Meet Princess Q

This little lady just went home the other day after staying with us for a little over a week.

These pictures were taken the last day of her visit. It took me that long to get her to smile at me.

THIS was her resting face most of the time...(not just when Gabe tried to man-handle her.)

(Either this disturbed face, or her "why is the world so unfair?"-head-thrown-back-wailing-piteously face.)

Little Miss Q is quite a kid.

Some of her dislikes/pathological fears:

Taking a bath (Seriously! What kid is afraid of taking bubble baths?)

Being abruptly weened.

Being away from her parents.

Seeing her parents on the computer and not being able to get them to come OUT!

Being set down.

Stairs.

Hair spray and blow dryers. (not that I tried to style her hair or anything...)

Having her food messed with. (peeled, cut, ripped or torn into smaller bites)

Some of her likes/preferences:

Elmo. And only Elmo.

Soy Milk.

Being held all the time.

Eating clay. (I took her to pottery and gave her some clay to play with. She was MAD when I took it away after finger-sweeping her mouth.)

Going to bed. (She may have just been relieved to be rid of me.)

Good thing she's so stinkin' cute!!!

Her older brother wasn't nearly as demanding. He homeschools himself. He plays quietly. He never yells. He's a calming influence on Max and Sam. Gabey loved having him around all day...imitating whatever he did.

Cute kids! We'd keep 'em!

Random Thailand Photo's

No Smoking,

No Stinky Durian Fruit,

No Alcohol,

No Dogs,

No C0pulating,

No Large Fire Arms,

and

No Crazy Horned Animals

in the Taxi!

DO NOT wash your feet in the sink...(hands are okay.)

No stomach washing either! (Or is that a baby bottom?) Hands are still okay.

Lunch anyone?

Umm...Arush...!

Ummm...Love Milk...!

Cankles, much?

In case you were wondering....now you know.

Cutest thing EVAH!

Yay Thailand!

*sigh*

Well, we're back.

I got home Tuesday night and Doug got home Wednesday afternoon.

We've already acquired two extra kids (30 minutes after I got home) for a week.

(From the neighbor who watched two of my boys while we were gone.)

We've already had a fight. (My fault. Brought on by exhaustion last night.)

Sam has already been spanked. (Not by me, but evidently he deserved it.)

I've done approximately 77 loads of laundry and still have 2 or 3 left.

We had to make our own dinner last night and change the sheets on our bed--all by ourselves!! (If I'm going to do laundry for three days straight, may as well do the sheets too, right?)

The small patch of sunburn I got on the top of my left hand is already fading and soon I will be my normal, completely pasty-white self. (I also sunburned my scalp where my hair was parted, but I'll bet no one even notices when it turns to a tan!)

Doug is afraid to reconcile the budget for the month, and I just want to go back to a place where I don't have to cook again. Ever!

But, life is good none-the-less.

The boys were happy to see us (for a minute or two) and had a great time staying with their friends. Plus, they liked their souvenirs and were thrilled to get one each from mom and dad...

We got some great mail while we were gone...packages, birthday cards, and even one more Christmas card...(Thanks for the cards Kim & Jenny & Uncle Paul! Thanks for the book other Jenny! Thanks for the V-day loot D&C!)

The two extra kids I have are excellent: A big boy to play with my boys (and he's VERY well behaved) and one adorable baby girl with HUGE brown eyes... (who lets me dress her up and style her hair...)

My cankles have decreased in size somewhat...

The weather has been slightly sunny to ease my transition back into winter...

My cupboard is filled with new Tupperware which is filled with healthy stuff...(which I'm hoping to figure out a use for...)

We can get back to our nightly Vita-Mix fruit/spinach smoothies every night...

(throw in some flax seed and they keep you regular...!)

So, like I said, life is good and it's good to be back.

I suppose.

But I wouldn't mind a trip to Thailand around this time next year.

Yep. That'd be fine with me.

But in the mean time,

VIVA MISAWA!!!

Pretend I'm saying that like I mean it.

Sunday and Monday in Hua Hin

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY/CHINESE NEW YEAR!!! (both on Sunday)

It only took us 2.5 hours to get to the Anantara resort on Sunday morning. Doug is used to things taking twice as long as promised, so he was pleasantly surprised we got here in the estimated amount of time!

