Saturday, April 29, 2017

Mammen to Mickey...or bust

My mom says I should blog my trip.

Imagine: it's 12::33am and I'm rhythmically squeezing my eldest's big toes whilst they're wrapped in previously-cold motel washcloths to keep him from shrieking about how much they itch. He asks me if I've ever done this before. Um, not quite. Holding a previously warm washcloth (not a motels, or my own, but my mother's) to his infected ear canal THE NIGHT BEFORE didn't exactly prepare me for this adventure.

The itchy feet. Do ear infections cause itchy feet? Insanity? Did our attempts at entertaining ourselves in the ER waiting room this morning by slathering our ENTIRE bodies with hand sanitizer somehow go terribly awry? Should you not take a very ill child on a road trip across southern America AND do a Cajun Swamp Tour lest they catch swamp feet? These are all things I'd like to Google. But I can't. I am tepid wet washcloth foot massaging, otherwise known as mommy's special treatment for itchy feet, and my hands are dually occupied.

Despite Zayd's ear infections, (and now toe situation), Zahra's cough and mysterious "broken ankles", and Ziyan being once again struck with a cold and wheezing, we made it from Houston to Pensacola today and had a rather good time. The Urgent Care clinic ate up two hours so we missed one playground and a bead-giving crawfish restaurant but did make our swamp tour. It's worth mentioning that the other 30 people there swamp touring were all little people (terminology acquired from TLC-hope it's appropriate). Zahra immediately turned to me. "Mommy I didn't know there were people with bodies that size but then still round around." Eyes wide. Adults and kids come in all  shapes and sizes. "These are adults!?" Let's go potty Zahra.

I have tons of swamp photos on my real camera that I'll add later.

Here are sleeping car picture, exhausted swamp pros, Ziyan distrusting me in the third row, urgent care. Just your typical road trip fare.

Also, you should know that around 1am I decided what these toes need was Aveeno Positively Radiant face cream. (Jennifer Aniston uses it!) Upon returning from my toiletry bag, Zayd was asleep on top of the baby (more or less... but more). Whatever. Day one is logged for mommy once the whole crew is bedded down.

First thing up tomorrow, inhalers for everyone, almost-cold amoxicillin, shooting saline up baby's nose, using a 30 minute anti-wax concoction in Zayd's ear and Pensacola Beach. 🌴

Thursday, April 20, 2017

Saturday, April 15, 2017

"Georgetown is Amazing"

We've been having the best ladies and my babies weekend here in Georgetown, TX. My mom found a fantastic Sheraton hotel and we've been bumping around in a two mile radius around this amazing woodsy property.

I started my Friday with a run along the San Gabriel River where Ziyan tried every trick in the book to leap from the stroller including incessant screaming and somehow turning himself 180° around to yell directly at me. I kept him mostly entertained with leaves for ripping, sticks for throwing, and a one handed juggling show while Koching along.

After spending an awesome afternoon in Texas's most adorable town square, spending an hour in All Things Kids and another long stretch at the Galaxy Bakery, we were back on the property. Ziyan was so eager to chase after his big Zs and follow them through the tunnels, down the slides, and up the rope walls. I love seeing their dynamic change and grow as he matures from the cutest little "lump on a log" to a rough and tumble adventurer.

While walking between two of the four playgrounds on the property, Zahra exclaimed, "Georgetown is amazing!!!! It's just like Hawaii but there's no... what's that thing called?" (I helped, "the beach?".) "Yep, there's just no beach." She was wide-eyed with excitement and joy and I felt just the same way.

Wednesday, April 5, 2017

Ziyan is ten months

Our little lamb is ten months old.

He sometimes stands but he'd rather be on the move. He can almost walk but he'd rather hold your fingers and chase after the big kids full speed ahead and leaning in like a charging bull.

He's got a tiny seventh tooth budding through. He tries desperately to grind it.

He's not gained much weight so he's thinning out a bit. Sad!

Ziyan loves talking up a storm but it mostly sounds like one long proclamation of vowel sounds. He can sign milk still but since he's learned to say "maaa" (milk) he's moved on to using his milk sign to mean "give me what I want!" He's trying to sign "all done", he's confident with a high five, and he blushes when I mention kissing.