Ketchup

Sounds like a good idea to ketchup on everything, but I know it's not going to happen. So many excursions in Merida are just not going to make it on this poor little neglected blog...but here's my attempt to sort of sum up the past eight months since our return. I'm hoping to add some photos at some point.

I returned to Michigan with the kids in mid-April (why we came back early is a story for another post). A week later I fell ill. What could it be? A strange, Mexican parasite? Well, yes, it was. Surprise! I was extremely nauseated, had terrible fatigue and headaches and reflux, and was pretty much bedridden for almost three months. Meanwhile I was supposed to wrap up the school year home schooling Squeak and Pip and doing basic care for my four little ones while D was still working in Merida. Needless to say, not an easy time for me.

D was able to return in mid-June and he spent his first month back trying to clean up the terribly messy house and take care of his very ill wife. Oh, and we had some pipes burst in the basement while we were gone during the winter, so half of the living space in our little house was not livable.

I think I had one really good day during that time--and it happened to be the day in June when our Nena was baptized and confirmed.  I prayed to be able to feel well so I could enjoy that special experience. What a blessing the Lord granted me!

During those three months, I was too ill to care that I couldn't go running, couldn't leave the house, couldn't eat much, practically couldn't function, and couldn't socialize, but when I finally started to feel better in mid-July, I was ready to start being myself again. We made three frenzied trips back-to-back to see people and places--this helped to resurrect me. We went to St. Louis to see the land of my father (and show the kids many of the things I experienced vacationing there as a kid). So fun to have my dad show us around!


We returned home and took a day to unpack and repack before heading "up north" to the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. I felt that we couldn't really say we've experienced Michigan without taking a trip to the U.P. We stayed in a little cabin and then a nice little hotel and enjoyed time at various lakes.


After returning from that trip, we had a few more days to do laundry and clean and pack up for a 3-week trip to Utah, mostly to enjoy my sister's wedding festivities. The drive was the easiest we've ever done with our crew, what a treat! We all enjoyed the constant stream of social events, and I was so grateful to feel well enough to enjoy it all.

D had to return to Michigan a bit before the rest of us because he had started a new job, but the kids and I lingered with family. I drove with the kids to visit friends in Denver a week later. Dave flew there so he could drive us the rest of the way home.

We had one weekend before school started for Squeak and Pip. They were not excited about going and would've loved to have Mama continue to home school them, but I just couldn't do it. I spent a lot of time and energy psyching them up for it, and although they were nervous, things have turned out quite well. Pip especially has been blessed with perfect teachers for him and he loves going to school now! Squeak is also doing so well and enjoying her experiences. Yay!

We had a gorgeous autumn here. I was able to start running again and really enjoyed being outside and feeling somewhat normal again. I went crazy pressing leaves--I just couldn't get enough of the rainbow of colors. D was working in three different urgent care offices, enjoying the variety and the new colleagues. We tried to hire someone to fix up the mess in our basement, but that didn't work out, so handyman D did all the work himself, and then we painted. It was previously a hideous very dark peach (almost orange) and now it's a cheery white--I love it! We got things put back into place just in time for the cold weather to arrive.

We enjoyed being cats and a dog for Halloween. The pre-Halloween parties were a lot of fun, and thank goodness we didn't save all our partying for Halloween night because it was freezing cold and sleeting and we only went trick-or-treating for a short time.

Thanksgiving was delightful--we enjoyed a wonderful time with some friends whose policy is "there's room for everyone at our table"--they invite anyone and everyone to join them, and it feels like a wonderful family atmosphere even though we are far away from our families. The kids and I have enjoyed Thanksgiving with them every year we've been in Michigan, but this was D's first time attending--he was able to have the day off, a luxury he has missed out on for most of med school and residency.

I spent November and December trying to overfeed the bargain hunting animal that lives in my bones, knowing that when the new baby is here, that animal will have to starve at times. Ah, the thrill of coming home with bags full of items that only cost me a few dollars! D is antsy to simplify and get rid of things, but I have to keep reminding him that I'm in an accumulation phase because with a new babe, I won't be able to run out and get that soap or shampoo or shirt on sale.


All this time, I've gone through some serious personal growth as well. Already posted this on facebook, but here it is for the blog:

My friends, I'm beeg. As in, "estoy grande," not, "soy grande." I'm almost 40 weeks pregnant, and while I normally can run the whole 9 months, I was so sick this time that I was bedridden for 3 months and had to take 4 months off running. It seems it has taken its toll--I've never been this beeg in my life! So the other day I had a conversation with a gentleman that we will call "Mr. Tactful." Here you go:

Mr. Tactful: Why haven't you had that baby yet?
Me: Baby isn't due yet.
Mr. Tactful: (look of complete shock) REALLY!?!
Me: You don't have to tell me I look like a bus.
Mr. Tactful: Well! That is a VERY well-nourished baby!

