Living Our Story

Life is lived outdoors during Summer. Time spent in front of a computer is minimal and goes unnoticed. I am extremely thankful to find myself happy in my life's present season. The days are filled with activity so much so we are almost too tired to make it into bed at night. My children seem to grow as quickly as my garden in this sometimes sweltering heat. Their words, their activities and understanding of how this big crazy world fits together amazes me. Together we carry handfuls of tomato, cucumber, sweet peppers, corn and squash from the garden each day. My son reminds me how they all started as small seedlings just like him as my daughter fills her cheeks with the ripe fruit. My heart is full. In front of me I find a narrow pathway along the creek, small fish and polliwogs just below the waters surface. The rocky terrain of a somewhat treacherous bike trail and my husbands silhouette a few yards ahead.  Wet faces adorned with swim goggles and grins popping up from a cool pool. A waterfall so loud we resort to communicating with hand signals while wiping the mist from our sunglasses. A forest of trees more mystifying than any movie on the big screen. This is summer. I imagine myself adrift in these moments forever. I write in my head and rarely ever on paper or in type. There is very plainly more living to be had than there is time to report on it. We are living our story and I rather like this one. So for the moment I am going to step away from the keyboard and enjoy my little ones while they are still little. 

Happy Summer.

Toddler Talk

Listening to my children speak makes me happy and quite entertaining. Talking with them, encouraging them to tell stories and "use their words" is simple enough. I thought I would share some of my favorite JQ and Stellita words and phrases while they are still in that baby, toddler talk phase. Soon enough they will be correcting my grammar so I am going to enjoy this little bit of toddler-hood while I can. 

Things Joaquin "The Kid" (as he insists on being called) says at four and a half years old:

huge-mongous = humongous

fixie-dollars = fifty dollars

eleven-teen = eleven

fink = think

hang-gauber = hamburger

busy = dizzy

teef = teeth

auppissal = Octopus

 Both kids say Steh-wah = Stella

Lithia Park, Ashland OR.

I am consistently taken by Stella's use of words. Some things she says at just three years old:

TB = TV

weeto = huevito 

jammaz = pajamas 

brrr-day

Joaquimmm

foam = phone

fings = things

make-ed = naked

dat = that

 Lithia Park, Ashland OR.

Mom Bloggers For Social Good. Stella's Birth Story

What a wondrous ability we have been bestowed with. We woman, we mothers, we earthly beings. This miracle of creation. I remain in awe of myself,  my children and of the men and women that devote there lives to helping nurture and care for mothers and babies around the world. As part of Save The Children's Annual State Of The Worlds Mothers (SOWM) report I am honored to recall the births of my two children this month. 

From the first fluttering deep in my belly to the nursing of my sweet babes the first and every time. We are miraculous beings. Never have I felt more purpose on earth and connection with my body then during my pregnancies and during the labor and delivery of my children. I first shared Stellita's birth story here a week after she was born. Joaquin's birth story was written in a journal, before I started blogging and I have yet to share it here. Both days I remember with immeasurable joy and amazement. As different as my two children are so too are their birth stories. My labor was incredibly short with Stella, my second child. Four hours from when I woke with the pinch of contractions to her actual arrival qualifies as quick I think, no? I hesitate to say it was "easy" because giving birth just isn't, you mothers know. Frankly though once my water broke Stella was born within seven minutes and two pushes. And so goes the story of Stella Anita's birth. 

