Wednesday, December 23, 2009
Merry Christmas from the Solis Family!
Here's our Christmas newsletter...you can click on the image to see it in larger format.
Monday, December 21, 2009
Michael's Vocabulary
We still haven't quite figured out which word was really and truly Michael's first (he started saying da-da several months ago yet it seemed to be his general word for everything so I don't think a word counts until there's evidence he knows exactly what it means!), but here are the few words he's using so far...
Da-da (usually said excitedly)
Ma (more acurately--Maaaaaaaaaaa!-- whiny "I-want-this-now" voice...sheesh!)
Tee (Trinity, the name of one of his cousins)
Pa (Grandma, Grandpa)
shoes
ba (bottle, bath, ball, balloon)
go (usually said in threes--"go, go, go!"--complete with pumping hand motions)
muh (more/mas (?), music, mouth)
agua (water, milk, juice, dog pee)
wow-wow (dog or anything furry/moving that could remotely resemble a dog)
uh-oh (something he's saying more and more these days) :)
eye
ee (ear)
duh (diaper)
boom (the sound effect that accompanies his jab, taught by Daddy & Uncle Jason)
boo (book)
ot (hot)
apple
up
I didn't realize there were so many recognizable words he IS using! He still doesn't say "no" but has mastered a vigorous head-shake and swipe of the hand that communicates the sentiment perfectly. I'm still waiting for an obedient "yes" or head-nod--none yet. Some other fun things...he knows that when you say "bye" he is to wave and blow a kiss. If I tell him we're going to brush his teeth, change his diaper, etc, he knows exactly which room to go to (though the cooperation usually ends there). :) I can tell him to pick a book, get his bottle, give me a hug (that one's hit and miss), fold his arms for prayer (also hit and miss), and a few other commands he responds to pretty consistently. And, well, if his needs aren't understood with his few words and hand motions, Michael is quickly mastering the art of the temper tantrum--aaah...toddlerhood.
Da-da (usually said excitedly)
Ma (more acurately--Maaaaaaaaaaa!-- whiny "I-want-this-now" voice...sheesh!)
Tee (Trinity, the name of one of his cousins)
Pa (Grandma, Grandpa)
shoes
ba (bottle, bath, ball, balloon)
go (usually said in threes--"go, go, go!"--complete with pumping hand motions)
muh (more/mas (?), music, mouth)
agua (water, milk, juice, dog pee)
wow-wow (dog or anything furry/moving that could remotely resemble a dog)
uh-oh (something he's saying more and more these days) :)
eye
ee (ear)
duh (diaper)
boom (the sound effect that accompanies his jab, taught by Daddy & Uncle Jason)
boo (book)
ot (hot)
apple
up
I didn't realize there were so many recognizable words he IS using! He still doesn't say "no" but has mastered a vigorous head-shake and swipe of the hand that communicates the sentiment perfectly. I'm still waiting for an obedient "yes" or head-nod--none yet. Some other fun things...he knows that when you say "bye" he is to wave and blow a kiss. If I tell him we're going to brush his teeth, change his diaper, etc, he knows exactly which room to go to (though the cooperation usually ends there). :) I can tell him to pick a book, get his bottle, give me a hug (that one's hit and miss), fold his arms for prayer (also hit and miss), and a few other commands he responds to pretty consistently. And, well, if his needs aren't understood with his few words and hand motions, Michael is quickly mastering the art of the temper tantrum--aaah...toddlerhood.
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
Home Sick
I'm home sick with the most horrendous (cough cough) sounding cough ever (truly straight from hell) that doesn't seem to be going away any time soon. All my stomach muscles ache terribly, I'm sick of throwing up (not because I'm actually sick to my stomach but from so much coughing!), I am sick of literally peeing my pants from such intense coughing (yes it's TMI but must be included to illustrate how ridiculous this is!) and I treasure the occasional 2 - 3 minutes of "down time" when my body is NOT taken over by a fit of coughing. Is this a "nobody-likes-me-everybody (cough cough) hates-me-I-think-I'll-go-eat-worms" (cough cough) moment or what?
My baby boy is now 1 (gotta get pics up, though first I better send the thank yous!) and has been walking for about 6 weeks now. He seems like he's on the brink of saying real word or two--right now it's lots of babbling and lots of different sounds but no real evidence that when he says da-da or ma-ma that he REALLY knows what he's saying yet. Pretty soon, hopefully!
