Who’s there?
Boy, do little kids love knock-knock jokes!
My son loves them too.
He’s a great audience because he doesn’t really get the concept yet, so he laughs at anything. Good thing since I only know two.
Last night he started the Knock- knock jokes while we were riding in the car. He says one and then he makes me say one.
When it was my turn I use my usual repertoire:
Knock-Knock
Who is there?
Banana
Banana who?
Knock- knock
Who’s there?
Banana
Banana who?
Knock- knock
Who’s there?
Orange
Orange who?
Orange you glad I didn’t say Banana?
Then there was a twinkle in his eye and I could tell a little light bulb went off. I think he has finally gotten the concept.
So he says:
Knock- knock
Who’s there?
Shriever
Shriever who? (I mean really who or what is shriever?)
Knock- knock
Who' there?
Shriever ( I think he might really be getting it.)
Knock- knock
Who’s there?
Watermelon
Watermelon who?
Watermelon if you want me to say Shriever again.
The three of us erupted got a case of the giggles. So our budding comedian just kept repeating the same joke over and over with different fruit each time.
I guess it's back to the drawing board, as we ended the night with quite a nice fruit salad of knock- knock jokes.
Saturday, August 6, 2011
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
A Shot in the Arm
To vaccinate or not to vaccinate... that is the question.
For new parents, it is a huge decision. Do I let someone stick a virus cocktail into my brand new little baby or do I risk him getting a serious illness. This precious little life has been given to me and everything that happens to him is my responsibility.
I tend to lean a little towards being a little bit of a granola-y, tree hugger-y, stay away from toxins type of girl. My initial thought was not to vaccinate, but I always keep an open mind. I read a lot. Dr. Robert Young, author of the PH Miracle believes that vaccinations are highly toxic and ineffective. Some websites that can be helpful on both sides of the issue are http://www.thinktwice.com/ and http://www.cdc.com/.
My opinion is that only parents can really make this decision. It really upsets me that parents are usually pressured into this decision. They are scared into it and they never even think about it for themselves. Whatever you choose, should be what is right for you and you shouldn't be guilted into deciding for or against vaccinating. One of my midwives put it best when she said you are going to be the one that holds your baby in your arms should they be suffering from a vaccine side effect or suffering from meningitis. So I had to really think about this and decided that I would take my chances with these rare diseases and not vaccinate.
At each doctor's visit my doctor would re-visit the subject and suggest that we reconsider. At our 10 month visit we gave in and allowed him to get his Prevnar. We luckily had no side effects. I felt like I had sold out to the fear and really guilty so we didn't get anymore vaccinations.
Now a huge misconception is that your child will not be allowed in school without his vaccinations. This is not true. This is a free country and vaccinations are a consumer product and a pharmaceutical and we cannot be forced to consume it. Schools do require it but you can get a waiver. Some parents know that they don't have to get their kids vaccinated but have not idea how to get this waiver. It took me a few years to get it because I thought it was going to be really difficult. When I finally went to get it, it turned to be the easiest thing I had ever done. You can just call the department of health and ask them for the location nearest you. The wait in the lobby was about half an hour and the process once inside was about 5 minutes.
When my son was 2 years old, he got a laceration on his forehead. We took him to the hospital for stitches. The doctor suggested that we give him the DTAP vaccine in case of tetanus. I was pretty sure he had cut himself on something plastic and not rusty metal. I refused but my husband wasn't so sure. So after a very long discussion we proceeded with the vaccine.
Mother's intuition is a very powerful thing. Two weeks later my son had a rash on his face, when we took him to the doctor, she said the rash didn't worry her but some bruising on his legs and some red dots on his skin were of more concern. A blood test revealed that his platelet count was extremely low and falling. This condition is called ITP. We tested him every other day and his numbers kept doubling down. Our only option was to put him in the hospital over night for an infusion. Luckily right before he was infused we tested him one more time and his numbers had gone up just a bit, but enough that we could choose to take him home and wait and see. This was a roller coaster of emotions for us and I don't wish this on anyone. I kept asking all of the doctors if this could have anything to do with the vaccine and they all said no. So I read the insert for the Dtap which is available online www.immunize.org/packageinserts and there it was on page 33. ITP was a possible side effect. I also learned that vaccinations are contraindicated for people who have ever had an autoimmune disorder and that if your parents have had an autoimmune disorder you are also more susceptible. I just couldn't believe that one one ever asked.
