Ethan didn't eat much on the plane except for snacks and nibbles and this pattern carried on for the first two weeks of our stay which was a bit worrying. He in turn was very happy and with in the first week, all signs of his stuffy nose and cold were gone.
Jan 5th - Jan 16th
Right away, it was apparent that Ama and Gong Gong's house was extremely fun. As the first floor is very open, he dashes around at full speed getting his hands into everything. Ama and Gong Gong are very laid back considering there was no way Jeff or I could ever get away with what Ethan is doing!
He ransacked all the drawers scattering spoons, forks and utensils until he found the pots and pans and the colanders and wash basins. Ama, Gong Gong and I have been picking up after him and trying to get him to clean up is a game at this point. Drawers have been opened, pens have been grabbed and the sofa has red and blue ink on it in two different places.
Bath time has been way too much fun as his bathtub is in the shower and he can get into it himself which was apparent when I took of his pants and then told him to get into the bathroom. He took this to mean, get into the tub, which he did all by himself with his diaper and Tshirt still on!!!! That was one water soaked nappy!! He also can turn the tap on and off as its just the right height for him. As well, the shower doors provide tons of entertainment as he can open the up and slam them shut at his own will giggling and shrieking as he does it.
It also was soon evident that he could climb up the stairs by himself and that the upstairs balcony was a bit too dangerous so now Gong Gong has put various items of storage infront of the banister so that Ethan can not fall the banister poles. Needless to say, when you look up, it resembles something you might see at a car boot sale. (Garage sale) By the end of the 2nd week, Ethan was grabbing onto the banister poles and walking down step by step by himself. He can now get up the stairs in less than a minute and half both unassisted. Not only that but Ama has her microwave next to the staircase...
He has also learned to love being in the city and have so much to see keeps him busy running around on his tiptoes at full speed. He has discovered a love for keys, and lifts (elevators) and pushing the buttons for the appropriate floor. With any key, he now tries to fit into whatever key hole he can find.
Ethan and I also visit Chongder Campus Washington, an ESL primary school that I used to teach at to say hello. He loves the outdoor playground and can't resist the slides or tunnel.
Jan 17th- Jan 28th
Sat, Jan 17th, Gong Gong and I have taken Ethan to the park on Wenshin and Daye Road. One of the first parks he's been to as the last couple of weeks, alot of time was spent at our old apartment, clearing and cleaning up. He loved it and is gaining confidence at climbing up the steps and independently going down the slides by himself. Just before going out, Gong Gong and Ethan decide to water the plants on the balcony.
Bath time has been way too much fun as his bathtub is in the shower and he can get into it himself which was apparent when I took of his pants and then told him to get into the bathroom. He took this to mean, get into the tub, which he did all by himself with his diaper and Tshirt still on!!!! That was one water soaked nappy!! He also can turn the tap on and off as its just the right height for him. As well, the shower doors provide tons of entertainment as he can open the up and slam them shut at his own will giggling and shrieking as he does it.
It also was soon evident that he could climb up the stairs by himself and that the upstairs balcony was a bit too dangerous so now Gong Gong has put various items of storage infront of the banister so that Ethan can not fall the banister poles. Needless to say, when you look up, it resembles something you might see at a car boot sale. (Garage sale) By the end of the 2nd week, Ethan was grabbing onto the banister poles and walking down step by step by himself. He can now get up the stairs in less than a minute and half both unassisted. Not only that but Ama has her microwave next to the staircase...
He has also learned to love being in the city and have so much to see keeps him busy running around on his tiptoes at full speed. He has discovered a love for keys, and lifts (elevators) and pushing the buttons for the appropriate floor. With any key, he now tries to fit into whatever key hole he can find.
Ethan and I also visit Chongder Campus Washington, an ESL primary school that I used to teach at to say hello. He loves the outdoor playground and can't resist the slides or tunnel.
