Wednesday, March 31, 2010

English Mommy

Recently Issac and I have decided I'm going to take another year off and stay with the girls. At that point we will reevaluate our financial situation again and my need to work feelings again. Anyway Iv been feeling more and more that the 10yrs I put in with the nursing field was great and fulfilled many dreams I had but that maybe that time in my life has passed, at least for now anyway. (I will never let my lic expire but I'm not sure about what will happen with my future in it as a career) I have decided to stay home with my girls for many reasons. The most dear to me is that I want myself and my girls hold on to the US side of ourselves. There really is no way to explain the fear I have sometimes when I feel like we are speaking Spanish to often in the home, or eating meatloaf and spaghetti enough. Or when someone tells one of my daughters how "those Americans" are. And I'm not talking about rude, mean or ill meaning people I'm talking about family. And I don't want you all to get to offended by that because if you truly examine yourselves you'll find you have a lot of ideas about "those Mexicans". I only add that disclaimer because the longer I'm here the more I find that some are truer than I thought and others are dead wrong. But it seems that the longer Im around his family they are not changing their view of Americans. They seriously think everyone lives perfect like in TV. Its so frustrating sometimes. Anyway once the girls (Alana in September) get into school they will be having Spanish forced on them outside the house. At the schools here they are almost forbidden to speak English outside of English class. I can see why as the teachers don't know what they are saying and it could be bad. I pray that they hold a dear place in themselves for English and that we will always speak English in the house as a family. Again as hard as I try I'm not sure I can explain how I feel about this. Alana brought both of these things together for me very well the other day. She has a very bad rope burn on her arm from the brinkoline at the party. The other day I forced her to let me clean it up and bandage it. A lot of times when something like this happens I tell her I'm being her nurse and that I know what needs to be done. Today after the ordeal, and yes it was an ordeal she is so dramatic, she helped me to realize we have made the right decisions in me staying home with them. She said mommy you are not a nurse you are my mommy and I love you. I told her I loved her to and could I be a nurse and a mommy. She said no mommy your not a nurse your my English mommy. She said this with such serious love and conviction that I melted and told her she was right. And I meant it and I know it is the truth. I think her calling me her English mommy stems from the fact that Issacs mom has stayed the night the last couple nights and lots of family were here. When family or anyone who doesn't speak English is in the house we speak in Spanish as much as my vocabulary will allow. I think she was ready for me to speak to her in English again because we are better able to communicate our feelings and such. Anyway this just blessed me so much and I wanted to share. I hope I was able to get this across with out being confusing. I love that I am her English mommy.

