Priceless

Time it takes to run to Walgreens for Sour Patch Kids: 15 minutes

Cost of gas to make the trip: $0.16

Sale price of the candy: $1.00

The look on your kid's face when they put it in their mouth: Priceless

Put it back.

For months I have been saying, "Put it back" as I clean things up with the eternal hope that Ignacio would soon grasp the concept of kindly cleaning up after himself. I sweetly imagine the day when I no longer trail behind him all day breaking my tender back picking up everything he throws, drops, drags and moves. Whether it is toilet paper strewn about the bedroom floor or plastic blocks dancing down the hallway, mommy has been eager for Ignacio to grasp the developmental ability to "put it back!"

Well, the day has nearly arrived and then some. I am slowly finding that Ignacio is somewhat of a "neat freak" now that he is able to "put it back" and here is a video to prove it. Notice he only has one shoe on because the video was shot as he approached the shoe rack to find his other one, only to notice that things were quite in disarray. Oh no, it could not be. Notice at the end of the video when he pushed the shoe so it is in line with the other!

He has quite an eye and is making mommy (a self-proclaimed neat freak) proud. Nothing like passing on your anxious tendencies to your child! Hopefully when he is older he is able to have guests unexpectently stop by without nearly having a panic attack because the house isn't perfect or relax and enjoy a day even when the kitchen floor is dirty and your socks stick to it. I hope I learn that some day too.

Mother's Day

It's Mother's Day and I am in my big fluffy robe, Igancio is sitting next to me on the bed spouting off babble in his adorable way and my belly is stuffed with a big yummy breakfast Angel made for me. Today I slept in until 9am (which is like noon in "mom-time")and woke up to a dozen roses. Never underestimate the loving capacity of Angel. This year on this day I just want to spend as much time with Ignacio as possible. I feel this intense happiness that he is in my life. If I could stick him back inside of me I would, just to have him that close again. Last year I was convinced that Mother's Day should be reserved as a day WITHOUT your kid, as a well-deserved break but, for some reason it is different for me this year. Maybe it is because I am sleeping more that 5 hours a night for more that 3 nights in a row. Maybe it is because I am eating three meals a day. Maybe it is just that I have found a balance in life as Ignacio has grown. I am back to showering every day, reading books, watching TV at night and making runs to Barnes and Noble all by myself. There is a sense of normalcy that has found its way back to me. One thing I have definately learned is that, for everything as a mom the saying"This too shall pass" is true. Whether it is something hard or easy, good or bad, painful or joyul it, in its own time, shall pass and you will find yourself suddenly on to something new. So, I am off to enjoy my day with my spunky boy and loving husband and be present in what life it really about, the now.

Welcome to Toddlerland...

Five ways you know that your child is a toddler:

5. Your TV settings are suddenly in French.
4. When changing your kid's diaper you realize they ingested more sand than you thought at the park.
3. You find your can opener in the linen closet after looking for it for months.
2. You still can't find your watch, TMJ mouth guard, or brush.
1. It's 9:30 am and you're exhausted.

Although he watches zero TV (yes...we are one of THOSE families) he has taken an incredible liking to turning it on and off. Instead of continually reminding him we don't do such a thing I just unplugged it. Game over.

So, the first sand-eating experience was interesting and I was almost certain he would NEVER do that again...until the next day we got to the park. I am talking handfuls of sand in the mouth with hours of grinding small pebbles afterwards. I might try it one of these days to see what the big deal is.

It is seriously like Angel and I live with a big-time pick pocket because our personal items randomly go missing. We spend countless amounts of time emptying drawers to find missing things and scouring our condo for that which is most precious to us. Right now the game is to listen for the alarms on Angel's beloved watch in an effort to locate it. Yes, the G-Shock is missing.

Ignacio wakes up at 6am every morning and Angel slowly makes his way to get him so I can treasure a few more minutes of sleep. It is then that I hear the door handle fling as someone tries, on their tippy toes, to open it and can sense I am about to be raided. Once ambushed, I hear, "Mama...mama...mama" and am quickly greeted by Ignacio reaching up on the bed for my cozy blanket and yanking it off of me. I've tried to stay motionless and hide with the hope he doesn't think I am there as to escape the attack. The only thing that can lure him successfully from the room is breakfast and it is then that I drift back off for priceless minutes of slumber.

Stomping and Snorting

Ignacio has learned two hilarious things...to stomp and to snort. It can literally keep me laughing for a good 10 minutes. He doesn't do them at the same time yet but I am sure that is coming soon to a living room near you. This outfit is from Aubie and it is one of my favorites right now!

Ignacio actually played in his sunglasses from his great Aunt Mary for a good 10 minutes before ripping them off. This was, of course, after looking at himself in the mirror. His head is in the 90th percentile so were are going to have to get a new pair soon!

Here is Ignacio at Easter. He was pretty wound up and tired with all the guests.

Posing with Olga, who wore another one of the hats great grandma Smith bought. You're never too old to be a bunny!

All of Ignacio's cousins were over last week and were enjoying the horse in Ignacio's room. Ride 'em cowboys (and girls).

Spunky Spring Time!

We went to the Macy's flower display downtown and here are some pictures from our 32 mintues there! Keep reading and you'll understand why 32 minutes! The first is Ignacio telling the flowers to be quiet. Apparently the tulips were becoming quite unruly. The second is of Ignacio shaking the plant. Everything is pretty much a "hands on" experiment at this point.

Oh, sweet cheeks! At one point I let him out of the stroller and he beelined over to a little elderly woman and her wooden cane, which he found quite interesting. Before I knew it he took it from her (Good thing she was propped up with the help of a family member!) and started banging it. She smiled and laughed and I quickly recovered it for her. By the time she had it back in her hand he was off again, this time to chase the motorized wheelchair whizzing by. After redirecting him he made his way to a water fountain that was part of the garden display and thought it a good idea to scale the wall to get to it. He only had one foot up by the time I intervened. As you can tell, I didn't really LOOK at the flowers per se, but they sure are pretty in the pictures!

Promise

I promise to post new things...just been busy, busy and busy! Love to all!