The Queen: Michelle

The Queen: Michelle
I am 28 years old. Still a princess but the queen of my family. Spoiled beyond belief. Lucky and truely blessed. A lover. A crafter. A mother. A wife. A friend. This is me.

My King: Junior

My King: Junior
The LOVE of my life! He completes me and balances me out in every way. He's a workaholic. He's loud, blunt, and crazy. He drinks Monsters like his life depends on it. Above all he is the greatest Daddy I could ever ask for, for my children. And he treats me like his Queen (and he calls me that too).

The Model Child: Diego Ray

The Model Child: Diego Ray
9 years old. My only boy. He is the epitome of the perfect child. He is so responsible and independent. Wise beyond his years. He is laughter, he is love, he is compassion, he is simply amazing. He keeps me grounded and reminds me always that I am beautiful. He is a natural born leader and takes care of the household and family better than me!

The Diva: Alayna Danae

The Diva: Alayna Danae
7 years old. She is drama. My fashionista for sure with a style all her own. Sensitive and loving when she wants to be. Thumbsucker. My biggest headache because she is the most like me. She is the only one who can cause me to become uncontrollably angry. She loves to dance. She loves to model. My bookworm and most academic.

The Wild Child: Arielle Marie-Grace

The Wild Child: Arielle Marie-Grace
4 years old. This one is something else. She is pure comedy. Never a dull moment with her crazy antics. She is also the crybaby. She does things her own way. She knows what she wants and isn't afraid to be cute to get it. My Disney loving pal. So girly. Her favorite color is pink. Loves Rapunzel. Will wear a dress every single day. Can't leave the house without a bow in her hair. She refuses.

The Munchkin: Atalie Belle

The Munchkin: Atalie Belle
2 years old. My sweet baby. She loves her Mommy above all else. She is a cuddlebug for sure. The calmest most well behaved baby ever! But she has TONS of energy. She is so small and petite. She loves to sing and dance. She so SO ready for ballet and has yet to even step foot in a class. She loves Minnie Mouse and watching Disney Jr. She is hilarious and talks way too much.
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Monday, May 31, 2010

Bits Of My Weekend

Thursday:
Technically not part of my weekend but since I havent blogged I figured I'd add it)

Met my neice Laila for the first time. Born May 25th!


Atalie got to hang out with Laila while we visited at my sister's place.


Friday:

Alayna had her last ballet class and her recital is next week! So the girls all celebrated with treats after class!


I finally was able to capture Atalie smiling... blurry I know but there's a smile!


My sister and I made headbands for our daughters... I love them!




Junior helped his cousin move into his new house... and Atalie tested out the new bed after Jr put it together.


Saturday:

Went to watch Sex and the City 2 with one of my Best Friends. I hadn't seen the first one so I watched it in the morning prior to getting ready for our girls night.

And before the movie she treated me to Yogurtland! I'd never had it but it was so good! I think I am addicted now... that's a bad thing.


(Thanks Bestie for the night out!)

Sunday:

We went back to Jr's cousin Martin's new house for some swimming.




Monday:

And today we had a bbq with my family!

My Uncle Mario was here from California.


All 3 new babies were finally together


Ramon looks hungry... he wanted to eat Atalie... Laila didn't care though cuz she was getting her beauty sleep.


Grandpa and Ramon


My baby Princess Atalie Belle... She loves giving me these smirks now when I talk to her behind the camera.

Monday, May 24, 2010

Bits Of My Weekend

Friday evening we went to the courthouse downtown to witness my Best Friend get married. I love her so much and am so happy that she found someone worth marrying. Now we share the same anniversary month! May is a good month for weddings.





Jazmine has been my friend for 11 years, she is Godmother to my first-born child, and she was Maid of Honor in my Wedding... we've been through quite a lot together. I met her the very first day of high school... Literally like 10 minutes from entering the gate. LOL Friends at first sight I guess!



