Parenting, Week #4

Some things I miss:

1. The Simpsons
   
2. Free time
   
3. Peaceful meals
   
4. Timing my activities by my own choice
   
5. Quiet bedtime
   
6. CSI: Crime Scene Investigation
   
7. Weekends
   
8. Knowing how to be a good parent
   

Kevin helped me clean up some of our cherry tomato plants in the garden. He was scared of the plants themselves but was able to pick up loose tomatoes and put them in the wheelbarrow for me. 

Kevin loves to dance. When he hears music, he just can't help but move! This is him dancing to his LeapPad "FridgePhonics" game that his cousins gave him. 

My titles should be created post-post

I titled my last post "Immunizations, Playdates and Tantrums - Oh My!" and I never mentioned immunizations or playdates in the post. Pardon the misleading title. The Title box is at the top of the composition page, so I always type it in first. Then my mind goes here, there, and everywhere else while I'm actually typing up my post. I know, this isn't the first time it's happened. However I do usually catch the problem before publishing my post.

Anyway, Kevin is as cute and aggravating as ever :-) Like Keith said in his comment to my previous post, he sounds like a normal kid. He is, and we're normal parents who get aggravated and yet find his wide-open mouth full of dinner so darn cute sometimes (but only sometimes.)

Today I talked to my boss about going back to work part-time instead of full-time. It was never my plan to go back full-time, but I wasn't prepared ahead of time to make plans for that with my coworkers. I did mention to the higher-ups that after I was out for a few weeks, I'd need flexibility because I didn't know what needs Kevin would have (which is certainly true.)

So it looks like I'll be working at the office 2 days a week and then spending a few hours each week working from home. That time will probably be spent reading and answering emails more than actual software development, but I will be purchasing a new computer and probably upgrading my connection (I use dialup now) so that all of the resources of my company will be available from/to my home computer.

I'll try to post a picture or two of Kevin. I can't remember whether I have the software installed here that posts pictures to Blogger "easily" (I've yet to figure out how the software is supposed to work - I fight it and fight it until something shows up on my blog and then I shut it down in a state of confusion with no idea how the picture was successfully posted.

I hope all of you are doing well. It's amazing how far away from my life of 4 weeks ago I feel... I suppose I am that far away in some sense, but I'm still more connected than I probably realize. What a change being a parent is - utterly unbelievable.

Immunizations, Playdates and Tantrums - Oh My!

We're home. All three of us. HOME.

We actually had a very nice trip. We couldn't have paid for better accomodations than those provided by our friends, Elesa and Jeff, for nothing. Their kids were wonderful, too. We had the chance to spend time alone when we needed it and together with the others when we were ready. We were very comfortable there and they took such great care of us. We even had to take Kevin to the pediatrician while we were there and they set that all up for us! And Elesa is a great driver and tour guide, among everything else that she's great at :-)

We arrived in Guatemala City on Saturday around 1:15 pm and Elesa picked us up at the airport and took us back to her house. We got the grand tour and put our belongings in our beautifully set up and hosted room. There were toys for Kevin, chocolates for us, and even our own bathroom! About 2 hours later (which felt like forever while we were just waiting) 2 assistants to our attorney brought Kevin to us. He was shy and a little scared; very quiet. The assistants helped us fill out some paperwork that we'd need at the Embassy and then they left. That was it! And we never got to meet the foster mom.

Matchbox cars, stuffed animals, books, and crayons didn't break the ice, but a few glasses of water (Kevin sweats a lot!) and some soccer helped our relationship begin. Thinking back to that day is amazing because it was only 2 weeks ago, yet it feels like an eternity. It feels like we were all different people then than we are now. I suppose we are, but it's hard to believe that much would've changed in such a short amount of time!

On Sunday, we went to Antigua which is about 45 minutes by car to the west of Guatemala City. We bought a few items at the markets and mostly just walked around. Kevin seemed fine with us although he wouldn't let us put him down to sit or walk by himself. It made for a very tiring few days!! And it made our broken stroller that we picked up in baggage claim in GC a moot point.

When we arrived home on Wednesday night, our friend, Kirsten, who picked us up at the airport told us that we couldn't stay at our house because the fumes from our floors being refinished were too strong. The flooring guys suggested that we not stay there, so we went to Kirsten's house instead. We returned to our house on Thursday in the middle of the day to what Kevin saw as a large gymnasium just for him and all of his toys! (we had no furniture in the living room or dining room so it was a big open play area and he could kick and throw and chase balls with no obstacles.)

Fast-forward to today.... I'm still at home from work while Andy returned to his job last Tuesday. Kevin has transitioned into our family better than anyone would have anticipated. Now instead of dealing with his insecurities and trust issues, we're already dealing with toddler tantrums and purposeful misbehavior!

I know that I've left out a lot of details, but I don't want to take too much time writing this and I don't want to wait any longer to at least say, "Hi! We're home and doing well!" So, here it is - it's all that you get for now. That is, if any of you are still out there and waiting to hear from me :-)