roten

So Phoenix is one!
Thomas was gracious enough to help with a mini photo shoot for Phoenix.  It was N-U-T-S! I was hoping to get better shots when we got his “I’m 1!” shirt in the mail and do some cake smashing photos outside but long story short there is no shirt and it is WAY to cold for me to entertain the idea of an outside photo shoot.  So these will do or I’ll figure out something else.  Enjoy these ones and then read on…

I love his red long hair! It is so long now it flips out.  It actually fits with his new Asian name.  It is “Phoenix” but phoenix is actually the bridal symbol.  We didn’t really think it was that big of a deal until we were thinking that it’s like if a little Asian baby was names “Isabella” in the states – would you laugh at him? I probably would.  So we are welcoming the laughs when we tell the locals his name.  I want to work on the phrase, “In English Phoenix is a very proud, respected, honorable name” maybe that will change the girl connotations here?
We’re hoping the gap between his teeth doesn’t stay there forever.

Love the hat, love it.  
From a month old to a year! These ceramic balls are cemented to the ground and Phoenix tries to pick them up – while screaming “BALLLLL!!!” He hasn’t gotten the clue that they don’t budge.  

We had a little party for Phoenix. Complete with the chocolately chocolate adult cake and his wheat germ carrot cupcake.  It had really yummy icing on it though.
He wasn’t really into it.  In fact for Thanksgiving I made an epic Key Lime Pie and I really wanted him to try some.  I practically had to hold him down and shove it down his throat – so I don’t think he’s really into desserts, he’ll just stick with his mandarin oranges.

He even had a birthday hat! But he ripped it off just like the other hat.

He got some cars – which he loves to show you the wheels and race them across our floors.  He likes to see if you will put them in your mouth. 
His favorite toys was the ball! I saved it for last because I knew there would be an explosion of yelling “BALLLLLLLLLL!!!!” He also tries to see if the ball will go in his or your mouth.
He really likes his corn on the cob, complete with a kid friendly stick handle.

Thomas almost blew someone’s face off:
Thomas and I had full intention of wrapping Phoenix’s presents.  We went to this gigantic market to find some wrapping paper.  At the very end we stopped in this one store and picked up something that looked like it.  Thomas asked them how much and it was a little more pricey than we thought it should be.  It was weighted at one end and so he was asking them how big it was and all sorts of questions.  Thomas noticed there were arrows on the outside so he turned his hands around the arrows and BANGGGGG the “wrapper paper” exploded – nearly missing an employees face.  Turns out it was NOT wrapping paper but a popper firework thingy.

Phoenix eats a new delicacy:
Lately Phoenix has had his days where he won’t eat anything.  He was having one of those days when I looked over while I was studying language and our house helper was FEEDING him a crayon!!! Really – helping him put a crayon to his mouth and he was biting and sucking on it! And you know what? He was eating it and LOVED it.  He also had red all over his face.  Now he doesn’t understand why I won’t let him eat them.

There is a bakery close to our apartment.  All of the foreigners go there to get sliced bread, they even have whole wheat! The other day I was walking with Phoenix and he was getting hungry so I stopped in to pick up something.  They immediately thought I wanted sliced wheat bread, because why else would a foreigner be in there? Well actually that’s usually true because all of there other breads they have do not look very good – loaded with the unknown toppings and insides.  But I gave it a shot and bought a bun looking thing.  I was expecting there to be meat inside honestly, not that that sounds good, but just typical.  Well it was actually whipped cream! Phoenix loved it and it got everywhere, especially because I was wearing him in our carrier.  We were walking down the street laughing together because of the whipped cream.

Nothing about making dinner is easy here.  It is getting better though! I made these homemade buns to be enjoyed with hamburgers I made.  I know, I made hamburgers! Our house helper thinks that all we eat is bread.  She told her husband that Phoenix says “bread” (not in English) all the time! I didn’t tell her that he is actually saying “ball” but it sounds like “bread” in her language.  She also told her husband that we make bread every night, which they think is disgusting.

Thomas’ new look?