Day 1...A Good Day

The hotel we stayed at the first 2 nights is called The Grand Hotel which is the most amazing structure. It is the only Chinese Palace-Style Hotel in the world (according to their paper place mats at breakfast, the obvious authority) which is pretty neat. It is the most ornate and cool building. We were on the 9th floor and the view was pretty awesome. Kennedy spent quite a bit of time that first morning looking out at her new home. She kept asking when we were going exploring, 5:30am is a little early for that.
We had gone over to check out Nathan's apartment we will be staying at (slightly depressing) and then we went to COSTCO!! It was so comforting just to see a familiar sign. They carry about 60% western stuff and a lot of really super creepy stuff. They were sampling some weird soup with large unidentified things floating in it and as we went by Kohen says, "I WANT to try that...." Nathan and I laughed so hard at how we could hear his mind actually change as he was saying it.

We were excited to see they had, among other weird and creepy things, hot dogs and pizza. However upon closer inspection we were pretty disappointed to find there were 3 types of pizza, Hawaiian which boasted pineapple and some thick mystery meat, Some Seafood pizza with lots of mystery meats, and Peking Duck. We tried the Hawaiian and Nathan tried the Peking Duck...let's just say they weren't hits with the Jensens.

The eye masks were from the flight and a big ol hit for whatever reason and they both wore them for their highly-regretted-in-hind-sight-nap that first day.

This is from our balcony, you could see the swimming pool that you have access to if you stay at the Grand Hotel.
Notice Kennedy's borrowed swimming cap- apparently they are all the rage over here, turns out you are supposed to wear them in any pool...okay. We went down and went swimming but due to the lack of proper head wear for Aly and I (they had 3 we could use) we hung out in the baby pool and were later joined by the other 3.

Below is a not very impressive picture of a very impressive building. If you have interest I am sure if you Google The Grand Hotel, Taiwan you would get some awesome pictures of it and how incredibly ornate it is. Overall day one was a good day.

The Big Flight

Much to my dismay the "Big Day" finally arrived. We left Boise around 2pm and boarded the EVA airlines flight for Taipei Taiwan around 6:45pm. Kennedy and Kohen had been anticipating this special flight for some time and for once the plane did not seem to disappoint. We were flying business class and it was a whole new world for them. I was sitting next to Kohen and then across the aisle to my left was Kenna and in front of Kohen and I was Nathan and Aly. They all spent the time until take off and then until dinner exploring their new surroundings with utter awe. Kennedy showed me how you drink out of such fancy cups -with your pinky out. She asked me why they would want to make an airplane like a hotel with a tv, blankets, pillows and food? Oh my dear daughter, just wait till you see how long this flight is...

Kennedy was engrossed in the safety video and when it was over she turned to me and asked where the present under her seat was. Confused I asked her what she meant and she said, "I saw it on the video, there is a present under our seat!" I realized she probably meant the flotation device and told her it was actually like a life jacket, she said a little bummed, "but it had a bow..." lol.
Kohen discovered his Silly Putty and it kept him quite entertained. Unfortunately he started to drive me nuts asking me what it was called again? funny pulley? silly stuff? who cares what it's called?! Just play! Kohen also really enjoyed his meal and was eating huge bites and hardly chewing and generally just shoving things in his mouth. I started to get nervous he was gonna make himself sick. He didn't understand that they were going to bring him more food later and he didn't need to gorge himself now. Kinda weird reaction to a tray of food I thought.
I caught this pic of Aly and Nathan doing a cheers at take off, not even a recreation for the blog which is tricky with a cheers! The EVA attendants are all young asian women and they were crazy attentive and helpful. After the late dinner the kids got in pajamas and tucked in to watch a movie. With a little help from Benedryl Aly was the first to give around 10pm. Kenna and Kohen both fell asleep around midnight Boise time. The only downfall I can find about EVA air is the seats. The sleep position is actually a straight line, like this / except slightly more

reclined. It was so odd, you just slide down the seat! Eventually we found a half seated position with the feet out that seemed to work for the kids though I did find Kennedy and later Kohen had slid down and the seat belt was now at their neck, though they looked comfortable otherwise. I would've taken a picture but I didn't want to risk waking them. The EVA ladies were sweet, I woke once to one of them carefully leaning over me trying to cover Kohen up again as he'd kicked off his blankets- a different lady recovered Kenna as well which was sweet I thought.

Sleep was a little elusive for me but then it would be under the best of circumstances. After a few hours trying to rest the seats just felt so hard, ouch. Everyone was up at about 6 am Boise time when they turned the lights on and served breakfast. We landed at 8am Boise time, 10pm Taipei time the next night if that makes sense. As we stood waiting for our little stroller and everyone else was walking by 99% Asian, Kohen gives a cheery, "Ni hao!" then turns to me and says, "I said hi in Spanish."

