Keep on Swimming

YAY! We are gearing up for our visitors! I have been feeling a little home sick so it couldn’t have come at a better time.  Our kick off date is Valentines Day with Tom, Helen, and Aunt Zane! ......and we are ready!! Then Alissa! Then Mom to follow!!

We are 4 months in and not a day goes by that we don’t feel happy about making the decision to come as a family.   We have gotten used(well most days) to Bryan coming home late. As soon as he opens the door Corbyn goes a running almost as fast as Bryan does.  Weekends are cut short with Bryan having to go in but we don't take any of our time together for granted.  He usually takes his side kick in so mommy can have a little break.

My Bahrain tid bit:

So I am totally one of those “do what works for you people” and try to stay away from the judging but something that goes on here is leaving a sour taste in my mouth and from talking to others I think it is clearly a consensus.  Coming from US we are pushed to get the safest car seat for our little ones or make sure they are wearing seat belts because safety comes first.  Obviously back in the day this wasn’t an option so it is was okay.  However, if the options are available how come it hasn’t caught on in Bahrain?  I have seen countless kiddos not even wearing seat belts and it just blows my mind.  When I first got here I read in the paper that the car accidents were at an all time high this past year here.  It is hard for me to watch as a parent drives while holding an infant in their lap while driving at the same time and sometimes even smoking.  So you say…hmm maybe they can’t afford a seat?  Well, let’s just say I saw a porshe with a kiddo sitting looking out the window in the front seat with no seat belt on the other day. I have been to a couple of 3^rd world countries where they are limited by their resources.  In Bahrain that is not the case(for most).  The culture just does not have child safety at the forefront of their priorities.   I have a hard time watching, knowing that if these cars are in accidents children could be injured due to negligence.  Driving in Bahrain seems to be a free for all where everyone feels like they are entitled to cut the line, or go first without being courteous of others around them.   Ok, ok, I will get off my soap box now.  This is just something I wanted to share because I just didn’t even think about it before coming here.  Keep those babies snug and tight because they are our future.  

My Corbyn tid bit:

Speaking of dear little ones Corbyn is just trucking along.  His favorite word is car (he is obsessed with cars and I am not exaggerating) and my favorite word he says his baby. He is quite the little lover.  Whether we are at a play date or just out at a play area he picks people out of the crowd and gives them extra love.  There was a time when he was a wiggly worm where cuddling wasn’t his thing (mainly teething season) but you better believe that has changed.  He is also more careful than I thought he would be…so far.   He absolutely loves facetiming with his grandparents and he thinks both his Grandpa Dude and Crazy Pa are silly.  He loved facetiming with his cousin Livy and so did we :) We were also blessed to skype with his great grandparents in Seguin. Our house was taken over by a cold about 3 1/2 weeks ago. Tis the season, right? Well little man had his first bad cold and his first ear infection. I knew it was only a matter of time.

 

Another pinterest idea: painting with shaving cream.  Only I use whipped cream because I knew he would eat it and well, it was a nice little treat for the little dude. 

A fun video of Corbyn making animal noises. Click on the link to see.

Corbyn's Animal Noises

And one more video. My little man being sweet on mommy. I was

25 kisses deep before Bryan picked up the camera.  He is more of a closed mouth kisser these days but sometimes if your lucky you will get slimmed like this. 

Corbyn's Kisses

Grace was also lucky!

Hanging with his friend Alex

Hanging with Logan. She is at the top of the slide.

And just bc I love the look of a messy craft table with little kiddos artwork.

 First Haircut

Last, but not least with the help of a babysitter we are managing to have some adult time as well.  Bryan and I went to our first brunch experience here in Bahrain (bc that's the thing to do on Friday here) to celebrate Marissa's 30th.