January 2010: Just out of the bath

Tonio cant stand getting his hair washed. He wails and cries and then tells me, "I dont like you Mommy". That is why I cut 5 dread locks out of your hair earlier in the month. Miguel does not seem to mind as much. I love wrapping you up in cocoons in the towels your Mia made you.

Daily Schedule- when not at school

6:30: You wake up and play in your room
7:00: Out of the room and breakfast
9:00: We go out to the park (on Thursdays we meet Jenny, Grace, and Emily)
12:00: Lunch, play, stories and nap time. Miguel you play in your room and Tonio sleeps in our room.
3:00: Play leggos, watch Thriller Video Tutorials and breakdancing videos, play games
5:30 Dinner- on Fridays we have pasta
6:00: Bath and/ or play with dad and Fridays- Movie Night
7:00: Read stories and play in your room
7:30: Lights out
8:00-8:30: Fall asleep to Bob Marley

Funny Things You Say
- From School: Zip it and put it in your pocket, criss cross apple sauce
- Uhh huh: Tonio
- I dont like you- Tonio
-

Dear Miguel

We spent the last week together at Meme and Joe's and had a great time together. You were so sweet and cute. You had fun chasing the dogs around, telling Joe he had no hair, eating ice cream every night, watching cartoons, putting pennies in the gumball machine, chasing ducks, saying prayers before dinner with Joe and playing with that annoying singing tree. Every night we read stories and you slept with Beau until I came in. In the morning you wanted me to scratch your back. You told me loved me spontaneously and gave hugs and kisses freely. I realize that I dont give you enough positive attention at home and that sometimes we favor Tonio because he was the baby for two years. I am also trying to tell you what I expect and just not say a good boy. Every night before you went to bed, you said, "I am an angel?" You are my angel. I love you so much and it was a beautiful week with you. I love you with all my heart sweet boy.

- Mommy

Pirate BIrdie

In addition to your million poppers and two stinkies you love your Pirate Birdie. He is your favorite show and tell toy at school.

Christmas

Celebrating New Years Day with Meme and Joe


Future History Teacher in Philly

Bringing the tree home
Going to the races, while mom has her Christmas Tea
Picking the Tree
Venice Beach, New Years Eve

Beau and Bella
Christmas Morning!

Making or actually eating Christmas Cookies
Toto's creation- above



It is fun to celebrate Christmas with you two, though at times I wanted to strangle Santa Claus. The first weeks were fun. We decorated, sang songs, decorated cookies and looked at Christmas lights. Then it was soon about presents and Santa Claus threats. It was too much! By our third Christmas (24- was ours, 25 at Meme and Joes, 26 at Uncle Michaels) both of you were crying for presents. You did not even care what the present was, just if there was a present to rip apart.

After Christmas, Miguel and I stayed with Meme and Joe for the week and Toto and Daddy went to Philly to see all of Dad's family. Its nice to be back to normal and together again.

Growing Pains

Miguel you are driving me crazy. I want to think this is a developmental stage. You take all of Tonio's toys, whine a lot and scream. Last night I made you a chicken and rice and cheese dish. It was pretty good and you refused to eat it. You love all three of those things and yet you refused. It was just different I guess. The thing that concerns me the most is not that you say "I dont like Tonio" every other sentence but you cant let him have anything. Anything he plays with you take. I dont have anyone to really talk with and compare. Generally, you are sweet and good. You will say I love you and give kisses and like to help. I have heard it is hard for kids in your situation because nothing is yours and all you want is something sacred. The problem is nothing is sacred for anyone else either.

Funny Things this week

On Saturday night, Tonio woke up screaming. I think he was having a bad dream because I went in and kissed him and rearranged his blankies and he was fine. The next morning all of us were in bed, snuggling because it was so cold outside (we have been in a cold streak) and I asked Tonio if he had a nightmare and he said, "Mmmm Hmmm". "About what?" "Banana slugs", he said. I just about killed me. We all got a good laugh out of that one.


On Sunday I took Miguel to the craft shop because I want to make him a new stinkie. His stinkie is about to be retired to the Stinkie Hall of Fame, as Brian likes to say. I asked him to pick some yarn and he went for the same light blue color of his stinkie now. I asked if that is what he wanted and he put it in his mouth, the ball of yarn, and chewed. Then he said yes. Crazy kid.

Today we had one of our old days. I work on Wednesdays now so I have not been able to do the park, library and farmers market. This week I swithced. We went to the cafe for bagels and coffee on Hayes. Then stopped by Marlenas, the drag bar that has over 1000 santas! We hung out with the owner for awhile talking about santas. Then off to the store with the beautiful holiday carnival scene- merry go rounds, ferris wheels, circus tent, swings. It is so whimsical and beautiful. Then to the library for the Polar Express/Thomas train holiday exhibit. Miguel still remembered pushing the buttons for two trains from last year. We were there for about 40 minutes. You both loved it. We saw the waffle man, got apple samples, and popcorn. You then played at the playground out in city hall. As we were walking home we spotted snow on the steps of City Hall. It has been an especially cold week with snow in Oakland. They filled the steps. We played in the snow and threw snow balls for the next hour. It was great. Then BAM! you both started to cry because your little fingers were so cold. It was a great morning. I love you both so much.

Changes

You two are growing so quickly. You both can sing the ABCs. If ask either of you to sing a Bob Marley song, you will both start to sing, "Dont worry about a thing..." in these precious baby voices (not your normal yelling voices). You both still love dancing to Michael Jackson and a new obsession is football. Every night, Miguel, you sleep with your football and you love to run around the house yelling "Hut Hut Hut!". You both also like to pretend you are doctors, giving shots, bandaids and lollipops to each other. Sometimes your cuteness aches. I love you so much.