David is commando-crawling at an increasingly rapid clip.
Today both mastered hoisting themselves to standing in the crib, and David has already learned to cruise around the crib in circles. Carmen concentrated on ways to get her leg over the rail and get out.
I'm toast.
Wednesday, November 02, 2005
Saturday, October 29, 2005
Because everything is new
This weekend C&D discovered the zoo, flamingos, house-sized aquaria, the George Ranch, and . . . hay.
More later. Really.
More later. Really.
Tuesday, October 18, 2005
Color, paint, sing, play!
College Tuition Increases Outpaced Gains in Aid: Ouch.
Here's something less painful: I'm now a distributor for Mercurius USA. Crayons, paints, flutes, drums, Waldorf supplies . . . and C&D get to try out all the merchandise! Woo-hoo!
Here's something less painful: I'm now a distributor for Mercurius USA. Crayons, paints, flutes, drums, Waldorf supplies . . . and C&D get to try out all the merchandise! Woo-hoo!
Monday, October 17, 2005
Sunday, October 16, 2005
Even Better
Today we drove to Central Market for dinner and some Seven Generation kitchen cleaner to replace my Waterpik Aquia (a sad story that I will not recount in this space . . . sniff).
All of our meals now involve C&D eating, too, so they ate sauteed carrots, slippery mung bean noodles, and little bitty nibbles of water chestnuts. After our little family covered the concrete floor beneath our patio table with a sprinkle of orange and white in the style of Pollock, Matt and I realized that we should go out to eat more often. The babies enjoy eating and people-watching, and, even better, we don't have to clean the floor when we're done.
At home the biggest culinary hit this weekend was lightly steamed haricots vert. That's good. Skinny little green beans are easy to clean up.
I think the babies have confused the sign for "milk" with the sign for "mommy." I should fix that before they start school.
I also need to fix our sleep habits. I think Carmen has taken after her mother and turned into a nighttime dawdler (see the time of those post). Tonight she ate, pottied, rocked, then ate, pottied, and rocked again before falling asleep. I suppose she just wanted to make sure I was able to watch Desperate Housewives (and Extreme Home Makeover before, and Grey's Anatomy after).
All of our meals now involve C&D eating, too, so they ate sauteed carrots, slippery mung bean noodles, and little bitty nibbles of water chestnuts. After our little family covered the concrete floor beneath our patio table with a sprinkle of orange and white in the style of Pollock, Matt and I realized that we should go out to eat more often. The babies enjoy eating and people-watching, and, even better, we don't have to clean the floor when we're done.
At home the biggest culinary hit this weekend was lightly steamed haricots vert. That's good. Skinny little green beans are easy to clean up.
I think the babies have confused the sign for "milk" with the sign for "mommy." I should fix that before they start school.
I also need to fix our sleep habits. I think Carmen has taken after her mother and turned into a nighttime dawdler (see the time of those post). Tonight she ate, pottied, rocked, then ate, pottied, and rocked again before falling asleep. I suppose she just wanted to make sure I was able to watch Desperate Housewives (and Extreme Home Makeover before, and Grey's Anatomy after).
Saturday, October 15, 2005
Babies Wobble But They Won't Fall Down
Well, most of the time, anyway.
Earlier in the week I left the babies alone in the living-room-turned-playroom for a minute while I got a drink in the kitchen. I returned to find Carmen had rolled toward David, and they were giggling and grabbing at one another. I wanted to record it, and instead caught this:
This week we built an enclosure against the kitchen window, where our table used to be. We made my office space a little smaller, moved the kitchen table to the spot where my plants sat, and then fenced off the newly-created space adjacent to the kitchen's picture window. Now that the babies are squiggling, scootching, wobbling, and rolling around, the enclosure will let us keep an eye on them while we work in the kitchen or catch a snack. They seem not to mind it, and David has already tried pulling up on the metal bars (and stopped halfway up, stuck).
C&D snacked on some broccoli yesterday, but Carmen said she preferred her sock, instead. Good thing we found more BabyGap socks at the consignment store. They are stretchy and pull up higher than most, so she has to tug on them for hours before they finally come off.