To vaccinate was not right for us, but no one should tell you what you should choose. My hope is that parents will educate themselves every step of the way.
For new parents, it is a huge decision. Do I let someone stick a virus cocktail into my brand new little baby or do I risk him getting a serious illness. This precious little life has been given to me and everything that happens to him is my responsibility.
I tend to lean a little towards being a little bit of a granola-y, tree hugger-y, stay away from toxins type of girl. My initial thought was not to vaccinate, but I always keep an open mind. I read a lot. Dr. Robert Young, author of the PH Miracle believes that vaccinations are highly toxic and ineffective. Some websites that can be helpful on both sides of the issue are http://www.thinktwice.com/ and http://www.cdc.com/.
My opinion is that only parents can really make this decision. It really upsets me that parents are usually pressured into this decision. They are scared into it and they never even think about it for themselves. Whatever you choose, should be what is right for you and you shouldn't be guilted into deciding for or against vaccinating. One of my midwives put it best when she said you are going to be the one that holds your baby in your arms should they be suffering from a vaccine side effect or suffering from meningitis. So I had to really think about this and decided that I would take my chances with these rare diseases and not vaccinate.
At each doctor's visit my doctor would re-visit the subject and suggest that we reconsider. At our 10 month visit we gave in and allowed him to get his Prevnar. We luckily had no side effects. I felt like I had sold out to the fear and really guilty so we didn't get anymore vaccinations.
Now a huge misconception is that your child will not be allowed in school without his vaccinations. This is not true. This is a free country and vaccinations are a consumer product and a pharmaceutical and we cannot be forced to consume it. Schools do require it but you can get a waiver. Some parents know that they don't have to get their kids vaccinated but have not idea how to get this waiver. It took me a few years to get it because I thought it was going to be really difficult. When I finally went to get it, it turned to be the easiest thing I had ever done. You can just call the department of health and ask them for the location nearest you. The wait in the lobby was about half an hour and the process once inside was about 5 minutes.
When my son was 2 years old, he got a laceration on his forehead. We took him to the hospital for stitches. The doctor suggested that we give him the DTAP vaccine in case of tetanus. I was pretty sure he had cut himself on something plastic and not rusty metal. I refused but my husband wasn't so sure. So after a very long discussion we proceeded with the vaccine.
Mother's intuition is a very powerful thing. Two weeks later my son had a rash on his face, when we took him to the doctor, she said the rash didn't worry her but some bruising on his legs and some red dots on his skin were of more concern. A blood test revealed that his platelet count was extremely low and falling. This condition is called ITP. We tested him every other day and his numbers kept doubling down. Our only option was to put him in the hospital over night for an infusion. Luckily right before he was infused we tested him one more time and his numbers had gone up just a bit, but enough that we could choose to take him home and wait and see. This was a roller coaster of emotions for us and I don't wish this on anyone. I kept asking all of the doctors if this could have anything to do with the vaccine and they all said no. So I read the insert for the Dtap which is available online www.immunize.org/packageinserts and there it was on page 33. ITP was a possible side effect. I also learned that vaccinations are contraindicated for people who have ever had an autoimmune disorder and that if your parents have had an autoimmune disorder you are also more susceptible. I just couldn't believe that one one ever asked.
To vaccinate was not right for us, but no one should tell you what you should choose. My hope is that parents will educate themselves every step of the way.
Thursday, September 16, 2010
Hit me with your best shot!
As expectant mothers, we all have our ideas of how we will raise our kids. We say to ourselves, that we will never do this or do that or that we will never let them do this or that.
