Happy Day

March 6, 2010

Today is Miguel’s Happy Day. This is the 3rd anniversary of picking up Miguel in Guatelmala. It started off as a terrible day because Tonio has been very difficult lately. He likes to just plant himself on the ground when he does not like something. He will just sit and not move and when I go to pick him up he screems and screams. This is a new phase. I hope it is a phase.

Well, our new rec center opened that afternoon and we spent the day at the new playground and swimming pool. The boys loved the big water slide. Then later one Miguel and I went to dinner with our friends, Adina and Colin and their baby Amelia. Miguel and Amelia surprising loved the Japanese curry we had for dinner. Miguel was blocking his plate so Amelia couldn’t eat more.

Today was our big Happy Day. We drove to Boreal Ski Resort to play in the snow and go sledding. Migs and Toto loved the sledding and then around an hour and half into it they both realized they were freezing and wanted to go home. We drove 3 hours there and about 5 hours back. A long day but we had fun in the snow and then I sat in the back and we played Little Piggies and sang songs and it made the last hour and half go much faster.

At bed time tonight, Miguel wanted to read books “ogehter” (together). He wanted to read. He read the Poky Little Puppy and UP. It was really cute how he explained each page and how proud he was to finish. I felt really proud too. He was so gentle tonight. He wanted to hear the story of Guatemala and just wanted to read me stories. My heart feels full. Miguel has been so wonderful lately. He still gets the mischeviousness in his eye but he is becoming a big boy now. I love you both Toto and Miguel.

February 2010

Feb 28, 2010

We moved from our Webster house to a new house. I loved our Webster home. It was our first home. We brought both of you home there and my mom stayed with us there. I loved the orange walls, I finally painted after 6 years, and the big open space in the back where I could look at all the windows of our neighbors, Rear Window like. We got plenty of light there too. I loved taking naps with Sonny in the sun beams. Often I could hear people playing music or a random bit of conversation (like the last Sunday night I heard a back yard sermon “LORD, thanks for the air we breathe” he yelled”). I also loved seeing Migs and Toto’s little faces in the window as I went down to do the laundry. Our new place is not too far away. It does not have a lot of light or any back yard but it has a big new room for the boys (their old room was almost like a hallway) and a great big kitchen where we can eat in and a laundry room. Waaaaiiiiiiiiiooooooo 1133.

Feb 2010

One night this month, I am not sure when, I was kissing you both good night and doing the regular routine, when Toto laid his head on my arm so sweetly. There was something so sweet and simple. I was leaning on my left arm and you just put your head on my lower arm. Just rested it ever so lightly. It melted my heart and I never wanted to move.

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.