Victoria's

I walked out of Victoria's Secret today with a big bag in tow. It contained a boxed set of my favorite perfume and some lotion, just because. But I had to laugh thinking how many passers by were wondering what this REALLY pregnant lady was doing buying up Victoria's Secret.

Hee hee hee.

... Hell, I never really fit in their lingerie before I was pregnant.

It's SO clean here!!!!!!!

I watched a friend on Friday with antibacterial hand sanitizer, wipes, kleenex and even a toilet seat cover for the park restroom all over the course of our 4 hours together (love ya Sarah!). I had to giggle to myself, for if everyone only knew what we see everyday in Bangladesh... ay carumba.

Let's just say that we have lots of vaccinations and are luckily not germ-a-phobes. Good thing!

But really, WOW, it's SO clean here!
In the great words of Forrest, "That's all I have to say about that."

Rain, science lesson and misc

We drove home tonight in severe rain, blowing across the Midwest from another batch of deadly tornadoes, which struck Missouri earlier today. It's hard to believe we have been driving in crazier rain here, than while in Dhaka. Though when you think about it: 1) in Dhaka you can't drive faster than 10 mph hardly anywhere, so it never seems so intense as here at 50 mph, 2) we don't drive far in Dhaka, usually only a few blocks from the house and 3) really "madam" rarely drives in Dhaka, and would seldom have the need or want to mess with driving in the rain there, just nothing that pressing (or exciting enough) to justify going out in it.

Ceiba enjoyed a meteorology lesson from her Uncle John tonight and came inside to reenact (quite vividly) the process of making thunder and lightening. Too funny. It had me driving home a bit marshmellowy, thinking about some of the "little things" that we miss out on by living half a world away. The rain, thankfully, kept me from thinking too deeply for long :)

And here are a couple pics from today out with gma & gpa at the Strawberry Festival, and Ceiba & I on a hike at the Watershed Nature Center earlier in the week. Ready for Papa to arrive and share in the fun. We miss him bunches.

Marine Corp Commendation

We were bummed to not be front and center in Dhaka today, while Chris received a Certificate of Commendation from the Marine Corp commander. He couldn't be more modest, so I'll dote on him for a bit, sharing in how proud we are of him. And coming from prior military service, I think this couldn't have meant more to him.

It went a little something like this:

SUPERIOR PERFORMANCE OF DUTY WHILE SERVING AS THE ... FROM... TO ... (MY HUBBY) CONTINUOUSLY WENT ABOVE AND BEYOND HIS DUTIES AND PERFORMED THEM IN A HIGHLY PROFESSIONAL MANNER. DURING THIS PERIOD (MY HUBBY) REPEATEDLY SACRIFICED HIS OWN TIME TO AID IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE MARINE SECURITY GUARD DETACHMENT, LEADING TO THE PROFESSIONAL SUCCESS OF ALL THE MARINES ASSIGNED TO US EMBASSY DHAKA. HIS LEADERSHIP AND DEDICATION TO THE DETACHMENT WAS THE EXAMPLE TO BE EMULATED BY ALL. (MY HUBBY) OVERSAW OVER 50 INCIDENT REPORTS ISSUED FOR PHYSICAL SECURITY MEASURES USED BY THE DETACHMENT, ALLOWING THE PRINCIPLE BUILDING TO REMAIN ALL SECURE. ADDITIONALLY, HE LED AND OBSERVED COUNTLESS RESPONSE DRILLS FOR VARIOUS EMERGENCY CONTINGENCIES BY THE MARINE SECURITY GUARDS. HIS ROLE IN SERVICE AS THE LINK BETWEEN THE MSG DETACHMENT AND THE REGIONAL SECURITY OFFICER WAS THAT OF A SEASONED AND EXPERIENCED LEADER AND WERE IN KEEPING WITH THE HIGHEST TRADITIONS OF THE DIPLOMATIC SECURITY SERVICE, THE UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS AND THE UNITED STATES NAVAL SERVICE.

I wish I had the quiet, strong presence that he has, the personality to never NEED to be commended or noticed, the dedication to service that has always been inside him. He will always be a military man, always be a team player and always sacrifice himself for his country. That's who he is, and there isn't a day we don't look up to him and feel so proud of the service he has given and continues to give to our country. Everybody needs a hero, but it's extra special that he walks right through OUR door every night.

