Mommy and Me

The new web-site

Again, welcome to the new JeRom's World. Finally Jennifer and Roma came to an agreeable compromise. (definition of compromise in marriage: the husband is right publicly, the wife is right privately.) I actually do like the looks of the page--I just hope it does all I want it to do. We will see how it goes.

In the meantime, playing on the computer is not the only thing we do around here! Aleks and I went to the zoo while Roma had a study group with some of his classmates. For the first time in a very long time we saw the sea lions swimming--they weren't only swimming, they were dancing for us. How can such a huge animal be so graceful?

Aloysha has also had his first photography lessons--we think he might have a natural talent.

а в Эстонии зима...

Оля Луга прислала февральское фото из Силламяэ. Я же говорил, что это сказочный город?! И, вообще, его не показывали на картах до 198какого-то года. И правильно делали, зачем такую красоту всем показывать, глядишь ещё сглазят.
Идёшь так по городу, в звенящей тишине, да, да, в Силламяэ, в этакий мороз, она звенящая, а под ногами хруп-хрум, хруп-хрум, ляпота-а-а.
А вы бы видели какие там закаты...

Праздники

На работе коллега (Шэрил) вернулась только что из России и привезла много русского шоколада. Мням мням! Заодно она привезла с собой ощущение грядущего праздника, 23 февраля - День защитника Родины, праздник, который во многих сердах, и моё не исключение, связан не с защитой родины, а с Днём Мужчин. В конце концов, другого у нас нет дня, народ привык и отмечает его солидарно как праздник для нас, мужиков. Шерил привезла также открытки, "настоящие" российские, где все девчонки подписались и видоизменили, по-случаю, песню "под крылом самолёта". Наверное, что-то было ещё в этот день в нашем офисе, но я провёл весь день в библиотеке, как настоящий мужик, корпя над письменной работой для класса.

А сегодня утром, радио 4 из Эстонии государственным гимном объявило о Дне Независимости. Президент толкнул речь, в которой даже упомянул о Скайпе, что мол, скоро, очень скоро такие вот международные гениальности, сделанные эстонскими народными умельцами, охватят мир и Эстония станет центром глобальной технореволюции (последняя мысль, была доведена до ума уже мною, под впечатлением Васюков у Ильфа и Петрова).
Тем не менее, одержимый патриотическими чувствами, навеянными президентской речью, я , аки солдаты в знаменитой фотографии, воодружающие флаг на куполе Рейхстага, бросился к стене, сорвал эстонский флаг и воодрузил его на своем окне. Пусть народ чувствует праздник, думал я. И пусть, этот финн, этажом ниже, который уже давно вывесил (и, падла, не убирает) свой белый с синим крестиком флажок, чует, где чья территория.
Вот так, отражая веяния в эстонской политике я и начал этот день.

Spring!!!

Spring has begun...almost! Officially it is still winter, but the trees and flowers are whispering the beginnings of the next season; I can already feel the excitement going on inside of all the people walking on the street.

Today at the library there were between 25 and 30 Moms (well, there were a few Dads too). That is about 60 people in one little room singing "Ring around the Rosie" and "Head and shoulders Knees and toes, Knees and Toes!" You can definitely feel the excitement in the Mommies who have been cooped up in their homes because they are afraid of the rain or cold. Susan, the librarian squeezes in reading 3 books before the kids go crazy saying "toys, toys, toys." As soon as she even slightly glances at the box of toys, the kids are piled into the center of the room, heads toward the ceiling waiting for her to dump out the treasure. This is our Friday morning--taking the choo-choo to the Library and reading for an hour (really, a pre-15 minutes of Mommy chatting, 30 minutes of reading and 15 minutes of toys!) Aloysha says Susan starting from breakfast on Friday mornings (the children librarian's name); She is wonderful in making the kids interested in books. It is really amazing how 30 under two toddlers will run toward the books, and stand under Susan's feet screaming Ducky or Panda when she turns the page. The toys do get a lot of attention, but for 30 minutes the kids are little book worms.

Tuesdays start out late, usually. Friendly house play time starts at 9:30, but there are so many great things to do there we can't miss it. Last week we did a great art project, and this week Aloysha couldn't wait to get up into the gym for 'cycles'

Праздники

На работе коллега (Шэрил) вернулась только что из России и привезла много русского шоколада. Мням мням! Заодно она привезла с собой ощущение грядущего праздника, 23 февраля - День защитника Родины, праздник, который во многих сердах, и моё не исключение, связан не с защитой родины, а с Днём Мужчин. В конце концов, другого у нас нет дня, народ привык и отмечает его солидарно как праздник для нас, мужиков. Шерил привезла также открытки, "настоящие" российские, где все девчонки подписались и видоизменили, по-случаю, песню "под крылом самолёта". Наверное, что-то было ещё в этот день в нашем офисе, но я провёл весь день в библиотеке, как настоящий мужик, корпя над письменной работой для класса.

