Eirena talks a lot and it is so fun to hear some of what goes on in her mind.
Yesterday we were having lunch and she was saying something over and over again. I finally realized she was talking to the pumpkins on her fork saying, "shall we eat some food pumpkin? yeah. How'd nap go? okay?"
She also invites the cars and trains to "come, eat food with us".
And yesterday, we were talking to granddad and grandma over skype. She heard them asking me if I had ever been to Jaipur and then talk a bit about it. So the word for the day was Jaipur. "After daddy comes home we go to Jaipur."
Today she was asking me about a picture in her story Bible about Jesus washing the disciples feet. She later said "Jesus wearing nice pants." I'm not sure about all the connections that went on to get from Jesus washing feet to him having nice pants, but I'm sure it was very logical to a two year old.
~you never know what is going to happen next in Berji's world~
Friday, January 30, 2009
Thursday, January 29, 2009
Divorce
So if you're not in the mood for deeper thoughts, pass on this post.
We all know people who have been divorced. My thoughts at this point are more about what happens after the divorce. Specifically there are two scenarios which I am thinking about.
1) You divorced and remarried before becoming a follower of Christ.
2) You married, divorced, remarried while following Christ.
I was reading Matthew the other night, when Jesus is questioned about divorce. In the NIV, this is what it says, "I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife, except for marital unfaithfulness, and marries another woman commits adultery."
It would seem from this translation, that Jesus isn't saying that adultery is committed when you divorce, but when one remarries. Or is only when marital unfaithfulness hasn't been the cause of divorce?
(What about plain out lying about who you are? Is a pornography addiction considered unfaithfulness? What about extreme sickness? Spousal abuse?)
I know many godly people who have remarried after a divorce. What is the correct response? Do you just say, "well it is all in their past" and move on? Or is the new marriage basically considered living as unmarried? And what if the divorce WAS because of unfaithfulness? Does that just clear the slate for the non-offending spouse?
Obviously the ideal is to have a marriage work out, but realistically, that just isn't happening in the Church. So how should a Christian respond to this situation? (I mean with some sins, there is confession, repentance and "go and sin no more"... but if you remarried-first, is it a sin? and then, well, you're still to remain married, right?)
I think anyone who reads this blog (all 5 of you!) comes from different backgrounds so it would be interesting to hear each of your perspectives. If you don't want to share in the comments, feel free to email me- I'd still like to hear your thoughts.
We all know people who have been divorced. My thoughts at this point are more about what happens after the divorce. Specifically there are two scenarios which I am thinking about.
1) You divorced and remarried before becoming a follower of Christ.
2) You married, divorced, remarried while following Christ.
I was reading Matthew the other night, when Jesus is questioned about divorce. In the NIV, this is what it says, "I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife, except for marital unfaithfulness, and marries another woman commits adultery."
It would seem from this translation, that Jesus isn't saying that adultery is committed when you divorce, but when one remarries. Or is only when marital unfaithfulness hasn't been the cause of divorce?
(What about plain out lying about who you are? Is a pornography addiction considered unfaithfulness? What about extreme sickness? Spousal abuse?)
I know many godly people who have remarried after a divorce. What is the correct response? Do you just say, "well it is all in their past" and move on? Or is the new marriage basically considered living as unmarried? And what if the divorce WAS because of unfaithfulness? Does that just clear the slate for the non-offending spouse?
Obviously the ideal is to have a marriage work out, but realistically, that just isn't happening in the Church. So how should a Christian respond to this situation? (I mean with some sins, there is confession, repentance and "go and sin no more"... but if you remarried-first, is it a sin? and then, well, you're still to remain married, right?)
I think anyone who reads this blog (all 5 of you!) comes from different backgrounds so it would be interesting to hear each of your perspectives. If you don't want to share in the comments, feel free to email me- I'd still like to hear your thoughts.
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
She knows her mind
This morning Eirena was pleased to help me select MY clothes to wear. She chose a shirt and then raced back to my closet to get me a jacket. Then she selected shorts for me to wear. When I informed her that I couldn't wear shorts, she chose pants instead, all the while very pleased with herself and saying "so helpful".
Later, she raced upstairs, told me she needed a bag and grabbed my hand. She "needed" her "red and green bag" to go riding on the bus.
Here she is, with her bag, ready to get on "the bus".
She wore the bag all morning long, while "riding the bus", "walking in the road" and reading books. And we never left the house!
Later, she raced upstairs, told me she needed a bag and grabbed my hand. She "needed" her "red and green bag" to go riding on the bus.
Here she is, with her bag, ready to get on "the bus".
She wore the bag all morning long, while "riding the bus", "walking in the road" and reading books. And we never left the house!
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Countdown
At the suggestion/inspiration of a friend, I created a countdown for Eirena for the days until Dr. Daddy comes home.
Classy and high-tech, eh?
It couldn't be too sophisticated, because, well, look at my calender- it is MS calender pages printed and taped to last year's calender. I still have to buy a real calender and it is almost February!
Oh, and Dr. Daddy, if you happen to read this, Eirena has determined that you will be so happy to see her that you will immediately read books to her. I've tried to tell her that you'll be so happy you'll give her hugs and kisses, but apparently the real measure of how much you love her is the time interval between when you step off that airplane and when you crack open the first book. So there is your warning.
We're at 10 days!
Classy and high-tech, eh?
It couldn't be too sophisticated, because, well, look at my calender- it is MS calender pages printed and taped to last year's calender. I still have to buy a real calender and it is almost February!
