I Like to Ride My Bicycle

Salvatore is LOVING his new bicycle!  We practiced every day last week before the rain came.  I love seeing him learn something new.  He has a really good attitude lately about trying new things and being patient with himself as he goes.  Now, whenever he sees another person on his/her bike, he wants to ride with them.  Our goal is to be able to all ride together this summer down by the beach.

Good Morning World

TODAY!!!!!!!

My Sita (maternal grandmother in Arabic) came over yesterday and brought wrapped Christmas gifts for the kids from my Aunt Lisa.  Salvatore was SO EXCITED to show me the presents.  They had unpacked the big bag and scattered them in my dad's house first.  Salvatore kept telling me to follow him to Lolo's house to see the great presents.  We walked back there to my dad's house and as Salvatore led me into his living room to show me, he enthusiastically spread him arms out wide and yelled, "TODAYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY!!!!!!!!!"  

He was trying to say, "Ta-da!"

Gracias Nana Janet...

...for thinking of us each year as you create cute stuff to make...

...and for giving us the chance to get a picture like this...

...and for raising such a great daughter...

We love the hats!

We love posing together.

We hate to take them off!

6 months

Valentina Lourdes is 6 months old!

She has been spoiled by her Sita (my mom), her Lolo (my dad), her abuela (David's mom) and by her abuelo (David's dad).

She is getting so big and so bright!  She sits up all the time now.  She loves playing with all of her brother's toys.  She gets so excited when she sees Benedict.  She talks, coos and babbles so much, just like her big brother.

She does not really seem to like her solid food that much, it is more of a hit-or-miss with her on any given day.  She would much prefer to nurse all day and often waits for me to return home from work to eat most of her meals.  And she is no longer sleeping through the night, which is awful on me, but the house full of family is worth the change.  I have learned from Salvatore's experiences that it always works out somehow, someway. 

She is just so precious.  We love her and take turns holding her and playing with her all day.  Salvatore is the best big brother and we are so proud at how they interact!

A Piece of Paper

I am tired of hearing people (especially celebrities) say that marriage is "just a piece of paper."  Not to me.  I have a piece of paper from the state and one from our church with a date and a time that proves that we did it, but my marriage is never about that paper.  It is about commitment.  It's about love. It's about acceptance.  It's about family. It's about communication and forgiveness and laughter and friendship and support and it is hard and easy and challenging and rewarding.  Ask any widow if they think it is just a piece of paper.  I know that not all marriages are happy and sometimes a divorce can save your life and lead you to better things.  But it is not a piece of paper.  

Family Party

We had a family birthday party for Salvatore today..he will officially turn three this Tuesday.

My mom and I made his 3 birthday cakes.  Mom did the fancy white and blew us away with her skills!  I made the chocolate and another not pictured. 

Lolo and Salvatore

Sara and Valentina

His new bike (thank you Tio Flavio)

Parents, grandparents and great-grandparents

Us

Sal's turn at smacking his pinata with encouragement from Fernando

The really good-looking gang

Tio Brian and Tia Rebecca

Tia Suzanne with her girl...our day was filled with laughter and love!  

We are so blessed and THANKFUL to have you all in our lives!