Summer 2011

I am clearly not doing well on keeping up on this blog. I can't believe that we are end of the summer already. A little update on what has been going on in the Chavez house this summer.

Quentin did the summer program at Starbright, the preschool that he attended - they have a school age program. He went on field trips to different parks 2 times a week and had swimming at a local pool every Friday. He also participated in the summer reading program and completed several book reports! I am so happy that he loves to read!

Adrianna spent the summer days with her regular day care provider - whom she loves and so do I. Adri's big accomplishment this summer is that she is officially a big girl! She is potty trained!!! WOOT WOOT!!! I can't believe that I am totally done with diapers! I am putting the money in a savings account that I would have spent on diapers each month!!!

The kids spent a month with Joe which gave me a lot of "Hope" time. I spent time in Girdwood hiking and biking at the ski resort. We took a mini road trip to Denali National Park where we had planned on hiking around the park however it was pouring down rain so we decided to head up to Fairbanks - just had lunch and decided to keep going to Chena Hot Springs. I LOVED IT!!! I have also continued on the weight watchers program and as of yesterdays weigh in I have lost a total of 34.8 pounds!!




Quentin started First Grade this week - I can't believe he is in First Grade! Adri will be 3 in two weeks, which I am also struggling with. She will be starting at Starbright on the 12th of September, which is hard for me to wrap my mind around, she was born the week after Quentin started at Starbright which seems like just yesterday .





Other than playing outside and taking bike rides when the weather was great - we are now gearing up for winter. The kids and I are all going to take ski lessons at Alyeska this winter! We are looking forward to it, can you believe that I just said I was actually looking forward to winter...but I am in we are less than 80 ish days away from opening day of ski season!!

Sleep Training Continued

I made it through the first night so the second night couldn't be as bad as the first night of listening to 2 hours of ear piercing screams.

When I picked Adrianna up from day care Jessica (the best day care provider EVER) had made a chart for sleeping in her own bed - she gets a sticker for each day she sleeps in her own bed, Adri was VERY excited about this...Jessica did this all on her own, which I thought was AWESOME!!!

OK so Wednesday night's bedtime routine went much like the previous night, books, jammies and teeth brushed. Before we even made it up the stairs she was crying and clinging to my neck. I kissed her and put her in bed said good night and closed the door. Before I even made it down two steps she threw her water cup...the crying wasn't as violent and ear piercing as the first night. She was first calling for me and when I didn't respond she started to call for Quentin - after 20 minutes right before she stopped crying and fell asleep she cried out "anyone" which made me totally crack up!! After I stopped laughing I realized that she had only cried for 20 minutes which I thought was OUTSTANDING!!! Both kids were asleep by 8:45 - which meant I had a little time to myself!

Night 3 and 4 the same routine although the screams have been reduced to fussing and less than 10 minutes!!

I am feeling very successful in that I didn't cave and give in. I have had 4 nights in a row of very restful sleep in my own bed that has lasted all night!!

Next on the agenda with the girl is potty training - which she is ready for so I am hoping that this milestone also goes very quickly!

Sleep Training 2 year old aka Sleep TORTURE

Up until the last several months, both of my children have been great sleepers. In bed and sleeping by 8:30 pm - and not a peep from them until the morning. Which also means that I had a little unwind time in the evenings to get lunches packed, clothes ironed and set out for the next day or just watching a show that I have dvr'd.

Adrianna has decided that she was no longer going to be a good sleeper and that she was going to wake up in the middle of the night sometimes several times, or that she wasn't going to sleep in her bed. I at first thought this was due to the transition of sharing time with Joe and I - he has them every other weekend so I was giving her the benefit of the doubt - but now that it has been several months (4 to be exact), I want to sleep in my own bed and not on the couch or recliner with a toddler clinging to me.

Last night was the night I decided to start the sleep re-training for Miss Adrianna. I picked her up from day care and warned the provider she may be grouchy for the next couple of days as tough love night was starting - at this point I was still half thinking to myself I hope I make it I am such a whimp when it comes to letting my kids cry it out...BUT then Adri decided to tell Jessica (the most awesome child care lady EVER) how all she has to do is "jump and cry in my bed and mommy comes and gets me"
I just looked at Jessica and said "OH MY GOD, she totally has me pegged" well that was it; this was a challenge at this point - and anyone who knows me I don't go down easily when a challenge is presented.