А сегодня утром, радио 4 из Эстонии государственным гимном объявило о Дне Независимости. Президент толкнул речь, в которой даже упомянул о Скайпе, что мол, скоро, очень скоро такие вот международные гениальности, сделанные эстонскими народными умельцами, охватят мир и Эстония станет центром глобальной технореволюции (последняя мысль, была доведена до ума уже мною, под впечатлением Васюков у Ильфа и Петрова). Тем не менее, одержимый патриотическими чувствами, навеянными президентской речью, я , аки солдаты в знаменитой фотографии, водружающие флаг на куполе Рейхстага, бросился к стене, сорвал эстонский флаг и водрузил его на своем окне. Пусть народ чувствует праздник, думал я. И пусть, этот финн, этажом ниже, который уже давно вывесил (и, падла, не убирает) свой белый с синим крестиком флажок, чует, где чья территория. Вот так, отражая веяния в эстонской политике я и начал этот день.

Dinner Party

Hmmm, have we had a dinner party since Aleks joined the family? We have had a few party-like gatherings with friends/coworkers from Romka's office, but last night was our first dinner party; a dinner party with the traditional definition--3 courses, dessert, and real wine glasses, all adults sitting around the table having semi-grownup conversations. The only thing that made it a little different than the normal dinner party was the occasional breast feeding, and toddlers getting on and off the lap for a bite or two.

Another thing that is quite interesting when parents gather for reasons other than entertaining their children is seeing hobbies that still exist that also don't include the children. Peter (our host) is a food hobbyist--even more, he subscribes to a magazine dedicated to that theme--proving his passion. He prepared a delicious dinner for Lucie, Art, Romka and I.

Today, the girls from this dinner party--Anna, Lucie and I, went to see The Boys of Baraka at the international film festival. The boys kept the kids and the girls went out without worries. It is a funny thing that takes about two years after you bring kids into your life--only then do you begin to realize that you are still the same person you were before you had them, just with a little more insight, maybe.

Graham Roundup

Click to see more pictures

Finally I have a few quick minutes to say Thank You and truly what a wonderful time we had in Texas with my family. All of our family loves us so much I wish that we could see you all, all the time. At least we have the chance to see you often (even if it isn't often enough)--and we are even more fortunate that we have the technology we have to keep in touch --through voice, video, e-mail and internet. Distance isn't an issue in relationship anymore, but it sure is nice to give a real hug sometimes!

Thank you, Thank you, Thank you, Grandma, Grandpa, Granny, Auntie Trish and Auntie Stacy--for spending time with us and the presents and loving us. We love you too--!

Frustrating Husbands

Romka is trying to get me to increase my technology, and I am one of those resistant people--who gets used to old programs and tries as long as possible to keep the old before finally giving in and learning all the cool things new things a new program can do; then I don't remember how I lived without it. So I am going to give the new way a try, while keeping my old way--lets see how our JeRom World faithful browsers like it.

We are settled back in our lovely apartment, getting back to old routines. Baby class, meeting friends, playgroup and tomorrow we see Susan at the Library. Last night we had a spur of the moment pizza party at Mimi's house (otherwise known as Lucie and Art's) Aleks and Mimi didn't forget the love they share--together they made us a delicious pizza (the picture was taken kinda late...only one piece is left!

Back to Home

You know when you get so far behind on something you don't even want to start trying to get caught up because the task is so daunting! Well, I used the excuse for the past two weeks that my Mom is keeping up her new web-site so I didn't need to do anything to mine until I got back to Portland. Now I am back and I have so many thoughts and ideas that I would like to do--but I feel like none of them will really happen!

Well, one thing that I do want to do is say that we had a great visit with Grandma and Grandpa. We did so many new things, met a lot of people and just hung around each other trying to get to know one another. I think that this time Aleks will really remember his Grandma and Grandpa--Granny, Auntie Trish and Auntie Stacy too. My Mom has some great pictures of the whole visit on her web-site, and I have a few more to add.

An important note to add that just happened today over lunch! Aleks just had his first haircut. Yes, Roma and I opened a salon here at home, and started chopping off hair. First we started with my hair, to show Aloysha that it wouldn't hurt--then, after a little chasing, we caught him.