Emma&Gianni

almost vacation and other random thoughts

2009-07-29T19:37:00.002+03:00

I am slowing down even more... a couple more days until VACATION. I am finding that I really need it this year, after wearing so many hats, random responsitibilities. I hope to find few moments of solitude and many reminders from nature that God is beautiful, orderly and good, and to find spiritual nurture for me.

Erik continues to be delightful. He's now in parrot stage, copying sounds we say, and sometimes managing a great word or even phrase. This week he's learned to say juice and cheerios... but even without the words he's got his ways of communicating what he needs til he gets it.

We've been having poopy diaper issues since we finished breastfeeding - it's been diarrhea-like many times a day for the past months. I talked to his doctor, cuz I am concerned about milk allergies. She suggested low lactose milk, then I tried goat milk (which was a total disaster), and now we're trying soy. We're tired of poopy diapers every time! Now the doctor said to take a stool sample in for testing an we're waiting to see her in a couple days. Hmmm... Any suggestions?

No time to blog...

2009-06-23T14:46:00.002+03:00

Erik is SO full of energy. I took him with to a missions conference where we had a stand this weekend at a Christian camp. He was so excited to have such an endless grassy space to run in - so I spent most of the conference chasing him. He doesn't even look back to see if I'm following - just runs off to follow some other kids or someone on a bicycle or to play in the faucet! Wow... So from what I heard the missions conference was good, and I enjoyed some good conversations at the booth for Nea Zoi, but mostly I spent my weekend chasing him. So now I'm at work with a moment to write....

Whoa...

2009-06-16T13:19:00.004+03:00

Erik's gotten so active - every day with just him it looks like an entire daycare is in my home! He's saying a few more words now, learning new ones every day.
hi
bye
mama
baba (daddy)
ata (walk)
puppy
avgo (egg
amen
ana (Iasonas his cousin)
all done
no

And I think he said please ... or maybe that's wishful thinking :-)

It's great to see his personality develop.

And we finally got through weaning... but it hasn't helped with the night waking. I'm getting less sleep now. Sigh...

Erriko jabbers

2009-05-04T11:12:00.002+03:00

So Erik's first definite word is baby Greek. "Ata", which is babytalk for volta, which means going for a walk. He says, "Ata-ata-ata!" while pulling on my hand and getting his coat or shoes. Hmmm.... But I think he said hi-hi-hi the other day while we were walking onto the airplane, and has said bye while waving. English!!! It's so fun to listen to his expressive jabbering - I have no idea what he's saying but it's so like a real conversation. Awww...

We still have our "intensive night-time parenting" a phrase I found in a Dr. Sear's newsletter. :-) He just won't go back to sleep on his own. Yeah, I know we should teach him and maybe crying it out will have to be part of it. After this next week where I'll be at a conference we'll try again. If it was just up to me, I'd just share our bed with him til he grew out of it. But Gianni thinks that'll be when he's 15. And Gianni's anxious for me to end breastfeeding. Sigh... That's the only time he's my cuddly boy anymore. You all told me they changed so fast! It's true!!!

Thoughts

2009-04-02T22:04:00.002+02:00

I just learned that my friend from grade school Julie (Sloan) Quintana passed away this week, leaving 4 kids, the youngest a newborn. It was sudden, unexplained, senseless. Julie was the only person I know who got married in Las Vegas - but not the type of person to do a Vegas wedding. Super sweet, gregarious, always a smile.

This year my friend Katie also lost her husband in a tragic auto accident in Malawi where they serve as missionaries. Now she's raising 3 girls alone. Another church acquaintance's dad just died suddenly.

It all reminds me of how fragile life is. Suffering touches us all - but not fairly, evenly. This is it, for this life... and to understand it all is impossible. So many of the women I work with have had their lives touched by tragedy from very young. They haven't had the families, education, Christian upbringing or conveniences to shield them from tragedy. But we are all vulnerable together in this fragile existence in the end.

is the weekend really over?

2009-03-15T21:54:00.002+02:00

Wow... these past weeks have been chock full... Entertaining for Erik's birthday, Clean Monday, my birthday surprise at the bar where we had our wedding reception! Lots of photos are on Facebook.

