Stand Corrected

Ignacio has become quite the little stickler for proper usage of the English language. The other day he was getting ready to go outside and I said, "Put on your jacket" to which he said, "It's not a jacket. It's a coat." Today he told me isn't wasn't a drumstick that he was using to play the drum but rather a "mallot." He learned that in music class by the way. I had forgotten but good thing he was paying attention. I was probably removing a "mallot" from Emilio's mouth at the moment. God forbid I ask him to put his car away when it happens to be a truck. On a good day I say, "You're right Ignacio. That is a truck." On a bad day I think, "JUST PUT IT AWAY! I DON'T CARE WHAT IT IS!" Some days he will ask me the question when he already knows the answer, kind of hoping I will give him wrong answer so he can correct me. For instance..."Emilio is a boy?" to which I say, "Yes, he's a boy." Then he says, "No he's not. He's a baby." Most days I just think, " I stand corrected Ignacio. I stand corrected."

Traditions

Angel and I have never been the kind of people who purposefully create traditions, but as it turns out there are a few that have just developed organically over the years. Going to Macy's to see Santa has become one of them. This year we realized it is our third year, which also means Ignacio has been a part of our family for a growing number of seasons. This year he practically jumped out of his skin when we told him we were going to see Santa. He talked the WHOLE way there, wondering about the reindeer, where the elves were, talking about presents and what wondering what language he should speak to Santa in.

In line he tried everything to get to the front of the line and when asked what he was going to tell Santa he wanted all he would say was, "a purple present." When we finally got to see the old man Ignacio got shy but gladly approached him and said, "I want a purple whale." Then Emilio joined the jolly occassion and his face said, "Get me out of here!!" he waited patiently on Santa's lap as not to offend.

Go back in time to see the blog post about Ignacio's first trip here and you will realize he has always been Ignacio.

On to the Candy Store where Ignacio got this sucker and ate it all by the time he was strapped into his carseat. Amazing.

9 and 3

The other day I was leaving the house for work and said to Angel, "I love you" to which he replied, "I love you too" to which Ignacio said "I love you three." I laughed my whole way to work.

Today at the doctor it was decided Emilio would have to get a shot. Ignacio looked at the doctor as said "That's my brother. You don't give him boo boos." Emilio started crying and Ignacio told the nurse, "He's saying no!" It was so adorable...his little valient effort to protect his bro. Unfortunately it didn't work.

Emilio had his 9 month check-up today and turns out he is turning out just great. I told the doctor it was a good thing because the return policy has expired on him. He is a slinkly little one coming in much longer than most babies his age. His head and weight are pretty par for the course. The doctor says that, although his belly button looks like it is getting worse, with time, it will heal and be okay. Emilio showed the doctor how he waves, pulled the stethoscope right out of the doctor's ears and drooled all over the place.

Ignacio finger painted Dr. Williams a picture and gave it to him proudly. The next check-up is at 1 year for Emilio and Ignacio will be 4 for his next check-up. I can hardly believe it. Everyone says that the time goes fast and I am feeling that now. My first baby will be a boy and my baby will be a toddler. For now, they are 9 and 3 and I will just soak that all in!

33

I did a little bit of everything on my birthday...cried, laughed, talked and danced. Here is a picture of me with my two greatest gifts.

Let it SNOW!!!!

This picture has nothing to do with the snow storm...but he is just so cute!!!

Angel and Ignacio headed out in the middle of the storm to play. All bundled up and ready to go!

It looks like they landed on Mars or something but here they are out in front of our place.

This is 11am although it looks like 5pm. The snow was coming down, the wind was blowing and I was sooooo excited!!

Good thing cousins live right next door. Here they are on their ride around the neighborhood! Hang on! Later that night we had our Cisneros Christmas and Maria and Miguel's house with a full Venezuelan meal and presents for all. Ignacio STAYED the night at his first sleepover at their house. We packed his backpack and came home, waiting patiently for the call to come get him or the knock on the door but it never came. Adriana, Cristian and Ignacio piled into the bed and slept the whole night!

