Not Afraid Of Crowds

Today we went to Dim Sum (best ever; it tasted fresh and didn't have any extra "parts"), then to City Super (best grocery in HK - we even bought a baby loaf of Tillamook cheddar) and then to Ikea to do some shopping for the house. Unfortunately I forgot the camera, so Hubs caught Chase and the street performer on his camera. By the end, she had attracted quite a crowd!

One Car And One House Too Many

So we bought two cars today; they should be ready for pick-up next week, just in time to drive us (and our stuff) out to our new home. Hurray!

Now all we need to do is sell the Volvo and house in Denver. I am not a happy camper when I feel over-extended, which is how I'm feeling right now (something about owning four cars at the same time that makes me feel a little jumpy). I'm okay with moving and traveling, but I have very low tolerance for risk when it comes to money. Maybe because I'm not making any of my own at the moment. Now to figure out how to change that...

Quote of the day: "I love Hong Kong and I never want to leave." - Chase

Hong Kong Museum Of History

Today we tried to go to Teddy Bear Kingdom - after a lot of walking and a Ferry ride, and more walking, we found out it no longer exists. Poor Chase was SO sad. Next on our see/do list was the Space Museum - well, it was closed until 1 p.m. (and we were right outside it at 11 a.m.)

So we hopped a cab to the Hong Kong Museum of History. Such an interesting place! The exhibits were massive in size, and they actually recreated an old town to show how the British and wealthy Chinese lived. And then, exhausted, we ate some lunch and headed home via Star Ferry. Now for a rest before Chase's art class.




















These girls stopped me to ask some questions for a survey.
So I had them pose with the girls.
Mads was NOT happy about the situation.
I actually get this look from Mads just about every time I put her down.















Inside the Museum of History...
Bun towers and Chinese dragon costumes.















Chinese opera traditional dress...















Giant guardians made to ward off evil spirits...




















A very small part of the reconstructed British town...




















And of course, a snack for Chase...















And one of the things I love most about Hong Kong - the old Junks!

Hong Kong Art Museum

Today we applied for our residence visas (if only you could see the the photo we took of Mads in the photo booth as she screamed her little head off). The kids and I also went to the Hong Kong Art Museum and then met Hubs up for a doctor's appointment, where we all received the Typhoid vaccine (for upcoming trips to Thailand and Vietnam).

In other news, the house contract seems to coming along. Should have something signed tomorrow/Friday and then will hopefully be into the new house end of next week if all goes well.





























Okay, so it wasn't cold or wet. I have no idea why Chase decided to make it look so frigid. I think she just liked her hood.















Chase practiced writing her name on the Museum wall.















And anyone who knows Chase knows it is ALWAYS time for a snack.





























And of course, Mads is always game for anything.

Amahs All Around

Not much to report today. Chase and Mads both had a visit with the pediatrician. Mads had her 15-month check-up, while Chase had her 4-year-old check-up. The doctor reported Chase is now in the 75th percentile for height and 50th percentile for weight. He said Mads, on the other hand, "has superior growth," with off the charts measurements for height (no wonder she can wear Chase's clothes).

While we were waiting to see the doctor, a Western woman came in, with a 1-month-old baby and an Amah. The woman flopped herself down into the couch. The Amah gently sat down, with the 1-month-old and proceeded to feed her with a bottle. The mom said to me, "being a mom so hard." And she wasn't kidding in the least. It was, however, a bit hard not to laugh as she was SO not doing anything, while her Amah was busy taking care of the baby. This lifestyle, I am finding, is everywhere. People on the streets look at me as if to say, "where is your Amah? Why isn't someone helping you?" In fact, as I went to cross the street, a Filipino woman said to me, "do you need help?" I said, "no thanks, just crossing the street."

After the appointment, both girls were ready for a bite to eat, so we popped into the closest Chinese restaurant. We ordered chicken with noodles, spring rolls (which came out beef and Karo root) and shrimp dumplings. Chase wolfed down the shrimp dumplings and Mads practically rolled in the noodles. I had to wipe the girls down by the end of it. But they had big smiles!!

From there, we hopped on the MTR (subway) and headed back to a Mandarin class I arranged for Chase. She loved it. She was SO happy to be "going to school." Poor girl misses school so much. I have also lined-up art class for her all next week (just 1 hour each class), but I know she will LOVE it.

Hong Kong Out & About

Today (humid 84 degrees) we went to the flower market and the bird market - and then to Hong Kong Park. The girls loved the flower market; Chase wanted every bouquet. The bird market was interesting, but a bit sad, really. Loads of birds stuck in tiny cages. The Hong Kong park is large, with a walk-through aviary and a four-story playground. There were loads of steps to the playground, though, so by the time we got there we were so exhausted we only played for about 15-minutes. The girls were so sweaty they stuck to the slide and their little legs made that screechy sound that flesh makes with plastic.

