Monday, November 30, 2009
Saturday, November 28, 2009
No Black Friday for this family
No sir-ee, Bob. Got a massage. Got a pedicure. Ate at Taco Cabana. Mmmmm...mmmmm...good!
Friday, November 27, 2009
Happy Thanksgiving, ya'll!
Today marks another passing of Turkey day..the day where families break bread together over a large, oven roasted, succulent turkey and all it's fixin's, proclaim what/ who we are grateful for and with full bellies and sleepy eyes, we sit around the television and cheer the Longhorns on to victory against the Texas Aggies. At the writing of this post, the Longhorns were ahead, but I don't know what the score is now...
Thanksgiving is pretty hectic around this large family. 7 kids, now 9, two grandparents, 6 adults...that's a full house and it's really difficult to have a sit down meal together with so many people. Kids ate first, grown ups age afterwards while the kids ran circles around the dinner table, played together or got into fights with each other.
Despite the noise and the chaos, I loved every minute of it. I am thankful for my family and my friends. I am especially thankful that I didn't eat so much that my stomach felt like bursting this year. :)
The host/ hostess
Mommy and me
Waiting with Uncle Mark for dinner
Judy cutting the turkey
First turkey bite for Keira
Thanksgiving is pretty hectic around this large family. 7 kids, now 9, two grandparents, 6 adults...that's a full house and it's really difficult to have a sit down meal together with so many people. Kids ate first, grown ups age afterwards while the kids ran circles around the dinner table, played together or got into fights with each other.
Despite the noise and the chaos, I loved every minute of it. I am thankful for my family and my friends. I am especially thankful that I didn't eat so much that my stomach felt like bursting this year. :)
The host/ hostess
Mommy and me
Waiting with Uncle Mark for dinner
Judy cutting the turkey
First turkey bite for Keira
Thursday, November 26, 2009
Pre-shopping fun: a visit to the dentist
Before I got to the hit the Galleria today, I had to go visit the dentist for a cleaning...I hate to go to the dentist and get my teeth cleaned. There's something about the sound of the scraping and the picking that makes the hairs on the back of my neck stand up. Think of someone scraping their fingernails down a chalkboard. Yeah, well, that's how I felt.
My wonderful dentist wasn't so happy with the condition of my teeth until he found out that my last cleaning was about a year and a half ago. Then, he gave me some slack. Seems that my tartar problem has to do with my dental floss technique. You can't just put the dental floss straight in and pull it back out. You have to wrap the dental floss around each tooth on both sides. Dental floss technique. Ha! Who would've thunk it?
My teeth are rather sensitive now because my gums have receded. Receded? When he told me that, I envisioned that my teeth had all fallen out and I only had flappy gums to fill my mouth and my dentures in a cup.
Now I have to go back next week to get bonding done on my teeth. That's supposed to help protect the exposed roots on some of my teeth. I'm looking forward to that. Maybe when the cold wind blows now, I won't feel a twinge in my mouth anymore.
Hey, at least there weren't any cavities. I've got that to be thankful for. I'll remember that for tomorrow on Thanksgiving day.
My wonderful dentist wasn't so happy with the condition of my teeth until he found out that my last cleaning was about a year and a half ago. Then, he gave me some slack. Seems that my tartar problem has to do with my dental floss technique. You can't just put the dental floss straight in and pull it back out. You have to wrap the dental floss around each tooth on both sides. Dental floss technique. Ha! Who would've thunk it?
My teeth are rather sensitive now because my gums have receded. Receded? When he told me that, I envisioned that my teeth had all fallen out and I only had flappy gums to fill my mouth and my dentures in a cup.
Now I have to go back next week to get bonding done on my teeth. That's supposed to help protect the exposed roots on some of my teeth. I'm looking forward to that. Maybe when the cold wind blows now, I won't feel a twinge in my mouth anymore.
Hey, at least there weren't any cavities. I've got that to be thankful for. I'll remember that for tomorrow on Thanksgiving day.
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
License to Drive
Finally! I have a new Texas Driver's license and I can drive again! It has been such an "ordeal" this week. I've felt just a little bit trapped because my TDL needed to be renewed and I had forgotten to bring my SS card with me.
For those of you who don't know, in order to renew your driver's license these days, you pretty much have to go through some painful bureaucracy before you get a new one.
