I'm glad Blogger or Blogpost or whatever has not decided to inactivate my blog/account. I guess so long as I use Gmail my blog remains active also? I just happened to "decide" to check in on my blog and found my way to my friends' blogs and read up on their recent activities and goings-on in life.
Facebook has somehow taken all that I enjoyed in keeping up with my blog and made things that much "easier" to post things and/or to just catch up and inform family and friends of our current situation -- which was, ultimately, the reason this blog was started in the first place.
Interestingly, the more creative the world of technology, the more distant I feel I am getting with many of the people I often times find myself wishing to remain close to. Did that make sense?
Sunday, December 06, 2009
Sunday, August 02, 2009
Where To Begin?
It has been far too long since I last wrote, I honestly don't know where to begin. So much is going on, but to find time to sit and write has been difficult.
Update on Lexie seems most appropriate now. Well, my little girl is 6 months old! She sits unassisted now, grabs things and is earnestly curious of the things she holds in her hands. She babbles and coos and even has a tooth poking out of her lower gum now. Lexie is eating solids, having already found a liking for green beans, sweet potato, but her favorite is... squash! :-) She is also doing well with her sleep training - a lot less fussy at this stage of development than her older brother was.
Speaking of Ethan, he turns 3 in a couple of months. Ethan is learning many things every day and is inquisitive about everything around him. He is spoken to in english and mandarin and speaks both, though still prefers/relies on english a lot when responding to instructions in mandarin. He can recite at least a couple of Baha'i prayers in both languages! :-)
The rest of the family is doing well also. Life in Blue Ridge is getting better, though still not quite there on the friends front. If we can move, we will, but if not, we are thankful for what we have here and will make the most of it, for our children especially.
We have been spoiled for several months now with grandparental assistance. Cooking, cleaning, laundry, ironing, comforting presence, games. We will be a mess - literally and emotionally - when back to our lonesome :-) But we are growing and can handle almost any challenge it seems.
I have made some personal goals to get fitter recently. About two months ago, I weighed around 186lbs. Well not quite that heavy, but that is the heaviest I have ever weighed I think. Now, I weigh around 170-173lbs. (I weighed as low as 169.5 :-P) So making some progress. I am trying to "train" for the Atlanta Marathon on Thanksgiving Day (November 26). Should I do it? Registration does not end until August 31st, so I have time to mull it over. (hopefully I can go through with it).
Labor day long weekend is TBS weekend again this year. Tennessee Baha'i School. Should be fun, fun, fun, and Ethan is enrolling in the preschool class (3-4 yr old) even though he will be 3 weeks shy of his 3rd birthday. Lexie will be in the nursery. The night concerts will feature the Prices, which will be hopping and uplifting!! Can't wait!
OK, Ethan is hanging off my arm - and this last sentence has taken me a good few minutes to complete (typing).
I'm off...
Much love!
Update on Lexie seems most appropriate now. Well, my little girl is 6 months old! She sits unassisted now, grabs things and is earnestly curious of the things she holds in her hands. She babbles and coos and even has a tooth poking out of her lower gum now. Lexie is eating solids, having already found a liking for green beans, sweet potato, but her favorite is... squash! :-) She is also doing well with her sleep training - a lot less fussy at this stage of development than her older brother was.
Speaking of Ethan, he turns 3 in a couple of months. Ethan is learning many things every day and is inquisitive about everything around him. He is spoken to in english and mandarin and speaks both, though still prefers/relies on english a lot when responding to instructions in mandarin. He can recite at least a couple of Baha'i prayers in both languages! :-)
The rest of the family is doing well also. Life in Blue Ridge is getting better, though still not quite there on the friends front. If we can move, we will, but if not, we are thankful for what we have here and will make the most of it, for our children especially.
We have been spoiled for several months now with grandparental assistance. Cooking, cleaning, laundry, ironing, comforting presence, games. We will be a mess - literally and emotionally - when back to our lonesome :-) But we are growing and can handle almost any challenge it seems.
I have made some personal goals to get fitter recently. About two months ago, I weighed around 186lbs. Well not quite that heavy, but that is the heaviest I have ever weighed I think. Now, I weigh around 170-173lbs. (I weighed as low as 169.5 :-P) So making some progress. I am trying to "train" for the Atlanta Marathon on Thanksgiving Day (November 26). Should I do it? Registration does not end until August 31st, so I have time to mull it over. (hopefully I can go through with it).
