The main reason why I started this blog was to keep a journal of our time in Egypt and to add things from our everyday life. One because it's a great way to keep connected with family and friends, and two because I'll forget about 99% of the things I've written (or will write) about. Plus, having a spell check is awesome. I don't want to look back in 20 years and be embarrassed that I would of put spell check as spellcheck. Which I originally did. I'll admit it.
So, on to talking about monkeys. This one in particular is about 7 inches long, has light brown fur and smells like Gain, baby lotion and, sometimes, pee.
El Mono was purchased in a frenzy by my mom who had taken on the responsibility of watching Benjamin at the mall while I tried to grab stuff at Gymboree on sale. Gym Bucks! He, being the child that requires constant movement and excitement all hours of the day, wasn't too pleased that she had stopped in The Gap to pick something up. She saw him eye that monkey and knew it was love at first sight.
Mono is actually from a British company called Jelly Cat. They make great stuff animals that are a great size for toddlers.
There she saw El Mono and tossed it at Benjamin in hopes he would chill out. He did (which is a miracle) and a strong buddy-ship was created.
Seth and I started to call this new monkey El Mono because of a gift one of our friends gave Benny for his 1st Birthday. My First Words En Espanol....or My First Words in Spanish for all you non bilingual types.
El Mono literally means The Monkey. We thought it would be cute since we were living in Houston at the time and mono is really easy for a 16 month old to say.
Mono is one continental kind of guy. He has crossed the Atlantic twice, lived in Cairo for almost a year, seen the Giza Pyramids, been to the Red Sea, traveled to Dubai, and thrown around the dreaded Charles De Gaulle airport.
El Mono started to be attached to Benny at all times shortly after we moved from Houston. And thus began our constant asking "Where is M-O-N-O?" when we're about to put him down for a nap or bedtime. And thus began the constant fear that M-O-N-O was nowhere to be found. Sometimes Mono is under the couch and sometimes Mono is found in our silver drawer. I guess he wanted to polish our stainless? Mono always turns up despite all of our mini panic attacks at not being able to find him.
Except for this past Monday....
Benjamin started going back to daycare (aka "nursery") this week. I decided to get him before his class ate lunch this week for several reasons. One because he really doesn't seem to eat very well while he's there (too many distractions), two due to his not eating very well he's a total low blood sugar grouch supreme when I bring him home and three, the most honest reason, I was going to miss him!
We began the whole process of getting breakfast cooked (cinnamon toast), milk poured, diaper changed, me into some kind of workout gear (spinning bike how I've missed you...lots of stuff to burn off), Benjamin into layers because it's cold in Cairo, post breakfast snack packed (PB sandwich, no crust, cut into fours, strawberries, juice box), a change of clothes handy, and into the car. I've arranged for a driver to come pick us up at home which has been really great. No more trying to get a cab at a busy intersection all the annoyances that come from that! Plus, it's just safer and gives me peace of mind.
Last but not least is finding Mono. He's safely tucked away under a couch cushion.
Okay, spot check. Everything in it's place. Mono's tail in Benjamin's hand.
Benjamin starts to cry the minute he sees where we're going. Poor guy has been with mom and dad 24/7 (except for the lovely mini vacation we took in NOLA...thanks mom!), and has been pleased as punch to keep it that way. Sorry pal, if mom has to get back on a dreaded spin bike you have to enjoy some playtime and learning with your peers.
I do my thing, shower and then get a cab to pick him up. Only doing the driver in the mornings because I plan to walk to pick him up...just not right after spinning this week.
I do the usual spot check of all his things while Benjamin is in my arms and NOT letting go. He had a good day, but seeing mom come back must be all that awesome. Plus, who didn't love getting out of school early? Lunchbox, check. Backpack, check. Artwork, check. Kid, check. Mono, check. And home we go.
Getting out of the cab involves getting Benny, all the things mentioned above, his stroller and avoiding the kids across the street that always want to come into our house and destroy it. I was distracted, so I didn't do my usual Where is Mono spot check.
Lunchtime, watch a little Megamind, and then off to nap.
Where's Mono?
Search the usual spots.
Nowhere to be find.
Search the sometimes spots.
No Mono.
Hot flash of panic sets in.
A quick mention about how Benjamin won't go to sleep if he doesn't have Mono. He won't calm down without Mono. Plus, in a way- okay a big way, Mono is kinda like my comfort object too. He was purchased when Benny was still a baby, my Mom got him for Benny and anything my toddler loves (short of trying to pet stray cats) means a lot to me. His "woobie" is my "woobie".
