Faster than a Rolling 'O'

Christian: You're not allowed to wear the Darth Vader mask at the Balloon Fiesta.


Gaby: Yes I am, but you're not allowed to wear that cape at the Balloon Fiesta.



Nana and Papa came for the Balloon Fiesta in October. We saw the Glo-deo one evening and then came for the Mass Ascension one weekend.

The boys dressed up in their new Halloween costumes to see the Storm Troopers with the Darth Vader balloon.

The latter half of the month Gaby stayed home from preschool because he had his tonsils and adenoids removed.  He got to stay one night at the UNM Children's Hospital, which is a very nice place for children.  They have a special family room and a rooftop playground.  Plus, Mother Goose came round to read a story to Gaby who was very groggy and sore after the surgery.

Gaby gives tonsilloadenoidectomy surgery a one thumb rating.

One thing that was stressed to me by the numerous nurses and doctors:  make sure Gaby drinks plenty of fluids!  That first weekend home he hardly ate more than a bite of a popsicle or taste of yogurt or sip of juice.  We resorted to feeding him fluids with a medicine dropper.  The second item stressed:  keep ahead of the pain by giving him medicine every 4 hours the first few days.  The worst part was right after the surgery when Gaby came out from under anesthesia and I had to calm him as he kept waking/crying and passing out.  Although Mike stayed with him before surgery, he was unable to be there afterwards and Gaby remembered!  "Where's Daddy?  I want Daddy!" he would ask before he'd pass out.  It was the same scenario when he had his ear tube surgery a few years ago at the age of 17 months.  Only this time, I was prepared and not pregnant or hormonal when I had to see him like that. 

Since he's had the surgery, he no longer snores at night and sleeps well.  And he seems to have so much more energy and is less cranky, too.  He'll have another sleep study in January to see if the apnea has disappeared.  Gaby had an ear infection soon after the surgery, so he'll have his ears checked next month.  Only this time, he didn't have a sore throat and that was a relief.

Teacher's Pet(s)

Last week, Jojo and Gaby started their first year of preschool.  Jojo is with the two-year-olds and Gaby is with the four/five-year-olds.

They have backpacks, snack bags, and lunch boxes to bring each day.  I'm glad they only go twice a week. 

When I dropped them off at their classrooms, Gaby looked at me wide-eyed and said, "But I don't have any friends."  By the end of the day he had made some friends.

I dropped off Jojo at his classroom next, and while he was distracted playing with toys I left.  One poor mother was sobbing as she left.  I felt like crying, too.  But I also had a "party in my tummy" (as my nephew Anthony would say) -- I had time to breathe and get things done at home.  I now have a few free hours to study, clean house, or have a chat with a friend. 

Mike, Christian and I picked up the kids later.  Gabriel came running out and said excitedly to all within earshot, "Mommy! Mommy!  I was good today; I didn't say bad words and I didn't have to go to the principal's office!"  Christian had had a serious talk with Gabriel earlier at the bus stop; he let Gaby know what to expect at school and went over some of the rules with him.  I think Daddy had also given Gaby a stern warning, too.  When we picked up Jojo, we found him standing by the doorway, glaring at us.  He said, "You. Left. Me. He-ah."  His teacher told us he had been happy earlier, though.

Today was their second day and Jojo didn't even blink when I left.  I told him goodbye and said I'd be back soon to pick him up.  Then he ran off to play with toys.  Gaby also had a good day at school.  He tried to make a boomerang (this month they're studying Australia), but it really doesn't look like one.  He must have inherited my artistic abilities.  Gaby decided it's a truck without wheels instead and that's a pretty accurate description. Today Jojo's teacher said that Jojo covered his ears when a little girl in his class was crying.  He does not like loud noises (like Gaby).  She asked me to warn him about music class as the teacher will be playing the piano on Wednesday.  We're going to try pullups and potty training soon, and I'm so glad his teachers will help. Oh, the agony!

Blase big brother at little brother's game.

They learned how to throw the ball in.

He learned to aim for the goal.

Gaby and Christian also started soccer last week.  Gaby had his first practice and game on Saturday.  I love when they play soccer at his age! Sometimes goals are made for the other team, and the kids all run in clumps.  One thing they practiced is spacing, but it didn't always translate on the field.  Gaby was excited by the cheering and waved at Daddy while he was running on the field. Gaby's team is the Dragons and Christian plays on the Blue Magic team. 

You Spin Me Right Round

Customize your own picture collage

In Other Important News....

Christian lost both of his front teeth last week one day apart; The first one fell out when he was at school.  The school bus driver, George, teases him and calls him Toothless, which is fine with Christian because Toothless was also his favorite dragon from the movie 'How to Train a Dragon'. 

