A New Family

August 8th

Carmen figured out a puzzler right away. It was one of those things where you have different shapes and they make a square somehow. Mom tried to do it, then Scott, Carmen just looked at it, and did it!

Antonio recognizes all the letters and is sounding out words. Carmen has a very good memory. When we say a phrase, she just repeats the whole thing. Antonio usually needs it broken down to smaller sentences. They both pronounce things very well. I think it is going to be a challenge to figure out who hurt whom, and how!! It is so nice to have lots of little translators. Felix bosses Carmen and Antonio. Antonio gives into him almost all the time. He is speaking quite a bit. He usually repeats things, unless he is tired. Today he woke up grouchy, and stayed that way, with only brief segments of happiness. He also just helps himself to anything he finds. Especially food. He can pull himself up to the counter by his arms.

 

Last night was an adventure. Antonio was complaining about itching. Sure enough, he has lice, and eggs were found on almost everybody else's heads too. None were on Felix or Keri's. We treated everyone else just in case. We have been washing the sheets and clothes.

Antonio likes playing with Kayla. Today all of the children have been playing well together. I hope that it continues. Carmen has not been as difficult today. She has had to sit once. Felix is so cuddly. He has such a wonderful smile too. All 3 repeat words when I ask them. They are listening fairly well. Felix enjoys playing lots of games.

 

Well, I love you, and will write more later!! There is a lot more to write, but it takes me so long.

Krista

August 9th

I told the children tonight that you are coming soon. For the most part I have been having a lot of fun. Mom has been a great help.

It is odd to be called Mama, but feels fairly natural. Tonight we looked at pictures of the rooms. Antonio said that he and Felix should have Carmen's room because is it bigger.

 

I gave Carmen a quarter and Antonio 1 quetzal. They thought that was neat. Carmen wanted to know right away what she could buy with it! She is not interested in her hair bow things.

 

Talk to you later. I love you! Our kids give great hugs and smiles. On the other hand they all can truly pout, and Felix is capable of throwing elaborate fits. He can get loud!  He is very sensitive.

Love, Krista

More photos from today

August 10th

Dear David,

Antonio is counting the days until you come. Christi and I went shopping at 2 stores. Carmen was upset that I left her. I found out that she refused to wash her hands to eat lunch, and did a couple of other things. Scott took her upstairs to sit on the bed. She ended up falling asleep and missed lunch. When I came back, she tried to get sympathy from me by telling me that she didn't eat any lunch. I did give her a piece of bread and something to drink, but told her that I knew that she had not listened to her Grandma and to Mr. Scott so she had to go sit. She stared at me like I was a psychic. I had bought M&M's at the store, and made the mistake of giving them out to everyone. It was the beginning of our "Night of Terror" Don't believe it when people say that sugar does not affect children.

 

Antonio was pretending to use the computer, and said something about Papa, and pointed to the screen. The children know that we have been writing to each other. He shocked us by transforming into a wild man after the chocolate. He didn't even eat as much as some, because he was sharing his with others (not Carmen of course, though I did catch them giggling together over something a couple of times.) He was jumping and bouncing everywhere! He was climbing around the banisters like a monkey. And by his example 3 others started. <lots more happened, but was removed for brevity!>

 

Antonio asked me today if we have baseballs and other types at home. We are practicing colors and numbers. Our little sponges are doing fine. Felix and Carmen are 2 of the worlds best pouters, and are going to need a lot of "shaping" to help them get along with others. All 3 give great hugs (Did I write that last night?) 

Love, Krista

More photos from today

August 11th

Hola Papa,

Carmen is sitting on my lap. We just has a little talk about listening, again.....

 

Our excitement for yesterday was a clogged toilet. One of the children used a whole roll, and obviously that caused problems. So we were completely out of toilet paper, and we all had to help the children.  I do not think it was one of ours because they have to be reminded to use toilet paper.

 

I love you mucho. Love, Krista and Antonio, and Carmen, and Felix and Mom

August 12th

I said something that made Antonio cry and cry. I still do not know exactly what. I think he thought I was mad at him for something. Tonight is the night we are alone. We had hot dogs and french fries for dinner. We also had peas. Carmen and Felix did not like the peas. They all like salad, by the way. Felix takes a very, very long time to chew his food. Last night we had lasagna. Felix and I sat for over an hour eating. He likes bread of all sorts, broccoli, carrots, oatmeal, cereal.... Actually everything, except for the peas tonight. The same for Antonio and Carmen. They can out eat all of the adults I think. They are still not very quick about it, however. They eat like I used to when I was their age. Antonio and Carmen still have slight pot bellies, yet their ribs show.

 

Did I tell you they all love water? In addition to bikes and sippy cups, we should get a step stool for the bathroom. Maybe some throw away plates also, for the first few weeks. I think that we might want to get the potty chair on our registry before we get back.