Chase is learning so much each day - like how to use her Octopus (subway) card, and how to walk through a turn-stile without getting bonked on the back of her head. She is also getting quite good at trying new foods. Today we had Thai food for lunch and she said, "I love spring rolls. I want to have them every day."

As we managed to do the above in half a day, we will likely spend the next half grocery shopping and buying a couple new pillows (something a little strange about how puffy my eyes are after a night's sleep here).

Bird market...














Flower market...
















































Up, up, up to the playground...

Day Out In Hong Kong

Hubs and I decided to take Chase to the Hong Kong Museum of Science (by way of Star Ferry). It is a fabulous place for children. Chase adored the boat trip over. We only saw one floor (the museum is huge!) - by the end we were exhausted and ready to find some lunch. Highlights included a bed of nails (Hubs tried it), a house of mirrors, a child-powered hamster wheel, a bubble maker (they make bubbles inside a tube with colored soapy water). We will definitely go back.

A Place To Call Home

Yesterday we viewed six properties in a fishing village about 30 minutes outside of Hong Kong. Hubs and I, strangely enough, had very different opinions about each house (highly unusual), but ended up getting excited about the same property in the end. We put in an offer today and it was verbally accepted - so now it's just a matter of getting the details sorted. The good news is, I adore the house. The bad news - it's more than we wanted to spend. But the layout is perfect and the view from the roof is amazing. The mountains wrap around the back of the house and lead the eye to the sea. There are actually trails through the forest up to an old Chinese village. Here are a couple photos...

Letter To Madoc

Madsy, my dear Madsy, you will never know how much you mean to me. Helping the anesthesiologist put you to sleep so the ENT could insert tubes in your ears wrecked me. More than I can possibly describe.

It didn't help that the anesthesiologist recommended against the procedure at 8:30 pm last night. And your appointment was at 7:15 am this morning. And your dad wasn't here. He had to leave a day early to drive down South to beat a snowstorm (which has dumped about 8 inches in our back yard). You see, you were hospitalized with pneumonia 4 weeks ago (at the time I thought that was the worst experience ever - where I watched them insert an IV into your tiny arms, and where I spent the next four days watching numbers on a monitor while we played with hospital food, because we were so bored).

Anyway, the anesthesiologist told me he recommended 6 weeks. And it had been 3. And I cried all night long. And I called our pediatrician and he recommended doing it. You see, the problem is that we are moving. It's not really a problem. But the timing is a problem, as we are set to leave Denver next week. And the week later, we will fly to Hong Kong - to our new home. And you can't fly with ears filled with fluid. It would be way too painful. And it's possible your ear drum could rupture on the plane. And worst case, you would lose your hearing. And so you see, I was between a rock and a hard place. Two unknowns, both could hurt you so much. For the first time in my life I felt utterly paralyzed, and could only trust in and follow the advice of the ENT.

And my sweet Mads, I made a commitment to you when you were born that I would always be present for you, just as I will always be present for Chase. It sounds a little funny written down, but I will never leave your side, no matter how hard the situation. I will always be there for you. At your side. Holding your hand. Kissing your cheek.

Even now, 12 hours later, I start tearing up just thinking about it. And I thank all those that had you in their thoughts. And the stars shining down on you that kept you safe. I love you so much, Madsy. I love your smile. Your laugh. Your spunk (and girl, you've got spunk). And you are so smart. And brilliant. And brave. You will do great things with your life, my littlest darling. Stay strong and the world is your oyster.

All my love to you, my dear. Always always.

Moving To Hong Kong

News at last! Moving to Hong Kong at the beginning of April. I've got to get back to posting updates.

A Little Sad

I actually felt a little sad today about the fact I'm not planning to have anymore children. I count myself so lucky to have Chase and Madoc in my life, but my hormones are giving me a real kick in the head right now. Kind of a "last chance, you're not getting any younger. If you're going to do it again, do it soon." Egads. Nature is calling. But I think I'm just going to sit on the couch and debate if I should answer the call.

Welcome Ajax!

Chase and Madoc welcome their cousin, Ajax, to the family.
He was born on February 1, 2010.

Enough Is Enough

I have to post. I have to. I haven't done it for so long, I'm sure no one reads my blog anymore. So here's the scoop.

We are still waiting to hear news about our future. Should know this week (or so we hope). While I wish I could write more, I don't want to jinx it, and goodness knows it's better to keep it under wraps until we know for sure. We are both stressed.

