Papa Zee playing with Ethan.
Ethan's best friend in the world:Bruno, the family dog. Mama Zee watching closely.
Using the table to get back up.
Adam and his family live in a small town called Bentham in the Lancaster region. It's the northwestern part of England. It has been very cold for me and Ethan-we are usually wearing 3 layers or more while most everyone else is in t-shirts or sleeveless shirts during the day.
Their home is a 300 year old home and barn, now much renovated and expanded. It does however has some amazing architecture, with low beams made from old ships and un even flooring which has been fun for Ethan to walk on.
Ethan has gotten used to his new surrounding with exceptional speed considering everyone here speaks with a northern british accent using English while he is mostly used to hearing Mandarin Chinese and Taiwanese. Within less that two days, he has learned to say " Dog ge" and "eh oh" his version of hello.
We arrived on Wednesday and were greeted warmly from Mama and Papa Zee. Ethan, at once, made friends with Bruno, the family's pet dog and every morning as soon as he wakes up, he will ask for "Go Go"- Chinese for dog.
As we were shown around their place, they had organized a play pen for his new toys, a crib in our room with a gorgeous quilt, and a playroom for Ethan. Inside the playroom, were toys, bibs, clothing, a ball tent, baby food, sun cream and much more. What a wonderful and thoughtful thing to do!
Uncle Dan and Uncle Josh also came home. Dan was in London and Josh has just finished University. Ethan was a bit shy at first but soon got used to them.
Thursday was spent much of it sleeping on my part. We also had visits from Richard ( a cleaner) and his son Lars who gave Ethan a whole box of toys- big duplo (lego), cars, trucks, dumper trucks and tractors, a Thomas the Tank Engine walker and much more.
On Friday, Ethan and I went out with Mama Zee into town to look around. We had fun getting into town since Mama Zee was still getting used to our automatic Rover. HEEE. She's a little speed demon.
Afterwards, we went for a walk and did a bit of shopping. Turns out there are 2 playgroups going on during the week, and every month you can rent big toys from the community centre for a few pence. Maybe 100nt or less.
On Saturday, we went to visit Grannie and Gramps for a bit-Mama Zee's parents to thank them for putting in a good word in for us about the house we were applying for. (Adam told me on the way back from the airport that we got it! We couldn't have without their help! So thanks to them both!) Unfortunately we had such a good visit, I forgot to take any photos!! Then we went into Lancaster, about an hrs drive- to do some much needed shopping as well as get cards and gifts for Father's day- Sunday
Sunday was father's day and it included Ethan's first drumming experience. - see video. That's Uncle Robin behind the drums. Actually, Uncle Josh is the drummer, and also plays guitar. Robin plays guitar and drums, Dan plays guitar and saxophone, Papa zee plays guitar and Adam listens to music.
Sunday, was exciting. Father's Day! We wrote our cards just a few hrs after lunch, and Ethan had his first experience with markers scribbling on the cards for PapaZee. He wasn't quite into it but i'm sure with a bit more practice he will love it.
Then we wrapped Papa Zee's gift basket. Ethan's was sleeping so we woke him up and I gave Adam his two father's day cards. One from me and one from Ethan. Then we went down for dinner.
Bruno, daddy, Papa Zee and Ethan. Robin and his girlfriend Anna lying in the garden.
Uncle Josh, Papa Zee, Ethan and Uncle Dan.
Mama Zee making a wonderful Father's day feast!
Then after dinner, Papa Zee open's his Father's/Grandfather's day gifts. He had a bit of a hard time opening his gift basket. (Woops, guess I wrapped it a little too well!)
The other photos are of the family watching Papa Zee discover his gift basket treasures which included chocolate, 3 specialty beers, turkish delight, and 3 ball pit balls from Ethan.
Reading Father's day cards and opening a box of Turkish Delight.
Sure i'll have some father in law. All of us eating Chocolate Roulade cake.
What a great welcome and a great week.
Ethan has also started eating more solid food. He loves yogurt, chicken, biscotti for babies, pasta, carrots and broccoli (sometimes) and sweet potato fries. Mama Zee has also blended potato and steak together as well as rice, sausage, and veggies but it seems he's more into eating the same food as us rather than mashed up. Good for Ethan. He also seems alot heavier these past few days.
We bought a new kind of milk formula- aptamil- which isn't lactose free- but is a weaning formula and an immune system booster so far Ethan seems to like it. Today, i noticed a rash on both his cheeks so i'm not sure if it was the biscotti or the formula that gave him this reaction but daddy and I will keep a watch on it.
Ethan also has been going to bed later- still trying to adjust to times. At first he would wake up around 4:30. This morning, it was 5:30pm so hopefully it will get progressively later.
That's it for now. I'll try to post more things as soon as I can.
Mommy.