Labor day long weekend is TBS weekend again this year. Tennessee Baha'i School. Should be fun, fun, fun, and Ethan is enrolling in the preschool class (3-4 yr old) even though he will be 3 weeks shy of his 3rd birthday. Lexie will be in the nursery. The night concerts will feature the Prices, which will be hopping and uplifting!! Can't wait!
OK, Ethan is hanging off my arm - and this last sentence has taken me a good few minutes to complete (typing).
I'm off...
Much love!
Monday, March 16, 2009
Weekend With Krishelle
A break from the monotony, this weekend we had a dear friend come and visit us! Saturday morning, I picked up Krishelle from the airport and we drove straight back up to Blue Ridge (home). Since I am fasting also, I had to stop by some place to pick up something to eat before the sun rose. What first comes to mind? Why what else, but the Golden Arches. That's right. Micky-D's (McDonald's) it was. I ordered this southern chicken and biscuit meal with a hashbrown, side of scrambled eggs, and a hot tea. Not realizing this was not the easiest meal to eat while driving... but I digress. I then doubled my order. Then paid. I figured if I could not finish all this food, and if Krishelle had not eaten breakfast yet, she may just be craving for a chicken biscuit and hashbrown? Hee hee ...
I drove. It was raining. And for some reason, either due to the fasting (and the spiritual forces that really work to cleanse your soul) or the weather .. or the combination .. or the not-so-spiritual music I was listening to (Akon).. but the drive to the airport was rather emotional for me.
I was crying. I was a mess! Ate some egg. Cried. I'm surprised I could see through my tears, my eyeglasses, the rain on my windshield, to see where I was driving! My tea was too hot to drink (right away) .. I was a MESS! And what exactly was I crying about? That would take too long to put to words now, but ALL imaginary situations. My mind was so creative at putting me to tears, I was probably just in need of whatever it is that crying realeases within your body (seratonin? endorphins? I forget), because I certainly felt better afterwards. There's nothing like a good crying session... except for maybe FOOD and (sigh) sleep.
So I made it almost to the airport when Krishelle calls and tells me she had arrived safely and to call her when I got closer. I was there in ten minutes, and we turned right around and ... got lost. That's right, I did not turn on my GPS since I figured I should know the directions by now. And I do. But only from North Terminal to our home and back (or the other way around)... you know what I mean. Krishelle arrived at South Terminal and so leaving, the roads were different and unfamiliar to me.
Turning on Krishelle's Nuvi (GPS) instead - and listening to a British man's voice giving out directions (we have Jill, the American girl, on our Nuvi) - we found our way to the interstate that I know and love. So we were off to the mountains!
We arrived, it was still pouring outside.
Anyways, the weekend flew by in a hurry, and we mostly stayed at home. Kelly and Krishelle and Lexie usually went out for meals, while Ethan, Mom and I stayed at home (we can't eat anyways so figured keep Ethan fed and happy without the wet outside to negotiate). It's been a fun couple of days. Like the "old times" of Durham. Sadly, Krishelle flies back today, so I will be taking her to the airport, and Ethan has "pink eye". Hey, at least we had a healthy Ethan for a day, right? That's a bonus these days!
So just waiting now before we leave for the airport. Krishelle has been fantastic with Ethan - always engaging him with something new, imaginary play, and story telling. She will be missed, by Ethan mostly, and us all for sure.
The rain is getting heavier now. Sorry Krishelle. The rain fell precisely during the dates of your travel to see us. Maybe it is our turn next to visit you - in sunny San Diego!
I drove. It was raining. And for some reason, either due to the fasting (and the spiritual forces that really work to cleanse your soul) or the weather .. or the combination .. or the not-so-spiritual music I was listening to (Akon).. but the drive to the airport was rather emotional for me.
I was crying. I was a mess! Ate some egg. Cried. I'm surprised I could see through my tears, my eyeglasses, the rain on my windshield, to see where I was driving! My tea was too hot to drink (right away) .. I was a MESS! And what exactly was I crying about? That would take too long to put to words now, but ALL imaginary situations. My mind was so creative at putting me to tears, I was probably just in need of whatever it is that crying realeases within your body (seratonin? endorphins? I forget), because I certainly felt better afterwards. There's nothing like a good crying session... except for maybe FOOD and (sigh) sleep.
