Hello friends! I've been trying to get better about blogging about fun stuff, but I figured a blog is a blog no matter what the topic.
Merry Christmas to all my friends and family & a big congratulations to my big bro on his engagement to Marissa. YAY them!
We've had a great and relaxing Christmas, relatively speaking. We went to Houston this past weekend, and everybody at the Saenz house came down with a cold/allergy attack, including Alex and me. We had to leave Houston early so that Alex could get his rest. We got to see Grandma & Grandpa, Gabriella, and Juan Carlos. Also, Alex met his Aunties Anesha and Anjenie, and Alex finally got to play with his buddy, Alec (Anjenie's son.) We also visited with Tia Nina & Tia Oscar, and I finally got to learn how to make tamales. YAYAYAYAY ME! Thank God for Tia Nina's toys. Alex had a blast while mommy perfected her masa-spreading skills. You'd never believe how hard those things are to make!!! GEEEZ!
Anyway, Alex is enjoying all his new toys. His sense of humor is crazy just like his father's. Today, he pretended to get his hand stuck in his new toy and scared everybody to death before cracking up for tricking us all. He is a comedian.
I hope to see everybody soon, and I'm looking forward to another great year of seeing Alex grow.
Thursday, December 25, 2008
Sunday, December 7, 2008
La Migra
Before I go off on my topic, let me just say that I love where we live. It's a great area of San Antonio with great schools, great shopping close by, and 7 minutes from Sea World and Fiesta, TX. It's a great place to raise children despite the horrendous traffic. We are happy!
However, we sometimes wish we could have interviewed our neighbors before moving in. We are one of three Hispanic families that live on our block...there's us, one family that lives 4 houses down and the other is our next door neighbor. My theory that the house next door is a halfway house filled with juvenile felons has yet to be discredited. When we first moved in back in March 2006, Eddy swears that he met a "parent-like" figure that owned the house, but we haven't seen this alleged adult rear his head since we moved in. There are literally 7-9 cars parked in the garage, driveway, and/or street at any given time after 2:30 p.m., none of which are new and all appear to be driven by teenagers. More cars end up on the street when one of the cars is being worked on on the driveway. The oldest person I have seen is approximately 23 years of age, and he has to be the most obnoxious one of the entire herd for blasting his tejano music (no offense intended to my people) from his teal low-rider truck. This is the elegant truck that is always in the driveway appearing to be having mechanical work done with music blasting. AHHHHH!
Yesterday, when my dad and stepmom arrived at our house, the truck was in the neighbor's driveway blasting the tejano music with nobody in sight, and my dad, being the former deportation officer that he is, yelled from the street in a joking manner, "What the hell is this? Call La Migra!" My face turned red, but my father did what no one else on this street has had the nerve to do for the past 2 1/2 years.
It was great, and we have yet to hear the music blasting today. It wouldn't be so bad if they weren't constantly committing neighborly fouls. If it's not the music, it's their dog getting in to our yard to anger the Bubs, late night (we're talking midnight here people) honks from visitors looking to pick up one of the many little pre-teens living in the house, parties with loud music, cars peeling out past 11 p.m., or stealing one of the trees from our neighborhood to replace a tree in their front yard that died. Fortunately, another neighbor busted them and called the cops on them, but they still had the nerve to try and put it up in their front yard. We're talking real winners here! How they manage to afford a home upwards of $200k is beyond me.
However, we sometimes wish we could have interviewed our neighbors before moving in. We are one of three Hispanic families that live on our block...there's us, one family that lives 4 houses down and the other is our next door neighbor. My theory that the house next door is a halfway house filled with juvenile felons has yet to be discredited. When we first moved in back in March 2006, Eddy swears that he met a "parent-like" figure that owned the house, but we haven't seen this alleged adult rear his head since we moved in. There are literally 7-9 cars parked in the garage, driveway, and/or street at any given time after 2:30 p.m., none of which are new and all appear to be driven by teenagers. More cars end up on the street when one of the cars is being worked on on the driveway. The oldest person I have seen is approximately 23 years of age, and he has to be the most obnoxious one of the entire herd for blasting his tejano music (no offense intended to my people) from his teal low-rider truck. This is the elegant truck that is always in the driveway appearing to be having mechanical work done with music blasting. AHHHHH!
Yesterday, when my dad and stepmom arrived at our house, the truck was in the neighbor's driveway blasting the tejano music with nobody in sight, and my dad, being the former deportation officer that he is, yelled from the street in a joking manner, "What the hell is this? Call La Migra!" My face turned red, but my father did what no one else on this street has had the nerve to do for the past 2 1/2 years.
It was great, and we have yet to hear the music blasting today. It wouldn't be so bad if they weren't constantly committing neighborly fouls. If it's not the music, it's their dog getting in to our yard to anger the Bubs, late night (we're talking midnight here people) honks from visitors looking to pick up one of the many little pre-teens living in the house, parties with loud music, cars peeling out past 11 p.m., or stealing one of the trees from our neighborhood to replace a tree in their front yard that died. Fortunately, another neighbor busted them and called the cops on them, but they still had the nerve to try and put it up in their front yard. We're talking real winners here! How they manage to afford a home upwards of $200k is beyond me.
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
Christmas Spirit
Garden Ridge has been in spirit of the holidays since August, at least, which is always great, but their prices never seem to change with the season. They offer discounts periodically so that you believe you are getting a steal when in reality, you're paying normal prices...you just don't feel so bad about it because it's so "Christmas-y."
