Playing Dolls

The other day The Phi and I were playing with dolls. I recorded a bit of our play time. The Phi is the voice of "Tiffany" and I got to play "Kona" It is proof that this kid talks just like me. You also get to hear that she calls me "Mother" now. You will notice that The Phi's favorite words are "well" and "Actually". Also things get weird when she calls me out for never buying her anything. As if!






*if you are reading this on facebook and can't see or hear the audio click on "view original post"

Baptism Day

Last Sunday was a big day for Little Matias. He was being baptized and he was so happy and excited!


Until he heard about the part where they dunk him in water.

He wasn't too sure about this bath, but the water was pretty warm and Mommy, Daddy and his new Nina and Nino were there.


After wards they dried him off and dressed him into a shiny white suit. Even the priest called him "stylin".

He thought the hard part was over until it was time for the oils. Lots of oil on his head. Luckily Mommy and Daddy were there to help out with a scalp massage.

After the scalp massage and all the excitement Matias fell right to sleep while everyone posed for pictures.



Congratulations Matias. We were honored to spend this special day with you.

Finally New Photos

With my 18-55mm lens currently at the shop being fixed I have been slacking a bit on the photos. Who knew I was attached to one lens? So over the weekend I had to make do with my 55-200mm lens, which meant that I had to stand far far away from whatever I wanted to shoot. Yesterday I finally uploaded and editied a few photos from the new year. They are mostly babies because well I have babies on the brain...duh.

-------------------------------------------------------------

First Sunset of 2010
----------------------------------------------------------------------

Baby Eli is just days away from walking.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------


Beautiful Viviana with her Grandpa
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Yea, my sister makes gorgeous kids.

World's Oldest Showgirl

We were enjoying a nice crisp evening at Villagefest in Palm Springs. The Phi is holding onto PR Dad's hand and we had just left the YMCA booth where The Phi made a mardi gras mask. We were nearing the Plaza Theatre and the very bright booth for the Palm Springs Follies. The booth is there every week and the people are loud and animated and like most Palm Springs natives, they are old. The both is covered in pink feather boas and has a television with previews of the show playing. They hand out a show schedule.

We walked past and after we were about 2 booths away The Phi looked up at us and said she wanted a schedule. So PR Dad took her back to the Follies booth and she asked the nice old lady for a schedule. Then the nice old man gave her a button that said, "Hurry for Hollywood" on it. And we were back on our way walking the rest of Villagefest. As PR Dad and I chatted away The Phi looked over and fell in love with this schedule.

As we got in the car she was already planning a day for us to go to a show. We have passed the Plaza Theater very often and the Palm Springs Follies booth just as often. I still wasn't sure what the show was about. Turns out the show is about old ladies as showgirls. And by old I mean like 85 year old women in Las Vegas showgirls outfits. In the schedule there was a photo of the worlds oldest showgirl and The Phi wants nothing more than to see this lady in the show.

Like with all of The Phi's obsessions she carried the schedule around all night and took it to bed to study the calendar while she fell asleep.

From what I can gather this is not a show for the kiddo's. Luckily somewhere in the night as The Phi was sleeping the schedule "disappeared". And out of sight out of mind. She hasn't asked about the Palm Springs Follies since. But I know the next time we are at Villagefest she will remember and ask us to take her to see the World's Oldest Showgirl again.

Proud Punk Rock Parents

On Friday after school we were in a hurry. Trying to get out the door and on the road as quickly as we could. I opened up The Phi's backpack to clean it out and found an envelope addressed to "The Parents of....". I thought great, she did it, she pantsed someone. The I thought, no, it's probably another fund-raiser.

I opened the envelope to find The Phi's first real report card.


My baby got straight A's her first time around. I was so proud we stopped everything and I even got a bit teary eyed. PR Dad and I were so proud of her. She got to take her report card with us over the weekend and got to show her report card to her Nana and Tata, Tias, Tios, Nina and Nino and Cousins. Everyone was so proud of our The Phi. She even got a extra special gift from Tia Angie, because Tia Angie is awesome and loves good grades!

Now how do we keep this up for the next 16 years?

