Category: Photos

It feels so good to be typing up this entry on the actual day that it’s happening…or something like that LOL. I am finally caught up on my entries and uploading all my pics to Flickr. My Baby Log is almost all caught up, too–I just have to upload my 37-week pic and the sono.

So we took it easy this Valentine’s Day. I woke up at 8:30 to give the boys breakfast and then tried going back to sleep. I woke up like 2 times during the night to pee and then 2 more times after giving the boys breakfast. I finally decided at 11am that it was enough sleeping (or lack there-of) and was about to tip-toe to the bathroom to take a shower. Alaethia caught me so I gave her breakfast and served some Rice Crispies for myself. Mario woke up around 11:45 and finally watched Alaethia so I could take a shower and do my hair. I got out of the shower and John was here, with his new Zune that his girlfriend gave him. He’s quite disappointed that he caught that stupid Trojan that Mario and I had. I really hate that Trojan.

Mom came over and watched Alaethia and Mary watched the boys. Well, Mom would have watched them but of course they stuck to Mary like glue. Mario picked up some Whataburger (after they pissed him off for interrupting him like 50 times when he tried to place an order on the phone). He ate on the way over to the movies. We watched Confessions of a Shopaholic, which Mario hated every minute of, I think LOL. It was actually really different from the movie, of course, but it was still sweet.

We came straight home and chilled out a while. We still had no idea what we were going to do to celebrate tonight. Yadira and Elda were having this lasagna dinner at Jorge and Mona’s and everyone was going to pitch in, but we decided we’d go get groceries and make something awesome for ourselves at home. We got Alaethia ready and left. We got some steaks, corn, some Knorr pasta (that I will probably never make again), and some strawberries and chocolate to make chocolate-covered strawberries.

The dinner was delicious and I think I ate, like, 10 strawberries on my own. And we’ve been chilling out, watching movies since dinner. I even busted out the back massager Mrs. V. gave me for Christmas and finally used it. It was amazing! The only thing that sucks is you can’t use it for more than 20-minute intervals.

We’re finishing up The Heartbreak Kid movie which is kind of weird, but funny.

Tomorrow I’ve got to get back on the ball. I’ve got a lot to do in my bedroom, I need to clean up Alaethia’s room (it threw up her toys), and I’ve got the last 3 things I need to get ready for Emily to do. I’m getting so anxious. I’m starting to wonder when Emily will make her debut. I kept hearing from everyone that I’d be delivering around 36 weeks but now, at 37 1/2 weeks, I’m kind of thinking I may just make it to my due date (March 4th).

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.

Sun., Oct. 26th – I woke up around 8:30 and I didn’t know why since I was still very sleepy after waking up twice during the night. I lied on my back and felt a huge lump on the right side of my belly. The baby was balled up there. When I pressed my hand to my belly to feel her, she freaked out and hid!

Alaethia woke up at 9:30 (she’d slept 12 straight hours!). She was peeking at me through the slats of her crib and I couldn’t help but get up, take her in my arms and cover her with kisses. We hugged tightly all the way to the living room and lay on the couch. She asked for a cup of milk so I got up and prepared her sippy and we cuddled some more. Mary invited us over for pancakes so we went over. Mario was still asleep. Alaethia didn’t really eat breakfast; she only actually eats breakfast when she feels like it. I still blame it on my mother letting her sleep till 11am all of last year while I was working and giving her “breakfast” at noon. Grrr.

We went to Sonia’s for her birthday that afternoon. The men were bar-b-qing on the huge grill outside. Andy and Noelia got Alaethia some cute Hello Kitty hair clippies and she wanted them on right away. We were outside for a while and then went to eat at Yadira’s next door since it was hot and there were tons of flies everywhere. The food was awesome. We chilled out for a while and then came home. I got everything ready for work the next day, including making lunch for both Mario and I at 10pm. Alaethia and I went to bed around 10:30, but didn’t actually fall asleep till 11-something since Alaethia was rolling around in bed. (Baby’s kicking right now…feel her hit one side, then the other :D). She slept all night again!

Mon., Oct. 27th – Back to work. Ah, Mondays. Luckily, once again it was a good Monday. Mario texted me during the day and asked if I wanted to go to Walmart, since we didn’t get to go during the weekend. I said sure. I did everything I needed to do, including dinner for the kids and Mom while we were gone and taking a shower so I wouldn’t have to rush later. We cashed his paycheck at the bank and were surprised to find that none of the phones were working–not the cell phones or land lines. It was really strange.

Tues., Oct. 28th – A nice cold front finally came in. It was the perfect day to wear slippers, since that day was Slipper Day for Red Ribbon Week. I was so comfortable all day. I almost felt like leaving them at work so I could wear when my feet hurt, but I’d feel funny, heh.

Wed., Oct. 29th – We were having a teacher-against-student basketball game that doubled as a canned food drive (that was your entry fee) so I tried being on top of everything all day so that I could just go to lunch and then go straight to the game without leaving anything unfinished.

I knew my plan wasn’t going to work out when my boss didn’t go to lunch till 12:15 and took 45 minutes instead of the half-hour we’re all supposed to take. So I didn’t end up going to lunch till 1:15 and by the time I got back at 1:45 it was kind of late. The game started at 1:30 and the boss kept talking to me about the upcoming field trip so I kind of had no choice anyway. Then she asks, “Weren’t you going to the game?” Um…I wanted to. But I just said, “Nah, I changed my mind.” When Jamie was passing by I just gave him the two cans and got back to work. What a bummer.

