Tomorrow

Tomorrow we are headed to Japan. We are shockingly lucky to be hitting sakura (cherry blossom) season. When I booked our flights I failed to consider what this time of year would do to the availability of hotel rooms as well as the price. Hello Yen, you are cruel so cruel to me in my attempt to have budget-friendly travel. Once in a lifetime is what I keep telling myself...and Nate. As of now I have managed to get all but one night booked, how do you say "camping" in Japanese? Wish me luck!

Almost 4 months

WOW, that flew by. A little update on our tinniest sprite.

We find ourselves continually enamoured by our little guy. He looks so much like Holden, but longer and more slender. He finally outgrew his first outfit the other day! His big eyes are large and striking and we are still trying to figure out what color they are. We have his hair narrowed down to blonde brown or red depending on the day! He is a little chameleon. He rolls over both directions now, but not with purpose yet, more random twists and turns.

He is a little screamer too, there is no slow boil with Finnley, he cries with purpose instantly and once his needs are met he takes some time to calm back down. He graces us with his smiles and giggles and babbles frequently and still loves to be carried close and tight to Mom in any wrap or pack that we have. Charmed most into smiles by his Kuya (Big brother in filipino). Where Holden was a mamas boy, Finnley is proving to be most happy and thrilled with Nate. Certain to be a thumb sucker, he is much happier to munch on his hands these days rather than his pacifier.

Recent Holdenisms

We asked Holden a few questions the other day and his answers were, as usual, quite funny.

What is something that Mommy and Daddy always say to you?
"Obey"
What does Mommy do for a job?
"Umm, is that a trick question?"
What does Daddy do for a job?
"Make money."
What makes Mommy happy?
"Me and Finnley."
What makes Daddy happy?
"Me and Mommy and Finnley."
How old is Mommy?
"Eight"
How old is Daddy?
"Seventy-one, oh wait, seventy-two."

Another comment in the car the other day.
"It's pretty weird having a mom who begs for a wii."

When chatting about taking money to buy recycled gifts from one of the older classes at school who are raising money for a class pet; "they said please come so they can make lots of money to buy a class pet, like a gecko, snake or a lion or tiger."

Hello Again America

Almost a month later and I am finally getting around to documenting our trip to America. Every time we go back life is better and this time has been no exception! We come home refreshed and able to handle the little frustrations that plague our existence in Asia. The flight was easy on everyone. Finnley slept and ate the entire way and Holden followed his typical behavior as the perfect traveler. On our way from Manila, we stayed in LA a few days to enjoy the happiest place on earth; Disneyland. We picked up a rental car and miraculously were able to fit everything in it. I have no idea how people travel with more than two kids. Here is Nate, proud of his feat.

We stayed with Nate's uncle the ever-hospitable Greg and his partner Mike for a too-short mini vacation in the middle of the actual vacation. Come to think of it, the whole trip was a series of mini vacations wherein one needs an actual vacation to recover from all the fuss! The craziness was part of the fun though.
Disney was great. This must be the best time of year to go as traffic was light at the park. We rarely had to wait in line more than 10 minutes. Bliss. Finnley enjoyed a few rides while Holden enjoyed them all, twice including an opportunity to attend Jedi training (yep, I think that was his highlight) I think we were only some of the few dressed up in warm sweaters and hats, but 70 degrees without humidity is cold!

The next day we were off to the airport again and straight to Utah where grandparents were eager to see Holden and get their hands on a new baby. We all fared the cold well, considering one day there was 13 inches of snow in the valley and 20 in the mountains. I forgot how exhausting winter could be. The sheer amount of and coats and hats and mittens and scarves and boots and blankets was shocking. Every time we went out I had to consider really how bad I wanted to go to Target. Rest assured though, Target always won out. ;)

The boys with Great Grandma Stromberg

Finn and Nama

A few days here included time friends and Nate's family where Finnley thoroughly bonded with Papa. Every night in Utah found Finn happily snuggled up with Papa asleep by the fireplace. If you know Nate's dad, it's pretty sweet to see him melt with a baby.

The boys and Papa

A trip to the ski hill where Holden and Nate tore it up. It was a beautiful sunny day and while I was a little bummed at first not being able to ski, Finn and I enjoyed the ski lodge with a good book and a few naps. Even after a year, Holden remembered and picked up the innate Utah ability to ski after the first run and I believe they made a record in the amount of runs they took (8 in one hour)

We were off to Idaho for a few days to enjoy some "real relaxing" as Nate calls it, where there are no time constraints or plans to be made to enjoy the attention of more grandparents and family. My mom made sure to help us out with Finn's colic "problem" and Holden completely exhausted his Uncle Caleb who he is quite certain is the coolest kid EVER. Caleb was so patient and great with him and they were so fun to watch. Seriously, nothing beats having an uncle that close in age!