Madsie is walking. Really walking. Grocery store trips are near impossible, so I am ordering food online. I miss my Dalian helper, Flora, who did all my food shopping for me in China.

Madsie has become her own little person. Aside from fighting various ailments since Christmas (pink eye, colds, fevers, teething and most recently an ear infection that just won't quit), she is in pretty good spirits. I have become a homeopathic devotee, as a friend recently recommended Pulsatilla to treat her ear infection and everything is clearing right up. I think we are now left with teething pains instead of a blistering ear infection (although it's hard to tell, really). Madsie has watched Chase cook with me so many times that she insists on helping, too. Her favorite thing is putting lids on things (she thinks she's pretty good at it). She also loves making the food processor hum. She also loves to talk. Loves to open things. Loves to unload cabinets. Dump toy boxes. Play with her little pink kitchen. Loves her little pink kitchen.

Chase continues to bloom. More beautiful every day. Sharp as a tack, too. She writes her name and little words. Numbers are on hold at the moment. We are currently doing math and reading comprehension problems out of second grade books (and she isn't even 4 years-old yet. I also became tired of "waiting to hear" so I enrolled her in gymnastics. She is doing a brilliant job and LOVES it. I think we will continue next month. She loves cooking. Always adds extra love (by blowing kisses) into the cake.

So now I must run...

Rudolph The Pink Eye Reindeer

Just when I think we are in the clear, that all we have to do is coast until the New Year (and we can put this very difficult year behind us), both kids come down with Pink Eye. Seriously. I have been washing sheets, clothes, washcloths, doorknobs and all surfaces in our house like it's nobody's business. We have been sterilizing our hands 100 times/day. The good news? Pink eye only stays contagious on a surface for 12 hours. Bad news? We have so many surfaces.

Oh, and everyone is sick, too.

This brings to an end a year that began with a dnc that led to a HepA scare (thanks to a druggie nurse who was injecting herself with pain meds and then filling the empty needles with saline and putting it back on the shelf, when she knew she had HepA). She was working during the time I had my surgery. Luckily, I did not get it. Hubs also faced major medical issues this year, which included a broken wrist and a diabetes scare (it was just a bad computer, it turns out). Both kids, luckily, have been quite healthy, all things considered. But now we're getting hit with a double-whammy. Fabulous.

Bring on the New Year. We are ready to put this year behind us.

About Blogging

So I haven't written in a while. Mostly because I can't find the time. And because I can't actually blog about what we've been going through. So here's a shot at catching-up, without disclosing too much. Mostly what it comes down to is that Hub's work has been very stressful. Very, very stressful.

And he has been trying to make things better. But the road to making things better has been riddled with U-turns, speedbumps, and finding out that the road he thought he was on, was actually a different road entirely. And this has been going on for months. Like 6 months. And it's taken us on a number of different roads - each one holding it's own surprise. So needless to say, we are super-stressed here. Both of us have eye-twitches now. My skin is breaking out (and it never, ever breaks out).

And on another note, my body is still recovering from having Mads and being on that crazy diet. Which could be another reason why my skin is breaking out. Let's just say things are far from normal, and that I've been told by my doctor that it could take up to 9 months to recover fully. I've had blood tests done and everything comes out normal. I've lost a ton of hair (which is linked to nursing for almost 9 months, and probably my crazy diet), but I also have a ton of new hair coming in, so that's good news.

With Colorado being as dry as it is, we have to keep the radiator on. Chase is getting bloody noses again. And everything is drying out. Everything.

So that's it in a nutshell. That's what's going on behind the scenes.

We are looking forward to our upcoming trip to Portland, to catch up with friends and family over Christmas. And we are looking forward to a new year, which we hope will bring us to the right road, the straight road, the road we can travel on for the next couple years (and we hope this new road will have fewer twists and turns, and maybe even have some downhill so we can coast a little).

Mads Took Her First Step!

Mads turns 1 on 22 Dec. And she not only took one step tonight - she took two! Amazing!

Thanksgiving 2009

Here is Madoc at her Baptism (in Mobile, AL)...







































And my beautiful Chase...


























At the Bragg-Mitchell...








































The lovely Lockett (Back at Great Granny Annie's house)...



















Great-Grand-Daddy Claude...


























NeeNee and Mads at the pig pull...













Auntie Lockett & Uncle Courtney...




















And the big hill that Chase must have gone down a thousand times, on her little toy car...


























































NeeNee & Great-Granny-Annie...














The feast...














Brian, a 7-month pregnant Lockett and an exhausted Chase ...













Saying good-byes...