise! The enemy of peace. I guess there is no better place to learn to be "selfless" because no one here ever thinks about his neighbor. I am not exaggerating when I say that either. Therefore, I know it is our place to be the ones who are thinking about them... if only my thoughts can remain loving and friendly. Well, more than 30 minutes have passed now since I was so rudely awakened and I have finally decided to not be angry about it any more. SO, off I go to have a good day. I hope!