So the time came - I purposely started the bedtime routine early as I knew that the ear piercing sounds that were to come out of the room were not going to be good and that they would last for a while -

Jammies on, teeth brushed, books read, water cup filled - kisses to Quentin and then Adri and I started upstairs, she told me all about being a big girl and sleeping in her bed all night - until we walked into the room then the crying started. I told her it was night time and that it was time to sleep. I also told her that once I left her room that I would see her in the morning and she needed to be a big girl and go to sleep. Put her in her crib and the SCREAMING promptly started, I told her I loved her and see you in the morning...the time was 7:37 pm.

Quentin and I sat on the couch and he held my hand and told me it was going to be ok - he is such a sweet kid.

I called a friend who gave me a pep talk and told me that this was necessary and that in the long run it will be good for everyone in the house. He also told me that I had to be strong and that I could make it. I played a couple games of Angry Birds...I looked at the clock and it was only 7:47 pm. TEN FRICKING MINUTES is all that had passed and I was already wanting to throw in the towel.

I set up the tent in the living room for Quentin - we watched a little TV ... after an hour of listening to the non stop calling for me and screaming the crying started to slow down surely she was tiring herself out - Quentin was done with listening to the crying at this point and said "mom can't you hear her calling you" I told him that she had to learn to sleep in her bed and that this is how she was going to learn.

Then it happened - it was quiet - I looked at the clock it was 9:28 pm she cried almost 2 hours and then gave in - I cried a little bit because I felt like the worst parent in the world that I hadn't comforted her to sleep and I could hear her on the monitor with the little whimper that all kids do after a hard cry -I went to bed myself because I didn't know what the rest of the night would be like...she slept all night not a peep from the room.

I left for work this morning before she woke up but have asked Jessica to make a BIG deal out of the fact that she slept in her bed all night like a big girl...

Hopefully tonight won't be so bad, I know there will be crying but am hoping (wishful thinking I know) that the crying doesn't last 2 hours again...

MOTHER OF YEAR - RIGHT HERE!

Ok so it is only the 15th day of 2010 but I am pretty sure that I have clinched the title in the running for Mother of the Year: (NOT)

RING (the phone ringing)
caller id says STARBRIGHT (Quentin's School)

Hope: "NEA Health Plan"
Missy: "Hope?"
Hope: "Yes"
Missy: "It's Missy from Starbright, I have to tell you because you don't know and this is the second day in a row."
My thoughts were holy crap what has Quentin done? she continues:
"The bread that you have made his sandwiches on the past two days is MOLDY"

Hope: red face and speechless "OMG - I am so embarrassed, I had no idea."
Missy: "not a big deal but I wanted to call you so you could throw that bread away.. and don't worry I am making him a new sandwich"

I just don't even know how I am going to show my face when I pick him up today......YIKES!

A Little Piece of Holland....

Welcome to Holland - By Emily Perl Kingsley

I am often asked to describe the experience of raising a child with a disability - to try to help people who have not shared that unique experience to understand it, to imagine how it would feel. It's like this......

When you're going to have a baby, it's like planning a fabulous vacation trip - to Italy. You buy a bunch of guide books and make your wonderful plans. The Coliseum. The Michelangelo David. The gondolas in Venice. You may learn some handy phrases in Italian. It's all very exciting.
After months of eager anticipation, the day finally arrives. You pack your bags and off you go.

Several hours later, the plane lands. The stewardess comes in and says, "Welcome to Holland."
"Holland?!?" you say. "What do you mean Holland?? I signed up for Italy! I'm supposed to be in Italy. All my life I've dreamed of going to Italy."
But there's been a change in the flight plan. They've landed in Holland and there you must stay.

The important thing is that they haven't taken you to a horrible, disgusting, filthy place, full of pestilence, famine and disease. It's just a different place.

So you must go out and buy new guide books. And you must learn a whole new language. And you will meet a whole new group of people you would never have met.