Sunday, March 21, 2010

Changes

So more and more I'm changing my view on things but its slow because I'm stubborn. For example a small change is that I have bought one of those big gross mops that I always said I would never by. But these floors tear up all the other mops I buy and Im sick of having mop pieces all over my house. When I bought it Issac just smiled and said,"finally after all this time."
The other big change is I'm done with one stop shopping, I'm finding its sometimes easier not to do this. That sounds so strange I know. What I was use to doing is what most of you prob do if you live in the states. I would go shopping once a week and stock up on all the things I needed to cook for the week. When I moved here and saw the little dorm style refrigerator that Issac had bought I was like now way. How can you store frozen meat in that tiny freezer and there is no room for all the other groceries. With in a week we had a larger one which in no way is as big as the typical one in the US. I can scoot it around my kitchen for example which is really nice when you rearrange your kitchen as much as I do. I now see why so many people can handle to have such a small fridge. You can buy fresh meat everyday and most of the Carnaerias will even deliver the meat right to your door. When I moved here I was nervous about these places because I saw the men working with out gloves on and honestly its just gross to see a bunch of meat hanging from the ceiling and spewed all over the counters. Then I realized that this is happening to my meat weather I see it or not. With this realization and the knowledge that they would deliver I started to have Issac order all the meat I needed for the week. This actually worked well for us for quite some time now. The meat is still so much fresher than what we would buy at the grocery store even when it has sat in my freezer for about 4 or 5 days. Seriously I never thought I would enjoy the smell of raw ground beef but when its fresh ground that day seriously its an inviting smell. The kind of inviting that says cook me, ok no idea if you will agree with that but its the truth. This cut our grocery costs a lot, I was then getting the same amount of meat for the entire week for half the cost and it was fresher and getting delivered to my door. The other day Issac was like "why don't we just order it fresh each day once you decide what your cooking". I laughed and asked him if he would really want to call every day and he said yes. The only problem I see with this is that it will be harder to budget when I'm not spending the money each week with the pay check, but Im sure I will figure something out there. The next thing was that a friend of mine suggested a fruiteria that was good and cheaper than the grocery store. Its a little further from our house but not enough to matter. The fruit there is always fresh and clean. I had tried the fruiteria thing when I first moved here and the only ones close to where I have lived were not nice and the fruit was always old and dirty. This one is clean and the fruit is clean and fresh and so much cheaper. For example at the grocery store I would spend around 200p for fruits and veggies every week. At this place I spend no more than 60-80p and get the same stuff but fresher. I noticed this week that a new one has opened up close to my house (with in walking distance) so I want to check it out. Im hoping its fresh and clean so we wont have to drive and if it works out that would be a little less gas money for the truck every week.
So at this point the only thing we buy from Soriana is cereal and diapers. We get our bread and wipes across the street at our little tienda and of course anything else we need throughout the week. I actually may look into buy our cereal over there to. The last tienda I tried to buy cereal at was shortly after we moved into this apartment 10mo ago and all they had was way over priced boxes of cereal. But I noticed the tienda across the street has a few varieties in hand made up bags. I want to try them and see if they are fresh. I can put them in Tupperwear when I get it home. If so we may be only needing diapers from the major grocery store. This may not be interesting to any of you but it is a part of life here that is so different than what I was use to. And I think Im getting it finally, wow it only took me almost 2 yrs.
For now I think that's all that this stubborn American has given into but I'm sure there is more to come.

Monday, March 15, 2010

Travlers Alert

Thankfully Im not near any of this and many of my readers are not. But some of you are and those who are prob already have this information but just in case here is the e-mail I got from the consulate. I always appreciate these e-mails and how they are clear, to the point and not strongly biased. They give the facts and safty info and are clear that not all areas of Mexico are in trouble but just to be level headed no matter what. Here is what I received:

United States Consulate General Guadalajara

PLEASE CIRCULATE THIS IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT TO

AS MANY AMERICAN CITIZENS AS POSSIBLE



SUBJECT: Travel Warning - Mexico

Date: March 15, 2010

BEGIN TEXT.



The Department of State has issued this Travel Warning to inform U.S. citizens traveling to and living in Mexico of concerns about the security situation in Mexico, and that it has authorized the departure of the dependents of U.S. government personnel from U.S. consulates in the Northern Mexican border cities of Tijuana, Nogales, Ciudad Juarez, Nuevo Laredo, Monterrey and Matamoros until April 12. Family members of US Government personnel assigned to other areas of Mexico outside the Mexican border states are not affected by this departure measure. This Travel Warning supercedes the Travel Alert dated February 22, 2010, and announces the authorized departure of some dependents and updates security incidents.

While millions of U.S. citizens safely visit Mexico each year (including tens of thousands who cross the land border daily for study, tourism or business and nearly one million U.S. citizens who live in Mexico), violence in the country has increased. It is imperative that U.S. citizens understand the risks in Mexico, how best to avoid dangerous situations, and who to contact if victimized. Common-sense precautions such as visiting only legitimate business and tourist areas during daylight hours, and avoiding areas where prostitution and drug dealing might occur, can help ensure that travel to Mexico is safe and enjoyable.

Recent violent attacks have prompted the U.S. Embassy to urge U.S. citizens to delay unnecessary travel to parts of Durango, Coahuila and Chihuahua states(see details below) and advise U.S. citizens residing or traveling in those areas to exercise extreme caution. Drug cartels and associated criminal elements have retaliated violently against individuals who speak out against them or whom they otherwise view as a threat to their organizations. These attacks include the abduction and murder of two resident U.S. citizens in Chihuahua.

