It's Your Birthday!

So let's keep celebrating! Here are a few images from this weekend. We spent it in Long Beach and Los Angeles. We visited the Aquarium Of The Pacific with familia, spoiled ourselves with a couple nights at the Westin and dinner and drinks out (Thank you Abuelita Teresa!). The kiddos loved the heated pool and seeing there cousins! Then it was off to a baseball game (Stella's first not counting the many she attended in my belly).

 Tonight we are celebrating again. Love you so much Henry!

Where's The Daddy?

Most days Joaquin will ask me "Where's the Daddy?" and I tell him he is at work...

Most days, weather permitting, we will go out front and play around the time Mr. is expected home. Joaquin watches the cars go by and says "That's not the Daddy!"

On this day Stellita wore a tutu and no shoes.

 Joaquin didn't wear shoes either, cause that is just the way we roll out here in California.(err.not really)

And no my grass is not grey.

Even without shoes we are stylish so we are linking up with Morgan for Small Style.  

On JQ:

Thrifted plaid shorts: OshKosh B'Gosh

Gifted tee: Garanimals

On Stellita:

Gifted tank top: Circo

Gifted tutu: Mud Pie

Playing House

Growing up I didn't play house. I played cars. Barbie didn't make dinner and tuck the little ones in or rush them off to school. She was on a deserted island making friends with the animals  and living in a tree. When my sister and cousin and I would dress up. They each like a princess and me as a knight, galloping around on my jet black stallion. My banana seat bike was actually a horse, okay!  The trees were space ships and all the blades of grass, people.  I never dreamed about my wedding day. I dreamt about traveling the world and the adventures I would have. 

Then again I could have never dreamt up a husband like the one I actually have. Or a wedding day like we shared five years ago tomorrow. Beyond my imagination was never a more fitting phrase. 

I am playing house now I guess you could say. Except that..it's the real deal. A husband, two kids, two dogs, two car garage and a little white fence out front. I cook, I clean and I still have adventures. This time with my three favorite people. 

We are linking up with Mama Loves Papa for Small Style today.

On Stella: 

Tunic, gift from her Abuelita

On Joaquin:

Shirt & Shorts, Target

 Salt Water Sandals

Henry's Feliz Dia

Today my handsome husband celebrated another year. Thanks to all our friends and family for celebrating with us.

UP 'N UP

If the weather is nice JQ can be found in his usual place. The Trampoline.
Loving every minute.

Or, pestering his sister and Dad.

(notice my Mr. shielding himself with our infant).

 Oh, the lovely blonde to the left is Frida, our four year old Pug and sometime babysitter (just kidding!).
We have two Pugs actually and I cannot believe they haven't made more of an appearance in the blog. They are a huge part of our daily life and our family!
With a little extra time this week I put together a blog button (appearing to your left, TA DA!) AND am once again linking with Morgan for some Small Style. What a difference an extra fifteen minutes makes! It has been great to see all the little ones and find/read new "Mom" blogs via Small Style and Morgan's blog Mama Loves Papa.

Joaquin is wearing:
Train shirt: Planet Pudge
Shorts: gift, Disney

Stella is wearing:
Dress: gift, Pumpkin Patch
Onesie: Old Navy
Clippie: ELLEigator Clips
Shoes: gift, Robeez

Why Do I Worry?

JQ is out with Mr. and "the guys" this evening. Yes, he is all of two years old (and two months) and he is already staying up late and going out on weeknights (and by late I mean 8:30pm). Is that terrible parenting?
Actually he completely adores his Daddy. He follows him around as soon as Mr. gets home from work, wants to eat what and when his Daddy eats and has started asking me a few times a day "where's the Daddy?" it is so sweet. I of course tell him that Daddy went bye bye to work and that seems to satisfy his curiosity. So..why do I worry about my little guy when he is out on the town with the (bigger) guys? I'm not sure...I have to keep myself from calling or texting Mr. to check in on things even now as I type! One things for sure. Now that JQ has started talking and repeating words I am SURE he will have stories for me in the morning.

