Category: Family

I’m taking a break. My feet and back are killing me for standing and walking around the past 2 hours. Not to mention the heaviness I feel carrying around this big belly. I woke up at 8, got Mario’s lunch packed and he left to work. Alaethia was already awake and had some milk and watched Noggin while I made eggs. She’d fallen asleep around 9:30 last night, but she didn’t stay in her room all night. She called for her Daddy-O around 11:30pm and came to our room. I laid her down and she was out like a light again. I supposed I could have just taken her to her room again, but we’ll try that again tonight. Even though she kicks and uncovers me and wakes me up around 5 times a night, I will miss sleeping beside her. She’s so loveable :).

We ate and were interrupted by Elda’s mom and sister-in-law who were looking for my mother. They said her door was locked. Not to be rude, but I was like, Um…and? I guess they all do it, including my mom, just walking up into people’s houses. I’m sorry, but I don’t like that. Like I told Mom once: what if Mario and I are doing the deed and she just walks in??

Anyway, I started cleaning up the kitchen table (our dumping ground, unfortunately) and ran back and forth changing DVDs for my indecisive daughter from Strawberry Shortcake to “Terabithium”. Then I started washing dishes. That’s what took 2 hours. Bless Mom. I ask her—daily–not to wash dishes because 1) she doesn’t watch Alaethia very well when she’s occupied with something else, 2) she just piles them and piles them up and it becomes overwhelming having to put them away, and 3) I end up washing half of them over again anyway because she doesn’t wear her glasses and leaves dried up food or grease on them. So it took me a while to put them all away (especially since my belly doesn’t exactly let me reach the cabinets anymore) and then I washed the dishes and cleaned up the counter, because Mario likes to dump all his electronics and tools there. Now it looks much, much better. Alaethia asked to color, so I strapped her into her high chair and gave her some crayons and her Little Mermaid coloring book. When I was almost done she asked for strawberries (or apples as she calls them LOL) and she ate them all, about 6. Then she asked for grapes. I’m amazed at how well she’s eating today. She ate all her eggs, had a little bit of milk, and then the fruit. I feel like the sky was split open by rays of sun and angels are signing “Hallelujah!” down to me. I hope she continues to eat well.

(Hours later…) Well, I spoke too soon. She didn’t eat lunch very well, but she did stuff herself with all that fruit. She poked at her macaroni and fish a little bit, but didn’t even eat half. I got ready around 2:30 and dropped a package off for Mario at the Post Office and then picked up the boys. I decided we should go see Gramma today just in case we get busy like we usually do during the weekend. So the boys unwillingly put their clothes back on (they strip down to their undies once they step over the threshold). Alaethia was happy to get ready. She looks forward to going places.

Gramma’s doing very well, thank goodness. Mom unloaded the goodies she’d bought for Gramma while the kids got comfy on her bed and watched TV. They were doing well for the most part, until Eenan started putting his feet in Jaylen’s way and was blocking the TV—then it got nasty. They started smacking each other and almost knocked Alaethia off the bed until I told them to stop or they were grounded indefinitely. That stopped them right away…until they started again a few minutes later. After talking with Gramma and her telling me the name she liked for the baby (Julissa, but I told her my half-brother’s daughter’s named Julissa), I gathered my children and we said our goodbyes.

Our next stop was Target where I needed to find little pails in the Dollar Spot for the Care Bear centerpieces for Aly’s party next weekend. I usually find them but had no luck this time. I found some cute Valentine-y felt bags and bought 6 of those hoping they’d look okay with the bears.

The boys did well for the beginning of the shopping trip, but they both got really antsy towards the end. Eenan almost knocked over a whole rack of clothes when Mom was picking two dresses as Alaethia’s gift. She got her the dress she’ll be wearing the day of her party and the shoes she’ll be wearing. They are too cute.

I got Alaethia a potty chair and psyched her up a bit. It’s got lights, it talks to her and it dispenses stickers! I hope she’ll get excited and want to use it. I’ll be starting the potty training next Sunday! Eek!

I was so tired on the way home. Mario was barely on his way also since he’d bought a Treo off his boss since his Razr died on him and had been activating it. He was quite moody when we finally got home because he couldn’t get the MiniTones program working and my phone wouldn’t beam to his. But I found the USB wire and everything worked and he was happy. One of the highlights of the evening was that it was leftover night, so I didn’t have to cook, thank God.

I’ve been trying to finish updating my backed up entries and resting on the sofa since Alaethia fell asleep. Emily’s been squirming around like crazy (I can literally see and feel my stomach being lunged from side to side!) and I can feel her tiny feet pressing against my skin. I’ve been getting these weird little shocks of pain on the right side of my belly right above my leg. Feels like a pinching almost. I hope it’s not that I’m dehydrated or anything.

Okay. I have to go to bed. It’s 1:34am and Mario, of course, is still outside drinking with Jose. We supposedly didn’t do anything tonight because he was SO sleepy and tired. Uh huh. Sure.

The 8th grade kids that are usually at the library during 1st period for yearbook got ahold of a kindergarten yearbook. Most of them look exactly the same as they did back then. Too cute. They were all freaking out seeing each other.

I had a never-ending amount of books today. We had regular Reading Renaissance+2 classes+slow internet=headache. I felt like I didn’t do anything all day because I was checking in books all day.

