Cheers!
Oh, I've been wanting to get this down because I think it is so funny, so before I forget: When Joaquin walks into his daycare classroom, all the kids yell, "Joaquin!" and it reminds me of the way everyone yells "Norm!" on Cheers! whenever Norm Petersen walks into the bar.

Yea, rain!
Finally. We had a good-ole monsoon storm last night with thunder, lightning and wind. Joaquin liked the agua, not too crazy about the crackling of thunder. I think this is the first storm he has really paid any attention to in his two-plus years. Even better, our electricity stayed on. Whew. No electricity=no refrigeration=very steamy inhabitants.

Mommy is feeling a bit out of sorts today. Not sure how, just not usual. Maybe it was the rain.

Translator Needed
Joaquin has been trying to talk a lot more. I really try not to compare him to others close to his age, but sometimes, I just can't help it and I wonder if we're doing something wrong. Some things we get, some we don't. Just the other day, he walked over to me and asked "Cah ah ha chos?" I asked him to repeat it. Again he asked, "Cah ah ha so chos?" I looked into his beautiful brown eyes and I said, "Wocki baby, you're really gonna have to learn to speak our language because not very many people speak yours'. There are no translators." He just looked at me and said, "Cah. Ah. Ha. So chos." So I got him some chips.

Happy Birthday Tia
Tonight, we went to Desert Ridge Marketplace to have dinner at Romano's Macaroni Grill to celebrate Tia's birthday. We had a great time, good food and company. Joaquin had some ravioli with alfredo sauce, which, I'm happy to say, he ate (mostly) by himself. I say mostly, because he would rather somebody feed him and after a while, he just stopped picking up the spoon and said, "No, Daddy do" when Daddy tried to get him to hold the spoon. So Daddy did...fed him some more. The power struggle eventually ended and Joaquin went back to feeding himself.

After dinner, we walked through "The District" at the Marketplace and came upon what they call "an interactive fountain" which is basically a fountain that kids can run and play in. Joaquin and his cousin Angelica went to take a look at the fountain and were surprised when the fountain spritzed up several feet into the air, dousing them both. Joaquin loved it. He was doing what Tia called "His Happy Dance" every time the fountains danced.

Heyyyy...Joaquin always seems to get gifts on other people's birthdays. No wonder he likes them so much. Cousin Angelica bought him a Patrick and SpongeBob talking doll and an inflatable SpongeBob. He especially likes the Patrick doll--this is his first--and as we suspected is throwing it around the house just so he can hear, "Hey, I'm a starfish."

Here is a picture of Joaquin doing one of the "Happy Dances." If you click to make bigger, you'll see his entourage. By the way, those little white specks in the picture are water droplets, not snow.

Party Over Here
Today we went to Peter Piper Pizza for Omar's second birthday party. The theme was SpongeBob SquarePants. Joaquin was in his element. He enjoyed sliding, playing skeeball, basketball and the candy grabbing machine, he had some pizza, saw buses out of the window...a very thrilling day for a two-plus-year old. He was so tired he had to go to bed early, of course not having a nap during the day may have helped with that.

Here is Joaquin waiting for his pizza. He had to try all the place settings before he chose this one. He NEVER looks at the camera on purpose, NEVER. Makes me wonder what he thinks the camera is. I got some good shots of him playing games though. Maybe I'll post them one day. (Click image to see bigger.)

Dora LIVE!
Tonight, we were fortunate enough to have received tickets to see Dora LIVE! at the Dodge Theatre. Joaquin had a "date" with Jacqueline. He pretty much ignored her the entire time. (Reminded Mommy of her dating days. Ha.) I was really suprised at how well he did during the show. You may remember the Finding Nemo fiasco from a few weeks ago (okay, not really a fiasco), but not the most attentive time, but tonight? Tonight he was entranced during the entire show and he's never even watched an episode of Dora The Explorer. He's definitely a fan now. Thanks, Joey!

Memories
We stopped by Starbucks the other night and Mommy saw a few people sitting there, studying, reading or writing, and I noticed one thing they all had in common: They were alone. And I remembered for a moment, how good it felt to be alone for an entire evening, with nothing more to do than get a drink and read a book. But there we were, in Starbucks, chasing a noisy toddler around.

