In translation

The baby's speech is getting clearer and clearer, but there are some things that he likes that he uses other words or phrases to tell us what he wants.

"Achoo" means he wants to watch Frosty the Snowman
Clapping his hands, when we're reading, means he wants to read the issue of Babybug magazine where they have a song about Clapping Your Hands.
"Happy" either means he wants to listen to the song "Happy" (Pharrell Williams) or sing Happy Birthday.
"Eh-mo" means he wants to watch Sesame Street.
"Cookie" while we're changing his diaper means he wants a diaper with Cookie Monster on it to either look at or put on. (If he says this any other time, he just wants a cookie. That's pretty much all the time.)
"Beh-beh" means he wants to go to bed or sit in a bed.
"Babies", means he wants to play with other kids. Usually in the building's playroom or at the "pak" (park). It can also mean he wants to go to his music class with the other kids, or as I tell him, "music with the babies".
"Choo choo" -- still means anything to do with Thomas or a train, or both if there's more than one option for train-related things.
"Kidz" means he wants to watch a DVD that has songs for kids and shows videos of children playing outside and singing along.



In other news, Carolina has been having a tough time in school. She's been stressed all weekend. Homework in particular threw her into a tizzy since Mrs. Robins was going to have to check it when she went to school this morning. Apparently "mistakes aren't nice", so we had a meltdown at a restaurant on Saturday since she made a mistake while drawing with crayons at the table and she was worried that she made a mistake. I had to explain that mistakes are fine in our house, and I'm in charge at home, not her teachers. I don't know what they told her at school, but good lord it made for a stressful weekend at times for us at home.

I told her I'd look for a painting class for her after school once a week since she needs a break and loves to draw.

Things the baby can do, or likes

He recognizes the color blue and says "boo".

He recognizes stars and says "Stah". 

He puts books away after he's used them, and helps to clean up his toys. 

When I go to Starbucks, he now know it is the place with cake pops (thanks to his sister), and when I walk in, he says, "Cookie!" And then tells me, repeatedly, "Coffeeee coffeee". 

He sits by himself and "reads". He likes it when Carolina "reads" to him. He has his favorite books. They change but it's mostly Potty, Good Night Thomas, I Love You Through and Through, Peekaboo Bunny, Tigger, and anything with Blue's Clues or Mickey. "Bickey!!!!"

Things are improving

Fewer and farther between are the tantrums coming from Miss Carolina. They don't last as long either. Seems about three weeks ago there was a small change and it's picking up momentum. 

About the same time, maybe two weeks prior, her brother started his "terrible twos", whereby he lets us know in his terms what he prefers and wants-- and when!

Gratefully, as we just got through almost two years of whining and crying, we know this (A) isn't that bad, (B) is necessary, and (C) will eventually end. 

Looking forward to a better-than-expected Springtime! 

Lord, I'm sick of the snow and cold this winter. So harsh! Polar Vortex can kick it elsewhere. 

Delicious food my #1 won't eat

In honor of my daughter's picky eating, I'll be occasionally posting recipes of food I make that we think she MAY be willing to try but either won't or doesn't like it. And in the end, she cries about it. Here's today's attempt. 

Michele's Creamy Spicy Mac 'N Cheese 

Takes about an hour, including prep. Serves 4-6. (Anything can be swapped for less fattening versions, and seasoning can be changed for other seasonings or omitted. For example, 2c low fat milk and soy sauce instead of whole milk/cream or Worcestershire sauce.)

2c pasta (elbows or lumachine)

1c whole milk 

1c heavy cream

4tbsp butter + a bit to rub on casserole dish

1/4c flour

4 shakes Worcestershire sauce (1/4tsp)

4 shakes mustard powder (1/4tsp)

10 shakes of salt (1/2 tsp)

4 turns of pepper (1/4tsp)

8oz white sharp cheddar (save 1/2 to 3/4 cup for topping)

Garlic clove, cut in half

Couple of shakes Cayenne & Paprika  (1/4tsp each)

Bread crumbs (1/2 c)

Rub garlic on inside of casserole dish

Rub butter on inside of casserole dish

Cook pasta. 

In large pot, about 3-4 qts:

Melt butter

Add flour, salt, pepper, mustard stir with whisk

Add Worcestershire. Whisk until smooth and bubbly. 

Add milk & cream. Whisk constantly until boil. Boil 1 minute. 

Add all cheese except 1/2c reserved for topping. Stir until melted. 

Add pasta to pot. Mix cheese into macaroni.

Put mixture in casserole dish. 

Mix remaining cheese with paprika, bread crumbs, and cayenne. Toss with hands until cheese is coated with seasonings.  Put evenly on top of mixture in casserole dish. 

