Springtime

Our First Garden (including mine)

3rd floor view of Jacaranda trees out front ...

and the back.  They currently line the streets of the entire city.  And what I love most is that we have a PERFECT view of them out all three over-sized windows upstairs.

Another Bailout

I should be preparing for two birthday parties, but instead I sat down to read the headlines and feed Sophia. For weeks, I have been in shock as Americans continue to support actions that pull us away from a Free-Market Economy. America is about capitalism and that is one of the things that makes America great. The American Dream really is alive. I have numerous examples to site, but I digress.

Why are we continually bailing out people and corporations that have made poor financial decisions? Why should we bailout people who have defaulted on their mortgages? Aren't they the ones who purchased more than they could afford while we spent our money responsibly? The market prices of homes went through the roof because of the thousands of people who were approved for mortgages they could never afford and those same people were the ones who bid thousands of dollars over normal market value because they felt like they could. I agree that banks tried to exploit these people, but they allowed themselves to be exploited. I read the fine print and questioned lenders about fees and interest rates when we closed on our condo. We paid upfront for others stupidity and now we must pay to fix their problems. Are we doing this so politicians can make promises to their constituencies?

Home ownership is not a right, is it a privilege. I was sickened when I watched congress bailout greedy financial institutions. I am even more distraught by politicians who do not want to tell the American public that their foreclosures are the consequence of their poor decision making. There is more money for the bailout of Wall Street than we have spent on the "War on Terror" over the last 7 years, which we might all agree has been too much. For the love...

Now, I am alarmed that we are discussing bailing out the auto industry. Are we moving to socialism altogether? Jobs will be lost and that is devastating, but those corporations made bad decisions. Maybe if we cut the fat from the auto industry (just as we should in the banking sector), it will leave us with a few corporations that really can compete on a global scale and will be all the better for having to adjust to changing times.

Please, I beg Congress, do not give the hard-earned dollars of financially savvy individuals to bail anyone else out. You made a mistake the first time that you did. So far 300 billion has been pumped into banks and what do we have to show for it? The economy is not strengthening and it hasn't created more consumer confidence. Please allow the free market to take its course. America will prosper and flourish again in time.

Happy Birthday Abe (yesterday)

On his way to school for a Sprinkler Party

It seems like a momentous occasion to have your oldest child turn 5. He is no longer a toddler and really is a school-aged boy. When I think about his birth 5 years ago, it seems like so long ago. So much has happened in those 5 years. Since his birth, my priorities have changed. My life has been committed to his well-being. Nearly everything that I have done since then has been centered around a child, and now children. It is Abe who is always teaching me. With him, I am always on unchartered territory because he is my first. There are so many qualities in Abe that we adore. Here are just a few:

His intelligence and love of learning.
HIs laugh
The way he cuddles (and the fact that he still wants us to cuddle him)
His love of babies (since before Peyton was born)
His sense of responsibility
His Confidence
His ability to carry on a GREAT conversation.

I love you Abe! You are more than I could have ever dreamed of!

Happy Birthday Peyton

We can't believe that Peyton is 3 years old and yet we can hardly remember life without her. Here are just a few things that we love about her:

Her fearless/go get 'um attitude
Her eyes
Her non-stop singing
Her extremely competitive nature (that one is from Dad)
Her hugs (they really are the best)
Her ability to make you laugh, especially when you are upset.
The smile that makes you heart melt (again, especially when she thinks she is in trouble)
Her sensitivity to how others feel
Her ability to play like a girl or rough with the boys
She is a great helper and loves to contribute

Happy Birthday Sweet Girl! We are so blessed to be your parents! We can't wait to see what lies ahead in the years to come!

Way to Go!

Proof that summer is quickly approaching!

This is the 5th day in a row that the kids have been in the pool. The weather has been beautiful and the nights have been warm enough to keep the water at a reasonable temperature.

Yesterday, Abe learned how to do a somersault in the water and today, he worked past his fear of the deep end (he has been able to swim but insistent upon the fact that he would sink if the water was too deep), and swam the length of the pool. He also dove down 6 feet to retrieve a toy and then swam to the edge alone. I love having a pool! The kids appreciate it just as much! I love that it keep the kids outdoors and active for hours while I sit on the side with Sophia.

Sophia's First "Cheese"

...and new hairdo.  If you can't beat 'em, join 'em.  After just 6 weeks, check out the rapidly developing rolls. 

Boys Will Be Boys

They say that there are two types of men.  Men who can grill and those who think that they can.