Violence Along the U.S. - Mexico Border

Mexican drug cartels are engaged in violent conflict - both among themselves and with Mexican security services - for control of narcotics trafficking routes along the U.S.-Mexico border. To combat violence, the government of Mexico has deployed military troops throughout the country. U.S. citizens should cooperate fully with official checkpoints when traveling on Mexican highways.

Some recent confrontations between Mexican authorities and drug cartel members have resembled small-unit combat, with cartels employing automatic weapons and grenades. Large firefights have taken place in towns and cities across Mexico, but occur mostly in northern Mexico, including Ciudad Juarez, Tijuana, Chihuahua City, Nogales, Matamoros, Reynosa and Monterrey. During some of these incidents, U.S. citizens have been trapped and temporarily prevented from leaving the area. The U.S. Mission in Mexico currently restricts its U.S. government employees’ travel within the state of Durango, the northwest quadrant of the state of Chihuahua and an area southeast of Ciudad Juarez, and all parts of the state of Coahuila south of Mexican Highways 25 and 22 and the Alamos River. This restriction was implemented in light of a recent increase in assaults, murders, and kidnappings in those three states.

The situation in northern Mexico remains fluid; the location and timing of future armed engagements cannot be predicted. Recently, the cities of Durango and Gomez Palacio in the state of Durango, and the area known as “La Laguna” in the state of Coahuila, which includes the city of Torreon, experienced sharp increases in violence. In late 2009 and early 2010, four visiting U.S. citizens were murdered in Gomez Palacio, Durango. These and several other unsolved murders in the state of Durango have caused particular concern.

A number of areas along the border continue to experience a rapid growth in crime. Robberies, homicides, petty thefts, and carjackings have all increased over the last year across Mexico, with notable spikes in Chihuahua, Sinaloa, and northern Baja California. Ciudad Juarez, Tijuana and Nogales are among the cities that have experienced public shootouts during daylight hours in shopping centers and other public venues. Criminals have followed and harassed U.S. citizens traveling in their vehicles in border areas including Nuevo Laredo, Matamoros, and Tijuana. Travelers on the highways between Monterrey and other parts of Mexico to the United States (notably through Nuevo Laredo and Matamoros) have been targeted for robbery and violence and have also inadvertently been caught in incidents of gunfire between criminals and Mexican law enforcement. Such incidents are more likely to occur at night but may occur at any time.

The situation in the state of Chihuahua, specifically Ciudad Juarez, is of special concern. The U.S. Consulate General recommends that American citizens defer non-essential travel to the Guadalupe Bravo area southeast of Ciudad Juarez and to the northwest quarter of the state of Chihuahua including the city of Nuevo Casas Grandes and surrounding communities. From the United States, these areas are often reached through the Columbus, NM, and Fabens and Fort Hancock, TX, ports of entry. In both areas, American citizens have been victims of drug-related violence.

Mexican authorities report that more than 2,600 people were killed in Ciudad Juarez in 2009. Additionally, this city of 1.3 million people experienced more than 16,000 car thefts and 1,900 carjackings in 2009. U.S. citizens should pay close attention to their surroundings while traveling in Ciudad Juarez, avoid isolated locations during late night and early morning hours, and remain alert to news reports. Visa and other service seekers visiting the Consulate are encouraged to make arrangements to pay for those services using a non-cash method.

U.S. citizens are urged to be alert to safety and security concerns when visiting the border region. Criminals are armed with a wide array of sophisticated weapons. In some cases, assailants have worn full or partial police or military uniforms and have used vehicles that resemble police vehicles. While most crime victims are Mexican citizens, the uncertain security situation poses serious risks for U.S. citizens as well. U.S. citizen victims of crime in Mexico are urged to contact the consular section of the nearest U.S. consulate or Embassy for advice and assistance. Contact information is provided at the end of this message.