I was just stunned by what awaited us:

A sumptuous open-air lobby filled with beautiful wood work, cut tropical flowers everywhere, large pillow-filled beds (divans?), and excellent art work...

A beautiful, traditionally dressed woman offering cold towels and an icy, bright purple drink ("No alcohol! Made from flower!")...

But wait! There's more!

Not only is the entire resort absolutely lush and beautiful, but our ROOM was MUCH NICER than we expected! I mean, it actually looks like the rooms on the website! When does THAT ever happen?

Huge tiled tub adorned with cut orchids and a bag of bath salts...

Ginger soap, Ylang Ylang Shampoo, and Frankincense Conditioner...

Fresh fruit in a basket on the table (along with guide to "Fruits of Thailand")...

Robes and slippers and beautiful bamboo umbrellas provided for your (my!) convenience...

Yep, we were pretty stoked/overwhelmed! (And we sorta feel like posers since we're not, ya know, filthy rich--or even a little rich--like the rest of the guests seem to be!)

As soon as we got settled in, we changed into our swimsuits and went straight back out. First we went to the beach and stood talking in the calm, warm water for awhile. Then, we went to one of the swimming pools to relax for awhile.

After lunch by the beach, we went to another pool with a pool side bar and Doug ordered me a Chocolate/Banana/Creme smoothie...

ARE YOU JEALOUS YET???

You should be.

(Honestly, I'm completely baffled--but thrilled--by Doug's lack of tight-waddery on this trip! It's sorta miraculous, frankly! He actually bought me an over-priced drink! More than once!!!)

The rest of the day and the next day?

More of the same. Sun, Swimming, and frosty drinks in the pool. Heaven!

Totally worth trading in a lifetime of gifts.

I'm really not trying to brag...too much...(maybe a tiny bit)...just sayin', if you're ever in Thailand (and you should be) you've definitely got to stay at Anantara Resort and pay whatever exorbitant price they ask. (Which Doug assures me I don't want to know.) Totally worth it!!! (I'm guessing, since I really don't know the price.)

I'll add pictures when I get home to the camera cord for my camera which I forgot to bring. Or you can see some Doug has on his blog from his camera!

Thanks for the great V-day gift, Sugar Lips! (yeah, yeah...and birthday, anniversary, Mother's Day, Christmas...I get it!)

And thanks for recommending this place and convincing Doug to take me here, Interpreter Pim! I owe you big time!!!

Viva Thailand!

Saturday in Bangkok--or--Thai Nativity

--or--

"The Post Where I Try to Sound Like a Novelist"

The day dawned cloudy and over cast leading one to ask whether they might be greeted by chill air upon stepping outside. But alas, no. As D and I ventured out to begin our day of adventure, we were once again body-slammed by the wet heat.

Our first expedition had been carefully planned and extensively researched over the last few weeks by Doug. We would take the Sky Train, and then a taxi, to the Bangkok Doll Museum.

Yes, a doll museum.

A museum housing numerous dolls. This was our one “must do” this trip and we would let nothing deter us.

Why a doll museum you ask? Because Doug LOVES collectible dolls! No. Actually, because in a non-Christian country, this was the only lead Doug could find on a Thai Nativity set. The one thing I told him he MUST find and bring home. After talking to all the interpreters on the trip with no luck, and even tracking down a Catholic church with poor results, this was our last hope. He had found a website for “Bangkok Dolls” on-line and seen a nativity on the site. But the site had neither directions, nor information about whether or not such a thing was even for sale.

(Why a nativity? We bought one on our honeymoon in Mexico, Doug has one from Jerusalem made of olive wood, and we plan to buy a Kokeshi nativity before we leave Japan. So obviously, this was a necessity.)

We started our trek and after many detours, a trip through the ghetto, and numerous stops for help, we finally found it tucked back in a cul-de-sac in a crumbling neighborhood: Bangkok Dolls(.com) & Bangkok Doll Museum.

We entered and found a small over-heated workshop to the right with 5 or 6 women working--assembly line style--on hand-made dolls, and the museum in the rooms straight ahead.

