I am not writing this piece for sympathy or a pity party thrown in my honor. I just felt that since tomorrow is September 21 I had to mark the occasion somehow. September 21st is the due date of the baby that we lost. A sad day for the Yeates family, but it also makes me realize how blessed I am and lucky to have such a supportive family. My mom was my rock during that time and my sisters and dad were there to listen. And of course Jesy who spends so much of his waking hours trying to make a happy life for me.
The kids knew what was going on and Colin and Amalie were especially upset by the news of the lost baby. Colin decided that the baby had been a boy and named him Jack. It kind of stuck with me and when Colin and I talk about him we call him baby Jack.
Fast forward many months later and in late June we had to put my very favorite cat Muggles to sleep. It was not an easy decision and I still miss him here in Russia. When I came home and broke the news to the kids I will never forget what Colin said- "I think Baby Jack and Peanut (another lost cat) were there to meet Muggles in heaven". I think my heart skipped a beat- what mother could ask for a more kindhearted son.
I hope Colin will read this some day and know how much I treasure his very big heart. Colin often sees the world quite differently than I do and he gets me through the tough spots.
Baby Jack- the child I will not get to hold until (hopefully) I have lived many years on this earth. But I feel such peace knowing that you are safe with God and being watched over by Muggles and Peanut. I know you are in safe hands.
Tuesday, September 20, 2011
Monday, September 19, 2011
We have furniture!
It has been a while since I posted anything- sorry for that. Last week we got our sea shipment and we spent the latter part of the week unpacking. I should clarify and say that the nanny and Jesy did the unpacking. I tried to help, but I am really just in the way. I do work for about 10 minutes and then I get tired and have to stop. Lucky Jesy.
Speaking of this crazy baby, I went to the doctor last week because I have not been feeling too hot. Long story short I am having Braxton Hicks contractions (fake contractions according to the Russians), but baby #4 is not coming anytime soon. So funny because I never had these contractions before. Of course, I never moved two times during a pregnancy (seriously, who moves twice while they are pregnant) so I am hoping that baby #4 and I have reached a truce and he will be a little nicer to me. I won't move anymore if he would just calm down a little. My doctor is so cute. She is Russian but was trained in Germany. She kept on telling me that she was following all of the baby protocol they use in Germany. "Everything fits within the German parameters- you are doing fine". Well, if the Germans think I am ok I will take it. We all know they are an orderly people.
The kids continue to do fine. Colin went to a Russian birthday party the other night. Swimming, a pirate to entertain the kids, and wine and sushi for the adults. Major bummer that I could not go (baby #4 again), but I would not have been allowed the sushi and wine anyways. Hopefully Colin is still friends with this boy next year. I know my parents are shaking their heads right now, but you will be very happy. Our nanny bought us chocolates and wine from Moldovo (her home country). The kids devoured the chocolates. I had some of the wine (more like a port). It was quite good and aren't you happy mom and dad that I relaxed a little. See, these Russians and their drinking is rubbing off on me.
Amalie, Colin, and I had a very pleasant Saturday evening. Jesy and Kathleen conked out early, and the rest of us sat and watched music videos for about an hour before bed. Can you believe our MTV station over here only plays videos? I feel like it's the early 90's and I'm in high school again. Amalie told me today that because I have been eating so much the baby has been eating alot and that is why he is getting so big. Thank you Amalie. And actually, I have been eating less since we moved to Moscow. Not as much room in the stomach and the food is just not as good.
We came home yesterday to find a birthday party invitation for Kathleen attached to the door. I had a moment there as Kathleen has never been invited to a party by herself before. She has always been invited as Colin and Amalie's little sister. My baby girl is growing up. Kathleen got very excited as it is a princess party and the party is for her friend Ruby. K has confused her friend with Max and Ruby from Nickelodeon and could not believe she was invited to their party. Kathleen has also informed me that when her brother makes his appearance she is going to tell him "No" alot and then she will be nice to him. She also told me she will not be sharing the baby boppy pillow with him. But she said she will love him and try not to hit him. I don't know about you, but I feel a Tara/Sean dynamic setting up here.
Jesy leaves for the US on Sunday for a week. I love when Jesy goes on trips. He comes back with great treats for me and the kids. I think it is so interesting that this time his gifts will be from the US. No one has ever brought me a gift from the US before. Travel safely Jesy and bring big suitcases!
Speaking of this crazy baby, I went to the doctor last week because I have not been feeling too hot. Long story short I am having Braxton Hicks contractions (fake contractions according to the Russians), but baby #4 is not coming anytime soon. So funny because I never had these contractions before. Of course, I never moved two times during a pregnancy (seriously, who moves twice while they are pregnant) so I am hoping that baby #4 and I have reached a truce and he will be a little nicer to me. I won't move anymore if he would just calm down a little. My doctor is so cute. She is Russian but was trained in Germany. She kept on telling me that she was following all of the baby protocol they use in Germany. "Everything fits within the German parameters- you are doing fine". Well, if the Germans think I am ok I will take it. We all know they are an orderly people.
