10th Anniversary!

Ultimate European  

Today marks the 10th anniversary of an adventure of a lifetime, and of meeting Mr.H!  If I still had a VHS player, I would watch the video of our adventure, created by the meticulous recordings of the Fraser Brothers.  Instead, I've pulled out our photo albums to show MissE and she says things like "Look!  Mama, there you are with the Stinks (Sphinx)?" or even better, "Can we go there when I am a big girl?"  (MissE already has a few stamps in her passport!)

Last year, at 34 weeks pregnant, I wrote Feeling Nostalgic with a few highlights of the Ultimate European.  Given this is the 10th anniversary of meeting Mr.H, and the sighs I get when I tell people how we met (really, it's not that romantic) I should write our story:

It was a warm night in the Sahara Desert, our camels, both named Bob Marley, were drawn together like our souls... Okay, I'm have a bit of fun.  Although we did ride camels, and they were both named Bob Marley.  In reality, the first sentence (if you will) I said to my now husband was "I pity the fool".  Yes, it's true!  Mr. H was wearing a Mr.T tee!  He still has it too!

Fast forward to day 20: Athens to Cairo and a few of us were excitedly talked "shop" (read: Lonely Planet's Egypt) over McGreeks at the airport (so yummy!), then slowly it was Mr.H and I, combing over the travel guide on the freezing train to Aswan.  We got to know a few bits and bobs about each other over the next very exhausting days in Egypt.  As we ticked off The Sphinx, Pyramids of Giza, Egyptian Museum, sailing on the Nile, Abu Simbel, the Valley of the Kings, the Temple of Karnak, and snorkelling The Red Sea, one night, we sat next to each at dinner and we realised we enjoyed each other's company!

I call this the photo of what started it all...
Hurghada, Egypt

Day 28: Canakkale We spent the evening on a beach of the Dardanelles until the early morning, talking... and haven't stopped since. On  Day 35: Budapest We spent the day exploring the beautiful city of Budapest together, with the highlight of getting lost in the Labyrinth!  It was here that I got this niggle in my mind that told me I was going to marry this man!  Yes, in 11 days I knew!  We didn't spend much time apart after that.

Budapest

Hofbrauhaus Munchen, Germany

Edam, Netherlands

Day 46: London When we said our goodbyes, I wasn't sure if I would see Mr.H again.  I already figured he would be "the one that got away".  But after arriving back in the US, I didn't expect for Mr.H to call me from Dublin and ask to see me!  I couldn't say "YES!" fast enough!  We spent 5 days together in San Francisco, and when we said our goodbyes this time, we knew it wouldn't be for long.

We spent the next 2 years, while I was completing my Masters program, flying between Sydney and San Francisco or Washington, DC to see each other.  When I graduated The George Washington University, Mr.H and I celebrated with 5 days at Disneyworld where he proposed at sunset overlooking the Savannah at Animal Kingdom Lodge (coincidentally, we had an African safari honeymoon!).

Monsters Inc (MGM Studios, Disneyworld)

Where we got engaged!  On our balcony overlooking the Savannah
(Animal Kingdom Lodge, Disneyworld)

And the rest is....

Happily Ever After!

One month until the BIG ONE!

Mr.E is 11 months!
Mr.E now weighs 22 lbs 5 oz or 10.2 kg.  This month saw the arrival of 2 new teeth (top, front), bringing his teeth count to 4!  He also learned how to climb the stairs... and fast too.  While I didn't have to child proof or gates areas with MissE, I've had to with Eden.  He is so fast and without fail, headed for the stairs!

Eden climbing up.
He stops and waves "bye" when he sees you.

Mr.E had a hard month.  He caught MissE's cold (along with the rest of us!) and then shortly after, he started to refuse bedtime.  And I mean refuse.  He was definitely tired, yawning and rubbing his eyes, but as soon as he saw his bed he would cry... and cry... and cry.  He could cry up to 45 minutes before exhausting himself!  I may sound cruel, but my sleep bible, Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Child, allows for up to an hour of crying.  And it worked within 2 days with my angel baby, MissE.  I used to say "controlled crying" is my middle name.  I also thought I had the nerves of steel to tolerate it but after 5 days of it, I thought I was going to lose it!  We've now re-adjusted his nap schedule to a longer 'up' period (he can play for quite awhile!) and there are much less tears.  AND... drum roll... Mr.E is happily sucking dry 2 bottles a day (in addition to breastfeeding).