At our arrival someone flipped on the museum lights and we walked into the deserted edifice.

Surrounding us were display cases filled with …well, dolls. We went from display to display trying to find the one display Doug had seen on the half-functioning website. Finally, we found it in the back corner—a complete Thai Nativity with

…a price card next to it!

TRIUMPH!!!

But would they really have one for us? Would it have to be specially made to order? Would they just sell us the display so we could get our hot little hands on it NOW?

A woman was summoned. Doug motioned to the Nativity and communicated that he wanted to buy it. She seemed to understand and made a phone call including some random hand gestures we weren't sure how to interpret. We hoped someone was coming to assist us.

Finally, the owner of the museum showed up. The son of Mrs. Tongkorn Chandavimol, original owner and doll designer, she made her first doll in 1953. Mr. Chandavimol spoke good English and sent someone to fetch the nativity for us. An assistant brought out the different dolls. A wooden building, Mary holding Jesus, Joseph, three wise men, and three farmers. All distinctively Thai in dress and appearance. (I could have cried with happiness.)

SUCCESS!!!

After the price was negotiated and the pieces taken away by the assistant to be meticulously packaged for transport, we chatted with the shop owner. He told us his mother, after 50 years running the business, was in the hospital. Unconscious and on a respirator. He had retired from teaching Law at University and was trying his best to keep the shop and museum going. He tried to list some things for sale on e-bay, but *shrug*... He was working on the website but…not completed yet. Doug told him he had come to Thailand for a humanitarian mission, Cobra Gold, to do dental work on little kids. He gave us a 10% discount for helping his people.

After 45 minutes or so, we left with our prize and a determination to help this man who was trying to keep his mother’s cottage industry alive. (Know anyone who wants a Thai Nativity? All the info is at the end of this post!!!) 

Our taxi driver, whom we’d told to wait just 5 or 10 minutes, begrudgingly took us back to the Sky Train station and forgave us only when he saw Doug had doubled the promised fare.

(end novella)

The rest of the day?

We went to a HUGE weekend market to shop and my feet once again burst out of my shoes so badly that Doug bought me some $3 fake crocs. (Which my feet are currently stuffed into.) Souvenirs were haggled over (by Doug, not me.) and purchased. We left satisfied with our treasures, but hot and swollen, and went back to the hotel for a swim and some Skype calls to the boys.

(This little boy just played the same two notes over and over. It wasn't pretty. But you had to give him props--and Bat--for effort.)

(One stall featured 20 or so cages filled with puppies. Sorta cute. Sorta intensely depressing.)

I would end this lengthy narrative right here, but I can’t leave out dinner. Even after laying by the pool with my feet up, I was still incredibly swollen and had no desire to venture back into the heat in search of a cheap place to eat. So instead, we did something we’ve never done before in 9 years of marriage. We ate at our hotel. In the “Thai” restaurant. And it was fabulous.

(I got Chicken Satay with Peanut Sauce and Doug got some sort of fish.)

We had the place to ourselves, had awesome food, and were actually able to discuss and plan our future a little bit. (I made a list. I can’t discuss important topics like where we’re going to live in the future without making a list) We actually had a lengthy, uninterrupted adult discussion! Such a novelty!

(Coconut Milk Sticky Rice with Mango and Coconut Ice Cream. MAJOR YUM!)

So, all in all, I can safely say…Saturday in Bangkok was a raging success. And I happily fell asleep at 8:30pm. (Hey, that’s 10:30pm in Japan…and I’d done a lot of walking!!!!)

Now, we’ve checked out of our hotel and are in a taxi headed for Hua Hin (pronounced: Wahine/WahHEEN) to a resort by the beach. Which Doug’s interpreter recommended and which he’s springing for only with the understanding that I not expect any holiday/birthday gifts ever, ever again.

In other words, life is good in Thailand.

Happy Valentine’s Day! And, more importantly around here…

It’s the YEAR OF THE TIGER!!! Happy Chinese New Year!!!

Bangkok Doll Info:

Arbhas Chandavimol, Manager

85 SoiYak Rajatapan, (Morleng)

Rajaprarop Road, Makkasan,

Bangkok 10400  THAILAND.

