more background info

the early years of parenthood with N were a breeze.the stork knows what kids he delivers to what parents. you gotta trust that someone upstairs is watching out for you, or you got nothing.
little N was long and healthy, but most importantly, to all my ecuadorian and argentinian extended family, very fair. mom-in-law was not sold on the murky caramel hair color, but chamomile was suggested to my deaf ears in order to lighten the locks.
for 21 i presume i had some sense because i overlooked their comments whether positive or negative.he was like a bk whopper, i had to have him my way.
very ignorant, but resourceful, i stood in line for my free (and very expensive) formula at the wic agency, applied to all possible state health benefits and fought for scholarships to the local best early learning center. i was (and still am) very willful and have a desire to always give it my all. quickly i learned to give N all i could within my means, even if i had to let go of any sense of shame and decency i still carried over from my ridiculous upbringing.
ardently observing and learning from other parents as well as my own, were my primary saving graces. i had the good sense early on to look at my own parents and compartmentalize what was ok and what wasn't. i've spent incredible amounts of energy separating myself from the duchess (mom) and i have almost succeeded. if she was the world's worse mom, i would achieve or die trying to be her polar opposite.
N started talking in full sentences, at age 4.ever the late bloomer he received much love. i'm blessed with 3 sisters and a mother, all crazy in that latin way that makes any baby obsessed american look tame. they did all that unnecessary shopping, disney visiting and mall strolling that i rejected. the toys, the sugar, the pokemon, all came from them. to me the most valuable thing i can offer my kids is time. in south america time is abundant, so material things are equivalent to love.
it wasn't clear why i immediately rebuffed those things, but now that i have a better sense i do. just give me a wide open space two bottles of water and I'm happy. i intend to pass this on to my kids as well.