Oh, and Dr. Daddy, if you happen to read this, Eirena has determined that you will be so happy to see her that you will immediately read books to her. I've tried to tell her that you'll be so happy you'll give her hugs and kisses, but apparently the real measure of how much you love her is the time interval between when you step off that airplane and when you crack open the first book. So there is your warning.
Bare bum
After Eirena finished her bathroom duties I told her to go put on her panties. I came back to check on her and found her standing on top of the sink with a very bare bum. I asked her why she didn't obey, and where were her panties? She said, "hmm".
Not quite sure what she meant by that, I looked around. No panties. So I started a search for them. I had her hop off the sink and told her to go put her panties on, again. And then, her jacket lifted up as she got down and revealed that she had in fact obeyed me. Her panties were on... around her waist. She had managed to put both legs through on leg hole and then pulled them all the way up to her waist. Thus there was not even a thong around her bum (and why there are no pictures). I tried to help her with her fit of the panties, but she was very adament that I leave them be.
And do you know, it is ever so much quicker to sit her on the potty when she is wearing her panties like that? No need to stop and pull them down before she pees!
Not quite sure what she meant by that, I looked around. No panties. So I started a search for them. I had her hop off the sink and told her to go put her panties on, again. And then, her jacket lifted up as she got down and revealed that she had in fact obeyed me. Her panties were on... around her waist. She had managed to put both legs through on leg hole and then pulled them all the way up to her waist. Thus there was not even a thong around her bum (and why there are no pictures). I tried to help her with her fit of the panties, but she was very adament that I leave them be.
And do you know, it is ever so much quicker to sit her on the potty when she is wearing her panties like that? No need to stop and pull them down before she pees!
Monday, January 26, 2009
Poop
There is poop in the house. So I was informed by the 2 year old. I did a quick scan around and didn't see that any creature had displaced their poop. So I asked Eirena was she meant. She told me there was mouse poop in the house.
This is Eirena's mouse:
It is a "whatchamacallit" that my dad gave to me many years ago (because he said, it reminded him of me). Eirena discovered one day and now calls it a mouse and likes to have it "ride the bus".
Needless to say, I am relieved there is no real mouse and no real mouse poop in the house. But I am slightly disturbed that my daughter's imaginative play involves mice and poop. And coaxing the mouse to poop. Oh yes. A while after I told her she should clean up the imaginary poop because we didn't want poop laying around, I saw her bending over the mouse. In a very concerned voice she was asking the mouse, "did you poop?" "did you poop?" Such a good little mommy- to a fake mouse!
This is Eirena's mouse:
It is a "whatchamacallit" that my dad gave to me many years ago (because he said, it reminded him of me). Eirena discovered one day and now calls it a mouse and likes to have it "ride the bus".
Needless to say, I am relieved there is no real mouse and no real mouse poop in the house. But I am slightly disturbed that my daughter's imaginative play involves mice and poop. And coaxing the mouse to poop. Oh yes. A while after I told her she should clean up the imaginary poop because we didn't want poop laying around, I saw her bending over the mouse. In a very concerned voice she was asking the mouse, "did you poop?" "did you poop?" Such a good little mommy- to a fake mouse!
Saturday, January 24, 2009
This and That
Eirena has been very deliberate in her use of "this" and "that" recently. She likes to specify that "this balloon popped, but that balloon did not pop".
Tonight at dinner she was eating her dessert (left over from a girls' night we had last night). A piece of angel food cake fell on the floor. She looked at the two remaining pieces in her dish and then said, " this piece, this piece (because there are two pieces) did not go on floor. But THAT piece... went in Uc's mouth".
Tonight at dinner she was eating her dessert (left over from a girls' night we had last night). A piece of angel food cake fell on the floor. She looked at the two remaining pieces in her dish and then said, " this piece, this piece (because there are two pieces) did not go on floor. But THAT piece... went in Uc's mouth".
Nap time
I think Eirena may be dropping her afternoon nap. Oh dear. Not that we won't keep the 2 hr afternoon 'down time', oh that will still be happening for both of our sanity's. But Eirena only actually slept two out of 7 days this week.
Yesterday I went in to get her after her two hours were up. I walked into her room and there she was holding Puppy Dog, little dog Uc, Fuzzy Bear, Big Bear, Squirt Bear and Baby Doll George without her diaper on. Now I put her to bed with a diaper on, and in fact it was a diaper with loops and a button in the back to hold the velcro on. But that diaper was most definitely off, two hours later.
I asked her what happened to her diaper. Eirena looked at me very seriously and said, "Eirena took diaper off." Trying not to laugh, I asked her why she took her diaper off. Again very seriously she looked at me and said, "Eirena holding diaper in arms."
Sure enough, there was her diaper along with all her "friends". I never got any more of an explanation of how the diaper came to be off, or why, but at least she is staying dry through her "naps"!
Yesterday I went in to get her after her two hours were up. I walked into her room and there she was holding Puppy Dog, little dog Uc, Fuzzy Bear, Big Bear, Squirt Bear and Baby Doll George without her diaper on. Now I put her to bed with a diaper on, and in fact it was a diaper with loops and a button in the back to hold the velcro on. But that diaper was most definitely off, two hours later.
I asked her what happened to her diaper. Eirena looked at me very seriously and said, "Eirena took diaper off." Trying not to laugh, I asked her why she took her diaper off. Again very seriously she looked at me and said, "Eirena holding diaper in arms."
Sure enough, there was her diaper along with all her "friends". I never got any more of an explanation of how the diaper came to be off, or why, but at least she is staying dry through her "naps"!
