December 29, 2010

Flight Home

Home. Finally. Flight home wasn’t anywhere near as fun as getting there… of course… but we also didn’t (couldn’t) get a seat for Teagan, which would have made it a bit more pleasant. If going from a balmy 80-85 to a frigid 20 is pleasant. Also, coming home to three feet of snow at the bottom of the driveway… We’ll get that straightened out tomrrow. Now, baby’s sleeping (finally!) and we have a minute to relax and recouperate from the trip home.

Still, it’s good to be home.

As yesterday, I’ll update with a pic, when I get the camera unpacked and get a minute :)

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Updated 1/6 with pic

December 28, 2010

Today was a rainy day in Puerto Rico. We didn’t do too much – breakfast outside, went to the kiddy pool (Teagan does not like cold water!), nap, late lunch at Pinoñes.  (Gotta love fried food!)  Another nap (yay!) and then down to meet with a family friend in the hotel bar.  We sat around and chatted while dad chased Teagan across the dance floor and the stage.  She had a blast.  She went around and said “hi” to just about everyone that was at the bar.  LOL.  Such a social girl.

We eventually had to contain her – in a high chair – and kept her happy by giving her ice cubes from our drinks (yes, I had to have a mojito!)…  She got cubes from the mojito, a tom collins, grey goose and soda, rum and coke…  I ended up getting a cup of ice water from the bar as she really didn’t need that much exposure to alcohol.  She LOVED getting ice – she even said “More please ice dada.”  So cute!  Renee keep trying to get her to say “ice, ice baby!”  I think I might have that on video. 

I’ll update once we get home with pictures…  I still don’t have access to a laptop.

PS.  For some reason, this entry was eaten by the WP app for my iPod…  it’s been cranky all week.  Anyway… Here’s yesterday’s entry :)

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1-1-11 Updated with pictures!

December 27, 2010

Noche Buena con Baa Baa

So, I just got some pictures from Stu – I’m dependant on him and his cell phone until we get home, I’m still technology challenged – and wanted to share. Above is Teagan on Christmas Eve (Noche Buena) at my mom’s cousin’s house. Where we felt the earthquake. She’s wearing a dress my mom made from a pillow case that she was given as a wedding present. I’m not sure any one noticed, as Teagan really didn’t “show off” during the party, she was a bit shy, and soon fell asleep in her stroller. We had some of the best Lechon I’ve ever had.

This is at a Christmas party at my mom’s cousin Vangie and her husband Benny’s house. There was a toddler a few months older than Teagan there. She was much more social and waved to everyone and said “hi” and was almst her normal social self. It was weird being at a Christmas party on a back deck. I could get used to it. And there was lechon! Again!

Last night we went and had dinner in Old San Juan. Churrasco was fantastic, and Teagan ate everything… She was such a good girl for as late as it was. We went walking through the streets to see the lights and decorations… This park had some nifty “falling” lights that you can’t get the full effect of in the picture… it was still pretty. They had a HUGE tree with these big poinsettia flowers and holly in lights on the bottom. Very Pretty

This is the entrance of the walk by the fortress.  There were these amazing lights, and booths with food and crafts. They had a drum group and a guitar group on two separate places… It was almost magical walking through.

Today, was a slow day.. we had breakfast, napped (well, just Teagan) and then went out with more family (Nancy and Fonzi, from the other side of mom’s family). We got back after lunch at Metropolis and went up to mom and dad’s room. She had a blast burning off some energy. We gave her a plastic water bottle with a little water in it and she was in heaven. I filled up again and gave it to her. She said “Thank you, mama.” Unprompted. Her first real sentence :)

December 26, 2010

Peanut butter, the breakfast of champions!

La La or Pop Pop gave Teagan a pot of peanut butter for breakfast…

She’s been having a blast chasing the birds – ducks! She can say grackle and pigeon, but she has more fun with duck. Teagan what’s that? Duck!! LOL

I can’t wait until I can get some pictures uploaded. I have some very good ones of Old San Juan lit up for Christmas.

