Happy Halloween!

To make sure I got first Halloween pictures of Savannah, I ordered a costume from home and bought one of the few pumpkins at the grocery store. We may have traded in fall weather and apple/pumpkin orchards for palm trees and sand but we can still celebrate holidays.

Several people have asked if there is "trick-or-treating" here. The simple answer is "no". But, there was a small Halloween parade over the weekend and many of the American families with older kids seem to get together so that their kids can experience "trick-or-treating".

There is a newspaper here called "7 days", it is written in tabloid style and geared toward expats living in Dubai. It covers local and global news as well as information about living in Dubai. There is a large "letters to the editor" section in which their have been many letters this week disagreeing with the idea of Halloween and being angry with some local stores for carrying costumes (some of the letters are also written by western Christians). Interestingly enough, the Christmas ornaments are also out in stores (although not to the extreme that they are at home) and Ace Hardware had a few artificial trees.

Happy Halloween!

A Day at the Park

Today we decided to take advantage of the cooler weather (it was only 95 degrees) and went to Al Safa Park. The park is located in the near the center of the city and is amazing.

The park is 158 acres and has three lakes, lots of play structures, a forest, a waterfall, BBQ pits and a hill that offers panoramic views of the park. In the background you can see the Dubai skyline. The park is beautiful and has lots of green space (something that is very limited in Dubai). We were so glad we checked out the park and for a 3 dirham entry fee (less $1) per person it will be a great place to take Savannah on walks and to play. It also will be a great place for me to run with and without Savannah!

Yesterday, we took Savannah down to the pool. We went for a swim and then Savannah took a nap with Chris under the cabana while I read a magazine in the sun! It was a great way to spend the afternoon. (The picture of Savannah napping is from the cabana the rest are from the park.)

Last night we went to dinner with our dinner friends; Chris' coworker, Manny, another coworker, Yaj, his wife, Divya and their son, Shrihan. We went to "Sushi, Sushi" in Century Village. The food was delicious. Living in Dubai has definitely broadened our taste buds. When Chris and I first started dating he didn't like salad or vegetables without cheese and last night we enjoyed a dinner of sushi, prawn salad, mixed seafood soup and wine.

On Friday we were supposed to participate in the Dubai Pinkathon, a walk for breast cancer but it was postponed until next weekend due to the death of Shaikh Saqr Bin Mohammad Al Qasimi, the ruler of Ras Al Khaimah, one of the other six emirates in the UAE. To morn the ruler, many government offices are closed for a week, community events are canceled and the local radio and TV stations play only classical music or prayers.

Halloween Party!

Savannah and I joined a play/mom's group through the American Women's Association. Today was our first "playdate" and it was a Halloween Party. Halloween isn't really celebrated in Dubai, but since everyone in the group is from the US, we put our kids in costumes so that we could still have Halloween pictures.

All of the kids in the play group are under a year old. Savannah is the youngest by a few months, but will catch up to her new friends in time. She was very "wide-eyed" the entire time watching the other kids sit up by themselves, roll over and play with toys. Everyone said Savannah was so alert for being 10 weeks old. I think she was just trying to figure out what was going on! She was sound asleep before I could get her buckled into the car seat to come home.

Surf's Up and Beach BBQ

Today was an exciting today. This morning I went for a surfing lesson. I thought I was going for stand-up paddle boarding lessons but it was actual surfing! It was so much fun. There are not really big waves here so it is perfect for beginners. After the first try and instantly falling in the water I was able to get up and ride the waves in! The conditions were perfect...sunny and low 90's...it was a perfect morning at the beach.The local Surf Shop offers one free lesson to anyone who is interested. Of course this is to encourage you to sign up for their lessons but it was a great experience. I think next I am going to take the stand-up paddle boarding lessons. Paddle boarding is quite popular here as the sea is fairly calm. Once I know how to paddle around, I would like to take the stand up paddle board tour around the Burj Al Arab! I encouraged Chris to take the lesson as well, I think he would really enjoy it but he wants to jump ahead and learn how to kite board! (There are not any pictures of my surfing adventure as Chris and Savannah stayed at home to eat and sleep...maybe next time.)

Tonight we also went to a Beach BBQ at the Jebel Ali Golf Resort and Spa. This was sponsored by the American Women's Association. It was nice to be able to spend the evening with families of similar backgrounds and listening to Jimmy Buffett. From what we learned, there are lots of American families here from New York and Texas, although I have gotten to know another "Jen" who is from Northville, Michigan and her husband is from Troy, Michigan. What a small world! Savannah also went for her first ride in a golf cart!

I recently joined the American Women's Association (AWA) in hopes of meeting other families and moms. Next week Savannah and I are going to an AWA "playgroup" with other kids under 12 months old.

Life's A Beach

Yesterday Savannah and I took Chris to the beach. The weather is still very hot here (although it has cooled off to upper 90's during the day) so we went just before sunset. It was a great time to go and Savannah doesn't seem to mind the water or the sand.

Savannah is Two Months Old!

Hard to believe that Savannah is already two months old! We have been continuously commenting on how much bigger she is looks in her diapers, new born clothes and her car seat but I guess we underestimated how much bigger she has actually gotten. At our doctor's visit today, she weighed in at 11 pounds and 22 inches! This is in the 75th percentile for both and up from 6 pounds and 20 inches at birth.

We went to see a new pediatrician today. He was great and was patient with my "new mom" questions. He even gave us his cell phone number to call anytime with questions or concerns. The doctor told us that babies that are born on the smaller side tend to double their weight in two months time, while babies born on the average/larger size usually take up to five months to double their weight, so Savannah is right on track. He was also pleased that her height and weight were proportionate but guess we will have to stop calling her "peanut".

On the down side, Savannah had to get shots today...not sure who had more tears Savannah or me. The doctor also told us we need start working on "tough love" at bedtime to help start establishing nighttime routines and get Savannah to start sleeping through the night. She is still getting up every 2-3 hours to eat so he wants me to cut out some of the night time eating. The end result sounds fantastic but the process to get there sounds pretty rough!

Caught on Camera!

Savannah and I send Chris a picture every day at work. Here are a few we have sent in the last week or so. (The one of her sleeping is her preferred method of napping.)

Indoor Skydiving!

Yesterday we went indoor skydiving! I wasn't sure what to expect but it was a blast. Basically it is a skydiving simulator. You are inside a wind tunnel that replicates actual skydiving. You are with an instructor the entire time

who gives you hand signals to correct your body position. Most of them time you are "flying" at about waist height but with the feeling of free fall. Chris and I went in shifts and Savannah was a great spectator. Unfortunatly, because we went in shifts there are not a lot of pictures. While Chris was in the wind tunnel, Savannah and I were watching the safety movie and getting the gear on.

We have been looking for activities to get Savannah and I out of the house, as the weather is still to warm for Savannah to enjoy many outdoor activities...this was a great adventure.

After skydiving we met up with friends for dinner at Seville's. This restaurant is Spanish cuisine and was wonderful! Another great dinner out.

On the Run!

I started running this week! I got clearance from the doctor and have started running on the treadmill in the gym at our apartment complex. I am treadmill bound until the weather cools off. Also, scheduling my runs around when Chris is home from work and Savannah's eating schedule means I am doing some late night running but am enjoying it. I can't wait to get Savannah out for a run or walk in the stroller. My right foot started bothering me at the end of my pregnancy and still bothers me a little so I am taking it slow but so far so good. I am hoping to run in a race or two while we are in Dubai.