Friday, January 23, 2009
25 Random Things
My sister in law tagged me on facebook for 25 random things about me. Since it is actually Dr. Daddy's name on the facebook page, I thought I would post the randomness here. And I will spare you 25 minute details about Berji's short life, even though this is her domain.
1. I dislike driving.
2. I dream of being very artistic and then I try something and then I remember why I'm actually not an artist.
3. I dislike wearing pink.
4. I actually enjoy running.
5. I have a hard time motivating myself to do anything (including running).
6. I've always thought birds and fish didn't really count as pets.
7. It has been 10 years since I've been in India.
8. It doesn't get much better than a nice hot latte.
9. I love DARK chocolate (65% or darker).
10. I was secretly intimidated by all my female cousins- even the ones younger than me. (I still am, its just not so much of a secret anymore.)
11. I don't do well in cold dark climates.
12. One of the primary reasons for choosing AZ for grad school was the lack of winter.
13. I miss speaking, thinking and dreaming in Turkish and Hindi.
14. I am not a perfectionist.
15. I like surprises but rarely am actually surprised.
Really? 25 things?
16. This is not the way I imagined my life, even in high school. (Good thing God knows what it best for us.)
17. I'm pretty sure I will never be a bridesmaid because all my close female friends have oodles of sisters.
18. I like watching swimming competitions, track and field, gymnastics and tennis. Dr. Daddy is not a sports watcher.
19. I've known Dr. Daddy more than half my life.
20. I haven't taken a math class since 11th grade.
21. I like watching people (and am therefore paranoid that there are always other people watching me make a fool of myself).
22. My natural wake up time is 8 AM. Anything earlier is always a struggle regardless of how consistently I do it.
23. I think a beauty in hand made items is that they are not perfect, like mass produced items. It is the little "flaws" that give things character.
24. I've wished I could "do" the medical field because job searching is so much more straightforward.
25. My favorite color is green. And then blue. And then autumnal colors.
Whew! That's done. Ok, now it is your turn... fill up the comments section with 25 random things about you.
1. I dislike driving.
2. I dream of being very artistic and then I try something and then I remember why I'm actually not an artist.
3. I dislike wearing pink.
4. I actually enjoy running.
5. I have a hard time motivating myself to do anything (including running).
6. I've always thought birds and fish didn't really count as pets.
7. It has been 10 years since I've been in India.
8. It doesn't get much better than a nice hot latte.
9. I love DARK chocolate (65% or darker).
10. I was secretly intimidated by all my female cousins- even the ones younger than me. (I still am, its just not so much of a secret anymore.)
11. I don't do well in cold dark climates.
12. One of the primary reasons for choosing AZ for grad school was the lack of winter.
13. I miss speaking, thinking and dreaming in Turkish and Hindi.
14. I am not a perfectionist.
15. I like surprises but rarely am actually surprised.
Really? 25 things?
16. This is not the way I imagined my life, even in high school. (Good thing God knows what it best for us.)
17. I'm pretty sure I will never be a bridesmaid because all my close female friends have oodles of sisters.
18. I like watching swimming competitions, track and field, gymnastics and tennis. Dr. Daddy is not a sports watcher.
19. I've known Dr. Daddy more than half my life.
20. I haven't taken a math class since 11th grade.
21. I like watching people (and am therefore paranoid that there are always other people watching me make a fool of myself).
22. My natural wake up time is 8 AM. Anything earlier is always a struggle regardless of how consistently I do it.
23. I think a beauty in hand made items is that they are not perfect, like mass produced items. It is the little "flaws" that give things character.
24. I've wished I could "do" the medical field because job searching is so much more straightforward.
25. My favorite color is green. And then blue. And then autumnal colors.
Whew! That's done. Ok, now it is your turn... fill up the comments section with 25 random things about you.
Thursday, January 22, 2009
The buddies
Here is a short clip of the "buddies". Yes, this is Uc, preening Efendim. Aren't they silly? And just in case you were wondering (I'm sure it was keeping you up at night...) Uc does fight like a cat with the cats.
More about the passport
This morning at breakfast Eirena was in a mood to tell stories. She told me the story about the fire alarm going off while we were in the shower, and the story about Uc eating her jelly beans. And then she said, "When Eirena get passport, way, way, way, airport little baby brother sister get go." I'm sure I don't need to translate that for you! How exciting that she is thinking and getting excited about having a baby brother or sister, even when it is something very intangible!
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
Passport!
We have it! Eirena's passport. Shh! Don't tell her though, because she still thinks the moment her passport comes she is hopping on a plane to Colombia.
You gotta love this picture!
Doesn't she look like she's about to snarl at someone?
Maybe after a long international flight this is what she will look like though, who knows?
You gotta love this picture!
Doesn't she look like she's about to snarl at someone?
Maybe after a long international flight this is what she will look like though, who knows?
Monday, January 19, 2009
Follow-up
To follow up on what I posted about Eirena and toys I thought I would share an example of one of her activities. ~Just for fun!
In the afternoon/evening we go outside. She has a special "outside" truck. It stays outside (and soon you will know why). She scoops up dirt from our non existent garden (because she is constantly scooping dirt and the dog is perpetually digging), dumps it in her truck and pushes the truck down the walkway. She and the truck get to the end of the cement, turn around and somewhere along the way the "trash truck" empties itself of all its dirt. So then Eirena responsibly grabs the broom to "clean up trash truck mess".
All this while I have been watching her and playing fetch with the dog. But fetch is no match for Broom Wrestle! Uc quickly abandons the tennis ball and chases after the broom. Eirena shrieks and tells Uc "no". I try to teach her how to not antagonize the dog (sibling?) and then distract the dog so that she can continue.