Crime and Violence Throughout Mexico

U.S. citizens traveling throughout Mexico should exercise caution in unfamiliar areas and be aware of their surroundings at all times. Bystanders have been injured or killed in violent attacks in cities across the country, demonstrating the heightened risk of violence in public places. In recent years, dozens of U.S. citizens living in Mexico have been kidnapped and most of their cases remain unsolved. U.S. citizens who believe they are being targeted for kidnapping or other crimes should notify Mexican law enforcement officials and the U.S. Embassy in Mexico City or the nearest U.S. consulate as soon as possible. Any U.S. visitor who suspects they are a target should consider returning to the United States immediately. U.S. citizens should be aware that many cases of violent crime are never resolved by Mexican law enforcement, and the U.S. government has no authority to investigate crimes committed in Mexico.

U.S. citizens should make every attempt to travel on main roads during daylight hours, particularly the toll ("cuota") roads, which generally are more secure. When warranted, the U.S. Embassy and consulates advise their employees as well as private U.S. citizens to avoid certain areas, abstain from driving on certain roads because of dangerous conditions or criminal activity, or recommend driving during daylight hours only. When this happens, the Embassy or the affected consulate will alert the local U.S. citizen Warden network and post the information on their respective websites, indicating the nature of the concern and the expected time period for which the restriction will remain in place.

U.S. citizen visitors are encouraged to stay in the well-known tourist areas. Travelers should leave their itinerary with a friend or family member not traveling with them, avoid traveling alone, and check with their cellular phone service providers prior to departure to confirm that their cell phone is capable of roaming on GSM or 3G international networks. Do not display expensive-looking jewelry, large amounts of money, or other valuable items. Travelers to remote or isolated hunting or fishing venues should be aware of their distance from appropriate medical, law enforcement, and consular services in an emergency situation.

Demonstrations and Large Public Gatherings

Demonstrations occur frequently throughout Mexico and usually are peaceful. However, even demonstrations intended to be peaceful can turn confrontational and escalate to violence unexpectedly. Violent demonstrations have resulted in deaths, including that of an American citizen in Oaxaca in 2006. In 2008, a Mexican Independence Day celebration was the target of a violent attack. During demonstrations or law enforcement operations, U.S. citizens are advised to remain in their homes or hotels, avoid large crowds, and avoid the downtown and surrounding areas. Since the timing and routes of scheduled marches and demonstrations are always subject to change, U.S. citizens should monitor local media sources for new developments and exercise extreme caution while within the vicinity of protests.

The Mexican Constitution prohibits political activities by foreigners, and such actions may result in detention and/or deportation. U.S. citizens are therefore advised to avoid participating in demonstrations or other activities that might be deemed political by Mexican authorities. As is always the case in any large gathering, U.S. citizens should remain alert to their surroundings.

Sunday, March 14, 2010

Do you have to get any shots?

Here is a question from on or my readers. By the way Im so sorry this has taken me so long. I have been working a lot on my daughters birthday party stuff. But I do appreciate and love to answere questions.
Do you have to get any shots to go there?
When we were just visiting for no more than 1-3 weeks my doctor as well as Alanas pediatrician said we didn't need anything that we were not already getting. Alana was just a baby so she was already getting all her routine immunizations and I was a working nurse and was getting my flu shot regularly. Alana did get sick once from gulping some tap water while we were there, but to be honest there is no prevention except to not drink the water.
I do want to say that if you are going to live here or be here for more than a couple months you may want to get some worm medication. Here the seguro give it to you and most doctors give it to their patients on a 6mo basis. This is just a suggestion. When Issac first told me that he took it all growing up I thought this must be one of those things he didn't remember quite right. I did speak with one doctor who said that he has never seen a bad case of worms in all his years working in Mexico and that he thinks that this is slightly over done. But to be honest there are no real side affects and you wont get a supper worm like you would get a supper bug from taking to many antibiotics. Good hygiene is the best way to prevent worms but if you may be dealing with a lot of people who don't have good hygiene then you may do as we do and follow through with the suggestion.
The only other difference is that babies here still get vaccinated against Tuberculosis, which is a horrible vaccine but I'm glad to know my baby will never get it. I do believe I posted about this in another post and if anyone is interested in it leave a comment and I will find it and post a link.
In short be sure to have your flu shot and you should be ok, and if you want when you go home ask your doctor about getting worm medication. Most likely he will not give it to you unless you show symptoms which is how we do things in the states.
As always anyone please give information if you have more and ask questions if I wasn't clear on something.

