Wednesday, May 23, 2007
Sunday, May 20, 2007
"Summer"izing Sunday
Sorry it has been a while. Here is a quick summary of what has been going on. NOTHING! Well, not too much anyway. It's been too HOT to do anything. Mr. D has been working a lot. The girls and I have been hanging out in the villa mostly. It's already reached 100 degrees so that limits most of our daytime activities. (It only drops down to the 80's for the evenings -- so not much relief there either.) We stay indoors mostly. We try to go to the pool about every other day.
We did make a trip to the beach yesterday with some other families from the compound. That was a lot of fun. The girls love being in the water and playing in the sand. They even brought some sea shells home that they collected. Thank goodness for the sunblock, tarps, and umbrellas everyone brought or we would have all been burnt to a crisp.
Today, our compound's water supply has apparently been shut down. We had to learn about this from our neighbors. Don't know why or how long it will be shut down, but hopefully tomorrow it will be back up and going. Each villa has its own water tank so we have some water available to us for the time being, but we just don't know how much we have left in the tank. So we will use sparingly until we hear all is okay.
Mr. D and I went out with some friends the other night and had seafood at one of the hotels that sits on the waterfront. The seafood was awesome. We had grilled shrimp, fried shrimp, fried calamari, grilled red snapper, and lobster. It was all wonderful. Mr. D even ate some local dish of grape leaves I think. He took one bite and was done. That was all I needed to see. I passed on it.
Other than that, not too much to report. We are just trying to survive the heat. It's only going to get hotter, so we hear...
A special HAPPY BIRTHDAY wish to my sweet niece Kaycee. Love you!!! Uncle D says you are still sassy!
We did make a trip to the beach yesterday with some other families from the compound. That was a lot of fun. The girls love being in the water and playing in the sand. They even brought some sea shells home that they collected. Thank goodness for the sunblock, tarps, and umbrellas everyone brought or we would have all been burnt to a crisp.
Today, our compound's water supply has apparently been shut down. We had to learn about this from our neighbors. Don't know why or how long it will be shut down, but hopefully tomorrow it will be back up and going. Each villa has its own water tank so we have some water available to us for the time being, but we just don't know how much we have left in the tank. So we will use sparingly until we hear all is okay.
Mr. D and I went out with some friends the other night and had seafood at one of the hotels that sits on the waterfront. The seafood was awesome. We had grilled shrimp, fried shrimp, fried calamari, grilled red snapper, and lobster. It was all wonderful. Mr. D even ate some local dish of grape leaves I think. He took one bite and was done. That was all I needed to see. I passed on it.
Other than that, not too much to report. We are just trying to survive the heat. It's only going to get hotter, so we hear...
A special HAPPY BIRTHDAY wish to my sweet niece Kaycee. Love you!!! Uncle D says you are still sassy!
Wednesday, May 9, 2007
Wordless Wednesday
Just a few words.... Thank you everyone for all the great advice. Today has been much better -- the girls have been better, and I've been better. Maybe I just needed to vent about it and get it out of my system.
Last night the girls ate beefaroni, corn, bananas and an oreo cookie. It was all a hit -- even the cleanup was fun!
Tuesday, May 8, 2007
Terrible Two's-Day
WARNING: Serious Mommy Rambling Ahead
Oh, how quickly things change. Just a few days ago, it was Sweet Sunday. And now here we are being terrible 2's. Do they somehow know they are supposed to become difficult once they turn 2? I need serious mommy help!! One of them is refusing to eat her main course. She'll eat all fruits and vegetables, but not the meat -- not willingly anyway. She will put it in her mouth and chew, but won't swallow it for a very long time. Yesterday, it took 1 hour (and I'm not exaggerating) for her to eat one little chicken tender. After much reasoning and a lot of yelling, I finally dropped my face into my hands and said a quick prayer for patience. When I looked up, both of them had their hands over their face, apparently thinking we were playing peek-a-boo. So that lightened the moment somewhat... but still didn't do much for my patience. Mr. D has suggested me not feeding her until she is really hungry, but is that the right thing to do?? Just start skipping meals??
The new favorite word is "NO!". "No" to this, "No" to that. Perhaps that one is my fault. Too many "No's" coming out of my mouth. But that's my job to instruct them on what they can and can't do -- right? Oh, and the independence they are starting to show. I'm not allowed to help them do anything... yet they can't do it themselves, but they are going to fuss about it until it gets done -- completely frustrating. I'm thinking about just leaving the room when that happens. And them not listening to simple commands, like "come here" -- the fact that I have to tell them to do something multiple times before they will actually do it, that can't be good...
And potty training...I actually thought we would start training this week. That lasted for about 3 hours. It amazes me that they know how to do everything possible regarding using the potty, ie. put the lid up and down, sit on it, flush it, unroll all the toilet paper, but yet give you the deer in the headlights look when you try to explain to them what they are really supposed to be doing. So I will wait a few months before trying that again. I have to get a better plan anyway. Maybe training one at a time would be better. Looking for mommy suggestions there too!!
So I've purchased some large wooden utensils -- and not for the purpose of cooking! I figure I've got to get these attitudes under control and fast. I've been reading "Shepherding a Child's Heart" which a friend suggested and it says that my children are supposed to obey me, and if they don't, God commands me to discipline them. So a little discipline it will be... for me growing up, it was belts and peach switches, but I figure a wooden spoon can have the same effect too.
