March 1st 2015
I just love the Romanian tradition of Martisor where they give a red and white ribbon on March 1st. It is believed wearing this ribbon will make a person strong and healthy for a year to come and it's also a symbol of the coming Spring. So many reasons to love this little twisted string...
February 27th 2015
After all the 'Go Texan' Day festivities at the boys' school yesterday, T came home to ask if they can one day try 'Mutton Bustin.'
He saw our quizzical expressions and led us to a video that explains the 'sport.' So we watched these 5 and 6 year olds clinging with all their might onto a running sheep, trying to stay on as long as possible.
There are no words...
February 23rd 2015
I get the feeling the groundhog really didn't appreciate my discrediting him and now we are all suffering the wrath of more winter :(
February 21st 2015
O clearly outlined the 'conditions' under which he would want me to come watch his Go Texan Day dance at school:1. I cannot get the songs stuck in my head and sing them incessantly afterwards.
2. I cannot make any remarks later about the fact that he will have a female dance partner.
February 19th 2015
I keep remembering the wise words of my philosophy professor at university many years ago. He would always say "To know is to know that you know nothing at all."That has grown with me over the years and at the moment manifests itself in my realization that those who are very knowledgeable and intelligent tend to speak calmly and with room for their knowledge to evolve or change than those who speak assuredly with such ignorant gusto!
February 16th 2015
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February 15th 2015
I give little Z a baby food pouch, which I just let him suck out of the pouch - smoothie style.
The result of setting him loose with it and getting distracted for a few minutes is that the entire family spent a good part of the afternoon on a 'treasure hunt' to find an abandoned (and open) baby food pouch. All to no avail.
To view the full diary click here.
February 14th 2015
Having a third child has changed my life ambitions from "becoming a writer" to getting a haircut, or perhaps just going to the toilet, uninterrupted, for 2 minutes.It has also meant that I pull out balloon pumps and belt buckles from my purse in the middle of a restaurant, to provide entertainment for little Z who would rather buckle and unbuckle a belt than play with toys designated for his age.
February 12th 2015
Lately, I've been feeling like this particular character from Sandra Boynton's book "Happy Hippo, Angry Duck," that little Z repeatedly asks me to read to him.
In the afternoon the weather was wonderful, and when we stepped out into the back yard, I felt the joy that only one of life's simple pleasures can bring. Gorgeous French lavender growing beautifully.
February 9th 2015
I don't really care what the groundhog said about more winter, it's Spring here for me!
February 6th 2015
Came across this quote today and it just seemed to perfectly fit my mood and circumstances.
“If parents wish to preserve childhood for their own children, they must conceive of parenting as an act of rebellion against culture.”
~Neil Postman
January 24th 2015
Dad decided to take the boys to the auto show and T was extremely excited expecting the revelation of the flying car.
As I explained to him that the show would not include a flying car, I was quite disappointed myself. When is someone finally going to invent that?
January 23rd 2015
This morning, I got tired of little Z filling the very stinky diaper pail with clothes and toys. So I sent him on a short mission outside our room and then quickly hid the diaper pail.
He returned with another toy and head straight for where the diaper pail used to be. I silently smirked and heard an evil laugh inside my head. But my victory was short lived because, upon finding the diaper pail gone, and without missing a beat, he went straight to the garbage and threw the toy in there!
In the afternoon, I decided that little Z would shop with me at Whole Foods, using that adorable little shopping cart that says "Customer in Training" on it. In my mind, it was such a fun affair. I only had a couple of things to buy so I could go at his pace and emerge the wonderful, patient mom that does fun, loving things with her toddler.
Well, my fantasy was shattered the moment he got behind the wheels. He sped off in all directions and nearly knocked over a lot of glass items. When we got to the eggs section, I didn't even see it coming. Before I knew it, we were collecting broken eggs off the floor after he'd flung open a carton.
He screamed and whizzed off and "going at his pace" became less about slowing down and showing him things and more about huffing and puffing to keep up and avoid damage.
In the end, he was in fits of tears as I strapped him into the stroller against his will. I guess he's not quite ready to shop with his own cart just yet, and after today's episode, I may never be!
January 22nd 2015
Went to a painting class this evening for some quiet grown up time. Was actually relaxing and the painting turned out alright.
