Children's Museum & Pizza

Last night I decided to take the kids to the Children's Museum. I absolutely love going there! And so do the kiddos. I invited my sister, bro-in-law, and nephew Ducky to go along since they had never been.

So we arrived early to wait in line... there's alway interesting things to photograph there.




I didn't get much chance to though because Radio Disney was there and doing games and dancing with the kids. And giving away lots of cool stuff. Diego participated and won a prize.




Everything was going great but Arielle started to get cranky and cry. It's not like her to be that way. Especially out somewhere. So Daddy had to baby her... not that that's anything new... she's a MAJOR Daddy's Girl.






And as soon as we were let in... things went from bad to worse. Arielle was screaming her head off! Again, so not like her! That's when we noticed that she'd walk a little then tense up her body and lean over as if her stomach was in pain. And when I'd pick her up to hold her she'd continue to scream and I could feel her tensing up. We came to the conclusion that maybe she was constipated. But everytime we'd try and touch her tummy, she'd scream. Jr and I left the other to kids with my sister as we took Arielle downstairs to the family restroom and dealt with her. For about 30 minutes we massaged her tummy and tried to get her to go... with no luck. But after stripping her of her jeans and just soothing her... she calmed down. And we finally we able to go back into the museum and enjoy our time.

And Arielle was all smiles after that...


And Daddy entertained her...




Then it was Mommy's turn to make her happy. And happy she was as we rode through the car wash! (Daddy takes such flattering angles of Mommy...)






I didn't pull my camera out much though because I was busy trying to ensure Arielle didn't have any more meltdown moments.

But before we left I got a picture of my kids. Ducky didn't want to take a picture.






And just a fun fact. Arielle indeed pooped finally. Poor baby.

And today I babysat my Brother's kids all morning and into the afternoon... so when he was done running some errands... he took us to Peter Piper for lunch. It was yummy!

The babies of our family for the moment... about to be replaced by 3 more!




And then I got a group shot of my Bro with all the kids. His three. My three. His Godson Angel and Angel's brother Carlitos.

Rico & Miley

Just a few snapshots from today. The kids had the day off school so they got to bond with their new best friends.

Diego spent the entire morning watching cartoons in his room with the pups curled up next to him. Rico would whine and cry EVERY time he would get up... but fall back asleep once he layed down again.


Miley doesn't need anyone. He sleeps no matter who's around. We should have just called him Melo like I wanted... because he is living up to the name. Zzzzzzz!


And Alayna fell asleep in the hallway and Miley immediately curled up behind her like he was protecting her. As soon as I came with my camera he got closer to her. Scared maybe that a massive black box was in his face... haha!


Get used to the pictures dogs! You're part of MY family now...

Happy Kids

Yesterday was fun.

It started off with our daily stuff. And the kids were so happy to be driven around in our new car. And the girl... they HAD to take their new dolls everywhere.


We had to go to the dealership again to have them fix one of my back seat belts that wouldn't come down... so as they quickly repaired it for us... the kids ate some ice cream. (No Alayna... she was at school)





And Daddy played with Arielle. She loves her Daddy. She's always in his arms when he's home. And she screams, cries, and pouts when he's gone. She needs his attention 24/7 and isn't happy unless she has it.


And then Arielle decided her "baby" needed a diaper change... She kept lifting up her dress and saying, "EW! Caca!"




And to top off the fun day we had a big surprise for the kiddos.

The day my Mom passed away my friend's dog had puppies. And she right away let me know that she wanted our kids to have one. Jr jumped all over the opportunity. And today they turned 6 weeks old. So we drove to her house and surprised the kids.

And to my surprise Jr let them each have one. I wanted 2 boys... so that's what we got.

Alayna who is deathly afraid of dogs has quickly warmed up to them... it's so weird. As if I don't go crazy enough with 3 kids we are adding 2 dogs. They're so cute... but they will get bigger.



The dogs are adapting well. We put them in the bathroom over night and they weren't too happy.



So meet the pups!

Diego and his puppy which he named Rico.


Rico looks like a little bear. He's got the cutest face! But he's a crybaby! If Diego is not holding him or laying with him he cries! And he's already attached to Diego... he follows him everywhere! Diego is doing a good job with him. Feeding him. Taking him to the bathroom when he sees it needs to go potty. And as soon as we get some leashes I'll let him take him outside. We have a puppy playland right behind our apartment so it's super convenient.

Alayna with her puppy which she named Miley. (Figures right? Keep in mind he is a boy though...)


Miley was the one I picked for her. When we got there to see the puppies he was the calmest. He just layed there and tried to sleep. He wasn't as hyper as the others. And that's my kind of dog! LOL Plus he was the lightest in color (of the boys... the only girl was even lighter but I didn't want a girl). Alayna right away liked him for the same reason... being that she was still scared of them... she liked the calm one and finally even picked him up! This dog has lived up to it's calmness... it has slept all day. And it doesn't cry like Diego's dog does. Alayna is in love playing with him. She carries him around like her baby... and the dog just lets her. Arielle tried to attack it with kisses and it just lets her. Nothing bothers him.

A New Car!

And it's my OWN... my very own!

Once we found out we were expecting baby number 4 I quickly got worried. So many changes had to be made. We definitely needed to move out of my parents. As much as I (and Jr really) loved living there we knew there was no way we could anymore. So we got our apartment. And second was that I needed a reliable car and something bigger. We've only had cars that barely get us from point A to point B and sometimes not even that. Plus our car only fits us 5... not comfortably either might I add.

So today was the day!

