Eena Baba

It's been a year...

2011-12-26T19:43:00.000-08:00

A year has gone by since my last post, and I've decided to give blogging one more try. I also think this might be a good space to write about my family's recently discovered food intolerances/sensitivities. Eena is highly sensitive to foods with salicylates, and artificial food coloring and flavors. I'm intolerant to corn and soy, and my husband has to go on a yeast-free diet. Baba needs more protein as do the rest of us. I've been making sure our meals all have the right items for all of us but, at times, it can be difficult. I'm hoping in 6 months, cooking is easier.

In other news, Eena is loving kindergarten, and Baba is enjoying her last year of preschool.

11.5 years and counting

2010-12-20T22:53:00.000-08:00

A friend recently asked on FB: What do you remember from your wedding day?

I wrote....

‎1.) It was surreal to have people from all different parts of my life in one room. 2.) The rabbi called my husband a 'prophet.' 3.) My parents were alive and there. 4.) The DJ was horrible. 5.) The weather was beautiful (warm and sunny). 6.) My father-in-law thought the holy water font was an ashtray and almost threw a gum wrapper in it. 7.) It was magical when the priest and the rabbi conducted the ceremony together. 8.) My husband had more hair. 9.) My red-haired 80-something grandmother meeting my husband's red-haired 80-something grandmother. 10.) Of course, the kiss that sealed the deal! I think we clocked in around 45 seconds!

My parents being alive is the the most distinct memory. It seems like a different lifetime--a luxury--to be able to call either parent whenever. With Christmas approaching, it's been extra tough to work through the grief. I miss my parents so much.

Happy 3rd Birthday to Baba!

2010-08-16T08:05:00.000-07:00

Baba turned 3 two weeks ago...I can't believe how much she's grown.

Disney!

2010-07-02T22:44:00.000-07:00

3 months later...

2010-07-02T22:30:00.000-07:00

Wow, my goal to write daily or, more likely, once a month seemed to evaporate as it's been 3 months. Alas, lots has happened.

My wonderful dad--who I wrote about on this blog when we went to Greece last year--passed away unexpectedly in May. He had complications from heart surgery, and he passed away on the fifth anniversary of my mom's death. It's been difficult dealing with this loss. Earlier tonight, I had an urge to finally neatly put away some DVDs that had belong to my dad. In the process, I found a book I must have received when I was working at the Trib. It's called "Always Too Soon: Voices of Support for Those Who Have Lost Both Parents" by Allison Gilbert. It's a fantastic collection of essays by famous and non-famous people, and I was in tears by page 1.

The only bright spots during the grieving process are my daughters. Eena and Baba are always there, always happy, and they continue to give me strength.

Happy 4th Birthday to Eena!

2010-04-06T07:44:00.000-07:00

I can't believe my baby is 4 today. We've been celebrating her birthday since Saturday with a party with friends, and yesterday, we had cupcakes with her cousins. Today, we are going to have more cupcakes:) Baba loves celebrating too, especially because Eena is so good with sharing.

Through all of this happiness, I think about the deep sadness her birth parents must feel during this time of year. I hope they somehow know that the baby born on 4-6-06 is a very happy, sweet, smart and beautiful 4 year old who is loved more than words can say.

Improv--ing parenting

2010-01-28T09:48:00.000-08:00

I've been a mother for almost three years. It's crazy to think that three years ago, my husband and I were enjoying our final days of being child-free as we toured Beijing for several days before meeting our first beautiful daughter for the first time (and six months before meeting our second beautiful daughter.)

Before becoming a mom, I remember reading parenting books, magazines and even taking a "new parents" course. The books and magazine were kind of useful in calming my fears about what to expect. The course taught me how to change a diaper, clean a baby, what to feed her, etc. It wasn't until recently, though, that I discovered what helped better than any parenting book or course (or part-time nanny, which, by the way, helps immensely too if you have no family nearby).

The thing that every parent-to-be or frenzied parent should do is take an improv class or two or, in my case, a year and counting. Improv has taught me how to be patient, live in the moment, listen, tell more creative stories, be spontaneous, stop saying 'no' and much more. I just finished my year of beginning improv at the Second City Training Center, and now I'm taking improv classes at iO Chicago.

My daughters love being silly with me...now I just need them to let me practice my accents and characters...they only want me to sound like "Mommy."

Facebook status updates

2009-12-25T11:53:00.000-08:00

One of my goals for 2010 is to copy my Facebook status updates as blog entries because I'd like to remember all of the sweet things my kids say/do.

Here's a sample of what they've said recently:

Merry Christmas! Santa's presents were a hit! Eena loved the $1 recorder and 98-cent chapstick the best; Baba loved her $1 baby doll and a Dora I bought a long time ago.

The girls were thrilled with xmas eve gift of gloves...

Apa, Eena and Baba are napping in the car. Wish I could...

Eena: "Baba, it's hard for me to talk while you're talking."

The art of coloring has finally calmed the energetic girls this morning.

Nothing helps the morning like frozen bananas

Eena: "When are we going to China? We should take Baba because she never got to see it." ... later on, Eena asked me the names of her birth parents. When I said I didn't know, she said: "I think she is named 'Bear' and he is named 'Strawberry.'"

Eena: "Daddy make eggs gooder than you."

The girls were all smiles when they met Santa for the first time this evening.

I love that Baba wore my U2 Vertigo concert T-shirt as a nightgown last night

Eena: "I've been waiting all year for Hanukkah!"

Baba: I like my Mommy so much.

Eena thinks she's on China time. She's been up pretty much since 2. Luckily, her sister fell back asleep at 5.

Eena and Baba are playing with their new (my old) dollhouse.

Eena and Baba are passed out in car in post-show nap. a on way to bday party

Eena: "We can take an airplane to visit your Mommy in Heaven."

I hope Baba feels better for her date with Brobee tomorrow morning.

The kids went to bed at a much earlier time with the babysitter. Maybe hubby and I should go out every night.

I need to go Christmas/Hanukkah shopping in her basement when the kids are sleeping

Today marks three years since I got "the referral call" from telling me that I had a beautiful daughter (Eena) in China who was driving a little red car.

Kids keep leaving their room and not going to bed. How can I get them to stay in there?

I'm impressed with how well Eena behaved while I was getting my haircut. On the down side, the hairdresser cut my hair too short...

Eena: "I want to visit Olivia. Throw me into the TV." ... Olivia the pig is a cartoon character.

Baba: "Cassie (the cat) can't go to the supermarket because she doesn't have shoes."

I think Eena feels better after her pukefest at 3 a.m.

I performed my first operation: With a tweezer, I carefully removed a small piece of Kleenex tissue that Baba stuffed up her nose

Eena ate pasta for lunch and dinner yesterday. Now, she's eating it for breakfast.

I'm grateful that Eena and Baba didn't ram their cart into anyone at Trader Joe's

If the girls had a TV show, they said it would be called: "The Hairball Cooking Show."

Much to hubby's dismay, I've busted out the Alvin & the Chipmunks' Christmas CD. The girls love it!

When I told Eena that she can't go commando. Her reply? "Mommy, I didn't know you speak Spanish!"

Baba may not have danced at the Pull-Ups audition, but, on the bright side, she's already smart enough not to dance topless in front of cameras

Future entrepreneur: Eena asked me for money to start a lemonade stand.

"Mommy, I've been looking all over for this," Eena said as she showed me a copy of her referral photo.

Baba: "I'm hungry. I want M&Ms." ... Hubby: "Here's some fruit instead."

Merry Christmas

2009-12-25T11:47:00.000-08:00

Eena and Baba are having a wonderful Christmas. Their favorite things? A $1 plastic recorder instrument that Santa found at Toys R Us, and a $1 Baby Doll from Wal-mart. I love that parents don't have to spend a lot on children who are 2 and 3 to really make kids happy.

When they're teenagers, it'll be another story...

