Special bonus post: Another baby's first edition

After much drooling, running nosing, fussing and biting everything in grabbing distance, Amalia's first tooth popped out this afternoon. I think she saw Polly's well toothed grin and decided to get on that.
All the better to eat you with my dear!

Getting Schooled

Today we had the first of our upcoming series of preschool visits. Tomorrow we have Domingo's "interview" with the French school across the street, and then in a few weeks we have another visit, with one more a week later. Hopefully that will be it, and he will "get in" somewhere. All I want is a place that will aid in socializing my dear little anti-sharer. Perhaps with some finger paints, water table, glue, you know all the things I don't want to do inside at home. It's incredibly stressful, and I have to sit back a second and figure out why? I mean it's preschool, it's supposed to be fun right? Not the END OF THE WORLD, or of his ivy league dreams if he doesn't get into the "right" one. (What, your two year old doesn't currently dream of being an Eli?)
The place we saw today was really terrific. But of course, it was so terrific that admission is by lottery, so there is very little pressure because we have zero control over whether he gets a spot. The thing I loved most about the place was what the director said it was not. It is not school. She said it was a place to play. A place to learn how to become a social being, and that is no easy feet, but it's what Domingo craves, he just doesn't know how. I see him stand on the edge of play with his cousins or other kids at the park, and he wants to play with them so much, but it's usually in the form of tackling, or taking all the toys in his field of vision and then being confused when they leave. We're trying hard to show him, but it's better if he has a regular setting and some other kids his age to give it some context.
Another challenge with this is his blasted late birthday. There really are very very few programs that are open to him because of the annoying birthday cut off. I know that there are many differing opinions about this, but I watch Domingo and I know that he would really benefit, and love to be able to go to preschool. I know he's a boy, he is immature, won't be ready for school until he's six etc. etc. But I know my son, he is ready for this next step in growing up. He's ready to share, and play and paint and get dirty, sing songs, meet new kids, and pick up their germs. He's ready for nursery school.
The director said it's not a place where they're learning letters and numbers. That is the easy part. In fact yesterday Domingo was playing with Amalia's stool that has her name in blocks and completely on his own he spelled her name out saying "A-M-A-L-I-A, that's Amalia!" I know, half of the letters in her name are A, but he's not even two and a half yet.
So I'm not worried about the "academic" part of Domingo being ready for school. The social part, yes I am a little concerned. He is perfectly age-appropriate in his behaviors, but becoming a good, social, and conscientious person is a learned skill and I just want him to have as many opportunities to practice as possible. And hopefully try to model that behavior for him at home.

One of "those" nights

I got home and rather than a hug from Domi he screamed "I don't want to share with Amalia!" Then he said he didn't want Esther to leave, or to come back tomorrow.
We have hit the terrible twos BIG time over here.



This morning he said Amalia was ugly. Tonight he got two "esquinas" time outs, once for being to rough with Amalia, the other for running around naked when it was time to get diapers and pjs on. The second one was a little bit of a gratuitous display of executive power, but if you give a toddler an inch he will pee on the sheets.
Domingo is in serious "testing" mode. Everything is a challenge and it is kind of exhausting. Of course this new development just started when I happened to go back to work, so of course I'm wondering if there is a connection. But I think he probably would be doing this regardless.
At least he is cute, otherwise we'd sell him to the gypsies. Or maybe because he is cute we could get a good price...

Rough and tumble

This weekend has been a bit of a whirlwind once again. We started out in Morris for a nice get together with some friends at tia Leticia and tio Ian's place. The girls were quick to inform us that we would only get to come if we were good. I think their idea of good revolves around doing what they say, and getting them popcorn on command- hey kind of like my idea of being good.
This was kind of a much belated birthday party for the twins, and a "we're glad your pancreas didn't explode" party for Ian. Too bad Hallmark doesn't make a card for that.
Domingo was very gentle when it came time to beating the pinata. Everyone else, including Ian, was more vicious. We have yet to cultivate that killer instinct. Even so it took some serious beating to get that pinata to fold. I was promised pictures and I'll get them up soon.