Quotable Quotes

In the span of 10 minutes Ignacio said the following:

While pooping..."It looks like chocolate!!!!

While putting on his boots..."My cowboy boots aren't beautiful; they're fantastic."

Really got my Wednesday morning off to a hilarious start.

Favorites

Ignacio's THREE year birthday party. Mama Ama's birthday bear was there to share in the fun and we all had a blast with food, cake and music.

Make a wish Ignacio!

Thanksgiving 2010...a 23 pound turkey! Don't worry...we had guests to help us eat it!

First snow fall of the year. Ignacio and I went out at 6am in our pajamas to walk to the street and see the snow. Later in the day we made it out to build our snowman...which subsequently fell over only hours later but hey...it was fun while it lasted. Oh, and we watched a snow plow for almost a half and hour.

This is currently my favorite face Emilio makes. When he is super spunky or super silly he smiles this big so you can see all his teeth and crinkles his little nose.

Ignacio in his present from auntie...a full-fledged fireman! He opened this up RIGHT away and didn't take it off for hours. Auntie sure knows him. Happy three years Ignacio...I mean fireman!

Conversations

On the way to Urgent Care on Ignacio's birthday it was just him and I in the car. After a day of ear pulling, crying and laying listless on the couch I thought we should take him in. His little brown eyes gazed out the window, fighting the sleep that so badly wanted them closed. The following is the coversation that we had...

Ignacio: Girls can be princesses?
Me: Yes, honey
Ignacio: Boys can be princes?
Me: Yes, my love
Ignacio: I'm a prince.
Me: You are?!!
Ignacio: You are a princess mommy.
Me: I am?!!
Ignacio: Do penguins fly?
Me: I don't think so.
Ignacio: What do worms eat?
Me: Food.
Ignacio: Oh.

After determining we were royalty we arrived. We were at the clinic right down the road from the hospital where, three years prior, I held him the exact same way I did at Urgent Care as we waited for the doctor to check him. To top it all off he wore his cowboy boots on the wrong feet.

Tonight is similiar to this night three years ago. I am sitting in my kitchen for one. It is quiet...that's number two. I am in my pajamas. But on this night, three years ago, I was stuffing fried chicken and grapes in my mouth at the kitchen table between contractions as Angel nervously paced our entire condominium about 100 times. Yes, tomorrow at 7:07pm my first little baby entered into this world. It is crazy to sit here now and imagine being in labor until tomorrow night but, I could make a list of ALL the crazy things I have been able to do since becoming a mom. 36 hours of labor was just the beginning. Ignacio is turning three and I stood in the decorations aisle at Toys R Us for 5 minutes trying to decide between Sesame Street or Thomas the Train plates for his party. It doesn't seem like a big deal but the decision enveloped the paradox of Ignacio turning three...not a toddler who loves Elmo and not yet a preschooler who adores train sets. This is the anniversary of the eve. The eve of becoming a mother...of learning what it means to love so deeply and unconditionally. To understand suffering and joy to depths I personally never knew even existed. So tonight on the three year anniversary of the eve I tell myself again, "Push, Katrina, Push. You can do this." The world was about to change with Ignacio's arrival...it just didn't know it yet...and neither did I.

A night in the life...

A night in the life of a mommy (and in "night" I am referring to last night and in "mommy" I am referring to me).