Once the mess is "cleaned up", we repeat the process over and over until she gets bored and lies in the dirt or decides she will play fetch. Or helps point out Uc's poop for me to clean up.
I noticed that strangely we are the only house on the street whose walkway constantly has dirt on it (despite my best efforts to sweep it back into the garden).
In the afternoon/evening we go outside. She has a special "outside" truck. It stays outside (and soon you will know why). She scoops up dirt from our non existent garden (because she is constantly scooping dirt and the dog is perpetually digging), dumps it in her truck and pushes the truck down the walkway. She and the truck get to the end of the cement, turn around and somewhere along the way the "trash truck" empties itself of all its dirt. So then Eirena responsibly grabs the broom to "clean up trash truck mess".
All this while I have been watching her and playing fetch with the dog. But fetch is no match for Broom Wrestle! Uc quickly abandons the tennis ball and chases after the broom. Eirena shrieks and tells Uc "no". I try to teach her how to not antagonize the dog (sibling?) and then distract the dog so that she can continue.
Once the mess is "cleaned up", we repeat the process over and over until she gets bored and lies in the dirt or decides she will play fetch. Or helps point out Uc's poop for me to clean up.
I noticed that strangely we are the only house on the street whose walkway constantly has dirt on it (despite my best efforts to sweep it back into the garden).
Little Helper
Helping me mop- she had to re-mop what I had already done, not start on a new area.
*Dr. Daddy, after seeing the pictures sweetly suggested (I assume it was sweet,hard to tell over chat) that maybe I hadn't done a good enough job and that's why Eirena wanted to go over it for me.
*Dr. Daddy, after seeing the pictures sweetly suggested (I assume it was sweet,hard to tell over chat) that maybe I hadn't done a good enough job and that's why Eirena wanted to go over it for me.
Playgroups, Toys, Stay At Home Kid
In an effort to get to know some more people here, and to help Eirena be more socialized with little people, I took her to a playgroup our church has on Fridays. Normally the playgroup meets at a park, but as the temperature was supposed to be barely 50, the leader of the group opened her house up.
Now I need to preface what I am about to say with the fact that this mom did not act pretentious or stuffy. I don't criticize her at all.
But... they had an awful lot of toys. They have two girls, one 3 and one 1 yr old. They had an entire play room of toys, from a toy kitchen complete with play food, to books and puzzles and a little "computer/video game" thing. They had the whole toy cleaning set, broom, mop, vacuum. And they had dress up stuff and a hall closet with toys they no longer used. And don't forget the chalk board, the magnetic board, the stuffed chairs with the girls' names embroidered on them and the little play table. And then we went upstairs to the elder daughter's room. In their she had a doll house that was probably about thigh-high on me, wood, painted, lots of cool stuff in there. And dolls (all the nasty Barbie and Barbie-esque ones) plus a few animals. And outside they had a few ride-on toys and 3 swings and a slide/playhouse.
I was overwhelmed. I think Eirena was too. She has never had so many toys- we simply can't afford it and even if we could, I doubt she would have that many. Part of me feels bad after such an experience, because I realize all the things Eirena doesn't have. And then part of me wonders, does she really need all of that? Well she seems fairly happy without it all. But then I wonder, does not having a doll house or a fun kitchen set mean that she is missing out on some part of imaginative play? (She does help me in the kitchen, but many things are off limits for her safety.) I don't want to get her cheap plastic toys just so that she has a lot of toys, but are there certain things that she really should have?
Related to this, Eirena is a stay-at-home-kid. She doesn't go to daycare. I have been asked how we spend our day. Well, we get up, have breakfast, she waits until I finished my coffee and then brings her books over. We read a couple of books and then get bathed and ready for the day. (This is while Dr. Daddy is gone. We are busy getting him ready for work in the morning otherwise.) We do our grocery shopping, go to Bible study or go to the library, etc. We have lunch. Eirena "naps". Sometimes she sleeps, sometimes (like today) she is busy telling stories to her "friends". She gets up from her nap, we snuggle, read a book, go running, go to the playground or come back home and she plays in the dirt. She then either helps me cook dinner or "reads" stories to herself. Or she lines all her "friends" up to go "riding on the train" (or bus). Or colors. Or does "cooking" outside. Or colors with chalk. Or gets into mischief. ~ You get the idea.
And I wonder, how is this shaping her life, her view of the world compared to a child that has tons of toys to occupy them, or a child that is in daycare?
Now I need to preface what I am about to say with the fact that this mom did not act pretentious or stuffy. I don't criticize her at all.
But... they had an awful lot of toys. They have two girls, one 3 and one 1 yr old. They had an entire play room of toys, from a toy kitchen complete with play food, to books and puzzles and a little "computer/video game" thing. They had the whole toy cleaning set, broom, mop, vacuum. And they had dress up stuff and a hall closet with toys they no longer used. And don't forget the chalk board, the magnetic board, the stuffed chairs with the girls' names embroidered on them and the little play table. And then we went upstairs to the elder daughter's room. In their she had a doll house that was probably about thigh-high on me, wood, painted, lots of cool stuff in there. And dolls (all the nasty Barbie and Barbie-esque ones) plus a few animals. And outside they had a few ride-on toys and 3 swings and a slide/playhouse.
I was overwhelmed. I think Eirena was too. She has never had so many toys- we simply can't afford it and even if we could, I doubt she would have that many. Part of me feels bad after such an experience, because I realize all the things Eirena doesn't have. And then part of me wonders, does she really need all of that? Well she seems fairly happy without it all. But then I wonder, does not having a doll house or a fun kitchen set mean that she is missing out on some part of imaginative play? (She does help me in the kitchen, but many things are off limits for her safety.) I don't want to get her cheap plastic toys just so that she has a lot of toys, but are there certain things that she really should have?
