Disneyland

I remember Disneyland as a child as being a magical wonderland. Jared and I also came here on our honeymoon 7 years ago and had a great time being newlyweds and holding hands everywhere.

Then we grew up. Then we had kids. Now we know the truth!

A few words to describe our two days of Disney: water bottle refills, Buzz "Lightening Year," Potty breaks, Mickey Mouse and friends, corn dogs, lots of walking, fighting over who gets to sit in the stroller, naps for Isaac, Doritos, sweaty legs, picture taking, loooooong lines, Splash Mountain Broken for 1.5 hours (while Jared and Wesley waited at the front), more walking, Fast Passes, sneaking Austin onto Space Mountain where he was scared of the ghost music and thought of Jesus the entire time, popcorn, more walking, nursing under a tree and cotton candy.

Jared and I were exhausted after just our short walk up to Downtown Disney, pushing our heavy stroller of three, where the controlled chaos begins. You really have to be alert and aware of your precious cargo at all times b/c there are soooo many strollers, wheelchairs and people, that they could get lost within seconds.

The hot and steamy summer day added to the fun.






The pool at the hotel was a welcoming friend to cool off and Jared and I even showed the kids "Marri's Pizza" where we spent a few of our honeymoon dinners.



I really enjoyed watching our boys meet all of the characters. Wesley knows that they are not "real," but for Austin, he was so excited to give them "un abrazo" and high 5's.
















Overall, we are so glad we went. It's all about the kids and creating memories. The food is always so important to me! I enjoyed having Jared all to ourselves for two entire days without work getting in the way.

6 month check up

"Bebe Isaac" is a slobbery, babbling and happy boy. I love this stage that he is in. Although he is rolling everywhere, demands to be fed when HE is ready, and has a very high pitched scream, (he and Wrangler can communicate on different levels) he is a delight to have as my sidekick. No crawling or sitting up, but that will come. I am slowly moving him towards a morning nap around 10am and an afternoon nap around 3pm. It doesn't work too well with picking Wes up from school or hitting the gym, but hopefully he can be flexible with me. He was exhausted by 6pm tonight, so we'll see how the night goes...

Took him to his 6 month check up today (although he is really almost 7 months).

Height: 27 inches (75th %)
Weight: 18.8 lbs (59th %, he dropped from his 80th%)
Head: 90th % (he is finally catching up to my other big headed boys)

I am back to making my homemade baby food. I really enjoy it, despite the mess in preparation. I have become more confident in what I prepare and creative. By just browsing the baby food aisle, I get lots of ideas as to what I can make. This morning I made a prune, applesauce and oatmeal combo that he loved smearing across his face! Some of it got inside, and honestly, I am NOT looking forward to that nasty colored diaper when it comes out....gross. I really enjoy making the food b/c it makes me feel like I am contributing in a small way to making my babies healthier and happier. The first few days I gave him rice cereal, and boy did that clog him up. So, with a bit more prunes every few days...he does much better.

As Dr. Ravi (the pediatrician) told me today, even though the food may say, "organic," it is still being processed and sitting in a jar for who knows how long. I prefer the fresh food for my babe. With just a little bit of prep and planning ahead, I think we will do great. I love how he crinkles his toes when he is eating. Those first few bites are always so fun to watch as he figures out how to open up his mouth and flap his arms to get the food in. I love having Wes and Aus help feed him and watching THEM as they open up their mouths along with Isaac!Too cute for this mama.

End of the week

I have been staying out here with Jared for two weeks now on "vacation" in Burbank, CA. I will recap it when I get back home with pics. The week is coming to an end and my reality of life is hitting. I am ready to be back in my own bed, to have toys for my boys to play with, to have plastic cups and plates that won't break when they put them in the sink, to NOT share a room with Isaac, and to have some friends around! I have hit a few parks with the boys while Jared is away at work, and boy do I feel lonely. I am ready to get back to working out at the gym and not eating Krispy Kremes. I have loved seeing him daily and having him play with our boys, but he still is working his 12 hour shifts...which leaves little time to visit.

He is still working right now, it is 5pm. I am here waiting for him. Today was our "beach day." I guess we may make it for the sunset. It's hard entertaining my three year old when there is not much for him to do except watch tv. It's hard for ME to not feel dissapointed as our day melts away with no beach fun.

Reality: his job requires LONG hours...something I am sick of him doing! Reality: need to be grateful that he has a job. Reality: wish that we could at least live in the same house together.

The biggest thing on my mind is WESLEY STARTS KINDERGARTEN ON MONDAY. How does any mom go through with this? What is she supposed to feel as she sends him off? He keeps telling everyone, " I am not ready for school. I can't tie my shoes and I don't know how to read yet!" We have done our best with letters and numbers, but reading just didn't happen this summer like I wanted. Those Bob Books didn't get packed up on our little adventures.