 via Save The Children

I woke with moderate contractions at 3 am. They were not contractions I could ignore and already about 5 to 7 minutes apart. Mr. and I quietly packed up a very asleep baby Joaquin and dropped him at my parents house a few minutes away. It was a week before my due date. My Mom and Dad met us in the night air in front of there house with smiles and wide eyes. Today would be the day! We left them with Joaquin and  headed up the hill to Feather River Hospital 30 minutes away. It was 3:45 am. My midwife, whom I like very much had gently lectured me that this labor could go very fast and to be "prepared". She mentioned that I may not have enough time to make the 30 minute drive to Paradise hospital where the midwives deliver babies. I may have to go directly to Enloe Hospital just a few minutes from my home where a Doctor would be overseeing my labor and delivery. Having had an extremely positive experience  with the midwife during my sons labor and delivery I convinced myself we had enough time to make the drive. We arrived at just about 4 am and I was bracing and breathing through now with every contraction. Although I new I was getting close and my contractions were getting really intense at about 3 minutes apart I had no idea how close. We got into a room and the nurse checked me stating I was 8 centimeters dilated. Everyone started scattering and darting and my Mr. seemed to disappear for a few minutes perhaps to spread the news? I tried to make myself comfortable. The quick feet and rustling about from the nurses did not effect my calm. I was going to meet my baby girl soon! Walking around the room and letting my belly hang down as I held the side of the bed, rocking side to side proved helpful. The midwife arrived and promptly checked me and asked if I felt the need to push. Um, really? No. I was fully dilated but had no urge to push.  While I wanted a natural child birth at this point and with my previous birthing experience I asked the midwife if I could have a pain killer of some sort. I was still experiencing an manageable pain level but was thinking ahead of what I was sure to come. She quickly told me that there was "no time" for it. "The baby was coming". I panicked just a bit. My son being only 17 months old at the time the memory of his rather painful and drawn out labor and delivery was fresh in my mind. After a few more contractions and moving to lie on the bed I asked her again if there was anyway they could give me something for the pain. Her reply was the same and this time she addressed my Mr. as well. Perhaps he had panic on his face too? Or rather she was looking for him to reassure? She was kind and yet direct and having complete confidence in my midwife I accepted her answer. I would do this completely natural and it would be okay, I told myself. I was scared.  Nauseous at this point I thought I was going to get sick. Maybe I even did get sick, my husband would most definitely remember that bit of detail. The pressure of the baby was very uncomfortable (like she was pressing down on my tail bone).Reaching the unbearable I announced I was going to sit up or stand to try and relieve the pressure I was feeling. Standing proved very helpful with my sons delivery as did walking around. There was a quick glance between nurse and midwife (the only other people in the room aside from Mr. and I). Just then as I turned my body to the side to get lift myself up my water broke and the pressure was instantly gone. I laid back down and as the midwife took her post an enormous contraction came over me. I had read and heard about the "need" to push but hadn't experienced it with my first labor and delivery. I never once had the "need" to push when delivering my son. I pushed when I was told to, with a contraction. Whammo! There was no way I wasn't going to push with what I was feeling this time. It was as if my entire body was working to push the baby out without me. The midwife was ready and with another overwhelming contraction Stellita was born. It was 7:12 am. She was tiny and pink and nursed within minutes. My eyes scanned over her admiring every detail. She had trouble staying warm for the first few hours so I held her skin to skin as much as I could and she spent some time in the Isolette under heat lamps near my bedside. I was immediately grateful for the attention and care she received from the nurses. I was in complete awe and remain so to this day. Stella is asleep a few inches away from me now as I write this. My almost three year old baby girl. She remains true to her birth story. Fiery and quick and I love her.I plan to share Joaquin's birth story, a very different experience and one that sealed my faith in midwifery and the care given in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), on Mother's Day as he is the one that made me a mother. Come back if you wish and please share with me your birthing stories.

This post will be shared on The Gates Foundation Blog as well as Babble.com as part of my association with Mom Bloggers For Social Good. To close I'd like to share lovely Save The Children video featuring Jennifer Garner, Rachel Zoe, Alyson Hannigan and Jennifer Connelly reflecting on some first moments with baby.

What Wittle Stella Wore

She insists she is big enough to go to Preschool with brother. To wear lipstick and not hold hands on walks. She is not interested in being my sweet bebe anymore. Yesterday she was over the moon as she and I tagged along on one of JQ's school field trips. She told me very confidently, looking over her shoulder, that she was going to school and took off with the other kids. Off she went without hesitation. Sitting beside the other little ones wagging her legs back and forth under the bench. Partaking in activities and following instruction.Both mis bebes seem so eager to "be big kids" which I can vaguely remember wanting to do the same at one time. All I keep thinking is please don't hurry to grow up. Milk this baby thing for as long as you can little ones!!

We are linking up to What Kids Wore today. A fun little kiddo fashion link up hosted my One Little Momma. Stella Wore an OshKosh blouse, Calvin Klein leggings and Hunter boots. I have just discovered Wittlebee.com for kids clothes. A bit late to the game as always, perdon! What a fabulous idea though! Like many of the other monthly mail services like diapers and woman's clothing, makeup and even men's clothing now. This company takes the headache out of shopping for our little ones at the store where someone is sure to have a meltdown or take off down an aisle or two. I love this as a gift for new Mom or as a gift from Grandparents or anyone that has a tough time putting together outfits for their kids.

Skate

He mostly lugs it around or lies down on his belly pushing along with his hands. The moving Estimator came today to add up all our possessions into some sort of packing and moving equation. Joaquin marched proudly after him, skateboard in hand. My almost four year old little man! The breeze is pushing today and the cool air brings much welcomed change. Change in seasons, change for our sweet family.
Join me in Linking to Small Style
Stella wore: shirt-Target, shorts-Children's Place, bow-Adornme Girl, shoes-L'amour
Joaquin wore: shirt-Gap, shorts-Cherokee, shoes-Saltwater

Unearthing Our Niche

So I haven't spent much time in this blog space as of late. Life has been true; busy, unpredictable and kept me away from my laptop. My thoughts and energy are outdoors, at play with my growing kiddos and my desires and interest are in flux. My laundry area is scattered with beach sand and my favorite sandals smeared with tar on one side. I wipe tears and juice up off the floor. I give scoldings and lots and lots of hugs. I make beds and dinner and then my little girl giggle. I paint my nails and one of Joaquin and Stella's nails too.