So, you can see why the hot flash began to set in...
I then retrace my steps and think of all the times I saw Mono with Benny in the past hour. My last mental picture of Mono is Benny holding him and getting into the cab. It stops there. I then recall what a pain it was to exit the cab, make sure we had our things, make sure we had our stroller, hold his hand while managing to carry stroller, etc...
and then I imagined Mono in the back of that cab headed who knows where.
Panic set in full mode.
Luckily Sara was here, so I was able to have her watch Benny as I went out to retrace our steps. Full on Find Mono Mode. I had tunnel vision to the 10th degree.
I have two spots where I find cabs. One is by the CSA where there are the two usual guys parked there. They're friendly and if I say "Bank, Metro, Bee-bee" they know I need to go to the ATM, to the grocery store then to pick up Benny. The second spot is one that I tried for the first time that day. It's also close to our house, but new/less they know me cab drivers. I speed walk up to the spot where I got the cab. Luckily one of the cab drivers there spoke perfect English, and I was able to tell him that I left Mono in another cab drivers car.
"What's his name?"-other cab driver
"Uh...it was difficult to pronounce. Like Tajjjjaaahhhaaa or something like that"
(It was possibly the most difficult to pronounce Egyptian name I've ever heard)
Other cab driver stares at me blankly
I describe what he looked like
Other cab driver knows who I'm talking about and calls the guy
No answer
I'm starting to tear up
I ask other cab driver to keep an eye out for him and explain about Mono.
I begin the short walk home that ends up being very long due to me trying to fight back tears.
I ask Sara (who speaks perfect Arabic) to ask our Bawab (doorman/errand runner/car washer) to go see the cab drivers a couple times that day to see if there have been any developments in the Case of the Lost Mono aka Mom Forgot to Spot Check. She goes to talk to him while I take a deep breath and try to take on nap time sans Mono.
In my mind I see poor Mono in the back of a cab and some stranger picking it up. They have a mustache and they're laughing maniacally about how we left a monkey in a cab. How they'll be rich, rich I say! when they send us a ransom note. Meanwhile we're up all night with a crying toddler who's missing his best friend. I then call Seth and explain the situation while mixing in a huge sob between words. I was a wreck.
Benjamin and I go to my room to lie down. I was hoping beyond hope that he would drift right off to sleep and the door would knock and Taaaajjjjaaahhhhaa would have Mono. Benjamin actually closed his eyes...could it be?...could he be going to sleep without Mono?! Then he looks up at me, smiles, and says "Mono. Wan Mono." Yikes!
What to do? I pat his back, give him Giraffe, pray
Then I hear Sara "Ms Kristen?"
I jump out of bed and saying prayers that some miracle has happened. Then I see the brown fuzz that's been so loved that's it's in mini-dreads, the smiling face and the little tail that's so easy to clutch when you have 2 year old sized hands. I breathe the biggest sigh of relief I've ever had in my life. Forget getting an extension on that paper I forgot about, forget finding $20.00 in change to deposit so I don't get over drafted, forget all that. Mono was safe at home!
Benjamin, not being the wiser that we almost lost Mono, grabbed him and held him tight. He then laid down and went to sleep in 5 minutes.
So, where was Mono? Did Taaajjjaaaaahhhhaaa come through and deliver him?
No.
Mono was chucked by his owner under the stairs and was hiding under a stroller we never use. He was in a new hiding place.
Apparently Benny had Mono in his hands all during the exit the cab fiasco. I should know better than think Benny would of left him in the cab! I underestimated the powers of buddy-dom. Or the codependency that my 2 year old has on his furry pal. Not like I was the one reduced to heavy sobs at the mere picture of a lost monkey. When Sara went to ask the Bawab to do us the whole ask the cab drivers about Mono thing he told her that Benny had "the monkey" in his hands the whole time. Sara, who wasn't the blubbering mess that I was, found him. Have I mentioned how much we love Sara?
Even as I type this Mono is right by his owner. Just hanging out and happy to be useful.
So, on to talking about monkeys. This one in particular is about 7 inches long, has light brown fur and smells like Gain, baby lotion and, sometimes, pee.