I thought about this exchange (almost humorously, and actually unemotionally) for about an hour before deciding that it was my duty to educate him on how to converse with a pregnant mama.

Me: So I have some free advice for you on what you shouldn't say to a pregnant mama. First, know that whatever her size, she already feels huge.
Mr. Tactful: Oh?
Me: Yes. So you should never say things like, "Are you overdue?" "Are you sure you're not having twins?" "You look like you're about to pop!" "That's a very well-nourished baby!" "You look like a bus!" "You're baby is going to be huge!" [Did I leave anything out??]
Mr. Tactful: (a little bit speechless but nods his head)
Me: But here's what you CAN say! "How are you doing?" "You look great!" "You look energetic!" "Would you like to sit down?" "How can I help you?" [Did I leave anything out??]

The other ladies in the room nodded in agreement and said to me, "Well done!"
I think I successfully saved him from repeating his error with any other pregnant mamas--he apologized profusely and has been tactful and gracious about my size and state ever since!


And that's all the ketchup I can mustard right now. (I know, so funny!!!)

 

Mayan Country: Ake and Coastal ruins near Progreso

I'm back--but probably only briefly! Some photos I had in drafts:

 

This is Ake--we really enjoyed this site which included an old church (built on top of a pyramid) and some gigantic steps and pillars. Also a large pyramid that overlooked the "raised highways" that led to other Mayan cities.

I can't remember the name of this small coastal set of ruins near Progreso, but they traded salt with the cities further inland. 

This biology mom also found TWO snakeskins on the ruins. Fun!

Mayan Country: Uxmal

I have been lazy about posting photos. While D's parents visited, we went to Uxmal, a larger site that is also not overrun by tourists. It was awesome! Most locals prefer this site to Chichen Itza. You can climb on everything except the pyramid of the magician, which works great for our crowd (we don't love being spectators).

I love this shot of my kids!

 

We thought the translator for these signs did an amazing job!



 "Not rise to structures" should be "Keep off the buildings"

 

 

 "Not up to the roofs" should be "Keep off the roof"

 

Maybe I should offer my translation services?

D with his Dad

in front of the pyramid of the magician

 

 Peep had a blast crawling back and forth in front of this building

amazing architecture

 

Chiqui, Pip, and Baba Dona

 

D's cute parents

Flamingos!

We had visitors, yay! What a party to have D's parents come visit us on New Year's for 9 days! I could happily run tours for friends and family for the rest of our stay in Merida. Who else wants to visit??

We took advantage of extra helping hands to do some things we've been wanting to do. We went on THE BIRD LOVER'S DREAM EXCURSION. I am a bird lover--growing up, birdwatching was one of my favorite things to do. D's dad is also a bird lover. After this trip, who wouldn't be a bird lover?

Celestun is legendary as the main courtship area for tens of thousands of flamingos. We took a boat ride through the estuary flanked by mangroves to find the flamingo habitat. We passed many water birds on the way. And then we arrived to the area where thousands of flamingos were feeding and socializing. It was mesmerizing to watch those beautiful creatures take flight--their dainty feet skimming across the water's surface as their long, graceful necks stretched straight and their beautiful pink and black wings beat the breeze. I couldn't get enough of it!

There's a juvenile right in the middle of this group. It looks gray. Flamingos are born white and become pink as they continue to eat shrimp larvae. 

Flamingo in flight

Love this awkward loooooong neck!

We also passed "Isla de Pajaros" with hundreds of Canadian and brown pelicans and other shore birds. And we went through "paseo por los manglares" (the mangrove tunnel), where we were surrounded by mangroves just barely above and to the side of our boat. Reminded me of "Rainforest Road" in the motherland. I was in heaven!

T, Chiqui, Baba Jim, Pip, Baba Dona, Nena, D, Lechon

Canadian pelicans and other water birds on a sand bar

paseo por los manglares

isla de pajaros

That's me, the bird lover, in paradise. I suddenly find myself liking pink!

If you think you want to come for a visit, the flamingos are there in the thousands between January and March. No pressure!

Christmas at Playa Celestun

We are pretty good at keeping Christmas simple here. I love the month of constant parties and good food, but as far as doing gifts for the kids goes--we keep it really spartan. This year we were extra spartan (MSU fans will find that to be especially funny).

