Category: Family

I saw Mario off to work and then started tidying up here and there. I had a whole to-do list and it just seemed like it was impossible that everything’s going to get done. After lunch, John came over and I asked him to tag along with me and Alaethia to Hancock Fabrics. I’d started the morning by putting her in training pants and letting her walk around and use the potty everytime I had to go (which was often), but then she peed in the kitchen so we just took a break, heh.

I wanted to get the other valance done for my kitchen and I ran out of fabric. I hoped I’d find the right fabric; I’d gotten it back in November when the autumn colors were popular and wasn’t sure if I’d find it again.

It took forever to get there because first I got off the wrong exit, then I couldn’t remember how to turn around and find Business 83, and then I couldn’t remember if we were supposed to go East or West on Old 83. Grr. Needless to say, I had to rush and find some fabric (they didn’t have the one I wanted so I picked another stripey fabric that’s still cute) and still get to the school on time to pick up the boys. Alaethia didn’t make the end of the trip easy, either. Someone took her to town with them once (and I WILL find out who it was!) and let her sit in the basket part instead of the actual seat. Well, she made a big fuss when I wouldn’t let her out of the seat. It was awful. We finally gave in and told her she’d better sit before she fell out. So she did.

We picked up the boys and then John went to the bank while I got the boys started on their homework. I needed to go to Target and Walmart and Alaethia was already tired so the kiddos all stayed with Mom.

We went to Target first and then went to Walmart. Mario met us there since I wanted his opinion on what toddler bed to get Alaethia. We couldn’t find anything we liked. I really wish we could find a bed like the one the boys had. It was that hard Fisher-Price-type plastic and it was really cute. We’d sold it at a garage sale we had when Alaethia was around 4 months old because her crib turns into a daybed and full sized bed…and we didn’t think we’d have anymore babies LOL.

After we got home, put everything away and had dinner, we went over to Jorge’s. Mom offered to stay with Alaethia, so that was good since the time we’d gone over with her before she kept spilling stuff and was moody. I think this was the second time going over to their house since they moved into Jorge’s mom’s house.

We chilled out with Jorge, Javi and Maggie while the guys tried their hardest to make the internet work. At the same time, Jorge was transferring a whole butt-load of movies from his computer to Mario’s external. We were going to have movie nights for a month!

I woke up around 9am, which is unheard of for a Sunday, and started worrying about bills and trying to calculate things in my head. Now that I’m not working I need to re-do my whole bill schedule to make room for my Equinox and school loan, which I’d pay with my paycheck.

I willed myself to go back to sleep and had a dream about dad. I woke up when the phone was ringing and it was him. He told me he hadn’t called because he was sick. I said I know, from the cold and Laryngitis, right? And he said no, of something more severe. His leg got infected–the one that was amputated about 4 inches under the knee–and he finds out Monday what’s going to happen. I told him to take care and keep me updated.

I stayed awake and started cleaning up the kitchen. There was stuff left over everywhere from Alaethia’s party. I wasn’t sure if I should or not, but got tired of seeing everything on the floor and started opening up her gifts and putting stuff away. She has a whole new 24-months wardrobe, heh. I had some cereal, Cookie Crisp, of course.

I took my time checking my e-mail and then Mario and Aly woke up. The boys were already in church and Jaylen in CFF by that time. Mario dropped Eenan off. I got ready and we went on a date to Kumori once Mom came over and Mario picked Eenan up.

We talked all the way over. Well, I did anyway, Mario just patiently listened. When Mario remembered he had something to tell me, I found out some scandalous stuff about some friends. I felt disgusted, shocked and a bit intrigued at the same time. I couldn’t enjoy my food after this, let me tell you.

We left and went to Target to buy Alaethia’s diapers. I was going to get Pull-ups but they’re a bit costly and I didn’t even use any with the boys except for a few that Yadira had given me of Angela’s for Eenan. I just got regular ones and will work with her like that. We went to the baby section and I was going to get the monitors but they seemed a bit expensive so I got a playpen and swing instead. They’re not the ones I originally wanted but I think those were discontinued already. Still, the ones we got are cute. I just hope the playpen we bought Emily isn’t as uncomfortable as the one we’d bought Alaethia. The cushion on that one was awful.

We came home and each went to the bathroom. Alaethia followed me so I got her to try and use the potty. I even turned the faucet on for extra motivation. She got tired of sitting and got up and started peeing a little. She stopped herself and I sat her on the potty again but nothing happened. Grr. I was so sure she’d take to it like a fish to water, because she was showing so many signs of readiness, but nope. I guess I’ll try again next week. I don’t want to overwhelm her.

It was the day of Jorge and Mona’s Housewarming bar-b-q. Mario left to his Nino’s while I finished getting Alaethia ready. I seriously don’t know how I’m going to manage getting two girls ready when they start school! It takes 15-20 minutes just to calm Alaethia down enough to get her hair half-decent looking!

We went to his Nino’s and just chilled out with the family. The food was great. There were, of course, a few tiffs between relatives, like there usually is, but other than that everything was fine. The guys ragging on each other as always and by guys I mean Mario, Jorge, Jose and Adan LOL.

Mona gave us all little dishtowel gifts which was really nice, even though we’re supposed to be taking them gifts for their housewarming, not the other way around! I got some ideas for her though. I think a really nice gift would be a nice jar for her flour. She just had it in a bag.