January 21st 2015
Why are there always shoes in the hamper and clothes in the diaper pail?
January 15th 2015
Little Z's new favorite activity is shoving clean folded clothes from the dresser into the diaper pail...**Sigh**
January 14th 2015
In a rush to get to the bathroom, I put my bag sloppily on the counter and I heard it fall off.
Two minutes later, I receive my wallet from under the bathroom door, then my keys appear, then a pen ...
January 13th 2015
Homework remains the bane of my life. It's making lunchbox duty seem like my new best friend.
January 11th 2015
Seeing Z & T play and laugh together is one of those tiny moments that reminds me that all my parenting efforts are worthwhile.
January 8th 2015
Little Z's first words:
Uh-oh (his very first word at 11 months)
Diaper (this came before Mummy)
Stop
Go
Ball
Awaw (I love you)
Some of his cute words these days:
Boys! (said in the same tone I use when I call his older brothers)
Hot
Thank you
Duck
Na-a (No in Arabic and he says this very adamantly)
Kissing sounds that he makes - often as with his cute cuddles
He also sings twinkle twinkle little star and signs so many words that communication has become lots of fun! So glad we taught him sign language :)
November 22nd 2014
I had to lay my jeans to rest today. I was hoping when this day came it would be because I needed to replace them with a smaller size. I even fantasized about tossing them joyfully away and allowing them to retire in peace.
But the fact is, they were pushed to their limits in many different ways and it finally gave in and tore in places that would have been socially unacceptable to sew patches on.
November 21st 2014
I have come to the conclusion that my war on clutter is of essence. The less stuff we have, the less there will be to throw around.
That's my new plan for keeping the house neat - we just won't have any more things.
November 20th 2014
Little Z's favorite activities now are:
1. Place all bath mats in the tub and turn the tap to soak them.
2. Throw giant blocks from the top of the stairs.
3. Take apart older brothers' Lego creations - and spread the tiny pieces over the largest span of space possible.
4. Set up a 'Spot the Oddity' game for me by placing potatoes in cabinets, toy parts in the laundry basket and all sorts of important objects inside our shoes.
5. Tear up the toilet paper roll and throw some of the tiny pieces into the toilet - while I'm using it.
I have however discovered that I can get a few minutes of peace if I let him empty out a kitchen cabinet full of plastics or play with two containers and a few pieces of dry pasta! This is my accomplished version of organized chaos.
November 19th 2014
My phone no longer displays the date on the home screen... I'm so lost!
November 18th 2014
Sometimes God takes us for a spin. We get exactly what we asked for so that we learn the infinite wisdom in having true faith.
October 29th 2014
Not a candy crush kinda girl...
October 21st 2014
I've found something I hate far worse than lunchbox preparation...homework.
It's absolutely ruining our family life. I could write an essay on homework and why it should be limited (and I'd include the many points the boys repeatedly argue on the subject) but that would be a waste of the few minutes of sanity I have left of my time with the boys.
So let's just say I probably hate homework more than the boys do.
October 10th 2014
Little Z is a moth. He always has been drawn to the light, but apparently now he's also the type of moth that leaves holes in my clothes.
Those are some sharp teeth he's cutting and my poor garments are suffering the consequences.
October 7th 2014
We've discovered T is a little squirrel. The biggest tip off was the collection of acorns he brought home and stashed away.
October 5th 2014
If you stifle voices, and don't allow them to be heard, they will find a way to be heard anyway.
October 4th 2014
I cannot get over the beautiful weather today. Cooler weather - we have missed you.
October 3rd 2014
I know it's October and Halloween is coming up and all that, but - who let the goons out?
October 1st 2014
Dealt with so many narrow minds today that it actually constricted my breathing.
September 30th 2014
Little Z signed bird today and it was adorable. I also think he's signing some version of milk and eat. During parachute time in his class today he came over and lay his head down on me saying 'awaw.'
As for his older brothers, today I realized that homework is often an unnecessary evil.
September 29th 2014
Once you grocery shop at 7am, you can't go back to grocery shopping at later times.
September 28th 2014
Little Z is 'talking' more now and trying words out. He's also pointing with his index finger to what he wants. Our 'conversations' delight me but my favorite is when he rests his head on me and says "awaw" which means 'I love you.'
