tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-85912262011-07-28T20:27:58.738-05:00<strong>We're back in the U.S.A.!</strong> This is the pictorial account of our family. Join us as we experience reverse culture shock.Aliciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17111760494835053411noreply@blogger.comBlogger1031100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8591226.post-11000523041998416742008-12-03T20:47:00.003-06:002008-12-03T21:22:20.455-06:00<span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;">Here are our pictures from October. Notable events in October included a trip to Stronghold (the castle where Ian and I got married and where I worked at summer camp during college); a trip to Morton Arboretum (it was a beautiful fall day, as the pictures will show); a visit from Heidi and Baby Nadia!; carving pumpkins with Daddy; a visit from Uncle Ross! (he had been downtown staying at the Trump Towers-- umm...); a Halloween party at a local community center (little did we know that we would be the ONLY adults in costume); and last, but not least, Halloween!<br /><br />I've added the October 2008 album to our Shutterfly site: <a href="http://duell.shutterfly.com/">October 2008</a><br /><br />Stronghold Castle<br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/aliciacastle2.jpg" height="300" /><br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/ianemcastle.jpg" height="300" /><br /><br />Morton Arboretum<br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/strollerarbor.jpg" height="300" /><br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/ianemliftant.jpg" height="300" /><br /><br />Emmerson and Nadia<br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/emnadia.jpg" height="300" /><br /><br />Heidi and Nadia!<br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/heidinadia2.jpg" width="300" /><br /><br />Pumpkin Carving with Daddy<br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/adalookpumpkin.jpg" height="300" /><br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/pumpkincarving08.jpg" height="300" /><br /><br />Runnin' Around with Uncle Ross<br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/rossadarun1.jpg" width="300" /><br /><br />Ada and Alicia<br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/emaliciabee1.jpg" height="300" /><br /><br />Nobody Told Us That Only the Kids Were Supposed to Dress Up...<br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/girlskidshalloween.jpg" height="300" /><br /><br />Trick or Treat 2008!<br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/trickortreat08.jpg" width="300" /><br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/adabeewagon.jpg" height="300" /><br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/adabeewagon1.jpg" height="300" /><br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/aliciakidshalloween08.jpg" height="300" /><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/8591226-1100052304199841674?l=batikbaby.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Aliciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17111760494835053411noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8591226.post-39974980317040583532008-11-10T22:02:00.005-06:002008-11-10T22:42:39.668-06:00<span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" >Here are our pictures from September. Notable events in September included Emmerson's first day of preschool (!), my 34th birthday (whoa, are you serious?), a visit from Grandma and Grandpa Collin, a visit to the Field Museum, and a trip to a really cool corn maze/pumpkin patch/hayride purveyor! Hope everyone is doing well. We miss you!<br /><br />I've added the September 2008 album to our Shutterfly site: <a href="http://duell.shutterfly.com/">September 2008</a><br /><br />Labor Day S'more!<br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/emsmore.jpg" width="300" /><br /><br />Emmerson's 1st Day of Preschool (She looks so excited, doesn't she? She could hardly sleep the night before!)<br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/empreschool.jpg" width="300" /><br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/empreschool2.jpg" width="300" /><br /><br />My Birthday<br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/aliciabday081.jpg" height="300" /><br /><br />Emmerson with Grandma and Grandpa Collin<br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/emcollinssep.jpg" height="300" /><br /><br />Ada with Grandma and Grandpa Collin<br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/adacollinssep.jpg" width="300" /><br /><br />The Girls<br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/sisterssep08.jpg" height="300" /><br /><br />At the Field Museum's Family Play Lab- they had a really cool Native American corn exhibit<br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/emcorn.jpg" width="300" /><br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/adacorn.jpg" width="300" /><br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/adacorn1.jpg" width="300" /><br /><br />At a Corn Maze with a Church Group<br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/cornmaze.jpg" height="300" /><br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/aliciaempumpkins.jpg" height="300" /><br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/adabigpumpkins.jpg" height="300" /><br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/adacorncob.jpg" height="300" /><br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/adatractor.jpg" height="300" /><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/8591226-3997498031704058353?l=batikbaby.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Aliciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17111760494835053411noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8591226.post-52416619425761728672008-10-25T15:32:00.005-05:002008-11-10T22:02:13.233-06:00<span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:100%;" >Here are our pictures from August. I have gotten so behind on editing and uploading pictures, but at least I'm making a little headway. We had a visit from our friends the Hoovers, with whom we worked in Indonesia for our entire four years. We went with them downtown to Navy Pier and Millenium Park, and then had a barbecue with them and with the Souders, our other friends from Indonesia. After the Hoovers' visit, Heather and Isabella stayed over for a night, and then I went to Madison to see Heidi and Nadia, Nea and Leif, and Shelly and Ava (Ada/Ava-- that was fun!). Everything else is going well, and we are looking forward to Halloween. Maybe we'll post those pictures by next October!?<br /><br />I've added the August 2008 album to our Shutterfly site: <a href="http://duell.shutterfly.com/">August 2008</a><br /><br />The Duells and the Hoovers<br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/duellshoovers1.jpg" width="300" /><br /><br />At Retro on Roscoe Fest<br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/emicecream1.jpg" width="300" /><br /><br />Emmerson and Kiana on the Train to the City<br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/emkianatrain.jpg" height="300" /><br /><br />At Union Station<br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/kidstrain.jpg" height="300" /><br /><br />Navy Pier<br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/navypier.jpg" height="300" /><br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/navypierem1.jpg" height="300" /><br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/emkianalaugh3.jpg" height="300" /><br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/emkianalaugh1.jpg" height="300" /><br /><br />Heather and Isabella<br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/heatherisab08.jpg" height="300" /><br /><br />Madison Friends<br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/madsummer98.jpg" height="300" /><br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/madsummer081.jpg" width="300" /><br /><br />Uncle Ross<br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/rosssummer08.jpg" height="300" /><br /><br />Where We Lived From 2000-2003!<br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/schoolstreet.jpg" width="300" /><br /><br />Summer Dance Downtown with Rosalia<br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/summerdance3.jpg" width="300" /><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/8591226-5241661942576172867?l=batikbaby.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Aliciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17111760494835053411noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8591226.post-48565809355076619492008-09-17T21:12:00.007-05:002008-10-26T12:02:42.318-05:00<span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:100%;" >Here are our pictures from July, which was another exciting month. We saw a great 4th of July parade here in Brookfield and then headed to Colorado to visit Ian's sister and her family and to have our annual Honduras reunion. Ian, Emmerson and his mom drove while Ada and I flew. Ian took some great pictures of their road trip, including many stops at a variety of truck stops and overlooks. While in Colorado we went for a hike in the Rocky Mtn. National Park and then stayed for a few nights with Megan and had a great time at our Honduras reunion! It was, as always, so much fun to get together, reminisce and watch our kids get to know each other. Megan and I then convinced our husbands to go to a renaissance festival the next day, which was hilarious fun. The rest of the pictures are just cute shots of the kids.<br /><br />Here are all of our July pictures on Shutterfly: <a href="http://duell.shutterfly.com/2260">July 2008</a><br /><br />Ian and Emmerson's Road Trip to Colorado<br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/coroadtrip4.jpg" width="300" /><br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/coroadtrip8.jpg" width="300" /><br /><br />Hiking in the Rocky Mts<br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/adabackpack.jpg" width="300" /><br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/emaliciahike1.jpg" width="300" /><br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/emliftco.jpg" width="300" /><br /><br />Ada at Megan's<br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/adapush1.jpg" width="300" /><br /><br />Honduras Reunion Kids!<br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/kidsshot.jpg" height="300" /><br /><br />All of Us<br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/groupshot3.jpg" height="300" /><br /><br />Sam and Emmerson the Old Married Couple<br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/samembed.jpg" width="300" /><br /><br />Renaissance Faire!<br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/renfaire1.jpg" width="300" /><br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/emhorse1.jpg" height="300" /><br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/turkeyleg.jpg" height="300" /><br /><br />Ada Lookin Cute<br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/adawhite08.jpg" width="300" /><br /><br />Ada, Ian and Emmerson<br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/ianadasailorem.jpg" width="300" /><br /><br />Sister Love<br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/sistersummer08.jpg" height="300" /><br /><br /></span><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/8591226-4856580935507661949?l=batikbaby.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Aliciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17111760494835053411noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8591226.post-2944550201552420632008-09-07T21:36:00.004-05:002008-09-07T22:28:01.996-05:00<span style="font-weight:bold;">I'm finally getting caught up with summer pictures. This post will be pictures from June, which was a very busy and exciting month. Emmerson had a her first ever dance recital (who can believe the Vegas showgirl costumes?), Heidi had a baby shower, we went to see Kenny Loggins at Ravinia with the Wozniaks and Brunses, Ian's mom visited, and I went to Boston and Nantucket to see my friends Laurel and Rob and Mimi and Jared (we all worked together in Indonesia). It was so fun to see them all again!<br /><br />Here are all of our June pictures on Shutterfly: <a href="http://duell.shutterfly.com/2195">June 2008</a><br /><br />Emmerson's Dance Recital (next week at Caesar's Palace)<br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/junedance.jpg" width="300" /><br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/junedance1.jpg" width="300" /><br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/junedance2.jpg" width="300" /><br /><br />Ian and the Girls on Front Porch<br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/frontporch.jpg" height="300" /><br /><br />At a Festival<br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/adafestival.jpg" width="300" /><br /><br />Emmerson's Carseat<br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/emcarseat.jpg" width="300" /><br /><br />Gardening<br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/gardening.jpg" width="300" /><br /><br />Good Morning<br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/sistermorning.jpg" height="300" /><br /><br />Heidi's Shower<br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/heidishower.jpg" height="300" /><br /><br />Boston with Laurel!<br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/northboston.jpg" height="300" /><br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/restaurantlaughing.jpg" height="300" /><br /><br />Hyannis (felt like a Kennedy)<br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/hyannis1.jpg" height="300" /><br /><br />Nantucket House<br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/nantucket2.jpg" height="300" /><br /><br />Mimi and the Howes<br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/mimihowes.jpg" height="300" /><br /><br />Lobster and Scallop Feast of a Lifetime<br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/nantucketfeast.jpg" height="300" /><br /><br />Mimi, Laurel and Me in Nantucket<br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/nantucketgirls.jpg" height="300" /></span><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/8591226-294455020155242063?l=batikbaby.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Aliciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17111760494835053411noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8591226.post-39182110697571876482008-05-27T21:34:00.003-05:002008-05-27T22:32:38.091-05:00<span style="font-weight:bold;"><br />Here is the Shutterfly link: <a href="http://duell.shutterfly.com/action/?a=8BasWLJs5aNE-">Ada's 1st Birthday Party and Katie and Amelia's Visit!</a><br /><br />It's been a wonderful and busy past few weeks. Ada turned 1! We had a little birthday party for her a few weeks ago. Also, over Memorial Day weekend our friends Katie and Amelia came out for a visit. We took the train downtown, then went to the Sears Tower and the Shedd Aquarium. The next day we went to the Brookfield Zoo, joined by our other good friend Heidi. Hope everyone is doing well! This is the last week of school, and we are all looking forward to a fabulous summer vacation.<br /><br />Ada's 1st Birthday Party<br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/aliciadadrossdeck.jpg" width="300" /><br /><br />Grandma and Ada<br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/momadabday.jpg" width="300" /><br /><br />Ada is 1!<br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/adaianbdaycake.jpg" width="300" /><br /><br />Lombard Lilac Parade<br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/grandpaadaparade.jpg" height="300" /><br /><br />Those Fire Engine Sirens Were Too Loud<br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/adaparade.jpg" width="300" /><br /><br />Face Painting at the Parade<br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/emface.jpg" width="300" /><br /><br />At Union Station with Amelia and the Girls<br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/ianlittlegirls.jpg" width="300" /><br /><br />Emmerson Admiring the View from the Sears Tower<br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/emsearstower.jpg" height="300" /><br /><br />5 Hours Later (or so it seemed)<br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/aliciasears.jpg" width="300" /><br /><br />Face Painting at the Aquarium<br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/emfacepaint2.jpg" width="300" /><br /><br />Carousel at the Brookfield Zoo<br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/aliciaemcarousel.jpg" height="300" /><br /><br />Ada and Amelia<br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/adaamelia.jpg" width="300" /><br /><br />Emmerson and Amelia<br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/emameliazoo.jpg" height="300" /><br /><br />Friends Forever<br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/emameliaswing.jpg" height="300" /><br /><br /></span><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/8591226-3918211069757187648?l=batikbaby.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Aliciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17111760494835053411noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8591226.post-51740463936790726812008-05-14T21:05:00.002-05:002008-05-14T21:48:11.100-05:00<span style="font-weight:bold;"><br />Here is the Shutterfly link: <a href="http://duell.shutterfly.com/action/?a=8BasWLJs5aNEc">May: Ian's Birthday and Mother's Day</a><br /><br />Here are some photos of the past few weeks, including Ian's 42nd birthday, Mother's Day, and random pictures of the kids. Coming soon: Ada's 1st birthday!<br /><br />Ada Lookin' Cute in her Red, White and Blue<br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/adaredblue.jpg" width="300" /><br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/adaredblue1.jpg" width="300" /><br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/adaredblue2.jpg" width="300" /><br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/adaredblue3.jpg" width="300" /><br /><br />Ian's Birthday<br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/ianadabday42.jpg" width="300" /><br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/iangirlsbday42.jpg" height="300" /><br /><br />Silly Sisters<br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/sillysisters.jpg" height="300" /><br /><br />Mother's Day<br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/mothersday081.jpg" height="300" /><br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/allmothersday0803.jpg" height="300" /><br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/allmothersday081.jpg" height="300" /><br /><br />Little Cowgirl<br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/emmersonbarn.jpg" height="300" /><br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/emmersonbarn2.jpg" width="300" /><br /><br />Mohawk!<br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/adamohawk3.jpg" height="300" /><br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/adamohawk.jpg" height="300" /><br /><br /></span><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/8591226-5174046393679072681?l=batikbaby.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Aliciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17111760494835053411noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8591226.post-18197105599415843892008-04-16T21:14:00.001-05:002008-04-16T21:49:44.042-05:00<span style="font-weight:bold;"><br />Here is the Shutterfly link: <a href="http://duell.shutterfly.com/action/?a=8BasWLJs5aNDA">Easter, March, April '08</a><br /><br />Here are some pictures of Easter, Emmerson's first haircut, and other events of the past few months.<br /><br />Egg Hunt<br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/egghunt081.jpg" width="300" /><br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/egghunt083.jpg" width="300" /><br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/egghunt084.jpg" width="300" /><br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/egghunt087.jpg" width="300" /><br /><br />At Church<br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/duellseaster08.jpg" width="300" /><br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/grandmagirlseaster1.jpg" width="300" /><br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/adaeaster08.jpg" width="300" /><br /><br />First Haircut<br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/haircut1.jpg" width="300" /><br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/haircut7.jpg" width="300" /><br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/haircut3.jpg" height="300" /><br /><br />Emmerson Cleaning her Car<br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/cleaningcar1.jpg" width="300" /><br /><br />Oranges!<br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/adaoranges1.jpg" height="300" /><br /><br />Sister Love<br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/kittypants.jpg" height="300" /><br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/sistersrug1.jpg" height="300" /><br /><br />Me and Emmerson<br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/momemmarch.jpg" width="300" /><br /></span><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/8591226-1819710559941584389?l=batikbaby.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Aliciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17111760494835053411noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8591226.post-44745947243404183262008-03-17T20:09:00.002-05:002008-03-17T21:48:09.505-05:00<span style="font-weight:bold;"><br />Here is the Shutterfly link: <a href="http://duell.shutterfly.com/action/?a=8BasWLJs5aNCm">Emmerson Bday and Feb-March '08</a><br /><br />Here are some pictures of Emmerson's 3rd birthday party, birthday dinner, and making cookies for Valentine's Day.<br /><br />Emmerson's Bday Party with Family and Friends<br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/embday3.jpg" width="300" /><br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/embday17.jpg" width="300" /><br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/embday9.jpg" height="300" /><br /><br />Ada's First Taste of Ice Cream<br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/embday19.jpg" width="300" /><br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/embday16.jpg" height="300" /><br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/fourduells.jpg" height="300" /><br /><br />Her Actual Bday<br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/3rdbday1.jpg" height="300" /><br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/jumprope1.jpg" width="300" /><br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/emgolf.jpg" width="300" /><br /><br />Nea and Baby Leif!<br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/alicialeifnea.jpg" height="300" /><br /><br />With Aunt Heidi<br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/heidinealeif.jpg" width="300" /><br /><br />Birthday Raincoat and Boots<br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/bdayraincoat.jpg" width="300" /><br /><br />Making Cookies<br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/emrollingpin2.jpg" width="300" /><br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/redhighchair.jpg" width="300" /><br /><br />Emmerson and her Friend Rosalia<br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/rosaliaem.jpg" width="300" /><br /><br /></span><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/8591226-4474594724340418326?l=batikbaby.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Aliciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17111760494835053411noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8591226.post-7521562277815651122008-02-26T21:35:00.003-06:002008-02-26T21:59:54.293-06:00<span style="font-weight: bold;">Here are some pictures from the past month, including Valentine's Day. Emmerson is going to be 3 years old on Thursday, so I'll be posting more pictures soon!<br /><br />Here is the Shutterfly link: <a href="http://duell.shutterfly.com/action/?a=8BasWLJs5aNCE">February '08</a><br /><br />Sister Bath<br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/sisterbath.jpg" height="300" /><br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/sisterbath1.jpg" height="300" /><br /><br />At Cannovas in Freeport<br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/sunglassescannovas.jpg" width="300" /><br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/rosscannovas.jpg" width="300" /><br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/emrosscannovas.jpg" height="300" /><br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/adacannovas.jpg" width="300" /><br /><br /><br />Emmerson with Her Tools<br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/emhandyman1.jpg" width="300" /><br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/emhandyman3.jpg" width="300" /><br /><br /><br />Valentine's Day<br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/vday.jpg" height="300" /><br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/vday1.jpg" width="300" /><br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/vday2.jpg" width="300" /><br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/vday4.jpg" width="300" /></span><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/8591226-752156227781565112?l=batikbaby.