Lily: What's that?
Me: A bee.
Lily: Oh yes, it bumbles me.
Thursday, June 30, 2011
Wednesday, June 29, 2011
Que Onda, Guero?
Dear Rio,
It has been well-chronicled in this very blog over the past two years how much your sister looks nearly identical to me in physical appearance, in mannerisms and in idiosyncrasies. If I can ever get all those on a list it would make for some good reading. So, anyway, identical. It's uncanny, really. For the past two years people have thought that your mother was Lily's nanny, or upon hearing that they were directly and biologically related, would say, "Oh, your husband must be very dark, then." I like to think of myself as more of an olive tone.
And for these past two years I have joked with your mother, half-seriously, that my Mexican-ness trumped what her gene pool had to offer and that she made a fine host for my replica. I fully expected, unreasonably so, I guess, that you would be another iteration of myself. I should have kept my mouth shut.
Blonde hair. Blonde hair? Blonde hair! Really, dude? I was in the room so I know you weren't swapped. I guess your mother got her revenge.
Well, son, since you are fairer skinned and lighter haired than me or your sister, but since you are still half Mexican, there is some vocabulary you should be aware of. We have a name for people like you. You, my son, are a guero. Guero, pronounced thusly - gue (pronounced like the "we" in "wed") and ro (pronounced like the "dd" in "ladder" with an "o" tacked on at the end [weddo]). Technically, there is a diaeresis (two dots) over the "u" but I don't have the keyboard shortcut for that.
Guero is a Spanish term of endearment used primarily by Mexicans to describe a fair-skinned person and/or one with light hair and is used somewhat ironically/playfully with such a person of Hispanic descent.
You are my guerito and I love you very much. But I should pick up some spray tan for you at Walgreen's, though. People might think I stole you.
Love,
Dad
Order For Pickup!
Lily,
Ramirez Family guilty pleasure - we regularly order pizza on Fridays from our favorite local pizza establishment instead of cooking dinner. Side note, we are the only people who order a large pizza with pepperoni and bell peppers in this town, so they always know it's us calling and I always get a "this one's for him" when I walk in to pick up the order. By the way, people in Pennsylvania don't call them bell peppers, they call them green peppers. Whatever.Anyway, the reason this is a guilty pleasure is because Mommy does her best to make sure that the food we eat is not only healthy but also responsibly grown, raised, butchered, transported, chewed, disposed of, thought about, etc. If it says organic, we're buying it. If it says free range cage free, we're buying two. If it has more than five ingredients, take it out of the cart. If we know the cow's name, we'll give it a shout out when we say Grace. Now we're not like Peter and Nance from the the show Portlandia, but we try.
I also thought we had done a good job so far from insulating you from junk/processed food and thought that you'd paid no mind to our greazy, cheesey indiscretion, until a couple of days ago when you again proved to us how much you listen to everything we say.
The other day you were pretending that a small bottle of lotion was a phone while you were sitting on the potty and you said something I didn't at first understand. When I asked you to repeat you looked at me and said, very squarely and clearly, "Order for pickup. Pepanonni." I was floored - I didn't think you were listening and internalizing every time I ordered a pizza. What else have I said that you weren't supposed to hear that you'll repeat in line at the grocery store? I guess we can't even hide from our own child that no matter how hard we try to be responsible consumers, we really love a good, unhealthy, processed, not-organic pizza. Your parents are imperfect people.
At the Park
Dear Rio,
We had such nice weather the other day that we thought it would be a great time to take you to a park for the first time.
Here I am with Lily in a fire truck (mostly).
And here is your mother in the background engaging in some acrobatic behavior getting into the same fire truck. Are we sure that she just gave birth less than two weeks ago?
