We went to the beach for one last time today before heading to TX this week. It was our first clear water experience here in the DR. We drove 2 hrs to Bayahibe. After 2hrs in the car and a screaming baby, all you want to do is get out of the car. Stress levels were high and so when the road into the town looked like it was going to deadend into a baseball field, I was ready to shake my finger at Scotty. Thankfully though a woman was walking nearby and Scott asked her where a pretty beach was located. She said straight ahead and to the right. We're thinking "no way!" But sure enough the small road led us to a secluded beach where a woman came and served us Presidentes, shrimp, fried plantano, and brought us a table and two chairs. It was perfect!
Saturday, December 20, 2008
Adeline washing off the sand before we headed out.
Thursday, December 18, 2008
It's Not Always the Dog
Today had it's share of more than enough cleaning up pee!!! Most of you probably won't want to read beyond this line....
Some people blog to vent...this is what this blog entry is for me. For some reason Adeline decided that she wasn't going to use the potty today. That means 4 poop-filled panties and an equal amount of pee ones. I had made the decision to spank her today for her laziness, and most of the time I did. By 5pm I decided to try time out. It didn't affect her either because within the hour she had done it again. Let's break from Adeline, shall we?
Sarah wasn't having a good potty day either. It wasn't the worst day, but not the best either. I decided it wasn't the best day when my undergarment that was air drying fell into her diarrea! Sarah spent most of the afternoon on the porch for her misbehavior, which means she played in her urine all afternoon. Now I must do what I WAS NOT ever going to do...wash the dog. I geared up with my cleaning gloves on and got through cleaning Sarah with no big shakes.
Now I needed to clean up the porch in order for my clean dog to use the restroom after her meal tonight. Well that turned into a fiasco when I couldn't figure out how to get the sprayer off and now my dining room had puddles of water in it that the dog was running through. I thought I'd try the Dominican way of cleaning and get the good ole regular mop to soak it up...forget that! I had to bring out the trusty Rubber-maid that I can squeeze water out with a handle instead of my hands.
(side note: it is now almost 9pm and there is a random dude TRYING to play a trumpet outside as well as some random bass noise and a man on an intercom that talks ever so often)
Back to cleaning up water...When I went to go turn off the water in the laundry room, the hose hadn't been put on correctly and there was water spraying everywhere in there as well.
(side note: random trumpet player and bass noise has now turned into a full blown concert!)
I get the dining room and porch cleaned up to discover my daughter taking off her wet panties. I tell her to go get on her chair that is in the hallway for her time out. I start cleaning the laundry room up and she's just-a singing away "Jesus Loves Me." Probably 10 minutes later I head to tell her to get up and there is a puddle of pee under the chair (which earlier this week she had also done at the table and Darton found it while crawling around). It's the first time I've put my daughter to bed while being angry with her. It's NOT a good feeling.
I decided to post this story b/c I know I will one day look back and laugh. I must say that I even have a smirk on my face right now. The day was just that ridiculous ;)
Some people blog to vent...this is what this blog entry is for me. For some reason Adeline decided that she wasn't going to use the potty today. That means 4 poop-filled panties and an equal amount of pee ones. I had made the decision to spank her today for her laziness, and most of the time I did. By 5pm I decided to try time out. It didn't affect her either because within the hour she had done it again. Let's break from Adeline, shall we?
Sarah wasn't having a good potty day either. It wasn't the worst day, but not the best either. I decided it wasn't the best day when my undergarment that was air drying fell into her diarrea! Sarah spent most of the afternoon on the porch for her misbehavior, which means she played in her urine all afternoon. Now I must do what I WAS NOT ever going to do...wash the dog. I geared up with my cleaning gloves on and got through cleaning Sarah with no big shakes.