Anyway, Eddy and I decided that we were going to get Alex the Elmo Live doll for Christmas. We broke down and bought it for him already just for kicks, and he is so indifferent about it that it kills us knowing that spent 60 bucks on that thing. We are seriously thinking about returning it although we've considered keeping it assuming he might grow into it. Ahhh...who knows!?
My aunt recommended giving him a cardboard box, and I think we might just have to do that. I guess it's better than a lump of coal.
Anyway, Eddy and I decided that we were going to get Alex the Elmo Live doll for Christmas. We broke down and bought it for him already just for kicks, and he is so indifferent about it that it kills us knowing that spent 60 bucks on that thing. We are seriously thinking about returning it although we've considered keeping it assuming he might grow into it. Ahhh...who knows!?
My aunt recommended giving him a cardboard box, and I think we might just have to do that. I guess it's better than a lump of coal.
Sunday, November 2, 2008
My Politics
I don't really use this blog to discuss my politics; I leave that to my myspace blog www.myspace.com/ronnieboo808 if you're interested. But, I must urge all my friends and family to get out there and vote on Tuesday if you didn't take advantage of early voting already.
I am a loyal Democrat and already voted for Barack Obama, the main man I have been rooting for since he declared his candidacy. Even if you are for John McCain, which I probably won't understand but I am willing to listen to your side of the story because I'm open-minded like that, I urge you to get out there and vote! Don't allow long lines or the fear of being called to jury duty sway your desire to get out there (if you registered, then you're already on the list...sorry.)
To persuade you to vote for my guy:
1) He's a charismatic, intelligent, open-minded being that is just pretty freakin awesome.
2) By "spreading the wealth," he means that he'll be making the big bad oil companies, insurance companies, drug companies, and billionaires start paying their fair share in taxes after the failure of 8 years of Bush's trickle down economic policies...you don't believe me? OPEN YOUR EYES...CHECK YOUR 401K...Republican economic policies don't work in your favor...even if you make $500k/year...the Republican's idea of "wealthy" is far more wealthy than what you and I can even imagine...we're talking billions of dollars here people
3) He's pro-choice...not pro-abortion. If a woman is raped or has been a victim of incest, she might not be able to have that child aborted under Sarah Palin's idea of women's rights. Senator Obama and other liberals don't think it's right for any person to use abortion as birth control...it's merely a choice for a woman to make with her doctor in the event that her health or the health of her baby is at risk. Why should government intervene with the choices we make with our bodies?
4) He's got some pretty awesome advisors at his side. He isn't using the same ol' political advisors Democrats have historically used. He's reaching out beyond the Democratic comfort zone and seeking advice of knowledgeble people, regardless of political affiliation. I truly feel that he will work beyond party lines to do what's best for this country.
Don't have you convinced yet? Let's talk about it. Unfortunately, too many people can't or won't open their minds. 25% of Texans polled this week think that Senator Obama is a Muslim. Stop perpetuating the hate!
I am a loyal Democrat and already voted for Barack Obama, the main man I have been rooting for since he declared his candidacy. Even if you are for John McCain, which I probably won't understand but I am willing to listen to your side of the story because I'm open-minded like that, I urge you to get out there and vote! Don't allow long lines or the fear of being called to jury duty sway your desire to get out there (if you registered, then you're already on the list...sorry.)
To persuade you to vote for my guy:
1) He's a charismatic, intelligent, open-minded being that is just pretty freakin awesome.
2) By "spreading the wealth," he means that he'll be making the big bad oil companies, insurance companies, drug companies, and billionaires start paying their fair share in taxes after the failure of 8 years of Bush's trickle down economic policies...you don't believe me? OPEN YOUR EYES...CHECK YOUR 401K...Republican economic policies don't work in your favor...even if you make $500k/year...the Republican's idea of "wealthy" is far more wealthy than what you and I can even imagine...we're talking billions of dollars here people
3) He's pro-choice...not pro-abortion. If a woman is raped or has been a victim of incest, she might not be able to have that child aborted under Sarah Palin's idea of women's rights. Senator Obama and other liberals don't think it's right for any person to use abortion as birth control...it's merely a choice for a woman to make with her doctor in the event that her health or the health of her baby is at risk. Why should government intervene with the choices we make with our bodies?
4) He's got some pretty awesome advisors at his side. He isn't using the same ol' political advisors Democrats have historically used. He's reaching out beyond the Democratic comfort zone and seeking advice of knowledgeble people, regardless of political affiliation. I truly feel that he will work beyond party lines to do what's best for this country.
Don't have you convinced yet? Let's talk about it. Unfortunately, too many people can't or won't open their minds. 25% of Texans polled this week think that Senator Obama is a Muslim. Stop perpetuating the hate!
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
Wasteful Picky Eater :-)
I wouldn't call myself a picky eater, per se, but I have a preference for certain foods over others. My theory is that because my mom, grandmothers, and all my aunts are/were great cooks, I was exposed only to the best dishes (mostly Mexican) growing up. Thus, I now only prefer to eat good food. Growing up, I wasn't exposed to an eclectic variety of food mostly because Asian and cultural foods weren't readily available in Laredo. When we moved to Houston, my parents were so use to our repertoire that we didn't really stray from our usual suspects: mole, tacos, roast, baked chicken, etc.
