Other updates

So either my fever, which hit 102 overnight, finally burned itself out, or the Excedrin I took at 3 a.m. is just making me feel 100 times better for a little while.  Either way, so glad to not have the fever/chills right now.  The coughing, sneezing, congestion, and blocked ears are all just annoying.

In my haste to get up a blog post yesterday I neglected a few important details.

1) Nicholas struck out twice at yesterday's game... and hit a double.  It. Was. Awesome.  I still don't care one bit about baseball, except when something like that happens and I see my kid just light up.  Add to that he was switched to first base (from left field) due to the first baseman out sick, and he got two runners out.  This whole baseball thing is teaching my kid that good sportsmanship exists (after basketball and football in Virginia I don't think he believed it was true, here the other kids on his team are all helpful and supportive, high fives go around even for a strikeout), but it's also teaching him that speaking up can yield results.  When the first baseman didn't show to practice, he asked the coach who would fill the spot, then volunteered himself.  He tried the same thing when he did football a couple years ago and was so readily dismissed he gave up.  This coach listens and encourages.  Nicholas was moved to center field near the end of the game to give another kid a chance at first base and that's just the way it goes.  Good stuff.

2) Jonathon had a private riding lesson.  Rebecca had alternate plans and the other kids from his class didn't show (which is a good thing since one of them clearly is terrified of being on a horse which means the instructor spends a good deal of time cajoling her into doing anything while everyone else just walks in circles).  So with plenty of space and the full attention of the instructor, Jonathon was cantering on purpose around the ring.  He's done it a couple times before when the horses freak out about something, but to do it on purpose is a nice change of pace.  Hah.  Punny.

Happy Happy Day

Today, my "baby" turned 6. I seriously don't know how that happened.

At the end of school yesterday I brought cupcakes and gingerbread cookies for his classmates and teacher (and I got to read _The Gingerbread Man_ to the kids). It's a tradition and now that there are 3 elementary classes per grade we only bring for a single class. It's great! I'd also brought plenty extra for him to share with whomever he chose: teachers, the principal, random friends. Everyone knew it was his birthday, the huge paper crown notwithstanding.
We brought a friend of Rebecca's home for a sleepover last night. She's a wonderful little girl in 4th grade, new to Chennai as of a couple weeks ago. Her family is slowly settling in, and it was nice to be able to take in their daughter for an evening. The girls had a great time petting the new kitten, making Jonathon's birthday cake, playing and hanging about. Rebecca had her tennis lesson this morning so her friend watched, and piano was canceled so the morning was low key. The girl has three younger brothers, one of then a First Grader too, so later in the morning once Katherine came home from swimming we planned to meet up with the family for a little fun.
It was Jonathon's birthday so the day was about him. He got to play on the Wii first. He invited his friend to go bowling. He was allowed to have mac&cheese and a brownie sundae at Sparky's. He opened plenty of gifts and had chocolate chocolate cake for dinner. (We had lunch late, no one wanted real food for dinner.)
Snow Bowling was packed. I've never seen it like that and hope never to again. I'll stick with school holidays from here on out. All four lanes were full, ours with 6 kids bowling, two other little kids and four adults watching. The lane to the right was overflowing with Korean kids from AISC. At one point I think there were 10 of them. To the left were about 8 Indian kids. And in lane 1 were 4 Americans and an infant, the women in full salwar sets. I could only think... why? For bowling?
So the place was full, hot and for some reason the Korean kids would not keep out of our lane, hanging on the ball return, standing in front of our kids, using the 6 and 8 pounds balls. We yelled at them more than once to stay on their side.
For all the hassle, Snow Bowling is laid back and cheap. Six games for Rs900, no shoe rental because if you think bowling shoes in the States are rank, try them in India. No, they don't let us wear our own shoes, it's barefoot time. With bowling balls. Who knew bowling was a risky sport? Well, we do since way back in Manila Jonathon fractured his thumb once at bowling. Ah, memories. No fractures today, thank goodness, we just had to make our own score sheet. The computers for Lanes 1&2 work, but Lanes 3&4 are on their own. There are plenty of issues with Lane 3 aside from the lack of computer scoring, including the pin lifter machine thingie dropping pins regularly. It made the kids scores much better than normal. I think the lanes are bent too with a definite lean to the left. It's an adventure. I wonder what the offices the floor below think of all the pounding. A bowling alley on the 4th floor, who thought that was a good idea?
Thirsty and worn out from our very long and loud game of 10 pins, we hopped over to Sparky's for lunch. We're not huge fans of going to the restaurant as Ian orders Sparky's food just about every day for lunch and when the kids buy at school it's often Sparky's, but I knew it would totally make Jonathon's day. So we invited the other family out (it's right in their neighborhood) and spent some time in a diner, capped by the crew coming over with a lit brownie sundae and cheering for our guy. It was a great moment.
The afternoon flittered away and the evening was present time. We're a little cruel with our kids, stacking up gifts in the morning and making them wait until after dinner to open. This year he was quite pleased, finally getting to play with the Tamagotchi he picked out this summer, a Transformer from Rebecca that flips to a mini video camera, silly string from his other sister, a Washington DC stuffed animal from his brother, a Spiderman motorcycle from his neighbor friend and a set of titanium junior left-handed golf clubs from mom and dad. No golf balls yet, they're coming, and his gift from grandma and grandpa is on its way too. But it's even better this way, stretching his birthday into the coming week.
This pas Wednesday he was really sick. Friday I noticed he looked tall and lean. I don't know if he grew or if it's a trick with being ill, so it looks like it's time to pull out the tape measure and see if our kid is as big as he looks.
Wish I could stick him in a box and keep him little. Barring that, I'll just remember his happy face on days like today and think that growing up is OK when it's accompanied by such joy.

