February photos

Here are some pictures from The Boy's birthday party (at the school he no longer attends), our trip to Arica, Chile with our friends that have since left us (sniff, sniff), and day to day stuff.

You had better look at these pictures, or else!

There's No Place Like Home

I posted new pictures to the right of our trips to California and Pennsylvania. My mom says I can't post the stories I want to post about our trip... probably because my funny stories focus on coping with our crazy families (and I say "crazy" in the most endearing way possible). I mean, wouldn't you think someone was crazy if on the first day she showed your escape-artist-son how to open the baby gate? Or how about for watching Fox news? I have to admit, though, that no one in our family offered cake to our children for breakfast like we did on our first morning back home. What? I couldn't wait until dinner to try it.

Here we are less than 12 hours after arriving home.

Thanks for your emails and messages asking where in the world we are... Just a reminder... we're in Bolivia! Our Internet and phone were out last week so I was unable to respond to you. A lot has been going on. We finally received all of our household belongings and then two days later we let our cook and nanny go (long story, but basically we didn't feel comfortable being asked for a raise every few weeks when we're paying more than most Americans in this community). The timing wasn't perfect because we've been surrounded by boxes for a week while I did all the housework, cooking, and taking care of the kids. In other words: I was a mom. I know, I know, it shouldn't be that hard. Remember that I am at 12,000+ feet. Things are different this close to the sun.

We've hired a new cook and nanny and so far (1 day) so good, so soon I'll be able to get back to my normal blogging. In the meantime, I'd like to share some of observations I recently shared with our good friend Terry.

• Is it me or does Evo Morales look like Ponch from CHiPs? We had a nice quiet Sunday at home ... as required by law. Today was the referendum vote to see if the president will stay in office for two more years. Alcohol hasn't been sold since Thursday night and won't be sold again until tomorrow afternoon. Only people with special passes were allowed to drive today and most businesses (besides grocery stores and hospitals) are closed. Oh, and no carrying of firearms in case you were wondering what we had planned to do today. Voting is apparently required in order to get welfare, a driver's license, etc., so they have a pretty high turn-out. I don't understand all the politics, but it seems like Evo is going to get the results on the recall and then determine which law he'll use to interpret the results. I like his style. Could he be any more ballsy?

• I had a very interesting conversation with my Spanish teacher about geography. According to her (and the Bolivian education system?) there are only 5 continents: Europe, Asia, Oceania, Africa, and the Americas. Seriously, that's what she said and then she gave ME a weird look when I named "our" continents. Also, Canada doesn't really exist. There's the South American countries, Central America (not its own continent but it isn't part of the Americas), Mexico and "norteamerica." She explained that that is really the USA. I said, "What is Canada" and she gave me the same "continent" look.

• It is pretty crazy to see all indigenous people here although sometimes I am fooled by the other Gringos I see because I assume they are English-speaking. There is a big divide in the country (thanks Evo) between the Spanish/European descendants and the indigenous people (from what I understand - MH could explain the situation a lot better). We interviewed a cholita (an indigenous woman who wears traditional dress) to be our cook but I couldn't understand a word she was saying because Spanish wasn't her first language (or second or third, maybe). She was pretty severe looking with her hair parted down the center and her big hands that could crush my skull. I don't know how these women do it, but they can carry a goat and a baby on their backs at the same time. MH saw a lady running up a hill with a dining room table on her back. And here I get winded climbing the stairs with an empty laundry basket

• I am afraid that I am getting too comfortable with climbing into a freshly made bed with crisp, clean sheets and plumped pillows. This past week was pretty tough with only the gardener's help and luckily he took pity on us (and made our bed) and stayed for an extra hour to make sure our floors were polished and our car was washed. Thank God because it had only been a week since those things were done.

Spanish 101

Interminable means "endless." We learned that the hard way. The other night we had another family over for dinner and decided to get two family-style (large) pizzas from this place called Eli's. The pizza is pretty good and it doesn't have funky sauce like some of the other pizza places around here. MH ordered the two (large) pizzas and while we waited, another two couples called and decided to come over, bringing a third (large) pizza.

It seemed like the pizzas were taking forever - which didn't surprise me because our experience with Eli's has been that there is a long wait (especially, for some strange reason, if you're eating at the restaurant). At the point when we were so hungry we started enumerating the highpoints of the movie Alive, the doorbell rang and there was our pizza delivery man. He wasn't on the cute little scooter pizza guys usually drive. Instead he had to take a cab to deliver our two large pizzas. And when I say "large" I mean "ginormous" bordering on "ridonculous" pizzas. Somehow, we got the "Interminable" ... endless... pizzas. Take a look. The pizzas are bigger than the kids! We were each determined to eat two pieces and MH and I were still eating leftovers for three days. We didn't even touch the third pizza!

