What is a Baby Shower????

This past Saturday I attended a friend's baby shower.  The day that I got the invitation I showed it to Adrian and told him about it.  The kids overheard me so they asked what a Baby Shower was. Then with all the innocence that exists in their mind and hearts they came up with their own answer...  Apparently at a baby shower you get a baby and each guests showers a different part of the child.

I thought it was so funny but I explained to them that you "shower" the parents-to-be with gifts for the new baby they are expecting... They understood that it was a party so I left it at that but a few days later when I went to buy the gifts Francesca insisted I buy shampoo and soap because that is what you need for a shower.  So it was the running joke, whenever someone me about my plans for Saturday I would say that I was going to shower a baby.

Thanksgiving at Felipe's School

Today they had a small Thanksgiving feast at Felipe's school.  I attended just because I like to be an involved parent but I was not aware that the kids had prepared a small presentation for the parents.  They sang 10 little indians and Mr Turkey.  Some were dressed like indians and others like pilgrims.  My little one was an indian.

Video of Felipe and his classmates singing

Emily's Birthday Party

Today Felipe attended his classmates birthday party... The first of many to come.  It was really nice to see him interact with his classmates.  They all had lots of fun running around and jumping in the bounce house, they got even more excited when the pony rides and petting zoo arrived.  Felipe immediately rushed over to stand in line for the pony rides.  After his pony ride he feed some of the animals but when the kids started getting wild with the animals he continued playing in the bounce house.

Happy 90th Birthday

Today I want to wish Maria, my mom's mother-in-law, a Happy 90th Birthday.  Eventhough her birthday was a few days ago today we had a big celebration for her with family and friends.

It was a surprise party and it turned out great.  At first when she arrived she didn't realize it was for her...  She said hi to everyone and then when she finally sat down she looks at my mom and asks "Is this party really for me?".

It was nice to be able to celebrate such a huge milestone.

Happy Birthday Chris & Jordan

Today was Christian and Jordan's Toy Story birthday party...

It started out as a very normal kid's birthday party, there was a bounce house, candy, and a clown doing face painting.

You might ask yourself why I am saying these things...

Well let me tell you the story of what happened a little while after singing Happy Birthday. It had started to rain so people were leaving but all of a sudden it starts to rain REALLY HARD. The party was in one of those park shelters that have a roof but no walls so everyone is trying to stay dry but the wind is just starting to blow really hard. It seemed like we were in the middle of a mini hurricane. At this point the kids are screaming cuz they are scared, everything including the food and party favors are starting to fly around and the bounce house is now about 100 yards from where it first started. Luckily this storm was only like 15 minutes long but it seemed like an eternity. Once everything calmed down we started to pick up things off the floor and the grass. This is when we notice that a tree must have been hit by lightning because it was split down the middle.

I think it is safe to say that this party will be remember for years to come by all the kids.

Happy First Birthday Princess

A year ago today, at this exact time, Francesca joined our family.

Dear Francesca,

It's been a year of happiness not only for daddy and me but also for all those that have gotten to know you.

For the past week all your daddy and I can say is "Can you believe it's been a year?". Although it seems like time has flown by, we can definitely say that we have enjoyed every minute that we have been with you.

Today you are turnig one and you have taken us on a roller coaster ride like no other.  Eventhough we already went through all this with your brother I can definitely say that it has been a different experience.

Together we've experienced: baby kicks, ultrasounds, heartburn, breastfeeding, burping, sleepless night, co-sleeping, exhaustion, diaper changes, explosive poops, constipation, getting pooped on the hand, baths, first bath, First Halloween, First Thanksgiving, First Christmas, First New Year's, Your Baptism, First Valentine's Day, First St Patty's Day, First Easter, First 4th of July, leaving to work in the mornings while you are crying for me, booger bubbles, gases, long nails, fussiness, scratches, SIDS obsessions, bottom teeth, homemade baby food, lots of pictures, First trip to the zoo, First car trip, First time at the beach, First time in the ocean, laughs, bumps, bruises, scratches, standing in the crib, biting, drooling, slobbery kisses, rolling over, sitting up, crawling, pulling up, standing, face landings, sleeping through the night, tantrums, giggles, mama, dada, saliva bubbles, rocking you to sleep, singing you to sleep, multiple pediatrician appointments, clapping, peekaboo, screaming, squeals of delight, tickles, waving bye-bye, first dip in the pool, Mother's day, Father's Day ... and your first birthday!

