Pre-Travel Blogging Catch Up

We're leaving for the States on Thursday morning, so I'm trying to get caught up on some blogging before we go.  We have so much to do, so the narrative is going to be short.  If you want to know more, ask us in person or on Skype!  :)

We found this moving polar bear Christmas tree when we went to dim sum after church one Sunday.  It was a bit creepy.  Yes, that's Finley with his finger up his nose.

The next few photos are from an outing to Ocean Park.

We went out to brunch on the Jumbo Floating Restaurant with friends for my birthday.  Unfortunately we didn't think to take a photo with the whole group!

My actual birthday.  Steak and champagne, a great way to ring in a new decade.

Look at this cute girl!  Don't you just want to eat her up?

Finley and I made a gingerbread house today...with a little help from IKEA.

He was so excited about the candy.  I couldn't really find the appropriate gingerbread house types of candy I wanted, but Finley was perfectly happy with the M&Ms I bought ("Nim an Nims").  Do you have any idea how many times I had to say, "Dip the candy in the icing and stick it on.  Stop licking it or it's not going to stick."  

Finley was sad to see the icing go when we were all finished.  And now he just keeps asking when we can eat the house.

And for a little Elise video, CLICK HERE.  That's all for now...

A Lego Christmas

Last Friday, Cathrina and I took Finley and Elise on an outing to see some Lego Christmas decorations since Nate was at a Christmas party until late.  

There were multiple couples there having their wedding photos done.

Not too sure about this guy...

Lego Christmas Tree

And this is a completely unrelated photo of Elise with "Baby".  I had Elise on the floor gym, and Finley  wanted to put Baby in the bouncy seat.

Got Milk?

Wow, can't believe we're already a week into December.  We've had a rough time of it recently with both kiddos, so it's been difficult to spend much (or any!) time on the blog.  There were days last week when Elise was either crying or about to cry the entire time she was awake, day or night.  And the sleeping has been pretty disastrous, as she takes forever to go to sleep (via being held and walked around or bounced) and then won't let us put her down.  Let me tell you-- our biceps have never looked better!  Because of some of her symptoms, the doctor thought she might have a milk intolerance in addition to reflux, so I've been completely off dairy now for just over a week.  It takes a long time to get the milk proteins completely out of my system, and then even longer for Elise to do the same, but we are already seeing improvement.  This morning she was actually awake and happy for an hour!  Not sure if it's the dairy or if we're seeing some improvement with the colic, but we'll take it either way!

Having no dairy is difficult because dairy-free food substitutes aren't as readily available in HK as in the States, and dairy is in basically every type of Western (and Indian) food we eat.  We're going to be eating lots of Chinese food!  I have already learned that fake dairy-free cheese is just disgusting.  Finley tasted my fake grilled cheese and actually spit it out it was so bad.  I couldn't help but laugh because it was truly terrible.  Fortunately cocoa powder does not have any milk in it, and some pure dark chocolates don't either, and I've found a butter substitute that's tolerable.  I made no-bake cookies this week-- the ones with cocoa, oats, pb, etc.-- and subbed almond milk and sunflower "butter" so I could have some sort of chocolate sweet treat.  They actually turned out pretty decent, and we ate them all within a few days.  :)  But I guess the cheese situation is hopeless, and I love cheese!

In another week or so, I'll try dairy again and see what happens.  If Elise gets super cranky, we'll have our answer about whether it is in fact the dairy hiatus that is helping her feel better.  I have to say, it will be really sad if I have to do a dairy-free Christmas.  I think probably all of my mom's Christmas goodies have milk, butter, or cheese in them.  The things we do for our kids!  But enough about me, we're just happy that Elise is happier and more comfortable!  Don't get me wrong, she is still cranky at times, especially the evening, and her sleeping is still very difficult, but it is definitely better than it was.  I know deep down that Elise is going to be a happy baby, just as long as we can keep her digestive system functioning comfortably!