ARG!

This child will be the death of me. After finally clearing up the issue with Jonathon stomping on another kid's backpack and thereby paying for a new one, I was pulled aside yesterday by his teacher and told we need to have a chat. When I interrogated Jonathon, seems he pushed a little girl off a pile of pillow cushions. His reasoning: no one is allowed to sit on all the cushions. How do I get it through his thick little skull that pushing her off wasn't the right response?? He honestly feels he had a duty to right her wrong, but didn't see his reaction as the wrong thing to do. Thank goodness there are only 3 weeks left of school. I told him if he can't respect his classmates then I'm putting him in preschool next year. Wow, that was a bad response on my part, wasn't it? Sadly, I was only 1/2 "kidding."

Ode to Jonathon

Diwali weekend in India is kind of like Easter weekend in Manila. Things are closed, our househelp isn't here, and things are pretty slow. Actually, I'm not sure if everything's closed. Although we have our rented car, Michele isn't supportive of my wish to drive it. Sure, they drive on the wrong side. And the steering wheel's on the right. And it's a stick shift, which I haven't driven in more than 10 years. But there's not much traffic either, right?

Anyway, we're around the house for the weekend, for the most part. (Reminding us of almost every weekend in Lome...) We did go out on Friday, both for the parent-teacher conferences and to the children's park. It was another Sad Third-World Zoo, with random animals escaped from their cages and trying desperately to get back in. We had plans to go to the snake park next door, but Jonathon walked up to us with wet pants to say, "I had to go to the bathroom." A bit late. We made him sit next to us while the rest played, and I made a little poem for him.
"There you be,
All covered in pee,
I still see,
That you are wee!"
He didn't think it was that funny. The kids and Michele did. And I'm sure Jeff will too.

Happy Birthday!!

And so it happens. My youngest has reached 5 years old. He is the sparkle in our family, the unbridled joy and enthusiasm. He's smart as a whip, has an awesome memory for passing information, and can win anyone over with his charm. Don't believe me? Stop on by and see for yourself! He's outgoing, talkative (ok, ok, he never stops talking), energetic and plain fun. He can swim, kick a soccer ball, read simple stories, complete simple math, play loads of board and card games (poker too). I'm so glad we have him.

There are no babies, no toddlers, no preschoolers left in our home. He starts full-day Kindergarten in Chennai. He's also promised he won't "cry as much" now he's 5. I admire the thought (let's see if it goes beyond Day 1). I could write a book on how I feel now that Jonathon is 5, but rather than depress everyone or incite folks to e-mail on how I should get over it since we've already gone through babies 4 times, I'll leave it with this: I'm sad. Very sad. Yet ever so proud of our little family.

