Clark's in Taiwan

Tuesday, March 20, 2007

A "Weekend Away " - aka "THE OVERNIGHTER"

We just came home from our first attempt at a family weekend away!!! Tony has a week off before starting his final semester of Chinese language training and since I desperately wanted a change of scenery we decided to head over to Ilan - a town/county just two hours by train from Taipei. Well, I wouldn't call it a dismal failure, but... we ended up coming home 2 days earlier than planned. We realized on that first night that Hunter has his own room at home for a reason - he's a NOISY sleeper. By 6.30 on Sunday morning (we arrived on Saturday evening) we both agreed that it would be a more relaxing holiday if we just went back home and hung out there where we could wash the burp rags, adjust the heater and raid the refrigerator (or at least know where to go to find food).

Hunter was amazing on the train...
he ate, slept, was changed and even made it into a few Taiwanese cameras all in a matter of two hours!

Hunter's bed...
and storage closet and changing station and meal table

We took a boat ride over to the National Taiwan Culture and Arts Center - very cool place!

Ever thought you'd need to lock up your umbrella???

It's the "Year of the Pig"

Hunter wasn't the only one who ate a couple of meals at this "family friendly" facility...
but of course it takes a bit more time feeding him than feeding ourselves.

Cool sculpture

Tony gonged the gong louder than anyone I'd heard all day... then again I didn't hear much after that!

Drinking a Starbuck's mocha in the rain while watching a parade with my son in his stroller just seemed like the American motherly thing to do. Of course it was a "de-caf" mocha.

We love our little guy...

This is the kind of embarrassing photos we'll save for his 21st birthday!

There was a boulevard of folk arts - despite a lot of looking, touching, tasting, wondering... we managed to walk out of there without buying much.

It had been a long night and a long day, but we're still smiling...
having fun being together!

Thursday, February 22, 2007

Grandparents Visit Taiwan

My mom arrived in Taipei the same day Hunter did - Friday, January 26th! She spent the three nights at the hospital with us then another two weeks at our place. She was super helpful and between all the meals she prepared, cleaning up she did, and burping, cuddling & changing Hunter - she also was able to read a few books, watch a few movies and go to the gym everyday... sounds like a nice holiday! Dad arrived on Hunter's dedication day... once he got here there was a bit more game-playing and exploring... which was fun too! Thankfully Tony had enough energy to show them around a bit more, while Hunter and I were still trying to figure out life together (didn't help that he went on a growth spurt and ate every two hours for a few of the days dad was here).
Overall it was so great having my parents with us during these precious first weeks. We're already looking forward to next time... not sure when, but always look forward!

Tony is the "techie" in the family so mom had several sessions loading and learning about her new laptop... it was like coming on "computer camp"... dad also brought his new laptop with him!

What is this??? A holiday camp??? We caught mom snoozing in the other room during one of Hunter's louder moments... couldn't figure out why she hadn't come to see what was wrong with him (smile)! Actually, we were happy to provide a somewhat relaxing holiday for her while she was here.

Precious Moments

Hunter got really used to his Grandma's voice over three weeks... I think he misses them already.

Dad & Mom with their "baby"
(boy do I look chubby here... must be the shirt)

Hunter got lots of cuddle time with Grandma & Grandpa

Grandpa was teaching him how to play cribbage

Lots of precious moments

Here in Taipei, "markets" are common... and since it was Chinese New Year, the CNY market was a must see. Tony took mom & dad over in the afternoon on the last day the market was open! Good thing Hunter & I didn't go - check out the crowds!!!

By the end of the week - they were finally marketed out! Tour guide Tony definitely was!

The weekend flower market is really close to our house, and thankfully with Chinese New Year, the markets were open during the weekdays too...

They did manage to find Starbucks (not hard - there's one on every corner)... and for not being coffee drinkers, somehow they also managed to go almost every day.

Of course no trip to Taipei is complete without a viewing of the world's tallest building - Taipei 101. The sky wasn't clear enough to go to the observation level - maybe next time...

They got a new digital camera for Christmas so this was their first real go with it... I think my parents have found a new hobby - photography! Not bad!

Tony called Dad "the blur" when it came to mealtimes... he was willing to try most things and if you weren't careful, he'd eat some of yours too! It was a blast to be with them while they were discovering things that have become so familiar to us.

It was fun to see Dad & Mom exploring the town together... each day they headed out on their own little adventure while Tony & I tried to rest up from our late nights with the baby.

Dad & Mom got a kick out of all the bikes and scooters kicking around town!

One of Dad's highlights was his time spent with the Chinese Doctor... he ended up going three days in a row and had a variety of "traditional" treatments ranging from massage and acupressure to this suction thing and acupuncture. He came back home each day moving a bit freer.

Though Hunter and I couldn't make it out to see everything, we did venture to the Shilin Night Market one evening. It was crazy busy - but thankfully Tony was the one who carried Hunter most of the night. Mom & Dad bought all sorts of little things to take home... and were pretty adventurous in their samplings of Taiwanese night market cuisine.

Dad thought this would make a tasty lunch! And of course, it would!

Thursday, February 15, 2007

Hunter, the cutie pie

Week 2 at home

Tuesday, February 13, 2007

Hunter's Dedication

Sunday, February 11 was "Parent's Day" at Torch Church. Since both of my parents were in town (dad arrived at 6am that morning) it was the perfect opportunity to have Hunter dedicated. Young Mushi (Pastor Young) was excited that the first baby dedication in the church was a foreign baby.
It was a special moment as Tony & I stood in front of about 16 of our invited friends as well as our new church family to make a promise to the Lord to raise Hunter according to God's word and in His house. Pastor Young blessed us as parents and asked the Lord to give us wisdom to raise Hunter. It was really a special moment.

Of course as the prayer was wrapping up, Hunter's eating time was drawing near... resulting in a bit of fussiness & a few tears!

It was great to have both of my parents here for this occasion...

And a group of friends scattered throughout the church to be witnesses to this special day!
Thanks everyone for coming along!!!

Back at our place we had a cake reception for the little guy... after his meal, he did really well letting his friends hold him and gawk over him! He's pretty social... but we usually pay for it in tiredness the next day when he just wants to be held instead of going to sleep in his bed!

Monday, February 05, 2007

First Week Favorites

I know I should be napping, but this guy is just so cute... I can't help playing around with the photos and sharing them with you guys!!! He's a dream baby!