Wishes Really DO Come True...

When Grady was born the girls received their first gift from Matt's cousin Ellen. They were silver wish necklaces. With directions stating that a wish should be made when putting on the necklaces, and they would fall off when their wish came true.

So my jewelry loving daughter Riley ripped open the bag, immediately put on her necklace, and told us her wish... that her friends would come and visit her here in California. She must have named 10 kids who she wanted to visit. Kids from her class in India. Kids from her class in Israel. She made lists.

But she always narrowed it down to two friends. The two friends she's known since she was nine months old.




When Riley got home from school yesterday I asked her if she wanted to put on her wish necklace (I normally don't let her wear any jewelry to school). Of course she did. And she told me her wish again too ... which she let me video tape.

So imagine her absolute surprise when about 20 minutes later the doorbell at our hotel rang... and the girlies waiting on the other side of the door were none other than her closest girlfriends ... Gabby and Kit. From Maryland. She was shell shocked and couldn't speak. She got teary eyed, she hugged her friends, she grinned from ear to ear.

Christine and I had been trying to figure out a way to get together while we were still here in California, but nothing seemed to be coming together. Until last Wednesday, when she came across inexpensive airline tickets, and within a few hours had bought the tickets, made reservations, and had booked her whirlwind 3 day trip out here to see us and get the girls together.

It was an AWESOME surprise, and we're so thankful they're here to spend the weekend. Gotta go now - the park is calling us!

Here We Go Again...

It's that time of year again... the never ending shopping sprees for our consumables shipment. Last year we sent approximately 1900 pounds to Chennai and we still have a fair amount of the basics left over. So this year we're only shipping around 900 pounds.

Today we went to Costco and WAY over-filled two carts, though I'm sure we'll be back there at least two or three more times before our pack-out.

Next stop... Smart & Final... and Pavillions... and Trader Joe's... and Target...

Snip, Snip ~ Let's Eat

Last Friday we celebrated Grady's first right of passage as a Jewish male ... the Brit Milah ... also known as a Bris or covenant of circumcision. The Bris is a religious ceremony within Judaism to welcome Jewish infant boys into a covenant between G-d and the Children of Israel on the eighth day of the child's life. The Bris is generally done by a Mohel or circumciser (unless the father chooses to do it... which was NOT happening in our case), and the one we chose for Grady was also a local pediatric urologist.

The Bris consists of both the circumcision and the baby naming, and thankfully the first part went rather quickly and without too much trauma to either Grady or myself. I couldn't watch the procedure, though Matt and other relatives did. It was over within two minutes, and after bandaging him and feeding him a few extra sips of Manishevitz, Grady was re-diapered and given back to me to comfort.

Traditionally Ashkenazi Jews have the custom of naming after the deceased. The immortalization of a close family member or friend is a beautiful tradition. Grady's Hebrew name is Yacov Mordecai. He was named after both of his paternal grandfathers.

As with all Jewish celebrations, they are immediately followed by a feast of mass proportions... and this one was no different. We spent the rest of the day eating the endless trays of catered food ordered for our simcha. We schmoozed with family and friends and celebrated Grady's big day.

As a side note... the worst part of the circumcision was changing the dressing the next day. Oh boy, I think I whimpered as much as Grady did. Thankfully all is well and he's healing perfectly.

Left: Tools for the Bris ... Right: Just before the procedure

Left: The Mohel performing the Bris ... Right: Our first family photo

Now Presenting... Grady Shaw Perlman

He was a long time coming, but oh-so worth the wait! It wasn't an easy road to get here, nor was it an easy pregnancy. But at 8:13 pm last Thursday night when I heard that high pitched shrill, and heard the doctor say, "It's a Boy!", I knew that all was right in our world.

On Thursday, May 14th, I was scheduled to go in to the hospital for my induction at 7 am. However, when I called at 6 am see if they had a bed available, they were busy with too many active labors, and asked me to call back in a few hours. As I was off all of my medication and had a short window to work with, the hospital (after receiving a stern call from my OB) realized that I needed to be there, quickly called me back and asked me to come in.

