It's all a matter of Degree(s)

I can't remember if we've covered how temperature plays a role in the lives of people in Kazakhstan. If so, too bad - just look at the pictures!

In general, anything cold is to be avoided.

• Open windows - Nyet
• Single layers of clothing - Nyet
• Fresh air - Nyet
• Drinks kept in the fridge - Nyet (we were out to dinner last night and the waiter asked if it was ok that our Coke and Sprite were cold - um, yes please)
  

We have probably mentioned that the rooms in the baby house tend to be a bit warm. On a number of occasions, they move into the downright hot range. For example, the playroom was at about 80 yesterday, and all the windows were closed, as usual. Cross-ventilation is anathema, and doors are always kept closed on rooms being aired out, to prevent any cold air (or refreshingly cool air?) from give the kids a chill. How this would be possible when the kids are in 2-3 layers at all times, including multiple pairs of socks, is beyond us. So that's your background for our visit today.

We arrived a bit early, as we wanted decent play time before taking Nicholas to get his passport photos taken. As usual, we took off our jackets (light ones, as it's 50 out, and keep that in mind), and headed in to play with the boy. He was wearing two of the outfits we bought for him - at the same time. The first layer (aside from diapers) was a fleecy type of sleeper. Over that he had on his blue and white Bear outfit - also fleecy. Then he had terry socks on - over the footie part of the jammies. It was about 78 degrees in the play room.

We went into the bedroom for our visit, and had a busy but slightyly sleepy boy. He had just finished a huge lunch, so that made sense. But knowing that he would have to be changed into a brighter outfit (for more contrast) for his passport photos, we removed the outer layer. Wow - we had a different boy. First of all, he wasn't like a sausage in casing, so he started really moving. And he wasn't melting, so the sleepiness disappeared.





Have to admit, we did give him some forbidden fruit today...Cheerios. Check out the reaction!






Then it was time to head to the photographers. We got him back into his red and blue track suit that you've all seen, and layerd that with a fleece and fiberfill snowsuit that we bought a few weeks ago. Not a happy camper, but there you go. When we got back into the playroom, our parenting skills were called into question, as we obviously didn't understand how to dress a child for the frigid tundra (um, again, it's 50 out). Off goes the fleece, and on goes the snowsuit rated for a blizzard in mid-winter in Antarctica.


Interestingly, Nicholas didn't have any visible negative reaction to being out in the car, as some kids do. He was definitely nervous, but the combo of being over-heated and the movement of the car sent him to la la land very quickly. Got to the photo place, pix got taken, and we took him back.

One more day down.