Diego was a champ with the pinata!
The whole gang!
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
HAPPY BIRTHDAY DIEGO!!!!
Today our amazing boy turns FOUR YEARS OLD! We had an awesome party this morning with his buddies (15 kids, including siblings!) and we are going to do some special things as a family this afternoon. I will upload more pictures and share more stories later, but just wanted to leave two quick pictures of the party...
Diego was a champ with the pinata!
The whole gang!
Diego was a champ with the pinata!
The whole gang!
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
Sunny afternoon!
Yesterday was gorgeous so we spent all afternoon outside, playing. We ended the evening playing with the ride-on toys and coloring with chalk.
Here is a shot of Alexia's adorable short hair!
She insisted on wearing Diego's knee pads and elbow pads. Here she is with just the knee pads. She is wearing Diego's sweater as well so is looking like a total tomboy!
Diego took a chalk out of the bucket and said, "Mami, mira que puedo hacer!" (Look what I can do!) He proceeded to write every letter of the alphabet, which amazed me! He has never written all the letters at once, with no help or prompting. It's hard to make them out in the picture, but above is a portion of his alphabet.
He was on his own and I came over to see what he was up to and he said, "Look, I wrote CAT."
We bought this tent at Ikea last week and it has provided endless hours of playtime. Hartley spent the night last Thursday and the three of them had a blast inside the tent!
Here is a shot of Alexia's adorable short hair!
She insisted on wearing Diego's knee pads and elbow pads. Here she is with just the knee pads. She is wearing Diego's sweater as well so is looking like a total tomboy!
Diego took a chalk out of the bucket and said, "Mami, mira que puedo hacer!" (Look what I can do!) He proceeded to write every letter of the alphabet, which amazed me! He has never written all the letters at once, with no help or prompting. It's hard to make them out in the picture, but above is a portion of his alphabet.
He was on his own and I came over to see what he was up to and he said, "Look, I wrote CAT."
We bought this tent at Ikea last week and it has provided endless hours of playtime. Hartley spent the night last Thursday and the three of them had a blast inside the tent!
Saturday, January 16, 2010
Alexia's first haircut!!
Ricardo has been telling me to get Alexia's haircut for a few weeks now so we decided today was the day. Diego needed a haircut as well so Ricardo took the kids on a daddy/kids outing to the salon. I went to a friend's baby shower and had a wonderful time and met them at the salon afterwards. I wasn't sure how Alexia would do, but she was outstanding. She was so happy to be in the big chair and wearing the cape. She did everything the lady told her ("Look in the mirror, Look down, Put your head up") and was as still as can be. She looks absolutely adorable! We want to grow her hair out, but it had gotten so uneven and messy looking that we just wanted to have it cleaned up a bit.
Here she is!
Here she is!
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
Rejoice with me!
You may remember almost a year ago I pleaded for prayer for our dear friends Scott and Paige while their baby boy was in the hospital. Baby Cayden passed away several days later and it has now almost been a year since his birth. Just a few days shy of what would have been Cayden's 1st birthday, Scott and Paige are holding their 2nd born son!
I am praising God as I share the news that Severin Cayden Hirsch was born in San Francisco today and weighed a wopping 8lb 14oz!!! I spoke with Paige a few hours ago and she reported that Sev is perfect, healthy and breathing on his own. A true blessing!
Here is a picture of the gorgeous baby boy! We love you guys and cannot wait to meet Sev!
Monday, January 11, 2010
Snow and Ice
Last Thursday it snowed here in Atlanta. It did not snow nearly as much as last year, but it was still fun. The hard part about the snow has been the ice and the freezing temperatures. All schools and even Ricardo's entire office were closed on Friday because the roads were so icy and dangerous. He worked from home all day, so it was fun to have him around. The kids and I stayed inside the entire day and when Ricardo finished his work Diego was dying to go outside with him. I'm a wimp with the cold so I told Diego that he had to wait for Papi!
