Turkey Day

My mom did it! She made her first Thanksgiving Dinner for eight people, not including me and the six-year-old who kept launching himself down our stairs. Boys. I will never understand them... Anyway, Mom actually pulled it off and cooked a 15 lb. turkey in a gas oven and no one got sick (as far as we know). That's the turkey in the bucket, not me, folks -- I'm the one on top. That thing weighed more than I do! Don't tell Mom I told you this but the reason it's in a bucket is because Mom couldn't find its neck so she had to call Mr. Gregg and email him the picture. Sure enough, the neck was already gone. I would expect as much from a dead bird that cost 340 pesos! We had the turkey and stuffing and green beans and carrots in brown sugar and potatoes (from a box) and cranberry sauce (from a can) and gravy (from a box. but hey, I'm not judging). It was a good first Thanksgiving, although I am getting a little bored by this milk stuff. I like to try and grab Dad's plate while he's eating. All my grandparents think I might be ready for cereal, no matter what my doc says. I give Mom a month before she caves.

I have discovered the power of my hands. Like I mentioned before, I like to grab stuff. Hair, jewelry, plates, coffee cups -- you name it, I want it. I'm still trying to figure out the sitting up thing, but I can do it with a little assistance from my friendly pillows. I love Elmo. LOVE him. He's my best friend. He and my puppy. And Mom keeps putting these silly things on my wrists that make noise. I pretend to like them, just to placate her. Baby Einstein is always fun, too. Grandma (Mrs. Bennett) told Mom that she read something bad about those videos but thankfully both ladies are intelligent enough to ignore anything that contradicts my happiness.

Feet are next. I'll let you know when I figure out how to get them into my mouth.

Shots and Strangers

What a weekend. Not only did I just endure four flights with two layovers all alone with Mom, I also had my thighs stabbed three times by the very nice nurse at Dr. Ip's office. But let me start at the beginning.

Thursday morning I was rudely awakened in the middle of the night and hustled out to Daddy's car, which he drove like a maniac to the airport in Mexico City. We got there in plenty of time, but that didn't seem to help Mom's stress levels much. She was trying to act calm, cool and collected just to prove to Dad that she could handle me by herself, but I wasn't fooled.

When we finally boarded the airplane she realized that she couldn't put her extra bag of crap (sorry Mom) in the overhead bin while holding me and my diapers. So she basically thrust me into the arms of a very nice stranger who offered to help. I think she meant with the bags, not with me, but she took it all in stride and said she has twins. Sheesh - I can't imagine Mom having to deal with TWO of me.... Anyway, I am not much of a morning person unless everything is on my terms, and this whole sitting-on-Mom's-lap-while-the-creepy-businessman-in-the-next-seat-stares-at-my-food-source thing was not my cup of tea. I pitched a fit and smiled to myself at the horrified faces of the snobs in first class.

After a quick layover in Dallas and a short flight to St. Louis, we were in Uncle Brian's truck -Britney Spears Style - heading to Grandmas. Aunt Lizzie came in from Vermont later that night and we had a very fun weekend of shopping (yes, at Target) and eating. I got to see Mrs. Bennett (who is really Grandma) and Mr. Dave and they sang me some new songs, which was nice since all Mom ever sings is something about sunshine and she doesn't even know all the words. Mommy had a little more than her alloted glass of wine a day, but I pretended I didn't notice. She was on vacation.

Then the unthinkable happened. I was stabbed. Here I am, all cute and cooperative on the way to the hospital, lying naked and defenseless in my slightly wet diaper on a very cold table, and suddenly a needle was coming right at my pefectly dimpled thigh. Then another. And ANOTHER. I was pissed! (sorry Mom). But I got over it with some yummy Tylenol and a trip to BabiesRUs for a supercute and not-too-girly "I Got My Shots Today" outfit. But man, what an ordeal.

