When did that happen?

This morning as I was getting Cash dressed I was looking at his teeth and one looked a little funny! Upon further scrutiny I realized I think he has a chipped tooth! His front left tooth is curved funny and yet I hadn't noticed that for the last few weeks!

I then started thinking back to when he was in his time out about a month ago and was jumping in his crib and started screaming. I went in and there was blood pouring out his mouth - I checked then but thought he just bit his lip because his lip was bleeding. However, I think he did a little more - I think he chipped his tooth!

If not at this time, I have no idea when else it occurred - his cute little toothy grin is now just a little more crooked and goofy! Good thing he is so cute!
(however, I am slightly disturbed about it this morning after the realization - thank heavens it is a baby tooth!!!)

I LOVE monday holidays!!!

So yesterday was a holiday in CHina - not sure what it was for but We'll take it!

Fun to have Chip home from work and get to do fun things!
First, I went to the Dr. for my 29 week checkup and diabetes test!

I am TERRIFIED of needles, drank the gross lick-a-stick tasting stuff, and then it went so smoothly I couldn't believe it! I was so anxious the whole way there in the cab and Rian was just laughing at me and asking if she could hold my hand. She is teh most chill friend I know and nothing phases her. I wish I was like her in so many ways!

She came in to distract me, since her apt. wasn't started yet either, and yet the nurse did SUCH a good job - in fact, the best blood draw i have ever experienced - I literally could not feel the needle even go into my arm, and before i knew it I was done.

Then, I met wiht Dr. Lee, a chinese lady who was so nice and sweet. I would be happy if she was my delivery Dr. She addressed my concerns checked me out, and everything looked great with baby boy #2! The best part also for me of the whole apt was finding out I had actually lost a little weight! Baby gets bigger, I get smaller - hmm...what could be better news?
(I still feel huge tho and getting more uncomfortable every day!)

While we were at the Dr. the husbands took our kids back to Chaoyang park where they had a blast renting a bike with the big basket on the front for teh two boys, and the rest on the back with Chip driving, and going all over the park, enjoying the rides, the bumper boats for little kids, and hot dogs on a stick! Cash apparently had a BLAST and Chip decided he wants to be a stay at home dad and I can go find a job! (if it was only fun and games every day daddy!:)

When we were finished Rian and I went off to the fabric market - WITHOUT KIDS!!!! The best experience and early mother's day present I could get! It was SO much fun! We walked around, found awesome fabrics for our projects, and just had a blast with no worries! I forget sometimes how is feels to not have a little one to worry about every second adn it was a great break!

Then we came home and chip went and got a massage! After we went to the market. Chip had a bone to pick with one of the sellers at the booths who told us something was real silk and we could bring it back if it wasn't. Well, it wasn't and so he took it back and she refused to give us our money back or give us better items - it turned into a HUGE scene, with her yelling at Chip, and then Chip standing there and telling everyone who came up that she was a liar and not bo buy from her because she would rip them off and sending all customers to other booths - it got so intense Cash and I went down to the 1st floor to get some shoes! Well, than I got a call from Chip saying 10 security guards had escorted him to the front place, he was explaining his plite, and I needed to come up and verify that she had in fact told us we could bring them back! Well, then he ended up talking them into just giving him some of the money back - but boy oh boy were they mad! However, we have had ENOUGH of the liars here, and he wasn't taking it - and i was glad - it was actually hilarious! They tried to say that in their country they are honest, which is the biggest farce ever, but the experience, even without getting what we actually wanted was so worth it - and then we got our otehr stuff and headed back to dinner with friends!

Overall, a fun experience once again and a great holiday!

Potty Training and Prostitutes!

So this weekend once again was packed with adventures and interesting events!
I would just like to share the 2 that shocked me the most and made my jaw drop!