The DPS requires that you show proof of a social security number BEFORE they will renew your driver's license. I've heard that the lines at the social security office were LOOOONNNGGGG and it took me a week to pysch myself up to stand in line and get one. The office opened at 9am, so I got up at 6:30am to make sure that I could be first in line by 7:30am today.
When we drove up, there were a few cars parked in the parking lot, but none of the people had gotten out of their cars to stand by the door. Well, I took advantage of that fact and stood out in the chilly, overcast weather so that I could be the first one at the door. What happens? This skinny little Vietnamese girl comes up and cuts right in front of me...normally, I would have beat her over the head with a bludgeon, but I guess it was because I hadn't had my coffee yet that I was nice and kept my mouth shut. (but, I was fuming inside...maybe I should have said something). But, it turns out that I was number 2 in line and it only added about 30 seconds to my wait, so that was ok.
After I got the SSN, then, we had to go to the DPS. The line was out the door and it was raining. There was no way I was standing in that line. I decided to go home for some caffeeine and come back at 3pm. Good strategy! At 3pm, I only waited an hour there and walked out with my temporary driver's license.
All in all, I think that I spent about 3 hours in lines today, which was a far cry from the full eight hours I thought that I would have to spend in line.
That's ok. I can live with that. I got my license. I got my license. Where am I going tomorrow? Why, the Galleria, of course to do some shopping, what else does a girl do when she has a license?! :)
For those of you who don't know, in order to renew your driver's license these days, you pretty much have to go through some painful bureaucracy before you get a new one.
The DPS requires that you show proof of a social security number BEFORE they will renew your driver's license. I've heard that the lines at the social security office were LOOOONNNGGGG and it took me a week to pysch myself up to stand in line and get one. The office opened at 9am, so I got up at 6:30am to make sure that I could be first in line by 7:30am today.
When we drove up, there were a few cars parked in the parking lot, but none of the people had gotten out of their cars to stand by the door. Well, I took advantage of that fact and stood out in the chilly, overcast weather so that I could be the first one at the door. What happens? This skinny little Vietnamese girl comes up and cuts right in front of me...normally, I would have beat her over the head with a bludgeon, but I guess it was because I hadn't had my coffee yet that I was nice and kept my mouth shut. (but, I was fuming inside...maybe I should have said something). But, it turns out that I was number 2 in line and it only added about 30 seconds to my wait, so that was ok.
After I got the SSN, then, we had to go to the DPS. The line was out the door and it was raining. There was no way I was standing in that line. I decided to go home for some caffeeine and come back at 3pm. Good strategy! At 3pm, I only waited an hour there and walked out with my temporary driver's license.
All in all, I think that I spent about 3 hours in lines today, which was a far cry from the full eight hours I thought that I would have to spend in line.
That's ok. I can live with that. I got my license. I got my license. Where am I going tomorrow? Why, the Galleria, of course to do some shopping, what else does a girl do when she has a license?! :)
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
Monday, November 23, 2009
The mall just ain't what it used to be
OMG. I have to say that I am so disappointed today. My mother, Keira and I went to First Colony Mall in Sugarland today for some much anticipated shopping. Much to our dismay, we found nothing at the mall. The clothes looked like rejects from the 80's. Walking through some of the other stores, I was having major flashbacks of Madonna singing "Lucky Star." What is so lucky about cheesy, frilly, short short skirts with tight leggings and big bows in your hair? I was so glad when that fashion era passed us by and now it's back to haunt us again.
We fled the mall within an hour and a half and went over to my sister, Sandy's house, to help her clean it up and get it ready for sale. In the meantime, we also found some time to have some fun.
Po-po convinced Keira to put on some sunglasses
Po-po taking care of Hannah Banana (that's what I call Sandy's 6 week old because I like the way it sounds together and rolls on the tongue. Pretty soon, I'll just shorten it and call her "The Banana")
Keira got Barney in the clean up process
Sandy cleaning up the kids' playroom
We fled the mall within an hour and a half and went over to my sister, Sandy's house, to help her clean it up and get it ready for sale. In the meantime, we also found some time to have some fun.
Po-po convinced Keira to put on some sunglasses
Po-po taking care of Hannah Banana (that's what I call Sandy's 6 week old because I like the way it sounds together and rolls on the tongue. Pretty soon, I'll just shorten it and call her "The Banana")
Keira got Barney in the clean up process
Sandy cleaning up the kids' playroom
Sunday, November 22, 2009
Birthday party galore!