Love,
Dad
Sunday, June 26, 2011
Rio, Your Birth Story
Rio,
You made your appearance to the world one week ago today. You were due on a Tuesday but the Saturday before I decided I was ready to meet you. I got a prenatal massage from a massage therapist who swore she could get the process started. My skepticism for it's effectiveness was proved wrong when an hour after the massage contractions began. The contractions started slow but quickly became 7 minutes apart. We had plans to take your sister to a birthday party that afternoon. At that time the contractions were 5 minutes apart. I felt pretty confident that we had a little time, so we ventured across town to the party. I quickly realized that it's hard to socialize with people when you are having contractions every 5 minutes. After less than an hour we decided to go home and monitor the contractions a little more closely. The timing was perfect. We were able to put your sister to bed (Nonna was ready to stay the night with her). Right after she was in bed, the contractions became very strong and 3 minutes apart. It was then that I decided it was time to head to the hospital.
I was 6 cm dilated when we arrived at the hospital. I learned my lesson from your sister's birth and decided to get an epidural early on in the process. There was only one little problem, the epidural didn't take. That's right. It didn't take. So after 45 minutes (and not much time before your arrival) the doctor's tried it a second time. By that time, it was too late, you were ready for your appearance. Had I known I was going to have a mostly natural birth I would have prepared for it a little bit more. Fortunately you came quickly and easily.
After knowing you only a week, your easy going personality seems to fit the way you came into the world. You still sleep most of the time and prefer to nap when laying on Mommy or Daddy. For the moments when you are awake your eyes are open wide and you turn to every little sound. You are a quiet observer that seems to be taking in the world. Lily likes to bring toys into your vision and label them for you. You look like you are hanging on her every word. You have this sweet light brown/blondish hair and look so different than Lily did at your age. I'm trying to treasure these first few sleepy months. There is nothing better than napping with you in my arms.
Love,
Mommy
Thursday, June 23, 2011
Welcome to the World, Rio!
Dear Rio,
We have had a gloriously hectic four days with you so far, and your mother, sister and I look forward to a lifetime of happiness as a family. Mommy had the honor of composing the birth story of your sister, so I'll leave that to her again - I'll just post a lot of pictures.
Side note - your poor mother was in labor with Lily for over 14 hours or so, most of that spent in the hospital. There are few things more boring than waiting in a hospital and Mommy didn't want to do that again. So, we went to a birthday party. When this picture was taken it was about nine hours before you were born. Mommy was feeling contractions less than five minutes apart here. According to the most reputable TV doctors you should be at the hospital by now. But they had really good cake, so we stayed.
Playing baseball for the first time. Mommy and I took Lily to see the Phillies play a few weeks ago. It was Lily's first exposure to baseball. Now whenever she sees baseball on TV she says, "I was there yesterday."
Here is the only picture taken of Mommy after we checked in. You were just a few hours away.
And there you are! I had several shots where your jiggly-bits were showing but I mercifully left those out. You're welcome.
The first picture of you and Mommy.
Upon entering the world you solemnly stated, "What do you mean there might not be an NFL season?" You were visibly disappointed and rendered speechless by the news.
I suppose like many newborns your eyes are a shade of gray and probably won't attain their final color for several weeks. Lily's eyes were the same color and hers turned out light brown. We'll see what yours do. Light eyes run on both sides of the family, though.
Mommy declaring triumph over you having her hair color instead of mine.
First picture with your proud big sister. She's taking it very well so far but hasn't fully warmed up to you yet. That's natural because she has enjoyed our undivided attention for the past two years. She's deliberate about everything in life, including rendering judgement on people, so be cool, man, be cool. She mentioned something about a Ramirez initiation ritual or something so I'd keep my eyes open and be wary of hazing.
Our first family photo.
Nonna to the rescue again! We couldn't have done this without her. From providing comfort, wisdom, a helping hand around the house, culinary skills in the kitchen and lots and lots of love, we were able to do everything that needed doing. Thanks, Nonna - you're the best! Every time you come over I gain 10 pounds (crepes, lasagna, etc), but it's worth it.