First, as I have established before, the chinese culture is very different here! One thing that is different is how they pottytrain their infants/toddlers! First, they have them wear split pants and just let them walk around with their bums blowing in the wind - it is very weird and gross to see sometimes as we are places, and I have to really watch the play areas I let Cash in because I don't want him picking up any diseases from the unsanitary conditions that are caused by these! Then, when they want the child to go to the bathroom they put them over a sink, or some other place in nature, or even a garbage can in the stores, and start whistling or running water to get them to pee. I think this is weird alone, but then i saw this:

We were enjoying some shopping at ChienMen with our friends, and Rian and I just had bought hats and were headed to find the bunch, when I looked down at a dad holding an (probably) 8 month old on his lap in cradle style. I thought nothing at first until I noticed ann empty water bottle held to the boy's crotch, of course he had split pants on, and he was whistling - he was getting this little baby to pee in a bottle right there in front of a store - SO WEIRD!!!! I am not sure if it was working - but it was really weird!
Is it bad if I sometimes want to start whistling when I see people holding their children with the pants on to see if I can make them have an accident on their caretaker? I just wonder if it would work!

Now for shocker #2:
We were trying to get into taxis to go home, a major hard thing since it is a holiday weekend and we needed 2 cabs for us both, but Chip had finally found one and Rian and I were loading the 2 boys in with us when this man approached Chip and asked if he spoke English. The guy had a very thick Russian accent and looked so greasy and dirty. when Chip said yes the guy then preceded to ask "Do you know where I can find girls in the city to have sex with?"

Hello - first of all what a perverted world we live in that people would even ask questions about this, but also do you not see he is helping his pregnant wife and child into the car - do you really think my clean cut, loyal, and wonderful husband would be the person to ask this too! Sheesh! My jaw is still on teh floor from this question, and all right in front of us and the kids!

However, we had a great time, got a cute cute hat I will probably wear sometime in Utah next week so look for its cute debut, had a wonderful evening picnic in the park with friends, fun in the water for Cash at our place that has fountains coming up out of the ground, and numerous photos taken of us and the kids when we were out and about at our shopping trip. At once point Rian and I had the 2 boys, are both pregnant, and we had about 20 people looking at us and taking pictures - I almost felt like an animal in a zoo or something - and we thought maybe we should strike a pose, but instead just kept talking and ignored them! Really, don't think we are that much of a spectacle to gawk at, but boy do the chinese people like too!

Happy weekend! Off to eat some killer dinner made by Chip with some awesome friends!

4 down..................and can't WAIT for more!!!

April 26, 2010:

4 + hours of alone time on a hot date!
3 moves in less than 1.5 years
2 little boys to show for it (almost anyways)
1 perfect husband who I can't imagine life without

=4 great years of marriage!

It was the BEST anniversary we have had yet! Really, the day was just perfect! After four months without even a real date alone with my hubby it was also much needed! Chip planned the whole thing and did a fantastic job!

He showed up at 4 pm with the prettiest bouquet of flowers - my favorite! Cala lilies and the good smelling ones - they are still making the house smell SO good! Then, we dropped Cash off at our friend's and went off to a KungFu show! We had a great time! Then, it was off to a very fancy and delicious restaurant for Beijing Duck! We had a wonderful meal including KungPao shrimp, broccoli, asparagus, and the famous Peking Duck! It was so nice to be able to enjoy just the 2 of us without having to worry about little fingers grabbing things, making messes, or distracting us from our conversations! Then we came back to find a cute little happy bundle of joy who couldn't wait to see us and gave us hugs and kisses and just made it even better! We shared icecream bars with him, tucked him in, and had a show picked to watch together!

Thanks honey for a great date! Happy anniversary and I love you a million icecream bowls full!

Weekend of Surprises!

This weekend was full of surprises……and not ALL of them good!

First surprise - Chip took Cash on a walk to get a menu from a restaurant we were going to order with friends and check it out! However, it took a LOT longer than expected before they returned. When they walked in the door I heard Chip say – “Cash, tell mommy what happened….”

I looked over, saw Cash, and immediately burst into tears. REALLY. I cried for almost 10 minutes straight – my cute little Cashee boy looked NOTHING like himself – his hair – GONE! Completely buzzed right off his head!