On Saturday we decided to slide down the driveway since it still had a layer of ice on it. We tried several different objects for Diego to slide down on and the most successful was my turkey roasting pan. It was hilarious! He absolutely loved and wanted to go down again and again and again. Alexia would have nothing to do with an offer to slide down and kept saying that the cold was hurting her. After a fun time on the driveway we decided we could all use an outing (since the kids had not been out since Tuesday) so we headed to Mellow Mushroom for lunch. We had an enjoyable family lunch and then headed home for naps for all four of us. In the evening I went out to dinner to celebrate my friend Ruth's birthday and had a fabulous time!
We went to early service at church on Sunday and it felt like an adventure to head out to the below freezing temperatures. After church we took a meal to a family from Ricardo's work and then headed to our favorite brunch spot. Ricardo and I used to go all the time before the kids were born and then only went a few times with Diego. Alexia has never even been so it was special for her to go for her first time. She ate two HUGE pancakes, while Diego barely finished one.
Speaking of that sweet little girl, I thought it would be fun to share some of her latest happenings. She can now sing many songs, including: "Jesus Loves Me", "Twinkle, Twinkle", "Good night sweetie" (a bedtime song I made up for her) and a few others that aren't' coming to mind right now. She can usually count to 10 in both Spanish and English. She knows all of her colors (including hard ones like grey and white) in Spanish and is working on them in English. She is working hard on singing her ABC's and does a super job, but doesn't quite have them mastered. She is a talking machine and daily amazes me with the things that come out of her mouth. She loves to build legos and will spend long stretches of time on her own, building away. She also loves to do puzzles I will try to get some videos of her uploaded this week!
The boys heading out to the cold on Friday afternoon
Our Saturday arts and crafts project was gluing pom poms on fish shapes. They were both really into it and did a great job.
There goes Diego in the roasting pan!
Of course Ricardo being a former surfer, had to give it a try standing up! He got some real speed a few times.
Here is our third baby on the way at 18 weeks! I am feeling great and am at that stage where I really love being pregnant. Diego loves seeing how my belly is growing. Alexia says she has a baby in her belly as well. We will find out the gender in two weeks and I CANNOT wait!!!
On Saturday we decided to slide down the driveway since it still had a layer of ice on it. We tried several different objects for Diego to slide down on and the most successful was my turkey roasting pan. It was hilarious! He absolutely loved and wanted to go down again and again and again. Alexia would have nothing to do with an offer to slide down and kept saying that the cold was hurting her. After a fun time on the driveway we decided we could all use an outing (since the kids had not been out since Tuesday) so we headed to Mellow Mushroom for lunch. We had an enjoyable family lunch and then headed home for naps for all four of us. In the evening I went out to dinner to celebrate my friend Ruth's birthday and had a fabulous time!
We went to early service at church on Sunday and it felt like an adventure to head out to the below freezing temperatures. After church we took a meal to a family from Ricardo's work and then headed to our favorite brunch spot. Ricardo and I used to go all the time before the kids were born and then only went a few times with Diego. Alexia has never even been so it was special for her to go for her first time. She ate two HUGE pancakes, while Diego barely finished one.
Speaking of that sweet little girl, I thought it would be fun to share some of her latest happenings. She can now sing many songs, including: "Jesus Loves Me", "Twinkle, Twinkle", "Good night sweetie" (a bedtime song I made up for her) and a few others that aren't' coming to mind right now. She can usually count to 10 in both Spanish and English. She knows all of her colors (including hard ones like grey and white) in Spanish and is working on them in English. She is working hard on singing her ABC's and does a super job, but doesn't quite have them mastered. She is a talking machine and daily amazes me with the things that come out of her mouth. She loves to build legos and will spend long stretches of time on her own, building away. She also loves to do puzzles I will try to get some videos of her uploaded this week!
The boys heading out to the cold on Friday afternoon
Our Saturday arts and crafts project was gluing pom poms on fish shapes. They were both really into it and did a great job.
There goes Diego in the roasting pan!
Of course Ricardo being a former surfer, had to give it a try standing up! He got some real speed a few times.