Thurs., Oct. 30th – The baby’s moving like crazy. I can feel her across my belly; from the bottom of the left side of my belly to the top of my right side, right under my ribs. Mario walked in when I was sitting in the chair in the living room with Alaethia asleep on my left side and he said, “Woah, your pansa’s really grown in the last three days!”

I’d noticed it, too. It was as though I inflated from one day to the next. It’s so relieving to feel her move more often now. Before I could really feel her move I felt apprehensive all the time, wondering if she’s okay. But now that I can actually do my kick counts (which I believe are what helped me realize I was going into premature labor with Jaylen) I can sleep in peace (well, when Alaethia and my bladder allow, heh).

Fri., Oct. 31st – Halloween! My kiddos were so excited, especially Jaylen and Eenan, who were wearing their costumes to school.

We had a Red Ribbon Week pep rally that also doubled as an assembly for Adrian, a little boy we’d been fundraising for with leukemia. A group of our most musical teachers got together and set up a band. They were so awesome. The kids were all into it. They were playing oldies, like “Johnny B. Goode” and one of our big, tough 8th grade boys got out on the floor and started doing The Twist! He was later joined by one of the teachers and another boy, Robert.

A while later three boys were beat-boxing, two of them being “troublemakers” who are always in ISS. They astounded everyone…they were really good! They even had some break-dancing going on, which took me right back to high school. Ah, memories.

When I picked up the kids and then everyone else started getting home, we all chilled out on the back porch. Elda was finishing up decorating for Brandon’s (Halloween) birthday party the next day, so we kept her company out there. Mario got home and we got kids dressed in their costumes—well, we tried to anyway– Jaylen threw a fit because he was sleepy and I “was taking too long”.

(boys pic will come soon…it’s on Mario’s camera)

After the boys were ready I went in to get Alaethia dressed up. Getting her dress and shoes on were easy…it was her hair that took forever! She kept squealing and crying and is not a fan of being sprayed with detangler, hair spray and smothered in gel. But once I got both braids almost even on each she made SUCH an adorable Dorothy! Add to that her picnic basket and plush Toto and OMG…I could have swallowed her whole!

After we mingled with everyone outside for a while more we got the kids in the truck and decided where to go. We stopped by Chris’ first, where we saw his whole family (I hadn’t seen Nancy in forever!) and Yadira, Jorge and the kids were there. Matthew made such a cute Buzz Lightyear!

We went to Chris’ neighbor’s house next. She gave the kids age-appropriate treats which I thought was really sweet. She talked to us for a while and the kids admired her eyeballs-in-a-jar and this creepy dude with red eyes.

I guess it was either the fact that it was football night or the economy, but there were hardly any houses giving out candy! The neighborhood we usually go to was empty. We only went to two houses there, one on the way home and the rest were around our neighborhood. Which I guess was fine anyway since we still ended up with 3 large Ziplocs full!

The kids really enjoyed themselves. Alaethia loved her actual first year of trick-or-treating. She clutched on to her heavy little basket and willingly went up to everyone asking for candy. When we were done we came home and chilled out with everyone outside. Cat, Annie and the kids were outside and so was Jose, Elda and their kids, Mary, Mom and the rest of us. It was a good night.

Sat., Nov. 1st – We didn’t do much most of the day. I kept reminding Mario to go pick up his paycheck but he didn’t want to, then put Adan in charge of picking his up when he picked up his own. Mario didn’t want to leave till he had his check cashed, just in case, so needless to say we spent most of the day at home. I was going to contribute a Kitty Litter Cake for Brandon’s party but I needed to get the supplies. By the time Adan brought the check and we left there was an hour till the party—there was NO WAY I was going to get shopping done and come home and bake the cake.

I was worried about the party starting and not being home to get Alaethia ready (the boys can ready themselves, really), but Mary and Noelia had gotten Aly ready, thank goodness. I think they even did a better job with her hair LOL.

Elda’s people started arriving but the rest of the immediate family stayed in Mary’s room. Noelia and Andy came over with their stuff and got ready here. Yazmin got here in her Dorothy costume and she hated it. They convinced me to dress up in it but I just looked like a really ROUND Dorothy so I said no thanks LOL. Noelia had brought an extra costume, a Flashdance one, so Yazmin wore that one. Annie was La Chilindrina, a character from El Chavo Del 8 and brought an extra costume of another character from that same show. Yadira was wearing a witch costume of Annie’s, but she didn’t like it so I wore that one and Yadira wore the extra one Annie had. It was hilarious LOL.

Adan, Aide and Belle came over, too. Belle looked adorable as Boo from Monster’s Inc. Adan and Aide were dressed up as Mobsters—too cute, and such a great idea since everyone seems to be obsessed with Mobster’s at the moment, especially my own husband!

Chris and Nancy were here, too—Chris was El Chavo and Nancy was a genie. She’s so tiny she wore one of Angela’s old costumes!

It was a fun night of chasing Aly around and mingling with everyone. We were all exhausted by the end of the night. Alaethia wouldn’t stop torturing poor Belle. Every time we heard a thud, we knew Alaethia had bullied her cousin again. She has this obsession with stealing her pacifier! She never even used one as a baby.

It’s great spending time with family. It’s such a pain that I don’t get to take as many photos as I used to or blog about my days like before, but at least I’ve got the memories :).

[This is the latest I’ve stayed up (willingly) on a work night in a while…I’m updating this on 11-10…you love how I’m updating a week late LOL. One day I’ll be back to normal again, I swear.]