updating

I'm sorry i'm not posting that often, but without internet at home it gets difficult. I think I may go with that Verizon wireless for my laptop.
My Children are great. The kid will be 3 on the 22nd. We still haven't figure out when exactly to make a little get together, like a small pool party sort of. For sure it will be Thomas and Friends themed. He is talking in complete sentences, adding articles and working on his grammar; like the verbs tense. He is even monkier now, and is doing evil things to his little brother. He has earned a lot of times out because of that. But continues sweet and smart. Still loves his Thomas, I'm glad the videos come in both languages so he can watch them in Spanish. Oh, he is speaking a lot of english, I guess from the TV he watches (only about one hour a day). It's easier for him to say things in English, even though I only speak spanish to him. So i'm trying to put spanish videos and reading stories in spanish as well. He is liking reading a lot more than he used to. He knows all the alphabet letters and their sounds, Animals sounds, Numbers up to 20, shapes, and colors, both in English and spanish (mostly english)
I am also planing to put the usual Disney movies he watches in another language. I'm not sure which one yet... but I was thinkin either French or Italian. I think French is easier since most of those movies come in those three languages (English as Default, or if you choose Spanish or French). This way he'll have a third language in his vocabulary. I will make my best to learn the language as well, so that we can practice... that will be pretty cool.
The baby will be 10 months old on the 22nd. He is chubby, about 25 pounds now. He crawls and keeps smiling all the time. has five teeth in total. He is a lot slower on his body abilities but he is doing really good. I don't know how good is it to compare them, but I still do. At this age, the Kid was already walking. The baby started crawling a couple of weeks ago. He is also learning to move his hands with the rythm and lyrics to a couple of songs I sing to them constantly.
I promise to post a Video of them singing and giggling.
About Husband's father. Well the reunion at their house was really good. We got to meet his wife's family, they did a barbecue and a dinner for us and told us how happy they were that the family had expanded and to consider them as family too.
Two weeks after, my father in law planned a quick trip to NY to meet with his other son (Husband's brother), so husband when along. He was really happy because they got to spend time alone together... Imagine they drove up from Jacksonville to NY all by themselves about 12 to 14 hours back and forward. And they spent about 3 days over there with found son # 2. They said it was great.
My father in law is very very nice, he is sweet, smart, funny, well...I see in him the man I would like my husband to become (I hope that happens soon though). My suegra (father's wife) told me that he used to be the way Husband is right now... with a temper problem, but it has gotten better with time, patience, and a lot of work from her part. I just don't know how much of that patience i have left. We have had our marriage hanging from a hair string. But somehow try to make it work, I just know that this marriage thing is difficult... it's being 4 and half years now.
I will post pictures of the Kid's 3rd Birthday... c ya soon!!!

A father has returned

Well, I know i haven't post in the longest time, but here i am.

What to tell... My kids are wonderful, big and healthy... although they were pretty sick two weeks ago for about a week. They had some type of virus, they both had diarrhea and vomiting everything they ate... thankfully they never stopped eating.

Last week i had a retreat, it was a truly wonderful experience. It truly helps us get in touch with our savior. I am emotionally touched and extremely happy!!!

My aunts leave this coming Sunday. They were really happy and liked south Florida a lot. Hopefully they come back soon.