Wow, my precious, it must have been an exhausting year for you.

Happy 1st Birthday Francesca!!!

I love you my princess and with every day that passes, I love you even more. I'm looking forward to the next year of "adventures" with you.

Mommy

Winter Olympics

Just got home from my mom's house. We watched the opening ceremony of the olympics. I love to watch the opening ceremonies because they are always so imaginative.

In this ceremony I loved it when they made the ground look like the ocean with whales swimming.

After the accident with the Luge competitor this afternoon I will keep all these athletes in my prayers. May God watch over them and especially over the family of the young man who lost his life doing what he loved.

Happy Birthday Meghan

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MEGHAN!!!

I hope you enjoyed your party today. Francesca really enjoyed all the festivities... She was so tired that she finally fell asleep on the ride home.

Happy Birthday Christian & Jordan

Today we had a fun filled day at the park to celebrate Christian & Jordan's Birthday. Felipe really enjoyed himself running around and playing in the bounce house.

It was a lovely day until a really strong wind hit and everyone thought that it was the end of the party but it all went back to normal. Of course, the party favors fell and the boucehouse almost toppled over.

The theme of the party was Spiderman (or Spierman like Felipe likes to say). Claudia had gone all out and gotten banners with both kids' names, she made the party favor bags that had a Spiderman face on the front. She did have a small mishap with the cake, the bakery put Happy Birthday Anthony, but in the end it made for a funny story.

Happy Birthday Osmart

Today we surprised Osmart with a huge party for his 65th birthday. The funny part of everything is that he thought he was going to my baby shower which is actually tomorrow.

He arrived at the banquet hall with a gift for me and everything. The look on his face was priceless when he saw all his friends and family.

Party Photos

4 Years of Wedded Bliss

Today we celebrate our 4 year wedding anniversary with the same love that we shared on our wedding day

We have been there for each other through thick and thin. That is was marriage adn love are meant to be.

Baby, Thank you for all the happiness we have shared throughout the years.

Happy Birthday ANDREW!!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ANDREW!!!

Hope you have a great day and we'll see you on Saturday.

HAPPY HALLOWEEN

Birthday Weekend

This past weekend was packed with celebrations mostly for MEEEEEE!!!

Yesterday was my birthday and I can't complain because I have been celebrating since Friday night.

On Friday night, my loving husband took me to dinner at LesHalles. On Saturday night we had a small get-together with all our friends at my house and yesterday we had dinner at my mom's house.

Earlier in the day we went to Water Oaks Park to celebrate Christian's 3rd Birthday and of course my husband took the liberty of embarrassing me by having everyone there sing Happy Birthday to me when they were done with Christian.

I can't complain because I really enjoyed my birthday this year and I also got a new cellphone.

Happy Grandparents Day

When God created grandparents

the world was truly blessed

with all the special joys

that make a family happiest...

For grandparents know how to do

the things that warm a heart,

They touch our lives with loving care

right from the very start...

They show that they believe in us

and all we're dreaming of...

When God created grandparents,

He blessed our lives with love.

~author unknown

HAPPY GRANDPARENTS DAY!!!

A weekend of Festivities

This past weekend was full of festivities...

On Friday night we celebrated my father's 10 year wedding anniversary with a dinner at La Hacienda Country Club in The Villages.

Saturday morning before leaving Lady Lake, my father did a small party for Felipe at his Villa. Laura's family and mine sang Happy Birthday and cut him a cake. At night when we got back home, my mother-in-law had baked a bundt cake for Felipe.

Yesterday, we had a party for all the family and close friends.... I would like to say that it was a small party but when you have 16 kids and about 45 adults in your house it can not be considered SMALL.

I will post more details and photos later today but for now this is all you are getting....

Happy 1st Birthday

A year ago today, at this exact time, Felipe joined our family.

Dear Felipe,
It's been a year of happiness not only for daddy and me but also for all those that have gotten to know you.

For the past week all your daddy and I can say is "Can you believe it's been a year?". Although it seems like time has flown by, we can definitely say that we have enjoyed every minute that we have been with you.

Today you are turnig one and you have taken us on a roller coaster ride like no other.

