Catching up with Jack and Shirlee

One of the great things about living in Dubai is that you become friends with people from all over the world. So naturally two of our closest friends are from Idaho! They moved back to the States a year and a half ago and we were so excited to spend a few days with them during our trip.


They brought a trailer up to the mountains, so we would meet up every day for breakfast around the fire (with watermelon juice!), hikes and daytrips! I didn't realize the good folks of Ketchum, Idaho, needed such large chairs, but apparently the town is home to giants.


But besides large accomodation for their backsides, Ketchum residents also spend a fair amount of time shopping. The boys sit outside yet another boutique waiting for the girls to finish window shopping.

Road Trip!

After two years away from the States it was time to hit the road with Zander. We drove from Billings to meet our friends Jack and Shirlee in Stanley, Idaho, and marveled at all the scenery along the way.


Check it out! No sand and not a camel in sight!


This was the glorious view from Jack and Shirlee's camping spot on Red Fish Lake. I'd almost forgotten that the outdoors could be like this!


Now, you may be wondering how the little guy did while traveling so long (Google Maps said our trip should take 8 hours). Considering that it actually took 10 hours and Bas and I both had completed frazzled nerves by the time we got there, let's just say Zander would rather travel 31 hours between continents than sit for any serious length of time in the backseat of the car.

I did manage to capture him during one of his rare siestas. Here's hoping that next time he's stuck in the car he'll be a bit more pleasant to be around!

Cousins and Grandparents, oh my!

One of the coolest parts of our trip was introducing Zander to his big cousin Evey. They were pretty taken with one another, and Grampa Doug and Gramma Kathy also seem to be enjoying themselves.


Notice Zander's Missoula duds. Is this a subtle way of luring us back to the Big Sky State?

Grampa Jose

When you have as many grandparents as Zander you almost need a scorecard to keep everyone straight. But the good news is he is spoiled with folks who love him! And as you can see, Zander is a fan of his Grampa Jose.

I can't quite see the resemblance, but maybe Zander's skin will eventually start to match his mom and grandpa!

Line 'em up and shoot 'em down

Lest you think our blog is solely devoted to our big-eyed little boy, check out my sharp shooting husband:

In case you're wondering what he's aiming at, those three white specs in the distance are plastic gallon jugs filled with water. Next to them is one of mom's flower beds...

James Bond has nothing on Bas!

With yet another fire arm, Bas and Joe get ready to shoot up more unsuspecting, innocent milk jugs.

Small town American 4th of July

Ah, the 4th. Parades, super soakers, mardi gras necklaces, taco dip and ice cream...okay, maybe our Independence Day celebrations in Laurel, MT are a bit unique. Doesn't matter, though, because a certain someone finally got a taste of the red, white and blue.

Just in case you can't read the sign in red, it says "How's that hope and change working out for you?" I love America!
An entire row of tractors made up a significant portion of the parade! Fantastic!

Gramma Carol is obviously an old hand at the 4th of July -- and this isn't Bas' first time, either.

Auntie T rocks it out.

Aren't we the picture of the American dream?

Zander saddles up

It may have been his first time in Montana but based on his clearly natural horse riding ability you would never know it! Here, Zander shows off his skills to Gramma Carol.

This is the "Ooooh Face," which has expressed extreme excitement, delight and/or curiousity since the day Zander was born. The horse definitely ranks in terms of all three!

All in all, Montana had some pretty cool stuff to offer its newest son!

Our Little Rock Star

When we got home from work this evening we found ourselves sharing our home with this cute little rock star. We didn't realize it but apparently Zander has developed quite a following among the inhabitants of Uptown Mirdif: Gima takes him for a walk every day and I guess he gets a lot of compliments, so today she got him dressed to impress.

In Gima's words, "Everyone appreciates his nice outfits." I mean, seriously? How could you not?!

Thanks, Uncle Joost, for the cool shoes!

A nanny AND a stylist! Gima is the real deal!

Zander Robs the Cradle

Not long ago, our friend Dora hosted what amounted to a New Parents Night at her lovely apartment. The guests of honor were Zander and Luciana, a two-week old Colombian sweetheart. As you can see, Bas made the introductions between Luciana and her mom, Melissa.

