Damian & Katerina = How To [vil-helm] #110

Hello our Vilhelmians! This week, Alyce had her first sleep study, got vaccines, and visited her family nurse practitioner. She's growing strong and curious. Damian and Katerina are exploring faith, culture, and identity, seeking to balance tradition with independent thought. They're navigating complex questions about belief and cultural heritage. Boujee and Dapper, the French Bulldogs, had a dramatic week with a UTI diagnosis and skin issues. They're recovering and eager for adventures with their humans, especially now that the weather is perfect for walks and hikes.

Tiny Tales from Alyce's Weekly Wonders

Hello there! It’s me, Alyce! I just had the most interesting week ever, and I’m so excited to share all about it. It started with my very first sleep study, and let me tell you—it was an adventure full of wires, glue, tight bands, and sensors everywhere! I’ve been waiting for this study since I was born, but I was too little back then. So when my parents got a call on a Friday afternoon, asking us to come in for the study that Sunday, there was no way we could say no!

My mom didn’t hesitate for a second. She grabbed my PJ's, my sleep sack, my deer (yup, I need my deer to sleep!), toys, snacks, and we were off to the lab! Once we got there, I couldn’t believe all the cool machines. They had these big ones that recorded all sorts of numbers, a camera to watch me sleep (so weird, right?), and even a mini microphone to hear me breathe or snore! The best part? My mom was allowed to co-sleep with me during the test, which made me feel super comfy. But here's the catch—she couldn’t touch me! That’s hard because I love to snuggle. But no worries! I slept through the whole night, and guess what? The technician said I was the quietest little sleeper in the whole lab when he woke us up at 6 am. My mom was so proud of me! Now, we just have to wait 2-3 months for the results, and we’re hoping for some good news!

Then, on Tuesday, I had to go visit my family nurse practitioner for my vaccines. Well, there was some confusion about the measles situation, and since my family is traveling soon, she decided to check my vitals and send me home.

Wednesday was a super fun day though. I went to see the Complex Care team at the hospital, and guess what? I was walking around like a pro! I even got to show off to my OT that I can eat and swallow a donut! Everyone was so excited about how well I was doing. Then, it was time for my blood test for my nutrition and vitamins assessment. The nurse was so nice, and I just watched Miss Rachel on the screen while they took my blood. I didn’t even feel a thing and just looked at the nurse and said “Yeah!” I think that made her laugh. And then, we went home!

Finally, on Thursday, I got my 15 months vaccine. It stung a bit, but they gave me a cute little owl patch and some stickers, so I was happy again. Phew! What a week! So many appointments, so many new things, but I’m glad to be done for now. I hope we get a nice break from all the medical stuff, but I’m feeling great and growing like a champ!

Until next time, sending lots of love from me—Alyce! 💕

Planting Seeds Religon and Understanding.

Dear Vilhelmians,

As our journey with Alyce continues, we find ourselves delving deeper into the intricate tapestry of faith, culture, and identity. Our diverse backgrounds - Damian's Jamaican roots and Kat's Czech heritage - have sparked fascinating discussions about how we want to approach spirituality and religion with our little one.

Right now, her world is one of sensory exploration. She's learning about textures, sounds, and the simple joy of discovery. But soon, she'll start asking bigger questions. Questions about who we are, where we come from, and why things happen. This realization has us reflecting on our own beliefs and how we want to guide her as she grows.

We've been reflecting on the complex relationship between our cultural heritage and beliefs. As Jamaicans of African descent, we're contemplating the ancestral knowledge lost over time. It's thought-provoking to consider that many Jamaicans practice religions introduced relatively recently in our history. We can't help but wonder: what beliefs and practices existed before these religions arrived?

This reflection has led us to explore ways to learn more about our ancestral traditions. We're considering attending cultural events and reading books that delve into pre-colonial spiritual practices.

We've also been led to some challenging questions: How much of what we believe is authentically ours, and how much is the result of our upbringing? How can we encourage Alyce to think critically about her beliefs while providing a strong foundation?

We've been discussing how we're all, in a sense, programmed from a young age to believe certain things. It's fascinating to consider that when a child is born, they have no concept of deities. It's the people around them, their culture, and their society that introduce the idea of religion.

We're grappling with the concept of religious exclusivity. It's challenging to reconcile the idea that only one belief system could be valid when there's such diversity in human culture and experience. We believe that new knowledge empowers us, while old knowledge serves as a valuable reference.