What's for dinner Ma?

Down the slide at the park

Who said tea was just for girls?

I can't believe he turns ONE next month!  I think I am in denial.

MissE wearing the cheongsam from G.A.B

MissE
I dare say Naughty MissE is a thing of the past???  We haven't seen day-long stints of 'Throttling 3' behaviour in a few weeks other than a few moments here and there and this very smart remark worth a mention: MissE took a very long time to eat her dinner (meatloaf and rice) to the point where she was left eating while we were cleaning up.  I told her that she needs to eat at the same time we do.  Her response "Well, don't cook that again!"  *Sigh.  There was a tiny part of me that made me want to serve her meatloaf and rice the next day!   I love this post from a Mommy-blogger on The Dreaded Year because she nails it on what life is like with a 3 year old.

Next week, we are saying 'goodbye' to her daycare as we prepare for our upcoming visit to Pau-pau and Gung-gung.  Her teachers are crushed as am I!  As soon as we gave notice, her carers have been telling her how much they will miss her.  I have my fingers and toes-crossed that she will be able to re-enter when we get back!  Now that she is in the 'school readiness room' she is thriving.  Her carers report how she is very independent and picks up things very quickly.  However, because she is now with 4 and 5 year olds, she has quite the attitude!  And while most of her new friends don't nap, she still needs to and we have to remind her carers that she is only 3.

MissE says the darnedest things!
MissE has been making us laugh again.  Here are some of the highlights:

Daddy in stitches!
Scene: MissE brushing her teeth in our bathroom while daddy is in the bedroom putting clothes away and I am in the toilet with the door shut (sometimes it's the only place I get a few minutes peace!).
MissE: DADDY!  (Crying)  DADDY!  Come quick!  (Still crying)  DADDY!  Come wipe up before mama gets mad!  (Runs into bedroom)
Mr.H: (Who watched MissE playing around and eventually spill her water cup all over the floor, is on the floor, laughing)  What's wrong Eloise?
MissE:  Please, COME!  Daddy!  Wipe it!  QUICK!  (Still crying)
Mr.H: Do you want me to wipe it up?
MissE: PLEASE!  Come quick!  Why aren't you coming? Mama is going to be mad.  Why are you laughing at me?
Mr.H: Come let's clean it up.
MissE: QUICKLY!  THERE, too!  QUICK before she comes out!
I heard it all and was also laughing my head off.  At least I know she is listening... sometimes!

Lost in Translation (due to illness)
MissE: I'm afraid of sharks.  Are you, mama?
Me: No.  I'm afraid of clowns.
MissE: That's silly, mama!  You mean when it rains?
Me: (Silence) No, not clouds.  CLOWNS!
MissE: That's still silly.  I saw a clown at Bunnings (Australia equivalent to Home Depot) and he gave me a balloon animal.

New Playroom
Mr.H and I have re-claimed our office.  Little fingers kept getting into computer wires and well, the playroom just wasn't big enough (after I found MissE and Mr.E headbutting each other over space for their toys).  So after a few days of moving furniture around, they have a new large playroom and we are finally utilising our living room... although it still doesn't stop MissE and Mr.E from getting in each other's way but that's something MissE will have to get used to!

Play zone

TV zone

Me
Unfortunately I've spent most of this month sick.  I am usually the first one in line for the flu shot but because I am only working casually, it's fallen to the wayside... and of course I got sick, really sick.  It started with a flu then turned into bronchitis and when I thought I was feeling okay, I got a 24 hour stomach bug!  I was just given the all clear that it's nothing too serious (whooping cough or pneumonia) so that was a relief.  I am on my 3rd lot of antibiotics and these seem to be working a bit better.  So between weekly doctor visits, feeling tired constantly, my muscles aching and coughing, I've been struggling a bit... especially with Mr.E's big birthday celebrations looming... but I'll get there!

