Domestic Bliss

How fun is vacuuming now?

10 Months

Valentina Lourdes is 10 months old!! She is so darling!!! She eats so much and so well. She has gone back to sleeping well in her own crib (until the next round of major teething comes, I suppose). She loves to play with her toys, Salvatore's toys, bath time, eating Cheerios, and her baby dolls. She pulls herself up on anything and walks all around the couches. She is also trying to say so many words. She can basically copy the tone and syllabication of simple words that I say, and tries to say them, like "hi, bye-bye, Benny, uh-oh, all done, mas, agua, leche, and dada and mama."

Oh, and she points. With her index finger. At everything. It is so so cute.

I can no longer keep the sticker that reads, "10 months" on her shirt. She was trying to eat it and the paper. But her smile...

She is incredibly fast now with crawling. Will follow the sound of our voices anywhere. She really has us on our toes at all times, especially because she seems to find the tiniest piece of fuzz or whatever and wants to eat it. And she loves to crawl around Benedict. He doesn't mind. But she is a bit more aggressive with him than Salvatore was. Poor Benny gives me that, "are you gonna save me from her poking me in the _________" look.

Salvatore is still her absolute favorite. She just lights up when he is around.

Salvatore's drawing of a sun. I was so impressed. I love continuing to see all that he can do and all that he loves to try.

Turning the Tables

Salvatore asks "Why?" questions. All. the. time. And he uses logic and reasoning that just blow me away. While his sweet little voice is music to my ears, I'd be lying if I told you that it was melodic all of the time. It's not. I love his curious, inquisitive nature...but sometimes I would really just like him to be quiet. Like when we are at the bank. Or when Valentina is falling asleep. Or when I am trying to watch a total of 10 uninterrupted minutes of TV. I'm sure you catch my drift.

I have decided to turn the tables on him and ask HIM a bunch of "Why?" questions.

Me: "Why do we have beds?"

Sal: "So we can go to sleep."

Me: "Why do we have to go to sleep?"

Sal: "Well, we have to go to sleep when the sun goes to sleep. That's just what we do."

Me: "Why do we have tables?"

Sal: "So we can eat food and stuff."

Me: "What kind of food?"

Sal: "You know what you like, don't you?"

Me: "Why do we have doctors?"

Sal: "For when we get sick, they make us better."

Me: "How do they do that?"

Sal: "You know, with a band aid and a shot."

Paul Michael

Our step brother, Paul Michael, came to California for business. We met up for some pleasure. We took him and his good friend, Kyle, to Roscoe's Chicken and Waffles in Hollywood. It was wonderful to see him...all grown up (he was 17 the last time we saw him). He and his sister, Beth, really fulfilled Brian and I's dream of having more siblings.

Here's hoping that we get to see much more of him in the future.

Just Another Day in Paradise

So the home life is getting more and more stressful...

so many things going on...

SO MANY THINGS STILL TO DO to run this house, care for the kids, care for each other and ourselves, do our jobs well, keep up our new family business, taxes, car repairs, paperwork, blah blah blah...

Salvatore has been whining non stop lately. And he is obsessed with "winning" everything. And he whines and cries if he doesn't win. I can't imagine how this will all play out when he starts karate and soccer in 2 weeks. And he still has "on purposes" weekly with potty training. I don't call them "accidents" when he simply refuses or forgets to use the restroom correctly.

Valentina is now entering her screaming phase. Thought I had a few more months until that started. She also throws major fits when I need to change her diaper, and I have tried EVERYTHING to keep her remotely attentive so I can at least get the poop wiped off of her butt before she bucks and flips over. She bites, too. And throws herself back and will gladly hit her head over and over again on anything just to make her point clear. I'm still nursing her but have had to supplement with formula on days when I can't find the time to pump at work.

And I can't keep one thing straight anymore at work. Too many things going on. Same at home. I can't remember whom I told what and when.

SIGH...

But we are healthy and happy and together. And our family always helps us and prays for us. And I didn't get laid off again. And we have friends constantly supplying us with diapers (thanks Steph), formula (thanks Jane), baby clothes (thanks Ivy) and so much more with home repairs and such.