MH with The Boy, our friends' sons, and the ginormous pizzas from Eli's.

There was a place in State College called "Burritos As Big As Your Head" that my brother wanted to boycott because the burritos weren't actually as big as his head... This is more his style, I guess.

Excuses Excuses, but aren't we cute?

Just a few pictures to share with you. I feel like I am the rabbit in Alice in Wonderland - constantly running around. Thanks for your emails and phone calls. We'll respond when things settle down! You should be able to figure out who is who in the following pictures. The last picture is of Laura - the greatest gift we could have (after the two kids!). She kept us all clothed and fed for the past 2.5 weeks. Thanks Doohah!

Keepin' You Cozy

Here are some of our latest pictures to keep you cozy during this holiday season since we won't be sending out our traditional holiday letter until after The Girl is born. We only have about 5 more weeks to go until she's here!

Oh my God! I have turned into my mother! See the towel on the shoulder? The raised eyebrow? The rubber gloves? Granted, she isn't as fashionable (or pregnant!) as I am, but the resemblance is remarkable. The second belly shot is to prove that I am indeed pregnant. A Target cashier asked me if I threw out my back when I slowly stood up from a squatting position. I said, "No, but I am 8 months pregnant! I bet you were thinking, 'Boy that lady needs to work out!'" She swore she wasn't thinking that and added, "Ohhhh... I see it now." I gave her my mom's "look" from the first photo.

It is hard to tell from this picture, but this book doesn't have any words. It is just pictures of boats. We made the mistake of making up words and now The Boy likes it to be read to him the exact same way every time. If we skip one part (like counting the portholes) he won't let the reader turn the page, and he signs "more" until we hit all the key points. There are sound effects, too. This picture was taken during the 14th reading of the night... or something like that. I lost count when we hit double digits. Don't try hiding the book, either. We did that and he has some sort of GPS locator on it, I swear.

Free posters are great. We laminated this one from The Building Museum. The Boy loves it and can pick out certain diggies from the 22 shown. When we say "scraper" he points at the scraper. What a genius! Look how seriously he is studying the poster. I can just picture Papa doing that 30+ years ago.

The Boy's Godmother is supposed to provide guidance, but all the house rules were broken while she was here. Eating in the family room. Boots on... general mayhem and insubordination.

What A Bunch of Goobers!

Here are more pics of our visit to see Tom, Liiz, Alexandra, and Tommy in the peanut capital of the world... Suffolk, VA. According to the city's website

"It's a good time to be in Suffolk."

We thought so!
The Mamarazzi were everywhere from the bathroom to the breakfast table. Look at Tommy in the background. Doesn't he look psyched that he has the playroom to himself (and the big kids are restrained)? Despite what the sign says, this park wasn't depressing at all - Great Dismal Swamp National Refuge.

Work-Release Program

Not that motherhood is like prison, but I realized this weekend that I have basically been on a work-release program for the past 22 months. This weekend we went to Suffolk to visit Tom and Liiz and family. Liiz and I went to a craft parade (I can be crafty) and then out to lunch. At some point we both realized the once-in-our-kids'-lifetimes (so far) experience we were having. We were away from home without kids or spouse and we were doing something just for us. No "work" was involved like grocery shopping or exercising or errand running. It was amazing. Now, don't get me wrong. I missed The Boy and wondered what new and exciting things he was experiencing, but I also enjoyed sitting down to eat a meal I didn't have to cut into tiny pieces or share.

I was going to call this "Private Time" but that is what Papa calls it when he and The Boy stand outside knocking on the door when I go to the bathroom - as in "Let's share Mama's private time." So, this "Mommy Time" has some drawbacks. At the craft parade* Liiz and I saw awesome fleece blankets and scarves by the woman at www.missingmonsters.com. While not artistic or coordinated, I have been known to make fine handicrafts, and with guidance from the other 3 adults in the house, I was able to make some pretty awesome blankets for The Boy and Fantozzini (see picture). Liz made a couple of fancy scarves, too. What exactly is the "drawback" to Mommy Time? Simple, I have created yet another thing to do... Even though I enjoy making fleece throws, it is another thing I have to clean up after. The drawback (or advantage, depending on your perspective/need) for you is that this is the only gift that I will probably be giving for the next 5 years.

*According to Wikipedia, "a parade is an organized procession of people along a street, often in costume, and often accompanied by floats or sometimes large lighter-than-air balloons with complex shapes." This craft parade, while organized, did not offer any costumes, floats, or balloons. I feel like I was ripped off and had it not been for the fact that even the raffle tickets were free, I would have demanded compensation for their false advertising.