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Aliciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17111760494835053411noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8591226.post-76011723239802016282008-02-08T20:52:00.000-06:002008-02-08T22:32:21.512-06:00<span style="font-weight:bold;">Here are some photos of our trip to Colorado over New Year's. We stayed with Ian's sister's family for a great few days, which included a sledding trip in the Rockies. We also stayed with our friend Megan, with whom we taught in Honduras. On New Year's Eve we had a fantastic reunion with another Honduras friend Katie Schowalter Shively, her husband Chaz, and all six of our kids! <br /><br />Here are the rest of the photos on Shutterfly: <a href="http://duell.shutterfly.com/action/?a=8BasWLJs5aNBq">Shutterfly Colorado New Year's</a><br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/adacolorado08.jpg" width="300"><br /><br /><br />Sledding in the Rockies<br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/adaaliciasnow.jpg" width="300"><br /><br /><br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/emianrockies1.jpg" height="300"><br /><br /><br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/emiansled.jpg" height="300"><br /><br /><br />Emmerson and Ardis<br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/emardis.jpg" height="300"><br /><br /><br />Playing the Wii!<br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/emwii.jpg" width="300"><br /><br /><br />New Year's Eve- Megan made cupcakes for the kids to frost<br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/nyecupcakes.jpg" width="300"><br /><br /><br />The Honduras kids<br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/nyekids2.jpg" height="300"><br /><br /><br />Moms and Kids<br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/nyemomskids1.jpg" height="300"><br /><br /><br />Katie and Alicia<br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/katiealicia08.jpg" height="300"><br /><br /><br />The Honduras Crew <br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/honduras08.jpg" height="300"><br /><br /><br />Ringing in the New Year<br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/meganalicia08.jpg" height="300"><br /><br /><br />My Girls<br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/doctorem1.jpg" height="300"><br /><br /><br />Emmerson's New Bunkbed<br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/newbunkbed1.jpg" height="300"></span><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/8591226-7601172323980201628?l=batikbaby.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Aliciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17111760494835053411noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8591226.post-62094281238059520532008-01-23T21:42:00.000-06:002008-01-23T22:24:14.268-06:00<strong>Here are our pictures from December, including a very snowy day, a trip on the Polar Express with Grandma and Grandpa Collin, Christmas Eve, and Christmas Day. It was great to be home for the holidays! My next post will be our New Year's Colorado trip.<br /><br /><a href="http://duell.shutterfly.com/action/?a=8BasWLJs5aNBI">December '08 Shutterfly</a></strong><br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/snowhouse.jpg" height="300"><br /><br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/backyardsnow.jpg" height="300"><br /><br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/emshovel.jpg" height="300"><br /><br />Polar Express<br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/polarsisters.jpg" height="300"><br /><br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/mrsclaus.jpg" height="300"><br /><br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/momadarudolph.jpg" width="300"><br /><br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/polardancing.jpg" width="300"><br /><br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/polarduells.jpg" height="300"><br /><br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/polarsanta.jpg" width="300"><br /><br />Frosting Cookies<br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/emxmascookie.jpg" height="300"><br /><br />Christmas Eve<br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/adaaliciaxmas071.jpg" width="300"><br /><br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/girlsaliciaxmas07.jpg" width="300"><br /><br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/duellsxmas071.jpg" height="300"><br /><br />Christmas Morning<br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/adawagon.jpg" height="300"><br /><br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/ianemxmasmorn.jpg" height="300"><br /><br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/sistersxmasmorning.jpg" height="300"><br /><br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/garbagebag.jpg" height="300"><br /><br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/xmasmorn071.jpg" width="300"><br /><br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/drill.jpg" height="300"><br /><br />Emmerson and Isabella<br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/isabellaem07.jpg" height="300"><br /><br />Emmerson and Heather<br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/heatherem07.jpg" width="300"><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/8591226-6209428123805952053?l=batikbaby.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Aliciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17111760494835053411noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8591226.post-62929618623205710412007-12-12T22:03:00.000-06:002008-01-15T21:20:27.508-06:00<strong>Here are some photos from November and December '07. I'll hopefully soon have our pictures from Christmas and our trip to Colorado for New Year's up as well! I also have some pictures of Emmerson's new bed, her first "big girl" bed (actually bunk beds, which she and Ada will eventually share). Tonight is her first night sleeping in her new bed, so we took some pictures to commemorate the big occasion. She looks so tiny in it! <br /><br /><a href="http://duell.shutterfly.com/action/?a=8BasWLJs5aNAu">November-December '07 Shutterfly</a></strong><br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/thanksgivingdinner.jpg" width="300"><br /><br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/adathanksgiving.jpg" width="300"><br /><br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/adathanksgiving4.jpg" width="300"><br /><br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/iangirls07.jpg" width="300"><br /><br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/adarice2.jpg" width="300"><br /><br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/adarice4.jpg" height="300"><br /><br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/adapeas.jpg" width="300"><br /><br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/adapinkhat.jpg" width="300"><br /><br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/adapink2.jpg" width="300"><br /><br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/sisterslpink.jpg" height="300"><br /><br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/sisterspink1.jpg" height="300"><br /><br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/emtree2.jpg" height="300"><br /><br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/emxmasdance.jpg" width="300"><br /><br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/firefighters.jpg" height="300"><br /><br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/emchicago4.jpg" height="300"><br /><br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/adaxmas3.jpg" width="300"><br /><br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/adaxmas5.jpg" width="300"><br /><br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/adaxmas11.jpg" height="300"><br /><br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/adaxmas13.jpg" height="300"><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/8591226-6292961862320571041?l=batikbaby.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Aliciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17111760494835053411noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8591226.post-36522944098201327182007-11-03T16:39:00.000-05:002007-11-03T22:23:53.747-05:00<span style="font-weight:bold;">Happy Halloween! Here are some pictures of us during the month of October. The Shutterfly link is the complete album of 70 pictures, but posted here are just a few of my favorites. School for both of us is going really well, the girls are growing and changing every day, and we are enjoying our new home and being back near our families and friends!<br /><br /><a href="http://duell.shutterfly.com/action/?a=8BasWLJs5aNAM"><br />October 07 (70 photos)</a><br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/octweb14.jpg" width="300" /><br /><br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/octweb5.jpg" height="300" /><br /><br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/octweb8.jpg" height="300" /><br /><br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/octweb12.jpg" width="300" /><br /><br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/octweb45.jpg" width="300" /><br /><br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/octweb18.jpg" width="300" /><br /><br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/octweb22.jpg" width="300" /><br /><br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/octweb23.jpg" height="300" /><br /><br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/octweb33.jpg" height="300" /><br /><br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/octweb47.jpg" width="300" /><br /><br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/octweb59.jpg" height="300" /><br /><br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/octweb56.jpg" height="300" /><br /><br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/octweb38.jpg" width="300" /><br /><br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/octweb25.jpg" width="300" /><br /><br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/octweb51.jpg" height="300" /><br /><br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/octweb64.jpg" width="300" /><br /><br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/octweb66.jpg" width="300" /><br /><br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/octweb62.jpg" width="300" /><br /><br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/octweb63.jpg" height="300" /></span><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/8591226-3652294409820132718?l=batikbaby.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Aliciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17111760494835053411noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8591226.post-53432817052482307192007-09-23T20:40:00.000-05:002007-09-23T21:32:38.850-05:00<span style="font-weight:bold;">It's been a LONG time since I last posted, so here are pictures from this past summer up through yesterday. Hope everyone is doing well. Stop by if you're in the neighborhood!<br /><br />New Minivan (I know, I know)<br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/minivan.jpg" height="300" /><br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/summerwalk.jpg" height="300" /><br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/momemcookin.jpg" height="300" /><br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/sweetface.jpg" height="300" /><br /><br />Emmerson and Isabella at a Freeport street dance<br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/emisabelladance.jpg" height="300" /><br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/adaaliciakiss.jpg" height="300" /><br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/adaaliciamarks.jpg" height="300" /><br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/adahorns.jpg" height="300" /><br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/adapink.jpg" width="300" /><br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/adapinkoutfit.jpg" width="300" /><br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/emadapink.jpg" width="300" /><br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/adawhite.jpg" width="300" /><br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/adawhite1.jpg" width="300" /><br /><br />Fourth of July<br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/emjuly.jpg" width="300" /><br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/girlsfourth.jpg" height="300" /><br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/lightningbugs.jpg" height="300" /><br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/emflowerbucket.jpg" height="300" /><br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/momgirlsreading.jpg" height="300" /><br /><br />Uncle Ross<br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/rossface.jpg" height="300" /><br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/adabeachball.jpg" width="300" /><br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/soccergarden.jpg" height="300" /><br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/adawalk.jpg" width="300" /><br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/boatride.jpg" height="300" /><br /><br />Cousins Alli and Logan<br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/cousins.jpg" height="300" /><br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/crawdadcrawl.jpg" height="300" /><br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/crawdadcrawloutside.jpg" height="300" /><br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/dadgirlschair.jpg" width="300" /><br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/empushingada.jpg" height="300" /><br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/emtent.jpg" height="300" /><br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/firetruck.jpg" width="300" /><br /><br />Grandma and Bill<br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/grandmabillada.jpg" height="300" /><br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/ianadaporch.jpg" width="300" /><br /><br />Brushing goat at the Brookfield Zoo<br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/emgoat.jpg" width="300" /><br /><br />Alicia and Heather<br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/aliciaheatherroom.jpg" height="300" /><br /><br />Inside our House (aka Gallery Hoover)<br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/armoireliving.jpg" height="300" /><br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/livingroom.jpg" height="300" /><br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/livingroom1.jpg" height="300" /><br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/diningroom.jpg" height="300" /><br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/den.jpg" width="300" /><br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/kitchen.jpg" height="300" /><br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/kitchen1.jpg" height="300" /><br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/emaliciafaces.jpg" width="300" /><br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/adathumb.jpg" height="300" /><br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/sistersmat.jpg" width="300" /><br /><br />Buckingham Fountain in Chicago<br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/duellfamfountain.jpg" width="300" /><br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/ianmomfountain.jpg" height="300" /><br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/liftfountain.jpg" width="300" /><br /><br />Sam and Matthew<br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/duellsdietz.jpg" height="300" /><br /><br />Megan, Chris, Sam and Matthew<br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/duellsdietz1.jpg" height="300" /><br /><br />Sixtieth Bday Part in Freeport<br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/familysixtieth.jpg" height="300" /><br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/duellssixtieth1.jpg" width="300" /><br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/kidssixtieth.jpg" height="300" /><br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/emsixtieth.jpg" width="300" /><br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/emmersonmary.jpg" width="300" /><br /><br />Crazy Hair!<br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/hairfire.jpg" width="300" /><br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/hairfire1.jpg" width="300" /><br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/hairfireem.jpg" height="300" /><br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/hairfireem1.jpg" height="300" /><br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/empose.jpg" height="300" /><br /><br />Alicia and Mom D.<br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/chicagoalicialinda.jpg" height="300" /><br /><br />At the Shedd Aquarium<br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/komodoenter.jpg" height="300" /><br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/komodoenter1.jpg" height="300" /><br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/tickleada.jpg" height="300" /><br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/tickleada1.jpg" height="300" /><br /><br /></span><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/8591226-5343281705248230719?l=batikbaby.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Aliciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17111760494835053411noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8591226.post-87765789246853065522007-07-25T14:25:00.000-05:002007-07-25T14:42:23.233-05:00<span style="font-weight:bold;">We finally bought a house! The process was much more emotionally and logistically exhausting than either of us anticipated, but we are thrilled with the final outcome. It's in a great location, close to my school, to the local library, train stop, and downtown area. School starts for both of us on Aug. 20th, with meetings beginning the week before. We hope to be moved in by then!<br /><br />Our New House<br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/housefront.jpg" width="300" /><br /><br />Foyer and Hallway<br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/house1.jpg" width="300" /><br /><br />Living Room<br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/house2.jpg" height="300" /><br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/house3.jpg" height="300" /><br /><br />Dining Room<br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/house4.jpg" width="300" /><br /><br />Den<br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/house5.jpg" width="300" /><br /><br />Powder Room<br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/house6.jpg" width="300" /><br /><br />Kitchen<br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/house7.jpg" width="300" /><br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/house8.jpg" height="300" /><br /><br />Deck<br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/house9.jpg" height="300" /><br /><br />Upstairs Bathroom<br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/house10.jpg" width="300" /><br /><br />Kid's Bedroom #1<br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/house11.jpg" width="300" /><br /><br />Kid's Bedroom #2<br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/house12.jpg" width="300" /><br /><br />Master Bedroom<br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/house13.jpg" width="300" /><br /><br /></span><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/8591226-8776578924685306552?l=batikbaby.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Aliciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17111760494835053411noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8591226.post-29147396534459158292007-06-04T23:50:00.001-05:002007-06-05T08:20:28.444-05:00<span style="font-weight:bold;">Here are a few more pictures of the girls and also of the end of year faculty party. This will be short as am holding Ada and typing one-handed.<br /><br />Little Sister Sleeper<br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/pinklittlesister.jpg" width="300" /><br /><br /><br />Big Sister Little Sister Outfits<br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/pinksisters.jpg" width="300" /><br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/pinksisters1.jpg" width="300" /><br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/kickinitada.jpg" height="300" /><br /><br />Fairy Girl<br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/fairyem.jpg" width="300" /><br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/fairyem1.jpg" width="300" /><br /><br />Faculty Party<br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/facultyparty.jpg" height="300" /><br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/mimijared.jpg" width="300" /><br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/grantbrandon.jpg" height="300" /><br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/karldave.jpg" height="300" /><br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/elsapieter.jpg" height="300" /><br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/lesjane.jpg" height="300" /><br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/zahrarens.jpg" height="300" /><br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/markeysjeff.jpg" height="300" /><br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/yennibrian.jpg" height="300" /><br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/shannoncindyalicia.jpg" height="300" /><br /><br />Annual Song<br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/singing07.jpg" height="300" /><br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/singing071.jpg" height="300" /><br /><br />Enjoying the Song<br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/listening.jpg" height="300" /><br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/listening1.jpg" height="300" /><br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/listening2.jpg" height="300" /><br /></span><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/8591226-2914739653445915829?l=batikbaby.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Aliciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17111760494835053411noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8591226.post-11030131307671534582007-05-21T01:37:00.000-05:002007-05-21T23:32:04.366-05:00<span style="font-weight:bold;">Statistics:<br />Born Thursday, May 17th at 4:00pm<br />Weighs 9lbs<br />Length 20 in<br />Ada was my mother's grandmother's name<br />Rose was my father's grandmother's name<br />Star Sign: Taurus<br /><br />My due date was Monday, May 14th, and as I watched it come and go I was able to wax philosophical and figure that this baby would come within a day or two. This relaxed attitude lasted until the next day, when at my doctor's appointment he pronounced that it probably would not happen very soon and that if I hadn't had the baby in the next WEEK to come back for another appointment. What? But this baby needs to be born SOON! To make matters worse, my doctor cavalierly mentioned as I was leaving that he was leaving on vacation the next day for ten days and that Dr. Handaya (I still don't know his name) would actually deliver the baby. What?? But this was the entire reason I had chosen again to go with Dr. Robert: for all he lacks in bedside manner, he was stellar when Emmerson was born. I trusted him completely, and now he tells me, days before this baby was to be born, that he wouldn't even be around? I dealt with this unpleasant news by heading to Plaza Indonesia, eating by myself at Hard Rock Cafe and buying a few fancy Indonesia coffee table books to display at our eventual home in Chicago. <br /><br />So when I woke up the following morning at 4:00am with a contraction, all I could do was second-guess myself: "But Dr. Robert said I wasn't ready!" After about five hours of steady contractions, however, I figured that maybe he didn't know everything. I called my friend Alison who was vacationing in Vietnam and is a doctor, and she agreed that we should get ourselves to the hospital. Oh, and I should mention that Ian and I have been on a highly organized schedule for the past several weeks, trying to arrange for movers, plane tickets, real estate searching, and a mortgage preapproval. In the pre-dawn hours as I was waiting for Ian to wake up, I figured that I could get something done, so I completed our mortgage application! Between contractions, of course.<br /><br />Emmerson's nanny came over to take watch her for the day (Thursday was actually Ascension Day- the ascension of Jesus- and was a public holiday so no one had to work). We arrived at the hospital around 11:00am, waited around for a few hours, and then Ada was born at 4:00pm. It was amazing because we were expecting a repeat of Emmerson's birth, which was hours and hours of waiting before anything actually happened. This time around was mercifully quick and relatively stress-free, even with the unknown Dr. Handaya! He actually turned out to be pretty cool, regaling us with stories of eating clam chowder in San Francisco, all the while resting his arm on my propped up knee. A very casual guy, which helped us relax. Although I still thought that Ian could have passed out at any time, but he was a trooper and very helpfully fanned my head while facing towards the wall.<br /><br />We had a little time with Ada, and then she was whisked away to the baby room for measurement and so that she wouldn't be "dinggin" (cold-- Indonesians are obsessed with the idea that babies and young children need to be bundled to within an inch of their life). By that time it was about 5:00pm, and "American Idol" (the results show-- the one where Melinda was kicked off-- I think she was robbed) was just starting, so we ate our hospital dinners and kicked back for some mindless entertainment. We looked at each other in amazement and deep appreciation for this wonderful experience and thanked God for blessing us in this new and miraculous way.