Walking and Rolling...

Just a small-town girl, living in a crazy world...

Welcome to crazy town!!

Baby N is walking all over the place and I really enjoy it when he springs up from a crouching position, stands up, balances, and starts walking...stops to re-balance and then continues walking some more. Today he walked up behind me and gave me a hug (he also pulled out a fistful of my hair and had bitten NB S on the toes...but those are forgiveables). He has also become MUCH more demanding, and this 'walking' gig has unleashed a brand new 'mah-mah' demon (that, btw is what he says when he wants something--he points and says 'mah-mah').

NB S is rolling all over, from back to front and then front to back (all by way of her right side). She is also talking up a storm and disgusting Peter with how she's continuously gnawing on her fingers, and fist, creating a perpetual wash of slime down her chin and onto her shirt.

Speaking of Peter, it seems that though he continues to send me emails on the wonders of plant-based diets (if it's good enough for Wolverine, it's good enough for me), sadly, he is back in the world of the omnivores. Thankfully, for him, he's re-joined the meat-lovers just in time for Friday breakfast buffet!!

I have been busy creating an on-line garage sale to sell some of the things that are cluttering up our home. I've had to find things, take pictures, upload the pictures with descriptions, and then put the link up on various chat forums. Let's see how it goes.

Little A has gone to bed tonight with Phinn's kennel in her room. The last two nights she has asked that I move his kennel into her bedroom, so that he would sleep with her. Maybe it's his haircut...he looks soooo cute!! So, tonight is her lucky night and they are both sleeping in her room as I type (though he has to come downstairs to go pee outside before we all turn in for the evening).

Today has been quite productive. I managed to FINALLY get back my bottle deposits on three water bottles that I've had since villa 525 (yes--I hung onto the original invoice!!). After about ten phone calls over two years (and I think it was the threat to cut off their service to the Al Raha compound with ONE phone call), I am 75 aed richer today. I can't wait to see how pleased Malou will be when she gets back, as I know she didn't think I was getting my money back. Also, I have also managed to get NB S's swing serviced (the motor stopped running yesterday). They claim that it will be ready in 3 days (do I hear an 'inshallah'??).

Here is a video I made of NB S talking. Please note that I am holding her AND the camera is in front of me, so that I am using little A's judgement to determine how good my angle is. I think it worked out pretty well...

First Steps...

Our inaugural visit to Mushrif Mall Lulu

Looks like Baby N was just waiting til we came home to our un-carpeted, hard, cold and unforgiving ceramic tiled floors before he decided to take his first wobbly steps around. I can't describe how my heart smiled watching him take six (or more) shaky steps in my direction, while he was playing in his bedroom just before bed-time. He was super-excited, and he was more trying to run than walk. Since then, he's been attempting to walk around more and more, and is getting better at balancing himself before he starts moving. Just one less thing to worry about!!

On another note, looks like Peter has just had a newsflash--being VEGETARIAN is a healthy lifestyle choice. He picked up a copy of "The Food Revolution" by John Robbins, and is now filling my ears with all the reasons that I should...umm...become vegetarian?? give up meat??? I'm not sure what his intention is, but every so often I hear him come out with another 'pro-vegetarian' comment, and I just have to give my head a shake. Perhaps he has forgotten that he is singing to the choir...?

Vegetarian-baby

It seems that we have recovered from the jet-lag and now I just need Malou to return from her holidays, so that our lives can get back to normal. Her replacement is...umm.. VERY sweet, kind, happy and plays great with the kids. However, she has really made me appreciate the helper that I have.

Beep! Beep!!

We made a trip out to Mushrif Mall yesterday. This is the mall that is soon to be home to Abu Dhabi's ONLY Tim Horton's (there is much excitement on the chat forums from Canadians who need their fix of double-double). We were VERY lucky to find this CARt waiting for us in the (poorly laid out) parking lot, as it seemed to be the only one in the entire store. The store was quite busy, but we (I) decided that for the extra bit of driving, this Lulu is NOT worth the trip. I will stick with my own Lulu at Mazyad Mall.

Student Driver

Earlier this week (I believe it was Thursday morning) baby N hopped himself up on the Plasma Car and started driving it around. I was amazed not only that he chose to do this himself, but that he managed to sit down and maneuver himself around some very tight corners too.

Of course, we only have ONE Plasma car (so far), and so, now that baby N is using it, little A has suddenly developed an interest in it as well. Here they are 'sharing' the Plasma car, while our friend Lisa (welcome back Lisa!!) holds NB S.

The pitter patter of tiny little feet

DISGUSTING!

