I think this video sums up a good deal about Chely's feelings towards Kayalá: a lot of love and a little bit of grimace. It also shows how much Chely makes her little sister laugh! Edwin's sister Onelda is holding Kayalá.
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Becoming a stay-at-home parent
I have decided to become a stay-at-home parent. It has become clear to me over the past few weeks that my heart and my energy are really with my children.
After eight years, I am leaving the staff of NISGUA. My last day at the job will be November 20th.
I plan to take on some freelance work translating, writing, and editing, but mostly I will be taking care of Chely and Kayalá.
When I went back to work after maternity leave, I found that although I continued to support the cause wholeheartedly, my heart wasn’t in it. I felt that I was doing a disservice to the organization by no longer possessing that extra spark of energy for the work, even if I continue to do my tasks responsibly.
The nature of my job – involving human rights in a solidarity context – means that the work and the issues take up considerable mental space, and I find it difficult to truly be with my children even when I am officially "off" work. It’s not easy, for instance, to strategize around an urgent action, then forget about it completely and dedicate my attention to drawing chalk pictures on the terrace or playing peek-a-boo with gusto.
Now that I’ve seen Chely through infancy and toddlerhood, I realize how quickly this early stage of life goes by. Already she is in preschool and more focused on peers, less reliant on a single caregiver. I want to cherish each moment of this precious, unique stage in Kayalá’s life. And when Chely is home from school, I want to be fully engaged with both of them.
With Chely it was a little different. Until Chely was a year and a half old, Edwin was a student with a flexible schedule, so we each took care of her for half the day. Now that is not an option, and I find myself struggling trying to find a child care provider situation that feels completely right.
Also, when my maternity leave ended after Chely’s birth, I was ready to work outside the home and engage my brain in analytical, intellectual, non-baby-related matters. This time around I don’t have that same hunger. I am fulfilled by the myriad challenges and joys of parenting.
I do worry about getting by financially, and I know it will be tight. If only there were better maternity/paternity leave policies here and in the States... Unfortunately, moving to Sweden or Finland where Edwin and I could each take off a year (or more) is not an option! But I hope that enough short-term freelance stints will come my way that will help us make it through.
I hesitated taking this step but feel that it wasn’t until I made the decision that my mind started to open up to new possibilities. Who knows what opportunities will arise or what ideas might come up down the line?
In a way I am sad to leave, as I have been with NISGUA so long and it has become such a part of my identity – and I certainly continue to believe in the cause and the mission – but there is no doubt in my mind that this is the right decision for me.
I am so blessed to have children and feel incredibly happy that I will be able to devote my time and energy to them. I am thrilled to be able to play make-believe with them, capture the spark in their eyes as they learn something new, share their delight as they discover the world.
I recognize that I am utterly and totally blessed to have this precious time with my children. I do not take this gift lightly. I cherish it, truly.
After eight years, I am leaving the staff of NISGUA. My last day at the job will be November 20th.
I plan to take on some freelance work translating, writing, and editing, but mostly I will be taking care of Chely and Kayalá.
When I went back to work after maternity leave, I found that although I continued to support the cause wholeheartedly, my heart wasn’t in it. I felt that I was doing a disservice to the organization by no longer possessing that extra spark of energy for the work, even if I continue to do my tasks responsibly.
The nature of my job – involving human rights in a solidarity context – means that the work and the issues take up considerable mental space, and I find it difficult to truly be with my children even when I am officially "off" work. It’s not easy, for instance, to strategize around an urgent action, then forget about it completely and dedicate my attention to drawing chalk pictures on the terrace or playing peek-a-boo with gusto.
Now that I’ve seen Chely through infancy and toddlerhood, I realize how quickly this early stage of life goes by. Already she is in preschool and more focused on peers, less reliant on a single caregiver. I want to cherish each moment of this precious, unique stage in Kayalá’s life. And when Chely is home from school, I want to be fully engaged with both of them.
With Chely it was a little different. Until Chely was a year and a half old, Edwin was a student with a flexible schedule, so we each took care of her for half the day. Now that is not an option, and I find myself struggling trying to find a child care provider situation that feels completely right.