September 27th 2014
They announced MVP during Saturday soccer today. Just before we were praying it wasn't T. He certainly deserves it and it's about time his talent was recognized but we feared what was to come.
And sure enough, hurricane O hit with a vengeance as soon as T was called up to receive his honorary ball.
September 26th 2014
Last night T was completing a crossword puzzle. He decided on a 5 letter word to fit but there were only 4 boxes allocated or it. So he just drew an extra box to fit his last letter in.
September 24th 2014September 25th 2014
Dear beloved car - I have missed you. Big car hug**
September 24th 2014
Repeat to self:
"This too shall pass..."
September 23rd 2014
I think I might be turning into some sort of technology snob... or victim maybe? Of course I totally blame my husband, he's the one who introduces me to these things but...me?
Promoter of getting back to nature, simple living and making do with less etc. etc.?
I am now getting more than slightly annoyed that our mailbox doesn't come with key-less features and scoffing fridges that don't have water auto-fill.
(*Sigh...) What is the world coming to?
September 22nd 2014
The sun looked strange this morning. A large red circle still close to the horizon as it rose. I showed it to the boys and O said "How do you know that's the sun and not some huge ball of fiery destruction ready to be slung onto us?" (or some other wording very close to that).
I was silently terrified at this point but then T (my look-on-the-bright-side kid) chimed "I know it's the sun because there is no giant sling shot behind it."
Good point. Phew!
September 20th 2014
O is adamant about practicing the trumpet. In fact he's going to put that down as his example of perseverence on his Taekwondo challenge card.
And as I hear the sounds he's making and see his loyal brother by his side listening with a barely hidden distressed facial contortion, I wonder if when I hear him play at the end of the year whether my tears will be of pure joy or pained discomfort?
September 19th 2014
I've found little Z's super power - just like Jack Jack from "The Incredibles." And the scratch next to my nose from the last time he transformed took longer to heal than that vicious wasp sting from the other day!
September 17th 2014
I'm seriously the only chirpy one at the grocery store at 7am. I can't get over how wonderful it is to make use of this time and shop when almost no one is around.
The cashiers on the other hand seem extra grumpy. It's almost as if they see a bubble over my head that reads "chirp chirp" and then they put up their own speech bubble that says "what are you so happy about? (grumpy face)."
September 13th 2014
Having a bad weight day!
September 12th 2014
I've just realized that just about every year my New Years' Resolution is to talk less.
And I just realized I've had too many realizations this week!
September 11th 2014
I'm slowly coming to the daunting realization, that O's fit throwing, over analyzing, getting the last word-in behaviors may have (shockingly) been inherited from me (gulp- as O would say).
I'm now wondering how my parents made it through my childhood. I need to call them and ask...
September 10th 2014
So apparently T thinks the lizard that he caught on the bus the other day (and was forced to throw out after the driver made an emergency stop) didn't die after all.
I was about to crack up when he told me the story of the bus lizard because I could just imagine all the screaming kids and the terrified (and slightly angry) bus driver pulling up in the middle of nowhere and making my reluctant child throw it out.
T however was distressed about the harm that may have come to his little buddy at the time so I suppressed my grin.
He's alright now because he truly believes the lizard made its way back home to their school and that he saw it there today.
September 9th 2014
Little Z crawls around crawling people Mama. I get 'Dia-per' and random people get 'Ma-ma."
Story of my life.
September 8th 2014
I have a love hate relationship with reading logs.
Great for T who would never read otherwise, awful for O who now has an added excuse to stay buried in his books!
September 7th 2014
My boys things crazy is a positive and desirable quality in a mother.
September 4th 2014
The early mommy...gets the ultimate parking spot at the grocery store!
September 2nd 2014
O told me he doesn't want to get married because he's afraid he'll have children that turn out just like him...?! Yap, I took a video recording of that!
August 31st 2014
We now have an eager trumpeter who likes to practice at home. This means our living room often sounds like there's a dying elephant in it.
August 29th 2014
Today I found out the grocery store close to the bus stop opens at 6am.
Grocery shopping in peace and making use of the fact that little Z and I were all dressed and ready to roll?
I was on a high that even all the early morning grumpy faces couldn't break :)
August 27th 2014
For the past few days, Little Z has been in parrot mode. It will go down in history that he tries harder to say diaper than he does to say mummy.