Related to this, Eirena is a stay-at-home-kid. She doesn't go to daycare. I have been asked how we spend our day. Well, we get up, have breakfast, she waits until I finished my coffee and then brings her books over. We read a couple of books and then get bathed and ready for the day. (This is while Dr. Daddy is gone. We are busy getting him ready for work in the morning otherwise.) We do our grocery shopping, go to Bible study or go to the library, etc. We have lunch. Eirena "naps". Sometimes she sleeps, sometimes (like today) she is busy telling stories to her "friends". She gets up from her nap, we snuggle, read a book, go running, go to the playground or come back home and she plays in the dirt. She then either helps me cook dinner or "reads" stories to herself. Or she lines all her "friends" up to go "riding on the train" (or bus). Or colors. Or does "cooking" outside. Or colors with chalk. Or gets into mischief. ~ You get the idea.
And I wonder, how is this shaping her life, her view of the world compared to a child that has tons of toys to occupy them, or a child that is in daycare?
Friday, January 16, 2009
A delicate subject
Were I James Herriot, I could make this hysterically funny, I'm sure. But sadly, I'm no James Herriot, but I'm in need of some advice.
Our dear little dog has a problem. A malodorous problem. Flatulence- so bad it stops her in her tracks (let alone what it does to me!). And when she jumps for a toy or out of sheer happiness exerts herself, it is all the worse- and noisy too.
I haven't changed her food. She did just get some more worm medicine, but I would have thought that would help take care of such a problem, not create it. Could it be one of her "snacks" that she consumed from the trash that is causing some amount of indigestion?
I would welcome any advice as it is really a bit unpleasant to have her in the same room.
Our dear little dog has a problem. A malodorous problem. Flatulence- so bad it stops her in her tracks (let alone what it does to me!). And when she jumps for a toy or out of sheer happiness exerts herself, it is all the worse- and noisy too.
I haven't changed her food. She did just get some more worm medicine, but I would have thought that would help take care of such a problem, not create it. Could it be one of her "snacks" that she consumed from the trash that is causing some amount of indigestion?
I would welcome any advice as it is really a bit unpleasant to have her in the same room.
Starbucks
You gotta love them! In the grocery flier for Randalls (Safeway), they advertised a free 12oz cup of tea from their in-store Starbucks. Of course I decided that I would do my grocery shopping there this week, even though I usually find it over priced.
So I got up to the counter to get my free tea. It wasn't exactly clear what you could or could not get with the coupon so I decided to just ask the lady. She said that I could get any tea, and pointed to the sign board with all their tea drinks listed. So I said I would get a 'chai'. Sorry, she told me, you can't get that. (It was the last drink on the tea list, it was under the dollar limit, but who am I to question the logic of the company.) So I asked her (again) what I could get, and she named everything on the list, except the 'chai'. (Makes perfect sense, doesn't it?)
Instead I order a 'London Fog'. The description was "black tea with hints of lavender and bergamont". It wasn't bad... it was like Earl Grey with some lavender in it. I don't think I would pay $3 for it, but this was free, so I was happy with it.
When I got home, I was going to throw out the cup. I opened the lid and looked at the tea bag... "London Fog"? Actually, it was just a tea bag of Tazo's Earl Grey in milk. But it sounds so much more classy when you call it "London Fog".
So I got up to the counter to get my free tea. It wasn't exactly clear what you could or could not get with the coupon so I decided to just ask the lady. She said that I could get any tea, and pointed to the sign board with all their tea drinks listed. So I said I would get a 'chai'. Sorry, she told me, you can't get that. (It was the last drink on the tea list, it was under the dollar limit, but who am I to question the logic of the company.) So I asked her (again) what I could get, and she named everything on the list, except the 'chai'. (Makes perfect sense, doesn't it?)
Instead I order a 'London Fog'. The description was "black tea with hints of lavender and bergamont". It wasn't bad... it was like Earl Grey with some lavender in it. I don't think I would pay $3 for it, but this was free, so I was happy with it.
When I got home, I was going to throw out the cup. I opened the lid and looked at the tea bag... "London Fog"? Actually, it was just a tea bag of Tazo's Earl Grey in milk. But it sounds so much more classy when you call it "London Fog".
Thursday, January 15, 2009
Another First
Eirena's first ponytail!
two years in the making
(so that not all the pictures would be of the back of her head)
reading her special train "noisy book"
notice the clip and ponytail!
I told Eirena I was going to give her a pony tail. I'm not sure she quite understood what I meant, but all morning long she asked me about her ponytail. I think she was impressed with the concept, even if she had no idea what it was.
Update
Due to the harassment I received from he-who-shall-not-be-named about having his side of the bed taken over by a canine, I reverted to putting Uc in the closet with her snuggle buddy (Efendim). Berji gets to snuggle with me because:
1) She sleeps through the night (doesn't go wandering around in search of food unlike her male counterpart)
2) She warms the bed up for me
3) She is only 6 lbs, most of that fur, so really, there will be plenty of room for Dr. Daddy when he returns.
4) There is something very cute about waking up and having a fuzz ball purring in your ear
1) She sleeps through the night (doesn't go wandering around in search of food unlike her male counterpart)
2) She warms the bed up for me
3) She is only 6 lbs, most of that fur, so really, there will be plenty of room for Dr. Daddy when he returns.
