 | Jeff says:
After three days, something strange has happened. I'm still pretty grossed out by the smell of formula, but this afternoon, when I mixed his apples or chicken and carrot or ...and something...it all looks the same...with rice and formula and hot water, I tried a nibble on my fingertip to make sure it was the right temperature, and...
...I LIKED IT!
Frightening. Very frightening.
Dialogue time...
Uncle Dan, I gave up believing the news after I watched Peter Jennings give his live broadcasts from San Francisco after the '89 quake. Likewise, he attempted to make it look like San Francisco had sank into the Bay and no one would be able to inhabit it for a million years until the radiation and cholera and locust infestation levels dropped to normal levels. Or something. Nonetheless, I haven't been paying attention to the news today, so I hope that all is well in Jacksonville.
Juliana, I should have guessed that someone would ask that. It's his initials. In Russian "Io" is a single letter. Since we're legally restrained from researching his birth history anyway, I didn't feel like posting his full birth certificate's information on here. I hope that's alright.
Maggie, I hadn't really thought of the celebrity sighting thing, although I can see your point. Meeting Kai last night a couple weeks after seeing his butt massage picture was quite rewarding.
Early this afternoon as I was getting ready to go out with the family for the day, I could hear music four stories down in the dirt parking lot. Listening intently, I recognized it as Nelly. Yes, dear cousin Zeina, even here, halfway around the world, in the middle of nowhere, American gangsta rap has taken hold. Ei-Ei-Oh, oh. I don't want my son hearing this crap! I'm worried his first words will be straight outta Compton, if you catch my meaning.
First we went to the Kazak cultural museum. It was interesting. We saw a whole bunch of paleontological stuff that looked exactly like our paleontological stuff. We saw a bunch of archaeological stuff that looked a little bit like our archaeological stuff. Then we went upstairs and looked at the modern history stuff. It was very interesting...so I'm told. Unfortunately, we discovered that everything was in Russian and Kazak except for three things: (1) signs that read "Do not touch" or "do not take flash photos" (2) signs directing you to the toilets (which, strangely, were ONLY in English, leading me to believe that Americans are the only people who pee), and (3) the gift shops, where they want your dollars.
Alex was thoroughly bored in the museum. I hope this changes later. The kid needs cultural input (aside from Nelly).
So then we went to the Central Universal Market today, better-known by its acronym, TSUM. I had my favorite line from the original Blues Brothers stuck in my head: "This place has everything!" Dina sent me off with Alex to get cash. Sasha came with me. I came back about ten minutes later with a wad of cash, an Urker CD, and an almost-sleeping baby. Dina had...she had a lot of stuff. She was still being shown more stuff. I rolled my eyes a bit and asked the saleslady. Skolko vsyo? How much for everything? She laughed. Then Dina said, "Could you hand me your wallet?"
I don't have a wad of cash anymore.
Alex woke up and flirted with several salesgirls at several different kiosks. I don't think we got a discount for it. Oh well. On the way out, Sasha (who was carrying two of our bags) got stopped by security and questioned. He had to translate the conversation for me afterwards. Basically, he was asked what he had. He responded that he'd give the guy three guesses. The guy said that it just seemed like he had a lot of big stuff. He looked at the two of us and said, "Well, they are big shoppers!"
As he said afterwards, the guards there get about $300 a month for their job, and sometimes they just have to stop you to feel like they have something important to do. Frankly, I didn't think it was that bad; getting out of Fry's or Costco back home is harder.
On the way back home, we stopped at a vegetarian Indian restaurant. When they brought the food out, it didn't look like much (in terms of size or appearance of being appetizing), but it was absolutely one of the best meals we've had here! Wow. Those of you who know me well know that I have a severe aversion (mental, not dietary) to cauliflower. The cauliflower was my favorite part of the meal, and the rest was pretty darned good, too! I was so stuffed, I couldn't finish. At about $6 a person for a full meal, I want to make sure that we move this restaurant to Livermore! I'm still burping up the wonderful taste, and it's been nine hours (which is a good indication that it's time to sleep).
We came back home and let Alex crawl around for a few minutes. He tapped on the wall and tried to stand up against it. With a little help, he could do it! This scares me. Soon, he was falling asleep. We put him to bed, and I've been working on my paper pretty much ever since.
I'm almost done. I'm 23 pages in and I just have some odds and ends here and there to fill in, and a conclusion to write.
Kinda like my trip here. |
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 | Dina says:
Today was a fun day! We got a late start, though. Alex woke up, around six this morning, and we gave him a bottle of formula (no rice). He still seemed sleepy, so we put him back in his crib, and we got back into bed. We were all back asleep within a few minutes. We finally woke up around 9:30. We have not been good about setting a schedule here. I do make sure to feed him every four hours or so. I figure it he’s eating, and getting a couple naps a day, that will hold us over until we get home and can get him on a “real’ schedule.