And what about his English/Spanish? Will he come back only speaking English to me? It is a challenge already trying to remind him to speak while he is playing with toys or talking with Austin. What about his social skills and manners? Will he do as the teacher asks? Will he pick up bad words and habits? Will he make friends and be picked to play on teams?Will he be motivated to do his homework? Have I prepared him for what lays ahead?

This is yet another chapter in what I call my life.

Dejavu

Fabric manifests, track lighting, phone calls, copy machine, price lists, organizing catalogs...

I am back to work at DirectBuy!

As a last minute plan of events, Isaac and I hopped on a plane to come out and visit Jared for the week here in Burbank, CA. Wesley and Austin went up to Eagar, AZ to visit Pi-pa and Grandma for the week (con Tia Dawn y los primos).

I am sure their days go something like this: sleep, play, play, play, play, eat, play, play, play, eat, play, play, play, sleep, fight about sleeping, eat, drink water, and then sleep. Oh to be a child!

So...we arrived here on Sunday and are staying with our friends, the Metzger's. We hit the beach on Sunday and Monday...lots of beautiful sunshine, small waves, busy traffic, plenty of bikinis and gritty sand in Isaac's mouth. The crazy part of the beaches here are how overcast they get, but when in reality, the "valley" of Los Angeles could be a steaming 95 degrees at the same time!

Jared and Tino Metzger had a GREAT time body surfing and digging up sand crabs. I finally got in (Jared dragged me in) and the water was no warmer than 60 degrees. I WAS FREEZING and kept gasping for air to catch my breath. That first initial taste of salt water is so strong and over powering. It even took away my appetite upon drinking so many mouthfuls of the salt. How fun it was to jump UNDER the waves and let my hair get spun like a washing machine. How NOT fun to have the sand stick to your body when you get out and then having to rinse off in the chilly showers afterwards....where is my hot sauna when I need one!

Isaac is a bit high maintenance right now. He can't sit up on his own, but wiggles plenty and wants to constantly be held (vs. hanging out on the floor or carseat). This DB showroom is plenty dirty and not baby friendly, so I have had to be very creative with ways to entertain him. He is also spitting his baby food everywhere, flaps his arms violently and sqwaks like a bird. I love him! He had a few days of constipation, but after several jars of prune food, we are good! I wonder how he'll do next week when I am alone out here with Wes and Aus. We are planning another trip out here to Disneyland and the LA Zoo (of course the beach too).

Overall, it is GREAT to be with Jared everyday. He turns back into "Mr. Wilson" (as I lovingly called him back when we worked together at DB of Washington North), and is very efficient and professional here at the office. I give him his space and don't require too many stolen kisses while I am here:) I am helping out with the catalog updating and working where I can. Not too easy to balance it with my baby in tow, but at least my boss is understsanding when I take a minute to feed him or stroll him around the showroom. Sure am glad to not be working full time anymore, and that I have a boy-filled lifestyle to return to in a few weeks. I had forgotten how LONG the nights here are and how easy it is to go a full day without eating a meal. It is so busy here with members and issues and boy am I glad to be back at home:)

I would trade all of the problem service emails for toddler fights, printing papers for poopy diapers, and flourescent lighting for fishstick dinners.

AFAA

I have not been in college for 6 years now...and boy does it show.

I am studying for my Aerobics and Fitness Association of America test that I will be taking this Saturday. This certification is both a written and demonstration of group fitness knowledge. I have been teaching aerobics now for 5+ years (with a few months off for babies), and never have I had to take this certification. I started out at the good ol' YMCA in Chandler, AZ where they certified me with their own programs. Needless to say, it was a piece of cake to get started.

So, I have somehow been under the radar with all of these gyms and health clubs from AZ to TX to MD without having any current certifications. I feel like I am a decent teacher, so why even get certified~

That is no longer an option. I need to be certified, and it is happening this weekend. I am nervous! I have been studying now for 2 days straight (why not wait until the last minute to cram all the needless info into my brain), and I am exhausted! My eyes are bloodshot from staring at the pages, I find myself getting easily sidetracked (thus this blog!), and I ate an entire sleeve of graham crackers to soothe my cravings.

I sure hope that I pass this thing. It was an investment to sign up and I don't want to have to go through this again. It is 100 written/multiple choice questions, and I will have to do some sort of demonstration on how to teach a class.

It is from 9-6pm. I have my friend watching my two older boys for the day, and little Isaac will have to hang out at the child watch until I am done.

Wish me luck!