I used to like to be alone. For some reason, it never felt lonely being alone. Now life is very different. It is noisy and I'm lucky if I get a few hours alone. Of course, when I was alone, I never started an impromptu dance to the Teletubbies theme song (well maybe just a little one) or walked the entire length of the house on my knees just because it was funny (of course, my old knees don't think it's so funny). When I was alone, I never tried to do anything possible to get a two-year-old to laugh wicked. I never received spontaneous bear hugs. I never got to watch an angel sleep.

Alone is very good, but I think I'll just keep trying to enjoy the time I'm in right now because there may come a time where I'm alone and just feel lonely...or not.

Mr. Manners
My sister mentioned one day that she always thought it was important for her kids to have good table manners. Hence, both her kids learned to use eating utensils very early. I, on the other hand, think that using manners while speaking is very important. I've been saying please and thank you to Joaquin since he was born.

Since Joaquin is a late talker, he is just starting to put longer sentences together. Yesterday, as we were leaving, he said he wanted the keys Daddy had in his pocket. As I normally would, I told him, "Ask Daddy if you could please have the keys." I was surprised when I heard, "Daddy, can ah ha embltum [indecipherable] keesh pleesh."

I'm so proud. Not only is he beginning to say entire sentences, he's being polite about it too. That is, unless "embltum" is one of George Carlin's "Seven Dirty Words." (I'll let you do the Google search on that one as I'm trying to keep this a family blog.)

Here is an oldie but a goodie. Joaquin's first haircut at 10 months, in September, 2001. Gosh, I miss that baby. (Click image to see bigger.)

Update
Because so many people were wondering, ahem, sure, Mommy is still sick but getting better. It seems that strong antibiotic, Biaxin, is really doing its job. Today is the first day I've been to work in 7 days. Joaquin's rash is starting to clear up too.

I really thought I was going to have a nervous breakdown on Monday, when, after being really sick and getting very little sleep throughout the weekend, I had to find another Dr. because I couldn't get through to mine AND, Joaquin woke up with welts all over his pelvic area. First thing I thought, chicken pox. I immediately called the Pediatrician's office and was told to give him Benadryl and put some hydrocortisone cream on the spots. Also, thinking he could have been poisoned by some of the stuff his daddy put on the dog the night before, I took the dog outside and washed him again and cleaned the floors, all while hacking up fluorescent green mucous. It was horrible. I was in tears by noon. Good thing Daddy came home early.

On Tuesday, Daddy took Joaquin to the Dr. only to find out that he had hives, not chicken pox (better safe, than sorry) and, sadly, the only thing we could give him was Benadryl and hydrocortisone cream for the itches. Not sure where the rash came from, the physician's assistant he saw suggested that he may be allergic to the Amoxicillin antibiotic he had been taking for several days. His ear infection had cleared up so she told us to stop giving it to him and let them know he may be allergic to it from now on. On a positive note, Joaquin learned a new word, "itchy," and he says it very clearly.

Waste of Time
Well, you know that Pirates of the Carribbean movie with Johnny Depp is out and with all of the press that he's been doing, Mommy figures Johnny Depp owes her about 4 hours of time by now because each time I see or read an interview with him, I end up thinking, I want my 5 minutes (or however long it took to read or watch the interview) back.

Sage Advice
Today I happened to be perusing this site and came upon a post where the author's Mother handed down some sage advice, "You should concentrate on enjoying the cookie you're eating instead of thinking about the next one." He remembers it as good advice to this day. I keep searching for THE phrase that Joaquin will carry on with him throughout his adult years. The only thing I've come up with so far is, "Let's be con-struc-tive, not de-struc-tive," said with accompanying hand movements made to form a full circle which represents "constructive," to hands laying flat, palms up, which represents "destructive." Umm, I don't think I've quite found it yet.

The "Babysitter"
It always cracks me up when, after I put Joaquin down for a nap and I grab the keys to go outside for something, George (the dog) comes running behind me, giving me a look of shear terror as if it say "You're not leaving me here to take care of him, are you? I'm a DOG for goshsakes!"