Now that I suffer from severe food allergies, venturing out to try new foods isn't really an option (doctor's orders.) So, I'm trying to be more adventurous with my cooking at home. My mother-in-law (shout out Mary) was over here this weekend, and she asked me, "What are you going to do with that pumpkin?" My immediate response was, "We're gonna carve it, duh." Mary said, "Oh, Henry would make me do something with it, make empanadas or something." That made me realize again, another way that I can stop being so wasteful. If there's one thing my father-in-law, Henry, isn't, it's wasteful. We can all take a thing or two from a page in Henry's book of life, and one of those things is STOP BEING WASTEFUL!
I was such a food snob growing up that I refused to eat leftovers. Now, I embrace leftovers, provided they reheat well. *Any Mexican knows that Mexican rice does not reheat well.* I don't consider myself a culinary artist, but I can cook up some pretty awesome Mexican dishes, thanks to my Tia Nina's cookbook and self expirimentation. I can't tell you how much money we've saved by eating home cooked meals 70% of the time.
In the spirit of Pumpkin season, check out Alex at the Pumpkin Patch in Medina, TX.
Now that I suffer from severe food allergies, venturing out to try new foods isn't really an option (doctor's orders.) So, I'm trying to be more adventurous with my cooking at home. My mother-in-law (shout out Mary) was over here this weekend, and she asked me, "What are you going to do with that pumpkin?" My immediate response was, "We're gonna carve it, duh." Mary said, "Oh, Henry would make me do something with it, make empanadas or something." That made me realize again, another way that I can stop being so wasteful. If there's one thing my father-in-law, Henry, isn't, it's wasteful. We can all take a thing or two from a page in Henry's book of life, and one of those things is STOP BEING WASTEFUL!
I was such a food snob growing up that I refused to eat leftovers. Now, I embrace leftovers, provided they reheat well. *Any Mexican knows that Mexican rice does not reheat well.* I don't consider myself a culinary artist, but I can cook up some pretty awesome Mexican dishes, thanks to my Tia Nina's cookbook and self expirimentation. I can't tell you how much money we've saved by eating home cooked meals 70% of the time.
In the spirit of Pumpkin season, check out Alex at the Pumpkin Patch in Medina, TX.
Saturday, October 18, 2008
If Alex had a facebook
Alejandro Eduardo Contreras
Networks: Mommy & Daddy
Sex: Male
Birthday: September 19, 2007
Hometown: San Antonio, TX
Relationship Status: single
Political Views: whatever mommy says I am
Religious Views: baptized a Catholic man
Interests: eating cheerios, eating mac & cheese, eating every kind of vegetable, drinking milk, walking around the house, biting the furniture, playing with Tupperware, screaming, playing with Bubba, taking baths, going for walks with my mommy and daddy in my wagon, sleeping
Favorite Music: Baby Classical Traveling Melodies, Fisher Price Sing-A-Longs
Favorite TV Shows: Dora the Explorer, The Wonder Pets
Favorite Movies: n/a
Favorite Books: The Little Engine That Could, Book of Colors, Brown Bear Brown Bear What do you see?, Fisher Price Farm Book, Where is Baby's Belly Button, Goodnight moon
Favorite Quotes: "We do not bite mommy!" -Mommy
About Me: I'm a 1 year old that likes to eat and have fun.
Networks: Mommy & Daddy
Sex: Male
Birthday: September 19, 2007
Hometown: San Antonio, TX
Relationship Status: single
Political Views: whatever mommy says I am
Religious Views: baptized a Catholic man
Interests: eating cheerios, eating mac & cheese, eating every kind of vegetable, drinking milk, walking around the house, biting the furniture, playing with Tupperware, screaming, playing with Bubba, taking baths, going for walks with my mommy and daddy in my wagon, sleeping
Favorite Music: Baby Classical Traveling Melodies, Fisher Price Sing-A-Longs
Favorite TV Shows: Dora the Explorer, The Wonder Pets
Favorite Movies: n/a
Favorite Books: The Little Engine That Could, Book of Colors, Brown Bear Brown Bear What do you see?, Fisher Price Farm Book, Where is Baby's Belly Button, Goodnight moon
Favorite Quotes: "We do not bite mommy!" -Mommy
About Me: I'm a 1 year old that likes to eat and have fun.
Thursday, October 9, 2008
Baby budget
One can't help feel the pressure of the economic downturn after watching the news and reading Newsweek articles. Having been a loan officer before starting grad school, I made sure that we purchased a home that we could afford on Eddy's salary alone. Also, both Eddy and I are frugal with our spending. When it comes to Alex, though, as many parents probably understand, we tend to spend ridiculous amounts of money on things that our son doesn't really need. So, I am taking it upon myself, as difficult as it is for me, to purchase only the things Alex really needs.
I buy Alex a few outfits a month (okay more than a few) because I just can't help how freakin cute he's gonna look. That mentality just needs to stop...I know it...you know it! More clothes for Alex = less clothes for mommy and daddy. I haven't purchased a new outfit since I can't even remember...now that's a sacrifice I make staying at home to raise my son, but sometimes a girl just wants to shop!
After tracking our spending in July by dividing everything into categories, I realized that a ridiculous amount of our budget goes toward Alex, including necessities and extras. For those who don't have kids, here's how it breaks down:
Diapers: $80-120/month (more expensive when babies are younger)
Formula (at the time he was on formula): $90-120/month (again, more expensive when the babies are younger)
Baby food (at the time he was on baby food): $50/month
Clothes: $75
Toys: $100
Doctor's appt (copays, meds etc...we had a sick month): $155
Kinda ridiculous, huh? Yeah, I know. This budget doesn't show the $300 increase we saw in our insurance premium for adding a child to the mix...yeah...fun times!