Tel.  : 0-2245-3008, 0-2245-4532

Fax  : 0-2245-3929

Mobile  : 08-1689-9956

E-mail:  Bangkokdolls@gmail.com

website:  Bangkokdolls.com

Happy Valentines Day from the Narita Tokyo Airport!

Top Row: Soy Sauce flavored KitKat, Sakura (Cherry Blossom) flavored drink, "The American Potatochips Salt + Milk Chocolate", and Panda candy of some sort.

Bottom Row: Valentine goodies and curvaceous soda bottles. Because everyone wants a sexy Lilo and Stich drink.

Friday in Bankok

This Morning:

E: "HONEY! LOOK AT MY ANKLES"

D: "Um, those aren't ankles...*"

First things first: BREAKFAST! We're staying at the Imperial Queen's Park Hotel and I can highly recommend it...because not only is it quite nice, but they have an AWESOME BREAKFAST BUFFET. And, let's face it...few things in life make me happier than awesome breakfast buffets. So after discovering I had a serious case of the cankles and adjusting my Chaco's accordingly, we headed downstairs for French toast, eggs, fresh fruit and juice, muffins, and any number of noodle, rice and curry dishes.

When I asked the server (offering coffee or tea) if they had hot chocolate, she said "no" (as I expected) but then later brought a small steaming pitcher to my table and set it down putting her finger to her lips. It was completely unsweetened, but for some reason, was still oddly very good.

After breakfast, Doug got us a taxi and we went straight to the "Grand Palace" which is a very large complex housing lots of really really cool buildings. (You had to be wearing long pants or skirts to enter--and no sleeveless tops.)

After walking around awhile, I started slowing down and waddling quite a bit. My toes were turning to sausages and trying to expand out of my sandals and it soon became apparent that my feet were about to explode.

So instead of walking the relatively short distance to our next destination, my considerate husband hired a Tuk Tuk

to take us to...

Wat Po: Home of the world's largest reclining Buddah.

And yeah...it's large. Really really large.

And hard to photograph!

Once we were out of the temple, Doug forced my feet back into their torture chambers, and we knew any more sightseeing was out of the question. So it was on to lunch at a little place across the street.

Yum! Very Hemmingway-esqe. I got Shrimp Pad-Thai and Doug got Green Curry which was so good, but burned my mouth out.

We decided the best course of action would be to head back to the hotel and go for a swim. So we grabbed another taxi and headed back. Unfortunately, this time is wasn't quite as efficient and we sat in traffic for almost two hours. We both fell asleep.

--Hotel: Quick dip in the pool, re-dress, ready for next activity.--

D: "Do you want to talk in the car or read books?"

E: "What kind of question is that? Read, of course."

(Tactical error. We talked instead and had to carry our books all night.)

Now for the...

Dinner Cruise (with dancing) on the Chao Phraya River. We got on a bus from the hotel and sat in traffic for another hour. BUT, it was well worth it. The River Cruise was awesome!!!

We were showered with orchids, and glowing jewelry, and attention from waiters and waitresses offering cool scented towels, drinks, and small gifts. There was a traditional Thai dance followed by live music and I was serenaded by the Saxaphonist. We saw a million beautiful sights and danced our way down the river and back. It was amazing. And a few times I had to stop and remind myself "I'm in Thailand! Dancing! On a river cruise! WOAH!"

AWESOME DAY!!! More later...off for more adventure!

*What he didn't say: I have some serious cankles. (Ankles the same size as my calves) Evidently 7 months pregnant + Air travel + 100,000% humidity = EXTREME SWELLING OF APPENDAGES!

"Expecting Mom" has arrived in Thailand!

Despite concern from every flight attendant I encountered today, I've somehow managed the trip safely to Thailand, without giving birth, and am happily ensconced in a nice hotel with Doug.

Yes, that's right.

THIS sexy thing is in Bankok:

(And just to remind me what's in store for me, there's a painting of a nursing mother on the wall of our room. See it behind me?)

(Anyone else have "One night in Bankok" running through their head right now?? I do. Wish I knew more than those four words of the song...)

