Learning on the Job

So this post is mostly just a bunch of pictures to show you what we've been up to lately, but along with that, I thought I'd mention a few of the things we've learned in our first few days as parents. The pictures are not necessarily related to the lessons!

1. You can't just walk out the door to go somewhere. Leaving your hotel room involves preparation...bib, diaper, wipes, treats, child carrier, etc. 

2. Nap time is sacred. It's a great time to get things done (like blog entries!), it keeps your kiddo from being ornery later, and you want to kill anybody who messes with it, like our coordinator who called a bit ago or Zack who just loudly opened a bag of candy.

3. Full-sized toilets are apparently terrifying. In the orphanage, Jonas was potty-trained in that they'd put him on a little toilet every few hours and he'd go to the bathroom. So we thought we'd be okay bringing some Pull-Ups as back-up and nighttime wear. Well, he won't go near the toilets at the hotels at all, so we're doing Pull-Ups full-time and had to buy some diapers today at the store.

4. On a related note, Pull-Ups are not the ideal wear for going #2. Let's just say, a bathmat may or may not have been sacrificed in the cleaning of the first poopy Pull-Up incident. Don't ask!

5. Items that are off-limits (lotion, remotes, important papers, cameras, etc.) are infinitely more fun to try to play with than real toys.

6. Tag-teaming is crucial. People who can do this parenthood thing alone must be some kind of saints or have boundless energy or something, because I couldn't do it. Even the simplest thing like taking a shower would be hard to do.















7. Life is planned around food. When the next snack or meal is and what and where it's going to be determines the schedule. Instead of perusing menus for what you'd like to eat, you immediately start searching for what your son can eat. And you have to ask for a highchair!


8. Child carriers are saviors when you're walking around town. Your hands are free, your kid can't get lost, you're working on bonding and attachment without even trying, and nap time can even be started when you haven't arrived back at the hotel yet.













9. Being thrown into the world of parenting a toddler is exhausting, but when you see your little boy's adorable smile or hear his infectious laugh, it's all worth it. We love you, Jonas!

















10. Totally unrelated to parenting, but I wanted a #10 and also wanted to share...squirrels in Kyrgyzstan are totally weird. They have pointy rabbit-like ears!