Chiang Mai Chronicles: July 2013

Tuesday, July 30, 2013

On to the next chapter...

How is it possible that nearly 8 months of maternity leave and 2 months vacation in the US is over?

Tomorrow morning we begin the long journey to our home in Chiang Mai...and this time around leaving the States feels like one of the most difficult things I've had to to...Taking Dylan to our home across the world just doesn't feel right.

Along with leaving the States I'm also wrapped up in mixed emotions regarding the end of my maternity leave, I love my job and I'm looking forward to returning to teach, I'm just not looking forward to being away from Dylan...I feel concerned about his (and my) transition to a new schedule. I'm also concerned about his sleep (he's still waking about 3 times a night and nursing twice) and how that will potentially effect my work day...but let's give that a little more time since I have a few more weeks.

While in America we stayed in 3 cities and 9 different places! Dylan had many firsts on this trip...he experienced his first time at the beach and even ate some wet sand! He sat up for the first time and is about to crawl any day now! He went to his first group yoga class for babies, and ate his first solid food! It's been so amazing to see him experience all these things while here!

Dylan hangs out with the big kids over at Barrett & Andy's house

So on the eve of our voyage, I'd like to say thanks! Thank you to all the people who made time to spend with our little family. To the people who opened their homes and let us in (Adam & Alexia, Daren & Lance, Barrett, Andy & Stella, our Ahmad Family in DC and our Raines family in Michigan) for the shared meals (too many people to list!), the cuddles & hugs & giggles & grins shared with our baby boy...thank you to family and friends who continue to care about what and how we're doing and want to see us and want to see us come back.

For as much as I enjoy living the life of an ex-pat across the world, it's hard, it feels especially hard with our son...so please continue to reach out and think of us. Keep writing emails and facebook messages, keep reading our blog & skyping (or facetime) because the world doesn't really have to feel so big.

So here's to the next chapter we're about to begin, me as a working mother.

Tuesday, July 16, 2013

Dhadi, Dhada, Auntie Sara & Uncle Mekail

We made the short journey from Chicago to DC to introduce Dylan to his Grandparents, Aunt & Uncle. It was really special sharing their first grandchild with them in person, as they had only seen Dylan in pictures, videos & Skype (thank goodness for Skype). Dylan was absolutely showered in love and attention the entire week and I thoroughly enjoyed being a part of the joy that Dylan brought to the family.

Dylan really seemed to hit it off with his Auntie Sara & Uncle Mekail. I like to think it's because he recognized a similar playfulness that his Daddy also exudes. It was a great week filled with giggles, fantastic meals & loads of love. Fuad & I even got to go to a movie while Dhadi & Auntie Sara babysat!

My son is so lucky to have so many people who love him...

I love how Dylan and his Dhada are looking at each other!

Fuad's first Father's Day

3 Generations...

We even got to do some sightseeing...at the Martin Luther Kind Memorial.

Dylan Comes to America

I love this family photo in front of the bean in Chicago!

Dylan & I hanging out at Blue's Fest.

Another favorite, Dylan & Fuad on Father's Day at the Ahmad's home in DC.

It's been so hard to find time to blog while in the States. We've been so busy and at the end of the day when Dylan goes to bed, I'm ready to relax myself!
We leave 2 weeks from today and so much has happened during this trip that I don't even know where to start!

A good place to start is to address some of the most common questions we've been hearing...it seems everywhere we go we're asked the same things:
1. How was Dylan on the flights?
Dylan was a champ! The first flight left from Chiang Mai at around mid-night, so I put him to bed like usual, we woke him and headed to the airport where he was awake for a few hours while checking in and waiting to board, then he promptly fell asleep once the flight took off! The first leg from Chiang Mai to Seoul is a 5 hour flight and he slept for about 3 of the 5 hours.
We had a few hours in Seoul where Dylan and Fuad both slept for a bit in the airport.
Then...the long one, 13 hours from Seoul to Chicago. Dylan slept on and off throughout and didn't get too fussy until the last 3 hours or so...I was finally able to get him to sleep by standing and rocking him in the very back of the plane (there's lots of white noise back there).
Dylan has taken 6 flights in 5 months with 8 more flights coming this year! Needless to say I'm so grateful that he seems to be a pretty calm flyer.

Dylan & Daddy catch a quick snooze in the Seoul airport.

2. What does baby jet lag look like?
We did experience some jet lag. Since Chiang Mai and Chicago are 12 hours apart, it felt like day & night reversal. I had done some reading about baby jet lag before leaving so when Dylan woke up around 3am ready to start his day, we got up for a bit and waited for him to show sleep signals...by the end of our first week, he was back on his normal schedule.

3. How was your birth experience?
Since I've only given birth once and it was in Chiang Mai, I don't really have anything to compare it to, (besides hearing the experiences of friends). It was painful (I don't know that any birth experience isn't painful), it was empowering, & it was transformative. Sure, it would have been helpful to speak the same language as the nurses, but with all the things that could have happened, I'm incredibly grateful to walk away from the experience feeling so very blessed with a happy, healthy baby boy!

3. When are you coming home? or...Where are you going next?
Sorry, but I can't answer this one yet... I've signed a contract for one more year. What I do know is we'll be in Chiang Mai until June of 2014.

Otherwise...Being home is easy. Last year folks in Chiang Mai warned me about "reverse culture shock." I didn't experience it last year and I definitely haven't experienced it this year. I love being home, especially with Dylan. I feel like I'm finally able to do some of the things I dreamed of doing while on maternity leave with my son...things I haven't been able to do in Chiang Mai because of the incredibly hot weather and the air pollution during burning season...
While we're here, I'm trying to take advantage of resources available in the States. We attended "Mommy and Me" yoga, a music class, we've been taking walks and enjoying the outdoors, and Dylan has spent his first afternoons at the beach!

Some other highlights:
Dylan has met so many people and is an absolute charmer! He is so friendly and he seems to really enjoy meeting other babies, children, adults, & doggies!