And then this week I had an exam in psycho-physiology. I'm trying to get my u.s. degree accredited here in Greece since having proper papers is so important here. I hope I passed the test, and then I have 3 more exams to do in June - neuropsychology, cognitive psychology and developmental psychology 2. It was such a headache to learn the new terminology in Greek, and then write the exam in Greek.

Then I spent the day yesterday cleaning and straightening up the house as we had this young couple's group from church here with 20+ people. It's a group of peers from church that I'd like to get closer to... but I'm finding it hard to connect past the surface. Anyhow, hosting 20 people isn't really an easy way to get to know anyone- I'm so focused on taking care of people that I'm stressed out.

Today I met a woman who lives in Hania... with her 9 children and husband as missionaries! It puts everything in perspective. Just one toddler. Not homeschooled. And Nea Zoi. Life...

1 year weaning...?

2009-02-17T10:38:00.003+02:00

Erik turns 1 tomorrow... this far-off goal of breastfeeding for a year has been reached! I thought Erik would be losing interest about now, with such great food available to try and fun things to explore like the tupperware drawer. But it seems like in the past week, he's insatiable. He wants to nurse at every occasion when he's with me, but when with his grandma or dad, just being held is fine. Why??? And the nighttimes... for the first time ever he's milking me dry and is waking up screaming at 6 for more milk. We've been co-sleeping for the convenience of it after he wakes up in the middle of the night. Is it the molars coming in? Or some sensor that the nursing is coming to an end? Gianni is asking me how much longer... I could probably go on more but... Hmmm...

Happy valentine's Day

2009-02-14T12:11:00.002+02:00

What a week it's been! Erik had a fever since Tuesday, and wanted to be held - or is it the big teeth coming in that have got his gums swollen. Any tricks for easing the discomfort - he's so grouchy.

Also we are putting on an anniversary celebration this Tuesday at Nea Zoi, so there's at the last minute making sure all the invitations got out. And in the end, the US Ambassador most likely will put in an appearance!!!

In the midst of all this, I am trying to get my US degree accredited here. For this process I have to take pass 4 exams, in topics like physiology of psychology, experimental psych, neuropsych and developmental psych. They don't release the exact exam dates until the last possible moment it seems, so I found out on Thursday morning that the physiology exam was yesterday afternoon. I put everything I could on hold and crammed for the exam. I got all the way up to the university, found the room where it was to be held, nice and early. To my surprise, there was only one other student there. No one else showed up - not the other students, nor the professor. There was no sign anywhere that we could see, but obviously the exam had been rescheduled. I find out on Monday, I hope, when it actually is. In the meantime, you could ask me how a neuron works. :-)

We get to today, Valentine's Day... I wish I was all craftsy to make little valentine's for my boys. I get these beautiful ideas from the Better homes and gardens magazine newsletters. But my boys just got heart-shaped pancakes. And housecleaning. And a wife/mom who can explain how the auditory system works, in Greek... I think. Maybe I better study that again.

Happy Valentine's Day!

Sicko again

2009-01-25T23:47:00.002+02:00

Poor little Erriko is sick - again. I was feeling pretty smug as I'm still breastfeeding, and breastfed babies get sick less. But Erik has got sick with a cold like 3 times in the last 2 months. This time it's bronchitis - the other night we were up all night, cuz he kept waking and crying cuz he couldn't breathe right. We took him to the doctor, who said he was having an asthma crisis and to take him right away to the hospital. I came home from work and we took him up to the hospital, all panicky... but Erik was pretty happy and excited to see the other kids in the waiting room. The doctor saw him and said it was bronchitis. I was so relieved... not something unknown and scary... phew...

He prescribed these steroid drops and 2 inhalers - which seems to me a bit extreme. I never took anything more than aspirin growing up, that I remember, so anything seems extreme. But also my sister in law told me to take care because her youngest son used inhalers all the time when he cought, and seemed he couldn't do without.

