Sleeping beauty

Julian fell asleep against Daddy

Christmas morning

Here are a few shots of Christmas morning at home before heading out for the day. We went to Manny's sister's house and spent time with my nephews and mother in law and from there we went to my grandmother's (maternal) and had dinner and gifts with all 30 or however many of us there are... Julian crashed in his pack n play before the night was over. We'll get him back into his routine within the next few days!

Grandma came by to watch the kids open gifts...it was quiet at

their house this year without us there

Manny came downstairs expecting to see Santa and this

was his expression when he didn't see him

Christmas Eve

Christmas Eve has always been spent with my parents, brother (and now sister in law), my dad's sister and husband and my grandmother. The tradition remains, with a few slight changes in the past few years. We've gone out to eat the last few years (this year was the first I didn't bring my children....and it was enjoyable) and this year we all came back to our house for dessert and gifts. Julian was still awake to my surprise when we got home from dinner and enjoyed opening gifts, or should I say eating the wrapping paper and playing with gift bags and bows. This was Julian's first Christmas and he was clueless, as we all expected.

Taina with her new Tinkerbell movie
Manny in his wagon...which he wanted everyone to pull him in around the house

Julian enjoying the bag...not the stuffed animal that was in it

(Great) Grandma looking at the ornament we made her....a finger
from each of us turned into snowmen

Pop Pop and Julian

Interior designer

So Manny has been helping me decorate for Christmas....like his decorations?!?!?!

Mission Impossible!!

This is what you get when you try and have 3 children pose for a picture....funny faces, fake smiles, one not looking and the other 2 perfect (or semi perfect)....I can't choose which one is the better of the 5....HELP!!!

My boys

I love these two so much. I never knew what it felt like to love someone (both boys in this case) so much and in the way I do....I would do anything for them. I love my husband too....it's just a different kinda love. I had heard you never knew a mother's love until you are a mother and boy is this true!!!

(I know Julian has a dirty shirt...he had just finished dinner....and the reflux is still an issue every now and then....but I love the photo;which any photo with the two together and decent is rare!!!!)

Julian loves the bath

Julian LOVES to take a bath. After dinner I tell him we are gonna go take a bath and he walks to the bathroom and bangs on the tub until I get there. He is fascinated with the water coming out and thinks it's the funniest thing when he splashes.

Entertainment Center

We finally got an entertainment center for the living room and got the TV off the floor....I LOVE it and have to finish filling it!!

Julian walking at 9 1/2 months

This is just a short video I captured of Julian walking....every time he is on the go non stop I never have the camera!! You'll just have to stop by to see him in action.

Ice storm

The ice quickly melted yesterday, but I captured a few shots of what it looked like around us. Manny had gone out yesterday morning and he said the only ice he saw was where we live, on top of a hill. Once you left our road and went down either side of the hill.....there was no ice!! It fugures we had it worse, the wind is ALWAYS horrible here. I have 2 x-mas trees on the front porch and I must pick them up 5 times a day. Here are a few shots of the lot next door.....

Julian

What a night we had....ice storm=no power. I had gotten up at midnight to feed Julian and no sooner had I opened the microwave door to take out the bottle (yes this is how I warm it up) and the power went out. I put Julian back in his crib after the bottle and tried to make sure everyone was snug because I knew it would get cold, and who knew when the power would come back on!
Julian woke back up at 4:45am and he must have been cold...he doesn't believe in blankets. We've been up playing since then.

Thankfully the power came back on about 8am....and things are toasty in here now!!

Julian playing with cars Making a mess

Look at his hair....the color, the waves....I LOVE IT!!!

scrunching up his nose is his new thing

Here is is laughing at me because I told him "NO!"! He was pulling at the computer wires and thought it was the funniest thing when I told him not to do it.

Again, laughing at mommy

I want to take the boys to the mall and see Santa today....maybe I'll make it to Picture People and get a x-mas shot done of Julian in his Santa outfit.....

9 month update

So I realized I never did a 9 month post for Julian. At his well baby checkup he was 21 lbs. 5 oz and 28 1/2 in long. I believe he was in the 50th percentile for both. It really wasn't a well check up though because he was sick with 103 temp for 4 days and a sinus infection.

At 9 months Julian is able to climb up an entire set of stairs (yup he's very proud of himself). He is also walking from one side of the room to the other and does not give up. (video to follow, I promise!!) I love listening to him "talk". He babbles nonstop with dadadadada and mamamamama and bababababa and is usually very happy.

Let the fun begin, now that he will REALLY be into everything!!

Playing catch up in no particular order

These past few weeks have been busy; with sick children, parent/teacher conferences, doctor appointments and Thanksgiving....in no particular order are some photos of the last few happenings.


Me and my boys being silly

The $9 5am Walmart special that kept Manny busy ALL day Fri and Sat!!!

Julian showing his walking skills

Happy boy Manny

J

Mommy and Julian Thanksgiving....my poor baby was sick with fever that day too...that was day number 3...thankfully he is much better now!!!