Gourmet Breakfast
I just wanted to share with everyone what my baby has eaten this morning (Please keep in mind that his Mommy is sick and doesn't want to battle with him at all.):
1) Sprite ("so")
2) Chili Cheese Fritos
3) Popcorn ("neigh, neigh")
4) Starburst Lollipop

Thank God for Grandma. I hope she feels well enough to bring lunch again. "Meals on wheels" is what she calls it.

I don't know how I'm going to get Joaquin to eat healthy food again.

Grandma Is Weird, But In A Good Way
Grandma has been coming over daily while Mommy has been home sick just to bring Joaquin and I lunch. I tell her not to come because we might be contagious but she doesn't listen. She must think she's immune because she's old and has other health battles to fight. Anyway, yesterday she mentioned that she thought it was so cute that the mom and the baby were home sick. I don't think its so cute. Yep, Grandma is weird.

I think she actually needs her Joaquin-fix. She comes over just to sit and look at him and touch his face and pinch his nose, thus increasing her chance of getting this bug that we have. Oh well, Joaquin does like for her to visit (Mommy does too); only thing is he cries when she leaves.

Joaquin's coughing less and his ear doesn't seem to bother him as much. I just hope he doesn't get what I got again. Funny, I had decided to keep him out of daycare this week so he wouldn't be around sick kids and he's been around a sick Mommy. I don't know which is worse. Well at least I don't wipe snot with my hands.

Today is Your Birthday
Mommy's birthday is today. Guess what I got?....The Flu. That's right, Joaquin shared enough of his germs to get it for me. My body has been aching and all I could think of is no wonder he was so whiny yesterday afternoon. If he felt anything like I did, he was entitled.

Joaquin was feeling so bad yesterday that he couldn't go down for his nap--he just tossed and turned. He got so worn out that he eventually just crashed. I feel his pain today. (Click image to see bigger.)

 

 

 

I Was Right, But I Wish I Was Wrong
We were up at the crack of dawn so I could get Joaquin in to see his Doctor. Turns out I was right about the ear infection. Leave it to my kid to be text-book with the infectious diseases. We had an okay day, but Joaquin has had trouble napping today and cried for two hours because his ear hurt. We were able to get in some fingerpainting, ring-around-the-rosie and popcorn eating before the real pain set in.


In happier news, while waiting for Joaquin's prescription to be filled today, Mommy found these mini bags of popcorn. I was asking about individual sizes of microwave popcorn just a couple of weeks ago! They are so cute. Joaquin loves popcorn but can't finish a big bag and I hate to throw away the leftovers but they don't taste very good cold. Here's the solution! Sure, they end up costing more than the regular sized bag per ounce, but at last, Joaquin can have his popcorn even when Mommy or Daddy don't!

Mommy can always predict a great new invention. One day, I'll say something like, "You know, they should make a phone with a walkie talkie so that you can talk to a family member without having to pay the cell charges." Next thing you know, "Boom!" such a thing exists. I've done this a number of times. It fascinates Daddy, although he says I need to tune my mojo so I find a need to fulfill before someone else thinks to invent it; then I can make a million dollars!

Read Anything Interesting In The Past?
I thought the Friday Five questions this week were right up our alley since the questions related to childhood reading and such. Some of my favorite childhood stories were Danny and the Dinosaur by Syd Hoff, Uncle Remus Stories (Brer Rabbit and De Tar Baby, etc.) the Ramona Series books by Beverly Cleary, the Encyclopedia Brown series and O. Henry (which incidentally I still enjoy). I'm currently sharing the Beverley Cleary books and some O. Henry stories with Joaquin. I think he will like Encyclopedia Brown when he gets older.

I constantly re-read my childhood books and I've mentioned it before, but I think O. Henry was on crack--I mean, some of the words he uses. I must have glossed over many of those words when I was younger. And those Uncle Remus stories, I think they've made them more polically correct in recent years, because I remember them differently. I can't remember when I started reading and I doubt my parents remember either, but I used to love for my sister to read to me at bedtime, even though I was well of the age where I could do it myself. I do remember my first grown up book though, I was ten or eleven and Helter-Skelter (the story of the Manson murders) was released. A friend had it and I don't know why, but I had to read it too. I've had nightmares most of my life because of it. By the way, did I mention O. Henry must have been on crack?