Now I needed to clean up the porch in order for my clean dog to use the restroom after her meal tonight. Well that turned into a fiasco when I couldn't figure out how to get the sprayer off and now my dining room had puddles of water in it that the dog was running through. I thought I'd try the Dominican way of cleaning and get the good ole regular mop to soak it up...forget that! I had to bring out the trusty Rubber-maid that I can squeeze water out with a handle instead of my hands.
(side note: it is now almost 9pm and there is a random dude TRYING to play a trumpet outside as well as some random bass noise and a man on an intercom that talks ever so often)
Back to cleaning up water...When I went to go turn off the water in the laundry room, the hose hadn't been put on correctly and there was water spraying everywhere in there as well.
(side note: random trumpet player and bass noise has now turned into a full blown concert!)
I get the dining room and porch cleaned up to discover my daughter taking off her wet panties. I tell her to go get on her chair that is in the hallway for her time out. I start cleaning the laundry room up and she's just-a singing away "Jesus Loves Me." Probably 10 minutes later I head to tell her to get up and there is a puddle of pee under the chair (which earlier this week she had also done at the table and Darton found it while crawling around). It's the first time I've put my daughter to bed while being angry with her. It's NOT a good feeling.
I decided to post this story b/c I know I will one day look back and laugh. I must say that I even have a smirk on my face right now. The day was just that ridiculous ;)
Lived through another one
"Lived through another what," you're asking? An earthquake! Similar to the one in Nevada, I really didn't know what was going on. In fact, I thought a big truck driving by shook the building. The thought did cross my mind though that it must be a really big truck to shake a building made out of concrete blocks!
Here's a link to see the earthquake's center. We're in Santo Domingo and Scott is near Cotui. He felt it as well. I think more than I did. He called to check on us and I didn't answer the phone b/c I was changing a diaper. Of all the times not to answer the phone...hope we didn't worry him too much.
http://maps.google.com/maps?q=18.68+-69.38(M5.3+-+DOMINICAN+REPUBLIC+-+2008+December+18++17%3A13%3A47+UTC)&ll=18.68,-69.38&spn=2,2&f=d&t=h&hl=e
Here's a link to see the earthquake's center. We're in Santo Domingo and Scott is near Cotui. He felt it as well. I think more than I did. He called to check on us and I didn't answer the phone b/c I was changing a diaper. Of all the times not to answer the phone...hope we didn't worry him too much.
http://maps.google.com/maps?q=18.68+-69.38(M5.3+-+DOMINICAN+REPUBLIC+-+2008+December+18++17%3A13%3A47+UTC)&ll=18.68,-69.38&spn=2,2&f=d&t=h&hl=e
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
301 Torre Elite continued
Hall to bdrms
Master
Each bdrm has a closet and bath
Hall to other bdrms
Adeline's room
Guest room (sorry about the mess on the bed..I've started packing for our trip 1 week from today!!)
Guest bath & closet
Master
Each bdrm has a closet and bath
Hall to other bdrms
Adeline's room
Guest room (sorry about the mess on the bed..I've started packing for our trip 1 week from today!!)
Guest bath & closet
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
301 Torre Elite
Our apartment building. We live on the third floor. 
Front Entry. The man is John our guardman. The generator is located behind John. It sends up wonderful fumes to our floor which is the second balcony. 
Stairs to the elevator.
The street our apartment is on.
The one and only elevator. Living on a higher floor would be nice for the view, but not so nice when you need to take the stairs.
Our front door - the first door is iron bars.
To the right of the elevator is the stairs and maid entry.
What you see when you walk in. To the right of the crosses is the 1/2 bath.
To the left of the front door. 
Dining room. The door is Darton's room & play room. 
Kitchen
I know there are probably more details than needed...but my mom NEEDS them :)
Front Entry. The man is John our guardman. The generator is located behind John. It sends up wonderful fumes to our floor which is the second balcony. Stairs to the elevator.
The street our apartment is on.
