tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20505595196038891702024-03-13T14:42:25.454+00:00Expats in PortugalOur attempt to keep friends and family up to date on all of our adventures in a new land.Katrinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04799279202308436534noreply@blogger.comBlogger132125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2050559519603889170.post-22014240598738012222012-03-25T04:23:00.001+01:002012-03-25T04:23:26.049+01:00Our Final Farewell to Portugal<h4>
Well, we did it. Our last few weeks in Portugal were filled with good-byes and tying up loose ends,</h4>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Playing Tourist in Aveiro one Last Time</td></tr>
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<h4>
with making costumes for carnival,</h4>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our little Horse goes to School</td></tr>
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<h4>
with dinner parties, </h4>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-X6wblGul2uc/T26BSFQsFMI/AAAAAAAAFlY/Pp9TGJFDxFo/s1600/006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-X6wblGul2uc/T26BSFQsFMI/AAAAAAAAFlY/Pp9TGJFDxFo/s320/006.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our Last Dinner Party at our House</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rocWWeruosQ/T26BsQC5WuI/AAAAAAAAFlg/YtZXDDVhOfk/s1600/012.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rocWWeruosQ/T26BsQC5WuI/AAAAAAAAFlg/YtZXDDVhOfk/s320/012.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tristan Entertains the Guests</td></tr>
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<h4>
and fresh oysters from the Ria delivered to our house by Deolinda, which were consumed amidst the boxes. </h4>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-aBTuCvSMsb4/T26CaGDfO1I/AAAAAAAAFlw/R5vfkt3HRNc/s1600/025.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-aBTuCvSMsb4/T26CaGDfO1I/AAAAAAAAFlw/R5vfkt3HRNc/s200/025.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Oysters...Gourmet Fare!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There is Life Among the Boxes!</td></tr>
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<b> Our final day the kids and I spent with our good friend Teresa, had one last Gymboree class, returned to our empty house, packed our huge van, </b><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qoO90Fg9rvo/T26DKiuqsmI/AAAAAAAAFmA/Doo9YCfTha0/s1600/030.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qoO90Fg9rvo/T26DKiuqsmI/AAAAAAAAFmA/Doo9YCfTha0/s320/030.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Packed and Ready to Go!</td></tr>
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<h4>
got some sleep,</h4>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A few extra Minutes of Sleep</td></tr>
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<h4>
then we woke up and drove away. </h4>
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The airport seemed like a marathon all on its own, assembling crates, taking the dogs for a last bathroom break, going back and forth between the oversize baggage and the counter. Checking in 5 bags, 4 animals, 4 people, and consolidating carry-ons. Dan left Tristan with security to sprint to the gate next door when he heard them call our names on the final boarding, while I waited on the other side with a screaming Amelia who they wouldn't let me carry through (she won that battle with them). It was exhausting, but we made it through it and the following 16 hours of travel.</div>
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Thank you all for sharing with us our life in Portugal, and now that our adventures here have come to a close, please join us now on our new blog:
<a href="http://www.expats-in-nanjing.blogspot.com/">http://www.expats-in-nanjing.blogspot.com/</a>Katrinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04799279202308436534noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2050559519603889170.post-90930626361971626772012-02-16T11:58:00.001+00:002012-02-16T11:58:33.460+00:00The Next Big AdventureWith one foot still in Portugal and the other not quite in Nanjing, since we returned from Christmas in the US I have been feeling a bit like we are in limbo here, and unfortunately not the cruise ship, margarita drinking, "How low can you go?" type of limbo. As I walk around our house everything I see is automatically being viewed and classified as either 1) take with us on the plane 2) include in air shipment 3) include in sea shipment 4) try to sell before we go, or 5) why haven't we thrown that out already? In addition there are so many little things that need to gone through and classified as well. From our experience moving here I know the movers will pack everything in sight, so this time I want to be (well, with two kids this time I NEED to be) a little more organized. Today begins the two week countdown, and my list grows longer rather than shorter at the end of each day. But somehow it will all get done. Or not. But that will be OK too.<br />
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Now that we've returned from our house hunting trip, decided upon a home and a school I am feeling more prepared. Now I'm starting to look at some things here in Portugal with nostalgia, though others I may not be so sorry to see go. I'm looking forward to the new adventure in China, but also nervous about many things. I mean, I thought grocery shopping was difficult in the beginning here, I can't imagine how long it will take me to decipher some of the Chinese products, and this time I will have 2 kids in tow. So stay tuned, it will be quite an adventure, and there may even be a new blog address for you to check in with soon!<br />
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<br />Katrinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04799279202308436534noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2050559519603889170.post-45822747371326863262012-02-16T11:51:00.004+00:002012-02-16T11:59:07.479+00:00Adeus Portugal, Ni Hao China - Dan's Take<br />
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It is now official. As soon as the visa application is
complete, expected sometime around beginning of March, we will be moving to China.
We have now been in Portugal for 4.5 years and it was a big decision whether to
move to another country or to return to USA. In the end we felt it was a
once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and it’s a good time for us to make the move
while the children are young, adaptable, and not too attached to a particular
place.</div>
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The city will be Nanjing, which is a small Chinese town of
about 8 million located 75 minutes up the Yangtze River by fast train from
Shanghai. We just spent last week there looking for a home and getting
ourselves situated. We found a nice place that is in a compound with lots of
other expats and close to where the kids will go to an English speaking
international school. Amelia is very excited to speak English at school, and
Katrin is excited to have other moms and children to play with during the day.