Thursday, March 11, 2010

Inspiration

I often am inspired by blogs that I read. My heart strings are pulled and at times I am brought to tears. I read a few blogs of undocumented students and so often I am so inspired by there strength and courage. I just wanted to share this post with all of you and if your interested read more on his site.

http://iamashadow.wordpress.com/2010/03/11/my-name-is-and-i-am-undocumented/

Tuesday, March 9, 2010

running erands

I have recently felt more and more liberated to go and run our errands without my husband. This has happened for many reasons one of which that my Spanish is doing much better. Also aside from doing better I'm OK with looking like and idiot when I cant find a word. Another reason is that I'm finally feeling healthy. I'm loving this thing about being able to eat and not feel like crap.
When I say running errands I should say walking errands. For the most part I decide at the spur of the moment that I want to get some things done before my husband gets off work. So as long as its in walking distance for a 3yr old we go for it. Here is how these things go sometimes.
The other day I decided to get the girls hair cut. I went to the only place I knew was within walking distance. We got there at 930 and the sign on the door said it didn't open till 10 which I knew really meant 1030ish or 11. We then headed back towards the house after I had to explain to Alana why we were not getting her hair cut. On the way home we walked past a place that looked to me like a taraza (which is a place where you can throw parties and such) and there were a couple ladies having coffee inside. I knocked a little and peaked in. "¿Es este una taraza?" Is this a taraza I asked. No the ladies answered with a nice smile. In case they misunderstood my Spanish or if I said it wrong I said, "¿Es este una lugar para fiestas?" Again they gave me a nice smile and said no. "¿Sabes donde es una?." Si Si they shook their heads and with grandiose movements of the hands they explained where one was. I only had to ask them to repeat themselves one time and then the lady actually got up and came out to the street to point out the house I need to visit. "Muchas gracias," and I stand long enough for her to adore my girls and tell them how cute they are. I found the correct house and asked for her taraza, she said it was booked for the weekend I need it though. And because Joslins (my baby) so cute she grabbed her and brought her inside her house to show her around for a bit. Thats how people do here they just take your baby and show them around then bring them back its so odd but Im getting use to it. She then tells me of another taraza that I could check into and we walk past our house in order to go retrieve the phone number which is on a sign outside the building. I had also ended up with another number I found while walking. Then we headed home for Joslins morning nap. So although we didn't get done what we wanted we did get something done. After Joslins nap we went back and the lady inside said the one who cuts hair moved (no change in the paint on the outside that said she was there and the hours). We looked for it for a bit and ended up not finding it. So this time around aside from getting some numbers for my husband to call we didn't save him any running around after work, he had to take us up to our normal lady to get the girls hair cut.
A different day we had the truck and I drove us downtown and parked in our normal lot where they guys know my husband enough not to try and rip me off even if I don't understand everything they say. ;) We first met a friend near the fountain who I recently met. Its nice to know someone to speak English with and who understands a little more than the other Mexicans why I am the way I am, even if she is more Mexican than American. lol Anyway we all walked up to our favorite watch maker and I picked up Issacs watch. I really enjoy this guy and if I ever get up the nerve Ill ask him if I can take a picture of him with his cool magnifying glass attached to his glasses. We then looked for a bit for the place where we normally get our ink refilled for the printer until I remembered it was the wrong day for the sale. On Thursdays you can get two cartridges filled for 175p, those of you in the states that's gonna kill you huh. ;) (and now Issac has decided hes going to fill it himself anyway, so say a prayer that it goes well)
Then we were off to get the rest of the pictures printed for Joslins scrap book. This is where my friend had to leave us and was actually the first time all day I ended up needing a little help. I had to leave my address and for some reason she wasn't understanding the way I was saying 61 and it took me a bit to think to just say six one. Even after I repeated to my husband what I was saying the only thing he could come up with was that maybe it was because I was adding the B after it to close and it was throwing her off. But anyway we got through it and she of course then had to ask me all the questions everyone does. and I say,"Si de Estados Unidos,...tango casi dos años aqui, pero no se nada español cuando cambio aqui,..... si vivo aqui aora.... si para siempre,... si me gusta Tepa es muy bonita, .. si y tranqilla." (please excuse my spelling if I didn't do to well) She then tells me it will be about 20 min and we head on our way. We hit up the padacina for some felt for cupcakes I want to make for Joslins party and go get juice. Actually we get Alana ice cream at her favorite place then head over to one of the juice places where you walk up to an outside counter (I wish I knew a better way to describe this)and sit on metal bar stools outside and have your drink. This particular juicery didn't have the cookie I wanted for the baby so I took two steps to the left and ordered one from the next vendor. We sat and enjoyed the weather and some good conversation, I love talking to Alana shes so funny. Of course when we went back 25 min later the pictures were not done. Not only were they not done but the machine was stalled and no one had checked it until I came back. I took a deep breath and reminded myself I live in Mexico, and that I like it here. While we waited for the machine to be fixed and my pictures to finish the lady behind the counter carried my baby around and let her play with all the stuff behind the counter including markers. When it was finally time to leave she let her keep the markers that were in her hand because she didn't want to see her cry. As soon as we were out of site I took them away and she fussed a couple min and it was all OK. I find this to be easier than telling people to just take them. People here also love to give babies candy, suckers, chocolate, ext. I usually let Joslin play with it while we are around who ever gave it to her then take it away after we walk away. Seriously babies nor kids need that much candy in one day. We then headed home in the truck feeling well accomplished and knowing that I just saved my husband a lot of trouble after a long day of work.

