We just landed in Cebu, Philippines for the week and once we got checked into our room we opened up the computer and started checking out the past two months of blogs that we've been missing. This week we plan to get caught up on reading other blogs and doing some posting of our own. Some friends of ours booked a week in Cebu and since I had some meetings in Cebu and Manilla we decided to all come down and join them for the week. Will was great on the flights and we are looking forward to some warm weather swimming, but not exactly looking forward to sharing a room with Will for the week...Jen is getting his bed set up right now on the hide-a-bed so we'll see how this goes.
The most notable event from this past week was my bike wreck. On Tuesday and Thursday mornings I get together with a group of guys and we do laps around Century park at 5:40am. It's a 5k loop and we usually do 6 laps with a sprint finish to each lap. Kind of like speed workout on a bike. The once per lap sprint finishes can get a bit intense when you've got 12 guys fighting for the win each lap. On Thursday's 3rd lap the bunch sprint got a little bit too tight and the two guys on my left started getting tangled up a little bit and in a split second they went down right into me! I went flying in one direction and my front made a load exploding sound as my bike went flying in another direction. Once I hit the pavement I rolled for some time. We were doing about 35mph at the time of the crash! The crash hurt pretty bad and was pretty scary. My bike was not ridable so I took a taxi home. Throughout the day Thursday I got more and more sore and felt like I'd been hit by a train. But amazingly I woke up feeling pretty good on Friday morning and went for a slow 1,000 yard swim. I took my bike in to get repaired and the only real damage was my front wheel, I'll have to get a new one, in the meantime I've got a loaner from a friend.
It was pretty miraculous that I wasn't really hurt. Since it is still winter time I was wearing a lot of clothes so I didn't even get road rash. Had it been in the summer I wouldn't have much skin left. My helmet didn't even have a scratch on it and by Saturday morning I was ready for another 100k ride. Today, Sunday, I've just got a slightly scratched knee and a tender, slightly swollen, elbow but that's it! I'm really grateful it turned out OK. (I figure it's mostly due to drinking Asea, it's a miracle healer. 2 oz a day will keep any doctor away. I even put it on my bike to keep it from getting hurt. Now I just need 10 people to work under me to sell this stuff) High speed bike crashes in big groups are scary, especially since the guys behind you have no choice but to run you over! I certainly don't want to repeat that experience anytime soon.
We'll be posting more this week with pictures.
Sunday, February 27, 2011
Friday, February 4, 2011
Update from Germany
Jen just emailed me this so I could post it on the blog. I'm in Germany this week so I have blog access again! She made me promise that I wouldn't change anything she wrote.
MUESLI
The other week I bought two boxes of Muesli at the local Carrefoure. Any kind of cereal is super expensive here, so we never buy any, but, this was on sale. It was such a good price that I bought two boxes. WB and I have been enjoying it every morning in our oatmeal, or just plain. Taylor even ate a bowl of it one morning and made a comment that the raisins were so hard it took half an hour to eat a bowl. Yesterday Will was eating a bowl of it and Taylor looked disgustedly in his bowl and said,
"What is he eating? What are those white specks?"
"It's Muesli and those white specks are coconut."
"Did you add that in?"
"No, that's how it came."
"I'm sure glad that's in his bowl and not mine."
I told him that he had eaten a bowl the other day and he said,
"I did not eat that!" (Said rather defiantly)
Ok, whatever you say.
IN BALANCE
The last travel trip that Taylor went to was Indonesia, a couple weeks ago with something around his wrist- like a women's hair elastic band.
"What is that around your wrist?"
He has been talking about these bands for a couple years-how if you wear it around your wrist, or neck, it will balance out the negative ions in your body. I've always thought it was a ridiculous buy. If you want to balance out the negative ions in your body my belief is you should exercise, eat healthy, breathe deeply and "OMMM" for a while, or something like that.
So I asked him what was around his wrist, realizing the moment I said it what it was.
Rather sheepishly, slyly, defiantly, whatever you want to call it he says with a 'leave-me-alone-about-it' attitude,
"I'm in balance."