One thing is happening to my husband's life that it's really beautiful and amazing. His father left them when they were both 8 and 10 yrs old. Now the guy has re-appeared. We were all filled with mixed emotions about him, but when he finally contacted Hubby he told him in a very nervous voice how happy excited he was when he knew about them. First to contact hubby was his 5 years younger brother. He told us how happy he was to find out he had two brothers, he always dreamed of and drove 5 hours to meet us. Immediately 15 year old sister starts calling Hubby... talking in the sweetiest voice that you can hear the emotion and happiness in her voice. She told him repeatedly how she couldn't wait to meet and hug his new brother, me and her new nephews. So far sounds nice... so he decided to talk to his father, and they came this past weekend.
He got marry inmediately after leaving his past family, and started a new life... got new kids and all. When he decided to go back to visit his kids, they all have moved out of the country and had come to live in NY. He too was living in NY. He told us how every year in the Colombian Independence party they walked around the park looking for two familiar faces, with no luck. Apparently him and his wife looked for them all this years... more than 20, my husband is 29 years old... go figure.
Conclusion this past weekend was a very good weekend for us... They were very loving, they cried and hugged a lot... my husband's heart has healed his father's absence, and now he is very excited to make up for all that time. This Friday we will be driving up to Jacksonville, Fl to share with them. we are about 5 to 6 hours away, but we are very excited about this new family that has come to our life.

A little bit of everything...

The happiest moments of my life are when I see my 6month old baby's eyes light up and giggle of happiness everytime he sees his older brother walk in(or should i say jump in) to the room. It's the most unconditional love, the room is lit up with happiness and joy.
On another subject, next week is my birthday. I'll be 30, can't believe it. Don't have anything planned, since our finances aren't the best right now.
We also have family coming from overseas. Both of my grandmothers come back along with two aunts who were granted visas to visit us. We will have 2 months full of everyday activities; hey, we have to take our aunts out right? Please let us know best places to take them on road trips here in Florida!!! I'm pretty sure we'll take 2 days to one of the themed parks in Orlando... anything else, advices welcome.

I'm also trying to plan our finances (that means my house and my mom's house), I'm trying to work on Excell, but I'm pretty sure there should be an internet program that will help us plan our bills better. Please let me know if there is a good free program... Thank you!!!

G&G

Happy Truck Day & Sharing

Saturday was truck day at a local park, they had first aid trucks, construction trucks, school busses, all sort of fun trucks... it's the kids dream so we took the boys there. I must admit, mu husband became one of the many children there...








One more thing is that I need my boy to learn how to share. Everytime someone comes to our house he fights over his toys... does not like to share at all. He even gets the toys that are not even his and says 'mine' and dont share at all... Please help!!! How can I teach him?????

Interior Designers

Today saturday, we're just resting while the kids are asleep. We are planning on decorating their room tomorro. We bought blue and orange paint. Orange sheets for their new bunk beds, and I will buy cushion covers with those colors, rug and lightning fixtures will be next. Our mission to have our kids room decorated in a fun children's friendly way. I hope we can make a good role as interior designers for children room... For sure we'll make an excellent job for trying our best designers for our son's room.
About my boys... They are wonderful, beautiful, very smart, very lovely... the little one will be 5 months old on the 22nd. He weighted 19 pounds for his 4 months wells check up... very chuby and smiley, Doctor said I should be very proud of my only breastfed baby decision; I am. She said I could start him on solids, like fruits first, but it wasn't necessary... that breastmilk was most important.
The big boy is the sweetest kid there is in this world. He is very caring for others, his vocabulary is expanding magnificiantly. I am very lucky to have them as my children.

My trip so far

I am now in Cali, my hometown. The kids are wonderful, I spent about 12 days in another city called Medellin, that´s my husband´s city. I went to take the kids to his family, and for them to meet with my husband´s oldest son Kevin. He is 11 years old, and I brought him along to Cali. I hope he behaves, since he is a difficult child. He had a difficult childhood, was brought up in the ghetto, has very little manners and a difficult temperament. He is lacking lots of love, hugs me and kisses me a lot, but when he´s told not to do something, he gets mad and his ghetto comes out. I truly hope I can give the best of me to this kid. Although he lives with his mom, he´ll be better of along with us in the United States. By the way, my husband came to this wonderful country when his son was 6 months old... so they basically don´t know each other. I hope God gives us strength to bring him over and care for him.
The kids got sick in Medellin, but as soon as we got to Cali, they got a whole lot better. They are all amazed with both of them, that they are really cute. More later, as soon as I can fix my camera I´ll post pictures!!!