As our family spectacle moved towards customs everyone stared at us unabashedly, it's a little unnerving. We got our 11 bags/car seats and Nathan goes to exchange currency and this is where I had my only "moment" so far. He turns to me and asks if I want to exchange my money. Defying common sense I refuse. I flat out refuse to exchange the $75 I happen to have in my wallet, rendering it utterly useless over here, but I just cannot do it. Nathan seemed to know better than to push the issue and let it go. The lump in my throat might have turned to more if it weren't for the kids spying the play structure around the corner. We headed there while Nathan went to secure some transportation.

There were two other little Taiwanese children playing and it was cute because as my kids ran in and none of them could communicate through language, it didn't matter a bit and they were off and running. Aly walked right up to one of the young mothers and her baby and said, "Ni hao!...That's Chinese." That got a laugh out of the moms. I had heard from my friend that at least in China people stop them to take pictures of their kids all the time. I doubted it would happen here but then the mom whips out her camera and starts taking pics of our kids together, and trying to catch one of Aly as she zoomed by with her light colored curls bouncing behind her. So maybe it will happen, who knows.

Anyway, we decided to stay at a hotel for at least the first night and we arrived around midnight and settled the kids down around 12:30am Taipei time and they were up again around 5:30 am...more to come soon.

8 Months

Well, a few weeks overdue with this post but you know, the tummy is generally doing the same thing, just getting bigger. I am experiencing all of the typical 3rd trimester irritations like insane heart burn, unable to sleep comfortably, lot's of peeing about a thimbles worth of pee every few minutes etc. so I take it as proof I am having a normal pregnancy.

A few months ago we went in for our family medical stuff to get what we needed before we moved. The dr. called to tell us everyones blood work looked great except mine. He said my platelets (they help your blood to clot) were quite a bit lower than they should be and that my OB needed to know. So then my OB starts testing my blood regularly and the plateletes continue to drop every week and the CA dr. tells me I have some gestational something or another where basically your plateletes drop. Long story short, pretty much the only negative consequence of this is surprisingly not bleeding to death after delivery, but just that I can't have an epidural. I guess the risk of someone hitting a vein and having their be blood pushing on the nerves of the spine increases the risk of permanent damage too much and after a certain point they won't do it. About a month ago I hit that point. I was mostly frustrated that I wouldn't have a choice and I had no idea what that would mean for labor and delivery in Taiwan, besides pain of course.

I was seeing Dr. West for the month we were in Boise and the last time he checked my plateletes before we left he called me himself to tell me that my plateletes are up, way up!!! So now I am just trying not to worry about whether or not they have fallen again but I am cautiously optimistic.

*picture by Tara Lynn photography

The Beach House and Such

The Oregon Coast is so beautiful, if you've been there, you know. We were lucky enough to stay all together (6 families, 12 Adults, 18 children, plus 2 in utero) at a big beach house right on the water front. It was constant fun and nonstop playing for the 18 cousins.

                    (Kennedy with her cousin Morgan, Tripp and Brayden in the back ground)

                                                                             
It was nice because we could sit up at the house and watch various family members flying kites, searching for treasures, playing in the sand and generally making good use of the beach. Aly never failed to total whatever outfit she was wearing about 2 minutes down there. Impressive. When the kids got too cold they could come up to the house and warm up in the indoor pool and hot tub which was well used over the week for sure.
My niece Emilee with a starfish she found on our beach- definitely a cool find.
Maddie and Aly below- Maddie (and all the older cousins) were so good with all the younger kids. I walked by a room one day to see Maddie patiently sitting on the floor while the two 3 year olds, Aly and Lyssa each had a brush in her hair that they were yanking around. Aly looks up and sees me and shouts excitedly, "WE'RE BABYSITTING!!" Maddie, you were such a good sport!
Norm (my FIL) working a trick kite, they were getting pretty good with those things!
The tidal pools we went to were super cool. The water had carved out these rocks and there were thousands of little pools where little creatures are caught and submitted to our exploring until the tide comes in again and relieves them. If you've never done this before, I personally think you should put it on your list of things to do in your life. It's so much fun.


Kennedy touching a sea anemone for the first time. She was nervous at first but eventually left no anemone unbothered :)

This was one of many hermit crabs the boys found. This specific one was Kohen's, according to him. He was convinced he needed to keep the crab and it took us A LOT of coercing to get him to leave the crab when we left the tidal pools. 