Now that Alex is older, we still purchase about the same in diapers, but we no longer use formula. Organic whole milk runs us about $27/month, but now that he's eating stricly table food, our grocery bill has gone up significantly to account for snacks, healthy food, frozen veggies, etc.
Having a child is expensive! If you have one, and you have money saving tips, please share. If you don't, thank your parents again for providing for you. :-) I somtimes want to go back and slap some sense into my middle school self for wanting name brand clothes and only the coolest most expensive Doc Martens and Nikes. Does anyone have a chancla?
I buy Alex a few outfits a month (okay more than a few) because I just can't help how freakin cute he's gonna look. That mentality just needs to stop...I know it...you know it! More clothes for Alex = less clothes for mommy and daddy. I haven't purchased a new outfit since I can't even remember...now that's a sacrifice I make staying at home to raise my son, but sometimes a girl just wants to shop!
After tracking our spending in July by dividing everything into categories, I realized that a ridiculous amount of our budget goes toward Alex, including necessities and extras. For those who don't have kids, here's how it breaks down:
Diapers: $80-120/month (more expensive when babies are younger)
Formula (at the time he was on formula): $90-120/month (again, more expensive when the babies are younger)
Baby food (at the time he was on baby food): $50/month
Clothes: $75
Toys: $100
Doctor's appt (copays, meds etc...we had a sick month): $155
Kinda ridiculous, huh? Yeah, I know. This budget doesn't show the $300 increase we saw in our insurance premium for adding a child to the mix...yeah...fun times!
Now that Alex is older, we still purchase about the same in diapers, but we no longer use formula. Organic whole milk runs us about $27/month, but now that he's eating stricly table food, our grocery bill has gone up significantly to account for snacks, healthy food, frozen veggies, etc.
Having a child is expensive! If you have one, and you have money saving tips, please share. If you don't, thank your parents again for providing for you. :-) I somtimes want to go back and slap some sense into my middle school self for wanting name brand clothes and only the coolest most expensive Doc Martens and Nikes. Does anyone have a chancla?
Monday, September 29, 2008
Momma's Boy
Oh my goodness! I never thought I'd see the day...my son has turned into a momma's boy. People said that sons and mothers have a special bond, but since the day he was born, he has treated Eddy and me equally with love and affection. We're not sure if it's because I'm with him all day taking care of him or if it's just "that" bond parents of boys tell us all about. Who knows!? But I'm eating it up!
As he becomes more mobile, he has the opportunity to distance himself from me as much as he chooses (or as much as I'm willing to let him). He seems to think that when it's time to put on his pants, he needs to crawl away from me as fast as humanly possible all while cracking up. BUT, nothing melts my heart more when we're hanging out in our big living room and the only place he wants to be is in mommy's arms.
I absolutely love praising my son and giving him all the affection I can. However, I will not become that mother who tells his son that he is a king all so that he can never be satisfied by another woman again (Oedipus, much?!) I will however, hopefully, raise my little man to be a confident young man who respects his momma and other women...
I want him to have "cojones" so that he can stand up for himself, but I don't want him being a machista either. Too bad there wasn't a Hispanic Freud...to dissect the human psyche of Hispanics.
As he becomes more mobile, he has the opportunity to distance himself from me as much as he chooses (or as much as I'm willing to let him). He seems to think that when it's time to put on his pants, he needs to crawl away from me as fast as humanly possible all while cracking up. BUT, nothing melts my heart more when we're hanging out in our big living room and the only place he wants to be is in mommy's arms.
I absolutely love praising my son and giving him all the affection I can. However, I will not become that mother who tells his son that he is a king all so that he can never be satisfied by another woman again (Oedipus, much?!) I will however, hopefully, raise my little man to be a confident young man who respects his momma and other women...
I want him to have "cojones" so that he can stand up for himself, but I don't want him being a machista either. Too bad there wasn't a Hispanic Freud...to dissect the human psyche of Hispanics.
Saturday, September 20, 2008
Birthdays
It's been a while since my last post. First came my bday (the 9th) and then came Alex's (the 19th). Alex had a stomach virus that kept me too busy during my bday week to post any blogs and this past week had me planning a little family get together in honor of Alex's big day. The past two weeks have been hectic to say the least.
But now that it's over, I feel a mixture of emotions. I spent the last year waiting for this moment, and it came and went. We had a great week and a very nice time with our family today at the house. I guess it's just the bittersweet feeling parents get watching their baby grow up right before their very eyes. I'll stop being a completely mushy mom, but I feel very thankful to have all of our family and friends. Most importantly, I feel very thankful for having such a wonderful husband and amazing son. They are my world.
On another note, we had some setbacks with the bottle weaning due to Alex's tummy bug, but Eddy and I decided to be the big bad bottle weaning police and took it away cold turkey. We've had some fussing, but so far so good. 2 days without a bottle and counting! WOOHOO!
Happy 1st Birthday to My Love
But now that it's over, I feel a mixture of emotions. I spent the last year waiting for this moment, and it came and went. We had a great week and a very nice time with our family today at the house. I guess it's just the bittersweet feeling parents get watching their baby grow up right before their very eyes. I'll stop being a completely mushy mom, but I feel very thankful to have all of our family and friends. Most importantly, I feel very thankful for having such a wonderful husband and amazing son. They are my world.
On another note, we had some setbacks with the bottle weaning due to Alex's tummy bug, but Eddy and I decided to be the big bad bottle weaning police and took it away cold turkey. We've had some fussing, but so far so good. 2 days without a bottle and counting! WOOHOO!