Jan 17th- Jan 28th
Sat, Jan 17th, Gong Gong and I have taken Ethan to the park on Wenshin and Daye Road. One of the first parks he's been to as the last couple of weeks, alot of time was spent at our old apartment, clearing and cleaning up. He loved it and is gaining confidence at climbing up the steps and independently going down the slides by himself. Just before going out, Gong Gong and Ethan decide to water the plants on the balcony.
On Sun. , we meet up with Vic and Grenda and their two boys, Seb and Nate at a great restaurant called Little Italy. Ethan eats some delicious pasta and then does a poop. This would be no problem in the UK where most restrooms have change tables but not in Taiwan so Ethan got his bum changed on a bench outside on the patio of the restaurant. No one thought anything of it. After lunch, we went to Feng Le park. There, Ethan amazed me by discovering a love for coin operated rides. There was the train with a seat for only one child. He got on. I put 3 tokens in the slot and off the train went around this track for a good 5 minutes or more. Of course I had to walk beside him and at the end of the ride, the train would bump into the other trains before him on the track. He would then get up, get out and move up one train to sit in it. After explaining, he needed to go to the front of all the trains, he would do so. Then look at me and say "Money,money" This happened about 5 more times before I could change his mind and steer him towards the carousel. As soon as he saw the horses, he said "Nay!". The last time we were on the carousel ended up in tears in Edmonton but this time as I sat beside him, he was lovin it, jumping up and down, patting/hitting the horse. The weather was amazingly hot and sunny and gorgeous. Soon, he got tuckered out and as soon as he was in the car, he was fast asleep.
On the Monday, Ethan and I went to visit the Highschool where I taught before going to the UK. He was slathered attention by everyone but quite shy and scared and not too sure of all the big people making a fuss about him. The most fun was the lift as there was a panel for wheelchair bound students - the perfect height for him to reach all the buttons. It took a while to get him away from them.
On Tuesday, I decided to take Ethan to FengLe park again to play on the playground as the carousel and coin operated rides were open only on the weekends. He still had great fun and it was a great way to burn off energy.
Wed.the 21st
Ethan says "Are you??" as in "Where are you?" This is the starting point of an impressive jump in talking.
As for food, he was starting to really enjoy 7-11 cheese hotdogs. At least it's better than crackers, peanuts, and tostitos.
Jan 22nd
Ama takes Ethan to the morning market and lets me sleep in. Sooo wonderful. Ethan sees the live fish and actually puts his hands in the tub to play with them. Later in the afternoon, Ama and I go to the supermarket and I sing "Wheels on the bus" For the first time, Ethan says, "More, more" and I am asked to sing repeatedly until we get home. Later in the afternoon, Gong Gong takes Ethan to Geant, an hypermarket and he manages to come home with a plastic fish lantern which has flashing lights inside and has a chinese boy singing "Are you sleeping Brother John" in English over and over again. Annoying and hilarious at the same time.
Jan 23rd
Ethan goes to a glasses shop in E- Zhong street and is a hit with all the staff while I get my new glasses. Ethan broke the arm off my previous glasses in the UK. Just snapped them off and kindly handed them back to me with a questioning look on his face. Like "Why did that happen mommy?" It seems everywhere we go, shop staff seem to give Ethan presents because he is so cute. He got a birdee money back from the bank, and from the glasses shop, a horse shaped toothpick holder. No toothpicks included.
Up until this point, he's been shy and apprehensive with people he has met for the first time, preferring to hide near me or Ama asking us to bao bao- pick him up. This is soon to change.
Jan 24th
Ethan starts to differentiate and recognize that there are other bei bei's (blankets) that are not just his security bei bei alone. Ex. Gong Gong Bei bei, Rob bei bei, Anna bei bei, Josh bei bei, Dan bei bei. 
It's Sat. again and Gong Gong takes Ethan and I to a 99 store- a store that has everything you can imagine for basic needs except major supermarket food. Ethan has a blast lifting up all the baskets trays stacked together, pulling down wicker stools to sit on, running up and down the aisles.
It's Sat. again and Gong Gong takes Ethan and I to a 99 store- a store that has everything you can imagine for basic needs except major supermarket food. Ethan has a blast lifting up all the baskets trays stacked together, pulling down wicker stools to sit on, running up and down the aisles.
