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.

My last day of work. I had my big bag with me with all my essentials (like bottled water and granola bars) for the field trip. I got to work and I passed out thank you cards and received some more gifts. I spent about half of first period with a few of my favorite kiddos who stopped by to say goodbye *tear*. I tried not bawling my eyes out when Mrs. V. announced through the intercom that it was my last day, so to feel free and stop to say bye. She got there and the kids all froze; they thought she was going to be livid that they were still there so late. Looking really stern she said, “Any other day I would have sent you guys to class…but since it’s Mrs. V.’s last day, I’ll let you stay.” They looked so relieved. I’ll miss them so much :*(.

As Mrs. V. was going over the rules with the kids and I was running around getting everything done (like the newest thank you cards) and put away a fire alarm goes off. We found it really weird and wondered if it was a kid messing around, because we only have fire drills at 9am. It was 7:50. After sticking our heads out into the hallway and seeing other classrooms filing out as bewildered looking as we are, we turn all the lights off, lock the doors and follow.

It was a pretty long drill, or whatever it was. We’re usually only out there for about 8 minutes before they tell us it’s okay to go back in. This time, we were late leaving on the field trip because we’d already been out there 40 minutes. The bus got there and we got the kids on the bus. We still don’t know what happened. All we do know is that it was something weird going on in the gym.

The kids were quiet and entertained themselves really well. It was the Book Club kids, so that says a lot. They’re so well behaved.

I caught up a little on Twilight and just enjoyed the gentle rocking of the bus and the quiet as we made our way to Pan Am University.

When we got there, Mrs. V. gives me a look of concern and asks, “Are you going to walk the whole tour?” I tell her of course; if I could walk through the Gun Show with Mario, I’d be fine walking the campus. She doesn’t look convinced and says ok.

I had forgotten how many stairs we have to climb. I’m happy to report, though, that I made it through the whole tour and I didn’t even get winded. Thank God I had my bottled water…

We left the university and stopped by El Pato so the adults could get some food. We all ate and then rushed to the theatre to watch Inkheart. I didn’t get a chance to read the book (because I’m reading a just-as-thick-book at the mo) but I loved the movie. From the conversations we were all having after the movie was over I learned that tons of things were changed…as they usually are, unfortunately.

I was so hoping we’d get back to school on time so I could say goodbye to the rest of the kids I didn’t get to see, but we got there late. I was so sad. I got to go outside and say bye as they were leaving on the bus and got to say goodbye to some of the teachers.

I went back to the library and started getting my few things together and getting the manual I typed out for the new assistant off my pin drive, printed and e-mailed to Mrs. V. I didn’t get to go through the My Documents folder that they’d messed up during summer school (all the summer school librarian’s documents had been mixed in with ours) but Mrs. V. said it was fine. When I finished putting the last file away and explaining to Mrs. V. where everything was for the new assistant we kind of just stared at each other. Neither of us could believe it was my last day. She said such really sweet things; that I spoiled her and that I could always be proud that I helped establish that whole library! We walked out together as I was carrying my things out and we picked up our paychecks and I tried my best to say bye to everyone. It was so sad!

Still, as sad as it was to leave, I had this unmistakable feeling of…relief. I felt so thrilled picking the boys up and just going home and knowing that I wouldn’t have to be waking up at 5:20am come Monday.

As soon as I got home, I called Human Resources to check if there was anything else I needed to do, but they said I didn’t have to take further action. They’d take care of the rest.

The baby’s been moving around like crazy. Every little step I take makes me feel like I need to pee again, even if I just went. I’m going every 30 minutes! She stretches so much it feels like her little foot will just pop out through my side.

Mario was acting like a jackass since he got home. He was in a bad mood and yelled at the kids and took whatever was bothering him out on me. First, we were supposed to go to his boss’ house for a bar-b-q. For some reason that didn’t end up happening. Then, we were supposed to go as a family to Kumori but the boys were at Mary’s at they were already eating something so that set him off even more. It was going to be just the two of us (Mom was staying with Alaethia) but he yelled at me in the car for some stupid reason and I just started bawling. He either felt guilty or annoyed so he turned the truck around just as we rounded the corner. So much for our date. I couldn’t believe he could ruin my absolute perfect day in less than half an hour.

I was so upset I started bawling as soon as I walked through the door. Of course he left, probably to David’s, his boss. He wasn’t annoyed enough to leave there, oh no. Even though I tried hiding it, Alaethia noticed that I was crying and it was the cutest, saddest thing I’d ever seen: she started bawling also, with her little hand over her face and asked me, “Why you cwying, Mama? You made me sad!”

I quickly composed myself and scooped her up in my arms and rocked her, telling her I was okay and not to cry anymore. I tried distracting her with Noggin and she kind of laughed at the cartoon. She remembered about the crying and started wailing again but calmed down. Poor girlie!

We washed up for bed after Mom left home and I spent the night trying to distract myself by catching up on my blogs. I wanted to stay up all night and finally catch up on my entries, but I was exhausted. I hoped the next day would be better because it was Alaethia’s birthday. When Mario walked through the door I acted like he wasn’t in the room…until I asked him, “So where did you go?” And of course, just as I suspected, he’d gone to David’s…and had a shitty time, buahaha.