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!

Growing Fast

You both are beginning to talk a lot. Miguel you are forming sentences. You might say, "Mami, see towaa (tower)" of the leggos you are playing with. Its fun to try to figure out what you are saying. You also mimic what I say. So today we were reading Brown Brown Bear and you would say every animal name after I did. You also enjoy drawing, playing with choo-choos and your beep beep go's (cars). Everyday you get hurt too. Yesterday there was a scratch under you eye, dont know where that came from. On Tuesday at nap time, I heard a big crash and then silence and then the cry. You fell out of Tonio's crib. Your head and chest were somehow under the crib. You hit your head and your tounge was bleeding. You cried, "big ouchiiieee". Then the other day you fell flat on your face off a bench and busted your lip open. That is the flat lip picture below. You are all boy.

Tonio you are starting to talk a lot too. You say "unch" (lunch), look, cookie, basically all that Miguel says. You also say Miguel's name, "Miggy". You love saying, "Hi Mami. Hi Daddy." You say it in this very cute, soft baby voice and then follow it with a german sounding NO!. You love kisses (or bisses) and hugs but only on your terms. Your dad loves asking, "Biss?" and you will puff out your bottom lips, shake your head stongly and say "NO!" Its funny. Then you will hold my checks in your hands and kiss me, usually to show off to others. You are also so physical, so wormy. You are constantly climbing on me or your dad and wiggling everywhere.

Sometimes I cant handle your cuteness. I just want to eat you both up you are so cute. I watch you at night sleeping (in your stinkie room) and I just want to squeeze you tight and cover you with bisses.

60 Years

Last weekend we drove down to Los Angeles for Meme and Joe's 60th anniversary party. You both did pretty well in the car ride down and you loved the hotel. You were eating the free cookies, watching tv and jumping on the bed.

You two had fun. The next day I think you both ate about 4 pounds of M&Ms. I had these M&Ms made with Meme and Joe's face on them




and you both ate them non-stop. Tonio you had a blue ring around your mouth. At one point Aunt Dede asked, "Where's Toto?" and we found you under the table eating M&Ms off the floor. You had fun with your cousin Taylor.



We spent the rest of the weekend with Meme and Joe. We went on walks around the lake, played with beep beep go's and went to Chuckie Cheeses. You had a lot of fun with your great grandparents. Miguel you love saying their name too. All my life they have been the funnest and most generous people and I am glad you get to spend time with them too!

We also visited your Papa Bill. He is in a home right now. He is the greatest man. Bill is gentle, compassionate, intellegent and loving. He was so wonderful to my mom and your Mia. He was a terrific boss too: he knew all his workers' names, didnt take company cars or bonuses in hard times, hired families and truly cared for the people who worked for him. I know he understands still. His eyes lit up when you both came in and played. I love Bill so much. It truly breaks my heart to know you two will never know your grandparents the way I know and love mine.

Remebering Mia

One of my greatest joys in life is my grandparents. I was lucky to have such beautiful and generous grandparents. Most of my happiest moments as a child were spent with Meme and Joe. I always thought when I had kids that my mom would play the same role. It breaks my heart to think that Mia will just be a story to you two, a memory of your ol' mom's.

My mom, your Mia, was a beautiful woman. She was generous, almost to a fault, loving, compassionate and treated everyone with respect. Mia left lasting impressions on everyone she met. They either remembered her amazing beauty or her enthusiasm for the small pleasures in life or her ability to care.

I dreamed of family vacations, trips to the park, Friday night dinners, graduation ceremonies, birthdays with your Mia. Unfortunately she died of cancer on Christmas morning 2008. While you were opening your presents with your cousin Taylor, she slipped away from us, leaving the precious memories of her hard yet wonderful life.

She was the best.