I have used just about all of the Spanish words that I know. I am sure that there are many I have forgotten. I only had one meltdown from Carmen today. She would not come to me, and tried to keep dodging me. When she does, she knows she has to go inside and lie down. We have started to notice that she usually does this when she is already tired. So then she ends up falling asleep, and everyone is happier when she wakes back up. She and Mom have started playing a game. Mom says something and Carmen repeats it. Carmen copies everything that Mom says and does. It is cute. It is quite amazing. Carmen can copy any letters that she sees also, but can not sit down and write her name by herself consistently.

 

Antonio likes to sound out words in the Spanish Cat and the Hat Dictionary. That has been a wonderful thing to have

Carmen is playing with Felix right now, and is making him frustrated. He keeps making smacking sounds with his mouth. He is very focused on the things he is doing. He is arranging the chairs into a row like a train.

I forgot to write something funny. They had never had pizza before. Carmen told Christi that the crust was a tortilla, and thought the mozzarella cheese must be noodles. They liked the pizza. We have also had a pot pie type dish with cornbread on type. Lasagna, pasta with vegetables, salad, and cheese, hot dogs, french fries, chicken, beef and broccoli stir fry with egg drop soup and fried rice. We also had tortillas  and nachos with black bean paste.

August 13th

Dear David,

 

Church started out fine, but when the children went out for children's church they started to come unglued. The other children were going outside to play, and I would not let Antonio and Carmen. Antonio fussed for a while, but then started coloring. He likes those word find puzzles also. Carmen kept trying to sneak out. At first she was fine sitting, but then she wanted to go out again.

 

We ate lunch at a Chinese restaurant. It was very good. We had beef and broccoli, fried rice, and egg rolls. They had a big playground. The kids really liked that. It made me nervous. Felix spent the whole time chewing. even when we got home, he was still chewing. Carmen was very good at the restaurant.

 

Well, so long for now.  I love you!! Krista

More photos from today

August 14th

The children are counting the days until you come. 5 more tomorrows until you come. I hope that mom has a good time in Antigua tomorrow. I wish that I could go.

 

Did I tell you that the children liked to see the pictures? Felix photo book was still in tact. Antonio was saying that the Bunny was his, and Carmen wanted Jim and Marie's kitten. They all like the idea of having their own dogs. (So don't get rid of any before we get home.)

August 15th

Carmen and Antonio were excited to talk with you last night. They probably would have listened all night if I had let them!! Of course they could not understand you very well. They all went to bed very well. Our countdown is at 3 tomorrows.

Carmen has been playing with dolls for the last couple of days. She dresses and feeds and baths them. Yesterday she was playing house, and we had a "major" confrontation with water. Christi had said no playing with water, and Carmen did any way. She had to sit, apologized, act. Then she went outside and did it again!! She sat by me in a chair for a long time while I did other things. After the initial fighting, she actually seems to benefit from that. I know she is just challenging me to see if I say what I mean.

 

Both Antonio and Carmen ask for exceptions after every time I say "no". Right now, they are fighting over the bubbles I took some from Antonio yesterday for opening them in the house. He looked right at me, I told him "no", and he went ahead and blew them anyway. So this morning, he saw Carmen had some, and thought they were his. So he decided to take them from her. He finally believed me that they were Carmen's. He has his own now. I need to go make sure he is outside with them.

 

Felix keeps trying to sneak outside without me. That is the only conflict I have had with him. I am afraid that he will get in the habit of going outside whenever he wants. He can not do that at home. I am wondering if you could put a locktype thing high up, or get those type of doorknob handle covers that do not let toddlers open them. It scares me that he will wonder off. It is hard to watch him constantly, and he is carried around by Carmen and Antonio, also. I felt badly yesterday, since I think that Carmen and Antonio kept calling him outside. Antonio can really get on his nerves now also. It is especially bad when he is tired. Then Felix starts crying and saying, mira Tono, mira Tono.

 

Well, I guess I must go! I love you! Krista

 

Antonio has been talking about his dog a lot. He can never remember Encore's name, though. He has taken the strap from my suitcase, and likes to use it for a leash. I hope it doesn't get lost.

August 16th

I am assuming that Mom got in all right? Antonio and Carmen were very disappointed that she was not here this morning. I am pretty sure they knew she was leaving. Carmen thinks she is coming back on Friday with you. (Or at least that is what she has been telling me all day.)

 

Other than that disappointment, it was a near perfect day. I do not quite know how to handle Antonio and Felix always wrestling and pulling on each other. The children fought over hugging and kissing me all day. It was a relief from struggling with them!! Carmen did have to stop playing, and sit on her bed a couple of times. But she showed very little stubbornness and/or anger. No screaming and crying either. Antonio accidentally hit her with the bike, and even though she had a bump, she just wanted a kiss and some ice!!

Every time the children see the picture of the painting dog in the cat in the hat book, they say Papa.

 

Please pray that my throat, eyes, etc. feel better soon!! I am sick of being sick!

 

(I could tell that we must have a lot of people praying for us. Say "hi" to everyone at church. Will you bring a coloring book for each of the children when you come?)

August 2000

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