We are so blessed.

It really is just another day in paradise for us.

We hope it is for you as well.

Need More Convincing?

A while back, I posted about all of the things that I found while shopping at the 99 Cents Store. I am so happy that I am able to get so many great things for the family there. Again, my first step was walking in there and just going up and down every aisle to see what kinds of things I liked and what I would actually buy and not buy. I have heard that not all stores carry the same types of things, but I am happy that I am able to find some great and tasty things that we use. We have saved SO MUCH MONEY.

Weekend of Love

First of all, happy 31st birthday to my devoted, hard working, and honest husband. We let Salvatore take some of the pictures and he got it stuck on some weird setting that made everything red. But, I could look at their faces all day...

Sunday morning, David's Tia Rocio and Tio Flavio renewed their vows after 30 years of marriage. We celebrated afterwards with brunch at El Torito and a trip to the Cerritos Library and Sculpture Garden.

Salvatore and Fernando reading together at the library. This children's library has an aquarium, dinosaur exhibit, lighthouse and trees inside!

Valentina loved the fountains.

Nicole, Salvatore and Fernando.

Mother and Son Dance

My school held its annual Mother and Son Dance. We walked the red carpet and were treated like superstars all night. Our PTA really rocked it out. My favorite former students served us yummy food and we got a professional picture taken!

We met Sara, Jack, Gaby, Cruz, Stephanie and Andre there for a night of good food, dancing and watching our boys and our students look so handsome and dance so silly.

It was a wonderful night with my little guy and some dear friends!

Lenten Journey

Wednesday began my favorite holiday season, the season of Lent. Beginning with Ash Wednesday, Lent connects us to the faithful journey that Jesus took alone in the desert. He did not merely survive, he thrived on His faith, love, determination and acceptance of His situation and the world around Him. We are encouraged to prepare ourselves for Easter by reflecting and growing in faith and prayer. A spiritual journey can be to make a goal for yourself to help you to be a better _______(you fill in the blank). A wise friend beautifully said, " Goals aren't for what you make out of them once complete, they are for who you become along the way."

Salvatore took this picture of us.

While driving to church that night, I explained to Salvatore the history and meaning of the ashes. How they come from the palms from the previous Palm Sunday. How they are spread across our foreheads so we may look at each other as another child of God. We are reminded that we are all the same.

We are encouraged to strive to see God as clearly in others as others can see the mark of the ashes on our faces.

This season, I am really working on my relationship with Benedict. I love him and I can feel our time with him already slipping by too quickly.

And so a new journey begins...

Salvatore's Busy Spring

Salvatore has a busy next few months! We looked through our Life of La Habra magazine (just like when he took that summer swimming class two summers ago) and found a karate class for him on Monday nights and a mini sports camp on Tuesday nights. Classes start the first week of April. We can walk to both the karate studio and the park, so I am hoping to get in better shape too!

Meanwhile, we went for a long walk yesterday and ended up at the park behind the La Habra Children's Museum. We played and played and then quickly darted inside to use the restroom. While I was surprised at how terribly crowded it was, a lady told me that it was free admission for that day. Score!

Carousel rides.

Dressing up like a ____________(you fill in the blank...we couldn't decide if those hats were from the police, military, trains, or what)!

Inside the little teepee.

Shopping. Maybe because he goes with me to every store in La Habra like twice a week. He was diligent about filling up his cart and pushing it around. He also loved the pretend cash register. I gotta buy him one...it was too cute.

While "driving" this car, he would shout at any kid walking by to "fill up the tank, please!"

Loading and unloading the dishwasher.

Outside on his favorite yellow airplane.

She's Crawling

She is getting really good.

We have changed our plans this weekend.

We have to stay home and seriously baby-proof this house again!

Happy Birthday Benny!

March 2nd was Benedict's 6th birthday.

That makes him 45.

He is as energetic and handsome as ever.

We love you Benny!

P.S. Happy happy 3rd birthday to our sweet Mia tomorrow!