Finally Introducing TLC

Here is our sweet Tristan Louise - she arrived after an extremely long day of waiting. We were scheduled for our induction at 8AM, but we kept getting bumped for spontaneous births! We had a private recovery room but you are sent to a separate birthing room to deliver so we didn't get in until 4pm - it was a long day.

Once we got in though it still took some time to get started but then it went fast. Officially it took 3:50 hours but it wasn't hard labor until the last hour or so. They do things a bit different here but here is what I do know -

Tristan weighed either 6lbs 6oz or 6lbs 12oz - depends on the conversion of grams to lbs...she passed her Apgar, but they don't do length until the home visit on the 10th day....her birthday is Nov. 21st and she was born at 8:28pm.

She's been really sweet - the first night was hard - they don't let spouses stay - even if Mike could have - but he had to do the other kids - so I was on my own - I was exhausted! I got to come home the next day after 24 hours - I was ready - I'm glad she wasn't my first baby and I knew what to look for or what to do - they didn't really check on me all night - or her - no temperature checks or anything. Luckily I had everything normal - I did the 50/50 gas thing - I don't think it really did much but it was therapeutic - no tears or stitches or that kind of thing so all is good. My belly has even gone down quite a bit I'm happy to report! It was a little strange not having my friends come to hold the baby and bring me chocolate in the hospital! My hip is doing so much better - it's a good thing.

My mom got here today - she brought goldfish and rice crackers for the kids - so far it's been very nice. I've forgotten how much time nursing takes and how tired you can be so one handed blogging is a bit of an issue. But all is good and thank you so much for the good wishes! We're just so happy she is out and healthy so far!

D-Day

Just finishing a few last minute details..... tomorrow is the big day - I'm very nervous!!!

Peptol Bismol & Bday Pix

Either we're having a girl or I spilled Pepto in my laundry......I'm getting ready finally - I started washing all the clothes yesterday and boy is there a lot of pink! After 10 years of having boys it's a definite change.


I've also been nesting - well that and it's hard to walk a lot with my hip - my crochet hooks and knitting needles of course didn't make it in the shipment (I found quite a bit of things missing - I think they ran out of room and shoved everything else in storage but failed to ask or tell me) but I finally found a craft store - so I went and got some yarn... I made a little hat and booties and I started on this blanket....



I haven't said much about the health care here.... well - since this is #5 I do see a difference - I think that ignorance is bliss a little bit...you have to bring all of your own supplies for after the birth - and I mean literally - diapers, wipes, bathing supplies for baby & yourself, blankets, clothes - t-shirts for baby, TOWELS to dry yourself after a shower, pads and disposable underwear for yourself.... no sweet little gift pack for the new baby, no "take everything in the drawer" - no "welcome to the world little one" - I've even heard from one lady they don't even bathe the baby - so the next day if you don't think about it there's afterbirth on it..... lovely. The nurse that gave me the tour was really cute - she was so honest she said, "The food here isn't that great and they don't give very large portions unfortunately so our nursing moms tend to be a bit hungry". No chocolate cake upon request like at Valley Care. Well at least she told me, Mike will have to bring me food! They don't even measure the length of the baby the first day. They wait until you are home and send a midwife measure later. Oh and I didn't mention - that is with the Private Health care that I have, not the National Health Care!! Just imagine....We shall see - I'll return and report :)

These are pictures of Mike on his bday - welcome to middle age!



Hopefully all goes well - we're scheduled to go in next Friday to be induced... Mike is going to Paris on Tuesday so hopefully I don't go spontaneously on my own - or maybe in spite of the trip she'll want to come early.... yikes!!

I also have forgotten to mention church lately - well I thought with a bun in the oven I'd get a break, but unfortunately I already have 2 callings!!! Mike & I were called to Activities Directors - would be okay but we have to do the Christmas Party - and it will be something like 2 weeks after I have the baby.... hmmmm. And then I was called to teach RS - which is something I quite enjoy anyway and is easy for me so I like the once a month Sunday calling! Which I'm also supposed to do in December, but my VT's said they'd cover for me if I wasn't up to it. Whew!

