Argentina

(I wrote this for all three boys' journal). We came back from our huge Argentina trip this week, 1000 pictures later. We were gone for 2 weeks, including a few days in Florida. Exhausting and great! You boys traveled so well, in the rented vehicles, through airport securities, in the planes, taking turns in the umbrella stroller, and on foot. The time in the air was over 18 hours total, so it was quite the endeavor. Papa hung out with Wes and Austin, and I literally nursed Isaac for hours on end to keep him confined. It was quite a challenge trying to keep Isaac out of the walkways, especially when he was figety and wanted to crawl. For the trip back we were able to put him in the airplane bassinet, which lasted for about 1 hour. You boys stayed busy with playdough, the Leapster game, gummy worms, airplane snacks (oreos, ritz crackers and peanuts), coloring, playing Go Fish, listening to the music through the arm rest, and sleeping.

There were two obstacles with the travel. The first one came when we arrived in FL, intending to leave for Argentina the next day. We were contacted a half hour before leaving for the airport that the flight had been cancelled! So, we ended up having to leave the following morning, staying in a hotel that they did provide, and then travel the 10 hours during the day. Benadryl came in handy for some drowsiness. The second obstacle was on our way back from Bs As to Florida. Our 11pm scheduled flight got delayed until 4am! That is no easy task with three little children. We left Abu’s house at midnight, you all slept in the taxi on the way there, and while Austin slept in the stroller, Wes and Isaac stayed wide awake until 4am. It was such a long morning...and that was just the beginning of the flight! You boys adjusted and didn’t complain. I was the one that was impatient! We all arrived in FL exhausted, rented another minivan and then took a family nap in a parking lot!

Highlights of the trip:

*Abu! She was thrilled to see all of you from the moment we met up at the airport. She had gone out of her way to make sure you felt loved and comfortable. From her placemats of Madagascar, to the new sheets, new swimming towels, facturas for breakfast, trips to the nearby park, helping buy diapers and ibuprofen, reading you stories from the new Christmas books, finding a loving babysitter while we went out for a Tango show, putting up a Christmas tree with presents for you to open, and of course preparing kid friendly meals as quickly as possible for your hungry mouths everyday. I am sad that she is not around more frequently to talk with you and to interact with you, but I think that you all felt of her love and affection for you. I miss her too.

*Seeing W and A communicate in Spanish with their primos. A even said, “che” one time while talking! W was more expressive and social with the boys and picked up on the new vocabulary instantly. Your accents were different, but with a bit of patience, everyone was able to understand.

*Birthday party in Rosario. The Spongebob Squarepants piñata that we took with us was a huge success. Even though we didn’t know all the little kids in attendance, you boys still played hard in the bouncy house, with the clown entertainer, enjoyed your pizza and soda, and of course hitting the piñata. Singing Feliz Cumpleanos was super fun to hear and the stacked chocolate/ dulce de leche cake was delish.

*Temaiken theme park. You boys loved the turtles who swam on top of each other, the big hippopotamus, the hanging bats, the 3D movie, and the playground. It was super hot, sticky and muggy. That part was not so fun, but we endured and enjoyed the fans that sprayed cool mists.

*Primos! You loved interacting with the Abrea primos; Santiago, Juani, Juoaquin, Camila, Franco, and Guido. The asado that we shared on Christmas day was at a campground and you boys loved getting sweaty, dirty and finding all the bichitos rolly that you could. Lots of soda, budin, carne and caramelos made you all so happy.

* Food; empanadas, gaseosa, asado, helado, pizza, and sandwiches de miga were favorites. You were not fans of the ensalada de zanahorias or tuna tarts. Dinners were at 9pm, so we had to adjust to a later dinner, and thus a later bedtime. For breakfast you usually had a yogurt, a factura or a banana. Lunch was always different, but raviolis were a favorite. Merienda was when you wanted to have dinner, but had to settle for crackers, and then dinner was usually asado. Los caramelos and alfajores were new to you, but you all just showed the same excitement to eat them as if they were from the USA.