And we are having the our all time favorite parenting dispute with Gianni - is Erik warm enough, wearing enough to keep him safe from cold? I worry about germs, Gianni (like most Greeks) about cold... we both want to do what's best for Erik, and it doesn't always agree.

I hope he get's better soon! And we don't catch it!

Christmas photos

2009-01-02T17:26:00.002+02:00

I can't believe that this Christmas break is almost over. :-( Here are some photos of Erik's first Christmas.

Fall hike

2008-11-22T18:28:00.003+02:00

A week ago we went for a family hike - I have been begging Gianni for many weeks now to go, and finally it worked out! We put off the chores for the evening, and drove up to... the CASINO! There's a casino at the top of the nearest mountain, with a free teleferik to make the ascent to the top. We tromped through the posh lobby, trying to find the forest, while not poking the dressed up gamblers with our hiking poles. Once we got out, we found the burnt out forest but not the trail. We hiked down the road, looking for a trail, and made it to the shelter and back. Erik had a great time watching the world - and accepting the admiring compliments of the other hikers! It was a good day for a couple of out of shape hikers! :-)

Tree planting in the burnt Peleponnese

2008-10-27T09:53:00.004+02:00

Here's a picture of Erik and I - the caption is Dutch mother helping with tree planting. The silly thing is that I was only there for 4 hours, and ended up visiting with the locals instead of digging holes for trees. But we were very photogenic! Here's the article for those who read Greek.

Καλλώπισαν 16 χλμ. δρόμου με 4.000 φυτά Εκτύπωση E-mail
Συντάκτης Π. Γκίστης
26.10.08

miteraΜε την ευχή η πρωτοβουλία τους να βρει μιμητές ολοκληρώθηκε χθες από τα μέλη της Β' Ελληνικής Ευαγγελικής Εκκλησίας της Αθήνας η φύτευση 4.000 καλλωπιστικών φυτών σε μήκος 16 χιλιομέτρων στα δημοτικά διαμερίσματα του δήμου Ωλένης.

Από το διαμέρισμα του Καράτουλα, τελευταίος σταθμός της δεντροφύτευσης ο δήμαρχος Ωλένης κ. Γιάννης Παναγόπουλος αφού ευχαρίστησε τα μέλη της Ευαγγελικής Εκκλησίας για την πρωτοβουλία την οποία ανέλαβαν, δήλωσε μιλώντας στους εκπροσώπους των Μέσων Ενημέρωσης μεταξύ άλλων ότι: «Απ' την πρώτη στιγμή αυτοί οι άνθρωποι ήσαν δίπλα μας, είτε μοιράζοντας τρόφιμα στα δημοτικά διαμερίσματα είτε ζωοτροφές.

Η προσπάθεια διήρκεσε τουλάχιστον 8 μήνες σε ότι αφορά τη διανομή ζωοτροφών στα ορεινά δημοτικά διαμερίσματα. Θέλω να ευχαριστήσω όλους όσους στήριξαν τους πυρόπληκτους πληθυσμούς του δήμου μας καθώς και την Ελληνική Ευαγγελική Εκκλησία για την πρωτοβουλία αυτή».
«Είμαστε χαρούμενοι που βρισκόμαστε εδώ»

Αμέσως μετά, ο υπεύθυνος για την εφαρμογή του προγράμματος δενδροφύτευσης κ. Θεόδωρος Καλογερόπουλος δήλωσε μεταξύ άλλων ότι : «Είμαστε χαρούμενοι που βρισκόμαστε εδώ, παρόλη τη λύπη και τη στεναχώρια που περάσαμε όλοι οι άνθρωποι από τις καταστροφές. Είμαστε χαρούμενοι γιατί μπορούμε να προφέρουμε κάτι παραπάνω βάζοντας αυτά τα δεντράκια ως μια συμβολική συμπαράσταση στους συνανθρώπους μας, οι οποίοι πέρασαν δύσκολες καταστάσεις.

Από τις πρώτες ημέρες της φωτιάς ως το Πάσχα όλοι εμείς που παρακινήσαμε όλες τις Ευαγγελικές Εκκλησίες της Ελλάδας προσπαθήσαμε να φέρουμε αυτή τη βοήθεια και καταλήξαμε σήμερα εδώ».