4) There is something very cute about waking up and having a fuzz ball purring in your ear
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
Airports and Passports
Eirena knows all about airports. She has been to them lots of times, but only flown on one trip. But she knows that is where you get on a plane. With Dr. Daddy's latest trip, Eirena has been wanting to go on an airplane too. So we told her she needed a passport. (This was at about the same time we were going to get her passport application.) So now she knows that you need a passport to get on an airplane, and Dr. Daddy does research in Colombia.
At lunch today she asked if she could go to Colombia too. I told her she didn't have a passport, but maybe in a few years she could go. Well then she started narrating the story of how we went to apply for her passport. I finished it with telling her that we put the paperwork in the mail, and it will go over to an office and then they will send us back her passport in the mail. She thought about two seconds and then said "and then Eirena get on airplane and go away way way Colombia and do research!!!" (She was very excited about this.)
I think Dr. Daddy has a field assistant in the making.
At lunch today she asked if she could go to Colombia too. I told her she didn't have a passport, but maybe in a few years she could go. Well then she started narrating the story of how we went to apply for her passport. I finished it with telling her that we put the paperwork in the mail, and it will go over to an office and then they will send us back her passport in the mail. She thought about two seconds and then said "and then Eirena get on airplane and go away way way Colombia and do research!!!" (She was very excited about this.)
I think Dr. Daddy has a field assistant in the making.
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
Bet you wish you had one of these!
1) When Dr.Daddy went to Colombia last August he came back with a very special gift for me. Only it took me several months to appreciate it. He brought me back a "ruana" (serape) of heavy wool. In Tucson. In August. In 105 heat. But now that it is winter, I am loving having a portable/wearable wool blanket. Sorry, no pictures of it because that would mean taking a picture of me, a self-portrait at that.
2) I have 3 sheets of paper that say "Condoleeza Rice" on them. Jealous, aren't you? You can get one too- all you have to do is ask your mother to give birth to you over-seas, then request a copy of your birth certificate (but the US govt. no longer issues that particular type of document) so they send you a fancy piece of (expensive) paper that certifies that indeed you were born, (in a place that technically is part of a different state now) in a country outside of the USA. And they'll put Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice on it to make it official. And make you pay a lot for it. And wait a long time too- 'cuz that makes it seems more official.
2) I have 3 sheets of paper that say "Condoleeza Rice" on them. Jealous, aren't you? You can get one too- all you have to do is ask your mother to give birth to you over-seas, then request a copy of your birth certificate (but the US govt. no longer issues that particular type of document) so they send you a fancy piece of (expensive) paper that certifies that indeed you were born, (in a place that technically is part of a different state now) in a country outside of the USA. And they'll put Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice on it to make it official. And make you pay a lot for it. And wait a long time too- 'cuz that makes it seems more official.
Monday, January 12, 2009
Posing for the camera
These are primarily for Dr. Daddy's benefit since
it will be a while before he sees his little ham in person.
I got out the camera while she was "driving" today and she knew just what to do-
I got out the camera while she was "driving" today and she knew just what to do-
If you look very closely you will noticed that we have reached another milestone- Eirena now has enough hair to wear 2 (yes that is TWO) hair clips at the same time!
We're a snuggly lot part 2
We used to put all the animals in a closet at bed time. Well the princess and owner of this domain gets cold at night because she won't snuggle with lesser beings - (I'm talking about Berji). So we decided to let Berji come snuggle under the covers with us. But then it felt a little unfair to make the other two sit in a closet. So we gave them a trial one night. Uc didn't go crazy, she didn't even pee anywhere, especially not in her sleep. And now Dr. Daddy is gone so it is just me in a big bed.
Actually, no, it is not just me in a big bed. I woke up in the middle of the night and Berji was tucked under the covers at my feet. Uc was lying in Dr. Daddy's spot, with her nose on my neck and her ear flapping over onto my nose and mouth. And Efendim was perched on my shoulder blade.
I think Dr. Daddy is going to have a bit of a fight to get his pillow back.
"Four in the bed and the little one said..."
Actually, no, it is not just me in a big bed. I woke up in the middle of the night and Berji was tucked under the covers at my feet. Uc was lying in Dr. Daddy's spot, with her nose on my neck and her ear flapping over onto my nose and mouth. And Efendim was perched on my shoulder blade.
I think Dr. Daddy is going to have a bit of a fight to get his pillow back.
"Four in the bed and the little one said..."
Friday, January 9, 2009
We're a snuggly lot
having these two snuggled up together actually is a common occurence
cozy, aren't they?
Eirena climbed up onto the bookshelf in her closet to give Berji a hug
Berji really appreciated it- see the fire in her eyes? ;)
Job Security
I heard on the news today that something around 600 million jobs were lost last year. Not trying to be flippant, but I did feel a certain sense of pleasure at my job security. Unless something very drastic happens, I will have my present job for at least 16 more years. I don't get quite the pay or retirement benefits, nor the severance package, so at least I can say that I have a pretty secure job!
Thursday, January 8, 2009
names
Eirena's language skills are developing so quickly it is hard to keep up. Recently she started this renaming of things to show her affection for them. I can only assume she picked it up from hearing 'dog' get turned into 'doggy'.
So now she says 'catty' when feeling affectionate with the cats.
And 'bussy' and 'truckey', because she is always feeling affectionate towards buses and trucks.
Eirena also discovered "m broken treats". I'm sure you're all familiar with them, you know, they melt in your mouth, not in your hand. Yeah, those things. Apparently she noticed the 'm' on them. On one of them the 'm' was broken. Dr. Daddy told her that although the 'm' was broken on her treat, it was still fine to eat. And so now they are known as "m broken treats". (Dr. Daddy later tried to tell her that she probably shouldn't eat the broken 'm's' just to be safe, but rather give them to him- she was no fool.)