El Mono was purchased in a frenzy by my mom who had taken on the responsibility of watching Benjamin at the mall while I tried to grab stuff at Gymboree on sale. Gym Bucks! He, being the child that requires constant movement and excitement all hours of the day, wasn't too pleased that she had stopped in The Gap to pick something up. She saw him eye that monkey and knew it was love at first sight.
Mono is actually from a British company called Jelly Cat. They make great stuff animals that are a great size for toddlers.
 |
| Mono is really a Brit. Pip pip old boy. Bob's your Uncle. Spot on. Tea and vit-ah-mins. |
There she saw El Mono and tossed it at Benjamin in hopes he would chill out. He did (which is a miracle) and a strong buddy-ship was created.
Seth and I started to call this new monkey El Mono because of a gift one of our friends gave Benny for his 1st Birthday. My First Words En Espanol....or My First Words in Spanish for all you non bilingual types.
 |
| Our baby's baby's name didn't come from Top 100 Baby Names of 2009. |
El Mono literally means The Monkey. We thought it would be cute since we were living in Houston at the time and mono is really easy for a 16 month old to say.
 |
| 5am. Mok, Mono and blanket time. |
 |
| Cheers with Dad. Mono likes formality. |
Mono is one continental kind of guy. He has crossed the Atlantic twice, lived in Cairo for almost a year, seen the Giza Pyramids, been to the Red Sea, traveled to Dubai, and thrown around the dreaded Charles De Gaulle airport.
 |
| A trip through the desert just isn't right without Mono there. |
 |
| Going to Dinner at our resort in Ain Soukna. Mono just loves a buffet. |
El Mono started to be attached to Benny at all times shortly after we moved from Houston. And thus began our constant asking "Where is M-O-N-O?" when we're about to put him down for a nap or bedtime. And thus began the constant fear that M-O-N-O was nowhere to be found. Sometimes Mono is under the couch and sometimes Mono is found in our silver drawer. I guess he wanted to polish our stainless? Mono always turns up despite all of our mini panic attacks at not being able to find him.
Except for this past Monday....
Benjamin started going back to daycare (aka "nursery") this week. I decided to get him before his class ate lunch this week for several reasons. One because he really doesn't seem to eat very well while he's there (too many distractions), two due to his not eating very well he's a total low blood sugar grouch supreme when I bring him home and three, the most honest reason, I was going to miss him!
We began the whole process of getting breakfast cooked (cinnamon toast), milk poured, diaper changed, me into some kind of workout gear (spinning bike how I've missed you...lots of stuff to burn off), Benjamin into layers because it's cold in Cairo, post breakfast snack packed (PB sandwich, no crust, cut into fours, strawberries, juice box), a change of clothes handy, and into the car. I've arranged for a driver to come pick us up at home which has been really great. No more trying to get a cab at a busy intersection all the annoyances that come from that! Plus, it's just safer and gives me peace of mind.
Last but not least is finding Mono. He's safely tucked away under a couch cushion.
Okay, spot check. Everything in it's place. Mono's tail in Benjamin's hand.
Benjamin starts to cry the minute he sees where we're going. Poor guy has been with mom and dad 24/7 (except for the lovely mini vacation we took in NOLA...thanks mom!), and has been pleased as punch to keep it that way. Sorry pal, if mom has to get back on a dreaded spin bike you have to enjoy some playtime and learning with your peers.
I do my thing, shower and then get a cab to pick him up. Only doing the driver in the mornings because I plan to walk to pick him up...just not right after spinning this week.
I do the usual spot check of all his things while Benjamin is in my arms and NOT letting go. He had a good day, but seeing mom come back must be all that awesome. Plus, who didn't love getting out of school early? Lunchbox, check. Backpack, check. Artwork, check. Kid, check. Mono, check. And home we go.
Getting out of the cab involves getting Benny, all the things mentioned above, his stroller and avoiding the kids across the street that always want to come into our house and destroy it. I was distracted, so I didn't do my usual Where is Mono spot check.
Lunchtime, watch a little Megamind, and then off to nap.
Where's Mono?
Search the usual spots.
Nowhere to be find.
Search the sometimes spots.
No Mono.
Hot flash of panic sets in.
A quick mention about how Benjamin won't go to sleep if he doesn't have Mono. He won't calm down without Mono. Plus, in a way- okay a big way, Mono is kinda like my comfort object too. He was purchased when Benny was still a baby, my Mom got him for Benny and anything my toddler loves (short of trying to pet stray cats) means a lot to me. His "woobie" is my "woobie".
So, you can see why the hot flash began to set in...