Christian is enjoying first grade thus far.  When asked if he likes it as much as kindergarten, he said, "Well, kindergarten was more fun. But in first grade our teacher says we have to do 'important' work.  But recess is fun."

Christian's Big Week

Yoda and the gang helped celebrate Christian's 7th birthday.  He received many new Wii and DS games related to Star Wars, Mario Bros., Despicable Me, and Harry Potter.  Christian's time spent on such games has to be severely limited, though.

I can't believe he's 7 already!  Christian, what a special boy you are.  As a baby, he did not play with toys.  He did not like stuffed animals, noisy toys, trucks or cars. Cars and blocks were for lining up by color or shape.  But we discovered he liked puzzles, and so he started working on them at the age of 2. We also started reading to all the boys when they were babies, and now he reads to Gaby at night before going to bed.  Christian received some pretty terrific level 1 Star Wars books to read.  I like listening to him read to Gaby because if Christian can't decode a word, he makes it up as he goes along.  He's still reading and using his imagination, and that's good in my book!

Today was Christian's first day of first grade.  He slept with his Star Wars backpack near him, and as soon as the alarm went off, he and Gaby got out of bed and dressed themselves.  "Come on, Mom! I don't want to miss a thing at school!"  He enjoys being responsible, but Gaby is responsible for turning off the alarm clock (Christian still hates loud, buzzing noises).  Here he is (above) at his desk with his birthday rice krispy treats to give out to his classmates later. 

Last night we went over the rules -- and I stressed on thing:  If you do not understand what the teacher says, raise your hand and tell her to please repeat the instructions. Christian also informed me that in first grade they no longer have sticks to move when they do not listen: Mrs. B. told the kindergarteners last year that first graders go straight to the principal's office if they are bad.  Christian is on the lookout for those stamps, too.

"The bell is going to ring and I have to go in!"  Chill out, Christian, we still have five minutes for a few photos before I start to bawl. You're growing up too fast and I want these moments to last -- the ones where you actually want me to be around and when you still need me.

Things are going to get busy around here.  In the next couple of weeks Gaby and Christian begin soccer, and this will be Gaby's first year playing.  Christian will also start religious ed. at church (what we Catholics used to call CCD). Gaby and Jojo will begin preschool in September, and my classes start next week.  Busy days are ahead, but at least not everything is happening at once!  And after months of completing computer certification classes, Mike started an internship today, and hopefully this will lead to a permanent (paid) position.

Two Score Years

Last week was a fun week filled with birthday plans with family and friends.  In our family, birthdays seem to go on for days.  We learned from my mom that birthdays are always fun and worth celebrating, no matter how old you are. She's the 'glass is half full' type, whereas at times I'm the more curmudgeonly 'glass is half empty' fool.

My mother-in-law got me a wig and it fooled everyone.  It was fun hearing some of the reactions: "Hair extensions?" or "Wow, your hair grew out fast!" Mike is clearly enthralled by my new look.

My brother Sergio sent me a gift certificate, and the message was: "Happy Birthday! Order more books from my favorite bookstore.  The only rule is:  You are not allowed to order a book by Newt Gingrich or Sarah Palin." 

The party at Mom and Dad's was real nice.

And thus my 40th year has begun on a high note with much cheerfulness and gladness to spare.

A New Decade

Christian said, "See Mom? It's your favorite color - blue!"

Wow. I can't believe I'm 40 years old! Alot of people asked me how I felt today (Sergio joked, "It's all downhill from here.") Well, I had the entire past year to think about my impending birthday, and it's not so bad.

For my 20th birthday I wished for a (serious) boyfriend.  It took awhile, but Mike found me in Phoenix and we were married when I was 29.

For my 30th birthday I wished for a child.  I got one a few years later and then some! What a blessing.

For my 35th birthday I wished for a chance to start on a Masters.  It took awhile, but I started down that path last year and am hoping, wishing, praying to St. Joseph of Cupertino that I get accepted into the program next year.

Triple Chocolate Bavarian dessert for my birthday lunch with Mom and Dad -- yum!

My 40th birthday wish is for more sweet dreams to become vivid realities. And there are some, but I'll let you know about them when I turn 50. For now, I'll continue celebrating with friends and family this week! It's a real joy and blessing to have made it this far.

Amen.

Tennessee

We went to Tennessee two weeks ago and returned yesterday.  One of my favorite parts of the drive on I40 east to TN is crossing the Mississippi River into Memphis. My least favorite part is when you cross the Mississippi from Memphis into West Memphis, AR -- it's like cold water in your face.

I really try to take better pictures, but I'm not a photographer like Mike.  Either that or it's my camera. 

The boys love to splash around in the creek behind Nana and Papa's house.  Getting there is half the fun!