When I got to the hospital, I was whisked into a Labor & Delivery room, asked an hours worth of questions, had blood drawn, given an IV, Pitocin to start contractions, and settled into my bed. Unfortunately, all of the OB/Gyn's had gone back to their offices and I had to wait for one to come back in order for one of them to break my water. So I waited... and waited... and waited... while watching TV with Matt and staring at the gorgeous view of the harbor and the Pacific Ocean from my room. Around 12:30 pm, my doctor came to see me, checked my progress, and broke my water. After 3+ hours on Pitocin, I was still only 1 cm dilated, and not showing any signs of moving into active labor.

Three hours later, and now in enough pain to get my epidural, I was checked again and only at 2 cm. Lucky for me, my platelets had a smidgen of benefit from the WinRho infusion and had spiked just enough to get the epidural without needing the transfusion. Thank goodness!

By 6 pm, I was only at 2.5 cm. I was starting to get anxious that we weren't going to see a baby until the next day, so I encouraged Matt to get out of the hospital room and go down the street to his parent's house where he could have dinner with them and the girls. The nurse discouraged him from going, telling him that my body was going to start moving things along, and once it did, it was going to be a quick delivery. It sure didn't seem like anything was quick up until this point.

The nurses had their shift change at 7 pm, when our nurse did one final check and told me that I was between 3.5 - 4 cm and was about in active labor. Now we're getting somewhere.

Less than 45 minutes later our new nurse came back in to check me and shockingly enough, I was now fully dilated and the baby was ready to come out. I was asked to do one push, when the nurse immediately told me to stop and hold on. The doctor was paged, called, and paged again. Within minutes, what seemed like the slowest of days was suddenly moving at lightening speeds and my room was changed over from a labor room to a delivery room.

The doctor walked into the room at 8:08 pm, scrubbed up, put on his gown, his mask, and barely had his gloves on before the nurse had me starting to push. One long push and the the head was out. I was then told to slow down because the baby was coming out too fast. One slow push and the cord, which was wrapped around his hand was quickly unwrapped, and the rest of his body was slowly pulled out. At 8:13 pm, "It's a Boy" was all I heard, followed by the beautiful sounds of a newborn baby. I looked over and Matt was alternating between smiling from ear to ear and wiping away tears. I think I was just in shock that the 38 weeks and 4 days of growing this little munchkin were finally over, and the new stage of our lives was about to begin.

The baby was cleaned up, weighed, measured, checked out, and then passed back to me. I didn't even take the time to inspect him, I just held tight and didn't let go. Matt made the phone calls to the girls, his parents, and mine. We were both choked up when he told everyone he now had a son.

The rest of the night was a whirlwind. They unhooked my epidural, cleaned me up, and brought me a sandwich before moving me over into my post partum room around 10 pm. Once settled in, Matt left the hospital to go home and get a good night's sleep. Thankfully one of us got one.

My stay at the hospital was quick, and fairly uneventful. We had several visitors on Friday including both of our parents, the girls, and my aunt and uncle. What a hoot it was to see the girls faces when they first met their little brother. We left the hospital by lunchtime on Saturday, which was not a minute too soon! While the nurses on the labor and delivery side were fantastic, I could go on a tirade about some of the nurses in the post partum side. I'll refrain as it would only frustrate me.

Now we're home. Adjusting to life with three kids. And boy parts. And sleepless nights. And feedings. And it's awesome. And oh-so worth the wait!

BTW - I returned home to over 175 comments and e-mails... and obviously can't get back to anyone right now. Please consider this my sincerest thank-you to all who sent us great wishes and wonderful notes.

Now come take a peek at our newest addition. Our swan song. Our son...

Late Night Addition - Take 2

This is Jill's Dad. She's having internet access trouble at the hospital but wanted to update her public with the vitals.

Without further ado

Let me introduce...



Their SON

Grady Shaw Perlman

Born at 8:13 PM

Weighing in at 7 lbs. 7 oz. and measuring 20 inches

He's practically perfect in every way!

Details and photos to follow on Saturday.

