The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face...

Today I went to the Hospital with Baobei founders Kelly and Ann. We walked around and saw all the different babies at the hospital. I took pictures, and played the 'neutral' role, instead of releasing the inner 'oh wow, I've waited over 2 years for the day to bring a baby home, and here in this hospital there are 5 waiting for families this week!"

So I casually walked around to each of their beds, some were being held by volunteers and nurses. I took a picture of every single one. They were all strikingly beautiful, really.

But when I came to Anna's bed, I was smitten. I tried to be so neutral that I didn't even take her picture until moments later.

I circled the hospital, and while everyone was in the other room, I snuck back into hers to snap these photos.

...of her sleeping.

Backyard Guests

One thing we've gotten used to here is people in our backyard. At anytime of the day, they just open the gate, and come on in.

Some, like the man here, are hard at work, keeping the hedges straight and even.

And sometimes, we see people just stolling in for a walk around the house, like a public park. And that's okay by us.


Here's Hunter at breakfast. At times, boys rush to the window and say hello to our backyard guests.

Months ago, one lady was so sweet to the boys that we invited her in for breakfast. When she was full, she rushed back outside, a bit embarassed. But ever since then, she's always loved to say hi to the boys and chat for a bit.

At her last visit, she brought me these plants as a token of our friendship.

It melted my heart.

A Geko for YOU!

Okay, don't be grossed out. But this little baby Gecko made it's way into our house. He was so dry b/c of the constant indoor A/C, so I took him outside to his humid climate right after this picture.

Did you know Geckos actually make a sound as loud as a bird? "What distinguishes them as a family is that they have the ability to produce sounds. Some make high pitched calls, some sound like ducks, and others like barking dogs" (click HERE).

We have fond memories of Geckos, Tim and I. When we lived in Hawaii, we had one that always hung out next to the elevator door of the condo. Hawaiians believe they serve as guardians. And I'm a believer. That sweet Gecko stayed there forever, eating all the pesky bugs.

Why did I so appreciate this wall climber? Because they eat roaches. And you know my issues with roaches.

And in Hawaii, the roaches are about an inch+ big. There weren't any storm flaps under the condo doors, so the beasts would just crawl on in. We kept our shoes next to the door. Do you see where I'm going with this story? You might just want to stop reading at this point.

Yes, I shook my shoes religiously every morning, and found nothing inside, before stepping in. Except for one morning. The morning I wore my calf high boots. All leather, tight fit. I ran out to the elevator, and noticed the binding/stitching on the top of the boot start to move. Of course this was the day other people were waiting for the elevator too. I impulsively yanked my boot off, and out flung a 1+ incher that darted left to right along the pavement, creepily.

Everyone stared at me. Pretty much the most disgusting thing EVER. I want to try that '6 degrees of separation' and find that family that 'watched a lady fling a mammoth roach out of her shoe' in horror.

Oh wait, I've got another one (not as good but still creepy)...

You know the centipedes in Indiana Jones that crawl through the eyes of the skulls. The 6 inch long ones that are shiny brownish black? Um, those things call Hawaii home too. They can be lethal too, with their nasty sting.

I hopped in the car to drive to work, with my polar fleece laying over the headrest of the passenger seat, and there, out of the collar of this blue fleece, creeped out a 6 incher. I was on the freeway. Aaaah freekout!!! What to do what to do what to do.

I had to keep driving. Just had to watch it out of the corner of my eye. When I got to work, I yanked the jacket out and gave it some aggressive shakes. But you know how they can claw and grip, right? I didn't have time to keep at it, but I didn't want to throw this jacket away, it was a hand-me-down from my sweet brother, Todd. So I closed the sleeve in the trunk, and let the rest of the jacket hang out from outside of the trunk.

So there you have it. Me and geckos- we're tight. Anything that will eat a creepy crawly is MY personal guardian- seeing as Tim simply finds my freaking out humorous- and what male wouldn't?!

Children's Day

Here in China, we celebrate "National Children's Day".

Our complex rented this ultra cool bounce house. Hunter loved trying to tip over the slide part with some other buddies there.


But Tanner was overwhelmed with the bigger bounce house.


So he headed to the toddler bounce house.


That was just his size.


Or was it the cute betty in the toddler section? You tell me.

Hunter's Newest Obsession

Here are Hunter's Crayons:

Well, what's left of them. Currently, he is down to 5. And not because he has lost them.


But because he has used them down to the wick. In all my years of nannying, I have never met a kid so obsessed with coloring. Star wars pictures are his favorite. He has literally filled WALLS in the house. Then he had the bright idea to start giving them away to guests.

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So now I hear you say: "WHAT'S TANNER'S OBSESSION?"

Well, lets just say the neighbors rackets are no longer in their garage again. I just found them again in the dining room last night. Uh-gin.

But truly, let us fess up, Tanner. What's your real true obsession?... see the next picture...

"Hunters". Tanner LOVES his brother. He only refers to him in the plural, for some reason. Same goes for "Mommys".

He loves to say "I'm Sorry" to Hunter. For some reason, in mix of learning 2 languages simultaneously, he thinks "I'm sorry" means "Hug me". He'll call for me and say "I'm Sah-wee" and put his hands up to be held when he gets an owie.

Obsess much?

And "Hunters" doesn't seem to mind.

Knitting Booties

Me? Oh, still knitting booties. Still got two years to wait? Yup.

Made this retro taggie with my favorite girly fabric scraps.

A couple of months ago Tim told me "Hmmm, our family blog could really use less pictures of hair bows." He's right.

But since you're my friend, and sometimes fellow sisters understand things husbands (try as they may) don't...

MORE hairbows pictures.