The many face of Abi: 2nd Instalment

For a four month old this kid is very expressive...

'Who me?' Face

'Dead to the world' Face

Contemplating Face

Yawn Face

'My hand tastes so good' Face

'How you doin' Face

'Get out of my face' Face

Paci Face

Mommy Shock

One night during the first week of Abi's birth Z woke me up, 'Hey, you need to feed the baby.' My groggy response was 'But the baby is in my belly.' At first I blamed the incoherent comment on pain meds...but now I know, it was mommy shock. Every morning I wake up, look at my daughter and exclaim in my head 'wow, I'm a mom!' Little by little it is sinking in...

I love being a mom. I should've done it sooner. Oh and most people say that Abi looks like Z, there are the small 4% that say sweet things like 'She's so pretty, she looks just like her mother.' Thank you dear 4%...I will always believe you, you can tell me anything (like faulty end times predictions) and I will believe you :)

~what the mailman thinks~

This morning I was cleaning our garage/patio.

Most women clean the inside and outside of their homes every morning. Usually because A) It gets too hot to do housework later in the day B) Everyday loads of dust accumulates and necessitates daily housework.

Side note: The garage/patio is my least favorite area to clean.

1 - It's dirtier than the rest of the house

2- Our car and motorcycle are parked in this area, so I have to clean around them

3 - It's an outdoor area so 1 hour after cleaning it becomes dirty again

4 - I've always had grand plans of making a little garden and pation seating...I dream of sitting on wicker furniture, drinking tea and bird watching. So everytime I step out there reality hits...I don't have the wicker furniture of my dreams. Every plant out there dies. And I have yet to find a bird book of Curry Land (if anyone finds one...it's what I want for Christmas)

Anyways so while doing one of my least favorite chores this morning the mailman came. Art came to the gate to get the mail and engage in a friendly conversation. I love having Art living with us, people talk to Art, they talk to him as if we are not standing right there listening.

The mailman saw me cleaning our garage/patio and had an epiphany...'They are normal people.' he told Art. This small comment made my heart swell. I have spent years trying to learn the language, culture, food, and mindset here in Curry Land...finally I have arrived! I am considered normal here.

So when I am back in America Land in six weeks and I am no longer 'normal' by American standards I am going to console myself everyday with the fact that the mailman thinks I am normal.

Some Curry Land mommy tips

Since I am a new mom people here are very forthcoming to share any advice that they may have. Unsolicited Curry Land advice is one of my favorite things to write posts about...it really gives a glimpse into the inner workings of this culture.

Tip #1 - when breastfeeding do not drink cold water, it makes your milk cold.
Tip #2 - your baby should not wear a diaper all day, so when at home let them go without a diaper, only put a diaper on when you are going to visit people.
Tip #3 - Give babies water to drink, mother's milk makes them throw up, water does not.
Tip #4 - put a black dot on your baby's face so that no one places the evil eye on them by coveting in their hearts.
Tip #5 - Tie a red string around the baby's wrist for protection.

Just so you know I have not followed any of this advice and Abi is doing just fine :)