So I made it almost to the airport when Krishelle calls and tells me she had arrived safely and to call her when I got closer. I was there in ten minutes, and we turned right around and ... got lost. That's right, I did not turn on my GPS since I figured I should know the directions by now. And I do. But only from North Terminal to our home and back (or the other way around)... you know what I mean. Krishelle arrived at South Terminal and so leaving, the roads were different and unfamiliar to me.
Turning on Krishelle's Nuvi (GPS) instead - and listening to a British man's voice giving out directions (we have Jill, the American girl, on our Nuvi) - we found our way to the interstate that I know and love. So we were off to the mountains!
We arrived, it was still pouring outside.
Anyways, the weekend flew by in a hurry, and we mostly stayed at home. Kelly and Krishelle and Lexie usually went out for meals, while Ethan, Mom and I stayed at home (we can't eat anyways so figured keep Ethan fed and happy without the wet outside to negotiate). It's been a fun couple of days. Like the "old times" of Durham. Sadly, Krishelle flies back today, so I will be taking her to the airport, and Ethan has "pink eye". Hey, at least we had a healthy Ethan for a day, right? That's a bonus these days!
So just waiting now before we leave for the airport. Krishelle has been fantastic with Ethan - always engaging him with something new, imaginary play, and story telling. She will be missed, by Ethan mostly, and us all for sure.
The rain is getting heavier now. Sorry Krishelle. The rain fell precisely during the dates of your travel to see us. Maybe it is our turn next to visit you - in sunny San Diego!
Thursday, March 05, 2009
Fasting, Facebook, Fun!
The past few months have been very tiring. Since Lexie's birth (1/14/09) and even before, I cannot remember the last time I was not sick with someething I likely caught from Ethan. Actually, our entire household has been sick pretty much constantly the entire time, and even little Lexie has had a sniffle or two already. In comparison, Ethan did not fall ill until about a year old, which looking back on things, was quite amazing. Nothing major with anyone, just the usual cough and cold and congestion, but oh is it getting old.
And winter is getting old! Enough with cold, and bring in the heat I say!
Actually, the next few days, and culminating on Sunday, we are supposed to get as high as 73-75F (not sure exactly what this is in C's). For March 8th (Sunday)? That is super toasty.
I hope we end up healthy, motivated and active enough to plan a short excursion some place when it is sunny this weekend.
And of course mom and I are fasting right now too. Kelly is not fasting because she is nursing baby Lexie. Ethan is too young :-) So it has been mom and I, waking up in the mornings before sunrise and eating a heavier than usual breakfast. Mothers, by nature, want to stuff their babies full of food. My mom is no exception, and breakfasts have been interesting (ahem). Yesterday, it was rice with lentils, with chicken adobo, and roasted vegetables, and "pork and beans", and cut fresh fruit (bananas, apples and strawberries) and hot tea, and orange juice, and water, and my multi-vitamin and cod liver fish oil (tablet). (for breakfast)
Mom, I love you, and it is so great to be spending time with you especially during the fast, but I have never been a huge breakfast eater, let alone before the sun rises, and this much food :-)
The next few days will be as usual with our fasting schedule, but then comes DST - daylight savings time. Thanks to former president George W. Bush, the usual DST change in April has been moved forward to March -- I believe for all the farmers and agricultural workers in America. So now sunrise thankfully will be at a lazy man's 7:30am or so, but the kicker will be the sun setting at nearly 8PM. Who eats dinner at 8PM? That's but an hour shy of my bedtime these days! Yes, with sicknesses (see above), and Ethan not being sleep trained (re-trained, long story, sigh), my own bedtime is as my son's. -- yes, I do know, thanks to my lovely wife reminding me every night, that Ethan is the only toddler under the age of 3 (in this whole wide universe) with such an enviable curfew as 9 and even 9:30pm some nights. So we have challenges. :-)
But boy is it fun having a little girl. Lexie is getting chubbier and growing every day. She is more attentive and interested in her surroundings. She does a kick-kick and punch-punch and a reach-reach and moves all around trying to learn her movements (and the fact that she owns limbs). My little princess. No, my little pumpkin-princess. My little GOOMBAH!
And winter is getting old! Enough with cold, and bring in the heat I say!
