Little Things

Since I rarely post, I thought I try to challenge myself to write short entries about the little things!  

The other night, N and I were laying in bed trying to fall asleep, N was tossing and turning and wiggling so I said, "N, you need to go to sleep." I could tell he was trying to fall asleep, but sometimes it helps to calm his wiggle down.  In response, he pulled his little thumb out of his mouth and said, "I sleeping mommy, no worry." Made my heart smile! :-D

Now a short about M. She is getting SO big and her little personality it starting to show. The other day she was sitting with me on the bed (no, we don't spend all day there) and found two of her pacifiers on the bed. She picked up one, sucked for a bit, then quickly shot it out of her mouth to put the other one in. We went back and forth like this for a few minutes and then she tried to put the extra one in my mouth. I'm not sure if she decided that she liked on or the other, but it sure was cute! 

We are now on Amtrak heading to the Tyler Place, a family camp on Lake Champlain in Vermont. I encourage you to Google it if you are curious, but we are excited to say the least. N and M will have age group summer camps while S and I will have our adult summer camp in the mornings. We'll spend the afternoons together and then go back to our adults only dinner.  

5 Pros and 5 Cons of Tegucigalpa, Honduras

A few other bloggers in the Foreign Service are posting their Pros and Cons for their current Post.  I feel that a little over halfway through my tour is a good time for me to compile my list.  Here they are:

Pros:

1. Weather - The weather is always nice here, even in the hot/dry season, it doesn't get much beyond the mid-90s.  Humidity is fairly reasonably and there is a good balance of sun and rain most of the year.

2. Proximity - Everything in town is pretty easy and quick to get to.  Even in traffic, it takes a maximum of 20 minutes to get to the Embassy.  Everything in town is about 10 to 15 minutes from our place.  We can zip around easily to the few things in town there are to do.  (See Cons)

3. People - Hondurans are very nice and kind as you get to know them, recognizing that it is a poor country and people try to get any advantage they can.  This makes for generally stressless visa interviews.  People don't lie as much as they do in other countries and they RARELY scream, argue or get angry even after being turned down for their visa.  Most people say, "Dios le bendiga," and go on their way.

4. US is close and all products are available here - There are no marathon flights or more than two flight segments needed to get home or wherever else we may want to go in the US.  The only slightly annoying thing is flying from Portland/Seattle requires an overnight somewhere en route due to the flight time restrictions coming into Tegucigalpa.  Also, probably because we are so close, we can get anything we want here and in multiple brands.  The only thing I really miss is Trader Joe's, but we can get everything else.  I would even venture to say that things aren't much more expensive than retail prices in the US.  Amazon stuff makes it in about a week!

5. Embassy (Consular) Team - I work with a great group of people, both Americans and Hondurans.  There is good morale and we get the job done well.  I'm glad to have such a great Consular tour...I hear they aren't all this way.  Special shout-out to my office mate in the Pump Palace!

We like a lot of our colleagues and many families have small kids to hang around with.  We have been lucky to have made a lot of friends, new to Post and people packing out.

Cons: 

1. Nothing to Do - There is nothing to do.  Malls, no green spaces without a significant drive, only the American school down the road.  The famed Honduran beaches are 5-7 hour drive, or an expensive flight to Roatan.  There are a few closer beaches, and hotels to visit, but they are marginal.  N goes to school just to give him space to run around.

2. Security Situation - This is always on your mind.  Sometimes you feel fairly safe, but when you look at a map of Tegucigalpa, there is very little area where the gangs don't operate and there are car break-ins and robberies in the area around the embassy and you see private security guards everywhere.

3. Americana - (Borrowing from another blogger)  Most of the time you don't feel too far from home.  Most the fast food restaurants are American owned and you can't find too many ethnic cuisines.  There is Latin American culture around, but you have to get out of Tegucigalpa to feel the culture and personality of Honduras.

4. Lack of Green - I love trees, rivers, streams, grass, nature, etc and there is really none of that here, even as you drive out of town.  The lush green that appeals to me so much apparently exists, but I haven't found it.  I feel bad for saying it, but even the pretty areas can't match to what I love so much about the Pacific Northwest.  I miss it dearly!

5. Nothing to Do - Since this encompasses so much and affects us a lot, I am putting this twice.  It is really hard to get out and do anything.  There is really no place to go after work to work out some of N's energy.  Poor M only leaves our 4 concrete walls once a week if that.

Overall, it has been a good tour, but I really hope we can find a Post where we can at least walk around or get out a bit during the week.

Almost 2015!

Like many out there I'm sure, I can't believe it is almost 2015...just 8 days left.  Although Christmas is in there somewhere, this one promises to be a quiet one without family nearby.  To top things off, our freezer died right before Thanksgiving and our poor Christmas turkey melted, Xmas dinner TBD!  Edited (still sounded whiny):  I'm surprised how emotional I have been with my parents moving out of the house, I decided it was too long of a trip to not be very helpful in moving them out in early December because I would have had to bring Matilda.  Wishing we were all together this holiday season and hopefully we'll see everyone on both sides of the family soon!

Dad was photographer!