Like I mentioned, most of the airline employees I encountered today were quite concerned about my delicate state of health. Both airlines needed to see my Doctor's letter clearing me to fly, and JAL even tagged me with this bracelet. (It says "EXPECTING MOM" on the other side.) (In case you couldn't tell by my protruding belly that I've got a little case of the preggers.)
On both the JAL and Thai Air flights I was pre-boarded and pampered by the flight attendants. When it was time to disembark in Bankok, one flight attendant even offered to walk me to the gate and carry my back pack. (Had I known how far away Customs was, I would have taken her up on it!)

Even without assistance, I got my baggage no problem (so what if I waddle a little) and was THRILLED to find Doug waiting for me at our predetermined meeting spot--Starbucks.

Now, after a slightly scary taxi ride, we're here! And it's only 2 a.m.

I miss my boys, but I know they're in good hands! (Give 'em all a big smooch for me, ladies!)

Can't wait for tomorrow!!!

Things I Love

Well, since it IS my BIRTH month, I should be positive, right? Even if it is still crappy weather and my husband IS going to miss my birthday. (I can't complain. I get to meet him in THAILAND two days after my birthday. Well, I can complain a little bit. Since it's my birth month. And I AM the Birthday Brat.)

Anyway, before I run out of positive energy, I'd better do this post.

I LOVE when Gabey climbs in my bed in the (early) morning to "cuh-yo" (cuddle) with me. (Every day since Doug's been gone.) Usually he falls asleep for a little while, then wakes up and wraps his skinny arms around my neck and smiles at me and kisses my face. He can't usually be bothered to stop and show affection the rest of the day, so I have to soak it up when I can.

I LOVE Valentine's Day decorations. I should leave them up the whole month instead of taking them down after the 14th. I came home from the hospital on Valentine's Day so my mom always made a big deal out of V-day for my benefit. (I do not love the heart sewing project I started and didn't finish, however. Curse all sewing projects! No love! Sorry!)

I LOVE when Doug posts pictures of me with my ex-boyfriend/fiance on his blog and then I have crazy, disturbing ex-boyfriend dreams all night. (This is sarcasm, people.) (Does this happen to anyone else when they're pregnant? I ALWAYS have weird ex-boyfriend dreams when I'm pregnant!)

I LOVE reading Doug's Thailand updates! (This is NOT sarcasm! I really do!) I'm getting really excited to go meet him out there. (Even if I'm a tiny bit worried about giving birth in Bankok. Although I hear they have excellent medical facilities there...)

I LOVE seeing cute BOY stuff on-line. Even if I'm too cheap to buy it and too lazy to make it. (DesignMom.com just featured two boy-centric blogs today: www.dana-made-it.com, and madebyrae.blogspot.com)

I LOVE living in Japan because it means I got a Samurai Sword back scratcher (from Max--I'm always itchy...) and a Sushi Play-doh set (from Doug) for Christmas! *I'm going to use the little sushi Play-doh molds in my Hand-building class to make clay sushi for the slab sushi plates we make!*

Oh, and I LOVE well-made Tempura and yummy, hot Ramen, and (some kinds of) sushi, and seeing cool Japanese stuff I never thought I'd see in my life! (Even if I had no desire to see it before moving here. I love it now!)

I LOVE teaching pottery because I get paid to play with clay!

I LOVE that Max makes sack lunches for himself and Sam everyday. I love it so much I'm not even going to mention the resulting mess. Because it's worth it for me not to have to make sandwiches everyday.

I LOVE Ben & Jerry's Chunky Monkey Ice Cream, even if I do spit out the nasty walnuts. And even if eating half a pint DID give me quite the stomach ache last night. It was totally worth it.

I LOVE Spring Time and I'm so glad it's going to get warm next week and never get cold or snow here ever again! Ever! (Happy place, happy place, happy place...!) (CRAP! It's SNOWING AGAIN!!!)

I LOVE Skype. It's freakin' amazing when you think about it. I get to talk to Doug, and SEE HIM every night.

I LOVE feeling Baby kick (no, he still doesn't have a name) and watching my stomach undulate. I think I love the word "undulate" now that I mention it.