Happy 1st Birthday to My Love
Monday, September 8, 2008
Potty Potty Everywhere
I have decided I am getting payback for my potty humor by having potty situations with Alex. It started off a couple of weeks ago when he took off his diaper and the poopie was everywhere in his crib (read my last blog), and this weekend his hand reached into the poopie that seaped out of his diaper while sitting in his car seat. We were driving on I-10 when Eddy and I smelled a horrific smell from the back. We thought Alex had just given us a big surprise in his diaper when we realized that the surprise wasn't such a surprise after all...it was all over his hand. Anyway, in order to spare you your lunch, Eddy managed to pull over and we cleaned up the situation quickly and efficiently (minimal wipes, no mess left). Eddy took my car to the car wash, and my car now has a nifty strawberry-scented tree hanging from the rear view.
Needless to say, we were horrified and amused all at the same time. It made me realize just how much our lives have changed since welcoming Alex to our family. Last year at this time, Eddy and I could carelessly make dinner plans, date night plans, movie plans, etc...now, we spend our Saturday afternoons at the flea market looking for junk and then cleaning up a potty filled car and baby. HA!
Bottle weaning update: 2 bottles down, 1 to go. WOOHOO!!!
Needless to say, we were horrified and amused all at the same time. It made me realize just how much our lives have changed since welcoming Alex to our family. Last year at this time, Eddy and I could carelessly make dinner plans, date night plans, movie plans, etc...now, we spend our Saturday afternoons at the flea market looking for junk and then cleaning up a potty filled car and baby. HA!
Bottle weaning update: 2 bottles down, 1 to go. WOOHOO!!!
Thursday, September 4, 2008
Bottles bottles go away
Bottle weaning started off somewhat smoothly, or rather, not as bad as we expected....and then it became worse than we expected. Now, we're doing better than we thought we'd be doing. I just don't know what to expect anymore with this bottle weaning stuff. Being the "planner" that I am, I can't help but try to anticipate the level of difficulty I might face when trying to overcome any obstacle. I'm the patient who insisted the nurse give me a general timeline for how long I would be feeling as horrendous as I was feeling following my c-section...I'm the person who gets anxious about being anxious. If there's one thing I'm learning being a parent, it's that I'm going to drive myself nuts trying to plan everything with a child.
I am slowly starting to, in the words of my dad, "lighten up" when it comes to all the things I'm picky about...a clean house, organization, schedules. For example, when I organize Alex's toys in our living room, which is his general play area, he lovingly finds joy in taking everything out of place. He will happily ignore his blocks if they are out of their container. But he will stop throwing all the books around the floor if I start trying to put them back where they belong just to come and throw them out again. I sometimes think it's God and my mom acting through Alex to teach me to find joy in my son and stop being so neurotic. :-)
Before Alex
After Alex
I am slowly starting to, in the words of my dad, "lighten up" when it comes to all the things I'm picky about...a clean house, organization, schedules. For example, when I organize Alex's toys in our living room, which is his general play area, he lovingly finds joy in taking everything out of place. He will happily ignore his blocks if they are out of their container. But he will stop throwing all the books around the floor if I start trying to put them back where they belong just to come and throw them out again. I sometimes think it's God and my mom acting through Alex to teach me to find joy in my son and stop being so neurotic. :-)
Before Alex
After Alex
Sunday, August 31, 2008
Labor Day
We have had a wonderful Labor Day weekend, and I have been spoiled by having Eddy home since last Wednesday. It's been great...Eddy's been letting me sleep in, and nothing is easier than having 2 parents to manage a fussy teething baby. I have the best husband ever! Ahhh..those days will soon be over as Eddy head back to work this Tuesday. It was great while it lasted and my stress/caffeine eye twitch still persists. Ah well. I guess that's life!
We have managed to convince Alex to try whole milk via a sippy cup in the past 2 days in place of his lunch bottle. He still doesn't understand the concept of drinking large quantities from a sippy cup, unless there's juice in there, but we're hoping we get there sooner than later. Eddy and I are both very motivated people, so we're hoping to have the bottle be out of the house by Alex's 1st birthday....only time will tell. We have 2 bottles to go (breakfast and dinner).
We had a visit from Eddy's college (undergrad) roommate, Martin, and his beautiful family this past Saturday. Alex enjoyed meeting Jack and Kyle Prati, and we had a couple of hours of baby bliss in our living room. Jack absolutely loved Bubba, and Kyle was happy as ever with whichever toy we presented him. Alex attempted to give love pats to Jack and Kyles' heads. The Pratis are a wonderful and loving family, and we had a great time seeing them this weekend.
Otherwise, Eddy is being Mr. Handyman around the house, and I love it! :-) We now have ceiling fans...yea fun! I'm convinced that Eddy is now electrically brilliant, and I'm going to try to convince him to change our light fixtures in the house...we'll see! :-)
We have managed to convince Alex to try whole milk via a sippy cup in the past 2 days in place of his lunch bottle. He still doesn't understand the concept of drinking large quantities from a sippy cup, unless there's juice in there, but we're hoping we get there sooner than later. Eddy and I are both very motivated people, so we're hoping to have the bottle be out of the house by Alex's 1st birthday....only time will tell. We have 2 bottles to go (breakfast and dinner).
We had a visit from Eddy's college (undergrad) roommate, Martin, and his beautiful family this past Saturday. Alex enjoyed meeting Jack and Kyle Prati, and we had a couple of hours of baby bliss in our living room. Jack absolutely loved Bubba, and Kyle was happy as ever with whichever toy we presented him. Alex attempted to give love pats to Jack and Kyles' heads. The Pratis are a wonderful and loving family, and we had a great time seeing them this weekend.