Here in Portugal that doesn’t really exist since every home needs two incomes
to have a decent standard of living, and the children are either in daycare or with their grandparents. </div>
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As for me, it will be a big challenge, but how could I say
no? For those who love to travel and seek adventure, this is the ultimate
opportunity. It will mean a lot more travel as my responsibilities cover the
region from Australia to India to Japan, but I feel a little more comfortable
leaving home when Katrin and the kids are surrounded by a good support network.</div>Katrinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04799279202308436534noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2050559519603889170.post-11603704028543177002012-01-18T12:04:00.000+00:002012-01-18T12:12:21.704+00:00Grandpa Bill and Grandma Jo Appreciation Day<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">So I was informed that last some of my family got together to have an appreciation dinner for my Grandparents, and since I can not be there to join them, I thought I would post some of my thoughts and stories here on the blog for the world to see.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">But where to begin? My life has been so enriched by their presence and generosity. From summers of taking us up to the cabin to catch tadpoles and try oh-so-patiently to convince me to water ski. Fueling us up each morning with Grandma Jo's special french toast (no one can beat it!), and keeping us in good spirits with her hilarious patented sense of humor. To being there to see us walk down the aisle and dance at our reception (they have always been better dancers than I'll ever be).</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">They gave me the most amazing opportunity a girl could ever receive when I was only 11 years old. Growing up, I could only be described as horse crazy. Putting every cent of birthday and paper route money into my "horse account," and experiencing that secret disappointment every Christmas when even though I got a lot of wonderful gifts, Santa didn't leave a real horse in the back yard. Eventually I was given riding lessons for every gift giving occasion, and what a thrill! I couldn't have been happier, that is, until one day Grandpa and Grandma announced that I had worked so hard to save, that they would contribute half the cost of a horse, and, more importantly, the monthly board required to keep it. The search was on and my mom and I spent our Saturdays combing the classifieds and driving out to test ride quite a few horses in the area. But none of them were quite right. Until one day we met Cee-Jay, a little morgan horse who was so full of spunk and pep when riding, but so sweet and patient on the ground. After a cool down ride on my own with him I returned with a huge grin and we knew we would be perfect partners. I imagine that mucking out stalls in the cold January Oregon rain might not qualify as Shangri-la for many, but it was truly paradise for me and I spent every possible moment I could at that barn for the next several years. It is not many 11 year olds that can honestly say their dreams have come true, but I was one of the lucky ones.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">And while sometimes they do make dreams come true, or give us the chance to attend colleges across the country, other times they may disappoint us, but they always have our best interests at heart (even if we don't think so at the time). Like when I was 17 and Grandpa went to the police station in Bath, England to ask if he should let me go out to the club I wanted to go out to that night (they said no, and I was furious at the time, but now, 17 years later, I guess I can see his point!)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">And when our fury gets the best of us, there is no one like Grandma to put a smile on our face and pick up the pieces. Quite literally if necessary, like once when we were at their house in Neskowin. I must have been about 7 or 8 at the time and got so riled up by something Devin did or said (just what it was I have no idea now) that I threw my hair brush at him. He ducked. The window cracked, I cried and felt horrible and was so nervous about getting in trouble. All I remember happening next was Grandma coming into the room, hearing our story and looking at the window. She then walked over, pulled the shade down, and said "There, now Grandpa will never notice." And I never did hear another word of repercussion from it. Everyone needs a Grandma Jo, because with her on your side the world can never really come crashing down around you.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">So, for all you have done and all that you do, Grandpa Bill and Grandma Jo, I love you with all of my heart.</span></div>Katrinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04799279202308436534noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2050559519603889170.post-21292502808259202642012-01-18T10:50:00.000+00:002012-01-18T12:14:08.220+00:00Skiing with Grandpa<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I actually wrote part of this story out several years ago. It was one of my favorite childhood memories. I thought I would share it today as part of Grandpa Bill and Grandma Jo Appreciation Day. The memories below more than make up for the memories of Grandpa opening our bedroom door at 5am to say "Everybody up, we gotta get to the mountain!"</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I remember the fist time I went to the mountain with my family. Everybody said I was too little to ski, so Grandma stayed with me at the ski lodge all day. I slid around on my little cross country skis at the base of the mountain, and pouted and sulked and watched everybody else joyously riding up the lift and swooshing back down the mountain.</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> It was a beautiful sunny day and the snow sparkled, and at the end of the day all of the tired skiers came in beaming with huge smiles and talking about what a perfect day it was. When Grandpa came down he said it was such a great day that he thought he would take one more run. I glowered knowing I would have to wait still longer, but then he surprised me and scooped me up in his arms and skied over to the lift, and sat me down as we rode it up together. Higher and higher we went, and when we got off the lift Grandpa swooshed down the mountain holding me between his legs on my little cross country skis. I could feel the wind blowing through my hair and the snow sliding smoothly beneath me, we were going so fast and it felt amazing. Sure it was really only the little baby lift, but it still lasts in my memory as one of the best runs down the mountain I have ever taken.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">In the following years I was old enough to join everyone on the mountain, but I still got left behind when I tried to keep up with my brother Devin and cousin Justin. I got tired and frustrated being the littlest one, and my toes got cold, and I knew they really didn’t want me around. Then I realized, if I skied with Grandpa, when I got tired and my toes got cold he would take me into the lodge and sit with me and let me have a hot chocolate and a donut. And at the end of the brilliant sunny days if I asked “How about we do one more run?” Grandpa would smile and off we would go. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">P.S. Hi, this is Dan here. Katrin mentioned this family event and I wanted to get in on the action. Katrin and I have been together for going on 13 years now and in that time I've had a lot of opportunities to spend time with Bill and Jo, not only in Oregon but also even in Vermont and Hawaii. What strikes me more than anything is their generosity. They have always made me feel so welcome as a part of the family, showered me with smiles and kindness every time, and it's made me feel comfortably at home in their presence. I've heard it's not always easy marrying into a new family, but they sure have tried to make it easy for me. Please pass much love on from me to them.</span></div>Katrinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04799279202308436534noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2050559519603889170.post-2691133923692109302011-12-17T00:50:00.000+00:002011-12-17T00:50:25.238+00:00Catching up<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rOf9ZnJPC7I/Tuvkc770GMI/AAAAAAAAFa4/jvCHmIJ22Ms/s1600/017.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rOf9ZnJPC7I/Tuvkc770GMI/AAAAAAAAFa4/jvCHmIJ22Ms/s200/017.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A Christmas Market in Vienna</td></tr>
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It’s been a long time since we gave everyone an update on our
adventures in Portugal. We have no excuses other than being busy with two small
children and two jobs and four pets and some friendly visitors and traveling to
interesting places and, and, and.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-51wgrSinRtY/Tuvm9sqNCJI/AAAAAAAAFbg/nOH1Av8OqKs/s1600/Kim_and+Patrick.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-51wgrSinRtY/Tuvm9sqNCJI/AAAAAAAAFbg/nOH1Av8OqKs/s320/Kim_and+Patrick.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Port Wine Tasting with Kim and Patrick</td></tr>
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October and November were good times to receive some friends and family
in Portugal and to share the developments of Amelia and Tristan. In early
October we had Gemma (Dan’s mom) here who came over to play with the grandkids. We
also had our friends Kim and Patrick visit from Colorado who took the chance to
explore Portugal and were able to visit with us for a few days. And then we had
the chance to celebrate an early Thanksgiving with some family for the first
time in several years as Grandpa Steve (Katrin’s dad) and Grandma Pam came
over. It was great to have the chance to catch up with everyone and to see the
kids play with some of their extended family members.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A Concert in Vienna</td></tr>
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<o:p> </o:p>In early December we decided to explore a little bit more of Europe and
we flew to Vienna for a few days and then took a train from there to Prague.