I LOVE things that make me laugh out loud.

For example: authors P.G. Wodehouse and Douglas Adams; the blogs None of Your Beeswax and How NOT to Dress Like a Mom; t.v. shows like 30 Rock and occasionally Community; and people--like Doug when he tries REAL HARD!

I LOVE good books that don't have gratuitous s-e-x and swearing in them. Can't think of any at the moment, unfortunately...

I LOVE 80's music! And I really love that Max and Sam were fighting over whether or not to listen to "Promises, Promises" or "Lay Your Hands On Me" in the car one time. (Both from "Rock of the 80's.")

I LOVE ice cream. Did I mention that already? I think I'm going to go eat some now.

What things do YOU love?

Oh yeah...I LOVE blog comments...!

hint hint

MONTH OF THE BIRTHDAY BRAT!!

Em will be turning "28" on February 9th! Unfortunately I will not be able to be with her this year, so since she is such a prolific talented blogger I will dedicate a blog a day until her Birthday! So Em, check each day for your Birthday Blog and maybe I'll bring you back an elephant from Thailand!

Some background on birthday traditions: The original Dubs hang birthday signs in the kitchen. Most of these were drawn with the help of Ed Emberly how to draw books. They were usually a little silly and a bit corny but fun and creative.

HAPPY BIRTHMONTH SWEETIE!

I May Have a Little Bit of a Problem...

I made a small purchase a few weeks ago.

The goods just came in the mail.

I don't know if you can tell the scale of this Box o' Tupperware, but it's half the size of my kitchen table.

Like I said, I may have a little bit of a problem.

When I told Doug I was going to buy some (more) "Modular Mates" to organize the cupboards and pantry he said "with what money?" (Typical response!) I said, "I'll fire Mamasan and use my pottery money!!!"

Yes, I really meant business. (But for the record, Mamasan was losing her luster a bit. She had stopped deep cleaning and started doing mostly laundry and putting it all away in the wrong place. Which is, shockingly, not very helpful. And for the OTHER record, Modular Mates were 40% off at the time of my purchase!!!)

So Mamasan has been let go, and I'm in debt. For Tupperware. And since I make so stinkin' much money teaching pottery, it'll only take me like say...three months to get out of the hole.

Doug is not sure what to make of me. But then I reminded him of my last large purchase of Tupperware Modular Mates: I was about 7 months pregnant. With Gabe.

(Just for the record, my large rectangle Modular Mates will NOT be filled with Cheesy Puffs or Pretzels.

Think whole grains! Totally worthy purchase, right?!?!?!)

I'm going to blame it on nesting. (One more reason in favor of adopting the next one!)

And that is all I'm going to say about THAT!

I have some organizing to do.

Things I Hate

I'm in a bad mood. Not so much bad as just...not good. And I've been thinking about things I hate.

See, I'm not a big hater. I don't hate people. That's too exhausting. And generally, I'm pretty much okay with life. But once in awhile, (January) I get ticked off...at myself, or someone else but mostly just at an annoying behavior or thing.

My neighbor told me when she thinks of me, she thinks I'm "all sweetness and light."

HA! I'll show her!!!

So, here it goes: My list of sourness and dark:

1. January. I hate January. It's cold, gray, and anti-climactic. Even if it's not cold (I'm talking to you, San Diego) it's STILL anti-climactic. What is there to look forward to in January? Nothing, that's what. Poop on January.

2. Dell computers and India-based tech support.

(But I do LOVE my Mac... NO stop it! This is a NEGATIVE post.)

3. Boy Cargo Pants. I've blogged about them before.

4. Hair. Hair that is detached from the head. Hair in brushes and combs. Hair on the floor. Black hair on my things. (Because I know without a doubt it's not mine.) Just HAIR! ICK!

Just say YES to Universal Laser Hair Removal!!! It's a fundamental RIGHT!!!

5. Allergies. I've been sniffling and sneezing ever since I got to Japan. All.Year.Long. Allergy meds help, but only a little. I still sniffle and I still go through a box of Puffs every few days. I'm allergic to Japan!

