Mexico Part 10: Cribs and V-Day

It goes without saying that we really don't have much money.  But, poor Elijah has been sleeping in a portacrib since we got here back in August.  Can you imagine a huge kid like him still sleeping in a portacrib?  I wish I would have taken some pictures of him sleeping in that thing.  In fact, I think the kid slept in the corner because he seemed to fit a little better that way.  It was just that cribs are so expensive here.  And if you know what I endured to get Eva out of the crib, you would think I would just transition Eli to a toddler bed asap, but did I mention that they don't really have those here either.  What they do have are very overpriced cribs that turn into twin beds with two night stands.  Not to mention that you then have to special order a mattress for the crib that almost costs the same as the crib.  I looked at buying those rails you put on twin beds but those cost a lot too.  Pretty much the cost of the special order mattress.  Thinking Elijah would never get a bed and sleep in that portcrib until he was five, I accidently found the perfect bed for him.  Yes, it's still a crib, but since he's not climbing out of the portacrib, I don't know why I would want to give him free reign to explore the room.  In fact, I like to confine the kid as much as possible.  What I can say is that I so dearly miss craigslist.  I know I paid way too much for this bed but at least Elijah can sleep better.  He was pretty excited to get the bed.  In fact, the first time he went in the thing we was jumping from side to side and beaming from ear to ear.  It was pretty cute.  So, that was one "big event" that has happened in the last couple weeks.

Next, I had a nice valentines.  I remember the first one Matthew screwed up the first year we were married (does it sound like I hold grudges?  I have forgiven him, really).  We were living in Salem and I was so excited for Valentines day.  I had gotten all ready thinking we were going to do something special and exciting and NOTHING happened.  I was beyond disappointed.  I remember him even asking me why I had dressed up for the day, and I couldn't even face him.  Well, needless to say he never did that again.  And this year he actually surprised me the night before, telling me to eat a light dinner with the kids because he was going to take me out.  I was shocked!  He doesn't normally think of things like that on his own.  He even got a sitter all by himself.  And he bought me the most over priced roses, I have ever seen.  We had a nice evening together.  It's funny how when the kids are little, the little things are that much more special.

Third, I have come to the realization that I think I am going to have to order Elijah one of those monkey backpacks with the leashes because he's all over the place.  Eva asked me if I was going to get him a leash like River and I just laughed and said yes.  A couple weeks ago he busted out of the house, half-naked ( the kid sweats A LOT so he's always half-naked) and ran away from our house, crossed the street in our coto (gated community) and was in the neighbors yard, wandering with the dog.  I almost had a heart attack, and he just laughed.  Thank goodness it was at a quiet time of the day and I realized fairly quickly that he was gone but it still gives me an ulcer thinking about the what ifs.  We now leave the door permanently locked!  He is proving to be quite the handful and what worked for Eva doesn't always work for him.  For example, Eva and I would go to the store and use those little kid shopping carts and I would tell her when it was time to go, "bye, bye, cart," and she would leave it no problem.  Well, then there is Eli.  You tell him the same thing and he throws himself to the ground and throws his little tantrum.    And again I don't know if I want to laugh or just hide in embarrassment.  Kids, I tell you!  Thank goodness my sweet Eva is still sweet on most occasions.

Lastly, I have been at it again with a little crafting.  I am including a picture of Eli half naked because those are the attempt of pajama pants that I made for the kid.  I was so scared to try clothes but it wasn't too bad in the end.  I used this tutorial with the pattern she provides for her 2/3 year old but apparently my kid is too chubby for that pattern, even though he's not even 2 mind you.  I will have to be giving those pajama pants away but they won't be the last.  I think next time I will try making my own pattern.

I know I am all over the page, but I think it's because that is how my life is for now.  Scattered thoughts here and there, not very significant really but they are what my life is.