We're inspired by initiatives like World Interfaith Harmony Week, which promote understanding and respect among different faiths. This kind of dialogue is crucial for fostering a more inclusive and harmonious world.

The human brain naturally seeks explanations, often leading to the creation of 'facts.' Historically, divine intervention has been the primary explanation for phenomena we couldn't understand. As our knowledge grows, we can explain things that once seemed mysterious.

We're teaching Alyce about this by encouraging her curiosity. When she asks why the sky is blue or how plants grow, we explain the science behind it, while also acknowledging the wonder and beauty in these natural phenomena.

As we navigate these complexities, we've also pondered the nature of belief in our own lives. Just as some dedicate themselves to a particular faith, many in modern society dedicate themselves to their careers. This makes us wonder if our intense focus on professional pursuits and material success could be another form of belief, perhaps even a kind of modern-day "idol" that society subtly encourages.

Are we, in our pursuit of the '9-to-5 grind' and the promise of financial security, inadvertently worshipping at the altar of capitalism? It's a provocative thought that has led us to examine our own values and what truly brings meaning to our lives. We're striving to find a balance between professional ambition and other aspects of life that bring joy and fulfillment.

As we explore these ideas, we're committed to fostering an environment where Alyce can explore different perspectives and make her own informed decisions as she grows. We're reminded of the importance of open-mindedness and respect for diverse viewpoints.

We'd love to hear your thoughts on this. How do you navigate the complexities of belief and cultural identity in your family? How do you balance passing on traditions with encouraging independent thought? And how do you view the role of career and material success in relation to personal beliefs and values?

To start this conversation, we're planning a small gathering next month where we can discuss these topics in person. We hope you'll join us for an evening of thoughtful discussion and delicious food from our diverse cultural backgrounds.

With love and curiosity,

Damian & Katerina

Woof Woof! 🐾

Oooooh, les amis, let me tell you about our week. It all started so magnifique, like a perfect croissant on a Sunday morning, right? Kat was busy taking care of Alyce (so sweet, non?), and preparing our breakfast, which was oh là là, delicious—of course, we Frenchies expect nothing less. But ahem, I, Boujee, had a little urgent business to attend to.

You see, I have mille ways to communicate. I give her the look, I follow her, I try to do my best impression of a sophisticated French bulldog who clearly needs to pee. But Kat? She’s too busy with her magnifique breakfast plans and Alyce. Sacré bleu, the nerve! So, I did what any self-respecting French bulldog would do. Yes, yes, under her feet—voilà! Not just any pee, mind you, it was a very spécial pee, brought to you by my brand-new UTI diagnosis after a lovely visit to the vet. Superb, right? I was expecting a “Well done, Boujee!” instead I got “Oh no, Boujee!” What a tragedy!

And then—hold your baguettes, people—Dapper’s in on the fun too. Poor thing has his own skin issue, so now we're both on meds. C'est la vie, they say! We are, in essence, a walking pharmacy. If there were a French Bulldog Health & Wellness Retreat, we’d be the stars of the show. I swear, Kat and the dads must have thought they hit the jackpot, treating us like royalty with extra je ne sais quoi food and TLC while we’re on these meds. You know, the kind of meals that would make even a French chef proud—no boring kibble here, les amis!

But the real challenge? Oh, how we missed our humans. Alyce had her sleep study, and let me tell you, that was more appointments than an old French lady at the hair salon—Alyce was everywhere! But us? Well, we stayed with the dads... and don’t get me wrong, it was lovely and all, but it's like having a glass of wine without cheese. It’s just not the same. We want the whole famille together, s'il vous plaît!

Now, let’s talk weather. It’s finally French Bulldog weather, again—that glorious time when the sun is just the right temperature for lounging, and we’re waiting for those walks, hikes, and trails. I mean, do they not see that we have a perfectly good sense of adventure that’s being wasted here? We are French Bulldogs, not couch potatoes! The weather is saying “Let’s go!” and we are saying “Kat, dad, Où sont les sentiers (where are the trails)?!” Seriously, our paws are ready, and we have yet to see a decent squirrel chase!

So here’s the deal: We’re getting better, people. Our meds are working (thankfully!), Alyce is doing great, and Kat has been keeping it together like the true maman she is. But we’ll tell you, we are waiting—waiting for those glorious trails. And if not, we might just have to give them the French bulldog pout and demand it. It works every time...well, almost every time.

À bientôt, les amis, until the next petite adventure! 🐾

Boujee & Dapper, your favorite Frenchies