Monday, March 30, 2009

cousins

Addelaide had some quality play-time with her cousin Amira today at my aunt's house. The girls are only 3 months apart in age and after the initial shyness got along pretty well for 2 year olds. They bonded over cookies and goldfish crackers. I guess that' s the universal peace offering for toddlers. It was fun to see them laugh and play together. Hopefully they will have lots more opportunities to become friends.

Sunday, March 29, 2009

weekend with Grandma

Addie and I have been spending tons of quality time with Grandma this weekend since Grandpa is working (unfortunately). They've already made-up their own special games they play and silly things they do. Addie's a huge fan of Grandma and even chose to sit with her instead of me while watching Dora the Explorer before bath tonight. We've been having a great time tooling around town shopping for this and that. It's lovely using my debit card and spending U.S. currency on U.S. soil. I'm hoping to boost the economy a little with our shopping. I now have swimming suits for my girls in every possible size. Since all the summer stuff is out now for kids I have to think ahead for the next year when we will still be in shorts and tank tops come October when all the summer clothes are long gone in the States. Anyway, it's been fun putzing around and driving myself in America.
This afternoon the sun was shining (look at those blue skies) so we decided to walk Addie to the elementary school (same one I attended years ago). She played on the swings and the play equipment. First time down the twisty slide she ended up sitting in a puddle of rain water at the bottom which soaked her pants. We ARE in the Northwest so I guess it should be expected. Silly Mom should have remembered a towel to dry off the slide. How quickly you forget the ins and outs of living in a rainy climate. Besides the wet bum, Addie had a blast and was thoroughly tired and hungry this evening.
I also want to say thank you to both my parents who woke up early with Addie this morning, played with her and fed her while I got an additional two blissful hours of sleep. It was so wonderful.

Saturday, March 28, 2009

bath time


It's been a while since I caught some good bath photos of our little girl. She's just so pretty!

Thursday, March 26, 2009

A Quilt for Bella

My Aunt Mary is a Master Quilter. Her creations are works of art. Everyone in the family has received one of her masterpieces. Arabella received hers today in the mail. She's a lucky little girl because I have especially fallen in love with this quilt. The cats are adorable and I love the color combination. The best part is that it's so soft and cuddly. Addie and Bella received a special little stuffed cat to go with the quilt. I can just picture all the playtime Arabella will get on this lovely quilt. Her big sister is already enjoying it.

How do you really thank someone who spends so much time on something so beautiful for your child? I'm not really sure but I am so thankful! You are the best Aunt Mary!

Wednesday, March 25, 2009

catching up

One of my closest friends and roommates from college, Katie, drove down this week to visit (Thank you Katie!). We hadn't seen one another in almost 5 years. It was so great to go to lunch and catch up on all the different places our lives have taken us since we were just students at PLU. It made me miss the crazy fun my girlfriends and I used to have those amazing years at college. It's also wonderful to hear that all of my close friends have really become awesome women and accomplished a pretty impressive list of things in their young lives so far. So to all of my college friends out there; Go Lutes!

Almost spring

Yesterday Addie and I played outside for a little while in between our visits with friends and family. The sun was out but it was still cold here in Washington. I know back in Manila our friends are at the pool all day trying to stay cool in the 100 degree heat. Addie and I are trying to keep warm in our coats and long pants over here. I'm enjoying the cool weather but wouldn't mind a bit warmer temps so Addie can play longer outside. Spring will be here soon.

On a side note: Addie is totally weirded out by pine needles. She freaks if they get on her hands or feet. This happens often this time of the year as they are tracked in the house from the huge pine trees in my parents yard. Addie's not a Northwest girl yet!.

Sunday, March 22, 2009

Portland Children's Museum

Sunday we enjoyed the Portland Children's Museum. Addie was hooked from the first moments when she got three stamps on her hands upon entry. The museum was so much fun and after a few hours of play and discovery she was exhausted. Each area of the museum was well designed and fun. Addie got dressed up in a costume and face paint for a mock theater, went shopping and a children's size grocery store, played with water and magnets, and climbed in all of the Bob the Builder equipment. On another note Addie uttered her first three-word sentence this morning. I asked her if her stuffed puppy was coming with us to the museum or if he was staying here (home). She said, plain as day, "puppy stays here". I was so proud. My baby is becoming a little girl.

Visiting family

Saturday we visited my grandparents and were surprised by my Aunt and cousins as well. Grandma fed me a delicious deli sandwich (something I miss in the Philippines) and Addie got acquainted with her relatives. She eventually warmed up to her Great Grandpa after he made her laugh. Later that day we all got some crisp air and sunshine while raking the yard and letting Addie play outside.

Friday, March 20, 2009

lazy Friday

Addie is adjusting to the new time zone extraordinarily well. I, on the other hand, am struggling. I stood my ground last night when Addie got out of toddler bed and wanted to jump in bed with me. As a result she slept the entire night in her new bed. I woke up tired a hungry at 5 am and couldn't go back to sleep. I deemed the day a lazy Friday.

Grandpa would probably disagree with the lazy part since he was Addie's playmate all day while I unpacked and relaxed. They played outside this morning and brought back pine cones, baked sticky buns this afternoon and Addie cracked the egg for the dough. There was cartoon watching, painting, and building all going on as well. Justin will be jealous to hear that Addie sat and watched March Madness in her rocking chair after dinner. Next she snuggled up with Grandma on the couch and searched for puppies and kitties in magazines until bath time.