When my son was five months it was time to introduce solid foods. Many told me to give him fruit, but I refused. I didn't want him to develop a sweet tooth and reject healthier foods.
I was doing great. He would eat rice and beans, lentils, fish, tofu, avocado, masaman curry, and mashed green beans with rice. I was so proud of myself. My son had a great palette and would grow up to have sophisticated tastes.
On my son's first birthday he caught a stomach virus and it was bad. Dad and I caught it too. I wanted to die because I was so sick. Once we recovered and started eating again, I decided to listen to everyone who said that I should give Nicholas applesauce and mashed bananas to start off. Big mistake. Sweet tooth here we come. After that day, he rejected everything that wasn't sweet. It took years to slowly add things back into his menu and I found myself feeding my son chicken fingers, french fries and pizza more often than I can admit. Many mom's advised that I refuse him food if he didn't eat what I had made him, but as a working mom, I didn't want a fight for the little bit of time I had him.
A little over a year ago, I remember catering a wedding where the bride, groom and sister all wanted to eat the kid's meal of chicken finger's and fries. I swore no child of mine would end up eating chicken fingers and fries at their wedding.
I had to put my foot down. He wasn't eating anything they served him at school. And then, it came to me, out of know where. It wasn't premeditated but it was Brilliant.
I spoke to his school's director with Nicholas within earshot. I said to her, " Ms. Elba, I really need your help getting Nicholas to eat his food and vegetables. His doctor has told me that if he doesn't eat his food and vegetables, she will have to give him a shot." And then from across the room I heard him sobbing. He ran to me weeping. He was scared to death.
That night at home he reluctantly ate broccoli. The next day he had some of his food at school. Some days, when I picked him up from school he was already crying as I approached the door if that day he didn't taste the vegetable. He would beg me not to take him in for the shot. I would agree to give him one more chance if he ate a new vegetable at home that evening.
Little by little, he tasted asparagus, broccoli, mixed greens, avocado, zucchini, cucumber, tomatoes, red peppers. He ate anything I wanted him to eat or he was getting the dreaded shot.
Now my super eater has vegetables for both lunch and dinner everyday, expects them and asks for them. Did I traumatize him? Perhaps a little, but he will thank me one day.
My mother said that I was traumatizing him and that I shouldn't scare him that way. It seems that she has forgotten the times she would light a match and chase me around the house telling me that she was going to burn my feet if I walked around barefoot. Ring-Ring: Hello Kettle? This is the pot.
Till this day, I can't walk around barefoot and and my feet are super sensitive even when walking at the beach.
When my son was five months it was time to introduce solid foods. Many told me to give him fruit, but I refused. I didn't want him to develop a sweet tooth and reject healthier foods.
I was doing great. He would eat rice and beans, lentils, fish, tofu, avocado, masaman curry, and mashed green beans with rice. I was so proud of myself. My son had a great palette and would grow up to have sophisticated tastes.
On my son's first birthday he caught a stomach virus and it was bad. Dad and I caught it too. I wanted to die because I was so sick. Once we recovered and started eating again, I decided to listen to everyone who said that I should give Nicholas applesauce and mashed bananas to start off. Big mistake. Sweet tooth here we come. After that day, he rejected everything that wasn't sweet. It took years to slowly add things back into his menu and I found myself feeding my son chicken fingers, french fries and pizza more often than I can admit. Many mom's advised that I refuse him food if he didn't eat what I had made him, but as a working mom, I didn't want a fight for the little bit of time I had him.
A little over a year ago, I remember catering a wedding where the bride, groom and sister all wanted to eat the kid's meal of chicken finger's and fries. I swore no child of mine would end up eating chicken fingers and fries at their wedding.
I had to put my foot down. He wasn't eating anything they served him at school. And then, it came to me, out of know where. It wasn't premeditated but it was Brilliant.
I spoke to his school's director with Nicholas within earshot. I said to her, " Ms. Elba, I really need your help getting Nicholas to eat his food and vegetables. His doctor has told me that if he doesn't eat his food and vegetables, she will have to give him a shot." And then from across the room I heard him sobbing. He ran to me weeping. He was scared to death.