The kids are excited about the birthday: we'll have one on the (obviously different months) 3rd, 4th, 21st, 22nd, & 23rd.... funny huh?

So the next month will be busy - the baby on the 21st if all goes well, my mom on the 24th, my in-laws on the 2nd, baptism for Ian on the 6th, blessing hopefully on the 7th, mom goes home on the 8th, in-laws go home on the 17th - that doesn't include pinewood derby (yes they have it in December!?) holiday celebrations at school, and school concerts.... good thing I hibernated most of last week and the week before... better do some more in the next few days!

Happy Birthday Mike!

The fall is a busy time for our household - we have lots of celebrations between now and through January. Today is a special one - It's Mike's big 4-0 birthday. I can't believe how fast time flies. We had a very fun surprise party for him in California before we left and tonight our new friends the Hamberlins came over for dinner (we missed you Smiths!).

Mike is definitely my soul mate - I'm so glad he found me - he is the most patient person - and he loves adventure. He has taken me on most of mine - we've known each other now for almost 19 years - yikes that sounds so old. We've been to obviously England, France, Australia, Indonesia, Spain & Italy. I'm sure I missed some place - doesn't count all the domestic travel of course - but it is quite a feat with life and kids in between them all.

We used to do lots of biking and hiking and other outdoor stuff - he'd still prefer to go dancing with me than sit on the couch and watch a movie.

I love him with all of my heart and I am so proud of the person he is. He never shirks responsibility, he is so intelligent and yet so naive in the same breath - sounds silly doesn't it? He has accomplished so much in life and work which I don't talk about too much - but I would imagine many of his goals in this life he's met (or at least I hope so). He is so generous and always tries to think of the sunny-side. He is my other half - he makes me into a nicer person - and he is very supportive.

The things we have done together have filled my memory books - I love to be with and just plainly - I love this man.

Happy Birthday to my one and only, the father of my sweet babies, my companion forever....

Happy Birthday Mom & Linda!

Oh - 2 of my favorite people share the same birthday! It's hard being so far away from them - but at least I'll be the first to wish them a happy birthday since we're so ahead of time!!

My mom since moving to Las Vegas 10 years ago has become this major craft lady - it is so funny - I of course love to craft - all things - she has always sewn - then one day I told her I was taking a quilting class - and she was like - I think I'll do that - well - now the lady doesn't go anywhere without looking for the local quilt shop in town - she's coming here to visit me when the baby arrives - she's already looked up where the quilt shop is!

My mom makes all the matching PJ's for the kids for Christmas, makes all the Halloween costumes (she stole that from me a few years ago) She uses all my chinese food ingredients when she comes to make Chandler and my brother their favorite foods (so deprived in Vegas) She's also the secretary for the Quilt Guild - it's pretty cute for a grandma under 60 (I have to do the math I think she is finally over 55). My mom was born the year of the Dragon and a Scorpio so she's a spitfire. One of my great-friend's husband is older than my mom. Yes my mom is pretty young for a grandma of 4 1/2 (and I didn't start that early!) but she loves doing the craft thing with Tyler and the boys love to play video games with their Pau Pau - I can't stand to play video games - but I think my mom really loved Tetris when my brothers were growing up and I was in college so she can handle a joy stick - but a computer mouse she is still working on - but now that we're here we're forcing her to learn more about her high technology since it's so easy because we are far away!


Not the best picture I have of my mom, but she's camera shy - she's usually the one always taking the picture (along with a covered flash or a finger) We love you mom - hope you have a great day!

Today is Linda's Birthday too! Mike's is Sunday so every year for the last 12 years we've had a "Birthday Dinner" - Chris and I seem to get left out on this celebration - however it is a very fun tradition I'm very disheartened to miss this year. We kinda had it early this year - but it was really was the guise for my surprise par-tay for Mike.