...

The day was a success. He put the finishing touches on his cake, got to talk to grandma and grandpa and of course, open his presents. Batman was the theme this year, but the gift with the most giggles came from my parents: a t-shirt that states "It's my brother's fault." Nicholas was slightly put out over that one! Jonathon has put it aside in the living room, ready to be worn the second he gets into trouble. A gift with much thought came from his sister, Katherine. She bought him an African top with shorts which he promptly donned and decided to wear to bed. A superman towel cape, Batman mobile, Batman undies and Batman t-shirt rounded out the gifts.

I still can't believe he's 5! It doesn't help that I know no fewer than 4 people pregnant at the moment... ack, baby fever!!

Ew, sickies

I'm home today (when am I not home?) with Katherine and a sick Jonathon. He threw up last night and again this morning. He's running a slight temp, but I'm not too concerned since between throwing up sessions he's acting normal. He'll do school with us today. We've read French stories while Katherine did Rosetta Stone. Now, he's getting a little exercise though I've nixed his swimming plans.

The half cracker he nibbled this morning came right back up, so it should be interesting to get through the day feeding Katherine and withholding from him.

Nous parlons...

Is there anything cuter in the world than hearing a 4yo singing to himself down the hallway…



La tête…
L’épaule
La jambe
Les pieds
La jambe!
Les pieds!
Don’t ask me why they didn’t teach knees instead of leg. Maybe “le genou” just has too many syllables.
So, Jonathon comes up to me while I’m sitting on the couch.
“Mom, this *points to back* is “le dos.” And this *points to eyes* are “les yeux.” And this is “la bouche” *pointing to mouth*. And “l’oreille” *ear pointing*. And nose is “le nez.” We are learning the 5 senses. Eyes, ears, nose, mouth….”
“And?” I ask.
He wiggles his fingers, “and hands!”
Then he bops away to start tormenting someone or other, not knowing he just floored me.

Elevator dangers

We've all heard of people (or been the one) who got stuck in an elevator when the power goes out. We see in movies when someone gets an arm or leg stuck in the door as it shuts. Or maybe just a piece of clothing that then gets pulled and stretched as the elevator rises or descends.

Today was Jonathon's turn to experience the wrath of the elevator.

We live in an apartment building with an 2 elevator lobbies on each floor. Three elevators in one, four in the other. Our regular set has the four. The kids find it quite fun to run down the hall, press the button, then squish against one of the corners of an elevator, each kid getting their own elevator to "hide" next to.
We've always said not to, primarily because if a door opens we don't want a child there blocking the doorway should someone want to exit. Today though, it was drilled hard into their heads why they should stay far away from elevator doors, period.
The kids, as usual, ran ahead as the adults followed for a walk to the bookstore and surrounding stores. Each kid had squeezed up to an elevator hiding, but when the doors behind Jonathon opened, he didn't move. In fact, he started screaming (as did his sisters) and his -arm- was stuck between the door and the wall it was sliding into to open. I tried to pull his arm and when it became perfectly clear the doors were still trying to open and his arm was not going to move, I tried to push the doors open, realized I was going the wrong way then tried to push them shut. I couldn't understand why they wouldn't close, but they just wouldn't close and let his arm go. The girls were screaming more, and I learned after that Nicholas thought he was helping by pushing the elevator button. Ian jumped in an tried to push the doors open, I yelled that they had to shut to release Jonathon and he successfully pulled them shut. Jonathon's arm came free and amidst much shhhing and crying (still from the girls with Jonathon) we determined that he hadn't broken any bones, he could bend his arm and his fingers moved fine. He didn't even have a scratch.
What he does have is a 3-4 inch long and 1 inch wide section of skin and muscle that has been badly pinched. We applied ice and gave motrin, and he was laughing a few minutes later. In fact, aside from some swelling on his upper arm and a pale blue bruise, it's hardly noticeable. I imagine it will ache tomorrow and probably bruise pretty well after, but considering what could have happened, he was extremely fortunate. And so were we.

