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Carrie Rodriguez 
Don’t think Andres is getting much sleep. He has class tonight and the site keeps locking up and he can’t get his homework in. He may be thinking about that or it could be his little growing family. Which do you think it is? He was up a little after us; think it was the phone call from Adrianna which got him up and moving. Julie had made pancakes for them and a lunch with sandwiches and goodies. After we discovered the dryer was not working, Zach dropped in. He offered to make a cup of coffee for each of us. Andres was ready to leave and Julie chose to go with him again.
We had a fine visit with Zach with him chasing Diego and tossing him around, grabbing the empty box and using it as a hat, a weapon and a shield. This created lots of laughing. Diego asked him to see why his rocking pony was not working (we think it is just the battery, but we are not going to show Diego how to check this or it will be undone all the time). Zach tried looking for the switch for the dryer, too. It is not just the fuse. He got the dvd going of the photos for Diego to view. I guess we could have given the controller to Diego; he turns on his own movies and created a character for himself. Zach mentioned a bar-b-que for Sunday with the Ramirez’. They cook for us- sounds so good.
When he left, Diego and I realized it was time to head out for our adventure. We got the external hard-drive Andres let me us and went to the craft store. Diego was looking a little sleepy; I hoped he may even fall asleep. But he chose to ride in the stroller again and was quiet and calm all the way over. I have been giving him his teething tablets the last couple days; he has had his thumb in his mouth rubbing his gums. Well in the store he tried to get my attention and asking for more tablets which he does not do. I looked down and saw blood on his thumb and realized he broke through. Poor boy, so patient and calm. We couldn’t make the prints because the photos were lost somewhere in the hard-drive and I couldn’t locate them (of course I did not know to open a file to stick them in specifically). So we went off to Subway for lunch with Dawn.
As soon as we walked in Diego started saying, “Papas, papas” which is a word for food in Spanish. I knew I needed to get that little boy a sandwich! I was surprised to find Andres coming in after me. I had hoped he could come but knew it would be hard for him to leave his girls. But there he was, being a blessing to me. Dawn came in just after I ordered for Diego and I as Andres said he did not need anything. We met Carl her husband, her daughter-in-law and there grandson. Her son Todd was called to another base and could not make today. They brought us 2 cute Elmo bibs, which Diego needed to try on and talked lots about. There were also some teething rings and a pacifier and holder. We had a nice lunch talking about the good bread and needing to walk and nice visit we are having. They have visited a city and took a boat ride around it. They are on their way to see a castle soon before they leave on Saturday (if the airports are open). Andres knew of some of the areas Todd worked and the places they visited. He suggested Koln as the most beautiful location they had seen to date. They headed off to a doctor visit for the baby and we went home to finish dinner. Neither of us is concerned if we are not able to leave Germany because the airports may not be open yet. There was a volcano in Iceland and the ash is restricting European air travel. Several people here have not been able to leave yet. Maybe Dawn and we will also be delayed.
Diego was asleep in his highchair before I finished the rice for dinner. Andres decided to give him a real nap and we waited here for a bit. Andres was able to get back with the Ford dealer and because the man who is working on his car was not in today he should just call back tomorrow. How can a society with such innovations not be able to answer a question on what has been done on a vehicle? Then he got through to the service department for the house and set up a repair time for the dryer at 7:30 am Friday. We hope it is a quick repair. With Isabella being home that day we know there will be laundry to do.
We headed back off to the hospital, using an alternate route due to the main entrance being closed for construction. The landscape looks different from when we flew in. The trees are budding or blooming all over. Yesterday we saw a cloud of petals drifting from an apple tree in a light wind. The tulips are everywhere with beautiful colors. I was amazed Andres was able to find his way through the community and up to the back side of the campus. We got there just as Isabella went down to sleep. She had a hard day. The staff took her for a check just before she was to eat and needed her for a bit. This resulted in her being too tired to eat after her crying used her energy. Julie and Adrianna tried repeatedly to rouse her…Julie wants to remember the sweet look of her daughter as a wonderful mother as Adrianna tends to Isabella. Her smile will broaden as she sees Isabella smile at her. Or her look of contentment as she pats her back while holding her on her shoulder. And the confidence of caring for her baby lets her show peace.
