xkcd: Grownups

This remains of my favorite comic strips, ever (and I don't have many):

 Visit xkcd for other lovely stuff! :)

About having cleft palate and babies being born 'perfect'...

This note arises today from a conversation had with a friend or two where we discussed an image that had two babies (one boy, one girl) that read: "All babies are born perfect! Keep them that way. Say no to circumcision." and its relation to other instances in which the word 'perfect' could take on many different meanings and incite a spectrum of consequences and reactions -including 'subjecting' (and depending on whom you ask and on what procedure, this can be an equally wonderful or horrid thing for you to do) the child to surgeries, etc. The  union of  the thoughts and feelings written here has been, for a long time -or 39 years I'd be willing to say, combining and multiplying its little gametes into the zygote in the womb of my conscious and subconscious brain and are now finally born. I suppose with a possibly more peculiar intensity than in many others', it's been quite the powerful and empowering gestation and birth -since I, myself, was born with a unilateral nose, palatal and lip cleft.

That said, damn it, I can't think that I wasn't 'perfect' to her, to my mom - let alone as her 3rd attempt to birth and the first 'successful' time at it (funny on the 'perfect' on more than one count, if you know ME, right? :P)

Incidentally, we had recently talked about her cesarean when she birthed me. It sounded like a very nice c/section, a humane one even.  One in which even the use of the anesthesia was carefully selected so she could be more present, etc. etc. (her OB had been through the miscarriages w/ her and they were very close), even! [Albeit the reason for having it! My butt was right on the opposite end of where it should have been (no.way. :P). I had actually disengaged from good ol' vertex and felt by her, obviously, just  the day before that)... 

That's where the 'nice' part ends in my head (no part of an unnecessary surgery is ever 'nice', is it?)... Because the next thing she knows after finding out I'm a girl is NOTHING. The gentle OB knocks her out. Why? Because he was so sad and upset for her, that after all her work, passion and care towards having children (as well as having another client next door to my mother - you know, one of those 'crack-head, clueless, lost and evil souls' [whom, while careless and irresponsible, apparently, must not 'deserve' a healthy child] with guess what? A 'perfect' and healthy child who was just born not an hour or two before me), he could not bring himself to tell my mother I was born and how wonderful, but - and quite the 'but' to be put out by anesthesia at his discretion- I had cleft palate.

I'm lucky and grateful - it now turns out, huh?! Please see more below on this - that I was able to have the large number  of surgeries (and performed by some of the best surgeons in Mexico City) AND the incredibly ARDUOUS, physical, and emotional work of my mother with my speech. People my age with cleft palate, to the degree with which I was born, mostly don't look or sound the way I do at all. This I owe to the surgeries (cosmetic or not) and my Mom. 

So, no, I don't have much of a cleft palate semblance. In fact, what I often get asked (first tip that tells you people don't get it's cleft palate :P) is if I fell off a bicycle or if I just plain fell when i was a kid. People who realize it's a cleft or are plainly afraid, for any reason, don't ask. :P Which brings me back to the above discussion. I am completely grateful AND privileged for 'being subjected' to the surgeries. I cannot imagine what my mother had to endure as a mother and as the 'everything else' that such required (i.e. becoming a speech therapist, urologist, etc. just without the recognition of a diploma for any part of it). So while I was 'subjected' in that I had no decision/input on it, I still am grateful. Is having the pseudo 'normal' appearance and further 'generally accepted' worth it? Sure as shit. 

I cannot imagine the innate suffering and guilt of the mothers (whether from the physical demands of a health issue with a child with such condition, nor from the inherent guilt that comes with it. reasonable or not.) - and of, more specifically, mine - who have to go through this: through DECIDING for the life of the child, these types of decisions (even more so than in a generally healthy-kid parenting scenario requires, is given and should be taken for granted as that's parenting, etc.). So many implications and possible horrid or wonderful consequences for having to do that, you know? For example: 

-In terms of basic health (she obviously couldn't directly breastfeed, which my mother wanted to do, nor had support around her to feed me breastmilk otherwise). Here, I can easily imagine additional, inherent guilt. 

-In term of aesthetics and its cosmetic procedures (I can, again, easily imagine that one couldn't help but think, as a parent of this child, that she has now this additional burden with which to contend -once passed the immediate shock and dire health-related issue resolved - in how s/he'll fair as a potential mate. I'd say it is a primal human concern to find a suitable and healthy potential sexual candidate and these clear physical characteristics indicate the presence of an 'unhealthful' person [meaning, w/o being capable to suckle on milk, I would have died in the animal Queingdom (how's that for an awesome combo and *almost, but not quite* all- inclusive term :P), right?]. And while it could be interpreted as frivolous to an extent, it then could also be traded off as a basic health need, as well?? Notwithstanding the societal pressures or realities of being defect-less to add to the lovely mix.

