18 months old!!!!

Jordy turned 18 months old on July 8.  I cant hardly believe it!  We just had our check up this week since I was gone for the past 10 days.  I felt a little bad getting behind on his appointments but Justin assured me that is indeed a dumb thing to worry about!

We have a new doctor for Jordy so it was his first time meeting him and he said that he walks/runs great and seems to have great motor skills.  That made Coach Wieck very happy.  Daddy also got to experience the "lay down ON TOP of your child" during the shots this time.  Justin actually felt horrible because Jordy thought they were playing and was laughing up a storm.  So I'm sure those suckers hurt with his legs all tensed up.  He rebounded quickly!

He is 90th percentile for both height and weight.  He is officially MORE than half my height!  The only things he can't reach in the kitchen are the upper cabinets!

Here is our little cutie watching one of his Baby Einsteins!

 

He still doesn't really watch anything else on TV (besides the occasional Wheel of Fortune... yelling out D! D! D!) but he has been 'noticing' it more so we are keeping it off.  The other day a commercial came on where someone slapped someone else in the face and he about had a cow ("Mommy!! No No No!!!").  If you really just looked for it, it is shocking and annoying how much violence there really is on TV, even commercials!  Although he did stop everything when he heard Daddy on the news last night and was pretty excited to see his picture!  Here's that link in case you missed it!

Our boy is growing so fast, here's his little update:

Diaper size: 6

Clothes size: 2T

Sleeping:  Went through a tough phase but now seems mostly back to normal.  Naps are actually going great.  Takes him a little longer to wind down at night (it does not get dark here until about 10:15) and he has been walking about 5:30 am (ugh!).  But overall a great sleeper:) And still in the crib, thank God he hasn't figured out to get out of there.

Other accomplishments:  We've counted at least 60 words this little bugger says on a pretty regular basis.  He is putting 2 words together!  Some favorites are "no, me and mine!"  His newest words are "pool" and "wet"  and "Look!"  He also mimics everything, so watch out.  He can name just about everyone in our family.  He is VERY interested in what belongs to someone else "mommy shoes"  "grandpa truck".  Pretty excited and does a happy feet dance when you get him something he wants (legos out, drink of milk, whatever!)

And I'm not sure if we'd call this an accomplishment, but he is pretty good at throwing a little tantrum!  He kind of yelps like a scared puppy and throws his hands on the floor. So dramatic.  And annoying.

We did get the green light to start potty training, since he does tell us "poop" and "potty" and appears to know where it goes (other than a diaper) but we're not in a big rush.  If he tells me he has to go I put him up there but that's about as exciting as it's been.  Justin informed me that it's probably due to the "fresh air" of why he "goes" on the potty, not because he's figured it out.   

Other than that we are just enjoying the pool on our deck, taking walks, and having some family time every once in awhile.  The NAIA schedule is quite different than Division 1 or 2 in the summer and for that Jordy and I are thankful!  We know as far as a coach's family we have it made right now, so just loving the rest of summer before we ALL start a *new* school year.

Home Builds

Our mission group fundraised over $60,000 and thus we were able to buy the materials to build TWO houses in Chimbote as well as purchase and deliver 24 beds and stoves. Through Friends of Chimbote: Father Jacks mission, the families in need work through social workers and are on a "list" for receiving items purchased through different groups like ours. There are over 100 people on a list for home, bed, stoves, and more. 

We split into 2 groups for the home build. The first day was mostly tear down of delapitated shelter.  It's really indescribable the conditions the family was living in. The family was Clara, Miguel, their 6 children and one on the way due this month. The next two days were installing the studs, bamboo rods, and attaching estera walls with wire. We searched the neighborhood for bottle caps to act as washers to secure the nails (the trash on the street is also indescribable, along with the dogs/dung). Estera is a woven reed or hay type of material. Refer to the pictures, it's hard to describe exactly what it is. Luckily we had the funds to provide a roof that was metal rather than estera to keep the rain out. The previous estera was completely molded. We built three bedrooms onto the existing "galley kitchen" in quotes because there are no lights, stove, running water, appliances of any kind... A few Tupperware and cups with a 5 gallon plastic tub to collect water. Anyway, the walls created three separate bedroom spaces and a small living space. Then we had the privilege to deliver 2 beds an donated some sheets, towels, toothpaste toothbrushes and dishes. We got to return this morning and the priest blessed the home. The entire group was in tears!

It was a bittersweet feeling leaving, because Clara was so thrilled and appreciative but it felt like so much more was left undone. 2 beds for 8 people, dirt floor, contaminated water. But it was more a feeling of hope and fresh start. The family will continue to work with their social worker with upkeep of their house and beds (they are not allowed to sell their bed) and to find a source of income. 

