Not everything smells like roses here in Texas

I never quite understood why we were moving. Sure! He wants to study and she has to come with him, but why did I have to come along? I was perfectly happy where we were. My room was always warm, the minute I woke up somebody had my bottle of milk ready and then I could sleep in for as much as I wanted. I had a big room of my own, full of toys and a soft floor to practice my crawling. She was always with me and we understood each other pretty well. Some days she would get creative and invent the most funny ways to play; while others she would be tired, so I would play a little bit more on my own or go on longer expeditions around the house to find new playmates so she could rest.

Life this way was easy and great. I was the star. I felt like the biggest attraction in a zoo, like Alex in Madagascar.  All my needs were covered, the people I loved were always with me, and I was growing fast and healthy.

But, some damn day, he told her he got accepted in the program. So, moving plans began and happiness as I knew it was over. The money wouldn’t be enough, so before moving to our final destination, we would live with great grandma. She is so old that she yells all the time as if we all were as deaf as she is. My new room was like living inside a library (and not in a good way) because everything was filled with dust. The curtains hadn’t been opened in years probably. I missed the fresh breeze that visited my old room. The only upside there was the food, we had a lady that cooked so my mom wouldn’t have to cook for me anymore. Don’t get me wrong, her food was OK, but these dishes were just delicious. I could never get tired of them. The lady cooked something different every day.

I was almost beginning to like that place, when it was time for our final move to the US. Here, I can’t understand a word. She is now so full of activities that I go to school twice a week. Can you imagine? I am only one year old! They make me walk everywhere and I even have to eat on my own. I don’t know what happened to she carrying me on her arms everywhere. That, I enjoyed; walking, not that much. One day she even dared to suggest it was time for me to say goodbye to my pacifier. Thank God she came to her senses before committing that crime. There is also the weather subject. At first, it was hot as hell. I didn’t have any summer clothes, so I had either too much clothes on or too little. But these days have been cold as death. Is wanting a longer transition period too much to ask?

I had to forget about the soft floor and settle with a dirty rug. They go to bed so tired at the end of the day that I have to scream at them in the mornings so someone brings me my milk bottle, which some days is not even warm. And immediately after finishing the milk, she dresses me up for school. Not cool! Sure, I get to be alone with her the other three days of the week and I enjoy playing with my dad on weekends, but don’t forget that back home we could do this every day, not just three days a week. And lastly, the food. She cooks vegetables for me. But each dish can last for two or three days, it can get really boring. Damn you Costco and your huge packages.

I guess the good old days are over.