Dilemma

So what is the latest?

Baby and I are doing just fine. As of today's appointment I am already dilating, she is head down and contractions are sporadic. Then again this could go on for a month which would actually be a very good thing. WHAT?!?!!? OK yes, that statement requires an explanation.

We've run into a bit of a dilemma. As you may already know, the whole swine flu has created some problems. Because we are planning on returning to Mexico, my Dr wants her to "bake" as long as possible to ensure she is strong which would lessen the chances of not being able to fight off what she will be hit with when we return to Mexico which includes all sorts of respiratory viruses. My boys have all had respiratory concerns when they were born such as RSV. Mexico City is a hotbed for respiratory issues especially with the severe pollution.

This is the first time I haven't wanted an early labor and I'll do what it takes to keep her baking if it means she'll be stronger.

They will not stop my labor if it happens but just as a precaution I have been put on bed rest to hopefully keep her baking for as long as possible even past my due date...ugh?

Another issue is Kris getting back here. He's already planning on coming back this week rather than on May 15th. I don't think he would be affected if flights were restricted since he's a diplomat but then again you never know with how everyone is freaking out down there. It might be a good thing for him to leave now on several levels. If she does decide to come early he'll be here, I'd be devastated if he missed her birth. Mayor Marcelo Ebrard has already said that public transportation will have to be shut down if things worsen. I'm sure flights would follow.

This should be interesting!

Still keeping our fingers crossed for Denver but not holding our breath.

Tax Day Tea Party

The kids and I got up this morning and immediately got things ready to go to the Tax Day Tea Party that was being held in Newport News, VA. It is one of the smaller ones that happened today but I didn't feel like driving to Richmond to go to the larger one there. I think this was a good size where I didn't have too many people to waddle through and the kids had fun. It was pretty damp and chilly (48 degrees) but we made it through the whole thing.






















I was surprised at the diversity at this Tea Party. I thought it would mainly be Conservatives or Libertarians but there were many people who were wearing "I voted for Obama" stickers (I'm guessing these were largely blue dog Democrats who are fiscal conservatives) as well as several hippie types who were carrying posters that said they were not happy with the spending, bailouts and threats of new taxes. Hmmm, and CNN said it was a right-wing extremist movement. Other Tea Parties around the country noted the same thing (different from CNN)...that it was largely bipartisan.



I had to take a picture of this VW Thing we saw today after it brought back some fun memories of after school band practice at Miami Killian. Scott Headburg drove a VW Thing and those of us lucky enough to jump in before it was full got a ride home "in style". I remember one specific time, Malia and Michelle Marco and I got a ride home, and I decided once I got my license (I was in 10th grade) my first car would be a VW Thing...a green one. When I got home, I told my dad and his reply was "are you going to fix it every time it breaks down?" In my infinite wisdom I said "don't worry dad, they hardly ever break down". I still laugh at the memory of the "lecture" that followed (I don't think my dad was a huge fan of VWs).

The boys really liked the paint job on the VW Thing we saw today and asked if we could paint the van the same way...don't think Kris would be too happy with that. I still want a VW Thing or a VW Bug to restore someday but right now Kris and I are planning our restoration of a Steyr Pinzgauer once we get back to the US. What is a Steyer Pinzgauer? Glad you asked! It's the Line Family's Future Camping Vehicle:

Smelly Boys

On Saturdays if we drive out to Costco we pass these guys selling puppies on the street. Most of the puppies don't even look old enough to be weaned. This past Saturday I remembered my camera. Every time we pass them Kris and I gear up for the begging in the back seat "can we buy a puppy?" Each Saturday they have different puppies and my heart breaks for the poor things but we aren't about to buy from these guys.



No water to very little water...Day 6

Boys do not take well to army baths and only Jamison can fit into the sink that has been filled with water from the stove.




Here's what I've learned so far. Preparation doesn't always work. The other night I turned on the faucet at midnight to catch what trickled out into the only bathtub. It's a huge bathtub (click here for house post and bathtub picture)

I turned on the faucet at midnight and when I woke up at 8am it was just over halfway full. This would be the water we used throughout the day to flush toilets, wash hands, etc... By 2 pm it was empty. Not through use or the drain but through a crack under one of the jets. Note to self...buy more buckets.

Kris has been in Cuernavaca this week for a conference so we have been roughing it on our own.

Every day I've thought about going to a hotel but every day I've been told by the contractors that the water pumps are fixed and we can use the reserve tanks. The reserve tanks work right after the contractors leave but then...nothing. They've been back each day to fix something else. I thought today would be it but again, a little bit of water right after they leave but after a few hours...nothing. Tonight there is only a trickle which means another night without hot water. A contractor came back out tonight to take a look and figured out that what is happening is the check valve from the street supply needs to be replaced as well because when the city water pressure falls to a certain level the water that has filled the emergency tanks just flows backwards to the street pipes. A new check valve would keep the water in the tanks. They will be back tomorrow at 9am to replace the check valve at the street level.

The owner is still refusing to pay for any of it. Embassy is dragging their feet and questioning me every time I tell them "it's still not fixed!" which brings on another cycle of needing to get "authorizations" to have workers come out again. Bright light at the end of the tunnel...the city should turn the water back on full force this weekend.

Weston and Braedon were talking over dinner tonight and Weston made the comment "this is like camping but in a nightmare or something"

So what else can happen in the middle of all of this? The motor to our front gate starts acting up where it will only close so far before opening up again, over and over. A contractor will be out tomorrow to take a look but the owner is already refusing to pay for it so it will be another week of the embassy wringing their hands about the cost of fixing it. It's not a gate you can open manually and must have a motor to close and open it not to mention secure it once closed. So yes, when there is no power there is no way to open or close it and we are stuck inside.

Funny story, when I called GSO about the gate, Ricardo Tejeda (the guy who called me a "silly woman") showed up and handed me the opener while stating "Here you go, I fixed it". I said "Oh really? You fixed it? All by yourself?" I pushed the opener and BAM! it breaks for good this time complete with smoke from a burned out motor. I handed the opener back to him and said "do me a favor, don't fix anything around here by yourself, ok?"

Kris will be home on Friday and the boys and I can't wait.