8:00pm Quiet house...Angel and I finally having a conversation about our day.
8:20pm Ignacio wakes up crying and I go it to lay with him.
8:30pm Ignacio is in our bed.
9:00pm Ignacio wakes up wailing with a cough and runny nose all over. Vicks applied. Boogers wiped.
10:00pm Ignacio wakes up again requesting we remove his socks...socks removed.
12:00am Angel comes to bed. Ignacio up coughing. We make warm milk with honey.
1:00am Ignacio up talking about dinosaurs and the sort. We have no idea.
2:30am Emilio wakes up crying. He is burning up. Temp at 104.2.
2:32am Motrin given and I wake Angel up who freaks out at the temp.
2:40am Applying cold wet rags to Emilio's body.
2:45am On the phone with the nurse line.
2:50am Ignacio wakes up and comes walking into Emilio's room.
3:00am Ignacio returned back to his room and Emilio is wide awake.
3:15am Angel takes Emilio and I lay down with Ignacio who is awake again.
4:12am Angel brings Emilio back in our room...he is wide awake.
4:20am I am in with Emilio and he nurses but stays awake....we spend some time looking at each other.
4:30am I cut a deal with Angel that we will take shifts sleeping with Emilio in his room. He goes to be with Emilio.
5:30am Angel comes in the room...Emilio woke up.
5:45am Emilio finally falls asleep in my arms...I lay on the floor with him cradled in my arms.
6:30am Ignacio wakes up ready for the day as if nothing happened last night.
6:45am Emilio wakes up.
6:46am We are all up.

Turns out that Ignacio checked out "okay" at the clinic. Emilio, poor baby has double ear infections. So miserable. My little one. Angel and I are exhausted but we should have one more hard night and then we should be on the mend. I, amazingly am feeling fine. MOMMY POWER! (knock on wood)

Sucky Sicky

They (Angel, Ignacio and Emilio) are all sick. Question: What is harder that having sick kids? Answer: Having sick kids and a sick husband. No back-up for mommy! Runny noses, fevers, coughs oh my! I myself am hanging in there...taking vitamins and supplements like they are going out of style. Good thing we did our Thanksgiving shopping last night. I have to go back now to wiping noses, pressing palms to warm foreheads and giving magic hugs that "make it all better." They don't sell THAT in a pharmacy.

Up, Up, Up

Emilio is no longer my little baby nor is he a big boy so I am choosing to call him my big baby. In the last couple of days he has pulled to standing and he is crawling like it is nobody's business. Oh, and he is cutting his FOURTH tooth on top. That will make a total of SIX teeth and he just turned 8 months. He is the apple of auntie's eye and when she is around his little feet don't touch the ground because he finds his spot on her hip as she carries him around the whole day...as Ignacio chases after her saying, "Auntie, look at this!!!!!"

Ignacio has been more sensitive lately...first a bout with really hard stuttering and then meltdown after meltdown (today it was that he couldn't have a yellow popcicle) and tesing limits like crazy. I noticed tonight that both Angel and I have intuitively brought him in closer, or as Krissy says, "brought him under our wings." I slept with him in our bed for nap this week and Angel spends extra time at night snuggling him. I think it works. A little love never hurts.

On your mark...

Our little baby boy is crawling! On Tuesday he crawled over to Ignacio as we sat on the bedroom floor and now he will move his little legs with all his might to get to mama. Oh, and he is talking way more...as long as Ignacio isn't around. I told Angel the other night that he is probably going to be the kind of kid we have to make sure to spend alone time with to know what is going on with him because, as long as big brother's around he won't get a word it edge wise. I wonder if that's how Krissy has felt her whole life? Maybe I should apologize!

A grunting affair

Ignacio doesn't want me to watch him when he has to go "number two" which I find totally understandable. I mean, really, who does? What he does want to do however is talk to me. No surprise there. So I stand outside of the door or have to turn around. We have been having very interesting conversations between grunts. Some days he likes to talk about the pooping experience as it is happening. Is it a big poop or a small poop? Did it hurt when he pushed it out? Does he have more coming out? Yesterday after a red-faced grunt he said, "I love you." I told him I loved him too...poop and all.

