Hard to believe but Grandpa outdid himself.

We had a very lazy Sunday morning. P only got out of bed to make coffee, and after several attempts to get up and be productive, I gave up the farce. We lounged, we read, then P decided to watch a weird movie involving plane crash survivors haunted by wolves. Not exactly a child friendly movie, so we set SS up in her room with our old bedroom TV and DVD player. By old, I mean really old, when we lived in the Lost Coast. SS watched one of the Star War movies and lounged her morning away as well. 

P had been looking for recipes to break in the last Dutch oven Grandpa sent and had settled on a stew.  It seems wrong to use such a pretty pot, but I don't think Grandpa would appreciate it if we use such a magnificent kitchen tool as adornment.

Before the above pot arrived we received a very unexpected surprise. I have coveted a particular kitchen tool for a very long time. The thing is that I do not bake, and my cooking skills are questionable. Then there's the space issue, and it just was not practical to own one. Whenever P asked me why I wanted one my lame answer was that it seemed like a grown up kitchen tool to have.  So we made a deal, when we buy a house it must have a large kitchen, with a large island to accommodate my toy, then P would buy me one. Imagine our surprise when we found two boxes waiting for us at home, and in one of them was...

This, the way Grandpa managed to outdo himself. I could not believe it, and wondered if he had any idea that I wanted one for so long. P told me "now you better start baking." Looks like P expected me to become a baking machine the  very next day, and was royally annoyed that he was not coming home from work to be spoiled with delicious baked treats. There's so much going on now with Christmas, and the fact that the constant pain has worn me out, that I decided that maybe waiting would be a good idea. Yesterday morning was as long as P was willing to wait, and took matters in his own hands. After we were done lazying around P stated that we were going to make a beef stew for dinner, and would also make chocolate chip cookies, allowing SS to do most of the work.  I do miss sharing my kitchen with SS, it's been a while. Although it was raining and cold, P braved going out to buy the ingredients needed.

We peeled, we diced, P dredged, browned, and actually had a good time, because he really enjoys cooking.

We could not use the Staub Dutch oven because it was not large enough. But thanks to Grandpa we had plenty of other options. Had this happened before Grandpa's generous gifts we would have been out of luck.

P did a great job, it was a very tasty stew, and I'm sure we will be making it many times over. Grandpa was right, it needed another onion, we will be doing that next time.

While the stew was in the oven SS got to break in the Kitchen Aide. Yeah, my dream kitchen tool and SS gets first crack at it.

We had been sending pictures to Grandpa about our cooking, and he requested that SS get a taste of the cookie dough.  There are raw eggs in there, we know, but P and I would not have reached adulthood if it was so dangerous. It's one of those childhood musts. There's also butter, a no no for SS now, but we have agreed to bend the rules on special occasions.

Not bad for a lazy Sunday, we had a hearty meal and more cookies than we know what to do with.  A few days ago SS told P that we had to leave chocolate chip cookies and cow milk for Santa. Cow milk, how cute, she would not risk offending Santa with rice milk. SS has surprised us with her acceptance of rice milk, quite the task for a child who could go through a gallon of whole milk in two days. If it turns out that she will have to avoid dairy products permanently, she can at least have a substitute.  The downside is that rice milk is 99% fat free, good for us, bad for SS. SS's main fat source is gone, and now we need to find other ways to get fat in her little body.

A date and a tree.

P and I had a much awaited date Saturday night.  My husband is always crowing about the fact that he pursued me (his version), initiated and still initiates our dates. At the beginning of last week I asked P out on a proper date, dinner and a movie. Instead of worrying about the outcome of my ER visit, I was worried that we would not get to go out. When I was discharged I worried that P would cancel. Thankfully P knows me well, if I'm going to be in pain, it does not matter where I'm hurting. We dropped off SS at Kid's Park (day care center) with two corn dogs and tater tots in her lunch box, and a backpack containing a pillow, blanket, Dog, and pajamas.  They had a Christmas gift workshop, we knew SS was going to have fun. She did try to come along with us, wanted to know why she was left out.  I told her that we were going to watch a movie for adults. SS asked if it was scary and I said yes. She pondered the answer for a few seconds then asked "What's the title of the movie?" What the heck? Was she going to Google the title to see if I was telling the truth? Five is the new thirteen.