We visited for a couple hours in the guest room, playing with Diego and building castles with the blocks and a train track. Adrianna also had a surprise for Diego; she found 2 of his cars in her purse, one being the “Cachow” from Cars (the name he has for Lightning McQueen). We had a great laugh at Diego’s expense talking about his melt downs. When he wants something he can not have he will often just start saying, “No.” Do you want to watch Sponge Bob? “No.” Do you want some grapes? “No.” Do you want to watch Cachow? “No.” Once they tried to ask as many questions as they could just to see how long he would keep it up. They were impressed with his determination. There was also one time in particular he wanted to use his parents guitars for Guitar Hero. When asked to go get his, he just laid down on the ground and sighed. Each time they asked him again, he would repeat the behavior. It was a way to keep him in the room because he would stop wherever he was and melt if he was just asked, “Go get your guitar”. It was then time to wake Isabella to eat and Julie and I joined Adrianna while she nursed her. She is eating well, which shows In the weight gain between pre and post eating weights. She needed a second diaper change which Andres elected not to do this time. Adrianna thinks Julie and I look tired. We know we are fine. With so many of our responsibilities left at home, and not even a phone to answer, we are able to look tired because we have less to push us. I realized, too, that I am not out walking 1/2 hour 2 times a day. And the afternoon is when I use that walk the most for evening energy.
Andres got us home for dinner and headed back for his with Adrianna. That little 19km ride may be looking longer as this week goes on. He looks confident and content as he talks with us. He is a gift. He does not act like this is a difficult time for him.
And dinner was nice. Red chili made from the meat yesterday, beans, rice and fresh bell peppers. Talked about what I’d like for dinner Friday. Think we settled on an Italian version of spinach and white sauce over noodles and maybe tiramisu. Now we just need to get a couple things from the commissary…
Got Diego off to a bath with Julie and I got the kitchen cleaned up. Then Julie had Diego call Nic on the video phone. So good to see the boys talk with each other. It is usually not a straight forward conversation with translating all Diego’s actions and conversations, but they both enjoyed the call. Then it was time for ni-night. One last look at Mike and Elmo and besos for Nana.
Andres got home right after Diego fell asleep. He said dinner was great and Adrianna enjoyed it, too. He also said he did not know what he would do if Julie and I had not been able to make it. He’d be picking up food and Diego would have to be in the back seat the whole time. It was truly nice he could tell us that. We know he knows it; it was great to hear it. Julie is mopping, I am typing. It surprises me that I am of as much value as she. But I am confident our Father God created me with gifts and they just look different while they are just as purposeful.
What can we do to help Adrianna while she waits for Isabella to come home? How about walking around the hospital and emptying a water bottle on the trip? I may be at the hospital early tomorrow and Diego stays with Julie. Maybe we will walk together.
Looks like Andres is going to get his work submitted before class at 1am (because the people in the States get a normal hour for their class, he does not). Julie has the chicken in the crock pot for tomorrow’s dinner. We are ready to sleep. But I have to get the recipe in here. Frozen chicken breasts, rice, pinto beans, with a little seasoning in the crock pot overnight on low. 'Bout an hour before eating, add defrosted red chili...wow.
We had a fine visit with Zach with him chasing Diego and tossing him around, grabbing the empty box and using it as a hat, a weapon and a shield. This created lots of laughing. Diego asked him to see why his rocking pony was not working (we think it is just the battery, but we are not going to show Diego how to check this or it will be undone all the time). Zach tried looking for the switch for the dryer, too. It is not just the fuse. He got the dvd going of the photos for Diego to view. I guess we could have given the controller to Diego; he turns on his own movies and created a character for himself. Zach mentioned a bar-b-que for Sunday with the Ramirez’. They cook for us- sounds so good.
When he left, Diego and I realized it was time to head out for our adventure. We got the external hard-drive Andres let me us and went to the craft store. Diego was looking a little sleepy; I hoped he may even fall asleep. But he chose to ride in the stroller again and was quiet and calm all the way over. I have been giving him his teething tablets the last couple days; he has had his thumb in his mouth rubbing his gums. Well in the store he tried to get my attention and asking for more tablets which he does not do. I looked down and saw blood on his thumb and realized he broke through. Poor boy, so patient and calm. We couldn’t make the prints because the photos were lost somewhere in the hard-drive and I couldn’t locate them (of course I did not know to open a file to stick them in specifically). So we went off to Subway for lunch with Dawn.
As soon as we walked in Diego started saying, “Papas, papas” which is a word for food in Spanish. I knew I needed to get that little boy a sandwich! I was surprised to find Andres coming in after me. I had hoped he could come but knew it would be hard for him to leave his girls. But there he was, being a blessing to me. Dawn came in just after I ordered for Diego and I as Andres said he did not need anything. We met Carl her husband, her daughter-in-law and there grandson. Her son Todd was called to another base and could not make today. They brought us 2 cute Elmo bibs, which Diego needed to try on and talked lots about. There were also some teething rings and a pacifier and holder. We had a nice lunch talking about the good bread and needing to walk and nice visit we are having. They have visited a city and took a boat ride around it. They are on their way to see a castle soon before they leave on Saturday (if the airports are open). Andres knew of some of the areas Todd worked and the places they visited. He suggested Koln as the most beautiful location they had seen to date. They headed off to a doctor visit for the baby and we went home to finish dinner. Neither of us is concerned if we are not able to leave Germany because the airports may not be open yet. There was a volcano in Iceland and the ash is restricting European air travel. Several people here have not been able to leave yet. Maybe Dawn and we will also be delayed.