Wednesday, March 3, 2010

If you weren't so cute......

Ok so I wrote this a week ago and since have been having trouble getting the videos online that I spoke of so you'll just have to take my word for the truth when I talk about how great my kids are.
The title is what I say to my girls when they have done something aggravating, like knock my coffee cup into tile floor. And then when I look up at them from the floor as I'm cleaning they give me the cutest, I'm just a baby or child look. You know those times when they are just being their age but your not in the mood for that. This is when I get a little grin that I cant fight back and say, "If you weren't so cute...." You see my theory is this, the reason God made babies and kids so darn cute is to protect them from their parents bad moods. Another example is when my 3 1/2 yr old refuses to clean herself after the going peepee when Im in the middle of cooking dinner, and when I go in to help her after her begging me to come in from across the house she says, "mom your hair looks so pretty," then I humph and then she says "and your such a good mommy," then of course a full out smile breaks out and I say, "If you weren't so cute..."
This post is just a comprehensive overview of things in our life right now.
First to brag on my girls. Alana is 3 1/2 yrs old and a princess. She loves to dress up and its so cute when she makes up whole scenarios. I often am addressed as the queen (which I believe is my rightful name in the house), or as some other character in her imagination. I love getting to play make believe with her. She also involves her baby sister who is a lot of time the side kick to whoever she is being, this is always a good chuckle considering most of the princesses side kicks are animals. Just now I had to go save the crying Joslin from the "Doctor" who was checking her belly and head. lol Alana has been doing great with her class time, we do a session every day when Joslin takes her morning nap. Most days she doesn't fight me on it and she is learning so much. She can recognize all of her letters most of the time and will tell you what they are in Spanish and in English. Its interesting because with each letter her initial recall is in different languages. For example if you show her an A she will always say it in English first but if you ask her what it is in Spanish she will tell you. But with N she is the opposite. We have been working on work pages that have you trace the letters and with her bath crayons the other day she made an S and a lower case e that was recognizable. She is so amazing to me. She loves to sit and read and to be read to. When I say read its really cute she will sit and make up stories and each page begins with, "one day Gods people...." I'm going to try to attach a little video of her spelling out the words in one of the G books we made. I'm still trying to focus on a letter for a time then move to the next. We stopped this for a while and did a little preK work book that we found at Sorianna, which to be honest had to much coloring for her style. She would much rather circle, cross out or draw lines between things. She still doesn't get much of a kick out of coloring but loves to cut and paste and so I make sure we have some of that in each class time if possible. Shes getting so tall and since we recently realized she doesn't have any shorts I'm planning to cut off some of her jeans that have gotten to short but still fit around her skinny waist. Shes in a stage now where shes growing taller and not rounder. She also goes potty all by herself now except when she poopies and I insist that i do the clean up part. She flushes and washes her hands all on her own with me needing to remind her sometimes. Im so proud of my princess and I just wanted to brag on her a bit, or a lot. ;)