Baba's a big girl

2009-11-11T10:07:00.000-08:00

After Baba's potty-training success, we've torn down the fourth wall (of the crib, that is) and turned it into a big-girl bed. Baba couldn't be happier. Eena is also happy to have a partner in crime to read books and build forts with (instead of sleeping).

A very merry half-birthday to you

2009-10-11T18:33:00.000-07:00

On Oct. 6, Eena turned 3 1/2 so naturally we celebrated her half-birthday. Eena and Baba each had a half-cupcake.

Snotgate Fall 2009

2009-09-24T18:36:00.000-07:00

We were doing good in our journey to the end of naptime until Eena got sick. Yes, that season is here again. After having a pretty good sick-free summer, I forgot about the sniffles, sneezes and giant snot fests that erupt from the noses of my daughters. Baba is more sniffles, and Eena is more snot fest. We kept her home from preschool the other day. Anyway, she needed a short nap (hello, car!) the last few days.

Before Snotgate Fall 2009 started, I took Eena and Baba for their first Ballerina Tea Party class at Sprouts in HP. The girls loved it! They got to wear their leotards, and, once there, donned tutus and crowns. They loved dancing with pom-poms, ribbons and scarves to girly-girl music. Toward the end of class, the students have a tea party where they drink water from play cups and eat graham crackers. I have to take pictures next week.

Buh-bye to naps, preschool update and Baba too

2009-09-18T18:32:00.000-07:00

Eena hasn't cried the last two weeks of preschool. While she still doesn't want me to leave, she's excited to see what adventures await her in the classroom. This past Wednesday, she had her first "Show and Tell Day." I got to be there as she told her peers all about her Fisher-Price flashlight that she loves. Later at home, she asked if she could bring another toy to "Show and Tell." She was a little disappointed that it's not her turn every day.

I think today may officially be the end of her nap. Over the last 6 months, Eena's nap has decreased from one hour to 30 minutes. The last several days, she's had a tough time waking up from her nap. Yesterday, she had a meltdown that lasted about an hour. Today, when she started to get sleepy, I gave her some mango lemonade. She wasn't tired after that! The best part? She went to sleep right away tonight.

Baba has been working on her letters, and she's recognizing more and more now. She's also started to tell us more when she has to go potty. I think we're going to try having her wear underwear next week. I think.

1st day of preschool

2009-09-02T08:47:00.000-07:00

Eena was scared, nervous and excited for preschool to begin as of this morning. Yesterday, we had an orientation, and I think that helped. She told me she was ready to leave for preschool this morning. Right when we said goodbye at the preschool door, she started to cry. It broke my heart. I, like every mother, hate to see my baby cry. Walking out the door--and not consoling her--was tough. I stood outside until she stopped crying. The teacher called me and let me know that Eena stopped crying after two minutes and was doing great. I have 25 minutes until I pick her up, and I can't wait to see her. I can't wait to hear all about her day!

Preschool blues

2009-08-25T08:00:00.000-07:00

Eena has preschool orientation in one week, and she officially starts next Wednesday. Yesterday, we were watching "Sesame Street" and a segment called "Preschool Musical" came on. Eena told me she doesn't like preschool and doesn't want to go because Mommy won't be there. I told her she'll have fun and make friends. She's not convinced.

Today, we are meeting one of the other 3-year-old girls in her class for a playdate. Afterward, I'm going to drive her by her school again. After we attend orientation next week, I'm planning on taking her for a big-girl lunch to celebrate her preschool status.

I'm not looking forward to the transition because I know she'll cry. However, I know she'll love preschool once she gives it a chance.

Happy 2nd Birthday, Baba!

2009-07-30T19:22:00.001-07:00

Baba had a great 2nd birthday with her cousins and sister. After enjoying a cupcake and dinner with at their cousins' house, Eena and Baba went to an indoor playground because it was raining. We had the place to ourselves because, well, who really goes to indoor playgrounds in the summer? It seems like just yesterday that Baba was born (check out her newborn picture).

Baba's birthday party

2009-07-27T17:24:00.000-07:00

Baba turns 2 on Thursday, but we had her birthday party over the weekend. The highlight for her was finally seeing the Brobee cake that I promised her for months. She also loved the Brobee doll that her Auntie gave her.

Airport, Athens and airplanes

2009-07-16T20:24:00.001-07:00

We spent the rest of the day waiting around the hotel—in the lobby, in the room. D napped with Baba. Waiting. We finally left the hotel at about 8 p.m., anxious to return to Athens, and ready to kill an hour or two at the Lemnos Airport before our 10:40 p.m. flight. The airport—relatively clean but stuttered with persistent flies—was a long rectangle with duty-free catalogs glossy under the fluorescent light. We ate pistachios—the kids working faster to consume than I could shell, and D took Eena and Baba for a stroll outside under the now slowly cooling sunset. And so we prepared to depart.

The first sign that something was amiss came from a Greek pharmaceutical salesman, on a business trip to Lemnos, who told D in broken English about Olympic Airways’ recent problems. He also tried to repeatedly hug the children—which seemed to terrify them (and me). Before long, the boarding time came and went, and we spent the night at the Lemnos Airport. We finally left for Athens at 5 a.m. Luckily, at about 2 a.m., the kids fell asleep in their strollers—which D retrieved with some hassle from the Olympic Airways backroom.

My dad, D and I passed the waiting time by talking with a Canadian woman Jenny who also had Lemnian roots. Jenny recently quit her public relations job to pursue an acting career (she did some voice-over work in “My Big Fat Greek Wedding”). Fluent in Greek and English, she was also extremely helpful in calling our Athens cab company several times to explain that we’d be late. They had simply hung up on D the two times he called and asked with his best effort, “Milas Anglika?” (do you speak English?).

When we finally arrived at our Athens hotel around 6:30 a.m., the five of us crashed like flaming stockcars. My dad, D and I had visited Athens before, so we didn’t feel the urge to spend our single layover day carrying Eena and Baba up Acropolis in the unseemly heat. Instead, we spent the morning at the rooftop pool.

That evening, we met Marina Harami, the author of a 3-volume genealogical book (in Greek) on Haramis families all over the world. Marina e-mailed me several years ago, and I provided her information for her book. She was extremely helpful in arranging for us to meet our Lemnos relatives, and for our face-to-face meeting. She brought us a selection of delicious Greek chocolate, which Eena and Baba devoured with furious abandon. Within 10 minutes, they were flailing wildly on the hotel carpet while D went “fishing” for them with a gold ribbon. Eena was not pleased to hear that real fishing used hooks to strike the mouth of the fish, as she had previously thought the fish just sort of rolled into a line and without harm were lifted to land before their glorious splashback to the sea. D took the opportunity to make a point of vegetarianism to the now heavily wired children. Baba chanted, repeatedly, “I get crazy crazy.”

With the kids thus distracted by D, I was able to listen to Marina’s vast knowledge of all things Haramis. First, I discovered that she goes by Harami because that’s the female version of Haramis. We also learned about the family’s storied roots. It seems the family can be traced to Peloponnesia (Mani) around the year 1500, when they lost a sort of tribal war with the other prominent family—and so dispersed throughout Greece. The family also were pirates (arrgh) and brigands at some point—“Haramis” may mean “one who steals”—but we also had members decorated as war heroes in the early 1700s. Marina indicated that the family, most likely under a different surname, is believed to have existed even earlier—perhaps as early as 1200—under the Byzantine Empire.

Marina kindly drove us to the suburb of Athens called Paraskevi, and in a near-exhausted state, we ate at our first U.S. restaurant, Pizza Hut. It was good to eat some non-Greek food for one day, and this Pizza Hut was considerably more upscale than its U.S. cousin. Marina brought us to Paraskevi Square and a playground (which was crowded at 10 p.m.), and the girls gleefully frolicked in the dark among other children.