Late Night Addition

The Post Where I Show You My Stomach...

So if you don't like viewing pregnant, large, bare bellies, you may want to delete this before it burns holes in your eyes.

Here are the final photos I took of my ever growing belly. In total I've gained 32 pounds in 38 weeks 3 days. I'm hoping to leave the hospital at least 15 + pounds lighter... though I'll gladly take 20!

Eleven hours and counting!

Less Than 36 Hours Left...

before I head to the hospital to have baby Perlman. Oh we're so excited!

I had my last non-stress test and doctor's appointment on Monday, where we confirmed that the baby is still head down, though nowhere near dropping. We've been warned that Thursday will probably be a very long day. We asked my OB a lot of questions, and were given a plethora of instructions. We're ready... we're definitely ready.

Today I had my last blood test at the hematologist's, where I found out that the WinRho Infusion did not work. In fact, my platelets are even lower than they were on Friday. Darn It!! So, we now proceed with plan #2 and go into the hospital with the knowledge that I'll be doing a platelet infusion whenever I'm ready for the epidural.

Aside from the baby news, the girls are still reeling in the excitement of daddy being home. They've been introducing him to anyone who will listen, have enjoyed showing him everything they've been doing, and are just plain giddy to have him drop them off at school and pick them up at the JCC in the afternoon.

As for Matthew, he's doing okay with the time change now after not sleeping so well the first night. He also arrived with a horrible stomach bug that has plagued him for the past 2.5 days. All the help I thought I was going to be receiving somewhat went out the window, as I've been taking care of 3 people instead of 2. He's starting to improve, though not as quickly as either of us would like.

To add insult to injury, Matt has his final gum surgery tomorrow. He is not looking forward to it.

We have a busy last day tomorrow, so you probably won't hear from me. However, I understand that the hospital has Wi Fi, so we'll be in touch as soon as we can.

Until then...

Guess Who Made It To Dinner

Well lunch actually....

Matt arrived safe and sound (albeit tired and sticky) around 1 pm today from Chennai. The girls were so excited to see him that they immediately jumped into his arms and attached themselves to him with glue .... which they haven't undone the entire day. They filled him in on every single thing they've done since their arrival 6 weeks ago, despite the fact that they've talked to him every single morning before school. They are obviously over the moon that he is finally here.

We had a yummy lunch at In-N-Out, where Matt keenly observed the cleanliness of the restaurant, the parking lot, and even the bathrooms. I think he's in culture shock. Then when we sat down at the table he asked me to pass him the Purell. It just may take him a few days to get used to being back in the States.

We're all thrilled that Matt is with us for the next 6 weeks. Let the vacation begin!

What a GREAT Mother's Day Gift For Me!!

TMI From A 4 Year Old...

On Friday, I attended the Mother's Day event at Sheridan's preschool. The kids gave the moms tons of "gifts"... roses, cards, necklaces, and these beautiful posters that are all about their families. On the front of the poster is a family portrait and an answer to the question, "What do you like to do with your parents?" On the back is a small questionnaire that was asked to the kids and filled in by the teachers. How they kept a straight face while filling these in is beyond me.

My favorite? Question #4 ... because we RARELY watch TV...

The Tides, They Are A-Changing!

The baby flipped on it's own - so operation "External Version" scheduled for 5 pm today was canceled. Thank goodness!

My scan on Tuesday was great, and according to the numbers, baby P is weighing approximately 8 lbs 1 oz (though I'm not sure if I really believe that). The perinatologist said that it could be a pound off on either end... Despite my small stature, the baby is in the 81% for all its measurements.

I received confirmation this morning about our induction. Assuming baby P doesn't arrive any earlier on its own, we'll be heading to the hospital one week from today. As long as it waits at least 72 hours for Matt to get here, I don't care when it arrives. Anything after Sunday is pure gravy...

Okay... So Here's The Latest

On the bright side, at 37 weeks yesterday, baby Perlman is officially "full term". On the flip side (pun intended), baby Perlman has yet again turned breech. So where do we go from here? Let me fill in some of the blanks.