So, for the extraordinary (literally) and seemingly endless nights of tears, for the momentary relief, for the forced gratitude to life in such hard circumstances you had to show and convince yourself to feel, for the plain and almost unbearable suffering and guilt which only made you fight harder, and for the doubtful moments you went through whether for me or for those who are not in your attempts at becoming a mother before me, Mom, I THANK you. I can never thank you adequately for teaching me how to be so strong and confident; how to find that, yes, while the probably frivolous touch of surgery has made me a more 'viable' human, I am a worthy human regardless.  For showing me what light looked like:  ¡Te adoro, Mami!

Thank you for reading, you made it this far.  :)

(For the reason to write this, as for so many others, thank you:  Monica W.)

Human milk sharing and Human Milk 4 Human Babies! HM4HB!!

Hey everyone... long time, no write.

Just want to be sure that the few of you who read and might have a freezer stash you'd hate to see wasted or need human milk  b/c for whatever the reason you don't have it,  know about HM4HB. There are over 130 community pages in all the U.S. and it spans over 50 countries now!!!

It's been amazing to see women fathom and be willing to, actually, help another baby/parent in need via their milk. It's truly my honor to be involved with such a powerful and empowering group of people, mostly women, who generously give their time, their love, and their life-sustaining mother's milk.

I present to you our network:



Human Milk 4 Human Babies Global Network! This name illustrates our mission clearly and effectively. We continue to provide a space where families in need can connect with mothers who have surplus milk.

Thank you for playing a part in our continued success. We invite you to join us on our new community page. “See” you there! Click on the image to find your local community! :)

Oil in the Gulf

about emma's soul....

Happy Summer-Ade Stand day, dearest Emma! Your mom is so lucky to have you.

Free Thought Manifesto: Obama Quietly Backs PATRIOT Act Provisions

Such an interesting read and full of disappointment and lack of surprise! And to think, I am a resident alien....

Free Thought Manifesto: Obama Quietly Backs PATRIOT Act Provisions

yes, you can VBAC!

If you're pregnant (or your partner is) I'd strongly encourage you to visit this site. Inform yourself on what a cesarean can do and cannot do. And, most importantly and hopefully, trust the human body to perform what it can! With passion and commitment because I know how enormous the difference in the birth experience and feelings between a cesarean and a vaginal birth is, I introduce to you ICAN (the International Cesarean Awareness Network):




I have applied to volunteer for them, we shall see! :D

Latest art work

Here's a few I've managed to scan so far. Still working on the online gallery (somehow, I'm not able to get the photos to show yet) and hopefully, I'll have something up soon. :)

For now, I hope you enjoy these few. Do let me know what you think!

Infant Mortality Awareness month is September!

And I shall begin writing again with such motivations! This is an excellent video packed with information. If you're pregnant, you owe it to yourself and baby to watch!

Reducing Infant Mortality from Debby Takikawa on Vimeo.

what joy they give!

So it's been a while, again. :) I'm happy to report all's well and life continues in a lovely way.

For now, without further detail, allow me to share what a friend's talent photographed a couple of days ago when we were plain hanging out! :) Forgive me for just good ol' braggin', but aren't they delicious??? And isn't her eye a good one? Thanks for looking! :D

Now and always...

re·sur·gence (r-sûrjns) Courtesy of www.thefreedictionary.com

n.

1. A continuing after interruption; a renewal.

2. A restoration to use, acceptance, activity, or vigor; a revival

i
you
we

where did my art go?

it felt great to draw for the first time in a loooong, long time (months? years?).
i'm not impressed, but i'm happy something did come out of my fingers and brain.

baby steps, baby steps.

maybe you'll enjoy it?

hi again, blogland, it's also been a while!
xo

ah, les enfants!

but what can i say... j'aime la langue française et ces petits enfants! :D let alone a good story... wow.

Once upon a time... from Capucha on Vimeo.

Hope you enjoy!

what dreams are made of....

cotton candy...? paris? sushi? familiar [non]faces & places?

or perhaps that thing that would give me the peace, motivation and happiness to be every day no matter who, what and where?

mmm-mmmmmm-hmmmmmmmm!!

that's what dreams are made of.
:)

horizons

i once painted a horizon askew. my professor was appalled -
"You know horizons do NOT look like that."

here's to you, Mr. B....



happy, fall, crispy, airy day to you.

change...

Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1) - Cite This Source - Share This

change     Audio Help   [cheynj] Pronunciation Key - Show IPA Pronunciation verb,changed, chang·ing, noun

–verb (used with object)

1.	to make the form, nature, content, future course, etc., of (something) different from what it is or from what it would be if left alone: to change one's name; to change one's opinion; to change the course of history.

2.	to transform or convert (usually fol. by into): The witch changed the prince into a toad.

3.	to substitute another or others for; exchange for something else, usually of the same kind: She changed her shoes when she got home from the office.