Primeros & Una Segunda Opinion

This past weekend Stella started clapping her hands. Personally I think it is the cutest thing ever(and it seems applause is in order as the warmer weather has finally arrived!). When she does it I stop whatever it is that I am doing and clap with her, signing "Yeah Stellita." She smiles really big for a moment, ...then stops. I think it is much more fun for her when JQ or other little ones join in. She is so attentive to other little kiddos already and seems a bit bored with her Momma sometimes. Being with my babies for these "firsts" is, in part, why I knew I wanted to be a stay at home mom. For my mister and I it was a must until they started school.
Which brings me to my second bit of news. Mr. finally got the second opinion we were looking for on his Crohn's diagnosis. And Thank Goodness!! What we felt in our hearts seems to be correct...maybe this isn't Crohn's at all!! What I CAN say for sure (in this instance) is that our modern western medical industry has got nothin' on a good old fashioned healthy lifestyle, food and remedios.
Lastly and on a much lighter note JQ seems to be fascinated with "peepee!" Ehhm, yes. This is totally my doing and  I am going to do my best to use this current obsession to my advantage (with potty training round #2!!). Everything is fun and games with this little guy,...yes, even "peepee" is fun(ny).

Everyday I Love You

...Te amo sin saber cómo, ni cuándo, ni de dónde,
te amo directamente sin problemas ni orgullo:
así te amo porque no sé amar de otra manera...

Soneto 17 by Pablo Neruda

Crohn's

A diagnosis. A regimen. A diet and lifestyle adjustment. An improvement?

Yes.

A cure all? No.

We are still learning about this disease since my Mr's diagnosis over a month ago. Testing its irritability has proven uneasy with devastating consequences. Our hope is to tame and coerce it into a deep sleep. Wish us luck wont you?

Traditions & My Mr.

While I was decorating the tree this year I was reminded that my Mr. and I have been together for eight years. Married for four years, my husband and I have lived together and shared the holiday eight times this year! Every year for Christmas I buy him an airplane ornament (silly I know) and there are seven on our tree right now. It has become just one of our quirky holiday traditions as a couple. Now with two little ones in tow there will be new traditions for them and for us as a family and I am so excited. 

Together for eight years our lives as a couple has changed the most in the last two, I would say. Planned change, exciting change, change for the good. As sort of a celebration of all that "change" and in light of the holidays and my husbands inproved health I thought it appropriate to have photos taken of our small, yet complete family. Henry was feeling well enough and Joaquin was feisty as ever. Jenn, our photographer was patient and resourceful. The photos turned our wonderful and I cannot wait to hang them in our home. I have chosen just a few of my favorites to share with you all.

I adore the photos of my children and those of us as a family but I cannot stop looking at the photos of just my husband and I. It is where it all started after all, right? ...with just the two of us. All that we have accomplished together and all that we have to look forward to has me over the moon, quirky traditions an all.

Una Buena Aventura

My husband has been ill off and on now for more than a month. After multiple tests, scans, labs y mas we still do not know what is wrong but are hopeful to have a resolution soon. We thought he was well enough to take a quick trip to Los Angeles so that his family could meet Miss Stella but after just a day we decided to turn back and head home. It is about an eight hour drive and we knew we had to make regular stops to let Joaquin run and stretch and so that I could nurse the baby. We decided to take "El Camino Real" north (IE HWY 1) along the ocean for a few reasons. I had desperately wanted to visit the ocean at some point during our trip south and seeing as I would be the one driving....

We stopped just outside Ventura, our old stomping ground and somewhere I am still totally in love with. Joaquin ran and played for a bit. Henry got some fresh air and I introduced Stella to the beach!

Because it was already late afternoon when we left L.A. we made it as far as Pismo Beach and ended up staying in a fabulous beach side resort there for the night. So although my husband was/is ill I think he was able to enjoy himself a little or at least be pleased that the babies and I were not totally bummed about cutting our trip short.

