Two is Plenty

Here's a picture of Leon and Elsie from Easter morning before church. We are blessed beyond measure to have both Leon and Elsie. So blessed that I think (and I think, we think) that two might be just enough. Let's face it, once you go past two, they out number you (and Leon feels like a little army all on his own). Right now we have to buy three seats on an air plane and in a year and a half that will be four. With two of the opposite sex, at some point we will need three separate bedrooms with a fourth one preferred. And honestly with Elsie starting to sleep thru the night I can't imagine going back to no sleep (prob too soon to talk about this since last night was the first night in 11 months that I slept the whole night). But in the end you really can't say never until, well, you physically can confirm never (and I have not crossed that bridge, yet).

Bad mommy

No mom wants to be a bad mom. I joke and call any visible mark on Leon (thank God gordita has not had any falls etc) the "bad mommy mark.". Meaning, it shows that I wasn't doing my job and my kid got hurt in my care.

The other day Leon fell of his bed. He was jumping on it. I have told him before not to jump but of course on this day I was trying to be the free spirit mom. I mean who doesn't love to jump on their bed? Isn't that the all time kid favorite?

Once I was over a friend's house and Leon joined her kids in jumping on the couch. I told him to stop and she said, "oh it's ok I let them jump on the couch.". Awkward. On one hand I admired her free spirit
and her kids seemed really happy. On the other hand I couldn't let Leon jump on the couch at her house because he is not allowed to do it at home, mostly because if he falls he will hurt himself.

After seeing him (and hearing the crack....sounded like he split open his...can't even say it w/o having shivers) post fall, I've decided that I'd rather be the "don't jump on the couch" and "don't run near the pool" etc mom than the one explaining that the huge egg is from falling out of the bed.

Ps. I took the pic only so I could show Leon what his forehead looked like and why it was important to let me put ice on it. That didn't work.

Gordita

Elsie is eight months old! She is a chubby lil thing. She's grown into her cheeks, a little. But they are still quite kissable. She's almost crawling and mostly sitting, though she can fall (timber!) when distracted.

People here call Elsie Gordita (literal translation, little fat girl) or Negrita (little black girl). Gordita has caught on and I use it interchangbly with Elsie. I doubt I would ever feel comfortable calling her (or any one) Negrita. I know it's a term of endearment but I just can't get the hang of it. By the way I also don't call Leon Catire (Venezuelan slang for blonde/blue eyed male) and EVERYONE calls him Catire.

I guess it's an American (United States of) thing.

Kids Complicates Things

I remember once flying behind a couple with a kid. The mom and dad were arguing about the fact that the dad caved into the whinnying toddler and gave him a candy bar. The mom was furious because she had said no. I felt bad for her. So much pain and annoyance in her voice. I also felt sorry for the dad. He just wanted the kid to sit down and shut up. But overall I felt bad for their marriage. They were arguing over a candy bar with so much passion you'd think someone died.

Fast forward six years I get it. Children are blessings but they do complicate a marriage. The candy bar mom could be me any time of the week.

More than a being a united front with the kids, you gotta know when to let things go and trust that whatever decisions your partner makes they are with the best intentions. If that doesn't help; I tell myself, he won't kill them.

What About Me?

Someone once said to me that you slack off with each additional child. The person further explained that parents worship and protect the first child like he is a delicate creature. That they take photos and videos of every moment--both important and mundane. But that by the time baby number two, three, and then some come around you stop being as careful, stop taking photos of everything, and stop fretting and worrying. I thought this was ludicrous when Leon was small. "older" (not their age but I'm referencing their kids age) moms annoyed me. I hated when they told me to ignore this or that. I hated (and still do) when they would say "he is ok" to a recently fallen child.

Side note people, the quickest way to get on my bad side is to say (after Leon falls or injuries himself) is "he's ok." i think its important to check out a kid, obviously their are times when a fall is more scary than harmful but i would appreciate the time to help my kid up and kiss him in the cheek.

Back to the blog at hand.....

The truth is some of that (slacking with the second child) is true. Our camara is in the repair shop. If it weren't for her monthly photos (like below, Elsie is seven months old) she might not have any pictures. I'm always running around; getting things done. I don't always have time to find the iPad when Elsie is doing something cute. I also rely more on gut than Dr. Sears or baby books. I found myself giving puffs to Elsie to eat the other day. She loved them then I read the package (for babies who crawl etc). Still I'm giving her puffs. She enjoys them. I watch her and I doubt she would choke on them. I think Leon was at least none months old before he had puffs.


So this all makes me ask, "what about me?" I'm a second child. Does that mean my parents didn't watch me as carefully? If (that's a HUGE if) we have more kids will I let them drive the car at 12 and and play with knives while running downhill?


Only time will tell!

It's decided!

The ongoing drama has been whether I stay a full time working mom or quit my job and become a SAHM. Well for now I have a compromise: I'm taking a one year leave (unpaid) starting in July. I am really looking forward to being with them and watching them grow and learn. Now that the decision has been made there's a little fear. Not so much related to me missing work but can I handle it? Sometimes when I'm alone with both kids (especially when it's time for bed or nap) I think this is impossible and find myself using the TV as a babysitter (for Leon at least). But I should be ok. I won't have a nanny or maid but I will have a schedule :). That should help, hopefully.

Leon and Elsie

I know we are not out of the water. As sibling rivalry probably progress with age. I can expect to hear "MOM s/he ____ me!" many times in the years to come. Still I'm lovin the relationship between Elsie and Leon now. Leon makes Elsie laugh all the time. And as long as she keeps her teeth and hands off his toys, he seems to really enjoy her presence as well. It's super cute and if I wasn't trying to be a "live in the moment" kind of person, I would look forward to the years to come with much anticipation.