Amanda is ONE year old

Our baby Amanda turned ONE on July 30th.

We started our day early with walk to flower shop and got fresh beautiful roses for my Grandmother--Omite, who turned 80 on the same day. Amanda and I were the first ones to congratulate my Omite in person and it was very special. Omite was getting ready to bake Latvian piggies in the blanket--Piradzini for Amanda's party. We were the first ones to sample and it turned into very special Birthday Breakfast that both Amanda and I very enjoyed. Omite gave Amanda her first Doll, Blondie with blue eyes, just like Amanda and she loved it instantly.

After nap for Birthday girl, we went to pick up Amanda's cake - Chocolate Cake with Fresh Berries on top, followed by playground while we were waiting for my Grandma's photo collage gift to be printed and framed.

While I was trying to put Amanda for nap, Jason went to store to buy some balloons and got water balloons by mistake. It was a cute mistake since he could not read in Latvian. She was too excited to nap, the 1st nap she skipped during the day ever ;) Jason and I blew up some balloons, girls had fun helping Jason fill water into balloons while my Mom and I were busy to get everything else ready for party.

It was a great kids party held outdoors in my Parents backyard. There were lots of kids and Moms. At one point Amanda expressed interest in water balloons and popped few. It was cute to watch her discover, after the first one popped and she got wet face she was just surprised but I after the second one she was pretty upset and we had to take her clothes off ;)

Later I changed her into her special Birthday dress with cupcake on it. Friend of mine Agnese baked muffins for kids and everyone loved them. My Omite's Piradzini were a big hit too and Amanda's 1st Birthday Chocolate cake with berries was Amazing!

I think Amanda enjoyed her 1st Birthday party. It was very special to share this day with my Omite's 80th Birthday and celebrate with family, friends and relatives in Latvia.

Jason and I went out and had little celebration on our own that evening. We went to Old Town Riga - Vecriga. Wondered around narrow streets of Old Town and explored like tourists ;) We found Mid Evil restaurant with live beautiful Renaissance music. It was lit mostly by candle light and it had very special atmosphere. We truly enjoyed our time there. Followed by romantic walk by canal. We saw beautiful view of Old Town from 26th floor of Restaurant on top of hotels. Also visited family hotel that is owned by Agnese and Arturs. We were tired from all the excitement of this special day so shortly after midnight we headed back home. It was great to end this day with time to talk about Amanda's first year, our family, future and spending some quality time together, just two of us.

Amanda is such a sweet and easy going baby. She loves to give kisses, is so loving and adorable. Amanda is very excited about her new ability to walk and be able to chase after her sister. They share such an amazing bond. It is my joy to watch them grow closer and have unconditional love for each other.

Baby Amanda - We are so happy to be part of your life and happy you are part of our family. It would not be the same without you. This was not an easy year, there were lots of adjustments to be made and challenges encountered and we would definitely do it all over again. You bring so much joy to our family. WE LOVE YOU SO MUCH OUR SWEET BABY GIRL!!! Happy FIRST Birthday!!!

Week 3 in Latvia

I might have to start to post often than once a week since I am starting to forget what we did that week, somehow it is all starting to blend together. Can't believe we have been here already 3 weeks and only 2.5 weeks are left. Jason will arrive on Friday. Can't wait! We all have been missing him and I can tell from our Skype calls that keep getting longer and longer that he misses us more and more too. He hasn't been in Latvia for over 4 years, since Spring before I got pregnant with Izzy.

We have some fun plans already made for the time while he will be here with us (few day trip away for just 4 of us to the city by the coast, Birthday party for Amanda and my Grandma, family reunion etc ). So far I have been good about not over planing our days, just taking one day at the time and planing very little a head and I am actually enjoying it to my surprise.