*grumble*

So I'm finally getting some other appointments set up. One is Jonathon's 4yo well-check and immunizations. It's not going well. We don't have a regular pediatrician in the area and now that we're leaving I'm stuck. Today I was basically laughed off the phone. Someone recommended an office and sure, the NoVA Pediatric Associates will take new patients, but there is no well-check appointment available for all of July. Not one.

Anyone have another recommendation?? Preferably someplace in Arlington? I have other recommendations for Vienna and Burke but there has to be someone closer who's dealt with Foreign Service types before.

One day they'll listen.

When I tell the kids it's time to leave the park/library/pool/wherever we happen to be, maybe next time they'll listen. And maybe I won't say "OK, just a few more minutes."

Because invariably, if I say "OK, just a few more minutes" one of them will take that time to cause harm to someone or something, usually themselves. I'm not saying intentionally, but it will happen. Today, it was Jonathon's turn.
We decided to stop at the playground right behind our apartment building on our way back from Barnes & Noble (where I didn't buy -anything- today! Go me!). A group of daycare kids was there, playing with bubbles, balls and shovels whenever they weren't on the playground equipment. My boys asked to play too and moved from kicking the soccer ball to tossing a football. It was lunchtime but I said that fateful phrase "OK, just a few more minutes." The football promptly rolled under the bench where Jonathon retrieved it and misjudged the the distance to back of the bench.
Crack went his head.
OK, this sort of thing happens all the time and in order not to freak out the kids, we've always been nonchalant about it, especially if they don't get upset. We all know that kids feed off our reactions. So, he cried a bit from whacking his head and I reassured him all was well. He was heading back to his game when one of the daycare workers took a look at his head and freaked.
Yup, blood gushing. Head wounds always gush more than you'd expect, but she went a bit overboard. The other caregiver came over and offered a wipe to get the blood. His hair was getting matted and the presence of a bloody rag did more to concern Jonathon than anything else, so we discussed whether he would need stitches before we made the short trek home. At home he patiently allowed me to wash his head and the wound itself was only about 1/2 centimeter long, though it was open. Honestly, it could probably have taken a stitch or two, but it's on the top and back of his head, covered by hair. It won't be noticeable once it's healed and it wasn't bothering him at all. Not once did he say it hurt, even before the Motrin kicked in. He had a snack, watched some TV, played with his brother, took a bath and didn't say once he had an ache.
So, all is well, and he'll be fine. But one of these days I'll learn to not say that phrase and just go home while everyone is still in one piece.

We're home today.

It's 10a.m. and I took Jonathon's underarm temperature. 40C isn't good axillary, it converts to 104F. But adding the extra 1 to 1.8 degrees to get an "actual" temp means he is extremely hot. He's a bit lethargic, but still up, drinking water and watching TV. I'm glad today was a scheduled Stay Home day to do the last of the cleaning up and suitcase packing along with a trip to ISM. The housekeeper is here so Jonathon can stay home and nap this afternoon while Nicholas and I are out.

**

Now at 4:30, after his fever being controlled by Motrin most of the day, it has shot up again to 40.6C orally, which equals 105F. I'd wanted to let the fever run its course for a bit, but that's plain too hot for anyone. He's going to get another dose of Motrin now instead of waiting until bedtime. While his head and chest are burning up, his hands are feet are cool to the touch. I wish I knew what was going on with him besides yet another virus. Fevers are so general, alone they are indicative of nothing but "illness".

On a whim

On a whim I decided to take Jonathon in to the doctor's office today. His thumb is still swollen though he isn't crying over it anymore.

Two x-rays later and there you have it... it's fractured.
Yup, the little monster dropped a 12 pound bowling ball on his thumb and cracked the bone at the tip. The doctor offered to splint it, but Jonathon is babying it enough without a splint and anything we put on would get taken off in 10 seconds or less. She did say that kids heal really quickly from this sort of thing, so I think he'll be just fine. At preschool today they were practicing writing and he used his left hand OK so all should be well.
I'm sure when he's older he'll swear the bowling ball attacked him.

There's Nothing Much Cuter

There's nothing much cuter than Jonathon referring to Nicholas as his brother.