And can I just say I am in a massive love affair with Emilio? Tonight it was just the two of us in the house and I just watched him watch things. My chest filled with a sensation that can only be described as pure love. I love the way he crosses his little feet...the way his belly sticks out when he is sitting...the way he lifts his eyebrows when he pays close attention to something. There isn't anything I wouldn't do for him and I have made my promise to him to always keep him safe and happy with everything in my power.

Marathon

We are just on a milestone marathon over here. Today Emilio sat up all by himself! To see him just sitting there on the floor made him look so little and big all at the same time. Now if he would just sleep!!!!!! We are on a sleep-strike of sorts. Praying tonight is better.

Hallelujah

As you read the following post I ask that you conjure up Handel's Messiah in your head...."Hallelujah...Hallelujah....HAAALLLEEEELUUUUJAAAHHHH" Got it?

Angel Ignacio Cisneros is potty trained!!! As all know, potty training is a work in progress...much like loosing weight or making a long trip but my little (I mean big) boy is well on his way. I have not changed a poopy diaper in one week and for 6 days he has been wearing big boy underwear, even outside of the house.

Here are some fun facts about this exciting time in our family:

*Tell tale sign he has to go? He holds either the front or back of his pants.

*During the first days of going in the toilet he would run out to the livingroom and tell Emilio.

*We made a special trip to Target where he picked out UNDERWEAR!

*When he is going he says, "Mommy, go over there" meaning "Don't look at me."

*We called Angel at work to tell him the news that he pooped in the toilet and Ignacio said, "It was a REALLY BIG, BIG poop."

*The other day his cousin wanted to watch him and he said, "No! It's private time."

*Two days into this we were at Chipotle and he had to go, so he got down and said to Angel
and I, "I'll be right back" as if he was already able to go ALL by himself.

Now I just can't wait for him to be able to wipe himself...I know...baby steps. But a mother can dream can't she?

Blessed

I am so blessed to have my two beautiful little boys who love me so much and so blessed to have a supportive husband who is totally present in all he does, especially in showing me I am loved. I am blessed to have a warm, comfortable house where I have healthy food in my refrigerater for my family and heat to warm their little toes. I am blessed for all the gifts in my life and do not take anything for granted at this moment.

The roof...the roof...

Ignacio went to the local fire department's annual fair and he got in a rescue boat, an ambulance, a police car and even got to ride in a fire truck down the street with the lights and sirens going!!! He greeted me at the door with his fire hat on and told me ALL about it.

Chomper and Cha-Cha-Cha

Emilio is about to get his fourth tooth and, let's just say he isn't the happiest little person to be around these days. Don't get me wrong...he is adorable (when sleeping). Runny nose, sore gums and a MAJOR mommy affair is keeping me pretty busy. On the other home front Ignacio is sailing to new heights in his music class. Last week he played the harp and learned "decending" and "ascending" and loved every minute of it. I love every minute of him in the class!

Failure

It was impressive the lack of effectiveness I displayed in my parenting today. I know what you are all thinking..."No one is perfect." "We all have our days." "I'm sure you did just fine." But that is not how I feel and not what I want to hear. Most days I feel intensely the reason why I stay home to raise my kids. The purpose is clear, the love palpable. Then there are days like today when I am convinced my kids would be better off being raised by someone else and I am equally convinced I would be better off not being with them for so much time. I don't feel guilty and I don't feel "bad"...I guess the word would be "disappointed" in myself and in my kids. Anyone who knows me knows that Katrina doesn't do well with "disappointment" so I am faced with yet another lesson on my journey. How to be okay and forgiving of myself when I have let myself down. Dig deep, love unconditionally and make an effort to make it all okay...to convince myself that I am okay.

Viva Iowa!

Some travel to Fiji to dig their toes in warm sand while others go to the Grand Canyon to see one of the natural wonders of the world. We went to Pella, Iowa. Now before you laugh, let me tell you a few important facts about this little known treasure...

