Fathers Day

Well, not in Australia :-) Not in Thailand either. But in America it is, and I'm all for seizing an opportunity to help teach Emily another aspect of honouring her Dad by doing a few things to help him feel especially special! She had a card for him this morning and for lunch we are going to Burger King - one of Jon's favourites (and they don't exist in Hanoi!)

Birthday Fun!

Jon planned a LOVELY day today. We went out for a yummy family brekky and Emily had a swing in Lumpini Park. Then after a rest we went to McDonalds and then Krispy Kreme for dessert -- complete with candles on the donuts! :-) (Virginia will be proud!)

Emily, it would seem, has a personality that is larger than life WITHOUT sugar, but WITH sugar it is indescribable. A few bites of donut and her usual love for life and people increased exponentially. She was high! She ran around the mall, waving and blowing kisses and squealing with joy (and unbelievable volume). A man dressed up as a fish apparently added to her psychadelic experience and there were times when she'd just have to stand still and SHAKE with excitement (and a squeal). Tomorrow, we return to a healthy diet.

(As I write, Emily is colouring in a birthday card for me. Correction: she is supposed to be colouring; she's actually eating the crayons. They are made from beeswax in New Zealand, so when a crayon smells like honey, what's a kid to do?)

Oh - and a wee bit of Thai-lish to share.... a taxi driver today pointed to my tummy and asked, 'boy or woman?'. I thought how very glad I was that I wasn't carrying a woman.

(32 weeks today!!)

Bangkok

Two days ago Em was 18mo exactly and she measured at 86cm tall. So, if the old 'double a girl's height at 18mo to project adult height' thing holds any water, she'll be 172cm. 1 cm shorter than her Mum (who, by Emily's adulthood, will have no doubt shrunk, and she may end up taller than me afterall :-)

We've been in Bangkok over two weeks now. I've been doing a lot of resting (necessary but no fun) and Emily, Jon and Mrs Hien have been...

Playing inside the apartment....

Going for rides in tuk-tuks....

Exploring outdoor playgyms... and indoor ones!

Dressing up... (!) and shopping for groceries

Emily loves her friend M!

Emily gives M lots of kisses. It is important to note that M was getting more kisses than Mum was!!!!

Emily loves to help

Today Emily decided she'd help with carrying the 'outside play' backpack. She ended up a little 'back heavy'!!!

Jon is in Da Nang for three days. We miss him! He comes home tomorrow night. We enjoy skyping with him when he is away. Tonight we told him all about how much Emily loved the pool this afternoon -- she splashed and squealed and gave her Mum multiple hugs and kisses. (You can be sure Mum will try very hard to go back for more tomorrow :-)

35 Steps and a new friend

Today little M and Mrs Jilly came over to play. We had a lovely time on the swings and it was great for Emmi to hang out with someone who is such an excellent share-er!

Also today, Em took 35 consecutive, unassisted steps! In 7 days she went from walking on the walker to walking on her own!!! Now to get those little legs confident before Baby Sister arrives :-)

Total Bedrest - arghhh...

Just for a couple of days. Encouraged by a sermon on ipod this morning -- nothing can separate us from the love of God... nothing inside of me or outside of me. If me being a cranky, self-pitying PILL can't, and persecution, torture and death can't (!), then mere bedrest TOTALLY can't. So I'm asking for grace to rest in His love and not fall apart. (Its also good for me to remember that falling apart is not good for keeping contractions at bay :-)

And one reminder of that great love is in the form of our wonderful friends and helpers Ms Lanh and Mrs Hien. (How do mothers do bed-rest in Australia?!) Ms Lanh has just arrived to help us with Emily. So now Jon can help me (The Great Reclining Poo-Ba, directing from her bed) to sort out the baby's alcove in our room, which used to be a study and now looks like Emily has tornadoed through there (actually, she has). Feeling the need to get things somewhat organized ahead of schedule...

Here's some of the deleted photos.... Em determinedly walking with our 'outside play' bag, after insisting it be put on her back. (It made her a bit 'back-heavy'!)