What can I say about Linda - we've grown so much in the last 10-12 years - luckily not just in the waist! She is the sister I've never had, my BFF & one of my closest friends and it is so much fun to have someone your own age (although she is older - wink wink - by a month) and with husbands the same age and kids the same age - we always have fun. She's super fun, she loves to shop and she teaches me about make-up, clothes, and the latest celebrity or TV happenings! I miss our shopping excursions and our lunch dates and just our regular conversations - even the mundane - you know - "what's for dinner??".

I have a ton of pictures of Linda - but she'd kill me if I posted some of them- you know, camping trips, vacations, cooking, just having a baby pix, getting her brows plucked..... I'll have to save a few for bargaining chips...It's so sad to be so far away - and for their impending move - I always expected them to be there when we got back (if the market stays the same for a while maybe I'll get my wish!) - that's one place I won't follow to move to....

There's not much hidden about Linda - what you see is what you get and that is a lot of fun, she's beautiful, caring and all those boys! Those boys are my kids BFF's and cousins and they love their ma-ma! We spend every holiday, birthday, Sunday dinner and event together. Such a lucky girl I am to have such a great friend - love you lots and hope you have a great day!





As for me - I'm looking forward to the weekend - the baby is coming if not on it's own than my Dr. may induce a tad early - likely within the next couple weeks - my hip from my cycling accident last year isn't doing all that well - so we need to get the little alien out. So I spend quite a bit of couch time right now - and I've been getting reaquinted with my crochet hook!

Uncle Ryan in London

Uncle Ryan is our official first visitor to our new house! He was in France about the same time we were and was able to jet through London for the weekend before heading back to NYC. We hope it is the first of many trips!

Mike and the 3 bigger kids took him into town and they got to go to the London Bridge and the Tower of London. It was raining cats and dogs but they made the most of it!

Big Ben & Parliament!

London Bridges Falling Down!

Watch where you sit!
Chandler's France project that is due tomorrow - he has been working on it for a couple weeks. We included pictures of our trip as well. Good thing I brought a bunch of craft stuff! Unfortunately I've been going through my things and I'm missing TONS!!!

Ah Paris

Louise put lots of pictures on her's too....


Tyler's favori: Chocolate Chaud, pain du (au?) Pomme, Tour Eiffle et Notre Dame
Chandler's favori: Quiche Lorraine, petit dejeuner, dejeuner et diner
Ian's favori: pain du Pomme et Tour Eiffle
Lucas' favori: baguette - TOUR EIFFLE! (avec Dora the Explorer & Sophia)
Michel's favori - crepes!
Et Moi? La France est magnifique!


Parisi's on their home land

Je t'aime

Glowing in front of the L'arc de Triomphe d'etoile on the Champs Elysees

Cruisin' in the Rain

La Seine

Notre Dame

La Louvre

Tour Eiffle

Happy Birthday Ian!!

Well my little man is 8 today - Chandler told him he wasn't 8 yet because in California it wasn't morning time yet!

Ian is a cute little bugger - there are 2 things I think of when I think of when he was born:

1. He was born with a smile on his face
2. And a book in his hand......

His BFF Juddy Buddy (on our memorable Houseboat trip)

See always smiling

Here are 8 things about Ian:

1. Always smiling or laughing
2. Loves video games (however slightly addicted!)
3. Loves his new room - he loves having his own room by himself - he also keeps it the cleanest!
4. Ian loves his friends (and misses them too!)
5. Ian can get along with ANYONE
6. He is very thoughtful and usually thinks of other people first
7. He is very smart :)
8. He loves to play football (soccer) especially with his HEAD!

We are going to wait for the baby to be born before we baptize Ian - he will be the true middle child after that - What a neat spot to be in - Sister-Brother-Ian-Brother-Sister.