Earlier in the week I left the babies alone in the living-room-turned-playroom for a minute while I got a drink in the kitchen. I returned to find Carmen had rolled toward David, and they were giggling and grabbing at one another. I wanted to record it, and instead caught this:
This week we built an enclosure against the kitchen window, where our table used to be. We made my office space a little smaller, moved the kitchen table to the spot where my plants sat, and then fenced off the newly-created space adjacent to the kitchen's picture window. Now that the babies are squiggling, scootching, wobbling, and rolling around, the enclosure will let us keep an eye on them while we work in the kitchen or catch a snack. They seem not to mind it, and David has already tried pulling up on the metal bars (and stopped halfway up, stuck).
Watching the cat on the window ledge outside.
C&D snacked on some broccoli yesterday, but Carmen said she preferred her sock, instead. Good thing we found more BabyGap socks at the consignment store. They are stretchy and pull up higher than most, so she has to tug on them for hours before they finally come off.
Wednesday, October 12, 2005
Babies Say: Mush Is Out!
Babies Worldwide Admit Mushy Food is Boring
I laughed when I saw this. I think C&D wrote it.
The past couple of weeks they have made clear that the pureed veggies I prepared for them is so two months ago. They don't object to the taste, but are less enthused about the texture. This has been especially true since they've noticed that the sweet potatoes or beets on my plate don't look much like theirs.
So their favorites these days? Crunchy wheat crackers, al dente penne pasta, crisp broccoli off the stalk, sweet potato and yams cut into "fries," bananas, roast lamb, oat o's, savory chicken bones (great teething toys!), the fattest baby carrots we can find, and slimey, slippery pieces of avocado. Almost all organic, of course, I am proud of that. We want to make sure we are doing everything we can to grow strong, healthy people.
We still consider the allergenicity of the foods we are introducing them to (imagine being allergic to avocado, how sad!), but the food processor won't be making any more mushy baby food. Good thing I've got the ingredients for a nice basil and pine nut pesto lined up for tomorrow. Don't want the food processor to sit on its (rubber-footed, skidproof) laurels.
David's second tooth is finally starting to break the surface. I felt it when I felt the first around the time of Rita, but it has been slow in erupting. So now he is close to having two center bottom teeth. Carmen's two top left teeth are on the way out, and she likes practicing her bite on poor, defenseless carrots.
I laughed when I saw this. I think C&D wrote it.
The past couple of weeks they have made clear that the pureed veggies I prepared for them is so two months ago. They don't object to the taste, but are less enthused about the texture. This has been especially true since they've noticed that the sweet potatoes or beets on my plate don't look much like theirs.
So their favorites these days? Crunchy wheat crackers, al dente penne pasta, crisp broccoli off the stalk, sweet potato and yams cut into "fries," bananas, roast lamb, oat o's, savory chicken bones (great teething toys!), the fattest baby carrots we can find, and slimey, slippery pieces of avocado. Almost all organic, of course, I am proud of that. We want to make sure we are doing everything we can to grow strong, healthy people.
We still consider the allergenicity of the foods we are introducing them to (imagine being allergic to avocado, how sad!), but the food processor won't be making any more mushy baby food. Good thing I've got the ingredients for a nice basil and pine nut pesto lined up for tomorrow. Don't want the food processor to sit on its (rubber-footed, skidproof) laurels.
David's second tooth is finally starting to break the surface. I felt it when I felt the first around the time of Rita, but it has been slow in erupting. So now he is close to having two center bottom teeth. Carmen's two top left teeth are on the way out, and she likes practicing her bite on poor, defenseless carrots.
Monday, October 10, 2005
David Wearing Babylegs
Another mirror picture.
Couldn't put a clingy David down this afternoon, and couldn't take a picture of him sitting in my lap because he was squirmy and kept grabbing at the camera--until we went into the bathroom. So, say hi to David, my trusty bathroom mirror, and check out those cute Babylegs!
With winter approaching, the Babylegs should help C&D keep toasty-warm.
Friday, October 07, 2005
Carmen, Fiona, and a Library Book, and, well . . .
Taking a moment to have a snack (well, okay, Dinner Part II) and catch up on a couple of projects before joining everybody else in sleep. I really didn't want to put Carmen to bed earlier tonight. I was enjoying her too much. As I rocked her she nursed, stood, jumped, sang, gurgled, pottied, took off our socks, explored my mouth, hair, and headlamp, and spoke German ("Goch! Goch!), Chinese ("Gu, Gu!"), Sheepish ("Ba Ba Ba!") and British English (Ta! Ta! Ta!). Frustrating, maybe, but I still wanted to kiss her cheeks until she giggled and squealed.