We are very much back into the swing of things here in Honduras, it feels like we never left!  M is growing longer each minute and N is trying his darndest to potty train...or maybe he is trying to stay un-potty trained.  S has started working as a security escort in the Embassy and already knows more people than I do.  He is moving all around most of the day, traveling to sections of the embassy I have never been too.  Though we both agree we prefer our own jobs and not each others.  I interview a little under 100 people per day, rarely do you get a "new" interview.  I feel like I've interviewed people before when it is their first time applying because so many of the stories are the same.  Nevertheless, I still find the job interesting...which is necessary because I'll be there for at least another 9 months or so!

N and M seem to really love the nanny.  She has requested activity ideas and a menu for N...if I were only that organized.  I created a list of potential meals and then she asked about snacks!  O_O  Being in Honduras, labor is relatively cheap here.  We hired a carpenter and for a little over $100, N and M have their own playhouse!  Painting is still in progress...

M is currently sleeping in my arms and N is bouncing around painting watercolors, drawing, sweeping, opening and closing doors, among other things.  The nanny and housekeeper are concerned that he doesn't sit still long enough to "play."  But I see so much of me in him and I still rarely sit still.  In job interviews I always used to answer honestly that my biggest weakness is that I get bored easily.  (Now he found a mop and is mopping the walkway outside.)  Our lovely M:

In other news, thanks to some friends, we've finally found a pizza place we really like!  And without anymore babbling, here are some pictures of N's school Xmas production:

Our Newest Addition - Birth Day Story

August 7th started as every other day during August had started for me this year, hoping that the baby would have made her appearance that night.  No such luck again.  At this point I had started to think that it might be better if she waited until after my sister's wedding, especially if she waited another week!  That morning I had another midwife appointment scheduled and was hoping that a membrane sweep would push me over the edge.  I had been having noticeable contractions all morning, but of course they stopped once I got to my appointment, I was severely disappointed!

After the appointment, we decided we'd finally get some biscuits at the famous biscuits place near the midwives...anything to keep my mind off the fact that baby M was still staying put!  While standing and waiting for our food the contractions came back, it must have been funny for the other patrons to behold...though no one said anything to me, they just smiled awkwardly!  By 2 pm I knew the 7th was the day, but was sure it would be at least a few more hours.  Even though it felt a little early, I called my cousin to come watch N so she could beat rush hour traffic.  Next I called the midwife for the same reason, but she thought I'd have a few more hours and so she told me she'd be there in about an hour.

My cousin arrived a little less than an hour later and started distracting N, no one got a nap that afternoon so we were all grumpy.  My dad then heads out to get some food for the long night ahead of all of us.  The midwife arrived at 3:15 when I was in the middle of believing I couldn't do it again.  (I now know I was almost done, but at the time I was still imaging hours ahead of me...)  Next thing I know, as the midwife was unloading her supplies (with only 1 of the 3 midwives there), I pop and she is coming.  Two pushes later at 3:31 she had joined the world.  She had great apgars of 9 and 10, way to go girl!

...Then my dad got home with the snacks...  It all happened so quick and right after lunch, no one ate anything.  The rest of the midwives showed up and then they left about 2 hours later and we were a family of 4.  She has been a wonderful addition to the Streetts and I'd like to think she is happy to have joined us!

Honduras, Take 2

We have made it back to Honduras.  We landed about 3 weeks ago and have re-settled in nicely.  Fortunately for us, this has been the easiest transition for N.  I guess this will go down as his first "home" that he remembers.  Packing up was difficult, but we didn't face as much fussiness as we had for the other moves (VA->Honduras->WA->Honduras all in ~6 month period).  N has also just started nursery school, although he had a short stint in daycare at 9 months old, this is is first time really being away from us for.  He likes school, but until last Friday he didn't want to let go of us at the door and cried of happiness when we picked him up.  I'm glad he is adjusting well!

First day Picture, he picked out the hat

Then he wanted to drive himself

Cried when we picked him up because he wanted his mommy so much

Happy and proud after his second week, color was Blue and letter was B

It is amazing to see/hear him growing up so quickly.  He brings home new words from school everyday and I think they are encouraging him not to suck his thumb.  Another surprise of this most recent transition was the relatively painless move back into potty training.  He has only had a few accidents, but with GI discomfort since returning, I am even more impressed on managing to make it to the potty each time.

He seems to be enjoying M (our newest addition).  Helps her roll over, calms her down when she cries, talks to her, etc.  The only thing is a bit of jealousy when he wants to be held and mommy is feeding the baby.  He can't say her name yet, but calls her baby.  Every time she cries he tells us that she wants to eat.

We do miss Ga (grandma AND grandpa, they don't have two separate names), but with FaceTime, it is a lot easier to keep in touch.  With all the new fangled technology, being overseas feels so different than when I went abroad in high school and even college.  Even though we are a thousand miles away, we can talk to family whenever we want for as long as we want.  Though no more hugs and watching "bi" with Ga.  Ga, grandpa, got N addicted to watching YouTube videos this summer.  I guess it is good because now mommy and daddy can have a few minutes of time to ourselves or with M.