We love having Ian in our home. He had to be born with a good nature because he is also my "peanut, hay fever, animal allergy, allergy shots, eczema-ridden, nose stuffy, bone breaker, prone to colds, asthmatic".... so with all that he has to deal with whining would just have sent me over the edge. Our medical insurance is worth it's weight in gold for this one child alone!

Ian always has a story - long stories - so you have to pay attention - he likes to build, but likes to read more - he has this monkey he cannot live without - and ah, his favorite color is Orange!

Tonight he had the choice - we're going to the school Trunk or Treat - he wanted to dress up as a hobo - tomorrow is the last day of the term so they have next week off. We're going to Paris for his bday :) What a lucky boy!

Tuesday Happenings

Well I've been slightly delinquent in my posts because I've been playing with my new toy. I'm converted. I love my IPhone. I always knew I "should" get one because I have my MacBook and it would be easier - well I love my new phone. Now I can get emails where ever I go!

This weekend we had soccer (football) and football....Tyler has been working on a huge Family History project for her Language arts class and Chandler has a big report due on a country - he picked France - lucky for him we're going on Saturday so he can bring back a few little things to display for it. The kids have been really busy at school. I thought I should fill you in on what they're doing.

Lucas really likes going to school all day now - I think he's gotten used to it and doesn't come home quite so exhausted any longer. He loves to talk about Carmen and Jack, and then says he wants them to come over and also to play with Hayden & Callie. He comes home and can spell his name in order to log onto the computer to play Nick Jr. and play a Dora the Explorer game.

Ian started cub scouts - but because they don't do it through church here - he joined through school - but because he's in 3rd grade - he's a Bear not a Wolf (it's all Chinese to me) but he still wants his Wolf since Chandler got his - so we're going to end up doing double work for him. As long as he is enthusiastic that is fine. His birthday is Thursday - the night we have a Trunk or Treat at the school. He voted to go - and decorate the car - of course I didn't bring any Halloween decorations so I've been trying to find things - they have quite a few things but I hate to buy too much. I also hope Ian remembers we had a bday party for him before we left (especially since I can't find anything he wants in the stores here!) On Tuesdays he's also in a Computer Club after school right now - he really enjoys it - they have all new IMacs at the school - in July we saw them installing them all - it's terrific. He is doing well - his teacher is amazed how much Ian soars at reading - I told him he was born with a book in his hand.

Chandler begrudgingly joined Webelos - but of course once he is there he loves it. They only meet 2x month unlike at home. I think at home he was getting a little burned out with it every week. The bummer was it was the same time as track at home so he really wanted to do that with his friend Duncan. Last week he got to go into London for a field trip to the Natural History Museum - he talked about it for 3 days straight. Chandler's teacher love him - she lived in Lafayette so we do live in a small world! Chandler is in a chess club after school on Tuesdays - he loves it and he's getting better and better.

Tyler went to her first school dance on Friday night. She brought a friend home after school and they went to the dance. She said when they'd play slow songs the few couples would dance and everyone else would line up like wall flowers! We haven't gotten her in dance yet - part of it is me - I'm kinda tired at night - and our nights go fast here - it's getting darker much sooner - like by 5.

Mike was in Barcelona last week - he's enjoying his job - he really likes it - the economy makes it a little tougher but he's always up for a challenge. He's dying for American Sports though. Funny because I'm the baseball girl, but he's the one that checks the scores. He always tells me when Basketball is starting - my rote repsonse is, "It never ends". We used to love Basketball - but I loathe it now - it's just toooooo long and they are all thugs. Not my favorite any longer. Now that we've lived here for 5 weeks (or is it 6?) Mike has already been to Greece, Germany & Spain. Then this weekend we're going to France... he needs more pages - literally - in his passport!

