marriage

here in Beijing

We're finally here, able to post to the blog in Beijing.  It took some time, but we can pretty much access any site on the internet that we could in the US.  These are pictures taken in the US and were used for the kids passport photos.

I'm working on taking more pictures here in Beijing and will post them as I do.  I know, I know, there are many requests for tuk tuk photos.  They're coming, we've just all been under the weather a bit so haven't felt much like taking pictures if we went out in the tuk tuk.  I'll post them as soon as I get them!

Cinnabuns make everything better...

So we are just weeks away from our big move to Beijing. The stress and long to do lists that come along with that is abundant!


As I was doing some last minute shopping before our movers came, I decided the best thing to do was to stop for some adorable little cinnabuns for the babies. They were pretty happy. Of course that didn't stop them from trying their hardest to embarrass me in the store with their naughty behavior. At what point does their behavior become a reflection of their bad choices, not my poor (and lazy...um, exhausted!) parenting?


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

A birthday party, kind of

Ian turned 2 and we had a kind of birthday party. Nothing big, just some cake, candles, and birthday presents.


Ian didn't really know what to do with the lit candles. Neither did Leah or Isaac when we finally asked them to blow out the candles for Ian. I finally blew them out myself. Seriously, has anyone even been to a birthday party?


Ian wasn't even really getting opening presents. His late late afternoon nap didn't seem to help. At least he's got some awesome new toys to play with.


He's becoming more and more like MB everyday.

happy birthday deeds

Dear Ian -

How did this little sweet thing go from a small red baby with huge feet to a big boy with a humongous head in only two years?  You are my little boy, and I love you so much.  I love how much you have brought into our little family.  You and your sister Leah are good buddies and sometimes frenemies.  You are both still learning to share, but you love to laugh and run and play together.  You love cars and balls.  And you can't get enough of playing outside.

You are learning Chinese as quickly as you are learning English and we couldn't be prouder.  Your daddy is especially proud to hear you help him count to 10 in Chinese.  You are a happy little guy and although you have a seemingly insatiable need for sleep (hmm, remind you of anyone else??), you usually wake up happy.  You often have a smile and a hug for me when I go in to check on you before I go to bed and you're asleep in your crib. 

I'm so happy to be your mom and I can't wait to watch you get even older.



Dear Ian -

New York, New York take 2

Ok, we met our dear friends, the Arthur's in NYC a few weeks ago. No time this year for a cruise, so we settled for a long weekend in the big apple.


Lots of laughs. (no surprise there)


We spent some time in Chinatown, where I was able to practice my Mandarin. I need more practice, safe to say.


Apparently we were boring MB.


I love these two. We will still be vacationing together when we're in our 80's.


Can you see the lady liberty behind us?

new york, new york

 Some of my closest DC friends and I decided to take a trip before we all embark on our international adventures (mine is taking us to Beijing).  We tried to go to the Bahamas to visit another good friend, but it just wouldn't work out.  New York was our second (and perhaps better because I didn't have to put a swimsuit on in the winter!) choice.  We had such fun.  Including being right next to the taping of "Real Housewives of NYC".  We were at the table directly behind this family, who apparently is a character on the show.  Keep your TVs on to see if we make the show.

Here's a photo of us outside standing in line for tickets to SNL.  We didn't get any and ended up getting far too little sleep for the privilege of standing outside in the rain/snow for absolutely nothing.  Lesson learned.  SNL tickets are not easily gotten.

We saw our fair share of 30 Rock.  Here's a snapshot of my boyfriend, Jimmy Fallon.  So cute.

It was such a fun trip.  I love these ladies and I'm so happy we got to have our girls weekend, as they are already gone (miss you Shelagh!) or getting ready to head out soon.