Baby Things

One week from today, insha'allah, we will be holding our new baby-person! I've had several people ask me how I feel lately and my answer has been the same: I really don't know. I'm excited to meet this person who has been rolling around and kicking inside of me. At the same time, c-sections are not fun and recovery is even less fun. I've done this a few times; I know the types of things to expect.

As I've followed the news in Egypt, I know how stressed I would be to try to have a c-section there. It is amazing to me how God has laid out our lives. It is always easy to second-guess big decisions, particularly when they happen as quickly as our move across the ocean. However, I haven't done any second-guessing this time. It is much too evident that even though this was quick move for us, God had been orchestrating this move at this time for a very long time. And it is obvious to us that we are exactly where we are supposed to be. Its a good feeling.

However, I do miss Egypt and think about her people so much. I'm thankful for the times I got to spend during that last week with my Egyptian friends. The hugs and the tears with two of my girls friends and how sweet when another friend took a gold bracelet off her wrist and gave it to me "because I had no time for another gift." I'm thankful that I had enough time to finish packing and clean the house before the van came to pick us without feeling rushed. I smile when I think about several of Brian's friends who caravaned with us to the airport and the last goodbyes there. And I wish I had been able to say "Goodbye" to my friends at my grocery store and vegetable stand.

But, as with any phase of life, it is exciting too look forward. My nesting has taken a different shape this time around. Typically, I like to organize and clean... but this isn't my house and the majority of it isn't my stuff (we are in a furnished house). There isn't much to organize or deep clean. Because none of it is "my stuff" I want to go buy stuff. But it is hard to buy stuff when it isn't your house, because you don't want to buy curtains when you don't know what the windows will be like in 6 months. But it is fun to buy teeny-tiny clothes and socks and diapers for teeny-tiny bodies and toes and hieneys. :)

Exciting, too, is talking about what area of town we want to live in or schooling options for the girls. Activities we want them to be involved in and what we want our lives to look like. Family goals and life-style conversations. What we want our house to look like and what kinds of things we want in the back yard, things like swings and grills.

As with all the previous changes in our lives, it seems as God is leading and directing in these things, as well.
And that is exciting.

Adjustments

 For the most part, for me, life feels normal. It is a different "normal" than what I experienced in Egypt, but it is normal. But I know that isn't what you want to hear about!

One of the most noticeable adjustments has been for us to attend church. In a church building. We haven't done that 1.5 years. Which is a long time for me as an adult, let alone as small children. Savannah doesn't remember it at all.
    We don't know many of the songs that everyone sings with enthusiasm. When we go to a church where we don't know anyone, I worry everyone assumes we are "losties" - particularly if we bring any children into the service. They aren't used to what happens in church and its hard to learn "churchy" behavior as quickly as we might need it. If we do have friends in the service, I'm worried that our lack of singing makes them uncomfortable and I feel myself wanting to assure them, "No, really, we like your church... the songs are great. We just don't know these particular ones!"

Another adjustment has been all the early mornings. Egypt was a late night/late morning culture. There was no sense in waking up early, because no stores opened before 10 am at the earliest and no one else was getting up early. I loved this! Last week I actually found myself with an 8 am dentist appointment. Which was a double-whammy for me, because as anyone can tell you, I hate the dentist and early mornings with equal passion.

In Egypt, my grocery store and my fruit stand were in walking distance. Short walking distance. Here, in America, I have to drive everywhere. I actually heard myself saying to Brian last week, "Well, I just want to be sure I have enough on my list to rationalize driving all that way to the store." All that way being about 5 miles - practically next door in a town the size of Houston.

Brian always wonders what takes me so long when I go to the store. What takes me so long is that the grocery stores here are at least 20x the size of the one I frequented in Egypt. And don't get me started on the customer service.

You know you've been living in a foreign country when...
... your children refer to the automatic sinks and doors as "magical". "Mommy! I got to use the magical sink again!" - Savannah
... you breathe a sigh of relief when you are the only one on the toilet paper isle. Seriously, why are there so many options? And why are they are so expensive?
... you only buy a few vegetables at a time because you know you have to use them today before they go bad tomorrow... then it is a little disturbing to find that they do last several days. What are we putting on our vegetables, people?
... your daughter worries about drinking water from the sink. "Mommy, I'm really thirsty. But I don't know if it is okay to drink water from the sink here like I did in Egypt." - Emily

The Zoo!

Last Friday, we took the girls to visit the Zoo. It is so much more fun now that they are older. I love listening to their commentary about things they saw.

The first thing we visited was the Aquarium and this was probably Sophie's favorite stop. She kept saying "wish! wish!" and pointing with her chubby little finger.

Since we left, the Zoo has become privatized and I was pleasantly surprised about the changes that have been made, particularly the place for the Elephants.

