Thanksgiving Weekend

Happy Thanksgiving! We hope everyone enjoyed the holiday! We had a nice long 4 day weekend here.  We celebrated Thanksgiving with some friends and had a really great time.  Desmond was not in the best of mood for the day so we didn’t get any pictures but everyone still loved him the same.  The next day, Desmond went to daycare and Marcus and I saw the new Harry Potter movie and then picked Desmond up and spent the afternoon together as a family.

We spent Saturday sight-seeing with friends in Delhi and saw Qutab Minar (in red and buff sandstone is the highest tower in India. It has a diameter of 14.32m at the base and about 2.75m on the top with a height of 72.5m. Qutb-u'd-Din Aibak laid the foundation of Qutab Minar in AD 1199. The minar was said to have been built to celebrate the victory of Mohammed Ghori, the invader from Afghanistan, over the Rajputs in 1192).  Just a short history, it is also a UNESCO world heritage site.  We really enjoyed our time there and probably will go back several times during this tour with friends and family.

On Sunday, I woke up a with an ear infection so we stayed home and rested for most of the day.  Both Desmond and I have been battling colds that we probably are passing back and forth. I am extremely thankful that he did not get an ear infection (knock on wood) as it was not pleasant. 

I never thought it would happen but the weather has really cooled off, it actually is pretty chilly in the morning.  The houses here do not have insulation so we actually feel what the temperature is outside.  Right now we are all dressing warmer but I think we will need to invest in some heat before it gets too cold.  It is beautiful during the day with a perfect early fall temperature.  In the winter is when the trash burning begins, giving off a lot of pollution and decreasing the air quality.  We had a few weeks of terrible air quality but these past 2 weeks have been nice.  I know it won’t stay this way so I am trying to enjoy it while I can. 

We are finally settled into our home – our stuff did not arrive until a month ago. I did most of the unpacking while Marcus was at work but he did most of the clean up and all of the decorating.  It is nice to come home to a home and not just a space.  We plan to decorate for Christmas this weekend however it just doesn’t feel like Christmas here. There are no decorations up, nothing in the malls or stores or houses.  I am surprised at how much retail in the States puts you in the holiday spirit, even if you hate all the advertising, it works.  Right now we are thinking of having a Christmas dinner at our house in the early afternoon with friends.

Desmond is doing great; he is still a very serious baby but is laughing a lot.  He is extremely focused at the task at hand and is very determined towards something once he decides that is what he wants.  His eating is not the best but we are working on foods everyday – he loves any jarred food but hates anything I make him.  Thankfully I brought a bunch of Earth’s Best jarred food with us. Hopefully he will be better by the time that runs out.  He is scooting all over the place and climbing on anything he can.  I know he is going to be a hand full once he really starts moving. He lets go and stands alone every now and then, he is capable of walking but I don’t think he realizes it and we are not pushing it. I just can’t believe how quickly he is growing up!

That’s all we have for right now, things are going really well and we are all doing well.  Once Desmond and I finally beat these colds we will be ready for another adventure.


Qutab Minar

  

Around Qutab Minar

Hey!  What's happening.

Loving on Mommy!

Not sure how to rotate the pictures - if anyone knows, please let me know.

Obama Visit

Again, I am sorry it took so long to post.  I am just now finding a free minute to upload and go through pictures.  Two weeks ago, Marcus worked many hours to prepare for the visit of the President of the United States (POTUS – as they call it here).  Desmond and I hung out waiting for Sunday, Nov 7^th to arrive as the POTUS was coming to the embassy.  Sadly Marcus had to work and could not come.  Desmond and I arrived at the sight on an unusually warm Sunday afternoon.  Thankfully, Des slept for a bit because we stood in the same spot for several hours.  Around 3:15pm they had everyone stand up which made me think that the Obama’s would be here soon, but no they didn’t come out until after 4pm.  It was hot and Desmond was tired, hungry, and squished with all of the people around but we were in the front row and I knew he would hang in there and he did.  When Des gets super tired or has had enough he will start saying Mama, which he did and you can hear this on a Youtube video.  However all of our waiting paid off, twice.  Des and I both meet the POTUS and First Lady, they both said Desmond was adorable.

After we shook hands and they pinched his cheeks and played with his feet we moved out of the way so that Desmond could move around.  I was talking with a friend on the other side of the rope where it ended and they came over again to meet some more people so by mistake we got to meet them twice! This time there were 2 babies and Michelle said ‘Oh look at the babies, they are sooo cute’  Overall a great day and worth the wait.  Sadly Marcus didn’t get to meet the POSTUS but he did have an eventful day.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l1pMZBO6dck&feature=share

Around minute 2:30 you can hear Desmond saying Mama and whining some. 



Michelle looking at the babies - 'Oh look at the babies, they are sooo cute’ 





Obama




President is looking at a picture and Desmond is looking for a way out



Our little boy, taking a nap...

Halloween Weekend

I am slightly behind on posts, sorry.  We have been pretty busy here in India.  On October 29^th Desmond celebrated his first Halloween.  We started with a trick-or-treat tour of the Embassy, visiting all of the different offices.  This event alone tuckered Desmond out so much that he fell asleep.  Later that evening we went to a Diwali (Festival of lights) party.  Diwali is like Christmas in India, a very festive time.  We had a good time and Desmond tried to dance to the beat of the drums.  After that party went to the compound to see all of the trick-or-treaters and finally we headed home.  It was a very busy day and it sounds like we probably stayed out really late, but no, we are always home by 8 or 9pm. Desmond hits his limit by then and passes out on the ride home. 

The next morning, we woke up early and headed to Lodi Gardens to have our pictures taken.  The photo shoot went well and Desmond seemed to have a good time.  We still have not actually seen the pictures so we may be getting ripped off, we just don’t seem to have luck with photographers.  Afterwards we walked around, went to a market, and ended at a free family fun festival.  The festival was really nice and included free camel and elephant rides.  Since Des has already been on an elephant we decided to call it a day and head home… Overall, a great weekend.



What is this?



Oh so tired.. even though mommy carried me everywhere.

Diwali sand art

Daddy and Des (Man with the Yellow hat (well green) and Curious George (monkey) - Close enough)



So happy!



Desmond cruising back and forth  - we only got a quick sample but we were there for at least 20minutes while he went back and forth, it was perfect for him.