As far as I can tell from comments my OB, hematologist, and perinatologist have made to me, the hospital where I am delivering is extremely conservative and risk averse. And unless there is a good enough reason, they will not approve an induction prior to 39 weeks unless the OB performs an amniocentesis, or can adequately justify a reason for an early delivery. No worries, right? Except, the doctor is becoming anxious to get this baby out due to the ever changing of events ... and honestly, so am I. And due to my issues, he isn't comfortable doing an amnio.

So where does that leave us? With a highly document and justified induction either next Tuesday, May 12th or Thursday, May 14th... unless baby Perlman makes its own unscheduled arrival on its own before then... which could happen based on the serious contractions the OB has told me have made my body ready at any time. However, there are a lot of things that need to take place before next week in order to prepare for the delivery.

First, I have to schedule my WinRho SDF Infusion for 5 days prior to delivery. This immunoglobulin treatment is to help increase my low platelet count so I can enjoy the benefits of an epidural during delivery. As we all remember, I wasn't able to have an epidural during Sheridan's birth due to my thrombocytopenia, and darn it, I want one this time! The hematologist administers the infusion in his office, and once completed, I go back about 2-3 days later to check my platelet count for any improvement. If there is - fantastic! If not, then the hematologist will write the orders to have a platelet transfusion once I check in to the hospital for the delivery (which he already did, and I'm now carrying them on me at all times - just in case!)

Next, I have to go to the hospital this Thursday to have an External Cephalic Version performed, otherwise known as kneading the hell out of my stomach with the high hopes that it turns the baby from breech to head-towards-crotch position. Sounds like fun, eh? Due to the increased amniotic fluid, the baby keeps rolling and turning, and has yet again managed to wedge its head up into my ribcage. Awesome feeling, let me tell ya. I am doing the exercises the OB mandated, which include getting on my hands and knees, tush high in the sky, 3 times a day for 20 minutes at a time. I'm sure I'm quite a sight. We're hoping that by Thursday, the baby will have moved on its own and I don't need to have the External Version done. Wish me luck. Neither I, nor the OB, want to have a C-Section as I have too many bleeding issues to complicate things.

Tomorrow I go again to the perinatologist for another scan and to see how baby Perlman is growing. Looking at the size of my stomach, I'm sure it's quite fine... However, I'll be happy to entertain guesses as to the final weight and length of the baby next week. As a reminder, Riley was born 9 days early and weighed 7 lbs 5 oz and was 20 inches. Sheridan was born 2 days late and weighed 7 lbs 12 oz and was 19 inches. Baby Perlman #3 will be born at either 38 weeks 2 days or 38 weeks 4 days ... you fill in the blanks!

Until I have more answers, I leave you with a photo taken tonight by Riley.

Rock Climbing and Grandparents and Surgeries - Oh My!

One thing is for sure... we'll never accused of sitting around during our limited time in California.

Last Friday I took Sheridan to an ENT to have her adenoids and tonsils evaluated as she's been exhibiting most of the same symptoms Riley did prior to her adenoidectomy eighteen months ago. After a thorough examination and an x-ray of the soft tissues in her face, the ENT discovered that her adenoids are between 50-75% obstructing her breathing, and she'd be best served by having them, along with her enlarged tonsils, removed. Fabulous! We're now awaiting the insurance company approval, which we should have by the end of the week, and then we can schedule her outpatient procedure for the first week of June.

On top of scheduling Sheridan's surgery, Matt needs to have another gum micro grafting surgery to repair one tooth that didn't take during last summer's surgery. Never a dull moment, eh?

My parents and brother Randy came down this weekend to hang with the girlies. It was a whirlwind weekend. On Friday, my mom was schlepped around to doctors appointments with me, while my dad ran around with me to the girls schools, worked a little in the hotel, and spent the afternoon with Riley. Saturday we took the girls rock climbing, an activity that my brother introduced to the girls several visits ago. We found a place to climb nearby our hotel, though it didn't remotely compare to the climbing gym near my parents house. But it was adequate enough, despite my brother not being able to climb himself, and having to belay the girls as they didn't have the auto belay safety system. Like a whiz, Riley climbed quickly and swiftly to the top. Sheridan on the other hand surprised us all, and after a little tentativeness (is that a word?), climbed steadily and slowly to the top. You go girlfriend! After a trip to the park and dinner with my parents and their friends, the girls crashed out.

