Walmart Portraits

An adventure in the Walmart Photo Studio:

Playtrium

Lucia - 20 months

 Dear Lucia - you are 20 months old now and the terrible twos are defiantly approaching. There have been so many milestones I'm not sure where to start.

I've been back at work for a while now and you are settled right into the daycare. Most days you wander off to play without even looking back. The other morning when we got to the door you shook your fists in excitement and asked for "ninas!". In between work and home it's been a bit of a whirl wind. You have responded beautifully by becoming more independent. Feeding yourself and playing with your brother for up to 20 minutes at a time. Well done little girl! You are also beginning to watch TV and will ask for "doda" (Dora) or "gangasye" (Gangum Style - you can blame your father for this one.)

Your language has begun to turn from words into sentences. You've moved way beyond "Spiderman" and today you told me "Lucia no tiene popo." (Lucia isn't poopy... in case you couldn't figure it out.) You did by the way, you can't fool Mama.

Your cautious steps from 15 months have become a little trot and I have even seen you jump a few times - with both feet off the ground.

You love books which you first called "cuento" along with the sign but you are now asking "I wan book". It's how I get you up to bed.. Lucia, cuento? "Book! Ya!" On that topic you are sleeping better. You've taken to crying yourself to sleep lately (after several months of not) but you are also sleeping through the night so I'm not complaining.

Now that you're near two we've got some pretty spectacular tempers. You show your quiet and reserved side to most of the world but you are also definitely not going to let yourself get pushed around. Good job and keep it up.

I'm proud of you little girl - you are growing up smart and funny and I sure am looking forward to the next couple of years... but more on that later.

Love always,

Mama

Favorite Phrases:

"I wan book."
"I wan jugo."
"I wan Dedo (Diego)."
"I wan..."
"Mas, mo!, mo, mas!" (This is called hedging your bets - one of those languages is bound to work.)
"Ya!"

Today at the Park

Diego is 3!

Dear Diego:

Today you turned 3 years old.

We had special pancakes for breakfast. Then we went to the library for story time.

It is amazing for me to watch you participate with the other children. You understand everything! I am beginning to imagine you in school. I think you are going to like your studies. Your play is also getting more complicated. You are watching and playing superheros and beginning to create your own stories and adventures. This is another sign that you are growing up.

In the afternoon you had a wonderful nap. After all the complaining I did when you were small you are becoming a pretty good sleeper.

OK, so this is actually a picture of you pretending to have a nap, after your real nap. Most of the time you are more like this..

You have so much energy! You are running and jumping like a big boy now. I can see your father's athleticism in you, you didn't get that from me. I'll be there to take the pictures though. Me and Lucia will come to all your games to cheer you on. She loves you so much and LOVES to watch you play.

You can do anything and she will laugh. Be careful! She looks up to you and always will so make sure you are a good example.

We love to watch you grow up Little Man. You get more and more fun everyday. Even though there are days (and will be more in the year ahead) when I would like you to TONE IT DOWN! I wouldn't trade you for any little boy in the world. You are our Diego and you are perfect!

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas all - we're off to the tropics. Not to rub it in....

Breakfast Television

Good weather

Here are some pictures of us enjoying, what could be, the last really good day of the year. Not to be missed!

The last week.

This is the last week of what should be my last pregnancy. I can't say that I am nostalgic or sentimental - neither am I desperate to see it over. So it's a good balance. That's my New England genes. It has been a very simple and straightforward pregnancy, thanks be to the great being that arranges such things. I'm now 'officially' eight days overdue which is right about on time based on my other experience. The big problem this week has been feeling too comfortable - not the sort of problem one really feels the right to complain about. I'm ready to start feeling less comfortable, and also preparing myself for the possibility of an induced labour next week. Reguardless, here is a last installment of pregnancy pictures.

 Hanging out with Juliana and Elise.

 pechiche para la niña

Family...

Not so comfortable, but oh so wonderful, belly snuggles.

From the Archives

Well, another night up in the middle. This is becoming a little bit of a habit - for all of us here - ironically except for Diego who generally is sleeping better. I wonder sometimes if it is nature's way of preparing you for more sleepless nights to come....

The good think is that I have all our latest pictures uploaded and edited so I thought I would give you a taste of some of what you've been missing. These pics go right back to January.

 Besides Diego's birthday party January seemed to be mostly about snow. We got a lot of snow.

 In February we had some nice play dates including one with our friend Isla. And.. we also got these FANTASTIC "strong man" pictures.

March was Noella's birthday and some great puddle jumping in Arden. (Does anyone know how to change the orientation of these pictures? I tried changing the original file but that didn't work either....?) Padme's Waka and Kai came to visit Arden the same day we did and the game of "Ironman" was very heated...

Now it's April and it's all about getting through the end of the pregnancy. We don't have any good belly shots yet.... have to get on that.

Me, I've had some crackers - taken care of something that was on my 'to do' list for a while and had a nice distracting hour playing with photos. Let's hope it's enough to put the insomniac back to bed. I'll let you know.