Playing in the mud after the rain last night.

Joaquin has started T-Ball and Soccer and it is seriously amazing to see him interact with the other children and his teacher. He is talking in full sentences that make sense and he is almost completely potty trained (by some small miracle perhaps). Stella is talking too, which blows my mind. She is 20 months old and says things like "no more", "please", "dog", "juice" and so, so much more. In fact she is chatting all the time and repeats things already. Both my children understand the power of body language and facial expressions. My sweet dramatic little ones Mommy loves you so! I have realized that where my children have become more independent in most areas there messes and tantrums have grown as well. I've thought about what it would be like to return to work. Would an advanced degree excuse a five or six year absence? Would it help me return somewhere in the middle of the food chain instead of at the bottom? And then a conversation with my Mother In Law reminds me that whatever I do, I must be there first for my children. Of course this IS exactly what I want! To be there for that baseball or water polo game, dance practice or tournament, science project or math test. Why did I not realize this before? I am still a few years away from all that and hopefully by then I'll have it figured out. For now I am finding happiness in the present. And it seems as though my little family may actually make Ventura County our next permanent home. We love the beach and have unearthed a comfortable niche in the city of Ventura. We peruse neighborhoods on the weekends and I of course am already dreaming of a garden and studio of my own. (Something that has been greatly missed since the move.)

Today

My hands smell of rosemary and dirt. I take long deeps breathes, holding in the smell. This is how hands are supposed to smell. How mine smell when I am happy. In the garden, in the warm sun, in the dirt, flowers and herbs. The little ones are playing and I can hear them. A scream, a giggle a soft exchange of baby chatter. They are naked, in the sun and they are happy too. This time is short and yet some days seem so long. I try not to count the minutes. To be present,  like today. Today could last a long, long time and seem to have gone by too fast. Today the sun will begin to drop in the sky and we will chase it to the corner of the yard, down the street and to where the sand meets the ocean. We will soak in the warmth and laugh and snuggle and whisper in each others ears. Today I will soak in these two beautiful gifts for as long as I can because this time is short.

Today Stella is 18 months old and runs swinging one arm wildly and with a bit of a skip.

Today Joaquin is two weeks from his third birthday and can have a real man "-tude". He likes lots and lots of snacks especially sweet ones.

Linking up to Just Write , What I Love Wednesday and The Paper Mama

Santa Photo Funtastic!

Last years photo of the little ones with Santa. ehhh.

This years photo. I must say that Santa this year was quiet jolly and much more photogenic than last. I am impressed but the kiddos don't seem to be....poor things!

Oh and Joaquin calls Santa simply "Christmas." then he follows it with a "ho.ho,ho," every time.
Linking up with "The Haps" were other bloggers are sharing their kiddos photos with Santa as well!

Just A Blanket In The Grass

 

Something as simple as laying a blanket in the shade turned out to be a whole lot of fun.
The babies and I have been pretty darn busy during the week and I noticed it might have been wearing on JQ a bit which got me thinking... As much as I love to be busy, try new things and go places and travel I must keep in tuned with my little ones. Be prepared to change plans or cancel plans if one or both of them just isn't feeling it. With lots of little weekend getaways pulling at my heartstrings this summer I know we can have a lovely little summer right here in town and at home if needed.
Staycation anyone?

 

Stellita is taking three and four steps across the grass or on the patio. She is so very careful about each one of her little steps...so exciting that she will be walking soon.

Joaquin is talking, really talking and I have noticed he tries very hard to pronounce things or repeat things just as he has heard them. He says "foggy" and I say "frog?" and he repeats after me, "froggie".

So cute.

We are linking with Life Made Lovely for the first time today.

Cheers!

11 & (almost) 2 1/2

Trying to get a (good) photo of these two little creatures together is more difficult than I can describe. But, I try, once a month. And so here it is, this months bounty.

Stella is one month shy of her first birthday and I am flipping out! A whole year old already!! She is crawling and climbing and eating all sorts of food, hardly any "baby food". She got another tooth, three total now. She has started signing and even saying a few things like "oh wow." She is amazing and a bit feisty too, like her hermano!

Joaquin is talking a ton as well. It is a regular "chat-athon" over here people!! He is repeating words and phrases and attempting to say things and communicate more and more. He is a very playful, physical and loving little boy. He seems a bit emotional too which is something I hadn't caught on to before. I think because he is such a lover he is naturally emotional.

Guess he takes after is Mommy.

