First Day on our Own April 10, 2011

Today Doug went back to work after spending last week with us.  So, it was our turn to go it alone.  We woke up, showered and headed to, of all places, the mall. Yes, the mall.  Cooper is in desperate need of shorts.  Nothing fits from last year so it was a mad dash to the Gap. Grabbed two pairs of shorts ($25 a piece on sale- highway robbery to say the least) and found a cute skirt for me.  Then had to find a toy store to appease Coop. Both boys got a new vehicle then it was lunch and gellato (coconut and mango- delicious!) and back to the apartment for Tucker to nap.  This is the week we get him back on schedule!

Tuck was up a good part of the night wheezing last night. All night I kept dreaming about taking him to the ER here and not knowing what to do or where to go.  This morning I jumped online to find a pediatrician for the boys. Interestingly, kids here do not go to the pediatrician they go to a GP who has some special training in an area of peds.  Not the best feeling in the world coming from an amazing pediatrician back in the states.  So, I looked a little further and found a few in the city and also signed up for "Circle of Moms" and tried to make a few contacts with some other expats here who can hopefully help.  I am hoping to hear from one of them soon and am really hoping Tucker has a better night tonite.

Sydney is really an amazing place.  There is so much going on.  We are living right downtown so we are right in the thick of things.  People are constantly coming and going.  The women are dressed to the nines and the men are pretty casual.  High heels and short skirts are the rage.  The stores actually offer quite a sophisticated selection of clothing at a rather high price.  The public transportation is great. Just outside our door is the monorail and bus lines. We are a few blocks from the subway and not far from the train station. Taxis are everywhere.  Restaurants and small cafes line the streets. We have eaten in spots that you wouldn't have found me in in the states and the food is delicious! Tons of Asian food here. Pizza is quite popular as well.  Doug and I went out for Chinese on Saturday night and it was the best I have ever had- and believe me in my family- we have tasted a lot of Chinese food over the years. It is my dad's favorite.  Everything is super fresh and the presentation is flawless.  Oh and tipping is a no-no here. Guess they actually pay people a wage that they can live on.

Of course, we have been to Starbucks a few times (hee).  It is mostly the same, but the venti is much smaller and pricier and the snacks are totally different and yummy. Fresh scones with jam and butter. Mmmm.  My mom actually met on barista who is from Seattle and has relatives in Tacoma. Small world.


There have been so many wonderful experiences here already in a short time, but really the thing I like most is holding Coop's hand and walking through the streets of Sydney and chatting.  It has been a while since I had another adult with me to watch one of the boys so I can spend alone time with the other.  Now I can.  I also love watching Tucker take it all in. He has learned new words and new ways to be understood.  He gets everything.  He is in heaven with all the trains, buses, ferries and construction vehicles as well as all the birds and water features.

Doug and I actually had a date this past weekend- wow! Sure has been a long time. We had great food, good drinks, conversation and even topped it off with some fireworks.

So, things are good here.  Lots more to come.

Views from our Apartment

Tucker enjoying the view