LOCKED DOOR
W. has been sleeping in his pack 'n play since the day he was born. It's very convenient, and it doesn't spoil him, so when we visit other places he won't expect anything we can't provide.
He is getting rather tall. In America while staying in Logan he actually did climb out of the pack 'n play at H.'s house, fell on his head, and bit his lip. So I knew it was time to buy him a bed, but I've been holding off since it's quite far to travel to IKEA, and W. doesn't last long doing things like this. Plus, his pack 'n play here is a bit taller, so we still had more time, right?
Lately I've had to be in his room or right close by when he falls asleep in case he makes the attempt to climb out (he was getting closer and closer at accomplishing this feat). The other night I was in his room on the twin mattress waiting for him to fall asleep and he was crying his heart out (typical at bedtime). He heaved his little toddler chest and puffed it up till his rib cage was resting on the edge of the crib, and he used his legs to climb up the side, while using his strong little arms to pull him out. He nearly fell flat on his head again, so I said, "No more". I still don't have a toddler bed so we are having him sleep on a twin mattress on the floor of his room. (I'll wait till after the Chinese New Year holiday to get a bed so we have a car)
He's also started meddling with the lock on the door, but never actually turned it ever. I still was staying in his room or close by till he fell asleep so he wouldn't lock the door (one of my fears). I've asked the landlord for the key many times, but she's slow about any of our requests. Yesterday I laid down with him on the mattress till his eyes started drooping, then I left. I shut the door. I heard him get up a minute later, and I thought to myself I should probably tape the lock so it won't actually lock, and I even had a quick thought before his nap that we should switch his bedroom to the other one (we will make this switch when he gets a new bed-so still holding off). But I did have a thought before his nap that I should move the mattress in there, but still didn't listen to the voice, that I always debate about whether it's my paranoid conscience, or the Holy Ghost. I have a hard time deciphering, because I am quite paranoid.
So meanwhile, I hear Will at the door, and throw off the thought. "He won't lock the door, Jen. Relax." And right then, I hear a click, and another click. I ran to his room and sure enough, he had locked it.
I can't call management since I don't have the language skills to tell them the problem. Can't call a locksmith, same problem. Taylor's in Germany. I don't have the landlord's number. What can you do but pray in a situation like this? For a quick second I actually panicked and thought, "there's no time to pray! I have to do something." My son is locked in his room. I'm on the other side with no way to help. Thankfully I listened to the voice this time because things worked out after that.
Like my phone actually being able to call Taylor in Germany.
Like Taylor actually awaking from his deep slumber to answer his phone.
Like him quickly giving me two numbers to reach the landlord.
Like her quickly answering and despite the New Year when EVERYONE travels, she was home.
Like her home being in our complex.
Like her being able to get a key and come quickly over.
Unfortunately she did not have a key for that door. She was able to find a key for every other door, except this one. Should have moved him to the other bedroom.
But she is Chinese, and speaks English, and was able to call management and a service worker came quickly.
He did not have the tools to fix this problem, and he was a bit prideful, and would not listen to me or my opinion. Completely disregarded me, even though it was my child. He wouldn't listen to me when I told him not to kick in the door because W. was on the other side crying and screaming frantically at this point. I was afraid they would harm him.
At this point the door handle was off. They both thought it was a good idea to use a card to slide it in the lock like you would with a locked car...Of course this wouldn't work but I was getting desperate.
Apparently I was informed they had not one saw or drill in the entire complex! (I did not appreciate that lie, btw). It would have made for a less traumatizing experience.
He would not even think of sawing the door, so I took a knife and started it myself.
He kinda pushed me out of the way and took his screwdriver and hammer and started hammering into and on the side of the lock, completely ruining it.My idea was to saw a small hole and unlock the door, but after the ruined lock that wasn't an option. I am very shaky at this point, and W. is scared to death on the other side. It wasn't a quiet process.
Finally when I think progress is being made the hammer breaks. So thankfully I had one. He continued to hammer at the door and lock meanwhile creating a hole, meanwhile flinging broken chunks of wood at my child's face who is screaming for his Baba on the other side. They told me I should tell W. to move to the other side of the room...Really?