Saturday was the first time I'd heard him actually use the word and today he said it again. Perhaps it's because usually he just refers to him as "Nicholas" but the other day he told someone "Don't hit my brother!" and it's the sense of possession and ownership that moved me.
Jonathon hasn't been feeling well of late so he's been rather difficult to deal with, but I think he's pulling out of it now and is allowing a touch of reason into his thought processes. In other words, he's willing to listen a touch and perhaps compromise? For a child so loving, friendly and out-going, he is such a handful compared to my other kids that I don't take for granted the easy days with him.
It actually seems that we've all been so very tired lately. I don't know what's going on, but even the kids are waking up exhausted, Rebecca especially. She's sleepy from the get-go and can barely focus by dinnertime. Last night she proclaimed that she was the most tired she had ever been before. She looks it too with circles under her eyes. Jonathon was so worn out that I put him to bed at 5:30 today. It's not at all uncommon at 6:30 while eating dinner that he'll either start to nod off at the table or just quit eating and ask me to put him to bed. This morning he wasn't up until 7 either, so he's either still working on getting over this runny nose he had or something else is up and he's not getting enough sleep overall. Yesterday he fell asleep in the car after church at 11:30 in the morning. He hasn't done that in a long while. By 8 p.m. I'm ready for bed. The boys are begging to be put down at 7 and Rebecca is tired when she gets off the school bus. Katherine has resumed Energizer Bunny status so she doesn't count.
Anyhow, all I'm trying to say is, we're tired! And I don't really know why. Is there something in the air?
[To my parents: We've started taking our vitamins again :) ]

Watching Time Pass

My baby boy is three. I don’t know how it happened, but there you have it. He’s three now.

He’s headstrong, fearless, charming and irritating. He whines more than any creature ought to, he melts my heart whenever he says “Mom, I like you”. How does the work Like affect me so much more than Love? Perhaps because telling someone you like them takes forethought, when a quick I Love You rolls off the tongue without much thought anymore. When he says I Like You (and even I Love You), I truly believe he means it.
All day he was so proud to be three. When someone asked how old he was, he remembered without hesitation, and it seems that he physically grew this week to fit his new three year old image. He was quick to say “I’m the birfday boy!” to anyone who would listen, reminding us that it was his turn to be in charge because it was his birthday and never tiring of hearing his song. While Nicholas became shy during a rousing rendition of Happy Birthday in April, Jonathon would beam every time.
For preschool, he wore a borrowed crown from Rebecca’s Filipino celebration last year, a piece reminiscent of mardi gras. Bedecked, he strutted around reveling in all the attention. The day before I’d asked him what sort of snack treat he’d like for his friends and offered suggestions of brownies, cookies or cupcakes. He chose ice cream, so ice cream it was. At the end of his class, we passed out cups of chocolate and double dutch ice cream to twelve 2-4 year olds. (I made the mistake of not checking with parents beforehand though, and one little girl told me she was allergic to chocolate. Oops! Luckily Teacher Nympha had a package of vanilla ice cream on reserve in the freezer).
One mother asked me when Jonathon’s party was. I told her that today was his birthday. She asked if the party was on Saturday and I said that, no, we were having a family party tonight. I was dense. It dawned on both of us then what the other was saying. She was asking me if we were having a big party for him and I was saying we weren’t. It hadn’t occurred to me to have anything else for him. Another party would simply have had the same kids and after thinking about it I realized that four hours of playing at preschool followed by ice cream with his friends was just about perfect for a three year old.
We swung by the school to get the girls and get Katherine to the swimming pool to try out for the Sailfish swim team. She did amazing in her new Harry Potter swimsuit, I didn’t know the kid could even backstroke. The tryouts were not for elimination, but for placement, so everyone who has an interest can practice and learn how to be a better swimmer. They can also participate in meets, which Katherine is looking forward to. Her new friends Erin and Gillian also tried out so the three of them will be in the pool together. Rebecca watched from the sidelines with a look that said she wished she could swim better but that she knew she couldn’t be with them. It was sad for me to see. I know that it’s more a confidence issue with her, but swimming is hard for her and I don’t think she’s quite ready to face that beast in a competitive arena yet. Give her a couple more years.
After a quick ice cream in the Middle School canteen we went by the house to pick up the receipt for Jonathon’s cake, then I waited illegally while Jeff ran in to the Red Ribbon shop and picked up Jonathon’s Batman cake. All day he’d been telling people that he was having a Thomas the Tank Engine cake and I just couldn’t find one anywhere. When I told him, he said that was OK, at least I got the flavor right. Chocolate, just like last year. The evening was winding down with only one thing left. Presents. He opened his cards from great-grandma and grandma&grandpa (both had cash which is now safely put away) then reached for the gifts. Grandpa had sent a Nemo art pack that he will get loads of use from, along with a stuffed Nemo that he hugged fiercely. He also received a set of Nemo sheets that, once washed, will go directly on his bed. And of course, some new underwear. Bob the Builder! Mom and dad got him a wooden toy locally called the RollerCoaster. A tall structure with a little train that zigzags its way down the path. Hard to explain really, I haven’t found a similar item on-line so you’ll have to wait for photos. His sisters also gave him some gifts. Katherine had beautifully wrapped a lollipop and small puzzle for him and Rebecca had hand-made a paper gold medal. He was charming about all his gifts, pronouncing them his favorites and fawning over each one in turn. The only bad thing was we’d run out of video tape during the cake cutting so I missed his reactions to his gifts. That’s a missed memory but one I will try to hold on to.
He’s such a wonderful kid, even for all the times he stops my heart with his wild ways, interrupts incessantly and won’t stop picking his nose and spitting in the car. His smile makes me happy and in every way he is very special, even “ ‘pecial to push buttons”. He knows he’s not a big kid yet, but that he’s bigger than he was at two and that he’ll keep on growing. It’s something I can’t wait to see. Jonathon is the spice in our lives. Without him life would be simpler, mellower and a lot less fun.
Guess what baby boy, I like you too.

