Baby Aras!

Hurray, we are healthy and he is healthy & HOME and we FINALLY got to meet him today!!! He is just so precious, tiny, sweet, soft, adorable...all of those but mostly a MIRACLE CHILD and true gift from GOD!!! I am not "too religious" but everything this little man and his family have been through...I KNOW the big guy upstairs helped out!!!

Fayth LOVED him so..........................I didn't think she was ever going to leave!!! We had to be extremely careful around him and not get to close, breathe on him, or give him outside germs. I think I made Fayth wash her hands about 4 times while we were there!!

Totally different sidebar... and part of having a 3 year old. You may have noticed the outfit change in the photos. On our way to tower 5, Aysun's apartment, our concierge handed Fayth a package from Gramie that didn't fit in our box. A little something for Valentine's day. Well, being the "clothes freak" that she is........she quickly opened the package when we arrived at Aysun's and striped down to put on her new t-shirt. I was concerned it didn't match her pants for the pictures but quickly got over it! It wasn't a battle I was willing to fight!!

Thank you Aysun for the wonderful afternoon. He is just amazing!! He is a little "Semih"...my GOODNESS he looks just like your hubby!! We are sad you will be leaving to return to your home country of Turkey but can't wait to see you in Istanbul in May or June!! We're booking our tickets soon!! Fayth is already talking about feeding Aras his bottle!!

And Gramie...thanks for the little package. It made one little lady very happy and our apartment festive!! I'm not one for "character clothes" but the t-shirt is really sweet! Have a feeling I'll be seeing a lot of it. GRRRRREATT!!! xxxooo

CHILLIN'

Our Friend Ry Ry

We've had our buddy at our place for the past two days...give or take a few hours...and have had loads of fun! Reminds me of the overnights with my best friend, Karen, as a kid. We've been friends since I was five and she was seven. We'd take turns and have sleepovers ALL summer long at eachothers homes!! Our moms & dads ROCKED...we didn't even have to beg them. My best girlfriend memories are hanging out with Karen, building forts to sleep in, staying out until the street lights came on, having pancakes with powdered sugar for breakfast, eating grilled cheese and cream of mushroom soup for lunch, making up dance routines, and never getting sick of eachother!! I think we can all relate...Weren't SLEEPOVERS the BOMB!!??

Well, once again tonight...Fayth is having a sleepover!! She is stoked!! She asked me this afternoon...can RY RY spend the night again and YES...he is here!

This morning we headed to Hamley's (huge toy store), at the mall today, and played in the store for over an hour, we had "Old McDonald's" for lunch, came home and napped (all of us) and then the kids destroyed the house with farm animals, glue sticks, crayons, Barbies, and stuffed animals all afternoon. Needless to say, they have had loads of fun...especially in the tub both nights!!

The angels are fast asleep and mommy and daddy are pooped!!

Pedigree & Whiskas Dubai Pet Show

Yesterday we headed to the 22nd Annual Dubai Pet Show. It was a super fun morning and Fayth was in all her glory!! She is AN ANIMAL LOVER and really enjoyed seeing ALL the different dogs. Not to mention she got to spend the entire morning with her friend Ryan!!

Expats "breed" a new life into the pet culture club. The families from Western Europe are mainly what has bought "pets" into the Emirates. Owning pets is a relatively new phenomenon in the UAE. There is a ban here on pets in parks, shopping malls, and on beaches, and a requirement to inoculate annually against rabies and to register them with the municipality. These things have failed to deter expats from keeping animals back home in their countries. Pet numbers are increasing at the rate of 10 per cent a year. In some Muslim countries dogs are regarded as unclean but the Salukis (a certain breed) are given a different status in Arab cultures because of their loyalty, intelligence and history of travelling and hunting across the Middle East with nomadic desert tribes. This dog is admired for its beauty, speed, and endurance in the hot climate.

When it comes down to it...it's fair to say "expect a mixed reaction when walking dogs in Dubai." And, do not give a "local" a toy dog or a picture of your pooch as a present. More than other countries you are expected to keep your dog under control, avoid busy streets, and warn any workmen coming into your home that you own one. There are few dog-friendly parks, cafes' and restaurants. And they say the desert is the best place for a runaround!

I must say where we live we see dogs all over the place. They are always on a leash and going out for a walk or to do their business!! Plastic bags are a must if you are a pet owner and need to be carried at all times. If dogs are confiscated they will be returned to the owners within three days provided they have a tag number and a fine of 2,000 AED...or 547.00 US dollars is paid!!

Now...for the fun part...THE PHOTOS!! I had to include a ton because we loved all the dogs at the show!! Our all time favorite...the English Sheep Dog...and he took second place!!

Are we getting a dog in Dubai?? No way...not in this apartment! Will we get one upon returning to the states...YES YES YES!! Can we agree as to which kind we all like?? NO!! Jon wants big and ugly, I want cute and cuddly, and Fayth...she wants a pink dog...one day she wants one that's big the next day that's small!! I guess we can "duke it out" when the day comes...for now...we love to pet, get kissed and watch other peoples dogs!!

**PS** be sure to double click on the lady in striped pants and wearing a white hat...she was the "looker" and the "hot topic" at the show!! No JOKE...she had to be 70 years old!!