I then retrace my steps and think of all the times I saw Mono with Benny in the past hour. My last mental picture of Mono is Benny holding him and getting into the cab. It stops there. I then recall what a pain it was to exit the cab, make sure we had our things, make sure we had our stroller, hold his hand while managing to carry stroller, etc...
and then I imagined Mono in the back of that cab headed who knows where.
Panic set in full mode.
Luckily Sara was here, so I was able to have her watch Benny as I went out to retrace our steps. Full on Find Mono Mode. I had tunnel vision to the 10th degree.
I have two spots where I find cabs. One is by the CSA where there are the two usual guys parked there. They're friendly and if I say "Bank, Metro, Bee-bee" they know I need to go to the ATM, to the grocery store then to pick up Benny. The second spot is one that I tried for the first time that day. It's also close to our house, but new/less they know me cab drivers. I speed walk up to the spot where I got the cab. Luckily one of the cab drivers there spoke perfect English, and I was able to tell him that I left Mono in another cab drivers car.
"What's his name?"-other cab driver
"Uh...it was difficult to pronounce. Like Tajjjjaaahhhaaa or something like that"
(It was possibly the most difficult to pronounce Egyptian name I've ever heard)
Other cab driver stares at me blankly
I describe what he looked like
Other cab driver knows who I'm talking about and calls the guy
No answer
I'm starting to tear up
I ask other cab driver to keep an eye out for him and explain about Mono.
I begin the short walk home that ends up being very long due to me trying to fight back tears.
I ask Sara (who speaks perfect Arabic) to ask our Bawab (doorman/errand runner/car washer) to go see the cab drivers a couple times that day to see if there have been any developments in the Case of the Lost Mono aka Mom Forgot to Spot Check. She goes to talk to him while I take a deep breath and try to take on nap time sans Mono.
In my mind I see poor Mono in the back of a cab and some stranger picking it up. They have a mustache and they're laughing maniacally about how we left a monkey in a cab. How they'll be rich, rich I say! when they send us a ransom note. Meanwhile we're up all night with a crying toddler who's missing his best friend. I then call Seth and explain the situation while mixing in a huge sob between words. I was a wreck.
Benjamin and I go to my room to lie down. I was hoping beyond hope that he would drift right off to sleep and the door would knock and Taaaajjjjaaahhhhaa would have Mono. Benjamin actually closed his eyes...could it be?...could he be going to sleep without Mono?! Then he looks up at me, smiles, and says "Mono. Wan Mono." Yikes!
What to do? I pat his back, give him Giraffe, pray
Then I hear Sara "Ms Kristen?"
I jump out of bed and saying prayers that some miracle has happened. Then I see the brown fuzz that's been so loved that's it's in mini-dreads, the smiling face and the little tail that's so easy to clutch when you have 2 year old sized hands. I breathe the biggest sigh of relief I've ever had in my life. Forget getting an extension on that paper I forgot about, forget finding $20.00 in change to deposit so I don't get over drafted, forget all that. Mono was safe at home!
Benjamin, not being the wiser that we almost lost Mono, grabbed him and held him tight. He then laid down and went to sleep in 5 minutes.
So, where was Mono? Did Taaajjjaaaaahhhhaaa come through and deliver him?
No.
Mono was chucked by his owner under the stairs and was hiding under a stroller we never use. He was in a new hiding place.
Apparently Benny had Mono in his hands all during the exit the cab fiasco. I should know better than think Benny would of left him in the cab! I underestimated the powers of buddy-dom. Or the codependency that my 2 year old has on his furry pal. Not like I was the one reduced to heavy sobs at the mere picture of a lost monkey. When Sara went to ask the Bawab to do us the whole ask the cab drivers about Mono thing he told her that Benny had "the monkey" in his hands the whole time. Sara, who wasn't the blubbering mess that I was, found him. Have I mentioned how much we love Sara?
Even as I type this Mono is right by his owner. Just hanging out and happy to be useful.
Great post! I know the feeling.. both of my kiddo's had a "blankie" and a "lamby" respectively that we were constantly searching for. I should have micro-chipped those bastards. (You might wanna consider that!!)
ReplyDeleteWe have a Mono proxy, but I couldn't find that one either! It just added to my freaking out hysteria
Deleteunfortunately, mono has lost most of his tail. since his tail was the main handle of transportation, it got used a whole lot. now, mono has a stub tail, but b-man loves him all the same.
ReplyDelete