The boys.

Over our trip, the boys were just a joy and oh so funny.

Nothing beats hearing an exchange that goes something like this.

Jonathon (in the elevator): Why daddy push buttons?

Dad: Because I'm special

Jonathon: I 'pecial!

OK, you had to be there.

PreSchool Commencement.

Yes, it's as silly and adorable as it sounds.

It started with the kids marching in, fully decked out in their blue caps and gowns (handmade by the class aides). Then when they all hop on their marked spots, we had a rousing rendition of the Star Spangled Banner followed by a touching Pledge of Allegiance. What can I say, I'm a sap. To see my boys turn to the flag with their hands over their hearts and sing, to hear them try to say "allegiance" "republic" and "indivisible" and have them participate in the ceremony with its handshaking and bowing, yes I'm definitely a sap. Fully and completely, tears and all.
I'd come prepared with the still and video cameras only to discover the video camera was quite dead. It had been left on all night and that was that. But some of the stills turned out well, so go check them out. The focus of the exercises was of course receiving a certificate and shaking the hands of the AmeriKids board members. Then each child stepped onto a box and took their bow while Teacher Nympha said what role they played in the class. Jonathon earned "Little Man" status and Nicholas was dubbed the "Calculating One". Little Man because he is one of the smallest but carries himself like a big kid. Calculating because Nicholas always stands back to assess a situation before jumping in.
It's always interesting watching a group of fifteen 2-5 year olds. At one point Jonathon was yelling at Stephen Lee to stand up. Stephen Lee would shout back he didn't want to. The twins were making faces, Sunshine would hop every time she had to say something, and Morgan and Megan were so tired they just shut down entirely. Controlled chaos would be a good description of most of the hour.
Part of the evening involved a play based on the book about Grandma Tildy and her elephant who want to attend school (the sequal to _But No Elephants!_). Jonathon had the part of the turtle and was supposed to slide around on his tummy but he was too busy fighting over a plastic apple and chasing some of the other kids. Nicholas had the notable part of the bus driver and he sat perfectly in his chair. He even had a line and said it clearly. Quietly but clearly. The kids are done with their lessons when the bus driver announces "The bus broke!" That's my boy. During the part in the classroom, the kids danced, counted and showed off their regular, speed and rap versions of the ABCs. It was quite a performance. [In case you're wondering, the kids get home via elephant.]
A song and poem and then we learned that the 2 aides are leaving the school.
One of the reasons I enrolled the boys now at the end of the year rather than start fresh in August, was so that they would become accustomed to the classroom, the procedures and most importantly, the teachers. It came as quite a blow to learn that two of the three would not be returning next year and that we now have the responsibility of finding a replacement. I'm glad that the main teacher will remain, but I worry about the additional adjustments Nicholas and Jonathon will be making in August. Maybe it's my own adjustments I'm actually worrying about. I don't like having to worry about who is watching my kids when I'm not around. Yes, I was actually thinking of pulling them out, and I haven't even met the replacement yet, or even potential replacements.
Several people said some words about the aides and then Nympha opened the floor to the rest of us to say anything about them. Can you guess who's arm shot up? Katherine bounced onto the floor and said that she would miss Teacher Djoni because she had been a helper at Camp Critters last summer. It was very sweet of her.
Of course to finish off the evening there was food, and enough to feed 100 people. It was all good. Rebecca almost literally ate her weight in junk food. I was thoroughly embarrassed. We'd had dinner at the Seafront Club right before because I didn't know about all the post-ceremony victuals, so by the time we dug in dessert was all she wanted. A dessert would have been fine, she had 6. That would give me a tummy ache for sure.
The boys were absolutely exhausted by this time and completely hyped up with all the excitement. Anyone with kids knows that's an interesting and volatile mix. Jonathon was out by the time we got home.