August 26th 2014
You know you're an exhausted parent when:
* a good night's sleep means any 3 hours in a row.
* you believe the cost of that toilet paper roll your little one is unraveling and shredding all over the floor is worth the two minutes of peace you'll get out of it.
August 25th 2014
I don't get how apple's new computers won't even have a CD/DVD slot as we move to digitizing everything and meanwhile people are still asking me to fax things?!
August 24th 2014
I thought ironing uniforms was going to replace the dreaded lunchbox preparation as bane of my life but then hubby told me about the steam dewrinkle function on our dryer.
So now I love him that much more.
August 23rd 2014
In some miraculous twist of fate, we managed to downgrade to a trumpet.
August 22nd 2014
I think I prefer the boys deep roaring to Little Z's new high pitched scream. I can literally feel it piercing my ear drums.
August 21st 2014
Of all the instruments in this world that he could play, O picks a Euphonium. A Euphonium.
What is that even?
August 18th 2014
I vacuumed today. I hadn't been able to clean in three days, which in our house is a whole other level of cleanliness low.
But, logistical reasons, like gusts of family issues that resulted in a slew of time draining phone calls, and trying to entertain two boys at the end of a long school-less summer as they prepare, in a jittery frenzy, for a new school that requires *gulp* uniforms has prevented it.
And now, in the ten minutes that some divine serenity took hold of our family, I vacuumed away as fast as I could and...wow!
As all those pesky crumbs and dust bunnies vanished beneath my magical vacuum wand, I marveled at this amazing life saving technology (in my exhausted sleep deprived point of view) and at the amazing peace of mind I got from being able to see my floors again.
August 17th 2014
In the midst of our excitement about school starting next week, I got a haunting thought... lunchboxes.
August 16th 2014
My slow and deliberate decluttering initiative seems to be working. I now have a rather messy dining table, covered in things I'm getting rid of, but I'm actually going through several areas and clearing things away.
I'm also a lot more careful about not buying needless items.
I can actually feel myself breathing better every time I set aside unwanted clutter items.
August 15th 2014
So little Z can't walk but he can climb stairs, unscrew bottles and turn the faucet on our tub. He already soaks himself by cupping his hands and bathing himself with the water.
He also shuffles over to where the pull out tub shower head is and attempts to turn that faucet as well. Once he figures that one out (which I anticipate will be within days) he will soak my entire bathroom.
Bring it on little one.
August 14th 2014
Dear Summer Vacation,
Not. Cool.
August 10th 2014
Instead of our normally boring weekends, we decided to go on a day trip to our old college town and take the boys to see it and get some fan gear.
I'm not sure that it was anything super exciting for the boys but being back there brought a nostalgic mood to me. At first I felt sad thinking how full of potential I was back then.
But then I had a strange feeling come over me. It was like I suddenly remembered who I was as a person. As an individual. This feeling, of having an identity that is all mine and not an annex of anyone else, I needed that.
I love being a wife and a mom. But I also really like just being me.
August 8th 2014
I've been toying with the idea of "Less is More" and de-cluttering etc. I did a quick online search and there are many articles and one particularly interesting TED talk that help address the issue.
Today I begin to 'edit' my life and remove the things that are bogging me down. In the span of two minutes after watching that TED video I have already had some great ideas on what I can give away and throw out. It's amazing, my mind has been blocked for weeks on this and now it's like a "clearing of the arteries" as he mentions in his video!
August 7th 2014
Little Z turned one earlier this week and I am still in disbelief that a whole year has gone by. A year since he surprised (and blessed) us by showing up almost two weeks before his due date and a few days before the planned C-Section.
And what a year it's been! Definitely lined with challenges: A move after only 11 months in our previous location, a baby that came just as we were between our two month hotel stay and moving into our new home, hubby falling sick unexpectedly with a relatively uncommon condition when little Z was just six weeks old and our public school experience which to put simply was disastrous.
But if I were to summarize this past year with a memory I know will stay etched in my mind forever, then it would be at the Atlanta airport on our way back from Alabama visiting family.
T was pushing little Z around in our travel stroller while his dad and I took care of check in. Apparently, T was using the line dividers and markings on the floor to outline his 'race track' as he took little Z around all the while commentating on the 'race.'