It's just a different place. It's slower-paced than Italy, less flashy than Italy. But after you've been there for a while and you catch your breath, you look around.... and you begin to notice that

Holland has windmills....and Holland has tulips. Holland even has Rembrandts.

But everyone you know is busy coming and going from Italy... and they're all bragging about what a wonderful time they had there. And for the rest of your life, you will say "Yes, that's where I was supposed to go. That's what I had planned."

And the pain of that will never, ever, ever, ever go away... because the loss of that dream is a very very significant loss.

But... if you spend your life mourning the fact that you didn't get to Italy, you may never be free to enjoy the very special, the very lovely things ... about Holland.



Thought this was beautiful and really describes how I felt when we learned that Quentin was going to be a LP. Before I actually met my "Holland" however the moment my eyes met with his I knew GOD had made the right "flight change" and I would enjoy "Holland" for the rest of my life and not look back at what "Italy" could have offered.

Halloween

A couple of weeks ago I took the kids to the scrapbook store where I crop for a "Spooktacular" Photo shoot.

The pictures turned out so cute.

This week is full of Halloween fun....Thursday will be a party at my mom's office and Friday is Quentin's school party - Saturday of course is the BIG day....Hope you have a Ghoulish time!!

Wiggly Adventure

I can't beleive that this is my first post in a couple weeks, I have a lot to write but I guess just not the time.

As stated in a previous post the kids, my mom and I were heading down to Washington for a mini vacation to see friends but the main reason was to see The Wiggles Go Banana's show which was in Everett Washington on July 17, 2009. We flew down on Thursday the day before so that we could get adjusted and be ready for the show on Friday. Remember also that Quentin did not know we were going to see the Wiggles.

We arrived in Washington had a great flight down, issues with the rental car (a whole seperate blog) and then we had lunch at Red Robin at Southcenter I could not stand it anymore I had to tell Quentin - I told him that we were going to the show on Friday - I guess I was more excited or he didn't understand what I was saying because his response was "OH" and continued to eat his hot dog....I was crushed.

After lunch we went to Target to get some supplies for the hotel and the weekend, food for Adri, sun screen and snacks for the hotel! Then it was off to Everett.

We arrived at the hotel in Everett around 4 O'Clock as we drove into the parking lot of the hotel I noticed 3 very large tour buses parked along the side of the hotel in the back. I just looked at my mom and said "I bet the Wiggles are staying here" her response was a slight laugh along with "I am sure we won't see them if they are"

We checked into the hotel and got to our room. Quentin wanted to go swimming so we all changed into to our swim suits mom and I blew up some floaties for the kids and then off to the pool that we went. We swam for over an hour, the kids both loved the pool. I was surprised that Adri loved the pool she had a floatey that she was able to sit in and she just kicked herself all over the pool.

When we were done swimming it was time to get back to the room and think about dinner, Quentin wanted pizza which sounded good to everyone.

After we all got back into dry clothes I decided to run down to the car to get the rest of the stuff that I had left earlier. Quentin of course wanted to come with me. No problem we waited for the elevator when the doors opened there was a girl in the elevator. We stepped on and Quentin noticed she had a Wiggles Logo on her shirt, I recognized her as being Claire one of the Wiggles dancers. She smiled and talked to Quentin, I asked if they were staying at the hotel, she said yes they had arrived on Wednesday. She asked if we were going to the show and I told her yes that we had flown down from Alaska to see the show, she was very surprised.

The elevator arrived in the lobby and we got off, sitting in the chairs directly in front of the elevator was ANTHONY (he is the blue wiggle) I couldn't beleive it (side note - remember we had just gotten out of the pool - I LOOKED FRIGHTFUL! LORD!!!) Quentin was busy still talking to Claire who was walking towards Anthony, once Quentin saw him he recognized him right away (even out of costume) I wish that I had my camera with me because the look on Quentin's face was one that I will never forget! He talked to Anthony for a few minutes and then we went to the car - on the way back in Anthony and his friends were getting into the hotel shuttle - Quentin all the while saying "hey Anthony! See you later" Anthony told him he would see him tomorrow at the show, Quentin then told him that he liked his tattoos (He has tattoos on his arms, and is VERY GOOD LOOKING! I MEAN REALLY GOOD LOOKING AND THAT ACCENT).

