Because my Dad sang this song when we were little and because I remember what the beginning of a work week feels like, and because it's just a cool song to get stuck in your head!
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
16 Tons
Monday, February 16, 2009
Lovin' Days Off!
Today we played. An afternoon visit to Baltimore included a visit to the National Aquarium with the girls and our first trip out for Sushi since I have been home. It was WONDERFUL!!!
The girls were ready to play and said their usual "Hello" to anyone that looked at them as they passed by (they are quite friendly as long as they have mom and dad to cling to). They giggled and laughed and stared in awe at all their little eyes could take in.
It took us about 3 hours to work our way through the entire aquarium and after deciding early on to get a year long membership, we learned that we even got to see the dolphin show! While the girls weren't too impressed, Garrett and I sat there with huge grins on our faces, feeling like little kids ourselves. It was a blast!
By the time we completed our visit with the fishes, we were famished and figured- what better is there to eat than fish? There was this AMAZING sushi place within 100 yards of the aquarium and we decided to risk it (even with the girls) and enjoy a meal we have both missed quite a lot since we brought the girls home. I think our exhaustion and sheer hunger brought us to the point of not caring whether the girls were with us, because this place was NICE. It's right on the water and much less family friendly than any other place that we have taken the girls. That said, the waiter was great and the place was more than willing to accommodate us and the girls.
Needless to say, it all went well. The girls had fried wantons and Garrett and I gorged ourselves on all kinds of yummy fish.
At the end of the meal, the girls were still a bit hungry, so Momma (being the well prepared woman she is) pulled out some raisins and put them on the girls plates. The girls, quite ingeniously, proceeded to dip those raisins into the soy sauce they had used for their wantons. This continued until all of the raisins were gone.
Don't ask. We have no idea what they were thinking. :)
Well,that's it for another day of adventuring for the Brighton-Parker family. The house is asleep and I am headed in the same direction to count some sheep.
Hope all is well!
The girls were ready to play and said their usual "Hello" to anyone that looked at them as they passed by (they are quite friendly as long as they have mom and dad to cling to). They giggled and laughed and stared in awe at all their little eyes could take in.
It took us about 3 hours to work our way through the entire aquarium and after deciding early on to get a year long membership, we learned that we even got to see the dolphin show! While the girls weren't too impressed, Garrett and I sat there with huge grins on our faces, feeling like little kids ourselves. It was a blast!
By the time we completed our visit with the fishes, we were famished and figured- what better is there to eat than fish? There was this AMAZING sushi place within 100 yards of the aquarium and we decided to risk it (even with the girls) and enjoy a meal we have both missed quite a lot since we brought the girls home. I think our exhaustion and sheer hunger brought us to the point of not caring whether the girls were with us, because this place was NICE. It's right on the water and much less family friendly than any other place that we have taken the girls. That said, the waiter was great and the place was more than willing to accommodate us and the girls.
Needless to say, it all went well. The girls had fried wantons and Garrett and I gorged ourselves on all kinds of yummy fish.
At the end of the meal, the girls were still a bit hungry, so Momma (being the well prepared woman she is) pulled out some raisins and put them on the girls plates. The girls, quite ingeniously, proceeded to dip those raisins into the soy sauce they had used for their wantons. This continued until all of the raisins were gone.
Don't ask. We have no idea what they were thinking. :)
Well,that's it for another day of adventuring for the Brighton-Parker family. The house is asleep and I am headed in the same direction to count some sheep.
Hope all is well!
Sunday, February 15, 2009
Bedtime
We have come to love bed time around this little house of ours. Macie is quick to cozy up in her own little bundle of blankets.
There's story time too.
Oh, and the big news around here....
Ella is in her own big girl bed now!
She gets so excited when she gets into bed that it takes a while to calm back down , but she is getting there and we are all so proud. The girls do a lot more talking and playing around now before they actually fall asleep, but it is super cute to watch on the monitor and eventually they do, in fact, rest.
I know it isn't much of a big deal, but I know that for family it is tough to miss even the little things- so here is a window into our little world out here.
There's story time too.
Oh, and the big news around here....