Afterwards, We go to the park by Gong Gong's hospital and its sooooo much fun. The perfect playground with 3 different types of slide, bridges and tunnels and one of the bridges is a fish, The part you walk over is its fish bone. Very cool. 
He also gets a rubber basketball which he loves since there is always someone playing basketball at the park across from Ama and Gong Gong's.Ethan is amazed at the boys that play and throw the ball into the net. He just watches and watches.
Ethan also regained his appetite and eats a whole bowl of Ro Zao fan - a sweet and savory soy sauce broth with fried mince pork and green onions and herbs which is put on steamed rice.
Ethan also said new words like:
Hao= ok
bu yao= I don't want it
ai yo= oh no!,
yao=I want it.
Chinese New Year Eve:
Ethan received Hong Bao (red envelope) from Gong Gong and Ama and the nanny's family. It was hilarious when he opened the envelope and said what sound like, "Cash" as he took the money out. He also started to differentiate between Gong Gong (Grandpa) and Goh Goh=dog.
At this point, Ethan's understanding of Chinese is quite spectacular as Gong gong, Ama and I switch back and forth between Chinese and English and Ethan understands all of it. He also understands all the body parts in Chinese and can point to them as well as a few new ones.
Chinese New Year's Day- Happy Year of the Ox
Well it should have been but it was frustrating. We went to a department store called the Mitsukoshi and didn't find the longs sleeve onsies for Ethan at Mothercare. Then we went to get something to eat only to order pasta with terrible Taiwanese pasta sauce- I can only describe it as a sweetish tomatoey sauce with frozen vegetables on spagetti. After ordering it, I realized that there was a Penne chicken pasta at place called Ranch 1 which I thought would be more to Ethan's liking but stupidly, the sauce was not only similar to the first pasta dish i'd ordered but also spicy. So There we are, crowded like ants in anthill, Ethan screaming because he's eating spicy pasta but extremely hungry and wanting food so we pack it all up and go home where Ethan has a hotdog, and some normal pasta. The evening was no less frustrating as we have been hearing fireworks and fire crackers for the past 2 weeks but not seen any of them since their are higher buildings around us. As it was Lunar New Year, there were tons of them going off but everytime I ran out with Ethan to take a look- nothing. Grrr. Poor guy has been asking for "Wya wa" - Ethan speak for fireworks , since hearing them since we got here. This night, i pray for the chance to see fireworks tomorrow and that we have a better day.
Jan 27th.
We take Ethan for a drive in the car to Geant, a supermarket to run around in and then afterwards go to Jing Ming street to have a bit of a look around. Not many shops are open since the new year break is 9 days this year. There is a shoe store that actually has Go Diego Go trainers (running shoes) and knowing how much he likes Diego, I'd figure why not let him try them on. He hated them and I was so confused. I should have listened to him since after he had them on, I carried him to a bench on an uplifted part of the floor to look in the mirror. He turned left and fell forward, doing a forward roll on his head, onto the floor. I swore my heart stopped. He was shocked more than anything but no serious damage at all. No bruises or anything. I think he somehow knew to tuck his head in. I guess somersault practice on the bed was a good thing in this case but from now on, I listen to him. If he doesn't like them there is a reason. It turns out, he couldn't walk on his tiptoes in them, lost his balance and fell. Poor Guy. But Bravo that he took the fall in stride and there weren't any nightmares that night either.
Later that afternoon, he starts babbling. Not in the bad way but trying to make his own sentences using different sounds. Very cute. Sounds something like "ba ca ga ah ba ca ga ba" with intonation and it lasts for quite some time.
Also God answered our prayers and we got to see 4 displays of firework that night.
So there it is. We are up to date pretty much.
Yesterday, the 28th, Ethan went to the park across from Ama and Gong Gong's and brought his basketball. The other kids let him interrupt their game and throw and bounce his basketball with him. So nice.
