Hello! We are starting to settle into a routine here in Petro. Ethan and I finally slept more than 5 hours last night, so we are hoping that the jet lag is coming to an end. Caleb, on the other hand is still struggling and waking up every night around 11p, wired and ready to go. That has been somewhat challenging…but we like challenges.
Our time with Julia was good the last 2 days. We had our visit in a room called the music room. Basically, it is a huge storage room with a radio in it. I spend the majority of the visits holding her and rocking her. We have finally figured out that she LOVES to be tickled and she will belly laugh if Ethan does that to her. She stares at us a lot…I think she is just trying to figure us out. Today the caretakers suggested Ethan not wear so much perfume. Ha! I guess Americans just smell different to the Kazakhs because we were deodorant and bath daily? Anyway, he is going to cut maybe the lotion out that he was putting on his face after her shaves? We found out today that she weighs 17.6 lbs and is about 27 inches long. So, she is a strong, healthy little girl. She spit up all over me today, nice to go back to that again.
We are finding that our days are going by really fast. We eat breakfast in the hotel, and then usually get out for a walk before our visits at 1p. After our visits, we usually take Caleb out again on a walk or to the basketball court. Yesterday we found an American style mall with our travel partners; they had a playground where you drop your kid off to be babysat while one shops. No, I did not drop Caleb off there, but he did have a good time playing in it. I think he is enjoying being with mom and dad 24/7, but I know he misses home. Yesterday morning we were sitting on the couch together and he looked up at me and said “New home?” I said “Yes, for now Caleb”. We look at pictures daily of family and friends, and explain to him, that we will go back to our “old home” again. Sweet boy!
By the way, we figured out the lady bugs up the nose are thanks to his cool big cousin Jack. Today he brought me a flashlight, pointed it up his nose and said, “Look for ladybugs mama?” J
Our time with Julia was good the last 2 days. We had our visit in a room called the music room. Basically, it is a huge storage room with a radio in it. I spend the majority of the visits holding her and rocking her. We have finally figured out that she LOVES to be tickled and she will belly laugh if Ethan does that to her. She stares at us a lot…I think she is just trying to figure us out. Today the caretakers suggested Ethan not wear so much perfume. Ha! I guess Americans just smell different to the Kazakhs because we were deodorant and bath daily? Anyway, he is going to cut maybe the lotion out that he was putting on his face after her shaves? We found out today that she weighs 17.6 lbs and is about 27 inches long. So, she is a strong, healthy little girl. She spit up all over me today, nice to go back to that again.
We are finding that our days are going by really fast. We eat breakfast in the hotel, and then usually get out for a walk before our visits at 1p. After our visits, we usually take Caleb out again on a walk or to the basketball court. Yesterday we found an American style mall with our travel partners; they had a playground where you drop your kid off to be babysat while one shops. No, I did not drop Caleb off there, but he did have a good time playing in it. I think he is enjoying being with mom and dad 24/7, but I know he misses home. Yesterday morning we were sitting on the couch together and he looked up at me and said “New home?” I said “Yes, for now Caleb”. We look at pictures daily of family and friends, and explain to him, that we will go back to our “old home” again. Sweet boy!
By the way, we figured out the lady bugs up the nose are thanks to his cool big cousin Jack. Today he brought me a flashlight, pointed it up his nose and said, “Look for ladybugs mama?” J
I love the pictures even though there are "hundreds". I am just so glad to see you all and hear from you.
ReplyDeleteEthan, you need to put lotion on your face ~ it is awfully cold there.
How fun that Caleb gets to play in the snow. We are in the early days of spring here.
Julia ~ what a sweet baby. I love to see her smile. Mary, you look so happy to be holding your little girl.
We miss you all so much, and especially our Caleb.
Love to you all ~ Mom
Hi Ethan, Hi Mary, Hi Caleb, Hi Julia. I love you guys. It was great talking with you Ethan. I have saved your message on the work phone and have listened to it every day. I love seeing all the photos too. Blogger takes a while to load photos, even when I post on my Mac. you might be trying to load multiple times or something, who knows, no matter. still love to see the pics! keep up the good work. julia as absolutely beautiful. i cannot believe my eyes. i miss caleb.
ReplyDeletedear Aunt Mary we miss you very much.I hope Caleb and Julia are having fun.I hope Uncle Ethan is too. love Jack
ReplyDeletethose pictures of that giggling little girl are priceless! i can't wait to see her laugh like that in person. i love the "cologne" story...all i can think of is ethan with a 70's polyester suit and lots of gold medallions hanging off his neck. ha ha! you all look so happy...i am so happy for you. mary, you look beautiful holding julia - beautiful and so very content. caleb looks so much older in pictures. it makes me miss your trips to "baby's house" so much! it's awfully quiet when he's not around. :) thank you for continuing ot post even though i know the dial-up is a pain. love you guys!
ReplyDeleteHi Ethan, Mary, Caleb & Julia. Ethan, I got your Skype voice mail. Loved hearing your voice. We'll have to try Skype again soon, even if it's just IM. Love the pictures on the blog. Thanks for the invite. It's great to join the rest of the family. Love you guys!
ReplyDeleteDad
You both look radiant with Julia- all smiles and glowing! I am so happy that things are going well with her. She looks and sounds ot be a healthy vibrant little girl. I know that you are thankful for that. I don't mind the repeat pictures by the way--y'all look so good as a family. How funny about the cologne too--guess Ethan just smells really good to them :) Keep the posts and lots of pictures coming- Love you! Liz
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