The next morning we woke up early (3:30 am), flew to Paris and then back home. En route to Chicago, we sat next to a father and his 11-month-old son. The boy’s mother had left them in France to fly to a conference in New England, leaving the father, a professor, to watch his son alone for what seemed like the first time. D (world’s greatest dad) was horrified when the other dad told him he really only needs to spend limited amounts of time with his kid because anyone—and primarily his mother-in-law—can entertain his child at this early age. His work, he told D, held a place of great importance and so necessitated that he take a more removed view of parenting. The job, you wonder: a research professor in rehabilitative studies at a local university. D did his best, for the sake of airplane calm, to not completely pick apart this logic.

The girls did pretty well on the flight (sleeping for at least two hours)—but Eena and Baba were thrilled to get back home, ride their bikes, and play with their toys. Although we had a great time in Europe—with adventures to last us until our next trip across the pond—we were glad to return to the comforts of readily available soy milk, soft beds and the warm welcome of our Greek-named cat, Cassiopeia.

Last day in paradise

2009-07-10T09:51:00.000-07:00

Today, we met Kostas for a return trip to Portianou where we met more cousins. Evengelia and her ailing father Yiannis Haramis (the last living Haramis male in the area) welcomed us into their home for cherry juice (Eena was thrilled). Evengelia and my dad are either second or third cousins. We met one of her sons (she has four in their 40s) and Kostas’ uncle Harry. We then waited over an hour for a taxi to arrive. When the taxi arrived, someone was sitting in the passenger’s seat, so Kostas, Dad, D, Eena, Baba and I all sat in the back seat as the car made its way down the long, windy mountainous road. Today, we discovered that Kostas’ grandmother used to be the mayor of Myrina in the 1990s. Eena feel asleep on Kostas’ lap, another sure sign that our new cousin has so quickly become a happy face for the kids.

The rest of the day, we napped, played ping-pong and just rested as we enjoyed our last day in Limnos. Tonight, we have a late flight to Athens (where we’ll spend the day tomorrow).

During our trip, Eena and Baba said/learned new things. Eena doggie paddled with floaties yesterday for the first time. Baba now says: “I mean it.” … “Really.” … and “I’m hungry.” Both girls learned to speak a little Greek as well, particularly “Yiasou” (hello to you, and goodbye, as well) and Epharisto (pronounced here, “faristo”) meaning thank you.

Tour de force

2009-07-10T08:24:00.001-07:00

Yesterday, we ventured on an all-day bus tour of the island under what turned out to be a punishing sun. The tour of about 20 people (mainly Brits and Aussies), traveled all over the island, with stops at the wondrous but only partially excavated city of Poliochni—perhaps the oldest city ruins in Europe (approximately 6,000 years BC). The kids found a rebuilt small dwelling amid the cross-cross of wooden boards, and immediately took occupancy perhaps not unlike their sea-faring predecessors so many millennia ago.

We next stopped at Kotsinas—site of small chapel in the midst of heavy remodeling. The real find, though, was below the modest shrine, where steep stone stairs descending several hundred feet led to an underground well containing holy water. Evidently, the underground passage was discovered in the 1800s, along with a Byzantine-looking religious icon. So it was assumed to be holy water, and hence the church was built on the site. There was also a statue of a woman with a sword over the water here—a sort of Limnos Joan-of-Arc, who rally the people during an earlier war with the Turks.

My dad and me, along with the others, drank holy water. D, being Jewish, did not drink the water. Although after I told him that it’s suppose to heal all ailments, he gave it a second thought but still refused. I didn’t take the girls down the steep staircase because it was a small space. However, I did place some holy water on their foreheads.

We also drove past the ancient city of Ifestia—complete with its famed theater—but we couldn’t get off the bus because the road was too rocky. We stopped nearby at the wonderful Kavirio—a partially excavated temple complex. Here, ancient peoples worshipped the Kaberoi, half-mortal descendants of Hephestus, who was thrown by his angry father Zeus to the island as an exile from Mount Olympus. This formerly volcanic island was said to contain the forger of Hephestus, and a complicated mystery cult—with human and animal sacrifice—thrived during the ancient period.

Toward the end of our tour, we visited the small town of Portianou, and saw the house where Winston Churchill lived during WWI when he was planning the ill-fated Battle of Gallipoli.

We closed with lunch over Zamatas beach, where our exhausted crew refueled with a feast of rice-stuffed peppers and tomatoes, grilled eggplant (which Baba quickly inhaled), and, for the coup-de-grace, sweet-but-slightly warm watermelon—thankful to be sheltered, at least for the time, from the throbbing Aegean sun.

My life in ruins, Limnos style

2009-07-09T11:47:00.000-07:00

One thing I can always count on my husband, D, to do is to push me—from pushing me into a bet to date him or to climbing the Great Wall of China when I was 3 months pregnant; he’s always challenging me.

Yesterday, our day began in a relaxing manner: eating breakfast, playing ping-pong and swimming. Then we took a cab to what I thought would be a leisurely walk around the Venetian castle that overlooks the city of Myrinna. It turns out that there is no paved path, just a rocky climb up a mountain where wild goats and deer wander. My smart dad (so wise) decided to stay at the bottom and guard the strollers as D, Eena, Baba and I climbed up a treacherous course. Huffing and puffing, we reached the first major plateau, but would’ve had to climb more rocks to reach the rest of the castle ruins. It was at that point that I said: “no more.” The kids and I were exhausted. Eena and I were petrified that a goat was going to attack us. D spotted a cave and took Baba to explore with him as Eena and I unwrapped our reward lollipops. Luckily, the stench and swarm of mosquitoes kept D and Baba from venturing too far into the cave. D and I climbed down with each of us holding one of our daughters (and their reward lollipops).

Afterward, we walked into town, bought some more souvenirs and the girls found the playground again (later, when we passed it at 10:30p.m., it was filled with kids playing in the dark). We met Despina and Kostas for dinner at 8, which was way early for them because they usually eat dinner at midnight! Kostas’ mother Electra and Despina’s friend (an ex-pat from England) also sat with us. I say “sat” because only Despina ate. It was a fantastic Italian restaurant right along the water. We asked Kostas all about what life for a 16 year old is like (we were wrong about his age in previous entries). He has two more years of high school left, he takes additional classes outside of school, he has a girlfriend, he’s in a band and he loves American heavy metal and punk music (he was wearing a Ramones shirt).

After D told him about our castle climb, Kostas said that it’s very dangerous at night: he’s heard stories about everything from drug-users to un-Godly people hurting those poor goats and deer. Scary! All I could think about was that creepy cave D and Baba almost explored.

Thankfully, D’s equally reliable good sense prevailed over his urge to explore.

More Tsmandria photos

2009-07-08T02:32:00.000-07:00

Read about our Tsmandria adventure in the previous entry.

Back to the Old Country

2009-07-08T02:27:00.000-07:00

Around 10 a.m., we met Despina Bogdanou and her 17-year-old grandson Konstantio (Kostas) in our hotel lobby. They are related to us on the Haramis side of the family. After a mild fiasco with the local rental car company (who drives manual these days?—oh yes, much of the non-U.S. world…) We took two taxis through a series of mountainous bypasses (yes, we saw a shepherd with a small flock of sheep), followed by hairpin maneuvers down narrow village roads. If we had succeeded in renting the car, we would have neither found our destination nor been able to navigate the terrain.

We arrived as the village of Tsmandria--the town my grandparents were born and raised. We were only about 15 minutes away from where we’re staying, but we may have well crossed into a universe completely different from the tourist resort on Platy beach and the relative urbanity the capital, Myrina (6,000 of the island’s 18,000 people). Kostas speaks English and translated as much as he could for us. It was difficult for him to translate at times because the relatives spoke so fast. Imagine three radio stations simultaneously blaring different Greek channels—but speeded up by some mash-up deejay, and well, you get the idea. Kostas said a few times, when we asked what was being said, “Nothing very interesting…”

In Tsmandria, we met my grandmother’s side of the family. We were greeted warmly by my grandmother’s sister Auntie Paraskevi (80-something) and her husband Theofani (82). We sat in their home, drank orange soda and met their grandson Vailos. Both Paraskevi and Theofani look fantastic for their age. Theofani credited his years as an octopus and lobster fisherman to his youthful look. My father couldn’t believe how much Auntie Paraskevi looked like his mother (who passed away in 1985). I couldn’t believe how much my father looked like Auntie Paraskevi. She told my dad that his mother Malama mentioned him often, which he was happy to hear. Theo spoke about everything—from fishing to my grandmother—with intensity appropriate to a hostage crisis, waving his arms and shouting.