Of course, those things are funny in the evening, but tragic at midnight. Fortunately such antics are rare once C&D are asleep.
I was going to say something else but a long week has caught up with me, because I have already forgetten it. Hmm. Well, just for yummies, here is a picture of David from the Hurricane Rita weekend before I sign off. He is a little tired in the picture, but still his sweet, sensitive self:
Of course, those things are funny in the evening, but tragic at midnight. Fortunately such antics are rare once C&D are asleep.
I was going to say something else but a long week has caught up with me, because I have already forgetten it. Hmm. Well, just for yummies, here is a picture of David from the Hurricane Rita weekend before I sign off. He is a little tired in the picture, but still his sweet, sensitive self:
Thursday, October 06, 2005
So what's that "n" code that shows up when you press "play"?
Let me know. I sure don't know what it is. I'm stumped, and it's icky-looking.
Trembling With Excitement
When David was about 6 months old, we noticed that at certain times he would literally tremble with excitement. He still trembles when he sees something exciting, like a new toy (in this case, a plastic bag), or the cat. Sometimes he yells at whatever he's looking at, as if to say, "Hey, you know I can't reach you because I haven't figured out how to locomote, so you get yourself over here, instead!" When the cat hears such racket of course he ignores it, and thus David is already learning how it is with cats.
And here is Carmen trying to figure out how exactly her arms and legs might work so that she can move from here to there. It's hard stuff, learning how to get around! She's looking away from the camera because she's looking at Fiona. I think Carmen wanted to ask her, "So, think you can help me out, here?"
And here is Carmen trying to figure out how exactly her arms and legs might work so that she can move from here to there. It's hard stuff, learning how to get around! She's looking away from the camera because she's looking at Fiona. I think Carmen wanted to ask her, "So, think you can help me out, here?"
Wednesday, October 05, 2005
I Am SuperMom
I am SuperMom. Or, at least, let me pretend that I am. This picture was taken this afternoon. In my bathroom. Yes, I write on my mirror with Dry-Erase markers. Yes, that is David peeking around my back. Yes, we are about to take a walk. Yes, I would like hazard pay.
Still here, but caught up in, well, living. Work, play, evacuating from hurricanes, cleaning up after evacuating from hurricanes, cleaning up after cleaning up, and trying to reason with two babies who are reluctant to sleep because they would like to practice crawling, talking, walking, exploring, and just being babies.
Trying to crawl. Arms and legs aren't coordinated, yet, so after realizing she is stuck . . .
Carmen takes a break. David is still squiggling, but gets more excited about possibly walking. He pulled himself up to kneeling today. I wonder what is next?
More will come later, I promise, when things settle down. (Please say they will.)
First library trip yesterday. Found I can relate to the Very Hungry Caterpillar: need to go grocery shopping for the second time in a week tomorrow. The fridge is empty.
Wednesday, September 21, 2005
Is anybody goin' to San Antone,
or Phoenix, Arizona?
So says the song. We're leaving for San Antonio tonight around 2am. Even if Rita hits Port O'Connor (look it up if you don't have every bitty town in Texas memorized . . . what, you don't have every bitty town in Texas memorized?!) we're going to be experiencing 100+ mph winds in our neck of the woods. That's enough to put us at risk for some severe discomfort, especially if our ash tree falls on our house. The power is most certainly to be out Friday through . . . well, who knows. No power means no air conditioner, not to mention no fridge. Both are pretty indespensable lately, so we're packing up some diapers and toys and visiting Nana's.
A direct hit is still possible, as well.
Of course we're taking the Wi-Fi router to my parents' house, so we'll be online over the weekend. San Antonio will receive some stormy weather courtesy of Rita, but nothing worse than a typical stormy weekend, and nothing worth shutting the city down, so we'll be just fine.
So says the song. We're leaving for San Antonio tonight around 2am. Even if Rita hits Port O'Connor (look it up if you don't have every bitty town in Texas memorized . . . what, you don't have every bitty town in Texas memorized?!) we're going to be experiencing 100+ mph winds in our neck of the woods. That's enough to put us at risk for some severe discomfort, especially if our ash tree falls on our house. The power is most certainly to be out Friday through . . . well, who knows. No power means no air conditioner, not to mention no fridge. Both are pretty indespensable lately, so we're packing up some diapers and toys and visiting Nana's.