This upcoming week is already proving quite busy with more doctors appointments, lots of pre-consumables shopping sprees, and actually beginning some preparations for baby Perlman.

For those of you who've inquired about Matt... he's doing well, albeit very busy. He's dealing with household staff issues - including completely firing the maid who after not showing up for two weeks, had the audacity to call and ask him for more money and a letter of recommendation. Oh the nerve. He's also had some car issues, is constantly consoling a very sad dog who clearly misses us, and is trying to get everything in order to fly out here in just 12 short days! We can't wait.

Until I write again... here are some photos of the girls and their rock climbing expedition!

Wayward Observations From a 4, 6, and 35 Year Old

Over the past few weeks as we've finally settled in to our temporary lives here, the girls have made many comments about the differences between living in India and Southern California.

While Sheridan's observations are nowhere near as prophetic as Riley's, she does notice some changes. Such as how much colder it is here than in Chennai. And how clean it is at her school. And how much bigger it is than her old preschool. And how the teachers aren't called Auntie's...

Riley on the other hand goes through the litany of differences on an almost daily basis. It usually starts with how much better it is here because there are less bugs. And then moves into what she calls the "cool factor" that her school cafeteria offers three choices for lunch... and the bathroom isn't in the classroom, but rather outside and around the corner. Very exciting stuff for a six year old. She also loves taking baths now because the water is clear, not brown when it comes out of the faucet (um... yeah, I like that one too). Riley remarks how clean everything is too. Stores, roads, cars, the hotel room... nothing can be too clean for my neat freak. But there is one thing she does miss in India. When we're stuck in traffic, we're stuck... we can't just honk and go around the cars. There are rules here, and we actually have to follow them. Bummer ' cuz I do miss that one too.

I've also had a chance to notice a few things of my own. Like how I can totally embarrass my six year old. Rock on! Last week I dropped Riley off at school wearing the same sweat pants that I slept in the night before and a sweatshirt that I threw over my tank top. No big deal. I'm pregnant and have very few clothing options, right? WRONG!! Apparently she considered what I was wearing pajamas and she was mortified. You would have thought with all the whining and complaining that I drove to school naked, got out, and walked her to her classroom. I didn't. All I was doing was dropping her off at the curb. Arghhh.

Riley also has an issue with my car. I clearly don't wash it enough for her taste. Every single day she tells me that it's too dirty and she doesn't even want to touch the door anymore.... or be seen with me in it. So after 3 weeks, I broke down and finally took it to the car wash. And when Riley saw the car after school she couldn't contain herself. She thanked me again and again, gushing about how clean the car was and how excited that the inside was vacuumed too. Oh the drama...

My other observations? The cars here are nice!! After being overseas for so long, I'm not used to seeing so many nice cars in such a small geographic vicinity. When I drop Riley off at school, my itty bitty Nissan rental is usually sandwiched in between a gaggle of Range Rovers, Land Rovers, Escalades, Lexus SUVs, BMWs, Mercedes Benzs... Wow do I feel out of place. And my "school drop-off outfits" are SO not up to par with the JCC scene. I must have missed the memo that the outfit of choice is a track suit or yoga pants, sports bras with tight t-shirts, and perfectly coiffed hair (the uniform of the stay-at-home-mom here). Sheridan should just be darn lucky if my face is washed and I'm wearing a bra...

Twenty two days and counting. It can't come soon enough... as someone actually asked me today if I was carrying twins. Come on? Seriously?

34ish Weeks.. and STILL Counting

So here we both are... in all our glory. I had a big scan at the perinatologists yesterday to see how the munchkin is progressing, and according to all of the measurements, it's on the above-average side. Sure I know that there's always variations in the numbers, but right now baby Perlman is measuring in the 60th percentile at around 5 lbs 12 oz.

