After some research, we chose St. Louis Hospital, not far from our house and church, and a middle of the road semi-private hospital.  Not being one of the major private hospitals used by the International community, the level of English is intermittent. So the first appointment was interesting :o)  We managed to iron out the miscommunications fairly easily, finally correctly establishing that Jasmin is 4 years old and I miscarried in February not 7 weeks ago! And knowing some Thai was useful in another way: nurse and technician exclaiming together when they caught sight of the gender so clearly so young (a boy) but they weren't about to tell me in English.

The best part was just the same as always - that first view of the life inside. And Baby Hu gave a fine show of gymnastics for us. Extra special was the opportunity to capture a short video clip on my phone - the doctor offered it!

Baby Hu is due to arrive in the world June 16th or so.

Our Advent/Jesse Tree.

We've been encouraged and pleased that the girls remember with delight the different traditions we've tried to establish in our ever-changing lives - especially when the form seems to change each year!

 I think the girls missed being able to go swimming...

They beg to go at least once a day...

and even at night...







And once again their confidence and prowess has taken a jump...

Grace can dive - but she still keeps he nose plugged with one hand :o)

Jasmin has a number of wild and artistic jumps

They both jump off a 3 ft bridge with abandon

All this leaving Mommy rather breathless... and fighting to keep chlorine hair damage at bay (unsuccessfully so far )

Jet Lag Thoughts

**When you fly 1/2 way around the world with kids, there is nothing you can do in flight to minimize the effects of jet lag.  Kids will sleep, eat, and play on their own schedule regardless of sense and sensibility.  But then, with meal times and sleep times more or less dictated by airplane schedules, not much you can do anyway...
We got far too hungry on our first flights (why must they be so strict with bringing your own food on board??) as the first flight had no meal service, and we had to buy a snack if we wanted one.  And since our flight was nearly an hour late arriving, we had no time in transit to buy anything before boarding the next flight. Unfortunately, we got stuck in a long line waiting for take off, so we couldn't get any snacks for a tortuously long time as the rule is they can't open the snack bar until after takeoff. After that, we seemed to be fed so frequently we always had left overs to snack on!

**Kids have an amazing ability to ignore jet lag and have a good time wherever they happen to be...
We ended up arriving late into Japan also, and stuck in a huge line for transit security clearance, but Grace and Jasmin cheerfully took the time to play with their teddies up and down the window seat while Mommy waited in line and Daddy charged his computer. We are indeed blessed with wonderful girls!

**Arriving home either stirs excitement and energy or gives permission to finally crash.  Guess who did what...
 As soon as we got in the door, Grace and Jasmin immediately began playing with all their toys to say hello, no matter that we arrived at out apartment around midnight.  This continued until around 4 am when Mommy dragged herself back out of bed to mop up some extravagant water play and to persuade them it was really night time and they should sleep! 
We are still working on this time zone adjusting - even last night the girls went to sleep around 9 and Grace got up around 4 for a snack and then quietly occupied herself with coloring and books till Mommy got up at 6:30.

**Jet lag and early pregnancy don't mix. The tiredness and nausea seems to be amplified who knows how many times over. Mommy started with getting about 10 minutes of normal activity levels before wanting nothing but to go back to bed, and now, 4 days later, still only manages to get about an hour... a long way to go before it's "back to normal" at this rate!

We have been just tumbling through the days, each one full with things we didn't plan to do but it is all good. What with an intense short reunion weekend for the Fraser family, a whirlwind week visit from NiNi and Yea Yea, and a number of short visits with old friends, we have been kept more than busy! Especially since in-between all these things has been the decision making and practical helping for my parents to move to a more suitable place now that Dad's mobility is not so good and they are empty nesters.
So, in fitting with the tumbly type days, here is a mix of pictures of what we've done in the last month:

Raked and jumped in leaves!  Some interesting things surfaced... having to explain to Jasmin that you can't really rake the leaves off the trees... and explaining and encouraging what you do with a big pile of leaves - jump!

 

 Enjoyed Imma's big book of children's stories at bedtime

 Of course, it NEVER was just one story at a time!

 

                                     Baking with Uncle Jamie









Enjoying blue skies and lakes...  Grace even daring to dip her toes in - in November!

 

Imma's playdough bakery shop   

 And another fire and marshmallow day!  This time with Jo and at the beach... with the lovely salt air, blue seas, waddling ducks, and seaside birds.