A direct hit is still possible, as well.
Of course we're taking the Wi-Fi router to my parents' house, so we'll be online over the weekend. San Antonio will receive some stormy weather courtesy of Rita, but nothing worse than a typical stormy weekend, and nothing worth shutting the city down, so we'll be just fine.
Wednesday, September 14, 2005
Past, past, past
It's just about 3 hours past C&D's bedtime. That's 9:30pm to you civilians.
It's dark except for the light of the laptop. Carmen is in the bed on her back. She is flapping her arms, stomping her feet like a Fire on the Mountain clogger, and singing, gurgling, and blowing raspberries. (David is asleep in the other bed; thanks, kiddo.) So I am here, deciding that after swinging, rocking, going potty, swinging, rocking, and swinging some more, she can just roll around on the bed to her heart's content and hopefully get whatever's making her antsy out of her system (I wonder if it was the chocolate I ate today?). And I'm trying very hard to keep a straight face. I need a nap, a snack, and I really need to pee, but I also need to laugh. I will in the morning. This girl is crazy.
Yesterday I walked with her up and down the street for an hour. I tied her up in the mei tai, pulled out the phone, and just hoped I would bore her to sleep. For about 20 minutes of that hour she released her energy by singing "Aaaaaaaaah. Aaa-aaaa-aaa-aaaaaa-aaah!" so that the whole street could hear. When the neighbors drove by they were careful not to honk like they usually do; I must have looked like a mama on a mission. After she sang herself to sleep I walked for 20 more minutes to make sure the sleep stuck. It did. For a couple hours, anyway. Did I tell you this girl is crazy?
Hard to admit that she has two bottom teeth now; the second appeared over the weekend. I guess they're growing up, after all.
In other news, David thinks peek-a-boo behind the corner is ab-so-lutely hilarious. Can't wait to play hide-and-go-seek.
She stopped flapping, but she's still talking, and she's 180 degrees opposite of where she was before. Maybe I should try again.
It's dark except for the light of the laptop. Carmen is in the bed on her back. She is flapping her arms, stomping her feet like a Fire on the Mountain clogger, and singing, gurgling, and blowing raspberries. (David is asleep in the other bed; thanks, kiddo.) So I am here, deciding that after swinging, rocking, going potty, swinging, rocking, and swinging some more, she can just roll around on the bed to her heart's content and hopefully get whatever's making her antsy out of her system (I wonder if it was the chocolate I ate today?). And I'm trying very hard to keep a straight face. I need a nap, a snack, and I really need to pee, but I also need to laugh. I will in the morning. This girl is crazy.
Yesterday I walked with her up and down the street for an hour. I tied her up in the mei tai, pulled out the phone, and just hoped I would bore her to sleep. For about 20 minutes of that hour she released her energy by singing "Aaaaaaaaah. Aaa-aaaa-aaa-aaaaaa-aaah!" so that the whole street could hear. When the neighbors drove by they were careful not to honk like they usually do; I must have looked like a mama on a mission. After she sang herself to sleep I walked for 20 more minutes to make sure the sleep stuck. It did. For a couple hours, anyway. Did I tell you this girl is crazy?
Hard to admit that she has two bottom teeth now; the second appeared over the weekend. I guess they're growing up, after all.
In other news, David thinks peek-a-boo behind the corner is ab-so-lutely hilarious. Can't wait to play hide-and-go-seek.
She stopped flapping, but she's still talking, and she's 180 degrees opposite of where she was before. Maybe I should try again.
Sunday, September 11, 2005
When Somebody With No Teeth Smile At You
Lost all of this week's pictures. Seems that our 512MB memory card might be a little wonky (I'm hoping that's what it is, and not the camera!). Too bad, because the card had video of Matt holding David's hand while we took some tentative, wobbly steps. And of course, David hasn't done it again lately.
David is rocking on all fours, and Carmen is doing something like "Upward-Facing Dog." No crawling, but it's obvious they are enjoying the fact that they can push themselves up. Locomoting is still very puzzling, however.
A second tooth appeared in Carmen's mouth yesterday. David is still yummy in that toothless baby way. At Whole Foods on Friday, a woman teased David to make him smile. At first he hid behind the wrap, but when he did smile, he gave her a nice, big one. She laughed and told me, "That's the only time when somebody with no teeth smile at you and you think it's cute!"