<br /><br /><br />Here are some shots from Ada's first four days of life:<a href="http://duell.shutterfly.com/action/?a=8BasWLJs5aM_s">Ada Rose on Shutterfly</a><br /><br />Leaving for the Hospital<br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/goingtohospital.jpg" height="300" /><br /><br />Reading <span style="font-style:italic;">Oprah</span> while I Wait<br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/waitingoprah.jpg" height="300" /><br /><br /><br />Ada and Ian<br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/daddyada1.jpg" height="300" /><br /><br />Doctor Handaya and Nurse<br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/adadoctor.jpg" height="300" /><br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/rainbowblanket.jpg" height="300" /><br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/babyburrito1.jpg" height="300" /><br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/greenjammies3.jpg" height="300" /><br /><br />Ada and Me<br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/mommyada.jpg" height="300" /><br /><br />Sisters. Emmerson has been a great big sister. First thing in the morning she always wants to "go see Baby Ada!" She is very gentle with her and enjoys describing what the baby is doing. She is very observant. While reading the nursery rhyme "Georgie Porgie" this morning, when we got to the part where he "kissed the girls and made them cry", Emmerson commented, "like Baby Ada!"<br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/sisters.jpg" width="300" /><br /><br />The Three Duell Girls<br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/duellgirls.jpg" height="300" /><br /><br />First Night Home<br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/sisterjammies.jpg" height="300" /><br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/yellowoutfit.jpg" width="300" /><br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/sheepskin1.jpg" width="300" /><br /><br />Indonesians present these giant floral signs at store openings, weddings, funerals, etc. They are extremely tacky and, in addition to the real thing, are usually adorned with mounds of fake flowers. One of the tackiest aspects of these signs, however, is that who the sign is from is often as big or BIGGER than who the sign is for. Our friends here at school followed this rule of thumb, as you can see! This giant sign is sitting outside our apartment door and gives us a good chuckle every time we see it.<br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/flowersign.jpg" height="300" /><br /></span><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/8591226-1103013130767153458?l=batikbaby.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Aliciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17111760494835053411noreply@blogger.com74tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8591226.post-56813471874030371362007-05-15T09:19:00.000-05:002007-05-15T09:52:55.115-05:00<span style="font-weight:bold;">Today marks 40 weeks and 1 day! We are getting anxious for the arrival of Baby D. 2.0. Mother's Day was nice. Emmerson's school had a little program which I was able to attend, then we went out for brunch on Sunday with some friends.<br /><br />Here are these photos and those from the previous post on Shutterfly: <a href="http://duell.shutterfly.com/action/?a=8BasWLJs5aM_O">May 2007</a><br /><br />40 Weeks +1 Day<br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/40weeks07.jpg" width="300" /><br /><br />Little House at Emmerson's School<br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/emhouse.jpg" width="300" /><br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/house.jpg" width="300" /><br /><br />Emmerson's Friend Marena<br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/housewindows.jpg" height="300" /><br /><br />Welcome Song for Mother's Day Program<br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/mothersdayprogram.jpg" height="300" /><br /><br />Eating Noodles<br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/eatingschool.jpg" width="300" /><br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/eatingschool1.jpg" height="300" /><br /><br />Clapping With Marena<br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/clappingmarena.jpg" height="300" /><br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/clappingmarena1.jpg" height="300" /><br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/rockingschool.jpg" height="300" /><br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/strollergirls.jpg" width="300" /><br /><br />Mother's Day Brunch<br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/dharmadress1.jpg" width="300" /><br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/dharmadress.jpg" width="300" /><br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/dharmadress2.jpg" width="300" /><br /></span><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/8591226-5681347187403037136?l=batikbaby.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Aliciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17111760494835053411noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8591226.post-43952151035621739632007-05-09T08:51:00.000-05:002007-05-09T08:59:13.666-05:00<span style="font-weight:bold;">Monday marked 39 weeks. Any day now, and it couldn't come sooner. I'm ready! Actually, I'm on maternity leave now and have been enjoying the extra time by preparing for our impending move, setting up baby stuff, playing with Emmerson, and relaxing by myself when possible. It's been a nice time.<br /><br />These are Emmerson's favorite pajamas. Ian thinks that with the slicked back hair, she looks like an actor out of an old Kung Fu movie. Enter the dragon!<br /><br />Chinese Jammies<br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/chinesejammies.jpg" height="300" /><br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/chinesejammies1.jpg" height="300" /><br /><br />39 Weeks<br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/39weeks07.jpg" width="300" /><br /><br />Handy Table<br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/bellycake.jpg" height="300" /></span><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/8591226-4395215103562173963?l=batikbaby.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Aliciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17111760494835053411noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8591226.post-37733199053906731402007-05-01T10:19:00.000-05:002007-05-03T01:52:03.487-05:00<span style="font-weight:bold;">One of the most interesting aspects of living overseas is the culture differential. Some things that are perfectly acceptable in the U.S. are considered rude in Indonesia. Personal confrontation, for example, is not looked upon as a potentially good, healthy way to resolve differences. Indonesian people put on a happy face and would NEVER consider confronting someone with a complaint or criticism. HOWEVER, where we Americans enthusiastically embrace the "little white lie" in circumstances of personal appearance, etc., Indonesians (and many other Asians, I've been told) will not hesitate to tell you if you look "fat", "tired", etc. All very cheerfully, of course, but still, it does make you stop and think. Anyway, I had my very own "Indonesian experience" the other morning in the staff lounge. It was 7:30am, I just gotten to school and was pouring myself a cup of coffee. Two of the Indonesian staff (Asrael and Wi Wi, for you ex-NJISers) started staring at me and discussing whether they think I'm having a boy or a girl. Finally, the man says, "We think you're definitely having a boy!" "Oh, why is that?" I asked. "Because we Indonesians believe that if you're having a GIRL, you look "cantik" (beautiful), but if you're having a BOY, then no, your face is rough, and not so beautiful." "Oh. And you think I'm having a BOY?" "Yes, yes! With Emmerson you looked beautiful, but now it's different!" At this point, I am ready to burst into tears (remember I am 8 1/2 months pregnant and certainly already not feeling like I'm going to be making the cover of Glamour anytime soon, and a little extra emotional to boot). Another Indonesian staff member (Risna) then comes in and realizes that I'm perhaps feeling a bit sensitive. She starts saying, "No, no, SAME as with Emmerson! She's having a GIRL!" But the other two didn't catch her social cue, so they actually ARGUED with her, "No, no, different! With Emmerson so nice, but now different!" I finished pouring my coffee and practically ran (as fast as a hugely pg lady can run) out of there, straight into Ian's arms where I blurted out the whole story. He then proceeded to tell his 8th grade students the story as an example of cultural conflicts, and then told it AGAIN to the people he interviewed with for a high school social studies job that night!!! He ended up getting the job, so I guess it was a worthwhile sacrifice. Hmm, on a funny note, Asrael just walked through the library. I gave him a big smile, all the while wanting to give him a few "critiques" of my own. So anyway, much ado about nothing, really, but just a big funny story about the clash of the cultures!<br /><br />38 Weeks<br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/38weeks07.JPG" width="300" /></span><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/8591226-3773319905390673140?l=batikbaby.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Aliciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17111760494835053411noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8591226.post-80650279890192640212007-04-23T08:36:00.000-05:002007-04-23T08:55:32.129-05:00<span style="font-weight:bold;">Ian is exploring the jungles of Kalimantan on the island of Borneo this week with the eighth grade class. We're hoping that Baby Duell 2.0 won't decide to make an early entrance! The night before he left, Emmerson was in rare form and was running around the house wearing Ian's England soccer shirt shouting, "Go Man U! Go Man U!" Sometimes I think she is all the entertainment we need. The ladies from school threw me a surprise baby shower on Saturday morning, so in the belly shot picture below I am holding the diaper cake that one of them made!<br /><br /><br />37 Weeks<br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/37weeks07.jpg" width="300" /><br /><br />Go Man U!<br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/gomanu.jpg" width="300" /><br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/gomanu1.jpg" width="300" /><br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/gomanu2.jpg" height="300" /><br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/gomanu3.jpg" width="300" /><br /></span><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/8591226-8065027989019264021?l=batikbaby.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Aliciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17111760494835053411noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8591226.post-4964704018544504602007-04-17T10:31:00.000-05:002007-04-17T10:36:53.758-05:00<span style="font-weight:bold;">Here are a few pictures from the past week. We took Emmerson to Funzone in the mall last weekend. It is one of those places you avoid like the plague as a single person because of the loud video game noises and obnoxiously flashing lights that assault you as you walk by, but as a parent... somehow these places become more acceptable. It's worth a few lost brain cells if your child is entertained for 30 minutes on a lazy Saturday afternoon. At least that's what we tell ourselves.<br /><br />36 Weeks<br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/36weeks07.jpg" width="300" /><br /><br />After School Kisses<br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/schoolpigtails1.jpg" height="300" /><br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/schoolpigtails.jpg" height="300" /><br /><br />Flying Dumbo in Funzone<br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/elephantride.jpg" height="300" /><br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/elephantride1.jpg" height="300" /><br /><br />Trapped in Funzone Hell<br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/funzone.jpg" height="300" /></span><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/8591226-496470401854450460?l=batikbaby.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Aliciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17111760494835053411noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8591226.post-77144285884999936442007-04-11T06:24:00.000-05:002007-04-11T06:28:16.862-05:00<span style="font-weight:bold;">Here are just a few pictures from Easter. As you can see, she doesn't yet get the idea of smiling for the camera; we're not really sure what the deal is with some of her expressions! </span><br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/easter.jpg" height="300" /><br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/easter1.jpg" height="300" /><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/8591226-7714428588499993644?l=batikbaby.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Aliciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17111760494835053411noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8591226.post-36467000903304211282007-04-03T09:21:00.000-05:002007-04-03T09:36:25.615-05:00<span style="font-weight:bold;">We went to Bali for Spring Break, but unfortunately Emmerson got really sick on the first full day we were there! She only wanted to lie on our bed in the darkened hotel room, alternately sleeping and crying. Needless to say, we did not take many pictures of these activities. The few pictures we do have of her enjoying the pool and the beach were taken on the first day we were there. Bali is a great place to have leather clothing made, so my friend Tracey and I each had matching leather jackets made. I can only hope that mine fits, as the belly warps the style!<br /><br />Here are these pictures, and the ones from my previous post, on Shutterfly: <a href="http://duell.shutterfly.com/action/?a=8BasWLJs5aM-o">Spring Break07</a><br /><br />34 Weeks<br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/34weeks.jpg" width="300" /><br /><br />First Seat to Herself<br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/ownseat.jpg" height="300" /><br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/ownseat1.jpg" height="300" /><br /><br />Playing in the Pool<br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/raft.jpg" height="300" /><br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/raft1.jpg" height="300" /><br /><br />Digging in the Sand<br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/sandbucket.jpg" height="300" /><br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/sandbucket1.jpg" width="300" /><br /><br />Tracey and me with our new Leather Jackets!<br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/leatherjackets.jpg" width="300" /><br /></span><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/8591226-3646700090330421128?l=batikbaby.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Aliciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17111760494835053411noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8591226.post-78235950593723399432007-03-23T08:47:00.000-05:002007-03-23T08:51:42.789-05:00<span style="font-weight:bold;">Here are just a few random shots from the past week. Hope everyone is well! (Mom, I will put these pictures on Shutterfly along with our Spring Break pictures when we get back.)<br /><br />32 Weeks<br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/32weeks.jpg" width="300" /><br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/grinblanket.jpg" width="300" /><br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/barongmask.jpg" height="300" /><br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/barongmask1.jpg" height="300" /></span><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/8591226-7823595059372339943?l=batikbaby.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Aliciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17111760494835053411noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8591226.post-68031724456797072442007-03-06T08:17:00.000-06:002007-03-06T08:44:56.656-06:00<span style="font-weight:bold;">Emmerson turned 2 on February 28th! These are photos of her after-school pool party at NJIS, followed by a little family party with the Wilsons. Emmerson had a very full (and very fun) day! Also, I am now 30 weeks pregnant. That photo is at the bottom!<br /><br />Here are the photos on Shutterfly:<a href="http://duell.shutterfly.com/action/?a=8BasWLJs5aM-K">Emmerson's 2nd Birthday</a><br /><br />Making Cookies<br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/makingcookies.jpg" width="300" /><br /><br />New Swimming Suit<br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/newsuit.jpg" width="300" /><br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/newsuit1.jpg" width="300" /><br /><br />Birthday Cupcakes<br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/cupcakes.jpg" height="300" /><br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/bdayswim.jpg" width="300" /><br /><br />Waiting for the Party to Start<br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/pinkdress.jpg" width="300" /><br /><br />Birthday Ice-Cream Cake<br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/twocake.jpg" width="300" /><br /><br />Rocking Horse<br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/rockinghorse.jpg" height="300" /><br /><br />Gracie and Emmerson<br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/girlsbday.jpg" height="300" /><br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/unwrapping.jpg" width="300" /><br /><br />First Crocs!<br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/newcrocs.jpg" width="300" /><br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/newcrocs1.jpg" width="300" /><br /><br />Singing<br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/singingbday.jpg" height="300" /><br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/playingbed.jpg" height="300" /><br /><br />30 Weeks<br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/30weeks.jpg" width="300" /><br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/coolgoggles.jpg" width="300" /></span><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/8591226-6803172445679707244?l=batikbaby.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Aliciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17111760494835053411noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8591226.post-4662488169406315192007-03-03T22:10:00.000-06:002007-03-03T23:15:43.528-06:00<span style="font-weight:bold;">Here are some pictures from the floods. The first several are from the neighborhood surrounding the school, and then the ones in the truck are when Ian and Emmerson (and many of the other teachers) were evacuated in the military truck. All of the water has since disappeared, leaving all of this a distant and surreal memory!<br /><br />Here are all 45 photos on Shutterfly: <a href="http://share.shutterfly.com/action/welcome?sid=8BasWLJs5aMpw">February Floods</a><br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/Emmerson-Ian.jpg" height="300" /><br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/February-Flood-07-Dawi.jpg" height="300" /><br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/February-Flood-07-NJIS.jpg" height="300" /><br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/February-Flood-07-NJIS-St-1.jpg" height="300" /><br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/February-Flood-07-NJIS-Staf.jpg" height="300" /><br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/February-Flood-07-NJIS-Stre.jpg" height="300" /><br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/NJIS-Evac.jpg" height="300" /><br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/NJIS-Front.jpg" height="300" /><br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/NJIS-Street.jpg" height="300" /><br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/Emmerson-Evac.jpg" height="300" /><br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/Emmerson-Truck.jpg" height="300" /><br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/Evac-Hotel.jpg" width="300" /><br /><br /></span></span><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/8591226-466248816940631519?l=batikbaby.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Aliciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17111760494835053411noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8591226.post-77819322420840143662007-02-21T08:44:00.000-06:002007-02-21T08:48:48.744-06:00<span style="font-weight:bold;">Here are just a few photos of me at 28 weeks and Emmerson in her P.E. uniform (!). It's hard to believe that she will be 2 years old next Wednesday, Feb. 28th. The time has flown by and our precious little girl is growing up so fast! She is full of vim, vigor and the dickens to boot. She is truly our pride and joy!<br /><br />28 Weeks<br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/30weekspg.jpg" width="300" /><br /><br />P.E. Uniform<br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/emgymuniform.jpg" width="300" /><br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/emgymuniform1.jpg" width="300" /></span><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/8591226-7781932242084014366?l=batikbaby.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Aliciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17111760494835053411noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8591226.post-87085011863222904222007-02-11T06:54:00.000-06:002007-02-11T07:01:34.195-06:00<span style="font-weight:bold;">Here are some photos from the past few weeks. My next post will include information and pictures from the flooding that affected north Jakarta, but I thought I'd post these for now. Included are me at 26 weeks pg, Emmerson in her school uniform, her new "house" wooden wardrobe, and just a few fun pictures of her enjoying the various hotel rooms from the past week.<br /><br />Here are these photos on Shutterfly: <a href="http://duell.shutterfly.com/action/?a=8BasWLJs5aM9G">Early February 07</a><br /><br />26 Weeks<br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/26weeks.jpg" width="300" /><br /><br />Wearing her Christening Bonnet<br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/bonnet.jpg" width="300" /><br /><br />Schoolgirl!<br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/emuniform.jpg" width="300" /><br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/emianuniform.jpg" width="300" /><br /><br />New Wardrobe<br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/wardrobe.jpg" width="300" /><br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/wardrobe1.jpg" width="300" /><br /><br />Lunchlady Emmerson<br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/lunchlady.jpg" height="300" /><br /><br />Wearing Ian's Shorts<br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/daddyshorts.jpg" height="300" /><br /><br />Warm and Cozy at the Hyatt<br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/cozy.jpg" height="300" /><br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/cozy1.jpg" height="300" /><br /><br /></span><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/8591226-8708501186322290422?l=batikbaby.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Aliciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17111760494835053411noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8591226.post-60027994525570787942007-01-23T08:10:00.000-06:002007-01-23T08:24:30.273-06:00<span style="font-weight:bold;">Here are a few belly shots of me (I'm 24 weeks along right now), some random photos of Emmerson, pictures of our New Year's Kickoff Faculty Dinner last weekend, and some shots of Emmerson at her first day of school. *Please note: we are ONLY enrolling her in school so she doesn't hang around the apartment all day with the nanny. She needs to socialize with other kids. We promise we're not trying to get a head start with the Ivy Leagues.<br /><br />22 Weeks<br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/tmp_name_22weeks.jpg" width="300" /><br /><br />24 Weeks<br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/tmp_name_24weeks.jpg" width="300" /><br /><br />Bubble Baby<br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/bubblebaby.jpg" height="300" /><br /><br />Wearing Daddy's Goggles<br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/goggles.jpg" width="300" /><br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/goggles1.jpg" width="300" /><br /><br />New Year's Kickoff Faculty Dinner<br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/kinaraduells.jpg" height="300" /><br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/kinaraduells1.jpg" width="300" /><br /><br />Alicia and Mimi<br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/kinaraaliciamimi.jpg" height="300" /><br /><br />First Day at School!<br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/ecole.jpg" height="300" /><br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/ecole1.jpg" height="300" /><br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/ecole2.jpg" height="300" /><br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/ecole3.jpg" width="300" /><br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/ecole4.jpg" height="300" /><br /></span><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/8591226-6002799452557078794?l=batikbaby.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Aliciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17111760494835053411noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8591226.post-84892361401630791802007-01-18T02:07:00.000-06:002007-01-18T19:57:40.586-06:00<span style="font-weight:bold;">Happy New Year! It has been a long time since I posted, so it's about time. These are pictures from Christmas, including our fantastic Christmas vacation to Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam. Ian, Emmerson and I first spent a few days in Singapore, then we met my mom and brother in Bangkok. While in Bangkok, we went on a riverboat tour, visited the Grand Palace and Reclining Buddha, shopped at the huge and crazy Chatuchak market, and toured Jim Thompson's house. After that we flew to Hanoi, Vietnam and visited Ho Chi Minh's mausoleum (you actually see him under glass-- as I mention below, creepy but cool), the "Hanoi Hilton" where John McCain was held prisoner (you can see his flight suit on display!), and Halong Bay. It was a great holiday and so much fun to be together!