Catching a little shut-eye on the couch.
Your first outing into the world was to Babies 'R Us. How exciting.
We had your first doctor's appointment today. Lily was there for moral support and ready to call 911 from her pink phone in case of an emergency. Everything checked out just fine. You peed on the doctor. Not cool.
Your first real get up. I'm guessing that's a piranha, which is appropriate, considering the frenzied state you get into when it's feeding time.
And finally, here is Lily warming up to you the best way she knows how - through song. She's singing you Rock a Bye Baby and showing you the pages of the book she's singing from. I can't imaging there are many things cooler as a parent than to have your kids love each other. Like peas and carrots you two will be one day.
Rio, it's been a fun four days and I can't wait to spend the rest of my life with you.
Love,
Dad
Monday, June 13, 2011
Dear Lily
Dear Lily,
Your little brother is due to arrive any day now. Right now we are a beautiful family of three. You are the center of our world. You bring laughter into this house every single day. You talk about the new baby’s arrival on a daily basis. You say good morning to my tummy and talk about all the fun you will have with your brother. You talk to me about taking him on walks, changing his diaper, and showing him your toys. I think you will be a wonderful big sister. Although you know he is coming soon, I’m not sure you understand what that really means. It means that Mommy and Daddy will have to give attention to you and your brother. It might take some time before you adjust to this change, but I know you will be fine.
I have been a little worried about how you will feel. I don’t ever want you to feel rejected or less special. In time, I know you will understand that we are giving you the greatest gift that we can...a sibling. I hope you and your brother build a friendship and a relationship that can only be understood by having a sibling.
I have been treasuring every last few moments of our family of three. The truth is, you will never remember the first two beautiful years of your life when it was just the three of us. I can’t even remember what life was like before you. When you read this someday, I want you know that this has been the most special time of my life. You have taught me how to mother, you have taught me how to let go, and you have taught me about how much love is in this world. Mommy and Daddy have a lot of love to give. You will always be special to us. I am excited to imagine all the love we all have to give to each other.
Love,
Mommy
Sunday, June 12, 2011
Trains? You want to play with trains? Finally!
Dear Lily,
So, for the past two years I have patiently and lovingly endured tea parties, princess fairies, pretend cooking and make-believe makeup. Despite my attempts over the years to slyly introduce a basketball or toy car, none of the toys I grew up playing with ever caught your attention.
...
And that's okay. You like to play with the things you like to play with. And yes, trying to get you play with these things was out of my own self interest because every once in a while I would like to do something other than check your stuffed Elmo's blood pressure and heartbeat and have a play picnic afterwards.
...
You can imagine my delight when a few days ago you suggested we play with trains. Yes, trains! I love trains! I remembered back to all the fun I had as a kid with the train sets that my dad got for me. We pulled out the trains, laid the tracks, and off we went taking turns zooming the trains back and forth. But then tragedy struck - one of the trains derailed. Train play was over.
...
You sprung into action, scooped up the train in your hands and said, "It's gonna be okay, train," as you rocked it back and forth and patted it on the back. You laid it down to rest and covered it with a pretend blanket. Sensing the concern the other trains must have felt you empathetically comforted them too, reassuring them that all was well.
...
With the train fully recovered, and the other trains settled down, you wanted to put the trains to bed since it was also your bed time. We disassembled the tracks, put the trains to sleep and called it a day. We were able to get some of this on video.
...
...
Though it was short lived, thank you for indulging me and playing with something with wheels for a change. I love you exactly how you are and I'll go pretend grocery shopping with you any day.
...
Love,
Dad
Strawberry Picking
We went to Linvilla Orchards to pick strawberries. Who knew toddlers would be such good fruit pickers. I think it helps that you are so close to the ground. You and Xander could probably find work as strawberry pickers, except for every one you picked you ate one. We also took a hayride and saw farm animals. It was a great day!
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)