Better Together

Most of you already know that my husband has been traveling the past year for work. It would seem that the travel and being away from family has finally taken a toll on my husbands health. With only a month more to go before we are all under the same roof again we are trying to take it as easy as possible, get as much together time in as we can and have even set up a way for us to video chat during the week. When my husband was feeling his worst (about two weeks ago now) he said to me that he never felt sick when he was with Joaquin. This was very sweet and touching to me, and still is as I think of it now. I took this photo that same day and can not stop looking at it. Both the boys, Joaquin and my husband seem happiest together.

Happy Birthday Henry

Happy Birthday Henry

...We have so much to celebrate this year! You are a fabulous husband and Dad. Joaquin adores you and so do I. We love you, miss you and wish we could give you a BIG hug and kiss on this day!!!

So consider yourself warned when you arrive home!!!!!

Baseball Season Has Arrived!

Oh Yes, it is that time again and we are in full Baseball mode. Being on the east coast this time of year has been a blessing for my husband the super baseball fan because there are various stadiums in close proximity. We took Joaquin to an Orioles game opening weekend and this past weekend to the Bronx and Yankee Stadium!!! This coming weekend with my brother flying in we are going to try and catch a Nationals game in D.C. So see a trend here,.....gees!!! I so hope Joaquin loves baseball as much as his Dad. He seems to love the crowd, music and all the cheering so we are off to a good start. Oh and he loves the huge soft pretzels at the stadium too!!!It is just the beginning of Baseball madness in our household and that means summer is fast approaching, For me, I love to see my boys happy, life is good! Happy Earth Day Ya'll!!!

Waiting For Dad

Joaquin has started to wait for his Dad to get home by standing in the window overlooking the intersection. He will play with his toys and point people out to me but there is no doubt the second he sees Henry walking down the street. Joaquin will smile ear to ear and start waving and saying "Hi Da" (which is what he calls his Dad). Then he races over to the front door with a grin and waits to hear the keys in the door. Sometimes he even lets out a little squeal....so sweet. TGIF to you all,... we are headed to New York City!!!

Quack, Quack

Baltimore is quite friendly this time around. In truth I really did not care for it last time, however looking back I believe it was the weather talking....not the city. Now with longer days and sunlight left for a few hours in the evening Joaquin, Henry and I can enjoy the outdoors together during the week. This week we have taken walks along the water on our way to dinner. Walking everywhere is something I really enjoy and I think Joaquin likes the fresh air and people watching. We stopped along the harbor last night so that Joaquin and Henry could feed some of the ducks that hang out there. Joaquin of course thinks all animals are like dogs in that you can talk to them and give them hugs. Needless to say the ducks weren't interested in hugs but rather the slice of bread we brought along with us to feed them. I am looking forward to many more evenings like this during our time in Baltimore

Amor

Amor no mira linaje, ni fe, ni pleito, ni homenaje

-Piropo

Take me out to the ball game...

Always excited for baseball season to start, I am just as pleased when it comes to an end. My husband adores the game of baseball. In fact he loves everything about the sport,...the food, the stadium, the history, all of it. We own baseball biographies, books on C.D. not to mention D.V.D's such as Field of Dreams, The Benchwarmer's and the list goes on. For this reason Joaquin at six and a half months old has been to two major league games, two minor league games and many, many "Sunday" league games here in town (which are NOT on Sundays but rather every Wednesday and two on Saturday). My husband plays on two teams, one which he manages and the other a more competitive traveling team. We travelled to Oregon where he played on the very nice Harry and David field and to San Francisco where he played in Golden Gate Park. Being the cautious Mommy I am I wasn't all that sure Joaquin would like the sound of the announcer on the load speaker or the roar of the crowd but it turns out I think he loves every minute of it. For the fourth of July we attended the local Outlaws game and the stadium had the greatest attendance in its history. Keener's seemed to be enjoying himself and even stared bright eyed at the fireworks proceeding the game. Finally, baseball season is winding down and the Autumn season is approaching. I can't help but realize that for next years baseball season Joaquin will be running around and perhaps cheering on his Daddy with a little voice, maybe even throwing a ball! (Wouldn't my husband just LOVE that!) So, thank goodness for playoffs and World Series and the end of baseball season. Thank goodness for something called "Fall ball" too...that is just getting started, ...oh my!