*El Tambo in Rosario where we saw first hand a Dulce de Leche dairy farm. The sweet baby cows that sucked on our fingers were so fun to touch (we later would have to detoxify our flip flops upon returning to the USA). We also saw how cows got artificially inseminated. I am sure that was something you don’t remember or understand, but it was interesting to me.

*Mosquitoes and “Off” spray. Austin especially got eaten up on one particular day in Rosario while swimming. We were constantly on the lookout for those mosquitoes and then later any anti-itch crème. The weather was very sticky, humid and warm.

*El Subte and the Train were adventurous. We chose to go to El Abasto, a large shopping center to visit Santa (the lines were too long so we didn’t see him), and eat some helado. You all were good sports as we dragged you around the city, buying DVD’s off the black market and melting away in the heat. I sure felt bad to not have extra water on hand at all times, like I normally do here at home. We went home during rush hour, so that created a hairy situation on the subte. The car was jam packed with people going home, but somehow all 6 of us shoved our way into another car. I was touched when given priority to sit down at the window seat with Isaac in tow and thus allowing W and A to also sit down. I felt like a can of sardines. Everyone was sharing each others sweat, and I was praying that you all would just sit quietly and not fidget.

*El Medico was where I eventually took Isaac after 3 days of a fever of 104. I knew that it was from teething, but it got scarier for me when he wouldn’t nurse or eat anything from being so congested. Tylenol and saline drops were only by prescription, so it was important that we went for help. He was up for nights just crying and we couldn’t find any relief. The day before leaving the USA, Isaac also fell off of the bed and so we had to go to the E.R. for a CT scan after he had a bloody nose and threw up (both signs of internal bleeding. I didn’t want to risk anything with our long flight, cabin pressure or unfamiliar hospitals in Argentina). Everything came out clear and fine, and right now he is cruising around underneath this computer, making sounds (gah, gee, gah) and playing with a highlighter on the floor. He loves to be wherever we are!

Overall, we are so glad that we made it safely to and from South America. It was so much more work with three young children, but also so much more fun. Naptimes, snacks, water, routines, discipline, socializing and bathroom breaks were all monopolized by our trip. But, we made it and you all promised us to never forget!

“Te acuerdas Argentina?" Wesley says he remembers: papa's cumpleanos, nadando, los primos, jugando en el parque, la iglesia, Joaquin, el otro Joaquin, las vacas. Austin remembers: las galletas, leche y manzana que dejamos, el arbol navadeno verde, los regalos, la iglesia, el pan y el agua tambien

Ready

I am ready for Argentina. Passports (all five) are on the table. Turned the thermostat off. Packed Benadryl, Orajel (Isaac popped out three more top teeth just last night), and my camera battery. Boys are packed; swimsuits, church clothing, hats, sandals, long pants, undies, etc. I am packed. Isaac is good to go with lots of diapers, wipes, PJ's and socks. Jared is the last one left to pack. I pick him up at 8pm, we will head home (finish the last packing), and leave bright and early at 5:30am!

I have treats (gummy worms and twizzlers), a leapster, DVD player, cards, crayons, blankies and new water bottles (which Wesley discovered on accident! They were supposed to be stocking stuffers...but, since we won't have stockings this year...I guess it's okay) for their carry-on backpacks.

The house is now quiet as Isaac is taking a little snooze. Poor guy bounced off Wesley's bed while I was putting on clean sheets and did a nose dive into the laundry on the floor. Nose bleed. Crying. Break my heart. He then threw up a little bit of water. Should I be worried? He seems to be acting okay. The teething situation definitely does not help. I hope he sleeps okay. LONG travel day coming up tomorrow!

I cleaned all three bathrooms (happily after my last cleaning experience this week. My toilets sure do look and smell great), vacuumed entire house, dusted, windexed, even scrubbed my kitchen garbage can clean! Wrangler is staying at Cousin Tim's house, he got dropped off last night. The fridge is just about empty from any perishables. Garbages still need to be tossed.

Grandpa Lowe volunteered to take the boys to a movie. They were so excited! I feel so weird having no kids around, tugging at my hair or asking for "chicle o dulces."