Ella is in her own big girl bed now!
She gets so excited when she gets into bed that it takes a while to calm back down , but she is getting there and we are all so proud. The girls do a lot more talking and playing around now before they actually fall asleep, but it is super cute to watch on the monitor and eventually they do, in fact, rest.
I know it isn't much of a big deal, but I know that for family it is tough to miss even the little things- so here is a window into our little world out here.
Thursday, February 12, 2009
The Sun Came Out Today!!!**EDIT**
We actually got some play time in! Yeah!!!!!
Macie discovered the gardening tools and the sidewalk chalk. Ella was more interested in the wagon and a very cool little lantern that one of the great officers at PPD gave us (thanks Rick!). Who knew how much entertainment that would provide?
Dudley was more than happy to monitor all of the activity from a safe and restful distance. Thank GOD for the sunshine!!!
and here are some pictures of Mickey and Tim's visit that I have neglected to post (thanks for the email Mic- it reminded me)!
We are so thankful that you all took the time to come and visit! I know it was WAY out of your way, but it was wonderful to have a face from home meet the girls and be able to show them off a bit.
We look forward to seeing you again soon, and thanks again for sharing the pictures! They are wonderful!
P.S. Thanks Abe- for sharing your folks with us for a few hours! :)
Macie discovered the gardening tools and the sidewalk chalk. Ella was more interested in the wagon and a very cool little lantern that one of the great officers at PPD gave us (thanks Rick!). Who knew how much entertainment that would provide?
Dudley was more than happy to monitor all of the activity from a safe and restful distance. Thank GOD for the sunshine!!!
and here are some pictures of Mickey and Tim's visit that I have neglected to post (thanks for the email Mic- it reminded me)!
We are so thankful that you all took the time to come and visit! I know it was WAY out of your way, but it was wonderful to have a face from home meet the girls and be able to show them off a bit.
We look forward to seeing you again soon, and thanks again for sharing the pictures! They are wonderful!
P.S. Thanks Abe- for sharing your folks with us for a few hours! :)
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Vitamin D Deficiency
The sun was absent again today. The weather was warmer, but that orange globe that lights the earth, was noticeably covered and my body was without it's daily dose of vitamin D again.
Even Garrett (who is not a complainer) came home and said the same thing. We have been without those California weeks of sun for far too long and are missing home.
It's not that we don't appreciate Maryland. We do, in our own way. We love to travel, love new places, new people, we love taking on new challenges in most ways I think. It's more that it is really our first real winter..... ever.
I mean, we lived in England for a while and yes, it was in the middle of the coldest season of the year, but we were so pre-occupied with work and adjusting to a new culture, that the weather was hardly even noticeable. Here, without the distractions of work and family, the cold carries with it more of a chill than I am used to and it seems to drag the hours of each day into an eternity of waiting for Spring. Even with family visits, phone calls, and SKYPE, I am still left missing the sunshine more than I can say.
It may sound trivial to those that have lived on the East Coast for a while, or those that are used to the cold, darkness of a "real" winter, but for this California native, the lack of that warm orb makes a noticeable difference in my mood and ability to function on a consistently cheery note (I know.... I can hear you all saying I'm not exactly the over-the-top "chipper" type anyway, but imagine how I must be NOW!!! :P).
I think of my girls and their adjustment to the cold weather. Ethiopia only has two rainy seasons throughout the year and they only last about a month a piece, so I know that they too, are missing the warmth and brightness that our sun brings.
Our travel plans to go home in March could not possibly come any sooner. I can't wait to wrap my arms around those I love and soak in the warmth (even if it's only a mere 50-60 degrees the entire time that we are there)of the West Coast. My bridge is in desperate need of a visit and I long to see the sun set over the mountains just beyond it.
I am trying to hold off counting the days until we hit at least the end of February, but I'm not sure how successful I will be. Both Garrett and I can't wait to get a little family time in and enjoy a little R&R.
If you are one of those that doesn't understand- you'll have to just suck it up and forgive me. I'm unforgivably Californian!
