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.

Halloween

I made Tonio's pirate costume. You love going around saying, "RRRR Matey" And "scaliwag" and "yo ho Pirates Life for me"! Miguel did not want to be anything. You really were adamant, after many weeks of wanting to be a pirate or monster, not being anything. So I made you a simple super hero outfit. Tonight we went Trick or Treating and Tonio you had a hard time understanding the concept of getting candy, putting it into your bag, and then eating it later. Instead you had to eat everything as you got it. You ate this disgusting piece of lollypop that went on the ground numerous times. Miguel you loved the lollypops too. You both were terrific, if not a candy covered sticky mess. I am afraid of tomorrow and that you want to do it again.

Pumpkin Patches

We had a great October going to pumpkin patches. They seemed more like amusement parks with all the rides and bouncy houses and less farms but you both had fun with all the "poompkins". Tonio you loved throwing them down and Miguel you enjoyed sitting on them. We also had fun painting them with your buddies Gracie and Emily.

Camping

We went to Butano State Park for our first camping trip. Tonio loved throwing pine cones into the fire and you both loved running around in our monster 10 person tent. You both must of ran around for about an hour and half with flash lights. You were both so good and we had a great time.

School

I was planning on going back to work next year when Miguel was 4 and Toto 3. In about 3 days we were told and ready to buy a great house at a great price and I was offered 2 jobs. It felt right and I needed a job for the loan. Well, the house fell through and I now had a part time teaching job- 3 days a week. It was a hard week, trying to find a pre-school. It tore my heart out. I was not ready and you both cried every morning for about two weeks. It killed me. Now you like school and enjoy going. The teachers are very nice and it is only a block away. It is still hard to be away from you but I know this is good for you.