A Day in the Life

Its hard to believe that we've been here for a week already! It is starting to feel like home, but life is still a bit foggy. Our typical day has been starting at 4 or 5, when the kids wake up with unacceptable amounts of energy. The boys are still really battling the jet-lag, insisting on going to bed early and waking up even earlier. I think Matt and I have adjusted just fine, although it is difficult to tell for sure because we aren't exactly given the opportunity to see how normal our schedule might actually be. So anyway, the adult members of the household are dragged out of bed at the wee hours of dawn and a french press or two of coffee is immediately brewed. The coffee here is fine; there is a huge selection and so we just picked out something cheap. Our 4am-selves seem to find it rather glorious, actually. Although I do miss my maple syrup, sugar and cream are easily acquired so I'm not really roughing it. The next three-ish hours are spent trying to keep the boys happy and relatively quiet. We are on the 7th floor of a 10 story building, and all of our floors are laminate. We are trying to be good neighbors and keep the running, jumping, and throwing of toys to a minimum at least until 6 or 7.

Once it starts to get less dark out (it has been mostly overcast, so the sun doesn't noticeably come up) we usually head down to the playground to let some noise out. There are at least a half a dozen playgrounds all within less than a block, so we have been venturing to a new one most days. I'm thinking the playgroud industry would be a good one to get into here! It has been cool and rainy since Sunday, with lows in the 30s and highs in the 40s or 50s. I actually have really enjoyed the weather so far -- we brought raincoats and boots for all of us so the rain hasn't slowed us down much. Matt has been trying to get caught up on work, so he usually stays home for the morning playground outing. At 10am most stores have finally opened -- we have an ongoing list of random things we would like to find, but without a Target or Wal-Mart it is surprisingly difficult to check things off the list! Most stores also don't have their inventory posted online, or have a website for that matter, so we end up just exploring and hoping to stumble upon the things we

are looking for. The workers and friends here are a big help for the things we really need, but finding stuff like stick-on hooks or toy shovels and balls is a bit of an Easter Egg Hunt. The stroller has been well worth bringing--Lev naps in it on our way to the store and after he wakes up then it's Finn's turn for a nap. Although I would prefer to be home during nap time so I could nap too or get a few things done, it is super nice to not have to fight them to sleep and awake again. Yesterday I did my first shopping trip with both boys while Matt worked (nothing crazy, only to shops within walking distance). Public spaces are generally not handicap accessible so I found myself stuck at times, trying to figure out what to do with Lev while I carried a stroller of sleeping Finn up or down a half-flight of stairs. Strangers were very friendly, helping with doors (most of them are really heavy and narrow) or even entertaining Lev while I was consoling Finn. Lev has a way of wooing all the ladies with his charming smile and drunken-sailor walk.

We had study meeting at our friends place and stayed for tea, cakes, and cookies after. I thought we would lose weight here as a result of all the walking, but cakes, cookies, and chocolates are shared often. On our way to meeting was thoroughly reprimanded (by the mother of one of our friends) for having my legs exposed to the cold. It was 45 degrees out! She was so worried about me that she had to find a shop immediately and buy me some stockings. I just can't bear to wear tights or leggings yet! The apartments are all smoking hot, like 85 degrees, and by the end of meeting I'm soaked in sweat. And then I'm supposed to drink hot tea?! Hopefully I adjust to this nonsense -- they haven't even turned the heat on to the city yet! We have been able to keep our apartment comfortable so far by keeping the windows open. I don't love the resulting traffic noise, but at least the temperature is reasonable.