Here We Go Again
Mommy just got finished wiping down the house and Joaquin's toys with bleach, Pine-Sol or Clorox Wipes. It appears Joaquin may have contracted Conjunctivitis, commonly known as Pink-eye. The Dr. prescribed some eyedrops, but I think I'm going to take him in for a look in the morning, especially since I read that it is commonly accompanied by an ear infection. Didn't we just go through this? I'm definitely keeping him out of school this week.

Park It, Please
It amazes me sometimes how our children pick up every nuance of everything we are doing, even when we don't realize it or no matter how insignificant we think it is. Our car, for example, has the gear shift in the middle console, Joaquin's carseat is in the middle of the backseat, right behind the console. Joaquin can see us put the car in reverse, drive and park. We didn't know he was paying attention until we saw him "park" his truck behind his tricycle and move the little gear shift in a different direction. He moves it again when he's backing up and again when he's "driving." Its pretty funny because he never forgets to move it, no matter if he's crashing into something or parking it.

Many of you already know that this is Mommy's favorite picture, c. April, 2002. This is the truck mentioned in today's post. The gear is on the other side. He's been having a blast with it since December, 2001, all thanks to Diane and Danielle.(Click image to see bigger.)

Happy Independence Day!

So, Mommy watched a show about flags on Martha Stewart Living the other day and I must say, I learned a whole lot about flag symbolism, how to display it, etc. I thought I was being so patriotic when I bought a flag to hang outside. It is just a cheap, plastic one, printed on only one side, but it has fifty stars on a blue background and 7 red and 6 white alternating stripes. I thought we were set...that is, until Daddy hung it outside today. I looked at it and it looked funny, so I said, "be sure to hang it with the printed side facing out." It still looked funny. I finally figured it out. According to Martha: When displaying the flag, the blue background is supposed to be on the upper left-hand side when you look at it. This flag had it printed on the upper right-hand side! All I could think of was, damned Martha, if it weren't for her, I wouldn't know the difference. I guess I'll get a flag made in the U.S.A. next time, preferably printed on both sides.

I hope everyone has a safe and happy 4th of July!

Music Soothes The Savage Baby
TV is King in our house. We are addicted to it big time. Some find that surprising since we don't have cable--we don't need it, the TV is on all the time as it is. Well, since Mommy has decided to participate in this cd swap, we've been listening to music a lot more. If you've been here before, you know that Joaquin hasn't been the biggest music fan in the past (he had fits when he'd hear music). Lately though, he's been seeming to enjoy it. We've been leaving the TV off and listening to the music and the house has been more peaceful than ever. Joaquin even seems to act-up less. So it seems that it really is true: Music does, in fact, soothe the savage baby. Either that or it soothes Mommy's savages.

Here is Joaquin with a prize he won at the County Fair a while back. He calls it "sheeshy." He is wearing his "Fazoli's T-shirt," which got its name from the fact that he can eat spaghetti at Fazoli's and Mommy doesn't have to worry about the stains. Gotta love tie-dye. (Click image to see bigger.)

From The Daycare Tuesday:
Viral Meningitis handout because one of the kids caught it last week. If it was diagnosed accurately as VIRAL, it sounds as though there is not a great cause for concern. BACTERIAL however, would be a different story. Of course, when Mommy heard Meningitis, I freaked out before knowing all of the facts. I feel a little better now even though I'm still nervous and question myself every time I leave Joaquin there.

Kisses For Everyonething
After visiting with Mommy's family, no matter the length of time, we all usually give a hug and kiss to everyone before leaving. After experiencing this for the past two and a half years, it isn't unusual that Joaquin would pickup the habit. Lately though, I've noticed he's been kissing all the things he likes: Yesterday, for example, he kissed the SpongeBob sprinkler and the recycle can in the backyard before coming inside. This morning, he kissed the television, the dog and the picture of the train on the computer monitor before leaving the house. If he can't reach something, he asks me to pick him up so he can get a good angle or he blows a kiss by kissing his hand and touching the item. As you can imagine, with all of that kissing going on, it takes us a while to get where we're going; so if you're expecting us and we're late, you know what's going on.