<br /><br />Here is the link to our photos on Shutterfly: <a href="http://duell.shutterfly.com/action/?a=8BasWLJs5aM8g">Christmas Photos 06</a><br /><br />Santa Baby<br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/November06%20012.jpg" width="300" /><br /><br />Duells and Santa, Jakarta<br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/Santa06%20009.jpg" height="300" /><br /><br />Fake Christmas Morning, Jakarta<br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/Dec%2006%20Vacation%20Old%20Camera%20018.jpg" height="300" /><br /><br />Christmas Day, Singapore<br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/Dec%2006%20Vacation%20Old%20Camera%20044.jpg" width="300" /><br /><br />First Morning Together!<br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/dancingross.jpg" height="300" /><br /><br />Chao Praya River, Bangkok<br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/momrossboat.gif" height="300" /><br /><br />Grandma and Emmerson<br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/jillemsmiling.gif" height="300" /><br /><br />Grand Palace, Bangkok (check out Ian and Ross' pants)<br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/collinsemtemple.gif" width="300" /><br /><br />New Year's Eve, Hanoi<br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/duellscyclo.gif" height="300" /><br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/rossiannewyear.jpg" height="300" /><br /><br />New Year's Day Halong Bay, North Vietnam<br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/halongianem.jpg" width="300" /><br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/halongaliciaem.jpg" height="300" /><br /><br />Ho Chi Minh's Mausoleum-- creepy but cool!<br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/mausoleumemian.jpg" width="300" /><br /><br />Uncle Ross and Emmerson<br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/rossemhug.jpg" width="300" /><br /><br />Last Night Together, Bangkok<br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/familyend.jpg" height="300" /></span><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/8591226-8489236140163079180?l=batikbaby.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Aliciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17111760494835053411noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8591226.post-1162723121109781172006-11-05T03:37:00.000-06:002006-11-05T04:38:41.606-06:00<span style="font-weight:bold;">We went to Bali over the weeklong Idul Fitri break. Instead of staying in the Kuta area with the other beachloving Westerners (what we usually do), we broke up our trip into 3 segments: Kuta (hey, it IS vacation after all), Ubud (central Bali, home to much Balinese dance and culture), and east Bali (rice terraces and volcanoes). Unfortunately, due to technical difficulties which shall not be named here, we were only left with photos from the final 1/3 of our trip. So, we hope you enjoy these glimpses into east Bali! There are also a few shots of our Halloween costumes. Ian's costume in particular garnered much praise, especially from fellow parents!<br /><br />Here are the rest of the photos on Shutterfly: <a href="http://duell.shutterfly.com/action/?a=8BasWLJs5aM8C">http://duell.shutterfly.com/action/?a=8BasWLJs5aM8C</a><br /><br />Visiting Mt. Batur Volcano<br /><img height="350" src="http://www.duelliscool.net/Gunung-Batur-Alicia-Emmerso.jpg"><br /><br /><img height="350" src="http://www.duelliscool.net/Gunung-Batur-Ian-Emmerson.jpg"><br /><br />"Cool Dude" (that's what E says when she sees someone wearing sunglasses, including herself)<br /><img width="350" src="http://www.duelliscool.net/Emmerson-Cool-Dude-2.jpg"><br /><br />Tirtagangga Water Palace in East Bali<br /><img height="350" src="http://www.duelliscool.net/Tirta-Ganga-Emm-Daddy.jpg"><br /><br /><img height="350" src="http://www.duelliscool.net/Tirta-Gangga-Emmerson-Daddy.jpg"><br /><br /><img height="350" src="http://www.duelliscool.net/Tirta-Gangga-Water-Palace-1.jpg"><br /><br /><img height="350" src="http://www.duelliscool.net/Tirta-Gangga-5.jpg"><br /><br /><img height="350" src="http://www.duelliscool.net/Tirta-Gangga-1.jpg"><br /><br /><img height="350" src="http://www.duelliscool.net/Tirta-Gangga-8.jpg"><br /><br /><img height="350" src="http://www.duelliscool.net/Tirta-Gangga-9.jpg"><br /><br />Mt. Agung Volcano<br /><img height="350" src="http://www.duelliscool.net/Tirta-Gangga-Gunung-Agung-1.jpg"><br /><br />Homestay in Rice Fields<br /><img height="350" src="http://www.duelliscool.net/Tirta-Gangga-House-in-Rice.jpg"><br /><br />Rice Terraces<br /><img height="350" src="http://www.duelliscool.net/Tirta-Gangga-Terraces.jpg"><br /><br /><img height="350" src="http://www.duelliscool.net/Tirta-Gangga-Rice-Fields-3.jpg"><br /><br /><img width="350" src="http://www.duelliscool.net/Tirta-Gangga-Fancy-Daddy.jpg"><br /><br /><img height="350" src="http://www.duelliscool.net/Tirta-Gangga-Alicia-Banana.jpg"><br /><br /><img height="350" src="http://www.duelliscool.net/Tirta-Gangga-Tiny-Baby.jpg"><br /><br />Halloween: can you guess what our costumes are?<br /><img width="350" src="http://www.duelliscool.net/Ian-Costume.jpg"><br /><br /><img width="350" src="http://www.duelliscool.net/Halloween-Costumes.jpg"></span><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/8591226-116272312110978117?l=batikbaby.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Aliciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17111760494835053411noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8591226.post-1161008756246416592006-10-16T09:03:00.000-05:002006-10-16T09:25:56.263-05:00<span style="font-weight:bold;">We've had a busy month. Highlights include: chasing Emmerson as she tears around, meeting Andrew and Alison's new son Timothy, hosting renowned storyteller and author (and my own personal storytelling hero) Margargaret Read MacDonald, and school, school, school. I can't <span style="font-style:italic;">believe</span> it snowed in the Midwest. Hope everything is well where you are!<br /><br />Here is the link to these photos on Shutterfly: <a href="http://duell.shutterfly.com/action/?a=8BasWLJs5aM78">http://duell.shutterfly.com/action/?a=8BasWLJs5aM78</a><br /><br /><img width="350" src="http://www.duelliscool.net/halo.jpg"><br /><br /><img width="350" src="http://www.duelliscool.net/halo1.jpg"><br /><br />Karate Kid<br /><img width="350" src="http://www.duelliscool.net/headband.jpg"><br /><br /><img width="350" src="http://www.duelliscool.net/headband1.jpg"><br /><br />After Bath Lounging<br /><img height="350" src="http://www.duelliscool.net/towel.jpg"><br /><br /><img height="350" src="http://www.duelliscool.net/towel1.jpg"><br /><br />Inhaling the Yogurt (this was all Ian)<br /><img height="350" src="http://www.duelliscool.net/yogurt.jpg"><br /><br /><img height="350" src="http://www.duelliscool.net/yogurt1.jpg"><br /><br /><img height="350" src="http://www.duelliscool.net/yogurt2.jpg"><br /><br />Reading Mother Goose<br /><img height="350" src="http://www.duelliscool.net/mothergoose.jpg"><br /><br /><img height="350" src="http://www.duelliscool.net/mothergoose2.jpg"><br /><br />Looking at Pictures<br /><img height="350" src="http://www.duelliscool.net/pictures.jpg"><br /><br />Timothy Wilson!<br /><img height="350" src="http://www.duelliscool.net/timothy.jpg"><br /><br />Margaret Read MacDonald Storytelling Visit!<br /><img height="350" src="http://www.duelliscool.net/margaretreadmacdonald.jpg"><br /><br />Coffee Table with Batik Stamp Inlay<br /><img height="350" src="http://www.duelliscool.net/coffeetable1.jpg"><br /><br /><img height="350" src="http://www.duelliscool.net/coffeetable2.jpg"><br /></span></span><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/8591226-116100875624641659?l=batikbaby.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Aliciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17111760494835053411noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8591226.post-1157896679455383192006-09-10T08:40:00.000-05:002006-09-10T08:57:59.466-05:00<span style="font-weight:bold;">Emmerson's pool skills have been increasing exponentially. She enjoys jumping off the side of the pool and going underwater until one of us picks her up, as she's learned how to hold her breath for several seconds. She also likes Ian to hold her up by the thighs and then angle her into the water so she dives! She even holds her arms straight out like a true diver. It is so funny to watch. We've also just painted our dining room orange (!) and bought some shelves, photo of which are in this post.<br /><br />Jumping into the pool<br /><img height="350" src="http://www.duelliscool.net/jumping1.jpg"><br /><br /><img height="350" src="http://www.duelliscool.net/jumping.jpg"><br /><br /><img height="350" src="http://www.duelliscool.net/jumping3.jpg"><br /><br /><img height="350" src="http://www.duelliscool.net/jumping2.jpg"><br /><br />Diving<br /><img height="350" src="http://www.duelliscool.net/diving.jpg"><br /><br /><img height="350" src="http://www.duelliscool.net/babypool.jpg"><br /><br />Pointy Hair<br /><img height="350" src="http://www.duelliscool.net/pointyhair.jpg"><br /><br /><img height="350" src="http://www.duelliscool.net/pointyhair2.jpg"><br /><br />Orchids<br /><img height="350" src="http://www.duelliscool.net/orchids.jpg"><br /><br /><img height="350" src="http://www.duelliscool.net/orchids1.jpg"><br /><br />Orange dining room<br /><img height="350" src="http://www.duelliscool.net/orange.jpg"><br /><br /><img height="350" src="http://www.duelliscool.net/orange1.jpg"><br /><br /><img width="350" src="http://www.duelliscool.net/orange2.jpg"><br /><br />New Shelves<br /><img width="350" src="http://www.duelliscool.net/shelf.jpg"><br /><br /><img width="350" src="http://www.duelliscool.net/shelf1.jpg"><br /></span><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/8591226-115789667945538319?l=batikbaby.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Aliciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17111760494835053411noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8591226.post-1156257361859998602006-08-22T09:17:00.000-05:002006-08-23T10:32:49.720-05:00<span style="font-weight:bold;">We've just returned from a weekend in East Java visiting the Mt. Bromo volcano! I have wanted to go to Mt. Bromo since we first arrived in Indonesia, and we finally had the chance to go last weekend. Indonesia is part of the Ring of Fire, and the island of Java alone has several active volcanoes. Mt. Bromo is one of these active volcanoes and is adjacent to Mt. Semmaru, another active volcano. We stayed in a lodge just a few miles from the volcanoes and had to get up at 3:30am to make the trip to watch the sunrise over the volcanoes. Words can't do justice to how spectacular it is. Check out the photos below! After watching the sunrise and taking many photos of Bromo and Semmaru, we drove over a sea of sand to the base of Mt. Bromo. We then hiked up the side, climbing 250 steps to finally reach the cauldera. It is an active volcano (last erupted in 2004) with steam billowing out of it and a strong smell of sulphur in the air. Oh, and it's cold! We bought matching Mt. Bromo wool hats like the rest of the Indonesian tourists there. It was probably 40 degrees at the top. Nice and chilly! We also spent a few nights at the beautiful Majapahit hotel in Surabaya, East Java. The photos of Emmerson splashing in the pool are from there.<br /><br /><a href="http://duell.shutterfly.com/action/?a=8BasWLJs5aM7e">http://duell.shutterfly.com/action/?a=8BasWLJs5aM7e</a><br /><br /><br /><img height="350" src="http://www.duelliscool.net/bromo.jpg"><br /><br /><img height="350" src="http://www.duelliscool.net/bromo2.jpg"><br /><br /><img height="350" src="http://www.duelliscool.net/bromo4.jpg"><br /><br /><img height="350" src="http://www.duelliscool.net/bromo5.jpg"><br /><br /><img height="350" src="http://www.duelliscool.net/bromomommy.jpg"><br /><br /><img height="350" src="http://www.duelliscool.net/bromoduells.jpg"><br /><br /><img height="350" src="http://www.duelliscool.net/daddysulphur1.jpg"><br /><br /><img height="350" src="http://www.duelliscool.net/sulphur.jpg"><br /><br /><img height="350" src="http://www.duelliscool.net/volcanobaby.jpg"><br /><br /><img height="350" src="http://www.duelliscool.net/poolgirl1.jpg"><br /><br /><img height="350" src="http://www.duelliscool.net/splashing.jpg"><br /><br /><img height="350" src="http://www.duelliscool.net/factoryworkers1.jpg"><br /><br /><img height="350" src="http://www.duelliscool.net/factoryfloor.jpg"><br /></span><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/8591226-115625736185999860?l=batikbaby.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Aliciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17111760494835053411noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8591226.post-1152177979911147992006-07-06T04:16:00.000-05:002006-07-06T04:29:44.036-05:00<span style="font-weight:bold;"><br />The 4th of July was our fourth wedding anniversary. Four years ago many of you melted away in the summer heat of our wedding but, just you know, it was worth it! Thanks again for helping us make our wedding so memorable. In the pictures below, we were about to go out for dinner and you can tell that Emmerson is not too happy about being left behind. She may be little, but she's savvy. We decided that we wouldn't even try to get a picture of just the two of us, as a meltdown would have been sure to follow. We are leaving for the U.S. tomorrow and can't wait to see many of you this summer. Mom and Ann, I'm wearing the green silk blouse from Thailand in these pictures!<br /><br />4 years!</span><br /><br /><img height="300" src="http://www.duelliscool.net/anniversary.jpg"><br /><br /><img width="300" src="http://www.duelliscool.net/anniversary1.jpg"><br /><br /><img height="300" src="http://www.duelliscool.net/anniversary2.jpg"><br /><br /><img width="300" src="http://www.duelliscool.net/anniversary3.jpg"><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/8591226-115217797991114799?l=batikbaby.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Aliciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17111760494835053411noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8591226.post-1151066951432380932006-06-23T07:19:00.000-05:002006-06-23T08:04:57.980-05:00<span style="font-weight:bold;">Ian and Emmerson wore matching outfits for Father's Day, courtesy of the Wilsons' birthday gift to Ian! We also recently took our summer school students to the Jakarta Zoo and had a great time checking out the monkeys. Emmerson and Wayan tagged along and loved seeing the orangutans, gorillas, and other assorted simians! <br /><br />Here are the photos on Shutterfly: <a href="http://duell.shutterfly.com/action/?a=8BasWLJs5aM64">Father's Day and Zoo Shutterfly</a><br /><br />Matching Outfits for Father's Day!<br /><img width="300" src="http://www.duelliscool.net/dadsday.jpg"><br /><br /><img width="300" src="http://www.duelliscool.net/dadsday1.jpg"><br /><br /><img width="300" src="http://www.duelliscool.net/dadsday2.jpg"><br /><br /><img width="300" src="http://www.duelliscool.net/dadsday3.jpg"><br /><br />Ian, Emmerson, and Elephant<br /><img height="300" src="http://www.duelliscool.net/zooelephant.jpg"><br /><br />Wayan, Emmerson, and Elephant<br /><img width="300" src="http://www.duelliscool.net/zooelephant1.jpg"><br /><br />Ian, Emmerson, and the Monkeys<br /><img width="300" src="http://www.duelliscool.net/zoomonkey.jpg"><br /><br />Me, Emmerson, and Ostrich<br /><img height="300" src="http://www.duelliscool.net/zooostrich.jpg"><br /><br />Emmerson and the Orangutan<br /><img width="300" src="http://www.duelliscool.net/emmorang.jpg"><br /><br /><img height="300" src="http://www.duelliscool.net/emorangs.jpg"><br /><br />Wayan, Emmerson, and the Orangutan<br /><img height="300" src="http://www.duelliscool.net/wayanemorang.jpg"><br /><br /><img width="300" src="http://www.duelliscool.net/zooorang1.jpg"></span></span><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/8591226-115106695143238093?l=batikbaby.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Aliciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17111760494835053411noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8591226.post-1149306925266625192006-06-02T22:41:00.000-05:002006-06-05T03:20:42.113-05:00<span style="font-weight:bold;">We recently had the end of year faculty dinner at a French restaurant downtown. Here are some photos of the party in addition to two cute photos of Emmerson!<br /><br />Goodbye Song<br /><img height="300" src="http://www.duelliscool.net/goodbyesong.jpg"><br /><br />Laurel and Me<br /><img height="300" src="http://www.duelliscool.net/laurelalicia.jpg"><br /><br />Dave and Kim<br /><img width="300" src="http://www.duelliscool.net/davekim.jpg"><br /><br />Laurel, Mimi and Me<br /><img height="300" src="http://www.duelliscool.net/laurelmimialicia.jpg"><br /><br /><img height="300" src="http://www.duelliscool.net/laurelmimialicia1.jpg"><br /><br />Jared and Rob<br /><img width="300" src="http://www.duelliscool.net/jaredrob.jpg"><br /><br />Ian and Luke<br /><img width="300" src="http://www.duelliscool.net/ianluke.jpg"><br /><br />Leaving Staff<br /><img height="300" src="http://www.duelliscool.net/leavingstaff.jpg"><br /><br />The Guys<br /><img height="300" src="http://www.duelliscool.net/theguys.jpg"><br /><br />Ian and me<br /><img height="300" src="http://www.duelliscool.net/pooltable.jpg"><br /><br />Pink Outfit and Beloved Balloon<br /><img width="300" src="http://www.duelliscool.net/pinkskirt.jpg"><br /><br /><img width="300" src="http://www.duelliscool.net/pinkskirt1.jpg"></span><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/8591226-114930692526662519?l=batikbaby.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Aliciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17111760494835053411noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8591226.post-1148626120346709762006-05-26T01:37:00.000-05:002006-05-26T01:48:40.360-05:00<span style="font-weight:bold;">Here are some photos of me and my special Mother's Day breakfast, complete with homemade Mother Goose-themed menu, and some photos of Emmerson doing housework such as wiping off the coffee table and cooking (i.e. stirring shallots, garlic cloves, a lime and a golf ball in a tupperware bowl), and making her piggy face (special for Grandpa!).<br /><br />Here is the link to the photos on Shutterfly: <a href="http://duell.shutterfly.com/action/?a=8BasWLJs5aM6a">Shutterfly May Baby</a><br /><br />Mother's Day Breakfast<br /><img height="300" src="http://www.duelliscool.net/breakfast.jpg"><br /><br /><img height="300" src="http://www.duelliscool.net/breakfast1.jpg"><br /><br />Doing Chores<br /><img height="300" src="http://www.duelliscool.net/housework.jpg"><br /><br /><img height="300" src="http://www.duelliscool.net/housework1.jpg"><br /><br /><img height="300" src="http://www.duelliscool.net/housework2.jpg"><br /><br />Little Chef<br /><img width="300" src="http://www.duelliscool.net/cooking.jpg"><br /><br /><img width="300" src="http://www.duelliscool.net/cooking1.jpg"><br /><br /><img width="300" src="http://www.duelliscool.net/cooking2.jpg"><br /><br />Piggy Face!<br /><img width="300" src="http://www.duelliscool.net/piggy.jpg"><br /><br /><img width="300" src="http://www.duelliscool.net/piggy1.jpg"></span><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/8591226-114862612034670976?l=batikbaby.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Aliciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17111760494835053411noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8591226.post-1146744130108628942006-05-04T06:41:00.000-05:002006-05-04T07:03:16.256-05:00<span style="font-weight:bold;">I took Emmerson to the mall last week for a little 14 month photo shoot. The blue outfit is a gift from my parents from Vietnam. Now that she is a full-fledged toddler, she is a little hard to corral, which is why I appear in a few of the photos!<br /><br />Here is the link to the rest of the photos on Shutterfly: <a href="http://duell.shutterfly.com/action/?a=8BasWLJs5aM50">Shutterfly 14 Month Photo Shoot</a></span><br /><br /><img width="300" src="http://www.duelliscool.net/sundress.jpg"><br /><br /><img width="300" src="http://www.duelliscool.net/sundress2.jpg"><br /><br /><img width="300" src="http://www.duelliscool.net/sundress5.jpg"><br /><br /><img width="300" src="http://www.duelliscool.net/sundress7.jpg"><br /><br /><img width="300" src="http://www.duelliscool.net/sundress3.jpg"><br /><br /><img width="300" src="http://www.duelliscool.net/bluevietnam.jpg"><br /><br /><img width="300" src="http://www.duelliscool.net/bluevietnam1.jpg"><br /><br /><img width="300" src="http://www.duelliscool.net/bluevietnam2.jpg"><br /><br /><img width="300" src="http://www.duelliscool.net/bluevietnam3.jpg"><br /><br /><img width="300" src="http://www.duelliscool.net/bluevietnam4.jpg"><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/8591226-114674413010862894?l=batikbaby.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Aliciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17111760494835053411noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8591226.post-1145583028433861682006-04-20T20:07:00.000-05:002006-04-20T20:30:28.486-05:00<span style="font-weight:bold;">Happy April! Here are some photos from our month so far. Emmerson has found a new passion in balls of every kind (see Ian's blog <a href="http://www.indobaja.blogspot.com">www.indobaja.blogspot.com</a>). We also went to Bali over Easter weekend and had fun playing on the beach, enjoying the sunsets, and even doing some Balinese dancing! <br /><br />Here is the link to the rest of the photos on Shutterfly: <a href="http://duell.shutterfly.com/action/?a=8BasWLJs5aM5W">Shutterfly April06</a> </span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Emmerson and the Soccer Ball</span><br /><img width="300" src="http://www.duelliscool.net/soccerball.jpg"><br /><br /><img width="300" src="http://www.duelliscool.net/soccerball1.jpg"><br /><br /><img width="300" src="http://www.duelliscool.net/soccerball2.jpg"><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Playing with her Clothes</span><br /><img width="300" src="http://www.duelliscool.net/playingwithclothes.jpg"><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Walking in the Indian Ocean</span><br /><img width="300" src="http://www.duelliscool.net/ocean.jpg"><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Can I Play?</span><br /><img width="300" src="http://www.duelliscool.net/canIplay.jpg"><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Let's Join In, Dad!</span><br /><img width="300" src="http://www.duelliscool.net/canIplay2.jpg"><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Legian Beach Sunset</span><br /><img width="300" src="http://www.duelliscool.net/legianbeach.jpg"><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Sunset</span><br /><img height="300" src="http://www.duelliscool.net/aliciaemsunset1.jpg"><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"><br />A Midsummer Night's Dream</span><br /><img width="300" src="http://www.duelliscool.net/fairy3.jpg"><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Little Fairy</span><br /><img width="300" src="http://www.duelliscool.net/fairymommy1.jpg"><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Let's Dance!</span><br /><img height="300" src="http://www.duelliscool.net/embalidancing.jpg"><br /><br /><img height="300" src="http://www.duelliscool.net/embalidancing1.jpg"><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">With the Dancers</span><br /><img height="300" src="http://www.duelliscool.net/balidancers.jpg"><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Flower Girl</span><br /><img width="300" src="http://www.duelliscool.net/flowergirl.jpg"><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/8591226-114558302843386168?l=batikbaby.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Aliciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17111760494835053411noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8591226.post-1144304325665241062006-04-06T00:41:00.000-05:002006-04-07T05:26:06.253-05:00<span style="font-weight:bold;">We've just returned from a wonderful vacation in Thailand with my parents, family friends, and friends from Jakarta. We spent the first few days in Bangkok, then flew up to Chiang Mai in northern Thailand (Ian took the train) for five days, then back to Bangkok for the final days of the trip. Of all of the vacations and trips that we have taken in the last several years, this was one of the best because it combined all of my favorite things: family, friends, food, shopping, and of course lots of fun! <br /><br />Among the highlights: spending the day with elephants at a <a href="http://www.thaifocus.com/elephant/">sanctuary which rescues sick and abused elephants</a>; <a href="http://www.cookinthai.com/">full-day Thai cooking course</a>; <a href="http://www.traditionalthaiyogamassage.com/images/thaimassage.jpg">Thai massage</a> (wild-- the masseuse uses her own body to push/pull/stretch you into different positions!); visiting elaborate and ornate temples and buddhas (incuding the Emerald Buddha and the giant Reclining Buddha); longboat river cruise through Bangkok's canals; shopping at the many markets; eating curries, pomelo and papaya salads, Singha beer, and lemongrass in everything. <br /><br />Below I've posted some of our favorite photos, but if you want the full range, here they are: <a href="http://duell.shutterfly.com/action/?a=8BasWLJs5aM4w">Shutterfly Thailand 2006</a>. <br /><br /></span><br />Enjoying a performance<br /><img height="300" src="http://www.duelliscool.net/dancing1.jpg"><br /><br />Mom, Alicia and Emmerson enjoying the temples!