Ακολούθως ο κ. Γιώργος Αδάμ από την Ευαγγελική Εκκλησία της Αθήνας δήλωσε μεταξύ άλλων ότι: «Πιστεύουμε μέσα από την καρδιά μας πως όλη η δημιουργία είναι δώρο Θεού και θέλουμε να κάνουμε ότι καλύτερο γίνεται για να την διατηρήσουμε και να βοηθήσουμε με αυτό τον τρόπο και περιβαλλοντικά να δείξουμε την αγάπη του Θεού στον άνθρωπο». Στο ίδιο πνεύμα κινήθηκαν οι δηλώσεις του κ. Δημήτρη Μπούκη γραμματέα της Ελληνικής Ευαγγελικής Εκκλησίας.

Η πρωτοβουλία ανήκει στην Β' Ελληνική Ευαγγελική Εκκλησία της Αθήνας, αλλά αποτελεί προσφορά και σύμπραξη Ευαγγελικών Εκκλησιών της Ελλάδας, χριστιανικών οργανισμών, επιχειρήσεων και ιδιωτών Ελλήνων και φιλελλήνων.

Την συνολική εποπτεία του έργου της δενδροφύτευσης είχε ο ομότιμος Καθηγητής Γεωπονίας και Αρχιτέκτονας Τοπίου του ΑΠΘ και ΓΠΑ Νικόλαος Κανταρτζής, ενώ εργάστηκαν εθελοντικά περισσότερα από τριάντα άτομα, έλληνες και ξένοι.

< Προηγ. Επόμ. >

Erik's 8 months old!

2008-10-24T21:24:00.002+02:00

Big boy!

2008-10-08T12:26:00.002+02:00

Today we went to the pediatrician, and talked about food. How babies are fed here is so different from how I see my friends in the US feed their babies. Here until 18 months they spoon feed them puree and soup, and the doctor said that everyone is afraid of the babies choking. I see how Erik loves to finger his food, to suck and mash it with his gums, so much fun! She also said he needs meat every day, to get enough iron. It seems wierd to me, as adults don't need to eat meat everyday. But the doctor said that his digestive system can't handle other sources of iron as well. So, I guess I'll have to do more meat!

Erik is indeed a big boy - he is 79 cm long and 10.1 kg. I notice carrying him around that my lower back and arms get sore. He's crawling backwards more - and keeps getting stuck by backing into the furniture and not knowing how to go forwards.

I just started English lessons with Gianni's nephews - they are really energetic boys and the older one Iasona just loves his little cousin Erik. And he could watch them run around for hours!

pomegranates...

2008-10-05T20:48:00.002+02:00

We spent a day at the family beach house yesterday - a little "shack" that is a bit decaying but walking distance from the beach at Kalamos. In the yard, there is a huge pomegranate tree - this mythic fruit with red seeds of juice. There are loads of fruit but not so sweet. What can I do with them?

Erriko is so adorable - he's still not crawling, but loves standing up holding on to the coffee table. Everyone says he's so big for his age.

I am upset tonight because I gave an interview about my state department hero award. They included a horrid photo of me - Gianni didn't recognize me in the photo.

We have our training tomorrow. It will be a busy week.

Coughs & giggles

2008-09-25T19:17:00.000+02:00

Erik discovered coughing the last couple of days. He does this little "ahem" cough, like he's got something in his throat and smile, so it's not real. And he thinks sneezing is pretty funny too. Whaddya know...

On the train yesterday, we sat next to this stinky homeless-like lady. She LOVED babies, and kept trying to touch him and talk to him. While my reaction was to be grossed out and want to keep him away, he thought she was hilarious. She made him giggle - then I felt bad for thinking she was so gross. After all, she could communicate with him!

meet the pets!

2008-09-17T19:26:00.002+02:00

This is my favorite Erik photo of the summer. He loves pets- but especially dogs! Yesterday we visited Niki and her dog Buzz and Erik started giggling and couldn't stop. The dog brought his toy to play, and Erik couldn't figure out how to throw it, but he loved it! His giggles make my day!