Jonathon, all puffed up

It seems that the the reactions Jonathon has to mosquito and ant bites are getting more serious. I used to see large hot, red welts on his body where he'd be bitten or stung, but today after playing outside for a bit before going to preschool, portions of his face turned pick and swelled up, along with the bite spots on his arms. I took him directly to the clinic where it was determined that yes, he is extremely sensitive to bites and environmental irritants, like grass. He was given a dose of Benadryl, but when I picked him up after school the swelling hadn't gone down and there is a swollen part of his forehead, so I gave him a second dose. Now, after his nap, his face looks more normal, but the forehead swelling is still there. There is no obvious bite mark, and it's not pink.

Update: His face was actually all bitten up bu because of the swelling I couldn't tell. A couple days later and he looked normal again.

Are you sick of us yet? Because I sure am.

2/5/04: A quick health update. Katherine is up to snuff. Rebecca is up to snuff. Nicholas is still periodically feverish and has a funky rash on his arms and his face. What is THAT all about? It's not a Dengue Fever rash. Could have just been the heat today as the temperatures are going up and the humidity is rising. We spent a lot of time outdoors as well, both at the school playground and our own. Now, Jonathon is sick. He didn't eat much yesterday and had some toast this morning, french fries at lunch time and bread at dinner. He's been saying his tummy hurts all day. Maybe it's the carbohydrate overload? At bedtime he had a fever of 103.2 and yes, he's had diarrhea. Do I spend my morning at the clinic? I don't know if the diarrhea is from being sick or the raisins he ate yesterday. They do weird things to him. I guess time will tell. If he throws up tomorrow I know that I have several more days of sickness to handle. He's the last one. Woohoo! I have all my fingers and toes crossed that it's a 24-hour bug as the party is on Saturday and I really want him to feel well enough to participate. Yup, time will tell. And I've got plenty of time on my hands.

A milestone reached, and not just for Jonathon.

1/31/04: It just kinda happened.