Actually, the next few days, and culminating on Sunday, we are supposed to get as high as 73-75F (not sure exactly what this is in C's). For March 8th (Sunday)? That is super toasty.
I hope we end up healthy, motivated and active enough to plan a short excursion some place when it is sunny this weekend.
And of course mom and I are fasting right now too. Kelly is not fasting because she is nursing baby Lexie. Ethan is too young :-) So it has been mom and I, waking up in the mornings before sunrise and eating a heavier than usual breakfast. Mothers, by nature, want to stuff their babies full of food. My mom is no exception, and breakfasts have been interesting (ahem). Yesterday, it was rice with lentils, with chicken adobo, and roasted vegetables, and "pork and beans", and cut fresh fruit (bananas, apples and strawberries) and hot tea, and orange juice, and water, and my multi-vitamin and cod liver fish oil (tablet). (for breakfast)
Mom, I love you, and it is so great to be spending time with you especially during the fast, but I have never been a huge breakfast eater, let alone before the sun rises, and this much food :-)
The next few days will be as usual with our fasting schedule, but then comes DST - daylight savings time. Thanks to former president George W. Bush, the usual DST change in April has been moved forward to March -- I believe for all the farmers and agricultural workers in America. So now sunrise thankfully will be at a lazy man's 7:30am or so, but the kicker will be the sun setting at nearly 8PM. Who eats dinner at 8PM? That's but an hour shy of my bedtime these days! Yes, with sicknesses (see above), and Ethan not being sleep trained (re-trained, long story, sigh), my own bedtime is as my son's. -- yes, I do know, thanks to my lovely wife reminding me every night, that Ethan is the only toddler under the age of 3 (in this whole wide universe) with such an enviable curfew as 9 and even 9:30pm some nights. So we have challenges. :-)
But boy is it fun having a little girl. Lexie is getting chubbier and growing every day. She is more attentive and interested in her surroundings. She does a kick-kick and punch-punch and a reach-reach and moves all around trying to learn her movements (and the fact that she owns limbs). My little princess. No, my little pumpkin-princess. My little GOOMBAH!
Hooray! My Blog Is Back!
This is an ultrasound picture of Lexie. This is a picture. Yes, I was able to upload a picture!! Finally! After months of being too tired to do anything towards creating a new blog (since I was unable to post any entries with pictures - due to maximum storage limit met) I had given up. And just this afternoon, I "checked in" on my blog to get to the links I have for my friends who have blogs, I pondered, whether or not deleting "My Slideshows" element on the side panel would create some much needed storage space to be able to continue posting photos. So far it has worked, although I am weary and hopefully it is not just due to this ultrasound photo being a very small file. Perhaps I should go through older posts, especially the photo-only entries, and either delete a few, or reduce the photo sizes. But there may be life with this blog after all ...
Friday, January 02, 2009
My Last Blog Entry
It has been fun writing, and photographing, the goings-on of my life, and my family's life. But this entry will mark my last - for this blog that is. With the soon addition to our family, and since I can no longer add any more photos to this blog, I have started a new one. I am still not sure if the new one will allow me a whole new limit to the number of photos I can post (since I am using my same Gmail account to set the new blog up). But in any case, it has been an enjoyable ride, and one I encourage you to follow, in Ticket For 4...
A Baby Girl Shower
Today we celebrated the soon arrival of our baby girl with a shower that some of our co-workers organized. It was a great day for a gathering like this, since, most other people are not at work today, or their offices are closed still for the holidays until next week. With the holidays now and truly past, it just felt like the right thing to do to ride out this week with yet another reason to celebrate, get together, have some food, and yes, open gifts.
We are blessed to have so many thoughtful people at work. We received so many things pink, our little girl will surely be a girlie-girl. THANK YOU EVERYONE!! Your kindess and thoughtfulness is heartfelt, and we are greatful to share in this moment in our lives with you all.
With 12 days to go until the scheduled arrival (unless baby decides she wants out earlier!) we are more or less set and ready.
Happy 2009 to all!
We are blessed to have so many thoughtful people at work. We received so many things pink, our little girl will surely be a girlie-girl. THANK YOU EVERYONE!! Your kindess and thoughtfulness is heartfelt, and we are greatful to share in this moment in our lives with you all.
With 12 days to go until the scheduled arrival (unless baby decides she wants out earlier!) we are more or less set and ready.
Happy 2009 to all!
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