Julian riding his car

Manny drawing at school...I went for his family celebration

Julian peering through the pack n play

Handy Manny

New lens

I have a Canon Rebel XTi and love it!! I am no photographer, but I love to capture my kids doing cute and fun things. I only have the lens that it came with (18-55mm) and would love to upgrade to a new lens....my problem is I am clueless as to what to get. I would like something that zooms in closer, so maybe I can capture better pictures of Taina during cheerleading.

If you have any advice please feel free to educate me.

t-shirts

Every once in a while I truly appreciate the saying on a child's t-shirt; most often though I think they are tacky (at least the older kids and that is what I see at work).

Today one of my student's t-shirts said..."My parents taught me how to walk and talk....Now they tell me to sit down and be quiet"

I think I got a chuckle out of it because in school it is true, we tell the kids to be in their seats (at least during lessons...even though I don't have a problem with a child half up and whatever...as long as they are focusing and paying attention) I guess as a parent we do tell our children to quiet down when necessary and I know I'm always reminding my kids to sit at the table to eat; we don't stand or walk around.

It gave me a chuckle this morning....great way to start a Monday!!

What good saying have you seen on t-shirts?

Yippeeeeee!

I just received an email that I made it into the final 6 to be the newest reviewing mom at S.I.M.P.L.E.. Back in October I made it into the final 12. I think it would be so much fun to find new products and review them. I know I appreciate reading reviews at S.I.M.P.L.E. and have actually purchased many items they have recommended. I just received my BECO baby carrier in the mail and I also love my wallet and clutch from Maria Elena Designs . I hope to be the newest mom that can give other moms great products to buy.

They love him!

Manny "fixing" his brother's car (it is so cute to see Julian walking and holding on to the car..it also stand/walks upright)

We had a parent teacher conference at Manny's preschool yesterday and they LOVE him!! He has adjusted well and is doing great. It's funny to hear that he corrects other kids when they are doing something wrong.....the same something that he does ALL the time at home!!! She also said many of the kids seek him out to play; he has become a favorite to them all. I was so pleased to hear this and know that he can behave...if it's only at school. Don't get me wrong he's really not that bad, just tests me alot and does typical 3 year old boy stuff.

Me

I took some time for me yesterday and went and got my hair done. Manny had given me a gift certificate for my birthday and I finally got around to using it. It had been almost 2 years since I had hi-lights put in so I did two colors...blondish brown and auburn. I love it!!!!!

My boys

I captured this one tonight after dinner on the cell phone....love you two!!!

Where is my train?

Manny doesn't like to clean up...what 3 year old does? Yesterday he left his toys laying around and I told him if he didn't pick up his toys I was going to bring them to school with me and give them to another little boy. He picked up a few but left the rest. I of course put them away and thought nothing more about it....knowing they'd be back on the floor today.

When we got home tonight Manny emptied his toys and couldn't find one particular toy. He came running into his room, where I was changing Julian, and had the most serious face I have ever seen on him. He says, "Mom, where's my train? You give it to a boy at school?" Now mind you it took me a minute to realize what he was saying...in my head I was saying why would I give it to a boy at school but then I remembered.... "No Manny, go look around and see if you can find it."

Tonight he told me flat out he didn't want to clean up...I could just bring the toys to school.. can you say spoiled br*t!!??!!

New things

Julian has learned a few new things....he now waves (both arms most of the time) frantically to say goodbye. He also climbed two steps today....such a big boy!!

Dinner and time change

Hubby and I had a date last night...Mom came to watch the boys (Julian was already asleep and Manny went down a half an hour later). We just went to the steakhouse for some dinner and it was delicious!!!! It was also nice to get out, just the two of us, and have adult conversation (granted most of it revolved around the kids though). Thanks Mom!!!!!

The kids did pretty good getting up this morning. I purposely put Julian down an hour later last night and he woke up at 5:45 (normally 6:45); which is later than he usually gets up. Manny woke up at 7 (really 8). We'll see how tonight and tomorrow morning go!!!

How did your kids do this morning?

Halloween 2008

Julian and Taina....off to daycare and school

Manny showing his shirt that lights up when there is movement (he looks funny though because he was pushing out his belly to show off the shirt).


I couldn't get a picture of the three of them sitting and smiling. Julian wants nothing to do with sitting still....he's always on the go!


Mr. Moto Cross driver and Miss Witch

My little bumble bee

My husband thought he was the funniest thing with his teeth

The kids had a great time yesterday. Our day began at 5 am (Julian and Manny's wake up time) and Manny thought it was time to go to houses. After convincing him (it took a lot) that we would go later we went about our day of school/work/and daycare. We went to the mall and they got treats from all the stores. The mall also had a costume contest....Julian made it to the finals but we didn't stick around to see if he won (the kids needed to eat dinner, Julian was being great but he needed to eat and get to sleep and we had Grandma's house to visit still).

Side note: Manny woke up this morning and put his costume on again and told me he was ready to go to houses for more candy. (The only houses he went to were my mom, aunt and my brother....glad you are 3 and are satisfied with this!!)