I have High Expectations

I have high expectations.

For some reason, in the recent months, this characteristic I have, has been considered a negative thing. Before people got close to me, they saw Giselle. They complimented her. They complimented me. My motherhood. My mothering skills.

What the fuck happened?

All of the sudden, people say or act as if I am too strict. As if I restrict too much. As if I think nothing is good enough.

When I was growing up, nothing was expected of me. I had potential. I was, I could have been… something great. I could have been something like Steve Jobs or a scientist finding a cure. I am not that today. I was not held up to my own standards. I am different. I always knew I was. Both of my girls received this from me. It is shining brightest in Giselle right at this very moment. She is so bright. She is so good. She is so much better than I was.

I think it is because of me. Not in some weird conceded way. She has what I had. Just one more thing. A parent holding her responsible, believing in her. Encouraging her to be better, to be her. To be no less than she can be.

I can only wish I was given the opportunities she was given. I can only work hard to offer her, to show her, to open her eyes to new, beautiful, encouraging abilities.

I am a hard ass. It is because, we all are able. Much more able that we are acting, than we do. And if we expect any less…. We can expect nothing more than a bag of shit. I love my children, my husband and my self. I will teach them all, and my self, responsibility, love and kindness. Today and tomorrow. It is the right thing to do.

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One year

Today, last year....
I was sitting in a tan fake leather chair.
I didn't have hope because I am a realist.
I was learning that I had more power than my misunderstood grandmother.
I was angry.
I was not ready.

I was scared. And had NO idea... what was about to happen to my life. My self. Or my memories.

The day I got the call from his nurse, (it's not like I didn't not prepare myself, she gave him 20% to live) I did not release tears right away. Maybe not even that evening.

Then... he was dead. Now it is three hundred sixty four days later, and I don't know where I am in the grieving process. Am I still in the first phase? Maybe the second. How long is all that supposed to last?
It gets better, then his birthday comes.
Then it gets better, and fathers day comes.
Then it gets better, and my birthday comes.
Then it gets better, then October 1st comes.
Those are just days. Just another day. I want to let those days go.

Last week I looked in the mirror at my self in the car. I saw a spot on my forehead. It is a scar. It reminded me of my dad. He had a scar. Almost identical. In the same spot on his head.

And then, his dog, Belezza, is dead today. Dogs and humans are no different. If your heart cant heal from loss, your body manifests that sadness into your body. It will eat you away. She died of a tumor.

I am ready to get back to the blog. I am ready to make this about my family, how we are growing and learning and how interesting we are. So I cheers, here is to a fresh re-start. May the beans & threads story continue...

Jenn

Life is good

I have been thinking a lot lately about life. About how we arrive here, how we live, and then death. I have been thinking about my own life. Where I was and who I was just four years ago. So much has changed. I have changed.

I love my life. I mean.... really.. really.. love. it.

I love my mornings. When I wake up with my girls to make coffee for husband.
I love how happy that makes him. I love the pride that gives me.

I love the school that Giselle is so very lucky to attend. It is perfect for her and her future. I love that she has has stability and love surrounding her entire being.

I love watching Lola day by day learn something new.

I love family dinner time. Cooking, talking and cleaning.

My life is good today because I make better choices. I am wiser. I have grown.

My life is good today because I have a home and a family (that includes a husband, kids and animals).

I am full of gratitude for this life today. I have my husband and my daughters to thank for being a part of this and contributing to my happiness.

I sat yesterday thinking of many elements of the day that I am more than thankful for. Like family dinners, raising kids in the home, gardening, evening strolls, crafty hobbies, a forgiving husband, teaching my children all about life while learning at the same time, internet to expand and entertain my mind, NPR, a kitchen (with food, lots of healthy clean food), the respect that is in our home, a bed that is made every single day, a badass washing machine and dryer, a husband who adores me, and night time (when i have time for me to do anything i want). There is even so much more. Just some of the things on my mind at the moment.

I love my Husband. I love my girls. I love my life because of them.

A weekend for your family

I highly suggest this family trip to Houston.
Stay at the Houstonian if you want to be treated like royalty. Join their I Prefer membership before you book, you can get perks and upgrades. We were upgraded to the "Concierge level". The top floor that needs a key to access. With complimentary Breakfast, Cocktail and Hors d'oeuvers, and desert hours, exclusive to Top floor guests. Nightly "turn down service" where they hand warm your bed, fold your sheets to help you get in, and place a golden chocolate and a quote card at your bedside. You get total access to the Houstonian Club. (Like a country club but really an ultra premium health club) This includes a pilates room, a boxing room, a full state of the art gym, a tennis club, a full basketball court, a free child care area that will keep your kid for three hours a day for you to do anything you want to do!!! I AM NOT FUCKING KIDDING!!!!, a nutritionist, a kids yoga class, all the group classes you wish to take, and three heated pools, one with a slide!!!