Saturday we ran errands all day and cleaned just a bit.

But that night we went to the Sandbar to celebrate Jazmine & Justin's marriage. It was the first time Jr and I have gone out since Atalie has been born. It was also the first time I've left Atalie. But not overnight... I couldn't bear it. So while the other kids stayed away the whole night... we picked her up and brought her home with us.

It was a fun night out though for sure.

My sister did my hair and makeup. And my Dad bought me my outfit! My favorite part was my shoes... aren't they adorable?! I grabbed them as soon as I saw them and looked no further.
Thanks Nichole and Daddy!

(Don't mind the constipated look... Nichole made me stand there posed too long before she took the picture... I was under pressure)

With our designated driver in place we were off! (Jr enlisted his sister for this and thankfully she agreed)

Jr and I were both able to drink and have a good time. The last time we went out like this was last year in June for my sister/bro-in-law's birthday. We take it literal with the once a year drinking no? LOL


Jazmine and I


Sabrina (Jaz's Mom) and I


Me and my Honey


Sunday neither of us were hungover... I knew I wouldn't be but I wasn't so sure about Jr... but surprisingly he was fine! Jr really can't handle his alcohol but he did good.

After eating breakfast we picked up the kiddos and we went to his Mom's house so the kids could swim.

Not too many pictures... but the ones I do have are courtesy of this little girl:


Me and Atalie were her only subjects... she took like 20 of us in these same positions.




Better than nothing!

Saturday, May 22, 2010

Ben & Jerrys

It's been 5 months Mom. But instead of my usual post on how I miss you so (which I do) I will share something funny with you.

Remember that little itsy bitsy thing of Ben & Jerry's ice cream you bought right before my birthday? You know back in October?! And you remember how I wanted to eat it so bad and you never let me cuz it was yours. And we laughed about how cute it was and you still wouldn't let me eat it. (What kind of mother hold out on sweets from her darling daughter?) And you remember how it sat in there for a month until like Thanksgiving... and I saw it in the freezer every time I came over to visit and I still begged to eat it and you still always said no? Remember?

And it continued to stay in there until December. And then you passed away. And I couldn't beg you for it anymore because you weren't here to tell me no. And what fun would it have been to eat it without someone yelling at me that I couldn't have it.

Suddenly I didn't want it anymore.

And since then in these past 5 months you've been gone your freezer has been cleaned a few times. And everytime... the ice cream continues to stay in there.



I just can't bear to throw it away... or eat it for that matter.

Friday, May 21, 2010

Alayna's Preschool Non-Graduation Ceremony

Haha... long story but they are not allowed to have a "graduation" ceremony at Alayna's school. So instead all the parents were invited to watch a show (the kids danced and sang songs), they received a certificate of completion (but they didn't graduate), and we all ate food afterward (but it wasn't a party or celebration).

When I arrived she was sitting there on the carpet waiting patiently. She looked so cute and I was so proud of her. A lot of the other kids were all rambunctious like... by my daughter was an angel. :)


Then they sang their songs...




After their little performance they got their bags which had their certificates, a class picture, some work they did throughout the year, and some fun little gifts from their teachers.




Their teachers also posed for a picture with her. Mrs. Carolina on the left and Mrs. Theresa on the right. They are like the nicest teachers ever... I really loved them!


Then it was time to enjoy the food...


They sang their goodbye song (song they sing as everyone leaves the classroom to go home) and released their balloons. The kids loved this! The song says: "Goodbye (insert name here... but in this case they said Everybody), Goodbye Everybody, Goodbye Everybody, Until we see you again."



I can't believe that after this summer my baby girl will be in Kindergarten! Sheesh!

(I have to add that my sister, Alayna's Nina, bought her this outfit just because... and Alayna saved it all week long just for her last day of school. Isn't it adorable?!)