Now I'm safe and sound in Mexico, bandaids off and supercute outfit in my closet. Mommy is back to torturing me with constant photo shoots and forced afternoon "Quiet Times." I do have a new swing seat though, and I have decided to reward Mom for lugging through two airports by actually sitting quietly while it plays God-awful music and makes me slightly dizzy .

We are counting down the days to New York -- God only knows how flustered she'll be on that trip...

Ships Ahoy!

On Sunday I had my very first boat ride. It was Mommy's birthday so Dad took us to Valle de Bravo. I slept through the whole car ride, although I remember hearing Mom asking about my neck about 14 times because the road was so curvy. I have to admit, I was pretty dizzy by the time we got there. The boat trip was a lot of fun. Daddy's friends Enrique and Maribel went with us and they have two boys, Kikin and Danny. They are very nice young men, although Danny practically decapitated me a couple of times. He's only 11, so I'll cut him some slack.

I also had the privilege of having my diaper changed in a beautiful church. The word church doesn't really describe it -- it was more like a compound of churches. It's called Centro de Espiritualidad Carmel Maranatha. They have spiritual retreats, but Mommy said she's not interested unless they serve wine.

We leave for St. Louis in three days! I get to see Grandma (Mrs. Bennett), Mr. Dave and Uncle Brian and Aunt Lauren. Not to mention Aunt Lizzie is coming all the way to Middle America, just to meet me! Mommy's excited for Target (she really needs to get out more, if you ask me), and I can't wait to see that furry creature again. He looks kind of like Mr. Frog, but he doesn't make any noise if I squeeze him. I am looking forward to showing off how much I can smile now. It's so easy to make Mom and Dad happy -- I just put a goofy grin on my face and they act like I've come up with the key to world peace.

Frogger!

I am in Mexico now and have met my Abuelos and Tio Felipe. As far as families go, I have lucked out. I get lots of attention and everyone is always inquiring about my body temperature. It drives Mommy nuts that everyone assumes I'm cold all the time, but I don't mind it so much.

We spend our days shopping for house stuff and taking naps. Mommy likes to push me around Metepec in my giant Eddie Bauer stroller. I think she's beginning to realize why women here use slings. It's like playing Frogger trying to get across these streets with my tank -- Mommy's arms are going to look like the Governator by the time I'm walking!

I have a boyfriend. His name is Agoog and he lives in the ceiling. He is from Pakistan. Sometimes I spend minutes communicating with him through our special baby code of smiles, farts and hiccups. Agoog likes to hang out in my room with Grandpa Skip, Great-Grandma Betty and my Tio Marco Antonio. I see them all when Mommy is changing my diaper, an arduous process that I finally started assisting her in by raising my legs on cue.

Last night I laughed. Mommy was making a fool of herself by shaking her head in my face. I couldn't hold it in anymore -- she looked so funny! I don't think I'm supposed to be laughing just yet but I clearly haven't read What To Expect...

We have a new President! He's African-American and white, which means the only milestones left in the discrimination barriers are female and Latino. Guess what? I'm both! Look out, world. In forty years I will start campaigning. First order of business will be to get that damn (sorry Mom) border torn down. The U.S. could certainly use better beaches, and my fellow Mexicans could use the higher paychecks. Then I'll make all immunizations oral, and they will taste like honey.

Here is a recent picture of me dressed up in this ridiculous frog outfit. I guess it could have been worse, but I shudder to think what they'll do to me next year when I can actually sit up on my own!

I'm off to St. Louis to see Grandma and Uncle Brian next week. I narrowly escaped immunizations last week at my new pediatrician's office when she told Mommy and Daddy the price. I thought Dad was going to faint! It's just as cheap to go to Mommy's home so we're doing just that, with a little help from Grandma. I can't wait to go to Target -- I'm outgrowing all of my newborn onesies (and I'm really, really tired of wearing the same pants all the time).