That night at home he reluctantly ate broccoli. The next day he had some of his food at school. Some days, when I picked him up from school he was already crying as I approached the door if that day he didn't taste the vegetable. He would beg me not to take him in for the shot. I would agree to give him one more chance if he ate a new vegetable at home that evening.
Little by little, he tasted asparagus, broccoli, mixed greens, avocado, zucchini, cucumber, tomatoes, red peppers. He ate anything I wanted him to eat or he was getting the dreaded shot.
Now my super eater has vegetables for both lunch and dinner everyday, expects them and asks for them. Did I traumatize him? Perhaps a little, but he will thank me one day.
My mother said that I was traumatizing him and that I shouldn't scare him that way. It seems that she has forgotten the times she would light a match and chase me around the house telling me that she was going to burn my feet if I walked around barefoot. Ring-Ring: Hello Kettle? This is the pot.
Till this day, I can't walk around barefoot and and my feet are super sensitive even when walking at the beach.
Friday, June 18, 2010
Preschool Casanova
My son is a cutie. Not that I am biased in any way. He's got light ash brown hair and piercing blue eyes that can see right through you.
My son likes girls.
As a baby he would giggle on purpose to get a pretty girls attention. So I already knew I was in trouble in the girl department. But I didn't think we'd be here so soon.
A few months ago my husband gave my son a few pennies to play a game at work. He spent a few, but saved a few in his pocket. So we asked him about it and he said he was saving them for Amy. He also mentioned that he wanted to get her a pink flower because pink was her favorite color. Even though I thought it was super cute; I wasn't going to go out and buy a flower and make this into anything serious. However a week after that my little helper was putting out favor boxes at a baby shower and noticed that the flowers in the centerpieces were pink. He pulled me aside and whispered, "Mami, the flowers are pink". I said that's right buddy. "Mommy can I take a flower for Amy?" I said that they were not mine so I couldn't give him one. He mustered up the courage and asked the hostess, who of course said yes. We kept the flower in water overnight so that he could take it to school the next day.
The next day at school he walked in with the flower behind his back. The teacher asked who the flower was for and he whispered it to her. She made everyone close their eyes as he placed the flower in her hand. She then gave him a hug and he turned bright red. Adorable.
We'll the other day while driving home from school, he tells me that the love isn't there anymore with Amy. I asked him what happened and if she didn't want to be his friend anymore or if he didn't want to be her friend anymore. He said, " Both of us; We are separated." Where does he learn these words?
He was just moved to a new PreK4 class for the big kids and so I asked him if they moved Amy too and if she is his friend. He says, "Mommy I told you- we are separated." I asked him why they were not friends anymore and he told me that it was because she was a liar. Apparently she claimed that Winnie the Pooh's name in Spanish was Tata. I said, "Is that the only reason?" She also claimed that her mommy didn't want her to be friends with him. Which to me sounded like the preschool version of "It's not you.- It's me."
Here we are again. On the drive home two weeks ago he said, "Mommy can I take a flower to school for Ludmila?" Ludmilla is in his new class and she is older. We picked a beautiful Plumeria from our tree, but after he professed his intentions she reavealed that she wants to marry someone else.
He took it well and has moved on to Estella.
If this is what we are dealing with at four what can I expect at 14?
God help me. I always thought that I would be a really cool Mom when it came to my childs interests, but I remember the moment they placed my son in my arms and I looked into his eyes. The first thing that crossed my mind was- "No woman is ever going to be good enough for you."
My son likes girls.
As a baby he would giggle on purpose to get a pretty girls attention. So I already knew I was in trouble in the girl department. But I didn't think we'd be here so soon.
