Gold Coast, Australia

Happy Chinese New Year! It goes unnoticed in the western world, but the lunar new year is a big deal in Asia. Most of Singapore shuts down for several days and it was a 4-day weekend this year, so we decided to take advantage of Matt's time off and head down under. It was originally going to be a family beach trip and surfing trip for Matt on the Gold Coast, but with the broken arm and recent surgery it turned out just to be a wonderful time at the beach for all of us.

We took an all-night flight to Brisbane which turned out to be more painful than our long trips to Houston. As hard as a 13 or 14 hour flight can be, at least it leaves plenty of time for meals and a nice long stretch of sleep for the kids. This was only an 8 hour flight and by the time they finished dinner the lights were only off for about 4 hours before they woke everyone up to serve breakfast. We were all exhausted. But that all changed as soon as we got our bags and went through immigration (and quarantine...whew knew the Aussies were so crazy about what kind of food you bring in?) we headed straight to a koala sanctuary I'd been excited to visit.


Ben got to feed the wild lorikeets. We also saw a big flock of wild cockatoos that was just amazing but I wasn't quick enough to get a picture.

We saw a few wombats and they were all stretched out on their backs like this.

And then on to the koalas! They are just adorable and sleep in the cutest positions.

This was a teenager named Fanny that just slightly outweighed Alex. Ben kept petting her and giving her kisses and she didn't mind that he was calling her a monkey.

We also saw these blue-tongued lizards all over the place. Some of them were up to 3 feet long and not a bit shy, so I was a little nervous of them.

Ben had fun feeding the kangaroos and I couldn't figure out why his food was lasting so much longer than mine, then I noticed that he was feeding one tiny pellet at a time....

....we had to work on a more efficient feeding method on a hot day!

Then we left Brisbane and drove south to the Gold Coast which is a popular vacation spot for the Australians because of its beautiful beaches that stretch as far as the eye can see. We were fortunate enough to get a serviced apartment on the 30th story with an amazing view.

Ben loved sitting on the balcony but we couldn't let him near the rail because it was a looong way down.

Matt and I both agreed that the beach looked so much like the beaches in Rio de Janeiro, with the long expanse of golden sand, the aqua water, and the high rises. All that was missing was the guys walking around selling beer, coconut water, and grilled cheese.

Looking back toward our building (the one on the right) at 45 stories high, it was dwarfed by the Q building which is supposedly the tallest residential building in the world.

Here are the guys all ready to hit the beach! Ben perked up a lot when we got outside.

Our family beach photo. Thank goodness Matt got his stitches out a few days before we left so he was able to swim and do anything with his splint on. Or take the splint off and use it as a shovel in the sand. Whatever works!

One morning while Alex was napping we took Ben to a huge arcade on the main drag in Surfer's Paradise. He was crazy about the bumper cars and I literally had to drag him out of there after we rode a few times because he refused to leave.

A close second was driving a race car with Daddy.

Ben was so focused....I'm pretty sure we'll be spending our fair share of time at these in the future.

We had a few more credits to use before we left so we let Ben hit the buttons on this jackpot machine and what does he do the first time? hit the jackpot!

We spent his tickets on a great prize - a flashlight for the kid who's addicted to lights and batteries. It was also the best way to get him out of the arcade because he was totally in love with his new toy.

A picture at the end of the main street looking toward the beach. We loved the area because we could walk everywhere and things were very casual and family-friendly. It was a terrific place for a laid-back vacation.

Back at the beach one afternoon and Alex was loving it. He was NOT a fan when the sun was out because it got pretty hot, but under the clouds and breeze he had a ball. Ben loved the beach no matter what and kept asking to go play in the water or dig in the sand. Our last afternoon there we stayed out until sunset to completely wear Ben out so hopefully he got his fill of the beach!

Our last evening on the balcony.

How do you keep a 2-year old busy in the car? Give him a tube of chapstick. It got us back to the airport without having to waste any battery on the DVD player. We liked flying Qantas but their kids' movies weren't great and I didn't want Toy Story to end before the flight did!

So now we're back home and completely unpacked from all of our trips. Coming back from such a long trip to the US, I wasn't totally thrilled about the idea of another trip and long flight but it was completely worth it. We got to relax and enjoy some time together as a family while we explored a new country. Our little travelers have now been to 3 continents! and they probably won't remember anything about it :)

Diagnosis: A Big Head

Whew....I'm thanking the Lord today for a healthy little boy! We were doing our best not to worry about the head ultrasound today but it's impossible not to let that little nagging doubt into your mind. I just kept thinking it would be so ironic (and not in a funny way) that we'd spent years concerned about Ben's health and our apparently healthy, normal baby may be the one with problems. But that's not the case today. The radiologist did an ultrasound on Alex's head through his soft spot and confirmed that everything looks completely normal. He just has a huge head! It just reminds me to be grateful every day for two beautiful, healthy boys.