Going Postal

I had a rough weekend. Mommy's grandpa and aunt and uncle all came to visit so I was passed around from person to person like a bad cold. It wasn't Mom's fault or anything, but I got all kinds of backed up, if you know what I'm saying. I finally solved that problem in the United States Postal Office yesterday, much to the dismay of the post office employees. They might still be cleaning up my mess, for all I know. I just hope they don't sabatoge my passport application in retaliation!

Speaking of passports, looks like we are heading to Mexico with Daddy on October 4th. I'm excited to meet my other side of the family, but I'm a little bit concerned about the withdrawl my Mom will undoubtedly suffer leaving Target. Oh, and I heard them talking about the fact that we don't exactly have a home yet. Details -- sure am glad kids don't have to deal with those!

I have decided to let them win one battle: the bath wars. Mom's friend Kerri gave her a tip and now bathtime isn't quite so bad. Plus it's pretty much mandatory after little explosions like yesterday. Daddy took me in the Big Kid bathtub. Mom took pictures, which I just know will come back to haunt me in 15 years.

I'm still trying to master this whole neck thing. It's really frustrating because I want to see what's going on, especially during Law and Order (Jesse Martin is a babe!), but my nose goes slamming toward Mom or Dad's shoulder after about two minutes of holding my head up. Practice makes perfect, but they might be shelling out some dinero for a nose job in a few years if this continues...

So now I'm fifteen days old and I'm starting to get the hang of this whole life-on-earth thing. I've realized that everytime I so much as fart Mommy and Daddy come racing to my side, which is cool for the most part but sometimes I just want to chill by myself. Tonight we went to Aunt Donna and Uncle Jason's for dinner but I wasn't in a good mood so we had to race out of there real fast. Mom says it gets her out of helping with the clean-up, at least.

I'm getting bigger, although I think I'm losing some hair. I'm told it's normal for kids my age, but let's hope it's not a recurring trend. And this darn belly button thing is getting ridiculous. It's a good thing it's not bikini season -- this sucker is atrocious. Speaking of suckers, I finally conned Mom into giving me a pacifier. I know she hates them, but a girl wants what a girl wants, ya know?

My great-grandpa George and Mom's Uncle John and Aunt Nancy come tomorrow. I'm not sure why all these people are constantly wanting to see me -- I don't do tricks or anything. Although tonight I sneezed and when Mom and Dad said "bless you" it sounded just like I said "thank you." They got a kick out of that one. Parents.... So easy to impress.

I have arrived!

Phew! I finally made it! Hey, it's better late than never, I always say. Mom might disagree, but we're all pretty sure this isn't the first time I'm going to cause her a little grief.

Before I continue, please refrain from making any jokes that include the words "cone" and "head." Thank you.

Today I am ten days old, and it has been a whirlwind to say the least! My two days in the hospital were crazy -- between nurses and photographers and shots (ouch -- Mommy cried more than me!) and family and lactation consultants (??!!), a girl could hardly get any rest. Everybody was really nice, but I was pretty glad to get strapped into my brand-new rear-facing infant carseat and get the heck out of Dodge.

Since then, I've been out and about as any properly curious infant with slightly stir-crazy parents should be. People to see, places to shop... I love my Grandma Mrs. Bennett. She gives me special treats when Mommy and Daddy aren't around. Uncle Brian and Aunt Lauren are great, too. All three of them were there the day I was born. I think I got more attention than Brad and Angelina's twins!

We go to Target (pronounce with a French accent, please) almost every day. I think Mommy might have something going on with a cashier boy there (kidding, Mom). I've also been to the Latin Festival in downtown St. Louis, but I think me and Daddy were the only ones there who actually speak Spanish. Great grub, though.

As for life on a day-to-day basis, it's not half bad. Mom and Dad are trying to figure things out and I have to give them an A for effort. Nobody has dropped me yet and I've only gotten my head stuck in a onesie twice. I eat a lot and prefer to be up at night and sleep during they day. Great for happy hour, but not so hot for Mom's beauty sleep.

Well, it's been a full twenty minutes since I last ate and I'm running out of wit. TTFN. xoxo -- Sofia