Last one of the night!

OK…now that I got all of that other stuff out of the way, I can tell you about the boys!!!  They are all getting so big.

Zachary is talking more and more (lucky me!) and is still a sweetie, even when he’s ornery!  He loves to go swimming and did NOT like the fish eating his hand!  He’s met so many people, he always like to ask, “Who’s that?”…one of his favorite people is Mr. Do – the security guard next door.  He loves to say Kim Lai and likes to visit with Miss Cherie!  He’s also VERY close to being potty trained!  He’s been stubborn about it, but I just pack several changes of pants when we go somewhere and he’s FINALLY getting the hang of it!  He gets to ride Sambo the Elephant when he goes a day with no accidents! How’s THAT for incentive?~!

…we didn’t bring a shirt to the pool and he wanted one, so baby brother’s onesie is what he got!  Z wore this at 9 months!  He’s getting SO tall, he’s actually losing his baby fat…makes this mama a tiny tiny bit sad!

The face of a boy who only wanted to LOOK at the fish, not put his hand in the tank!

Trevor is sitting on his own, is cutting his first tooth and can roll over…at 4.5 months!  He is happy as ever and LOVES it when I kiss on him with some “Eskimo Kisses”…he coos and melts my heart.

Brandon can sit on his own with a little help from my neck pillow!  He’s quite proud of himself and he’s got a happy little personality!  He giggles at a lot of things, especially his big brother…and loves to dance.  He’s my little daredevil…he loves it when I move him really fast and toss him around! 

We are getting ready to head out of town for a few days and check out the casino!  Hopefully I’ll be posting some fun beach pictures next time!  Happy NEW YEAR everyone!

Spa #2 – Bodia Spa

I have had a sore shoulder for over a week now…not surprising, I have 2 babies who are over 20 pounds each, one just got over the measles and I just moved across the world.  Nothing like a big old knot in your shoulder!  My nanny kept telling me to go get a massage, so I decided I would venture out to a new place today…and here it is…Bodia Spa.

Upon arrival: cool tea, a cool towel and flower

This is water feature I walked across to my treatment room:

 

I was asked if I would like a shower before my treatment…Ummmm….YES!  HOT water and a full shower head…bring it on!

Tranquil Setting of the room:

I enjoyed myself.  I was greeted by very friendly staff (speaking of which, EVERYONE is friendly here in Cambodia).  You are given a menu and you choose what you would like.  I wanted a massage that focused on my back, shoulders, neck and head.  Listed as the “Neck, Shoulder & Head” Massage…BINGO…$24 for an hour.  I had my shower, my massage, fell asleep and came out to some hot tea with another cool washcloth.  ALL FIVE of the staff assisting me were very happy to have me there and gave me a 30% discount for being a foreigner.  Now how’s that for treating people right?  I got a one hour (a FULL hour, not the wimpy 50 minute crap in the states) massage for $16.80 in a VERY nice spa!  I will be back…but I’ve decided I’m going to be spending a lot more time in the spas of Phnom Penh.  I will keep you all posted!

For your viewing pleasure:  www.bodia-spa.com

I didn’t have the kids and Vichet was running behind, so I ventured to the river (20 steps away) and grabbed a cup of coffee and enjoyed my view!

 

Things to Ponder…

Being in Phnom Penh has been an adjustment…some things catch you by surprise in a good way…other things in a “sticker shock” sort of way…and others in a “who’da thunk?” kind of way!

1)  At the health club we belong to, you can go for a run, hit the pool for a workout or a tan, grab a smoothie, play some tennis AND let a bunch of little fish eat the dead skin off your feet:

Here they are just waiting for my foot…truth be told, it was a very daunting thought – I just had to stick my foot in.  Took about 7 times before I finally left it in there and let them have their breakfast!

Oh GOD…this TICKLED!

They ate my feet smooth…between my toes…my heels…my cuticles…I have some soft feet!

You can also chase baby chickens around the parking lot.

