Nina

Nina got her new pink velcro fall shoes today! She loves running in them up and down the hallway. One of the play group's Mom's today was impressed when Nina said "Thank you" to Erin for having removed the pebbles from her shoes.

Later during a walk outside, Nina saw another little girl drawing with markers. The little girl was coloring both on the paper and on the table. Nina scolded her by saying, "No no, only on the paper, not on the table" and the other girl's Mom was impressed.

Nina and her counting

Nina knows how to count up to five, by holding her fingers up! Erin has been meeting up with Mom's of toddlers in the Morningside neighborhood.

A little bit regarding last week's orientation: Events were planned from 8am until at least 10pm (or later) everyday. I was happy to spend an hour each morning with Erin and Nina. I lucky to spend one additional hour during the day with them.

The undergraduate Freshmen arrived on campus yesterday. It was also our first day of classes for stats, learning Excel, business writing, and the case method.

In the morning

Nina looked so grown up in her new PJs this morning. She walked out of her room and said, "Miss You" while coming to greet us!

Orientation & Nina

I've been busy with orientation since Sunday night. This Tuesday morning, I was able to ask Nina about things she likes. Here are some of them:

- roti- prata
- apple sauce
- oatmeal
- dancing
- Every Move I Make (song) by Jennifer Carozza

Playing in Central Park

 

 

Saturday

At the CIMA event last night, I met a tall Chilean, another Argentinean, two West Point Academy Graduates, someone from Chicago, and a Frenchman.

Yesterday Erin and Nina tried their first New York bagels and loved it at Absolute Bagels. Thanks Greg & Bert for introducing it to me.

Today, the weather was absolutely perfect with a little chill in the morning air. We went to Whole Foods at Columbus Circle and spent the morning in Central Park. While there, a Dad and his son approached Nina and the son played with Nina. The Dad took pictures and two are above.

Below is also a video of Nina eating corn on the cob at Bert's place while we were there with Greg.

Friday

This morning, Nina and I walked to the Garden of Eden grocery store here in Broadway (NYC). We got tahini (for hummous) among some other items.

Erin, Nina, and I walked to North Central Park and discovered the pond there. On the way, there was a tv crew filming a conversation on the top of the hill. We walked/strolled quietly pass.

For lunch, we had soaked split peas (in honor of Greg's wonderfully delicious split pea soup), cooked it in the rice cooker under the low/soup setting during the morning, such that the soup was ready for us upon our return.

At lunch, I met with three more CBS students: a Venuzuelan, Jordanian, and someone from Michigan.

This evening I'll attend the Columbia Investment Management Association Happy Hour.

Birthday Cake

Continuing with tradition, Nina had a Choco - Hoto Pot for her birthday. Pictures to come.

Today

Nina likes to get lifted up on a leg. Today, I told her I would lift her up seven times, so I counted for each lift and Nina repeated. I said "One"
Nina said "One."
I said "Two."
Nina responded "Two."
...
I said "Seven."
Nina responded "Eight!" :D

Later during our post-dinner stroll, we asked Nina, "How old are you?"
She responded, "One"
and we replied "Two!"

This repeated about three more times until she realized that she should say "Two" also!

Nina's Birthday

Today is Nina's second (2nd) birthday! Wow. How time flies. She can pull the stool out, climb up, turn the water on, get some soap, rub her hands, rinse them, turn the water off, climb down, dry her hands, and put the stool away! Incredible!

Settling into the Apple, the Big Apple

We finally can see the floor in our apartment! Boxes have been put away and we have some odds and ends to store. Wow! It has been quite a few days of settling in.

Almost five full days ago, our furniture and boxes arrived. They were stacked almost to the ceiling. We finally have a semblance of a cozy abode.

Today we wrapped up the day with our traditional new home meal of Grandma's Hotdish. We went for a walk outside on MorningSide Drive afterwards where Nina got to take her Little Tikes Truck. She was pushing it and have a grand ole' time.

More Pics from New Ulm

More Pics from New Ulm including some from a parade.

     

Pics in New Ulm

Some Pics from our week in New Ulm in July.

       

Ovarian Cancer Survivor Article

Alternative Medicine Saved Our Lives article from Prevention Magazine.

The Furniture

Yesterday our furniture arrived. My brother Greg helped out. With Erin and Nina, all of us unpacked. Nina was having a grand time exploring each of the boxes in her room. She was beaming.

Our place is small (as expected) and we'll need to innovate to find organized ways of keeping everything.

Last night there was a big storm that caused flooding in the subways here in NYC. Consequently this morning, when we tried heading back up to the Columbia Apartment, we couldn't. Subways were not operating, buses, and taxis were over crowded.

Erin finished reading the latest Harry Potter book three or four days ago. I began reading it and finished it this morning! Wow. Incredible.

This Past Week

We went to church on Sunday at Sure Foundation in Queens. They were very welcoming and a small community. We're looking forward to going again despite the warm climate and 45-minute commute. We walked along the Riverside Park pier. It was wonderful to feel the breeze and watch Nina take in the sights and sounds. She saw her first speed boat.

On Monday, we got the keys to our apartment for the next two years. It was smaller, much smaller than we had expected, and we'll need to be creative in figuring out how to fit everything in, but it's looking much better! Why, keep reading...

Late Monday night, we decided to reserve a car, for early Tuesday morning, from the nearby Prestige Car Rental which surprisingly had competitive prices to Budget and other larger competitors. We went to Sears to buy a window A/C unit, IKEA for lunch and purchase of some rugs and curtains, drove along the northern shore of Long Island, and finally did a grcoery store run for bulky items. It was a very LONG day.

We were all tired the next day (Wednesday) so we went to toddler playground at
Riverside Park at 66th. In the afternoon, I went to the new apartment and got one of the maintenance staff to install the window A/C unit. I learned a couple of things from him.

A couple of times this week, given the sweltering heat and humidity, we have gotten a Jamba Juice. Nina knows how to say "Jamba Juice" and our latest favorite is the Strawberry Surf Rider.

Wednesday evening Greg returned back. He and Nina have played a couple of times together. I love seeing the smiles.