My friend Lisa came over for dinner on Friday night, and I decided to try out a recipe for fried halloumi cheese (which I know is her favourite) and pomegranate salsa. We were also cooking up veggie burgers and smashed potatoes (thanks Andrea) and apple and pecan salad with honey mustard dressing. Fortunately, the above word does NOT describe the results of my meal--which was delicious and enjoyed by all.

Rather, 'DISGUSTING' refers to what I found living under our kitchen sink. COCKROACHES! I found myself retching as I reached for some garlic and saw something dark move amongst the dried onion and garlic peels. I ran outside looking for the spray, which is for OUTDOOR USE ONLY, but at that moment I couldn't think straight. It was all I could do to remove the food items, before I fumigated the space and promptly slammed the cabinet door shut--promising not to open up until Sally returned the next morning (a promise I kept).

We made a trip to IKEA on Saturday morning and LOVED! LOVED! LOVED! to find that their Ramadan hours were 11 am to 11 pm (as opposed to 10 to 10), and it was 10:28. So we killed some time having tea, mango juice and breast milk (me, Peter, little A and NB S respectively) as the Yas Hotel. We returned to IKEA and picked up a whole bunch of storage containers, intended to protect our food from our unwelcome guests. We also looked at some shelving options, as it's obvious that we need more space to keep food than we have been given (or I have to become a super-organized grocery shopper--not likely to happen anytime soon).

And now...what we've ALL been waiting for...

It happened on Wednesday night folks. Baby N took his first REAL steps across the room, several times, from papa to mama and back again. It was just before his bed-time and he was dressed in his sweet little pj's and playing in his room. I came up the stairs with little A just in time to see him tottering across the room (a good six or seven steps).

I was (of course): thrilled, proud, relieved and so very, very happy!

Another thing to check off the list!

Look What I Made Today...

This is my first attempt to make a paratha (homemade--not frozen as I've made those several times). Please note the effort I put into making a SQUARE shape (like my mom made for me when I was little).

Little A got accustomed to eating these in Calgary, made expertly for her by my mom or her mamiji. Though they are fattier than a regular roti, they are also made from whole wheat flour, so better (I think) than a bowl of pasta.

We are still recovering from jet-lag. Hopefully it will be a better sleep for us all tonight.

Going to attempt potatoe parathas later.

The long kiss goodnight

We arrived in Calgary late on June 15 (so late that it was almost June 16!!). The flights were LOOOOONG but the children were impressive. Little A is built for international travel and had no problems at all. She enjoyed the 24 hour in-flight dining menu, played, watched a few shows and slept. Baby N was probably the most work, mostly as he did not want to sleep or watch tv--instead he wanted to EXPLORE the entire plane (and since 9/11, his movements have been severely restricted). NB S alternated between nursing and spitting up, but otherwise was quite easy.

Some memorable events on our trip:

1. Baby N's friend the mango smuggler: We met a great lady from India, named Anita, who quickly became baby N's friend. She enjoyed playing with him, and he even allowed her to snuggle with him so that I could relax and enjoy my lunch. Typical friendly baby N. Later though, we had to avert our eyes, as Anita's luggage was identified as carrying contraband by the mango-sniffing airport security beagle, though she had vehemently denied it every time (for 4 or more bags).

2. Little A's first wipe out on Canadian soil as her pappa encouragingly shoved her onto the very long and skinny escalator on her own (thank GOD she's not a baby bird!!). Suffice it to say as she wiped out, scraped and bruised both her knees and screamed all the way up, we had our first stop at Tim Horton's much earlier than expected (the wee hours of the morning the next day).

3. The three F's:

(a) Friends! Friends! Friends! "A" is for "Anne-Marie" and "Ajay". Anne Marie was the first of our friends that we got to visit with, and Ajay (or UNCLE Ajay, from Abu Dhabi) was the last. We managed to visit so many of our friends, even scoring time with friends from San Francisco (Jason and Emily), Toronto (Norman) and Vancouver (Daryl and Ariadna).

(b) Family! Family! Family! Little A loved meeting her cousin 'baby Lyanna' (who at two is no longer a baby to anyone except her parents). We also got to spend time with some of Peter's extended family, who flew in for the wedding (the bride and groom, Aunty Chris and Uncle Gerry, both grew to be favourites of our children), with Jasmine being the 'top-rated pick' of both little A and her cousin. Weeks later, little A still talks about Jasmine, and we also enjoyed her--at 17 she challenges the stereotype of the sulky and 'bored' teenager. I have asked Peter to consider bringing her along as an extra pair of hands for next summer's family vacation. We spent a week in Canmore with Peter's parents and the newlyweds, and it was probably one of the most restful weeks of my entire holiday, as little A loved playing with Aunty Chris and Uncle Gerry (I am sure they are still recuperating) and baby N loved playing with everybody. Little A also had a great time with her cousin Sahil, alternating between loving his company and not liking him at all. I am sure Sahil was grateful that he was an only child. I heard him remark many times that NB S was his 'favourite', as she was consistent and predictable in her behaviours towards him (although he didn't say it in those exact words). Boy...he has got a lot to learn about women...which will come in time.

