Bruises, Mayo & Thigh High Boots

Today we ventured outside of Kyiv with another World Bank family to a restaurant/farm where we fed pigs, goats, chickens, ducks and rabbits.  We knew we were definitely not in the US when we noticed that a pig was being slaughtered just beside the pen where children were hanging out visiting the animals. A much more realistic depiction of a true farm, but in the US I am sure this would have caused general panic.  

Anyway, our children did not bat an eye and I tried to ignore the smell of the burning pig hair as we walked by.  After a monstrous lunch of typical Ukrainian food (warm cranberry grog, dumplings, a pizza-like cheese dish, pickled vegetables and grilled pork), Gio chased 5-year-old Alexandra all around the restaurant with squeals of delight.  The fun was momentarily stopped when Gio face-planted into a table corner (see photo below), but he was soon back up on his feet ready for more.  He does love the older girls! 

Gio vs. a table

This afternoon we drove (yes, we are finally mobile!) to the supermarket.  Here are two shots I was able to sneak- the security patrol the aisles constantly trying to catch such criminal behavior, but today I was able to get these!

Ukrainians LOVE mayonnaise.... this was only a small sample of what the aisle had to offer.  Just thought it is amusing that even in American you cannot find such a large container of Hellman's. 

Seriously.  This is how women dress here EVERY DAY.  I mean, we were at the supermarket on a Saturday afternoon.  I feel like a complete slob here, but I just don't think I could ever pull off the fur coat/thigh-high-stilletto-boot look. 

And finally, some random things I found on my camera today......

Ice falling from buildings is a frequent hazard here.  Wearing a sturdy hat and obeying these "velvet rope" warnings seems to be the only option for avoiding a major head injury. 

I have thought a lot lately about the differences between our last post and this one.  The streets of Delhi were absolutely filthy with rotting garbage, trash and the added bonus of men constantly peeing in public on every roadside and corner.  I do not miss this aspect of India.  Public toilets (and perhaps the deterrent of freezing weather) plus the presence of trash cans at frequent intervals makes for a much more pleasant stroll. 

A Grumpy Day

Today I am feeling a bit of a grump.  My back went out on Saturday as I was trying to lift our giant fellow who still insists on "Mommy hold you" whenever we step outside.  Today I tried to walk three blocks and barely made it home, hunched over and moaning like a 98-year-old the whole way.  I made things worse this morning by taking Gio out to play in the snow- there is finally enough on the grass to try out our sled and I was just not thinking about the consequences.  He loved it but pulling him was not a smart thing for me to do.  40 pounds of toddler is quite a lot of strain on my aching body.

So I am afraid I have nothing much to say that does not include complaining today.  Here are a few photos of random things.  I hope all of you are feeling great.  Go Steelers!!

Could Ben himself rock these tights quite as well as Mr. G?  I think I will have him wearing this shirt right up until Superbowl Sunday!

Our post-swim ritual...chocolate!

Decisions, decisions....

Gio always contemplates this forever ("Hmmmmm.....Hmmmmm") and then picks the pink one EVERY time.

Perhaps it was the added weight of "Big Tom" that threw out my back completely today....

....but Gio sure loved the ride.  When I could no longer pull Gio he pulled the sled himself with Big Tom riding.  Notice the gloves!  We have had a breakthrough...he finally willingly wears them!

Gio's New Room

Our things arrived 5 days ago and the only room I can really say I have finished is Gio's, so I will only post shots of his new digs.  This is probably the biggest and best room he will ever have.  And he will probably not ever remember it.

Morning wake up- straight to "choo choo trains"!

View from train table into back half of room. Thanks, Micki & Annie for the glider and drawing table!

Gio was so happy to have a proper sized crib and his tent back.  He loves his cozy cave! Thanks Tim & Jay for the giraffe!

Our sauna is now our storage unit- filled with all that we might miss...like peanut butter, juice boxes, pancake mix, etc.

Oops.  How did this picture get in here?  The room I am avoiding.... And yes, the new bed arrived without some key parts...like all of the hardware and the center beam.  What a pain!

Gio's birthday gift finally arrived...6 weeks late!

The rest of the house is a disaster but I even managed to hang pictures in here this weekend.

Phew.  All of this unpacking has been exhausting.  Thanks, Linda, for this adorable rhino sweater!

Taking a break from Unpacking

I had to wade through boxes, rolled up rugs, picture frames and many other things to even find my computer, so it is amazing I am even posting.  The move was rough, as it always is for me.  For those who know me well, you know that I do not do well with clutter and disorganization so the chaos of having 8 men here delivering box after box after box was overwhelming. We have gotten a handle on much of it so I am feeling a bit calmer now.  I will post pictures of our "new, improved" home in a few days.  And, yes, I am still selecting from the same three outfits as I have not had the heart to battle the many boxes of my clothes since we are sorely lacking in closet space here.  What is it about Europeans and their disdain for closets?  Oh, how I wish the Container Store existed here....