Then we high tailed it out of Morris to get to South Bend so Papa could hang out with Farfar and watch Notre Dame lose the basketball game. Why is it that every time these two get together their team does not fair well? Maybe they should take it as a sign?
Grandma and I were playing with Domi and Amalia, and about an hour after I was assuring Grandma that Domi was totally fine upstairs because he is great coming down the stairs now, "he's so careful, he's fine!" of course Domingo tumbled down the stairs. And of course I was walking right behind him and saw the whole thing in sickeningly slow motion, but had my other child in my arms so I couldn't do anything to stop his slow/fast roll down from the top of the stairs. He would've been totally fine, just a little frightened, if not for an unfortunately placed table at the foot of the stairs. He barked his shin pretty badly, but other than that he was totally fine. He cried for a minute, asked me to "heal" him with my magic "sana sana" rhyme, and then when Farfar offered some ice-cream, he was completely recovered. The really irritating part of the whole thing was that he fell because he was trying to be careful. He was walking down and turned to hold on to the railing that was on the other side of the staircase, but it was just a little too high for him to reach. He had in his hands two lizards and two little chicks he wanted to show Grandma, so couldn't grab on to the rail as easily as normal, so he missed the rail and went rolling down the stairs. Fortunately there really was no harm done. To him. I on the other hand am completely traumatized and keep seeing him fall every time I close my eyes. Lets just say it took me a very long time to fall asleep last night. Amalia was also traumatized by the whole affair. In addition to hearing her mother scream right in her ear, she saw her idol literally fall before her eyes. She was screaming and crying much harder than Domingo, and that only increased when I threw her at Chris so I could make sure Domingo was ok.
But all's well that ends well, and luckily no one is permanently damaged (except of course mama- I had just gotten over my terror of Domingo falling down the stairs, I mean maybe three weeks ago, who knows how long it will take me to recover now) and we are having a restful, and cold rest of the weekend in South Bend.

7th Monthday!!

Don't look so surprised, I'm on the monthday case!

Amalia, yesterday you turned 7 months. Where is the time going?
You keep getting bigger and bigger and bigger! What gives? You are taking a run at your brother's title as chubbiest baby ever.
You are sitting by your self, and rolling all over the place. You still have no real interest in moving anywhere, but I think once you realize that you can follow Domingo, or move to get the toy you desire, it'll all be over for us. Babyproofing will be a whole new ball game with your brother's million and one chokables strewn around the place!



You are a terrific eater, surprise surprise. Esther tells me that you grab the jars of baby food and want to dump the contents in your mouth because a spoon just doesn't get the job done fast enough! For me you have slightly better manners and will tolerate the spoon, but will often get frustrated and you want to do it YOURSELF. This is starting so soon? Aiyiyi! The other thing that fills you with baby rage is when I have a glass of water, or a cracker or anything edible and I won't share with you. Understandable, you are just trying to get me to be a more giving person. I get it. You are happy to eat all kinds of things, and I am once again a little lax on the "introduce one food at a time" thing. But so far so good, and no adverse reactions to anything. Except of course mama's reluctance to share her margarita.



In response to your ever increasing size, we've made the switch from the "snugride" car seat to your brother's old seat, and moved him into a new toddler seat. That was a big deal. Papa almost killed me for picking out a seat that was impossible to install- until he read the internet comments like I told him to!
But you just did not fit in the old seat, your toes dangled off the edge and I could not lift up the seat and your 20+ pounds and lug you around any longer!
You look so grown in the big blue seat that Domi used for so long. I got a little choked up. And the great hand-me-down procession begins! Well, it actually began the moment you were born and you have been living and playing in all your brother's and cousins' great stuff since. And it will continue on down after you with your new baby cousin coming in May! Last night we saw tia Hez and pretty soon we'll have a brand new baby cousin that you can boss around! You won't be the littlest for long, which is a mixed blessing, I know. But it just means one more little wiggler to wrestle around with, and that will be great.

Amalia, you are changing so quickly, I wish my brain had an automatic video recorder so I could record all of your little moments. You are sunny and giggly one second and all rage and storm clouds the next. You are your mother's daughter, and I'm so glad and sorry at the same time! I know exactly how you feel, because I was there too. As I grow up and grow with you, I find in myself more and more glimpses of my mother. This is wonderful and horrifying at the same time. I know that you'll do the same. Hopefully, you'll keep the good, and work on the not so good, and we'll keep improving as we go along. One thing for sure, just like my mom, I'll always be here to frustrate, infuriate, and adore you.



Love, Mama

much belated 28th monthday!

Domingo, this last month has been a whirlwind. So much has happened, you met a new friend in Esther, you got a giant dinosaur, you have been talking, and playing and running up a storm!
We've been trying to stay warm during the coldest snowiest time of your entire life.


Here you are in the conservatory soaking up the heat and humidity that at least one half of your genes is desperate for.



And here you are indulging your Nordic blood.