December 25, 2010 bis

So, I have a bit more time than I thought… Teagan is still sleeping. :)

So, yesterday we saw someone almost drown. It was more scary than the earthquake.  Stu, my sister, and I were on our way back to the rooms when this girl ran by and someone from the hotel gave her a life ring. We watched her run back to the ocean and swim out to two guys, and offer the ring. The three of them were then stuck out in the current, the rescuer needed help too.

Eventually, a surfer paddled out to help everyone. The man who initially needed help was propped on the board and the remaining three slowly moved toward shore. The waves made it a very slow process. Men on shore chained themselves out into the water to help pull everyone in. Finally, everyone was on the beach and safe.

We gave the man our towel to help. Stu talked to him a bit while he was recuperating, found out the guy was a swimmer too. Stu mentioned that he had trouble the day before, that the currents were nasty.   We also found out that the second guy was a local guy, who swam out to help keep the initial man afloat while the lady got the life ring.  So many good Samaritans out that day.

The flag yesterday was yellow. The day before it was red. I’m amazed that both Stu and I both know better. We will look from now on.

At dinner last night – buena noche con lechon! - Stu was talking to a cousin (Benny, of course!) who said there is at least one tourist lost each year around this time to drowning. Usually a bit further down the beach, but still.

December 25, 2010

Merry Christmas!

And as a Christmas present – some beach shots:

I guess sand tastes good.  <shudder>

PS. For those that expressed concern, we’re all fine!  We were in Caguas, near Agua Buena, the epicenter of the earthqake.  On top of a mountain.  Mom and Renee were inside; dad, Stu, myself and Teagan were outside.  We heard it coming, it sounded like a train.  I initially thought a truck or something large hit a retaining wall for the house or something.  It only lasted about 10 seconds.  At 5.4 it was the strongest quake that I’ve been “awake” for.  Interesting feeling. We joked that it was a great Christmas present.  Then passed the Champagne.

December 24, 2010

How can you not love having this view for breakfast??  It’s just so pretty here.  Teagan is having a blast! She loves everything so far, except going in the ocean – can’t blame her, as the waves are very very rough.  Both Stu and I were knocked off our feet a few times!  She does love the little pool, but only if there aren’t any other kids there.

Things are going well, we have an adjoining room to my parents, so we can put Teagan down for a nap, and to bed, and not disturb her.  We get a bit more adult time, and now that my sister is here, will take advantage of La La and Pop Pop (or “hop hop” as Teagan has been saying lately) and go down to the hotel bar & club.

This morning, was awesome.  Teagan woke up chattering “da da da da luv luv luv.”   How sweet is that?  Then La La and Pop Pop took her down for breakfast and let Stu and I get ready a bit more leisurely.

We try to let her burn off some energy in the mornings as well – letting her chase the pigeons and grackles screaming “duck! duck!”  And doing hand stands:

When we go for rides in the car, Teagan loves it  – we ended up getting a “booster” style seat that we were able to pack in a suitcase - she’s been front facing for the first time ever.  Seeing the excitement on her face when she sees things – dog, ocean, tree – is fantastic.  I’ve told my dad that he needs to drive extra carefully, as Teagan’s still a bit young to be front facing.

I’m hoping that we don’t have too many issues when we get  back having her rear face again!

Anyway, I have to give back my dad’s notebook..  so, that’s the update for now :)

Hope everyone is having a happy holiday – and Merry Christmas!!

December 23, 2010

Yesterday we left on a jet plane. Stupid early. But it paid off. We ended up getting one of the open seats on the plane and were able to have Teagan sit in the middle. Wonderful! She actually did pretty ok on the plane – a little nervous on take off and landing, didn’t understand why she couldn’t run up and down the aisle – it was 7am and half the plane was asleep. But we arrived safe and sound.