The kids continue to do fine. Colin went to a Russian birthday party the other night. Swimming, a pirate to entertain the kids, and wine and sushi for the adults. Major bummer that I could not go (baby #4 again), but I would not have been allowed the sushi and wine anyways. Hopefully Colin is still friends with this boy next year. I know my parents are shaking their heads right now, but you will be very happy. Our nanny bought us chocolates and wine from Moldovo (her home country). The kids devoured the chocolates. I had some of the wine (more like a port). It was quite good and aren't you happy mom and dad that I relaxed a little. See, these Russians and their drinking is rubbing off on me.
Amalie, Colin, and I had a very pleasant Saturday evening. Jesy and Kathleen conked out early, and the rest of us sat and watched music videos for about an hour before bed. Can you believe our MTV station over here only plays videos? I feel like it's the early 90's and I'm in high school again. Amalie told me today that because I have been eating so much the baby has been eating alot and that is why he is getting so big. Thank you Amalie. And actually, I have been eating less since we moved to Moscow. Not as much room in the stomach and the food is just not as good.
We came home yesterday to find a birthday party invitation for Kathleen attached to the door. I had a moment there as Kathleen has never been invited to a party by herself before. She has always been invited as Colin and Amalie's little sister. My baby girl is growing up. Kathleen got very excited as it is a princess party and the party is for her friend Ruby. K has confused her friend with Max and Ruby from Nickelodeon and could not believe she was invited to their party. Kathleen has also informed me that when her brother makes his appearance she is going to tell him "No" alot and then she will be nice to him. She also told me she will not be sharing the baby boppy pillow with him. But she said she will love him and try not to hit him. I don't know about you, but I feel a Tara/Sean dynamic setting up here.
Jesy leaves for the US on Sunday for a week. I love when Jesy goes on trips. He comes back with great treats for me and the kids. I think it is so interesting that this time his gifts will be from the US. No one has ever brought me a gift from the US before. Travel safely Jesy and bring big suitcases!
Wednesday, September 7, 2011
The Russian Post Office
My very dear friend Heather sent us a package here in Russia all the way from England. An adorable winter onesie for baby #4 and a little stuffed rabbit. Kathleen immediately took the rabbit and declared that her brother would not mind if she borrowed it for a bit. How this poor baby is going to suffer at the hands of his big sister!
Last week I got a notice on my front door from security that I had a package waiting for me. I figured it was waiting at the security gate. No. In Russia they do not deliver mail- you have to go to the actual post office in order to pick up any mail. Which really makes no sense to me because who delivered the slip of paper? Why didn't they just deliver the package with it? Our driver took me to the post office on Monday and I posed these questions to him. He said that during the days of communism there was mail delivery. After Perestroika (like my big word?!) there was not enough money for mail carriers so they did away with them. American postal workers- you had better watch out. I just read an article on Yahoo! the other day that said the USPS was going bankrupt. You had better hope no-one in Congress has any Russian in them. You'll be toast!
Anyways, Valeri (our driver) took me into the post office and after we both signed our lives away and showed my passport, we were given the package. I love doing stuff like this in Russia. Valeri gives me little history/cultural lessons and I follow him around like I am still a kid. And if you know me you know I much prefer for others to take care of this kind of stuff. So thank you Heather- for the gift and the opportunity for a little lesson also. And the post office was very nice- clean and completely empty. Russians really do not believe in mail.
The kids continue to do well. Colin has flag football on the weekends and just started swimming games yesterday. I worry about him the most because of his age and I know leaving behind his friends and school was quite difficult. His teacher is WONDERFUL and Colin really seems to like him. I have to say he loves the cafeteria food, doesn't mind wearing a uniform, and really enjoys pe, library time, and Russian language class. He also likes that they do alot of reading in the classroom and he tells me that he writes stories alot also. Everyone knows Colin loves to spin a good tale. On Thursday Colin starts swimming during his pe time and he is super excited about that. He has told me all of the pool rules about 10 times.
Amalie may win the friendliest kid in the neighborhood award. She is always saying hello to kids that she knows from school and the playground. The teachers at school adore her and I have a feeling she has become a big sister to many of the smaller kids at school. She has also found herself a Brendan here in Moscow (Brendan is my nephew and godchild, Suzanne's older boy). He is a little bit younger than Amalie and they are always laughing with eachother and singing songs. We had them at the park the other day and they wrestled for about 30 minutes and chased eachother around. Suzanne- remember the wrestling and play fighting this summer? Same type of insanity and Amalie seems to love it. One of the other moms at school told me that Amalie is always the first face she sees at school. Amalie is always popping her head over the fence to greet any newcomers to school. That little girl cracks me up.