The highlight of the visit: Auntie Paraskevi showed us the giant Victorola that my grandfather Christos brought over from New York when he returned to Limnos to meet and marry my grandmother. I’ve heard the story my whole life, but seeing the RCA Victrola in person was mythical and magical, and hearing it play an ancient record speeded up or distorted or aged or to sound like Greek “Alvin and the Chipmunks” had all of us swaying to the music (see previous entry for Davis’ jerky video of Victrola and Paraskevi).

As we left the house, Paraskevi’s grandson, shirtless and in a ball cap, led a donkey down the street for the kids to see. He cajoled the animal from the end of a long rope, and seemed pleased to no end when I earlier gave him a lollipop.

We also visited my dad’s second cousin Anthoula, who, we did not know about until she appeared at the end of the street warmly greeting us. She spoke excellent English because she used to live in New York City, where she worked for Jewish furriers for many years. She has children and grandchildren in New York City and New Jersey, and she seems to travel frequently in those places, Athens, and Limnos (where she has a house in Myrina and also Tsimandria.) Anthoula’s mother and my grandmother were first cousins. She gave us Greek coffee and cookies, and the kids marveled at her busy Mediterranean décor and old baking oven now converted into a smaller unit in the corner of her well-appointed but rustic kitchen.

Before we left, we also visited with another second cousin Despina and her husband Voutsae. They had a beautifully lush garden in front of their house, with flowers and lime trees. They served us fresh cherry juice—a sweet mix with candied dark cherries sunk at the bottom of tall water glasses, which we happily mixed—and which Eena and Baba loved, especially when we poured the excess in their cups for the trip back.

Our last stop, to wait for our cab, took us to Haramis Square. The main town-square was named after John Haramis, an ancestor who, it seems, was a builder who constructed much of the town and square. We were thrilled to discover that the square was named after a Haramis—and that the family name lives on so strongly in the life of this small village.

Later this week, we plan on taking Despina Bogdanou and Kostas to dinner to thank them for taking us to Tsmandria and translating. Also, Baba—who has stranger anxiety—loved Kostas and let him hold her hand to cross the street, and also pick her up!

We asked Baba if she made a new friend in Kostas, and she answered enthusiastically with a yes. Eena said “I made the same friend too!,” demonstrating that her newfound cousin has also found a place in her heart.

Christos' victrola

2009-07-07T13:52:00.000-07:00

First day in paradise

2009-07-06T13:54:00.000-07:00

While everyone napped, Eena and I watched young cousins from Australia play ping-pong. Like me, their grandparents are also from Limnos; it seems that many Greeks from the island of Limnos emigrated to either the U.S. or Australia during the mid-20th Century, and I have distant relative down under as well.

Eena and I also went to the expansive Plati Beach—which is a minute walk across from our hotel—and she loved it, raking her legs deliriously through the sand.

We returned to our room and woke everyone up; turns out, Davis had not slept, but has managed to write a bit and finalized rental car arrangements for our next two days.

We hurried to take our resort’s shuttle to Myrina (the capital of Limnos—and a neighboring port city on the southwestern side of the island). Myrina Castle, where wild deer evidently carouse in the empty fortress, hangs high above this city of approximately 6,000. We walked through the harbor—past the prominent “Limnos Hotel” which looked a bit like a wild-west façade, and then slowly meandered up a long street of tourist shops and local restaurants and businesses. We managed to buy some snacks for the kids and a few souvenir trinkets.

Most of the shopkeepers spoke English and were very friendly (we had been informed by our cabbie the night before that almost everyone under 50 speaks English, and we have certainly found this to be the case). We reached the top of the street, which formed a considerable incline from the harbor, and made a quick left toward a glimmer of ocean.

Just a few hundred feet parallel to the street of shops we discovered a breathtaking vista on the water. We had somehow journeyed to the other side of the town as Myrina Castle now rose behind us. A series of waterfront restaurants overlooked the Aegean from a height of approximately 20 feet. We spotted a playground, with old-fashioned wooden swings with backs (eliciting, from Baba, a happy cry of “I swing in a chair! I swing in a chair!). Apa gazed into the distance at a stark white church rising under the castle. Needless to say, the girls were less-than-happy to be pulled from their see-sawing to return to the shuttle.

We finished the day at the resort’s buffet dinner at approximately 8:30, clearly adapting to European meal schedules.

Tomorrow, we have a full schedule. We’ll head to Tsmandria and meet relatives on both my grandmother’s and grandfather’s side—starting with a distant (17-year-old) cousin who will arrive via moped at 10 am, along with his grandmother, to serve as our translator.

We hope also to discover the two squares named for the Haramis family!

See previous entry for more photos.

Limnos photos

2009-07-06T13:51:00.001-07:00

Yiassou (hello to you)

2009-07-06T06:28:00.000-07:00

We’ve arrived in paradise, and we feel right at home in my ancestral homeland. Limnos is one of the most beautiful places I’ve ever seen (think blue, blue water and sandy beaches).

We spent a good part of yesterday traveling from Paris to Athens to Limnos. Our flight to Limnos was delayed by two hours. At one point, a man screamed in Greek for several minutes when it was announced that our flight would be delayed again. The kids ran around the airport, made some friends and learned some Greek words ("hello to you " is pronounced “ya sue.”) We didn’t check into our hotel (Lemnos Village Resort) until around 1 a.m.

Today, we enjoyed breakfast (cereal, melon, olives, cheese, eggs, bread) overlooking the Aegean Sea. The girls swam in the kiddie (!) pool while Apa drank a beer in the shade.

We’ve just finished lunch (salad and spaghetti). D, Baba and Apa are taking a nap. Eena and I are about to check out the ping pong table, tennis courts and beach.

I’ll post pictures and write later tonight (we only have free wi-fi in the lobby).

Last day in Paris

2009-07-04T17:06:00.000-07:00

Eena and Baba loved seeing the wallabies and flamingos at a small zoo (menagerie) at the Le Jardin des plantes. When we visited the reptile house, Baba said: "Don't bite me, Snaky Snake" over and over. Eena followed suit and asked a goaty goat not to bite her either. Afterward, they played at a nearby playground. We continued to tire them out by having them climb the steps of the Petit Palais. We then took a short cruise on the Seine.

Tomorrow, we head for Lemnos with a five-hour layover in Athens. I'm hoping we have Internet access...

Luckily, we found a translator and more of our family (we think) in Tsmandria, Lemnos.

We're adventuring...Eena, Baba and Apa

2009-07-04T00:16:00.000-07:00

We weren't stuck behind closed doors all day yesterday. Eena and Baba started their day at a playground at the Champ de Mars with their Daddy. I had to sleep because Eena decided to wake up at 3 a.m. We had eggs (ouefs) and cold salad at a nearby restaurant for lunch. Then, we walked (my poor dad) for about an hour or two (or "forever," says my dad) in what was supposed to be a "20-minute" walk to the Jardin du Luxomberg. We had hoped to have the girls wade in a little pool, but the sand made the water so murky that we decided against it. We enjoyed looking at the beautiful flowers and for the opportunity to rest at one of the many benches. Next, we hopped the Metro to Notre Dame Cathedral and lit a candle for my mom. D and I visited the church the last time we were in Paris, and we went through quickly this time. The girls weren't too excited by Notre Dame as you can tell by their picture. Friday night mass was in session as tourists snapped photos of flying buttresses and intricately carved statues in side this Gothic church. We had dinner (pizza and salad) near Notre Dame and the Hotel de Ville (City Hall). The girls' favorite part of the day? When Mommy bought them Paris T-shirts. I guess they love touristy things too. Today, we are hoping to visit a zoo and take a boat ride on the Seine.