Chub

Sophia is one month old and filling out quickly.  I thought that I would have so much more time to take photos and dote, but the reality of it is that we have three children now and that does not leave much time for photo shoots.  I just wanted to show you the double chin that I referred to in the last post.  She continues to look more and more like Abe.  

(Mom, this is the same age that Abe was in Mazatlan.)

Happy Halloween

From Anakin, Tinkerbell

and Darth Vader!

Sophia in Blue

I know, I know, as of late it appears that I have nothing to talk about other than Sophia, but this is, after all, a family blog. The truth of it is, she does consume the largest majority of my day and the other two spend their day in a school uniform.

I love this photo because it looks like Sophia does. Photographing a newborn awake is tricky because when you can actually get them to look right at you, the photo doesn't quite represent what they actually look like. Take the last two pictures that I have posted for example. Both are comical in their own way, but don't really 'represent' her. However, I love this photo because this is my Sophia. her eyes, her lips and her coloring. I would also like to add the her second chin is coming alive rather quickly. She and Abe were born with a flap of skin under their chin just waiting for a little bit of baby fat. :)

We All Have Bad Hair Days

Look how much she has grown in 3 weeks! When we came home from the hospital, I posted this photo of Sophia. Take note of the distance between the top of her head and the top of the stationary head support as compared to now.

I am not a fan of the baby fro, so I have tried a variety of products to keep it down. I even once resorted to crusty gel, but some days, like this one, nothing works once it dries. It is okay sweet Sophia, my hair has a mind of it's own too!

Sleeping Like a Baby

(Mom, do you have the picture of me like this?)

Whatcha Lookin' At?

But something I said soon after made her genuinely make eye contact and smile.

Our New Blue

Now all we need is a few thousand gallons of water, some chlorine and a few more sunny days to heat it up!

(As we began to fill the pool today, the gardener and I removed the red flowers along the back wall and replanted the good ones to the right of the pool in preparation for a few more tomato plants and green beans. We also removed the eye sore --a.k.a. rosemary bush -- next to the fence to make room for watermelon and the other tree on the inside of the fence. This patch is now looking forward to next Thursday when it will house a lemon tree.  There is more change in the works, but this was enough for today.  Sophia needed attention. More pics to follow.)

Palin on SNL

Great Book

Now I am looking forward to this movie... (hopefully it is as well done as the book.) It certainly has an All-Star cast.


I just read this for the first time a couple of months ago based on Alicia's recommendation. I had no idea it was being made into a movie until today an now I don't have long to wait!

Happy Birthday Mom

..and 50 years young!

Two Weeks

This has been the fastest two weeks I can recall in recent history. We have been so busy, with little to report. We are just a family of 5 now and it requires a lot more of my time. Unfortunately, my attempts a taking pictures of Sophia have failed miserably. However due to high demand, here are a few more pictures of our family from the last 10 days.

She was so content outside in this soft blanket in the Moses basket.

My Big Helper

"Ah-Choo"

Our First Walk

El Indio celebrating Dia de la Raza

Planting a small garden

Wide Awake

She obviously has a nearly 3-year-old big sister

Could we have another talker?

Personalized Gifts

Check out these unique family trees at Leaves of Legacy Gifts. My sister-in-laws have just opened this new Etsy shop just in time for the holidays!

Whoo Hoo!

After 8 days, 25 down and 25 to go!

Our Little Angel

Coming Home with Sophia

Sophia Jane

Sophia Jane

Born 30 September 2008 1120AM (BsAs time)

7lbs 12oz

20inches

Everyone is happy and healthy... will upload more pictures soon

Straight From the Mouth of My Abe Part II

As we buckle the kids in the car to head to the doctors office after a few hours of minor contractions, Abe becomes pensive. (This is not an announcement - there is still little to report)

Abe: Mom, I am going to cry.

Me: Don't cry honey.  What is wrong?

Abe: No mom, I am going to cry because I am so happy that we are going to have a new baby.

What a sweet boy.

Straight From the Mouth of My Abe

Just when I was beginning to think that being a stay-at-home mom was a real job... 

Abe: Do you know what I want to be when I grow up?

Me: What would you like to be?

Abe: I want to be a a guy who battles bad guys.  (Insert just about any occupation that requires physical labor, saving someone or protecting mankind here - it changes everyday)

Steve: You'd be really good at that Abe

Abe: Dad, what do you want to be when you grow up?

Steve: I am grown-up and I made the decision to work for the State Department

Abe: Oh, well Mom, what do you want to be when you grow up?

Me: I choose to me a mom so that I could stay home with you.