I'm going away!!!

The kids are big and beautiful.... I'm here, about 12 hours before my flight,and as a good hispanic, i'm leaving everything for last minute. I have not yet done my bags, none of our luggage is done. The house is yet to be cleaned... it's about 8pm.
I guess, it will be about 3am before i hit the bed. My husband is staying behind (because of this immigration laws, he can't get out of the country... 12 years without seen his first son, not fair) therefore I have to leave the house ready for him.
As you can understand, I am in a hurry... very busy days to follow. I will first go to my husband's city Medellin for 12 days... 5 luggages, 2 kids, and one grandmother to help. I have to do a lot of things for my husband's son, like find a good school... sign him up on a sports, maybe karate aswell, dance classes. Then again to the airport and to my city Cali, be there for christmas and come back on Dec 31st, to receive the new years with my husband.
oh gosh... love you all!!! hope I can write from abroad!!!

Happy Halloween

from my firefighter


and my Mickey Mouse
Family Halloween

Terrible twos

The guy played for about 2 mins with the Johnson's Baby Powder, next thing we know... it was all over his body and my bed and floor.


Here the baby is looking a lot like his brother... see it for yourself:

I'm Back

I haven't posted in the longest time... it has taken some time to adjust to the new life, a two year old going through a terrible stage, how is it call again? hum... and a newborn. days filled with doctors appointments, insurance appointments, grandmother's doctors appointments...etc, remember that in the family i'm the one who knows how to drive, with a car, and time off (i don't know what makes them think that this is really time off).
My husband for instance has that idea... for him, I'm home all day, doing nothing. So he doesn't understand how come when he gets home the dishes aren't done. the house isn't clean, the food is only half way done. He manages to find the kids washed and dressed, fed, and looking cute and happy... but that's not enough. What do you do all day??? is his everyday question. I try to take a friends advice "leave him all day with them, he'll figure out is not easy" But I haven't had that opportunity. First of all the guy is a construction worker, so he is extra tired when he gets home (can't really ask him to help) that's when he gets home early, lately he has another renovation he is doing on his own, so he's working nights and weekends.
As for me and the kids, the little one is growing, cutely... he is looking a lot like his brother.
Brother is happy with his little brother, he respects and loves his little brother dearly. The big guy spends lots of time at starfall.com and loves it. to my surprise he knows all the letters and sounds, and he also knows how to count up to 20 and is sucessfull in counting items. When we are driving he announces the letters of the signs he sees, is very admireble, remember he is two and 4 months.
He is having accidents when we go out. My sister's QUINCES party is next month in Colombia. So we've been doing her dress shopping (remember I'm the free one). Some how I believe that those beautiful bridal dresses inspires him to do number two. Both times hiding behind a white splendid dress, wearing no pull ups. Can you imagine the mess? not to mention how embarrassed I felt. So now we go out again, wearing pull ups, and he is getting comfortable. he knows those things protect from the mess, so why bother asking for a bathroom?
I'm happy i found an indoor playground that the kid can burn two year old energy at the mall. here is a picture:

GianCarlo was born, we're so blessed!!!

6lbs 12oz, cutest little thing. We are so thrilled since my first boy was 9 pounds, this one is really small, looks like a real newborn, so cute.
More pictures to come, stay tuned!!!
I am surprised though of the very few people that have come to meet our new little prince. I guess in moments like this you truly know who are the real friends. Unmeasurable thanks to my inmediate family, dad, mom, sis, brother, and my two grandmothers who have been taking care of me and my babies for the past two weeks. Thanks to the family from Sebring who came to the hospital twice and to the house aswell, they are very excited about my baby. And finally our friends Julia & daughter Julie, the only ones so far to show interest and caring for our family. I have over 80 pictures of his birth on my msn space, but for some unknown reason I can't seem to be able to see them. Weird, I'll keep trying.