Panic room

2009-07-03T14:46:00.000-07:00

When you combine an old-fashioned door and a non-stop moving preschooler, trouble is bound to happen. Right after D left for his conference, Eena slammed our very old door shut. No problem, right? Except that screaming Baba was on one side with Apa, and I on the other side with Eena. I called D on the cell but to no avail. When I finally got through, I could hear him but he couldn't hear me. I called the landlord, but I had trouble reaching him. After trying everything (including a butter knife and credit card) for 30 minutes, Apa remembered that another door was similar. I was to pull the latch to the side rather than forward. Voila, it worked. During that frantic 30 minutes, Eena and Baba both passed out.

If only that was the end of the door story...

Hours later, Eena and Baba were playing in the room. D left for a minute. The next thing we know is that the girls are trapped on one side and all the adults on the other. We each tried to explain to Eena how to open the lock (now that we understand), but she couldn't do it. Instead, she cried. D's idea was to scale the wall from one window to the next (about three stories high). At first, I told him 'no way.' Then he convinced me that it was the only way since even our landlord wasn't entirely sure what to do. We tied "Boy Scout" knots, using two bed sheets and a belt. Apa and I held on to D as he scaled the building. It took less than 10 seconds for him to reach the girls and open the door.

I'm happy everyone is safe. And, yes, we taught Eena how to unlock all the doors in the apartment. To be on the safe side, we are propping all the doors open now.

More about our day of sightseeing soon.

Paris isn't just for kids...

2009-07-02T16:14:00.000-07:00

We had to post some photos of the adults too.

Future artists or critics? You decide

2009-07-02T16:02:00.000-07:00

Some of the art from the Louvre (Athena, Mona Lisa, Wings of Samothrace and Venus de Milo). Also, a shot at the Eiffel Tower. Read more about our day in the previous entry.

Never a boring moment in Paris

2009-07-02T15:16:00.000-07:00

Like their parents, Eena and Baba love action-packed days. Today, they went on kiddie rides, walked near the gardens and ate vanilla gelato at and near the Tuileries. We ate lunch at a vegetarian restaurant, which we all thought was horrible. The lettuce was warm in the salad. The only saving grace was that we were able to buy rice cakes there, and the girls ate most of them throughout the day.

After lunch, D went to his conference, and the rest of us to the Louvre. The girls did really well there. They enjoyed finding famous statues and paintings that I had printed out pictures of before we left. And Eena was excited to see two Athena statues.

Right as we were leaving the Louvre, Eena fell asleep. Unfortunately, I had to wake her a few minutes later so we could take the Metro (subway) to meet D. For those who know anything about Eena, she hates (not a strong enough word) to be woken up. Eena turned into a little Napoleon, ordering me to carry her to the train, through the station to the transfer, etc. Of course, she would scream and cry if I put her down once. It would've been fine if it was just the two of us, but I was holding Baba's hand too while Apa carried the strollers. When we finally arrived at Les Infantes stop, she was happy and no longer tired. We met D for a fantastic Italian dinner (the kids devoured their usual: penne with beurre). Our crew worked off our dinner by walking to the Eiffel Tower and going up to the top (right below the top). The girls charmed some Korean tourists who asked to take pictures with us. We felt like celebrities!

Everyone is exhausted and sleeping, except for me because I drank a diet coke at dinner or it's jet-lag or a combo of the two.

Bonne nuit.

Oui, oui to Paris

2009-07-01T14:17:00.000-07:00

It's official: Eena and Baba think Paris is pretty cool with all the places to play. Eena says "Bonjour" to strangers, and Baba belted out "Frere Jacques" in the grocery store. Speaking of the grocery store, it took Apa and me about 30 minutes to find the butter (beurre). And, much to Apa's dismay, it was beurre doux (unsalted butter).

Tomorrow, we head to the Louvre and Les Tuileries.

Bonjour, we're here

2009-07-01T06:24:00.000-07:00

Although D and I are often late for everything (we like dramatic entrances), we're always early to the airport. We arrived between 1:30 and 2 p.m. for a 5:15 flight. Everything was fine until the worker couldn't find an e-ticket for Baba even though we had a confirmation e-mail. The worker tagged our bags but wouldn't check them in until they could confirm Baba (technically a lap baby) had a ticket. Air France sent us to Terminal 2 (from Terminal 5) so we could figure it out with Continental. D and Baba went while Eena, Apa and I kept watch over the bags. Eena enjoyed dancing on the suitcases. Finally, with 45 minutes until takeoff time, we had the e-ticket and officially checked in our bags. We ran through security, several gates and arrived as passengers were boarding. Right across from the gate was a small playground, which would've been great had we not been stuck dealing with the airline.

As were running through security, the TSA agent asked me if I adopted from overseas, how long it took and where I adopted from. I figured she was asking security questions to make sure Eena was my child. Then, she told me that she's been trying to adopt a baby for two years, the first country fell through, and that she put in the paperwork for an Ethiopian baby. She said her social worker told her that she can't rent a room in her two-flat or something like that. She really wanted to talk more, but we were late for the plane. I gave her my email address, and she was very excited that she could email questions to me. She said I'll know it's her because she's Susan from TSA. I find that I meet more and more people in the adoption world wherever I go. Which is why I wasn't surprised when the 20-year-old woman next to me on the plane told me she was placing her unborn child up for adoption. She's 17 weeks pregnant. She's a college student and said that she's not ready to become a mother. She's working with an adoption agency, and she's going to have a partly-open adoption (she provides medical info and the family will send yearly photos of the baby). We both enjoyed talking to one another about adoption from both sides. I told her that adoption is a wonderful gift, and that whichever family she picks will be appreciative. Later on the flight, I realized that within one hour I had met one woman who wanted to adopt and another who was placing her baby for adoption. I told the college student about the TSA agent, and asked the college student to email me who the agent can contact at her adoption agency. You never know I may have made a baby connection.

The flight went smoothly (gotta love vegan meals especially because they're delivered first). Eena and Baba both slept on the plane, which was definitely a bonus. We kept them busy with coloring books, Band-Aids, etc. After we arrived, it took forever for the shuttle service to drive us to our apartment. We must've been in the vehicle for about two hours during which Eena vomited on D and I about three times. Thankfully, she's feeling better. I napped earlier. Davis, Apa and Baba are all napping. Eena is watching Dora videos on YouTube while I type this. I'm ready for everyone to get over the jet-lag so we can start exploring this glorious city.

Bon voyage

2009-06-29T20:04:00.000-07:00

We're leaving tomorrow for our European vacation (no Chevy Chase won't be joining us). Please follow our journey to Paris (France) and Lemnos (Greece). Eena and Baba are excited about their first trip to Europe. Although they've both flown on airplanes before, we are a bit nervous about the 8 to 9 hour flight. In preparation, I've packed plenty of snacks, coloring books, crayons, play-doh, plastic bottles with cheerios, stickers, paper, Band-Aids, etc. We're also bringing their favorite toys: plastic spoons and paper plates. Seriously, it'll occupy them forever. Eena likes to pretend plastic spoons are magnifying glasses, hat or shovels. Aaah, the wonders of a preschooler's mind.

Wish us luck! We'll update once we arrive.

Eena's adventures in preschool camp

2009-06-17T09:26:00.000-07:00

Eena started preschool camp this week at the preschool she'll attend in the fall. The first day, it took Dad about an hour to leave until she wasn't scared. Yesterday, it took me and Baba just 15 minutes to say goodbye. Today, it took Dad and Baba a bit longer again.

Overall, she's having fun making pink playdough, acting out "The Three Little Pigs" and playing with fake snow and bubbles. She's even remembered a few of her classmates' names. We're hoping by the fall, she'll have no trouble transitioning.

Playground haven

2009-06-05T20:05:00.000-07:00

Being a mom to two children close in age can be a bit daunting at times. When we go to most parks, I'm pushing Eena on the swings as I supervise Baba on the slide. Running back and fourth in what I like to call the "Mom Dance." All moms of two or more do it at some time. I also have rapid eye movement at the park where my eyes are always on Eena or Baba, which can be difficult at large parks as they try and run in separate directions.