We will go to Miami tomorrow (Sunday), stay the night and then leave Monday evening for Bs. As. Argentina. Not much else to do except make myself a liquado, wait for the hours to pass until I pick up Jared, mop the floors last thing, load up the car, lock the doors, say a prayer... and then the journey begins!

Update:
Took Isaac to the E.R. tonight after talking things over with Dr. Pearce. Because of our long trip to South America tomorrow, not knowing how the hospitals work down there, being inside lots of airplanes with cabin pressures, and being under the age of 1....those things encouraged me to take him in. His nose bleed and throwing up made me extra cautious. After a quick intake, an hour wait in the waiting room (didn't let him off of my hip b/c of all the germs on the floor as he crawls around), and a cry-free CT scan...everything came out clean! I was grateful for the "better safe than sorry" feeling I had. The $100 co-pay was worth our peace of mind.

Bed by 1am, getting up at 4am for our big trip! (Gotta do my hair, finish packing and feed the boys cereal all before 5:30am).

Pay it forward

Just a year ago, Leslie Boley came out to DC and "paid it forward" with her service to me. On her hands and knees scrubbing my baseboards, showing me how to shark-mop my hardwood floor, and cooking me dinners as I was recovering from giving birth.

I have been "paying it forward" from her dear service to me. Today was especially difficult for me because of the depth of filth I cleaned. It's hard for me to understand how people can live in places so unsanitary. There's got to be some way that I can not only help clean out the stains and splatters, but TEACH how to run a more organized environment. How do people live in such messes? Is it because they have not been educated? Laziness? Feeling overwhelmed?

It makes me remember back to my own upbringing where my house was spic 'n span. Dishes were to be done. Bathrooms scrubbed. Garbage disposed before it smelled up the kitchen. I didn't care growing up about these small tasks, but looking back, it is what shaped me into the homemaker that I am now. These little things are so important to me now as I run my own ship.

I think the most important thing to having a clean home is MAINTAINING it. As I was venting to my dad about the disgusting bathrooms today he said, "doing it in small measures prevents the need for large, unmanageable projects." I feel like my house is usually clean (NEVER is it ALWAYS clean because that is not realistic!). My daily basics: dishes are always out of the sink, beds are made, countertops are wiped clean, and I vacuum underneath the kitchen table. I have learned to do these things throughout the years. With those small tasks completed, I feel like my home is presentable. The rest of the things get done throughout the weeks as needed.

Another key is to get your kids involved. Wesley and Austin help out now by unloading the dishes, making beds, hanging up clothes, windexing Wrangler's slobber off the door, taking out garbage's and wiping down chairs. By the time Wesley is 7, he will be scrubbing his own bathroom clean (to my standards with softscrub, clorox wipes and windex). I know it is a ton of work keeping a clean home, and everyone has different standards of cleanliness, but what I experienced today was not healthy for anyone.

So, the point of this posting is to remind myself how satisfying it feels to live in a sanitary home, how rewarding it is to provide service for someone out of love vs. duty, the importance of teaching my boys how to clean, and how grateful I am for my instincts to provide a tidy and well- kept home.

Packing list

The countdown is on until we leave for Argentina to visit my mama...5 days! My boys are super excited, I just hope that they will realize what a L O N G journey it will be down to South America.We will separate the trip up in Florida for a day (Sunday) and then travel through the night on Monday. I hope I bring the right clothing for the "summer" days. Supposed to be in the 80's, pretty mild to what we are used to 'summer' being like.

Less is more. I am taking only 3 suitcases for 5 people. 1 suitcase is dedicated to my mom. So, really just 2 suitcases, the boys' backpacks to carry, and a chunky baby in tow!

Lots to clean and lots to pack. Yet, I lack the motivation! By Friday I will be stressed out for sure.