(c) Food! Food! Food! I was reunited with many of my old favourites: McDonald's french fries with McChicken sauce (yum!), Subway with REAL sub-sauce, eggs benny (no ham) at the Hotel MacDonald (twice--though it wasn't good the second time around), Vi's for Pies (mmmmmm...chocolate caramel cake and three cheese and spinach quiche!), BP's cactus cut potatoes. Honestly, eating EVERYWHERE we went was a treat (even eating at home--nothing beats your mom's home cooking, does it?). Peter's mom also made sure I had plenty of deep fried foods--green onion cakes and bananas....it's no surprise that Malou mentioned that I was 'big' when I got home (yes...really) as it seems I gained five pounds (which I am sure will melt off now that I'm back to eating my own home cooking.

4. Shopping was great. I managed to get out a few times and we even spent a few hours checking out the new outlet mall Cross Iron Mills in Balzac. We found the layout and design similar to the outlet shopping malls we have enjoyed in the US in the past. We did manage to get some great deals, though the prices were not as great as they would have been in the US.

5. Drumheller: We managed to spend some quality time with our friends Rob and Lorri, and their daughter Olivia, in a rented house in Rosedale, just 15 minutes away from Drumheller. The space was great and worked well for all of us, and everyone got along well. We went to the Royal Tyrrell (pronounced 'tee-rell' which surprised both Lorri and I) museum and had a great time wondering through all the dinosaur fossils. There was also a visit to the hoo-doos (which I missed in the interest of giving baby N and NB S some sleep time).

6. The Calgary Zoo was a real treat. Probably the longest day we have spent out of the house with all three of our children, and they were all great! I will never forget the boisterous gorilla was came running up to me and tried to make me flinch by smashing his fist into the plexi-glass in front of my face. I am proud to tell you that I didn't even bat an eyelash (okay--so I may have blinked--but autonomic responses don't count). There were so many animals to see, and it was so great to see them living in such first-class accommodations (unlike our trip to the zoo here in Abu Dhabi).

7. Gina: I set aside and afternoon and evening to catch up with my oldest friend (or rather the friend I have known for the most number of years). Gina and I have known each other since I moved to Forestburg in 1980, and though we lost touch for a few years in between...it was just so amazing to sit down and be with her. I am happy to learn that my friend is still my friend--even though we grew up away from each and have had so many different life experiences, the essence of what held our friendship is still there--and what an experience to look at the woman she has become and try and lay that image down over the Gina in my head (she was 13 when I moved away from Forestburg). It was so easy to be with her, and I wish that we had more time...but I know we will keep in touch and see each other again.

8. Kim--I would be remiss if I didn't devote some space to Kim. We spent some time with Kim and his family in the end of June (prompting us to have to buy an Ariel doll for little A), and attended Sarah's 6th birthday party at West Ed. Then, they went on a holiday of their own to Seattle.

I am happy for Peter to have a friend like Kim, that enjoys so many of the same things he does: a committed relationship, children, investments, good food, cards...and their friendship opened up to include Kimberly (his wife) and I.

In my life, I have always tried to surround myself with people I love and admire, who make me feel good about myself, and from whom I can learn things from. I have learned a lot from Kim and Kimberly (particularly on this trip). I have learned that you can buy these great tiara's from Toys R Us for $15.99 that keep little 4 year olds occupied for hours; quinoa can be cooked in a rice cooker on the 'white rice' setting; and that the Mormons were right--best friends really DO make the best marriages. Kim and Kimberly--you are always in our thoughts and we are sending you love and strength every day.

9. Miscellaneous: The Wiggle's guitar, the drunken uncle, Sahil's NB S song (ghee-toe-von-eee), mom's cataract surgery, Sokmunster, penguin sliding, little A's EKG, two weddings and two babies (Dylan and Finley), Sandy and Fi B&B, the fox...so many little things that I want to remember.

I could keep on with this list, as there are so many things I want to write about. However, my brother mentioned to me that he doesn't read my blog because the entries are TOO LONG (yes..really), so I should probably stop here. Despite one extreme crying jag from NB S on the Calgary-Chicago leg of our flight home, the flight home was actually easy. The children slept for about 10 hours of the 13 hour flight from Chicago-Abu Dhabi, leaving only 3 hours to occupy them. Now we are dealing with jet-lag (in the picture below it is 5 a.m. and everyone had already been awake since 3 a.m.), but at least we are safe and sound at 'home'.