Our children remain enamored with traveling, especially Amelia who has now been
in ten countries and is always talking of her next travel opportunity. As we
schlepped all of our stuff down a flight of stairs to get on a bus to take us
out to the plane in Barcelona and after being on the go for quite a while
Amelia declared “I like taking a bus to get the plane because I am a
traveler.” The Christmas season was a
great time to visit as the cities were lit up and revelers were everywhere and
the famed Christmas markets were a fun adventure for the kids. The little ones
weren’t used to the colder weather there but we got a bit lucky with temps in
the low 40s and no rain. In Vienna we enjoyed touring the Spanish Riding School
and walking through the gardens of the Schoenbrunn Palace and in Prague we
mostly walked around saying “wow”. The innumerable spires, the old bridges
across the river, the castle up on the hill and the general eclectic feel of the
city left us breathless. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our Quaint Little Hotel Room in Prague</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And the View from the Windows</td></tr>
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We are now preparing for our next trip which will be to USA for the
holidays. This year we’ll keep ourselves to the east coast where we’ll have the
chance to visit old friends in DC, celebrate Christmas with family in New York,
and ring in the new year in Miami.</div>Katrinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04799279202308436534noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2050559519603889170.post-82985167013267751382011-12-16T11:55:00.003+00:002011-12-16T11:57:31.838+00:00Wheels on the Bus<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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This has been a huge hit for the last few weeks. Both kids like to pack their bags on go for a trip on our new bus. Unfortunately the bus has seen better days and may be taking a trip to the recycle bin soon, but it sure was fun while it lasted!Katrinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04799279202308436534noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2050559519603889170.post-50875861382716062022011-11-14T09:59:00.001+00:002011-12-15T10:41:19.472+00:00Thank You Binky Fairy!So perhaps writing that last sentence of that last post gave us the push we needed, but shortly thereafter the binky became a thing of the past. We had already told Amelia that when she was ready to give up the pacifier the binky fairy would come and take all of her binkys to give to new babies and would leave Amelia a present in return. She was excited about the idea, so we made a special little box to give them away in and for months she would wake up and say she was ready to give the binkys to the binky fairy, but every evening she would declare "I'm not ready!" and then pop it back in her mouth, and it was often a struggle to enforce the binky only when hurt or sleeping rule.<br />
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Then, one evening when Dan was away for business for a few days, Amelia was lying in my bed with me. We had just finished reading and getting ready for bed, and she wanted to sleep in my bed since Dadda was gone. Tristan had just settled down in his crib nearby, and I was likewise ready for sleep when I heard "Mommmmy, biiiiiinky!" in a rather unpleasant whine. So out of exhaustion I replied "If you want to stay in Mommy's bed, then you have to sleep without a binky tonight. If you want me to go get the binky, then you will sleep in your bed." I'll admit it was taking a risk pitting her love for me up against that piece of plastic, but it paid off, since she decided to stay. The next morning I put out two new wrapped puzzles on the coffee table before she got up, and I told her the binky fairy had brought them since she slept without the binky for one night, and there would be more when she decided to give them away. The second night, the was the same. No binky if she wanted to sleep in my bed, and another puzzle when she got up. The morning after the third night I had no more stash of presents, so I was going to tell her the binky fairy was saving the rest for when she gave them up for good. Then the doorbell rang and I went out to pick up the package that arrived...<br />
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When I came back in, a bleary eyed Amelia was shuffling down the stairs and rubbing her eyes she looked at me sleepily and said "Mommy, was that the binky fairy?"<br />
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I looked down at the box I was holding in my hands, knowing full well it contained a supply of dress-up clothes for Amelia I had ordered, and then back out the window at the departing delivery guy. "Why yes, it was the binky fairy," I declared.<br />
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"Do you have to give her all of my binkys?"<br />
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I seized my opportunity. "Well, if you are ready to give them to the new babies, and if you want to see what is in this present, then yes, I have to give her all of the binkys."<br />
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"Mommy, I'm ready now."<br />
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I grabbed our binky box and ran out the door and threw them into the glove compartment of my car (just in case), then ran back in. Amelia was so excited about all of the dress up clothes, and didn't asked for her binky once that day. The next day was the big test. She fell in the driveway and started crying for her binky. After I reminded her we gave them away, she was OK with that. We saw other babies with pacifiers and that was OK too. Then Dadda came home and she slept in her own bed without it (well, for most of the night). I guess she really was ready. I know I was.<br />
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Here are a few photos of our doctor, fairy, bride and her brother enjoying their gifts.<br />
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<br />Katrinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04799279202308436534noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2050559519603889170.post-68561929797508411012011-10-28T00:36:00.000+01:002011-10-28T00:36:50.957+01:00Kiddo UpdateTristan has been changing at an amazingly fast rate. He turned one on August 1 while we were in Turkey, so he got to open some presents before we left and then we did a cake and more presents when we got back. He thought the boxes were pretty fun, but his older sister soon helped him figure out that there were cool things *inside* them as well. He started taking a few tentative steps a few weeks later, and then in early September he decide that it was time to start walking everywhere, so that is what he does now. As a result he seems to have forgotten how to climb backwards down steps, so now he stops at the top and screeches as loud as he can until someone comes to help him. When he does Amelia has started going over and saying "Tristan sit down and go like this," then she proceeds to show him how he is supposed to go down, what an amazing big sister! Of course at other times she walks over and snatches whatever he is playing with and leaves him screeching all on his own. He is communicating a little bit, with words like "more (pronounced "muh")," "uh-oh," and "ja esta" (all done). He thinks that all animals say "quack-quack," and all cats are called Ba ba (one of our cat's names) but is starting to get the hang of "moo," meow," and "woof-woof." And he recently began to differentiate between "Mama" and "Dadda." While he doesn't say much, he definitely has opinions and understands a lot. If he hears the word good-bye he will wave at everyone and head to the door, or if you say it is time for nap or bed he is on his way up the stairs. He loves music, both making it and dancing to it, and I must admit there isn't much cuter in this world then a baby bopping up and down in their perception of rhythm.<br />