School's been in session for over 2 weeks now--I have a lot to catch up on in my other blog concerning the launch of two-way immersion. What an undertaking! (cough cough)
My baby boy is now 1 (gotta get pics up, though first I better send the thank yous!) and has been walking for about 6 weeks now. He seems like he's on the brink of saying real word or two--right now it's lots of babbling and lots of different sounds but no real evidence that when he says da-da or ma-ma that he REALLY knows what he's saying yet. Pretty soon, hopefully!
School's been in session for over 2 weeks now--I have a lot to catch up on in my other blog concerning the launch of two-way immersion. What an undertaking! (cough cough)
Sunday, July 19, 2009
New Blog: Bilingual Ed
For anyone interested in issues of bilingual education, I've started a new blog about my school's upcoming launch of two-way immersion: http://two-way-launch.blogspot.com/
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
5K Here I Come
I decided yesterday that it was time to "ponerme las pilas" (literally: put the batteries in me; in other words: get fired up, get energized, recommit, etc) and really get active again. So...I created a VERY transitional 10 week plan that should take me from my current all-but-completely-sedentary state to running a 5K--something I did periodically in college but something I haven't done in at least 2 years. For the most part I've really done a better job with my eating since spring break, but you can only go so far with food while still sitting on the couch. Less computer, more exercise!
I was showing my plan to Sergio and told him I wanted to sign up for an August 29th run here in Mission, and he said he wanted to do it too, which only makes me that much more excited! We've got a lot to do before August 29th!
I was showing my plan to Sergio and told him I wanted to sign up for an August 29th run here in Mission, and he said he wanted to do it too, which only makes me that much more excited! We've got a lot to do before August 29th!
Monday, June 29, 2009
Vacation Exhilaration & July 4th Musings
I went to bed last night with the exciting feeling that I still have an entire week of vacation ahead of me. It's been a wonderfully relaxing holiday so far. I've pampered myself here and there with a manicure, pedicure, and highlights/haircut. I've got several massage gift certificates yet to redeem--will do that Wednesday or Thursday. Serg and I took Michael for his first beach outing--priceless!
We'll be taking him again as we spend the July 4th weekend back at South Padre Island; Sergio's mom was able to rent a beachfront condo from a friend for Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Total relaxation!!
It will take me back to our 4th of July celebrations with Grandma and Grandpa Dolman at the beach house on Rincon--celebrations and traditions that turned July 4th into my all-time favorite holiday (yup, it even beat Christmas!) and left me with unforgettable family memories and a deep and sincere love for my country. It's exhilirating to feel such passion for my country and to manifest it through (among many ways) the traditional red-white-and-blue, John-Phillips-Sousa, hat-off-for-The-Star-Spangled-Banner outward shows of patriotism. It 's something that's often equated with what many of my peers consider "unenlightened," didactic, and religious-right conservatism, and their tendency to steer clear of traditional manifestations of American patriotism has given me the chance to think carefully through these traditions and decide what I do or don't want to pass on to my own children. I've concluded that what I feel is a very real patriotism that I've never found incompatible with my political positions regardless of how far right or left I lean on any issue. Nor have I ever struggled to reconcile it with my Australian-American dual citizenship. Getting chills as I listen to the national anthem, insisting that we begin every day at school with the pledge of allegiance, sporting red, white and blue clothing every July 4th, attending patriotic breakfasts and parades, raising the flag in the morning and folding it carefully after retiring it before sundown...all surface-level manifestations of a much deeper love for a country I firmly believe was founded on inspired principles by very imperfect but visionary men. Is it a perfect union? Not even close. Is it a more perfect union than it was 50, 100, 250 years ago? I like to think so. Is there much in terms of policy and politics that I disagree with? Absolutely. However, that's what I feel like I'm celebrating with my outward patriotic displays--the fact that I live in a country where so much happens that I do disagree with, yet I remain consistently inspired by the fact that I and my opponents on issues can argue, debate, demonstrate, and disagree to our heart's content. I hope those who consider such outward shows of patriotism to be ignorant or out-of-style will realize that they don't represent a platform or right/left position but are displays of loyalty and hope for a country that, in spite of its rough and rocky history, has produced visionary men and women each generation who had the courage and freedom to effect deep societal and political change, pushing our nation--ever so slowly but surely--toward fulfilling the ideals that were once simply words on paper.
