When you have twins, you're an instant celebrity wherever you go. TWINS! OMG, My cousin has twins! What are their names, how old are they, are they boys or girls, why are you so skinny, etc. etc. Questions, ok, I'll put up with them, but the older generation of Latin men and women think it is ok to touch and even pick up my babies. Many times at the park I'll look over to see my son sitting on the hip of some other lady who is rambling on about how big and strong he is (or she's saying his ears look funny, I don't know their spanish is too fast). I know the instant someone picks my daughter up because I can hear the screams from miles away.
I'll give you two examples from my day today. First, I was at the grocery store when I briefly turned my back in the produce section. I hear an "AHHHHHHHHHH" and I turn around to see two mamacitas about an inch away from both of the babies faces. They've handed my son an apple and he is ferociously attempting to shove it in his mouth. My daughter has already thrown her apple on the floor and is reaching up for me (Save me save me!). I pull the stroller back and the ladies say to me (what I can briefly catch), that they are beautiful, he is big, she needs to eat. I politely smile and run to the freezer section now with a slobbery apple that I did not intend to purchase.
Second, a roof repairman comes to my house today to try and fix the roof (AGAIN). He walks in the house and sees my son. EYE! K LEENDO! He scoops him up and sort of tosses him the air as if it was his long lost grandson. My son sort of looks at me like, um, mom..assault? I kindly take my son out of his hands and direct him back to where the leak is.
Where else in this world is it socially acceptable to hand someone else's child food or grab them and toss them in the air?!? The Latins here LOVE babies and are not afraid to show it. Unfortunately I don't LOVE them grabbing at my children. Maybe I'm stuck up (ok so I am) but I don't know when the last time you have washed your hands is or if you've had a flu shot.
Someday I'll be back in Texas and will probably have lots of laughs about how my children would go through attempted kidnapping on a daily basis. But until then, I need a giant, hands off! sign to hang around each of their necks.
Reduced to Poo: Part Too
It's over. I can't believe it. The THREE month battle with diarrhea is over. If your child has ever had it, you know it's awful. Now imagine it everyday, for three months straight, times two. Whatever it was, has finally run it's course and diaper changes are no longer traumatic events that occur hourly at this house. Thank you thank you poo gods.
Yeah, they do that here (especially my grandma). But mostly to other latin babies because they don't know how the white people will react. Its bad joojoo (sp?) to compliment your babies without touching them. That is how my grandmother explains it anyway. Like if you were to tell another latin woman "my what a beautiful baby" and then not touch them and walk away...you might has well have said your compliment and then turn to someone else within earshot and said "that is one fugly baby". The touch of affection is just an way of expressing their sincerity of their compliment.
ReplyDeleteThat being said, I would completely freak out if our roof guy was playing with my baby and not shingles.