A few months ago my husband gave my son a few pennies to play a game at work. He spent a few, but saved a few in his pocket. So we asked him about it and he said he was saving them for Amy. He also mentioned that he wanted to get her a pink flower because pink was her favorite color. Even though I thought it was super cute; I wasn't going to go out and buy a flower and make this into anything serious. However a week after that my little helper was putting out favor boxes at a baby shower and noticed that the flowers in the centerpieces were pink. He pulled me aside and whispered, "Mami, the flowers are pink". I said that's right buddy. "Mommy can I take a flower for Amy?" I said that they were not mine so I couldn't give him one. He mustered up the courage and asked the hostess, who of course said yes. We kept the flower in water overnight so that he could take it to school the next day.
The next day at school he walked in with the flower behind his back. The teacher asked who the flower was for and he whispered it to her. She made everyone close their eyes as he placed the flower in her hand. She then gave him a hug and he turned bright red. Adorable.
We'll the other day while driving home from school, he tells me that the love isn't there anymore with Amy. I asked him what happened and if she didn't want to be his friend anymore or if he didn't want to be her friend anymore. He said, " Both of us; We are separated." Where does he learn these words?
He was just moved to a new PreK4 class for the big kids and so I asked him if they moved Amy too and if she is his friend. He says, "Mommy I told you- we are separated." I asked him why they were not friends anymore and he told me that it was because she was a liar. Apparently she claimed that Winnie the Pooh's name in Spanish was Tata. I said, "Is that the only reason?" She also claimed that her mommy didn't want her to be friends with him. Which to me sounded like the preschool version of "It's not you.- It's me."
Here we are again. On the drive home two weeks ago he said, "Mommy can I take a flower to school for Ludmila?" Ludmilla is in his new class and she is older. We picked a beautiful Plumeria from our tree, but after he professed his intentions she reavealed that she wants to marry someone else.
He took it well and has moved on to Estella.
If this is what we are dealing with at four what can I expect at 14?
God help me. I always thought that I would be a really cool Mom when it came to my childs interests, but I remember the moment they placed my son in my arms and I looked into his eyes. The first thing that crossed my mind was- "No woman is ever going to be good enough for you."
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
Picky Eater
If your kids are anything like my little one, you have the deepest conversations while driving around. He may ask, "Mommy does Hulk have a wife or kids?" or "When can I become Spiderman?" These are the deep musings of a four year old.
Well on this especially long drive he says, "Mommy, What is mucus for?". My husband and I give each other a look. Let's see where do I begin? Sometimes I feel like a need a Phd for some of these questions.
I begin to explain that there are little hairs within the nose that help to filter the air and catch larger particles too keep them from entering the lungs and that the liquid mucus also traps germs and dust from entering the lungs and our body so that we don't get sick. So we said, " Buddy this is why we always tell you not to pick your nose and eat your boogers. You are letting these germs into your body"
He gets really quiet and then says, "I understand!- I understand now! Why didn't you tell me all of this sooner. If you would have told me sooner...(he pauses). Oh my God! I could have died!
Well on this especially long drive he says, "Mommy, What is mucus for?". My husband and I give each other a look. Let's see where do I begin? Sometimes I feel like a need a Phd for some of these questions.
I begin to explain that there are little hairs within the nose that help to filter the air and catch larger particles too keep them from entering the lungs and that the liquid mucus also traps germs and dust from entering the lungs and our body so that we don't get sick. So we said, " Buddy this is why we always tell you not to pick your nose and eat your boogers. You are letting these germs into your body"
He gets really quiet and then says, "I understand!- I understand now! Why didn't you tell me all of this sooner. If you would have told me sooner...(he pauses). Oh my God! I could have died!
Sunday, May 2, 2010
Me No Spiki Ingi
Miami a truly international city. You walk down any street and you can hear Spanish, Portuguese, Italian, Creole and a host of other languages.
I grew up Speaking English in School and Spanish at home. I have memories of "El Noticiero 23" and of course all of the Spanish Novelas like, "El Derecho de Nacer" every evening. However, since I can "pass" for a gringa and grew up in Miami Beach, most people assume that I am not Cuban. I have always felt Cuban, but I knew I didn't fit in with the other Cuban girls that grew up in Little Havana or Hialeah. I eat Bagels and Lox with as much enthusiasm as Cafe con Leche.