*Pella is in the richest county in Iowa and has more millionaires per capita than Hollywood.
*It smells like manure.
*The Dutch settled here and everything is a Holland theme from the bakery to the opera house.
*They make Pella windows there.
*You will never see as much corn in your whole life as you will on the drive there.
*The downtown is the quaintest little place you'll ever see.

The Cristian Volunteer Van gave us a ride into town from the hotel. The bus driver was a retired hog farmer with 52 grandkids. He said, "Boy he is going to enjoy school next year!" referring to Ignacio. When I told him he was only two he couldn't believe it. Us city folks don't lie!

Oh, did I forget to mention that Pella has the OLDEST working windmill in the U.S.? I know...you want to get in your car RIGHT now and get down there!! Just wait...there's more!

Any questions regarding the annual Tulip Festival that draws 100,000 people? Just ask the cute little boy at the information desk. Pella's population is only 9,000 so you can just imagine the crowds!

Emilio cried in the car...not happy but survived. Once he got to Pella he realized all the misery was SO worth it!

What's new?

These days we have needed extra things to keep up going and laughing. Here are just a few of them...

Emilio has taken a liking to growling and it is scary/hilarious. Scary at 3 in the morning when you think he might be possessed in the dark and hilarious most other times. You can see the change in his face when he brings the tone down low.

I was nursing Emilio when I found my eyes straining to make out what was all over his head. As I turned up the lights I saw that "someone" had taken a pen to his head. Way to make your mark Ignacio...thank God it wasn't a Sharpie.

Guess what Ignacio's new blankie is? One of mommy's shirts. He likes to ball it up and snuggle it under his head when he sleeps. I swear, if that kid could crawl back up into me most days he would.

Ignacio yelled at his corn last night, "STOP BEING HOT!!!!" If only it worked that way. He has also been known to yell at the wind. Good luck with that one honey.

Twinkle, twinkle little star
How I wonder how you are
Up above this world so high
Wondering if you are ready to fly
Twinkle, twinkle little star
You burn so bright, even from afar

A "Fairy" Good Time at the MN State Fair

We ventured to the MN State Fair this morning. We decided to go to a Park and Ride so that Ignacio could ride a "big bus" and he was a bit disappointed when he found out we weren't going to school but rather a fair. The entire way he asked if he was going to get to see the "piggies" and we assured him that indeed he would see the piggies. My favorite memories of the State Fair are cheese curds, the glider that takes you over the whole fair (my sister and I rode it every year) and the big slide. This year we accomplished two...we left the slide for next year.

Ignacio pet a pig, a sheep, a goat, and a cow. We spent 75% of our time at the big animal barns. He has been very inquisative about animals lately. Just yesterday he asked me if wolves were a type of dog and if owls were a type of bird....oh yea, and if frogs ate bugs. I didn't have all the answers. There was a big cow ready to give birth at the "Miracle of Birth" barn and people were gathered around her big circular pen. I looked to the woman next to me and said, "Poor cow. She needs a midwife and quiet, dark room." I could most relate to the big mama sow. She was laying there, as if to say, "I'm exhausted!" and the little piggies just came and ate off of her. That's how I feel some days...like a mama sow. We made it home mid-afternoon with great memories and heads ready for the pillow.


Ignacio eating his fifth Sweet Martha's Cookie...the MN equivalent of the cream puff.

Just be glad that you can't smell pictures because here we are in the cow barn...

Night, night Emilio. Apparently he didn't need to see the "Miracle of Birth" barn. He figured he was just birthed so had a pretty good idea of what it entails.

I love it that...

...this morning at Starbucks I asked Ignacio, "Would you like milk or apple juice?" He calmly responded, "Cafe Latte." Sophisticated, no?

...Ignacio joined Angel in his P90X workout this morning (He even asked me to take off his shirt so he could be like papa) and enfuriated Angel because he could do all the abdominal exercises and stretches that Angel couldn't! My limber little bean!

