ever since zadie was born (and probably before) there have been days that have inspired me to start writing in some way. either a dairy, journal, whatever. so today is finally that day that i actually do the thing that i have been putting off for years now because i was too daunted by the responsibility of keeping up with some regular writing. i decided to start a blog because it seems the most ubiquitous form for keeping up to date. it means i can do it anywhere there is a computer and i don't have to remember to bring my "journal" or "diary" or remember to catalog bits of paper that i might choose to write on in the moment.
so i'll just start with today. today was a great day. zadie was mostly great. (aside from a couple tantrums here and there - but nothing long-lasting) and benjamin was just dreamy as usual. it probably started on a good note because my cleaner, Edilma came today. whenever she cleans the house, I am somewhat renewed and refreshed. i feel like a 1950's housewife or a tv commercial for bleach. everything is spic and span and i didn't have to lift a finger. delightful.
today also comes on the heels of 10 days of complete hell. i think that's how things go....10 days of hell then one day of great. be thankful and hold on to the great. the 10 days of hell consisted of zadie getting pneumonia and an ear infection; benjamin getting brochillitis (didn't know what that was) and then a double ear infection; me getting a NASTY cold and pink eye; and Richard getting more stressed at work. Richard had to take a day and a half off of work and watch the kids for basically two whole weekends while I tried to recuperate. now both kids are on antibiotics and i'm on antibiotic drops for my eye and as of last night richard is now not feeling well. thankfully, i am finally back to myself. and feeling strong. god forbid both of us get sick at the same time. i honestly don't know what we would do. who wants to help out in a sick house?
so waking up today was a little scary. was it going to be another shittastic day with cranky kids and me feeling shittastic? i was a little anxious at 7am when i woke up with Benjamin. fortunately Z was in good spirits when she woke up. i never know what i'm going to get when she wakes each morning. there was a little moaning over breakfast but then she was off to school and the house was quiet - just me and B.
picked up Z from school. a tantrum on the steps. but it turned out ok after i just ignored it for a while. she emerged from the tantrum cloud happily reading a Purim book that she brought home from school. she is reading more and more to herself and can now do it for quite some length of time. it's very sweet and i am so proud of her for finally learning to play by herself. we call it 'zadie time'. at home, she goes over to her toys and picks out books and just reads out loud as if she is reading to the class at school. it's adorable. and she always factors in Calanit to her dialog: "Calanit, Stop! Stop Calanit" So funny. I took a video of it today I was so delighted.
after school we drove to bernal. picked up a few things at the good life and then to the playground. zadie was determined to jump up to reach a bar to hang from. she just kept on trying and trying over and over again. i really respect her tenacity. and i think it's unusual for a kid her age. she kept on trying to do it herself - even when i offered to help her. i decided to help in some way by building a little mountain of sand underneath the bar that she could step on to help her reach it. that helped a little, but she just kept on trying and trying. she did it about two times. but she tried about 50. amazing girl. at one point, my friend's father-in-law got in the sand to help with the mountain to help her reach the bar. so inspiring was her determination.
then she said she wanted to go on the tire swing with a 9-year old black girl. awesome. the girl named Alisha took to her and gave her a swing around. then the two of them were off like they were best friends. Alisha was happy to play with Zadie and Zadie totally held her own with Alisha. Awesome.
Benjamin started making some noises and after i happily held him for a while - after two rocks in the carriage he was asleep. Awesome.
But the BEST part of the day was when we got home. Zadie was all over Benjamin. I have to watch to be careful she doesn't hurt him. As she was watching her show (Cat in the Hat), i was diapering Benjamin. Afterwards I kissed him inside his neck and he totally giggled!! the first time! soooooo incredibly cute and filled my heart with love and joy. then Zadie came in after her show and she really started making him giggle. That was it for me. Call it the best day yet!! And made up for the 10 shitty ones before it. I was in heaven. She made him laugh again for Richard when he came home. Richard was smiling - but I think he's too preoccupied with work to be as delighted as I was. Not sure. Maybe he was upset that he couldn't be present enough to really enjoy it the way he wished he could. Nevertheless, it was an incredible moment and it's the one that inspired me to start this blog.
Goodnight!