Also, when my maternity leave ended after Chely’s birth, I was ready to work outside the home and engage my brain in analytical, intellectual, non-baby-related matters. This time around I don’t have that same hunger. I am fulfilled by the myriad challenges and joys of parenting.
I do worry about getting by financially, and I know it will be tight. If only there were better maternity/paternity leave policies here and in the States... Unfortunately, moving to Sweden or Finland where Edwin and I could each take off a year (or more) is not an option! But I hope that enough short-term freelance stints will come my way that will help us make it through.
I hesitated taking this step but feel that it wasn’t until I made the decision that my mind started to open up to new possibilities. Who knows what opportunities will arise or what ideas might come up down the line?
In a way I am sad to leave, as I have been with NISGUA so long and it has become such a part of my identity – and I certainly continue to believe in the cause and the mission – but there is no doubt in my mind that this is the right decision for me.
I am so blessed to have children and feel incredibly happy that I will be able to devote my time and energy to them. I am thrilled to be able to play make-believe with them, capture the spark in their eyes as they learn something new, share their delight as they discover the world.
I recognize that I am utterly and totally blessed to have this precious time with my children. I do not take this gift lightly. I cherish it, truly.
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Lap sharing or lap rivalry
If you want Chely to sit in your lap, pick up Kayalá! The big sister won't want to miss out...
Exhibit A (with Bamba in Needham):
Exhibit B (with Grampa Gus):
Exhibit C (with Uncle Ade):
Exhibit D (back in Guate, with Aunt Onelda):
And a big kid who hopped up on to his dad's lap alongside his niece:
Exhibit A (with Bamba in Needham):
Exhibit B (with Grampa Gus):
Exhibit C (with Uncle Ade):
Exhibit D (back in Guate, with Aunt Onelda):
And a big kid who hopped up on to his dad's lap alongside his niece:
Sunday, October 11, 2009
Kayalá's Baptism
Photos by Ben Johnson
On October 3, my grandfather J. Stanley Dahlman baptized his great-granddaughter Kayalá. We are moved and humbled that such a wise, perceptive, caring person - who I'm lucky to call my Poppa! - christened our daughter.
Kayalá's godparents are Sarah and Greg Noble and Teresa Baker. Sarah and Teresa are two of my dearest friends since childhood. I am honored that these three thoughtful and loving people have taken on this special role in Kayalá's life.
Prior to the ceremony: orienting the godparents
During the ceremony (I am translating for Edwin):
Kayalá Guadalupe Janet is baptized by her great-grandfather:
For most of the ceremony Kayalá was content and looking intently at Poppa.
But at one point in the service she started to cry. I knew what would calm her down, and thankfully it is now legal to breastfeed in public in Massachusetts (not that we were in public - we were actually in my parents' house - but even if we'd been out I would have been within my rights), so I scooted over to a seat and nursed her - rather discreetly, I think (my Guatemalan blouse is great for concealing while letting the child breathe). Poppa continued the service with a prayer to Kayalá.
Kayalá wore a shirt from Mexico that my aunt and uncle (Mary and Dave Johnson) had given to me as a baby. Her skirt is a traditional Q'eqchi' Maya corte; her paternal grandmother (Edwin's stepmother) is Q'eqchi'. Her diaper is a Fuzzi Bunz pocket diaper in a green daisy pattern.
Other photos from the baptism gathering:
Kayalá with her grandmother and great-grandmother:
With her grandfather:
Chely had such a blast with her cousins Sophia and Lucy Sisto that she wanted to have a pajama party with them that very night - here she is with Sophia:
Celebrating Uncle Dave's birthday:
Durbins, Dahlmans, and Canil-Durbins:
from Poppa's baptismal remarks: "Welcome, Kayalá, welcome! Know now and always that you are profoundly loved."
On October 3, my grandfather J. Stanley Dahlman baptized his great-granddaughter Kayalá. We are moved and humbled that such a wise, perceptive, caring person - who I'm lucky to call my Poppa! - christened our daughter.
Kayalá's godparents are Sarah and Greg Noble and Teresa Baker. Sarah and Teresa are two of my dearest friends since childhood. I am honored that these three thoughtful and loving people have taken on this special role in Kayalá's life.