I never imagined all the happiness you would bring us. Together we've experienced: baby kicks, ultrasounds, heartburn, breastfeeding, burping, throw-ups, long sleepless night, co-sleeping, exhaustion, diaper changes, explosive poops, constipation, getting pooped on the hand, baths, first bath, First Halloween, First Thanksgiving, First Christmas, Your Baptism, First New Year's, First Valentine's Day, First St Patty's Day, First Easter, First 4th of July, pumping milk at work, leaving to work in the mornings while you are crying for me, booger bubbles, gases, colics, cradle cap, long nails, fussiness, scratches, SIDS obsessions, bottom teeth, homemade baby food, lots of pictures, First time at a movies, First trip to the zoo, First car trip, First time at the beach, First time in the ocean, laughs, bumps, bruises, scratches, first haircut, standing in the crib, top teeth, biting, drooling, slobbery kisses, rolling over, sitting up, crawling, pulling up, standing, face landings, sleeping through the night, tantrums, giggles, mama, dada, saliva bubbles, rocking you to sleep, singing you to sleep, multiple pediatrician appointments, clapping, peekaboo, screaming, squeals of delight, tickles, waving bye-bye, first dip in the pool, Mother's day, Father's Day ... and your first birthday!

Wow, my precious, it must have been an exhausting year for you.

Happy 1st Birthday Felipe!!!

I love you my prince and with every day that passes, I love you even more. I'm looking forward to the next year of "adventures" with you.

Mommy

Happy 4th of July

Hope you all have a safe and happy day!!!

Today is a SPECIAL day for us!!!

Today is a special day for Adrian and me, it is our 10 year anniversary.

Many of you might not know, but we were friends for 3 years before we started dating.

Our friendship grew stronger each day and Adrian was always there when I needed him. Even before we started dating Adrian was always proving to me that he would be by my side through thick and thin.

I remember one day getting tickets for "Forever Tango" at the Jackie Gleason. I immediately thought of him so I called him to see if he wanted to go. He said yes and 30 minutes later he was at my house picking me up to go see the show.

After this day we started hanging out more often and going to the movies "as friends"...

One night after going to see "The Truman Show", Adrian drove me home and I kiss him goodnight, this was our first KISS, but right after that I told him "Please don't read into that" and I left. Once I got into the house I realized that this friendship was getting more serious than I expected. Of course, now I am thinking that Adrian probably doesn't want to see me again because of my comment. This bothered me all night cuz I thought I had just ruined a great friendship.

The next day I call him and he just laughed it off and called me a "TEASE"... That was when I knew that I wanted this friendship to continue growing into something bigger.

On June 13, 1998 he accompanied me to my Father's wedding shower. After the shower which was at the beach, we took my grandmother back home and then Adrian and I went for a drive. This drive led us back to Miami Beach, so we decided to go walk on the sand. After walking for a while we sat down and just relaxed while staring at the stars above us.

While siting on the sand, Adrian hugged me and whispered in my ear "Do you want to be my girlfriend?"

Now I will fast forward 6 years and tell you that my loving husband proposed to me on this day also. So basically June 13th is a VERY SPECIAL day for us eventhough many consider the number 13 to be UNLUCKY.

Happy Mother's Day!!!

I hope that all the mothers who read my blog had a great day surrounded by your loved one.

My first mother's day was great. We all headed to Crandon Park to spend the day there. Jayme (my boss) had planned a day at the beach for his family and the invitation was extended to friends and their relatives. At first I thought of just going for a few hours but we ended up being at the beach for about 5 hours.

Today was also Felipe's first trip to the beach. We had taken him to the beach when he was only 2 months old but he had never been in the ocean. Just as I imagined, he loved being in the water. He was kicking and laughing eventhough he was exhausted. We were in the water for about 45 minutes when Felipe started to doze-off on my shoulder. This was my signal that I should take him back to the picnic area so that he could sleep comfortably in his stroller. I barely made it to the showers without him falling asleep. I had my mom and Osmart singing to him so that he wouldn't fall asleep and I could wash off all the salt water before he took his afternoon nap.

Before we got out of the water my mom was making him "swim". He was loving the water and when my mom held him in the swimming position, he would kick his little feet. He is a video so you can enjoy it as much as we were.

I really enjoyed my day and look forward to spending many more like these with Felipe.