Joslin is 11mo old and I cant believe my baby will be a whole year in a month. Iv already began her party preparations because I made the invitations and am going to make all the decorations and party bags. She has been walking very well for over a week now. She actually tried to run from me the other day which was quite funny because shes still a little stiff legged. Shes also climbing on everything, she can now climb up on all my couches which is a problem because she cant always get back down without falling. Although recently she is getting a lot better at the getting down part also. She says "alana, mommie, and daddy" for the write people. In the mornings we can hear her trying to wake Alana up its so funny. Luckily Alana sleeps like a log and it usually doesn't work. She also uses sign language to tell us that she wants to eat, drink, milk, more, mommie, papi, and just recently shes using the sign for sleep when shes tired. We are now starting to teach her bath we will see if she catches this one before shes able to say it. She makes all kinds of fun sounds with her mouth and loves to scream. We discourage the screaming as much as you can with a baby and hopefully this doesn't become a problem later. She loves to make facial expressions with you, she blinks, scrunches and rises her eye brows and makes a monkey type face wither her mouth, and loves to smile. Shes a very happy baby who also loves to dance. Its so funny because when Alana was a baby and danced she had the typical bend at the waist dance, but Joslin has at least 4 different dance moves depending on the music. She wiggles at her, rolls her shoulders, bends at the waist, and bobs her head. I swear sometimes she pats her hand to the beat, Issac swears shes going to be a musical wonder. lol She also loves to be read to and points out pictures. I think because of seeing us read to Alana she sits better for the stories than Alana did at this age. Also if she sees Alana sitting with a book she will go get one of her own and sit and read it. Ill also supply a picture of this. I'm so proud of my baby and cant believe she is already a toddler.
note:right now Alana is Aladin, I'm Jasmine and Joslin is Abu. ;)
As far as I'm concerned we had our appointment with the Anesthesiologist which involved much less waiting as the others because we got here an hour early, we have finally figured out the system..... I think. We told him what was up and he basically said he wanted to go ahead and do all his paperwork in case we decide in a few weeks or later that I do need the surgery. He then told us how he put his off so long that they had to do it emergency and proceeded to open his shirt and show us his massive scare. I think his point was that if I find that I'm having pain not to wait. So far so good and the fact that I had a clean ultrasound makes me happy. We have decided to hold off on even seeing the surgeon again and wee if the pain comes back. For now I'm taking the ranintadine to help my digestive track and taking antacids if I get indigestion. This sounds a lot happier to me than surgery even if I have to take something every day. Im glad we have the paperwork in my file in case we do need the surgery later but for now we hope to not have to go see anymore doctors for awhile.
The girls got their flu shots and polio drops at a booth the seguro had set up at the grocery store. They did so good and I was so proud of them.
Issac is doing well at work and thankfully inventory week is over. He put in tons of extra hours over the last couple weeks and were hoping for extra days off instead of the overtime pay. We miss him and want some time with him. He doesn't love his job but hes good at it and he knows it keeps food on the table. He is a great provider and father to the girls. He somehow finds the energy at the end of the day to come home and be a jungle gym. And then when the girls go to bed its my turn for attention. ;) So life is good at the Hernandez house and we are simply waiting to see what God has in store for us next. We have decided not to hit the grind on finding a job just yet. Im planning to visit the children s home that his family runs in Monclova early April and help out there and let the girls have fun with all the kids. That will be lots of fun and a lot of interesting posts I'm sure. Well thanks for reading the blah blah and being interested in mi familia.