He took a turn at a relatively high speed and I saw the stroller almost tip to the side. As I gasped and started towards them, I noticed little Z's face. The look of sheer delight he had just melted my heart.
All of a sudden I was no longer stressed about him falling. Instead I had the utmost gratitude for my beautiful children and their beautiful minds and creative thoughts. I can honestly say I didn't care what anyone at that airport thought about what they were doing or what kind of a mom I was to let them do it.
I was truly happy because to me, moments like these are what life, and especially life with kids, is all about.
And my own smile at this realization must have been contagious because people around seemed more amused than anything else. (That and people in Alabama and Georgia have beautiful hearts).
August 6th 2014
Today we had a small victory. That pesky spider that secretly crawled into my water boiler kettle, then in the hole that leads to the transparent water indicator section of the kettle and then died when I unsuspectingly boiled the water has finally been removed!
Apparently my idea to tilt the kettle so the dead spider lines up with the hole and then use a vacuum with an attachment (thank you Lint Lizard) to suck it back out through the whole was pure genious.
Ah the good life!
August 3rd 2014
Sometimes I want to give myself a high five. Like when I get through a trip - airports, flight etc without any major mishaps related to the kids, or when I come home and find that I had cleaned up pretty well before we left. Go me!
Now if only I can pull off a great 15 year anniversary gift and a way to off load the kids so we can go out and celebrate all in the span of tomorrow morning while the kids are with me, then I'd actually be medal worthy...
July 21st 2014
I've been finding potatoes all over our house. Little Z's been redecorating again. His infatuation with potato art and pulling all our shoes off the shoe racks baffles and yet amuses me.
July 20th 2014
I don't think my boys know what the meaning of quiet is. Not a matter of refusing to cooperate or being defiant, no, the problem runs far deeper.
They just have no idea what quiet would mean. They cannot imagine what quiet would look and sound like.
July 17th 2014
Listening to my boys today, couldn't help but remember that one year ago they were saying things like "No-lah," "Let's go to the pool-lah" adding 'lah' to the end of most phrases like a true Malaysian local would.
A year before that, they were conversing with children in a small Romanian town in what I've been told was fluent Romanian, while learning the words to "O Tannenbaum," the German version of "Oh Christmas Tree."
Today, in true Texas fashion they exclaim "Aw, Dang it!"
I cannot fathom how these boys will turn out, but I'm quite certain they will have a broad-spectrum of skills and a great deal of confusion.
July 16th 2014
As soon as I'd shut the toilet door, little Z came crawling at high speed, sat behind the door and whimpered loudly. Finding am empty toilet roll insert, I pushed it gently under the door and watched as it slowly got pulled from the other side.
Today's greatest accomplishment: Five minutes of blissful toilet time.
July 15th 2014
While practicing their kicks at Taekwondo today, the instructor asked what they had to remember to maintain their balance. Naturally, O was the one who remembered her tip and raised his hand eagerly to share. She acknowledged his response immediately and emphatically, "Yes! Squeeze your butt!"
My two seem to never tire of chuckling at that one.
Back at home, O informed me that the word 'buttock' was in fact found in their dictionary at school, "with a description and everything."
I said "yes, it's the official word for..." and he chimed in nonchalantly with "the fleshy part of your romp." I couldn't contain my giggles.
July 13th 2014
The events of the past days have been a good reminder of how blessed one is. Sometimes, a couple of life's curve balls really knock things into perspective. I wonder if this has anything to do with my renewed prayer to remain humble?
July 10th 2014
Little Z has become quite adept at emptying the contents of any drawers or cabinets within his reach. And now that he pulls up and likes to stand on tip toes, his reach has expanded as well.
When I call his name because he's pulling something out that he shouldn't, he now reaches to hand it to me right away with an innocent look. I have to admit, it melts my heart.
July 5th 2014
At bedtime, O leaned over from the top bunk and said "Mommy, thank you for all that you've done for me."
I told him I loved him and blew him a kiss.
It's moments like these - rare as they may be - that a mom realizes that one day these children may blossom into fantastic human beings after all.
July 4th 2014
We had a terrific experience today - we could see the 4th of July fireworks from our living room! The boys had a blast and I thought I took some great photos, or so I thought until I realized one of them was scratching his behind in every photo..
He did not seem to feel any remorse once we discovered this.
