Enjoying the Day

We walked home pushing my stroller today from my friend's house. The sun was out and it was a beautiful day. We passed by many people. Some were women who carry their babies on their backs with a sheet and others were men who just sit and sit and sit and drink coffee.
Mommy boils our water so we can drink it. She says it's so we don't get diarrhea and it saves money. We have gas tanks called Budda gas that we have to get refilled. The are stout and round.
I played in the kitchen and discovered that I could make the spoons stick out of the cabinets! I lined them all up and then I knocked them down!They went clankity,clank!
I tripped today and hurt my head AGAIN. It always seems to happen when I get in a hurry. Then, I tripped again on the same day and busted the inside of my upper lip...contributions can be made out to the Levi Foundation at...hahhaha!
We played hide-and-seek tonight and found a good spot in the cabinet. Mom caught me on film!
I know my routine now. I get up eat breakfast and get dressed and then I run to the door and say," 'Et's go"... (go to Jonathan and Lydia's house). I don't cry when Mom and Dad leave me there anymore. I am happy to see them when they come get me and we eat lunch there with Jonathan and Lydia and their parents! Sometimes it gets a little loud and crazy.

Adventures in Babysitting

I thought you might like an update on how the babysitter has been. The first day was rough because it was so new and I didn't want Mommy and Daddy to leave me. The babysitter (Sue-ad) said I was a very polite litte boy and that she likes me a lot! I only cried when Mom and Dad were leaving. The second day was better. I was in a good mood when Mom and Dad came to the house where I was. I am having fun. It is great to have kids my age to interact with and a big house and a yard to run around in. Sue-ad is so gentle and kind to me.
My allergies have been giving me trouble. My nose runs constantly and I cough because of the drainage. Mommy says she is thankful that the drainage is clear. She is giving me medicine to help me. I sleep better with it.
We have been playing hide and seek and "spider". I have been coloring/scribbling on paper and on other things, too! They let me help with the laundry and picking up my toys. We have a helper/maid that comes once a week. Mommy said she feels bad but will soon get used to it! We know the woman is grateful to have a job because work is hard to come by. She does an excellent job! They are keeping me busy and I am bushed when I go to bed.
Thank you for thinking of me. It has been great knowing that people haven't forgotten me eventhough I am far away! I love you right back! Mom shows me pictures of all our friends and family so I can remember you, too!

A View of the City

Well, Mommy took me outside this morning and we walked around with my little stroller. The people were very friendly. So friendly that one man came up and kissed me on the cheek! I looked at my mom and said,"Mama, no!" She told me that it was alright. That didn't make me feel any better. Mommy practiced her greetings with some of the shopkeepers. I said "hola". She was saying something very different from me-"Sabah-Ilker" (good morning). Two women grabbed my cheeks as if to say how cute I am.
Then, we went and had lunch at a really good restaraunt where Mommy met a woman named Sinah. She spoke a little English. She played with me after I finished eating. She tried to take my marble when I jokingly offered it. But, I was too fast for her!
We went for a walk in the city to see what is around us and it wasn't as nice out as yesterday. It was cloudy. The streets are busy but things seem very laid back here.
Monday I start going to a babysitter who is a MBB! She speaks English and Arabic. I will get to stay with two other kids ages 4 and 2! The 4 y/o is a girl and the 2 y/o is a boy. They have toys that I can push and three turtles that live in their yard! Cool,huh? I will only have to be there 3 hours a day which will be perfect, I think.

Germany

Well, I have returned from a wonderful time in Germany! I had some fantastic women who spoiled me while Mom and Dad were attending their classes and meetings! They built tents for me to hide in and they took me on long walks. I walked away with several goodies including a photo album with pictures of me hanging out with my new friends.
We went on an Easter egg hunt. I filled my bag full of eggs and went into candy overload (according to mommy). I had a blast!!

The weather was cold, rainy and cloudy most of the time we were there. It was killing me because I was used to the sunshine. I asked almost every second if I could go "side" (outside). One day Mom and Dad took me to an area with ducks and a stream that flowed into a pond. The ducks came right up to us and I said, "Quack,quack!!" really loudly to let them know I speak their language. We got ice cream in town and found a neat toy store. Uncle Brett came to mind many times. We wanted to send a postcard that looked like they had good punch-lines but we didn't know what any of them said.

We had to ride a mega-bus/charter bus to and from the airport because it was a three hour tour to the hotel. I sat in the front and enjoyed watching the trucks, motorcycles, and diggers. I fell asleep 5 minutes before we got to the hotel the day we flew in!
There were some rough days, in the beginning, when I was clingy and irritable because I wasn't used to being away from Mom and Dad but I got over it.