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Amelia seems to be growing up right in front of us. Some of the sophistication in her statements and memory truly amaze me, and I can't get anything by her anymore! She is going to preschool 3 mornings per week and her Portuguese is improving in leaps and bounds. Now when she is playing on her own I often hear her talking to her stuffed animals in either language. And she always keeps them separate except when she doesn't know a word in Portuguese she will just throw in the English one. Pretty amazing. Now if only we could get rid of that binky!Katrinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04799279202308436534noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2050559519603889170.post-75343625102386538432011-09-02T22:40:00.003+01:002011-09-03T15:52:07.845+01:00Turkey Part 3 - Cirali<img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1O5vZV7NaRg/TltpyQPJ4cI/AAAAAAAAFGc/WvhXkH97mN0/s320/333.JPG" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5646222869911953858" />Arriving at the Antalya airport on the Mediterranean only one word entered my mind...HOT. That was all that could break through the 100+ degree temperature. We took a van along the coast to the sleepy village of Cirali, where we spent the first day or two trying to make sure the kids (and us, too) didn't overheat. So we mixed it up between time at the pool and naps in our air-conditioned room. We found that the best time to visit the beach was after the sun sunk below the hills, but there was still plenty of light (and warmth) left.<div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xQ237HVGFHc/Tlu89EuHlVI/AAAAAAAAFGs/Ih92HllOiw4/s320/308.JPG" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5646314315264267602" /></div><div>During our leisurely week in Cirali we spent a day on a sailboat trip swimming and snorkeling in uninhabited coves; we traipsed through Greek mythology with visits to the ruins of ancient Olympus and the eternal flames of Chimaera where fire spills from the earth on one of the hillsides above the town; we dined on fresh seafood and consumed copious amounts of ice cream; and, of course, we spent many hours relaxing in and around the pool.</div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fg5_gshuvrA/Tlu89VhVqXI/AAAAAAAAFG0/88yGnYPx1UE/s320/387.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5646314319774067058" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></div><div>It was great to watch Amelia become totally enamored with the water. While we had done swimming lessons at home, she wasn't thrilled with the fact that she had to follow specific activities, and she hated it when the teacher put her underwater. So in Cirali we bought her a pair of water wings and a pool noodle and after we convinced her to try them out the only way to get her to take a break from the pool was to bribe her with an ice cream sundae.</div><div><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-W7R4pu8lpBA/TltkajsnPvI/AAAAAAAAFGU/G7vZ_9KHDCI/s320/321.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5646216965260787442" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " />Tristan made many friends everywhere we went, and in particular some special friends with a couple who was staying at our hotel. The young woman was completely in love with him and would shriek and come running over whenever we were coming or going. They spent a lot of time with him, and when it was time for them to leave we wanted to check their bags to make sure he wasn't packed in one of them! They definitely helped give Dan and I some extra time to relax, and they even bought him this fancy baby pool toy.</div><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-v0EiVx9hq18/TltkadU2nNI/AAAAAAAAFGM/yv_ODdryGvg/s320/325.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5646216963550518482" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " />I also got to spend one very special morning watching WWF biologists assist in the hatching of the endangered caretta caretta turtles (loggerhead turtles). The turtles lay their eggs under the sand in June and July, and then around 50 days later the tiny hatchlings emerge and make their way to the sea under the cover of darkness. WWF tries to prevent people from going onto the beach at night, but at dawn the biologists can sometimes be found opening the nests that have recently hatched to help along any stragglers, giving us tourists a chance to witness. I got to see them take out 5 babies who then heroically started their 30-yard journey to the ocean. It was amazing to watch the little guys struggle through the sand, though it ended quite anticlimactically when the biologist strode over without a word and picked them each up and popped them into his backpack. He later explained that there were seagulls waiting for a baby turtle buffet, so they would all be released at night when it was safer.<img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WHIzLEi32Po/Tltp9cQ_D4I/AAAAAAAAFGk/AGHNF7Mhzog/s320/348.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5646223062119419778" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " />After our very pleasant week on the coast, it was time time to say good-bye to Turkey. We had a wonderful trip, <a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/110538307614316227359/Turkey"><b>and you can find some photos posted here.</b></a></div>Katrinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04799279202308436534noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2050559519603889170.post-68056870006531225382011-08-29T18:05:00.003+01:002011-09-03T15:08:50.709+01:00Bonus Turkey Footage - Tristan's Log<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YvwGil9lKEQ/TlvGbTDAoUI/AAAAAAAAFHs/BzryAvt5y2k/s1600/366.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YvwGil9lKEQ/TlvGbTDAoUI/AAAAAAAAFHs/BzryAvt5y2k/s200/366.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5646324730110714178" /></a><div style="text-align: left;">While you eagerly await the final installment of our trip report to Turkey, here is a little something to keep you interested. Since Tristan didn't seem quite as excited about everything as we were, and since his need for sleep is considerably higher than ours, we spent much of our trip trying to get him to sleep so we could do other things and he would remain a happy camper. So he basically turned our vacation into his own personal Dr. Seuss book of napping. Here is a photo journal of his trip:</div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vibwpQhCnEY/TlvFzrmpayI/AAAAAAAAFHk/nAqhpih2OKM/s200/315.JPG" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5646324049507871522" /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Would you, could you on a boat? </div><div style="text-align: center;">Could you, would you with a goat?</div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-L0b7i4-EuvI/Tlu_i9yZ7rI/AAAAAAAAFHM/P7MWvF7kpU4/s200/133.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5646317165261483698" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px; " /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Naps on planes, on cars, or in a cave,</div><div><div style="text-align: center;">And when I sleep through meals I don't misbehave.</div><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-u7XGB3cihN8/Tlu_jIloFFI/AAAAAAAAFHU/3NdGpFF_a2M/s200/176.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5646317168160674898" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px; " /><div style="text-align: center;">On Mommy's back or Dadda's knee, </div><div style="text-align: center;">Try a hammock under a tree.</div><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-a_3vx2IVExc/TlvFzfbd0YI/AAAAAAAAFHc/rodp0qErLpw/s200/296.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5646324046239748482" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px; " /><div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;">On the Palace lawn you say?</div><div style="text-align: center;">I could nap there everyday.</div><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-E8caxzThuVQ/Tlu_ila3C0I/AAAAAAAAFHE/Zlhkw2QQkwA/s200/053.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5646317158720277314" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px; " /></div><div><div style="text-align: center;">Yes, I can nap here OR there, </div><div style="text-align: center;">Say, I can nap ANYWHERE!</div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PCHsHYWX_Ew/Tlu_iX6vmlI/AAAAAAAAFG8/pU-MIBy0fKE/s200/046.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5646317155095910994" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px; " /></span><div></div></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; ">