So here comes recall of the Week 3 to best I can since I really am starting to forget things ;)

Saturday (July 10th) in the morning girls and I slept in after rough night and almost missed the parade for the Song and Dance Festival. We got there right at Noon when last participants of the festival were finishing the walk, but we happened to be where President of the Latvia was as he was greeting Latvians and everyone joined into very popular folk song. It was very neat experience and I even got goosebumps just now from remembering it. I told Izzy that it is president of Latvia and she asked if his name is Obama too? All I can say - she is one little smart cookie but she would correct me that she is a BIG Honey not Cookie ;) After the parade was over we walk to a really nice big park, where there were lots of street vendors with traditional Latvian art for sale. There is also outdoor stage where kids were dancing. There was a great festive atmosphere. I ordered bookmark with Amanda's name for the same man that wove Izzy's 2 years ago. We had fun walking around for few hours and enjoying festivities. It was another very hot day so we all had to have ice cream of course, I think eating ice cream all the time is one of Izzy's favorite part of this trip.

After relaxing at home and great long nap for Amanda, we headed to Mezjaparks - the biggest outdoor concert you can imagine. There were about 13000 (13k) singers on the stage the whole time plus dancers, folk singers and marching bands that would join for few of the songs. This event has special place in my heart since I used take part in it many times before. There are rehearsals lasting whole week before, preparation is as much fun if not even more as the concert itself. There were over 25000 (25k) people in the audience. At some point everyone got up and we all were singing very popular song and there was such a special energy in the air, it was almost like charged with this special feeling. Very hard to describe, you have to be there to feel it for yourself. So least I can say I was very happy to be able to share this with my daughters and parents who had not been to one of these concerts in years. As we were leaving around 11PM, it was still light outside, Izzy rode some carnival rides with my Dad and all by herself. She had seen those on our way in and had been asking to ride, specially the Swan one (pictures to come if I get around to post some) so she was super excited to do it at the end even though it was getting late and she was tired, it was almost like she got the second wind ;) Ride home was bad, both girls were super tired and cranky but would not fall asleep. But overall we had an amazing time that day!

Sunday (July 11th) we got up late again, since we got home around Midnight the previous night. We drove to Sigulda, beautiful little town about an hour outside of Riga, to visit extended family. I specially appreciate on longer car rides like these the portable DVD player I got for Izzy. Makes my life so much easier when I have to entertain only one child ;) We had a great time visiting my Mom's cousin and her family. My Grandma came with us too. I could tell she enjoyed this day together with us and talking to her late sister's husband who turned 90 last month. I was amazed by them both, one 90 and one 80 in few weeks, as they were remembering good old days, I heard some new stories about adventures of my Grandma and her sister when they were young girls. It was a very hot day so we did very little sightseeing after we were done visiting relatives. We took ski chair lifts with beautiful views over the valley with lots of forest and one of the biggest rivers in Latvia named Gauja. We did the same thing when Izzy was in Latvia for the first time about 5 months old and now I have similar pictures with both girls as babies with beautiful background of Sigulda's valley.

Monday (July 12th) Izzy woke up at 6AM very sick, with very high fever, shivers, coughing that sounded like barking and just generally not feeling well. The bad part was she refused to take any kind of medicine. It is so hard to watch your kids being sick and not being able to do anything about it. She went back to sleep eventually and woke up feeling much better few hours later. Both Amanda and I already had same kind of cough the week before and my Dad was little bit sick too, so Izzy was the last one to hold up and now it was her turn. We had low key day, we did end up going to my Grandma's house who lives only 2 blocks away. I love to eat fresh berries from my Grandma's garden but then Izzy had a big meltdown while we were there as her fever jumped up again. Later that day I received letter confirming Amanda's status in Latvia, both girls now have Latvian citizenship and personal code, like social security number. I was very happy that paperwork part of our trip was almost over only thing left was to apply for Amanda's passport what we did the next day.

Tuesday (July 13th) morning started the same as day before, with feverish and coughing/barking Izzy so I took both girls to my childhood pediatrician again later that day. We also got little pool for girls since it is still super hot over 90F all the time and no A/C, never thought I would say I miss A/C but I am now. We were invited to play date at one of my classmates from elementary school who lives close by and has a boy little older than Amanda. Izzy refused to go with us to the play date, first time in her life, so Amanda and I went by ourselves and Izzy stayed at home with Opis. I was kind of shocked that she did not want to come with me but glad to be able spend time with just Amanda. It was nice to see my old classmates that I had not met for about 15 years, all grown up and with kids now.