Finn and Great Grandma Shirley

Finn and Grandma Susan

Best Buds with Uncle Caleb

Back to Utah for one more trip to the ski hill where there was a blizzard and 20 inches of fresh powder.

Powder is great unless you are a kid. Holden still enjoyed himself but not nearly as much considering he couldn't go half as fast as the week before. Speed is king to a 5 year old boy. The gorgeous storms that followed the rest of the time we were there made for picturesque beauty and we drank it all in.

Nate headed back to Manila and we headed back to Idaho for a few more days where I was able to catch up with my two dearest high school friends, Julie and Alysia, and our 10 kids. That's right, ten! Although they cheated and each only brought two. All three of us had baby boys in the same year and we had a great afternoon of memory lane.


Back to Utah we went (you can see now why I needed another vacation to recover, right?) to spend a few more days with Nate's mom and pack up all of our treasures before the long haul back to Manila. It was quite a difference in the final week with two kids without Nate. I survived with my sanity intact with the help of both families. I often say if my head wasn't attached to my body it would be left behind and as we pulled into the airport I realized I had left the stroller. THE stroller people. The VERY expensive stroller. Luckily Nate's brother was at home and saved my bacon by rushing it down to me 30 minutes before our flight left. Seriously, it's not as if we could just have it shipped right back over. Honestly, I'm a nut but I survived! SLC to LA was short and sweet. SLC to Guam found Holden asleep 9 hours of the flight. Finn was perfectly content and slept all the way from Guam on into Manila. Easy breezy. Not sure how I got so lucky, lets not question it and instead just pay homage to it so that it will continue!

We landed in Manila at 5am and a few hours later Holden headed to school. He was so excited to be back home and into his routine. It was sports day at school and he was set on attending. Our bodies soaked back in the hot humid weather and now we are spending sunny days at the pool.

Phew, I am exhausted just writing it all so you can imagine just how long it took to recover (yep, about a month)

Prom

Do you remember the days of high school prom? The anticipation. Going shopping for the perfect dress, getting your hair and nails done, picking out the perfect pair of shoes to match "the dress." Well, rest assured, the same process is alive and well in Manila...for the middle-aged!

Life in the tropics is in full-swing ball season. Most organizations and expat groups here hold grand charity balls every year and Saturday was the Australian/New Zealand event. Last week everyone we knew was a twitter with dress fittings and trips to the salon for nails and hair. The perfect earrings and shoes were being searched for and anticipation was in the air. The only thing missing was the awkward and nervous date with the sweaty palms. These events are always a good time and I don't even have to twist Nate's arm to get him to go. Unlike a lot of men, he is always ready to don a tux and have a good time.

We made a mini vacation out of it and reserved a room at the hotel it was held at so the boys would be near and we could spend the following day at brunch and the pool. The best part about this kind of prom is that there are about 10 a year!

quickly

In between getting ready for prom tonight (again, I will tell you all about that later), trying to decide on booking this month to Japan or Thailand and dealing with the ever-present household help issues, I took a few moments to realize that Finn is 3 months old today; my how time flies.

He is such a fun little person to have in our lives. He makes us all happy just by being here. Holden asked me today "what should I do if Finnley tries to get away with something?" I told him that Finnley is just a little guy and probably won't be able to get away with much for quite some time. The other night Finn Holden and I were reading books in Holden's room, afterwards I left Finnley with Holden while I washed my face. Holden came in the bathroom and said "Mom, didn't you forget something? A living, breathing real-life baby!" Ah yes, Finnley has made an impact around here and we are loving every moment of his new found curiosity, his giggles and now squeals and his ever-present smile. We can't leave him for a moment as he kicks and rolls with such intensity that he is always "this close" to a tumble to the ground. He is very intense, but quick to smile and beams when any attention comes his way.

So I will leave you with a couple of photos from this morning. Is it just me or is Holden pretty? I think he could pass for a girl. Oh, I am sure that comment will scar him in the future. With that, I am off to the spa. A girls needs her nails done for prom doesn't she?

Where oh where has my little blog gone.

Have you missed me? It's been over a month. A whirlwind trip to the States experiencing this lovely stuff

and snuggling back into Manila-life have taken me away from you. I am back though. America photos, tales and tirades coming soon but not until after the weekend. We are getting ready for prom you know, more on that soon too!

yet another funny experience

As I posted before, giving birth in the Philippines was a shockingly easy and a good experience. I had many reservations about it but in the end it was on par, if not better, than having a baby in the States. Although we did have one of those unbelievable things happen as well.

Let me set the scene for you!

After I was transferred from recovery upstairs to our room which was actually a very big room with a bedroom section and a living section we noticed that the aircon was only working in the living part. As Nate was messing with the controls, one of the very helpful nurses said she would call engineering to come and turn it on for us. In the meantime, Nate headed down to the hospital lobby to meet his mom and Holden coming to see Finnley for the first time.