<br /><img height="300" src="http://www.duelliscool.net/girls1.jpg"><br /><br />Alicia at the Reclining Buddha<br /><img width="300" src="http://www.duelliscool.net/recliningbuddha2.jpg"><br /><br />Alicia and Alison buying food for cooking class<br /><img height="300" src="http://www.duelliscool.net/aliciaalison.jpg"><br /><br />Chef Emeril Duell<br /><img width="300" src="http://www.duelliscool.net/ianwok.jpg"><br /><br />Enjoying the fruits of our labor<br /><img height="300" src="http://www.duelliscool.net/duellscurry.jpg"><br /><br />Baby elephant<br /><img height="300" src="http://www.duelliscool.net/elephantbaby.jpg"><br /><br />Feeding the elephants!<br /><img width="300" src="http://www.duelliscool.net/elephantfeeding.jpg"><br /><br />Emmerson is unsure about the whole thing<br /><img height="300" src="http://www.duelliscool.net/emfeeding.jpg"><br /><br />Playing in the river<br /><img height="300" src="http://www.duelliscool.net/riverelephantbaby.jpg"><br /><br />Ian's classic baby pose<br /><img height="300" src="http://www.duelliscool.net/daddypose.jpg"><br /><br />This dragon is called "Mom"!<br /><img height="300" src="http://www.duelliscool.net/momdragon.jpg"><br /><br />Mom, Alicia and Dad at a temple on the mountain in Chiang Mai<br /><img width="300" src="http://www.duelliscool.net/collins1.jpg"><br /><br />Collins and Youngs enjoying a Bangkok longboat, but where's the Singha?<br /><img height="300" src="http://www.duelliscool.net/collinsyoungs.jpg"><br /><br />Ian's prized purchase (the hat, not the baby)<br /><img width="300" src="http://www.duelliscool.net/ianemmersonriver2.jpg"><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/8591226-114430432566524106?l=batikbaby.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Aliciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17111760494835053411noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8591226.post-1141225870224169972006-03-01T09:00:00.000-06:002006-03-01T09:42:00.476-06:00<strong><br />Emmerson is 1! We decided to follow in my tradition and have a birthday "season" for Emmerson: we had brunch at a fancy hotel on Sunday with Andrew, Alison and Gracie, then had a pool party after school on Monday for our teacher friends (Alison and Gracie joined us, too), and then for her actual birthday we had Alison, Andrew and Gracie up to open presents and eat cake. Both girls enjoyed themselves immensely! Emmerson surprised us by very carefully and daintily eating her cake crumb by crumb, while Gracie was a bit more exuberant. We can't believe our little baby is one!!<br /><br />Emmerson is wearing some very special outfits in these photos: the ADORABLE sailor suit is from my mom, the ladybug outfit is from the Wilsons, and the purple and green birthday outfit is from my mom. You are keeping her in style!<br /><br />Here are the 35 Shutterfly photos: <a href="http://duell.shutterfly.com/action/?a=8BasWLJs5aM3u">First Birthday</a><br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/sailor.jpg" width="300" border="2" /><br />Emmerson and Daddy<br /><br /><img height="300" src="http://www.duelliscool.net/sailor1.jpg" border="2" /><br />Emmerson and Mommy<br /><br /><img height="300" src="http://www.duelliscool.net/sailor3.jpg" border="2" /><br />I love my sailor suit!<br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/ladybug1.jpg" width="300" border="2" /><br />Fix my wings, Daddy<br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/ladybug3.jpg" width="300" border="2" /><br />Birthday Bug<br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/one1.jpg" width="300" border="2" /><br />Dancing the night away<br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/one2.jpg" height="300" border="2" /><br />Maestro<br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/one4.jpg" height="300" border="2" /><br />Opening presents<br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/cake.jpg" height="300" border="2" /><br />Happy Birthday to You!<br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/cake2.jpg" height="300" border="2" /><br />Cake<br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/cake6.jpg" height="300" border="2" /><br />Munching away<br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/cake100.jpg" width="300" border="2" /><br />Birthday kisses<br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/cake11.jpg" height="300" border="2" /><br />Family photo<br /></strong><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/8591226-114122587022416997?l=batikbaby.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Aliciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17111760494835053411noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8591226.post-1140444148354038862006-02-20T07:44:00.000-06:002006-02-20T08:02:28.746-06:00<strong>Emmerson is having a fun month. She took her first steps! We were at a party, all eyes were on Emmerson, when all of a sudden she stood up and toddled right over to me. She is a little showboat, so it's no surprise that she decided on that moment to reach such a big milestone. She has also learned how to clap, although to her, clapping is slapping her right fist with her open left hand. She is very pleased to clap for anything from a good meal to a bouncy song on the radio. She also pretends to wash herself in the tub by touching the soap and then rubbing her belly. She is a delight, a true joy, and we look forward to celebrating her first birthday next week!<br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/clapping.jpg" width="300" border="2" /><br />Clapping<br /><br /><img width="300" src="http://www.duelliscool.net/clapping1.jpg" border="2" /><br />Still Clapping<br /><br /><img width="300" src="http://www.duelliscool.net/clapping2.jpg" border="2" /><br />I love to clap<br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/denim.jpg" width="300" border="2" /><br />Denim and leopard print outfit from Nana and Aunt Ardis<br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/splash.jpg" height="300" border="2" /><br />Splashing in my bath<br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/splash4.jpg" height="300" border="2" /><br />Doing a little light reading<br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/splash1.jpg" width="300" border="2" /><br />Curls<br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/splash2.jpg" width="300" border="2" /><br />Hanging out in my bath<br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/splash3.jpg" width="300" border="2" /><br />Oooh I love my bath!<br /></strong><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/8591226-114044414835403886?l=batikbaby.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Aliciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17111760494835053411noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8591226.post-1139131795922604552006-02-05T03:18:00.000-06:002006-02-05T03:31:15.040-06:00<strong>We recently took a trip to Lombok, the island directly east of Bali. Lombok is actually on the opposite side of the Wallace Line from Bali, which is interesting considering how close they are to one another. The Wallace Line marks the boundary between the Asian and Australian flora/fauna types. Lombok falls on the Australian/dry side, while Bali falls on the Asian/tropical side. We stayed at the Novotel, which was designed to look like a traditional Sasak village. We also took a tour of a Sasak village, saw some beautiful scenery, and really enjoyed the beach and pool!</strong><br /><br />Also, here is the Shutterfly link to the photos in these most recent postings: <a href="http://duell.shutterfly.com/action/?a=8BasWLJs5aM3M">Lombok 2006</a><br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/lombok1.jpg" height="300" border="2" /><br /><br /><img height="300" src="http://www.duelliscool.net/lombok3.jpg" border="2" /><br /><br /><img height="300" src="http://www.duelliscool.net/novotel1.jpg" border="2" /><br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/beach2.jpg" height="300" border="2" /><br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/sand.jpg" width="300" border="2" /><br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/village.jpg" height="300" border="2" /><br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/spinning-cotton.jpg" height="300" border="2" /><br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/walk.jpg" height="300" border="2" /><br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/fountain.jpg" height="300" border="2" /><br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/roof.jpg" height="300" border="2" /><br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/down2.jpg" height="300" border="2" /><br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/sunset1.jpg" height="300" border="2" /><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/8591226-113913179592260455?l=batikbaby.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Aliciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17111760494835053411noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8591226.post-1138201920549802592006-01-25T08:52:00.000-06:002006-01-31T20:15:38.900-06:00<strong>Happy Chinese New Year! Our local mall goes all out in its embrace and celebration of holidays, and Chinese New Year has been no exception. Alison and I took this opportunity to have Emmerson and Gracie's pictures taken in full Chinese regalia!<br /><br />Also, here is the Shutterfly link to the photos in these most recent postings: <a href="http://duell.shutterfly.com/action/?a=8BasWLJs5aM2q">January 2006</a></strong><br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/red6.jpg" height="300" border="2" /><br /><br /><img height="300" src="http://www.duelliscool.net/red5.jpg" border="2" /><br /><br /><img height="300" src="http://www.duelliscool.net/red7.jpg" border="2" /><br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/red8.jpg" height="300" border="2" /><br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/red9.jpg" height="300" border="2" /><br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/red10.jpg" width="300" border="2" /><br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/red11.jpg" width="300" border="2" /><br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/red4.jpg" width="300" border="2" /><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/8591226-113820192054980259?l=batikbaby.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Aliciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17111760494835053411noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8591226.post-1138200514408682472006-01-25T08:33:00.000-06:002006-01-25T08:48:34.483-06:00<strong>Our good friend Gracie Wilson turned 1 in January! These are some photos of her birthday dinner. As you can see, both girls thoroughly enjoyed the chocolate cake for dessert.<br /><br />I also was able to attend another all-night wayang kulit puppet show performed by the same puppeteer who performed my 7-month pregnancy wayang kulit last year. Before the show, we took a photo of Emmerson with the puppet we were given at the end of last year's performance. It was fun to remember that one year ago, Emmerson was still a "coming attraction"!</strong><br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/gracie15.jpg" width="300" border="2" /><br /><br /><img height="300" src="http://www.duelliscool.net/gracie3.jpg" border="2" /><br /><br /><img height="300" src="http://www.duelliscool.net/gracie7.jpg" border="2" /><br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/gracie9.jpg" width="300" border="2" /><br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/gracie13.jpg" width="300" border="2" /><br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/reading2.jpg" width="300" border="2" /><br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/wayang.jpg" width="300" border="2" /><br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/wayang2.jpg" height="300" border="2" /><br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/wayang3.jpg" height="300" border="2" /><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/8591226-113820051440868247?l=batikbaby.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Aliciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17111760494835053411noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8591226.post-1138199344380087592006-01-25T08:13:00.000-06:002006-01-25T08:32:17.193-06:00<strong>Emmerson is lucky to have two wonderful "honorary aunts" who have each recently made her a gorgeous quilt. Shelly's quilt is a beautiful mix of turquoise, tangerines, greens and yellows. Katie's quilt is a "rag" quilt of yellows, blues, greens, pinks and oranges. Both quilts were made with enough love and care to warm Emmerson on even the coldest midwestern night! Thanks, girls.</strong><br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/quilt7.jpg" width="300" border="2" /> <br /><strong>Aunt Shelly's Quilt</strong><br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/quilt2.jpg" width="300" border="2" /> <br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/quilt3.jpg" width="300" border="2" /> <br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/quilt4.jpg" height="300" border="2" /> <br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/quilt5.jpg" height="300" border="2" /><br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/quilt6.jpg" height="300" border="2" /> <br /><strong>Aunt Katie's Quilt</strong><br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/quilt.jpg" width="300" border="2" /> <br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/quilt1.jpg" width="300" border="2" /><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/8591226-113819934438008759?l=batikbaby.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Aliciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17111760494835053411noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8591226.post-1137314851494309442006-01-15T02:45:00.000-06:002006-01-15T03:29:00.646-06:00<strong>Happy New Year!<br /><br />We had a wonderful trip back to the U.S. for Christmas and New Year's. We spent a few weeks in Illinois with my parents and then headed to Colorado to spend time with Ian's sister's family and his mom. We spent some unforgettable time with our loved ones, which left us re-charged and ready to return to Indonesia for the next half of our school year. My parents and some family friends are even coming to Thailand in March to spend a week exploring Bangkok and Chiang Mai!</strong><br /><br />Here are our Shutterfly pictures: <a href="http://duell.shutterfly.com/action/?a=8BasWLJs5aM2I"><strong>Christmas 2005</strong></a><br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/collins.jpg" height="300" border="2" /> <br /><strong>Christmas Eve</strong><br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/santa1.jpg" height="300" border="2" /> <br /><strong>Little Miss Claus</strong><br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/reindeer.jpg" width="300" border="2" /> <br /><strong>Matching PJs</strong><br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/stocking.jpg" height="300" border="2" /> <br /><strong>Opening Stockings with Grandma</strong><br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/ross.jpg" height="300" border="2" /> <br /><strong>Ross and Shanna</strong><br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/kiss.jpg" width="300" border="2" /> <br /><strong>Uncle Ross</strong><br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/cousins.jpg" height="300" border="2" /> <br /><strong>Cousins</strong><br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/box.jpg" height="300" border="2" /> <br /><strong>My New Box</strong><br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/sled.jpg" height="300" border="2" /> <br /><strong>Sledding!</strong><br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/shop.jpg" width="300" border="2" /> <br /><strong>Marshall Fields</strong><br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/girls.jpg" height="300" border="2" /> <br /><strong>Alicia, Jessica and Karen</strong><br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/kids.jpg" width="300" border="2" /><br /><strong>Amelia, Isabella and Emmerson</strong><br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/reading1.jpg" width="300" border="2" /> <br /><strong>Reading with Grandpa</strong><br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/newyears.jpg" height="300" border="2" /> <br /><strong>New Year's Eve with Lynnea</strong><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/8591226-113731485149430944?l=batikbaby.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Aliciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17111760494835053411noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8591226.post-1134396656944094932005-12-12T07:46:00.000-06:002005-12-12T08:18:54.366-06:00<strong>We recently have had several Christmas-related photo shoots, as I have been working on putting our holiday cards together. Here are some that did not make the "final cut". The last two particularly would have made interesting choices.</strong> <br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/lights1.JPG" width="300" border="2" /> <br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/lights2.JPG" width="300" border="2" /> <br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/Santa 002.jpg" width="300" border="2" /> <br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/Santa 006.jpg" width="300" border="2" /> <br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/Santa 010.jpg" width="300" border="2" /> <br /> <br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/Santa1 003.jpg" height="300" border="2" /><br /> <br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/Santa1 004.jpg" height="300" border="2" /> <br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/Santa1 007.jpg" height="300" border="2" /><br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/Santa1 008.jpg" width="300" border="2" /> <br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/Santa1 010.jpg" width="300" border="2" /><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/8591226-113439665694409493?l=batikbaby.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Aliciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17111760494835053411noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8591226.post-1133189763037982952005-11-28T08:49:00.000-06:002005-11-28T08:58:37.600-06:00<strong>Emmerson 9 months old today! Time has surely flown. The pictures from these two posts are from the past month and include: Gracie and Emmerson chewing biltong, a meaty beef jerky generously brought back from South Africa for Emmerson by Alison and Andrew; Emmerson sitting, standing, and showing off her two teeth; Emmerson crawling through her new tunnel. Her incentive to crawl through the tunnel is the TV remote control: we throw it into the tunnel, which encourages her to chase after it. Here are the photos on Shutterfly: <a href="http://duell.shutterfly.com/action/?a=8BasWLJs5aM1m">November 05</a> </strong><br /><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5106/183/1600/Nine%20001.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5106/183/400/Nine%20001.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5106/183/1600/Nine%20002.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5106/183/400/Nine%20002.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5106/183/1600/Nine%20004.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5106/183/400/Nine%20004.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5106/183/1600/Nine%20003.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5106/183/400/Nine%20003.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5106/183/1600/Nine%20006.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5106/183/400/Nine%20006.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5106/183/1600/Nine%20007.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5106/183/400/Nine%20007.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5106/183/1600/Nine%20008.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5106/183/400/Nine%20008.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/8591226-113318976303798295?l=batikbaby.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Aliciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17111760494835053411noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8591226.post-1133188707214007672005-11-28T08:13:00.000-06:002005-11-28T08:59:06.223-06:00<img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/Nine 010.jpg" height="400" border="2" /> <br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/Nine 011.jpg" height="400" border="2" /> <br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/Nine 012.jpg" height="400" border="2" /> <br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/Nine 014.jpg" height="400" border="2" /> <br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/Nine 016.jpg" height="400" border="2" /> <br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/Nine 013.jpg" height="400" border="2" /> <br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/Nine 017.jpg" height="400" border="2" /> <br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/Nine 019.jpg" height="400" border="2" /><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/8591226-113318870721400767?l=batikbaby.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Aliciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17111760494835053411noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8591226.post-1131533523646122082005-11-09T04:37:00.000-06:002005-11-09T06:41:04.700-06:00<strong>We just spent a wonderful week exploring Cambodia, a destination that has been at the top of my list since my college anthropology classes. We began our trip in Siem Reap, the city nearest the magnificient Angkor Wat temple complex. We visited 3 temples: Ta Prohm (overgrown, not completely excavated, appeared in the Angelina Jolie movie "Tomb Raider"), Angkor Wat (the most famous temple, we visited at sunset and were enchanted by its beauty), and the Bayon (giant stone faces loom everywhere). We also took a sunset cruise on the giant Lake Ton Le Sap to see floating villages that actually move location according to the season!<br /><br />We spent our final day in the country in the capitol city, Phnom Penh. We visited the Killing Fields, where the Khmer Rouge murdered thousands of victims. It is the site of the famous skull display as well as many mass graves, some as yet unexcavated. Ian and Emmerson then went on a city walk, while I visited the Tuol Sleng Museum. Tuol Sleng, otherwise known as S-21, is the security facility/prison where over 20,000 people were held prisoner, tortured, and murdered. One of the many horrifying realities of this place is the fact that it had been a school, so many of the cells and "interrogation rooms" had at one time been classrooms. The fact that this occurred during my lifetime is shocking.<br /><br />After leaving Tuol Sleng, I toured the spectacular royal palace grounds, home to the beautiful silver pagoda. One of the structures seemed quite out of place, however, until I learned that the French-styled house was a gift from Napoleon!<br /><br />Travelling with a baby was a new experience, but we were very happy with what a little traveller she turned out to be. She actually gave us the opportunity to talk with many people, as it seemed that everyone was interested in the little white baby touring the temples with her crazy American parents. Some of my favorite shots are of Emmerson interacting with monks from Cambodia and Korea. They were interested in her, while we were interested in them!<br /><br />Here are the 127 Shutterfly photos: <a href="http://duell.shutterfly.com/action/?a=8BasWLJs5aM1E">Cambodia 05</a></strong><br /><br /><strong>Ta Prohm</strong><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5106/183/1600/duells%20ta%20prohm.2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5106/183/400/duells%20ta%20prohm.2.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br /><strong>Ta Prohm</strong><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5106/183/1600/roots.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5106/183/400/roots.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br /><strong>Angkor Wat</strong><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5106/183/1600/angkor%20wat1.1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5106/183/400/angkor%20wat1.1.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br /><strong>Cambodian Monks</strong><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5106/183/1600/cambodian%20monks1.1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5106/183/400/cambodian%20monks1.1.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br /><strong>Korean Monks</strong><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5106/183/1600/korean%20monks.2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5106/183/400/korean%20monks.2.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br /><strong>The Bayon</strong><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5106/183/1600/temple%20baby1.0.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5106/183/400/temple%20baby1.0.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br /><strong>Lake Ton Le Sap Sunset</strong><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5106/183/1600/sunset%20duells.0.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5106/183/400/sunset%20duells.0.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/8591226-113153352364612208?l=batikbaby.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Aliciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17111760494835053411noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8591226.post-1130497793231802232005-10-28T05:42:00.000-05:002005-10-28T06:09:53.270-05:00<strong>Happy Halloween! Today was our school's Halloween celebration, so Ian, Emmerson and I dressed up. I was a jellyfish, Ian was the school gym teacher, and Emmerson wore her Vietnam outfit. The rest of the pictures are just of our sweet baby standing, splashing in the bath, and admiring the pumpkin mommy carved for her!