Fun in the Sun

We went for a walk today and ate at a restaurant! I had tiramisu for dessert and after my first bite, I paused and said, "Mmmmmm" with all my might! We then headed outside to the kid rides. I conned Mom and Dad into putting money in so I could enjoy a carousel ride.
Then we played chased and went to a store called VIPS where they sell all kinds of stuff. I found the stuffed animal section and hugged every animal there. There was a duck that danced and played a catchy tune. Mom and Dad tried to find a book for me about construction sites or trucks but it didn't happen.
We walked home via the park and saw a fountain. Mom was impressed when I said, "Agua". She is easily amused by me. Isn't life grand?!
We played on the fort at the park and I slid down the slide several times. The weather was perfect. Then I threw a wall-eyed fit when I had to come inside. It wasn't pretty.
Later, Mommy put Kitty and Osito in the washing machine and I got really upset all over again. I just felt so sorry for them having to be locked up for so long.
We played music on the keyboard and read some books. I was bushed after a long day of fun.

Therapy

We had a day of rest on Sunday and we did some things Mom calls "therapy". We made homemade M&M cookies and beef stew! Mommy let me pour some of the ingredients in while she held the mixer. It was fascinating to watch that thing spin so fast. I got to eat some of the cookie dough and it was mmmm good! We played hide and seek and went out to the sandbox where I played with my trucks. It was dissapointing that nobody else was out there to play with. I was hoping to see Ian again.
I have been sleeping in Parker's bed with all of my stuffed animals. Mommy and Daddy kiss me goodnight and I go to sleep all by myself. He has a cool night light in the shape of a star that helps me feel safe.
We leave on Wednesday to go to Germany. I will have a lot of friends to play with and I will see some of my friends from MLC! Reunion time!

Grocery Run

We went for a walk this evening and it was sooo fun! The sun beat against my face and the breeze was invigorating!
There is a big garden/park area on the way the grocery store. Spaniards know how to live. They have parks built next to restaurants, so the parents can watch their kids play, while they enjoy a nice cup of coffee.
I saw some Tweety bird balloons and thought of Mamaw.
I got to push the groceries home for a little while in my make-shift grocery cart. The wisteria is blooming and smells wonderful! Spring has sprung.

Which Way Do We Go?

We got lost trying to get to our meeting place. But, thanks to some friends of ours we were able to call and get directions. I took a nasty spill at the indoor playground and subjected myself to many stares and concerns. An 8 y/o girl came up to me to make sure I was alright. I had a silver-dollar sized red mark to impress her with.
We had fun talking with the people. I mostly played with the toys in the back with Joel. There was a school bus that had flashing lights and beeped!!
We played at the park before returning home. I slid down the slide on my tummy(mommy says I'm fearless) and dropped my coins from the top of the slide and watched them roll into the grass for daddy to retrieve. I chased mom and dad home and enjoyed a nice warm bubble bath before going to bed.
We got up today at 9am and played with my trucks making sure to accompany it with the sound effects of..vroom,vroom. I looked at an encyclopedia with excellent pictures of trucks, airplanes, trains, buses, kittens, and birds. I have also been practicing on the piano. I may have a touch of talent waiting to be unleashed.
I went back to the park today and played with a boy named Ian. He talked to me but I couldn't understand him. All I said was "grakias" and "hola". He had a yellow motorcycle that he pushed in the sand. I had my truck, my school bus, my spoon and cup that I reluctantly shared! I did it only because Mommy gave me the evil eye and told me to. Mommy taught me what fast and slow means. We were riding these wooden animals attached to big springs that you can rock back and forth on. She would drag out her rocking and say,"This is slooooowwww". Then, she would look really funny and make me laugh when she said, "FAST!!" She would go back and forth so quickly that her hair looked like Medusa. She had a good laugh when I did it fast, too. We had a good time!!

The Scoop

I rode on a train yesterday and saw a lot of the city! The weather has been about 60-70F. I saw several construction sites with diggers and dump trucks-my favorite things to watch! The city is growing which is hard to believe because it seems big enough already. I guess because it is such a great place to live!
I am getting my "I" teeth in. I have three that are about to pop through and it has affected my sleep. All my teeth are almost in-PTL.
I have tons of toys to play with in my new "home" for the next 5 days thanks to my friend Parker. He is so cool!
Tonight we are going to go to a meeting place to help pass food out to the needy. We have been once before for distribution and once on Sunday. The people there are very friendly.
This weekend we are hoping to play at the park and do some walking in this area. We are going to find our language school, visit a mosque in the area, and enjoy ourselves.

I'm In!

My mommy and daddy are finally allowing me to have my own blog site! They said I could have one just for me because I am so special. They said it would make it easier for people to view pictures of me on a website...I don't know how webs do that but oh, well. So, I am writing you to make sure you check me out as I grow up in this world. I have enjoyed life so far and I look forward to sharing my adventures with you if you will join me! I love you and want to thank all of you for praying for me as I transition into a new place! Muchas gracias!