Eirena got a doll for Epiphany. Instead of just calling it 'baby doll' all the time, I asked her what its name was. She thought long, she thought hard. And then she said, "George". Naturally.
So now she says 'catty' when feeling affectionate with the cats.
And 'bussy' and 'truckey', because she is always feeling affectionate towards buses and trucks.
Eirena also discovered "m broken treats". I'm sure you're all familiar with them, you know, they melt in your mouth, not in your hand. Yeah, those things. Apparently she noticed the 'm' on them. On one of them the 'm' was broken. Dr. Daddy told her that although the 'm' was broken on her treat, it was still fine to eat. And so now they are known as "m broken treats". (Dr. Daddy later tried to tell her that she probably shouldn't eat the broken 'm's' just to be safe, but rather give them to him- she was no fool.)
Eirena got a doll for Epiphany. Instead of just calling it 'baby doll' all the time, I asked her what its name was. She thought long, she thought hard. And then she said, "George". Naturally.
Passport photo
We had to get Eirena a passport so that she will be ready to pick up her sibling when the time comes. (Incidentally, it occurred to me that I have owned a valid passport for nearly all my life ~ save maybe 6 months. How odd.)
Anyway, we tried to take a couple pictures at home. But I soon convinced Dr. Daddy to just let the "professionals" to do it. Here is why:
Charming, aren't they?
As it turned out, her real passport picture isn't too great and will be great for mocking when she is older. Unfortunately they took both copies of the picture with the application, so you'll just have to wait to see the official one.
Anyway, we tried to take a couple pictures at home. But I soon convinced Dr. Daddy to just let the "professionals" to do it. Here is why:
Charming, aren't they?
As it turned out, her real passport picture isn't too great and will be great for mocking when she is older. Unfortunately they took both copies of the picture with the application, so you'll just have to wait to see the official one.
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
Annual Camping Trip
This past weekend we went on our annual New Year's camping trip. We met up with friends from Arizona. We only took a few pictures, and that with a "real" (film) camera, so you can wait a couple years for us to develop those pictures.
So we were hoping to camp in the Guadalupe Mtns. and go hiking. Unfortunately, National Parks don't like pets. So we had to scrap those plans and look for a place that allowed us to bring Uc. We settled onrequentl the Franklin Mtns, just outside of El Paso, TX. We had a 10 hr. drive (a few extra stops to potty the child and clean up the car sick dog), but still managed to arrive before our friends who had only a 5 hr drive. How did we do that?
Our "primitive" campsite had a grill and ramada and a leveled gravel area for our tents. Eirena had fun in the gravel. The first night was cold, but pretty nice. Eirena woke up in the middle of the night and wanted to chat with me. She was very excited to see her little friends from AZ and kept asking about them. Then she sang to herself and recited her books. She finally went back to sleep and slept pretty late (for camping).
The next day we planned to take a short hike with the three under 3 to some caves above our campsite, and then some people would take a longer hike in the afternoon. By the time we came down from the caves, the wind had picked up. In fact, it picked up a tent. So after staking things down better we ate lunch and tried to put the 3 kids to sleep. The 6 adults were in a big tent playing Cities and Knights of Catan while the children did not sleep.
The wind continued to pick up and even shifted staked down tents around. It was still sunny (sort of) but extremely windy and so was getting pretty cold. By evening, it was too windy to be outside and we only had one tent big enough for everyone to squeeze into, but the kids would be sleeping in it. We decided that since we had driven all this way to visit with friends, it didn't make sense to not be spending time together, each huddled in our own tents.
We took the wussy option and got a couple of motel rooms. While the kids slept we played Catan again and were all warm and full of amusement at discovering our dog can pee in her sleep. No really, she did. On Ryan's pants.
The next day we awoke and discovered that there were remains of a hail storm outside and I certainly felt better about our "wussing" out on the camping part. Unfortunately we did minimal camping and hiking, but it was great to see friends again and spend that time with them.
So we were hoping to camp in the Guadalupe Mtns. and go hiking. Unfortunately, National Parks don't like pets. So we had to scrap those plans and look for a place that allowed us to bring Uc. We settled onrequentl the Franklin Mtns, just outside of El Paso, TX. We had a 10 hr. drive (a few extra stops to potty the child and clean up the car sick dog), but still managed to arrive before our friends who had only a 5 hr drive. How did we do that?
Our "primitive" campsite had a grill and ramada and a leveled gravel area for our tents. Eirena had fun in the gravel. The first night was cold, but pretty nice. Eirena woke up in the middle of the night and wanted to chat with me. She was very excited to see her little friends from AZ and kept asking about them. Then she sang to herself and recited her books. She finally went back to sleep and slept pretty late (for camping).
The next day we planned to take a short hike with the three under 3 to some caves above our campsite, and then some people would take a longer hike in the afternoon. By the time we came down from the caves, the wind had picked up. In fact, it picked up a tent. So after staking things down better we ate lunch and tried to put the 3 kids to sleep. The 6 adults were in a big tent playing Cities and Knights of Catan while the children did not sleep.
The wind continued to pick up and even shifted staked down tents around. It was still sunny (sort of) but extremely windy and so was getting pretty cold. By evening, it was too windy to be outside and we only had one tent big enough for everyone to squeeze into, but the kids would be sleeping in it. We decided that since we had driven all this way to visit with friends, it didn't make sense to not be spending time together, each huddled in our own tents.