We had a nice dinner at an Italian place we had been to for pizza. Their service was fast and since we were running late were pleasantly surprised to be able to make the movie. Since I did the asking, P chose where to have dinner and the movie. We watched Skyfall, and although not really a scary movie, it had plenty of violence that we did not want SS to see. Call us selfish but it felt so good to have a conversation during dinner that was not interrupted every thirty seconds by a very jealous five year old who thinks the world revolves around her. It was good to hold hands without having said five year old prying our hands apart, to make sure she's in the middle. It was good to forgo the popcorn and soda, since we were so full, without dealing with the drama and tears from that five year old who insists on popcorn and a $5 Icee. It felt good to sit next to each other without our constant companion in the middle.

I did not realize how much the pain had taken out of me. I was so proud of pulling off our date, only to embarrass myself by falling asleep a few times during the movie. The movie was really good, I just did not have much energy left in me. We talked about a subject I have put off posting about for a while. The bottom line is that there is something we both want to do, but lately the quality of life aspect has really been on our faces.  We do have time to make a final decision.

Abuela was concerned about SS not having a Christmas tree yet, because God knows the world will end if SS does not have a tree. This coming from the woman who had a tree just once during my childhood. We never had anther one because our house did not have an air conditioner and it is wicked hot year round in Puerto Rico. We left the front and back doors open to get some much needed relief. We also got quite the breeze coming in and it would knock down the tree repeatedly. As much as I wanted the tree I quickly realized it was not going to work.

We did have the tree, we were just behind in posting, because that is how we roll. Don't fret Abuela, SS has her tree, although this year it is placed in a different spot. Our house has a very small living room. We got rid of half of our sectional and it is still a tight fit. P says that it is difficult for him to breath in that space and there's only the three of us. He wants us to start looking into moving. Good thing we are not done unpacking after eight months here.

Munch found a spot to observe from on the tree.

Yes, our tree is upstairs.

Since we do not have a fireplace this year we had to get creative with the stockings.

The view from our bed.

This is why Abuela was concerned about SS not having a tree, SS is a Christmas tree girl.

This is getting freaking old.

Last night was the last straw for P. Not just another sleepless night for me, but one in a lot of pain. Around 1:00 am he made me take some useless Percocet, because he was worried about my pain, and I had the chills.  That helped for less than an hour, and back to ouch ville again.  P asked me this morning when was I planning to go to the ER as instructed by my surgeon if things worsened. After considering the many things I still have to do, I confidently told P that we could go Sunday. I can't get much done when SS is home, so when she is at school I get the freedom to run errands, and now get ready for Christmas. Instead of screaming at me, or b*tch slapping me into reality, P made an executive decision. He took the day off and informed me we were going to the ER as soon as we dropped SS off at school.

What better place to spend a Friday so close to Christmas than at the emergency room.  That cozy place where you get poked, prodded, are charged a fortune, and wait for hours for the privilege of getting nothing accomplished.  I had so many better things to do with my day, thank you very much. P's edict would usually be met with stubborn resistance, reinforced by some serious pouting and foot stomping.  But after a week of sleepless nights, of being unable to lay down (sitting in bed is not very conductive to sleep), I had not an ounce of fight left in me. I still can't believe I agreed to go.

I was seen less than five minutes after arriving, and in less than twenty minutes was informed that blood work and a CT Scan would be needed.  Great, yesterday morning a phlebotomist obliterated my one good vein.  Nurse N was very nice and gentle, but left me with two nasty bruises and was unable to draw blood. I began to worry after the morphine shot did not help much with the pain. The scan did not show any emergent concerns, and while expected, it was extremely frustrating. I was given a second dose of morphine before being discharged with a prescription for a higher dose of useless Percocet, and instructions to make an appointment with my surgeon on Monday. Yippee, more wasted time to come home undiagnosed yet again.  We did not make it home until 4:00 p.m. Like I said, a wasted day.

