Pictures I've been meaning to post ...

We've been back for over a month now, and it's been quite an adjustment ! For me, getting used to having an active toddler and a new baby plus the Central Asian lifestyle has been interesting. Luckily both Luke and Olivia are doing really well. Luke finally gave in and started drinking the milk here. Olivia is now going 3 1/2 hrs between day feedings and going all night long - which is huge for me to be able to get good rest. She still is a such a sweetie and Luke adores her. I mean adores her. But I 'm really wondering if he will ever learn that her name is Olivia and not Baby. Winter is starting to show it's face and I think we need to get mentally prepared for it. I made a trip to the market to find some leggings for both kids - it's all about layers in the winter. Anyway, enjoy a few pics!

Luke on his "bicycle" with some of the neighbor kids. We would always ask him if he wants to play with the boys, so he refers to all kids as boys or "the boys." Today I asked him who his best friend was and he said "the boy." ??

Luke has been reunited with his girl Madelyn. And she grew up to be such a cutie while we were gone! Her mother and I joked that this picture will for sure be in the rehearsal dinner slideshow.

Here's my sweetie pie. Olivia has the most precious face. Ok, so I know I'm biased but when I say her name or smile at her, she just lights up. She is SO calm and mild mannered (compared to Luke !). I keep wondering if she could ever be as wild as Luke when she's 2. I'm not in a hurry for her to grow up. I want to enjoy her as a little baby as long as I can.

Happy Halloween!

Being the scrapbooker that I am, I had great plans for some cute Ha,lloween pictures today. No, they don't celebrate Halloween here but Olivia has a cute "My first Halloween " onesie , and I found this Elmo costume at a consignment sale right before we left the US. I thought Luke would love it but actually today I had to bribe him to get him to put it on for pictures. I'll do anything for my pictures, right? Well today didn't go so well. First it was raining. So no outside pics. And then the power went out during the middle of our time, but at least I have a good flash. And also Luke is an extrememly active 2 year old who won't stand still, so getting him with the pumpkin and Olivia and smiling appropriately, well maybe next year. Anyway, I still think these are cute and scrapbook- worthy.

Olivia usually is a very happy girl, but as you can imagine she wasn't too happy about this situation. She can't sit up on her own, so this was my only option!

Our team in the mountains

Mountain Trip

I bet most of you who live in the South won't believe we are already wearing fleece here! So not everyday, but at least up the mountains we had to dress warm. Poor Livi, she had so many clothes on!

Luke was pretty pumped about a snack after our hike.

Julie and Miranda with Luke. Once again, not sure why his new smile is a wide open mouth.

Back in Central Asia with 2 kids...and a bit tired!

Luke finally is in a stage where he'll actually look at the camera when I ask him to. Of course his smiling is opening his mouth wide open, but I'll take what I can get. He adores Olivia so much and that makes me so happy.

Every day he asks to hold her. I have a feeling she'll get him back one day though!

Olivia is the sweetest happiest baby I've known. She smiles as soon as you say her name.