Chip started to explain he told the guy to just cut a small amount off and take off around his ears and the back, and yet Cash ended up like all the other little Chinese kids for the summer – with this buzz! I was SO SO SO sad! Now I know you all might be saying “whatever, it will grow back no need to freak out over this!” However, it took us 1.5 years to get Cash as much hair as he had – which those who have seen him recently know he didn’t have a lot, but I loved what he had, and doing a cute little fohawk with it and he LOVES to comb his hair too! Also, the pregnant lady in me just erupted so just let me have my little fit! I thought he looked like a chemo patient…………but after the weekend, I am slowly liking it a little, and he loves to say to me “mommy, haircut” and point to his hair! He even will look at other pictures of himself and then say “mommy, haircut” and point – so guess he understands what happened! NEVER again will he visit a Chinese barber tho! I can only hope that his hair grows faster now, and maybe even a little thicker if we are lucky!

Second surprise – Cash was taking a bath and was so happy and being so great while I got ready on Saturday morning. All of a sudden I heard “mommy – poop!” I looked over and my worst nightmare had occurred – yep – sure enough he had pooped in the tub!

Totally disgusting, and not a fun surprise to clean up after at all!

Third surprise – we went for a fun visit to Great Wall! That wasn’t a surprise as I knew about the plans, but what occurred on the way there was – and even more so how well I handled it! We went with friends and on the way there the little girl Coy got carsick. She rested for awhile on her dad’s lap but then came back up and was sitting by me. I was stressed the whole time she was going to puke, and when she started kind of choking and I looked over I knew it was coming. Yep, she puked all over herself in the car, sitting right next to me. Now, most of you know I CAN NOT handle barf AT ALL; however, I remained calm, quickly grabbed her hat and tried to help her just throw up into it, and I actually was fine – didn’t even feel sick after like normal – and that is also being prego and after a very hot and long winding road up there – it seemed to take forever so I am not surprised she was a little woozy! After the episode tho she felt much better and we were almost there, where we could get her a new outfit and enjoy the Great Wall!

The Great Wall is one of those things you HAVE to do in China, although once you have done it you don’t necessarily want to run back and enjoy it again, or for that matter in my case ever even care if you go back again at all! Especially after all the stairs you gotta climb! But it was enjoyable and I am glad we did it! Cash had a great time too, and I will just tell the rest through the pictures! Enjoy!

This first pic is out of order but Blogger wouldn't let me move it - so our Family on the Wall - and yes, we did have to hike up all those steps after coming down them! It was a big work out!

After you get through all the tourist stands, and before you get on the cable car to go up to great wall, we found this Camel! Cash LOVED seeing it and went right up and petted it! They charge 30 RMB for a photo with it, but i got this snapped before they told me!

Chip and Cash in the cable car as we took off for the Great Wall!

This picture was for Chip - it says that Pres. Clinton rode in this cable car in June of 1998! (i think that is the right date) Wow - what a special car!

The cars actually go up very steep very quickly - a view of those behind us!

At the top after a small climb, but before the bigger one! The blossoms are coming out and really pretty!

A good view of the long stretch of wall we were by - it goes on forever it seems, and I am glad we didn't do the whole walk - way too tiring and hot!

Cash saying "CHEESE" and smiling for the camera! A very good view of his new cut that at first made me cry but I am now liking a little better! Still a cute kid right?!

In china a lot of women carry around umbrellas to block the sun, and ever since Shanghai Cash has been obsessed, and will chase after those carrying them, so when we got to the Great Wall he wanted an umbrella at the first tourist stand and we got one just perfect for his size! As you can see from the smile he likes it, and also saying to people "wellow umbwella" (it's yellow)

love this expression

LOVE these 2 boys!

The chinese always want their kids in pictures with white kids, so we were obliging! This little chinese kid was eating the nastiest looking hot dog out of a wrapper - looked SO gross!

The other kids didn't want to, but Cash went right up and grabbed this other kid's hand for the picture when they asked - he is used to it now and might wonder when we come back to the US why people are not wanting to shake his hand all the time or take his picture and touch him!

Cash, Coy, and Keeser! Buddies all enjoying the trip!

We decided to ask for a picture with some Chinese folks since they always want pictures with us - this guy was LOVING it - and definitely had some of the craziest teeth you have ever seen!

It was a little smoggy, but hot anyways and just another view from the wall!

Out of a whole in part of the wall!

S Stands for...........................

SHINGLES:
This week Chip had a rash on his hand, and so went to the Dr. to get it checked out. Turned out it was Shingles! Hmm......definitely hope I don't have them!