2)  You see bugs you thought didn’t really exist.  I mean…I knew they did, but they are all bugs I saw pictures of as a child…living in Alaska…(where all we had were poo flies and mosquitoes)…it was sort of like a unicorn or mermaid…you read about them and see pictures, but they don’t really exist.  Well, this guy was hanging out on our door this morning.  Couldn’t help but think of “Bug’s Life” and the “walking stick…the only stick with eyes”!

3)  Well here’s a BIG DEAL…WHAT the hell?  Who is EVER going to be $74,000 for a FORD EXPLODER…er, I mean Explorer.  Yes, those are USD…Yes, it is $74,000…and Yes, I guess it’s a “deal”.  Automobiles have a 150% tax (I don’t know the entire statement of accuracy in that, so don’t quote me to a newspaper or something…Jim told me that was the tax)…So, I guess if we brought our $34,000 Routan over here, it would have been an $85,000 vehicle.  I just had to laugh when I saw this at the ice cream shop today!

4)  Here’s another new idea…that white square you see next to the box of gum…???  Papers…for when you are finished with your gum…eh, nifty…

5)  Water…delivered to your home.  $1 per jug.  Yes, $1.per.jug.  What do we pay at home for 8 ounces of bottled water…ummmm…yeah, $2.00 in a vending machine?

6)  Here’s the biggest sticker shocker (in a good way) I’ve witnessed so far…I don’t have any pictures…but for 5 days straight, starting on a Thursday, Trevor & I were at the "hospital”.  Only Thursday and Monday was he seen during regular business hours.  His ENTIRE …yes, ENTIRE bill for all of these visits, after hours, emergency room treatment, CBC (complete blood count) Lab Work (with results in 10 minutes, not 3 days), fever reducing medicine, anti-biotics…EVERYTHING…was $400.  FIVE DAYS of hospital visits.  FIVE DAYS of anti-biotics.  FIVE DAYS of lab work.  FOUR.HUNDRED.DOLLARS.

7)  Pharmacies.  You can walk into the pharmacy and buy (without a prescription:

“Z-Pack”.  Several hundred dollars at home without insurance…with good insurance, a $40 co-pay.  Here - $4.90. 

Singular for Zachary.  $110 for a month supply without insurance…with good insurance, a $20 co-pay.  Here - $4.00.

 

8)  Mani/Pedi. 

At home – about $30 for both. 

Here - $4.

So…yes, I’m adjusting to life here Phnom Penh.  I don’t need a $74,000 Ford Explorer…I do like fish eating my feet…I like getting mani/pedis for $4…I’m getting used to the different bugs (the landlord is supposed to be dealing with the termite issue tomorrow!)…and I’ve got my hubby and my boys.  Thank you Cambodia!

We have a yard!

Here is our yard when we moved in…weeds, icky shrubs and no character!…Wasn’t too excited about the yard when we got here…

…and here we are less than a month later:

Amazing what a little bit of grass, a few trees and a potted plant here and there can do…I enjoy pulling up to the house now!

Some Phnom Penh Love

We finally got our first date night alone in over a year…I wasn’t pregnant and Jim turned off his Blackberry (I think~!)  Jim took me to some fun places along the river front, we sat and tried new wines, ate hot potato chips and just caught up…We hit a trendy spot called Metro, a rooftop bar (don’t know what it was called) and a local joint where they were serving beers and wine out of coolers that were poured under the bar – albeit these were the FRIENDLIEST group of people…very merry and happy…it was wonderful to be a “husband and wife” again!  We had so much fun that I forgot to take any pictures until we were heading home in the tuk tuk after one too many cocktails.

The day after Christmas, Jim had to head out of town to take care of the casino, so we decided to take advantage of a BEAUTIFUL sunny Sunday afternoon…no humidity about 88 degrees…

We headed to the royal palace to feed the birds:

Walked along the Mekong River:

…again, we are CELEBRITIES everywhere we go…they love babies…they love twins…the love boys…I’ve got it ALL baby!

Saw some monkeys hanging out in the street:

Monkeys stealing food at the playground:

…and hit the local weekend market where Zach “went native” and Mama got 3 dresses and 3 pairs of pants for $12.50.  Now how’s THAT for a great day!           

Leak and I were pleased with ourselves…at the end of the day, Zach was BEGGING to go home…he was wiped out and everyone slept well for the mama!