I tried to slide cards underneath to keep him on the other end of the door but of course the hammering was traumatizing. Then the service man proceeded to kick in the door. There was a small hole and I pushed him out of the way so I could try and unlock the door, but the lock was ruined, like I mentioned. He continued to kick in the door while trying to pull the whole lock out, which he finally did, and we were able to open the door and get a very traumatized, scared, crying child out of that room and into my arms. He was clinging so tightly like he's never done before.
This was a traumatizing experience for me and for him, and I'm so full of gratitude that he is safe. He was locked in the room for over an hour.
I guess I've learned my lesson. Don't chance anything. Balcony's, windows, Not worth it.
BABY POWDER
I changed W.'s diaper this morning, and immediately took it out to the garbage out in the hall. I came in and washed my hands in the kitchen sink, and put the breakfast dishes into the sink. I hear Will's toy music box, but not him, so I leave the kitchen and find him in the hall dumping the entire contents of the baby powder all over the wood floor. I seriously left him for less than two minutes! He was having the time of his life. I can't let my eyesight leave this child for even a moment without him getting into trouble! Thank goodness he's super cute.
ELMO
Elmo is his new favorite character. I don't know how this came to be, but he has to see Elmo every day. We are working on getting a stuffed Elmo doll for him. I think it started with some Sesame Street books I brought back from the U.S. His toothpaste has Elmo on the front too. He used to hate his teeth being brushed, but if I hold out the tube of Elmo toothpaste in front of him and tell him Elmo says to brush teeth he'll graciously comply.
TP downloaded a Sesame Street episode onto itunes for him and he'll watch that daily. Or we'll stream it online. There's a point where Elmo and Rosita find a baby bird who has lost it's mom and they have to teach him how to fly. One of the cast is there joining in on the song, "Flap your wings". He crosses his arms, fans out his hands, and lifts them like wings flapping. Will now does this too. He'll walk around the house flapping his cute little arm wings and say, "Fap fap fap". In fact, he just woke up and came to me crying. When he saw me and the computer he started flapping his wings, and is now saying "Elmo" while pointing at the computer. At least he knows what he wants, right?
I taught him to say, "Yao" (want).
He is speaking lots and saying words like, 'Elmo', 'yao', 'dianhua' (phone), 'zhao' (foot), 'uh-oh', 'eye', 'ear', 'teeth', 'nose', 'gei' (give) he'll say this if he's giving me something or wants me to give him something, 'shui-jiao' (sleep) he says this while putting his hands underneath his chin and tilting his head-supposed to be on the side of his face while tilting his head like he's sleeping, 'shui' (water), 'chi' (eat), 'na-na' (banana), 'bao bao' (bread, really mianbao), 'bye', 'hi', 'apple', 'shoe', and many other words. He's good at imitating me and understands so much. He's very smart. This morning I told him to get his shoes, so he went to the shoe cabinet and unloaded all my shoes--close enough. He'll get me a book if I ask him to, or throw away garbage. After drinking his drinkable yogurt he'll throw it in the trash.
He's seriously so much fun to be around, and is such a joy--provided we both get our sleep! (Last night he wanted to eat at 1:30 AM. He ate yogurt, bread, and mac 'n cheese). I wasn't so nice at that hour.
MUESLI
The other week I bought two boxes of Muesli at the local Carrefoure. Any kind of cereal is super expensive here, so we never buy any, but, this was on sale. It was such a good price that I bought two boxes. WB and I have been enjoying it every morning in our oatmeal, or just plain. Taylor even ate a bowl of it one morning and made a comment that the raisins were so hard it took half an hour to eat a bowl. Yesterday Will was eating a bowl of it and Taylor looked disgustedly in his bowl and said,
"What is he eating? What are those white specks?"
"It's Muesli and those white specks are coconut."
"Did you add that in?"
"No, that's how it came."
"I'm sure glad that's in his bowl and not mine."
I told him that he had eaten a bowl the other day and he said,
"I did not eat that!" (Said rather defiantly)
Ok, whatever you say.