Do you know "Girls are sugar and spice and eveything nice and boys are slugs and snails and puppy dog tails!"

inflation

2008-09-05T12:42:00.001+02:00

I just went to the supermarket and was shocked at what I paid for so little. I knew there was inflation here, and the fall of the dollar value, but here is a nice article showing exactly what is going on with prices here! Check it out!

http://livingingreece.gr/2008/01/17/greece-price-inflation-in-6-months/

I'll write more later - so much to catch up on from our trip.

Grabby boy!

2008-07-25T16:22:00.002+03:00

Erik got shots this morning - and weighed in a 8.6 kg (19 pounds)! At least his rapid growth has slowed down some = only putting on 1/2 a kg this time. I can barely make it up the office stairs with him in his carrier!

He's growing in other ways though - totally enjoying grabbing things and balancing to sit up. I've let him grab a piece of melon, cucumber and pear that I was eating - what fun to suck on them! Last night he was determined to grab my frappuccino and try it, but I think we'll save that pleasure for later! It's made me stop and think about how amazing food is! All the pleasure that awaits him in a life full of eating :-)

I feel SO low energy these days - and unproductive. This month has been hard cuz I've had Erik full time without my mother in law's help, and have been trying to stay on top of things at Nea Zoi and Gianni is working two jobs, so I don't have any help with the house. I was managing for a couple weeks but now... or is it knowing that I'm going to have some vacation and so I'm letting myself feel the tiredness?

I'm so happy cuz I have five days to go!

More Erik photos!

2008-07-17T11:20:00.002+03:00

Summer photos

2008-07-17T11:13:00.003+03:00

Eirini & Pavlos' wedding in Andros and Erik's first swim

It was SO romantic - she and Pavlos got married as the sun was setting over his grandfather's farm on the island, with rose petals and hearts scattering in the wind. I think everyone cried!

And we had fun swimming!

stale bread etc.

2008-07-12T10:20:00.002+03:00

Erik & I were at home yesterday and I realized I had oodles of stale bread! So I found a recipe for panzanella (bread/tomato salad) and bread pudding - and felt so virtuous for making food out of something useless! Thanks Mom for instilling me with those thrifty genes! In yet another way I see I'm becoming like her.

I've also been working on my presentation materials for the States. I don't want it to be stale and dried out - though I often feel like I have the same things to say anymore. Even though fantastic things are happening, it's easy to feel like I'm having the same stale conversations about the same tragic circumstances. Maybe I need some new "recipes" to infuse creativity in what I'm sharing. Any ideas?

It's Christian tourist season - I've met once again this summer so many people who offer their summer vacations to serve in some way. I'm always encouraged by their fresh interest in what we do.

Well, gotta get Erik, who's learned to scream when he's bored.

Happy 4th of July!

2008-07-03T17:02:00.003+03:00

Tomorrow we're having the team over for a potluck/barbecue for the 4th of July and to say goodbye to Julie. We're going to miss her tons! But it's a fun reason to have a party - to celebrate being an American. I found sparklers, a keg of beer and red, white and blue plates, and Gianni's trying to download a variety of American music. And a BBQ is the only kind of party that is worth having with this heat. The funny thing is that I've NEVER made hamburgers by myself before - only helped my mom on camping trips. That's the vegetarian legacy. And we'll have bbq chicken - hope it all turns out. And tonight I'm going to a reception at the US ambassadors house in honor the Independence Day. Nicole and I will go with the baby, while Gianni has to work :-(

We'll see how it goes...

My little giant

2008-06-28T12:03:00.002+03:00

We had our pediatrician visit yesterday for his shots, and found out why he's getting so heavy to carry around in his carseat. I'm gonna have a little giant I think cuz he's already 8.140 kg/18 pounds and 70 cm/28 inches. I think he's growing a crop of blonde hair under his brown wisps that are coming off. He's getting so cute and very sociable - eliciting smiles from random strangers all over! Yesterday we went to the beach near where I used to live - it took 90 minutes plus on public transportation - but we cooled off! When we finally got home, Gianni was cooking for us! It was so sweet cuz he's working 2 jobs. He gets up at 4 every morning to start work by 5, plus works evenings selling shoes 3 nights a week and Saturdays. He will need our vacation in Seattle!

