wandering pains and a VIP

I've had some weird ailments these past two weeks. That's not too unusual for me, since my auto-immune excitement years ago. My body likes to "go rogue." I am definitely getting more objective about it, though it's no less annoying. Last Monday I took a yoga class with a different teacher. It was tiring, a real workout, but I felt fine afterwards. I actually felt great as the day wore on. Then the next morning I awoke with a twinge in my right shoulder, which has happened before. It's a leftover from previously mentioned auto-immunity. It worsened as the day went by, and by evening, I was in intense pain if I tried to move my arm. Which I do quite a lot. So there was that. Resting and a yoga class with my regular teacher this Saturday have almost completely put that pain to rest. But pain must relocate and travel with an auto-immune disorder, so now my neck and ear are p-ing me off, and I'm losing my voice. That happened sometime between last night in bed and this morning when I awoke. I sound a little like Jessica Rabbit, except I produce more phlegm. Mmmmm, phlegm! Enough comedy jokes! Onto the boys! Habtamu is VIP this week in his class. Each child gets an opportunity to be VIP. The kids can bring in a favorite book, food, activity, music, etc. to share each day with their class. Their family members are also invited to visit and talk about the VIP. The first day he brought in an I SPY book. It's not his favorite (that would be the Bible. I'll do a separate post about that one!), but he rightly thought it would be a fun book to share. Today he brought in a loaf of Ethiopian honey dabo (bread) that he and Lire and I baked yesterday. It's from this wonderful cookbook, which I highly recommend, even if you have no ties to Africa. He also brought in Sorene, the Ethiopian children's folk CD we have. He didn't tell me whether or not they listened to it today, and I kept meaning to ask but then he lied to me about the gum he illicitly chewed before dinner, so I got distracted. Any-who, tomorrow I'm going to visit his class with his brother. We are going to do a craft project (his request), and look briefly at his lifebook again. We are going to focus on different houses -- those we saw in Ethiopia, the one we live in here, probably a few others from other areas of the world. Then we will make a simple origami house which the kids can later decorate with collage paper and colored pencils. It's a cute project, and the kids like to decorate it inside and out. Maia, as for the reception of his lifebook last week -- I have almost no info. His teacher was absent that day, and when asked about it, Habtamu replied, "I forget." Did anyone ask any questions? "I forget." Do you remember which pages you looked at? "uhm, no." We're not sure if it's a true loss of memory or a self-defense mechanism. He is definitely more self-conscious about being Ethiopian and adopted than he was last year, so we're watching as he feels his way around. I'm hoping to see how he feels about it tomorrow and even more hopefully that we'll talk about it. It was his idea to bring it, so we'll see. On Thursday he will take the day off to go to NYC with us, and then on Friday Dad will visit school and look at a book about NYC with the kids and talk about our trip. If my cold progresses unfavorably, I may stay home, as I tend to experience extreme illness unless I rest at the beginning of it.

And now for some eye candy from this past Sunday's flurry-licious frolics! Brothers and C3PO (that is a tongue-twister for Habtam, btw! -- he says "3CPO")

Comments

[Heidi]

I'm catching up after a bit. Sure hope you are able to rest (can mothers do that?) as needed and feel better soon! Sorry about the in-law (or as I say "out-law") stuff. Rude behavior on their part - OMG! As you may recall, I have some out-law issues too and can relate. What I've discovered is, there is no "right' way to respond. The only thing you can do it try to stay true to yourself, and do the best for you and the kids, which it sounds like you did. I am sorry though, as I know the stress it causes (to the mind and body!).
The kids are adorable and their stories recently so very cute and memorable. Last week my 6 year old was proposed to. You just have to love these days! Love to hear how the class VIP did this week. Have fun in NYC!
Again, feel better!!!

[Stacy]

Hey Erin, feel better!!!
The boys look so good in red! Red is such a good color for little guys, isn't it? Hope H enjoys his VIP status. In our school it's "Star of the Week," although VIP sound much "hipper."
Feel good!
Stacy

[mary]

hi erin,

hope you feel better. i enjoy your posts and pics as always. i was wondering how the dinner thing is going with the habtam. remember your post quite awhile ago about that? we're in the process of adopting from ethiopia and i want to be prepared for anything! also, i was wondering if either of the boys has said anything about not liking their skin color. i've seen other bloggers mention that with their kids and i was wondering how you'd handle the situation. if i recall you're in a more diverse area, yes? which i think would help immensely.
also, thanks for the cookbook . love it.

[Anna]

Hi Erin,

Those boys are getting handsomer and handsomer as each month passes.

Hope you're doing better, a couple of my friends have auto-immune diseases and they s*** big time.

Great for Habtam being VIP of the Week! Both boys seem to be doing so well...great parents = great kids, IMHO.

take care,
Anna