Ahh Kathleen. My baby girl is doing fine. She does not like that I leave her at home when I run errands, but that's what they do here in Russia. Kathleen loves the nanny, though, and is quite happy to play with her. We have had a few episodes at school where she cried and did not want me to leave, but I think that is to be expected. I have watched her at school when she thinks I am not looking and she is fine. She participates and always wants to show her work. Last week I watched her during circle time. The teacher told them to sit quietly and not move while she played some very nice music. Well, Kathleen was like a rock. I was afraid she may have stopped breathing also. That little girl has some military in her!
One last thing- Jesy has been out of town the last few days and when I went grocery shopping on Monday I wanted to pick him up a few treats. I found a Snickers bar and what I thought was a bottle of root beer. I questioned the driver about it and he said "yes, like root beer. Only a bit of alcohol and we give it to kids". I figured it was worth a try. If Russians are giving this stuff to their kids the kids must be intoxicated. I had a sip last night and was blown away. This is not A&W root beer! Live and learn.
Last week I got a notice on my front door from security that I had a package waiting for me. I figured it was waiting at the security gate. No. In Russia they do not deliver mail- you have to go to the actual post office in order to pick up any mail. Which really makes no sense to me because who delivered the slip of paper? Why didn't they just deliver the package with it? Our driver took me to the post office on Monday and I posed these questions to him. He said that during the days of communism there was mail delivery. After Perestroika (like my big word?!) there was not enough money for mail carriers so they did away with them. American postal workers- you had better watch out. I just read an article on Yahoo! the other day that said the USPS was going bankrupt. You had better hope no-one in Congress has any Russian in them. You'll be toast!
Anyways, Valeri (our driver) took me into the post office and after we both signed our lives away and showed my passport, we were given the package. I love doing stuff like this in Russia. Valeri gives me little history/cultural lessons and I follow him around like I am still a kid. And if you know me you know I much prefer for others to take care of this kind of stuff. So thank you Heather- for the gift and the opportunity for a little lesson also. And the post office was very nice- clean and completely empty. Russians really do not believe in mail.
The kids continue to do well. Colin has flag football on the weekends and just started swimming games yesterday. I worry about him the most because of his age and I know leaving behind his friends and school was quite difficult. His teacher is WONDERFUL and Colin really seems to like him. I have to say he loves the cafeteria food, doesn't mind wearing a uniform, and really enjoys pe, library time, and Russian language class. He also likes that they do alot of reading in the classroom and he tells me that he writes stories alot also. Everyone knows Colin loves to spin a good tale. On Thursday Colin starts swimming during his pe time and he is super excited about that. He has told me all of the pool rules about 10 times.
Amalie may win the friendliest kid in the neighborhood award. She is always saying hello to kids that she knows from school and the playground. The teachers at school adore her and I have a feeling she has become a big sister to many of the smaller kids at school. She has also found herself a Brendan here in Moscow (Brendan is my nephew and godchild, Suzanne's older boy). He is a little bit younger than Amalie and they are always laughing with eachother and singing songs. We had them at the park the other day and they wrestled for about 30 minutes and chased eachother around. Suzanne- remember the wrestling and play fighting this summer? Same type of insanity and Amalie seems to love it. One of the other moms at school told me that Amalie is always the first face she sees at school. Amalie is always popping her head over the fence to greet any newcomers to school. That little girl cracks me up.
Ahh Kathleen. My baby girl is doing fine. She does not like that I leave her at home when I run errands, but that's what they do here in Russia. Kathleen loves the nanny, though, and is quite happy to play with her. We have had a few episodes at school where she cried and did not want me to leave, but I think that is to be expected. I have watched her at school when she thinks I am not looking and she is fine. She participates and always wants to show her work. Last week I watched her during circle time. The teacher told them to sit quietly and not move while she played some very nice music. Well, Kathleen was like a rock. I was afraid she may have stopped breathing also. That little girl has some military in her!
One last thing- Jesy has been out of town the last few days and when I went grocery shopping on Monday I wanted to pick him up a few treats. I found a Snickers bar and what I thought was a bottle of root beer. I questioned the driver about it and he said "yes, like root beer. Only a bit of alcohol and we give it to kids". I figured it was worth a try. If Russians are giving this stuff to their kids the kids must be intoxicated. I had a sip last night and was blown away. This is not A&W root beer! Live and learn.
Friday, September 2, 2011
Fruit and Meat Market
Yesterday the girls and I went to the neatest place- a fresh fruit/meat market. A little background on this place. I have been hearing about the Tushkinaya market since before we moved here. It is about a 20 minute walk from our neighborhood and close to the Metro station. All of the women rave about this place- the fruit is cheap and it is much better quality than what you can get at the grocery store. And since I have to rely on our driver to get to the supermarket, this is a place one can go when you don't have the driver, or you need a good walk. I was sold on the idea.