The one and only elevator. Living on a higher floor would be nice for the view, but not so nice when you need to take the stairs. Our front door - the first door is iron bars. To the right of the elevator is the stairs and maid entry. What you see when you walk in. To the right of the crosses is the 1/2 bath. To the left of the front door. Dining room. The door is Darton's room & play room. Kitchen
I know there are probably more details than needed...but my mom NEEDS them :)will post more later of the bedrooms....
Fun Weekend
We went out both Friday and Saturday night this past weekend. On Friday night we went to Denny & Cynthia's to watch Narnia: Prince Caspian. We decided not to worry about the kids bedtime and let them fall asleep over there. Everything went very smoothly and it was fun staying up with friends until midnight...it ahd been awhile since that has happened.
On Saturday night Ana, who cleans on Wednesdays, came over to watch the kids while we went to a bday party. It was the first time we left the kids with someone who doesn't speak English. She told us that she tried to tell Adeline "no intiendo" (I don't understand). I really hope to get Adeline in some kind of dance/gym class sooner than later to expose her to more Spanish. She's picking up on things I say. Tonight she learned to tell Darton "no para ti" (it's not for you).
Back to Saturday night....We left the bday party at 10:15p and they had yet to eat!! Thankfully we have been here long enough to know to get a bite to eat before heading to a party (even one that serves food).
Opening Christmas gifts from Poppa & Mama that they sent with Andrew and Steph.
We let Darton eat his oatmeal with his hands!! 
Adeline got a play kitchen this weekend. We bought it for $75 from a missionary couple leaving. The purchase included lots of play food & dishes. I'm telling you the price we paid because new in the States it is $120 and new here it is $370!! She didn't bother to ask to get out of bed Sunday morning, but went straight to her kitchen to start cooking. She is having lots of fun.
Darton can pull himself up on things. I think he's going to start doing a lot more over the next month while we are in TX.
On Saturday night Ana, who cleans on Wednesdays, came over to watch the kids while we went to a bday party. It was the first time we left the kids with someone who doesn't speak English. She told us that she tried to tell Adeline "no intiendo" (I don't understand). I really hope to get Adeline in some kind of dance/gym class sooner than later to expose her to more Spanish. She's picking up on things I say. Tonight she learned to tell Darton "no para ti" (it's not for you).
Back to Saturday night....We left the bday party at 10:15p and they had yet to eat!! Thankfully we have been here long enough to know to get a bite to eat before heading to a party (even one that serves food).
Opening Christmas gifts from Poppa & Mama that they sent with Andrew and Steph.
We let Darton eat his oatmeal with his hands!! 
Adeline got a play kitchen this weekend. We bought it for $75 from a missionary couple leaving. The purchase included lots of play food & dishes. I'm telling you the price we paid because new in the States it is $120 and new here it is $370!! She didn't bother to ask to get out of bed Sunday morning, but went straight to her kitchen to start cooking. She is having lots of fun.
Darton can pull himself up on things. I think he's going to start doing a lot more over the next month while we are in TX. 
Saturday, December 13, 2008
Adeline Growing Up
On Friday we had a big day of the park, making muffins, shoe shopping, and then making pizza dough for our dinner.
You wouldn't believe how many muffin recipes need brown sugar in them. These Dominicans don't know what they are missing out on not having it in their country.
This was our third shoe shopping trip this week. The only shoes my kids have are sandals and that just won't work in December in TX. I thouht I'd be a good frugal shopper and go to Payless...come to find out that wasn't any cheaper than namebrand here. Maybe I'm just naive to the prices in the U.S., but Adeline's tennis shoes were $30. I expected to only have to pay $15-20. Any experienced Payless shoppers have an opinion on this?
Here are a couple of pictures of Adeline helping. It is a lot of fun (and sometimes frustrating) with her trying to help. I am enjoying this age. She continues to surprise us with new phrases. For instance, we were shopping for toys to give away to other children when she came upon a toy and said "I lov-ed this." It was hillarious. Guess I need to watch how I use the word "love."
