Brotherly love

No, he's not going to eat him; he's giving kisses

okay, maybe he's gonna bite him here

Julian loved playing with his brother's toys the other morning without them being taken away..

Happy Birthday Taina

Princess Taina is 9 years old today.....Happy Birthday!!!! Yes, that is a "0" in her cake. We didn't have a "9" and we haven't celebrated a birthday with candles in this new house, so all the candles were left at Grandma and Pop's house....she got to choose between "3 and 2"....We love you Na Na!!!!

My sick boys

The past week has NOT been fun. Early last Monday (January 5...my first day back to work after 12 days off) Manny woke up crying that his ear hurt him....yup assumed yet another ear infection. Julian had started coughing the night before so I figured I'd take them to the Dr after work. Just as I thought double ear infection for Manny and Julian had a bad bronchial infection which would have turned into pneumonia had I not gone to the Dr that day. I was sent home with an antibiotic for each boy and nebulizer treatments for Julian as well as a few other things. Manny quickly went down hill and he developed a cough (his infamous always seem to get one cough) and we started treatments with him. By the end of the week neither of them had made much progress...fevers, runny nose, cough still deep and nasty...Manny upped his meds and started Prednazone and his next step was the emergency room. Julian finally made a turn for the better Sunday during the day or else his next step was prednazone. Let me tell you, it was NO picnic being stuck in the house with the two boys Saturday and Sunday and having to do nebulizer treatments on them both every 4 hours. All I can say is I was thankful to go back to work Monday and that they are both doing better!!!

Nap in the wagon

Julian loves the wagon, even being pulled around in the playroom (way too cold for outside now!!) He fell asleep during his very short "walk".

Manny took this picture the other morning as the sun was shining through the icy trees.

Julian and vacation is over!

I have enjoyed this vacation, more than any recently. I've enjoyed spending time with the kids (even Manny has been enjoyable and his behavior is improving. Maybe it's with age or the fact that he really is learning at school).

I have a couple of big snowmen set up at the landing of the stairs and Julian stands and sits at the top of the stairs at the gate talking to them. I had to move them there because he was pulling at their noses and pulling them down the hallway by their arms....so cute!!!!

(I love this one of his excitement at the Christmas tree!!)

Julian though was so much fun to be with and amazes me with all he does. He can quickly climb the entire set of stairs, but doesn't know how to get down them yet!! In a matter of a few weeks he has gone from walking very cautiously to practically running after his big brother and sister. He does this cute dance with his feet and for some reason likes to shake his head back and forth a few times. When he wants something he takes his hand and motions for me to come to him or whatever it is he wants. He is learning so much each day and really is such a good boy. He had an awesome time at this photo shoot

and wore me out because he kept running away from the prop so I had to chase him, get him posed again then he was off. He still does this dolphin noise and wrinkles up his nose to be cute. The bath is another love of his and he enjoys slashing mommy with the water. Julian is not a big cuddler...maybe this is my fault because I don't have the time like I did with Manny, or maybe it's that he sleeps in his own crib, unlike his big brother who slept in our bed the first year and a half of his life (who am I kidding...he still ends up in our room). Or maybe it's just who Julian is and he is one special little boy. I prayed for a laid back good baby and I received. God knew I had my hands full with the big two and he really blessed us with a calm and laid back little boy....his demeanor reminds me of my father at times. We joke with Big Manny saying that Lil Manny and Taina definitely take after him and Julian takes after me!!!

I love all three of you and thank you for letting me enjoy being with you guys these past 12 days!!!