Went swimming today. Met our usual friends then entered the therapy pool for some hard-core splashing. Both C&D tried to drink the water. "Who needs cups?" they said. Carmen splashed hard enough to get water all over Matt's glasses and began her characteristic (these days) screeching when she noticed the pools were too quiet with everybody minding their own business. Both still kick, and both tried paddling a bit with their arms.
Later this week we should get the 60+ bibs we ordered on eBay this weekend. We have several bibs, but only a few of them fit Carmen's neck without looking uncomfortably tight. So we found a lot of 60+ bibs of various sizes and conditions, and we're going to go treasure-hunting when the box arrives Wednesday or Thursday.
Next is socks. We don't have any that fit (C&D are wearing 12-24 mos.). With all their tummy time, some socks are in order to protect their soft little toenails. We're going to get the brightest, stripeyist, craziest socks we can find. This next developmental stage is going to be much about their feet, we should celebrate it! So we're looking for colorful sock lots. Oh, that just reminded me. I need to go check on my bid!
David is rocking on all fours, and Carmen is doing something like "Upward-Facing Dog." No crawling, but it's obvious they are enjoying the fact that they can push themselves up. Locomoting is still very puzzling, however.
A second tooth appeared in Carmen's mouth yesterday. David is still yummy in that toothless baby way. At Whole Foods on Friday, a woman teased David to make him smile. At first he hid behind the wrap, but when he did smile, he gave her a nice, big one. She laughed and told me, "That's the only time when somebody with no teeth smile at you and you think it's cute!"
Went swimming today. Met our usual friends then entered the therapy pool for some hard-core splashing. Both C&D tried to drink the water. "Who needs cups?" they said. Carmen splashed hard enough to get water all over Matt's glasses and began her characteristic (these days) screeching when she noticed the pools were too quiet with everybody minding their own business. Both still kick, and both tried paddling a bit with their arms.
Later this week we should get the 60+ bibs we ordered on eBay this weekend. We have several bibs, but only a few of them fit Carmen's neck without looking uncomfortably tight. So we found a lot of 60+ bibs of various sizes and conditions, and we're going to go treasure-hunting when the box arrives Wednesday or Thursday.
Next is socks. We don't have any that fit (C&D are wearing 12-24 mos.). With all their tummy time, some socks are in order to protect their soft little toenails. We're going to get the brightest, stripeyist, craziest socks we can find. This next developmental stage is going to be much about their feet, we should celebrate it! So we're looking for colorful sock lots. Oh, that just reminded me. I need to go check on my bid!
Friday, September 09, 2005
Remember this
I need to remember this. Fiona is out sick today, and Matt is at work.
Carmen didn't want to nap and was tired-fussy. So I put David on my back with the mei tai, and held Carmen in my arms, and just spent a good half hour walking in the shady spot in front of the house, back and forth, back and forth. I am wearing my Majamas (a nightgown that doesn't look too much like a nightgown) and my yellow TdF cap because I haven't had a chance to fix my hair this morning and it is, predictably, standing on end like a rooster's comb.
I'm glad the neighbors are all busy today.
And yes, Carmen fell asleep.
Carmen didn't want to nap and was tired-fussy. So I put David on my back with the mei tai, and held Carmen in my arms, and just spent a good half hour walking in the shady spot in front of the house, back and forth, back and forth. I am wearing my Majamas (a nightgown that doesn't look too much like a nightgown) and my yellow TdF cap because I haven't had a chance to fix my hair this morning and it is, predictably, standing on end like a rooster's comb.
I'm glad the neighbors are all busy today.
And yes, Carmen fell asleep.
Wednesday, September 07, 2005
Labor Day Pictures
Pictures from the little angels on Labor Day. This is the park between the Williams Tower and the Water Wall. The Water Wall was actually working today, and C&D saw it. Both babies looked less than thrilled to see it, but I would have enjoyed having it as a background. Well, another time. I'm not sure why David's little shirt isn't buttoned at bottom; ask Matt. I think maybe David was hot or something.