Wednesday (July 14th) we were supposed to have photo shoot today but I cancelled it not wanting to take chances of Izzy suddenly getting fever again and dealing with meltdowns as it had been for the past few days. After Amanda went down for nap, she has been taking 2-3 hour naps (I already had forgotten how nice it is to have long napper), Izzy, my Mom and I went to Jocker Club SPA while Dad stayed home with Amanda. It was Izzy's first time and she did really well. Her favorite part was jacuzzi - bubbly bath how she called it. She also loved pool once she got used to chilly water. She did well in 2 saunas that were not too hot. My Mom and I took turns with Izzy while other enjoyed steam rooms and very hot saunas. I really enjoyed this little getaway for 3 of us on many levels. I got to spend some more quality time with just Izzy. I enjoyed seeing my Mom with Izzy in pool and jacuzzi coming up with different games and ways to entertain her. This few hour break and relaxing was very needed for my exhausted and drained body and mind. And I think saunas were really good for Izzy's cough too, I think we all came out feeling much better. Amazing how few hours at the SPA can make wonders. We returned home all very relaxed and happy.

That night I met my friends Agnese and Aelita in Old Riga. It was my first time there during this trip. I missed Old Town. So beautiful and special! It was a gorgeous evening with warm evening air, I enjoyed walk through the Old Town and cold unfiltered Latvian Beer with great live music. Could not ask for better ending to this wonderful day.

On Thursday (July 15th) I took girls to indoor playground at the close by Mall. It was too hot to be outside and I longed for A/C ;)

Amanda just woke up, to be continued soon ;)

Week 2 in Latvia

Last Saturday (July 3rd) we had a great time in Lapmezjciems with my best friend from Highschool Agnese and her daughters Madara(8) and Eliza(3). They have summer house very close to the Baltic Sea, water was so warm but the cold winds were sneaky and that is where I think I got sick. After day full of fun we drove back home, Amanda fell asleep on our way back and did not wake up till next morning 5AM, first night in her life she slept through the night.

Sunday (July 4th) I woke up very sick. We were planing to do some celebration due to Independence day but all I could think of was bed and sleep. So my parents took care of girls most of the day and I stayed in bed, my only duty was to nurse Amanda. It was nice to be able to be sick for real ;) Even if just for one day.

Monday (July 5th) I took girls to close by playground that we discovered last time I was here with Izzy, they loved to play there. I also started the process of getting Amanda's paperwork ready to apply her for Latvian citizenship. All the documents that I got in America, that needed to have Apostille now had to be translated and notarized here. In the evening friend of mine Laura who is expecting her firstborn in November came to visit us and was admiring how well Izzy speaks both languages. And I do have to agree with her, Izzy is doing very good job.

Tuesday (July 6th) I met up with my friend Inese whom I met in Colorado but now she has moved to live back to Denmark. She was visiting Latvia for few days and had never seen my girls. I was fun to catch up and girls got to play at a different playground, right next to the school I used to go to for 12 years. When I showed it to Izzy, she asked me if it was school where I went when I was a Big Girl? ;) Later that day I submitted all the paperwork requesting for Amanda's citizenship, hopefully we get her personal code soon so we can order her passport. That evening girls and I walked to visit my Grandma and got caught in big summer rain storm. We were all wet - Izzy in Stroller, Amanda in Ergo on my back and I pushing stroller, carrying Amanda and all wet without an umbrella. But the nice part was neither one of us minded getting wet, it was such a fun experience we shared.

Wednesday (July 7th) we met up with my friends from Collage Zina and Baiba and her daughter Karlina (3.5) at LIDO. We had a very nice lunch together followed by fun for kids. Zina bought Cukurgailishus for girls, it is like lolipop in a shape of Rooster that I used to love as a little girl. Izzy made up a song - Cockle-doodle doo I bit off your head! She thought it was super funny and kept singing it! ;) Izzy had fun taking Amanda for a ride in little rental cars. Later that day I took Izzy to renew her Latvian passport. She was so proud to get her picture taken there at the passport office. She kept talking about her Big Girl picture in the passport instead of Baby Izzy picture ;)

Thursday (July 8th) We went wild blueberry picking with girls and my Dad. Mosquitos were crazy, we lasted very short while, ate some blueberries, took some pictures and we had to leave so we don't get eaten alive ;) On our way back we stopped by one of my very dear friend Gunars and admired the house him and his wife built in the last year, very green thinking and natural house. I loved seeing what they have created in one year, last time I was in Latvia 2 years ago they just had started talking about possibly building one since their old one burned down in tragic accident few years ago. I was so happy to see their accomplishment and how far they have come.