As I am laying there snuggling our precious new bundle in comes a fellow from the engineering department with a ladder. He proceeds to set it up right next to my bed. I am groggy and pretty drugged up still but I know something strange is going on. "What are you doing?" I asked him, "why is this ladder in here?" We were certainly lost in translation and he just said, "aircon." He then proceeded to climb the ladder, remove the ceiling tile an fiddle around while I lay there covering my baby, hoping he doesn't fall onto us and having vision of asbestos and other lovely thoughts.

Not two seconds later, in walks Nate with his mom and Holden in tow wondering what is going on, I just say "aircon." He grabs the camera and the moment of hilarity is captured for the generations. Of course, the air conditioning was either on or off. There was no temperature gauge so when it got to cold, engineering headed back up with their ladder and when it got too hot and stuffy, up they came again!

Out littlest cupid

Holden's Valentine's cupid ad for a Philippine department store came out today. The agency sent over a disk with the photos. He's yummy.

Finn and his grin

A few more holdenisms

"Mom, I am going to ask Santa for Dad to break up with you for Christmas."
"Why would you ask for that Holden?"
"So I can marry you silly!"

At school they are discussing differences in cultures, people, etc and how they are the same and how they are different. Brought this mom to tears when I heard what Holden said when asked what it is that makes him special. His answer: "I think it would be how much I love my baby brother."

While getting ready for school this morning I had the news on which was of course all about the inauguration. "Hey, Barack Obama, that's OUR President mom!"

"I am going to keep modeling, so I have lots of money when I grow up, then I will hire someone to wipe my bum for me!"

And the sign of a true budding entrepreneur. The other day while out after brunch he took my camera to take some photos of the water features, ducks, etc. Apparently he had started charging people 1 peso each to take their photo. He came back with P21, so I guess he is well on his way!

Department store catalogue

A city of 10 million and our little boy all around the city in various ads. Here is the front of a local department store catalogue and one of the inside pages. He thinks he's a movie star, watch out world!

With a straight face

When asked: "Holden, what part of no don't you understand?"

Holden responded with a complete deadpan manner: "The N part."

I couldn't keep my face straight at that one.

Any time a conversation starts like this, you know you're in for trouble

"Mom, can you ask Dad to put a nail in my bedroom wall so I can hang my slingshot just like dennis the menace?"

Holden asked Nate to make him a slingshot last week. He drew a picture of it at school and lucky for us our driver, Ed, is pretty darn crafty and offered not only advice on what tree to use but showed up Sunday with a branch cut down to size and sanded along with all the rubber bands and leather parts needed to make it all come together. Holden has been shooting "cokalite" cans down with wet paper balls for the past two days.

Shhh, we haven't told him that rocks and marbles can be used too. I don't think we're ready for that.

HA!

They are laughable. Family photos are rarely enjoyable for anyone. Especially family photos of a photographer's family! But...we did them anyway!

Was there stress? Yes. Were there threats? Yes. Were there blinking eyes, fake smiles and sad faces? Yes, yes and yes. Were there tears? No. Did we triumph? Yes. Will you ever see them? Of course, if you send me your address so I can mail you a card!

Finnley (the perfect baby, who never cries) SCREAMED and would not let the pacifier out of his mouth. What was going on with him today I will never know. Holden (the model, who makes a "living" doing this thing) was full of fake smiles and many "I need to take a break" excuses. Nate did his part well. I laughed so I wouldn't cry. Great day all around!

A moment captured where you can't see the Finnley's favorite friend (the pacifier)

And here is the usual look for our little sprite: don't mess with the paci.

The boys. 5 years old and 5 weeks old. My how time flies.

I adore Holden's imagination at this age. He is full of expressions and stories and dreams. Legos and tinker toys have provided him with endless possibilities to his imagination. He makes himself battle ships and jet packs out of them. He builds forts and flies through space. He draws pictures and makes up songs for Finn. He got his very own brush in his stocking from Santa and is so very serious when he combs his hair just right, ever strand in place. He questions EVERYTHING to the point where we are exhausted and really quite speechless in our answers because really, who knows what happens when black goes into a black hole?
When Finnley is upset he pats his head, sings twinkle twinkle little star and says "It's ok Finn, I'm here, your brother is right here."

Finnley is changing literally before our eyes. He is so much more aware every day. He is focusing on faces and voices now and we have started to see real smiles the past couple of days. He coos and chats up a little squak every once in a while. He is very expressive in the faces he makes and we are able to tell very quickly from whichever little groan, grunt or cry that comes out exactly what he wants: to be fed, to be changed, to be held or just a little singing and attention. It makes life pretty easy around these parts!

When you live in the tropics

your first trip to the swimming pool comes early on in life.

Here are some of the other things Finn has been up to in his first month!

Sleeping with Dad

Finding fingers and toes

Being thoroughly loved by his older brother