Then in the afternoon, we all went back to Fengle Park. Since it's New Year Break , the carousel and coin operated train rides were on. They even had coin operated bumper cars and 3 wheeled motorcycles. Ethan's foot actually reached the foot pedal and before I knew it we were careening around the track at a very high speed. Ethan was completely unfazed as I, quietly screaming, managed to dodge ramming into 4 or 5 kids. A bit of a heart racing experience.
Ethan also said new words like:
Hao= ok
bu yao= I don't want it
ai yo= oh no!,
yao=I want it.
Chinese New Year Eve:
Ethan received Hong Bao (red envelope) from Gong Gong and Ama and the nanny's family. It was hilarious when he opened the envelope and said what sound like, "Cash" as he took the money out. He also started to differentiate between Gong Gong (Grandpa) and Goh Goh=dog.
At this point, Ethan's understanding of Chinese is quite spectacular as Gong gong, Ama and I switch back and forth between Chinese and English and Ethan understands all of it. He also understands all the body parts in Chinese and can point to them as well as a few new ones.
Chinese New Year's Day- Happy Year of the Ox
Well it should have been but it was frustrating. We went to a department store called the Mitsukoshi and didn't find the longs sleeve onsies for Ethan at Mothercare. Then we went to get something to eat only to order pasta with terrible Taiwanese pasta sauce- I can only describe it as a sweetish tomatoey sauce with frozen vegetables on spagetti. After ordering it, I realized that there was a Penne chicken pasta at place called Ranch 1 which I thought would be more to Ethan's liking but stupidly, the sauce was not only similar to the first pasta dish i'd ordered but also spicy. So There we are, crowded like ants in anthill, Ethan screaming because he's eating spicy pasta but extremely hungry and wanting food so we pack it all up and go home where Ethan has a hotdog, and some normal pasta. The evening was no less frustrating as we have been hearing fireworks and fire crackers for the past 2 weeks but not seen any of them since their are higher buildings around us. As it was Lunar New Year, there were tons of them going off but everytime I ran out with Ethan to take a look- nothing. Grrr. Poor guy has been asking for "Wya wa" - Ethan speak for fireworks , since hearing them since we got here. This night, i pray for the chance to see fireworks tomorrow and that we have a better day.
Jan 27th.
We take Ethan for a drive in the car to Geant, a supermarket to run around in and then afterwards go to Jing Ming street to have a bit of a look around. Not many shops are open since the new year break is 9 days this year. There is a shoe store that actually has Go Diego Go trainers (running shoes) and knowing how much he likes Diego, I'd figure why not let him try them on. He hated them and I was so confused. I should have listened to him since after he had them on, I carried him to a bench on an uplifted part of the floor to look in the mirror. He turned left and fell forward, doing a forward roll on his head, onto the floor. I swore my heart stopped. He was shocked more than anything but no serious damage at all. No bruises or anything. I think he somehow knew to tuck his head in. I guess somersault practice on the bed was a good thing in this case but from now on, I listen to him. If he doesn't like them there is a reason. It turns out, he couldn't walk on his tiptoes in them, lost his balance and fell. Poor Guy. But Bravo that he took the fall in stride and there weren't any nightmares that night either.
Later that afternoon, he starts babbling. Not in the bad way but trying to make his own sentences using different sounds. Very cute. Sounds something like "ba ca ga ah ba ca ga ba" with intonation and it lasts for quite some time.
Also God answered our prayers and we got to see 4 displays of firework that night.
So there it is. We are up to date pretty much.
Yesterday, the 28th, Ethan went to the park across from Ama and Gong Gong's and brought his basketball. The other kids let him interrupt their game and throw and bounce his basketball with him. So nice.
Then in the afternoon, we all went back to Fengle Park. Since it's New Year Break , the carousel and coin operated train rides were on. They even had coin operated bumper cars and 3 wheeled motorcycles. Ethan's foot actually reached the foot pedal and before I knew it we were careening around the track at a very high speed. Ethan was completely unfazed as I, quietly screaming, managed to dodge ramming into 4 or 5 kids. A bit of a heart racing experience.