Luckily, I've discovered the World's Greatest Playground. It's a tot lot, which means everything is geared for children 18 months to 4 years old. Here are 8 reasons why I love it.

1. Everything is the perfect size for them. There's even a little stove under the equipment. Baba likes to "make a cake" by putting the wood chips on the stove
2. A small see-saw, which they love. Eena pretends it's a bicycle.
3. A teeny, tiny rock wall is a great way for them to practice without Mom worrying that they'll fall.
4. It's usually empty, which means I don't have to worry about bigger kids climbing on top of the equipment or trying to push the girls.
5. A great place to socialize. I've already had one playdate there. Plus when my husband and I go, we can actually sit on the bench and talk (sometimes for a whole 3 minutes before Eena and Baba demand our attention).
6. It's about a 20 minute walk from our house. There's nothing better than getting a workout with the kids.
7. There's no sandbox! See earlier post about sand.
8. Because of the small perimeter, I can avoid the Mom Dance.

Day at the beach

2009-05-31T20:31:00.000-07:00

My husband and I took the girls on what I like to call "our annual trip to the beach." We live near a beach, but I hate sand. Specifically, I hate sand-covered kids. Sand in the bathing suit. Sand in pants. Sand all over everything. I always avoid playdates at the sandbox at the park. However, Eena and Baba loved playing in the sand. Eena rolled around in it, and she carefully poured sand into a bucket. Baba tasted sand (yuck), and she loved stomping on any sand castle I tried to build.

The sand-tasting incident confirmed why I don't like to take them to the beach. However, my husband reminded me that we'll be on vacation this summer...near the beach.

A relic from the past

2009-04-29T11:41:00.000-07:00

When I was around 9 or 10, Santa or my mom gave me a Fisher Price record player. Boy, did I love it. I remember playing Sesame Street 45s and Disney records. While I'm not sure where my records are, several years ago I found my player at my parents' house. Recently, I took it out and played a 45 from 'The Aristocats' that uses to belong to my husband. Eena eagerly followed the story in the book. Baba's toy music phone preoccupied her. I felt such nostalgia being able to not only share a toy from my childhood but one that is almost prehistoric with iTunes, CDs and YouTube. Gosh, I was born in 1974 and I feel ancient.

Full recovery

2009-04-15T13:05:00.000-07:00

Baba is finally better after being sick with a stomach flu for five days. I've never seen her that sick (vomiting, etc.) We had to bring her to the ER last week to get re-hydrated. It was the first time since she started walking that she didn't want to play. She just sat with us all day. She asked to watch "Yo Gabba Gabba" over and over. Thankfully, she's OK and it didn't spread to anyone else in the house.

Big sister Eena enjoyed playing doctor with her new doctor's kit and "took" Baba's temperature several times.

Happy 3rd Birthday, Eena!

2009-04-06T13:12:00.000-07:00

Eena turned 3 today. On Saturday, we hosted a party at our house with her friends. The kids made crafts (colored and put stickers on flower pots and bookmarks), played inside and outside, and had their faces painted.

Today, Eena opened presents from Apa, Mommy, Daddy and Baba. We took the girls to Nibbles Cafe in Wheeling. They played, listened to music and had a snack of goldfish. The girls are napping now, but we'll have some leftover cupcakes for dessert. Eena, by the way, ate her first cupcake at her party. It's official, she loves cupcakes!

Preschool jitters

2009-03-18T18:33:00.000-07:00

Last night, we went to Eena's future preschool for a concert. Eena has been nervous about going to school without Mommy. She However, last night she ran in there and danced with the other kids right away. I can't believe my baby will be attending preschool in the fall, but I know she'll love it.

Favorites in March

2009-03-07T19:40:00.000-08:00

Athena:
1. Apple juice
2. Mommy cereal (Special K)
3. Singing
4. Being a big girl
5. Aminals (animals)

Kallista:
1. Band-aids
2. Mommy cereal (Special K)
3. Soy sausage
4. Singing
5. Stuffed animals

Yummy dumplings

2009-03-01T18:03:00.000-08:00

With Eena being born in China, we try to participate in as many Chinese culture events as possible. On Saturday, we went to a Dumpling Social at Northwestern University. We learned how to make vegetarian dumplings. Eena spooned the tofu/cabbage/mushroom mixture onto the dumpling wrapper, then we put a little water on it, and Eena folded it up. Northwestern students who are a part of China Care showed us how to make the dumplings, and then they cooked it for us. While the dumplings were cooking, Eena colored and we attempted to make origami.

Eena loved the dumplings, and we will definitely make them at home.

Pretty in pink (and orange)

2009-02-19T09:16:00.000-08:00

Why stop at one playdate?

2009-02-18T08:47:00.000-08:00

As any parent knows, it's difficult to go anywhere when children are young. After gathering diapers, spare clothes, snacks, soy milk, etc., I usually make a day of it. Sometimes, we go to several stores and lunch, to Chicago for the day, or to multiple playdates.

PLAYDATE #1: Last Friday, we began our day with a playdate to a friend's house. The girls played with my friend's daughter and another friend's sons. Eena and Baba had a blast as they played with dolls and an Aquadoodle mat--and ate lunch. Aside from Eena bending her glasses, we had a fantastic time.

PLAYDATE #2: After driving around for an hour as the girls napped, we arrived what I thought was 10 minutes early for the next playdate with a new group of moms that I just joined. Later I would discover that I was 40 minutes early. As soon as I arrived, Mom #1 told me she recognized me from the adoption columns I wrote in the Chicago Tribune when I worked there. Her 2-year-old little boy was adopted from Kazakhstan. He was very sweet and great at sharing his toys (from trains to a little indoor slide) with the girls. Mom #2 showed him with her little boy who was sweet too. The girls kind of stuck together and the boys played with each other. The moms were super-nice. One is a former lawyer who just moved here, and another is a former real estate agent. The organized meet-up for moms is a great way to meet new people.

PLAYDATE #3: We went to my sister's house for dinner. The girls love going to Auntie's house and playing with their cousins. Cousin KW was at a sleepunder, but cousin LJ couldn't stop smiling when she saw her cousins coming up the stairs. We had salad, pasta and corn for dinner. Aside from playing with all their favorite toys, they watched a "Blue's Clues" video about Magenta getting glasses. At that point, Eena started wearing sunglasses until her regular glasses were fixed.

HOME: After eating a snack of Kix and soy milk, the girls got out their wiggles and went to bed.

A Sunday afternoon at the museum

2009-02-08T19:56:00.000-08:00

Today, I took Eena and Baba on their first trip to The Art Institute of Chicago. They loved the Impressionist paintings, particularly "A Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte" by Georges Seurat. Eena pointed out the dogs and monkey in the painting. Baba enjoyed people-watching the most.

Admission is free the month of February at the museum, and I plan to take the girls a few more times this month. It's in preparation for our trip to European museums.

Naked Barbies

2009-02-04T11:25:00.000-08:00

Well, it's official, I never have to buy Barbie dolls for daughters. It has nothing to do with my Women Studies minor either. Eena and I went on an archaeological dig in our basement. We uncovered a box o' Barbies that haven't been played with in about 25 or 26 years. Those dolls were once my treasured collection. Honestly, I had no idea I had so many (there's at least 12 plus two Ken dolls, some babies and several Strawberry Shortcake dolls. Eena and I treated them to a few minutes at a "spa" (we bathed them in two bowls of soapy water). My little blue-loving Eena favored Blueberry Muffin from the Strawberry Shortcake collection. Blonde-haired Baba, ironically, loves the only brunette Barbie.

The best part is that there are enough of them that the girls haven't fought over any of them. Yet.

2 years ago today

2009-01-30T08:18:00.000-08:00

Two years ago, I became a mother to one of the sweetest little girls. Here are three ways that my almost-3-year-old has grown...

