TBL does Mexico

So we made it back in one piece. It was sure hot and humid. I went in with zero expectations. I told Bill before we left "I am expecting the trip to be terrible. Us to be fighting because TBL is grumpy and hot and we are grumpy and hot" I decided if I set the bar at zero I wouldn't be disappointed. Turns out it was much better than I expected. TBL did great considering the weather. It was so hot and humid. Think of the most hot and humid day you have ever experienced while in the continental US and then add about 20 degrees with no airconditioning. UGH! We did see a record number of patients, 140, on the hottest day we have ever had in Mexico in our 4 years of trips. There was plenty to be thankful for. We had a nice breeze one day when we had clinic in a building with no walls (can that be called a building?). We had good fans while inside the other days and a cooler full of ice and drinks. We had amazing air conditioning at our hotel. TBL slept well though he did wake up more at night to eat but I think he was tanking up for the hot days when it was harder on both of us to nurse. It was really interesting. TBL did not spit up much while we were there. He is not a huge spitter-upper but does somewhat during a regular day. It was as if his body knew it needed to conserve all of its fluids and not to waste them. The only day he did spit up was our day off when he was in the air conditioning most of the day. Amazing bodies we have with the instinct to adapt and survive regardless of age. He did get quite hot while out in the colonias but with our water spraying fan, cold water bottles as toys and wet cold sponge bathes he survived.

Here is a photo montage of our trip.

Our friends, Kyle and Ellen, let us borrow their infant car seat and it was waiting for us in the van at the airport. TBL doesn't like any car seat and this was probably the only time he was smiling in it. My plan for the trip was to carry/wear TBL but thought it may be too hot for that. When we got out of the airport and walked to the van, Dr Cara (TBL's pediatrician who was with us) said, 'oh no it is too hot to carry or wear him. we'll have to think of something else'

TBL is all smiles in our hotel room because it was cool

the view from our balcony not that we ever saw it - we kept the curtains closed so TBL could sleep. we decided to use the pack-n-play we bought and store down there while out at clinics and luckily our hotel had a very nice crib that we used.

Daddy walked TBL around alot in the stroller to put him to sleep. This was at Dona Chonita, our first day of clinics with the really nice breeze. We saw about 75 people this day.

Jennifer, our medical student, did a great nutritional class on eating healthy and diabetes.

TBL's home at the clinics-- the pack-n-play with a fan. We didn't have the fan inside because I was worried about him cutting off finger or toes. I worry too much! :-)

Lots of little kids leaned in and talked with TBL. They were all very delightful. They put on hand sanitizer before reaching in and touching toes or hands. They did a good job not frightening him or touching his face.

TBL is just so adorable.

Daddy working at triage

Dr Cara seeing a patient

At Villa Union, TBL got to play with Daddy in front of the fan. He loved the fan! He looks like a super hero with his big facing backwards.

All smiles with Daddy

Super cute family shot

TBL with his favorite new toy, cold water bottle. He would hug it and lick it.

On our day off we went to the beach for about 5 minutes- it was the hottest day we had down there.

TBL got his toes dipped in the Pacific

I did go down the water slide at the hotel like 10 times. I really love water slides and have decided Bill and I are going to go sans TBL to an indoor water park this winter for a long weekend. Yippeedddoooo!

Having some tummy time at the hotel

He looks hilarious in my sunglasses. Too bad it was SO hot out that the camera got steamy.

Another day in the pack-n-play sweating with my cold water bottle friend.

Our team with our translators and missionary friends minus Bill

Hanging out with Daddy at Loma Bonita on our last day

I just love my little bug. All in all it was a great trip. Having TBL did take either Bill or I totally out of commission in terms of working and seeing patients. I didn't expect that. No one melted but I may be getting too old for another September trip.

TBL's latest and greatest

Here are some current shots of TBL. There hasn't been much new since Grandma left. He did have a bit of formula last week mixed with breast milk that he chugged down. He is doing great at Ms Lisa's when we are at work and is still sleeping at night like a champ. We head to Mexico on Sunday so that will be a big test of how flexible TBL is in terms of having his routine changed. Two things are certain. This kid is slobbers all the time and is so adorable I can barely take my eyes off of him.