Diego was asleep in his highchair before I finished the rice for dinner. Andres decided to give him a real nap and we waited here for a bit. Andres was able to get back with the Ford dealer and because the man who is working on his car was not in today he should just call back tomorrow. How can a society with such innovations not be able to answer a question on what has been done on a vehicle? Then he got through to the service department for the house and set up a repair time for the dryer at 7:30 am Friday. We hope it is a quick repair. With Isabella being home that day we know there will be laundry to do.
We headed back off to the hospital, using an alternate route due to the main entrance being closed for construction. The landscape looks different from when we flew in. The trees are budding or blooming all over. Yesterday we saw a cloud of petals drifting from an apple tree in a light wind. The tulips are everywhere with beautiful colors. I was amazed Andres was able to find his way through the community and up to the back side of the campus. We got there just as Isabella went down to sleep. She had a hard day. The staff took her for a check just before she was to eat and needed her for a bit. This resulted in her being too tired to eat after her crying used her energy. Julie and Adrianna tried repeatedly to rouse her…Julie wants to remember the sweet look of her daughter as a wonderful mother as Adrianna tends to Isabella. Her smile will broaden as she sees Isabella smile at her. Or her look of contentment as she pats her back while holding her on her shoulder. And the confidence of caring for her baby lets her show peace.
We visited for a couple hours in the guest room, playing with Diego and building castles with the blocks and a train track. Adrianna also had a surprise for Diego; she found 2 of his cars in her purse, one being the “Cachow” from Cars (the name he has for Lightning McQueen). We had a great laugh at Diego’s expense talking about his melt downs. When he wants something he can not have he will often just start saying, “No.” Do you want to watch Sponge Bob? “No.” Do you want some grapes? “No.” Do you want to watch Cachow? “No.” Once they tried to ask as many questions as they could just to see how long he would keep it up. They were impressed with his determination. There was also one time in particular he wanted to use his parents guitars for Guitar Hero. When asked to go get his, he just laid down on the ground and sighed. Each time they asked him again, he would repeat the behavior. It was a way to keep him in the room because he would stop wherever he was and melt if he was just asked, “Go get your guitar”. It was then time to wake Isabella to eat and Julie and I joined Adrianna while she nursed her. She is eating well, which shows In the weight gain between pre and post eating weights. She needed a second diaper change which Andres elected not to do this time. Adrianna thinks Julie and I look tired. We know we are fine. With so many of our responsibilities left at home, and not even a phone to answer, we are able to look tired because we have less to push us. I realized, too, that I am not out walking 1/2 hour 2 times a day. And the afternoon is when I use that walk the most for evening energy.
Andres got us home for dinner and headed back for his with Adrianna. That little 19km ride may be looking longer as this week goes on. He looks confident and content as he talks with us. He is a gift. He does not act like this is a difficult time for him.
And dinner was nice. Red chili made from the meat yesterday, beans, rice and fresh bell peppers. Talked about what I’d like for dinner Friday. Think we settled on an Italian version of spinach and white sauce over noodles and maybe tiramisu. Now we just need to get a couple things from the commissary…
Got Diego off to a bath with Julie and I got the kitchen cleaned up. Then Julie had Diego call Nic on the video phone. So good to see the boys talk with each other. It is usually not a straight forward conversation with translating all Diego’s actions and conversations, but they both enjoyed the call. Then it was time for ni-night. One last look at Mike and Elmo and besos for Nana.
Andres got home right after Diego fell asleep. He said dinner was great and Adrianna enjoyed it, too. He also said he did not know what he would do if Julie and I had not been able to make it. He’d be picking up food and Diego would have to be in the back seat the whole time. It was truly nice he could tell us that. We know he knows it; it was great to hear it. Julie is mopping, I am typing. It surprises me that I am of as much value as she. But I am confident our Father God created me with gifts and they just look different while they are just as purposeful.
What can we do to help Adrianna while she waits for Isabella to come home? How about walking around the hospital and emptying a water bottle on the trip? I may be at the hospital early tomorrow and Diego stays with Julie. Maybe we will walk together.
Looks like Andres is going to get his work submitted before class at 1am (because the people in the States get a normal hour for their class, he does not). Julie has the chicken in the crock pot for tomorrow’s dinner. We are ready to sleep. But I have to get the recipe in here. Frozen chicken breasts, rice, pinto beans, with a little seasoning in the crock pot overnight on low. 'Bout an hour before eating, add defrosted red chili...wow.
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