Speech
Then: All she could say was "da, da, da."
Now: She talks all the time--and sings tons of songs, including her favorite: "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star." She's working hard on teaching the alphabet to her 1-year-old sister.

Food
Then: Bottles, eggs, congee, rice, watermelon.
Now: Frozen corn, pizza, white rice, pineapple and jellybeans are some of her favorite things to eat.

Mobility
Then: Couldn't crawl at 10 months. No upper arm strength.
Now: Runs, jumps, hops on one foot, and she is working hard on learning the monkey bars.

Although I look forward to watching her grow in the next year, I'm enjoying every day with her at this stage.

Happy Gotcha Day, little ladybug.

A busy day in the lives of Eena and Baba

2009-01-29T18:01:00.000-08:00

Yesterday, the girls and I cured our cabin fever by spending the whole day out.

9:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m.: First, we went to the Family Network in Highland Park that my friend has been raving about for more than a year. They have several rooms geared toward different ages: babies, toddlers and preschoolers. Plus, there's a parent-only room where adults can socialize. The parent-only room works if your child lets you leave the room. The girls played in the toddler room since they don't like to be separated in new places. The staff was very friendly and played playdough and dolls with the girls. Baba seemed to be really involved in playing. Eena kept coming over to me every so often, but I was still able to read a magazine. The last 30 minutes were spent in the large basement where Eena rode a tricycle and Baba sat in a bubble truck. We spent two fun hours there. My schedule doesn't permit me from going there on a regular basis, but I would definitely stop by again.

11:45 a.m.-12:30 p.m.: Lunch at Cosi. This marked the first time that I took the girls out by myself in about a year. I know lots of parents do this all the time, but two toddlers is a definitely a challenge. The highlight of lunch was when Eena announced she had to go to the potty and started running toward the bathroom. I quickly unbuckled Baba out of the high chair, with her bread in hand, and helped Eena reach her destination.

12:55-1:20 p.m.: Eena and Baba talk instead of nap in their room.

1:20-1:24 p.m.: Change Baba's diaper. Eena declares she's not tired and she heads downstairs.

1:25-1:40 p.m.: A crying Baba refuses to nap.

2-3 p.m.: The girls fall asleep ... in the car.

3:10-4:30 p.m.: The girls play at the (free) Jammin' Jungle indoor gym at the West Ridge Center. We met a nice mom whose little boy was the same age as Eena. And we saw one of our friends who lives down the street!

4:45-5:13 p.m.: We eat pizza for dinner! My husband meets us there.

5:15-6:15 p.m.: The girls attend their sibling class at Gymboree. Two of their friends join the class.

Today, we spent a much quieter day at home. Well, if you consider drinking pineapple juice, and bellydancing, quiet...

Gung Hay Fat Choy. It's the Year of the Ox

2009-01-25T20:12:00.001-08:00

Eena and I celebrated Chinese New Year with a special "Mommy & Eena" lunch at the mall. We shared her favorite meal: a slice of pizza and a cup of gelato. I also bought her a pair of blue tights, which she's been requesting for some time now. She held the blue tights throughout the mall.

Later, at home, we celebrated some of the CNY traditions with Baba: hanging cut red paper, cutting our hair, sweeping out the bad luck of last year and welcoming the new year, put out oranges for wealth, and we built an alter to honor our ancestors (my mother).

Tomorrow, I'll give red envelopes with money to the girls.

Hopefully, the Year of the Ox will be a successful one!

Learning to improv

2009-01-21T11:23:00.000-08:00

Although I love acting, I've always put it on the back burner. I studied theatre in junior high, high school and as a minor in college. As I explore career options, theatre continues to surface on my "what-can-I-do" lists.

Two weeks ago, I started a beginner's improv class at the Second City Training Center in Chicago. I love it. The class enables me to express myself and use my energy wisely.

Although with two kids, I'm always using my energy in an efficient way.

Parenting mag

2009-01-16T02:11:00.000-08:00

One of my favorite magazines is dividing itself into two publications. Parenting magazine turns into two mags: Parenting Early Years and Parenting School Years. I look forward to checking out the new incarnations.

For more info, see http://www.mediapost.com/publications/?fa=Articles.showArticleHomePage&art_aid=98452

5 of their favorite things

2009-01-16T01:57:00.000-08:00

Eena often remarks how she loves something "so much." Here are 5 things that are repeatedly on her list:

1. Blue (as in the color)
2. Babies
3. Mommy
4. Dolls
5. 'Go Potty Go' video

When Baba likes or wants something she says, "ista, yeah." Here are 5 things on her list:

1. Blanket
2. Books
3. Daddy
4. Elmo
5. 'Go Potty Go' video

Breakfast of champs

2009-01-10T13:01:00.000-08:00

Merry Christmas

2008-12-24T08:55:00.000-08:00

Two years ago, I spent my last Christmas as a non-mom. It was a month before I left for China to adopt Eena, and I was pregnant with Baba. The unknown filled me with excitement and a bit of nervousness. Last year, my daughters celebrated their first Christmas. Eena didn't quite know what to make of the gifts, and Baba was too little to even know what was happening.

This morning, I told them that Santa would visit when they go to sleep tonight. Within 5 seconds, both girls were on the floor pretending to sleep. What a difference a year makes! I can't wait for them to see what Santa brings.

My girls, of course, are the best gift in the world.

Happy holidays!

Now I know my ABCs...

2008-12-21T12:32:00.000-08:00

In honor of Eena learning the ABC song, I baked letter cookies for her alphabet party. Eena sang at the beginning of the party, which also featured Alpha Bit cereal. Crunched for time, we postponed the alphabet pasta until Christmas dinner.

Baba hopes to have an alphabet party soon; she already knows "hijklmnop."

Who need to buy presents?

2008-12-21T12:16:00.000-08:00

Eena loves to pretend she's a robot with the tubes that formally house wrapping paper. My daughters also love boxes, gift wrap, bows and--most of all--bubble wrap.

New roomies

2008-12-11T02:58:00.000-08:00

We moved the girls into the same room yesterday. Eena was so excited to share a room with Baba. I was nervous about them actually sleeping, but surprisingly they did! At naptime, they talked for an hour and slept for an hour. When they awoke, a lamp was turned over and the child's rocking chair was moved to the middle of the room. Oh, and part of a plant--which had always been in Eena's room--was on the bookshelf.

At bedtime, they played and talked for about an hour. On the monitor, I could see Baba tossing a stuffed animal out of her crib and Eena throwing it back at her. I also observed Eena giving tissues to her sister, which she promptly shredded and threw on the floor. They finally fell asleep and slept through the night:)

This is the start of a beautiful relationship as sister roommates. Hopefully, they'll have as much fun as my sister and I had.

10 things done

2008-12-11T02:46:00.000-08:00

10 things I've crossed of my to-do list

1. Write the first draft of a children's book that I hope to publish.
2. Bake an apple pie from scratch.
3. Move my girls into the same room.
4. Take Mommy & Me classes with my daughters.
5. Bake holiday cookies from scratch.
6. Give a speech on writing to an audience at the library.
7.Clean the basement.
8. Work on my non-fiction book that I also hope to publish.
9. Create an address database on computer for holiday cards.
10. Drove 12 hours with two toddlers in the car.

Riding in style

2008-12-09T14:27:00.000-08:00

Marc Jacobs and Bugaboo have joined forces to design a new stroller. The result? A $1,500 black stroller. My husband and I have amassed 6 strollers (some hand-me-downs, some gifts). My favorites are two umbrella strollers that I bought. They're easy to get in and out of the car when I go to the mall or when we travel. They were also the cheapest; they each cost under $15. We bought stroller connectors that convert it into a double stroller. Although there's no designer name attached to it, the strollers are practical ... and who says practicality can't be fashion forward?

So thankful

2008-11-28T12:01:00.000-08:00

I asked Eena what she was thankful for last night. She said:
1. Soy milk
2. Elmo
3. Her blanket.

I, of course, am so thankful for my two little girls. Eena just said the alphabet from A to Z during our trip to the East Coast. She's so proud of herself, and she sings it non-stop. Baba is also singing, but her song of choice is "Happy Birthday."

