Introducing ...

December, 2012

Evan Robert Alessi is here!  He was sure worth the wait!

Welcoming Evan Robert Alessi to the world !!!

First Family Photo @ hospital

Evan was born on December 9th at 11:13 PM Hong Kong time (9:13 AM Arkansas time) - he weighed 6 pounds 4 ounces and was 19.7 inches.  He was quick - we actually had checked into the hospital on Sunday evening because we were planning to be induced on Monday morning.  However, once after checking in - contractions started.  I was brought down to the labor floor at 9:50 pm and I had him shortly after.  Patrick has enjoyed being a big brother and keeping us up-to-date on Evan's actions: "Evan is night night" - "Evan eat" - "Evan sad". The hospital, doctors, and nurses were wonderful to us at the hospital and now we are settling in at home!

In other family news:  Our nanny/helper, Norlie, joined our family!  She has truly been a God-send and I can't imagine living in Hong Kong without her!  Patrick calls her 'Auntie' and she is terrific with both kids and a wonderful cook.  She fits right in with our family and we are enjoying getting to know her!

Norlie with Patrick & Evan in the hospital

Other news from the past month:
How about the Fighting Irish of Notre Dame!!!  WOW!  We are so excited to be cheering for our favorite team in the National Championship this year.  Unfortunately, airline tickets to Miami and a child without a passport yet have made it impossible for us to get to the game ourselves. So excited for so many friends that are going to the game... we can't wait to watch the game - it will be on in the morning for us and I think we will go to the Notre Dame Club Game Watch here in Hong Kong.  Here are the boys in their Notre Dame apparel - Evan is obviously practicing his Game Face and he has the leprechaun stance mastered.  Patrick just looks like trouble as usual :)

Go Irish!!

Thanksgiving was wonderful despite being far away.  Tom and I went out to dinner on Thursday to an American 'Chicago' Restaurant: Dan Ryans... which served the complete meal.  We sat near a South Shore poster advertising Notre Dame Football - perfect!  Then on Saturday, our friends a few floors down hosted a Thanksgiving meal as well.  On Sunday we were quite full!

We are looking forward to spending Christmas in Hong Kong as a family!  It will be quiet and peaceful (well, maybe not considering we are still waking up with Evan in the middle of the night).  We don't have any special plans - just to enjoy each other!  Hong Kong is entering its 'cold' season... nothing compared to IN, IL, PA - but inside the apartment gets quite chilly because we don't have heat.... just space heaters.  But, that makes it feel like Christmas.  It wouldn't be Christmas without a sweater.  We got a Christmas Tree and also visited Santa - we actually saw Santa the day before Evan arrived, no tears from Patrick  - he just got more fearful of the man throughout his visit with him.  Now that I want to take both kids - Patrick refuses to go.  Whenever I mention visiting Santa he says "No Santa".

I kinda don't blame Patrick for being afraid of this Santa...

Visitors - Bill Boyd, a ND friend from college, visited us one weekend.  Patrick enjoyed showing him the market!  Tom and Bill went island hopping on Saturday and visited a real pirate cove - Tom hasn't stopped talking about it.  Christine Allen, a co-worker of Tom's from Walmart, was also in town and we got to see her one night for dinner.  It was so great to see familiar faces in Hong Kong :) 

Tom, Bill Boyd, and Patrick at the Peak

Bill Boyd and Patrick hitting all the hot spots for food in HK!

Meeting for dinner @ Times Square

Tom also went to Japan for work and was able to catch up with some of his business school friends that he studied with when he studied abroad for the semester.  He enjoyed being in Toyko again :)

Back in Toyko!!

We appreciate all the Christmas Cards - we are planning to send late ones - like maybe Chinese New Year Cards.... with the baby arriving and lack of sleep, I have put that off.  If you'd like to add us to your Christmas list - we'd love it!  Our US address for sending letters/cards - (the mail gets fwd. to us a couple times a month - this address does not accept packages).

C/O Tom & Kathleen Alessi
Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.
Hong Kong
P.O. Box 1707
Bentonville, AR 72716

Thank you for all the prayers and well wishes for Evan's arrival.  We are truly blessed and in love with our family!  Have a blessed Christmas and wonderful New Year!  AND enjoy watching the Irish bring home that Victory!!!

Go Irish!
The Alessi Family

Evan Robert Alessi - December 9, 2012