Even Garrett (who is not a complainer) came home and said the same thing. We have been without those California weeks of sun for far too long and are missing home.
It's not that we don't appreciate Maryland. We do, in our own way. We love to travel, love new places, new people, we love taking on new challenges in most ways I think. It's more that it is really our first real winter..... ever.
I mean, we lived in England for a while and yes, it was in the middle of the coldest season of the year, but we were so pre-occupied with work and adjusting to a new culture, that the weather was hardly even noticeable. Here, without the distractions of work and family, the cold carries with it more of a chill than I am used to and it seems to drag the hours of each day into an eternity of waiting for Spring. Even with family visits, phone calls, and SKYPE, I am still left missing the sunshine more than I can say.
It may sound trivial to those that have lived on the East Coast for a while, or those that are used to the cold, darkness of a "real" winter, but for this California native, the lack of that warm orb makes a noticeable difference in my mood and ability to function on a consistently cheery note (I know.... I can hear you all saying I'm not exactly the over-the-top "chipper" type anyway, but imagine how I must be NOW!!! :P).
I think of my girls and their adjustment to the cold weather. Ethiopia only has two rainy seasons throughout the year and they only last about a month a piece, so I know that they too, are missing the warmth and brightness that our sun brings.
Our travel plans to go home in March could not possibly come any sooner. I can't wait to wrap my arms around those I love and soak in the warmth (even if it's only a mere 50-60 degrees the entire time that we are there)of the West Coast. My bridge is in desperate need of a visit and I long to see the sun set over the mountains just beyond it.
I am trying to hold off counting the days until we hit at least the end of February, but I'm not sure how successful I will be. Both Garrett and I can't wait to get a little family time in and enjoy a little R&R.
If you are one of those that doesn't understand- you'll have to just suck it up and forgive me. I'm unforgivably Californian!
Monday, February 9, 2009
"Auntie Mawcie?"
That is what the girls have been chanting for the past week. We have been preparing them for a much anticipated visit from Marcy since we got the word that they were coming in December.
It has been just under 3 months since the girls saw her and we were lucky enough to have my brother Mark, and my niece Natalie join her this last week. The girls knew Marcy right away and it didn't take long for them to warm up to her and the two new faces she brought with her.
It was the first time that we had been at an airport since we brought the girls home and there was a very noticeable shift in the girls behavior when we arrived. Both Macie and Ella remained attached to Garrett and I while they soaked in their surroundings. It was clear to both of us that after a few minutes of observation, the girls knew exactly where we were and what it meant. Their fear was expressed in tight little fists wrapped around our fingers and big, uncertain eyes, filled with questions about what was going on. We held them close and hunted down the family in hopes of hastening our time there. Within a few minutes we located our weary travelers and slowly approached them, giving the girls time to adjust to their presence. The girls recognized the faces, but reserved hugs for a few hours later.
We are learning more and more that, while the girls are anxious to meet people, they are physically, pretty cautious about touch and physical interaction. The girls did shake hands with everyone, and seemed willing to do so, but there was definitely a need to be close to mom and dad until some time had passed and they knew they were safe.
Mark and Marcy spent the week in DC at a national convention, while Natalie got some quality time in with the girls. Being the great niece that she is, she brought some wonderful toys for the girls and was fantastic about just being with them and watching them interact. The girls enjoyed their time with her and loved waking up to see her face each morning.
We all ventured out to the doctors on Thursday for our 3rd check-up and I am glad to say that Ella has jumped from being in the 11th percentile (for growth) in her age range, to being in the 25th. That jump was in just a months time! Macie is growing as well (although not quite as fast), and we are thankful that both the girls are healthy and their development appears to be right on track!
Friday, Natalie and I fit in a trip the the Baltimore National Aquarium (I had never been). Natalie and I got to explore it while Garrett stayed at home with the girls. It was pretty amazing (well worth seeing any chance you get). We can't wait to take the girls.
Saturday morning Mark and Marcy joined our little clan and we shared a typical day and some time at the park too! We were lucky to have some warmer weather while they were here. I can't tell you how nice it is to be outside with the girls. The cold weather has taken it's toll on us all and we were ready for some sunshine.
