So over the past couple of days, all my encounters have been with people from another country. You all know I love accents (
#1 on my random list), so I've been in absolute heaven.
Here are a few scoops out of my life's melting pot lately...
::French Connection::It was a gorgeous day, and Aubrey and I decided to take a stroll around the complex. As we headed out, I noticed a lady putting her son in a stroller as well. We were in front of them, and I kept thinking to myself, "Turn around and introduce yourself!" It was that awkward distance which is too far to just slow down and let them you catch you -- you'd pretty much have to stop and/or turnaround. I hoped they would speed up, but then, before I knew it, they were gone. Dang...must have taken a different street. Well, that's when Aubrey and I began "the hunt." We burned up those sidewalks trying to figure out their route so we could "accidentally" bump right into them.
After about 15 minutes of wishing we had that great BOB jogging stroller, I was profusely sweating. I sadly admitted defeat and just strolled nonchalantly with the babe. As we rounded the corner to head back to our place, we spotted them coming from the Leasing Building. Ah! Caught ya! I introduced myself and she did the same. I have NO idea what she said her name was, but I did catch everything else we talked about after the name exchange.
She's French and her little boy just turned one on Sunday. His name is George Edward {Umm...how cute is that!?}, and he's the most handsome little boy you've ever seen. Quick visual: sandy-blonde hair, drop-dead-gorgeous blue eyes, and a bit of a tanned face. The mom said her husband is from Italy {explains George Edward's sweet tanned face...}, and they're only here for two years for his job. {Amazing how this "hubby's job brought us here for a short time" theme keeps popping up around here...}
Anyway, as we chatted all the way back to our prospective homes {mainly both complaining about the noise, the dirt bike rider, the fireworks, etc.}, Aubrey and George Edward couldn't keep their eyes off one another. We agreed to take the babies to the pool once it gets a little warmer.
Poor Aubrey...I'm not sure she's ready for bikini season.
{What season?!}
::Hopping on the Ukrainian Train::Our neighbors were extra noisy yesterday, and woke up my precious sleeping baby {I think God's
really working me overtime with the whole "love your neighbor" lesson}. Aubrey was so tired, but couldn't get back to sleep {the CONTINUED noise wasn't helping matters} so I thought we'd go for a walk. Aubrey wasn't having it. So, after lugging a 20 lb. baby and pushing the empty stroller all the way back home, I remembered the little cat toys I bought to take to my new "Cat Lady"* friend. I had yet to visit and kept talking myself out of going over there. It's so hard to just knock on someone's door {I thought I could use the cat toys as an ice breaker}. I figured, well, this day can't get much worse...I'll just take Aubrey over there with me. If she gets fussy I'll use that as the reason to head back home. {Please tell me I'm not the only awful parent out there who uses their child as a quick exit strategy!?}
I knocked on the door and was greeted by the Cat Lady's husband. He said, "You must be Ashley! 'Cat Lady' talks about you all the time! She's going to be so glad you're here!" Out came Cat Lady, and the smile on her face made me wonder why I had waited this long to visit. She's truly a lovely person. Aubrey spotted the kitties {and their toys} and completely forgot about being tired. Cat Lady made some tea and brought out some cookies and Ukrainian chocolates. She whisked up Aubrey and said, "You sit, I want you relax...I take baby...you enjoy your tea." Bless that woman!
We sipped on our tea {out of the most gorgeous, vintage Russian tea cups I have ever seen} and just talked. Well, we would say a few sentences and then have to corral Aubrey out of the cat toys/bed/food. Cat Lady spoke Ukrainian and Russian to Aubrey while we were there, and Aubrey just soaked it all in with amazement. She even started jabbering in little words I've never heard her say before. It was so incredibly cute.
*I don't want to put Cat Lady's name on here...it just feels like an invasion of privacy or something. I will say, however, that it's a great Ukrainian name. ::The REAL Super Nanny::This week, Aubrey and I went to the mall because the girl has literally outgrown everything she owns. I would bet money that her legs grow an inch overnight. Anyway, we were waiting for the elevator to take us to the children's department {I would swear they change the location of this department every time we go. I park on the second floor, Children's is on the first. I park on the first floor the next time, it's on the second. Ah!}, and an older lady came up to wait with us. She said {in the most wonderful British accent}, "Ah, love, must be teething, eh?!" talking to Aubrey as she was gnawing on her toy. I told her I think we've been teething for months and still no tooth to show for it. The lady said, "Well, I've been a nanny for over 60 years, and I'd say she'll get that tooth pretty soon!"
"Wow, 60 years! That's incredible!"
"Yes dear, been with the same family for 3 generations. Now they take care of me!"
I almost cried it was so sweet.
"Now, I'm not like those British super nannies you see on TV, oh no, I don't know where they did their training, but it's all rubbish I tell you. I started out in a maternity hospital when I was 16 years old. I've been around children ever since. I'll be 82 this year."
Thinking to myself, "I need to somehow suck all the knowledge out of this woman's brain," but all I could get out was, "So, what's your best advice when it comes to children?"
"Enjoy them, dear. Just enjoy them."
Priceless advice.
**********
Here's a little preview of what's been going on in our "American" household:
Daddy helping Aubrey try a Baby Puff for the first time.
Aubrey discovered our stairs. Mommy discovered new gray hairs.
Until next time...au revoir, paka, cheerio, and goodbye!
As with most things, I get stuck on something and just can't "let it go".
{Almost} a two year run...
Farewell Friday Funsies!