<br /><br />Here are the same photos on Shutterfly: <a href="http://duell.shutterfly.com/action/?a=8BasWLJs5aM0i">Halloween</a></strong><br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/pumpkin.jpg" height="300" border="2" /> <br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/pumpkin1.jpg" height="300" border="2" /> <br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/red1.jpg" width="300" border="2" /> <br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/red2.jpg" width="300" border="2" /> <br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/red3.jpg" width="300" border="2" /><br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/halloween.jpg" height="300" border="2" /> <br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/halloween2.jpg" height="300" border="2" /> <br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/red.jpg" width="300" border="2" /> <br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/happy.jpg" width="300" border="2" /> <br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/standing.jpg" height="300" border="2" /><br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/babybath.jpg" height="300" border="2" /> <br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/oldmacdonald.jpg" width="300" border="2" /><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/8591226-113049779323180223?l=batikbaby.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Aliciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17111760494835053411noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8591226.post-1129966534453225582005-10-22T02:19:00.000-05:002005-10-22T02:37:11.996-05:00<strong>When I was in Vietnam last year, I bought Emmerson an <em>ao dai</em>, a traditional Vietnamese woman's outfit made up of a pair of silk pants and long silk tunic. We took her to the mall last night for a Miss Saigon photo shoot. Here are the results! <br /><br />Also, here is the Shutterfly link to the last few months' photos: <a href="http://duell.shutterfly.com/action/?a=8BasWLJs5aM0A">September October05 Photos</a></strong><br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/viet2.jpg" width="300" border="2" /> <br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/viet4.jpg" width="300" border="2" /> <br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/viet5.jpg" height="300" border="2" /> <br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/viet6.jpg" width="300" border="2" /> <br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/viet8.jpg" width="300" border="2" /><br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/viet11.jpg" width="300" border="2" /> <br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/viet13.jpg" height="300" border="2" /> <br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/viet14.jpg" width="300" border="2" /> <br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/viet16.jpg" width="300" border="2" /> <br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/viet17.jpg" width="300" border="2" /><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/8591226-112996653445322558?l=batikbaby.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Aliciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17111760494835053411noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8591226.post-1129113775205997422005-10-12T05:32:00.000-05:002005-10-12T05:42:55.213-05:00<strong>Here are some pictures to appease my mom, who felt that we were not updating fast enough. Mom, hope you enjoy!</strong><br /><br /><strong>P.S.We'll be home at Christmas this year, so hopefully we'll have a chance to see many of you then!</strong><br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/daddy.jpg" width="300" border="2" /> <br /><strong>Daddy's Girl</strong><br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/daddy1.jpg" width="300" border="2" /> <br /><strong>Hanging out on the Couch</strong><br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/mommy.jpg" height="300" border="2" /> <br /><strong>Alicia and Emmerson</strong><br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/smiling10.jpg" width="300" border="2" /> <br /><strong>Happy Baby</strong><br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/sitting10.jpg" width="300" border="2" /><br /><strong>Chilling Out</strong><br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/sleeping10.jpg" height="300" border="2" /> <br /><strong>Does this look comfortable to you?</strong><br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/crawling.jpg" height="300" border="2" /> <br /><strong>Here she Comes</strong><br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/crawling1.jpg" height="300" border="2" /> <br /><strong>There she Goes</strong><br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/crawling2.jpg" height="300" border="2" /> <br /><strong>I'm Coming to Get You!</strong><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/8591226-112911377520599742?l=batikbaby.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Aliciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17111760494835053411noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8591226.post-1128164138343907412005-10-01T05:44:00.000-05:002005-10-01T05:55:38.970-05:00<strong>Emmerson is 7 Months Old, weighs 19 lbs. and has finally officially crawled! She got her arms and legs coordinated while we were in Ian's classroom yesterday afternoon, much to her proud parents' delight. Her other big achievement is drinking from a sippy cup that she can actually hold herself: see photo below. The last few photos we just couldn't resist taking. We were on our way home after a long, nap-less day of shopping and she couldn't hold out any longer.</strong><br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/pjs1.jpg" height="300" border="2" /> <br /><strong>Pajamas and friends</strong><br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/pjs.jpg" width="300" border="2" /> <br /><strong>Ready for Bed</strong><br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/eating.jpg" width="300" border="2" /> <br /><strong>Messy Baby Face</strong><br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/grinning.jpg" width="300" border="2" /><br /><strong>Big Messy Grin</strong><br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/sippy.jpg" width="300" border="2" /> <br /><strong>Sippy Cup</strong><br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/sleepy.jpg" height="300" border="2" /> <br /><strong>Going...</strong><br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/sleepy1.jpg" height="300" border="2" /> <br /><strong>Going...</strong><br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/sleepy2.jpg" width="300" border="2" /> <br /><strong>Gone</strong><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/8591226-112816413834390741?l=batikbaby.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Aliciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17111760494835053411noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8591226.post-1127469154929514832005-09-23T04:38:00.000-05:002005-09-23T04:52:34.936-05:00Emmerson is very close to crawling. We practice every day, and she is able to move across the floor in a pretty timely manner, although it's not totally efficient-- right now she gets up on her hands and knees, rocks back and forth, then kind of lunges forward onto her belly, which puts her a little closer to her destination. She repeats these actions until she is where she wants to be! There are also a few pictures of Ian and Emmerson at the coast just 15 minutes away from our house. This is the first time we've ever been there because it's basically just a dirty beach with lots of concrete and food stands. The last several pictures are of our new furniture. <br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/crawl.jpg" height="300" border="2" /> <br /><strong>Getting ready to crawl</strong><br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/crawl1.jpg" height="300" border="2" /> <br /><strong>Planning the next step</strong><br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/crawl2.jpg" height="300" border="2" /> <br /><strong>On the move</strong><br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/ancol.jpg" height="300" border="2" /><br /><strong>15 minutes away from our house at the coast</strong><br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/ancol1.jpg" height="300" border="2" /> <br /><strong>People were actually swimming in the nasty water</strong><br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/trunk.jpg" height="300" border="2" /> <br /><strong>Trunk</strong><br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/open-trunk.jpg" height="300" border="2" /> <br /><strong>Open from the Top</strong><br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/open-trunk1.jpg" height="300" border="2" /> <br /><strong>Open from the Side</strong><br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/endtable.jpg" width="300" border="2" /> <br /><strong>We Bought 2 End Tables</strong><br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/bar-cabinet.jpg" width="300" border="2" /> <br /><strong>Bar Cabinet</strong><br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/open-bar-cabinet.jpg" width="300" border="2" /> <br /><strong>Open Bar Cabinet</strong><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/8591226-112746915492951483?l=batikbaby.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Aliciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17111760494835053411noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8591226.post-1126949066116776352005-09-17T04:21:00.000-05:002005-09-17T04:27:24.246-05:00<strong>Here is the Shutterfly link to our <a href="http://duell.shutterfly.com/action/?a=8BasWLJs5aMvK"><strong>Summer 05 photos</strong></a>. I did not edit, organize, or resize them for the web, but hopefully they won't take too long to load. Beware: there are 197, so only the truly brave may want to enter!</strong><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/8591226-112694906611677635?l=batikbaby.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Aliciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17111760494835053411noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8591226.post-1126609619031953212005-09-13T05:58:00.000-05:002005-09-13T06:10:27.496-05:00<strong>Here are some recent photos of Emmerson; our long weekend trip to Surabaya, Java, where we stayed at a fancy Mandarin Oriental hotel; my b-day Morroccan dinner with the Wilsons.</strong><br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/blue-dress.jpg" height="300" border="2" /> <br /><strong>I love this outfit</strong><br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/no-teeth!.jpg" width="300" border="2" /> <br /><strong>No teeth!</strong><br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/on-mommys-head.jpg" height="300" border="2" /> <br /><strong>Her favorite perch</strong><br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/hotel-model.jpg" height="300" border="2" /><br /><strong>Hotel Majapahit in Surabaya (Java)</strong><br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/hotel-majapahit.jpg" height="300" border="2" /> <br /><strong>Hotel Courtyard</strong><br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/hotel-majapahit1.jpg" width="300" border="2" /> <br /><strong>Birdcage Lanterns</strong><br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/stained-glass-and-orchid.jpg" width="300" border="2" /> <br /><strong>Beautiful Stained Glass and Orchid</strong><br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/alicias-bday-dinner.jpg" height="300" border="2" /> <br /><strong>Alicia's Bday Dinner at Morroccan Restaurant with the Wilsons</strong><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/8591226-112660961903195321?l=batikbaby.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Aliciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17111760494835053411noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8591226.post-1125498807752140822005-08-31T09:28:00.000-05:002005-08-31T09:35:49.033-05:00<strong>Sunday was Emmerson's 6 month birthday! We celebrated by going to church, to our favorite Japanese restaurant with the Wilsons, and then going for a swim in the NJIS pool. We can't believe how quickly she's grown. She is now sitting up by herself, reaching for things, and putting anything she comes in contact with directly into her mouth. Our vigilance has definitely increased! Here are some photos of her on her Big Day. I also added these 4 photos to the previous <a href="duell.shutterfly.com/action/?a=8BasWLJs5aMus">August 2005</a> Shutterfly album.</strong><br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/6-months.jpg" height="300" border="2" /> <br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/6-months1.jpg" width="300" border="2" /> <br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/6-months3.jpg" width="300" border="2" /> <br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/6-months2.jpg" height="300" border="2" /><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/8591226-112549880775214082?l=batikbaby.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Aliciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17111760494835053411noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8591226.post-1125051783898856372005-08-26T05:22:00.000-05:002005-08-26T05:51:44.233-05:00We're finally back in Jakarta after four amazing weeks with our family and friends in the U.S. The following photos are from the end of our summer vacation and from the beginning of our third year here in Jakarta. The full array of pictures (19) is here: <a href="http://duell.shutterfly.com/action/"><strong>August 2005</strong></a><br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/swinging-at-krape-park.jpg" width="300" border="2" /> <br /><br />On the swing at Krape Park<br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/california-duells1.jpg" height="300" border="2" /> <br /><br />California Duells<br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/airplane-basket1.jpg" height="300" border="2" /><br /><br />My airplane basket<br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/talking-to-passengers.jpg" height="300" border="2" /> <br /><br />Making friends<br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/mommy-baby.jpg" height="300" border="2" /><br /><br />Alicia and Emmerson<br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/sleeping-beauties.jpg" height="300" border="2" /> <br /><br />We were so tired!<br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/duells-wilsons.jpg" height="300" border="2" /> <br /><br />Alison's birthday dinner at fancy gourmet restaurant!<br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/gracie-in-pot.jpg" height="300" border="2" /><br /><br />Gracie in a pot<br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/fancy-egg-pate.jpg" width="300" border="2" /><br /><br />Fancy egg pate<br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/take-me-to-the-pool.jpg" width="300" border="2" /><br /><br />Going to the pool<br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/new-paint.jpg" height="300" border="2" /> <br /><br />New yellow paint<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/8591226-112505178389885637?l=batikbaby.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Aliciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17111760494835053411noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8591226.post-1120563620347858202005-07-05T06:23:00.000-05:002005-07-05T06:49:36.480-05:00<strong>We went down to the south coast last weekend and had fun introducing Emmerson to surfing and to the beach. She and I watched Ian surf, cheering him on as he caught wave after wave. We also had a hilarious photo op with the surfboard-- classic "new parent" photos! The last few pictures are of the fieldtrip we took with our summer school students to Sea World. The young Indonesian woman with Emmerson is Wayan, her sweet and capable nanny.</strong><br /><br />Here are the rest of our recent photos on Shutterfly: <a href="http://share.shutterfly.com/osi.jsp?i=EeAtWLFk2ctGRz">June and July 2005</a><br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/surfer-girl.jpg" width="300" border="2" /> <br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/surfer-girl1.jpg" height="300" border="2" /> <br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/pool-with-daddy.jpg" width="300" border="2" /><br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/swimming-with-mommy.jpg" height="300" border="2" /> <br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/emmerson-and-mommy.jpg" height="300" border="2" /><br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/dads-and-daughters.jpg" height="300" border="2" /> <br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/beach-baby1.jpg" height="300" border="2" /> <br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/beach-bums1.jpg" height="300" border="2" /><br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/surfer-girl2.jpg" width="300" border="2" /><br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/emmerson-wayan1.jpg" width="300" border="2" /> <br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/seaworld-fieldtrip.jpg" height="300" border="2" /><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/8591226-112056362034785820?l=batikbaby.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Aliciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17111760494835053411noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8591226.post-1120101593132842102005-06-29T22:15:00.000-05:002005-06-29T22:19:53.136-05:00<strong>Emmerson is now 4 months old and is becoming a strong, happy, curious little girl. She is very social and loves to be the center of attention; she will definitely love meeting everyone this summer! She can reach out and grab objects, hold her neck in line with her body when pulled upright, and can flip herself over from back to front. Each day brings a new accomplishment!</strong><br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/4-months.jpg" height="300" border="2" /> <br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/4-months1.jpg" height="300" border="2" /> <br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/on-the-move.jpg" height="300" border="2" /><br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/on-my-belly.jpg" width="300" border="2" /> <br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/swimming-with-daddy.jpg" height="300" border="2" /><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/8591226-112010159313284210?l=batikbaby.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Aliciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17111760494835053411noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8591226.post-1119410313026887852005-06-21T22:10:00.000-05:002005-06-21T22:18:33.033-05:00<strong>Emmerson went for her first swim yesterday! We visited Alison and Grace Wilson and had a nice swim in their pool. Emmerson is modelling a swimsuit loaned by Grace. Emmerson loved the experience and enjoyed kicking her legs vigorously while moving through the water.</strong><br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/first-swim1.jpg" width="300" border="2" /> <br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/first-swim2.jpg" width="300" border="2" /> <br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/first-swim.jpg" height="300" border="2" /><br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/alison-grace.jpg" height="300" border="2" /> <br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/little-swimmer.jpg" width="300" border="2" /> <br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/batik-dress.jpg" width="300" border="2" /> <br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/girlfriends.jpg" width="300" border="2" /><br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/girlfriends1.jpg" width="300" border="2" /><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/8591226-111941031302688785?l=batikbaby.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Aliciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17111760494835053411noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8591226.post-1118819046257707752005-06-15T01:48:00.000-05:002005-06-15T02:10:21.306-05:00<strong>Emmerson and her friend Grace Wilson were dedicated last Sunday at our church in Jakarta. Following the service, the Wilsons hosted a luncheon in honor of our beautiful daughters. According to Javanese tradition, the first 100 days of a baby's life is celebrated by slaughtering a goat: two goats for a boy, one goat for a girl (!). We of course were not going to go as far as that, but the Wilsons did rent a goat to walk around the yard during the lunch, and Alison prepared a leg of goat which was enjoyed by the luncheon attendees. Emmerson's dress was made by Great Aunt Mary for her cousin Hannah, who wore it about 11 years ago, and her sweet little bonnet was made out of a wedding handkerchief by my friend Shelly's mother, Vicky Rude.</strong><br /><strong><br />Here are our latest Shuttefly photos as well (in no particular order): <a href="http://share.shutterfly.com/osi.jsp?i=EeAtWLFk2ctGRi">May and June 05</a>.</strong><br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/sweet1.jpg" width="300" border="2" /> <br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/bonnet.jpg" width="300" border="2" /> <br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/duell-family.jpg" height="300" border="2" /> <br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/ian-nana-emmerson.jpg" width="300" border="2" /><br /><br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/posing-with-goat.jpg" height="300" border="2" /> <br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/duell-family1.jpg" height="300" border="2" /> <br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/wilsons-and-duells1.jpg" width="300" border="2" /> <br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/gracie-and-emmerson.jpg" height="300" border="2" /><a href="http://share.shutterfly.com/osi.jsp?i=EeAtWLFk2ctGRi"></a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/8591226-111881904625770775?l=batikbaby.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Aliciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17111760494835053411noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8591226.post-1118137315484911372005-06-07T04:30:00.000-05:002005-06-07T04:41:55.490-05:00<strong>After my mom was here and visited Bali, we decided that it was the perfect place to take visiting grandmas, so we went again last weekend with Ian's mom. In fact, we'll take anyone who visits us to Bali!</strong><br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/yellow1.jpg" height="300" border="2" /> <br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/ians-frown.jpg" height="300" border="2" /> <br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/my-favorite-picture-ever.jpg" width="300" border="2" /> <br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/happiness-is.jpg" width="300" border="2" /><br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/yellow.jpg" width="300" border="2" /> <br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/daddy-and-me.jpg" width="300" border="2" /> <br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/i-love-my-daddy.jpg" width="300" border="2" /> <br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/nana-and-emmerson.jpg" width="300" border="2" /><br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/cutecutecute.jpg" width="300" border="2" /><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/8591226-111813731548491137?l=batikbaby.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Aliciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17111760494835053411noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8591226.post-1117500077073209542005-05-30T19:34:00.000-05:002005-05-30T19:41:17.080-05:00<strong>Emmerson is 3 months old! We decided to take a photo each month of her with the green monster and the batik giraffe so people can see how she's grown. She has discovered her hands and enjoys trying to jam her entire fist into her mouth. She really enjoys being part of any and all activity, so we think that she is going to be a little social butterfly!</strong><br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/hat.jpg" width="300" border="2" /> <br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/hat1.jpg" width="300" border="2" /> <br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/3month.jpg" height="300" border="2" /> <br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/3month1.jpg" height="300" border="2" /><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/8591226-111750007707320954?l=batikbaby.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Aliciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17111760494835053411noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8591226.post-1117264627936308092005-05-28T02:14:00.000-05:002005-05-28T02:17:07.943-05:00Here we think she looks like a little baby boxer.<br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/pinkrobe.jpg" height="300" border="2" /> <br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/pinkrobe1.jpg" width="300" border="2" /> <br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/pinkrobe2.jpg" width="300" border="2" /> <br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/pinkrobe3.jpg" width="300" border="2" /><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/8591226-111726462793630809?l=batikbaby.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Aliciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17111760494835053411noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8591226.post-1116846871243625472005-05-23T06:01:00.000-05:002005-05-23T06:15:01.986-05:00Emmerson is almost 3 months old and growing like a weed. Hope you enjoy the pictures!