The busy time of my parents visit was the catalyst and now, it is done. Jonathon has weaned.
A big part of me has to be reminded that it's missing. I find that when the reality crosses my mind I feel sad, but since that rarely happens I don't have many thoughts on the subject at all. I felt the same way for all my kids, actually, but I know I have the pangs of sadness because this was the last time I'll nurse a baby. And as with all things that reach a permanent end, there's a definite sense of loss.
And then I remind myself that of the 4, he was my longest nursling. Nearly 29 months. No, it isn't a statistic for Guiness, but it is for me. I can't say that I'm "proud for lasting so long", it just happened. All the planets were in alignment. I was well-educated about nursing, I was a veteran at it (not perfect, but I did learn each time), Jonathon demanded it and I didn't become pregnant soon after having him. Katherine was weaned at 4 months. Call it first-time mother stupidity. Rebecca weaned herself at 13 months, but she had been down to once a day nursing for a month by then. Nicholas weaned at 9 months. A growth spurt and pregnancy depletion hit at the same time and he wouldn't stand for it so he picked a cup with formula and never turned back.
Maybe I extended it on purpose, knowing he's my last. That's a valid supposition. It probably played a part, though I think ease of nursing was the biggest factor. It let me sleep in an extra hour on the days he woke way too early. It made bedtime simple and calming (how many times did I doze off while doing a final nursing for "just a minute"). When he was sick, it comforted him and me. It put him down for a nap faster than the car.
The numbers wore down over holiday vacation and by the time my parents flew home, Jonathon hadn't nursed in a couple days. Oh yes, he remembered, but by then the damage was done. He would continue to ask and I would allow, but by this week all it took was a few seconds to realize nothing was flowing and he'd hop off my lap. Periodically he will return to my side and with a goofy grin ask "Nurse?"
"Oh, silly boy, you don't want to nurse."
"Yes! Nurse!" he laughs at me.
"Nope, all done"
"Peeeees!"
"OK"
Pull his long, toddler, 28lb body up to me, with legs hanging off my lap and a hand that either shoves through the sleeve of my shirt or holds on to the cross of my bra. Remembering that tiny infant (Jonathon was my smallest baby at just 7lbs 11oz) who could fit with is head in the crook of my arm and my hand supporting his bottom. Skinny little legs and socks that wouldn't stay on his thin little feet. He had nursing jaundice, just like his siblings, but since none of them remained pumpkin colored I know they're fine.
After a try, he sits up distractedly and says "All done."
Yes, love. All done.

What happens when you get bitten by a dog

Is the drama from living in the Philippines, or is it simply the reality of having kids?

Sunday evening was the Ambassador's holiday party. Lucky us were invited, so at 4 p.m. we left, with the kids and the housekeeper at the playground. Sometime between 5 and 5:15, Ian's cell phone rang.
Ian took the call as Katherine announced that at the park Jonathon had been bitten by a dog, was bleeding, and the housekeeper was "completely overreacting". Ian hung up and told me what she said. My questions... where was he bitten and how badly (thinking about stitches) and was the dog with someone (thinking about rabies). No idea, so back on the phone he talked to Katherine again and we learned it was on his knee and the dog was with people. At least it wasn't a stray. We wouldn't learn more of the story until arriving home.
Putting together bits and pieces, we learned that no one had actually seen Jonathon get bitten. The dog was a puppy, but not one I remember seeing at the park. It had no collar or tags, but when the housekeeper asked about vaccinations they said it had them. That's unreliable at best. No one knows if Jonathon was bitten or scratched, but the marks are teeth distance apart. The people with the dog said that it was not a bite. Again, that's unreliable. The marks themselves are tiny, both covered by a little bandage. It's unlikely that the dog is carrying terrible diseases as it was with people, but without knowing its immunizations or knowing its habits (do they leave it outside for long periods? Has it ever wandered the neighborhood? Was it a picked up stray?) there were too many questions.
OK, disjointed bits here and there, the decision I made last night was to take Jonathon to the clinic first thing in the morning. The doctor said it didn't matter if it was a bite or a scratch, the fact that it broke the skin was enough. I hadn't had any of the kids receive the rabies series, so in the office I decided not only to have Jonathon vaccinated, but the other kids as well. It's lifetime immunity for them, a one time 3-shot series. With all the dogs they come into contact with here and in subsequent posts, it makes sense. Why didn't I think this 6 months ago? Chalk it up to stupidity and a misplaced reliance on luck.
Anyhow, the older three have all received shot #1. Jonathon has as well, along with a gammaglobulin injection (in his bottom no less, a -huge- shot that was quite unpleasant for the little guy). He'll get shot #2 on Christmas Day. The third will come next week, the fourth the week after and the 5th 2 weeks after that.
Tip for the day: If you live in a country where rabies is prevalent and you like animals, get the vaccine series. Three shots are better than six. Just ask Jonathon.