E's mom took SS home with them so P could concentrate on me, and not to further upset SS with seeing me at the hospital again. That was so nice of her, we are very grateful for her kindness. SS had an impromptu play date, and was not happy to come home with her boring parents. Ironically Nana was two floors above us today. She was released this afternoon (we think) after a nine day stint. We are going to visit her Sunday for a bit, then a quick turn around to take care of the many things on our list. P is seriously considering becoming a Jeh0va W*tness, because he is seriously hating holidays.  His grandpa passed away just before Christmas, his grandma before Thanksgiving, then the magic that has been this month. We are also dealing with another serious medical concern we can't discuss. We are fortunate to have SS to focus on, and she is the best thing ever to prevent bitterness or depression. 

Santa better place me at the top of his nice list, because I have never been this good before. Yikes! My arm and hand look Sasquatch like on that picture.

We arrived home to find another package from Grandpa, seriously, not kidding. We thought that he could not think of anything else after outdoing himself last week. We have yet to post about that gift, because we are waiting to use it first, but my body has had other plans. We received a blue Staub, four quart, La Cocotte oval dutch oven. We had never heard of that brand, and upon Goggling it were very impressed.  SS loved the color, and can now spot a Sur La Table box from quite a distance.  Not a bad end to our day.

Even better, SS is between us as I type. She watched Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer, Yes Virginia There is a Santa Claus; and is eagerly waiting for The Shelf on the Shelf: An Elf's Story to begin.

SS received a very special package.

SS received her first Christmas gift yesterday from Aunt Michelle.  SS was incredibly excited that the package waiting in front of our door was addressed to her, after finding so many from grandpa for her Baba.  This was a literal care package, and the best we have ever received. SS has been affected by our many appointments, my surgery, and now Nana is hospitalized.  Our girl just wants a break from all the stress, and Michelle's timely package really lifted her spirits. SS had to wait to open her goods, since we needed to rush to karate class. But once home, we went straight to her room to open her treasure.

Oh yeah, finally, a package addressed to me.

Ooooooh, my first Christmas card this year.

Sweet, a make my own decorations kit. Mama and Baba, time to get off your bah humbug butts and get that tree.

Chocolate, just what my stressed out self needed. YUM

Aveeno! Lots and lots of Aveeno for my delicate skin.

Need to count my chocolates, don't want Mama and Baba swiping them

Aveeno soothing bath treatment!

Michelle, you really made SS's day, and thank you so much for the skin goodies. SS also received sour candy, and a cool necklace with bells. SS is surprisingly aware of the need for moisturizing, and is also aware of what she ingests.  She was craving tacos yesterday and when I said yes she reminded me "but no cheese Mama, no dairy for me now." SS's skin was itching something awful, perhaps the reprieve from itching and the burn after scratching are responsible for her new awareness and acceptance.  She is even singing the praises of rice milk.

Elf on the Shelf.

We had a very busy day, so much to do, and I could not help with so many things, because one of my incisions is hurting something awful. P was ready to take me to urgent care Sunday morning, but I got a nice reprieve of a few hours pain free.  I really did not want to take a chance on SS missing E's birthday party. By the time we came home I was really hurting again.  My surgeon was able to accommodate me this afternoon. More percocet, and if the pain persists another CT Scan. From there we went to SS's pediatrician to follow up on her eczema. The good news is that SS responded well to the ointment. Her doctor wants us to return to moisturizing daily with Aveeno, and only use the ointment if the skin worsens. He also requested that we continue to withhold dairy and soy for two more weeks, then reintroduce slowly. If the eczema worsens, then discontinue. Our baby girl misses milk so much that she cried upon hearing that it would be two more weeks. We felt awful, but at least she is drinking rice milk, although it is not the same. Dr. B tried to comfort SS, told her that she would have milk again, and on special occasions could even have ice cream.  What is it with that man and ice cream? SS misses a glass of whole milk, nothing else added.  Hopefully she will become used to the rice milk eventually.