<br /></span></div></div>Katrinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04799279202308436534noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2050559519603889170.post-54559852193255168252011-08-21T00:28:00.012+01:002011-09-03T15:11:43.899+01:00Turkey Part 2 - The Magic of Cappadocia<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--lO_HeqVRBE/TlrbcRWzscI/AAAAAAAAFFk/SLDkN69ttOg/s320/187.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5646066361604223426" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); ">Arising in the darkness for our early flight from Istanbul to central Turkey, Dan and I were sneaking around the room trying to get everything packed up when Amelia sat up and cheerily said she was ready to go. No complaints or fussiness about the early departure made for an easy trip to the airport followed by another quick and bumpy flight, but with no incidents, then we arrived in Cappadocia.</span></span><div><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mfrf6Mj0wbM/Tlrbc2qWcNI/AAAAAAAAFF0/K57_CTq8X8I/s320/279.JPG" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5646066371618304210" />By far one of the most magical places I have ever seen. With surreal landscapes that look like they are from some far off planet or possibly from somewhere in middle earth. I think I walked around with a look of awe on my face the entire 3 days we were there. I couldn't help but to keep poking Dan and saying "Wow, look at that." Luckily he also seemed impressed, and thus was willing to tolerate my giddiness.<div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nsQ-IAcZPV8/TlrbdKGAVeI/AAAAAAAAFF8/yzcDfDDAvjM/s320/278.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5646066376834569698" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></div><div>We rented a car and drove to many of the sites in the area, including many cave churches and dwellings, entire underground cities, huge scenic valleys, old stopovers from the silk road, and fairy chimneys. We did not partake in one of the most popular activities in Cappadocia, hot-air ballooning at sunrise. While it looked like an amazing experience, we decided that getting the kids up at 5am (again) was probably not worth it. However, I did get up one morning just to watch the balloons fly over the valley, which was in itself a beautiful site. I sat on the terrace of our cave hotel with the early morning peace and silence being broken only by the occasional hissing of the burner from one of the dozens of balloons floating through the sky. I cannot possibly find the words to describe this amazing place and my enjoyment of it, and my pictures likewise do not do it justice, but hopefully they give you some idea. Watch for my last installment of our trip and the complete set of pictures, coming soon.</div><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bvGaiulh2kQ/Tlrbco3BKoI/AAAAAAAAFFs/UlgeXVMbhq0/s320/241.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5646066367913339522" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></div>Katrinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04799279202308436534noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2050559519603889170.post-57599843103149747432011-08-15T18:19:00.010+01:002011-08-21T00:27:52.827+01:00Turkey Part 1 - Istanbul<img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-q-i3JNdIH8s/TlA-hjvqUrI/AAAAAAAAFFU/Vef1WzVgVXA/s400/067.JPG" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5643079079346983602" /><div style="text-align: left;">We started off our trip on Sunday, July 31st. What better way to start off our 8th year of marriage than by exploring a new country together as a family? We were packed, the dogs were at their "resort," the catsitter was all set, and we were off to Lisbon to begin our trip. Amelia was super excited to be travelling again (despite the initial, very understandable confusion about the fact that we probably would not see any actual turkeys in Turkey), and she recited each step of our plan with increasing exhilaration and volume (drop off the car, check-in and get our tickets, go through security, find our gate, get on the airplane, put on our seatbelts, start to move, go REALLY fast, GO UP IN THE SKY!!).</div><div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div><div>Our first flight was a quick hop to Madrid, and so far everything had gone exactly as planned, but then the turbulence struck, and struck, and struck again. I watched my exuberant little girl go from boisterous and thrilled to silent and green. Then we heard someone a few rows behind us throw-up, and then it was our turn. We had been saying it was OK if she needed to throw-up, we had the bag at the ready, but when the time came, she silently just opened her mouth and let it all out on the floor (though not without hitting both herself and me first). Thankfully she missed the iPad and all of our carry-ons beneath her seat, and I'm pretty sure she missed the feet of the person behind her (though it was close). We seemed to have packed every possible extra piece of clothing except an extra shirt for her, so our skinny almost three year old was sporting a bit of belly in her 1 year old brothers t-shirt for the rest of the trip. Luckily the first leg of the trip was the worst part of the whole two weeks, and everything else just got better and better. After a few hours in Madrid (and some time in the airport's great children's play area) Amelia remained enthusiastic and boarded the plane for an uneventful flight to Istanbul.</div><div><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VLhnEXYuUjA/TlA-hdxHfoI/AAAAAAAAFFM/2oPZ27wcOrk/s400/077.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5643079077742476930" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></div><div>As we made our way from the Istanbul airport into town, the road followed a long park that stretched along the sea. We started to notice shadowy figures all along the park. As we got closer to the city we saw more and more and realized it was hundreds of people picnicking in the park, after midnight on a Sunday night. There were large families with children running everywhere and couples dining romantically. We thought at first it was the city's way of escaping the midsummer heat, but then we realized that the following morning was the start of Ramadan and everyone was feasting late into the night in the park before the fasting began in the morning. It was a beautiful way to enter a beautiful city.</div><div><div>
<br /></div><div>We spent the next three days exploring Sultanahmet (the old part of the city), cruising the Bosporus, becoming totally overwhelmed in the Grand Bazaar, and eating some scrumptious food. We learned fast that Turkey is even more of a baby culture than Portugal, and while we love it in Portugal, it was a bit over the top in Turkey, to the extent that we could barely walk down the street with Tristan and Amelia without stopping every two feet as someone tousled their hair, pinched their cheeks, and asked them questions. </div><div>