We ventured out today, and our first trip was to the museum. I don’t know what the name of it is. We spent about an hour there, strolling through and enjoying the exhibits. Jeff carried Alex in the Snugli, and they both seemed to enjoy it. Alex didn’t make a peep the whole time, he was really interested in everything that was there for his viewing pleasure! My favorite thing there was the full-size yurt. A yurt is a nomadic dwelling. Unfortunately, we weren’t allowed to take pictures of it. I peeked (poke?) my head inside and was surprised at how cozy and comfortable it looked. I could get used to living in there!
Sasha had dropped us off, but came in to find us about 50 minutes into our visit. We wanted to also go to the Tsum store (like a large shopping mall with some really nice souvenirs). First, though, we went to the museum cafe and fed Alex a jar of turkey and rice. He seemed to love it. We introduced water to him, and he seemed to enjoy washing down his lunch with some refreshing water. Sasha took us into the gift shop of the museum and explained some of the art to us. He has been so helpful!
After Alex had lunch, we headed to the Tsum store. Sasha, our driver, was so incredibly helpful. He stayed with us the whole time and helped us pick out some extra special souvenirs. We were there for about two hours and enjoyed our “retail therapy”.
After we were finished shopping, Jeff mentioned he was hungry. We decided on an early dinner and Sahsa recommended an Indian restaurant, his favorite restaurant here. We had one of the most delicious meals we’ve had since we’ve been here. Sasha recommended the combo plate, and Jeff and I ordered the same. When the food came, it looked so great! We got samples of a lentil soup, some curried cauliflower and peas, a fresh cheese with tomato sauce, some spiced rice, and yummy bread. Jeff and I each started out with a bevereage called “Lassi”, I believe. It’s basically a yogurt smoothie with bananas or other fruits. It was delicious.
After dinner, Sasha brought us home and we huffed and puffed up the three flights of stairs. They stairs are much easier to maneuver without a squirming baby and bags and bags of souvenirs.
We fed Alex some dinner, played a bit, then put him to bed. All in all, it was a very fun day. Tomorrow, we will take it a bit easier. In the evening, we’ve invited the Taylors over for dinner. It will be interesting to see if I still know how to cook! |
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Comments for September 4
Comment from
| yeah, formula can be pretty smelly stuff. The soy based ones are by far the worst in my opinion. :Ž
It sounds like you are making your way around town so well and Alex is happy to be along for the ride.
He appears in the pictures to be so relaxed. That is so lovely. :)
Darcy
| Comment from
Colene | Hello Holtons!
Im so jealous, it sounds like you are having a great time!! As you know, we are days away from arriving and you are just days away from departing. I will wave to you in the air! I really wish we could be able to meet you and the Taylors, I feel as if Im missing out on an awesome time!! Not to mention the baby playing time!!
Im still thinking of you each day and am so happy that things have worked out so well. Best wishes and enjoy your last few days - soak it all in.
Colene (and Jeff my husband) | Comment from
Auntie Julie | I talked to Mom this morning and I loved hearing the stories she relayed about Alex... how much he flirts with the ladies... how happy and easy-going he is... how he dances and pumps his legs getting so excited when it's feeding time... he will fit right into our family! :-)
I can't believe you've never had a lassi before. They are the best! They are usually mango though... but banana sure sounds interesting. You are making me crave Indian food, though Jeff's detailed description about his burps nine hours later was a little TMI. Thanks anyway, Jeff!
FOUR MORE DAYS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I'm counting down the hours 'til I get to pinch my nephew's cheeks and cover his face with kisses!
love,
Julie | Comment from
Angie | I love reading your daily journals. Alex sounds so sweet and cute. What a great temperment he must have. Your schedule for him sounds right to me for a nine month old baby. If it wasn't good, he'd let you know. It's amazing how babies can let you know what their desires are without having to speak. You will always remember these special days with alex. Truly, you will never forget these precious moments. God Bless you all and keep you in His loving care. | Comment from
Margaret George | I was thinking the same thing! From the pictures, you can see in your faces that you have become a very happy family. I love the way you feed him on your lap - like they did in the baby house. Obviously Alex loves it too (pumping his legs and getting so excited (tooooo cute!) - he thrives on your love and affection. And the journals confirm it--they are so telling and so much fun to read. I can't get over your website. What a wonderful way to document this special journey. Plus all the other pictures and videos you must have. Jeff, Dina, sweet Alex and your families are truly blessed! | Comment from
Lou E. | Loved your line about the wad of cash. You are parents now. You will not have a long-standing wad of cash in your pocket for the next 18 years. See you soon. | Comment from
Jenn Bosso | Jeff and Dina
Our prayers were answered and I am thrilled to see you as a true family~I look forward to welcoming you home!