One of the few areas where P and I don't agree is with the white lies we tell our children, Easter bunny, Tooth Fairy, Santa Claus... My position remains that SS needs to know that we do not lie to her, because when the tough questions come, it is important that she knows we are telling her the truth. Two big questions come to mind, the fact that we do not know the identity of her birth parents, and questions she may have once she learns about cases of child trafficking. P believes that it is important to believe on Santa Claus and company, it's what childhood is all about. We achieved a compromise without really trying. P is the one who introduces those concepts to SS. But if SS asks, I will not lie. I will explain that it is a nice story parents tell children, but it isn't real. I'm not even sure if SS buys the Santa concept, because when she gets Christmas gifts, we tell her who they came from.

Since I'm going along with the white lies why not add another one? SS was introduced to Elf on the Shelf, a cute and yet creepy tradition. We read the book a few nights ago. It explains that once we name the elf, it has magical powers, watches SS, then flies every night to the North Pole to report to Santa. When it returns the next morning it "hides" in a different spot, and SS looks for him every morning. The elf remains home until Christmas eve, it then returns home to the North Pole, and returns next year after Thanksgiving.  There's only one rule, SS can't touch the elf, or it will lose it's magic, and won't be able to fly to report to Santa. SS's face was one of pain when she heard that rule (not our rule, it's part of the story). SS named our elf Munch, and he spent the first night on Baba's nightstand. Good thing we are early risers, since we have to move Munch before SS wakes up.  So far she is having fun looking for Munch in the morning. The third morning I placed Munch on the downstairs TV stand, and it scared P when he saw him. It is a creepy concept.

P sent me an article about a parent who was truly spooked by the elf. It gave us something to ponder, since the author had been told as a child that a grandparent had gone to heaven and was watching her from there. The author recalls going to the bathroom, and being embarrassed of being watched, no matter who it was.  Since the day we met SS has heard how she had three guardian angels in heaven watching over her.  We told her that Mami, Papi and Grandpa J watched over her, and kept her safe until we could bring her home. She's always felt comfortable with the idea. P's grandma passed away last November, and she was added to the list of guardian angels.  Now we feel a bit guilty and hope that SS is not freaked out by that thought.

I ended up with two elves on my shelf.

On the refrigerator.

This is where we said goodnight to Munch, wonder where he will show up tomorrow morning.

SS wanted to try a new tradition, Pokemon on the shelf. We had to pass on the idea, too dangerous to have her climbing all over.

E's 6th birthday party.

SS was invited to E's sixth birthday party today. Not a big deal, SS has attended a few birthday parties. But this one had a few challenges for us. SS was the only child invited from E's class, and it was obviously hush hush. We did not tell SS she was invited and attending until yesterday. E's father has a large family, about forty on a low turn out occasion. E's mother has wanted to celebrate E's birthday with classmates, but it has not happened. Birthdays are family get together time , and they could not accommodate 40 relatives plus 26 classmates and their parents. E wanted SS to be there, and for the first time it was not only family. Cool, unless you and your daughter are the only non family there.

We had a busy week and I was not looking forward to be among strangers. But E and SS are good friends, even if it defies reasoning. E is all about pink, girly, princess stuff. E is a giant compared to SS, is louder than SS and way too rough in play for SS. But they are friends, and they really like to be around each other. It was very uncomfortable for me, and barely half an hour in I wanted to go home. But this was not about me, it was about SS, about her fiend's wish to have her there. Suck it up and let SS have a good time. She did, I am not even close to a good mother, but I do my best for my kids.SS had a great time, and although it was incredibly awkward at the beginning, it was a a nice afternoon.

The birthday girl, playing in her princesses bouncy house.

SS is not a princess girl, but she could not resist bouncing around.

The first game was about finding a sticker at the bottom of one of the many chairs in the backyard.

How many pretzels one get with a hook hand.

Treasure hunt begins.

SS "reading" her treasure hunt map.

Peter's Pan shadow was found.

A version of hot potato.

Musical chairs.

Oh boy, a goodie bag!

There were girl and boy goodie bags. SS requested a boy bag, and I did get looks by allowing her to make that choice. E's mom knows SS well and did not even blink, just complied. SS was enthralled by this cool top with lights and sound. The girls received a fairy necklace. YAWN.

SS regulates her food intake well, but I was still worried about what that much sugar would do to her bedtime. Not to worry, a few bites and SS was done.She is in bed and ready to face another school week.