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