<br /></div><div></div><div>As an example, one day as Dan stayed with Tristan during an afternoon nap, Amelia and I decided to lose ourselves in the city. We wandered aimlessly and stopped to watch fountains and street dogs, she danced at the performance of a band, and before we set off back to our hotel we stopped for ice cream and sat outside the cafe on a bench to eat it. The group of young men working at the cafe were instantly smitten with the blond-haired little girl with ice cream on her nose. They all came out and handed her bags of gourmet chocolates and truffles from the shop in attempts to get her only to tell them her name (she demurely refused). At each restaurant the owner or waiter was always ready to whisk Tristan up at the slightest sign of boredom, and I don't think either of our children has ever had so much attention from so many people. They seemed to both revel in it and be overwhelmed by it at the same time.</div><div><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4oegQyVG85A/TlA-h9r69QI/AAAAAAAAFFc/2XKHnCYHktw/s400/109.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5643079086310618370" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /><div></div></div><div>We thoroughly enjoyed our time in Istanbul, and Dan and I for the first time in our travels together made a real effort to slow down and decide not to see everything. This was necessitated by the need to listen to our children's schedules, and it enabled us to take in the things we wanted to at times and at other times we were able to savor the feel of the city at its playgrounds and while sipping lemonade in a park while socializing with the local street animals (which were Amelia's favorite sites).</div><div>
<br /></div><div>For now I think I have overstepped my allotted computer time and both children are awake and ready to go do something more interesting. Look for more tales from our travels in the next few days, and I will get pictures up on Picasa soon as well (I hope).</div></div>Katrinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04799279202308436534noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2050559519603889170.post-70806401471115667242011-07-23T16:20:00.002+01:002011-07-23T16:27:15.524+01:00More Daily Amelia-isms1) While putting her to sleep at night she gets to cuddle on the rocking chair with me as long as she wants, but once she gets up it is time for bed. She keeps trying new tactics to get back up and cuddle again. The latest utterance, while getting misty eyed and lower-lip quivering "But mommy, I don't have any cuddle left in my tummy." Now who out there could say no to that? <div><br /></div><div>2) Direct quote upon waking from her nap today, bed-headed, wearing only a diaper and a t-shirt and carrying a teddy bear: "Mommy, I want to go have a party." So off we go!</div>Katrinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04799279202308436534noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2050559519603889170.post-28005585996663922562011-07-04T23:53:00.003+01:002011-07-16T15:31:52.736+01:00Salamanca<img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xd_xbD5169Y/ThoyvpK61LI/AAAAAAAAFEc/758gkK2Xr64/s400/004.JPG" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5627866478439748786" />In June we finally made it to Salamanca, a trip we have been meaning to take for quite a while. It is a beautiful little Spanish town about a 3 hour drive from us. They are right on a river, making the town a great respite from the surrounding desert, and they have wonderful old university buildings and a beautiful cathedral. The huge square in the center of the old town functions as a social gathering point and is surrounded by restaurants and pedestrian areas. This coupled with the relaxed Spanish summer nights made for a great get-away. As usual, our little travelers were awesome and relished the 10pm dinners topped off with a stroll and an ice cream before retiring for the evening. Amelia was enthralled with our hotel room, and kept wanting to return there when we were done (ex)"ploring."<img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gaVzcE4A5bQ/ThoywHmN4lI/AAAAAAAAFEs/22LViNjHZUQ/s400/010.JPG" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5627866486607307346" /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Katrinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04799279202308436534noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2050559519603889170.post-81158725905423202332011-06-25T19:54:00.008+01:002011-06-25T22:27:28.623+01:00I'll take the High Road...<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rFMLZWQzVtE/TgZMfmsWqMI/AAAAAAAAE8Q/qHbeu8N_Mrc/s1600/129.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 301px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rFMLZWQzVtE/TgZMfmsWqMI/AAAAAAAAE8Q/qHbeu8N_Mrc/s400/129.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5622265290664880322" /></a><div style="text-align: left;">First, we should apologize for not writing in so long. We only have one excuse…it’s summer. When the sun shines every day and it doesn’t get dark until 21:30, we find that time speeds by a little more quickly. Of course if you don't buy that excuse, our other two excuses are named Amelia and Tristan, they keep us pretty busy! But we did want to tell you about our trip at the end of May.</div><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal">This was Tristan’s second plane trip, after going to the US for Xmas. He was a champ and travels as easily as Amelia, who has probably spent more time on airplanes than she has on changing tables (okay, that might not be true). But traveling with the kids was actually easy and even exciting. Amelia had been counting down on a calendar for the last month, and was super excited. Tristan seemed pretty excited, too, but he usually is. After traveling all across the US, a 3-hour direct flight from Lisbon to Edinburgh is really like a walk in the park.</p> <img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8zlI9cz3Gz4/TgZLvy1UlUI/AAAAAAAAE8I/L3rbOQ-X6Ps/s400/070.JPG" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5622264469289997634" /><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal">For those of you who haven’t been to Scotland, it’s a gorgeous country. The rolling hills, rugged coast, thickening fog and flowing scotch combine to make a relaxing vacation. Especially appealing were the un-refurbished castles that quickly take you back to the 13<sup>th</sup> century. It’s remarkable how those Scots spent most of their time fighting one another, clan against clan, but I think the challenging landscape and challenging climate helped shape the rough-and-tumble culture.</p> <img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1XNStzTiy2s/TgZLvgZ6q1I/AAAAAAAAE8A/-xAEa1PWLlc/s400/155.JPG" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5622264464343214930" /><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal">We joined Karen and Kevin from Santa Barbara on this trip, and Liam and Julie came over from Portland. We had a remarkably comfortable home on the bonnie, bonnie banks of Loch Lomond for a week, not much swimming (though Liam and Dan confirmed the water was VERY cold), but some hiking, exploring, and we were known to pop into the nearby pub for a pint or an espresso when it was raining (daily) or when the power went out (we experienced a pretty rough storm). And to top it all off, our babysitter was two doors down the hallway and she didn’t even mind Amelia yelling “Hey Grandma!” all day long which was then followed by whatever command she felt like doing at that moment.