Then we went home with all her goodies. One Mom brought each student a balloon and when we got home this is what Alayna decided to do with it... Thanks Nichole I think you started a trend ;)

Thursday, May 20, 2010

Nice Spring Evenings

Another wonderful evening.

The weather has been so nice so I've been taking the kids outside a lot. Once the summer hits us full force there is no way I am stepping foot outside if I don't have to so I might as well take advantage now.

Plus the kids love being outside... and I get a break.

So Atalie and I took our usual spot on a blanket while Diego and Layna ran and chased each other.


And I marveled at how beautiful my baby is. I can't help it... she's just so cute.

Even her humongous feet are adorable!


And then I took out some bubbles and Diego and Alayna decided they wanted to take turns blowing them for Atalie.




And Atalie loved watching the bubbles... she was following them around...




Arielle had just woken up from a nap so she refused to go outside with us. She sat inside looking out the window. Stubborn girl.

BUT when she saw the bubbles (She's become obsessed with them. Can you blame her though? Who doesn't love bubbles?!) she came running out demanding they be handed to her. Luckily Diego and Alayna were bored of them.

Arielle was quite literally "happy".




But I wasn't "happy" when earlier in the day she did this:


Which is why she was napping before this little bubble blowing fiasco.

But really she's just so cute how can I stay mad at her?


I mean bubbles just make everything better...


Even a 7 year old still likes bubbles.


So the day ended in love. I love my kids. They love me. And they love eachother.

Wednesday, May 19, 2010

Things I Can't Live Without

Now that Atalie is almost 6 weeks old I figured I would tell you the things that we use on a daily basis that I love, keep me sane, and would recommend!

Graco My Ride 65 Convertible Car Seat:


When we first started looking at car seats Jr's only criteria was that it was pink. And besides the obvious safety standards and reviews I knew I wanted a convertible car seat instead of an infant car seat this time around. And once I showed them to Jr, he agreed. I've always done a travel system which is great too... but being that Arielle is only 2 we had already gotten a double stroller for the both of them so a travel system wasn't needed. Sure we could push them in separate strollers but what about the rare occasion that Jr is not with me? And I could have gotten an infant car seat by itself but the more I thought about it... the more I wanted a car seat she could use until she was out of car seats. Do you know how many car seats my other 3 kids have gone through? At least 7 combined and we just bought both girls a new seat right before Atalie was born. That's 9 seats in all. Ridiculous! So we decided on the Graco because I will only buy Graco... it's my personal favorite brand and they've had various brands of car seats and equipment. We did find a pink one but last minute a few weeks before Atalie was born when we went to buy the seat... we found this grey and blue one at Target for an almost $70 difference just because of the colors. Pink & Brown was more expensive. So I quickly changed my mind and we bought that one. Jr would have spent the extra $70 but I think the grey/baby blue is just as nice. And it's the seat we wanted anyway. And I don't have a problem with not having the convenience of taking her out of the car in a seat. A baby in an infant seat is just too heavy for me to carry... I still remember those days with Arielle and I am mostly on my own during the day. Too stressful for me!



My Custom Wrap (Just like a Moby... only prettier!)





This was just something I wanted at first. They're cute. A lot cuter than those ugly backpack looking carriers. And it looked more comfortable than those too. I was given this one for my baby shower and I couldn't wait to use it. After learning how to tie it I couldn't wait for Atalie to be born so I could really see it in action. It's super easy! I don't need help putting it on or getting her in. It's truly awesome!! I use it every single day. When I go out somewhere I use it to carry her... being that I can't take her car seat out of the car I still need something to hold her in when I am at the grocery store for example. I love that it leaves me hands free so I can still chase Arielle because after all she is only two and I have to keep a close eye on her. I even use it at home when I want her to stay awake for a while... I strap her in facing forward and do my chores... wash dishes... blog... and she is very content in there just looking around. If I did this with her facing me she'd fall asleep so if I want her to sleep I can do that too. Seriously the BEST thing I can't live without!



