In 11 years...

...a lot changes! Lizzie and I were best of friends when we were little girls but then we lost touch as teenagers. Now, 11 years later, we got back together with our little girls!

It was fun discovering how much we've still got in common - both married, got pregnant really soon after the wedding, have a daughter, and are now stay-at-home mommies (but she's working on a real estate licence!).

Amelia and Magdalena enjoyed playing with Magdalena's toys and sharing cookies. Liz and I got caught up on over a decade of "news" while sipping our Starbucks delights.

Thanks for finding me on myspace, Liz! I really had fun visiting with you. :)

Airport ride

Magdalena's last hour with Samuel in the USA was spent in the family van going to the airport...and they both fell asleep! Nestled between the menfolk in the front seats and the womenfolk in the back seat (feeling quite queezy, by the way), they sleep as snug as two little bugs in a rug. Too sweet!

Sunday drive

On our first Sunday back in Prague after our long month's vacation in the States, we went out for a Sunday drive at dusk. We drove a scenic route (intentionally) so we could get reaquainted with our city - past Charles Bridge, the Rudolfinum, the National Theatre, and the "dancing" building. I shot these pictures as we were driving around. You'll just have to trust me that Charles Bridge is behind me and Magdalena and the dancing building is in front of Petr. ;)

Blooming musician

Magdalena decided to join Aunt Liz in performing a "concert" for the family. She also took a keen interest in Poppy's guitar. Unfortunately, we never had the camera around when she was tapping the guitar body while Poppy played his soon-to-be hit country songs.

...and guess what she got for Christmas from Mommy and Daddy? A drum! Lots of fun - and much better than the wipe dispenser she converted into a drum some months ago!

First professional haircut

Before we left for the States, Magdalena's bangs were looking quite scraggly since they'd never been cut. So while we were in GA her Aunt Jessica, a pro hair stylist, gave Magdalena a lil trim.

Magdalena sat so still that we were all amazed! I'm sure it helped that she had a towel to chew on (you can see her doing this in the first picture). Nothing like a tastey cloth to distract one's worries. ;)

Magdalena's health update

Poor baby got worse last night. Her fever spiked at nearly 103F/39.4C before her medications started bringing it down. This morning the doctor ran a blood test and determined she definately needs antibiotics...so, now she's on 3 prescriptions and an otc fever reducer. Keep praying!

Attack...

of the cuddle monster! This morning Magdalena is feeling much, much better than the past few days. As soon as her little body hit my bed, she attacked me with cuddles and giggles. What a relief after her pitiful sobriety last night.

For those of you who didn't know, last night Magdalena had a fever of 102F/39C. She was so miserable that she actually fell asleep while I was holding her and talking on the phone with the pediatrician. (Those who know her sleep habits know this never happens!)

Petr and I were very worried because this is her first illness accompanied by a fever. So, after many prayers from our Project Antioch friends and our family in the USA, she's feeling much better. Keep up the prayers, though; the fever is still waivering between 100 and 101F/37.7 and 38C.

We saw the Stones

No, not the Rolling Stones, but our beloved friends the Stone family (although there was some rolling involved amongst our 3 youngsters)! The day after Christmas, Petr and I travelled with Magdalena to see some friends for the day and were blessed to spend the evening catching up with our fellow Prague missionaries. We enjoyed pizza, great coffee and coconut cake, and of course lots of fun and conversing with our friends. We LOVE you; Jon, Emily, Eloise, and Lillian!!First thing after arriving in Cleveland, we met up with Shellie and Damian for a scrumscious lunch at O'Charley's. They are an intercultural couple like we are and we're all looking forward to next year when we'll be in the same country and get to see each other more often than once a year. Shellie is my college roommate from Kentucky and Damian is her Argintine husband. They are expecting their first baby in July!! Congrats, Shellie and Damian. :)

And, of course, we couldn't go to Cleveland without seeing my family! Between seeing our friends, we visited with Oma and Uncle Steve for a couple of hours. It's a good thing that we'd already planned on spending a whole day with them later in the week because just 2 hours isn't nearly long enough to spend with my dear grandmother!