Halloween

Eeeeeeelizabath,

Halloween is always a huge celebration at international schools around the world and yesterday all the teacher kids got to go trick or treating apartment to apartment with all the parents tagging along. And even though we dodged rickshaws, received an increased amount of attention from the hundreds of pedestrians, and road a bus to various apartments, it was a fairly normal all-American Halloween. Well almost. We went as a viking family thanks to Aunt Dori's knitting skillz. YAAAAAAAAAAARRRRRR!!

There were about 20 kids which were organized into two buses (biguns and littleuns) which touted the young candy seekers to about 15 apartments around the area. As we drove around we sang Halloween songs and you danced for the enjoyment of the the other kids. You are quite adapt at dancing on the walls and smiling. We stuck through the entire ritual but other parents used the "it's your year" method.

At several of the stops we were offered treats as well: Bailey's, spooky spiky punch, and (my favorite) a shot of vodka with oranges and Russian sausage. The art teacher actually served water out of "that" bottle ... which is a completely reasonable use for recycled glass bottles in Dhaka.

You can see the candy fever has hit you ... you are holding the bag all by yourself. We'll do our best to save it until you are eating solid foods.

Well with the staff Halloween party tonight and the school Halloween carnival tomorrow so there is still plenty of Halloween fun to go around!

mmmmm donuts

Bubbles ... your hand-eye coordination increases daily and we are training you to have one hell of a sweet tooth. Glad they are knit ... I just can't believe that they are one of your baby toys ... remember the knit donuts always.

Suitcases

Elizabeth ... where will the Velveeta and Frito's go? at least you are growing and we are beginning to shrink . . .
Yours

Ours

What I Did On My October Break!

You picked up a new nickname on the vacation: "ZZ" and you can see why ... here you are sprawled out at the beach . . .

by the pool after a swim . . .

in the stroller on the beach .... during dinner

after a few mojitos

at breakfast ...

with a towel imprint to boot . . .

with a great view ...

"Hey wait! I'm up!"

Actually not ...

Halfway There ....

E ... We made it to Singapore airport and if you are going to have a layover anywhere then this is the country to have it. We actually had so much fun we went to the other terminals to check out their stores. You had your first Hard Rock Cafe experience complete with buttons and balloons (I think the waiter was just bored at 6am) and helped us pick out some dark chocolate and liquor. Oh and you helped do a cool Year of the Rat rubbing (we (dad and you) are both rats!) Bali here we come ...

Deleted Scenes

Some of the cutting room floor bits .... no less endearing but altogether not full stories unto themselves. Enjoy with a sense of humor ... Elizabeth is developing a razor sharp one.

1st Hotel (The Radison)

Elizabeth .. you had your first hotel stay at The Water Garden Radison here in Dhaka. We chilled by the pool and while we were at the GlitterBall Milon came and stayed with you in the room. You had a delightful time and commented that hte water pressure was excellent. Mom and Dad had steak for breakfast (on the buffet) and you gummed your first real food (a strawberry twizzler and a slice of pineapple).

Elizabeth .. you had your first hotel stay at The Water Garden Radison here in Dhaka. We chilled by the pool and while we were at the GlitterBall Milon came and stayed with you in the room. You had a delightful time and commented that hte water pressure was excellent. Mom and Dad had steak for breakfast (on the buffet) and you gummed your first real food (a strawberry twizzler and a slice of pineapple).

Dancing

Bubbles ... your footwork improves everyday.

Going Native

EMM ... When I visited the Bongo Bazaar a little bit ago I picked up some lovely traditional Bengali outfits for you. I think you approve!?!? We love your new facial expressions.

Mosquito

Not the first one, the second on your forehead but certainly not the last.

See You Soon Cate, Fred, and 'to be named' little boy

E ... Cate and Fred have left for Bangkok to have their little boy (Oct 27th) but when they return you'll have a new friend to play with. Anthony? Andrew? Zachery? See you soon!

Look how you've grown!

6 WEEKS........................16 WEEKS

This dress is more like a top now.

Happy 4 Months!

Flying Practice!

E .. practice makes perfect and you are taking to the air like a natural. Actually, it was flying when you first started to laugh out loud. awesome perfect five stars

Deleted Scenes: Getting Dressed

Your favorite place from birth has always been the changing table. Even when pulling those shirts over your big head or when dad gets you completely tied up in your clothes .. nothing but giggles.

Brunch with Bela and Elizabeth

Bela (BAY-LA) and E exchange pleasantries at the club and discuss sleeping habits,
spit-up technique, new phonemes, fashion and shiny things.

Reason #1: Cowhead

There are many great reasons why I love being parents!


Here's the blow by blow video commentary with commentary . . .

Shots! Injections! and Jabs! Oh My!

So we were supposed to get shots for BUBBLES at two months .. and closer to her 4 month birthday we finally got around to it. Here is the Apollo Hospital, which is built completely on reclaimed land in a neighborhood called Bashundhara. The neighborhood was a planned community that had loads of money poured into it before the caretaker government took over and threw all the crooked backers in jail. It's mostly half finished apartment buildings, some squatters, the largest unfinished mall in Asia, the International School Dhaka and Apollo Hospital.

Plastered with happy babies with big eyebrows and happy shot experiences.

Here she is sleeping while waiting for the vaccination center to open. E got her own ID card and we had to pay BEFORE she received the jabs. There's something off about the hospital but we can't quite put our finger on it.

First the orals ... rotovirus (very expensive) and she gobbled them down. Yummy viruses!

Then came the DTP/OPV and she kept her composure.

See ... composure!

Last ... the Hep B ... which must of been her breaking point!

Not a happy camper!

But she got over it quickly enough ... we do have to go back in a few weeks for more though.