Each delivery of bed or stove to other families was unique!  Each had a story. This afternoon we rented a couple buses to take some families to the Vivero, basically a fun park/play place. It will be nice to spend some time with them somewhere they don't normally get to go!

The front of the house we rebuilt 

Putting up the roof

Bamboo rods, framing the bedrooms

Cleaning out the girls bedroom

The kids (minus one). I hung out with them outside the house. Wendy is 17 and wants to be a teacher. We spent a lot of time with a Spanish-English dictionary.  She is a quick learner and was patient with my poor Spanish!  Although they were all pretty excited with what I did know. We also went through their new coloring books an said the Spanish and English word for each animal. I am pretty attached to them:) PS- Sergio is wearing a Hawkeye hat, thanks Jason Gulbranson!  They each have one to represent our beloved Iowa!

Regular street view. The houses in the background are 100% estera.

We travel to Lima tomorrow then fly out at 2:00 am. I am looking forward to seeing my baby boy and hubby!

Quick Chimbote update

Have been so busy an way too tired to blog everything!

The 2nd day a group of about 6 of us went to visit the hospice. Hospice is unique here because culturally the philosophy is that pain and suffering is natural at the end of life; and of corse te Hospice philosophy is to make as comfortable and pain free as possible an preserve dignity during last days if life. When we first arrived a woman was recieving her sacrament of Last Rites. She passed away and casket came in and casket came out. Burials are very fast in Chimbote because there is no embalming process. Then the family usually had about a month to save for a funeral. At the hospice we helped cut and fold gauze for dressings (in the states they come in pre packaged sterile bandages) and helped to lotion the skin of some residents. It was an indescribable experience for me because I originally planned to go to the school but at the last minute decided to try something a little different. I'm glad I did. I am not sure yet why I witnessed what I did but I know it was some reason. I will update more later on the house building!

Me and the kids after church. 

First full day in Chimbote, Peru

Yesterday we left Lima about 10 am for a long bus ride to Peru. It took about an hour to exit a city of 10 million!  Then another 6 hours up the coast of the Pacific to the city of Chimbote, a town of about 300,000. We were pleasantly surprised with the conditions of the bus!  I was expecting like rickety scary Indiana Jones bus with stray chickens clucking around:) It was a beautiful comfortable chartered bus. The volunteer coordinator for Friends of Chimbote, a 24 year old new college grad from Manchester, England, met us in Lima and has been assuring and translating for us. My college Spanish is coming in quite handy. I am so happy with all I remember and all I can understand!!!!!!  I don't conjugate many of the verbs correctly but people can understand what I'm getting at:):):);)

Here are so photos from the bus trip and first arriving in Chimbote

When we arrived the Chimbotanos were so welcoming and sweet, giving lots of hugs and kisses as we got off the bus and carrying our luggage. We are staying on the actual mission grounds in dorm style rooms. (None of the Chimbotanos live at the mission, they live in the barrios, except Maruja, the head cook, and Jaime, an older mentally retarded person). We have a bed, nightstand, lamp, and locker. Here is Karna sorting through her 95+ pounds of donations!

These beautiful crosses were made by Karnas father. Made with nails. I love them!!!!!!!!

Today we had opening prayer and breakfast. We eat all of our meals in the "Gringo room."  So far we've eaten spaghetti and garlic bread, rolls, eggs bacon, fresh fruit, BBQ chicken, rice, frenchfries, a broccoli chicken stir fry and green beans. They know what gringos like to eat!!!  Then we had an orientation, which was 5+ hour tour of the barrios of Chimbote with Katie, Fr Jack, and Jorge the Director of ACAF (social programs). 

I am even more excited and energized after learning more today. What drew me to Father Jacks mission is looking for more than just straight charity. I passionately believe that nothing is ever free, and simply giving money away is further handicapping. Friends of Chimbote has a strict policy that donations not be given directly to Chimbotanos. The mission is to transform the lives of the poor through education. Not just classroom education... There is daycare, early childhood, school tutoring, parenting classes, marriage support, drug rehab, vocational training, job training, and the newest program is micro lending... In short, for graduates of the "programs", a loan to start a business so they can use skills to make their own income.  WOW. There was cosmetology class, seeing/clothes making class, cooking/baking class, computer classes and more. Lucrative business possibility in Chimbote is the idea. Again, the testimonies of the adults in the classes so moving. And of course we visited the youth centers, and the barrios. The level of poverty was astounding. I was absolutely moved to tears. Here are the last photos of the day and hopefully I will blog more detail tomorrow. We start building homes tomorrow!!!!  Oh and I can't forget we spent some time in the school this evening(they go until 6 since siesta is 1-3) and they loved our photos of Jordy and Justin and singing songs with us. Hasta mañana, buenas noches!

The classes:

Arrived in Lima