<br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/bug-in-a-rug.jpg" width="300" border="2" /> <br /><strong>Bug in a Rug</strong><br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/colorful-baby.jpg" height="300" border="2" /><br /><strong>Colorful Baby</strong><br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/feeding.jpg" width="300" border="2" /><br /><strong>First Bottle</strong><br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/feeding1.jpg" width="300" border="2" /><br /><strong>Good Job Dad</strong><br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/play-gym.jpg" width="300" border="2" /> <br /><strong>Play Gym</strong><br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/sitting1.jpg" width="300" border="2" /><br /><strong>Sitting Up</strong><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/8591226-111684687124362547?l=batikbaby.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Aliciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17111760494835053411noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8591226.post-1115972063290335102005-05-13T03:11:00.000-05:002005-05-13T03:14:23.296-05:00Here is the last batch of photos for a while. There are some from my mom's visit, some from the beginning of Ian's mom's visit, and many of Emmerson looking cute. If anyone knows how to prevent baby red-eye, please let me know. It is plaguing me!<br /><br />Hope you enjoy these <a href="http://share.shutterfly.com/osi.jsp?i=EeAtWLFk2ctGRR"><strong>April and May Shutterfly Photos </strong></a>! Alicia<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/8591226-111597206329033510?l=batikbaby.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Aliciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17111760494835053411noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8591226.post-1115888272698400602005-05-12T03:55:00.000-05:002005-05-12T03:57:52.703-05:00Here are the photos of our trip to Bali! We had such a fabulous time, as you can see from the pictures. I miss my mom and wish she would come back and bring my dad with her! xoxoxo I should have the last batch of photos up tomorrow.<br /><a href="http://share.shutterfly.com/osi.jsp?i=EeAtWLFk2ctGRA"><strong><br />Bali Shutterfly Photos</strong></a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/8591226-111588827269840060?l=batikbaby.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Aliciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17111760494835053411noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8591226.post-1115804272213809692005-05-11T04:27:00.000-05:002005-05-11T04:50:00.116-05:00I've been able to figure out a way to at least get my photos up on Shutterfly, and in the interest of time I am going to upload them in sections. This first batch is from our wonderful trip to the central Javan city of Yogyakarta. Mom, Ian, Emmerson and I had a great time visiting the Hindu temple complex Prambanan; Ramayana Ballet; royal palace; batik factory and the Buddhist temple Borobudur.<br /><br />Here are the <a href="http://share.shutterfly.com/osi.jsp?i=EeAtWLFk2ctGQ3"><strong>Shutterfly Photos</strong></a>. Next I'll put up photos from Kuta, Bali.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/8591226-111580427221380969?l=batikbaby.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Aliciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17111760494835053411noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8591226.post-1115712612995844482005-05-10T02:57:00.000-05:002005-05-10T03:11:52.520-05:00Hi Everybody. I haven't been able to upload any new pictures for a while because, when we returned from spring break, we discovered that our computer had died (hopefully temporarily). It's in the hands of a nameless computer shop here in Jakarta, and I've been assured by the school's tech. assistant that it is salvageable. I may lose everything that was on the computer, but at least the computer itself can be saved. Hopefully. I love the convenience of a personal computer, but WOW what a pain when something goes wrong. <br /><br />In the spirit of failing computers, here are a few clever "haiku error messages" (author unknown):<br /><br /><em>Your file was so big.<br />It might be very useful.<br />But now it is gone.<br /><br />The Web site you seek<br />Cannot be located, but<br />Countless more exist.<br /><br />Program aborting:<br />Close all that you have worked on.<br />You ask far too much.<br /><br />Windows NT crashed.<br />I am the Blue Screen of Death.<br />No one hears your screams.<br /><br />Yesterday it worked.<br />Today it is not working.<br />Windows is like that.<br /><br />First snow, then silence.<br />This thousand dollar screen dies<br />So beautifully.<br /><br />With searching comes loss<br />And the presence of absence:<br />"My Novel" not found.<br /><br />Stay the patient course.<br />Of little worth is your ire.<br />The network is down.<br /><br />A crash reduces<br />Your expensive computer<br />To a simple stone.<br /><br />Three things are certain:<br />Death, taxes and lost data.<br />Guess which has occurred.<br /><br />You step in the stream,<br />But the water has moved on.<br />This page is not here.<br /><br />Having been erased,<br />The document you're seeking<br />Must now be retyped.<br /><br />Serious error.<br />All shortcuts have disappeared.<br />Screen. Mind. Both are blank.</em><br /><br />I'll hopefully be back with some photos soon! Hope everyone is well. Alicia<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/8591226-111571261299584448?l=batikbaby.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Aliciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17111760494835053411noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8591226.post-1113535513665261492005-04-14T22:16:00.000-05:002005-04-15T01:09:41.133-05:00<img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/sleeping.jpg" width="300" border="2" /> <br /><strong>So cozy!</strong><br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/miss-saigon1.jpg" height="300" border="2" /><br /><strong>Miss Saigon: Part II</strong><br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/reading.jpg" width="300" border="2" /><br /><strong>Reading with Grandma</strong><br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/sleeping1.jpg" height="300" border="2" /><br /><strong>Sleeping in my Yellow Sack</strong><br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/stretching.jpg" height="300" border="2" /><br /><strong>Morning Stretch</strong><br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/smiling.jpg" height="300" border="2" /><br /><strong>Smiling for Grandma</strong><br /><br />We are leaving for the central Javan city Yogyakarta today, followed by a trip to Bali. We can't wait and will post photos when we return. It has been so wonderful having my mom here that I've decided she can't leave! She definitely has the "grandma touch" that can calm a screaming baby in an instant. How can we do without that? She is also giving Emmerson some much-needed grandma love in the form of songs, stories, and playtime. Emmerson is loving every minute of it!<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/8591226-111353551366526149?l=batikbaby.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Aliciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17111760494835053411noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8591226.post-1113197831115860152005-04-11T00:25:00.000-05:002005-04-11T00:39:10.826-05:00<img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/grandma-and-me!.jpg" width="300" border="2" /> <br /><strong>Grandma and Me!</strong><br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/polka-dot1.jpg" height="300" border="2" /><br /><strong>Thanks Bonnie for the Polka Dots!</strong><br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/yellow-dress.jpg" width="300" border="2" /><br /><strong>My Pretty Yellow Dress</strong><br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/pink-dress.jpg" height="300" border="2" /><br /><strong>Thanks Sharon for the Pretty Pink Dress!</strong><br /><br />My mom is here and is joyfully embracing her new role as Grandma! She and Emmerson are having a wonderful time getting to know one another. Grandma is teaching her lots of songs, helping her with tummy time, and giving her plenty of love and cuddles! She says that Emmerson is <strong>"Exquisite. Fabulous!" </strong>I love seeing them together, and I can't wait for her to meet Grandpa Collin and her other friends and family members. She is ready with smiles and gurgles for you all!<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/8591226-111319783111586015?l=batikbaby.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Aliciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17111760494835053411noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8591226.post-1112618530824205302005-04-04T07:34:00.000-05:002005-04-04T07:42:10.826-05:00<img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/duell-girls1.jpg" height="300" border="2" /> <br /><strong>Big Kiss</strong><br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/bathtime1.jpg" width="300" border="2" /><br /><strong>Bathtime</strong><br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/pajamas.jpg" width="300" border="2" /><br /><strong>Pajamas</strong><br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/miss-saigon.jpg" width="300" border="2" /><br /><strong>Miss Saigon</strong><br /><br />Emmerson and I recently traveled to Saigon, Vietnam for an education conference. We were on our own for 5 days and 4 nights, which, with a little baby, was a very long time! Here are some photos from our adventure: <a href="http://share.shutterfly.com/osi.jsp?i=EeAtWLFk2ctGQm">Vietnam 05</a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/8591226-111261853082420530?l=batikbaby.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Aliciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17111760494835053411noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8591226.post-1112024836169453962005-03-28T09:41:00.000-06:002005-03-28T09:47:16.173-06:00<img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/bamboo1.jpg" width="300" border="2" /> <br /><strong>Hiding in Bamboo</strong><br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/cute-outfit!.jpg" width="300" border="2" /><br /><strong>Thanks Julie for the Cute Outfit!</strong><br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/javanese-day-bed.jpg" height="300" border="2" /><br /><strong>Javanese Day Bed</strong><br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/touching-toes.jpg" height="300" border="2" /><br /><strong>Grace and Emmerson</strong><br /><br />We spent the weekend at a coffee plantation resort in central Java. It was a beautiful combination of Dutch plantation architecture and traditional Javanese style. The plantation is surrounded by jungle and by eight volcanoes, which lend a surreal, other-worldly feel to the experience. Here are our photos: <a href="http://share.shutterfly.com/osi.jsp?i=EeAtWLFk2ctGQV">Losari Photos</a> .<br /><br />This was also Emmerson's first plane ride! She did well and I think has caught the travelling bug from her mommy and daddy.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/8591226-111202483616945396?l=batikbaby.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Aliciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17111760494835053411noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8591226.post-1111546656041703572005-03-22T20:45:00.000-06:002005-03-22T20:57:36.043-06:00<img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/dad-daughter.jpg" height="300" border="2" /> <br /><strong>Emmerson and Daddy</strong><br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/st-patricks.jpg" width="300" border="2" /><br /><strong>Happy St. Patrick's Day!</strong><br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/sitting.jpg" height="300" border="2" /><br /><strong>Sitting (sort of)</strong><br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/honeypot.jpg" height="300" border="2" /><br /><strong>Honeypot</strong><br /><br />Emmerson is sleeping right now so I thought I'd take these spare moments to post a few more photos. The next few weeks are going to be busy ones. She and I are going to Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon), Vietnam next Wednesday to attend an education conference for 5 days. I'm beginning to wonder what I've gotten myself into, as I have realized how much I appreciate Ian and need the extra relief when he gets home from work every day. The day after we get back from Vietnam, Ian leaves for 5 days on the 8th grade field trip to Ujung Kulon on the west coast of Java. The wonderfully exciting thing, however, is that my mom arrives during the week that Ian is gone. I can't wait to see her and show her the sights of Jakarta (?), take her for a creambath, and then travel to the cultural mecca of Yogyakarata and the Hindu paradise that is Bali! Hurry, Mom, because we've got a lot to do!<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/8591226-111154665604170357?l=batikbaby.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Aliciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17111760494835053411noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8591226.post-1110874777256987482005-03-15T02:16:00.000-06:002005-03-15T02:19:37.266-06:00Ian has written an amusingly accurate description of Emmerson's birth. It's also posted on <a href="http://www.duelliscool.net"><strong>www.duelliscool.net </strong></a>but I wanted to add it here as well. Enjoy!<br /><br /><strong>Ian's Notes on Having a Baby (3/11/05)</strong><br /><br />Emmerson is sleeping in her development enhancing, vibrating chair with her best friend, one half of a two way baby monitor wrapped up in a batik sarong. When turned on it makes a very loud static sound that Emmerson finds comforting. It is Nyepi, a Balinese holiday. For a 24 hour period, no one in Bali can go outside, no lights turned on, no outside activities - we were there last year for this event and the hotel actually put newspapers over our room windows so the lights would not be visible. In the rest of Indo people just have a holiday and hang out. Nyepi is a Bali thing. I was looking forward to a nice sleep - in but Emmerson had other plans. She got me out of bed around 6 and we hung out for a bit watching some cooking shows until eventually she nodded off and I tucked her in with her noise making buddy. So I am awake and figured I would take this opportunity when no one else is up to write a bit about my take on our having a baby experience. <br /><br />It began long, long ago in a place far, far away - it is beginning to seem this way - I think my brain has been working overtime to relegate the experience into some surreal, pseudo memory place, deep in the recesses of my brain - otherwise I might not be doing this again for a long, long time. Alicia began feeling somewhat regular contractions late Friday night, February the 26th. We got up Saturday morning and decided that this was it - time to get the show on the road. After getting our things and ourselves together Alicia's contraction stopped occurring at regular intervals. So we put off the hospital and went to the mall, which is what people do here in Jakarta when nothing else is going on. After dinner at the Piazza, the fancy new restaurant area at MKG (Mall Kelapa Gading as it is affectionately known -and affection is not an exaggeration of the type of emotion extended towards these urban oasis here in Jakarta - malls are a big deal) we returned home and waited for Alicia to contract more regularly. She began doing this around midnight - I remember the time well because Manchester United was playing at 1 am and I was gearing up for the game. This difference in priorities - my desire to watch football and Alicia's desire to not be in excruciating pain - led to the first of what we can look back at as kind of funny episodes; but at the time were not at all amusing. About half way into the match, Alicia, between contractions, asked if her moaning and such were distracting. I said that they weren't and politely offered to turn down the volume if it would help her in some way (not sure what way but it was the gesture that counts). It was a bit later, when Alicia retired to the bedroom after showering me with some colorful commentary about my boorish behavior, that I realized the comment she made earlier was said sarcastically; to incite from me some sort of sympathetic action. Lesson #1 for all you fathers to be: when your wife begins having serious contractions, don't watch the Man U game - no matter how well your mind justifies this action - it is not a good thing to do - tend to your wife. <br /><br />The sky is a brilliant blue this morning and the pool below is calling out ... When the layer of stuff that hovers above Jakarta clears, it is stunningly beautiful here. I just realized the layer of gunk is not there due to the fact that it is a holiday and fewer cars and businesses are spewing matter into the sky - you can often predict blue skies in Jakarta by noting when holidays fall. <br /><br />After the Man U game Alicia and I switched places, she came out into the living room to contract and be in pain and I went to bed. Lesson #2: don't do this - even if you are really, really tired because you just stayed up until 3 am watching Man U. Finally morning came and we gathered ourselves once again for our trip to the hospital. When I went to feed Pixie the Roof Cat (who is now officially retired from street catting and enjoying her sedentary life as a house cat so much so that the vet recommended a diet) there was no food. We realized that we might not be home for a while and although Pixie could live off of her fat reserves for quite some time, we were not sure she could psychologically handle the trauma. Being a street cat in Jakarta leaves deep impressions. We put the hospital, contractions, baby, laboring wife on hold so I could run (actually drive - to hot to run) to the supermarket next door and get Pixie another bag of Friskies to fill her seemingly bottomless trough. After making a few phone calls to various logistics personnel (friends to supply Pixie with her evening feed) we made off to Medistra hospital nestled in the heart of beautiful downtown Jakarta. Fortunately it was Sunday morning, the one day during the week when traffic is not stupid (the best word to describe this ridiculous part of life in Jakarta). <br /><br />Upon arrival, around 10 am Sunday morning, we were set up in the VIP room in the delivery wing of the hospital. And then we sat around for a long time. This is not what my knowledge with this stage of having a baby, gained mostly from TV, had prepared me to expect. On TV the husband is always scrambling around the house forgetting luggage, then keys, then his wife, usually in that order, while the hugely distended wife stands near the door, hands on her arched back, breathing her way through another contraction. The drive to the hospital is a mad dash against time and more often than not involves a police officer for comedic or dramatic affect. When the couple arrives at the hospital the laboring, hard breathing mother is hefted on to a gurney, corralled into a delivery room where the masked doctor awaits. The gowned and gloved doctor is positioned at the bottom of the bed with his arms bent at the elbow and hands angled upwards in the confident, ready for action pose that all TV doctors assume before working their medical magic. Then after lots of sweating and breathing and pushing and such a baby, looking much more like a two month old than a new born, is presented to a sweaty, crying mother. TV did NOT prepare me to sit in a room for 14 hours. Never have I ever seen a couple arrive at the hospital and then sit in a room reading, watching soccer on TV (fortunately for us - maybe just me - it was Sunday when many Premier League games are broadcast live here in Indo), playing host to various visitors, picking idly at hospital meals (which were quite good), just whittling away the time. This is what we did. I think Alicia might throw in a few references to piercing pain and a perpetually rotating parade of nurses prodding, poking, measuring, and such. But to me these were all just part of what I am calling "The Wait". <br /><br />Finally, after a long time Emmerson decided she was ready to make her debut and got things going. The epidural guy arrived and stuck a stint into Alicia's back attached to a long tube and portal for administering more anesthetic. Unfortunately Alicia did not get to experience the full on epidural birth that she had heard and read so much about. Apparently soon after the epidural, Emmerson gave up her lazy ways and really began to do whatever they do to get born. Things began happening pretty quick and the staff decided that they would not give Alicia anymore epidural juice because she needed to feel in order to push. This resulted in a few hours of pretty unpleasant stuff that my mind has relegated to the "make this memory surreal and distant" part of my brain. It was about 9 pm when this "not pleasant" stage began (I think Alicia might have something to say about when exactly the "not pleasant" stage kicked in ...). The call went out to Dr. Robert's "bat phone" (I am convinced that the hospital must have a special number to call these delivery guys to inform them when they are really needed or they would never sleep - anxious expecting mothers and fathers would be ringing these guys at all hours of the day and night). He arrived about an hour later looking cool and collected. Alicia was anxious but relieved that she was getting closer to the final stages. I stood by feeling doltish and unsure of what to do. <br /><br />Eventually I took my position at the head of the bed holding Alicia's hand, dabbing her face, giving her ice chips to munch, and repeating things that other people said because I could not think of anything meaningful to say on my own. The other people in the room besides the nurses and Dr. Robert were Andrew and Alison and their new baby Grace. Alison is a doctor and was there to give Alicia advice and help out with things during "The Wait". Andrew was there because he is mad and wanted to experience this birth thing firsthand (Alison had a cesarean). And Grace was there to give off sympathy vibes to Emmerson as someone who could relate to this unpleasant transfer from the wonderful world of the womb to the shocking realities of the "outside". Dr. Robert coached Alicia along, teaching her how to push. Alicia is about 1000 times tougher than I ever imagined she could be. She only panicked once or twice. But the crew reassured her that everything was fine. I continued to repeat what they said and offer ice chips which she declined - which was good because they had all melted by that time. I didn't really know what else to do. <br /><br />Finally after one final epic push at 12:27 am, Emmerson emerged, had her lifeline to the pleasant world of the womb snipped, was officially announced to the world by Dr., Robert and immediately given to her radiant mom. She was really purple, Emmerson, not Alicia, but looked pretty good for a newborn. Her nose was squashed but that's about it. After allowing Alicia to hold and feed her for a bit the nursing staff jumped into action and began doing all the stuff they do to a new baby. I followed them around snapping photos. I have already fallen into the "new parent trap" of taking 1000s of photos of the first baby which you share with friends and relatives and students and coworkers and people at the mall and anyone else who is polite enough not to tell you that one or two is enough and would really rather not see the remaining 100 of the baby in its new outfit thank you very much. Emmerson was foot printed (10 toes), weighed (3450 grams - which means nothing to my non metric brain), and measured (52 centimeters - she looked normal size) then bundled up in a blanket and whisked off to where they take new babies to do more stuff to them. Alicia and Emmerson had to remain in their respective rooms for a few hours after which time they were reunited in Alicia's hospital room for their first night together. I opted to go home and watch Man U - just kidding - I went home, called my mom and went to bed a very happy and exhausted Dad. <br /><br />The following days were spent commuting back and forth from home to the hospital. We had plenty of friends visit who we enjoyed introducing to Emmerson and who have continued to be wonderfully supportive towards us all. After three nights we brought Emmerson home. We are so thankful for Emmerson, this precious gift that God has given to us. Once again we are truly blessed. Alicia, Emmerson and Ian are excited about beginning life together as a family ... an adventure to be continued.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/8591226-111087477725698748?l=batikbaby.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Aliciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17111760494835053411noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8591226.post-1110711475799663742005-03-13T04:31:00.000-06:002005-03-13T05:00:32.960-06:00<img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/after-bath2.jpg" width="300" border="2" /> <br /><strong>After a Bath</strong><br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/dreaming1.jpg" width="300" border="2" /><br /><strong>Dreaming</strong><br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/first-church-service.jpg" width="300" border="2" /><br /><strong>First Church Service</strong><br /><br />Emmerson is now 2 weeks old and already looks differently than she did when she was born (namely, less squashed). It's been a wonderful two weeks, even without the sleep, but we are learning to function on a baby-directed timetable. Ian is taking a day off tomorrow so we can go to the embassy for Emmerson's first passport! She and I are supposed to go to a conference in Vietnam at the end of the month, but that depends on whether or not we can get her passport by this Friday.