Grandpa Kenny and Karen came from Indiana to see us, too. One day, Great-Grandpa Clo (Poppy) had to check on something at the golf course, so Gaby went along for the ride and did some driving himself with Grandpa Kenny.

We had fun seeing the tractors, too!  

We went with Nana to see 'Toy Story 3' (it brought a huge lump in my throat). We also went swimming at her friend's house -- a most beautiful house on a hill.  Nana also prepared many home cooked meals and Mike and I both gained some weight!  What I love about Nana & Papa's house is the deck with her blooming flowers, the deer in the yard, and the fireflies at night ('lightnin' bugs'). 

Nana and Papa also had friends over to visit.  One night we went to Nashville to see our friends Jeff & Karen along with other old friends Bryant and Linda.  The kids had so much fun jumping on the trampoline (all three got over their fear and bounced away for most of the evening).  But what was most exciting was watching 'Meet the Robinsons' outside on the huge screen.

Last weekend Nana and Papa kept the boys so Mike and I could stay the night in Nashville.  We met up with our friends and went to Printers Alley and other fun places to hear great live music, something I've been craving for awhile.  We also got some much needed relaxation. Later that evening Mike asked me, "Do you hear that?" I said, "I don't hear anything. What is it?" And he said, "Silence." 

The Stogie Boys

 

ON THE ROAD AGAIN...

Sleepy Jojo's foot

I wish I had taken more photos of everyone.  We had a great time and can't wait to see everyone soon.  Nana and Papa will be here for the Balloon Fiesta in a couple months and we're looking forward to their visit.

Oe, Oe, Oe!

Here's our little Spanish cutie, Diego (with friend), cheering on the World Cup Champions!

"Are They Going to Put Pinchy Things on Me?"

Gaby has many doctors: there's his physician, ENT doctor, allergist, and sleep disorders doctor. He is not a sickly child, but he has issues with sinuses, has had ear tubes, frequently has tonsilitis &/or strep while his brothers do not, and in the near future he may have to have his tonsils and/or adenoids removed, which required having a sleep study.

He did so well the other night when he had his sleep study at the lab. Mike went with him and said it took about a half hour to put the electrodes on his head, around his face, and around his stomach and lungs, and an oxygen monitor on the finger. They had time to watch 'Shrek' for about half an hour before lights going off at 10:00 PM and 'wake up call' at 5:30 AM. What a trooper he was.

And even though Gaby had all that goo in his hair and it was standing on end, they went for pancakes that morning. And then he was ready to go play with his cousins who are visiting this week from Dallas!

From Flamenco to AC/DC

A couple weeks ago my mom and I went to see a flamenco show, "Seis Cuerdas para Dos Tacones" (Six Strings for Two Heels), which was part of the annual Flamenco Festival here in Albuquerque. As a little girl, I wished to learned to dance flamenco, or at the very least, sevillanas. The guitarist, Juan Antonio Suarez ("Cano"), and flamenco dancer, Concha Jareño, performed such a powerful show with a modern twist on the traditional dance. In Concha's first dance number she wore a beautiful red dress and was laying on the ground so that all the audience saw were ruffles...and then she waved her arms and made beautiful forms that looked like birds sweeping the air. The way she used her costumes and her body with both fury and gentleness was incredible.

Here is a video on YouTube of Concha dancing:

In flamenco dance there is usually an ensemble with a guitar player or two, both a male and female dancer, a singer, and back-up clappers to add rhythm. However, Concha Jareño danced solo with the guitarist/composer Juan Antonio Suárez. Here is a video I found of both of them collaborating with an ensemble group, and actually it's quite jazzy. I hope Gaby shows an interest in Spanish guitar someday. But neither of these videos do their performance any justice!

What is fascinating to me is how Spanish guitar can sound like two or three strummers playing at once. This anglo must have gypsy blood! I wish I could find a better video with Juan Antonio Suarez's music, but this will give you an idea.

Maybe someday the boys will appreciate this type of art.

Last night I had my fill of 80's hair and AC/DC, Anthrax, and Metallica when we took the boys to the monster truck show. Gaby, especially, was excited about watching the motorcycles, smash up cars, and the monster trucks and also seemed the enjoy the music. The star of the evening was a local who drives the Pit Bull monster truck and was quite a character hyped up on testerone, loud engines, and screeching tires in front of the crowd....see their web page and you'll get an idea. It was actually a good time and something different for us to do. We went to an outdoor arena so it wasn't as loud. We wore ear plugs, except Jojo. Jojo learned to cover his ears when it got too loud. The best part for Christian was the blow up jumpy trampoline slide thing that was set up for the kids.

It hardly rains in Albuquerque, but last night we got rained on at the show. I used one of Jojo's diapers not only to soak up the rain water, but for extra cushioning for my delicate derrier on the backless bleachers. That was Mike's excellent idea.

Another smashing good time.