Alex is on the verge of sitting up by himself. He still needs just a little support for balance but I think in another week or two he'll be upright on his own. I remember this being a great time with Ben because the world is a new place from that point of view and suddenly they're able to entertain themselves a lot more...much to a mother's delight!
It was a beautiful weekend here so we decided to take Alex for his first dip in the pool. He cried a little at first but then started splashing and kicking, so I think he may be a fan. He's so much more padded than Ben so he may be able to stay in the cold water longer than his big brother, who starts shaking and gets a little blue if he stays in too long.
Since our trip to the US, Ben's language has improved dramatically. He uses long sentences now and is constantly narrating everything I do - "mama's in the kitchen", "mama's putting on a blue shirt", "mama's in the bathroom on the potty"...yes, that will be fun in a public restroom! One that really made me laugh this week was him bringing me my deodorant and saying "put on my armpits" (I have no idea where he even learned that word!), so along with lotion and chapstick, now he wears deodorant.

Good News

Thanks, Grumpy, for sharing this article...hopefully it's going to be true for Alex! (Ben has always had a small head so he'll just have to use that brain a little harder)

Babies with big heads smarter by age eight

Pictures

I'm finally getting a little bit back to normal. The boys have gotten their days and nights straight again and are sleeping at more predictable hours, thank goodness, so I'm getting a bit more rested. That's not to say that Ben and Alex have been a lot of fun because they're still pretty cranky - Ben especially, but I'm beginning to think that may be more of a factor of his age than anything else. He is definitely a 2-year old. He's screaming away in his bed at the moment because he doesn't want to take a nap that he desperately needs. But that's another story...

So here are a few pictures from our last days in the US...

The boys with Grammy and Grumpy

Everyone with Grandma and Grandpa Kirkham and Aunt Amanda

Here is what jetlag looks like in two little boys. This was at 4 in the afternoon, which had been 2am back in Houston. It's not an easy time difference to adjust to for anyone!


The boys both went to the doctor yesterday for checkups.

Alex at 6 months:
19.0 lbs (75th percentile)
26.5 inches (60th percentile)
Overall, he looks terrific and is doing all the things he's supposed to be doing at 6 months like smiling, laughing, reaching for things, lifting his chest off the ground while on his tummy, making crawling motions, sitting almost independently, etc. The only thing that really concerned the doctor is that Alex's head circumference jumped from the 50th percentile at 4 months to the 98th percentile at 6 months. That's an enormous amount of growth that's disproportionate to his body and cause for further investigation. The doctor scheduled a head ultrasound next week to determine whether fluid is collecting in his skull and causing the rapid growth, a condition called hydrocephaly . We are of course hoping and praying that Alex just has a big old head and happened to get measured during a time when things are out of proportion. Please remember him in your prayers this week as we wait to hopefully rule out a serious problem.


Ben at 31 months (over 2 1/2 years):
27 lbs (15th percentile)
37.5 inches (60th percentile)
No doubt he's going to be tall and thin for a while! He grew nearly 6 inches this year. He still doesn't eat much but loves anything dipped in ketchup. Apparently even pancakes taste better with a little ketchup on them.

Silly boy drawing a mustache...

It's nice to be settled back at home and have our normal routine again, although we already miss our families back home terribly. I've been trying to remind myself about some of the things I love in Singapore, like a grocery delivery service, cheap pedicures and local food, and restaurants that all take reservations on Saturday nights. The weather has been beautiful since we got back. It's still technically the rainy season (although I've found out that no matter what the season is labeled, the weather could do anything) but it has been sunny and breezy nearly every day, with a high in the upper 80's and low in the mid 70's. Absolutely perfect. Still, I miss having our own house and two cars, going to one store for all 20 things on my list, drive-thru's, and free parking. But such is life!

All Settled In Singapore

We left Houston on a cold, rainy Tuesday morning and after 22 hours of flying arrived in Singapore to a warm, humid Thursday morning. Just a few hours later Matt had to go see a hand/wrist surgeon (lucky us - we already know a good one thanks to Ben's broken arm) and scheduled surgery for 6am Friday morning. He had to have a titanium plate put on his left radius where he basically shattered the end of the bone at his wrist. His "outpatient" procedure left him in such severe pain that he had to stay in the hospital on IV painkillers until Saturday afternoon, but otherwise the doctor was very pleased with the results and we're hoping for Matt to make a full recovery. So between that and two little kids with terrible jetlag who have been taking turns waking up at all hours of the night, we have been a cranky bunch around here! The good news is that all 8 suitcases are unpacked, the laundry is put away, and we're seeing a little progress each night in how long all of us are sleeping so there is light at the end of the tunnel. What has been really disappointing to me is that I was hoping to use some of these miles we've been racking up on Continental to fly back with the boys for a few weeks over the summer but I've learned that it's pretty impossible for me to handle the jetlag with both of them myself. It's really out of the question until they're a bit older and the trip would be worthwhile.

It's a little bittersweet being back here because of course we hated to say goodbye to our families again, knowing it will be months before we see any of them, but it's so nice to finally be at home in our own beds again. Ben and Alex were such little troopers to hang in there over such a long trip without much of their familiar routine and I think they're both happy to be home, even though Ben keeps talking about his grandparents and Kitty Abby.