Here is our third baby on the way at 18 weeks! I am feeling great and am at that stage where I really love being pregnant. Diego loves seeing how my belly is growing. Alexia says she has a baby in her belly as well. We will find out the gender in two weeks and I CANNOT wait!!!
Thursday, January 7, 2010
New Years week
Ricardo dropped the last of the family off early Monday morning (the 28th) and all was quiet and calm. We really missed everyone and it was hard to get back into the reality of being on our own, in a house that needed hours of cleaning. Diego and Alexia were huge helpers and truly lightened the work load for me. Diego sprayed cleaner in all the sinks and toilets, cleaned the glass tops, carried dirty laundry downstairs and put away things in his room. Alexia did a great job at cleaning up random things around the house and was very cooperative, which just in itself, is a big help!
Diego came down with a bad cold and pink eye on Tuesday afternoon, I got sick on Thursday and Alexia got sick on Friday. So, we had a very relaxing week which is just what we needed. Ricardo left work early on Wednesday and was then home the rest of the week. Our day times were spent playing games, building fires, napping and just hanging out. Ricardo and I had plans every evening which helped relieve us of a bit of cabin fever. On Wednesday we hired a babysitter and went to the house of an older couple from church for dinner and had a wonderful time. We thought we would be home by 9:30 since the invitation was for 6:30, but when we got in the car it was 10:50! For New Years Eve, we had a really fun celebration. Since we were having friends over for dinner, Ricardo and I sat down with the kids and we had a coffee and pastry while they had their dinner. Then we headed outside to do some fireworks which they LOVED! Our friends came over for dinner at 8pm so the kids were in bed and it was a grown up evening. We had way too much food and ate and ate and ate! We did tapas so we made lots of goodies including, tortilla espanola (potato, onion and egg dish), prosciutto, bruscetta, cheeses and meats, olives and pickles and on. It was all delicious! We then played a game called Like Minds which was a lot of fun. We were all rolling with laughter. Brooke is also pregnant so we sipped our ice water while the guys enjoyed champagne. We had a fabulous dessert and then headed outside to set off fireworks at midnight. It was a really fun night of celebration and they headed home close to 1:00am!
On Friday and Saturday we stayed inside ALL DAY long. Ricardo and I went out to dinner with some friends on Friday and then we all had one outing on Saturday. We all loaded into the car and drove to Dunkin Donuts and Starbucks for treats for kids and mommy and then we went to a friend's apartment to water their plants. The kids and I didn't even get out of the car because it was SO COLD!
I messed up the order of the pictures when I uploaded them, but will just leave them as they are...
We are having an "arts and crafts" time every afternoon and yesterday was gluing macaroni. Diego preferred painting with the glitter glue.
Alexia loved gluing the macaroni!
Alexia was a little scared by the loud one so she preferred to be in Papi's arms
Christian, Brooke and us wearing the crowns that came out of the holiday crackers on New Years Eve
The kids on the school bus, headed to school!
Diego came down with a bad cold and pink eye on Tuesday afternoon, I got sick on Thursday and Alexia got sick on Friday. So, we had a very relaxing week which is just what we needed. Ricardo left work early on Wednesday and was then home the rest of the week. Our day times were spent playing games, building fires, napping and just hanging out. Ricardo and I had plans every evening which helped relieve us of a bit of cabin fever. On Wednesday we hired a babysitter and went to the house of an older couple from church for dinner and had a wonderful time. We thought we would be home by 9:30 since the invitation was for 6:30, but when we got in the car it was 10:50! For New Years Eve, we had a really fun celebration. Since we were having friends over for dinner, Ricardo and I sat down with the kids and we had a coffee and pastry while they had their dinner. Then we headed outside to do some fireworks which they LOVED! Our friends came over for dinner at 8pm so the kids were in bed and it was a grown up evening. We had way too much food and ate and ate and ate! We did tapas so we made lots of goodies including, tortilla espanola (potato, onion and egg dish), prosciutto, bruscetta, cheeses and meats, olives and pickles and on. It was all delicious! We then played a game called Like Minds which was a lot of fun. We were all rolling with laughter. Brooke is also pregnant so we sipped our ice water while the guys enjoyed champagne. We had a fabulous dessert and then headed outside to set off fireworks at midnight. It was a really fun night of celebration and they headed home close to 1:00am!
