Happy New Year!

As 2011 is upon us we look forward to all of Savannah's firsts: crawling, sitting up, walking, talking, first birthday, eating real food (and everything that comes with it), first airplane ride, meeting lots of family members, first teeth and much, much more. Along with these big moments, we have also resolved to focus on the little moments and cherish Savannah being our "baby girl".

2010 was definitely an unforgettable one. I don't think many years will bring about as many changes for us individually and as a family but we look forward to what adventures that the new year brings! Happy New Year!

Savannah Rolled Over

Savannah rolled over tonight. What a great Christmas present. She rolled from her belly to back to the right and then immediately rolled from her belly to back to the left. It might have helped that she was trying to see what was on the TV but either way it was an exciting first. (I have tried to catch this on video multiple times with no luck!)

Christmas in Dubai 2010

This is the first year that Chris and I have not spent the holidays in St. Louis so it was definitely different and again reminded us how far away we actually are. It was also Savannah's first Christmas so it was great to spend Christmas as our new family!

On Christmas Eve, Chris and Savannah went on their first solo outing to do a little Christmas shopping while I spent a little time at the pool. We also went to a light show and dinner at Wafi Mall. Savannah slept the entire time so it was almost like a "date night". When my parents were here my mom gave Savannah a recorded book of "The Night Before Christmas", so as a new tradition she "read" this book when we got home.

(Savannah is wearing the red plaid dress.)

Christmas morning we were able to "skype" into Chris' Grandma's for their Christmas Eve festivities. We also skyped with my parents when they returned home from their Christmas Eve church services. (The 10 hour time difference finally has a benefit!) We then celebrated the day by going to brunch at the Atlantis. Savannah met Santa for the first time while we were eating and as you can see in the picture she wasn't so sure about him! We came home and skyped with my parents, sister and brother-in-law's Christmas morning. We were able to share a few laughs and open gifts together. We also skyped with my aunt, uncle and Nana in Florida and into Chris' mom's Christmas morning and with his Dad to again open gifts together and most importantly let everyone talk to Savannah. (Savannah is wearing the red dress with her initials.)

Savannah got many great gifts. Chris and I gave her a jumperoo. I think she enjoys having a new toy to play with although isn't quite sure what to do with it. I also got a new camera so watch for more pictures to come (I email lots of pictures to our family at home so my dad sent the camera...with the hint that I would continue to send lots of pictures!).

Although, we miss our family and friends tremendously we had a good day celebrating Christmas as the three of us. We tend to skype a lot since we moved here and are very thankful for the technology that enables us to stay in touch with our families.

This holiday season are reminded how blessed we are to have a happy and healthy family. Merry Christmas!

Winter in Dubai

Since July people here have been telling us "just wait, the weather will get better". We were beginning to think they were kidding until just recently. I can't complain about December days in the upper 70's/low 80's. Today Savannah and I met some from our playgroup at Al Barsha Park. The park was really beautiful. I don't know if is really beautiful or just seems so nice because there is such a lack of green space here! There was grass, flowers, palm trees, landscaping, a bike path, a jogging path and lots of playground. Savannah and I will definitely go back to this park for a visit.

We also did a little Christmas shopping. Days like today make me so grateful for having this time at home with my baby girl.

Savannah is Four Months Old

Savannah turned four months old on Sunday! I can't believe how the time is flying. She is growing so fast! We are on about two weeks of Savannah sleeping between seven and eight hours at night, which has been amazing for everyone. She sleeps from about 11 and doesn't wake up until around 7! As the nights get a little easier, we are still working on nap time. Savannah's preference is to catnap between each feeding instead of taking a lengthy morning and afternoon nap. She also prefers to nap while cuddling close which is awesome but doesn't help me get much done around the house. :)

Savannah is getting close to rolling over as well. She just can't quite make it! Tummy time has gotten easier since we bought her an alphabet foam play mat for her room. (Our floors are all marble so tummy time can be a little rough...can't wait for the banged up knees as she starts to crawl!) She has gotten good at "scooting" around on her back. She can scoot off of her play gym and turn around in a complete circle in her crib.

We went back to the doctor today for our four month vaccinations. She weighs 16 pounds and is 25 inches long. She remains in the 90th percentile for both height and weight...which is probably the leading contributor to my sore back!

Made with Love!

Savannah is checking out her new quilt. The quilt was made completely by hand by my mom (Nana). Quilting is something that my mom, aunt and Nana all do but very few people have a completed quilt made by one of them. (My sister and I both have quilts in the works!) Guess being a granddaughter has its perks!

A Day at the Beach

You can't beat a December afternoon at the beach (especially as Detroit and St. Louis brace for the first snow storm of the year!)!

Deck the Halls

Last week we got our Christmas tree up. I believe our tree falls into the "Charlie Brown Christmas Tree" category.

In the rush of packing last July, I conveniently left all of our Christmas decorations, stockings and all in storage back in Detroit! Our new stockings have arrived and have been hung with care and our sparse little tree is the only reminder that it is the holiday season. The weather is still sunny and 85 degrees and the malls have minimal Christmas themed displays so it is easy to forget that it is already December. The Christmas tree we purchased came with lights to string on it. I like extra lights on my tree so bought an extra strand.... conveniently the lights that came with the tree don't work and there are no more lights to be found in Dubai (remember it is only December 6th!) Another US expat once told me that if you see something here you want (especially seasonal items) you better buy it when you first see it--now I know why!

I have started Christmas shopping, thank goodness for free shipping and gift wrap!

Cheers to the holiday season and wishing we were celebrating with you!

National Day

Today is the UAE's National Day (similar to our 4th of July). Today offices and businesses are closed to celebrate the day (December 2, 1971) that the seven emirates came together for form their own country. In honor of this national holiday we have seen decorated cars and the stores are all stocked with t-shirts, hats, flags, etc... in the country's colors (Savannah and Grammie tried on a hat last week.)

Life in Dubai

Two things that are everywhere in Dubai are car washers and motorcycle delivery men. It seems like every restaurant offers delivery from the fancy to Kentucky Fried Chicken and Subway. They also call "take-out" orders "take away".

There are also car washers in all of the mall and hotel parking garages. They have carts of soap, sponges and buckets of water to clean your car with while you shop. It is so dusty here that this is actually a great idea!

Below in a link to a 60 Minutes interview with His Highness Sheikah Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the ruler of Dubai and Prime Minister of the UAE.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=510EfQKxdKk&feature=player_embedded

The Grammies Have to Head Home

Tonight we had to take Chris' mom and Grandma to the airport so they could begin their adventure back home. It is always hard to say good-bye and it always seems to remind me how far away we really are. We had a great visit with them and I think they both had a wonderful time visiting with their granddaughter and great granddaughter. We look forward to whoever our next visitors will be!