Alaethia was getting bored and kept jumping on the couch so she had a few close calls. She’s so accident prone, that girl. Mom was being embarrassing again and said some stuff that would have been better kept quiet. She always does that and I end up having to defend/talk for her. We left a while after that even though Jorge wanted us to stay. I was silent the whole ride home until we parked here. Then I let her know how embarrassed I was that she’d said what she did. I told her next time she invited herself, I wasn’t going to allow her to tag along.

But anyway, I’m now chilling with Alaethia on the sofa, watching Noggin as usual. Emily’s moving like crazy tonight. I really wish I could see what she was doing in there, or why she stretches right across my belly and then starts thrashing about like she’s trying to find a comfortable position. This is probably what I’ll miss the most: feeling a baby move inside the safety of my body.

My tiny baby girl is 2-years-old!! Feels like just yesterday I found out we were having the little girl I never thought we would.

Despite the resentment I felt towards Mario for being awful the night before, I pushed it aside as we woke her up with kisses and sang Happy Birthday to her.

I don’t remember exactly when, probably after breakfast, I brought up the night before and how mean he was. I couldn’t go through the day pretending I was fine when I wasn’t. He heard me out and then apologized. I tried keeping my mouth shut and staying peaceful after that.

We chilled out until around 2pm and started getting ready. The day had started out really nice and breezy, but by the time we were putting all the decorations and gifts in the car it was really cold. We had two parties to go to before Alaethia’s party at 6:30. Mario was trying really hard to redeem himself so he was being really helpful with all the kids.

We were already running late and still had to stop by Dollar General to buy a card for Aiden (Jaylen’s best friend, Aaron’s, brother) to put cash in. Once I was in the car I started putting everything in envelopes and we made our way to the park a few streets away. There wasn’t any food that was left over or made, but that was totally fine with us. The kids got to hit the piñata and got candy bags and played for a while. Well, the boys did; Alaethia was in the dress and shoes Mom had bought for her and it was getting colder by the second. Mario kept her in his arms and wrapped her up in his jacket. We decided that before we went to Kimberly’s (Eenan’s friend) party, we’d go home and put some jeans under Alaethia’s dress.

Once she was dressed and we went to Kimberly’s house for her party I couldn’t stand the cold at all, but I survived. I got to talk to Kimberly’s and Skylynn’s moms for a while. Eenan and the girls have known each other since Pre-K, and although we’d always say hello, I’d never actually spoken to them. They’re really nice! It was so nice watching Eenan interact with all his friends. And the centerpieces and decorations were really cute! They were Princess Jazmin plush dolls and tons of snacks all over the place.

Jaylen and Alaethia spent a lot of time on the swing and then we ate really quickly before we had to leave to pick up Alaethia’s cake from the bakery and set up at Peter Piper.

The cake wasn’t at all how it was supposed to look, but it was still cute and had the vintage Care Bear figures, a Tenderheart and Cheer Bear. The last time we got a cake done over there, it was for Jaylen’s 6th birthday and she not only didn’t do the background right, she didn’t even put the right characters on it! I hope this doesn’t happen again :(. Regardless of how they look, though, the cakes really are tasty.

We got to Peter Piper and just about the whole family were already there. Everyone helped us spread the tablecloths out, sprinkle birthday confetti in the center of the tables, and set up the centerpieces.

The rest of the family started arriving and we got to ordering pizzas. Mrs. Mendez showed up for a few minutes to say hello and drop off her gift. She, too, had 4 parties in one night, but since her niece’s started at the same time as Alaethia’s and another one, she decided to stop by ours and the other and go to her niece’s.

Carmen and her family were next to show up. I was so glad she made it and that I got to see her, especially because she’d be leaving next week to THE ARMY! I know, I couldn’t believe it. I can’t imagine dainty Carmen in combat, or training or whatever she’s going to do. Carmen, her hubby and kids disappeared a while and played games.

Mario had a little problem with the manager. He was ordering beer for himself and the uncles and yes, he looks young, but this guy was being an idiot. He asked Mario to bring his and all the other ID’s of the people sitting with him. He didn’t have Andy do that, though. But Mario did it anyway and gave the guy a piece of his mind. Grr.

Mrs. V. and her kids showed up and then Rebecca and her family. It was nice talking with them for a while.

Juan and his cousin also made it—it was so nice seeing him after all these years! I hadn’t seen him since the end of 6th grade!

While we were sitting and talking I was almost mortified to see that Jaylen, Eenan and Brianna had dragged Alaethia up to the jungle gym thing and they kept calling us and waving. She didn’t mind at all that she was up there; she loved it, in fact!

We sat and ate together and talked for a good while, catching up in person. We took pictures and then I sauntered over to where Sally, Pete, Alyssa and Quentin had sat and chatted with them for a bit. Then Sally, Carmen and I took pictures :). It’s such a shame that there’s only so much time during a party; you don’t get to actually sit and talk for long.

Mario did me the favor of walking around and taking pictures of everyone. I don’t think he got to get one of Pete and Alyssa, though, since they were out playing games :(.

We gathered around a round table, where Alaethia and Angela each stood with their cake in front of them. We sang Happy Birthday and they blew out their candles. We passed out ice cream and the candy bags and still chilled out a while afterwards, after friends had left. I was opposed to having the party so late at first, but it was nice not being rushed out like a flock of chickens when the two hours were over. Since it was the last party we got to take our time with the gifts (which Alaethia got bored of quickly so we didn’t get to finish). Mario was also complaining that we were taking too long and that nobody wanted to see her open presents (which is when everyone booed and protested). We got everything in the car and unloaded it at home. I’m not sure if we just chilled out after that, but I’m pretty sure we did since we were so beat.