Home Alone

Since this past weekend, we have been home alone, taking care of the chickens and ducks and such, while my mother went on a cruise to Panama with my granddad. So far it's been going pretty good. I wish it hadn't snowed so much, but the positive side is that Luke and I have had some quality time with Aldo and my sister.
Right before my mom left Luke started army crawling. I'm really happy she got to see that. I think he'll be all over the place by the time she gets back. I really miss her.

Some people say that they'd rather not live with their parents, or in-laws, after their married. Some think it would be awkward and/or there would be conflict in the household, etc. I absolutely love my mom. Sometimes I think that she's bossy and always ruins my plans when all I want to do is sleep in! But you really don't realize how much you miss a person until they are gone. I am blessed with such a beautiful, loving family. Aldo is amazing and understanding, and there has never been any conflict in our home. Eventually we'll get our own house, but for now I'll enjoy this time together.

Down Time

    

           The Night Before Christmas... with Granddad.

(I think he might suspect something...)

Luke's First Snow

The holidays are over and Luke was a CHAMP.
Aldo's family has this crazy tradition where nobody can open presents until midnight. Luke was rubbing his eyes around his regular bed time, but there was so much noise and commotion, I knew he wouldn't be able to sleep. The next day we woke up bright and early for morning church service and made it to my aunt's in time for breakfast. I figured Luke would be cranky all day. But he wasn't. The presents seemed to keep him busy.
This year the theme must have been monkeys. He got a small monkey from two Santa's (my mom and myself), a monkey bag, and a monkey/zoo noisy toy. Many cute outfits and some more toys, but not so much to spoil him.

 

 Luke loved opening gifts. Mostly for the paper.

For dinner we made it to my grandma's, however, we couldn't stay long because all of us were sick and Aldo's allergies were going haywire (cats). Sunday after church, we went to Dad's for belated Christmas. We had been so busy the past two days, Aldo and I were pooped. Even now I don't know how we did so much. I think next year I'm limiting us to two houses on two separate days.

All the Cousins

 Grandma & Grandpa

 

Held by His Big Girl Cousin (who decided to do her own makeup... that is not a black eye...)

    

Papa, Having Fun, and The Crazy Aunt

I wasn't planning on doing anything for New Year's and then last minute Aldo found somewhere to go. We went to a church friend's house and played games until 1 o'clock in the morning. Just when I thought it was over, they broke out the wii. Luke stayed up the entire time. So I'm thinking he's one of those if your not in bed, I'm not in bed babies.

This down time has been nice. I've enjoyed Aldo being home and having the family spend the day together, whether it's watching a movie or going to the store. I don't want him to go back to work. And I don't want to go back to work. Tomorrow I think I'll take him out on a date. It's been a while and I want him to know how much I appreciate him as a husband, a daddy, and my best friend.

On my little blog break, Luke has changed so much. He has a tooth coming in on the bottom and has learned how to kiss. I better start watching him real close!!!

 Seriously... who wouldn't want to smooch on that?

What My Sweet Child Does In His Free Time

A whole lot of toe sucking...

and a whole lot of lovin...

Blowing Raspberries

It was a wonderful weekend spent with the family even though all three of us have been sick. Finally finished shopping and wrapping gifts. Played some games and watched the last episodes of The Good Wife (so much that I think I could be a good paralegal or FBI agent now...).

Today I took Luke to the doctor for his 6 month check-up and shots. While Luke was watching the people passing by as we sat in the waiting room, I could only think of how that smile wouldn't be on his face any more in less than an hour. Any time a person would acknowledge that he was there, he would jump up and down grinning from ear to ear. In between those times he would blow raspberries and try to suck on his feet. Where does he learn this? I have no idea. While in the patient room, he kept trying to eat the paper covering the bed. Finally, when the doctor came in, I took it away, and Luke immediately started fussing. I figured... oh, it's something babies do.. because they don't have the bottle/toy/paper any more, but then the doctor asked, "Did he just have a tantrum?" Oh dear. He laughed a little and wished me luck because we're going to have a fun two-year-old if he's already throwing tantrums at 6 months.

I didn't get it until now. Terrible Twos. That's what they're called. Great. Just great. I'm going to be the mom in the middle of Wal-mart with everybody snarling at her because her kid's throwing a fit on the floor.
... ok, so not really, but I do worry about it sometimes. I just don't want any of my children to be bratty.
... and I thought boys were supposed to be easier???

Who would've thought it all started with blowing raspberries...

Tons of Pictures

I realize that I've neglected taking pictures with Daddy. So until we get a family portrait put together... Can't believe we don't have one yet!!! ... this will have to suffice. And as always, there's some extra thrown in, just because he's too cute.

Cuddling with Daddy

  

 Abuelito's Birthday Party

And my favorites of the week...

Let the Celebrations Begin

It's not even the middle of December and I'm already exhausted from all of the holiday celebrations. Friday we had a party put on by the teens for our church. My sister and I were in the drama and Aldo cooked a ham and potatoes and volunteered to help in the kitchen. Sometimes I wish he didn't like to cook as much... but then I realize I wouldn't be eating a delicious dinner that night... We ended up staying past midnight playing Pit and Taboo with the youth, and telling silly jokes from being so slap happy. (Taboo has become a new favorite game of mine, like Catch Phrase, but now I don't have the answers memorized. I here and now add that to my wish list.)

Saturday we went Christmas shopping together and surprisingly didn't overspend. Thank you Dave Ramsey! We've gotten back on our budget and with a little a lot.. of self-control, we can actually build up some savings. Now I'm eager for everybody to unwrap them and see the thrill on their faces. :)
We weren't even home for an hour, when my Granddad invited us to his church's Christmas bash. After church on Sunday, we went to Vero's apartment to celebrate Aldo's dad's birthday with pizza and card-playing. After a few hours, we rushed back to church to watch the children in their Christmas performance. I've never been so glad for a Monday.

Well, the cold is here and I'm ready to snuggle up in a blanket with my family, flip on the tv, and sip some nice, warm hot chocolate. Lately I've been reminded of how blessed I really am... I can't wait to go home and spend time with my husband and son. I think sometimes we get caught up in life so much so that we don't realize the really important things are right in front of us. Love you Aldo and Luke!

Memorabilia

I need to play a little catch up...

This past weekend Aldo, Luke, and I visited my Grandma and Grandpa. Luke actually let Grandpa hold him (usually he doesn't like men holding him) and he sat on Grandma's lap for a while. Until he wanted to roll on the floor. Later, we put up our own Christmas tree. Luke doesn't seem too interested in it, but I let him touch the tree anyway. It's about the same size as him and he nearly pulled it down. This week Luke's new thing has been saying "DA". It's really cute the way he says it, and I'm sure his first word will be "Dada". Stinker. I also think he'll be crawling by Christmas.

Anyway, I've been going over Luke's baby book and I realized a lot of stuff I forgot to put in it. Or things it doesn't even ask for. I was talking to a pregnant friend of mine the other day and she told me how she was just getting over her morning sickness. I remember that first three months. Man, it was horrible. Whenever I got in the car, my stomach would just drop. Then I had some deja vu the other day at Walmart. In the middle of my pregnancy I would get really dizzy. Once I was in Walmart with my mom and sister and almost passed out in an aisle. They made me sit down until I had enough strength to get a drink of water. It occurred to me, why didn't I just carry a bottle of water around from Walmart, and purchase it after... even if it was empty? People do that all the time right? Buy stuff that they've already used...

I'm sure I've failed to mention something else. I'll have to write about it as it comes. 

Look at my Big Boy!

Come on Winter!