Here is a photo with my dear friend Katerina who's in town to see her family - and 6 months pregnant! Erik is gonna have so many little friends to play with!

100 degrees and outreach

2008-06-18T20:22:00.003+03:00

So today the temperature hit 100! I'm so melting - and so is Erik, who's down to just a diaper tonight as we try to stay cool. Our west-facing windows turn the house into a furnace! I was worried if he needed extra water but all the websites say only breastmilk til 6 months. But what do i do when I have to be gone?

The funny thing is that it's a heat wave today and exactly 4 months ago, he was born in the snow! How the seasons change.

And cuz my mother-in-law was busy, I brought him with to this morning's outreach. He stayed in the shade with the prayer team, and was such a contrast to the ugliness of Iasonos. A couple of the women came out to see him, and he rewarded them with huge smiles (while I inwardly cringed while they caressed his feet.) Antibacterial gel!

He's teething I think as he soaks his shirts and chews his fists - and everything else. He's been spitting up more which means so much laundry!

Here's photos with his viking hat from Jenn Roemhildt - Thanks Jenn!

2008-06-03T13:28:00.002+03:00

It was fun to get away this weekend to a place 3 hours away with pine-covered mountains! A little reminder of life in the Northwest, except we were in this posh hotel with a "parea" (group of friends) from our church for a young marrieds retreat. We enjoyed introducing Erik to the swimming pool (to his yiayia's horror, who believes that chlorine pools will make him sick). The other main activity was to sit and eat- and listen to lessons on happy marriages... (no big secrets- the classic formula of make time with your partner and communicate). No walking in the mountains - just looking at them. When we left, we stopped at this little village to eat in the square, under a spreading tree and fresh springs. Ahhh... who wants to get all sweaty hiking when you can just eat and look at trees! :-)

So some days with everything are good and I feel in balance and others... Erik still cries so much when I'm gone and drinks as little as possible from the bottle, even though I pumped it. I don't know what to do. On the other hand I'm enjoying getting more involved in the vocational project and doing some interviews for this project with some great Greek believers. Now who to choose....

Never enough...

2008-05-20T19:43:00.002+03:00

So I was thinking about being back at work - now there's this new tenuous balance to find between baby, the endless Nea Zoi needs, and Gianni (oh yeah and me too!) I end up feeling like I'm not doing enough anywhere - not with the baby, with the endlessly dirty house, with friends, and with the work of Nea Zoi which isn't so clearly defined. Who can tell me when I've done enough? I miss the days of school with grades, where you finish a project and get a number. Phew! Speaking of school, I am trying to decide whether or not to register for more classes with the MA program at U of Indianapolis. I really want to, but then will it help? Will I feel guilty for leaving my baby another night of the week? Or two? Or should I wait and start again some other time? I just don't know... Erik cries so much for his grandma & Gianni - a bottle just isn't the same.

Life is wild!

starting back to work!

2008-05-07T18:40:00.001+03:00

Yesterday was the big day. After 2 1/2 months away, I found myself passing gypsy moaning beggars, passed out heroin addicts, and desperate Russian alcoholics on my way to the Nea Zoi office. I4 flights of stairs and I'm back! I'm only starting to catch up on all that happened while I was away, but we made a start. I see that what has been missing is the interlink between everyone, which was mostly me!

I was less emotional than I thought too, as I was so focussed on gathering everything I'd need at the office (pump, etc) as well as leaving enough stuff with Erik's yiayia (Greek grandma Evniki) And I was so relieved when she called halfway through to say that everything is going okay. I met them out for a walk on the way home, as he's most likely to nap for long on a walk. He keeps waking up after 15 minutes when he naps in his bed!

Gianni is away in Crete for 10 days - the house is so quiet. So I'm back at my old unmarried eating habits when it just doesn't seem worthwhile to cook for just me every day. Yogurt and cereal and salad/fruit!