6. Sometimes I hate the halls after church. I'm not a big fan of loitering to begin with. But you put me in a cramped church for three hours, deprive me of protein, give me three or more kids to wrangle, and you can expect me to exit said cramped church as quickly as possible after 1 o'clock...Must get home. Must remove painful shoes, tights, slip, and skirt. Must eat. Must nap. In that order. Must NOT loiter or be sociable! (Sorry friends. It's a personal problem.)

7. Cereal fused to my kitchen counter/table/floor with dried milk. It takes a hammer and chisel to remove that crap!

8. Whiny bloggers who complain about stuff they hate.

I could go on but...

my neighbor just called.

She said she adds Vitamin D to her daily smoothies and she hasn't gotten seasonal blues this year.

*tortured sigh*

FINE! I'll try it.

...but I'll still always hate January!!!

P.S. After grocery shopping today, I have two more things to add:

* Maternity pants that don't stay up. (all maternity pants)

* And raw tomatoes. Yuck. (Had to buy some for Doug's salsa.)

P.P.S. Not to ruin the feel of this post, but I have to say this. Right after writing this cranky rant, I clicked on THIS link from THIS blog. I must admit...I LOVE this video of Susan Boyle's first performance.

It made me cry. (Dang pregnancy hormones! I HATE pregnancy hormones!)

Items of Note/Notorious Items

*Gabey gave me his first compliment yesterday:

(While petting my just-out-of-the-shower, still wet and uncombed hair...)

"Mama! Yo heh so han-some!!!"

Yep, he's pretty cute. Think I'll keep him.

*Doug is going to Thailand soon for a three week long humanitarian mission. (He's very excited and I'm sure he'll blog all the details soon.) At the end of his trip I'm going to fly down and meet him for 3 or 4 days. (Leaving the kids here.) I'm excited not just to see a cool new country, but to get out of the COLD, WET, YUCKY weather for a few days!

On the way home we're going to try to fit in a visit to the Tokyo L.D.S. temple (my first time) which is an added bonus!

*Yesterday, here in Misawa, it alternated raining and snowing all day long. This created an enormous amount of SLUSH...which I had to walk in and drive in (since Tuesday is Commissary/grocery shopping day.)

I didn't like it.

--End of complaint--

*Last Friday Doug and I went on a date and got really yummy tempura rice bowls. They were REALLY YUMMY! (We also ordered sushi. Unfortunately, we forgot to ask for "no wasabi" so my first (and last) bite burned out my entire nasal cavity. But I learned an important lesson: I still don't like wasabi.)

*Doug got us the latest season of "24" for an early Christmas present and we started watching it over the break. We're about half way through. I'm really worried about Jack. And Tony really let me down. Sometimes I worry about it during the day. Evidently, I can't take this kind of drama when I'm pregnant.

*Speaking of pregnancy, we got the results of the Amnio. (We got the Amnio because an early screening showed an indicator for Down Syndrome.) The results are; Baby is healthy! And still, definitely, 100% a boy!

*Speaking of pregnancy again, Doug said the other day "This pregnancy is so different, if I didn't know we were having a boy I'd think you were having a girl."

So it has been with all my pregnancies. Different morning sickness, different cravings, different symptoms. This time, I'm emotional. See, in my normal life, I'm not a crier. But lately, I cry at the drop of a hat. Hearing a sad story, reading a sad e-mail, (or a happy e-mail) talking to Janeen about Merrill, (who is deployed) watching "24"...all can make me tear up.

Doug thinks it's hilarious. So I punch him in the arm and feel better. (Plus, with this kid I'm gaining weight exponentially. The holidays were not easy on my bottom. I AM trying to eat better but did you know they make CHRISTMAS Cadbury Mini Eggs now? Only they're balls not eggs? It's TRUE! I ate half a bag just last night!)

*We are almost half way through our time here! Woah! Time flies. Better get your visit in SOON! (I'm talking to Call's, Gibson's and Whitacre's. I've given up on the rest of you.)

aaaaaand....

I think now I've covered everything.

--The End--

Christmas Re-cap

Christmas Eve:

Our first Christmas away from extended family, (while living in San Francisco) we went out for Mexican food on Christmas Eve. We liked it so much, we've been doing it ever since. (We don't go out here, though. We make it at home. But who's to say whose version is more authentic...the American or Japanese...??)

