Musica: "Planets," by the lovely Kate Rusby.
Ari has decided that she is old enough to take off her diapers herself. All the time. It was funny at first, but I am starting to get a little bit tired of changing her wet sheets every morning, and of putting her matress out to dry. It makes sense, of course, with the heat and all... she is much more comfortable this way. I let her run around and sleep in her diaper....but it´s not cool enough, apparently :-) I fear she will have to learn the hard way: by wearing onesies, losing the privilige to run around like Mowgli. She actually does look a bit like Mowgli: my parents were the first ones to point out the resemblance. Something about her wild hair, the wild stare in her eyes.
Perhaps she was meant to run among the trees, surrounded by animals, gnomes, and forest-elves.
The terrible two´s have started....early. Ari throws random fits, especially when we put her in her high chair, or in the car seat. These are trying times!!!!
But she is also the most "gezellig" toddler the world has ever seen; she entertains everyone & has such a contagious cheerfulness. She´s a talker (like Mama): knows most people & things by name. She´s in such a hurry to change, to grow up, and to explore the world. Dr.Seuss comes to mind (hence the title of this post). I wonder where she´ll go; where life will take her. Far, probably.
It is strange to think that our next child might be, and most possibly will be, completely different from his/her older sister. Ari is our reference point; we´ve adjusted our parenting-style to her specific needs and character. I can hardly imagine having a quiet toddler, a shy baby. Ari was a calm baby, but she has always been an extravert. If this next child happens to be quiet and introverted, we are going to have to make an effort to help him/her come out from under Ari´s shadow. I have a feeling that she will always have a tendency to be the center of attention; it is not necessarily a negative quality, but we will have to do our best to let this new baby share the spotlight with her, even if he/she doesn´t demand it. Who knows what the family-dynamics will be. We will be different parents, in some aspects... to both of the children.
I am actually starting to get very excited about becoming a family of four. Surely, we are a family already, but it is so exhilarating that a new life will soon join our little circle, and change our world.
The critical ultrasound is coming up: the one that will confirm the baby´s gender (while we accept the possibility of an erroneous "reading"), and that will examine the baby´s organs.
Daniel might be forced to miss it, as his summer-job demands that he be present. The thought of going by myself really bothers me. But then again, a LOT bothers me about having my check-ups in Spain... just to name a few things:
*the fact that I meet a different doctor at every check-up.
*the fact that ultrasounds can only be done in the morning, making it difficult for my husband to be present.
*the fact that they ignore that pregnancy is an exciting thing....the check-ups are VERY impersonal and over-medicalized. (forget the idea of walking away with a photo of the baby in hand!)
and, finally, the inefficiency! I called the hospital yesterday, in a final attempt to reschedule my ultrasound... to allow Daniel to be there to see his baby. I emphasized my wish to reschedule for an evening appointment, and the administrative staff-member assured me that it would be possible as long as I would go to the hospital to request the change in person. So, I drove* to the hospital in high hopes... Having arrived there, however, the nurse said that all ultrasounds are done in the morning. Another wasted trip. I can´t remember how often I have had to deal with similar contradictory information.
This is a sensitive subject, as I am sure you´ve noticed.
*I am very glad to be borrowing a friend´s car. I so welcome the freedom of driving myself & Ari around.
It seems to be cooler outside today. Reason enough to smile brightly. And then there is sweet Aribou; she is brushing my hair and saying "mooi" (pretty)..
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