Scheduled C-Section... Debating date

I had a Doctor's appointment yesterday. He told me, according to the due date, which is Sept 5th, they'll program the cesarean two weeks before, which will be on Aug 22nd. They'll do an ultrasound a day before to make sure the baby's lungs are mature enough; if not, then they will re-schedule for the following week Aug 29th. We come from a very close family, my lovely sister will turn QUINCE on Aug 23rd. Our Quinces is like the Sweet Sixteen, is one of the most important birthdays of a young girl, turning into adulthood. My parents and I have been making plans for her QUINCES all year long.
Yesterday when I told my parents my conversation with the doctor, they all mentioned about trying to schedule for Aug 29th, that way the whole family could be together for her Quince's; Otherwise they will be all celebrating, and me on the Hospital all alone. I've been forced to stay out of some family gatherings because of this pregnancy thing... I don't want to be left out this time. Two years ago was our cousin's Quinces, The whole family traveled to Colombia except me, I was on my days to deliver the kid. Luckily they all made it back three days before the big day. Right now they are all back in Colombia for a family vacation to an island, is about 50 members of our family out there vacationing.
Should I talk to the Doctor about waiting one week anyways? That will probably increase the chances that I can deliver naturally. I would like to try that, but I definately don't want to wait until after September 1st. Is all because of this school calendar thing. I know three kids who are behind one year because their birthdays are a few days after September.
This I'm debating right now. My last ultrasound (last Friday) came out really nice, the baby is doing perfect, despite of my Gestational Diabetes, he has a normal size, 5lbs 6oz so far. We're still debating for his name... suggestions needed!!!

Getting rid of the bad word

I thought it was going to be more difficult, but is been two days and he hasn't say it once. Instead he is naturally reacting to the "Oh Gosh" we tried to imposed.
Well this is the story. It is true when they say they repeat what they hear at home.

Well, I have discovered that we say the "Oh Sh.." word a lot. After a long weekend about a month ago, we watched movies, and my reaction to scary, things falling, surprising, or any kind of exciting things will be with that word. Well, the Kid got it all right, perfectly... that was his very natural reaction to anything scary, to anything that fell down, to almost everything. It started being embarraasing, since it was already migrating with him whenever we went out. So we tried to say "Oh Gosh" louder whenever he sayd the bad word. Then last week he started saying both simultaneously, still naturally. But good news, I haven't heard it once, since yesterday... Yuuuuu hooooo, Mission Accomplished.

Another good news, he is fully potty trained, both number 1 & 2. The only thing that still needs work is the night one. But he goes pee pee before he goes to bed, and immedately after he wakes up. His night pull up is still wet though. Congratulations to

Monkey Doodle

for his accomplishment, he is two months away from his 2nd birthday and is doing great!!!

Family Weekend

My childhood friend Maryori came over with her family to visit for the weekend. On saturday we went to Miami MetroZoo, had a great day with the kids who were delighted to see all the animals, refresh at their kids friendly refresher zone, ride on a 4 passanger bicycle and enjoy a great family afternoon eating fruit frozen bars. We also walked over to the

beach

on Sunday.

So we decided to take the kid to Disney for his birthday. My son had a fever the day before we left, so right before we took off, we stoped by his pediatrician to see what was happening. He had a fever, and a beginning of an ear infection. The doctor gave us the OK to travel and prescribed medicine for him.
On our way there (3 1/2 hour drive) we stoped at one of the stops to eat, bathroom, etc. At one point I saw my kid fainting, his eyes were elsewhere and his mouth was trembling crazily. He was having a seizure, I got so scared, started screaming immediately, called for help. My husband grabbed the kid and we didn't know what to do. A trooper came immediately and asked if we wanted an ambulance, to which at no doubt we said yes. A very nice employee told us to put water on his head, I screamed no... but somehow the guy forced my husband to the bathroom and the kid reacted, Thank God. He started crying and asked for mami, We were much relieved, it was a really really scary experience.
When the ambulance came, they told me it was a fever seizure, that it was normal... and to keep going to Orlando, since they had an excellent pediatric hospital. So we did, but there was no need to take him to the hospital, the kid's fever never came back, he was playing and talking as a parrot happily thereafter...
he had a blast with Mickey Mouse, and loved the park; although it was way too hot and humid. May this remind myself not to go to Disney on Summer time. It was almost unbeareable.
His Doctor explained everything about that

