So, why haven't I posted for so long?
First of all I think I burnt myself out with my super LONG posts. Second of all, to say it has been busy adjusting to our new life is an understatement. I started this blog when we first arrived and it still very much felt like a vacation. But once our sea shipment arrived and some homesickness/loneliness set in, things got a bit difficult. They say when you relocate like this, it takes about 3 months before it "hits" you. Well it hit me about a month into it when Mark started traveling a bunch for work, I was trying to learn how to live in a new city and culture with a baby in tow and not many local friends to lean on. I don't want this to be a negative post, but I also want all to understand what I have been up to. Here are some of the things that happened:
- The haze hit mid/late June. I won't get into the details of this (you can read the links below if you want more info) but for a week we were basically stuck inside for fear we (especially Adriana) would breath in toxic air. This is all resolved, for now. Thanks be to God! I said a prayer and posted a prayer request on Facebook on June 22nd and it lifted a few hours later hasn't been back since!
- Adriana got her first fever and was ill for about a week. This was the first time she was ever really sick and I was a scared first time Mommy. Felt alone and Mark was traveling for work. So it was another week stuck inside, but this time with a sick baby girl.
- The sea shipment arrived and I need not say much more than the fact that it can be hard to unpack with a toddler running around, all the while keep her safe!
- It takes time to make friends and I was lonely. Yes I can call home, but its still not the same as a hug in person. Also many times when I was lonely, it was the middle of the night at home and by the time everyone was up, I had picked myself back up. Thankfully I have now met many new friends who are just lovely! Once the haze was over and Adriana was well, we were able to get out and meet lots of interesting people from all over the world! (More on that in another post)
- I felt somewhat trapped at home as I slowly learned how to navigate public transport with a baby in tow. I have had experience with this in the past, but taking a baby along is a whole different story. Now that I know how to navigate the city and can confidently keep her safe while doing it I am doing much better. Plus, I am more confident driving on the other side of the road and can take the car out by myself when Mark is out of town.
Here are some FUN things we have been up to:
- Exploring the city and sightseeing
- Learning to drive in the city on the other side of the road
- Making friends, hosting playdates, learning about other cultures
- Signing Adriana up for things like music class, swimming lessions, etc.
I want to keep my posts small going forward, so I will elaborate on the above fun stuff in future posts. I want to thank all of you who supported me, Mark and Adriana as we adjusted over the past few months. The phone calls, Skypes, texts, and emails have been so very helpful. This funk I was in was all a very normal part of this relocation. Please know we are doing well and are very happy now that we are more settled in! Here is a pick of our cutie to keep all of the Adriana fans out there pacified until the next post!
LOVE YOU ALL! :)
