Back in the classroom

Several thoughts came to me today as I stepped back into the classroom for my tutoring job and after school programs at ACA.

Number one: I feel very inadequate in math. I didn't know what a rhombus, trapezoid, acute triangle or percentage of 1/6 was. I was asking the students to come up to the board to show me their answers, just hoping that they were right. Boy did I feel like a dummy! I sat alongside another girl for tutoring, hoping that she had answers in the back of her book b/c I surely didn't know her 5th grade math. It goes to show that if you aren't using something, you forget it. I need to better prepare myself. I sure hope my kids' teachers are better prepared then I was today!

Number two: I really want my boys to be excelling in school. But, what does it take? There is a huge difference in the students that take time to write their names correctly, that pay attention, that don't talk out of turn (or shall I just say are respectful when talking to you), and do as they are asked. One girl, Maylana was so on task and very smart. She did exactly as I asked her, could answer any question and even showed other students how to log onto their computers. I want my boys to be the smart ones too!

Number three: One on one work really does make a difference. For the hour I sat with one student, she improved on her handwriting, spelling and punctuation. I want my boys to have good handwriting and spelling. I know that is something that comes with not just practice, but also reading. I don't feel like I am very book smart in so many areas; math, geology, history, science, etc. But, doesn't mean my boys can't be!

Number four: I want my kids to have any opportunity that they want, and education is going to get them there. I want them to automatically consider going to college, a trade school or into their own business. How grateful I am for my own education (as inept as I feel it is now, or how much I lack as an educator!), and how it has provided me opportunities to work.

I am grateful for all my experience in teaching, I just need to get back into the swing of things so that I don't feel so inadequate now that I am back in the saddle.

Stomach Flu

It all started with yogurt. I knew that it had been left outside of the fridge, but I didn't think it would make Isaac so sick. Last week I fed him breakfast, he chowed down, and then I laid him down for a nap. When I went to get him from his crib, he had puked all over himself. Poor kid! I figured it was some sort of food poisoning, and hoped that he was on the uphill. That was just the beginning...he continued to be sick throughout the day.

Then he spiked a fever. Was this related to the yogurt again? Diarrhea also was another issue. Poor little guy, he couldn't stay healthy.

It didn't help that his big birthday party was the following day. What was I to do? Avoid giving him his birthday cake? Nope...he had to take one for the team and gobble it down for the sake of pictures.

Yesterday was Sunday. We went to the Cracker Barrell with Jared's parents, who had stayed the night (is this a consequence for going on the Sabbath?). He ate like a champ; hashbrown casserole, eggs, ham, orange juice, etc. I was so happy that he was feeling better, or so I thought.

We headed out to church, got all dressed up and hadn't been there longer than 10 minutes when Isaac started chugging down water from the boys' water bottle. Wesley told me that I was giving him too much water, but he was acting so thirsty. Next thing I know, chunks of orange mass started flying from his mouth and down his body. It reminded me of an erupting volcano.

He was sitting on my lap, so I just scooped him up and ran out the nearest door. Jared followed close behind me picking up the chunks off of the floor. He kept puking all over me, in the hallway and all the way to the kitchen. Poor baby! Crying and smelly, I knew that he was still sick. We stripped him down, rinsed out the clothing and I headed home.

I went to Fry's and got some pedialite, which he seems to really enjoy. He has been able to keep it down, but not mama's milk. So, I guess I am officially done nursing. If my milk makes him sicker (dairy), then why would I continue?

The night seemed to be going okay until I started to feel the rumble in my own tummy. An hour later of rocking in the fetal position under layers of blankets, I also puked up breakfast, lunch and dinner. Happened all over again this morning. The nastiest part of puke is when you have nothing left to give...just those dry heaves. Ugh, makes me sick writing about it.

So, I am now sick with the same stomach flu. My body feels like it is one big brick. It take concentration and effort to just go upstairs or sit up. Isaac seriously weighs about 900 lbs and I have a hard time carrying him. Good thing Jared has been around today to help out. He did laundry, made homemade soup and now I am waiting him to get home so he can clean up the kitchen. I just need to take it easy and let my body rest.

I also started my part time tutoring job today back at Arizona Charter Academy. I will work from 12-4 everyday. Between my cold chills, my headache, nausea and churning tummy, it was a long afternoon. I had to wing it (which I do best!)

Weaning

Isaac is very upset these days. He is being weaned from his mama. After any nap (these days it's usually only one quick hour nap), he would always wake up and I would immediately cuddle up with him and nurse him. Not any more. He now wakes up, wanting to have a snack and snuggle, only to be disappointed. I admit that I miss those sweet moments where he is in my arms and I am giving him my "medicine milk." I feel like he is congested all over again b/c he is not receiving those same nutrients. I am also concerned that he will start to thin out.

I started giving him whole milk in a soft sippy. He goes through about one sippy a day of milk. It's hard to tell if that is the same amount of milk I produced for him since he never took a bottle.

It's not all over though. I wake up with him around 5:30am to nurse (that one is going to be the hardest one to quit b/c I will have to let him cry it out until 7am). I also have been giving him another feeding before dinner time (I figure that he can get another good amount in before eating, as well as before bedtime).

So, how much longer do I allow this nursing to go forward? I am ready to have independence from my sweet chunk, but I am obviously not ready to completely let him go! His 6 teeth are also a little prickly on the boob.

It's sad to see your babies grow up so quickly.

We are only a few more days until his big 1 year birthday. Yet, he is front facing in his carseat, now he is drinking whole milk, he is in size 4 diapers, and he can crawl up and down stairs. My baby is now a toddling boy.

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!