Hey faithful viewers! We were eager to post some pictures of Myles' first birthday party. We got to celebrate two days in a row. The first night was with a tajik family that is quick becoming close friends and the second night was with our teammates. We cooked hotdogs over a campfire, listened to a little Garth Brooks and blue grass and had an awesome time. We made sure to have a yummy cake both nights so that Myles wouldn't feel neglected. A sugar high two nights in a row.....he was having so much fun and was free entertainment! He officially got his first cell phone only at one year old.....we thought it wise to get him his own since his favorite toy is our cell phone and I don't know how he does it but, he's managed to push enough buttons to mess up some settings and give us a headache! It's wild to think he's one year already (as all parents say about their growing children!). I was curious how the sentimental event would fair for us being in a new country. I wanted the classic picture with frosting smeared all over his face and to have a candle, etc. I can now say, after the fact, that Myles' special birthday far exceeded my expectations!! We made it simple but had such a rich time with our tajik friends and with our teammates. I couldn't have asked for a better night! Myles is one special little kid.
He's managing to take those first little, clumsy steps these days. It first begins with getting his balance and just standing upright...then, he starts to hum, laugh, shriek (all at the same time), then, he throws his hands up in the air and he's off to the races. The mere four or five steps somehow are accomplished and then he fumbles into our arms. He's doing some fumbling and some tumbling, a little grumbling, but mostly mumbling and toddling! Can't get enough of it....
In no time he'll be out with mommy and daddy shooting the soccerball around and putting daddy in his place. He'll have to work extra hard to beat me, of course!! Hee Hee! (I am the one who taught daddy everything he knows).
Myles favorite foods these days include.....cheese, fresh tomatoes, oatmeal,pancakes, yogurt, bananas and yes.... icecream. The icecream here is not as creamy and yummy as the stuff back home but it will suffice. Maybe a ColdStone Creamery might make it's way here eventually. He's still slow in embracing the tajik food but he loves their fresh baked bread everyday. I have to make everything from scratch so cooking a big batch of chili or making pancakes or french toast is no easy feat...but it is worth it. I made homemade syrup the other day for pancakes and just when we were ready to pour it over our hotcakes....Troy luckily smelled it first and realized it was fermented and bad. Oh well, the hotcakes were tasty enough solo. No one can come close to touching Mrs. B!! She's the queen of syrups.
The other family that lives here had a pack and play that we were using for Myles to sleep in but they needed it back for their two year old. So, we were off to the bazaar with the mission to find a suitable, sturdy, safe crib. Amidst the selection of cheap, frail, wobbley cribs we found, we managed to spot a decent one and snatched it up quickly. It was about $90 and though it's not as nice as the ones back home, we tightened up all the screws, put up the mosquito net that came with it and Myles slept like a baby. Halelujah! We figured it was a good investment and know it'll get good use....for however long the thing will last.
We are extremely looking forward to having some close friends of ours come out and join us here. They arrive in less than two weeks and we're ready to help transition them into this new culture and share of what we've already learned... the good, the bad, the scary. I know life will be so rich sharing it with them and it makes it a little bit easier being away from home, friends and family. We love you all dearly and miss you immensely. Blessings to all of you and make sure to write back to us and keep us updated about YOU!!
Love,
The Ready's
