News Flash!
Tuesday, September 05, 2006
We had a doctor appointment yesterday. EVERY one of my prenatal doctor appointments in the Czech Republic has been accompanied by a sonogram. While measuring the baby's various body parts to provide us with a rough estimate of weight, Dr. Stajskalova had only one comment: "Long legs!". HA! ;-) Tell us something we DON'T know! Like his name....
Good Friends. Great Eats.
Monday, September 04, 2006
Rather than having a traditional baby shower, I opted for a "Girls' Night Out". Knowing that it could very well be a long time before I am able to just leave the house for a night out with my friends, it seemed like a great way to spend the evening celebrating and anticipating the arrival of our baby boy. We went to a great Italian place for dinner followed by Prague's best ice cream: Cream n' Dream. "Thank You" to everyone who helped make it a very special night for me! Emily... I missed you greatly.
Magical Vanishing Signs
Remember those road signs that mysteriously appeared a few weeks ago? The ones that instructed me that I couldn't turn right/left when exiting/entering my neighborhood? Well, they just as mysteriously vanished this weekend. I know they were there on Friday. I know that they are NOT there today. Did the Transport Authority change their minds on their recent restrictions? Did a mischievious citizen in the neighborhood take matters into their own hands? We may never know...
As long as they don't come looking in our garage....
As long as they don't come looking in our garage....
You Are What You.... Watch?!?
Tuesday, August 29, 2006
Last night Lydia stunned us with her artistic rendition of Bob and Larry. (For those of you who don't know Bob & Larry (is this possible???), they are the stars of VeggieTales and Lydia's personal heroes).
I assumed it was a coincidence, but no... she proclaimed she was drawing Bob and Larry, then proceeded to state "I'm drawing eyes and mouth." And when Daddy asked if they needed hats, well... hats were necessary indeed. This gave me great hope since, for the past 2-1/2 years, our daughter has generally shown more of Daddy's engineering brain than Mommy's creative brain.
Anyone know if BigIdea is hiring artists?
Language Immersion
Thursday, August 17, 2006
We were invited to a "work" party last weekend. I say that in quotes because when we arrived Brandon quickly realized we were the only work people to show up... the remaining 50 people were the village neighbors and friends of the party host. ALL Czech, NONE speaking English (with the exception of one English/Italian couple). Thankfully, they had rented a bouncy castle for the kids, so Brandon and I spent most of the evening stationed at the entrance to the castle.
It's funny, we realized quickly how far we have progressed with our Czech language lessons, but how incredibly useless it is. Once we get past the "hellos" and "My name is....", does ANYONE ever really ask "How old are your parents/siblings/pets and where do they live?" or "What did you prepare for dinner last night? And what time did you go to bed? What time did you get up?" If they did, we could've had some grand 5-minute conversations.... as long as the Czechs didn't respond in any way. Then we'd have to apologetically reply, "I'm sorry. I speak English". Translation: "That's as far as our conversation is going to go. My 'Czech' act has come to a conclusion because you have reached the limits of my conversing abilities in two minutes."
Lydia, however, is quite comfortable in these situations. We noticed that she was perfectly at ease in the castle, jumping, bouncing and banging body parts with multitudes of Czech-speaking children. A few 6-year-old girls were drawn to Lydia and very intent on talking to her, VERY close to her face (personal space is not as expansive here). She just sat there, enduring their speeches with a blank look on her face. Then calmly just turned away, stood up and resumed jumping.
Ah, the simplicity of communcation at the age of 2. Would it work to respond in that manner as an adult? We'll have to give it a try sometime.... if only they'd allow us into that bouncy castle!!!
Who needs words anyway?
Queen of the castle. While Czech kiddies fall by the wayside, she just keeps going and going and going.....
It's funny, we realized quickly how far we have progressed with our Czech language lessons, but how incredibly useless it is. Once we get past the "hellos" and "My name is....", does ANYONE ever really ask "How old are your parents/siblings/pets and where do they live?" or "What did you prepare for dinner last night? And what time did you go to bed? What time did you get up?" If they did, we could've had some grand 5-minute conversations.... as long as the Czechs didn't respond in any way. Then we'd have to apologetically reply, "I'm sorry. I speak English". Translation: "That's as far as our conversation is going to go. My 'Czech' act has come to a conclusion because you have reached the limits of my conversing abilities in two minutes."
Lydia, however, is quite comfortable in these situations. We noticed that she was perfectly at ease in the castle, jumping, bouncing and banging body parts with multitudes of Czech-speaking children. A few 6-year-old girls were drawn to Lydia and very intent on talking to her, VERY close to her face (personal space is not as expansive here). She just sat there, enduring their speeches with a blank look on her face. Then calmly just turned away, stood up and resumed jumping.
Ah, the simplicity of communcation at the age of 2. Would it work to respond in that manner as an adult? We'll have to give it a try sometime.... if only they'd allow us into that bouncy castle!!!
Who needs words anyway?
Queen of the castle. While Czech kiddies fall by the wayside, she just keeps going and going and going.....
A good time was had by all
Oh, what a blessed gift. On Brandon's own initiative, he arranged a day off for mommy. He and a friend, Chris (a.k.a Owen's daddy), took the kids out for the day so Laura (a.k.a Owen's mommy) and I could have a toddler-free morning.
Daddies and kids went to an aviation museum that fascinated the kids. Both kids are still talking about airplanes and helicopters 4 days later!
The mommies went with no agenda (for once!). We sat and talked while we sipped our Coffee Heaven coffee. Then walked around Prague for a bit, did some shopping and stopped for lunch where we were able to eat and have great conversation.... uninterrupted and without rushing home for naptime! Oh, what bliss!
The best part of the day, by far, was when we arrived home to sleeping toddlers and daddies who both admitted they have a better appreciation for what we mommies do every day. And we didn't even have to pry that admission out of them!
"Hey Owen! How'd ya' like to look at some planes?"
Daddies and kids went to an aviation museum that fascinated the kids. Both kids are still talking about airplanes and helicopters 4 days later!
The mommies went with no agenda (for once!). We sat and talked while we sipped our Coffee Heaven coffee. Then walked around Prague for a bit, did some shopping and stopped for lunch where we were able to eat and have great conversation.... uninterrupted and without rushing home for naptime! Oh, what bliss!
The best part of the day, by far, was when we arrived home to sleeping toddlers and daddies who both admitted they have a better appreciation for what we mommies do every day. And we didn't even have to pry that admission out of them!
"Hey Owen! How'd ya' like to look at some planes?"