Well, here it is November, and every November, we celebrate my sister Judy's triplets' birthday, as well as James, her older son. Let me say that attending a kids' birthday party without a kid is totally different than attending one with your own kid.
Last year, I just wandered from room to room idly watching the kids, munching on the goodies and generally, the party passed in a haze. This year, I actually had conversations with other mothers about Keira and about their kids and I had to be on my toes because Ms. Keira liked to pick up tiny toys and put them in her mouth. I even joined in the festivites of playing Guitar Hero with the kids. Yes, I played "Living on a Prayer", Beginner level...basically meant that I held down one note and strummed to the beat.
Kids' birthday parties are more fun when you have your own kid, that's for sure. And, it was so much fun to see Keira just wandering from room to room getting into stuff and having a good time. The triplets turned 7 today and James was 10. The youngest there was Hannah (6 weeks old) and she slept most of the time. Just imagine Keira, as the only toddler, trying to play with the older kids and getting into trouble.
Starting off the day with Gong Gong at iHOP
Having fun
Ok, Uncle Robert, I'll sit on your lap for a picture
Yum Yum, time to eat!
The birthday family
Yi Yi captured Keira for a pic
Playing house with a "new friend"
Last year, I just wandered from room to room idly watching the kids, munching on the goodies and generally, the party passed in a haze. This year, I actually had conversations with other mothers about Keira and about their kids and I had to be on my toes because Ms. Keira liked to pick up tiny toys and put them in her mouth. I even joined in the festivites of playing Guitar Hero with the kids. Yes, I played "Living on a Prayer", Beginner level...basically meant that I held down one note and strummed to the beat.
Kids' birthday parties are more fun when you have your own kid, that's for sure. And, it was so much fun to see Keira just wandering from room to room getting into stuff and having a good time. The triplets turned 7 today and James was 10. The youngest there was Hannah (6 weeks old) and she slept most of the time. Just imagine Keira, as the only toddler, trying to play with the older kids and getting into trouble.
Starting off the day with Gong Gong at iHOP
Having fun
Ok, Uncle Robert, I'll sit on your lap for a picture
Yum Yum, time to eat!
The birthday family
Yi Yi captured Keira for a pic
Playing house with a "new friend"
Saturday, November 21, 2009
Go, go, go all day long
Waiting blissfully unaware of the upcoming trauma of three vaccines at the doctor's office. Yes, it does hurt, damn it.
Having dim sum with Gong gong (grandfather)
Pooped, jet lagged and snoring
Playing with cousin, Cameron. I want the plane. It's mine, it's mine, it's mine.
Having dim sum with Gong gong (grandfather)
Pooped, jet lagged and snoring
Playing with cousin, Cameron. I want the plane. It's mine, it's mine, it's mine.
Friday, November 20, 2009
Thursday, November 19, 2009
Houston, we have a landing
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We're heeeeeere! The trip went surprisingly well. No, let me rephrase - the trip went almost without a hitch and Keira, my little baby princess, was fan-freakin'-tastic.
Keira sat in her car seat and behaved the whole way. We ate some snacks, we watched TV, I even allowed her to walk assisted (with baby leash) down the aisle several times during the flight and she made friends with all the passengers as she walked past. Some even made it a point to lean over and try to touch her as she walked by. I felt like I was in the presence of a rock start.
As the passengers were leaving, one woman stopped to tell me that Keira made everyone smile on the plane and that she was so cute and such a delight to see. That made my day!!
This little girlie was such a trooper. When she got to my parents' house, she played with her cousin, Cameron, she sat in Gong Gong (my dad's) lap and she stayed up until her usual sleepinig time of 7:30pm....while mamma (me) was dying because I was so tired.
All in all, a good flight, a good memory and maybe next time I won't to hyperventilate so much.
Sunday, November 15, 2009
Packing fool
I have to say that I am almost done packing..which is a first. It usually takes me a whole week to pack and now I've just used a day to pack (including washing and folding clothes). I fit all of Keira's clothes and mine into two suitcases. How can that be?
Well,it all starts with hubby help and a promise that I can shop til I drop. Per had to remind me repeatedly not to bring too much stuff if I wanted to buy things over there. I like to pack for every occasion and every weather change. And even if I had carte blanche to shop, I still couldn't help myself by packing too many shoes, too many shirts, pants, etc. I needed Per to sit on the bed and ask important questions like, "Do I really need that many pairs of x?"