Ahhh.... America

After the 30+ hours of transit and flights, we arrived to Illinois last weekend. Our baggage... it didn't. But we did get it the following day around 2PM. Nothing like spending your first day back stuck in the apartment waiting for bags. The ridiculous thing is that they made it from Dhaka to Hong Kong to Chicago with us, cleared Customs, but then couldn't get on the plane to St. Louis in the 3 hours we were in Chicago. Maybe the flight was overweight, either way, a bit of a pain.

Our temporary digs are convenient. Not as stellar as Oakwoods in Falls Church (Pearson Square), but nice and "our own" for the next several months. We are thoroughly enjoying catching up with family and friends, frequenting restaurants and stores, and enjoying clean air and surroundings. We are not enjoying being away from our favorite guy... at all :( We do all eat together daily- our breakfast with his dinner while on Skype. We are happy to hear and see each other every day, but look very forward to his arrival in a few weeks.

 above: Our first breakfast and morning at our local park

below: (Denise's side) Our niece and nephew growing up

 above: highly anticipated first lunch out, which happened to be last lunch in 2010 (rt)

below: Wal-mart damage... no need to zoom into receipt, just know it was A LOT

Wal-mart, Target and Shop 'N Save all earned a day of shopping to themselves. You just cannot truly appreciate their worth and awe until you live in a developing country. Amazing and oh so clean!

 above (5), below (3): grocery shopping bliss!

 above: some lunches out, McDs with Chipotle and Steak 'N Shake

below: Papa's favorite (we didn't eat there yet), train riding at the mall

 

 above and below: our bestest friends Chris & Ann showing Ceiba farm babies

Tonight marks a week that we've been back in the States. We are a bit tired from all the adventures, but many more await, several that we are especially waiting for Papa to be here to enjoy. The best is just spending time with family and friends, almost feeling like we never left. We look forward to the rest of our summer enjoying America time (and amazing upload speed, and no power outages, and...)!

35ish weeks

We're getting there! As we are soon to depart for the good 'ole USA (yippee), wanted to send one more prego pic update. I'll miss our pretty orchid in the pregnancy pics, but will try to post one last one before delivery from our temporary apartment in the States... as long as it's not a mad dash to the ER on some unexpected day.

Still feeling really well, though I probably won't be saying that next week after a 30ish hour transit, 3 flight, date-line-crossing trip alone with an almost 4 year old. We are all anxiously anticipating Papa's arrival to the States shortly behind us and bambina's debut... in that order PLEASE!

Rooftop Baby Shower

When we first told one of our neighbors about our expected little one, her first words were "Congratulations! I want to throw you a baby shower." Then shortly thereafter, another couple of lady friends were also secretively organizing a shower, when they learned about our neighbor's plans. So the wonderful three teamed up and gave us a spectacular evening!

We never dreamt to receive a shower here, really for 2 reasons: 1) we had only just arrived to post and 2) this was not our first baby. But since this was our first pregnancy, since the embassy folks are VERY hospitable, love a party and make everyone feel loved from day 1, and since everyone knows we can't exactly hop on down to our local Target, they were adamant to treat us to wonderful hospitality!

...And we can't thank our organizers (A, J & L...sorry no pic of all of us, darnit) and all of the friends who attended enough.

 above (l to r): friend/organizer L, Mama to be, friend/organizer A beside game of measuring me

below (l to r): dinner & drinks, games & scenery, Mama opening gifts

 above (l to r): Ceiba helping open Thai tea set, Mama & friend H, the girls helping me unwrap

We live in an apartment, so they planned the party on the roof after a work day. The weather was beautiful (I only got hot when all eyes were watching me unwrap) and the scenery was terrific. It just so happened that a new building a block over was getting ready for a grand opening, so was lit in beautiful blue lights from top to bottom. It was a nice backdrop to the shamiana (tent) and decorations. The food was wonderful, and the company couldn't have been better. Ceiba was in and out, being a social butterfly with the ladies fussing over her and helping me unwrap gifts. Chris hibernated back to our apartment, enjoying the solitude, checking periodically on us. We all had a great time and sincerely appreciated the wonderful wishes, gifts and company of our Dhaka family of friends.

And who knows, I may be paying it forward sooner than I know... sounds like there are many new families heading to Dhaka with babies on board. Seems that Dhaka is THE place for new and expectant parents!!! Bring on the babies!