On Friday and Saturday we stayed inside ALL DAY long. Ricardo and I went out to dinner with some friends on Friday and then we all had one outing on Saturday. We all loaded into the car and drove to Dunkin Donuts and Starbucks for treats for kids and mommy and then we went to a friend's apartment to water their plants. The kids and I didn't even get out of the car because it was SO COLD!
I messed up the order of the pictures when I uploaded them, but will just leave them as they are...
We are having an "arts and crafts" time every afternoon and yesterday was gluing macaroni. Diego preferred painting with the glitter glue.
Alexia loved gluing the macaroni!
The kids sitting on the trunk of the car, waiting for Papi's firework show
Alexia was a little scared by the loud one so she preferred to be in Papi's arms
Christian, Brooke and us wearing the crowns that came out of the holiday crackers on New Years Eve
The kids on the school bus, headed to school!
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
Christmas
Oh dear, I should not have let so much time go by in between posts. Now I have way too much to write about! Well, our Christmas week began on Sunday, December 20th with the arrival of Ricardo's mom (Mima) and her husband (Opa). The kids were really happy to see them and wanted to play with them right away. Mima and I took the kids out on Monday morning for some shopping at the mall while Opa stayed home to work. Ricardo came home at a decent hour in the evening so we all had dinner together which was great. On Tuesday, Opa and Mima took the kids to the Children's Museum and to Chik Fil A for lunch. I stayed at home and had my first 3-hour stretch of alone time in the house since we've lived here. It was fabulous. I got so much cleaning and organizing done that I wanted it to go on for another 3 hours! As soon as they got home (at 2pm), I headed out to do errands and to pick up Indian food for dinner. On Wednesday, Ricardo only worked a couple of hours in the morning and so we were able to all hang out together during the day. Tio Robi and Tia Dani (Ricardo's brother and his wife) arrived around 6pm that day and the kids were ECSTATIC!!! Alexia immediately attached herself on to Daniela and did not let her go until she left, 4 days later! Diego was attached to Roberto, but wasn't quite as emotional about it :) I cooked up a delicious meal of vegetable and fish tempura. We put the kids to bed and then we all enjoyed a grown up dinner together. On Thursday (the 24th) the real festivities began! I made eggs Benedict for breakfast which was a huge hit. Everyone headed out for a little outing while Daniela and I stayed behind to cook, cook and cook some more. One of the stops of the outing was to Michael's to buy canvases for Roberto to paint with the kids. The paintings turned out beautifully and are now hanging in the playroom. Maria Jose arrived around 5pm and we were finally a complete family! We had our huge turkey meal with all the fixings around 7pm, tore into the presents, had dessert and the kids went to bed around 10:30. The kids received lots of fun gifts from the family and were thrilled to open each and every one of them. It was a really fun night and we all enjoyed the festivities.
On Christmas morning we had a continental breakfast and headed out the door for church at 10am. 10am is not early for us, but when you're talking about getting 9 people ready, it certainly does not leave a lot of time. The Christmas service was beautiful and was the perfect time to calm our hearts and to reflect on Jesus' arrival to this world. Diego and Alexia sat in the service with us and Alexia did great sitting on Daniela's lap and Diego sat with Roberto. After church we went home for leftovers for lunch and just hung out and enjoyed being together. Maria Jose had to fly back to Miami in the afternoon so that is why we did the big meal on the 24th. We decided that we wanted to have a special Christmas dinner, but did not want to cook so we decided to do sushi takeout which was fabulous! Gwen and her kids came over for dinner as well as another friend from church and we had a really great evening. We enjoyed our sushi banquet and then put a movie on for the kids while the grown ups played a game of Cranium. We had a blast playing and almost continued on to a second round, but the little ones were getting cranky so the fun had to end. As soon as the guests left, Gracia, Freddy, Roberto, Daniela, Ricardo and I sat in the upstairs living room and played an impromptu game of "how well do you know your partner" and ended the night with tears of laughter.