December 17, 2010

I feel so grown up today. I finally finished putting away my great-grandmother’s china in the new china cabinet. YES! We have a china cabinet now.  It’s slightly distress, but a very clean look.  It’s in our dining room.   Stu and I found it while shopping with his family back in the end of October.  We were told 6-12 weeks for construction and delivery.  But they called to set up a delivery appointment about a week or so ago. 

I’ve spent time here and there unwrapping the wine glasses that have lived in boxes for the past few years, storing the serving platters and bowls, table linens, napkin rings and wine charms.  I decided to put away the “extra” china I have, the set that I found at a church fair for $30.  It was service for 12, with a platter or two, bowls, bread plates, compote bowls and tea/coffee service too.  I ended up getting a few additional serving pieces to fill it out. 

The china that’s on display behind the glass doors is my great-grandmothers china.  It’s not a full set, quite a few pieces were destroyed when my grandmother’s house (apartment?) was broken into.  However, I could easily serve six guests or so, as long as we didn’t do coffee :)  As you can see, it’s really a lovely pattern by Zeh Scherzer, that unfortunately I can’t seem to find anywhere.  Even Replacements.com doesn’t have any pieces available.  Oh well, I’ll eventually get it filled out.

I wasn’t sure  how to put it away in the cabinet – is there a special way it should be stored/displayed?  Eventually I put the heavy plates and stuff on the bottom shelf, the lighter dishes on the top.  Wine (red and white), champagne and liquor glasses are interspersed between platters and tureens, stacks of plates and bowls, saucers and creamers.  I just tried to balance out the pieces and the serving dishes, while trying to hide the obvious gaps.  I think it looks ok.  It’s not like I can’t rearrange it if I decide it’s all wrong :)

 

PS.  As I was taking the pictures for the entry (all of 10 minutes), the lightbulb in the hutch blew.  Of course, I was in my socks so Stu had to come and sweep up the pieces before I could move.  We’ll be calling to let them know.  Even with this little hitch, I’m still very happy with it.  :)

December 16, 2010

Image via Wikipedia

So, Teagan didn’t do too badly last night – only woke up once around 5am.  She was cold and a bit tangled in her small blanket.  Stu got up and set her to rights, and she was back asleep quickly.  Unfortunately, though, she did get up a bit earlier, before I got to start my coffee.  I didn’t get more than two sips or so while it was still hot.  Not the normal e-mail over coffee morning we usually have.  Still, she slept well.  And Stu had made the coffee, so it was there :)

Anyway,  lets just do some fun bullets today…

• The people that made the Zombie game that Stu got me for Christmas last year  has a new game – Invasion from Outer Space.  LOL!  Looks like fun!  You can have zombies and aliens in the same game!
• Although I knew it was based on a true story, it’s nice to see The Big Blue referenced in a news story, that Jacques Mayol actually did have a record.  And that it’s been “beaten” recently.  Trubridge’s story is amazing – 100 meters down, with no apparatus like Mayol used.  He basically held his breath for four minutes.  Incredible.  BTW, The Big Blue is one of my favorite movies.
• It’s nice that Lisa Ling has started a website to help women cope with miscarriage.  It’s not something to be embarrassed about, or whisper  behind closed doors.  It’s not something that is the woman’s, or anyone’s, “fault.”  I hope this helps take some of the stigma off of miscarriage.  Makes a few women feel better about themselves.
• I totally love The Bad Moms Club.  This was one of their entries.  LOL!  ”Good night blue-eyed Fremen who call Arrakis home.”  And you have to love the idea of the Very Deadly Bounty Hunter book.  I wonder if it’s more like the Hungry Caterpillar or Brown Bear.
• Mama Pop counters with awesome movies that didn’t need CGI to kick ass.
• Oh, and Teagan has asked for this video two nights in a row:

She’ll put her hand to the side of her face when the dancers do.  The second it’s over, she will ask for “moh peesss” while signing a very emphatic “More” and “Please.”  You can also distract her with YouTube videos from Riverdance, or well any Irish Step Dancing.