Cook 350 degrees for 25 minutes. Uncovered. 

Things they say

There are some new things that the baby says that are cute or funny. So here's a small sample:

Bappos (Zapatos, "shoes" in Spanish)
Banket (Blanket)
Dow (Ciao, "bye" in Italian)
Ahket (Jacket)
Poon (Spoon)
Cookie (Cookie)
Cookie (Anything he wants to eat that is tasty to him, not necessarily a cookie.)
Ah-dos (Adios, "good bye" in Spanish)
Olah (Hola, "hello" in Spanish)
Punkin (Pumpkin)


And here's a little story I got from Carolina the other day in the car on the way home from school:
"Carolina, I just saw Joseph and his mommy."
"Big Jofus or little Jofus?"
"I think it was big Joseph."
"Big Jofus and little Jofus are friends. Big Jofus hugged little Jofus and he laughed."
"Do you like big Joseph?"
"No he's only friends with little Jofus."
"Ok. Do you like little Joseph?"
"Yes, he's so cute. He's little."
"You know his name is 'Joe-suf' not 'Jo-fus'."
"I know that."
"Can you say 'Joe-suf'?"
"I did. That's his name. Jofus."

I love it.

Went to Mexico, came back with chatty Spanish speakers

Well, I can't say they're both talking in Spanish all the time, but I can say that Carolina's resistance has lessened. Playing with her (mostly) bilingual cousins made her want to talk in Spanish more. 

The baby also picked up more. He now will greet people with an "hola", instead of "hello." He's also gotten a little better at walking by himself instead if needing to be carried everywhere. 

He's got three new teeth coming in. And has a cold. I think there's some infection since the mucus is thick and yellow. But no fever so nothing big. 

Carolina really enjoyed visiting the family. I have to say, for first time, since my very first visit to vallarta, I had a really good time as well. It made me think I could live there. It's still too violent and corrupt, on an individual's level, for me, and I don't believe the educational system, or a culture for pursuing learning, is in place but it was nice. 

What I like about it for the children is that there is trustworthy, loving family in many places. Extended family are friends and the culture tolerates whatever a kid is going to do. It's really much more relaxed, not lazy. 

I really liked the weather, too. Secretly, I'm getting sick of the cold. Although I find it reassuring that it gets cold and snowy. It's not Christmas without the cold and snow. For me, it's really not. It never feels like Christmas when we're there. Plus all their holiday songs aren't mine and tv shows aren't either. The little cultural cues that tell me it's Christmas are missing. 

But, for the kids, who don't have those in place, it's great. It's running outside without shoes and having a great time with fewer restrictions. Eating cookies and candies, and believing that Mexicans are friendly, fun, loving people. My kids have no idea that Mexicans are viewed in a negative way in the States. So, for me, it's really interesting, and a bit of a relief, to see Carolina embrace it all so freely. 

Reading, getting married, and toddler sleeping

So Carolina's reading continues! She just keeps spotting words she knows and words she sounds out herself. Reading the cereal box seems to be popular. 

She's also become concerned about going into the "number grades" and getting married. Lord knows why she's concerned about who she will marry, since I pointed out she can't marry her papa and her grandfathers are both not available. And cousins are out. This whole idea stresses her and I've no idea why. 

I probably shouldn't have told her she can't marry her papa but I wasn't certain if lying about this one wouldn't be worse. I don't know where the topic came from. And telling her that she doesn't have to worry about it until she's much older seems to make it worse. She wants to know now. So, yesterday, she decided on one of the boys in her class. I said that was fine. She has to wait until she is an adult, but he's a fine boy to pick. 

She's also very aware of graduating from kindergarten (in a year and a half), and the older children returning to help out. She knows she is not ready for "big kid work" but won't be put off my explanations of-- the teachers will tell you what you need to know when it's time. Today is just pre-k. You know how to do that. 

Still, she's anxious. I hope to help her figure it out so she's less worried. 

Lil' Mel now takes a nap without a bottle. He kept refusing it, so I just stopped offering it. He's nearly over his ear infection, and I know being very congested made him disinterested in drinking since he couldn't breathe. But he's taken interest, mostly, in the night bottle but not daytime. 

Fine by me! I was wondering how it would go since I got Carolina off the bottle by reading to her instead, before naps and nighttime. But I can't read to him since he doesn't sit still long enough for more than a sentence or two. Such a boy. He just wants to lay down with his chupon. Uh, ok. Easy peasy. 

And we still enjoy his way of saying "no". Kind of a cross between "no" and "now" with a bit of a cat's whine. It's very amusing. It also gets the job done. He is very clear about "no", and "yes", which is a slow up-and-down head move. Makes things easier.