I had an extra long scan as my amniotic fluid is elevated and we had to see if there was a concrete reason as to why. In looking at everything in high definition, they did a 4D ultrasound - my first ever! While it still looks like a wrinkled monkey to me... it was fun to get a print out and guess which girlie the baby will come out resembling. Now I just need to find their baby photos to take with us to the hospital... in about 4 more weeks. And yes, very much counting!

So Where Did I Leave Off?

We've now been in California for 11 days and I can safely say that I am finally over my jet lag. Hooray! The girls were pretty fantastic and managed to sleep through the night from the get-go... but I had a wee bit of trouble. I could barely keep my eyes open starting around 2pm every afternoon and struggled to stay awake the rest of the day. Then, I'd immediately crash on the couch mere seconds after I got the girls to bed, and be wide awake at 4 am, getting a solid 8 hours of sleep (though they weren't always the most helpful 8 hours...).

The girls are now both officially enrolled in their respective schools, and I could not be happier how everything worked out. Sheridan is going to preschool at the JCC, and Riley was accepted to the elementary school that's right around the corner from both our hotel AND the JCC. It's awesome. Of course, it will be even better when Riley actually goes to school... they're still on spring break! Sheridan has gone to school for a week now and aside from it not offering the most academic curriculum (or any for that matter), it does have wide variety of activities in a very clean and inviting environment. And it all comes with the low, low price of almost $1000 a month. I'm obviously in minor shell shock over the prices, which are at least 4 times what I'm used to paying overseas. Holy nickel and dime batman!

On the positive side, along with the high price tag of the JCC comes the plethora of after school activities for the kids. They have everything from chess, rock climbing, gymnastics, swimming, hip hop to Hebrew classes, yoga, and puppetry. We decided to just sign up for swimming and Sheridan is now taking weekly private swim lessons, while Riley has joined the non-competitive swim team. They practice daily from 3:30 - 4:15 pm, and focus on everything we wanted to accomplish in private lessons for a fraction of the price.

The girls have even had a few opportunities to see their cousins and meet some new friends. Earlier this week we hung out with two sorority sisters who I haven't seen since 1994 and had a super fun play date with all our girlies. One of them even sends her girls to the same JCC with Sheridan. We also went to two Passover Seders where the girls stayed up way too late having too much fun with all their cousins. Let the re-connection begin!

As for me at almost 34 weeks pregnant, I'm feeling good and ever so thankful that we came back to the States when we did. Upon seeing my real OB/GYN, who reviewed my blood work and last three months of information, he immediately agreed that we have some problems and sent me to see several different specialists. So in addition to my twice weekly non-stress tests, bi-weekly OB appointments, I'm also seeing a perinatologist, hematologist, vascular surgeon, and endocrinologist. The very short version of the long story is that my platelets have dropped to disturbingly low levels, and with all the medication I'm on, they need to be monitored very closely, with plans in place for the day of delivery. No worries though... because for once I have faith in the medical personnel and am confident that all will turn out exactly the way it's supposed to. Five more weeks and definitely counting!

I'm off now to park my tushy on the couch, watch some garbage TV, and wish that Matt was here with us, waking me up and sending me to bed after sleeping through yet another show. And maybe offering a little help with the girlies would be nice too! Happy Friday.

We're Here... and We're Tired!

It took eight bags of luggage, two planes, twenty-three hours of flight time (not including waiting in airports and layovers), two children's movies that were repeated several times, horrible confirmed kids meals, lots of chocolate, little sleep, and some serious caffeine to keep my sanity as the girls and I made our way safely here to Newport Beach. My saving grace in this expedition? Two easy travelers... and business class seats.

We arrived Monday afternoon to beautiful crisp weather and a hotel villa hand picked for us by the manager... it sure did pay off meeting him face-to-face back in December and detailing all of my needs. My in-laws met us at the hotel with a big bag of Trader Joe's goodies and the girls favorite teddy bears that they always sleep with at their house, just as we were checking into our room. Perfect timing. Then I left the girls and it was off to get my rental car (that I have to exchange tomorrow because there are WAY too many blind spots on it). A quick pizza dinner, a much needed bath, the girls fell asleep at 8:30 pm... and slept through the night until 7:15 am. Hooray for a glorious first night!