Little Z on the other hand was happy with the fireworks, mainly because by pulling open the blinds to watch them, he now had access to the blind strings to chew on.
June 30th 2014
Sometimes I feel like that whole notion that we suffer now but the kids will turn out great in the end just doesn't apply to me at all.
June 28th 2014
The ideas in my head are always big and glamorous but reality just doesn't measure up!
June 26th 2014
O threw a huge fit today on the way home from camp. One of those loud I've-had-the-worst-day-EVER type of fits. Luckily I had taken a small meal for him at pick up, I can't imagine what this fit would have been like if he was still hungry. Hungry fits are mega fits.
How do those people who have challenging boys suddenly become the proud parents of wonderful young men? There must be some major parenting efforts going on that no one tells us about. Surely, these self centered, fit throwing children don't just transform one night?
June 25th 2014In addition to the many skills little Z has mastered this week, such as walking around the perimeter of our furniture and leaping (literally) into what looks like a half-bent attempt at standing, he has now found his nostrils!
June 24th 2014
The three kinds of people you meet in this world:
1. The go with the flow people.
2. The go against the flow people.
3. The stay true to your principles people that go with their own 'flow.
June 19th 2014
Little Z was very fond of this wire. When I got a hold of it, I couldn't believe what a 10-month-old baby could do with just two and a half teeth!
I have one boy that leaves books strewn all over the house, another that leaves shoes and various sports balls and one that leaves his baby sized musical instruments. What I can predict from this observation is that, all three of them are going to be very messy people.
June 17th 2014
The downside to summer camps...lunchboxes.
June 16th 2014
I reminisce about my days In Malaysia and Romania (our last two assignments) a lot these days, but this week I remembered what I love so much about the good old USA. Over the past few days I have contacted the customer service reps at Planetbox for defective zipper pulleys on our lunchbox bags, Hoover for a missing brush accessory on my handheld steamer and Plasma car because the Plasma car we bought six years ago and shipped immediately because we were being moved to Egypt, had come without rear wheels.
It took one email to each of these companies and one extra call to Hoover and all of these items are on their way to me, free of charge. It's been a good week.
June 15th 2014
Today was a reasonably good day. Father's Day breakfast preps with the boys worked out well and our clean team initiative (an idea I incorporated from Pascoe's "Raising Global Nomads") was a success.
Somehow I think spending two hours every Sunday cleaning together as a family is going to be a big win for me.
This evening I was sighing and thinking I missed Malaysia...and Romania..and Alaska. Then I was happy thinking how lucky I am to have experienced all these places to miss.
June 13th 2014
Today I discovered a cartoon app that makes your pictures into sketches and cartoons. I'm reborn!
June 12th 2014
All in one week, baby discovered how to climb stairs, open drawers (and empty all their contents) and how to deliberately throw things behind my bed. What exactly just happened?
June 5th 2014
Last day of school! I can't believe I don't have to prepare a lunchbox tomorrow - or for 12 more weeks!!
May 29th 2014
Little Z has befriended the vacuum cleaner. He follows it everywhere and even claps for it sometimes. I suppose him fiddling with it and sitting on the wire while I vacuum is a better option than all the crying that went on before when I switched it on.
May 16th 2014
Amazing what intense faith (and a little tree shaking) can do! I've completed two brochures for an ad agency! I'm excited and so very thankful.
May 13th 2014
I could swear there is a married bird couple, nesting in our chimney, that fight at the same time every morning!
May 9th 2014
It would be nice if people stopped judging each other. We should all just grow out of that phase.
May 6th 2014
I wish there was a lunchbox fairy...
May 1st 2014
I have found that opinionated people who just want to force their views will discourage you from reading or researching 'too much' claiming it will just confuse you and drive you crazy, whereas balanced people will offer options and urge you to explore and select what you feel is best for you.
PS I'd like to create a spin off of the "How to Talk so Kids will Listen..." book by Faber and Mazlish. Mine would be titled "How to Talk so Mommy will Listen and Listen so Mommy will Talk less."
April 30th 2014
This evening, as I watched my baby try his newly developed crawl/shuffle skill on our beautiful slate floor, I wondered why I have not been more grateful lately for all the amazing things I have in my life.
Stirring these emotions of contentment inside me felt great!
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