WE MADE IT TO GREECE!!!

Are we thankful for our life? Very.

Oh How I have been wanting to visit Greece since my brother went... when I was about 13. Ned had an unexpected week off due to a Muslim holiday so we just did it! It was beautiful, the weather was perfect (sunny and cool), and Eva traveled like a rock-star.

To see more photos check out this link:

http://www.kodakgallery.com/gallery/creativeapps/slideShow/Main.jsp?token=441593799703:374008864&facebook=true&sourceId=984136008703

View of Acropolis from our hotel roof deck. Ned and sleeping Eva at Erechtheion.

"The real Greece"

View of a castle in Nafplio we are about to climb up to. One of the best parts of our trip was being able to be outside and hike around a bit. Walking to the mall and back in Abu Dhabi just gets a little old after a while :)

View over the sea...

Happy Camper in her baby bjorn!

Church of the Holy Apostles, it was built to commemorate the teachings of Paul in Greece.

We spent 3 nights in a medieval village up in the mountains, this was the view from the house we stayed in, which was initially built in 1650.

Stay tunned because Ned will make a quick trip to Tanzania in the next couple of weeks!

HAPPY HOLIDAYS TO ALL!!!!!

Ducheks in Dubai ?!?

My apologies to those of you who follow the Blog AND are on facebook, the photos are usually the same. But believe it or not, there are those who are not on f.b. that we want to share our stories with!

The doors parted and mom and dad planted their first step in the U.A.E., boy were they excited! Dad had a new camera to play with (as you can see he is already sporting it around his neck) and they had just watched Meet the Falkers on private TV screens... We were excited too.

The first thing we did was take a day trip to Dubai. First stop: indoor ski resort in the mall. We had lunch in a really nice Lebanese restaurant overlooking the bunny slope. Mom said, "you know what is nice about this meal- it is all just meat."

Dad had so much fun taking his pictures. I had fun taking pictures of him taking his pictures. Unfortunately the air was so thick with sand that day that photos of the Burj Dubai (tallest building in the world) were not really possible. We did drive around it several times and it is actually a beautiful building.

We drove out onto the Palm Tree Island and checked out the Atlantis Hotel. We didn't get to see Paris Hilton, but it was impressive just the same.

July 4 Beach BBQ. We have met so many great people here. Most are not from the US, but were happy to oblige us anyway.

The men cooking the meat.

Lounging at the pool. They didn't actually get to enjoy the beach club so much, as Eva came exactly one week after their arrival.

Ned and I didn't get to make the desert safari with them- we stayed home with Eva. But the excursion involves 'dune bashing' in SUVs; unfortunately mom got sick.

They rode camels and tasted the milk- yuck.

A stop over to let the engines cool. What a majestic landscape the desert can be.

Photo of the year!

They got to try on Emiratie dress, this is what all nationals wear on a daily basis.

Oh my gosh- I wouldn't have believed it without the photo. My parents smoking Shisha! It is very common for families to smoke shisha after dinner or coffee shops in the afternoon; probably as common as it is for us to order a coke with our hamburger. My guess: smoked, but not inhaled.

Dad figured out the video option on the camera to get this one...

And of course they took several photos of Baby Eva.

They toured the Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi.

We had an amazing brunch at the Shangri La Hotel on Dad's last day. Eva is Soooo good she slept through the whole thing.

View of the Grand Mosque from hotel.

Mom is on her way home today. After anticipating this trip for 5 months I can not believe it is already over. We are so thankful that they were able to be here to help us get up and running with Eva. Mom cooked, did the dishes (no dish washer) and vacuumed the living room every day. Dad fixed our kitchen exhaust, installed shelves in my cabinets, oiled the door hinges, etc. But best of all they were here to hold her and love her and welcome her to the world!

Eva Catherine Greene- July 10 2009

Thanks to Beth we have some amazing photos of Eva on her first big day.

First: Going to the hospital this morning- one last belly shot!

Second: Wait a minute- after 4 hrs on the birthing ball this is not so exciting anymore...

At this point I had a 'reaction' to the pain (ie.started vomiting) and so decided to go ahead with the epidural... which did not work! Apparently this only happens 10% of the time.

Due to shift changes and lunch breaks we went through 4 different midwives before Eva was actually born. It made me feel more like I was having my tires changed than giving birth, but all ended well as the last one was fantastic and led us through a 45 min. delivery with no complications. We didn't see a Dr. until is was over... and I started vomiting again.

Ceiling in our room: All good hospital/hotel rooms must have a sign indicating the direction of Mecca for prayer times.

The proud Papa.

Grandma Julie in delivery room. Grandma Julie was also the photographer... this is why there is no 'first family photo' shot:)

Grandpa Dennis didn't get to meet Eva until the next day because of visiting hours. He spent a lot of time in the 'men's' waiting room, which is of course separate from the 'women's' waiting room.

Ahhhh... we get to rest now right?!? I was in a shared room and visitors are not allowed to stay past 10pm so Eva and I spent two nights in the hospital alone. On the first night my mom tracked down one of the doctors in the employee only cafeteria and somehow got herself permission to stay in the room with me. It was totally out of question for Ned to stay since he is a man and everything.

She is pretty darn cute- right!!! She just makes your heart melt.

After our time at Cradle of Love Ned is actually a pro with a nappy, but this was his first as a Papa.

Home at last. Eva is a FANTASTIC baby. She NEVER crys or fusses. It took us both a while to figure out how to feed and she lost too much weight; but we are back on track, she is rapidly gaining and pooing frequently! Yes, I have started counting poopy diapers- this is probably the point where most of you will loose interest so I will sign off now and spare you the details.

A big thank you to everyone for all your support and well wishes. We are soooo blessed and happy to be sitting here with our beautiful healthy baby girl!

Oman

We have not been out of Abu Dhabi much since we arrived, but finally made it to Oman the other weekend. Muscat is known as a beach resort town, but instead of staying at one of the big resorts with a pool and ocean view we checked out 4 dodgy hotel rooms before settling into one we could be proud of... it had running water AND the a.c. worked.
These old men sat outside the hotel ALL DAY playing a game with stones in the sand and drinking tea.

The 'old town' was very beautiful with white washed buildings tucked into the mountain coast line. In the background you can see ancient stone forts overlooking the bay.
It was SOOOO HOT the only thing we could do during the day was drive around and peek at the coast line and the way people live. Most of the time I feel like these goats; hopping from one bit of shade to another. This is a soccer field (you have to look real close to see the goal post/nets) can you even imagine sending your kids off to play here? I miss Portland.

The other major attraction was an ancient covered market, which was surprisingly beautiful. It was also refreshing to see locals doing their shopping here instead of just tourists.

They might have to wear an abaya, but these girls are still flashing the bling however they can; sunglasses, Prada bags, and stiletto heels!

Aquafina.
This photo is for Amy.
They use boxes of 'kleenex' everywhere instead of napkins. This high class restaurant even had a box cover... in the shape of a sofa.