Prior to the ceremony: orienting the godparents
During the ceremony (I am translating for Edwin):
Kayalá Guadalupe Janet is baptized by her great-grandfather:
For most of the ceremony Kayalá was content and looking intently at Poppa.
But at one point in the service she started to cry. I knew what would calm her down, and thankfully it is now legal to breastfeed in public in Massachusetts (not that we were in public - we were actually in my parents' house - but even if we'd been out I would have been within my rights), so I scooted over to a seat and nursed her - rather discreetly, I think (my Guatemalan blouse is great for concealing while letting the child breathe). Poppa continued the service with a prayer to Kayalá.
Kayalá wore a shirt from Mexico that my aunt and uncle (Mary and Dave Johnson) had given to me as a baby. Her skirt is a traditional Q'eqchi' Maya corte; her paternal grandmother (Edwin's stepmother) is Q'eqchi'. Her diaper is a Fuzzi Bunz pocket diaper in a green daisy pattern.
Other photos from the baptism gathering:
Kayalá with her grandmother and great-grandmother:
With her grandfather:
Chely had such a blast with her cousins Sophia and Lucy Sisto that she wanted to have a pajama party with them that very night - here she is with Sophia:
Celebrating Uncle Dave's birthday:
Durbins, Dahlmans, and Canil-Durbins:
from Poppa's baptismal remarks: "Welcome, Kayalá, welcome! Know now and always that you are profoundly loved."
Friday, October 9, 2009
Kayalá meets the ocean
with some help from Uncle Will...
...and Chely shows her just how much fun it is!
Tortilla Victory
Results of the corn-based foods poll:
Tortillas won handily, with 77% of respondents noting their enjoyment of this staple of Mesoamerican cuisine.
Corn on the cob came in second, at 59%, followed by the Q'eqchi' Maya specialty tayuyos (tortilla pocket with beans, onion, and spices), enjoyed by half of respondents.
At 45%, the Guatemalan tamale-like specialty chuchitos narrowly beat out nachos and atol de elote (light corn pudding), both at 40%.
About a third of those polled like the Ixil Maya specialty b'oxb'o'l (corn dough wrapped in greens and spread with sauce); pupusas (deep-fried, stuffed snacks served throughout Central America); xep (new beans boiled in corn dough); tamales; and atol de maíz (thick maize porridge).
And only 2 respondents admitted to liking Tortrix, the mass produced, ostensibly corn-based "food." Chely would definitely have voted for Tortrix as well...in her book, it is probably second only to tortillas.
There are certainly tons of yummy corn-based foods to be had in Guatemala. It's for good reason that the country's Mayan name, Iximulew, means "Land of Corn."
Tortillas won handily, with 77% of respondents noting their enjoyment of this staple of Mesoamerican cuisine.
Corn on the cob came in second, at 59%, followed by the Q'eqchi' Maya specialty tayuyos (tortilla pocket with beans, onion, and spices), enjoyed by half of respondents.
At 45%, the Guatemalan tamale-like specialty chuchitos narrowly beat out nachos and atol de elote (light corn pudding), both at 40%.
About a third of those polled like the Ixil Maya specialty b'oxb'o'l (corn dough wrapped in greens and spread with sauce); pupusas (deep-fried, stuffed snacks served throughout Central America); xep (new beans boiled in corn dough); tamales; and atol de maíz (thick maize porridge).
And only 2 respondents admitted to liking Tortrix, the mass produced, ostensibly corn-based "food." Chely would definitely have voted for Tortrix as well...in her book, it is probably second only to tortillas.
There are certainly tons of yummy corn-based foods to be had in Guatemala. It's for good reason that the country's Mayan name, Iximulew, means "Land of Corn."
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
Catching up...
We just got back from a wonderful trip north! I'll be posting photos and notes from our visit as soon as time allows...
In the meantime (and in case I never quite catch up...) you can see a selection of photos from the trip on facebook at: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2022264&id=1504572922&ref=nf
In the meantime (and in case I never quite catch up...) you can see a selection of photos from the trip on facebook at: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2022264&id=1504572922&ref=nf
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