Friday (July 9th) Another beautiful day! Gunars and his daughter Eliza (10) picked me and girls up since we were without car today and we all had a wonderful day in Jurmala by the beach. I am amazed how well Izzy gets along with different age kids that she meets for the first time. She has met everyone before she just doesn't remember. Sometimes she will ask, how they know that she has grown and then I have to say, they met you when you were baby. And then Izzy loves to make up stories about what they did together when they were babies ;)

Saturday (July 10th) After rough night with Amanda who is not feeling so well, caughing a lot and runny nose etc... and who got up at 6AM I went back to sleep at 8AM with Amanda and did not get up again till 11AM. So we missed the plans to go to watch Dziesmu sveetku paraadi - Parade of Song and Dance Festival.

to be continueed another day... I am starting to fall asleep ;) I hope it's because I am just too tired and not because it is boring ;)

Week 1 in Latvia

We are in Latvia and are truly enjoying our time here.
Getting here was rough and when I got off the airplane I thought I will never do this again but now that we are here, it is all worth it.
Weather is beautiful, +20-30C all week long, not very typical for Latvian summer, especially week after Ligo, when usually it is cold and rainy, to have full week of such a perfect weather is a special treat.

On Monday (June 28th) after we arrived at 6 AM at the Riga International Airport, Amanda and I slept from 9AM-3PM while Izzy was too excited to see Opis and Oma and The Cat and Dog, so she stayed up and played. She went for a nap from 4-9PM and did not go to sleep that night till Midnight. It stays light outside most of the night so it has been hard for her to go to bed at night when it is still so light outside. I think they are called White Midsummer nights, we are starting to get used to it now but first few days/nights were rough.

We enjoyed Jurmala - beach by the Baltic Sea on Tuesday (June 29th) and Wednesday (June 30th). Both girls loved it so much, Amanda was such a happy baby crawling in sand, getting all dirty, wet and happy. Izzy loves to build sand castles Latvian style that Oma thought her how to do. On Tuesday we went to beach with Oma and Opis and on Wednesday we met up there with our friends Linda and Nikolleta from DC area.

On Thursday (July 1st) I took Amanda to my childhood pediatrician and she was diagnosed with double ear infection, could be from the wind at the beach, could be from the flight and pressure change, not sure how she got it but she is on medications now and feeling much better. On Thursday I also got my hair highlighted and trimmed while girls stayed with Oma and Opis.

On Firday (July 2nd)we visited with my cousin Daina and her daughters Liva(6) and Mona(2), baby girl Tina is due at the end of July, hoping she comes on time and we get to meet her before we head back on August 5th.
We also enjoyed fresh strawberries from my Grandma's garden on Monday and Friday, we all love freshly picked berries, they have such a special flavor that you can't get anywhere else ;)

Today is Saturday (July 3rd), we will be heading to Lapmezjciems for the day, my friend Agnese has a summer house there and she has 2 daughters Madara(8) and Eliza(3) that Izzy already had a chance to play with on Tuesday and calls them her new friends.

We are having blast here!!! Stay tuned! ;)

Update before trip to Latvia ;)

I can't believe it is June already, Amanda is 10.5 months old, 2 weeks left till we leave for our summer adventure to Latvia. Planing to celebrate Amanda's First Birthday while there together with my Grandmother's 80th. Very looking forward to seeing my friends and family again after our last Latvia visit 2 years ago. Jason is going to join us for the last 2 weeks of our almost 6 week long trip and we are scheduled to fly back on August 5th.