Otherwise, Eddy is being Mr. Handyman around the house, and I love it! :-) We now have ceiling fans...yea fun! I'm convinced that Eddy is now electrically brilliant, and I'm going to try to convince him to change our light fixtures in the house...we'll see! :-)
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
Milestones & Diaper Fun
The past few weeks have been interesting during diaper changing time. For the most part, Alex understands that diaper changing doesn't have to be torture time if he is entertained (i.e. biting on his lotion bottle, ruffling around his clean diapers, biting on mommy's ankles). Diaper changing time has become more peaceful. Changing outfits, however, can still be a battle if Alex is cranky, sleepy, or hungry. His first molars are ready to come out so he has been very cranky lately.
We experienced a very interesting diaper changing time a couple of weeks ago. Let's just say that Alex is very "regular, "and he awoke from his morning nap with a potty-filled diaper...only he decided that he didn't want his diaper on anymore so the potty was everywhere...including his bumpers, sheets, shirt, hands, legs, eyebrows, and mouth...yes...I said mouth. I jumped into crisis mode, and cleaned his hands and face first with a wipey, then the rest of his body, and then I quickly undressed him and gave him a bath....FUN TIMES I TELL YOU!!!! He smiled the entire time, and I knew it was one of the moments I would never forget. For parents who know the diaper smelliness changes that occur with the transition from puree to table food, you'll understand that it was a very smelly situation!! And smells are strongly linked with memory...HA!
As we move closer to Alex's first birthday, the awesome milestones I spent the last 3 years learning about in my classes are starting to appear. Alex just took his first steps yesterday while playing with his friends Presleigh and Sydney at their house. I was so excited, and Alex has since tried to take some more steps at his Gymboree class and at home.
We are working on the transition from bottle to cup, and Alex is not having it. It is every speech pathologist's nightmare to see a child drinking from a sippy cup so I was adamant that Alex would never drink from one...until I learned that going cold turkey from a bottle to a drinking cup is going to shock a child into not drinking anything at all because of the fast and steady flow of liquid. Sippy cups are now my friend until Alex's bottles become obsolete in this house.
Oh well...I learned...and I also learned to ignore other people who will pass judgment on you for the decisions you make as a parent. My baby is healthy and happy, and he might kick and scream when I wait just 10 seconds to read "Brown Bear Brown Bear What Do You See"....but instead of seeing the screaming as a tantrum, I learn to see and appreciate his passion for reading. :-)
We experienced a very interesting diaper changing time a couple of weeks ago. Let's just say that Alex is very "regular, "and he awoke from his morning nap with a potty-filled diaper...only he decided that he didn't want his diaper on anymore so the potty was everywhere...including his bumpers, sheets, shirt, hands, legs, eyebrows, and mouth...yes...I said mouth. I jumped into crisis mode, and cleaned his hands and face first with a wipey, then the rest of his body, and then I quickly undressed him and gave him a bath....FUN TIMES I TELL YOU!!!! He smiled the entire time, and I knew it was one of the moments I would never forget. For parents who know the diaper smelliness changes that occur with the transition from puree to table food, you'll understand that it was a very smelly situation!! And smells are strongly linked with memory...HA!
As we move closer to Alex's first birthday, the awesome milestones I spent the last 3 years learning about in my classes are starting to appear. Alex just took his first steps yesterday while playing with his friends Presleigh and Sydney at their house. I was so excited, and Alex has since tried to take some more steps at his Gymboree class and at home.
We are working on the transition from bottle to cup, and Alex is not having it. It is every speech pathologist's nightmare to see a child drinking from a sippy cup so I was adamant that Alex would never drink from one...until I learned that going cold turkey from a bottle to a drinking cup is going to shock a child into not drinking anything at all because of the fast and steady flow of liquid. Sippy cups are now my friend until Alex's bottles become obsolete in this house.
Oh well...I learned...and I also learned to ignore other people who will pass judgment on you for the decisions you make as a parent. My baby is healthy and happy, and he might kick and scream when I wait just 10 seconds to read "Brown Bear Brown Bear What Do You See"....but instead of seeing the screaming as a tantrum, I learn to see and appreciate his passion for reading. :-)
Monday, August 18, 2008
How the time flies by
As I'm preparing to throw Alex's 1st birthday bash, I think of all the great memories he's given me these past 11 months, and I get sad that the time has flown by and that I still don't have my pre-baby body back. HA! I don't think my abs will ever be as taut so I'm just moving on thankful that the rest of my body is intact. :-)
We had a great time in Houston this past weekend with Grandpa & Grandma, and I'm learning everyday that Alex is just as much of a ham and attention hog as his mama. He's a very happy baby and would rather be making friends with other small children than playing in his Gymboree class. He is however, teething again, but this time with molars. AHHH! We thought we were done with that when his 8th tooth came in last month, but we were wrong. He is Mr. Cranky Pants right now but he's still laughing every chance he gets and trying to chase Bubba around the room.
Alex at 5 months on the way to get baptized when his first 2 teeth had just come in...you can see them in that picture.
We had a great time in Houston this past weekend with Grandpa & Grandma, and I'm learning everyday that Alex is just as much of a ham and attention hog as his mama. He's a very happy baby and would rather be making friends with other small children than playing in his Gymboree class. He is however, teething again, but this time with molars. AHHH! We thought we were done with that when his 8th tooth came in last month, but we were wrong. He is Mr. Cranky Pants right now but he's still laughing every chance he gets and trying to chase Bubba around the room.