He is getting even more interactive with toys. Thanks Aunt Tammy, girl scout troop leader, for the exersaucer loan. He really loves it.

The purple monkey has a mirror in it and TBL is enthralled with his own face. (but then again who isn't?)

Literally I want to just chomp on his cheeks every minute I am with him.

Our runnin' regal

Gabby is having a WONDERFUL cross country season this year. Last year she was out for most of the season due to injury. She has remained healthy this year and is running #3 on varsity. They have had three meets and the Regals are undefeated. It is so fun to watch her run. I swell with pride just for the fact that I know her and she is doing so well. I can't imagine what her mother and father feel like watching her succeed at something she works so hard towards. It is the same feeling when Nile scores a soccer goal. But being a step parent is different. Now as a parent to Lucas, I am almost in tears of ridiculous mother emotion when he learns a new skill like finding his feet or rolling over. I can't imagine how Bill and Nicki feel watching their children as young adults find success in their endeavours.

Gabby wasn't really 'into' running meets over the last few years stating she wasn't a big fan of competition and just really was on the team for the fun with her friends. Before the first meet this year, she told her dad that she was so excited about it because it was different now that she is getting really good. Today they run against the much larger state ranked Iowa City High. I can barely sit still waiting for race time when me and TBL get to watch Gabby run. TBL loves cheering for his sister (well mainly he slobbers).

Finishing touches

So our contractor says one more week and it will all be done. The trim is in and we just love the banister and it makes it look so much more like a real room. the fireplace stone is up and almost finished. every finishing touch that goes up makes us even love the burnt orange color Dani picked out for us.

the outside has been sided. i bought a outside door knob/lock yesterday. the electrician needs to come back to put in the sockets, lights, baseboard heat etc. the painter needs to come back and touch up. the carpet needs to be installed on the stairs and in the old star wars room. hopefully when we get back from Mexico our room will be done!!!!

Oh did we have some fun

It's me, TBL here, to tell you about my weekend, whatever that is. Well I don't even know my days of the week yet but it must have been a pretty special weekend because Grandma and Grandpa came to visit. They took tons of pictures of me and we did lots of fun stuff. You already saw the pictures of the horse race and my first Hawkeye game. Sunday was my mommy's birthday. She took this cute picture of me and put it in a frame. She said it was my gift to her, I got off easy... I didn't have to shop or spend any money... all I had to do was smile. We went apple picking. Mommy stood on a bucket to get the good apples. I stayed down on solid ground.

Actually I hung on for dear life as I was rolled around the orchard. So far I'm only a little over 4 months old and I have been blueberry and apple picking.

Today Mommy and Daddy and Aunt Susie and Cousin Megan ran a race in Davenport. I hung out with Grandma and took a nice long walk and nap. Daddy was grumpy because he finished 14th overall but 4th in his age group so he didn't get a medal. Mommy was grumpy because her pink shirt is a bit small and was riding up and toward the finish line her muffin top was hanging out and Grandpa got a picture of it. I wonder why it isn't posted on this blog.

Mommy and Daddy love when the race is over!

Grandma and Grandpa took good care of me

Today was Grandma's birthday

We stopped at Babies-r-us and Grandpa bought me a new cool stroller. Grandma and Mommy took me out for a ride in it. I love it.

Then I sat in my new high chair and had rice cereal for the first time. I think I liked it but I'm not quite sure.

Yum!

Then I took a bath in my new bathtub. This is my third bathtub; Mommy and Daddy can't seem to get it right. But I think they may have it right with this one.

I'm chubby.

Grandma helped get me ready for bed. I wore my 'silly bug' pjs and smiled for a few last pictures before I had milks and sleepytime nighttimes.

It was sure fun having Grandma and Grandpa here. Grandma played with me and I got to go to lots of fun places and Grandpa painted some trim and went to the hardware store and bought me lots of fun stuff. I heard them talk about getting 'a lake house' which I think means a small motorhome that they will park in my driveway when they come to visit. When they get it, I get to play in the motorhome with Grandma and she said when I'm big enough I can sleep out there with her and Grandpa in the driveway. I can't wait!!! I'm one lucky little bug!