Another Rainy Day

Gender

When The Phi was in-womb we had 3 different ultrasounds. We really wanted to know what we were having, but every time we had an ultrasound The Phi kept her legs crossed and would not let anyone get a look. They were about 70% sure that she was going to be a girl, but that 30% stopped us from buying pink anything.

I was really hoping that at our doctors appointment last week the ultrasound would be able to tell us if Sweet Baboo is a girl or boy. I really need to clean out The Phi's closet but need to know if I should donate the clothes or keep them. While at the doctor The Phi asked the doctor "Can you tell me if I am having a brother or a sister?" The doctor fired up the ultrasound machine and we got to get another look at Sweet Baboo. This is like the 4th ultrasound already for Sweet B. The black and white screen showed our little one and the doctor tried to get the "money shot". We saw the head and back and arms and legs. Just not the spot we needed to know if we were having a "Frida" or a "Diego" (relax these are not the names!). The reason?

This kid would not sit still. Sweet B was moving around like crazy, super duper active. It was like there really was a party in my tummy and Sweet B. was the only one invited.

Then later I took this video of The Phi and realized, Sweet B's inability to sit still comes straight from his/her big sister.

(if you are reading this on facebook click on "View Original Post" to see the video)

Benda-what? Benda-who?

You know how on Nickelodeon every other commercial is for some kind of toy infomercial. Lately is has been for Aquasand. About 6 months ago it was all about the "Bendaroos" Of course like with all toy infomercials, The Phi had to have Bendaroos.

At the time The Phi's rashes were the worst on her hands. Even her palms were rashed-out. So what is a Dad to do when you are desperate to get your kid to stop scratching her hands, and your kid desperately wants Bendaroos? If you are PR Dad you bribe, I mean strike a deal with your kid.

So the deal they made was, if The Phi could stop scratching and get her hands cleared up PR Dad would buy her Bendaroos. They made that deal at least 6 months ago. There were times when her hands would start to clear up and she would get so close to the prize, and then she would give in to the itching and she was back to square one.

Last night after her bath I was lotioning and potioning up The Phi and I noticed her hands. They were clear. (I think it has to do with her Leapster always being in her hands) Even her palm had cleared up. So when PR Dad came home The Phi showed him her hands. And PR Dad, being the kind of guy who sticks to his deals, bought The Phi a pack of Bendaroos yesterday.

She was stoked and since The Phi has the day off school we brought them to work today. I open the package and found that Bendaroos are impossible to get out of the package. Imagine a bunch of thin sticks covered in honey and then put in a narrow zip-loc bag. Now imagine trying to get them out of that bag. NOT EASY. Anyways I manage to pull a few pieces out for her and after waiting 6 long months for her precious Bendaroos I figured she would have a masterpiece made. I mean she had all that time to create Bendaroo flowers, animals, even a self-portraits in her head. Instead she sat on the floor of my office for 5 minutes. Twisted two pieces together and stood up and walked away. Abandoning her Bendaroos.

Oh well, at least her hands have cleared up.

I love Thursdays

I love Thursdays because the Palm Springs Art Museum is free and they have the big Farmer's Market going on. I love Art museums and The Phi does too. Visiting the museum yesterday was PR Dad's idea so I am guessing he too loves Art museums.

I love wandering the rooms and seeing new pieces and revisiting old favorites. Palms Springs has a great collection and even has a few Diego Rivera and Orozco pieces. Lots of modern art and sculpture and 2 outdoor sculpture gardens. The Phi did great this time, with the exception of her little fall where she got embarrassed and cried for a little. She asked questions, she gave names to "untitled" pieces (my favorite was "poke poke poke") and remembered pieces we had seen before.

The Phi just can't help but feel inspired surrounded by so much beauty and talent in the museum.




I can't help but feel inspired by The Phi's beauty and talent.

Bilingual

Last Saturday The Phi turned on her television to watch some TV. Usually her TV is set to Nickelodeon, but the night before The Phi and Cyrus had been trying to set up a video game so when she turned it on the next morning Go Diego Go was on..... in Spanish. She watched her morning cartoons in Spanish and now insists we all speak in Spanish.