Fisher Price Natures Touch Papasan Cradle Swing:


This swing was given to me by a friend. She used it for her son and just didn't want it anymore so she gave it to me. I would have never went out and bought this on my own because I have a small travel swing that belonged to Arielle and figured that would be enough. Now... I can't live without this swing. It's the only place she likes to sleep. The first 2 weeks or so she slept in the bassinet of her pack n play. But she always seemed to hate it. It took us until she was 3 weeks old to get batteries for the swing and since the first time she used it she was in love. The swing can swing back to front or side to side. It plays music. The mobile spins. It has this big globe mirror that she LOVES to stare at herself in. And the shape is really round so she is cradled in it. I try to have her sleep in her pack n play but most of the time she wakes up constantly. But as soon as I stick her in the swing... and I don't even have to turn it on... she goes right to sleep. Seriously highly recommended.





Summer Deluxe Infant Bather:


Personally I hate baby tubs. I never have used them. They're bulky, they take too much space, they take too long to fill, it's a hassle to clean and empty them, and while bathing a baby I have a hard time maneuvering them in the tub without feeling like I am gonna bump their head or other body part into the side of the plastic tub. I just don't like them at all.
I've always used this exact bather:

But my friend (same one who gave me the swing) gave me this one too. She never used it. Funny thing is that this one was on my registry and I was planning on buying it anyway. And I love it. I just run the bath and wash her. She loves it and I like that unlike the one I used to use... this one is elevated so I can even stick Arielle in the tub too and fill it a little and Atalie will still be above water. I prefer this to a baby tub any day... even if I have to bend over the tub to wash her. Not a big deal since I do this with Arielle still anyway.




Boppy Pillow:


At it's not only for breastfeeding women! LOL When I was pregnant with Arielle I registered for one because I was planning on trying to breastfeed her. My aunt bought me one! But by the time she was born I decided not to breastfeed anymore. It's a personal choice I know its better but I didn't feel like it was something I wanted to do. Diego and Alayna were formula fed and they are just fine (or so we think). But I never got rid of the Boppy. But I never even took it out of the bag either. It sat there brand new. I guess I never realized I could still use it even though I wasn't breastfeeding. So this time around I bought a slipcover for it and now I can't live without it either. What was I thinking?! Or not thinking before?!

We use it to feed her. In the beginning when I was still healing and suffering from being engorged I would put it around me and feed her so I wouldn't have to hold her so close to me but I could still support her. Now I still use it that way just because it's comfortable.

We use it when the kids want to hold her. She can lay there for a while if they hold her on it.


We use it for tummy time.


We use it as a seat when she wants to be nosey but we don't want to hold her. I think when we cradle her in it she thinks she is being held because she will stay there for hours!


She even naps in it!


I highly recommend a Boppy!



Prince Lionheart Bebe Pod:


This is like a Bumbo. I actually bought this one before Arielle was born. I never had used one but I know they sell for $45 and I happened to see it on sale for $9 at Walmart one day. They only had it in green (I wanted the pink and purple) but for $9 I grabbed one anyway. If it didn't work I didn't spend a whole lot on it. Little did I know this would be the best thing I ever bought for Arielle. She LOVED it. We LOVED it. Once she got to the age where she could hold herself up (3 months or so) she lived in it. I seriously took it everywhere we went. We'd go back for it if we forgot it anywhere.I used it to feed her in (solids of course) and she sat in it when I was too busy to hold her. By the time a baby is 3-4 months they want to be a big kid, they want to be nosey, they want to be included. This let her do all this. So even though Atalie isn't old enough for this yet... I am including it in my list because I know for me it is a MUST HAVE!]

*The reason I got it for $9 was because shortly after they came out with a new one (which is the one you find in stores now) where the center comes off and you can attach a tray to it. Either way still one of my favorite buys. The tray does look like it would be a plus though.