So, back to the market. Yesterday morning I went to a PTO coffee at Colin's school. If you know me well, you know that I really did not want to go because the thought of a room full of strangers is horrifying. But, as I have told Colin, we have to be more friendly here and just put ourselves out there. So I found a table with some nice ladies and just plopped myself down. (So unusual for me but I know my mom and sisters are very happy to hear this). Anyways, one of the ladies invited me to go shopping at this market with her and a friend. So I thought, "why not", went home and grabbed the girls and the stroller and we set off. It was also a lovely sunny day and I knew the exercise would be good for all of us.
I guess you could describe this place as an indoor farmer's market in the US. Fresh fruit everywhere and it all looked so good. I found some blueberries (yeah!) and some spinach lettuce. (On Monday I had gone to the grocery store looking for lettuce and accidentally bought cabbage. Not a great salad that night.) There was this whole pickle aisle with everything from regular pickles, pickled tomatoes, to these interesting pickled eggplants. I think I will try the pickled eggplants next time, but I did buy some garlic pickles for the family and they were delicious.
As we were meandering around the fruit Amalie said to me "look at the man chopping wood". Wood chopping?- in a fruit market? I had to see. Well, he was not chopping wood, but very large pieces of meat. Turned my stomach quite a bit, but the girls were fascinated. Then Amalie found a pig's head and she was so excited. "Look at the pig's head! Where is his body?" Then Kathleen found a rather large collection of pig's feet for sale and was yelling out "ooooh, pig boots, pig boots". As I said, a bit disgusting, but I was rather impressed that the girls were interested instead of being traumatized.
I love bringing the girls with me to new places and I so enjoy seeing the interest in their little faces. But I may not be able to bring them back to this place. Russians really do not bring children to stores and my kids like to touch everything. Especially Kathleen. Kathleen kept on touching the fruit and I thought some of the female workers there were going to have a stroke. And some lady yelled at me in Russian because the stroller was blocking the aisle. She was about the size of a small house, so I think she was taking up quite alot of room too. Advantage to her though, because a scolding in Russian is alot scarier than one in English. Must be the way they pronounce their words.
Tonight Jesy and I have a date on the Moscow River! We are taking a riverboat cruise that shows you all of the sights of Moscow from your nice little indoor seat. It's rainy today and baby boy slows me down at times, so sitting for this activity will be nice. Will let you know how it goes!
So, back to the market. Yesterday morning I went to a PTO coffee at Colin's school. If you know me well, you know that I really did not want to go because the thought of a room full of strangers is horrifying. But, as I have told Colin, we have to be more friendly here and just put ourselves out there. So I found a table with some nice ladies and just plopped myself down. (So unusual for me but I know my mom and sisters are very happy to hear this). Anyways, one of the ladies invited me to go shopping at this market with her and a friend. So I thought, "why not", went home and grabbed the girls and the stroller and we set off. It was also a lovely sunny day and I knew the exercise would be good for all of us.
I guess you could describe this place as an indoor farmer's market in the US. Fresh fruit everywhere and it all looked so good. I found some blueberries (yeah!) and some spinach lettuce. (On Monday I had gone to the grocery store looking for lettuce and accidentally bought cabbage. Not a great salad that night.) There was this whole pickle aisle with everything from regular pickles, pickled tomatoes, to these interesting pickled eggplants. I think I will try the pickled eggplants next time, but I did buy some garlic pickles for the family and they were delicious.
As we were meandering around the fruit Amalie said to me "look at the man chopping wood". Wood chopping?- in a fruit market? I had to see. Well, he was not chopping wood, but very large pieces of meat. Turned my stomach quite a bit, but the girls were fascinated. Then Amalie found a pig's head and she was so excited. "Look at the pig's head! Where is his body?" Then Kathleen found a rather large collection of pig's feet for sale and was yelling out "ooooh, pig boots, pig boots". As I said, a bit disgusting, but I was rather impressed that the girls were interested instead of being traumatized.
I love bringing the girls with me to new places and I so enjoy seeing the interest in their little faces. But I may not be able to bring them back to this place. Russians really do not bring children to stores and my kids like to touch everything. Especially Kathleen. Kathleen kept on touching the fruit and I thought some of the female workers there were going to have a stroke. And some lady yelled at me in Russian because the stroller was blocking the aisle. She was about the size of a small house, so I think she was taking up quite alot of room too. Advantage to her though, because a scolding in Russian is alot scarier than one in English. Must be the way they pronounce their words.
Tonight Jesy and I have a date on the Moscow River! We are taking a riverboat cruise that shows you all of the sights of Moscow from your nice little indoor seat. It's rainy today and baby boy slows me down at times, so sitting for this activity will be nice. Will let you know how it goes!
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)