Sleep cycles

Huevos Fritos

When Valentina doesn't want to fall asleep, Rosa says she has "ojos como huevos fritos" - eyes like fried eggs.

Rosa

Two weeks ago we hired Rosa to be our "mucama" - someone who cooks, cleans and looks after Valentina when I want to take a shower, a nap or run an errand. Having her around has significantly improved things. She's pleasant, on the quiet side and seems trustworthy - the most important thing here. She's the cousin of one of the downstairs doormen so is more likely to be "de confiansa". Along with a crotchety husband of 20 years, she has three teenage boys of her own but always wanted to have a girl. She adores Valentina and showers her with affection and attention. I'm more than thrilled to have the support and for Valentina to have an extra bosom to fall asleep on after a feeding. Rosa comes Monday through Friday from about 9am - 6:30pm for the monthly cost of what I used to spend on a Nordstroms outfit or decadent sushi meal. Bringing in a Mrs Doubtfire was a no brainer. Its one of the benefits of living in South America where domestic help is the norm for middle class families and extremely affordable.

Today was a holiday so we paid her extra to work so that we could go to a movie - just the two of us. Hugh checked his cellphone every 15 minutes or so to see if she called with an "emergency" and I missed Valentina more than I thought I would, but it was good to get out of the house. While we were gone she cleaned the entire apartment, baked a swiss chard tart for dinner and played with the baby. For lunch she made us chicken and beef milanesas.