</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal">We hope you all are enjoying summer as much as we are. It’s much easier to entertain young children when you can be outside and let them run around and use up their energy. We’ll try to update again soon, including telling you about our recent sojourn to Salamanca, Spain and our upcoming summer holiday in Turkey which will be in A<span class="Apple-style-span">ugust. <b><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/katrin.moffroid/Scotland">For more pictures of our Scotland trip, click here</a></b>. <span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 15px; "><em style="font-style: normal; "><span class="Apple-style-span">Até já</span></em></span><span class="Apple-style-span">…</span></span></p>Katrinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04799279202308436534noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2050559519603889170.post-46554143383647643342011-05-18T22:36:00.006+01:002011-05-18T23:06:32.640+01:00Tristan's New TricksSo the last two weeks have been quite busy for Tristan. He progressed from moving by slithering on his belly and pulling himself along with his arms while flailing his legs wildly behind him, so a full fledged crawl. In addition, he started pulling himself up on whatever he was able to crawl over to (the coffee table, our legs, a dog, etc.). So now he is truly able to explore the world and whatever he sets his sights on, which unfortunately so far seems to be the dogs' water bowl, the toilet brush, and anything that looks interesting to put in his mouth. He also seems to have developed a sixth sense, in that he is always able to anticipate the toy Amelia might want to play with next, and the instant he touches it she wants it. Amazing isn't it? <div><br /></div><div>He figured out clapping just this last week or so as well, and he thinks it is really neat that he can start clapping at the dinner table and all of a sudden Amelia, Dan, and I are clapping along with him. He stops and starts and watches us follow along. Feel the power little man.<br /><div><br /></div><div>On the tooth front he went in a matter of days from four to six, with seven and eight on the cusp. I don't think he actually uses words yet, but I do wonder, since I hear a lot of ma ma ma ma when I come in the room, and he was giving us a lot of ba ba ba ba while playing with balls at Gymboree this week. Maybe one of these days I'll be able to decipher a definitive word.</div></div><div><br /></div><div>We are off to Scotland tomorrow, Amelia is super excited to go on an airplane and see Grandma. Dan and I are super excited to have a live-in babysitter for a week! I'll get some new photos up of Tristan's new tricks and our travels when we retur<span class="Apple-style-span" >n. <span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="hps" title="Click for alternate translations">Até</span> <span class="hps" title="Click for alternate translations">já</span>!</span></span></div>Katrinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04799279202308436534noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2050559519603889170.post-72688764972361558472011-05-17T14:34:00.003+01:002011-05-17T14:49:42.563+01:00Little Minds at WorkAmelia has a couple of books where the main characters have a birthday, so lately she has been making cakes and then asking me to sing "Happy Birthday" (and the Portuguese equivalent). <span class="Apple-style-span" >Yesterday she built a beautiful block cake and asked me to sing, and I obliged with rounds of </span><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span" >"<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 15px; ">Parabéns a Você" and</span> </span>"</span><span class="Apple-style-span" >Happy</span> Birthday to Amelia."<div><br /></div><div>When I was finished she said, "Now three for Mommy." <div><br /></div><div>Having absolutely no idea what that meant, I questioned her: "Three what for Mommy? Three pieces of cake for me? Do you want me to sing Happy Birthday for Mommy?"</div></div><div><br /></div><div>"Yes, three for Mommy."</div><div><br /></div><div>Still confused I gave it a go and let out a weak "Happy Birthday to You" and was promptly interrupted. </div><div><br /></div><div>"No, three."</div><div><br /></div><div>"Three what, I don't understand?"</div><div><br /></div><div>It went on like this for a while, until I finally got it, and correctly sang:</div><div><br /></div><div>"Happy Birthday <i><b>Three</b></i> You, </div><div>Happy Birthday <b><i>Three</i></b> You, </div><div>Happy Birthday Dear Mommy, </div><div>Happy Birthday <b><i>Three</i></b> You."</div><div><br /></div><div>Because as Amelia astutely observed, this is the proper encore after a round of "Happy Birthday <i><b>Two</b></i> You!"</div>Katrinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04799279202308436534noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2050559519603889170.post-28581488406216009302011-05-12T23:21:00.002+01:002011-05-14T16:25:00.294+01:00The Noodle<div style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; border-top-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-bottom-style: none; border-left-style: none; border-width: initial; border-color: initial; ">As I was doing the dishes tonight, Amelia was playing along in her kitchen. She had some dried pasta and spaghetti noodles that she was cooking. I told her as soon as I was finished we were going upstairs to get ready for bed, so she put her things away and came over to me holding a spaghetti noodle.<br /><br />"Can I take this one upstairs with me?" she asked.<br /><br />"Of course" I responded, "You may bring that noodle upstairs to get ready for bed with you."<br /><br />She looked at the noodle for another minute and then said "This one is beautiful!"<br /><br />If only we all could find the beauty in a single noodle. Let's make that our goal for today.</div>Katrinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04799279202308436534noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2050559519603889170.post-6781122733559380722011-05-01T17:40:00.005+01:002011-05-01T21:38:02.254+01:00Spring Update<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-e2NzvqqzN8o/Tb3EOdu28XI/AAAAAAAAE2E/0MgqmsmvCK4/s1600/038.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-e2NzvqqzN8o/Tb3EOdu28XI/AAAAAAAAE2E/0MgqmsmvCK4/s400/038.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5601849264297144690" /></a><br />So I know it has been awhile without any real news, but things here are going well. Spring has brought us some nice weather and lots of time outside. We've had our first visits to the beach for the year, set up the baby pool in the backyard, and spent a lot of time in the sandbox.<div><br /></div><div>Now that Tristan can sit up he enjoys sitting in place and playing with various toys in his vicinity while occasionally laughing at his sister. When we place toys at a distance he can eventually get to them, but his crawling still leaves some coordination to be desired. All a work in progress. At this point in time he's about 3 months behind Amelia, who literally couldn't be held down. Tristan is still generally content to look around and enjoy his surroundings, and of course all of the activity of watching his sister. He also now got 4 teeth, working on 5, and is enjoying some of the new foods we are presenting him with (and others are of course flat out rejected).</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>The month of May will hopefully bring more sunshine and chances to explore the outdoors together. It will also bring a family vacation to Scotland to join Karen, Kevin, Liam and Julie. Amelia got the travel bug a little early in life and is now crossing days off the calendar until it is time to "get on airplane, with people and suitcases, and play blocks with Grandma!" That will be our next adventure to share with you.</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/katrin.moffroid/Spring201102#"><b>For now, we have lots of new photos to share, just click here.</b></a></div><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-m1aiEKoPw7g/Tb3D0999b7I/AAAAAAAAE18/vrpR6E5Et40/s400/031.JPG" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5601848826273820594" />Katrinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04799279202308436534noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2050559519603889170.post-42385027922062969242011-04-30T16:27:00.000+01:002011-05-01T17:07:20.819+01:00Feeling Adventurous? Come over for Dinner.