One Week to Amanda's 21st Birthday!

Just another countdown marker!

Here are some tidbits about Amanda as a baby and toddler. I had decided to breastfeed my babies - for all the benefits such as passing on antibodies and rapid shrinking of the uterus to go back to my normal weight and shape, etc. As soon as Amanda was born, I breastfed her. For two to three days, I thought she was starved. She had to eat every two hours and would pass out at the end of each short feeding. Being a first time mother, I thought there was something wrong with my milk production and she was not getting enough to eat. I called the pediatrician's office and they reassured me that Amanda was getting enough milk. She kept waking up every two hours to feed even at night; I was exhausted. She finally slept through the night for about four to five hours but not any longer. Even when she was two, she had a hard time sleeping all through the night. I got used to holding and rocking her until she went back to sleep. She was royally spoiled! Then her toddlerhood was characterized as the "me do it" stage. She was only 18 months old, when she pushed my hands away and said "me do it" to buckle her own shoes. The infamous pictures of her on the high chair feeding herself were evidence of her "me do it" attitude. After Daniel was born, her "me do it" mentally embraced doing everything she could for Daniel - feeding him, picking up his toys that he threw on purpose as a game, even holding him, etc. Amanda was always proud to show me and dad what she could do by herself - building legos, drawing, creating a dance...and all these traits are still in her today. She was born with a strong will to do things for herself, and it has proven a very useful trait growing up, paving a path for herself, and taking on challenges. Don't tell me the first few years of life is insignificant!

Anyway, afer the finals, I have been productive. I cleaned out my old stuff in the closet and donated it. I even packed up 3 boxes of magazines and books to donate to the library. I painted all the moldings and cleaned all the walls that have been neglected. I also painted the white parts of the kitchen table set; it looks new again. I am planning on cleaning and painting the kitchen ceiling and vents too. By the way, I got my grades. Be proud of your mama...a 4.0! I worked very hard, especially in Microbiology and the lab and the Language Development. Both required a lot of work. But you ever have a chance to take Microbiology, I highly recommend it. It opens up my eyes to a "hidden" world, similar to being exposed to the ocean and its life. It connects the dots for you about living things, food, health, natural science, etc. It's actually fascinating. Let me know if you are curious about anything. The Divorce class was enlightening too. The best and number 1 factor to avoid divorce is to select a mature, reliable, responsible, compatible mate, who is from a nurturing family in the first place. Money is the number 1 issue for fights in couples, so if you are financially well managed, you save yourself a lot of headaches, grief, problems, etc. The worst part is that a divorce only exacerbates financial problems, so even a divorce won't help. The good news is that most problems can be solved if you married the right person.

Sorry, guys, I went on too long, but it's important stuff because it affects your quality of life in the long run. I mentioned that I wished you were home, Amanda. No, I was wrong. I am so very glad you are able to live in a totally different cuture and place for a year that I hope you can completely enjoy your expereince - both good and tough ones. Same for Daniel, embrace both opportunities and challenges, as long as they both are intended to lead you to your goals. I wish I had the ability to get my degree much earlier, but to reach my goals in life I had to take one major role at a time. Juggling too many roles often distracts people and they are not as good at anything. I attribute my "successes" - two achiver kids who happen to be excellent people, a comfortable home, a meanginful career path...all to your dad. His unwaved devotion to me and our family makes all this possible. Big kudos to Dad!

Love you guys always,
Mama