...Emilio lights up from the inside out when I lay him on the changing table and he looks up at me. I have never felt so loved at any single moment than those.

For Great Mama Ama...Twinkle, twinkle

My two hearts...different but equal.

What? You don't like rice cereal?

Here is Ignacio reading a book to Emilio. Until Emilio learns to crawl he has a captive audience. A born teacher or just someone who likes to hear their own voice?

See the two teeth Mama Ama?

Mr. Ignacio

Today at storytime at the library Ignacio stood in front of the group of people and announced, and I quote, "Santa is coming. When it snows mommy and Ignacio are going to play outside and Santa is coming." The little kids seemed especially greatful for the good news.

Ignacio throwing up is like trying to herd a cat. He gets scared so he roams around the house hurling. I run behind him with a towel trying to get it enough in front of him to catch the mess. When he was sick he wanted to tell auntie so we called her and said, "I'm spilling the ickies out." You commonly hear "throwing up," "hurling," "vomiting," "up-chucking," "barfing," and/or "blowing chunks". I am going to stick with "spilling the ickies."

We weren't enough.

Rock Solid

Ignacio has a rocking sense of humor only, what is making me laugh these days are the moments he isn't trying to be funny. Last night I served Ignacio Thai Peanut sauce to eat with his chicken and he scrunched up his nose and asked, "Is that poop?" I just responded, "Mommy would never serve you poop for dinner."

Earlier in the week we went for our usual walk around our colorful neighborhood and he bent over and found a rock. He exclaimed, "A ROCK!!!" to which I said, "Yes, a rock!!" He decided that it was too important and precious to be left on the sidewalk and so worked extremely hard to fit it into the tiny pocket of his jean shorts. When we got home we found a special spot for his rock. Later that afternoon we went swimming and I put his swim diaper on and his swimming shorts and then went to get the other little munchkin ready. On our way to the pool I noticed him grabbing himself and asked what was up only to look in his shorts and see he had put the rock in his diaper....logical because his shorts didn't have pockets. How else do you carry your beloved rock? I gently explained that we should put it back in the special rock spot. He agreed; only because I think it wasn't too comfortable. Putting a rock in your shorts is probably one of those ideas that sounds good at the beginning but turns out not to be.

Today Ignacio gave Emilio his FIRST gift, especially picked out by him with no prompting by mom. It was a rock. Some may say it lacks sentiment but I think it was a thoughtful gesture.

Today

Today I see you. I see your deep brown eyes. The way your tan hands make your white nails shine. The little hairs on the back of your neck. Your beautiful white teeth. I see the curl of your little ears. The slope of your nose. I see the roll on your ankle. The brillance of your two white teeth. Today I see you and I love you.

Toddler Moments

Angel: "What is your name?"
Ignacio: "Angel Ignacio Cisneros."
Angel:"What is your brother's name?"
Ignacio: "Emilio David Cisneros."
Angel: "What is papa's name?"
Ignacio: "Papa Cisneros."

Ignacio LOVES to say "show mommy" whenever he wants me to see what he is doing. He says it about 150 times a day. The other day he was ON my back and said, "Show mommy" as if I would somehow miss what he was doing.

We repainted our living room and were SO excited about the color scheme we picked out. At Home Depot it was the "Classic Elegance" color combination: a dark chocolate brown and a light khaki color. As we popped the can open and poured it into the pan, Ignacio stood by with excitement. Angel dipped the roller in and Ignacio said with disgust, "Is that poop?" So much for elegance. According to our toddler we were painting our walls poop color.