All throughout the Zoo are large plastic animals and Savannah wanted to pose for a picture beside every single one of them. It was cute...

I reached 35 weeks on Friday... I know I posted a 34 week picture two weeks ago, but my doctor is going by the ultrasound date, which is February 9th instead of February 3rd. I was hoping for a January baby so we could spread the birthday cake around a little... but, unless I go into labor early, February is going to be a busy birthday month for us.

And one last shot with a fake animal for Savannah. Seriously, the only picture I took of a real, live zoo animal was the one of the elephant playing in the water.

Happy Birthday, Sophie!

Sophie was one of the sweetest surprises I've ever received. I cannot imagine my life without this precious little crazy person in it.
And she turned 2 on Dec. 30th, while we were visiting my mama.

The day got a little crazy and busy and we didn't get an opportunity to do cake and presents until about 9:00 pm - after bath time. Which I tell you, primarily, so you understand the wet and messy hair on all three of the girls.

She was mildly amused when we gave her a birthday cupcake and then warned her that it was hot. A bit confusing for the poor child probably.

And she really didn't understand it when we tried to get her to blow out the candle, so we had to get some help from the big sisters.

 I think she likes it!

Instead of buying several smaller presents for her, my mom, Leigh and I went in on a bigger present for her.

She had so much fun meticulously taking the wrapping paper off the box.

But she loved the farm!

I think the cow is her favorite animal, because I keep finding it in random places. But every animal says, "Woof!" according to Sophie. Even fish. And birds.

Happy Birthday, my sweet little girl. May this year be full of fun and learning and lots of love. 

Potty Training: Day 1

Last night we bought "big girl panties" for Sophie. She's the youngest I've ever decided to start potty training, but when a kid can say "potty", its time. Plus, I figure that if I am going to the potty all.the.time. thank-you little precious baby-head grinding on my bladder, it will be easier to take Sophie all.the.time. Am I right? Maybe...

Hour 1: We got dressed, wearing big girl panties. After I got her pants on her, she got an extra pair of panties and put them on over her pants. "More padding between her and the floor," and roll with it.

We ate breakfast and immediately after, I took her to the bathroom. Too late already! We talked about it. Then we watched Emily and Savannah and Mommy go potty. Then it was Sophie's turn. She sat on the potty. Played with the toilet paper. Then she peed! We were so excited! We cheered, we gave high-fives....

I became optimistic. Maybe this wouldn't be so bad.

Hour 2: Let me just sum by saying... it was that bad. Every time I put a clean pair of panties on her, she peed in them. Then she pooped. And by this time, I was out of clean pants to put on her. So, in the interest of my sanity and the older girls education, we put on a diaper.

Perhaps age 2.5 is a better age... perhaps when I'm not in the middle of school... or eight months pregnant... or am I throwing in the towel too quickly?

I have never been interested in using those diapers that are cloth with snaps and come in bright colors... like this:

However, would this be a good training panty? As long as they weren't too absorbent, but didn't get messes all over clothes. I can't go through 6 outfits in a hour every hour! 

7 Quick Takes (vol. 8)

1: The Vehicle
Last Saturday, we bought a 2008 Dodge Caravan. We absolutely love it. 

It is in very good condition and has a built-in DVD player and the doors open at a little click of a button. It gets great gas mileage and has stow n' go seating, so we have so much room to move stuff. Every time we drive it, we love it a little bit more. 


2: Christmas Tree Decorating Party

We did a Christmas Tree Decorating Party to decorate Brian's families Christmas tree. The girls had such a fun time eating the fun Christmas treats and putting the ornaments on the tree. 


3: The Public Library

You should have seen Emily's face when we drove up to the public library. She was so excited. Both she and Savannah had so much fun looking and reading all the books in English. Savannah found a great big brown bear that she sat in and read her books. It was so cute.


4: The Aunt

The girls have had so much fun spending time with Aunt Sarah. Since we have been living in Egypt, Sarah has grown into a beautiful, thoughtful, sweet young lady who is turning 17 tomorrow! Happy Birthday, Sarah! We love you!


5: Thirty-Four Weeks

Last week we had a scare with the baby for a couple of days which made us very grateful to be in America with all its technology and my doctor who delivered Sophie. For a couple of days we spent a lot of time in different Doctor's offices and are very happy and relieved to say that all is well and our sweet little baby person is growing and happily practicing karate on my bladder. 


6: Christmas Eve
We spent Christmas Eve and Christmas Day with Brian's family. Maw Maw did a Christmas Tea Party with the girls. 

 The girls have loved having so much attention from their grandparents.

7: Christmas!

 How cute and sweet are these little girls?