Warmly
Jenn
And Jeff if you cannot bring home the Cauliflower concotion there's always formula to experiment with. I hear it is quite nutritious.
| Comment from
Yiayia Connie | Hi guys, we are here at the ranch and were able to get into the office to get online. Stella is standing here and sheis so excited and will write you a note too. In fact everyone is very excited. The pictures are adorable, I will miss talking to you tomorrow, but we'll talk on Monday. Kisses to all of you.
Yayia | Comment from
Jeddo Fawaz | I forgot to say that dad wanted me to say hi and send kisses and hugs too. He is playing a game outside he looked at the pictures and loved the giggling ones. Talk soon Lots of love, to all of you. | Comment from
Thea Stella | Dear Holton family, I can't even begin to tell you how very excited we are. We are counting the days, hours and minutes until we see all of you together!! We've been putting the garbage cans in and out even without no garbage. The house is fine but just a littl empty without the three of you. I could see Alex's star curtains as I looked up to his room. It's just waiting for him as we are. We're setting up a Bunko date and Kristina will babysit as she can't wait to hold him. Sorry I haven't written sooner than this but I have been following and reading about the Holton family history, I have been crying a lot but they are happy tears. Can't wait to see you, all of you this coming week!!!!! I can't believe it. Have a safe trip home. We will light a candle for you up at the monastery for your safe return home.
All my love Stella | Comment from
Nana Nina | Lou ~ Yeah, you're right ~ and also I remember last week when Jeff finished his reading and said he was through with school forever: he forgot he just became a father. Whatever was he thinking? | Comment from
mary evans | Finally caught up on the last few days adventures. Love the pictures. The house centipede was one I could do without, but I have little respect for anything with more than four legs. See you soon, Love you, Mary | Comment from
Katherine & Andy | Your son is well-loved.
That's easy to see.
And I believe he fully knows it.
The photos get better with each day.
The two of you look so much happier than you did on August 9!
Things have been hopping here with the news media reporting on the RNC, the Florida hurricane, Clinton's bypass surgery, and numerous California wildfires (in that order, by the way).
It's good to come back to your website and see never-ending joy and promise.
Love you | Comment from
Jeff | Katherine, they seem to have forgotten to mention the Russian situation that I previously requested everyone not to tell me about.
Either that or you're just applying my gag order to an extreme.
I must admit that I didn't know about the California wildfires (they didn't make the world news), but I knew about the rest, of course. (Actually, technically, the RNC didn't make the world news, but I knew about it anyway. I did announce Bush's 11-point lead to my dinner party this evening, much to the dismay of a couple of them.) | Comment from
Uncle Dan | I'm not as far behind as I thought. The 5th's journals are not up yet. I couldn't get online yesterday to check out the 4th. I suppose that it had to do with the hurricane ... everyone checking it out online and then there was likely more motivation for emails. For the record, 'Frances' did not come out way. She cut across the center of the state and all we had here in the NE portion was wind and rain, and no scary stories in them. Our prayers were answered. Don't know yet how badly Orlando and the central state is getting beat up, but hope that the victim of 'Charley' are not taking another blow on the nose.
Someone has already said that the pictures just keep getting better so I won't ... but they are. I chuckled, giggled, and snorted all the way through the 'Great Feeding'. It was obvious that Alex was happy with the food and Dad's attention, but he was definiely making googley eyes at Mom or whoever was manning the camera! He looks so happy in all of today's pictures. You know, I think he likes you!! How wonderful to see him taking so well to his new life!!
Alex walking: Be patient. It's true that all parents want their kids of walk and talk early -- some kind of bragging points there -- but you'll spend the next few years yelling 'sit down, and shut up!!'. Daniel's joy at his mobility when he started to walk was something I'll never forget. He walked very quickly and held his arms over his head like a little chimpanzee. We had a long hall that ran down the middle of the apartment and he'd tear up and down that hall squealing like a fire engine simply excited by the fact that he could do it!! One of the joys of reading your journals and seeing the pictures here involves the memories that it brings back. You have a lot of joy ahead! I just wished to heck that we lived across the street so we could watch it all unfold and be a part of it like we have been for these past several weeks. The only thing missing here has been tactile ... I want to touch him so badly and see him smile at Uncle Dan!! It'll happen.
Well, the power is fluctuating so I'd better stop before it goes out, or cooks the computer.
Love, Love, and Love,
Unka Da and Aunt Samar | Comment from
Joanna | I know I'm a couple of days late, but am having to sneak on and catch up. I'm so excited for Wed. (tomorrow!) He looks like a little elf when he laughs really hard. And when you guys get back, Zee and I will have to take you to this Indian place down by us...they make a mean mango Lhassi and some really good odd cauliflower stuff. The only bad thing ever tried there was goat. Zee ate it. Yee-uuck! |
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