It's a good thing that it's only two bags going to Texas. We also have to add in Keira, a baby stroller, a backpack and a car seat. Hmmm...how could I handle more? I don't think I could.
One day and counting.....
Saturday, November 14, 2009
Birthday Party in Dortmund
Here we are at our very first birthday party in Dortmund. Vivaan is one of the kids that goes to Keira's Eltern Kinder class (like Gymboree). This was Vivaan's second birthday party...It was a very nice evening of lovely Indian food and good company.
Friday, November 13, 2009
Thursday, November 12, 2009
Nervous as hell...
Yes, I am nervous as hell. Close to hyperventilating, if you must know the truth. I am traveling to the U.S. by myself next Tuesday with a 17 month old and a stroller, and a car seat, and her food and her backpack. By the way, I am not traveling with any of my own goodies--like a Nintendo DS, food for me, slippers for me, Bose headphones, hand cream, foot cream, makeup, neck pillow. I will be bereft during this trip.
At first glance, you might think, oh, Jennifer, you are such a wuss, just get on the plane and you'll be fine.
Well, the problem comes here--I am traveling from Dusseldorf to Frankfurt and have one hour to catch a flight in Frankfurt to the U.S. Frankfurt is a GIANT SIZE MONSTER of an airport. It's probably like, oh, a million football fields put together, or something? One hour is not much time to get from one end of the football field to the other when you're dragging around a lot of stuff.
My wonderful husband tried to make my life better by kindly offering to drive us to Frankfurt on Monday night and so we wouldn't have to stress. Per had already made hotel reservations and I had in my mind that all was going to be copacetic.
Off hand, Per said that I should probably call Lufthansa and tell them that I was getting on in Frankfurt instead of Dusseldorf. I called and a stern, German, by the book, "I would die if I colored outside of the lines", kind of woman told me that I would not be allowed to get on the flight in Frankfurt. That if I didn't get on in Dusseldorf, then the whole flight would be cancelled. Thank you very freaking much for NOTHING!!!!
Well, back to square one then, huh? Get me a brown bag...have to hyperventilate.
Per, my knight in shining armour, saved the day again. For a mere 50 euros, there is a Family Helping Service that Lufthansa offers to people traveling with children alone or who need extra help. This person meets us at the gate and guides us to the next flight in the most efficient way possible. He/ she isn't supposed to carry any of our stuff, but is a guide. Hey, that's fine with me, as long as the flight doesn't leave without me.
Yes, day is saved. Life is good again. Now all I have to worry about is whether Keira is going to behave on the flight or not.
At first glance, you might think, oh, Jennifer, you are such a wuss, just get on the plane and you'll be fine.
Well, the problem comes here--I am traveling from Dusseldorf to Frankfurt and have one hour to catch a flight in Frankfurt to the U.S. Frankfurt is a GIANT SIZE MONSTER of an airport. It's probably like, oh, a million football fields put together, or something? One hour is not much time to get from one end of the football field to the other when you're dragging around a lot of stuff.
My wonderful husband tried to make my life better by kindly offering to drive us to Frankfurt on Monday night and so we wouldn't have to stress. Per had already made hotel reservations and I had in my mind that all was going to be copacetic.
Off hand, Per said that I should probably call Lufthansa and tell them that I was getting on in Frankfurt instead of Dusseldorf. I called and a stern, German, by the book, "I would die if I colored outside of the lines", kind of woman told me that I would not be allowed to get on the flight in Frankfurt. That if I didn't get on in Dusseldorf, then the whole flight would be cancelled. Thank you very freaking much for NOTHING!!!!
Well, back to square one then, huh? Get me a brown bag...have to hyperventilate.
Per, my knight in shining armour, saved the day again. For a mere 50 euros, there is a Family Helping Service that Lufthansa offers to people traveling with children alone or who need extra help. This person meets us at the gate and guides us to the next flight in the most efficient way possible. He/ she isn't supposed to carry any of our stuff, but is a guide. Hey, that's fine with me, as long as the flight doesn't leave without me.
Yes, day is saved. Life is good again. Now all I have to worry about is whether Keira is going to behave on the flight or not.