4.	to give and take reciprocally; interchange: to change places with someone.

5.	to transfer from one (conveyance) to another: You'll have to change planes in Chicago.

6.	to give or get smaller money in exchange for: to change a five-dollar bill.

7.	to give or get foreign money in exchange for: to change dollars into francs.

8.	to remove and replace the covering or coverings of: to change a bed; to change a baby.

–verb (used without object)

9.	to become different: Overnight the nation's mood changed.

10.	to become altered or modified: Colors change if they are exposed to the sun.

11.	to become transformed or converted (usually fol. by into): The toad changed into a prince again.

12.	to pass gradually into (usually fol. by to or into): Summer changed to autumn.

13.	to make a change or an exchange: If you want to sit next to the window, I'll change with you.

14.	to transfer between trains or other conveyances: We can take the local and change to an express at the next stop.

15.	to change one's clothes: She changed into jeans.

16.	(of the moon) to pass from one phase to another.

17.	(of the voice) to become deeper in tone; come to have a lower register:The boy's voice began to change when he was thirteen.

–noun

18.	the act or fact of changing; fact of being changed.

19.	a transformation or modification; alteration: They noticed the change in his facial expression.

20.	a variation or deviation: a change in the daily routine.

21.	the substitution of one thing for another: We finally made the change to an oil-burning furnace.

22.	variety or novelty: Let's try a new restaurant for a change.

23.	the passing from one place, state, form, or phase to another: a change of seasons; social change.

24.	Jazz. harmonic progression from one tonality to another; modulation.

25.	the supplanting of one thing by another.

26.	anything that is or may be substituted for another.

27.	a fresh set of clothing.

28.	money given in exchange for an equivalent of higher denomination.

29.	a balance of money that is returned when the sum tendered in payment is larger than the sum due.

30.	coins of low denomination.

31.	any of the various sequences in which a peal of bells may be rung.

32.	Also,'change. British. exchange (def. 10).

33.	Obsolete. changefulness; caprice.

a few days in this lovely July...

i hope to see frogs soon! :) and well it's those little things that can make me happy.

Your yard, his sign!

Hi...

For those who might enjoy a sign or two: Check out this awesome online exhibition co-sponsored by the wonderful Walker Arts Center in Minneapolis.

And yes, my vested interest is in my husband's artwork!!!

Vote here or click on the image above for one or - better yet! :) - all four of his signs on exhibit. (Please click on "Vote on and View Signs"; then, "View Thumbnails" to peruse and vote. Voting closes end of July. Oh, it does require a quick & safe registration login to vote, but no big thing nor will they spam).

Lovely Tuesday to all. :)

Today's dinner: Manicotti Stuffed with Curried Cream Cheesy Slaw Au Gratin

title... long enough for you guys? in my effort to catch up with blog-land, i shall share today's impromptu lunch/dinner. but do expect it to be posted on the 'official food blog' and NB's. Oh the joy of a few birds with one stone...

the verdict: mmmmmm, it *was* tasty, if i may say so myself! :P but it truly was lovingly approved - as evidenced by the almost empty pyrex and clean plates my children and husband brought back to the kitchen! :)

Ingredients:

- Manicotti pasta - boiled in salt & extra virgin olive oil water

I used maybe 3/4 of an Italian package found on sale at BigLots, or about 16-18 'pipes'. Tip: always hit BL's int'l. & organic section, if you have one near you. mad deals, i tell ya!!)

- 1 container (over 250 grs?) of Cream Cheese - softened

I took it out of its container and placed it in a bowl next to the boiling pasta until needed.

- 1 bag of 'Veggie Slaw' (broccoli, carrots, red cabbage)

I used, b/c I got lucky - organic & store brand sale of the week, whew! go local groc. store of mine! But here you could use any vegetables to be found in your drawers, i.e. spinach, onions, ummm, you name it.

- Cheese for gratin

I used the usual fave Quesadilla shredded variety, but knock yourself out.

- Bacon & its grease
Omit for vegetarian version and use your favorite oil (coconut is extremely good for you

- Seasonings & Spices:

lemon pepper salt, celery salt, curry powder

Method(?):

While water is boiling for pasta, cut bacon into tiny pieces and fry or place your favorite oil to heat if going Veggie.

Sauté slaw on high heat, on the bacon & its grease.

Sprinkle with spices' goodness.

Fold in cream cheese.

Stuff pasta and cover with shredded cheese, ajavascript:void(0)nd broil just enough to get the cheese golden.

Enjoy! :D

art by Emma!

Here's a "Happy Flower With Leaves" (as titled by the artist):



I dare someone tell me Art cannot be used for therapy, lol! Check her title out!

"Ghost Bunny with Vaccines, But He's OK" (and yes, ugh to me, Ghost Bunny=TV)



I love you Emma!!!!