On Our Own

Top Picture: View from our apartment

Middle Picture: Orchard Road

Bottom Picture: Mommy and Brandon at breakfast

Last night was a little rough for poor Brandon. He was up at 3 am ready to play. I could tell that he was still tired, but he just couldn't fall back asleep. Glorious jetlag, and a baby that has never been the best sleeper... I did finally get Brandon down for a nap at 6 am, and he slept until 7:40 which was when Steven was getting up for his first day of work in the Singapore office.

It was a nice morning, and Brandon and I walked Daddy to the train where we were able to say "bye" and "I love you" with no tears. Quite an accomplishment for Mommy! :)

After leaving the MRT station, we walked down Orchard Road. We passed the Starbucks and McDonald's, and I was very tempted to stop. A taste of home. However, we are in Singapore, and I want to try so hard to explore new sights, restaurants, etc. We chose a sit down coffee shop/restaurant where we were able to share a turkey and egg sandwich and Mommy was able to enjoy a decaf coffee. (There was no way I was going to risk not being able to nap when Brandon was ready to nap!)

Brandon had a hard time going down for his nap later, but when he did finally fall asleep we both slept for four hours! Like yesterday, I had to wake Brandon from his beauty sleep. We're really trying to get him back on schedule.

Our (late) afternoon consisted of another walk back to Orchard Road. We went to a food court for some dinner, and I enjoyed some chicken and rice - a dish for which Singapore is known. It was very good. Great flavor. My only complaint was that the chicken was cold. Was it suppose to be cold? Not sure... I expected the dish to be chicken mixed in with rice, but rather it was white rice and a separate sliced chicken breast. Also on the side was a bowl of soup/chicken broth. Brandon decided to pass on food this time.

After dinner, we made our first trip to the supermarket. Brandon gave a nice "Mmmm" when we walked in, and he saw blueberries. I guess now he was hungry. Go figure. We bought some fruit, vegetables, and meat. I bought a dragon fruit, which I was told is similar to a kiwi. It is pink on the outside with green spiky stems. I will post a picture of this sometime. We also bought some milk. The supermarket did sell the same organic whole milk that we buy at home, but it was around $15 a gallon! I ended up buying a non-organic Singapore brand. I'm sure it's just as good...???

Back at the apartment, I took Brandon for a swim at the pool. He went wild! The children's pool is about 1 1/2 feet deep, and he was having a blast walking around in the water. He did fall a couple of times, but it didn't seem to bother him. He is getting more fearless, which makes Mommy more fearful.

Brandon has been sleeping for about three hours now, and he has already been up three times. He is crying now. I wonder what the rest of this night will hold. Oh, well. I just enjoyed a Chang beer, and Steven just got home. It's about midnight.

Brandon and I survived our first day alone, and Daddy survived his first day at the office! I will admit that I had a few tears tonight, but that is to be expected. We will survive. :)

Love to all who are reading this and thinking of us tonight!

Settling In

Wow! The last two days have been a whirlwind.

Brandon did so well on the trip. He slept the first two hours and the last six hours of the fifteen hour flight from Chicago to Hong Kong. We entertained him for about three hours in the Hong Kong airport, and then he slept for two of the three hours from Hong Kong to Singapore. We couldn't have asked for a better trip! Oh, and I should add that Brandon's favorite "toy" on the plane was Daddy's post-it tabs. We played with "stickies" for hours!

When we arrived in Singapore, all of our bags were there. The only casuality was that the BOB weather shield was missing from the stroller. Bummer! I forgot to have them wrap the stroller in plastic at the airport, and I'm sure it fell out of the back pocket. :(

At the airport, a driver was there to transport us to our new apartment. As we left the airport, it was like stepping right out of winter into the heart of summer. It was hot and humid. Not too uncomfortable though. It was about a 20 minute car ride from the Changi airport to the apartment. Since it was a little after midnight Singapore time, we were able to see the city at night. It was beautiful!

When we arrived at the apartment, Ali was there to greet us. He showed us to our new home. My first thought was that the apartment was sooooo small. But, after being here for a day, it's not so bad. It has everything we need and more, and Brandon is exploring everything. The trash cans are now ball hoops. It's also nice living on the 15th floor (of 18). Something we may never get to experience again!

Poor little Brandon wasn't tired once we arrived. He only slept for thirty minutes all night! Steven and I took turns sleeping, and then in the morning we decided to explore outside of the apartment.

It is about a ten minute walk to Orchard Road shopping. Lots of food, malls, and shops. Kind of like our Michigan Avenue. It actually comforted me to see the large Borders. Just like in Chicago, if I ever need something to do, then I can always take Brandon to Borders. He loves to play there!

Since we are trying to get Brandon back on his schedule, we returned to our apartment for naps. We were all able to take nearly a four hour nap! So needed!

Brandon was a little fussy since we intentionally disturbed his nap but getting him "out of the house" again helped. We took our first ride on the train (MRT - subway). It was very nice, new, and clean. It was about a fifteen minute walk to the train and then about a ten minute ride to the business district. We wanted to find out where Steven's office building is, so he would be more comfortable with his first morning commute. The train dropped us off right at Steven's doorstep! It also made me feel better to know how to get to Steven if we ever need to.

Brandon went to bed tonight at about 8 pm. We'll see how tonight goes...

Oh, and I'll admit that we ordered Pizza Hut delivery here tonight. We definitely want to take advantage of all of the amazing food here, but Steven and I agree... One day at a time... :)