Monday, November 9, 2009
Whirlwind Tour to Oslo
Wow. What a trip. We whizzed into Oslo. We conquered. We packed. We left. Some highlights:
Thursday, November 5
Arrival home at 1am. House was coooollllld. Had to warm it up. Asleep by 2am.
Friday, November 6
7:00am Wake up, get ready for the day
8:00am Leave the house
9:00am Drop Per off at meeting
10:00am Test drive this car
12:00pm Get an adjustment with the best chiropractor in the world
13:00pm Meet my friend at Sandvika Storsenter
4:00pm Pick up Per from his meeting
5:00pm Eat dinner at Big Horn Steakhouse - the best steaks EVER!
6:30pm Drive home
7:30pm Bathe Keira
8:00pm Put Keira to bed
9:00pm Pretend that we're not tired and watch some TV and have a conversation like real grown ups
9:30pm Didn't work. Fall into bed exhausted.
Saturday, November 7
10:00am Haircut for Per
11:00am Haircut for Jennifer
12:00pm Buy this car
3:00pm Walk out of dealership. Hyperventilate.
3:30pm Celebrate with hot dogs from the Shell station
4:30pm Grocery store
5:00pm Go home. Relax. Make dinner
8:00pm Watch two movies.
2:00am Sleeeeeppppp.
Sunday, November 8
8:00am Wake up. Tired. Begin packing for the U.S.
1:30pm Pack car. Leave house. Return movies.
2:00pm Chiropractor visit - back is killing me, but Carl fixes me as always
5:00pm Airport. Flight leaves back to Dusseldorf
9:00pm Home. Tired.
10:00pm Sleep.
Monday, November 9
Don't leave the house all day because Keira and I are so tired we can't move a muscle.
Thursday, November 5
Arrival home at 1am. House was coooollllld. Had to warm it up. Asleep by 2am.
Friday, November 6
7:00am Wake up, get ready for the day
8:00am Leave the house
9:00am Drop Per off at meeting
10:00am Test drive this car
12:00pm Get an adjustment with the best chiropractor in the world
13:00pm Meet my friend at Sandvika Storsenter
4:00pm Pick up Per from his meeting
5:00pm Eat dinner at Big Horn Steakhouse - the best steaks EVER!
6:30pm Drive home
7:30pm Bathe Keira
8:00pm Put Keira to bed
9:00pm Pretend that we're not tired and watch some TV and have a conversation like real grown ups
9:30pm Didn't work. Fall into bed exhausted.
Saturday, November 7
10:00am Haircut for Per
11:00am Haircut for Jennifer
12:00pm Buy this car
3:00pm Walk out of dealership. Hyperventilate.
3:30pm Celebrate with hot dogs from the Shell station
4:30pm Grocery store
5:00pm Go home. Relax. Make dinner
8:00pm Watch two movies.
2:00am Sleeeeeppppp.
Sunday, November 8
8:00am Wake up. Tired. Begin packing for the U.S.
1:30pm Pack car. Leave house. Return movies.
2:00pm Chiropractor visit - back is killing me, but Carl fixes me as always
5:00pm Airport. Flight leaves back to Dusseldorf
9:00pm Home. Tired.
10:00pm Sleep.
Monday, November 9
Don't leave the house all day because Keira and I are so tired we can't move a muscle.
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
The Rain in Spain Stays Mainly in the Plain
Isn't that the truth?
Ahhhh....four days of sunny and warm weather. We found the meaning of the words "shorts" and "sandals" again.
We played tennis (where I got my ass kicked by Per), Per hit some golf balls, Keira swam (it was really too chilly for that, but she didn't care) and we hung out with Per's parents who were there.
Oh, and we celebrated my 29th birthday there. You will see the cake says 39. I don't know how Per got it wrong. It's my 29th birtday forever and ever!
All in all, nice and relaxing and wish we could do it all over again!
Ahhhh....four days of sunny and warm weather. We found the meaning of the words "shorts" and "sandals" again.
We played tennis (where I got my ass kicked by Per), Per hit some golf balls, Keira swam (it was really too chilly for that, but she didn't care) and we hung out with Per's parents who were there.
Oh, and we celebrated my 29th birthday there. You will see the cake says 39. I don't know how Per got it wrong. It's my 29th birtday forever and ever!
All in all, nice and relaxing and wish we could do it all over again!
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