When she pretends to talk on the phone, she says "Wei? Wei?" (this is how a Chinese person answers the phone).
Purses are called "Bao" (bag in Chinese).
All children of Asian descent are referred to by her as "Meimei" (Little sister in Chinese).
One night I was particularly proud of myself for managing to cook lassagna for dinner (a difficult and expensive meal to make over here). Lizbeth would barely taste it. We finally resulted in giving her left over Chinese food my helper had made.
Dogs are called "Doudou". It is a combination of "dog" and the Chinese word for dog, "gou".
Tuesday, December 20, 2011
Sunday, December 18, 2011
Independent
I've been wanting to post this for awhile, it was taken back on November 8th. Our little one is becoming more and more independent. One day I came around the corner to find this:
She had carried her stool, to help her get onto the bathroom stool, to wash her hands by herself. Clever, but a bit risky, crazy kid.
 |
| From Nov 2011 |
She had carried her stool, to help her get onto the bathroom stool, to wash her hands by herself. Clever, but a bit risky, crazy kid.
Friday, December 16, 2011
Snow
About a week ago we were blessed with a light dusting of snow. Just enough to play in, not enough to cause any real problems.
Even though it's not Lizbeth's first snow, she definitely had no memory of it. She was quite befuddled by this white coating, and for the most part had fun walking around in it.
Eventually she did slip on the concrete, which scared her enough she was done with snow for the day. No matter what I did, she insisted on me carrying her home. Still, overall it was a fun little morning outing.
What is all this white stuff?
How do I get up without putting my hands in it? (we don't have any gloves for her right now. I hope to remedy that soon)
Where are all the big kids going? (to school) Why can't I go with them? (because pregnant mama can't keep up on this ice!)
Our back gate guard house with the ocean in the background.
A little bit hazy of a sunrise, but pretty none the less.
Come on mama, I'm not ready to go home yet.
I love pictures of snow on the beach.
Even though it's not Lizbeth's first snow, she definitely had no memory of it. She was quite befuddled by this white coating, and for the most part had fun walking around in it.
Eventually she did slip on the concrete, which scared her enough she was done with snow for the day. No matter what I did, she insisted on me carrying her home. Still, overall it was a fun little morning outing.
What is all this white stuff?
 |
| From Snow |
How do I get up without putting my hands in it? (we don't have any gloves for her right now. I hope to remedy that soon)
 |
| From Snow |
Where are all the big kids going? (to school) Why can't I go with them? (because pregnant mama can't keep up on this ice!)
 |
| From Snow |
Our back gate guard house with the ocean in the background.
 |
| From Snow |
A little bit hazy of a sunrise, but pretty none the less.
 |
| From Snow |
Come on mama, I'm not ready to go home yet.
 |
| From Snow |
I love pictures of snow on the beach.
 |
| From Snow |
Thursday, December 15, 2011
Sunday, December 11, 2011
Tree Decorating
 |
| From Christmas |
Last night we finally got around to decorating our tree.
We were amazed at how quickly Lizbeth caught on. When we brought out the box of ornaments, she was at first excited to just have a new box of stuff to explore. But once we convinced her to let us show her how to put them on the tree, she took off. Here I am showing her the first two ornaments.
 |
| From Christmas |
Can you tell which was her favorite color to hang?
 |
| From Christmas |
We had to convince her to add some red ones.
 |
| From Christmas |
And to go higher. Although she got the stool on her own.
 |
| From Christmas |
Sometimes Daddy helped.
 |
| From Christmas |
 |
| From Christmas |
This is one of my favorite ornaments.
 |
| From Christmas |
It's nice to have the house a little more festive! We're getting excited for Christmas :-)
Friday, December 9, 2011
Just Like Mommy
Lately, Lizbeth wants to be just like mommy. If mommy wears it, holds it, or eats it, she wants to too.
Necklaces, bows, purses, shoes, hats, our girl is definitely a girly one.
The other day I left my makeup where she could reach it. I was distracted on the phone, hung up, and turned around to see Lizbeth putting my eyeliner into my eye shadow, then drawing on her eye :-)
Wearing my shoes is another one of her favorite things. I have a rack of shoes I pretty much haven't worn since before I was pregnant with her, being that high heals, China streets, and pregnancy/carrying infant don't particularly go together. Well she loves to get them all out one by one and tromp around the house in them. She actually does quite a good job wearing high heals! I just feel sorry for our downstairs neighbors who have to hear clomp clomp clomp all day long! (you'll also notice mommy's necklace in this picture!)
One day she found my hat drawer and came out wearing one by one to show me, as if she were in a fashion show. Unfortunately she was not in a particularly camera cooperative mood.
What a cutie, if I do say so myself :-)
Necklaces, bows, purses, shoes, hats, our girl is definitely a girly one.