You continue to be such a sweet boy. You play with your sister and entertain her for as long as it's fun for you.
There aren't really many new milestones this past month, you still are completely fascinated by dinosaurs, you will sit and "read" your dinosaur books for ever and ever. You love going through the different names of dinosaurs, and animals. Your favorites are still your teeny dinosaurs and your new giant dino named "Princess Sally". Guess who helped you name her.


You are slimming down and getting taller. You are now officially well over 3 feet tall and you weigh the same as your 4 year old cousins. I just wonder when you'll pass them up in both.
We are starting to figure out the whole preschool thing this month. And while it's very stressful for me, I know that you are ready, or will be by the time this fall rolls around. I can't believe that my little baby is big enough to be talking about school!
Even though you are getting to be so big, you are still my sweet boy. You still ask mama for "snuglets" and give your hermanita sweetness and love.
You are my sweet boy.



Love Mama.

I know!

Delinquent blogger, I know I know. But it's been so cold!
I'm pledging a Christmas themed monthday post for Domingo tomorrow, but today I just want to post Amalia's giant baby stats.
We took her to the pediatrician, and she got measured and weighed and she is still enormous.
Length: 29 inches
Weight: 20 lbs 15oz
Head circ.: 17 and 7/8 inches
all beyond 95% for girls
Just to compare, Domingo was 21lbs 7oz, 29 inches long, and his "pea head" was 17 and 5/8 inches.
The doctor checked her out and said Amalia is doing great. She is sitting pretty much on her own now, but does keel over after a little bit. She's easily flipping over both ways, but has yet to show any inclination or desire to move. She's sucking her toes with gusto and putting everything she can get her hands on in her mouth. I'm dusting off the old sign language book so we can start figuring out what Amalia is after, because she has made it clear that she knows exactly what she wants and we had better get on it!
Here are some pictures to appease until I can get some more content up!


Amalia figured out the bottle pretty quick, she just didn't like being held and fed. Not surprising that she is not slow when it comes to food!


Freezing weather doesn't hold a lot of interest for mother or daughter.



Napping babies are the best!

One down...

A jillion to go.
My first week back at work went off without a major hitch. Domingo and Amalia did great with Esther, who I have to say, I just love. I was so worried at first because, although I had my issues with Ana, at least I knew that she was great with Domingo, he loved her, and she was happy to work with us for a year and a half. I was really worried that who ever we found to replace her wouldn't be as caring, or trust worthy, or fun. But after the three days last week we hung out, and after this week, I have no worries and can honestly say I can sit at work and not really wonder what's going on at home. At the end of the day on Wednesday, Esther gave me a hug and I felt like she was part of my extended family and had been for years. What a great feeling.
One thing that working and trying to prepare for a half marathon in April and oh yeah, taking care of the kiddos, doesn't leave much time for is blogging!
I have a 27th monthday post that is overdue, as well as a Christmas wrap-up that is needing to get out there before it's groundhog day! So more to come, I just wanted to make sure everyone knew that we all survived my first week back. Now we just need to see if we make it through the next several thousand!

Working for a living

So tomorrow it's back to the working world for me. I know that the kids will be totally fine, and it will probably be good for them to have some time to themselves, maybe work on that novel they've been talking about. As for me, I know that the first few weeks will probably be really tough. I mean, it's been 6 months of being with Domi and Amalia non-stop. I think over the last 6 months, I've spent maybe 30 hours total away from the two of them. In 6 months. (This includes overnight since we still all sleep in the same bed!) That is a hard habit to break.
I'm sure the first day will feel like a treat, so much time by myself, and even the possibility of going to the restroom alone! It's almost too much. But by the end of the week, I'm sure I'll be very ready to hang out with my little munchkins and not want to go back. But then I know, we'll get into a rhythm, and after a few weeks, it will seem like this was always the set up.
I'm not going to lie and say it's easier this time around, if anything it's harder. I've had such a great time with these guys. Especially Domingo, he is so much fun at this age, and it's so great that we've had this time together. And Amalia is just now getting more and more interactive and more awake and alert. It's hard to leave now that she's less of a scream-body and more of a love bug.
My consolation is once again that I'll be at home more than I will be away, and soon enough they'll be in school- for Domingo maybe even this fall, and so what would I do with myself all day? (I can think of a few things!)
This past holiday weekend was a good way to prepare for this coming week. We got to hang out in Morris, went to the Children's Museum in Naperville, then came back to the city, hung out w/ tia Hez and tio James, hung out with tia Jennifer and family, and now are cleaning up (Chris) and playing dinosaurs (Domi) groaning (Amalia) and blogging.
We've talked about tomorrow, thought about it, planned for it, and now all that's left is to do it. So I'll post an update on the other side. Wish us luck!