Back in the USA
6 months ago
Monday, June 23, 2008
Our Little Swimmer
Klaudia loves water!!! Not only does she enjoy splashing in her bathtub leaving her audience soaking wet, but she really likes when daddy takes her to a big kids' pool.
Polish-American Social Matters
Having my parents here with us constantly reminds me of things I used to do when living in Poland. I've been living in the US for a bit over 10 years now, and as much as I'd like to remember my Polish culture, I seem to drift off on some of its parts.
Social life, for instance, is very well developed in Poland. Not a single week passes without seeing/talking to/or even having a neighbor over for a cup of coffee in the afternoon. Here, however, weeks can pass before I see a neighbor or two, and our social life ends with saying Hi to each other and exchanging quick smiles.
I was extremely surprised when to my comment to my parents one day: Nobody knows you here, my mom replied: What about the Asian couple, and the Indian lady? So, my parents' daily activities have been taking the little one for a couple of walks every day. It turns out, there are more people walking every single day around our little park, and my parents managed to make some friends (with NO knowledge of English). As a language teacher, I have to say, I'm impressed.
Today, for example, my mom asked me if the Polish meaning of the word BOY was what she was thinking. I confirmed her expectation and asked where she heard it. She said that during their conversation (!!!) with their Indian friend, they were asked if Weronika, my sister's baby, was a boy. I couldn't believe what I was hearing! They actually talked about my sister and her baby without knowing any English.
Supposedly the Indian friend is not the only one they've talked to (BTW, they've already been to her house!!! She needed help taking the crying baby home, so my dad helped her with pushing the stroller). There are others! The cutest thing is when right before they are about to leave for a walk, I hear them saying: I hope the Asian couple is there today.
But there is one more thing that puts a smile on my face each time I think about it. Every morning we have a few people in our park practicing Tai Chi. Well, my parents have NEVER seen it before, so one day before the walk, I overheard them saying: Do you think the butterfly catchers will be there today?
Social life, for instance, is very well developed in Poland. Not a single week passes without seeing/talking to/or even having a neighbor over for a cup of coffee in the afternoon. Here, however, weeks can pass before I see a neighbor or two, and our social life ends with saying Hi to each other and exchanging quick smiles.
I was extremely surprised when to my comment to my parents one day: Nobody knows you here, my mom replied: What about the Asian couple, and the Indian lady? So, my parents' daily activities have been taking the little one for a couple of walks every day. It turns out, there are more people walking every single day around our little park, and my parents managed to make some friends (with NO knowledge of English). As a language teacher, I have to say, I'm impressed.
Today, for example, my mom asked me if the Polish meaning of the word BOY was what she was thinking. I confirmed her expectation and asked where she heard it. She said that during their conversation (!!!) with their Indian friend, they were asked if Weronika, my sister's baby, was a boy. I couldn't believe what I was hearing! They actually talked about my sister and her baby without knowing any English.
Supposedly the Indian friend is not the only one they've talked to (BTW, they've already been to her house!!! She needed help taking the crying baby home, so my dad helped her with pushing the stroller). There are others! The cutest thing is when right before they are about to leave for a walk, I hear them saying: I hope the Asian couple is there today.
But there is one more thing that puts a smile on my face each time I think about it. Every morning we have a few people in our park practicing Tai Chi. Well, my parents have NEVER seen it before, so one day before the walk, I overheard them saying: Do you think the butterfly catchers will be there today?
Monday, June 16, 2008
Math
4.5 months equals 12 months - that's according to our pumpkin. 2 weeks ago I was forced to go shopping for new pj's for K, since the ones we have (let's say) shrank. She was 4.5 months old at the time of my purchase, but the only clothes that fit her were for 12 month old babies.
Sunday, June 8, 2008
Food
Len and I have been trying to introduce my parents to different kinds of food. Yesterday they tried an authentic Vietnamese Beef Soup. They loved it.
The Size Does Matter
It looks like the bathtub is getting too small for our little pork chop.
... she may need a new swing very soon, too.
... she may need a new swing very soon, too.
Saturday, June 7, 2008
Sleeping (Non) Progress - 4.5 Months
I used to be very proud when telling people that our little angel slept through the night waking up only once and sleeping until 10.30 in the morning. This all ended a couple of weeks ago. Now we're back to our original schedule getting up every 2 or 3 hours every night. Exhausting? Yes, but I'm so glad I can be there for her.
Thursday, June 5, 2008
Our Big Girl
I'll be starting a new semester in less than two weeks; my parents will stay with K then. I'll be teaching 5 days a week leaving each day early in the morning and won't be back until almost 2pm. I'm trying to prepare my parents for their new assignment by explaining and showing everything they'll need. One of the things I felt like they needed to know was... K's poop explosions. I won't get into details; the name explains everything.
Yesterday I decided to go grocery shopping by myself leaving my parents with K at home. I left a bottle with them and my cell phone... just in case. Using the cell phone is not as easy as it sounds. With no English, there is not much my parents can do. So, Len and I came up with a plan. My parents know that in case of emergency (life/death situation), they'll call Len. He, knowing that it's them, will call 911 and head home right away. We pray that this will NEVER happen, but this is our plan... just in case.
Yesterday after having entered our apartment, first thing I saw was K sleeping peacefully on the floor blanket. My mom however seemed very shaken and took me to another room right away trying to tell me something. She started with saying: You won't believe what happened.
One thing crossed my mind: they called Len by mistake activating the whole emergency plan!
My mom went on explaining... Klaudia got tired of hearing all the poop explosion stories and decided to show what we meant. My parents couldn't believe that such a little body can produce so much stuff. After explaining how they used up all the wipes having to clean her neck and underarms, I could not stop laughing. I wanted to say: I told you. But I kept smiling thinking: That's my girl.
Yesterday I decided to go grocery shopping by myself leaving my parents with K at home. I left a bottle with them and my cell phone... just in case. Using the cell phone is not as easy as it sounds. With no English, there is not much my parents can do. So, Len and I came up with a plan. My parents know that in case of emergency (life/death situation), they'll call Len. He, knowing that it's them, will call 911 and head home right away. We pray that this will NEVER happen, but this is our plan... just in case.
Yesterday after having entered our apartment, first thing I saw was K sleeping peacefully on the floor blanket. My mom however seemed very shaken and took me to another room right away trying to tell me something. She started with saying: You won't believe what happened.
One thing crossed my mind: they called Len by mistake activating the whole emergency plan!
My mom went on explaining... Klaudia got tired of hearing all the poop explosion stories and decided to show what we meant. My parents couldn't believe that such a little body can produce so much stuff. After explaining how they used up all the wipes having to clean her neck and underarms, I could not stop laughing. I wanted to say: I told you. But I kept smiling thinking: That's my girl.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)