I'm not sure when (or if) your husband's family is supposed to start feeling like your own. After four years of marriage (and one kid), it's definitely happened for me.
This weekend, Kelvin had a conference for his leadership fellowship in San Francisco. Since we are trying to get his mom (who has been living with us and watching Iver for the past six months) back home periodically to be reunited with her friends/church/culture/family, we decided that I would accompany her down to OC.
Bà nội (grandma) is sooo great with Iver, and I can't imagine anyone loving our little guy more. While of course, I adore my own parents (who, alas, live on the other coast and who we don't see quite as often), Thao has become like a mom to me. At one point, it might have seemed weird to me to go down to stay and visit with my in-laws (siblings-in-law, and parents) without my hubby. It certainly doesn't now. I love my in-laws for many reasons, among them:
- Their complete selfnessness. My mother-in-law is always making sure that I (and her other kids) are well fed and taken care of, before she ever thinks of herself. She will often (this weekend included) suggest that I go take a nap (or eat first, go for a run, or whatever) while she watches Iver for a little bit more. Katherine took off work on Friday, partly so she could shuttle me to meet up with Debbie, Rick and Ruth. Kelvin's Dad is always jumping at the chance to walk and take care of Pepper, our "other" child, so that I have less to do. He also offered to make me coffee every morning I was in their home.
- They are very timely, organized, and responsible. I know that no one will drop the ball on airport pick-ups, appointments, or anything at all, which makes going places with them very stress-free.
- They love to eat (as do I). We definitely get along well in this department.
- They are polite and encouraging when I try to say the Vietnamese words that I've picked up from Thao, and always translate for me when fast Vietnamese is flying between them, making me feel included even though I'm the only one who doesn't speak the language
- They love Iver to the moon and back. It is so sweet seeing his paternal grandparents (and aunties/uncle) treat him like the most special boy on the planet!
The (made into a long) weekend was a nice getaway. While I knew that the car ride there from Humboldt to the Bay Area would be probably the biggest travel challenge due to our squirmy guy (the last time we made this drive, Iver was only 10 weeks old), it (due to strategic nap-deprivation and sleep-induced driving) went better than I had anticipated, due to longer-than-average sleep times in the carseat. There was quite a bit of bored/trapped screaming, for sure, but it lasted for less than an hour each way.
There was one poop explosion (but thanks to regular use of the morning baby potty and cloth diaper covers, it did not occur on the plane, which was a huge fear of mine!).
There was one baby-hand-in-hot-soup (the last time I'd take Iver to a restaurant, I vowed!) with ensuing screaming (but no noticeable burns).
There was being-a-single-parent-for-the-weekend at night and dealing with the increased (it was about five times each night) night-wakings that perhaps were to be expected from an unfamiliar environment, altered schedule, and overstimulation (or 9-month sleep regression?).
But it was wonderful to just be and be with family that I truly feel is like my own. We shared good meals, good bonding time with the babies, some wedding dress shopping (for Katherine), and good laughs. Here are some good pictures and videos...
I'm so lucky to have such a great family! I only hope Kelvin feels (or can some day feel) the same way about "my side."
This weekend, Kelvin had a conference for his leadership fellowship in San Francisco. Since we are trying to get his mom (who has been living with us and watching Iver for the past six months) back home periodically to be reunited with her friends/church/culture/family, we decided that I would accompany her down to OC.
Bà nội (grandma) is sooo great with Iver, and I can't imagine anyone loving our little guy more. While of course, I adore my own parents (who, alas, live on the other coast and who we don't see quite as often), Thao has become like a mom to me. At one point, it might have seemed weird to me to go down to stay and visit with my in-laws (siblings-in-law, and parents) without my hubby. It certainly doesn't now. I love my in-laws for many reasons, among them:
- Their complete selfnessness. My mother-in-law is always making sure that I (and her other kids) are well fed and taken care of, before she ever thinks of herself. She will often (this weekend included) suggest that I go take a nap (or eat first, go for a run, or whatever) while she watches Iver for a little bit more. Katherine took off work on Friday, partly so she could shuttle me to meet up with Debbie, Rick and Ruth. Kelvin's Dad is always jumping at the chance to walk and take care of Pepper, our "other" child, so that I have less to do. He also offered to make me coffee every morning I was in their home.
- They are very timely, organized, and responsible. I know that no one will drop the ball on airport pick-ups, appointments, or anything at all, which makes going places with them very stress-free.
- They love to eat (as do I). We definitely get along well in this department.
- They are polite and encouraging when I try to say the Vietnamese words that I've picked up from Thao, and always translate for me when fast Vietnamese is flying between them, making me feel included even though I'm the only one who doesn't speak the language
- They love Iver to the moon and back. It is so sweet seeing his paternal grandparents (and aunties/uncle) treat him like the most special boy on the planet!
The (made into a long) weekend was a nice getaway. While I knew that the car ride there from Humboldt to the Bay Area would be probably the biggest travel challenge due to our squirmy guy (the last time we made this drive, Iver was only 10 weeks old), it (due to strategic nap-deprivation and sleep-induced driving) went better than I had anticipated, due to longer-than-average sleep times in the carseat. There was quite a bit of bored/trapped screaming, for sure, but it lasted for less than an hour each way.
There was one poop explosion (but thanks to regular use of the morning baby potty and cloth diaper covers, it did not occur on the plane, which was a huge fear of mine!).
There was one baby-hand-in-hot-soup (the last time I'd take Iver to a restaurant, I vowed!) with ensuing screaming (but no noticeable burns).
There was being-a-single-parent-for-the-weekend at night and dealing with the increased (it was about five times each night) night-wakings that perhaps were to be expected from an unfamiliar environment, altered schedule, and overstimulation (or 9-month sleep regression?).
But it was wonderful to just be and be with family that I truly feel is like my own. We shared good meals, good bonding time with the babies, some wedding dress shopping (for Katherine), and good laughs. Here are some good pictures and videos...
At Katherine and Eddie's for dinner on Thursday
Fake cry
At Kenn and Lisa's
More cousin time with Kingston!
Moody!
Swinging in the warm night
Papaya! (Iver is over spoon-feeding)
with Auntie Katherine
love these two humans (as well as these smiles, and that you can see his teeth!)
With Theresa, other adoring auntie
I'm so lucky to have such a great family! I only hope Kelvin feels (or can some day feel) the same way about "my side."
1 comment:
THIS IS how I feel about JB's family. It is not weird that they are with me here because they are really the same as my family.
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