Thursday, March 19, 2009

First backyard

I just realized that this afternoon was the first time Addie has played in a backyard. Crazy! I spent my entire childhood in this backyard; climbing trees, digging holes, riding bikes, running through sprinklers. It's hard to believe that playing outside in a yard is new for Addie. I can mark that as a con on the list of pros and cons of living overseas in a third world country. Anyhow, as you can see from the pictures, Adelaide loved being outside. It was a pleasant day and she ran around picking up rocks and stepping on pine cones. Grandma even let her pick some of the very first daffodils that bloomed. Grandpa took her on a walk with her tricycle and then she discovered the swing. The fresh cool Pacific Northwest air made Addie hungry for dinner tonight. Seeing her in the backyard that I grew up in was pretty priceless.

Wednesday, March 18, 2009

We made it

I had prepared myself for the worst and was pleasantly surprised by our travels from Manila to Washington. First of all, the flight from Manila to the West coast is a million times easier than the one we take to the East coast. Cutting off a few hours really makes a difference. Addie did exceptionally well during the flights. All of the new toys we brought and were given as gifts for the flight really made a difference. My saving grace was that Toy Story was one of the On-Demand choices for movies in business class. It's one of Addie's favorites. We colored and played with stickers. It went really well. The airline was also really great about providing us assistance to help carry our luggage. When we arrived in Portland to a gray rainy morning we were so glad to be done with our travels. Getting here was half my worries and with it having gone so smoothly I feel it's a really great omen for Bella's birth. (Flight=easy means birth=easy, maybe it's just positive thinking). Addie warmed up to her grandparents right away. She walked into a house full of fun toys and games. We made homemade wiener wraps for dinner and she fell asleep in her very own adorable toddler bed decked out with stuffed puppies and kitties. She even got to see the wonders of her first wind-up dancing ballerina jewelry box. What little girl wouldn't be happy?

Monday, March 16, 2009

PDX here we come!

On one hand it seems like ages ago when I found out we were expecting again back in Hawaii in August. On the other hand it seems like yesterday when I made the commitment to travel to the States to give birth. At the time it seemed like 34 weeks pregnant was a lifetime away. Here we are, it's March 18th and Addie and I are packed and ready to make the long flight from Manila to Portland, OR. I am feeling every bit of 34 weeks pregnant and am ready for the flight to end and we haven't even gotten on the plane. We are terribly sad as a family to be separated for the next few weeks (few sounds shorter than 5), and are going to miss Justin/Daddy every minute of every day. As he will miss us. The only consolation is that this trip brings us closer to meeting our sweet new baby girl and in the end we will be a family of four! That reward (and hearing some terrible stories from women who have recently given birth here in Manila) makes my decision to be in the U.S. for the birth feel like the right one. Plus we get to spend some wonderful time with our families for the next three months! Huge perk!!! So as you can see I'm a tad conflicted about us leaving. Sad and happy at the same time.

With that we are on our way!

doughnut send-off

We said goodbye to our friends this morning at the house. They all came over bearing doughnuts and juice. The kids played, Moms talked, and we all splurged and ate a doughnut or two (pregnant Moms-maybe three). It was sad to say goodbye, especially now that all the kids are getting to the age where they can really play and develop friendships. We will definitely miss our friends here in Manila while we are in the States. It's not goodbye, just see you later.

Sunday, March 15, 2009

Happy Birthday Justin

We surprised Justin with pictures Addie and I had taken while he was away in Australia last month. He came home at lunch time to spend the rest of the day with us and was showered with homemade birthday cards from Addie. She carefully described to him that it it was "paint" and a "heart". Justin and I are headed to see Watchmen and get sushi this evening to really live-it-up for the big 3-0.

Happy Birthday Justin/Daddy. We love you!

Cake for a 30 year old

Justin turns 30 on the 16th and we decided to celebrate with cake a day early (mostly so Addie and I can have one more day to eat an extra piece). I made Justin's favorite, carrot cake with cream cheese frosting. It's so good! Addie is a frosting girl and just picks off the frosting leaving the cake on her plate. I can't blame her since the frosting is awesome. We had a great weekend with tons of family time together. Addie had lots of time with her Dad at the park and the pool. I know I am slightly biased but my hubby looks pretty darn hot at 30. I might even go as far as saying he is more handsome today than the day I first met him 8 years ago. I am a lucky woman. Not just because he's gorgeous but because there is happiness in his eyes and I know more than anything in the world he loves his girls. I must have done something right to be apart of the last 8 of Justin's first 30 years. Here's to the next 30 together.

Thursday, March 12, 2009

pony tails of a tired pregnant lady

I'm so excited that Addie doesn't seem to mind having her hair fussed with as much these days. She let me give her a pony tail today. She also sat still for her Daddy to put nail polish on her toe nails. She says "pretty" and points to her toes. There is like 3 coats of polish on her toes now.
On another note, I am so tired this Friday. On top of my growing belly and uncomfortable restless nights, Cora became violently ill on Tuesday and has been home ever since. Addie and I managed quite well on our own keeping busy with play dates and trips to the swimming pool. There's only been one moment last night while getting dinner ready and listening to a whining screaming child who wouldn't eat anything I put in front of her that I lost my cool. It wasn't my crowning moment as a Mom. After we both ate we felt better. The problem is that we both loose it when we hit the hunger limit. It's not a pretty site to witness. Without Cora here to help with Addie I definitely feel the weight of Bella at the end of the day. My goal to take it easy my last week in Manila before flying to Washington didn't come to fruition but we are making the best of it. After getting news last night that the other pregnant lady in Justin's office due the same day as me (May 1) was in labor and gave birth to a 4 lb 5 oz preemie unexpectedly 7 weeks early; I decided to sit my butt down and put my feet up. Screw the dirty dishes. Thank goodness it's Friday and Justin's coming home early tonight!