M is settling into her new home nicely.  Our housekeeper and temporary nanny love her.  She hasn't quite adjusted to the heat though, she gets heat rash more frequently than I'd like, especially when she rides in her carseat.  She is so alert these days, and her smiles are great!  M loves to be held and gets sad when we put her down, N was the same way, but it is tiring to hold her all day long.  Here in Honduras, if we don't put her in pink, everyone thinks she is a boy because we haven't pierced her ears.  We are helping her learn how to roll over, N loving it when he can roll her over himself.  Good thing she has a strong neck!

3-Month Update

Take my picture, I'll even try to smile for you!

3 months in and we have less than 3 weeks until we fly back to the Pacific NW to give birth!  We have become more social lately, hosting and attending BBQs.  Although N hasn’t had much experience playing with other kids, I’m always impressed how great he does.  He does try to take toys now and again, but he is pretty chill and doesn’t seem to mind too much when other kids take his toys or push him around.  I guess he got dad’s genes when it comes to keeping his cool and going with the flow...I, his mom, doesn’t have quite the patience of the men in my life.  

It is so much fun to literally hang-out in the Ikea bag!

Daddy carries me all over the house!

Pictures, mommy gave me her old camera

Say cheese!

More picture taking!

Daddy and mommy being admonished after admonishing him.  Don't pluck the petals off the flowers!

N had been doing well maneuvering Honduras (after our initial 2-3 weeks of bruises) and his new toddler bed until this week.  First he fell off a dining room chair, then was flopping over in bed (while sleeping) and bruised the bridge of his nose, next he wasn’t paying attention to his walking and fell down the stairs and got a bloody nose and finally he was wrastling with a little boy from next door and they lost control of the toy and cut his lip.  He is still the same cheerful, playful little guy he always is, but looks like he joined a fight club!  

I just keep getting more and more pregnant, people seem quite amazed that I still have 9 weeks left...I guess I’m pretty big!  S has applied to an embassy job, so we are hoping to hear good news, there aren’t too many jobs that don’t require fluent Spanish.  It really makes it difficult for spouses to work when the language requirements are so high.  Most of the jobs, IMHO do not require as much Spanish as the supervisors want, but I guess it is handy to have someone who can communicate on the local market in case it is needed.  Even if he is selected, he’ll have to wait many moons for his security clearance to come through and I can’t imagine it being completed before we are ready to come back after maternity leave.  S and I have hired extra help for the newborn and N for the fall.  We just need to decide if we want to put him in daycare/school for half-days in the fall.  He is a little young, but he loves playing and other kids so much...what to do?

Cleaning with my new hair cut!

I guess it only makes sense that most of what I talk about is N because he is the most interesting of us all, so more on N.  CLEANING!  N loves cleaning, he likes to mop, dust, use a wet rag to clean everything, he LOVES vacuuming and especially spraying cleaning sprays.  I feel bad for our domestic employee because he tries to “help” a little too much while she is working, but she takes it in stride and lets him help mop after she is done.  Maybe when he is a bit more coordinated, he’ll be an actual help!  I’m excited to have a little helper after the new baby is here.  S wasn’t too much of a fan of getting me a glass of water every time I’d forget and then start nursing, N on the other hand will be thrilled to fill a glass with water and walk it to me! 

Can you see my banged up face? 

April Update

We have now been in Honduras for 2 months now and we have 2 months until we head back to the Pacific NW to give birth to little Streett #2. I feel like we won’t be quite settled by the time we have to go.  I guess such is the nature of this life, by the time you get settled you have to pick up and move again.  N is definitely enjoying the weather and all the space to run around here.  He rarely wears more than a T-shirt and is doing fairly well on our newest round of potty training.  He gets “off” with each change, but is still growing like a weed.  He measured almost 35 inches this morning, but skinny as a string bean.  His cute little baby thighs aren’t going to last much longer.  Although I find it a little too hot being pregnant, it isn’t as formal as it was at Main State so I can dress more comfortably going to work each day.   

I’m enjoying my job and I feel like I am getting the swing of it.  It is harder in some ways than I expected, but better in others.  Not just for our lives, but it will difficult to go and come for my job as well.  When we first get back to Pacific NW, I’ll be doing a temp job at the Seattle Passport Agency, where hopefully I will add to my skills to bring back to the embassy with me.  We shall see!  It is going to be quite the summer.  

We have been getting out more, mostly to restaurants and grocery shopping, but it has been fun.  We have a French Sunday brunch place that we go to most weekends.  We have a couple pizza places we like, and one we don’t.  If you are a fast food fan, Tegucigalpa is your perfect location.  There is a main road where there is every kind of fast food under the sun.  S keeps suggesting a Ruby Tuesday outing, but I must say, it doesn’t sound that appealing to me in either country.  Though I have heard that the food tends to be better that the Sysco food you would get at Ruby’s back home.  Tegucigalpa manages to have a Thai place (really tasty!) that is more expensive that we’ve ever paid for Thai food in the states!

In a final piece of trivia, there are 3 people from Vancouver, WA here.  It sure is a small world!

N and his favorite pastime, squirting the hose!