The problem is I am the only one in the house that speaks Spanish, PR Dad answers her with a lot of "Chale", "Aye Dios Mio" and "orale"'s, but The Phi..... she thinks she is fluent.

Observe...

Thank You For Being A Friend

I have been trying to write a thank you card for weeks now. But anything I can put down on paper just doesn't seem to cut it. When I found out I was pregnant there were a handful of people I called to break the news to. My BFF Crissy was one of them. Of course she was happy for me. She knew how long we had been trying. Then she told me the best thing a newly pregnant Mom wants to hear. She said "I have a box of maternity clothes, next time your down come by and pick it up". I was speechless. When you find out you're pregnant you begin to add up how much this new adventure is going to cost you. As the numbers start to add up, and they add up so fast, you begin to panic and wonder how you will ever afford it. It makes things like maternity clothes seem like a luxury you will never be able to afford. I had some stuff from when I was pregnant with The Phi and a few tops from my sister, but Crissy loves clothes. She always looks amazing, even all through her pregnancy. A few weeks later I stopped by her place and picked up a box filled with so many cute things. Pants, tops, even a bathing suit.

So like I said, I am having a hard time finding the right words to say thank you. So Crissy, thank you so much. You are an amazing friend and I am very lucky to have you. I appreciate letting me borrow the clothes so much, you have no idea.

Belly pics

So here it is. I mentioned in my post about the diabetes that I have gained a total of 3 pounds so far. Still I look huge! I swear from the moment I peed on a stick my belly popped and I needed maternity pants.

Me and Sweet Baboo at 16 weeks.

GD the GD

So I was diagnosed with gestational diabetes just before Christmas. This meant no Christmas cookies, no cake, no chocolate. Luckily PR Dad was there to eat everything that I couldn't. I had a few weeks between my diagnosis and my first Sweet Success Class. During this time eating was difficult. I was not sure what to eat, how much, or when. Every time I ate I was afraid that I was hurting Sweet Baboo. A doctor tells you that you have GD and that's it. I felt completely overwhelmed, depressed and guilty. I already feel like The Phi's allergies are my fault and now Sweet Baboo is not even born yet and I have already dropped the ball.

Last week I went to my first Sweet Success class. (side note: they weighed me and at 16 weeks I have gained 3 pounds so far) Sweet Success is a program set up to help teach and monitor gestational diabetes. I was nervous. I had a one on one class with a WONDERFUL nurse named Cathy. She was amazing and the first thing she told me was, "this is not your fault, there is nothing you did or didn't do to cause this". It was like a weight had been lifted. She was so reassuring. She broke down the diet for me. She made it simple and easy and gave me the tools I would need to do it. Even measuring cups. The diet was not as complicated or as strict as I thought it would be. I am eating healthier and more often with smaller portion sizes. She has me eating 6 times a day and testing my blood sugar level 4 times a day. She gave me a bag with a meter, lancets, and testing strips to keep me started. They also set me up with a company that will automatically deliver to my door step new supplies when I need them.

So this class was at the same place as the new doctor that wants $405 upfront. My entire experience there was wonderful. Every single person I came into contact with was kind, nice and personable. Now I have to switch doctors. Some way, some how. It was the experience I was hoping for since I got pregnant.

So it has only been a few days on the diet. We spent a wild Friday night putting together a weekly menu with 3 snacks a day and at the grocery store stocking up. The hardest part so far as been eating breakfast. I have never been a breakfast eater. It runs in the family. Now I have to eat at least one starch and one protein at breakfast. I am forcing the the scrambled egg and toast down but I am doing it. PR Dad has been great and so supportive and The Phi is obsessed with blood testing. She loves to watch and as she puts it "I like to see your blood Mommy". I guess she could have a future as a doctor. She hears my phone beep and starts on me "Mom it's time. Go test your blood". She even does this when we are at the library with many people around. So far all my test results have been well in the range Nurse Cathy gave me. So so far so good. The only thing I can see is getting bored with the food. I need to get creative with the meal plans.