I have been married for 10 years and we have been an English speaking household. Well that is until our son was born. We decided that we would teach him Spanish first. This was a huge sacrifice since I think and dream in English. I bought kids English/Spanish dictionaries so that I would not end up teaching him Spanglish. I have always considered myself fluent in Spanish but teaching a little child from Scratch is another thing all together.
So here we are 4 years later. Four years of Spanish only. Wow only in Miami can I raise a gringo looking, blue eyed boy with Spanish as his first language. He does not let me speak English to him. He wants me to translate every book and until recently he would always pick the Spanish sound track on all of his movies.
It is quite funny but he has an accent when he tries to speak English. He has been picking some up recently. How does this happen. How did we do it? Well as it turns out none of the teachers in day care speak English either. Whenever I would go into a new daycare I would ask if people spoke English. Since they though I was American they all quickly tried to speak in their best English to assure me that they did, "O ches wi spiki ingli". I would say no please do not speak to him in English but since they are required to teach them in English it was inevitable that he would pick up their accent. There are things he says to me that I can barely understand. He also picks up things from TV that crack me up. His recent one is "Okay, okay Mr. Wossy" which means "Mr. Bossy" Although I tell him that it is not the right way to speak to Mommy and Daddy, I love it when he says it. I know I shouldn't do this but sometimes I set him up so that he says it. It is the cutest thing I have ever heard.
A few months ago I was very worried that I had made a huge mistake. He started to be shy at the park. He wouldn't approach kids until he knew what language they spoke first. He didn't want to be the one to speak first for fear that he would be in the wrong language. Thank goodness that it was short lived. He has gone back to asking other kids to play with their toys in both languages.
Recently I have been increasing some of the English we speak to him so that he can learn the right way to say things. He once came home singing- Mon- Fri "to" days of the week, only to find out that it was supposed to be "the" days of the week and the teacher herself was saying it wrong. A few days ago he came home singing yet another song but this time I have no idea what the song is and he is basically cursing. He sings it all of the time. " Chicken f&*?" This is a real problem as it is a song they are learning to prepare for a show next month. I have to try and get this on video as there will be 15 kids all yelling it at the same time. I tell him that it can't possibly go that way but he insists. So I ask him to stop singing it until I ask the teacher to teach it to me. He is reluctant but says, " Okay, Okay Mr. Wossy"
I grew up Speaking English in School and Spanish at home. I have memories of "El Noticiero 23" and of course all of the Spanish Novelas like, "El Derecho de Nacer" every evening. However, since I can "pass" for a gringa and grew up in Miami Beach, most people assume that I am not Cuban. I have always felt Cuban, but I knew I didn't fit in with the other Cuban girls that grew up in Little Havana or Hialeah. I eat Bagels and Lox with as much enthusiasm as Cafe con Leche.
I have been married for 10 years and we have been an English speaking household. Well that is until our son was born. We decided that we would teach him Spanish first. This was a huge sacrifice since I think and dream in English. I bought kids English/Spanish dictionaries so that I would not end up teaching him Spanglish. I have always considered myself fluent in Spanish but teaching a little child from Scratch is another thing all together.
So here we are 4 years later. Four years of Spanish only. Wow only in Miami can I raise a gringo looking, blue eyed boy with Spanish as his first language. He does not let me speak English to him. He wants me to translate every book and until recently he would always pick the Spanish sound track on all of his movies.
It is quite funny but he has an accent when he tries to speak English. He has been picking some up recently. How does this happen. How did we do it? Well as it turns out none of the teachers in day care speak English either. Whenever I would go into a new daycare I would ask if people spoke English. Since they though I was American they all quickly tried to speak in their best English to assure me that they did, "O ches wi spiki ingli". I would say no please do not speak to him in English but since they are required to teach them in English it was inevitable that he would pick up their accent. There are things he says to me that I can barely understand. He also picks up things from TV that crack me up. His recent one is "Okay, okay Mr. Wossy" which means "Mr. Bossy" Although I tell him that it is not the right way to speak to Mommy and Daddy, I love it when he says it. I know I shouldn't do this but sometimes I set him up so that he says it. It is the cutest thing I have ever heard.