I'm not your typical straight-ticket democrat or republican...I think less and less of my generation are. I get annoyed with people who try to define me or put me in an ideological box, because it's an outdated framework. Let me lean a little to the left while I simultaneously raise my American flag with pride, sing God Bless America with gusto, and work hard to be a devout and sincere Mormon. I will praise the current administration's stand on education and criticize what I consider complete inaction in the international arena. Some things are black and white in my world, others are not. No matter what, don't underestimate the importance of what happened 233 years ago this Saturday and don't be fooled by those who would have you believe that being proud to be American is backward, ignorant, or out of date.
We'll be taking him again as we spend the July 4th weekend back at South Padre Island; Sergio's mom was able to rent a beachfront condo from a friend for Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Total relaxation!!
It will take me back to our 4th of July celebrations with Grandma and Grandpa Dolman at the beach house on Rincon--celebrations and traditions that turned July 4th into my all-time favorite holiday (yup, it even beat Christmas!) and left me with unforgettable family memories and a deep and sincere love for my country. It's exhilirating to feel such passion for my country and to manifest it through (among many ways) the traditional red-white-and-blue, John-Phillips-Sousa, hat-off-for-The-Star-Spangled-Banner outward shows of patriotism. It 's something that's often equated with what many of my peers consider "unenlightened," didactic, and religious-right conservatism, and their tendency to steer clear of traditional manifestations of American patriotism has given me the chance to think carefully through these traditions and decide what I do or don't want to pass on to my own children. I've concluded that what I feel is a very real patriotism that I've never found incompatible with my political positions regardless of how far right or left I lean on any issue. Nor have I ever struggled to reconcile it with my Australian-American dual citizenship. Getting chills as I listen to the national anthem, insisting that we begin every day at school with the pledge of allegiance, sporting red, white and blue clothing every July 4th, attending patriotic breakfasts and parades, raising the flag in the morning and folding it carefully after retiring it before sundown...all surface-level manifestations of a much deeper love for a country I firmly believe was founded on inspired principles by very imperfect but visionary men. Is it a perfect union? Not even close. Is it a more perfect union than it was 50, 100, 250 years ago? I like to think so. Is there much in terms of policy and politics that I disagree with? Absolutely. However, that's what I feel like I'm celebrating with my outward patriotic displays--the fact that I live in a country where so much happens that I do disagree with, yet I remain consistently inspired by the fact that I and my opponents on issues can argue, debate, demonstrate, and disagree to our heart's content. I hope those who consider such outward shows of patriotism to be ignorant or out-of-style will realize that they don't represent a platform or right/left position but are displays of loyalty and hope for a country that, in spite of its rough and rocky history, has produced visionary men and women each generation who had the courage and freedom to effect deep societal and political change, pushing our nation--ever so slowly but surely--toward fulfilling the ideals that were once simply words on paper.
I'm not your typical straight-ticket democrat or republican...I think less and less of my generation are. I get annoyed with people who try to define me or put me in an ideological box, because it's an outdated framework. Let me lean a little to the left while I simultaneously raise my American flag with pride, sing God Bless America with gusto, and work hard to be a devout and sincere Mormon. I will praise the current administration's stand on education and criticize what I consider complete inaction in the international arena. Some things are black and white in my world, others are not. No matter what, don't underestimate the importance of what happened 233 years ago this Saturday and don't be fooled by those who would have you believe that being proud to be American is backward, ignorant, or out of date.
Sunday, May 31, 2009
Recent Pics
I realized I've been posting all sorts of random thought and events, but without pics of my bub! Milestones reached during the past month (or so)...
* Crawls at breakneck speed
* Pulls himself up to a standing position
* Takes steps to move around furniture (as look as he's holding on with at least one hand)
* Climbs over anything and everything he possibly can (thank goodness no attempts to climb out of the crib have been made yet)
* Claps his hands
* Tries to wave when we wave to him...concentrates ever so hard, wiggles his hand ever so slightly and then finally claps instead of wave
* Weighs in at a little over 22 pounds
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