Good thing Mr.E loves fish!
Keeping busy at the doctors.

Until next month...
Preview: Eden is ONE and up, up and away we go!

May Photo a Day Challenge... in June

I did so well at the February one and failed miserably at May.  While I did take the daily photos, I forgot to post them so here they are in one!  And I promise to be much better at June!

1. My gumboots!
2. I left my heart in San Francisco (the only skyline I think of)
3. Angry Birds bandaid after falling and scraping my knee
4. What's more fun than a soft-serve machine
5. Little Night Delight bird
6. Using iPad Photobooth
7. My mom, my sister and E.1 and E.2 inspire me
8. Jo Malone French Lime Blossom
9. Every night I read E.1 and E.2 a story
10. Sleep.  What I need more of
11. Kitchen
12. A bubble bath always makes me happy
13. MissE writes "mum" with no help
14. Madison's Mountain Retreat and Alpaca Farm
15. Love
16. I am reading Divergent.  So far: "eh"
17. Tim Tam snack
18. Bunting flag pillows for Mr.E's nursery
19. Hillsborough, CA
20. I cannot live without my Carmex
21. Where I stand: swim lessons
22. MissE's new pink shoes
23. MCA during Vivid Sydney
24. Something new: memory foam bath mat
25. Unusual statues at Hyde Park
26. 12pm: grocery shopping
27. Hot Chocolate
28. The weather: clear skies but chilly!
29. No.1 Martin Place
30. Personality: creative
31. Something beautiful: my Facebook status "Both monkeys sleeping, a bubble bath and Downton Abbey on my iPad.

Vivid Sydney

Well, it's that time of year again... when the Festival of Light/ Music/ Ideas comes to Sydney!  This is our second year attending Vivid and again, it was pretty darn amazing.  If it doesn't inspire you, I don't know what does!
This year, we decided to make it a mini-break.  We booked a last minute hotel deal at the oh-la-la Sheraton on the Park.  While I've stayed at some of the best hotels in Sydney, I haven't had the chance to stay here and now I have... and it was great!  The room was large enough for us (MissE slept on the lounge, MrE in a cot, and us in the King Sweet Sleeper).  It overlooked Hyde Park and was so close to Westfield CBD and Starbucks!  They also had a rooftop indoor heated pool which kept E.1 and E.2 happy until Vivid.*

The Little Prince in bed

Indoor Rooftop Pool

Eloise multi-tasking: swimming and enjoying the view

Mr.E loved the projections onto Customs House and the MCA.  He pointed and babbled all night!  MissE's favourite were the Nemo light fishes (angler fish) and the blue 'bulb'.  By 10pm, we were exhausted and gave the rest of the light sculptures a miss for bed instead!

Customs House

MCA

MCA (near)

Angler Fish

I'm Blue...

Sydney Opera House

Colour Cube

Chandelier/ Sydney Opera House

Chandelier/ Sydney Harbour Bridge

The next day, after a delicious breakfast buffet (we love hotels that cater for Chinese guests!  Mr.E loved his teriyaki chicken and fried rice!  And I always love a bowl of congee), Mr.H headed into work and I walked to Darling Quarter for a few hours of fun at their new playground.  It will be on the must return when the weather is warm list!

Swings!

MissE pumping water

Mr.E checking out a water play table

And on top of the table... oh dear!

*And a side note worth mentioning: I  was incredibly disappointed to not get to attend the NKOTBSB concert the night before (a) I wasn't sure if I was going to be here for it (b) I didn't have anyone to go with (c) last minute tickets were available but ridiculously expensive and I would of had to drag Mr.H with me.    But the disappointment faded away fast when we arrived at the hotel to a handful of groupies and paparazzi!  When Mr.H was checking us in, my little ears picked up word that a few had just seen AJ and Nick come through the lobby.  I was desperate to hang around the lobby but hunger won.  Then on our way out that evening to Vivid, I was waiting in the lobby for Mr.H and 

Mr. Jordon Knight came across my path!  He went by unnoticed so I resisted the urge to scream "OMG!  JOOOORRDDDDOOOON!"