fever seizure

and step by ste on how to stop the fever.
1. take off all of his clothes, take the temperature 5 mins' afterwards.
2. give him tylenol (temperature remaines the same)
3. give him motrin (one hour later, temperature still high)
4. 1/2 hour after the motrin, temperature still high, take him a bath, the water will not be too hot or too cold, and keep the child inside the water for as long as needed untill his high temperature drops.
5. if no bath available then follow by rubbing the neck, forehead, feet with a damp cloth. This one has to be really cold, with ice if possible.

The key is to do anything and everything to keep the fever down. Fever is usually a sign of some infection, could be an ear infection, throat, etc. So let's keep the fever down, and take them to the doctor for the right treatment for the infection!!!
Good Day!!!

I think he looks like me. . .

My kid's 2nd Bday

so he turned 2 on Friday June 22nd.
He is so social, so cute. we took him to ChuckECheese, and he was having a blast. We loved so much seeing him so happy that decided to make him a little party on Sunday. So Friday my parents wanted to cut him a cake, and

here

are the pictures. There are also the pictures from Sunday at the party. He knew he was the honored one, everytime someone got there, he'll get up to greet them with a huge enthusiastic HOOOLAAA followed by a hug and a kiss. This will obviously make everyone fall in love with him. At the time he had to get up to the stage he went with no fear, and started dancing and clapping as if it was one of his every day performances. I'm telling you, I'm in love with this kid.

Almost two, almost potty trained...

we're about 10 days from his 2nd Bday, the kid is almost potty trained.
He tells me chi chi (spanish version of pi pi or pee pee?). well, he has his routine already... sits on the toilet, looking at the tank; The aiming is perfect. Besides he was afraid from the potty training little toilet thing. Anyways, he sits, starts peing inmediately, then looks at the toilet paper and says "papel", so i give him some, then he says "flush" so I look at him and he confirms "flush da toidaa" so I say, "Yes, flush the toilet". then he waves good bye to the water...and says "boob boy" his version to the good boy thing.
This has been happening for the past two weeks, every day, every half an hour. As long as he is w/ me, because daddy is too lazy to keep his training going, it's easier for him to keep him on pampers.
What i thought was funny, yesterday while watching tv, in the middle of the living room he started pooping. I noticed when the whole thing fell on the floor, I thought that the caca part was included in the training??? guess not? How will i traine for that part? then the night will be another two weeks training episode...

Gum & more Gum

I took my kid to school on Thursday, last day of school.
He was a happy kid, since in my class there were always 14 year old girls who love kids, and wanted him all for them for that hour... ufff, time for me to catch up with grading finals. All this peace until the last period, where one of my students happens to be his lovely aunt, wanted to show off with her beloved nephew. made him scream, jump from the teacher's desk, gave him to chew gum, make him run all over the classroom...wait, did I say chewing gum?
oh yeah... I remember he was chewing gum for over 15 mins. I also remember kindly asking him to throw it away... and he did, I saw it, I swear. How come then, after the bell rang, and we are left alone... he is chewing gum again? I looked at the garbage can by my desk and there it was, the one from before. It couldn't be that his aunt left him another one, so i got up went around my desk as he happily showed me his new discovery: "WOW" he exclaimed as he pointed to under the students desk... pretty picture for him uh??? there they are!!! CHICLES (GUMS) of all the colors and shapes!!!! He was a happy kid... I was not his happy mother.