Two of the three trucks coming to unload our things.  It was a narrow fit through our alley.  Gio loved all of these "mans" and was eager to help.... sort of.  We ended up sending him out with Larysa in the stroller for most of the day for a "mobile nap" and time at the park. Luckily it was a warm-ish day!

So, today we took a break from the work at home and walked with Gio to the fancy hotel down the street to take a dip in their amazing pool.  I have been taking Gio there every afternoon this month but this was the first time that Paolo got to see Gio's frenzy in the water.  As you can imagine, I love to do this with him not only because it is fun, but also because he wears himself out so much that he has been sleeping until 9 most mornings (and taking 3 hour naps!).  As much as I absolutely love the little fellow, I do also enjoy it when he is passed out.

Enjoy this little video.  It does NOT show me in my best light- think exhaustion, no exposure to sunlight in months and soaking wet.  Not pretty.  But the focus is not on me, of course....  Enjoy Gio in action.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UQaBx5gn0nE

Jan 12th- Back in Kiev!

We are back!  I finally made it to the West Coast after quite a lot of travel chaos late on Christmas Eve.  My adorable brother Andrew picked me up in San Francisco and we drove to Reno early Christmas Morning to be with sister Molly and her husband Tucker (who are both ALSO adorable).  I spent a relaxed week there hanging out with the crowd, shopping, baking and generally basking in the glorious sounds of the English language.  It is remarkable how truly isolating it is to be in a country where no one speaks English and even the alphabet is completely foreign.  India, though arguably a more "foreign" place in many ways, felt more comfortable for me mainly because I could count on being able to communicate with nearly everyone.  So, even after only a month in Kiev I was starved for English by the time I landed at SFO. Andrew hosted me for two days in San Francisco at the end of my time in the US. I had such fun roaming around and collecting things I needed in Kiev like a MUCH warmer coat, baking powder and cinnamon...and, of course, Reese's Peanut Butter Cups!

New Year's Day I flew to Italy and was so happy to see Paolo and Gio, who was remarkably not mad at me for "abandoning" him for 9 days and instead wrapped his meaty little arms around me.  I of course, melted.  We drove up to the Alps to meet the Bernese Mountain Dog breeder we are hoping will be able to give us a new puppy this spring. We met their HUGE 6 month-old puppy Nick, who was at least 90 pounds already.  Apparently these Northern European Berners are huge- males get up to about 140 pounds.  Wow.  We are really going to have a challenge getting a crate big enough to bring him home to the US....and, well, bags big enough to pick up his poop....  But I digress.... We also met two of their females who they expect will be pregnant soon.  The names alone had us smiling, but their personalities completely sold us.  Socks and Lunchbox (yes, those are their names...along with another female named Onion!) were affectionate and remarkably gentle with Gio.  If all goes as planned we will have a new puppy on our hands by Paolo's birthday in early May.

meeting the "puppy" Nick....all 90 pounds of him.

Lunchbox...perhaps the future mother of our puppy!

And Shoes...another expectant mother.

After the dog visit we headed to Castelnovo to spend the rest of the week with Paolo's family.  There was quite a lot of ice and bad weather which gave us plenty of time to indulge in lounging and eating all of Zia Luisa's wonderful meals.  Gio spent most of his time following around his two 11-year-old cousins, who were remarkably tolerant, even putting him down for his naps and showing him how to fly paper airplanes, a past time that has, in typical Gio fashion, now become a full-blown obsession.

So, now we are back in Kiev.  Our movers arrive tomorrow with a 20-foot container of stuff that I am not sure is really going to fit in this apartment.  Pictures will follow of what was once a spacious, empty place filled with boxes and piles and a harried me trying to find a place for it all. I hope all of you, my (few) faithful followers had a wonderful holiday.  Christmas continues full force here in Kiev, much to my great annoyance.  Christmas music is blasting in every store and cafe, and Santa is in every window.  Granted, Ukraine celebrated Christmas just last weekend, but it seems like maybe it is time to move on... PLEASE!

Gio took this shot himself!  What raw talent.

My scarily crowded bedside table...quite a few books to read.  That's my Kindle in the middle which includes at least 20 more titles.  Notice the "Potty Training in One Week" book in the background.  So so optimistic.

A final shot of our empty living room...and Gio who is simultaneously flying his paper airplane AND eating playdough.  Ah, 2-year-olds.

Gio's garage....

...and his Play-Doh snack.