A substitute actually went in to help and Mrs. Ruiz, my life-saver, showed up as well. Mrs. Vela had left some mail out in the open so I put it away in case any of the kids decided to grab anything. She came to my desk asking if I’d seen it and I said yes and took it out of the drawer. She said “What am I going to do without you?” She told me about the conversation she and the principal had the morning before. He told her he’d been angry at her last week for her not convincing me to stay. She told him that as an employer, yes she was pissed off, but as a mother she completely understood where I’m coming from. That’s why she’s one of the best bosses I’ve ever had.

Lunch came around and Mrs. Ruiz and I ordered from Starlight Burger next door. She picked it up and I went to clock out. It was such a great meal. I hadn’t had my morning granola bar so I was starving. When it was time to go back we checked in more stuff and then waited for Kassy and Glenda so we could glue more banners on the computers in the 7th grade hall this time. I’d been dreading doing it since I started making the banners–not just because of the walking killing my feet but I always feel awful interrupting instruction. It takes a while to capture the kids’ attention and just one interruption sends them into a frenzy and you have to do the whole thing all over again. Kassy and the other kids made it tolerable and it went by fast again. I had enough time to go back and shelve a few more books. Mrs. Ruiz had already shelved most of the cart by the time I got back—she’s amazing. I need to get her a nice card or gift before I leave. There’s nothing money can buy that can show her how grateful I am for her friendship.

I went to Vero’s office right when I clocked out to set up a day off for the next day. I signed the paperwork and noticed she had a bunch of stuff for sale that this organization leaves at her office. I ordered the Constellation Sea Turtle I’d wanted for Alaethia and it was only $17! I’d seen it in the Parenting magazine and was hoping to find it for Alaethia to see if it’ll help her sleep in her room. I talked with Vero a while and before I realized it, it was already 3:17! That’s around the time I’m already getting to the boys’ school. I rushed (safely) to the school, picked them up, got home and they did their homework. Eenan had lost his Math workbook a few days before and thankfully his teacher’s letting him have a new one. He’s still grounded from video games the rest of the week for being irresponsible, though. He didn’t complain. He’s maturing; he doesn’t fight me about discipline anymore and when the little ones are acting up (especially Jaylen) he’ll tell them to behave and listen. Aww. My big boy!

Mario and I went to order Aly’s Care Bear birthday cake at the bakery as soon as he got home. I saw one of my students there. When we got home I made dinner. Mary had brought some Burger King so we hardly ate from the food I made. At least Mario had lunch for the next day.

All the running around was really taking a toll on my pregnant body. My boobs hurt, I had a pain right under my belly (for sitting too long, maybe?) and m feet hurt and feel bruised because of my stupid brown Mary Janes. I just wanted to sit and prop my feet up but I had a lot to do before bed. I got the boys to bathe, Alaethia fell asleep, and I finally got to have some much-deserved, long-awaited alone time with Mario.

Tues., Jan. 13th – I promised myself that I was going to conjure up the courage to tell Mrs. V. that I turned in my resignation for the 23rd instead of the 30th. As soon as she came in I followed her around, but she started talking about other things and then the reading period started so I didn’t have a chance till later. Once advisory finished I took a deep breath, turned in my chair and got up to speak to her…and the phone rings. It was already in her office, so I stayed where I stood to give her privacy. Who else was it but the principal?! I hoped upon hope that he wouldn’t tell her what day I was leaving; I wanted to tell her myself. I tried not to listen to her conversation but it’s hard accomplishing that since she has a loud voice and we’re only separated by a wall. It sounded like the principal was asking her why she let me quit LOL. Once she was off the phone I told her and she took it well. Or so, that’s how she made it seem externally. You never know how bad she wanted to strangle me inside.

I started on all the work she’d thought up for me before I left the position. I also started cleaning out my drawers and trying to organize the binder where I kept all my notes and so on. During last period Kassy came over to help me hotglue some banners onto the computers in the 8th grade hall. We picked up Luis on the way (he’d been kicked out of his class) and he helped us out. We did the whole hall in half an hour.

I don’t think I saw Mario at all that day. It was Jorge’s birthday, so he stayed at his house drinking because Jorge and Adan did that for his birthday. *rolls eyes* I told him if he drove home drunk and killed someone I’d kill him myself.

Wed., Jan 14th – I had another long day at work so I planned to do nothing all evening. I just wanted to get home and veg out on the couch after helping the boys with their homework. But nope. Big Mario already had the pit smoldering with mesquite and Mario joined him when he got home from work. We were having yet another impromptu bar-b-q, although I really can’t call them impromptu anymore because ever since Mario created that whole outdoor living room under the Party Porch he and Big Mario are having bar-b-q’s almost daily.

Mario’s aunt and uncle came over to visit, so I had to go out there and say hello, of course. I had no idea Mario’s Tia Marta was absolutely terrified of cats. She’d scream and jump every time she saw one! She even ran to their suburban when they were leaving and jiggled the door handle desperately until her husband unlocked the door because Ash and Alidocious were chilling out under the truck. I’d never seen anything like that.

Aide, Adan, Belle and later Jason, Mirella and Brianna came over. I chilled out with Adan, Aide and Bell for a while when it was just them visiting and then the girls all came inside. Mom of course followed. I felt awful about it, but I took shower while Aide was watching the babies. She insisted through my protests, though. We sat and watched TV when I got out of the shower and since the babies were getting fussy she left home. I started blow drying and straightening my hair while Alaethia watched a bit of Noggin. Brianna came in and started playing with Alaethia and then got tired and asked to have a cup of Ramen Noodles (at 10:15!). It was okay with her mom so I made it. Just as I was certain I’d pass out from exhaustion Mirella came in for her and they left. Then Aly and I finally went to bed.