Sunday, June 4, 2006
Only one visit at the O this morning since it’s Sunday. Din is rid of his fever (sheer will I believe) and was well enough to come along. Yesterday I taught Tristan how to stick his tongue out when I do. He thinks this is very funny - I think he’s the smartest kid on earth. It’s amazing the small triumphs that really matter in this developmental progression thing.
As you can see from the photos, poor kid had a run in with mosquitoes last night. We walked in this morning and all of the children were just covered in bites. It doesn’t seem to bother them but totally freaks out all the parents (except us of course – we New Orleanians are used to such things!).
So I wanted to mention the paraffin and massage treatments he gets. This seems to be standard for all the really small ones. To “strengthen his legs”, they wrap them in gauze that is coated in warm paraffin and then swaddle him tight until it cools. They acknowledged that this is not done in the US but say that it is good for him. No argument here – he seems to love it. The massage on the other hand is a different story. They do it 10 days on and then 10 days off. We came in on Monday and I guess it was the first day on again. We had to videotape this process it was so unbelievable. First they start with what you’d think. Massaging of the arms, legs, etc… then they get into bending and rotating. That’s when the screaming starts. Our interpreter was there and said – loudly over the crying – “This is the part they all hate. But it’s very important!” Ok. Who are we to question? (I did check later with Christina who is a physical therapist and she confirmed that it is good for them. Wow.) I think it’s also good for them to cry like that. Good for their lungs – seriously. It’s a fairly quiet environment in the baby rooms. Not tons of crying. Although the caregivers are extremely attentive, these children know that their every squeak will not be answered. It’s very interesting. The last part of the massage is the karate chopping and slapping of the back and butt. I swear! Pretty crazy stuff – and we have it all on tape.
Since I’m talking about the kids in these rooms, it’s worth mentioning how well they entertain themselves. They sit in their walkers or lie in the cribs under mobiles and keep themselves busy. They interact with each other and are constantly rolling around exploring. It’s amazing. I can’t imagine it happening in the US. It’s an interesting thought – do we rear our kids to need constant attention? I know direct contact and love make all the difference in the world with development – Tristan is proof of that. But do we over stimulate them because of some weird need of our own? Do they really need the hundreds of plastic toys we think they do? Now I’m not saying I plan to drop this kid into a walker and just say hi as I pass by every hour but it seems to be worth considering. I know – all you parents out there are saying, “Ha! New mother. Wait til she gets this kid home and finds out how life really is.” Ok, ok – I’m just thinking out loud… I’ll let you know how I’m doing in 6 months. (I’ll probably be the one standing on a mountain of lego)
Trivia: did you know Parliament (the cigarette people) also make vodka? Same label! Fascinating huh?
“Tristan, honey, Mama will be on the back porch having a cigarette and a martini. If you need anything just roll your walker into the back door.”
Paka!
C
As you can see from the photos, poor kid had a run in with mosquitoes last night. We walked in this morning and all of the children were just covered in bites. It doesn’t seem to bother them but totally freaks out all the parents (except us of course – we New Orleanians are used to such things!).
So I wanted to mention the paraffin and massage treatments he gets. This seems to be standard for all the really small ones. To “strengthen his legs”, they wrap them in gauze that is coated in warm paraffin and then swaddle him tight until it cools. They acknowledged that this is not done in the US but say that it is good for him. No argument here – he seems to love it. The massage on the other hand is a different story. They do it 10 days on and then 10 days off. We came in on Monday and I guess it was the first day on again. We had to videotape this process it was so unbelievable. First they start with what you’d think. Massaging of the arms, legs, etc… then they get into bending and rotating. That’s when the screaming starts. Our interpreter was there and said – loudly over the crying – “This is the part they all hate. But it’s very important!” Ok. Who are we to question? (I did check later with Christina who is a physical therapist and she confirmed that it is good for them. Wow.) I think it’s also good for them to cry like that. Good for their lungs – seriously. It’s a fairly quiet environment in the baby rooms. Not tons of crying. Although the caregivers are extremely attentive, these children know that their every squeak will not be answered. It’s very interesting. The last part of the massage is the karate chopping and slapping of the back and butt. I swear! Pretty crazy stuff – and we have it all on tape.
Since I’m talking about the kids in these rooms, it’s worth mentioning how well they entertain themselves. They sit in their walkers or lie in the cribs under mobiles and keep themselves busy. They interact with each other and are constantly rolling around exploring. It’s amazing. I can’t imagine it happening in the US. It’s an interesting thought – do we rear our kids to need constant attention? I know direct contact and love make all the difference in the world with development – Tristan is proof of that. But do we over stimulate them because of some weird need of our own? Do they really need the hundreds of plastic toys we think they do? Now I’m not saying I plan to drop this kid into a walker and just say hi as I pass by every hour but it seems to be worth considering. I know – all you parents out there are saying, “Ha! New mother. Wait til she gets this kid home and finds out how life really is.” Ok, ok – I’m just thinking out loud… I’ll let you know how I’m doing in 6 months. (I’ll probably be the one standing on a mountain of lego)
Trivia: did you know Parliament (the cigarette people) also make vodka? Same label! Fascinating huh?
“Tristan, honey, Mama will be on the back porch having a cigarette and a martini. If you need anything just roll your walker into the back door.”
Paka!
C
3 Comments:
Parliament! Brand of champions! I think you're right about the over stimulation. That's coming from someone who has a dog. And Carolyn has seen her toy box. But it makes perfect sense to me. I was wondering the other day how Tristan was going to react to having no more roommates except the cats. And you of course. But there's a lot of stimulation at the Blacksmith shop....
Hey! Tristan looks like he has the chicken pox with all those mosquito bites! Love the eyebrow pic! Heehee-the massage and paraffin treatments sound great-are you gonna continue with that? Can't wait to see what you captured on tape. Tristan has three little cousins waiting for him (Taha (1 year old and some change), Immad (~3 y.o.), and Omar (9 months)). I was checking out the blog the other day and Immad (Zafar's kid), swears his dad is holding Tristan-but it's actually a pic of Bahi. Then he goes on to give commentary on the picture of the other little kids - 'and that's me, Taha, Omar, and Tristan.' Kids are just too cute! Have lots of fun! xoxo-Dr. Din...hehe;) Really missed you guys at graduation yesterday:(
hey there sinclairs! we've been out of town for the past two weeks, so online access has been sporadic. just catching up with my favorite family in kazhakstan. tristan looks so happy, as do mama and papa.
i've spent the last week with my 8 month old niece and i can attest that she played with the kentwood water bottle, multiple people magazines and a remote control much more than with her first baby, the pale pink rattle in the shape of a puppy or the colored blocks with the alphabet on them. what suckers we are. i think that mattel and fisher price are just trying to make a quick buck.
anyway, just a response to your last email regarding the great lego mountain.
can't wait to see you guys and meet Tristan!
erica
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