Oh, how quickly things change. Just a few days ago, it was Sweet Sunday. And now here we are being terrible 2's. Do they somehow know they are supposed to become difficult once they turn 2? I need serious mommy help!! One of them is refusing to eat her main course. She'll eat all fruits and vegetables, but not the meat -- not willingly anyway. She will put it in her mouth and chew, but won't swallow it for a very long time. Yesterday, it took 1 hour (and I'm not exaggerating) for her to eat one little chicken tender. After much reasoning and a lot of yelling, I finally dropped my face into my hands and said a quick prayer for patience. When I looked up, both of them had their hands over their face, apparently thinking we were playing peek-a-boo. So that lightened the moment somewhat... but still didn't do much for my patience. Mr. D has suggested me not feeding her until she is really hungry, but is that the right thing to do?? Just start skipping meals??
The new favorite word is "NO!". "No" to this, "No" to that. Perhaps that one is my fault. Too many "No's" coming out of my mouth. But that's my job to instruct them on what they can and can't do -- right? Oh, and the independence they are starting to show. I'm not allowed to help them do anything... yet they can't do it themselves, but they are going to fuss about it until it gets done -- completely frustrating. I'm thinking about just leaving the room when that happens. And them not listening to simple commands, like "come here" -- the fact that I have to tell them to do something multiple times before they will actually do it, that can't be good...
And potty training...I actually thought we would start training this week. That lasted for about 3 hours. It amazes me that they know how to do everything possible regarding using the potty, ie. put the lid up and down, sit on it, flush it, unroll all the toilet paper, but yet give you the deer in the headlights look when you try to explain to them what they are really supposed to be doing. So I will wait a few months before trying that again. I have to get a better plan anyway. Maybe training one at a time would be better. Looking for mommy suggestions there too!!
So I've purchased some large wooden utensils -- and not for the purpose of cooking! I figure I've got to get these attitudes under control and fast. I've been reading "Shepherding a Child's Heart" which a friend suggested and it says that my children are supposed to obey me, and if they don't, God commands me to discipline them. So a little discipline it will be... for me growing up, it was belts and peach switches, but I figure a wooden spoon can have the same effect too.
Sunday, May 6, 2007
Friday, May 4, 2007
Friday Funny
Okay, at first glance.... what's so funny about this? Let me give you the story.
We were making a trip to the doctor at the night clinic which is at Hamad Hospital. This is the Rheumatologist that we go and see. The clinic starts seeing patients at 6 p.m., but you have to get there to stand in line at 5 p.m. so that you can be near the front of the line when the registration window opens up at 5:30 p.m. (And "stand in line" is being generous, it's more like jockey for position among 20 other women and force your way up to the window with registration form and money in hand.) If you do that, then your overall clinic visit will only be about 3 hours... Yes, I miss our doctors back home.
Anyway, we decided to go by KFC and grab some dinner so that Mr. D and the girls would have something to munch on outside the hospital while I went inside and stood in line. We usually just let the girls eat from our plates since they don't eat that much, but at the last minute, we decided to get them 2 kids meals with the thought they would each have a new toy to play with during the clinic visit. Low and behold, these things are what they handed to us as the toys that came with the kids meals. We weren't even sure what they were at first. I thought maybe some new-age space toy, but they were so heavy it didn't seem safe. Turns out they are drink dispensers. We're still a little bit baffled about the whole thing!
We were making a trip to the doctor at the night clinic which is at Hamad Hospital. This is the Rheumatologist that we go and see. The clinic starts seeing patients at 6 p.m., but you have to get there to stand in line at 5 p.m. so that you can be near the front of the line when the registration window opens up at 5:30 p.m. (And "stand in line" is being generous, it's more like jockey for position among 20 other women and force your way up to the window with registration form and money in hand.) If you do that, then your overall clinic visit will only be about 3 hours... Yes, I miss our doctors back home.
Anyway, we decided to go by KFC and grab some dinner so that Mr. D and the girls would have something to munch on outside the hospital while I went inside and stood in line. We usually just let the girls eat from our plates since they don't eat that much, but at the last minute, we decided to get them 2 kids meals with the thought they would each have a new toy to play with during the clinic visit. Low and behold, these things are what they handed to us as the toys that came with the kids meals. We weren't even sure what they were at first. I thought maybe some new-age space toy, but they were so heavy it didn't seem safe. Turns out they are drink dispensers. We're still a little bit baffled about the whole thing!
Wednesday, May 2, 2007
Tuesday, May 1, 2007
Eye Exams
Today we went to the Eye Dr. for Lil H's first eye exam. Because of the JRA and the fact that the girls are ANA positive, they are at risk for an eye disease. We will have to have eye checkups every 3 months for the next few years.
Lil H screamed, kicked and cried. It took 3 of us to try and keep her still. But the Dr. says all looks okay. We went ahead and had Lil N's eyes checked as well just so they could both be on the same schedule. This being her 4th time to do it, she is quite the pro. She puts her little head right into the contraption thingy and waits for the Dr. to look at her. Hopefully Big Sis will get the hang of it soon. We will definitely have Lil N go first next time so that Lil H can see how easy it can be. :-) Thankfully all looked well with both girls' eyes.
Thank you for your continued prayers and your notes of encouragement. We really appreciate it.
Lil H screamed, kicked and cried. It took 3 of us to try and keep her still. But the Dr. says all looks okay. We went ahead and had Lil N's eyes checked as well just so they could both be on the same schedule. This being her 4th time to do it, she is quite the pro. She puts her little head right into the contraption thingy and waits for the Dr. to look at her. Hopefully Big Sis will get the hang of it soon. We will definitely have Lil N go first next time so that Lil H can see how easy it can be. :-) Thankfully all looked well with both girls' eyes.
Thank you for your continued prayers and your notes of encouragement. We really appreciate it.
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