Abe: Well, how come you are only a mom? Didn't you want to be anything...  you know like a firefighter or work for the State Department?

Perspective

In english, we call it giving birth.  

In spanish (not in castellano, of course), it is referred to it as  "da la luz" or giving the light.

Today this is my reminder that the events of the next couple of weeks are of far greater importance than my own worldly perspective.  

In the end, it is all the same

I have spent the majority of this pregnancy substantially smaller than the previous two and had high hopes of of minimizing my weight gain. However, in the past couple of weeks, I have begun to swell and am now carrying water weight. As a matter of fact, in the past 7 days, I have gained nearly 4 pounds. For the Love!

So apparently, having started this pregnancy about 5 pounds heavier than that of Abe and 10 pounds heavier than Peyton, I will still plateau at nearly the exact same weight. Am I am ticking time bomb with 2 pounds to go?

Is there any chance that the 50 pounds will come off just as easily as the previous two times? Hopefully nursing will treat me as kindly as it has in the past and offer some much-needed assistance.  

Distinct Personalities

As we sat around the kitchen table coloring cartoon printouts, the kids had a conversation that reminded me of how differently their little brains work.

Peyton: (coloring Elmo's eyes blue and face purple) Look Mom, I did it. Isn't Elmo silly?
Abe: Pey-TON, Elmo is red, not blue.
Mom: It is okay Abe. We can use our imagination when we color. Sometimes, I like to color the grass blue and the sky orange. It is just using our imagination.
Peyton: Yeah Abe, it's my imagination.
Abe: Yes, well I like to color the grass green and the sky blue. (as he sat and colored all of the crocodiles on his paper green and the lake blue)

Well, what do you say to that?  He put me in my place.

El Dia Especial de Peyton

On Monday, Peyton was the "Child of the Day." In honor of this special occasion, we brought baby pictures to share with the class, a CD of her favorite music, her favorite toy and a special treat. So for journal keeping purposes, I thought that I would share those things with you.

Here are the pictures that we shared:

Leaving the Hospital

First Mother's Day (7 months old)

10 Months Old

Her CD included:
-Twinkle, Twinkle
-Row, Row, Row Your Boat
-Wheels on the Bus
-It's a Small World
-I Wan'na Be Like You (Jungle Book)

Her Favorite Toy(s):
-"My Little Pony". I tried to encourage her to pick a favorite, but she insisted on bringing as many as would fit in her arms.

Her Favorite Treat:
-Chocolate Chip Cookies

Our Rumbero

Abe has been preparing for the school concert for months and was finally able to showoff his stuff friday night at the final performance. Photography was not allowed, so these pics are from the dress rehearsal on Wednesday morning. We have video to post soon as well.



It was such a joy to watch him and and his classmates. The costume did not call for a shirt underneath, but Abe insisted that he could not go to school and show everyone his chest. I wholeheartedly agreed, but we do not own a plain black shirt and it would have been difficult to locate one at the last minute... until I remembered that Peyton has a black ribbed tanktop in 2t (which is too small for her). Abe was more concerned that everyone would know that he was wearing his sister's shirt than he was concerned about the ruffles on his arms!

Baby Shower

My wonderful friend Elena threw me a baby shower last Saturday. There was a lot of great food, pink decorations and, of course, Kendra's carrot cake adorned with pink diaper pins. Somehow we were having such a great time that I did not get a picture of the table. Thanks Ladies! Now it is time to have this baby!

The Group

Sheri and I

A thoughtful gift sent all the way from Honduras!

What do you see?

Is it just me or did you notice these yard signs look strangely similar to "Osama Bin Laden"? I wonder if their campaign has noticed or if their graphic designers and proofers considered another format.

Disclaimer: I do not believe that Obama is a terroist.

Oh, the Joy of PT

Just when you think that the potty training is over and that the child has finally caught on, it all come crashing down and leaves nothing but remnants of success. Dry nights, dry school days and horribly frustrating afternoons at home. For me, maybe it is the stress of a new baby in a month and the possibility of regression that is really testing my patience, but really, as a friends put it last night in reference to her own daughter, "Do I really need to be tried this many times a day?"

The Nursery

Today, I braved the Argentine paint store, picked out a color and finished the first coat. I think that I might really like it!

Opening Ceremony of the Olympics

I know that the Olympics have come and gone, Michael Phelps (who might as well have been his own country) has returned home with his medals and thousands of people are camping out for tickets to see 150 Olympians united together on Oprah's infamous stage, however I just ran across more amazing photos of the Opening Ceremony and would like to share.