<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2Wj10dHX9iY/Tb2E4euR2II/AAAAAAAAEpw/H_vfdBcyuOg/s1600/018.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2Wj10dHX9iY/Tb2E4euR2II/AAAAAAAAEpw/H_vfdBcyuOg/s400/018.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5601779617373476994" /></a><div style="text-align: left;">So one week in April, Dan ended up having to go out to dinner a few nights with various visitors from work, it happened that one of those nights I tried something new in the kitchen. After coming home and seeing the pictures he told me he was glad he happened to be gone, but Amelia and I had fun, and they were pretty good!</div><div><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VpemkAfNzjo/Tb1_0jji5dI/AAAAAAAAEns/hPhYCOgOW00/s320/015.JPG" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5601774052393018834" /></div><div>That day our Senhora do Peixe came by and started our adventure. Definitely one of the perks of living here, having fresh fish show up in a truck at your door and you can choose what you want to cook for dinner. Though occasionally it gets chosen for you. As in this instance, when I chose some fish and then she decided to also give us some samples "for Amelia" along with instructions about how to cook them. So here are some photos of our "Pescadinhas de Rabo na Boca," which translates roughly into little fish with tail in mouth. Enjoy!<img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Znw8cQNUkrM/Tb2EcFIV__I/AAAAAAAAEpc/VjfDor3DKK0/s320/016.JPG" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5601779129467142130" /><div><br /></div></div>Katrinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04799279202308436534noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2050559519603889170.post-44731641003976087272011-03-30T13:04:00.003+01:002011-03-30T13:23:52.245+01:00Traveling to the UK: the anti-PortugalAfter trying for the last few days e-mailing and calling to make a reservation at a B&B for our upcoming trip in Scotland I am really starting to see why so many Brits end up here (I thought it was just the weather!). The welcoming attitude we experience everywhere we go in Portugal seems completely absent in the UK, especially the minute I mention "we will have a baby with us." We won't even have the two year old since she is going to do an overnight with Grandma. I have been refused because of:<div><br /></div><div>1. They can not have us for liability reasons because the steps are too steep ("but he doesn't walk, or even crawl yet"..."but you will have to carry him up them"). </div><div><br /></div><div>2. They can not allow him in our room for fire code reasons (nice excuse to hide behind, just say what you mean already!)</div><div><br /></div><div>3. They are worried about him breaking stuff ("though I am sure your baby is lovely, not all are"... I hung up after that).</div><div><br /></div><div>4. The comfort of the other guests (at least this one was honest). </div><div><br /></div><div>OK, I don't ever remember being bothered by children being present at places I stayed before I had my own, but I think this takes it a little far when a few of the places I found state largely on their Website "We do not allow children under 14 years of age." Are you serious, you think children can't behave themselves until they are 14? I think that when children are expected to behave badly, it is no wonder they live up to those expectations. I am thankful Amelia probably treats people better than some of these adults I was speaking to on the phone. </div>Katrinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04799279202308436534noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2050559519603889170.post-68835900740189177302011-03-18T10:05:00.002+00:002011-03-18T10:05:00.367+00:00Daily Amelia-ismI need to start writing these down, because they frequently crack me up, but then I can't recall them just a few days later. Maybe it is entering my 34th year, or more likely just lack of sleep, but anyway, this one had me going earlier this week. <div><br /><div>We were unpacking groceries and Amelia saw the deli packages and wanted some for a snack, so I handed her a couple of pieces. She started in on her turkey and pipes up through her half-chewed bite"Turkey says gobble, gobble" which in itself always gets me going. Then she looks at me and says "Mommy, do you know what the salami says?" and I nearly lost it. </div></div><div><br /></div><div>I'll try to bring you more as I remember. </div>Katrinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04799279202308436534noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2050559519603889170.post-69817696590839238182011-03-17T18:57:00.003+00:002011-03-17T19:05:28.753+00:00And the Winner is?<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-T1LMz6wHg04/TYJbM_zTJZI/AAAAAAAAEjc/vNqW0TMCTrU/s1600/247.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-T1LMz6wHg04/TYJbM_zTJZI/AAAAAAAAEjc/vNqW0TMCTrU/s400/247.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5585126766735992210" /></a><br />I know it wasn't me. Could have possibly been Tristan, or the dogs, or the peas. Yes, definitely the peas.Katrinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04799279202308436534noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2050559519603889170.post-17677272301224385222011-02-04T10:12:00.003+00:002011-02-04T11:52:32.026+00:00Just when you think things are looking down...Our year got off to a bit of a sour start. The airline damaged our new double stroller in route, my computer turned itself off three days after we got home and declined to be coaxed into turning on again, and my car began refusing to go into reverse when turned on, or be shifted past first for the initial 5 or 10 minutes of driving. On top of that Amelia's lovely little infantario (preschool) was forced to close because of lack of enrollment. Unfortunately a common phenomenon at private centers in this current economy, but so sad for us and the wonderful teachers and staff they had there.<div><br /></div><div>So I was feeling sorry for myself and thinking we were having a string of bad luck. Then I talked to a friend who's family is facing some very difficult medical issues, and that particular week she also had a baby with the chicken pox, and I figured the material things we were losing were so petty and insignificant in the grand scheme of things. Plus the car was fixable, the laptop was miraculously resurrected 2 weeks after its demise (though I still don't trust it and have the new one on its way), and the stroller still has issues but United has agreed to at least look at the repair costs, and even if they don't help out, I'll get over it. </div><div><br /></div><div>As for the infantario, we looked at several others and weren't able to replicate the feel we had from the first, but then Amelia's teacher called us to get together one day and we ended up asking her to watch both kids part time until she is able to find a new job. She is awesome and Amelia *ADORES* her and it gives me the chance to a) practice my Portuguese on a regular basis with someone who is used to speaking slowly and clearly for 2 year olds and b) get back to a little work of my own. Not to mention we also now have a babysitter for the occasional night out, sem meninos!</div><div><br /></div><div>So things were really actually looking up, and to top it off, today I went in for a consult with Tristan's hearing specialist who told us that his latest hearing test came back normal for both ears! She said that occasionally the ears haven't finished development before birth, but can keep developing for the first few months. She wants to recheck him when he is one year old, but is optimistic they will not regress. Now that is news I would have gladly thrown 100 laptops out the window to hear! What a marvelous start to 2011!</div>Katrinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04799279202308436534noreply@blogger.com2