It was a busy day today with the never ending paperwork for the girls schools, a few shopping excursions to Target and Pavilions, and of course, my first of many Starbucks runs. We enrolled Sheridan at the JCC where after an hour of contemplating, I decided to start her tomorrow. She has a great deal of energy and they have the facilities to help burn some of it off. The teachers and director appear excited to have her join in the Passover program tomorrow, and I am thrilled to get a few more errands completed with one less appendage attached...

After all the planning and preparations, it feels good to finally be in California... and under the care and supervision of a real doctor. It also doesn't hurt to be able to hop into my own car and drive anywhere at anytime... it's the little things that are really going to make my next few months complete.

For now, a couple nights of sleep will really help all of us completely acclimate to the 12.5 hour time change.

In fact, I think I'll start right now.

T-minus 24 hours

It's hard to believe that we're in the final home stretch with less than 24 hours before we leave for California. I am still making lists of all the things I need to do, and sometime tomorrow will actually find the time to pack our bags. Nothing like putting off packing for 3.5 months until the very last minute, right?

We've been so busy this week that I haven't had an opportunity to post photos of Riley's Bon Voyage party at her school, write about getting my driver's license or our last play-date with our neighbors, tell about the TGIF party, Libby's vet appointment, or the girls last soccer practice of the year. And that's just what I can remember off the top of my head!

It's been a whirlwind with all of the last minute preparations... solidifying Sheridan's enrollment in the JCC starting next week (yippee!!!), gathering all of the paperwork for Riley's school, taking care of our household helper's salaries and miscellaneous expenses for the next 4 months while I'm gone, ensuring that everything is locked on with our flights, hotel, car rental, airport transportation, making more doctor's appointments, haircut appointments, and researching a new cell phone plan since T-Mobile just doesn't work for us.

We spent our last night together as a family doing a Turtle Walk on the beach. It's a night beach patrolling program that identifies Olive Ridley - Sea Turtle nests and relocates them safely to avoid the loss from predators and other natural destruction which may affect the eggs. There were about 40 Consulate people who caravaned in at least ten cars to the Tree Foundation. We watched a short documentary on the program, and then went out to the beach where the hatching turtles were starting to come out of the sand and needed to be led out to the ocean.

The girls had an absolute blast. Not only were there tons of baby turtles for the kids to hold and to let out to the sea, but there were lots of kids to share this experience. As always Riley was a little tentative to hold the turtle, but once she saw her sister do it, she quickly gained confidence and held one long enough for me to snap a few photos. Of course, she doesn't remember her first turtle trip down to Ras al Had in Muscat, Oman, when she was eight months old. Ahhh the memories!

(October, 2003)

I have so much to say, but I'm way too tired and scatterbrained to write any more. Wish me luck tomorrow that we get everything completed and that I leave here with some semblance of sanity... maybe.... just maybe.

Wow... look at all the hatchlings!

There's so many they keep them confined in the baskets...

... until they let them out to sea

It's Not You... It's Me

Well not really. It actually was her, though she never picked up any of the clues or the not-so-subtle hints either. I shouldn't be surprised. Note to self... you need to stop being surprised about things here in India. Remember yesterday?

Here's the deal. I have been contemplating firing my maid for the past month. I've wanted to for much longer, but didn't have a replacement, nor the energy to clean the house myself. So I settled. While household help is plentiful here, it's also not quite up to par with what one would expect in other parts of the world. Sure, the cost is ridiculously low - which is why most people have such an abundance of help. But when you find yourself cleaning up after the maid leaves, is it really worth it?

I have a list of things for my maid to do. Not a very difficult list, but a detailed one. It states specific things she should do every day, and things she can do if she finishes up with her daily work early (which she does EVERY day because #1 - she does a half-a** job cleaning in the first place, and #2 - because when you do the same thing over and over again each day, it doesn't take as long to do it). I have this list posted in both English and in Tamil on the refrigerator. I walk by it several times a day. She does too, though I can guarantee that she NEVER looks at it.