Once I finally find the cord to my camera I'll share some pictures...we still have piles of stuff to sort through (mostly on my desk at the moment). I haven't even looked at the mail yet and I know we have bills to pay but my waking hours are pretty consumed with keeping the kids entertained until the next time we can all go to bed!

6 Months Old!

Happy half birthday to Alex! I can't believe he's been part of our lives for 6 months but I've already forgotten what life was like before our sweet little baby was around. He's such a good-natured, happy guy and we look forward to watching him grow and develop his own personality. It's hard not to compare everything he does to Ben but so far they've been total opposites - Ben was serious, hated to eat (still does!), and slept all night. Alex will laugh at anything, will eat anything, and loves to see a friendly face in the middle of the night. We're hoping to work on the sleeping once we're settled back at home in Singapore, though.

What a joy and blessing we've received in little Alex! I thought it appropriate for him to wear his cow outfit on his last day in Texas...

The bags are packed and we're enjoying one last meal and cold night in Texas, then we're off to Singapore in the morning....say a prayer for good travel if you think of us tomorrow!

Where Have We Been?

Well, we've been all over Houston, to Alabama, Dallas, and Mexico (but just Daddy on his hunting trip) so things have been pretty busy at the Kirkham household. Or Kirkham collection of suitcases would be more appropriate. We have bounced from house to house no less than 12 times since we got here in November and I've spent an outrageous amount of time packing and unpacking these poor kids. Ben about lost it today when he saw me packing everything up again to leave Grandma and Grandpa Kirkham's house one last time. The boys have been very patient but I think we'll all be happy and relieved to be back in our own house again, even though we're going to be really sad to leave on Tuesday. I'm already dreading leaving but won't let myself think about it just yet. We're in the home stretch now and loading up all the stuff we've bought and received for Christmas in our 7 suitcases for the long trip home.

So on to happier things, like what the boys have been up to lately!

Alex LOVES to eat. No big surprise there, since he's not exactly a lightweight, but I didn't know kids could get so excited over a bowl of cereal or a jar of peas. He says "mmmmm" the whole time when he's enjoying his food. He's already at 3 meals a day to keep that tummy full.

Who is that?!?
We had several different Christmas celebrations and unfortunately I never got a group picture at any of them. I was just horrible about taking pictures this entire trip. First at the Kirkham house we opened gifts before Christmas and Ben quickly got the hang of tearing everything open. It was a slow process for him because he would make sure every shred of paper was gone before he'd continue.

Alex was more interested in hitting the pretty packages and drooling on them.

Then we were off to Alabama to see Great-Grandpa Kirkham. Alex wore his santa suit on Christmas Eve but unfortuntely the hat didn't fit so well on the big head :)

Ben enjoyed opening more presents, of course, but he would usually be happy with one and abandon the rest of the gifts. He'll learn.....

We came back to Houston on Christmas day and were surprised to find out our rental car was upgraded to a convertible. Not the most practical car in the world for a family of 4 and all their stuff, but a lot of fun on a warm Christmas. Ben loved watching the roof fold down and feeling the wind. We swapped it out the next day for something a little more practical.

On the 26th we had Christmas morning #2 with the kiddos and let them open the rest of their presents at Grammy and Grumpy's house. They were so cute in front of the tree.

Are all those gifts for ME?

Ben was a little overwhelmed by all the gifts and maybe we made a mistake by wrapping things separately, but I thought it worked out well because I packed everything he didn't open so it will be all new later on in Singapore! I hope to stretch the gifts out all year because toys are at least twice as expensive over there and it kills me to pay so much for the exact same things.

One great toy and this kid is happy for hours.

Dr. Ben was crazy about his new medical set and took everyone's blood pressure.

He was also lucky enough to get some great board shorts that Daddy picked up in Indonesia.

But Ben's #1 hands down is still Kitty Abby. He absolutely loves her and she tolerates and sometimes even likes him in return, especially when he leaves chips on the floor. Ben's other favorites at the moment are ceiling fans (which should always be on), lights (which need to be tested repeatedly for correct function), anything broken, and dancing. He is an absolute ball of energy and has been talking up a storm since he got here. His sentences are getting longer and making more sense every day.

A few funny videos...

Ben learned to wiggle his eyebrows.


He enjoyed singing along to the ABC song, even though he was always a few beats behind the music.

And Alex is just growing like a weed!

It has been a wonderful trip "home" (we never know which place to call home because our place in Singapore is home since that's where we live, but coming back to family will always be home in our hearts). I think it was a little selfish of me to plan the trip to be so long because I didn't consider how long the boys, Ben especially, would be out of their normal routines and sleeping in new places. Alex is still pretty portable, although he needs to most equipment out of all of us. It's definitely time for us to get back and sleep in our own beds and enjoy our friends and habits back in Singapore.

One unplanned gift we'll be taking back with us is a big cast on Matt's left arm. He broke his wrist on his hunting trip and will be needing surgery as soon as we're in Singapore.