IN BALANCE
The last travel trip that Taylor went to was Indonesia, a couple weeks ago with something around his wrist- like a women's hair elastic band.
"What is that around your wrist?"
He has been talking about these bands for a couple years-how if you wear it around your wrist, or neck, it will balance out the negative ions in your body. I've always thought it was a ridiculous buy. If you want to balance out the negative ions in your body my belief is you should exercise, eat healthy, breathe deeply and "OMMM" for a while, or something like that.
So I asked him what was around his wrist, realizing the moment I said it what it was.
Rather sheepishly, slyly, defiantly, whatever you want to call it he says with a 'leave-me-alone-about-it' attitude,
"I'm in balance."
LOCKED DOOR
W. has been sleeping in his pack 'n play since the day he was born. It's very convenient, and it doesn't spoil him, so when we visit other places he won't expect anything we can't provide.
He is getting rather tall. In America while staying in Logan he actually did climb out of the pack 'n play at H.'s house, fell on his head, and bit his lip. So I knew it was time to buy him a bed, but I've been holding off since it's quite far to travel to IKEA, and W. doesn't last long doing things like this. Plus, his pack 'n play here is a bit taller, so we still had more time, right?
Lately I've had to be in his room or right close by when he falls asleep in case he makes the attempt to climb out (he was getting closer and closer at accomplishing this feat). The other night I was in his room on the twin mattress waiting for him to fall asleep and he was crying his heart out (typical at bedtime). He heaved his little toddler chest and puffed it up till his rib cage was resting on the edge of the crib, and he used his legs to climb up the side, while using his strong little arms to pull him out. He nearly fell flat on his head again, so I said, "No more". I still don't have a toddler bed so we are having him sleep on a twin mattress on the floor of his room. (I'll wait till after the Chinese New Year holiday to get a bed so we have a car)
He's also started meddling with the lock on the door, but never actually turned it ever. I still was staying in his room or close by till he fell asleep so he wouldn't lock the door (one of my fears). I've asked the landlord for the key many times, but she's slow about any of our requests. Yesterday I laid down with him on the mattress till his eyes started drooping, then I left. I shut the door. I heard him get up a minute later, and I thought to myself I should probably tape the lock so it won't actually lock, and I even had a quick thought before his nap that we should switch his bedroom to the other one (we will make this switch when he gets a new bed-so still holding off). But I did have a thought before his nap that I should move the mattress in there, but still didn't listen to the voice, that I always debate about whether it's my paranoid conscience, or the Holy Ghost. I have a hard time deciphering, because I am quite paranoid.
So meanwhile, I hear Will at the door, and throw off the thought. "He won't lock the door, Jen. Relax." And right then, I hear a click, and another click. I ran to his room and sure enough, he had locked it.
I can't call management since I don't have the language skills to tell them the problem. Can't call a locksmith, same problem. Taylor's in Germany. I don't have the landlord's number. What can you do but pray in a situation like this? For a quick second I actually panicked and thought, "there's no time to pray! I have to do something." My son is locked in his room. I'm on the other side with no way to help. Thankfully I listened to the voice this time because things worked out after that.
Like my phone actually being able to call Taylor in Germany.
Like Taylor actually awaking from his deep slumber to answer his phone.
Like him quickly giving me two numbers to reach the landlord.
Like her quickly answering and despite the New Year when EVERYONE travels, she was home.
Like her home being in our complex.
Like her being able to get a key and come quickly over.
Unfortunately she did not have a key for that door. She was able to find a key for every other door, except this one. Should have moved him to the other bedroom.
But she is Chinese, and speaks English, and was able to call management and a service worker came quickly.
He did not have the tools to fix this problem, and he was a bit prideful, and would not listen to me or my opinion. Completely disregarded me, even though it was my child. He wouldn't listen to me when I told him not to kick in the door because W. was on the other side crying and screaming frantically at this point. I was afraid they would harm him.
At this point the door handle was off. They both thought it was a good idea to use a card to slide it in the lock like you would with a locked car...Of course this wouldn't work but I was getting desperate.