Sunday morning I drove our three guests to the airport, sent them off wishing we had more time, and headed back home where myself and the rest of the clan collapsed with fevers.
I gotta tell you it was maddening! The most beautiful day of the winter so far (68 degrees) and we were all inside, bundled up and sucking down fluids and chicken noodle soup. How sad is that?!?!?
This morning we woke a bit better, but still a little off, so today will be another day of laying low. Hopefully, we will all have a full recovery by tomorrow.
Here's to hoping our germs didn't get sent to Seattle with the fam!
It has been just under 3 months since the girls saw her and we were lucky enough to have my brother Mark, and my niece Natalie join her this last week. The girls knew Marcy right away and it didn't take long for them to warm up to her and the two new faces she brought with her.
It was the first time that we had been at an airport since we brought the girls home and there was a very noticeable shift in the girls behavior when we arrived. Both Macie and Ella remained attached to Garrett and I while they soaked in their surroundings. It was clear to both of us that after a few minutes of observation, the girls knew exactly where we were and what it meant. Their fear was expressed in tight little fists wrapped around our fingers and big, uncertain eyes, filled with questions about what was going on. We held them close and hunted down the family in hopes of hastening our time there. Within a few minutes we located our weary travelers and slowly approached them, giving the girls time to adjust to their presence. The girls recognized the faces, but reserved hugs for a few hours later.
We are learning more and more that, while the girls are anxious to meet people, they are physically, pretty cautious about touch and physical interaction. The girls did shake hands with everyone, and seemed willing to do so, but there was definitely a need to be close to mom and dad until some time had passed and they knew they were safe.
Mark and Marcy spent the week in DC at a national convention, while Natalie got some quality time in with the girls. Being the great niece that she is, she brought some wonderful toys for the girls and was fantastic about just being with them and watching them interact. The girls enjoyed their time with her and loved waking up to see her face each morning.
We all ventured out to the doctors on Thursday for our 3rd check-up and I am glad to say that Ella has jumped from being in the 11th percentile (for growth) in her age range, to being in the 25th. That jump was in just a months time! Macie is growing as well (although not quite as fast), and we are thankful that both the girls are healthy and their development appears to be right on track!
Friday, Natalie and I fit in a trip the the Baltimore National Aquarium (I had never been). Natalie and I got to explore it while Garrett stayed at home with the girls. It was pretty amazing (well worth seeing any chance you get). We can't wait to take the girls.
Saturday morning Mark and Marcy joined our little clan and we shared a typical day and some time at the park too! We were lucky to have some warmer weather while they were here. I can't tell you how nice it is to be outside with the girls. The cold weather has taken it's toll on us all and we were ready for some sunshine.
Sunday morning I drove our three guests to the airport, sent them off wishing we had more time, and headed back home where myself and the rest of the clan collapsed with fevers.
I gotta tell you it was maddening! The most beautiful day of the winter so far (68 degrees) and we were all inside, bundled up and sucking down fluids and chicken noodle soup. How sad is that?!?!?
This morning we woke a bit better, but still a little off, so today will be another day of laying low. Hopefully, we will all have a full recovery by tomorrow.
Here's to hoping our germs didn't get sent to Seattle with the fam!
Monday, February 2, 2009
Memories of Home
The girls never cease to amaze me. They came downstairs wearing my old sarongs like this the other day. Now it is daily routine, often including baby dolls wrapped inside them somehow.
They truly are astounding little lives.
They truly are astounding little lives.
Friday, January 30, 2009
Macie Singing.
I tried to get her on film, but it never works out. She IS quite the singer though, so I thought I would at least post the sound of her voice.
If you listen closly, you can hear "5 Little Monkeys Jumping on the Bed...." and parts of "The Wheels on the Bus". She has 5 Little Monkeys down (she learned that one in the care center), but is still learning Wheels on the Bus.
If you listen closly, you can hear "5 Little Monkeys Jumping on the Bed...." and parts of "The Wheels on the Bus". She has 5 Little Monkeys down (she learned that one in the care center), but is still learning Wheels on the Bus.
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