One afternoon we all went on a hike to see this cool suspension bridge. It was a fun hike that most the children were able to handle without too much trouble (though on the way back up Kohen did tell me at one point, "I can only take one more step!" which I thought was cute cuz don't you usually say, 'I cannot take one more step!'?). The bridge was the coolest foot bridge I've ever been on- though my experience in the matter is limited, I'm pretty sure the general concensus was it was a unique and cool bridge.

Below is one of the grossest things, um, ever, I'm pretty sure. My nephew Caleb found and befriended this giant banana slug. G-R-O-S-S! But he (and every cousin he showed) was in slug heaven. Carried the thing all the way back up the trail where he located another slug to leave this one with. Who knew the slime that the slug secreted all over Caleb's arm and hands that looks like the consistency of hair gel is actually more like rubber cement and does not just wash off. You gotta love boys.

Fires for s'mores before bed was a favorite activity of Kenna, Kohen and Aly. As you can see from the pic below and the cluster of children, it was a hit all around. 

Every night- and even some days- my kids had played so hard that they were just completely wiped out. We went in one night to find Kohen asleep with one foot on the floor almost as if he is about to take off, lol. Doesn't look that relaxing to me but he was in fact sound asleep. 
It was a wonderful trip and we are so grateful we were able to go and spend time with our family making such fun memories. Oregon coast- if you've never been, put it on your list. 

Oregon Coast Trip 2009

This summer we have been looking forward with anticipation to our trip to the Oregon Coast with the Jensen's. Looking forward to the 8-10 hr drive to the coast? not so much.  But we did make some fun stops along the way. The first 3 pics are from the back door of our hotel room in Cascade Locks, Oregon. Not too shabby. 

We headed to Multnomah Falls which are just outside Portland. Beautiful. The bridges that would never be considered 'child safe' were another matter. Thankfully none of the kids tried to fit through the gaping holes in the bridge because- stomach turning- they would have easily slipped through. Ugh. 
We met up with the Pugmire clan (Nathan's sister Tara's fam) at the falls and headed up the trail together. We ended up walking clear up a trail thinking there was a better vantage point of the falls but alas, it was just a hiking trail. Gorgeous scenery though.
As we headed back to the parking lot we crossed under this train bridge and as we did a train came blaring through, mere feet away. It BLEW Kohen's mind as you can see in the picture below, he was absolutely giddy as the long train took several minutes to speed by. His excitement did not wain a bit as it passed. Kennedy? if you can spot her in her neon green jacket covering her ears- not such a big fan. Like the 4th of July fireworks, the train was just too loud to be enjoyed. And my dear Aly had been throwing a bit of a tantrum when the train blazed through, it was hilarious to watch her realize she'd been completely upstaged.

Lovin this family pic below, Kohen has taken to all sorts of poses lately when the camera is brought out- he's actually got some skills so I can't complain. Anyway, Multnomah Falls was a fun way to kick off our trip to the coast.

9 Years and Counting

Since I blogged last Nathan and I celebrated our 9th wedding anniversary. After all the crazy we've been experiencing it was so nice to sit down and have a nice meal with Nathan where the only interruptions were from a waiter bringing us more delicious food. It was great spending time with my best friend. I love you Nathan!

Speaking of Anniversary's, Nathan's cousin Marianne (whom we lived by in VA) got married to Bradley and so Nathan and I headed down to Utah for her wedding in the Bountiful temple. It was a great trip, congratulations guys!!! 

When Nathan and I first arrived in Utah we coincidentally were passing through the same time as our good friends the Dunnings who we haven't seen since they visited in VA about 2 years ago. Unfortunately we have been going nonstop the last few weeks and I started committing sin after cardinal blogging sin, most notably, not pulling my camera out when I knew I ought too. In this case it really is a shame because the Dunnings have 3 of the most adorable children, their oldest is not yet 3 and I should have gotten a picture. Shame on me. It was odd that suddenly they are in the "crazy" phase with kids when it used to be us. So good to see you Mark and Kristy!

On our way into lunch with the Dunnings Nathan was looking on his iPhone for the nearest Sally's Beauty Supply because I needed a straightener. We were walking and he was searching on our way into Cafe' Rio. As we found our seats Nathan was like, hey we're in luck, there is one right around here! As we left lunch we felt like complete idiots when we went to locate Sally's and discovered that sometimes using your own two eyes can be faster than the internet. 

Last but not least, while we were in Utah Nathan celebrated his Birthday. We were able to hang out with the Furni and we had breakfast at this authentic Belgian waffle place. It was unspeakably delicious :)  Nathan and Eric actually sent H. and I to the spa that morning which was very thoughtful of them. Kind of some weird folks running the spa- but H. and I had a great time being pampered and chatting away the morning. Of course there should be pictures to document all of this but...well, you know. It was a great trip, thank you Mom and Ashley for watching my rowdy ones while we were away. And Happy Birthday Nathan!!!!!!!!!!

