Happy New Year!

Today marks the beginning of 2010, a new decade!

You, Elijah welcomed in the new year by taking a warm bath outside on the veranda under the warm sun. Why? We wanted you to experience the tradition that some people have where they jump into the icy cold water (forget where) to welcome in the new year...NO! Just Kidding!! We gave you a bath outside under the warm sun because it was much warmer to do that than to do it inside the flat in the bathroom. And you know what? You liked it so much more too.... So, what do you think about starting a tradition of taking a bath outside to welcome in the new year? ;)

Happy New Year, our little champ! In seven days, you're going to turn ONE!

(The last photo shows you how bundled up we are inside the house!)

Christmas in Kathmandu

We celebrated Elijah's first Christmas in Kathmandu, Nepal. Our original plan was to celebrate it with some friends in India but due to very recent changes in the visa regulations, we had to leave the country before Christmas. We found a temporary flat and we spent most of Christmas eve just trying to set up the place and preparing to celebrate Christmas as a family. We bought an even smaller Christmas tree to decorate and bought Elijah gifts. Daddy explained to Elijah that God has given us Jesus as a gift and that is why we give each other gifts too. What mommy and daddy really wanted to get Elijah for his first Christmas gift was a tricycle for toddlers but it is too big to carry with us on the plane to Thailand then back to India. So, our plan is to get that for him when we return to India. Meanwhile, we got some transportable gifts for him: Nesting eggs, Ride and Hide Turtles, and a cellphone ;) We also got to enjoy our first visit to the zoo as a family!! We had great fun watching Elijah intensely studying and pointing at all the animals. You remind us of what an absolutely incredible and amazing gift God chose to give to us by sending Jesus as a baby. Merry Christmas, Elijah!!

Click here for photos!

Oh Christmas Tree, oh Christmas tree!

We'll be spending Christmas in Kathmandu, Nepal. But, we enjoyed setting up our Christmas tree and getting into the Christmas spirit as a family. Mommy and daddy have been talking about what kind of Christmas tradition we would like to have as a family. Unfortunately, the conversation has been put on hold a little bit as they have been working busily to figure out a short-term solution for the visa issue. We hope to post some photos of Christmas in Nepal in a few days.

First Visit to the Slum

We visited some of our friends in the slum area. They were all delighted to meet Elijah. Unfortunately, Elijah got sick and had his first episode of diarrhea shortly after his visit....but, mom is not sure whether it was related at all. Hopefully, we'll be able to visit a little more frequently.

Elijah Attends His First Birthday Party!

On Sunday afternoon, Elijah went to his first birthday party! It was Elise's birthday party and she LOVES Elijah. Unfortunately, Elijah didn't get to enjoy the sweets there but mom and dad thoroughly enjoyed yummy desserts that Elise's mom had baked. Here are some photos to enjoy!

A Baby

Our little boy signed the word "baby" to me as we briefly looked at the story of Moses and Jesus' birth. He can't quite do the sign as we adults would do it, but he clasps his hands together and swings back and forth to mean a baby. It is so sweet to watch....

A Sick Family

Elijah had fever for a couple of days, then runny nose which lasted only a day or two, and diarrhea for two days. I'm not sure what he had...Let me just say that my senses have been traumatized forever. How can a 11 month old produce such stinky poops? We had multiple changes of clothing and good wipe sessions.... (Of course, I would have preferred to just have him take a quick bath after each session but it's cold and there is no instant hot water.) It was still a little runny today but no other episodes so I think he might be over whatever it was that he had...

Unfortunately Paul and I are both dragging our feet. I have a case of a cold and food poisoning and Paul, food poisoning. We were invited to dinner last night and we wonder if the water was not boiled for very long....I was up in the middle of the night vomiting. Paul had the squirts all day. It is hard when both parents are sick at the same time. But, we made it through the day and are grateful that we did!