Learning to Cook

For the past couple of Tuesdays, after you wake up, we have been cooking together while Tonio finishes his nap.  The first cooking Tuesday we made strawberry shortcake and last Tuesday we made peanut butter cookies.  

Use your words.

Miguel, we are trying to get you to use your words more often.  You like to scream and hit so we are trying to calm you.  Then in April, about a month ago you said your first sentence:

Big eagle eat mac cheese.

I was pretty excited because that is a good sentence.  You still dont talk a lot but yesterday you said your first sentence.  At Miyako's, the ice cream store, you said:

I want ice sceem.

Your so cute.

POPPERS!

I don't think there will be anything more satisfying to you than a popper.  Its sad to say but this is it kiddo.  Tonio you love those things so much and they bring such happiness and comfort to you.  You can't have enough.  You sleep with three or four of them and you walk around with one in each hand.  You only use them inside and that is the first thing you look for when you come in, "Popper!".  You say goodbye to your popper too.  You throw it on your bed and say, "bye bye poppa".  We were going to take it away at 6 months and over a year later you still have them.  Your dad and I thought why take away something that brings so much happiness and satisfaction to you.  

Easter 2009

Today we went to 8 am mass with Tony.  When Tonio saw Tony at the altar he pointed, yelled "Ony!" and tried to run down the aisle.  We had a picnic and easter egg hunt with your uncle Tony, Kevin and Myra.  

La Paz, Baja California

        March 30- April 7

Our first family vacation was to La Paz.  We have been places together but it was either to visit a relative, for a class, or wedding.  This was our first time going somewhere just to have fun and relax.  We had a great time with your Uncle Pie and Aunt Kimmy in Mexico.  We stayed in a beautiful house with a pool that you both loved throwing rocks into.  I found rocks in the dryer, pockets of your shorts, our bags, everywhere!  We had fun swimming at the beach, taking a boat trip, and eating quesadillas and fish tacos.  You had so much fun running around the big house, playing with your uncle Pie and trying all the yummy food.  Oh and speaking Spanish because everyone loved you and wanted to pinch your cheeks.  

A Day in the Life

We went to the Ferry Building one rainy Monday and we were attacked by these women on a trip from China.  They took Tonio's monkey backpack and wanted a picture of you two.  So here I am taking a picture of them taking a picture of you.
At the Ferry Building
With Grace at Stow Lake
At the zoo
Toto's favorite animal, "amino"

I thought I would describe a typical day with my two wild animals.

Migs and Toto, you both tend to get up around 6:30 but we leave you in there until 7. Your dad sneaks toys in your room to play with late at night, so you play with beep beep gos or leggos until 7ish. That is when Miguel starts banging on the door. Then depending on the day (your pops doesnt have a job right now so we alternate days) one of us feeds you guys breakfast. Miguel you like cheerios or "Bobo Cereal" some puff cereal that has a picture of a gorrilla, Bobo, on the box. Tonio you cant stand cheerios. You act like its poison, so you usually eat toast with cream cheese or oatmeal. And you both make "big mess" as Miguel says. With me you brush your teeth and brush your hair. Then we get ready for the day and you play a little, but mostly fight a lot.

Then the three of us leave around 8:45. On Thursdays we meet with Jenny and "babies", most Tuesdays we meet Savita, Lucci and Gia and on Wednesdays we go to the main library and the farmers market. The other days, it just depends. We might go to the Exploratorium if it rains, or the Academy of Science, the park at Golden Gate, Kimbell Park, the Zoo or this last Monday it was raining so we took the bus to the Ferry Building. Usually most days involve the park. This week was all about gross shenangians with Miguel. He put his finger in a spit wad on the bus (eeewwwww!), then I heard a girl yell "Gross!" and I there is Miguel licking a bus poll and today he ate a piece of chewed up gum at the park. You like to eat snacks. Usually bagels, pretzels, popcorn, apples, strawberries and crackers.

At noon we go home to eat. Usually you both at so many snacks that you are too full for lunch and jsut throw the dias (quesadillas) or grilled cheese. Then you both play with the choos choos and beep beep gos until about 12:45 when we change diapers and clean up. Then we read books. Right now your favorites are:
- Binky
- Blankie
- I love it when we...
- Polar Polar Bear

You both usually, usually, sleep until 3.  Miguel you have started to only sleep for an hour.  You will play for about 45 minutes and then sleep for an hour but Toto you still like to sleep.  

The afternoons are more mellow.  We will play out back or with your toys inside.  On Monday and Wednesday nights I go to work so you play with your dad and usually wrestle.  On Friday nights we eat pasta and "satch mouse" or watch Ratatouille.  We read books, say prayers and then put you to bed.  You both play for about an hour.  Which means Miguel tortures Tonio in his crib.  Yesterday, 4/11/09, was the first night not in a crib for Toto.  We put both beds on the floor so Tonio could not be so tormented by Miguel jumping in his crib.  Right now you are rough housing and bouncing everywhere.  Around 8 is when your dad goes in and tries to calm you down for bed.  

Then we do it all over again.  

This past weekend we picked up Taylor at Meme and Joe's house and headed for Newport Beach. I signed us up for a free weekend at the Mariott Resort but it meant I had to listen to a time share presentation, which turned out to be not that bad. We had a great big condo with ocean views. What you liked best was all the pools. It was like Las Vegas. There must have been 8 pools. We had a great time swimming and going to the beach. Miguel you named your adoption day "Happy Day". Last Friday, March 6, we celebrated your Happy Day with donuts, swimming, and going to eat pizza on Balboa Island. We walked around, took the ferry over, played video games, ate pizza and had a frozen banana. Your grandma probably ate one there, as did your mom, many moons ago. The only time you, Taylor and Tonio did not fight was when you were swimming at the pool or the beach. Crazy boys!