BTW... why do you think I'm FASCINATED by makeover shows? I love them right now - turning dowdy, over-sporty, ugly people into glam! Despite the humiliation of showing the world exactly how awful the pre pictures are, it seems like such fun to have a designer, makeup artist, hair designer just for a new look! Is it with the new mom role?

Baby's first hike at Mt. Olympus

2008-04-30T18:20:00.003+03:00

Our Easter

2008-04-29T14:52:00.005+03:00

Here's photos from our Easter in Katerini with Gianni's clan.

why I learned to dance

2008-04-22T23:02:00.002+02:00

So, I just figured out why it was so important to do my dance lessons 2 years ago... (First of all, it was this small answer to prayer to show that God cared about the little things that I long for...) But now, when Erik is crabby, I put on World radio, hold him facing down, and dance cha-cha and salsa and waltz steps. I wish i remembered more! Gianni never got the rhythm but may Erik will... :-)

My fave thing he's been doing these days is smiling at himself in the mirror on his play gym. It's like he catches his own eye and smiles, which makes him smile even more and squeal and flail. How exciting... ME!

It helps so much to talk to my friends... thank God for the phone. Email is great but one-hand typing is... limiting!

Rollover and other excitement!

2008-04-14T10:46:00.003+02:00

I can't believe how fast Erik is growing. He's engaging more with me and the world, and nothing compares to his smiles, though I haven't yet managed to get it on camera. Yesterday he even rolled over, from his stomach to his back, on accident. The surprise on his face was priceless!

I'm doing better- I'm so thankful for all the friends that have come to visit, as well as the other moms I've been getting to know better. It's so wierd, joining this "mommy club" and the way it draws me together with others that I might not have really talked to much before. And I find I need the support! I feel kinda bad though, cuz I don't want to be the kind of person that is only mom, and can't talk about other things than baby!

What's also wierd is being a tv watcher - I faithfully watch Oprah dubbed into English, which is pretty amusing.

BTW... it's the wierdest weather. 25 celcius, heading towards 30, which is way too hot for April, with this thick cloud of Sahara dust over the sky. Reddish-grey air... yuck!

He's still eating frequently... especially evenings. I figure he just needs me, and is growing so much! But it's hard to not feel like a cow, especially since Gianni has dubbed me holy cow!

Here are some recent photos...

goodreads

2008-03-31T11:15:00.000+02:00

new 'do

2008-03-28T10:04:00.002+02:00

So I wanted a change, but not this! Or am I exaggerating... It's just not the stylish new me that I wanted cuz I'm bored. Should I grow it out, get it cut elsewhere? Just imagine it curly...

I hate bathtime

2008-03-17T11:53:00.003+02:00

Wow - I never imagined what it's like to have someone so dependent on you! And what it feels like that I'm the only one that ultimately can calm litle Erik. When he cries, his little tears break my heart. He hates getting naked, so bathtime especially is torture, for both him and me. (My modest little boy is so NOT European!) But then he cuddles and gazes at my face while nursing and everything is at peace again.

This mom thing is SO different from everything I know- what's wild is how I have these intense instincts on what to do with him - and I don't think I learned them anywhere. So other's helpful advice - like don't hold him so much so you don't spoil him- is not taken very well. I didn't know I could be so stubborn and reactive... after all I've never done this before! At this moment, I can't think how I'll go back to work after Easter. (Greek Easter is at the end of April).

Do you have any recommendations on good baby development books for the first year or so? Also, where I can find lullabies - I can't remember how more than the first stanza goes. At the moment, I'm singing to him Dianna Krall, Louis Armstrong and hymns, while Gianni sings hard rock. He'll have eclectic tastes! :-)

Bea update

2008-02-14T18:44:00.003+02:00

For those of you waiting for the latest on Bea... Last night was a general transportation strike, and Eirini and Julie had to make a huge effort to get downtown to keep the appointment outside a noisy sandwich shop. They waited, and froze, and waited some more, but an hour later she hadn't arrived. There are lots of reasons, from fear to not finding a taxi, but it's still disappointing. Keep Eirini and Julie in your prayers, that they would not get overly discouraged, and for Bea, that she would find the courage and hope for change.