Jason is in Israel for 2 week training right now. It's just me and girls again. Amanda is very mobile now, crawling all over the place, loves the stairs that I keep forgetting to put gate on at the bottom of. She started calling Izzy last week "Izzi", it is so cute. Yesterday morning I was too sleepy, I let her crawl around bedroom while I was trying to wake up and at one point I spotted her standing up against Izzy's bedroom door and banging it and kept repeating Izzi, Izzi... Had to get her away before she woke her up ;)

Izzy is a real three year old. Everything has to be 3 now. And her favorite sentence is - I need three 'cause I am THREE years old, and it applies to everything. She also has started to tell me "Amanda did it!" and since I can't get Amanda's side of story yet I just have to trust her ;) They are so cute playing together. Giggling and Laughing. They adore each other and have such a special bond. I am so very happy to have two daughters who hopefully will always be best friends and be there for each other.

I keep enjoying teaching Music Together classes. Took over Friday morning classes for Spring session and now I am teachign all the classes at Ben Lomond Community Center. Starting September I might add to my usual classes teaching at Monterrori preschool. Looking forward to new challanges.

Amanda is 6 months old!!!

Amanda turned 6 months yesterday. Can't believe my baby is 6 months already. Time is flying too fast. She is such a happy baby. Just started sitting by herself, loves to jump in her doorway jumper, looks like ballerina ;) We are going to celebrate next week since her Grandparents from Latvia are coming for a visit.



Jason left on January 10th, 3 weeks ago, to go for work to Dresden, Germany and will be coming back on March 1st. First few weeks were rough, now I am already used to it. Izzy is fussy and acting up a lot, I think it is due to him being gone so long. It's hard for her to understand the time and how much longer she needs to wait. Every few days she keeps asking, where is Daddy? like she forgot or maybe she hopes I will give her different answer?!

Our first Christmas as family of 4 was really nice. We did consider traveling to Oregon or Washington but decided against it for numerous reasons, travel expenses and to protect Amanda from HINI virus since she is too young to receive vaccine, also Jason's relatives could take only few days off so we decided to stay home this year.
We went to family service at Manassas Baptist on Christmas eve, decorated gingerbread house, baked cookies for Santa, girls opened few gifts and went to bed in matching PJs. (Izzy went to potty before falling asleep and took her diaper off, so around midnight when we were going to sleep, I discovered her in wet bed, everything had to be changed so the plan of opening gifts in matching PJs in the morning was altered...) We set out her main Santa gift - Scooter unwrapped with just a bow on it and few plush toys riding it that GrandMa sent, it looked really cute.

In the morning, I baked special Xmas Casserole (recipe from Deena) and Cinnamon rolls for breakfast, I asked Izzy what she thinks Santa brought you, she replied very modestly - All those things - Cameraaaa, Scooter and Ear Rings ;) It was such a cute answer and she was so cool about it, like No Big Deal Mommy ;)

She was so excited to see her first Scooter complete with Helmet and Elbow and Knee Pads (Thanks to Aunt Sherri), she eat breakfast with Helmet on ;) She got on the Scooter right away and took off, no instructions needed. Izzy just kept going in circles round and round, it was so special to see her enjoy it so much.

Amanda loved the Rolling Ball that she got from her Big Sister.
I got Prime lens for my SLR Camera that I had mentioned to Santa about before and few weeks earlier I received "Dear Santa" email from Jason about phone he wanted. So that was Jason's new toy. At one point it was pretty funny, I was playing with my new Camera Lens, he was checking out options on his new phone and girls, well they were doing something, not sure what ;)

Girls opened gifts all day and weekend long. In the afternoon we went to our friends Zenobia, Nic and Zane for dinner together with their family from out of town. It was really nice. We received very nice gift from them - gift card to SPA World complete with babysitting and dinner included. It was awesome. We used it day before Jason left for Germany and it was very nice and relaxing. It was awesome to spend some quality time together before he left.

My Parents are coming to visit us from February 5th till Feb 18th. I am very looking forward to well deserved break and for girls to be able to spend time with their Oma and Opis. Izzy already has plans what she wants to do when they get here ;) My Friend Aelita is coming to visit us for few days at the end of February as well so the rest of the time should pass quickly and hopefully March 1st will be here in no time.