Cousinhood of Traveling Pants or Dress

2008-11-13T10:27:00.000-08:00

Eena and Baba love living so close to their cousins! They share toys and clothes. Once in a while, each girl is able to wear the same dress. It's adorable to see them wear the same clothes, especially when we remember what Big Cousin looked like in an outfit three or four years ago.

Waiting game

2008-11-12T11:09:00.000-08:00

Our Dakota Fanning future is on hold for, well, three more months. We went to Talent Agency # 1, and an Employee asked to bring her out to meet the agents (without her parents). My husband and I watched as the agents said hello to Eena and she just ate her apple slices quietly. I had no idea that is what they would do or else I would have prepped her to say hi to everyone.

When they returned to the room, the Employee said to bring her back in three months when she'll be a size 3T and when she'll likely be more talkative. The Employee said several times that Eena is super cute and that they definitely want to see her again.

Next time, I'll make sure she isn't eating and that she's ready to talk to everyone. Well, at least, we have three more months to prepare.

Twinkle twinkle little star

2008-11-11T11:24:00.001-08:00

When layoffs were looming at my former place of employment, I told friends that if the ax fell on me I would become a stage mom. Think Jade Barrymore, Dina Lohan, Lynne Spears but without all the drama. Last month, my husband and I sent in pictures of our daughters to Talent Agency #1 in Chicago. They called and want to interview Eena on Wednesday. We don't have to bring anything just ourselves. Baba will stay home with our nanny.

Eena is sometimes a little shy when she first meets someone. However, the talent agency wants outgoing kids. I'm going to do my first Stage Mommy thing and give her a little candy beforehand to make sure she's energetic. Just so you don't think I'm a bad mom: Eena rarely has sugar, and she eats tons of vegetables and fruits every day.

Will Eena be the next Dakota Fanning? Only time will tell...

Halloween cuties

2008-11-03T16:53:00.000-08:00

Ni-Ou, Neo and Ne-Yo

2008-10-15T19:41:00.000-07:00

Every once in awhile, I record "Dancing With the Stars" to watch with A & K. They love the music and the dancing. We watched last night's show tonight. A was dancing around the living room, especially after she saw the two little girls dancing. K was shaking to the music too. R&B singer Ne-Yo performed his song "Closer." A's Chinese name is Ni-Ou, and and we kept it as one of her middle names. We also gave K the middle name of Neo, the Greek spelling. When I told A that the singer was named Ne-Yo, she said: "Just like me!"

Although I'm not sure of their singing skills yet, I recently sent photos of the girls to a talent agency in Chicago...maybe my Ni-Ou and Neo will be famous too.

Future Nittany Lion

2008-10-09T19:02:00.000-07:00

Like most of KJ’s clothes, this Penn State shirt was worn by AJ last year. I bought this shirt in June 2005--before either of my children were born. Although we’re not into football, I still want my daughters to show off their Penn State pride because that’s where their parents met and fell in love.

Dream, sweet dreams

2008-10-08T20:40:00.001-07:00

I don’t know what my daughter slept in the first night of her life when she was abandoned at the Zhonglin Medical Center. I also don’t know where she slept the first four months of her life while she was in foster care. But I saw the crib she slept in from age 4 months until she was 9 months and 24 days old when I visited the Fuzhou Social Welfare Institute. It was small and attached to five other cribs. The baby that was sleeping in her crib was under layers of blankets, and I could only imagine that’s how she slept too.

The first night AJ was with us at the Jiangxi Hotel in Nanchang, she fell asleep quickly in a blue playpen. At the White Swan, a brown wooden crib. At home, she slept in her tan crib. Two weeks ago, we converted it into a toddler daybed or as she calls it her “big-girl bed.”

We’ve been talking about it for a while now, but as you see the time was right. She’s been sleeping in it every night! And, she even gets up to use the potty in the morning. We still haven’t figured out how to get her to go in the middle of the night, but my sister assures that it will just happen around the time she turns 3, which will be in April.

Sleepless nights

2008-09-10T11:44:00.000-07:00

Whenever I can't fall back asleep in the middle of the night, I often think about the days I became a mother for the first and second time. I close my eyes and imagine being in the Hualong International Building, a high-rise housing the Jiangxi Province Center for Adoption Services--on the 26th floor--in Nanchang, China, on Jan. 30, 2007. I remember seeing Athena for the first time and crying as she was placed in my arms.
I also think back to July 30, 2007, when Kallista was born. I held her and cried too, this time in the Highland Park Hospital. I remember being shocked that she was born on the 6-month anniversary of the day we adopted Athena. I'm not sure if all moms re-live the day they became parents, but I find such comfort in these memories. It's ironic that the two little girls who gave me sleepless nights in the beginning are the ones who help me return to Snoozy Snooze Land.

Fit for a (Burger) King

2008-09-02T19:34:00.001-07:00

Long car rides guarantee one thing for us: multiple potty stops. It was near lunchtime when Eena had to go. We pulled into a fast-food restaurant parking lot. After going potty, Eena expressed her hunger.

My husband and I became vegetarians almost 10 years ago, swearing off not only meat but fast-food restaurants too. Well, that all changed in the parking lot. We’re still vegetarians, but we ate at the Burger King. To our great surprise, there were Mac & Cheese kids’ meals with apple “fries.” The girls loved it. We loved that the high chairs contained disposable bibs, wipes and the requisite Burger King crowns.

While there are no whoppers in our future, the little princesses are keeping our minds open.

The daily juggle

2008-09-02T19:33:00.000-07:00

Blogging is tougher than I thought. Especially when you’re looking for a new job…oh, and chasing a 2 year old and 13 month old all day.

There’s the endless attention required by the children—sippy cups that need to be refilled, a constant parade of snacks that in their aftermath need to be removed—in crumb form—from the floor. I’m no different than other moms here, pulling delightful contented smiles from my kids in the midst of a meltdown, or juggling the laundry buzzer, the boiling water on the stove (for pasta, of course), and the endless cleanup of toys like so many flaming bowling pins.

The job search is going OK. Most people were away on vacation last week because of the Labor Day holiday. With that in mind, my husband, daughters and I traveled to St. Louis to visit my in-laws. It was a nice break away from Chicago.

Divorcing work diet

2008-08-21T19:57:00.000-07:00

Who knew I didn't have to break up with you to lose weight. I just had to break up with my job. Since my former job parted ways with me last week, I've shed 4 pounds. How did I do it? The loss of appetite from losing my job, the increased veggie and fruit intake with my children, more time to walk/exercise and, of course, the girls who are always 5 steps ahead of me.

Ring ring

2008-08-20T09:54:00.000-07:00

The call.

When you're in high school--and small things are of earth-shattering importance--the call usually comes from that cute boy you like. Toward the end of college, the call is your first job offer, and you move, in the moment, from one world to another. As you get older, you receive different types of calls, sadder calls, disappointing calls: "You're not pregnant." ... "Your father-in-law has brain cancer." ... "Your mother has been hit by a man driving a pick up truck. She's brain-dead. There's no hope."

Then, there are calls you've been praying for: "You have a daughter from China. She's from the Jiangxi Province. She's beautiful with big eyes and a round face. She's driving a toy car to come see you." or "You're pregnant. Congratulations."

There's also the dreaded call.

With mass layoffs in the newspaper industry, in particular at my home, the Chicago Tribune, I feared getting that call. Last Friday morning, the call came at 10:43 a.m. It was one of the editors--the person who hired me 6 years ago--saying due to the economy that it would be my last day. Calling me a "terrific employee " and "too good a person," he unfortunately was calling to say goodbye. 6 years and more than 200 articles...gone in few seconds.

Join me as I explore my possibilities, write about life with my two girls and comment on everything from parenting to trends to whatever is on my mind. Athena (who calls herself "Eena") and Kallista (who Athena calls "Baba") make calling anyone impossible.

Call me, or, on second thought, post a comment here.