And even Dora got some snuggle time with the little guy! So did Zander knock Luciana's tiny socks off? Only time will tell, but considering that Bas and I met in Colombia who knows what the future holds?!

Our Busy Bee

Its summer in Dubai, so what better way to spend a Saturday morning than at the doctor's office? Not to worry, it was just Zander's three month check-up. Here he is hanging out on mom's lap waiting for the doctor.

As for the results, he is a cuddly 6.2 kg/13.7 lb and has grown to 62 cm / 24.4 in. According to the charts he has now passed delightfully average and is now well on his way to keeping up with dad's height.

In other news, I went back to work at the beginning of June. That first day was really tough -- especially walking out the door -- but it has actually been a fairly smooth transition. Gima and Zander have a nice routine and while my work isn't quite as insanely busy now as it was before I went on maternity leave I am busy enough to keep my mind off of my smiley little man.

That said, it didn't take too long for Bas and I to realize that we were probably going to drive Gima nuts if we each called several times a day to see how Zander was doing. So now its just one of us calling Gima and then reporting back to the other one. Gima has also figured out if she sends us text messages during the day we stay out of her hair a bit more.

Zander is also sleeping better once the sun goes down and now only needs one visit from his folks in the middle of the night. He's even surprised us by sleeping through the night twice, so we always go to bed hopeful (particularly the doting parent with the night shift!).

Of course, we're all sorts of lucky with Zander, which means that it wouldn't be surprising if he starts sleeping through the night this week...just in time to have his little clock all screwed up with the 11-hour time difference between here and Montana. And that says nothing for the 26 hour door-to-door journey he'll endure first (not to mention his parents!). But at least that means he'll stay awake for the fireworks on the 4th of July!

Just in case you can't wait for Zander's North American debut, here's a sample of just how cute and alarmingly busy he is every morning. Enjoy!

How Times Change

It wasn't so long ago that these boys were more likely to be snapped playing football or enjoying a pint of Heineken. But now they're also great looking dads! What a difference a few years makes, right?

Zander Mania Sweeps Holland

This is the happy soul who fell asleep in Dubai but woke up in Holland (well, that's a bit of an exaggeration but you know what I mean). Zander's first flight was a great success, and as you can see here he is a fan of flying. Europe is a bit colder than the Middle East (particularly at 5 am), but Oma Tonny brought jackets of three different thicknesses to the airport in case we weren't prepared (which we weren't).


We had a very nice week with Bas' family and friends, all of whom are now confirmed Z-Philes. Here's just a sampling of Zander's Dutch cuddle time:



And we didn't even come close to getting pictures with everyone who stopped by! Thanks so much for the wonderful presents (the blue mouse in the picture above is a new favorite) and for the great week.

When CA meets DXB

Fresh from California and her first international flight, Aunt Teresa came to Dubai to rock Zander's world. These two had an instant bond, which was fantastic because it meant that Ma and Pa ter Laare got a few nights of sleep when Auntie T took over (hours of uninterrupted sleep have to be the best present we've received so far!).

But Teresa's trip wasn't all baby-related; this IS Dubai, you know, shopping paradise of the world. And she certainly didn't waste any time...


Spending time with my sister was fantastic and we were all sad it was just for a week. But in that week Teresa really got to learn what this part of the world is all about. Besides hanging out with her favorite nephew and shopping, she rode a camel ...

... and really got in to local culture (perhaps a bit too much)...


We are also incredibly grateful for Teresa introducing us to the bouncy chair, which I am positive is one of the best inventions on the planet. The guy or gal who thought it up deserves some sort of award.


Teresa was also in town just in time to go to the doctor for Zander's 2 month check-up. As of that time (about two weeks ago), our little guy weighed 5.14 kg / 11.33 lb and has grown to 57 cm / 22 in. The doctor says he is smack-dab in the middle of all of the growth charts, so I am pleased to announce that in addition to being gifted, Zander is also delightfully average.


While Teresa's trip was short, it was definitely sweet and we're all looking forward to seeing her in Montana next month.