Alex at 5 months on the way to get baptized when his first 2 teeth had just come in...you can see them in that picture.
Tuesday, August 5, 2008
The five love languages of Mars & Venus
I have never claimed to be an expert on love, that is knowing how to effectively receive and give love, or rather letting people know how much I love them and that I appreciate the love others give me. So, I am always trying to better myself by reading books about love. Often times, those books are found in the dreaded, often embarrassing, self-help section. In the name of love, I do it anyway.
The first book I read was The Five Love Languages, and this was a couple of years ago. The languages are: words of affirmation, quality time, gifts (giving and receiving), acts of service, and physical touch. The author, Gary Chapman, basically says that these are 5 love languages that people speak, and we speak and understand some of them better than others. Most often, people have 1 or 2 that they speak better than the others. For example (and this is completely hypothetical), I might feel most loved when someone verbally praises me and I receive gifts from them. My languages would then be words of affirmation and gifts. Get it?
Anywho, after reading the book and taking the quiz that helps determine your most proficient love language, I am almost equally proficient in 4 of the 5 languages with gifts receiving the least importance and quality time being the most important. That makes me a very complicated person to love...sorry!
I am currently reading Men are from Mars, Women are from Venus by John Gray, and I think it is hilarious. I can't help but overanalyze every disagreement I hear or read about, or even experience myself with Eddy.
The point of this blog is that by reading all of those books, it's helped me to realize just how much of a Martian my husband is, and how well he's learned to tolerate my Venusian ways, despite my constant questioning of his competence (a huge no no in the world of the Martians).
My Eddy is and continues to be one of the most amazing people I have ever met. He tolerates my quirks and hormonal outbursts. He is an amazing Daddy and wonderful husband, and I love him very much. He is this week's featured family member of my blog.
Eddy's best blue steel!
The first book I read was The Five Love Languages, and this was a couple of years ago. The languages are: words of affirmation, quality time, gifts (giving and receiving), acts of service, and physical touch. The author, Gary Chapman, basically says that these are 5 love languages that people speak, and we speak and understand some of them better than others. Most often, people have 1 or 2 that they speak better than the others. For example (and this is completely hypothetical), I might feel most loved when someone verbally praises me and I receive gifts from them. My languages would then be words of affirmation and gifts. Get it?
Anywho, after reading the book and taking the quiz that helps determine your most proficient love language, I am almost equally proficient in 4 of the 5 languages with gifts receiving the least importance and quality time being the most important. That makes me a very complicated person to love...sorry!
I am currently reading Men are from Mars, Women are from Venus by John Gray, and I think it is hilarious. I can't help but overanalyze every disagreement I hear or read about, or even experience myself with Eddy.
The point of this blog is that by reading all of those books, it's helped me to realize just how much of a Martian my husband is, and how well he's learned to tolerate my Venusian ways, despite my constant questioning of his competence (a huge no no in the world of the Martians).
My Eddy is and continues to be one of the most amazing people I have ever met. He tolerates my quirks and hormonal outbursts. He is an amazing Daddy and wonderful husband, and I love him very much. He is this week's featured family member of my blog.
Eddy's best blue steel!
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
The anti-Aggie conspiracy
I am convinced that Longhorn fans, including retailers, merchandisers, and common people alike have such a strong dislike for Aggies and anything Texas A&M, that they have resorted to subtle anti-Aggie propaganda to discourage the future generation college-educated individuals from attending my prestigious alma mater. The Aggie jokes....we've all heard them! Let's also take, for example, the Texas college display at our local Academy Sports & Outdoors here in San Antonio. Why is the display for Longhorn paraphrenalia much larger than the Aggie display? Why is there only 1 option for little boys and 2 options for little girls in Aggie baby gear but at least 4 options for both boys and girls in Longhorn apparel? Why, also, is the Texas Tech gear display larger than the Aggie display? Now, THAT, is a disgrace...
And the anti-Aggie campaign, has even hit baby toys. Look at the face (albeit a little creepy) of Alex's toy phone purchased at our local grocery store...
Now, take a closer look at the mouth. Does that not look like the Longhorn symbol (bevo I think they call it) to you? Call me crazy...call me a conspiracy theorist, but I know underhanded techniques when I see them! My little man will be encouraged to consider all of his options when making the big decision of which college to attend. I will not brain wash him, either way, although he will begin to wear a 12th man jersey when I can get him one that fits. :-)
Gig 'em!!!!
And the anti-Aggie campaign, has even hit baby toys. Look at the face (albeit a little creepy) of Alex's toy phone purchased at our local grocery store...
Now, take a closer look at the mouth. Does that not look like the Longhorn symbol (bevo I think they call it) to you? Call me crazy...call me a conspiracy theorist, but I know underhanded techniques when I see them! My little man will be encouraged to consider all of his options when making the big decision of which college to attend. I will not brain wash him, either way, although he will begin to wear a 12th man jersey when I can get him one that fits. :-)
Gig 'em!!!!
Monday, July 21, 2008
The verdict is in
I am officially allergic to vegetable gum which is essentially used in most thickened liquids that are not designated as "all natural," including, but not limited to, salad dressings, sauces, jelly, cake icing, chocolate products, creams, cream cheese, and many many more items that might include "xanathan gum." My allergist's recommendation was, "stop eating out at restaurants." WOW! We all know that's not gonna happen. So, if we're ever out eating dinner, you might request a brief tutorial on how to use my epi-pen if I pass out in front of you and/or start swelling up and turning red like a roma tomato.
