Emily’s Musings

David and I went on a hot date last night. It was Valentine’s Day, and with only 10 restaurants on the island, you have to make a reservation weeks in advance if you want to eat somewhere. Dave and I don’t go out that often; okay, sadly it’s like never, but it’s because I have turned into a homebody and I feel like trash all the time (kind of a damper on your energy). Plus, there isn’t much to do on this island when you go out. You have your choice of 10 restaurants, which may or may not be open depending on their mood. David has to study a TON (so we can get THE HECK OFF THIS ROCK and move on to the next phase of Medical School torture) and when you add all this up, we just don’t make it out that often. On the plus side, several people have volunteered to baby sit Hannah because they are in love with her. When we explain that she is in bed and asleep by 6:15 every night and we don’t hear or see her cute face for 12 consecutive hours, they are a little sad to know they would just be house sitting and petting our dogs. So we often have date nights on our patio. We chat, and take in the beautiful ocean view that is ours for another few weeks. However, I was ready to hit the town last night . . .

Since I still mostly feel like trash, I spent most of the day yesterday nursing my headache and trying not to vomit. I actually took a shower, shaved my legs, diffused my hair AND, and this is a REALLY BIG AND, I put makeup on! I know, I actually felt like the old Emily I left behind in the states! Since I usually spend a total of 10 minutes a day on my appearance, this was a huge change for me. I honestly wear make up once every three months and diffuse my hair maybe twice a month down here. This is no not like me, I know. I NEVER would have left the house without wearing makeup or doing my hair and wearing something stylish when we lived in the states. Living in the Caribbean has certainly changed me. Or maybe it’s motherhood? Who has that kind of time everyday to get all fancied up? For what? I’m just going to say it, because I’m just going to say it: I have become LAZY. Phew, it feels good to get that out.

I reserved a babysitter for Hannah three months ago. I like to plan you know? We asked a guy in our branch to watch our precious little bundle and gave him strict instruction to protect her with his life. Hannah LOVES this guy, (which I will not name because I think he would want to stay anonymous for personal reasons) and when she sees him, she runs up to him and talks to him about “shoes”, for like a really long time. He must look like a shoe lover to her. We only hire the best for Hannah and offered to pay him in treats. Our caretaker is a big, bald (shaven), Army dude turned medical student, with a long goatee. He could be a bodyguard for someone famous . . . wait, he was! He took good care of our little celebrity. He wants to remain anonymous . . . He wouldn’t want word to leak out that deep down inside, he is just a delicate flower.

So this is the only photo we have of him that doesn’t blow his cover. The picture shows him with hair, but he shaves it bald and his goatee is at least a few inches longer. Hannah finds him very attractive and fun! We love him too.

David and I had a wonderful time at The Gate House, in Hells Gate. It is a five star French restaurant and the Chef (and restaurant of course) have been featured in Food and Wine magazine. We love the personal service of the place. Lyliane (the wife and waitress) and Michel (the chef) are wonderful and added a nice personal touch to our evening out. The entire restaurant only holds only 12 people. We were one of the lucky 12 to be fed such great food. I know those of you who have come to visit us and have eaten at The Gate House are salivating right now. It was a great Valentine’s Day on Saba!

I have entered the “Please, kill me now” phase of pregnancy. I have suffered three weeks of headaches, and not just any kind of headaches; the pregnancy kind. Yeah, it is YUCK. Needless to say, I have been more lazy than usual, if that is possible. Everyday Hannah is gaining more energy as I lose mine. This is not the best combination. Daily, and I mean every day, she asks to go for a “walk” in an English accent. David and I have no idea where she picked up this accent, since neither one of us ever speak in another accent. Maybe she is watching too much TV? She is so irresistibly cute that we both end up dropping whatever we are doing to grab her outstretched hands to go for a stroll.

The word “walk” has been a buzzword in our house for the last eight years. If you say this word, both our dogs flip out and start running circles around the kitchen table. I’m surprised we don’t have a permanent track on the kitchen floor. Now that Hannah uses this word so frequently and flippantly, we have been committed to taking the whole family on a walk every day. It is actually more like a hike up and down these hills in Hells Gate. We all get a good workout.

We took our camera along the other day on one of our walks. Check out what we saw:

These iguanas were hanging out in some trees at the bottom of our road. I think they must be dating or married because usually iguanas fight for territory and don’t hang out like this. We think the one on the right is a female because she is camouflaged and has shorter spikes than the other dude.

Hannah has to stop and pick up rocks and flick dirt every two feet ( just like her Grandpa Probst). This activity sort of prolongs the walk, but it is a better pregnancy pace for me. Plus, her little padded diaper bum is so cute when she bends!

No words for this photo . . .

Something has piqued her interest while down at the beach . . .

Um . . . seriously, something is pretty cool, just over there . . .

If you don’t look now, YOU ARE TOTALLY GOING TO MISS IT!!!

We have no idea what she was pointing at. She was too cute, we couldn’t look away to see what was so cool. I am aware that our time here in paradise is coming to a close in nine weeks. These walks are numbered, and all the beautiful scenery and weather will be a memory of the past in a few short months. I’m certainly going to miss 80 degree weather in February. And sadly, I know a stark reality check is lurking just around the corner. We will experience WINTER next year. YIKES!