Belly photos

2008-02-06T23:16:00.000+02:00

Just in case you're wondering what I look like these days, in week 37.

Baby wish list

2008-01-25T11:56:00.000+02:00

• 2 Stroller or car seat blanket - heavier than the other blankets
• Diapers - 1 dozen disposable diapers per day for newborns
• Burp Cloths - 3-4
• Nursing pillow with cover
• Burp cloths - 3-4
• Infant spoons - 3-4
• Spill-proof cups - 1-2
• High chair
• Splash mat
• Crib sheets
• Crib mattress cover
• Crib mobile
• Diaper bag that doesn't look so diaper
• Diaper pail

waiting...

2008-01-23T16:39:00.000+02:00

Gianni and I are in waiting season as we enter the last month of pregnancy. As I'm getting bigger in size (and Baby too!), I'm having to slow down, take more naps, walk less, etc. Today I just couldn't manage to get up the energy to make it out on streetwork. It's a wierd phase, as I've been SO active over the past 9 years in mission (yes, this March marks 9 years in Athens). I haven't had longer than 2 months without being involved in this ministry! Maybe this sounds like an overreaction, but I sort of feel like "who am I without Nea Zoi?" In the end, I'm glad that I get the chance to explore this new role - after all I know that being with God and for God is what He wants from us primarily.

We went on our last trip to the Peloponnese in a while this Saturday. It has been the gorgeous "Halcyon" days of January - a burst of spring-like weather that comes every year as a respite from the cold winter (so some little birds can hatch their young I've heard). As we made the 3+ hour trip down, I was rejoicing in the new green grass sprouting everywhere, the warm sunshine, and the beautiful sea and mountain landscape of Greece. Even on the burnt areas, bright grass and reeds have grown, making it much less bleak. Furthermore, as life moves on, the villagers of Koutsochera and Agia Anna are getting back to familiar routines of tending crops and animals. It was also beautiful to see the blossoming trust between us as they recognize that we do care about them, and not just a one-time relief supplies drop. They are all anxiously awaiting news of our baby's arrival!

Fun photos

2008-01-01T17:57:00.001+02:00

First Married Christmas, Anniversary and New Year's

Sugar scare

2007-11-20T13:31:00.000+02:00

Two weeks ago I went to my doctor for the routine checkup on Junior - I waited an hour and a half with the other frustrated patients (public hospitals here!) while someone's kid demanded potato chips and the nurse lectured her on feeding the child sweets.

As far as I could tell, I'm well within the range of normal pregnancies - haven't gained an extraordinary amount of weight, and generally watch what I eat and stay active. After all, my office is on the 4th floor with no elevator! But the doctor looked at my results from the blood test and said - You have a problem with your glucose levels! I freaked out... my mom has insulin-dependent diabetes, and all my life, I guess I've feared turning up with this disease. She sent me to the endocrinologist for a consultation, and I spent the day imagining the worst. 3-day long childbirth, emergency delivery, giant baby...

But then I saw the endocrinologist, and learned that actually I don't have gestational diabetes, and my blood sugar levels are within normal range. Phew! But I suppose I should avoid too many baklavas and Christmas desserts anyhow!

More news to come...

So finally a blog?

2007-05-25T02:27:00.000+03:00

So finally I'm joining the community of bloggers. I don't know if I'll have time to maintain it, but being home in Seattle, away from responsibility, creates some space.

It's been fantastic to catch up with friends in the Seattle area. It's wild to see all my friends becoming moms... especially Crystal, with whom we played house together with her fantastic Barbie mansion. Being a missionary is so cool sometimes, because I really see keeping in touch with people as an essential part of my life.

But I miss Gianni like crazy. I talked to him tonight, and he sounds so lonely. Only a few more days... I wish he were here to enjoy the exuberance of Seattle in the sun. We just don't appreciate nice weather in Athens. I was shocked at Starbucks today to see this Seattle sun-worshiper take off his shirt and shoes at the sidewalk table to tan (just next to the Dairy Queen drive-through).