We didn't bring any Christmas decorations with us (except for four ornaments I'd made right before leaving). With all the other details to take care of with moving, I just forgot. Stockings are hard to come by around here, so I decided to make some. The kids loved choosing their own fabric. Other than that, we bought the cheapest tree we could find and one string of lights.

Mateo loves checking out his own ornament

Sunday before Christmas with my barefoot girls 

We love having our Noche Buena feast on the 24th followed by the nativity play and then having a relaxing day on Christmas. Usually we have friends join us, but the people we invited couldn't come, so it was just us.

Noche Buena feast as simple as it gets: lentils and tortillas, fresh bread with honey and butter, cheese and jamaica

Santa filled the stockings with Mexican goodies and also left FIVE FRESH PINEAPPLES!!

My heart's desire was to go to the beach after the kids went through their stockings. I wanted to get some shells to decorate the tree, and I wanted to feel that yummy sand between my toes and smell the salty air. We were told that Celestun was a great beach for shells, so that's where we went. It was breezy and cool so we didn't stay in the water long, but we loved walking up and down the beach feeling the frothy water lick our toes. The shelling was great! I loved seeing my little people exclaim over their shells--seeing myself in them is so fun!

Playa Celestun

Love this photo

Collecting shells

The kids drew names for gifts for each other this year and spent their pesos at "Tienda de Mami" ("Mami's Store") because taking each one shopping would've been too complicated. It worked out surprisingly well. I need to restock and reopen "Tienda de Mami" again soon! We let them exchange gifts that night after we returned from the beach.

Mariachi Magic

We have a great friend here named Val. She throws awesome parties, and we feel fortunate to be invited. We had a great Thanksgiving feast, thanks to Val. I took some simple wheat rolls and I couldn't believe how the ladies were gushing over my "pan de lujo" (fancy bread) as they called it. Yes, it is impossible to find good wheat bread here. Unless you make it yourself.

This awesome mariachi band played for us.

And here is Mateo rockin' with the mariachis while eating his "pan de lujo."

When in Rome...

I have no problem with public breastfeeding. I do it all the time, and I do it discreetly without a "nursing cover." Unless you're standing right above me peering at my chest, you won't see any skin. I know that most people in the States frown on public breastfeeding, but I don't think we should be astonished by this very normal way of nourishing babies.

 Here I am breastfeeding on the train at the zoo.

 

And here I am breastfeeding at Uxmal (Mayan ruins).

 



 

I believe in feeding my baby when he/she is hungry, so I've breastfed at the store, the gym, on planes, at parks, in restaurants, at the zoo...everywhere I've taken my baby. Except for one place. I've always said, "I would never breastfeed my baby in the main meeting with men, women, and children at church" (of course, I've had no problem breastfeeding in the all-ladies meeting). Maybe because my babies are loud when they eat, maybe because it's church. So I'd get up and walk out to the special "mother's room" where there are nice chairs and a door that closes.

 

Then we came to Mexico, and our first Sunday in church, I asked the ladies if there was a room where I could go feed my baby when he got hungry. No, they don't have a "mother's room" here. The moms just breastfeed where they are. I thought about trying to find an empty classroom or maybe even going out to the car.

 

Then I remembered a friend of mine describing her experience at the Turkish baths. Before going, she thought she could cover up a bit and still be modest in front of the other bathers, maybe wear a swimsuit or something. But when she arrived and they handed her this teeny tiny apron that wouldn't cover top or bottom well at all, and she realized she'd really stand out if she wore her swimsuit, she shrugged and said, "When in Rome, do as the Romans do."

 

So I shrugged and said, "When in Rome..."

 

Sometimes it's a little bit liberating to go against your own, "I would never...!" statements. 

 



Merida Centro

There are lots of fun parks and activities in Merida. Here's a peek at what we've seen/done in town:

Plaza de la Madre

 I just love this sculpture! I will have to go back during the day and take a better photo, but I was glad to get in front of it with my little ones. The details are awesome--this mama is holding and bathing her infant in her lap and at the same time hanging on to her little girl. She is busy! Her eyes and hands and arms and legs and feet are all engaged, caring for her offspring. Doesn't that perfectly describe "maternidad" (motherhood)?

Plaza de las Americas

This awesome fountain has six or so plumed serpents. I just had to climb on it (I used my self-control and didn't jump in though). 

Mormon temple

Horsey Ride

We took a carriage ride through downtown during Christmas time. Loved seeing all the lights, and the kids were delighted!

Food!

I'm married to a foodie. I might be a foodie now too. We ate at this Japanese restaurant and the food was scrumptious! D ordered octopus, I ordered chicken curry. We both cleaned both plates. Yum!