Enough about the boring stuff. Alex's babbling is as delightful to my ears as a nice tall glass of lemonade on a hot day. Eddy believes, and now I might possibly believe, that Alex has said his first word....and NO....it isn't "mama." It is not "dada" either although he frequently babbles that string of consonant-vowel combinations, even when Eddy is not present. It is in fact "og" for "dog." Being the recently graduated speech pathologist that I am, I fully understand that many parents exaggerate this milestone and believe it to have occured when a child is in fact babbling. In order for it to be a first true word, it must be consistently used in the presence of the referent, or more simply put, a child must be referring to a particular object and consistently use that word to describe that object.
Any time Alex hears Bubba bark, he says "og" and looks at or for Bubba. He also proceeds to babble "bubububububu...." I didn't believe Eddy when he told me over the phone. I was in Houston for Anesha's bachelorette party, but now I might actually believe it. Now I might actually believe that my child loves Bubba more than he loves me. At least our first born's first word was that of a neutral party and the name of a beloved family member....The Bubs.
Enough about the boring stuff. Alex's babbling is as delightful to my ears as a nice tall glass of lemonade on a hot day. Eddy believes, and now I might possibly believe, that Alex has said his first word....and NO....it isn't "mama." It is not "dada" either although he frequently babbles that string of consonant-vowel combinations, even when Eddy is not present. It is in fact "og" for "dog." Being the recently graduated speech pathologist that I am, I fully understand that many parents exaggerate this milestone and believe it to have occured when a child is in fact babbling. In order for it to be a first true word, it must be consistently used in the presence of the referent, or more simply put, a child must be referring to a particular object and consistently use that word to describe that object.
Any time Alex hears Bubba bark, he says "og" and looks at or for Bubba. He also proceeds to babble "bubububububu...." I didn't believe Eddy when he told me over the phone. I was in Houston for Anesha's bachelorette party, but now I might actually believe it. Now I might actually believe that my child loves Bubba more than he loves me. At least our first born's first word was that of a neutral party and the name of a beloved family member....The Bubs.
Thursday, July 10, 2008
Diaper Changing Techniques
So, Alex continues to give me trouble every time I need to change his diaper and/or outfit. He continues to roll over and laugh as he proceeds to crawl away with a naked bottom flashing the world in the process of me changing his diaper. If there is a world record for the fastest diaper changing time, I might be close to breaking it if I haven't already. Today, I came up with a strategy that is slightly unorthodox, but it worked! After changing his diaper, I blocked him with my feet while I buttoned his onesie (he was on his belly.) He not only thought it was hilarious that I was restraining him with my feet (he likes toes) but it kept him still and steady long enough for me to finish buttoning his one piece jumper. AHHH! The fun times! I'm getting pretty creative although my word-finding difficulties still linger. You'd think as a speech pathologist that I would have strategies that I could implement, but I seem to have forgotten everything I learned the past 27 1/2 years.
Notice that Alex is not wearing shorts...it's impossible unless he is drowsy or there are two people to assist with the task. My child will always be known as that kid who is shortless or in a onesie!
Notice that Alex is not wearing shorts...it's impossible unless he is drowsy or there are two people to assist with the task. My child will always be known as that kid who is shortless or in a onesie!
Sunday, June 22, 2008
Welcome!!
Welcome Family & Friends! This my attempt to keep family and friends updated on my family and me. I have previously used myspace for my blogs but I'd like for my non-myspace affiliated family and friends to have access to my rants and raves about the minutia of my life without having to log on to myspace. Oh joyous fun!
I am always looking for pointers on how to be a better mother, wife, daughter, friend, etc..., so please feel free to comment.
Today's topic: Food Allergies
I am officially a sufferer of food allergies (began in early pregnancy.) When I ingest any food containing an unknown antigen (I need more tests) I will have an anaphylactic reaction. No fun for anyone! It had been almost a year since my last reaction when I had a moment of weakness. It was Friday, I was cooking dinner, and Eddy brought home a pair of cupcakes. You know, the store-bought chocolate ones with the white yummy filling. Nothing but calories and cavities in a package! So, it was 5 minutes until dinner time, and I couldn't help it...I took one bite...then two, and oops, one whole cupcake was gone. I began to feel a sensation of fullness (one of the intial symptoms of a reaction) but started eating dinner anyway...a few minutes later and the reaction started...the rest is history. Yuck!
I cheated once and got busted hard! I really think somebody gave me "ojo." Is there a curandero in the house?
I am always looking for pointers on how to be a better mother, wife, daughter, friend, etc..., so please feel free to comment.
Today's topic: Food Allergies
I am officially a sufferer of food allergies (began in early pregnancy.) When I ingest any food containing an unknown antigen (I need more tests) I will have an anaphylactic reaction. No fun for anyone! It had been almost a year since my last reaction when I had a moment of weakness. It was Friday, I was cooking dinner, and Eddy brought home a pair of cupcakes. You know, the store-bought chocolate ones with the white yummy filling. Nothing but calories and cavities in a package! So, it was 5 minutes until dinner time, and I couldn't help it...I took one bite...then two, and oops, one whole cupcake was gone. I began to feel a sensation of fullness (one of the intial symptoms of a reaction) but started eating dinner anyway...a few minutes later and the reaction started...the rest is history. Yuck!
I cheated once and got busted hard! I really think somebody gave me "ojo." Is there a curandero in the house?
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