Friday, February 29, 2008

You Zi


What are you talking about, you zi? I will explain...
As some of you know, Paul and Karyn Meier, our close
friends have a passion for China. Paul has spent lots
of time there, and has knowledge of the culture and
language. When they came over on Wednesday for
bible study, Paul saw a pomelo sitting in our fruit basket
and said "oh a you zi!" Matt and I asked him what he was
talking about. He explained what the fruit was called
in China, and that he and Karyn had seen a you zi tree.
Matt and I had bought the pomelos at costco thinking
oh cool a huge grapefruit, and it says they're sweeter
than grapefruit. We brought them home, and
proceeded to cut it up like a grapefruit! It was
slightly difficult to eat, as those of you who have
eaten pomelos (you zi) know. Paul explained to us
that you peel it like an orange to eat it. So the four
of us shared the fruit, as you can see Paul is
demonstrating the correct way to peel a pomelo.
After a little research of my own, I found the you zi
is also known as the reunion fruit or that of blessing.
The name is similar in Chinese for "to have" and
often means abundance, prosperity or having children.

Sacrifices


Over the last couple months we've been suspicious
that Kylie has a milk allergy. I've gone on and off
most dairy on my own, and saw the doctor at her
four month appointment and informed her that we'd
recently seen blood specks in her poo (sorry for those
with weak stomachs). She thought it was unlikely but
encouraged me to give up the basics and the most tasty
of course... milk, butter, ice cream, etc for a week. Since
that appointment I have still continued to see it in her diaper.
I made another appointment this week and saw a
different doctor who thought it is an intolerance to milk
and probably soy. She recommended that I go off these
for at least 3-4 weeks. So, 2 weeks and 2 days more
without milk and soy. I was unaware that soy is
in a lot of food products..ugh. I have to say, it's a
little easier of a sacrifice than I thought it would be...
thanks to rice milk, lots of fruit, and flax bread!
To be honest I did contemplate giving up breast-
feeding, then I thought how selfish of me. I can
give up these things for another seven months if
I have to! I will just say goodbye to Starbucks
for those months!!
This is just the beginning of sacrifices I will make
for my little Kylie....

Mommy Newell


Earlier in the week we went to see little
Lucy Piper Newell and check on how the new
parents were holding up! She's a month old already,
and they're fitting into parenthood nicely.
It made us laugh when Jason asked if we could
remember the days when Kylie was that small...
she never was! (Big 9 pounder)

Saturday, February 23, 2008

Kylie is 5 months old!

Kylie loves her little jumperoo (Thanks Tom Fam)-

here she is getting her groove on!

Tuesday, February 12, 2008

Naples and Largo, Florida next


We stayed in Naples, Florida on our way to and
from Matt's Grandparents'. His Aunt Joan
and Uncle Joe let us stay with them. Here we
are out for breakfast on Aunt Joan's birthday.


We stayed two nights with Matt's Nana and Papau.
They were delighted to meet little Kylie;
she was equally excited!


Nana and Kylie wearing matching outfits on
our last day staying with them!


When we came back through Naples...
Matt and I got out for a jog together, and
lounged at the pool before heading back to Miami.
Aunt Joan and Uncle Joe were great babysitters!


Headed back to Portland!

Sunday, February 10, 2008

Headed to Miami Beach


On our way to Florida...waiting in the airport!


Kylie can't wait for the sunshine


Curtis is almost 1 year old! He's so cute


We had so much fun visiting the Tom's! We loved
the walks along the beach, swimming in the pool,
and catching up.
Thanks for letting us stay with you guys!


Visiting the happening scene.. Lincoln Road

Friday, February 08, 2008

We returned home from Florida yesterday and our computer is dead...so I will have to get it fixed before I can present our pics from the trip. We had a blast seeing family and of course the Tom's (what a great family)! Kylie did so well with all the travelling in the airplane and car. We drove across the state to see Matt's Aunt, Uncle and Grandparents..they loved meeting Kylie. We're missing the sun already.