We took the wussy option and got a couple of motel rooms. While the kids slept we played Catan again and were all warm and full of amusement at discovering our dog can pee in her sleep. No really, she did. On Ryan's pants.
The next day we awoke and discovered that there were remains of a hail storm outside and I certainly felt better about our "wussing" out on the camping part. Unfortunately we did minimal camping and hiking, but it was great to see friends again and spend that time with them.
Who needs a DVD player?
Or books on c.d. for that matter?
This past weekend we packed up our little car and drove across "God's country" to meet friends from Arizona for our annual New Year's camping trip. It was a very long drive and both little girls (Eirena and Uc) did fabulously ~ well, Uc has a tendency to get get car sick, but other than that, she did great.
As we were driving back,we were hoping that our exhausted little girl would just fall asleep. But instead she kept herself awake chattering away for an extra 90 minutes. Dr. Daddy and I were very amused to listen to her talk to herself. We were also very impressed when we heard this:
This past weekend we packed up our little car and drove across "God's country" to meet friends from Arizona for our annual New Year's camping trip. It was a very long drive and both little girls (Eirena and Uc) did fabulously ~ well, Uc has a tendency to get get car sick, but other than that, she did great.
As we were driving back,we were hoping that our exhausted little girl would just fall asleep. But instead she kept herself awake chattering away for an extra 90 minutes. Dr. Daddy and I were very amused to listen to her talk to herself. We were also very impressed when we heard this:
So they went to the forest to ask for help.
"I think the moon is lost," explained Bear.
"Can you help me find him?"
"Don't worry, we'll help you,"
replied the animals in the forest.
Together they searched and searched.
But they couldn't find the moon.
At last Bear sat down and sighed,
"The moon is lost, and it's all my fault!"
Then Bear got an idea.
He jumped up and cried,
"Okay, Moon, I give up. You win!"
Just then the breeze began to blow again,
and the moon came out of its hiding place.
"Look," chirped Little Bird, "The moon wasn't lost.
He was just hiding behind that big cloud."
Bear was so happy he danced and danced.
Then everyone played hide and seek."
"I think the moon is lost," explained Bear.
"Can you help me find him?"
"Don't worry, we'll help you,"
replied the animals in the forest.
Together they searched and searched.
But they couldn't find the moon.
At last Bear sat down and sighed,
"The moon is lost, and it's all my fault!"
Then Bear got an idea.
He jumped up and cried,
"Okay, Moon, I give up. You win!"
Just then the breeze began to blow again,
and the moon came out of its hiding place.
"Look," chirped Little Bird, "The moon wasn't lost.
He was just hiding behind that big cloud."
Bear was so happy he danced and danced.
Then everyone played hide and seek."
Yes, Eirena was sitting in the back seat of the car reciting Moon Game to herself. It entertained her, and it entertained us.
Friday, January 2, 2009
Hansel and Gretel
Dr. Daddy and Eirena have a thing for jelly beans. They are one of Dr. Daddy's favorite treats to take with him when he goes into the field for research. Since Dr. Daddy is leaving in a few days for field research, he dutifully stocked up. But he didn't hide the jelly beans! This morning Eirena spotted the bag in his "to pack" pile- and wanted some. She didn't actually know the word for them, but she definitely knew she wanted some. After asking very nicely, Dr. Daddy said she could have a few. And so the bag of worms... er... beans, was opened.
This afternoon, Dr. Daddy came downstairs and excitedly called me to 'come look'. He had placed jelly beans on each of the steps and down through the house. And there was our little Gretel following the trail ever so well. At least we knew she would make it downstairs without getting lost!
The story ends with Uc finding the last jelly bean and Eirena chasing after her saying "give to 'rena, give to 'rena". I told the dog to drop it, which she did. And Eirena promptly picked it up and popped it into her mouth. mmmm!
This afternoon, Dr. Daddy came downstairs and excitedly called me to 'come look'. He had placed jelly beans on each of the steps and down through the house. And there was our little Gretel following the trail ever so well. At least we knew she would make it downstairs without getting lost!
The story ends with Uc finding the last jelly bean and Eirena chasing after her saying "give to 'rena, give to 'rena". I told the dog to drop it, which she did. And Eirena promptly picked it up and popped it into her mouth. mmmm!
Thursday, January 1, 2009
Thumper
Our little girl (the one with opposable thumbs) has always been quite a kicker. Our nickname for her before we knew if she was in fact a "she" was Thumper because she would kick me so hard and frequently. Once she made her grand entrance Eirena kept up the kicking. She has a very strong right leg!
Some very fun people sent Eirena a whole envelope full of balloons for her birthday and Advent. She is still thrilled and likes to have at least one balloon blown up per day. So now we have lots multi-colored balloons floating around the house.
So a new game for us is to 'bop' the balloon. She likes to hit them, catch them, and throw them. But what she is really good at is kicking them. Compared to her eye-hand coordination, in my unprofessional opinion, I think she has rather good eye-foot coordination. Maybe she'll be a football player like her granddad, uncle and daddy. But for now... ye be warned, stay clear of the right kick!
Some very fun people sent Eirena a whole envelope full of balloons for her birthday and Advent. She is still thrilled and likes to have at least one balloon blown up per day. So now we have lots multi-colored balloons floating around the house.
So a new game for us is to 'bop' the balloon. She likes to hit them, catch them, and throw them. But what she is really good at is kicking them. Compared to her eye-hand coordination, in my unprofessional opinion, I think she has rather good eye-foot coordination. Maybe she'll be a football player like her granddad, uncle and daddy. But for now... ye be warned, stay clear of the right kick!
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