Lately

Think it's about time for a good comprehensive update? I did a post with this format below back in November so maybe now's a good time.

Work: Yep, language is still going on strong. We were traveling a lot for work but recently made a decision not to let A travel anymore since we could tell it was stressing her so much. 

Culture: I'll do a pregnancy theme. When I am asked what I am having, I say another girl. They always respond with "Aw, shoot, sorry" and then something like "Allah has willed it." Um, maybe I'm perfectly fine with having another girl? I've had one little old lady admonish me for sitting with my legs crossed. She said it will crush the baby's head. I've been told not to eat chicken skin or it will make my baby hairy. My language teacher gets on to me for walking around barefooted at home - she said the cold floor's bad for the baby. I've been told that if you stare at the love of your life the entire time you're pregnant, the baby will be born looking like him. They hold to some of the same superstitions that Americans have about pregnancy (e.g. don't reach above your head or the umbilical cord will wrap about the baby's neck). They try to guess the gender by looking at my belly button. 

A: She turned three just two days ago. It was a fun, relaxed celebration (www.kidrobinett.blogspot.com) if you want to read about it. She's currently going through a girly phase of wearing several dresses throughout the day, changing outfits like a diva at a concert. It's fun but makes for a mess of clothes to hang back up.

Hearth and Home: 

• I think I'm nesting big time because we've rearranged our living room. The TV cabinet is no longer center but in a nook with two armchairs. We don't have cable or an antenna so we rarely use it except for the occasional movie. A conversation area is in center of the living room with couches, rug, and a chair which we recently acquired from Ikea. It is like a rocking chair that we will use with the baby (and no, we will not be rocking the baby to sleep; I used to rock A to relax her for naptime but never til she fell asleep). It's not a real rocking chair but it kind of sways and bounces. It's incredibly comfortable and we sit in it all the time.  More changes to come in the living room...
• While in the States, I bought an oven thermometer and boy, it has make a difference in my baking. The temperature is off but now I can adjust the control to get what I want. I'm still trying new recipes as always. I recently tried making strawberry cupcakes with real strawberries and icing with real strawberries. Yummy but I will need to tweak the recipe for the cake portion to taste less gluten-free. Currently, a crustless pizza is baking in the oven. The "crust" is made up of cream cheese, parmesan cheese (left over from basil pesto), and eggs. No pizza sauce, but olive oil instead with spinach, tomatoes, mushrooms, and...more cheese. It was incredibly quick and easy to make. I'll be interested to see how it tastes without a real crust. 
• We recently scored a dresser for the baby's room for what amounts to $30. Very happy with that. We may paint it since it's natural, varnished pine but has some signs of wear. Or not. We're tired these days and so overwhelmingly busy. The baby's room (which is also the guest room) will slowly come together in the next four months.

Free Time: I still read at bedtime mostly and am reading The Age of Innocence which took several false starts but I managed to plow through the first couple of boring chapters and it has become interesting. I don't get to sew as much as I would like. G watches Top Gear on the computer which is his favorite TV show. It's a pretty funny British show about cars. Now that warm weather is well on its way, we will be finding more to do with our free weekends. 

Upcoming Holidays: Easter, yay! Easter is my favorite holiday. We will be heading to the beach on Sunday for a potluck picnic, message, and singing with my small group. We will also do an egg hunt. Today, I suddenly started missing Easter candy and wished that I'd asked for someone to send some. G found a chocolate egg at the store today and some brightly wrapped candy for A's Easter basket so it's close enough. We shredded some construction paper for "grass" in her basket. 

Weather: We are very glad that spring has arrived here. Temperatures hover in the 50s and 60s and on sunny days, it feels as warm as 70 degrees. I was so ready for winter to be over with and the bright sunshine is a welcome sight after months of dreary, cloudy, snowy weather. Trees are blooming everywhere and planters around the city are being filled with petunias and tulips.

Visitors: G's parents are coming next week for a week-long visit! 

(Update on the pizza - it was delicious but it basically tasted like a garlicky cheese omelet with spinach, tomatoes, mushrooms, on top. Next attempt: cauliflower as a pizza crust...)