We had two awesome (very healthy vegetarian) families, as well as a set of missionaries, over for dinner. (See Doug's blog for the cultural lesson we got from the Australian missionary.)

Our Mexican feast included: Vegetarian Enchiladas, Spanish Rice, Bolillos, (Spindle Rolls), Salad with Hicama, Fruit Salad, Mexican Hot Chocolate to drink, plus Tres Leches, Flan, and Sweet Rice for dessert. YUM!!!

After dinner, we had a spiritual thought from the missionaries, Christmas carols, the Nativity enacted by the kids,

and the traditional Opening of the Jammies:

It was a great night with great friends!

Christmas Day:

Christmas Morning was the best one I've had since becoming a mom eight years ago. Here's why: (It's not even because I got a new piano, Snoopy Sno-cone Machine, Samurai Sword back scratcher, Sushi Play-doh set, sea glass jewelry and lots of books. Those were just bonuses!!!)

My oldest man-child, Maxwell, takes after his father, who takes after HIS father in the area of "present opening reaction".

All three have the same response when opening gifts, and the reaction is...NO reaction.

Or maybe a smile and one-word response.

An exclamation of surprise or happiness is extremely rare, and a joyful jump is entirely out of the question.

So for Maxwell's whole life, I've watched, the following scene unfold:

--Christmas Morning--

Door opens...

Boy (or boys) run(s) in.

Max see's his BIG, MAIN Santa gift, unwrapped, in front of him.

Max looks at BIG, MAIN gift. MIGHT let out weak "cool!", then, IMMEDIATELY moves on to see what else he has. (Once he even uttered the horrible phrase "Is that all?")

This happens EVERY.SINGLE.YEAR!!!

THIS YEAR, however...HE DIDN'T MOVE ON! He didn't look for more!!!

He saw his HUGE pile of loose Lego's (purchased by a thrifty Santa on e-Bay) and with big eyes, moved in and started building!!! And KEPT building happily not even ASKING to open his wrapped presents under the tree!!! Not even bothering to raid his stocking for candy!!!

It seriously warmed this jaded mother's heart!

Sammy, thankfully, is a lot easier to please. He saw his "Ho town of Gee-o Twax*" (Purchased by a thrifty Santa on Misawa's Virtual Yard Sale) and yelled and jumped for joy.** And ALSO played happily without asking to open his wrapped presents under the tree!

And THAT is how I judge a successful gift-giving year! Great job, Santa!!!! You really earned your cookies this time!

(For the record, Gabe got a Little People airplane, and some rhythm instruments, which he liked, but he was mostly interested in playing GeoTrax with Sammy.) (Here he is showcasing some Anpanman finger puppets.)

Later in the day, another of our favorite families (not vegetarian) came over for another delicious meal. (Made mostly by Erin of said favorite family.) Turkey, Potatoes, and Gravy, Stuffing, Rolls, Salad, Martinelli's to drink and Chocolate Mousse Cake for dessert. After which the kids watched a movie and the adults played "Sequence". (Thanks Shad and Kellie, for introducing us to Sequence so many years ago!)

Anyway, it was a busy, exhausting, friend, food, and fun filled two days and I wouldn't trade a minute of it. (Except those minutes when I had to tell Erin we had no other side dishes because Doug had taken a nap and I lost track of time reading my novel...ehem.)

I feel very very blessed that in the absence of extended family, we have such great friends here. We really seem to luck out every where we live when it comes to meeting really cool people. (Who accept us for the sarcastic, irreverent, half carnivore/half vegetarian weirdos that we are.)

That's enough of THAT!

Hope YOU had a Merry Christmas too! Your card is FINALLY in the mail!

Happy New Year!!!!

*Note to all parents with boys: We've been through a lot of different trains and train sets. We like Fisher Price GeoTrax the best! Buy 'em on Craigslist!

**The BEST and my favorite reaction of the day: Sam opens a gift. It's two "Pigeon" books. He YELLS gleefully and then says "These awe by Mo Willems! My favowit awe-tho!!!"