The other day I left my makeup where she could reach it. I was distracted on the phone, hung up, and turned around to see Lizbeth putting my eyeliner into my eye shadow, then drawing on her eye :-)
 |
| From Dec 2011 |
Wearing my shoes is another one of her favorite things. I have a rack of shoes I pretty much haven't worn since before I was pregnant with her, being that high heals, China streets, and pregnancy/carrying infant don't particularly go together. Well she loves to get them all out one by one and tromp around the house in them. She actually does quite a good job wearing high heals! I just feel sorry for our downstairs neighbors who have to hear clomp clomp clomp all day long! (you'll also notice mommy's necklace in this picture!)
 |
| From Dec 2011 |
One day she found my hat drawer and came out wearing one by one to show me, as if she were in a fashion show. Unfortunately she was not in a particularly camera cooperative mood.
What a cutie, if I do say so myself :-)
Sunday, December 4, 2011
Winter Ball 2011
Last night was our city's annual Expat Charity Winter Ball. This is our third year attending, and my second year volunteering on the decorating committee. I love a good excuse to get all dressed up and eat a five course western meal, and of course getting a new dress is a perk as well. :-)
I have to say though, this was the first year we weren't able to go with the Carmans, and I missed them the entire time! Last year Jacquelyn, our friend Valerie, and I got ready together, such a girlie fun time of good memories. This year neither of them were going, and I missed them both.
Valerie did do my hair, which was AWESOME :-) The theme this year was 1930's Hollywood. It was the first year to have a theme you could really dress up to, and it was fun to see what small touches people came up with. I decided to not try and do a themed dress, as it already had to be maternity. But Val did a fantastic job with my hair, and many people complimented me on it, as well with the authenticity of it. Yes, we did use a Youtube video for inspiration...
Anyways, on to pictures. (These are for you JK!)
In the foyer for hor d'ouvres in front of the ice sculpture
Nathan performing with our school's Jazz Band for the pre dinner entertainment
The table. Lots of black, white, and glass.
Bread and wine for when we first sat down.
I forgot to photograph the appetizer! It was probably the most unusual looking one too...bummer.
Chestnut Soup
Palate Cleanser (A candy shell on top of a small bowl of mango sorbet, all on top of a large ice cube with a light inside)
Main Course
Dessert
My totally cool hair :-)
The three of us :-)
Full length shot of my dress after we got home
My Dashing '30s Husband
A fun night out for all :0)
Last note, if you're wondering about Nathan's almost clean shaven face, our school this month had a No Shave November men bonding thing, and they all grew quite hairy. For fun, Nathan decided to get a haircut and shave completely (something that has only happened once since he graduated high school over 10 years ago!) We've been laughing at all of the different reactions, and the different famous people people say he looks similar to. Who do you think of?
I have to say though, this was the first year we weren't able to go with the Carmans, and I missed them the entire time! Last year Jacquelyn, our friend Valerie, and I got ready together, such a girlie fun time of good memories. This year neither of them were going, and I missed them both.
Valerie did do my hair, which was AWESOME :-) The theme this year was 1930's Hollywood. It was the first year to have a theme you could really dress up to, and it was fun to see what small touches people came up with. I decided to not try and do a themed dress, as it already had to be maternity. But Val did a fantastic job with my hair, and many people complimented me on it, as well with the authenticity of it. Yes, we did use a Youtube video for inspiration...
Anyways, on to pictures. (These are for you JK!)
In the foyer for hor d'ouvres in front of the ice sculpture
 |
| From Winter Ball |
Nathan performing with our school's Jazz Band for the pre dinner entertainment
 |
| From Winter Ball |
The table. Lots of black, white, and glass.
 |
| From Winter Ball |
Bread and wine for when we first sat down.
 |
| From Winter Ball |
I forgot to photograph the appetizer! It was probably the most unusual looking one too...bummer.
Chestnut Soup
 |
| From Winter Ball |
Palate Cleanser (A candy shell on top of a small bowl of mango sorbet, all on top of a large ice cube with a light inside)
 |
| From Winter Ball |
Main Course
 |
| From Winter Ball |
Dessert
 |
| From Winter Ball |
My totally cool hair :-)
 |
| From Winter Ball |
 |
| From Winter Ball |
The three of us :-)
 |
| From Winter Ball |
Full length shot of my dress after we got home
 |
| From Winter Ball |
My Dashing '30s Husband
 |
| From Winter Ball |
A fun night out for all :0)
 |
| From Winter Ball |
Last note, if you're wondering about Nathan's almost clean shaven face, our school this month had a No Shave November men bonding thing, and they all grew quite hairy. For fun, Nathan decided to get a haircut and shave completely (something that has only happened once since he graduated high school over 10 years ago!) We've been laughing at all of the different reactions, and the different famous people people say he looks similar to. Who do you think of?
Sunday, November 20, 2011
A Month Away, and a Small Celebration
One month and I haven't been able to get on here to see what anyone is doing or update people either! Yesterday, my dear husband was finally able to get my internet connection going again, so I'm back!
This is old news to probably most of you, but can you guess what we were celebrating after my doctor's appointment last month?
