And now we wait

And now we wait.....we got our air shipment this past weekend, so the kids are happy to have some of their toys, blankets, and pillows from home as well as the WII and our TV. Barry and I were happy to get our blankets as well and some clothes and kitchen items. Now comes the long wait for our stuff that came by boat like furniture and all the food we bought before we left to stock up. And..... my car.....last we heard the car is in Georgia... so it'll be a few more weeks and even once it arrives you have to get it registered and get plates which takes an additional few weeks as well. So in the meantime I am going crazy taking a cab to and from school 2x a day! This morning, the cab didn't even show up! So we had to call another one, we were very late! Luckily I don't have to get a special license to drive to drive here, so once the car does arrive, I will be ready to go.

On a different note, I think we are finally adjusted to the time change. We didn't get out this weekend to take any new pictures but hopefully we'll get some more this coming weekend for you to see. Till then....

Old city

So we have been here 10 days now and the kids are in their 4th day of school! I went to a transition meeting at their school this am that talked about how to help them ease into a new school in a different country. They haven't needed help at all, kids are so resilient! 

The school has a parent room which is near the kids classrooms so for the first 4 days I have been hanging out there during the day, just reading a book. It gives the twins and I a sense of peace knowing I am nearby. They pass me on their way to and from recess and lunch and hug me. It is one of the best feelings ever. I love finally being able to be there for them like that and I know it is temporary as I'll have to go back to work when we move back to DC, but for now, it feels good. 

I have already met 3 moms whose kids have peanut allergies worse than Ty! One of them invited me over for tea and showed me the ok products I could buy that are safe for Ty. She told me where to buy them and Friday she is taking me out to get them. 

Another mom took me to a meeting yesterday and her daughter is Ty's best friend already. 

The community overseas is a lot like Okinawa in which everyone looks out for each other. 

I was incredibly concerned moving to a new school that Ty would get bullied for wearing glasses or grace might not make friends easily because we started late. I was worried everyone would already have friends before we arrived.  Instead, the school is so used to transient families, they pair the kids up with class buddies who show them all around the school and eat lunch with them and sit by them in class.  Both Grace and Tyler already have many friends at school to play with! And everyday after school, the doorbell rings with many kids from our neighborhood coming over to play! 

Everyone is so friendly here! 

It makes up for the insane traffic and different culture out in town! 

There are things that are hard to get used to though, like passing the dilapidated housing to and from school and getting a front row view of a sheep being slaughtered in front of a store on the way home. I do my best to turn in into a learning experience. I told the kids that happens in the United States too and that is how we get bacon, ham, steak, etc, we just don't see it happen there. 

Anyway, all is well here and we are adjusting well and enjoying our new experiences. 

We really hope you'll come visit soon if you can !

Grace and Ty in Fountain Square near the Old City. 

Daddy took this pic of Ty and I relaxing on the bench near the Old City. 

Daddy and Grace near the Maiden Tower in the Old City. 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maiden_Tower_(Baku)

Read the above link to learn more about this maiden tower behind Barry and Grace. It is a fascinating story!

First day of school

And the day has come to start school! Both kids were so excited! Grace was a little nervous but Ty was not at all! We took a taxi to the school (because the car has not arrived yet) and the teachers were waiting for them! School started back in August on the 18th and so we are a little late now that it is September, but the other children and teachers still welcomed us all with open arms! I stayed for the day as there was a PTA meeting and so I was able to have lunch with the kids! Grace's teacher invited me in to hear a story and I met lots of moms, even a few with kids with peanut allergies! The twins both met lots of new friends as did I!  I can't believe how nice everyone is to us! 

Grace's class! Her teacher, Mr. Scott, and assistant, Ms. Safura, waited for her to arrive before taking their class photo and printed it for me to take home the very first day! 

Tyler's teacher, Ms. Lucy and her assistant Ms. Jamila did the same thing! What an awesome welcome and a great class picture on the first day of school! 

On our way to school in the purple London style taxi. 

Walking in to school. First day of 1st grade, known as P4 here. 

Just before they head into their new classrooms. 

Grace in her new classroom ready to learn. 

Ty in his new classroom, meeting Madeline, a friend who helped him around ALL day! 

Exploring on our own

On our first day alone while daddy was at work at the Embassy, we explored the housing complex. We found a playground and some turtles! Then we went shopping at a local market just outside the gate of our housing complex! It was NOT easy to find what we needed as all of the labels were written in either Azeri or Russian! We managed to find several items using pictures and context clues on the packaging lol!

Grace and Ty liked the merry go round at the complex's playground. It made me nervous. There is a lamp post just to the left of Grace and I couldn't help but imagine them flying out hitting their head on that thing! 

Found some turtles in the courtyard! 

The market we found some items in to get started. 

More of the playground.

Some of the items we found at the market.

Some more market items we found. 

Our new home

We arrived in Baku around 10pm local time and thankfully the sponsors left homemade food as we were starving! It was hard to fall asleep the first night in a new house in a different country, but the next day we explored the market and the embassy! Everyone has been so helpful! Our house is like a mansion with 3 floors and lots of space for the twins to run around! There are 3 bedrooms so the twins can have their own room if they like, but they prefer to sleep together which is fine by us. 

Grace and Ty in their new room in their new beds.

Ty at a desk in the hallway where he loves to draw. 

Two desk for two artistic kids to draw at! 

There was a box of mail waiting for us at the Embassy that we had sent before we left....and the kids LOVED playing in the box! 

Flight to Baku

Our flight out of DC was at 10pm. We flew to Germany first! It was a 7 hour flight and the twins actually slept 6 of those 7 hours! Daddy and I weren't so lucky getting maybe only 1-2 hours ! It is hard for me to sleep on planes... I am a stomach sleeper and so I just cannot get comfortable! After landing in Germany, we checked into our hotel and walked around looking for a place to eat! We took the metro to the Rhein river and finally found a pizza place to eat it. After that, we were exhausted, we headed back to the hotel. We all slept 12 hours that night! Next day, we flew to Baku and landed late at night. 

In the courtyard in front of our new home.

In the airport.

Teeth

Headed to airport in DC and Ty lost his first tooth in the car !!!! Great timing kid! Next post will be Germany !!!