Now I'll admit that I'm somewhat picky. But really folks... does it not make sense that if you're going to take out the garbage in the upstairs bathrooms, shouldn't you do it in the downstairs bathrooms as well? And when I specifically request that you NOT do the laundry (something I prefer to do myself), and come home to find not only did you run a load of whites, but that you also added a hot pink tank top that for whatever reason you grabbed out of the darks pile, do I not have a right to be a little annoyed? Oh yeah, and remember when I came home from Phuket and had 5 loads of laundry to wash and for you to fold (yeah, that's the one thing I can't stand to do...), had to go grocery shopping, had 2 tired/sick kids, and you decided that you didn't need to come in to help me because you worked the day before until 5 pm... and there's nothing for you to do. Really not thrilled on that one.

So when I told her today that when I leave next that we're cutting her hours, I shouldn't have been all the surprised that she felt completely blindsided... even though we had "the talk" about how I really needed her to be more proactive around here and become a team player. Twice! Then when I told her that all Matt needs are a few rooms cleaned, his clothes washed/ironed once a week, and maybe make a Biryani rice here and there, and that should only take 4 hours... tops! Really? You're now going to tell me that he needs you here 3 days instead of 2? Lady, you can't even fill an entire day here when there's the 4 of us. And that's WITH 2 tea breaks and over an hour for lunch.

So I switched tactics and told her that it's not her (laugh, cough, snort), it's actually me. I just can't justify her salary. I can't afford to pay her. I have way too many obligations when I leave that put a burden on our pocket book and thus, when I leave, her time left here is fading. And when Matt leaves in May, well... that's all she wrote. The Rupee stops here!

I was given ultimatums about finding her another job. I was told it was our responsibility to help her. She insisted that she's worth the money I pay her. And I feel bad - for a whole host of reasons.

But moreover, I feel the most amazing weight lifting from my shoulders. I've been wanting to do this for months. I finally have my "out." And I took it.... and ran...

Now all I need to do is find myself a new maid when I get back in July. Which should be easy... right?

Not The Phrase I Expected To Hear...

I am angry. Scratch that, I am livid. I am beyond angry. I am devastated. Not at the end result, but rather the phrase that I heard at the doctor's office today during my final ultrasound.

"Your little ****** looks very good."

"WHAT did you just say?" I surprisingly asked the OB/GYN. "Did you just tell me the sex of the baby?"

She quickly backtracked. "No, no, I don't actually KNOW what it is ... it's just what I THINK it is..." As if that was any better of a response.

I immediately burst into tears. Now I've had my guesses and Matt has had his, and one of us is obviously right. While most of our friends all want to know what they're having for planning purposes, we both just REALLY didn't want to know until the baby was born. It was one of our most favorite parts about the pregnancy. We enjoyed teasing each other about his girl, or my boy. We've finally been sitting down and going through baby name books, trying to find both girl and boy's names that fit.

I couldn't contain my anger and I yelled at the doctor. I told her how thrilled I was at the sex of the baby, but how absolutely reprehensible it was for her to tell me. It's illegal here for them to tell me the sex. It never even crossed my mind to remind her again that I didn't want to know. By law, she wasn't supposed to tell me.

I stormed out of her office and I went to the registration counter where I told my PR contact how upset I was. Despite the fact that I'm an American, if she even remotely thought I wanted to know, she should have at least asked.

I called Matt on my way out of the hospital and cried. I cried so hard that he couldn't understand a word I said and had to wait until I calmed down enough to tell him what happened. He smartly reminded me that the medical personnel here is usually only right about 50% of the time, so there's still a chance that it could be the opposite of what the doctor told me. Which based on experience is very true.

I didn't tell him what the doctor said. Even if she is right, I still want him to enjoy the surprise. We're still coming up with names for both genders. I'm still going to buy plain white onesies to take with me to the hospital. And I'm still happy ... because regardless of the sex of the baby, in about 7.5 weeks our family will welcome a bouncing baby ******.

Don't even ask!