On Strike

It has been a rough weekend. Yesterday morning Emilio woke up and decided he was going on strike...from the boob that is. He would not eat. In the morning he was practically lunging at the breakfast on my plate but the minute I would introduce the milky milky he would fuss, fuss, fuss, crying until I removed my boob from his face and arching in rejection. I thought maybe it was a fluke so I tried again...and again...and again until finally at 5pm I called the nurse line. I mean, come on. No nursing for 12 hours? This is a kid who eats every two hours like it is nobody's business. The nurse said to be patient. Later that night I went against my normal parenting rules and looked it up online, searching for support and guidance. I felt rejected. I felt alone. Nursing is something Emilio and I do TOGETHER like 1o times a day so to all of a sudden not do it was heartbreaking. Every website said the same thing...teething is probably the culprit...usually 2 to 5 days of a strike...lots of skin to skin contact in the mean time...yes, it is frustrating. 2 to 5 days????? My boobs are going to go CRAZY! 10 weeks ago his nursing strike would have been a blessing. I was praying for him to finally take a bottle and STOP nursing with a can of formula in hand and here I was practically in tears because he would ONLY take a bottle and wanted nothing to do with me. Motherhood...I tell ya! At 3am he woke up and I made my way into his room with a bottle of my milk in the frig ready for his 100th rejection of the boob. It had now been almost 24 hours into his nursing strike and there appeared to be no reconciliation in sight. I tried nursing and he refused, turning red in the face and crying with distress. "Okay, okay. I 'll get the bottle." I held him tight and put the bottle into his little mouth and his lips quickly clung around it as he sucked the milk down. I was suddenly sad and seething with jealousy at the bottle. How dare he choose you over me! Irrational I know, but it was 3am. As the milk quickly ran out in the bottle he cried in despair again, still hungry. So I did what I have done for 5 months when I hear that little cry, which was to put him to the boob. He nestled in and latched on. As his little hand moved up towards my face I put my finger out for him to clutch as he always does while eating and tears came to my eyes. "We're back," I thought, even if it is for this one moment. Today has been better. Still fussy but latching. I think we are going to be okay. I just hope we can reconcile in negotiations next time before he decides to walk the picket line.

Jack-O-Lantern

Emilio is getting his TWO bottom teeth. The right one is just through and the left is soon to follow. Four and half months. Now that's a record in our family! There is something so sentimental this time around. The sight of a tooth means that the tiny baby stage is over and he is turning into a big baby. No more gummy smiles to warm your heart, just a little jack-o-lantern to make you smile. I will probably feel the same when that little tooth finally falls out and I have to sneak the quarter under his pillow in the event the Tooth Fairy can't make it. Let's hope he isn't a biter!

Garden of Eden

While at the Garden of Eden...I mean my family's garden... I took it upon myself to take some shots of the beauty I was beholding. My new goal is to get a picture in Birds and Bloom. Ask Mary and Dirk. I am convinced at least ONE of them has to make it! All I can say is when I look at the pictures I think, "Birds and fricken Bloom baby!"

Summer Lovin'

Summer is upon us and in full swing. We have been outside for most of the days...at the beach, pool, with friends or with family.
Three words...Birds and Bloom. I'll explain later.

Hey, look at me. I like sucking on my fingers.

At the beach being BIG dorks.

HELLOOOO world. I'm Emilio!

Yea, maybe that eating-the-sand thing isn't such a great idea. Here we are at Elm Creek. Our version of Brown Deer Park.

My two silly boys. This is the day Emilio rolled over from back to front. Ignacio was right there like a cheerleader.

I LOVE this picture. Pure joy~

Raspberries the size of a grape...and yes, we ate them all.

We got our own PERSONAL garden tour, brought to us special by Mama Ama.

Mama Ama was great with Emilio and it was so special to have them meet. Just another full circle moment.

Love, love and more love from auntie Mary. I

Ignacio in his own world playing with the sand. He loves being in the sun (like Ama), doesn't mind the sand (like Papa) and can always go for an ice cream (like Mami).

Angel, the human jungle gym! Here we are in the pool on the roof. We have spent sooo many days there this summer. Can't beat it!

Me with my boys. Ama taught Ignacio to swim with his life jacket so my arms will no longer be sore after swimming with him.