Some items I can't forget, beyond the normal packing items:
passports
stroller
car seat for Isaac
portable DVD player, "new" DVD's that they haven't seen (borrowed Curious George, Cinderella and Nim's Island)
swimsuits
NEW snacks and games for the plane ride (twizzlers, go fish cards, Hot Wheels, Leapster, playdough, gummy worms)
camera and charger
earplugs
Benadryl

For my mom:
nylons
wireless mouse
tissue paper
ziplock bags
hair dye
kitchen gadgets
Christmas tree skirt

For the birthday parties (Isaac, Wesley, Jared):
Spongebob pinata
candy necklaces
slinky toys
sticky slap hands

Besides packing, I also will be leaving my house clean. So....the mopping, bathrooms, garbage, dishes, laundry and Wrangler will all be in order....now I just need to get to bed so I can start the day off right!

Polar Express

I never grew up believing in Santa Claus. I am not sure if it was because my mom's culture did not include Santa Claus, thus she didn't pass it along to me. Or, maybe she wanted to focus on the "real" meaning of Christmas. Either way, now that I am a mother, I kinda struggle to grasp the whole Santa Claus idea. I am not sure how far to go with it. Do we write the letters? Do we leave cookies for Santa and Rudolph? Do we talk about how he is always watching if you are "bad or good?" Do we leave certain gifts, "from Santa?" I want to give good answers to my boys when they ask about him, yet at the same time, I wonder if I just keep a low-key attitude about it, maybe they won't make a big deal of it either? I want them to believe in the magic of Christmas, I want them to recognize it is Jesus' birth, and I want them to understand the meaning of giving and receiving...so, does all of that also include the idea of Santa Claus?

Believer or not, we took our family to the Polar Express in Williams, AZ (outside of Flagstaff). It was a quick 2.5 hour drive there, where we joined up with our good friends the Ashton's. Our kids had no idea what we were doing or where we were going! We took Wesley out of school early and after packing away our groceries from Costco (Jared and I frequent that store every Monday), we headed up the mountain. My boys were so excited to share the car with their friends and watch the movie, "The Polar Express." Lots of questions were asked about what we were doing, but we just played it all down. "Es una sorpresa!"

We arrived in time to get a bite to eat at the local Route 66 diner. Yummy chili cheese fries, salads and burgers. It was then time to change into their Pajamas (new for Christmas!). We had them change in the car and they were chilly! Just putting on our "sacos gordos" and beanies reminded me of our Christmas last year in DC. At this time we were at the White House looking at the National tree lit up and walking around the DC temple. Makes me nostalgic just a bit. My big ol' pregnant belly and carring Austin around b/c he was so tired. In Williams, it was only 19 degrees, but we stayed nice and warm. Isaac's PJ's were extra tight and I loved them. April said, "All aboard!" and they knew exactly what it was! They were going to the North Pole and were going to see Santa!

We loaded up onto the train and the excitement began. There was typical child drama with spilled hot cocoa, fighting over who would sit next to the window, being asked to stay out of the aisles at least 10x's by the "elves," messy chocolate mouths from yummy cookies, and overly-tired children yawning and getting moody. But, there was also a magical spirit of Christmas as we sang the carols (the children just watched since they didn't know the words), waved to Santa at the "North Pole" (Austin told me, "that's not the North Pole! There is no snow!"), and later watched Santa get onto the train to hand out special bells.

April and I must've each taken over 50 pictures each, so hopefully at least 10 of them turned out decent. It is a task to get 7 kids to LOOK at you, let alone SMILE and pertend to have fun! Isaac was all over the place with his wiggle worm body, but he LOVED watching Jared blow the cold air into his face and would giggle from head to hips (which he loves to thurst).

Pictures with Mrs. Claus were fun and the boys each wrote a letter to Santa. Wesley asked for a Wii, which we are not going to get. Then he asked for a DS (which he nor I even know what it is!). He is easily influenced by his peers (Mason asked for the same thing). He eventually just asked for some gum. Austin asked for a new sister. Not sure about that one. I know papa helped him write that one.

We got home by 11pm, and the children slept soundly in their comfy car seats with great head supports. These memories are what make childhood wonderful. We've gotta make the efforts to capture these moments while they are still magical for our children and BELIEVE in Christmas. Thanks April for the great idea and for making it all happen!