A few months ago I was very worried that I had made a huge mistake. He started to be shy at the park. He wouldn't approach kids until he knew what language they spoke first. He didn't want to be the one to speak first for fear that he would be in the wrong language. Thank goodness that it was short lived. He has gone back to asking other kids to play with their toys in both languages.
Recently I have been increasing some of the English we speak to him so that he can learn the right way to say things. He once came home singing- Mon- Fri "to" days of the week, only to find out that it was supposed to be "the" days of the week and the teacher herself was saying it wrong. A few days ago he came home singing yet another song but this time I have no idea what the song is and he is basically cursing. He sings it all of the time. " Chicken f&*?" This is a real problem as it is a song they are learning to prepare for a show next month. I have to try and get this on video as there will be 15 kids all yelling it at the same time. I tell him that it can't possibly go that way but he insists. So I ask him to stop singing it until I ask the teacher to teach it to me. He is reluctant but says, " Okay, Okay Mr. Wossy"
Saturday, March 13, 2010
Neat Freak
So this morning as I slowly make my way to the kitchen in my terrycloth robe and slippers, rubbing my eyes to wake up, a perky little voice says, "Mommy we need to organize the house." He makes wide sweeping circles with his arms to make sure I understand he means the whole house. "We need to organize everything. Let's clean and make everything shiny." He turns and with more sweeping arm circles says, "And what do we need to clean this floor?".
I know- this would be any mother's dream, but keep in mind -Saturday morning, robe, slippers.
I know I am blessed. So I wake myself up and start cleaning. He loves to clean. He did not get that from me. I was an only child and if my mom made me clean, it meant that I was being punished for something.
He must have gotten this trait from Dad's side. My husband is the same way. I know, I know -you hate me. Actually, I think it's an Ecuadorian thing (my husband's side). Not just the cleaning, but the need to rearrange furniture. If my son decides he wants to clean he also means moving the furniture around. This table goes here and that one goes there. "It's prettier this way", he grunts as I run to help him move something before he gives himself a hernia.
I say this is an Ecuadorian thing because my roommate before I was married, who is also Ecuadorian, would constantly move things around. Our apartment never looked the same. She was also obsessed with changing her nail polish every night, but I'm not sure the two things are related.
So there we were on a Saturday morning wiping, sweeping and mopping all before heading to work. Although it was not what I was planning on doing and truthfully I didn't do much with such a great helper; It was surely productive. I truly am blessed and I don't deserve it. My mom always said that in punishment for not cleaning my room I would get a child that was worse than me.
But now that I think about it, perhaps the real punishment is getting a child that is worse than her and still makes me clean my room, even if I don't want to.
I know- this would be any mother's dream, but keep in mind -Saturday morning, robe, slippers.
I know I am blessed. So I wake myself up and start cleaning. He loves to clean. He did not get that from me. I was an only child and if my mom made me clean, it meant that I was being punished for something.
He must have gotten this trait from Dad's side. My husband is the same way. I know, I know -you hate me. Actually, I think it's an Ecuadorian thing (my husband's side). Not just the cleaning, but the need to rearrange furniture. If my son decides he wants to clean he also means moving the furniture around. This table goes here and that one goes there. "It's prettier this way", he grunts as I run to help him move something before he gives himself a hernia.
I say this is an Ecuadorian thing because my roommate before I was married, who is also Ecuadorian, would constantly move things around. Our apartment never looked the same. She was also obsessed with changing her nail polish every night, but I'm not sure the two things are related.
So there we were on a Saturday morning wiping, sweeping and mopping all before heading to work. Although it was not what I was planning on doing and truthfully I didn't do much with such a great helper; It was surely productive. I truly am blessed and I don't deserve it. My mom always said that in punishment for not cleaning my room I would get a child that was worse than me.
But now that I think about it, perhaps the real punishment is getting a child that is worse than her and still makes me clean my room, even if I don't want to.
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