When he got home from work Matt got to help David walk today. Before that David figured out every baby's favorite game: Throw Something &Make Your Mother Pick It Up & Bring It Back to You. David's variation involved throwing a hard plastic toy on our hard wooden floor while Carmen was sleeping. You can guess that even with the white noise on and the door shut, Carmen wasn't sleeping for much longer when that game started.
Then Carmen played a game of her own: I Want Whatever Brother Has In His Hands Or Mouth. Earlier in the day, when Carmen snatched a book out of his hands, David just let her have it and moved on to something else. This evening, though, he protested and tried to snatch whatever Carmen had taken right back. Carmen, of course, pulled harder.
Oh-oh. I didn't think that game would start so early.
Tuesday, September 06, 2005
Determination
The babies tried their hardest to refuse to sleep today. Last week Carmen fell asleep in the car with the babies' favorite rattle. When the car stopped and she woke up just enough to realize she had been sleeping, she started shaking the rattle furiously, her eyes still closed.
Today was like that. All day. Fiona commented that C&D must be very determined children. They might not nap, but with such determination (read: stubborness?) they should do well in life.
The cat also learned a little about determination today. He was napping with one eye open while David played on the rug. David, sitting up, tried to get the cat's attention. "Uuuuuugh," David said. "Uuuuuugh, eerrrrrrrruuugh!" The cat's ears twitched and he watched David from small slits of eyes. David starting bouncing, waving his arms, and shivering with excitement. I held David's hands and pulled him up to standing . . . and he took a step. And another one. And another one. In a few seconds he had ambled over the three feet to the cat. Toby's tail twitched. He looked at me, then at the baby. David stepped on the cat's furry foot and the cat ran around the corner to hide. David stared at the place where the cat had been, then at the corner. I tried letting him walk back to the rug, but David, temporarily defeated, just sat on the floor.
Later he tried cruising around a laundry basket. He was practicing for next time, maybe.
I should talk to the cat about determination.
Today was like that. All day. Fiona commented that C&D must be very determined children. They might not nap, but with such determination (read: stubborness?) they should do well in life.
The cat also learned a little about determination today. He was napping with one eye open while David played on the rug. David, sitting up, tried to get the cat's attention. "Uuuuuugh," David said. "Uuuuuugh, eerrrrrrrruuugh!" The cat's ears twitched and he watched David from small slits of eyes. David starting bouncing, waving his arms, and shivering with excitement. I held David's hands and pulled him up to standing . . . and he took a step. And another one. And another one. In a few seconds he had ambled over the three feet to the cat. Toby's tail twitched. He looked at me, then at the baby. David stepped on the cat's furry foot and the cat ran around the corner to hide. David stared at the place where the cat had been, then at the corner. I tried letting him walk back to the rug, but David, temporarily defeated, just sat on the floor.
Later he tried cruising around a laundry basket. He was practicing for next time, maybe.
I should talk to the cat about determination.
Monday, September 05, 2005
Labor Day
Went to the Water Wall today--and the fountain had been turned off! What a bummer. It's a nice place to vist every now and then, not just for enjoying the fountain itself but also because it's nice to watch the social scene that surrounds it.
Because it was early in the day we did enjoy a short sit in the grass. Pictures coming later. I don't think the babies will let me post them tonight. I need to make sure we all sleep well. Long to-do list for tomorrow.
From the CDP:
Dear friends,
September and October are the peak months for births in the US. There are many pregnant women at the Astrodome and many women with very small babies. The situation is so critical they are mixing formula with water from buckets using zip lock bags (account from Mrs. D., one of Nadia's clients, who just came back from volunteering at the center).
We are placing a call to see who would like to help pregnant women at the hospital and immediately afterwards to help with the baby and breastfeeding. (Please let me know also if you speak another language, especially Spanish).
We are contacting local hospitals and the Houston Area Perinatal Collaborative to inform them we may be able to provide volunteer help specifically for mothers who are alone or in precarious situations. People are also sleeping anywhere they can, in chairs, etc., with the lights on day and night. Let us know if you could also potentially offer temporary shelter to pregnant or nursing mothers -
We are contacting some of the public agencies we work with on a regular basis to see how we can help coordinate some of that effort. They trust us for the quality of our work. As you know, everyone is overwhelmed right now, and this will have to be a sustained effort. Anyway we can help with a piece of it makes a big difference.
[Contact info withheld. Ask me if you are interested in helping, or if you know someone who can!]