STRESS:
The Dr. told Chip his Shingles were caused by stress! This tells you how stressful his job is out here. Yet still things are up in the air for as what that means for us. Will we be staying, or will they be closing the office here in China and sending us back to the US early - as in next month? Yes, that is the million dollar question right now for us, and if Stress caused Shingles for Chip, I wonder what it will cause for me if we don't figure it out this week and let me know where I am going to deliver this baby! Yes, Stressed we have been!

SHEDDING of blood:
Yesterday I put Cash in his crib for a time out. He doesn't seem to mind timeouts at all, and in fact was playing nicely by himself for at least 5 minutes - that is until I heard a blood curdling cry - I went running in and saw blood gushing from his mouth! Apparently he had jumped and when he came down hit his jaw on the crib bars, causing himself to bite his lip - it stopped pretty quick, so no stitches or anything required, but he has a little owie on his lip today on the inside and outside, and like to point at it and say "owie"!

SWIMMING:
This is something we do a lot of as we have a great pool at our place, along with a cool baby pool and a nice "hot" pool too. Today we decided to go there in the morning with the kids instead of going to playgroup. Cash, Kees, and Coy all have fun. Well, there were swimming lessons goin on - and we saw yet another weird part of the chinese culture that I just had to share. There were about 15 kids at the lesson, with 1 instructor, and she never once got in the water (note - she was probably age 55+). Maybe this doesn't seem odd to anyone else, but as the kids were at one end of the pool far away from her, I was wondering what she would do when one of them started to drown? Then, it gets better! There was a garbage can sitting at one corner of the pool - i didn't think anything of it until it started to get used - as a pee bucket for ALL the kids to go into - first just one kid got out, pulled his pants off and peed in it - however, then at the end of the lesson before they got into the hot water pool they lined up - both boys and girls, and took turns squatting over this thing - totally gross and also something that would NEVER happen in the US. Boys just pulling trunks off, and girls pulling suits to the side, all intermixed! Weird - altho guess good since we know that noone peed in the other pools!

Finally - all their clothes were just sitting on towels on the side of the pool - after they got done with the warm pool she had another trash bucket with water in it and they all stripped down to being naked and she poured a bowl of water over each of them, and then sent them to get dressed. As they were all getting dressed, she took the pee bucket and went into the locker room to dump it out - leaving ALL the kids unattended by themselves next to swimming pools - i was seeing lawsuits written all over these actions - and yet they all seemed to think nothing about it - such a different place - and yet I like America where we seem much more civilized when it comes to bathroom behavior (don't even get me started on the nake ladies in the locker room - GROSS!)

SECOND TRIMESTER
Finally, I am officially out of my second trimester and into the third and final haul - not sure if it is more mental or actually physical, but i already feel more tired and HUGE each day! I will post a pic soon! Anyways, we are still struggling with boy names so if you have any unique cute ones send them my way!

ChaoYang Park Adventure

We had a great time last Saturday with our friends, spening time at the biggest park in Asia - ChaoYang Park! It was a beautiful day, and so much fun to walk around and see all the festivities!

We saw kites being flown, and plan on getting one of our own soon to try, enjoyed the giant blow-up water toys they had, checked out a bunch of rollercoasters, rented fun boats and went on the river, checked out the fishing pond they had (a highlight for Cash), played a dart game to pop balloons and win stuffed animals, ate some yummy popcorn and popsicles, also some noodles straight from the street vendors, checked out the squid on a stick (don't think I will be trying that though ever), laughed at the split pants kids - and some day i will get a good picture of one of them, and just had so much fun with our friends! A great way to spend the day!

A fake Mickey Mouse at the gate - Cash ran right up to give him a hug!

Happy to walk around on his leash - he wanted to run wild all over the park!

The fun toys on the water - altho spendy, and making Chip a little sick, worth the 10 minutes of memories! Cash was a little small to really enjoy it too, so 10 minutes was plenty!

Chip and Cash rolling around!

Say "cheese"

the gang walking after lunch - Cash was sharing his popcorn with everyone!

Rian and Sid and family on their boat - ours was the same but blue! Super fun to get out on the river!

Cash wanted a turn on this as we were leaving - just marched up and took it from that girl!

The entrance to the park - as we were getting ready to leave!