<br /><br />We have been taking lots of photos, like all new parents, and here is the next batch: <a href="http://share.shutterfly.com/osi.jsp?i=EeAtWLFk2ctGQE" target="blank"><strong>Emmerson Photos</strong></a>.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/8591226-111071147579966374?l=batikbaby.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Aliciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17111760494835053411noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8591226.post-1110003033578172982005-03-04T23:46:00.000-06:002005-03-05T00:20:49.136-06:00<img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/daddy-loves-me.jpg" width="300" border="2" /> <br /><strong>Daddy Loves Me</strong><br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/sound-asleep.jpg" width="300" border="2" /><br /><strong>Sound Asleep</strong><br /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/going-home.jpg" width="300" border="2" /><br /><strong>Going Home</strong><br /><br /><strong>Emmerson and I are finally back at home after a relatively pleasant 3-day hospital stay. </strong> It was nice having all meals delivered (including morning and afternoon tea!)and a nurse on call at all hours of the night, but now that that's over, we're on our own. To be fair, however, we have it pretty easy since we don't have to do laundry, dishes, or cook unless we feel like it. So I guess we're not really on our own. A great situation to be in if you find yourself with a newborn baby! <br /><br />We are thrilled with our little girl and are enjoying the challenges and joys of learning how to be parents. It's also fun dressing her in all of the cute little outfits I bought over Christmas vacation. <strong>She likes to be stylish. </strong> <br /><br />I've uploaded our photos to Shutterfly, so to view them as a slideshow simply click here: <strong><a href="http://share.shutterfly.com/osi.jsp?i=EeAtWLFk2ctGP8" target="blank">Emmerson Corinne Photos</a></strong><br /><br />I'd better go see what she's up to-- last I checked she was blissed out in her vibrating chair listening to white noise. <strong>Paradise for babies.</strong><br /><br />Oh, and Jessica, <strong>she was not born during the Oscars</strong>, but I can say almost for sure that there were many stars busily being primped and coiffed for the Big Event (she was born Sunday morning at 9:27am Pacific Time). That must count for something!<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/8591226-111000303357817298?l=batikbaby.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Aliciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17111760494835053411noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8591226.post-1109039161136022362005-02-21T20:20:00.000-06:002005-02-21T20:26:01.136-06:00<img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/39weeks.jpg" width="300" border="2" /> <br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/39weeks1.jpg" width="300" border="2" /><br /><br />This was last night-- the fancy top is actually a long batik baby sling used by a majority of Indonesian women. It's just a long piece of fabric that you loop around your shoulder, the baby, and then back again over the shoulder. An Indonesian friend bought these for me, and I'm anxious to give them a try! No baby yet, but I'm due in just a few days, and since the baby and I have a deal that it won't go over (at least not by too much), it should be any day now. <strong>Thanks for all of your love and support over the last nine months; it's made this whole process so much easier, and we just can't wait to introduce Baby D. to everyone this summer!</strong><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/8591226-110903916113602236?l=batikbaby.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Aliciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17111760494835053411noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8591226.post-1108515964499695382005-02-15T18:56:00.000-06:002005-02-15T19:06:04.500-06:00<img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/38weeks2.jpg" width="300" border="2" /> <br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/38weeks4.jpg" width="300" border="2" /><br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/valentines-day.jpg" width="300" border="2" /><br /><br />These were taken on <strong>Valentine's Day</strong>. Ian and I went out for dinner and then had Blizzards at the new Dairy Queen! <strong>The presence of a DQ may seem mundane</strong>, but when good ice-cream is hard to come by, the significance of DQ is much more understandable. And they still serve Blizzards <strong>"Upside Down or it's Free!" </strong><br /><br />No baby yet, but <strong>this is my last week of work </strong>before I officially become a housewife (desperate, perhaps?) like Megan. Time to break out the stilettos?<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/8591226-110851596449969538?l=batikbaby.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Aliciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17111760494835053411noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8591226.post-1108029988995990612005-02-10T04:03:00.000-06:002005-02-10T04:10:11.896-06:00<img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/38weeks.jpg" width="300" border="2" /> <br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/38weeks1.jpg" width="300" border="2" /> <br /> <br />This was the day of our baby shower last Monday. It was held by the school social committee and was a very nice affair. We were given a fancy baby stroller as well as many other cute baby things. Today I went to the mall for a while and came home with more baby stuff; I evidently can no longer go shopping without buying something baby-related!<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/8591226-110802998899599061?l=batikbaby.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Aliciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17111760494835053411noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8591226.post-1107229467128027072005-01-31T21:33:00.000-06:002005-01-31T21:55:41.773-06:00<img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/36weeks1.jpg" width="300" border="2" /> <br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/36weeks.jpg" width="300" border="2" /> <br /> <br /><strong>36 Weeks and counting.... </strong>We are looking forward to meeting little Duell very soon. I was born 2 weeks early, so we are preparing ourselves for the possibility that the main event could happen as early as next week. Preparing for something like this is funny in a way because I have a feeling that <strong>nothing will truly prepare us for what is to come</strong>. The best I can do is read all of the books I can get my hands on and put together my little overnight bag; we'll just take the rest as it comes! <br /> <br />I am also looking forward this summer to meeting cousin Missy's baby as well as the new babies of friends Katy W., Kristi H. and Katie S.!<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/8591226-110722946712802707?l=batikbaby.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Aliciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17111760494835053411noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8591226.post-1106809457698156632005-01-27T00:59:00.000-06:002005-01-27T01:04:17.696-06:00Many of you know that we have a cat named Pixie and that we regularly let her out to wander all over the roofs of the school complex. Yesterday she had a <strong>big adventure</strong>, as Ian describes below: <br /><strong> <br />Further Adventures of Pixie the Roof Cat (by Ian) </strong> <br /> <br />“I think your cat just fell through the ceiling of my classroom”. Not a comment you hear everyday, especially while at school and certainly not what I expected to hear when the music teacher walked through my door. I went to investigate and sure enough, there was Pixie being consoled by the admissions director who, fortunately, is one of the main violators of the “no cats on campus” rule that exists at school (see “Pixie the Roof Cat” post from Saturday, October 16, 2004 for more details). She was quite freaked out, Pixie, not the administrator, but was otherwise unharmed. Apparently, Pixie has found a way to get into the crawl space between the hung ceilings and the actual roof of the buildings here at campus and today ventured onto a ceiling tile that could not hold her weight (perhaps she needs to go back to life on the streets for a bit and regain her svelte figure). The music teacher heard a loud crash in the practice room and went to see what was responsible for the disturbance. Imagine his surprise when he saw Pixie standing on the floor amongst various percussion instruments. All involved are fine, just a bit shaken up, especially the music teacher. Hopefully, Pixie has learned a lesson and will curtail her rooftop activities to less precarious situations. <br /><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/8591226-110680945769815663?l=batikbaby.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Aliciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17111760494835053411noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8591226.post-1106548339384881972005-01-24T00:15:00.000-06:002005-01-24T00:37:30.053-06:00Here is another classic from the realm of <strong>"Wait, did that kid <em>seriously</em> just say that?"</strong> <br /> <br />I was talking to a 3rd grade class about when the baby is going to be born, and of course they were all volunteering what they knew about having babies. Hillary (I've quoted her a few times on our website) was trying to talk about when she was born, but she said, <strong>"When my mom <em>laid</em> me...." </strong>They really seem to have birds and humans mixed up at this school (Remember the other kid who asked when I was going to "hatch"?). <br /> <br />Hillary also said that she was born out of her mom's <em>butt</em>. Another student corrected her and said, <strong>"No, that's just how <em>animals</em> are born." </strong>The things you learn working with elementary schoolers! I felt that I couldn't just let such egregiously erroneous information pass by unnoticed, but did not feel comfortable giving a totally accurate description, so I just said, "No, that's not actually where <em>any</em> babies are born...", hoping that they would take any further questions home to their parents! Yikes! Are we ready for this?<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/8591226-110654833938488197?l=batikbaby.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Aliciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17111760494835053411noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8591226.post-1106191241034804142005-01-19T21:17:00.000-06:002005-01-19T21:24:59.576-06:00<strong>Ian</strong> recently wrote up a few very amusing baby-related posts for his blog <a href="http://www.indobaja.blogspot.com/"><strong>IndoIan</strong></a>, so I thought that I would post them here as well. <br /> <br /><strong>JAKARTA VS. SINGAPORE</strong> (by Ian) <br /> <br />I’m involved in having a baby (I was scolded the other day when I used “we” when referring to some aspect of the pregnancy – as I am certainly not with child). Involvement in having a baby includes lots of shopping. I was not aware of this. Fortunately, according to certain persons’ qualified to make such an assessment, Jakarta does not have good; actually I believe “cute” was the descriptive term used, yet cheap baby products. Thus my involvement in baby shopping in Jakarta has been limited. Unfortunately, Singapore does have cute and cheap baby stuff. The last few days of Christmas holidays I spent a lot of time in stores I never knew existed shopping for items I have never imagined. Once while looking for a diaper bag I asked what is required of a bag to be deemed diaper worthy – actually I don’t think that wording would have gone over well – but I was quite curious about the characteristic of such a bag and inquired. I received an exasperated look and a sigh that showed true sympathy for my ignorance followed by a detailed account of all the characteristics necessary to qualify a container as a truly proper diaper bag. I thought that a left over plastic supermarket bag would do the trick but I also imagined the versatile shopping bag would make quite a nice baby carrier as well – put a bit of padding in the bottom, perhaps double up the bags for some security and you’re good to go. <br /> <br />While we were in our 4th store (Singapore has 100s, perhaps 1000s of stores devoted to things baby all within a ridiculously concentrated area) and again unable to find the proper bag, I pointed to what I thought appeared to be the elusive item. I was given a sympathetic look and informed that it was a portable baby sun shade. Oh. I retreated into a corner and became as much a part of the background as possible. I noticed that I was not alone. <br /> <br />When you walk into a baby store the difference between men and women becomes glaringly obvious. As a kid I was asked how I knew the difference between men and women and responded that men have furry legs. Well observing men and women in a baby store would be just as telling. Women buzz with energy and coo over little baby size Santa outfits, pint sized overalls, mini French berets and "classic" (important) Winnie the Pooh pajamas. Men stand in out of the way corners and coves, slightly slouched, staring glassy eyed into space, clutching their wallets with one hand and previously purchased baby products with the other. <br /> <br />So one crib, crib mattress, crib mattress cover, changing shelf thing, blue bucket that attaches to the changing shelf thing, Fischer Price development enhancing vibrating chair and lots of adorable clothes later, (the elusive proper diaper bag managed to evade our persistent search, to be hunted another day) I shouldered our loot, looking like an urban Sherpa and stumbled, exhausted back to our hotel. <br /> <br />People always brag about the advantages of Singapore over other Asian cities. Well I have finally come up with an advantage Jakarta has over the City of Lions; no good baby stores. <br /> <br /><strong>JAKARTA BABY</strong> (by Ian) <br /> <br />My wife was scolded the other day at the gym by a very concerned, spandex bedecked, Indonesian matron. I was running on the tread mill and Alicia went to grab some weights when the concerned matron asked Alicia with alarm in her voice, what exactly she thought she was doing working out in her condition(eight months pregnant). Alicia commented that it was good, grabbed her weights and made her way over to the exercise balls that she likes to roll around on. Supposedly in Indonesia, women in their later months of pregnancy are not expected to do much and certainly not hit the weight room. The lady communicated her concern to several other patrons, who did not seem to share the same level of distress. Un-phased by this lack of concern by her compatriots, she kept up a diligent watch while continuing her workout, perhaps expecting Alicia to give birth while rolling about on the giant ball. The scene certainly made the tedious time on the treadmill pass quickly and for that I was thankful for the paranoid patron’s vigilance. <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/8591226-110619124103480414?l=batikbaby.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Aliciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17111760494835053411noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8591226.post-1106032595744681532005-01-18T01:04:00.000-06:002005-01-18T01:29:34.530-06:00<img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/34weeks.jpg" width="300" border="2" /> <br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/34weeks1.jpg" width="300" border="2" /> <br /> <br />Here I am at 34 weeks. This weekend was special because it was the 7-month "mitoni" ceremony held for my 7th month of pregnancy (even though I am already 8 months along) in conjunction with a <i>wayang kulit</i>, or shadow puppet show, at the home of my gamelan teacher. I plan to write up a more complete description either on this blog or on our <a href="http://www.duelliscool.net">www.duelliscool.net</a> website soon, but for now the pictures will have to suffice. In short, the ceremony part of the evening involved me, 7 sarongs, 10 gallons of rose water, coins, a raw egg, and a coconut. <br /> <br />Thanks also to Karen, Jessica, Veronika, Kristi, Alyson, Dee, and my mom, who have all posted! I love reading the comments and will try to be better about responding to them. Jessica, whoever came up with the idea for the belly shots is truly a genius. I hope everyone is well and enjoying the greater Chicago/northern Illinois/Indiana weather!<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/8591226-110603259574468153?l=batikbaby.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Aliciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17111760494835053411noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8591226.post-1104812351728642742005-01-03T22:15:00.000-06:002005-01-03T22:19:11.726-06:00<img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/32weeks.jpg" border="2" /> <br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/32weeks1.jpg" border="2" /> <br />Here I am on New Year's Day at 32 Weeks. We celebrated at an Irish pub in Singapore, which is where the hat came from. By the way, I was never asked to produce that special letter of admittance from the Singaporean embassy-- all that hassle for nothing!<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/8591226-110481235172864274?l=batikbaby.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Aliciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17111760494835053411noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8591226.post-1104729839688572262005-01-03T00:21:00.000-06:002005-01-02T23:23:59.686-06:00<img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/30weeks.jpg" border="2" /> <br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/30weeks1.jpg" border="2" /> <br /><br></br> <br />Here I am on December 18th at 30 weeks. By the way, these jeans no longer fit! <br /><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/8591226-110472983968857226?l=batikbaby.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Aliciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17111760494835053411noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8591226.post-1102580049693692982004-12-09T01:51:00.000-06:002004-12-09T02:14:09.693-06:00<img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/28-weeks.jpg" border="2" /> <br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/28-weeks1.jpg" border="2" /> <br /><br></br> <br />Here I am in front of our miniature fiber optic Christmas tree. Isn't it festive? The little lights at the ends of the "pine" needles change color to add an extra jolt of holiday cheer. <br> <br /><b>Interesting International Travel Fact of the Day:</b> to get into the country of Singapore when more than six months pregnant requires everything short of signing your name in blood. Why, you ask? They want to make absolutely, positively, 100% sure that, should your baby be born in Singapore accidently, you will not even <b>attempt</b> to seek Singaporean citizenship or residency for your little early bird. No kidding-- <b>they are seriously paranoid</b>. I had to fill out a lengthy visa application form, provide a passport photo, write and sign a Letter of Intent confirming that I will not seek citizenship for the baby if it is born early (and that I will then <b>immediately remove the baby from the country!</b>), send a copy of my marriage certificate (but what if someone is a single mother-- are they barred from entering the country pregnant on the grounds of some misguided morality?), and provide a letter from my doctor stating my anticipated due date and probable location of delivery. <b>Seriously, people</b>. What do <b>I</b> want with Singaporean citizenship? Call me a snob, but it's true. Anyway, all that work for 4 days and 3 nights of <b>shopping and modernity</b> over the New Year holiday! <br /><br> <br /><b>Happy Holidays!</b><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/8591226-110258004969369298?l=batikbaby.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Aliciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17111760494835053411noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8591226.post-1101551295167654702004-11-27T04:21:00.000-06:002004-11-27T04:28:15.166-06:00<img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/27weeks.jpg" border="2" /> <br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/27weeks1.jpg" border="2" /> <br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/27weeks2.jpg" border="2" /> <br /><br></br> <br />This was <strong>Thanksgiving evening</strong>. We were on our way to the staff Thanksgiving dinner. 27 weeks. Only 13 to go!?!<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/8591226-110155129516765470?l=batikbaby.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Aliciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17111760494835053411noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8591226.post-1099819615486585742004-11-07T03:22:00.000-06:002004-11-07T03:26:55.486-06:00<img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/24weeks.jpg" border="2" /> <br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/24weeks1.jpg" border="2" /> <br /><br></br> <br /><strong>24 weeks</strong> and the baby seems like (s)he is going to be a professional soccer player. Or maybe kickboxer?<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/8591226-109981961548658574?l=batikbaby.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Aliciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17111760494835053411noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8591226.post-1099639105783609862004-11-05T01:03:00.000-06:002004-11-05T01:18:25.783-06:00You can't make this stuff up. <br /> <br />A second grader today asked, <strong>"When are you going to hatch?"</strong> <br /> <br />Earlier today, a first grader asked, <strong>"Are you pregnant today?"</strong> My reply: "Yes-- today, yesterday, tomorrow...!"<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/8591226-109963910578360986?l=batikbaby.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Aliciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17111760494835053411noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8591226.post-1099556073800300532004-11-04T02:05:00.001-06:002004-11-04T22:01:19.833-06:00I love teaching elementary school kids. They are so refreshingly honest, aren't they? I had not yet told the younger kids that I am pregnant, so when I was asked by a few girls last week during a 4th grade class if I was going to have a baby, I said "yes" and figured that one of their teachers must have let the cat out of the bag. On the contrary, these discerning girls had noticed my wearing bigger clothes and becoming a little "rounder". When I confirmed that yes, I am indeed pregnant, one of the girls replied, <strong>"Oh, I thought so, because you're getting... fatter."</strong> Another girl chimed in, <strong>"Yeah, you're... fat."</strong> Well, thanks girls. <br /> <br /> <br />Today's 3rd grade class was much kinder. I'm wearing a new maternity dress which leaves little doubt as to my baby-carrying state. One of the girls (why is it always the girls who notice?) asked if I am having a baby and when I said yes, they burst into applause! They were all really excited and a few even congratulated me on their way out of class. My friend Brenda also told me that one of her 1st graders asked if I am "born". When Brenda corrected her and asked if she meant "pregnant", she insisted, "No, born!" Evidently her older brother had told her but had gotten his terms a little mixed-up. <br /> <br /> <br />Lesson learned: we will teach little "Porkchop" Duell (Ian's favorite name for boy or girl) to think before (s)he speaks and to <strong>never, ever tell someone that they're "... getting fatter."</strong><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/8591226-109955607380030053?l=batikbaby.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Aliciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17111760494835053411noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8591226.post-1098667247485802262004-10-24T20:12:00.000-05:002004-10-24T20:56:38.596-05:00<img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/22weeks.jpg" border="2" /> <br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/22weeks1.jpg" border="2" /> <br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/22weeks2.jpg" border="2" /> <br /><br></br> <br />These photos were taken yesterday <strong>on the beach in Bali</strong> during a fabulous <strong>Ladies Weekend</strong> getaway. My friend Janet was the photographer, since Ian had to spend the weekend in Jakarta! The surfboard pictures are in his honor.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/8591226-109866724748580226?l=batikbaby.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Aliciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17111760494835053411noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8591226.post-1097628017016167232004-10-12T19:34:00.000-05:002004-10-12T19:40:17.016-05:00<img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/20-week-profile.jpg" border="2" /> <br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/20-week-belly.jpg" border="2" /> <br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/20-week-belly1.jpg" border="2" /> <br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/swimming-suit.jpg" border="2" /> <br /><img src="http://www.duelliscool.net/duells1.jpg" border="2" /> <br /><br /><br /> <br />Here I am at 20 weeks. We took these pictures at <strong>Pelabuhan Ratu last weekend</strong>.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/8591226-109762801701616723?l=batikbaby.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Aliciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17111760494835053411noreply@blogger.com5