Most Dominican kitchens do not have a dishwasher and we're one of them. Maybe within four years Adeline will be a pro! Sometimes I think, what did I get done today?? And then I remember that a good portion of the day was just spent washing dishes. It is NOT a fun chore.
Thursday, December 11, 2008
Our Growing boy and more
Guess who can now stand in his crib!!! Darton turned 8mths today. He says "ba ba" when we wants a bottle and when you ask him while he's crying if he wants a "ba ba" he stops crying. It's crazy! In this picture he is on his knees.
This evil little dish is called a churro. I'm pretty sure they are sold at the TX State Fair. I say evil because they are loaded with oil and coated multiple times with sugar. Scotty is not one for sweets, but he ate so many of these that he was in pain!
Darton thinks he must eat what we are eating (and not mashed up either). So this week was his first attempt to eat peas on his own. Can you believe this ham?!?
Adeline is having a hard time all of the sudden. She now sticks her thumb in her mouth when she is insecure or hurt. At the beginning of the week she wouldn't go to sleep without me in her bed with her. Mama (Scott's mom) recommended music for her to go to sleep. It's working so far! Thanks Mama (pronouned sometimes like Mawmaw and other times like Momma). Adeline was given the responsibility to name Scott's parents and now it has been done! I say responsibility because she was the first grandchild. Scott's dad is Poppa or Pawpaw. I think that Adeline has a hard time with the "gr" sound and that's how she came up with their names. My mom wanted to be called Grandmommie and Adeline says Mammommie and my dad, Granddad, is called Gdad.
This evil little dish is called a churro. I'm pretty sure they are sold at the TX State Fair. I say evil because they are loaded with oil and coated multiple times with sugar. Scotty is not one for sweets, but he ate so many of these that he was in pain!
Darton thinks he must eat what we are eating (and not mashed up either). So this week was his first attempt to eat peas on his own. Can you believe this ham?!?
Adeline is having a hard time all of the sudden. She now sticks her thumb in her mouth when she is insecure or hurt. At the beginning of the week she wouldn't go to sleep without me in her bed with her. Mama (Scott's mom) recommended music for her to go to sleep. It's working so far! Thanks Mama (pronouned sometimes like Mawmaw and other times like Momma). Adeline was given the responsibility to name Scott's parents and now it has been done! I say responsibility because she was the first grandchild. Scott's dad is Poppa or Pawpaw. I think that Adeline has a hard time with the "gr" sound and that's how she came up with their names. My mom wanted to be called Grandmommie and Adeline says Mammommie and my dad, Granddad, is called Gdad.Wednesday, December 10, 2008
Monday, December 8, 2008
Dominican Worship
I posted a video under Geerfamily on YouTube for you to hear the singing in our church here. The recording doesn't do it justice.
Sunday, December 7, 2008
Weekend
On Friday night we got dressed up for the Church Christmas party. We were told we could show up at 7:30p. We knew from experience that meant it's not starting then. Things got kicked off at 8:30p and dinner around 9p. It all ended about 11:30p. That's the Dominican night though. The kids did great for us! 
Yes, that is icing on my lips from a delicious piece of cake!
Yes, that is icing on my lips from a delicious piece of cake!We enjoyed Saturday afternoon in the 200 acre Santo Domingo Botanical Gardens. We were able to catch a couple of good photo moments. 
I realized this weekend that we now have a little girl instead of a baby girl.
This tree was in the Japenese Gardens of the Bot. Gardens.
Riding the train.
I realized this weekend that we now have a little girl instead of a baby girl.
This tree was in the Japenese Gardens of the Bot. Gardens.
Riding the train.
Friday, December 5, 2008
Dress Up
Darton's Christmas outfit Noreen made him. Adeline has a matching dress, but she was too busy watching her morning television to come take a picture by the tree.
Adeline thought she' d like to play dress up in the lamb outfit my mom got her last halloween. Since Reformation or Halloween isn't celebrated here we didn't get to wear it, so might as well play dress up!
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