Sorry I can't update you more, but will try to do so soon depending on my future ability to connect to blogspot. Miss you all!
This is old news to probably most of you, but can you guess what we were celebrating after my doctor's appointment last month?
 |
| From Oct 2011 |
Sorry I can't update you more, but will try to do so soon depending on my future ability to connect to blogspot. Miss you all!
Saturday, October 22, 2011
Cheese Face
As mentioned in the last pic, it's nearly impossible to get a picture of Lizbeth (or video for that matter) without her cheese face. We think it's pretty cute though...
As soon as she spots the camera, this is what she gives us.
As soon as she spots the camera, this is what she gives us.
 |
| From Sept 2011 |
 |
| From Sept 2011 |
 |
| From Sept 2011 |
 |
| From Sept 2011 |
 |
| From Oct 2011 |
 |
| From Oct 2011 |
Wednesday, October 19, 2011
Pony Tail
Lizbeth has the sweetest hair. I've tried to catch the back of it on camera several times and just keep failing...she moves too fast.
It's very straight on top. So straight that in the front it often sticks off her forehead. In the back, it is straight and then twists into these tight little curls right at the base of her neck. Because it always looks so cute, I hardly every try and do anything to it.
The other day though, I just couldn't resist. I gave her a pony tail. She was surprisingly patient with me, even as I didn't have a rubber band on me and made her walk with me as I held her hair in position all the way across the house. She immediately wanted to see herself in the mirror and smiled widely at "Lelah", what she calls her reflection in the mirror :-)
Her current "cheese" face--it's hard to get a picture these days without it!
It's very straight on top. So straight that in the front it often sticks off her forehead. In the back, it is straight and then twists into these tight little curls right at the base of her neck. Because it always looks so cute, I hardly every try and do anything to it.
The other day though, I just couldn't resist. I gave her a pony tail. She was surprisingly patient with me, even as I didn't have a rubber band on me and made her walk with me as I held her hair in position all the way across the house. She immediately wanted to see herself in the mirror and smiled widely at "Lelah", what she calls her reflection in the mirror :-)
 |
| From Oct 2011 |
 |
| From Oct 2011 |
Her current "cheese" face--it's hard to get a picture these days without it!
 |
| From Oct 2011 |
Monday, October 17, 2011
Hello Second Trimester!
My biggest symptom this pregnancy has been exhaustion. Almost every day I've been able to take a nap while Lizbeth does (or at least 3 out of 4 days) and I still nearly pass out around 8:30 at night. Mornings have me dragging around for the first several hours, and at one point I had an actual mini meltdown.
Suddenly last week, I woke up and decided I had enough energy to tackle the kitchen. My drawers had been driving me crazy, the top of the fridge was about to start climbing down the sides, and Lizbeth's dish shelf was a hodgepodge of every random item someone didn't know where to put. I started with the drawers...
Unfortunately I wasn't thinking to have before pictures, but I did snap one of the top drawer mid progress. 4 hours later, the counter was cleared, the pantry was completely organized (shelves, drawer, and top) and the "drop everything" shelf by the outside door were also sorted, cleaned, and re-organized.
Here are a few "after" pics.
As cleared as our counter ever gets.
Top Shelf-->Snacks
Middle Shelf-->Drink fixings
Bottom Shelf-->Canned goods and baking supplies
Lizbeth helping to "unorganize" the pantry :-)
This wonderful, though psycho, burst of energy has thankfully hung around the past week. It's wonderful to not feel as though I'm dragging behind Lizbeth constantly. My bedroom, Nathan's desk/dvd area, and a few other areas have also benefited since. I'm hoping it will stick around for awhile so I can finally get things taken care of before new baby comes along!
Suddenly last week, I woke up and decided I had enough energy to tackle the kitchen. My drawers had been driving me crazy, the top of the fridge was about to start climbing down the sides, and Lizbeth's dish shelf was a hodgepodge of every random item someone didn't know where to put. I started with the drawers...
 |
| From Oct 2011 |
Unfortunately I wasn't thinking to have before pictures, but I did snap one of the top drawer mid progress. 4 hours later, the counter was cleared, the pantry was completely organized (shelves, drawer, and top) and the "drop everything" shelf by the outside door were also sorted, cleaned, and re-organized.
Here are a few "after" pics.
 |
| From Oct 2011 |
 |
| From Oct 2011 |
As cleared as our counter ever gets.
 |
| From Oct 2011 |
 |
| From Oct 2011 |
Top Shelf-->Snacks
Middle Shelf-->Drink fixings
Bottom Shelf-->Canned goods and baking supplies
 |
| From Oct 2011 |
Lizbeth helping to "unorganize" the pantry :-)
 |
| From Oct 2011 |
This wonderful, though psycho, burst of energy has thankfully hung around the past week. It's wonderful to not feel as though I'm dragging behind Lizbeth constantly. My bedroom, Nathan's desk/dvd area, and a few other areas have also benefited since. I'm hoping it will stick around for awhile so I can finally get things taken care of before new baby comes along!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)