Apparently I was informed they had not one saw or drill in the entire complex! (I did not appreciate that lie, btw). It would have made for a less traumatizing experience.
He would not even think of sawing the door, so I took a knife and started it myself.
He kinda pushed me out of the way and took his screwdriver and hammer and started hammering into and on the side of the lock, completely ruining it.My idea was to saw a small hole and unlock the door, but after the ruined lock that wasn't an option. I am very shaky at this point, and W. is scared to death on the other side. It wasn't a quiet process.
Finally when I think progress is being made the hammer breaks. So thankfully I had one. He continued to hammer at the door and lock meanwhile creating a hole, meanwhile flinging broken chunks of wood at my child's face who is screaming for his Baba on the other side. They told me I should tell W. to move to the other side of the room...Really?
I tried to slide cards underneath to keep him on the other end of the door but of course the hammering was traumatizing. Then the service man proceeded to kick in the door. There was a small hole and I pushed him out of the way so I could try and unlock the door, but the lock was ruined, like I mentioned. He continued to kick in the door while trying to pull the whole lock out, which he finally did, and we were able to open the door and get a very traumatized, scared, crying child out of that room and into my arms. He was clinging so tightly like he's never done before.
This was a traumatizing experience for me and for him, and I'm so full of gratitude that he is safe. He was locked in the room for over an hour.
I guess I've learned my lesson. Don't chance anything. Balcony's, windows, Not worth it.
BABY POWDER
I changed W.'s diaper this morning, and immediately took it out to the garbage out in the hall. I came in and washed my hands in the kitchen sink, and put the breakfast dishes into the sink. I hear Will's toy music box, but not him, so I leave the kitchen and find him in the hall dumping the entire contents of the baby powder all over the wood floor. I seriously left him for less than two minutes! He was having the time of his life. I can't let my eyesight leave this child for even a moment without him getting into trouble! Thank goodness he's super cute.
ELMO
Elmo is his new favorite character. I don't know how this came to be, but he has to see Elmo every day. We are working on getting a stuffed Elmo doll for him. I think it started with some Sesame Street books I brought back from the U.S. His toothpaste has Elmo on the front too. He used to hate his teeth being brushed, but if I hold out the tube of Elmo toothpaste in front of him and tell him Elmo says to brush teeth he'll graciously comply.
TP downloaded a Sesame Street episode onto itunes for him and he'll watch that daily. Or we'll stream it online. There's a point where Elmo and Rosita find a baby bird who has lost it's mom and they have to teach him how to fly. One of the cast is there joining in on the song, "Flap your wings". He crosses his arms, fans out his hands, and lifts them like wings flapping. Will now does this too. He'll walk around the house flapping his cute little arm wings and say, "Fap fap fap". In fact, he just woke up and came to me crying. When he saw me and the computer he started flapping his wings, and is now saying "Elmo" while pointing at the computer. At least he knows what he wants, right?
I taught him to say, "Yao" (want).
He is speaking lots and saying words like, 'Elmo', 'yao', 'dianhua' (phone), 'zhao' (foot), 'uh-oh', 'eye', 'ear', 'teeth', 'nose', 'gei' (give) he'll say this if he's giving me something or wants me to give him something, 'shui-jiao' (sleep) he says this while putting his hands underneath his chin and tilting his head-supposed to be on the side of his face while tilting his head like he's sleeping, 'shui' (water), 'chi' (eat), 'na-na' (banana), 'bao bao' (bread, really mianbao), 'bye', 'hi', 'apple', 'shoe', and many other words. He's good at imitating me and understands so much. He's very smart. This morning I told him to get his shoes, so he went to the shoe cabinet and unloaded all my shoes--close enough. He'll get me a book if I ask him to, or throw away garbage. After drinking his drinkable yogurt he'll throw it in the trash.
He's seriously so much fun to be around, and is such a joy--provided we both get our sleep! (Last night he wanted to eat at 1:30 AM. He ate yogurt, bread, and mac 'n cheese). I wasn't so nice at that hour.
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