I got my haircut today - they did aroma therapy first with a head massage - oh not by the stylist - another girl - then the shampoo - with 2 washings (which I wondered, is that standard or is my hair really dirty?) then the cut & style....so funny. It took a really long time - not like my normal 40 mins in & out. But it was nice. Caris always did a great job with my hair and I went regularly so I think the shape was still there for the new lady to follow so I don't think it was that hard. I went and ran some errands and tried this hole in the wall Chinese place Chandler's friend keeps telling us about - well - I will tell you - it's the best Beef Chow Fun I've had in a loooong time - better than any place in Ptown!!! And they deliver!

Church is going well - we went Sunday and got there 5 mins early it didn't look like a big turn out - but by the end there were a ton of people there! Wait till I tell you my new calling - ugh, but whew I can say it isn't in the RS for once!

Well off to do some chores before those kiddies come home!

Crabby Pattie

I stayed home all day today - kind of on purpose. I'm so irritable - I know a lot of it has to do with the pregnancy - but I also remember someone saying once that your natural disposition comes out even more as you get older - so does that mean I'm going to be an old crabby lady??????????

The kids bickering grates on my nerves. Today I stayed at home - cleaned the downstairs - then went back upstairs for a rest and read my book (it's a long book). We still don't have TV - a record for us I'm sure almost 6 weeks right? We have radio and the owners have speakers all over the house - but I didn't even turn it on today - just sat in the quiet house and read.

The packers came today to collect the rest of the empty boxes and wrapping which was nice - I didn't have to break down all the boxes myself and figure out how to toss everything out. I also cleaned the garage so we can park our car in there again. It's nice not to have "too much".

Lucas and Tyler came home first and they were tired - I have to back track - I went to Bunco last night (hooray for me!) but the house was a huge mess when I got home and the kids must have gone to bed late because it was hard for them all to get up this AM and especially my one special child - when he gets up on the wrong side of the day - it ruins MY day. So that is about how it went.

Of course after I picked the other 2 up from Scouts - the bickering began. I can't stand it - it drives me bonkers. Then little things bug me - like - here in Britian - why does every stupid business call your mobile phone first? And if it isn't on, why don't they leave a message? OR TRY YOUR HOUSE?????? I noticed that the first couple weeks here - they just automatically call your mobile - well you know what I don't answer my mobile when I'm driving - it's AGAINST the law here and I don't have my bluetooth set up. And when I am home all day - I don't turn it on. If they do call your house - they don't leave a message (we only have one phone right now, and I don't exactly 'RUN' to answer it) so I usually miss it.

The banking - I want to run home and kiss my local Wells Fargo Bank teller - I hate the banking system here - online stinks especially - they have about 50 passwords you have to memorize then they say things like, what is the 2nd digit of your thrid password, what is the 9th digit of your eighth password..... and EVERY time you log in - THEY CHANGE THE SEQUENCE.....hellooooooo???? So it's so much safer here because I have to have all 10 passwords written down so I can count the digits every single time.... nice

Did I mention my stove? I know back in our house selection period I mentioned this as one of the negatives to selecting this house - at the time I thought it was more of a minor negative - well aparently not - I LOVE my Thermdor GAS RANGE at home.... here I have one of those stupid glass top sleek (hard to clean) stupid range things that is stupid ELECTRIC - (sorry I thought it was more interesting with more stupids) yes, back to the dark ages - I hate it - it take me - and I am sooo NOT exaggerating - 30 minutes, yes THIRTY minutes to..... wait for it......... BOIL WATER. I am so not kidding. I hate it. Mike says I say hate too much - well you know what - when you're 8 months pregnant trying to cook for a family of 6 you would say hate too..... I suppose if you are not a cook - it doesn't matter much - but when you love to cook - Electric sucks.

Well the whining continues - Mike is in London at a dinner meeting - lucky him...sorry for the ranting - hopefully you covered your eyes with all the stupids & hates....... I'm going to get the rambunctious ones ready for bed... and back to my book!