The 4th of July 2009

To celebrate our countries birthday I got a little crazy with the girls hair. I suppose once a year, that ain't bad. They actually sat really well for me and watched a movie while I did my work. I did Aly's hair and Kennedy asked me to do her hair the same way. I was flattered, usually she is pretty indifferent. 

We went to Bonnie and Norm's (Nathan's parents) for a pool party and BBQ with about 60 other people, it was a giant par-tay. Get this, my SIL Tara bought a real deal snow cone maker, like the big ol machines that businesses use. If you know Tara this will not surprise you at all, she is quite the woman. So she sits down at these get togethers and starts whipping out the snow cones for both kids and adults. It is the hit of the summer for sure- I think Aly had 4 this night alone.  

The swimming went on for at least 4-5 hours, our children would have been totally exhausted had we left it at that but it was the 4th after all so the party continued as I inwardly cringed thinking about the next day and my melting down children... but that's another post. 

We all migrated to Taylor and Kysa's house and went out in their circle and broke out the fireworks. As per usual things started off with sparklers (I always have anxiety until they are done with those. Like- here little 3 year old, have a big stick on fire throwing sparks and go run around!!!)  Right off the bat Kennedy wasn't a huge fan of all of the smoke in the air and noise in the streets.  She didn't like the smell and it was all a bit too loud for her. She held a sparkler kind of like how you would a dirty diaper and held it out as far as she could, nervous she would get hurt (I swear not because of my nervousness!) So when someone else's wayward spark landed on her foot Kennedy was pretty much done and headed inside to crash in front of a movie. 

Kohen on the other hand was into everything and shadowing Nathan's every move, often more closely than makes a mom comfortable. Not surprisingly he loved every minute of the fireworks, snaps, sparklers, smoke bombs, and the bigger stuff too. He wasn't picky.

Aly was a little more difficult to keep a handle on. She was all over running back and forth excitedly and I was really grateful for my niece Maddie who kept an eye on Aly and kept her from getting too close to fireworks that were about to go off. At the end of the night as everyone was packing up I told Aly we were getting ready to leave and she sassily tells me, "I want to go to anotha pah-ty! I want to go to Auntie Ashley's!" The girl is always ready for the next party. (which apparently can always be found at Auntie Ashley's lol).

Kohen had asked specifically for the snakes so we had to get some of those for sure. It was pretty funny when grown ups and kids alike gathered all around to watch the snakes! The cheapest little thing was for sure a favorite of the night. Who doesn't love the snakes? They are rad... that's right, I said it.

I love the 4th. I love our country. I am grateful for all those who serve our country, I feel like we forget to appreciate them all too often. And I have a sneaking suspicion I am going to have an even deeper appreciation for our country and freedoms when I leave and I am half a world away from them. God has blessed America. And God does bless America!

7 Months

All right everyone, thank you for all of your kind, flattering, thats-what-friends-are-for comments after I posted my 6 month picture. To be clear I said I was feeling huge before, and guess what? though it's totally unheard of in pregnancy- I just keep getting bigger. Go figure.

This pregnancy has really felt different to me and I can't quite put my finger on it- though the junk food, I can put my fingers on that which may have something to do with feeling bigger sooner. What can I say, I'm moving an ocean away to go and have this baby far from all of our loved ones, a little comfort eating may have come into play here.

It's not that big of a deal except I keep wondering how much more uncomfortable I am going to get the bigger I get...I already know the answer...it makes me wish it were opposite day.

The movers came today. They packed everything and loaded the stuff going to Taiwan on a ship. It takes a month or two for it to get there so hopefully we are giving it a good head start. The stuff going up to Boise for storage will get loaded Saturday morning.  

Before the movers arrived we had each child set aside a small pile of toys to have arrive in Taiwan when we do as we will not have the rest of our things until the beginning of September. Nathan gave Kohen this job before quiet time. When he got Kohen up he discovered literally every single toy/dress up Kohen owns had been painstakingly transfered to the designated corner, all ready and waiting to go (above). Notice his hats hanging on the back of the chair, the bulging back pack on the floor, the boy did not discriminate against any belonging. We had to explain a little further the size of pile we had in mind and reassure him everything else will arrive* safely. 

(*barring any Typhoons, torpedoes, Pirates etc) 

We should be on our way to Boise in the next few days to visit friends and family and generally over stay our welcome before we head off to you know where. Hope everyone else is enjoying the beginning of their summers!!!