 Sophie was much more interested in the chocolate than anything else in her stocking. There was a small doll she kept working around to find more chocolate. I kept trying to pull it out, she kept pushing it back in. Every year my parents put a new toothbrush into our stockings and I have decided to follow it... Sophie walked around with her toothbrush, chewing on it. It was a surprising choice of favorite items, but so be it.

Emily and Savannah received a playmobil set from their grandparents and we spent a good portion of time after lunch setting it up. Afterward, the girls spent hours playing with their house. 

7 Quick Takes (vol. 7)

1: The Over-Due Update
Big changes have taken place since we last spoke. 
        Several weeks ago, as we watched the news, talked with our friends, and followed twitter feeds, we were became increasingly concerned about the civil unrest taking place in Egypt. We were not afraid for our safety, but for events and the timing of the birth of our baby. If we were to have a normal birth, this would not even have been on our radar, but having a c-section in a foreign country during a time of unrest caused some personal worries. 
        Because of the due date and restricted airplane travel, we thought it best to move quickly. 


2: The Move
      And quick it was. Much quicker than we would have chosen to do it, had circumstances been different. On Monday we made the big decision, on Tuesday we bought airplane tickets for a 1:00 am Friday morning departure. I spent three long, but short, days saying goodbye to friends, sorting through household items, packing and cleaning the house. Resorting and packing into suitcases. At the end of it, we had 10 large suitcases, 5 carry-ons, and 1 guitar case. 


3: The Flight
     We left Egypt at 1:00 am and touched down in Amsterdam at 5:00 am-ish. Sophie and the girls slept for a little on the plane and Brian and I dozed. Sleeping on a plane is not at all comfortable or restful. Even after a long day of cleaning and packing. We had a 5 hour lay-over in the airport at Amsterdam. Happily, the airport is lovely and reminded me of being in Ikea. There was a small play area for children with slides where the kids played for a couple of hours while Brian and I alternately dozed and watched kids. Around 8:00 am we ate breakfast at a cute little restaurant in the airport that featured tables built inside blue and white teapots and teacups. Finally at 9:45 am, we boarded our plane to take us to America. 10 hours is a long time to sit in a very small places. My little girls did admirably, even sleeping for several hours.  


4: The Arrival
      All week we have kept our home-coming as a surprise for Brian's family, with the exception of his father and brother who picked us up at the airport. All baggage, stuffed animals, and children were present and accounted for. We drove about an hour to get to their home, the girls jumped out of the car and ran for the door. Sarah spotted them first and MawMaw heard their voices and came to the door. There was happiness all around. 


5: The Aftermath
      Reintegrating into American society has been full of the familiar. Coming home, for me, seems normal. Just as going back to Egypt after my visit to my mother's, felt normal. Normal for America. Normal for Egypt. Each have their own normal. For example, traffic here in America feels normal, because it is normal for here. But traffic in Egypt, while very different than here, feels very normal for Egypt. 
     Speaking of traffic, 70 miles an hour on the highway feels very slow. Even after a year and a half of rarely even hitting 60. I think this is because the highways feel so empty. There are so few cars on the road, no sheep or goats, no donkey pulled carts, no people crossing the highway, no u-turns in the middle of the highway. Empty. 


6: Car Shopping
      One of our big projects this week has been shopping for a car... internet shopping and car lot shopping. It sounds much more fun than it has been. Until today. 
      Yesterday I found several mini-vans within our price range on the internet and so this morning we went to look at them. We walked around the lot and peered into several different vehicles. Our girls are convinced that if it drives down the road and can seat the appropriate amount of people, we should buy it. They have none of all the pre-requisites in mind that we grown-ups do.
      While at the lot, the loud speaker went off, and I was totally expecting to hear the call to prayer begin and was slightly disappointed when it was just a regular anointment.
      We test drove a very nice mini-van that was way out of our price range, but it was fun to drive. The girls loved it and were convinced that this was the car for us. We told them that this was probably not the car were were going to buy and they set to work to convince us. Emily had the best lines:
       "Daddy, how do you like the way it drives?"
       "I like it, honey."
       "Then why don't we buy it?"
       "Because it is too expensive."
       "But Daddy, all cars are expensive!"

7: The Food
      The bacon is delicious. The Blue Bell Ice-cream is amazing (and, I have it on good authority that it contains calcium good for pregnancies ;). 
      The food prices here are unbelievable. Target has Campbell's soups for $0.59 per can, as opposed to almost $3.00 we would pay in Egypt. And HEB has chicken for $1.20 per pound! The girls are happily eating cereal and instant, flavored oatmeal, and very excited about Pop Tarts that a friend bought for them today. 


America seems much the same as when we left. People have grown and changed. We have grown and changed. But much stays the same.