GD is not uncommon, so anyone out there who is gestational diabetic or has been give me some meal ideas!

The Phi the Yoga Master

So my exercise routine these days is walking 4 times a week and yoga 3 times a week. I have been using this prenatal yoga dvd that I've had since I was pregnant with The Phi. One evening while I got ready to do some yoga The Phi asked if she could do it with me. I figured she would get bored with the work-out after awhile but instead she did the whole routine. Not only did she do the routine, she fell in love with yoga.

Since that day she asks me everyday if we are going to do yoga. So I did some googling to try to find a kids yoga class or a Mommy and Me class. I found something better. I found a Family yoga class. Even better was PR Dad was going to be off work that day. I sent him a text message telling him about the class. I really expected his reply to be "HELL TO THE NO" but instead he was down. I mean he wasn't thrilled with the idea but he didn't resist.

Thursday evening we all went to our first family yoga class. The studio was small and there was an older couple and just us. I set up out mats so The Phi and I were next to each other and PR Dad was a row behind us. The class started and The Phi blew my mind. There were times when I had to stifle a laugh because I would look over and she was doing the pose perfectly. This tiny little girl in a perfect downward dog. I mean really prefect and so into it. She did every pose and was zoned in to the teacher. Not once in the 50 minutes or so did she lose interest or get bored. She was determined and focused. After the class ended the teacher looked at The Phi and told us she was beyond impressed and The Phi was the best kid (and a first timer) she had seen.

It was such a great experience and The Phi has already asked me numerous time when we are going back.

Guess she will always be a tomboy at heart

Lately The Phi has become more and more girly. She wants to wear dresses and put on make-up. She has taken a liking to necklaces and bracelets and nail polish.

Today as we were taking Christmas down in the living room and PR Dad was outside taking down the lights, The Phi came running in with a piece of paper in her hands yelling, "Oh my gosh, Oh my gosh" It was like she had just met the Jonas Brothers kind of yelling. She came up to me and said "Mom look at this!"

This is what she handed me...






Yes she is super stoked that Monster Jam is coming back to Anaheim.

Constant=Comfort

My Nana and Tata have lived in the same house for about 50 years. Give or take a few years. They raised their 9 children in this 3 bedroom house. They babysat their dozens of grandchildren and now their great-grandchildren run around the same coffee table that I remember as a child.

Between 1990-1991 I lived the weekdays at my Nana and Tata's. The first bedroom was mine for one school year.

My Nana and Tata's house does not change. Ever. Almost everything looks the same from photos of from even before I was born. When I walk through the back door the scene around me is predictable and comforting. There is a sense that no matter how crazy my life gets, or how fast things change for us, there is a place in this world that doesn't change. That always stays the same. A place that will always bring me comfort and feel like love.

While spending Christmas Eve at Nana and Tata's I spent some time capturing images of their home and the parts that stand out in my mind when I think of this house.

Did I ever tell you about our Christmas?

So I guess we can start with Christmas Eve. PR Dad, Phi and I were already in Santa Barbara on Christmas Eve so we spent the morning maxing and relaxing and about 5:30 we headed out to Santa Paula for our Christmas Eve festivities.

Our first stop was my grandma Rachel's house. Christmas Eve is our annual visit to Grandma Rachel's. I am use to the giant ceramic dog, and the many Buddha's she has on her front porch but this time she had this on her front porch.......


You might think my Grandma is a little bit crazy, but I think she is brilliant and artistic!

Grandma Rachel with just some of her great-grandchildren.

Grandma with some of her Granddaughters.

After visiting with Grandma Rachel we drove to the other end of town to my Nana and Tata's house. I have spent every Christmas Eve of my life there. Every year the house get more and more crowded. There is no place to sit and eat and it get to be like 100 degrees in the house, but there is no place else I would rather be. ALL my family ALL together under one roof. Lots of love and laughter and dozens and dozens and dozens of tamales.

My Nana and Tata enjoying the latest additions to the family.


I had never seen someones eyes widen like The Phi's did when Santa walked into the room.


Our annual family picture in front of the tree.

Project 365 #335-365