OK, so I was going to continue on, but think I'll leave it there to spare you dear readers. Keep in mind that I am printing hard copy books of the blog so it is fun for us to have some of these details to remember in years to come. I will continue on with the week of New Years later in the week...
The kids watching Charlie Brown Christmas with Opa and Mima. They all loved being cuddled up together.
Diego and Mima
Tio Robi and Mima
Alexia all bundled up on Mima's lap
The painting started outside, but after the sun went down, we transferred the studio to the garage. Everyone had a blast painting!
Before we bought the canvases, we asked the kids what they wanted to paint. Alexia asked for a car and Diego asked for a house.
Alexia insisted on putting on Daniela's boots. Such a diva!
Roberto and Daniela after Christmas dinner
Alexia would have nothing to do with anyone while Tia Dani was around, not even me. She wanted to be with her at ALL TIMES! It was adorable.
Here we are on Saturday morning, enjoying apple puffed pancakes. Notice where Alexia is!
Tio Robi and Tia Dani gave Diego a remote control car which was the highlight of the week! Here he is maneuvering it around the dining room. Alexia is terrified of the car and must be held as soon as it is turned on.
Farewell cuddles for Opa...
...and Mima
On Christmas morning we had a continental breakfast and headed out the door for church at 10am. 10am is not early for us, but when you're talking about getting 9 people ready, it certainly does not leave a lot of time. The Christmas service was beautiful and was the perfect time to calm our hearts and to reflect on Jesus' arrival to this world. Diego and Alexia sat in the service with us and Alexia did great sitting on Daniela's lap and Diego sat with Roberto. After church we went home for leftovers for lunch and just hung out and enjoyed being together. Maria Jose had to fly back to Miami in the afternoon so that is why we did the big meal on the 24th. We decided that we wanted to have a special Christmas dinner, but did not want to cook so we decided to do sushi takeout which was fabulous! Gwen and her kids came over for dinner as well as another friend from church and we had a really great evening. We enjoyed our sushi banquet and then put a movie on for the kids while the grown ups played a game of Cranium. We had a blast playing and almost continued on to a second round, but the little ones were getting cranky so the fun had to end. As soon as the guests left, Gracia, Freddy, Roberto, Daniela, Ricardo and I sat in the upstairs living room and played an impromptu game of "how well do you know your partner" and ended the night with tears of laughter.
OK, so I was going to continue on, but think I'll leave it there to spare you dear readers. Keep in mind that I am printing hard copy books of the blog so it is fun for us to have some of these details to remember in years to come. I will continue on with the week of New Years later in the week...
The kids watching Charlie Brown Christmas with Opa and Mima. They all loved being cuddled up together.
Diego and Mima
Tio Robi and Mima
Alexia all bundled up on Mima's lap
The painting started outside, but after the sun went down, we transferred the studio to the garage. Everyone had a blast painting!
Before we bought the canvases, we asked the kids what they wanted to paint. Alexia asked for a car and Diego asked for a house.
These are the finished products. It is hard to tell, but the kids contributed greatly to each painting. I just love how they turned out!
Alexia insisted on putting on Daniela's boots. Such a diva!
Roberto and Daniela after Christmas dinner
Alexia would have nothing to do with anyone while Tia Dani was around, not even me. She wanted to be with her at ALL TIMES! It was adorable.
Here we are on Saturday morning, enjoying apple puffed pancakes. Notice where Alexia is!
Tio Robi and Tia Dani gave Diego a remote control car which was the highlight of the week! Here he is maneuvering it around the dining room. Alexia is terrified of the car and must be held as soon as it is turned on.
Farewell cuddles for Opa...
...and Mima
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