We are trying something new today. Insta-Friday's with Life Rearranged. It is a great blog and another great way for me to share photos of my little familia!

Two In Tears

Well...almost. Stellita was in tears. Oh the horror of Mama wanting to get your picture with big brother!!

I think she just wanted the chair to herself...

Can you believe little miss is standing!! I realize that many babies are crawling and pulling themselves up at 7 and 8 months. I guess it just trips me out because Stella isn't crawling yet. Just went straight to standing and pulling herself up on E.V.E.R.Y.T.H.I.N.G!

This attempted photo session was in keeping with my goal to capture the little ones in this chair each month as they grow. Hah! Every month may have been a little ambitious.

The sun is out. No time for these silly pictures Mama!

Heck he is right...

We will be outside if you need us.

Working The Camera

I am going to try and photograph the little ones at least once a month in the same chair together for, well, as long as we have the chair or for as long as they let me. There are a few blogs that have inspired me to do this. Have you seen them? It really is a fantastic way to document the little ones growth and just an all around great idea! I wish I had caught on sooner and started when JQ was itty bitty but,..better late than never! My first attempt to capture both kiddos together did not go so smoothly as you can see from the photos. JQ is giving a sneakish little smile because he was trying to slip away... But look who was working the camera! HEY, HEY Is she a natural or what!?

We are once again linking up with MamaLovesPapa for Small Style, Isn't this fun!

On Stella:

Onesie Dress: Etsy

Felt Shoes: International Gift Fair SF

Headband: Target

On Joaquin:

Rocky Balboa T-shirt: Philadelphia Gift Shop

Blue collar button up: Old Navy

Jeans: Old Navy

Shoes: Converse All Stars (c/o Target)

Nearly 8 & 25

At nearly eight months old Stella has gotten her first tooth! This past week it poked through with barely a fuss from her at all. She is eating(baby)crackers and smacks her lips while at the table if we are eating. She has mastered sitting up and loves to socialize and play with her big brother.

At just over two years old Joaquin has really begun talking and trying to communicate through words and word combinations.  He says things like, "it's good" and nods his head or "where did it go?"(hand gestures to the side) " where is the baby?" (after attempting to cover her with a pillow) and "it is a bird" " it is a ball." He sings, mostly in the car or with me. He dances and asks to dance or asks for me to put music on or get the keyboard down. He says "outside" and "dog" and a hole lot of other stuff I just haven't figured out quite what it is yet (ha ha)! At just over two years JQ has officially given up the bottle. Not by choice of course but he has gone seven nights and eight nap times sin su mamila. I am very proud of him as this was something he was EXTREMELY attached too. Here are a few last pictures of JQ with...you know what! More importantly these are pictures of my beautiful family.

Five & Twenty Two

Can you believe how quickly babies grow and develop? It never ceases to amaze me as you can tell as I have blogged about it numerous times before.

For the past twenty two months Joaquin has surprised and (mostly) delighted me with his feisty, adventurous soul. His latest venture, climbing into the pantry to get a snack. No need to ask Mommy to get it or ask if it is okay..oh no, no. He has begun to put words together too, baby sentences I call them. "It's a car" or "It's a book" he tells me. He will pat the seat next to him or the bed if he wants me to come sit with him and he has begun to use his imagination while playing with his toys too. There are all kinds of explosions and car crashes going on in his room these days... I love it! He still loves his bath every night...my water baby.



climbing into the pantry to get a snack!



Stella is proving to surprise and delight as well in her own sweet way. At five months old she is sitting up, rolling over, cooing and singing, giggling and laughing and eating some solid food! She is happiest laying on her back, mostly naked, cooing and putting her feet in her mouth. Ah the life of a babe...She is such a sweet girl. In the mornings I can hear her wake up and start singing (cooing). She sticks her feet in the air and is completely happy on her own for a few minutes. She will also fall asleep on her own. She takes little cat naps on her own through out the day AND is almost sleeping through the night!! I feed her at about 9:30pm and then again at 5:30 ish and she sleeps until 8:00am. Stella, I LOVE YOU!! She can grab things that she wants within reach and loves a little cloth dolly that was Joaquin's. Her hair has started to come in now, dark as ever...so I may sneak a few clippies into her stocking this Christmas!! So fun.



Stella "playing" with her brother and sitting in the Bumbo.



Disneyland & Los Angeles

A quick trip to Los Angeles, a visit with family and Disneyland. Oh yes..

My husbands family had yet to meet the baby so we decided to take her to them! We also decided to take all the little ones to Disneyland. That is Jasmin, Jeremy, Alex, Cristina, David, Joaquin and Stella. Phew! What a day. It was so much fun and flew by way to fast. The park was not busy at all and I think everyone got to ride their favorite rides, some of them twice! I am so glad we stopped for a few minutes to take a couple of quick photos.