The mission of the Community Doula Program is to educate and nurture expectant youth in disadvantaged neighborhoods, by cultivating peer Doulas from the communities served.
Because it was early in the day we did enjoy a short sit in the grass. Pictures coming later. I don't think the babies will let me post them tonight. I need to make sure we all sleep well. Long to-do list for tomorrow.
From the CDP:
Dear friends,
September and October are the peak months for births in the US. There are many pregnant women at the Astrodome and many women with very small babies. The situation is so critical they are mixing formula with water from buckets using zip lock bags (account from Mrs. D., one of Nadia's clients, who just came back from volunteering at the center).
We are placing a call to see who would like to help pregnant women at the hospital and immediately afterwards to help with the baby and breastfeeding. (Please let me know also if you speak another language, especially Spanish).
We are contacting local hospitals and the Houston Area Perinatal Collaborative to inform them we may be able to provide volunteer help specifically for mothers who are alone or in precarious situations. People are also sleeping anywhere they can, in chairs, etc., with the lights on day and night. Let us know if you could also potentially offer temporary shelter to pregnant or nursing mothers -
We are contacting some of the public agencies we work with on a regular basis to see how we can help coordinate some of that effort. They trust us for the quality of our work. As you know, everyone is overwhelmed right now, and this will have to be a sustained effort. Anyway we can help with a piece of it makes a big difference.
[Contact info withheld. Ask me if you are interested in helping, or if you know someone who can!]
The mission of the Community Doula Program is to educate and nurture expectant youth in disadvantaged neighborhoods, by cultivating peer Doulas from the communities served.
Sunday, September 04, 2005
Botany is For Babies, Too . . .
. . . at least, where allergies are concerned.
I was thinking about Carmen's sensitive tummy today. It hasn't been so happy, lately. I thought about the pears she ate earlier in the week. Her tummy didn't seem to like those much.
Turns out the "pears" were actually gala apples, and the apples had been mislabeled as pears. Gala apples are a little tart. Poor David! No wonder he made such faces! Sorry, little dude.
In either case, be they apples or pears, an unhappy tummy may mean that we have an apple sensitivity on our hands, which means that we also have to be careful with the other things that apples are related to: strawberries (which, coincidentally, she reacts to), cherries (reacts), almonds (don't know because I haven't tried), plums, peaches, and, of course, those darn pears. All of those things and more are in the rosaceae family. See, botany is for babies, too!
Hrmmm. An apple sensitivity would explain a lot, if it were true. Testing is inconclusive at this early age, so all we can really do is avoid those things and see what happens when I add them into my--or Carmen's--diet.
In a way, I hope that's what it is. I'd like to be able to have my finger on all of the foods that bother her; right now there's still some uncertainty because I have to slowly test one food at a time. On the other hand, how can a kid be allergic to apples? How unAmerican! Allergic to peaches? How unSouthern! Hopefully by identifying the problem now, we'll save her from a lifetime of apple (or rosaceae) allergies and she'll be enjoying apple pie with the rest of us a few years down the road.
I was thinking about Carmen's sensitive tummy today. It hasn't been so happy, lately. I thought about the pears she ate earlier in the week. Her tummy didn't seem to like those much.
Turns out the "pears" were actually gala apples, and the apples had been mislabeled as pears. Gala apples are a little tart. Poor David! No wonder he made such faces! Sorry, little dude.
In either case, be they apples or pears, an unhappy tummy may mean that we have an apple sensitivity on our hands, which means that we also have to be careful with the other things that apples are related to: strawberries (which, coincidentally, she reacts to), cherries (reacts), almonds (don't know because I haven't tried), plums, peaches, and, of course, those darn pears. All of those things and more are in the rosaceae family. See, botany is for babies, too!
Hrmmm. An apple sensitivity would explain a lot, if it were true. Testing is inconclusive at this early age, so all we can really do is avoid those things and see what happens when I add them into my--or Carmen's--diet.
In a way, I hope that's what it is. I'd like to be able to have my finger on all of the foods that bother her; right now there's still some uncertainty because I have to slowly test one food at a time. On the other hand, how can a kid be allergic to apples? How unAmerican! Allergic to peaches? How unSouthern! Hopefully by identifying the problem now, we'll save her from a lifetime of apple (or rosaceae) allergies and she'll be enjoying apple pie with the rest of us a few years down the road.
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