Visit the Houston Children Museum (best child's museum I have EVER seen, check out their video on the website), the Zoo (a quick yet great activity), Herman park with a Picnic, and use the Club as much as you can along with their THREE heated pools. Eat at BerryPop and shop at Rice Village right after you take a run around university drive and check out all the new Mod homes popping up on that street. (You wont be the other runner/walker, there are tons of people out there.)

So my first impression as driving in to Houston was the nasty streets, the run down look off the highway. However as I drove around the area near the school and the downtown areas, I saw fit people, educated people. Beautiful houses, interesting shops. A million mothers and families doing great things like museum visits and fitness minded activities. I liked what I saw in that area of town. You should go to there.

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Memory of daddy: The birth of Lola

If you know me, you know I have an issue with my memory. I have trouble remembering yesterday all the way to my youth. So this, is to document what I do remember...

I remember giving birth to Lola, and I remember calling my dad to tell him about her arrival. He didn't come that night, he didnt want to run into my mom, but he did come the next day. Jim had left to get a little rest, shower and bring me a few things. Ange was not there, Mom was not there. I was alone, with lola, and I was so tired. I was emotional. Sad that no one was there. Daddy walked in. I was so relieved. (I wish I would have told him that.) It was just me him and our new Lola. Reminded me of when he was there when I delivered Giselle. The difference.... He was in the delivery room for Giselle.
But not Lola. Per my request.
Daddy held her. He saw I was tired. He saw I needed help. He recognized I needed him. He took her. He sat on the over-sized chair they call a couch-bed. He told me to sleep. He told me "you rest, take a nap baby, I've got her." I rested. Couldn't really sleep. I was in pain, ecstatic he was there, excited about my new child, and worried he was fucked up all the same time.
Nevertheless, all was well. I closed my eyes for about an hour. Listened to her sweet sound and daddy soothing her. Feeling the pain in my neck and the warmth of the heating pad the nurse was so kind to give me.
He didnt stay long. He needed to pick up the kids from school. I understood. He saw I was in pain. He asked how long it had been since I had pain meds. I told him, "To long, but I have to wait 6 hours." He quickly offered two vicoden and a soma. While I thought, "that is a good combo at a time I need to make milk" but I just said thank you, pretended to take them and thanked him for coming.
He came to check on me twice at home with in two weeks. Once alone and once with Flor and the kids. I wanted him to stay longer. I wanted him there more. I wanted more visitors. And he knew that. But I wanted just him. Not Flor, not his new kids. Just my daddy. Selfish, I know, but that is what I needed.

That's it. My memory. I want to keep them fresh. I want to remember them. even if they were his worst days.

Lola's Teachings

Things We are working on with Lola and her teachings...

We are trying to get her to sleep through the night. Day one. Score. Day two. Fail. Day three. Success. So we will see what tonight brings. Details in another separate blog.

Vocabulary. We are working with her all day with simple words. Commands. Animal sounds, and so on. She understands most common commands we use with her. It is exciting when she vocalizes something new. We show her enormous praise when there is a new revelation.

Individual play. Lola has come a LONG way with individual play. She was and always has been very attached to me. I don't know if this has anything to do with my "baby wearing" or not. I could care less if it did. I just know she didn't do well if I left the room. Or even left the floor to sit on the couch. She now is gradually able to play and explore for about 5-15 minutes alone. (with me directly near by, duh)

Table manners. Lola and I sit for breakfast and lunch together and then dinner with daddy and sissy at our big family dinner table every day. This is the way a family should eat. We are trying to teach her good eating habits. We want her to be an exploitative eater. I feel we are doing a great job thus far. We eat from scratch most of the time. She loves things such as, mushrooms, tomatoes, broccoli, celery, onions, carrots, hummus, chips, but not avocado. Ha... I don't know why. We are trying to teach her not to throw her food or her drink on the floor. I think this is going well.

More to come. ......
What is on my extended list.. Social skills, more vocabulary skills , and learning while in the moment.

Yes, shut up. I am an OCD parent with a plan.