Jr woke me up and dragged me out of the house at 8am to go to the dealership and pick out a car. I immediately liked the van! I KNEW I wanted a van. After using my Mom's ALL last year because I had to drive her around... I loved how convenient it was. Doesn't waste too much gas. Pretty much what I spend now. Will definitely fit all my kids and then some! And the trunk was my selling point... not that I wasn't sold already but I guess it sealed the deal. I was expecting a roomy trunk... you know van's have enough trunk space for traveling and such... and we have lots of traveling in the works so this was key. Well I got MORE than I bargained for... the trunk is deep and big. I can fit, the double stroller (like nothing and the thing is massive), a playpen, and tons of luggage and still be okay. Yay... California here we come! (Once the baby is born of course...)

I can't be more excited. It's a 2002 Honda Odyssey. Everything works, new tires, ac and heater, radio... all the luxuries I didn't have before. LOL

I've never owned my own car before. And I felt special putting my name on all the paperwork and signing my life away for monthly payments. Not to mention dropping the down payment. I cringed at first but it's so worth it. I seriously am so happy about it!



Thanks to my honey the kids and I will be more comfortable riding around on a daily basis!

Oh and of course we had to test out the trunk... when they have good sales we buy everything in massive bulks. You kinda have to when you have a troop to feed.



You can't tell but there's 12 cases of soda and 10 boxes of Capri Suns under all that... THAT'S how deep it is!

Christmas in February

While my Dad was in California my cousin Rebecca sent him back with gifts for the kids. It was their Christmas gifts. She was here for Christmas... but for the funeral... so we got them now.

We happened to be going to my Brother's house for dinner when we picked them up from my Dad's house... which was good because she sent some for their kids too.

So this is for Becca... They loved the gifts!

Brianna's


Tallynna's


Juanito's




Alayna's


And of course... her Goddaughter Arielle...

That Was Me Then

Since my Dad went to California this weekend I sent with him and my sister my old external drive so that my cousin Crystal could send me some pictures she has. They are from the summer I spent there when Diego had just turned a year old. It was the summer I went with her to her Senior Prom. We had fun that summer. She graduated from High School, I attended her Grad Night with her at Disneyland, and we spent tons of time at the park and the Beach. So so fun. I was nineteen... well nineteen and a half.

So my Dad came and dropped it off for me along with some food from California... and I was so happy to open the external up and see these old pictures from almost 6 years ago. Before I had a digital camera. I didn't get my first one until the Christmas after that summer when my parents gave me one.

Diego was so cute. And there's a few videos on there of him. It's fun to remember how he was. My little chunky boy.

And holy cow do I look different! I was skinny still! Even a year after having Diego! And my hair... oh it makes me sad looking at the pictures. I loved my hair. I would give anything to have that hair back. But then again back then I had time to style it all the time... now it's always up in a bun. I wanna look like that again...

So let me share with you... me then...

My hair done for Prom


All ready to go to Prom


See I WAS skinny! And my baby boy was chunky!


Me and Crystal




This is after we got home at like almost 8am from Grad Night at Disneyland. That was like the best Disney Trip! No lines!


Beach!





And for fun here's Diego!!! Don't you just wanna squeeze him and love him?!

How weird it is to look back and remember when I was a new Mommy. Everything was all about having fun with my one little Prince. It's crazy how much has changed in 6 years. Just a few short months after all of this... Jr and I got together... and now look at us! Insane!

It's A Girl... Still...

We had our standard mid pregnancy ultrasound back in November. You know... the one where they make sure the baby is okay measure everything, check kidneys, spine, heart, etc.... AND you can find out the gender? Well I look forward to that every time. Most importantly to make sure baby is doing just fine... but also for inpatient, obsessed planners, like me... we get to find out what we'er having! As if a baby isn't enough right? But I gotta know!

The entire time leading up to this ultrasound this time, I had NO CLUE what I thought we were having. But 2 days before... I mentioned to Jr, "I think it may just be another girl". And sure enough we go in and they said it was a girl. It was hard to get a good view but the tech said she was pretty sure it was a girl.

Pretty sure?

Well she's the expert right?

And my little feeling was confirmed and for the 4th time I was correct on what I was having... even though we were hoping for a boy. My mind was only disappointed for about... 2 seconds... another girl! Heck yes! More tutus, more bows, more everything PINK! I was excited either way.

But Jr (although excited too) wasn't convinced she was really a she. Especially after Diego's disappointment of yet another sister. And since then they refuse to admit she's a girl. Jr already picked out her name but still wouldn't use it. He still referred to her as "him" or "the baby". So last week I told him, "I had a feeling she was a girl... and I am sure that she is... the experts know what they see." But still no convincing Mr. Junior.

He's talked for weeks and weeks about getting a 4d ultrasound done (since out Dr's office gave us a pamphlet) because our insurance won't cover any more ultrasounds unless the Dr. orders one. So today as we were out running errands he gets the bright idea to just get one. We happened to be driving by it and we went in. No appointment. But they they weren't busy so we went straight in. She had just finished up with another couple.

I've never had a 4d done so it was cool to actually see the baby. Looks like Jr again... I saw the forehead. So I guess none of my babies will ever look like me. It might be a good thing cuz my daughters are pretty dang cute so... I guess it's a good thing! She had her arm over her eyes sleeping the entire time! She tried and tried to wake her up and get her to move but she was stubbourn. She'd ocassionally move her arm a bit and shift around and then yawn after yawn the tech was taking pictures. She had me change positions a few times and then finally the baby had had enough and she woke up. You could even see her open her eyes... it was amazing! She continued to yawn and then brought her little foot up to her mouth and sucked on it for the remaider of the scan. It was really really cool.

I am so happy my husband did this for me, I wouldn't have wanted to do it if he tried to schedule an appointment ahead of time. But I really had no choice... he decided on a whim and then there we were! But it was awesome!

Oh and yes... we totally saw the girl parts clearly this time.



So she's still a girl...

And Jr's mind is now at ease. :)