We got back to the room and Quentin could not wait to tell Grandma who we had just seen! My mom could not beleive how lucky Quentin was, although it was so cute becasue she asked if Captain Feathersword was with Anthony, remember that is her favorite character.......

Friday morning we got up and went to breakfast, we slept in a little bit so Quentin was in his jammies and mom and I threw on clothes ran combs through our hair and downstairs we went. After breakfast mom was getting the shuttle arranged for the show - Quentin and I were looking at the fountain in the lobby, behind my mom was Katarina, one of the Wiggles dancers that Quentin and I had met the night before she was with Carl (CUUUUTTTTEEEEEEEEEEE) she said good morning and I responded and asked if they were ready for the show, she said yes and asked if we were going today, I said yes the 3 o'clock show. Katarina then asked if we were going to the meet and greet, I said "no we were not invited to that" Carl chimes in and says "Quentin has to come to the meet and greet. Give me your phone number and name and I will have the tour manager ring you" HOLY COW! This type of thing never happens to me, Joe all the time but me never!

So we get back to the room and I jump in the shower - when I get out of the shower my mom is singing "we are going to meet the wiggles" I said "what?" the tour manager called on behalf of Anthony and wanted to invite Quentin to the meet and greet! YAY!!! He was going to get to meet all of them! Our leasurily morning turned into rushing as we had to get ready for the meet and greet which was at 1:30!

We arrived at the meet and greet and it was wonderful! Quentin got to meet all the Wiggles, my mom got to meet her beloved Captian Feathersword and then we watched the show, it was the beginning of a wonderful weekend! Quentin cracked everyone up when he asked Murray (the red wiggle) if he liked ZZ Top, Murray responded with yes they are a good band, then Murray wanted to know what Quentin's favorite ZZ Top song was, the smile on Murray's face was great, Quentin said "LAGRANGE, Murray you like La Grange?"

You will notice from the pictures that Anthony was not there, he had a sore throat and wanted to rest up for the concert, I am sure glad that we met him at the hotel.

Murray (red) Jeff (purple) Capt. Feathersword (pirate) Sam (yellow) Mom, Adri, Quentin and me. Adri is less than impressed at the meet and greet.

The Wiggles yes a silly bunch of guys entertaining pre-schoolers are such a class act, the show was fantastic, I actually really enjoyed it!

Jeff, Captain Feathersword, Sam watching as Quentin is asking Murray his very important question!

I love the look on Quentin's face when Murray asked him what his favorite ZZ top song was.....

4th of July 2009

We had a wonderful holiday weekend! I was lucky enough to have a 3 day weekend which was needed and very much appreciated, although as usual it went by way to quickly!

Friday we had a nice picnic lunch at Lake Hood, which is by the airport. It is where float planes take off and land - Quentin loved watching the planes take off and when they came in for landing. After lunch Quentin had a date with Grandma so we took him over to her house. They went to see UP and have dinner and then a sleep over.

Joe, Adri and I had dinner at LaCabana and then went home, Joe got ready for work and Adri and I watched TV on the couch!

Saturday 4th of July - we met my mom and Quentin at Golden Corral for breakfast and then we headed downtown for the Parade and Street fair on the park strip! We watched the parade with my Aunt and her kids and my brother! I love doing things with my family!

The parade was good, the weather was perfect. Quentin's favorite part were the fire trucks and the motorcycles that screamed down the street at the end of the parade. He also loved waving his flag during the parade!

When the parade was over we went to a couple booths on the street fair - It was packed and the sun was blasting down so was really hot.....Quentin got his face painted, I don't think he was quite sure of the gal who was painting his face when he first sat down, but once she started he was fine - he looked so cute!

Adri was not as impressed with the street fair as you can see! Next year will be a different story I am sure!

We left the street fair and went home to take naps - it was a very lazy holiday - we all woke up around 6 and then took a walk and played outside the rest of the day.

God Bless America! Hope you all had a good holiday too!

I couldn't resist......

Those of you who have met my son, Quentin know that he is a CRAZY kid - I mean earlier posts from Spirit Week at Pre-School confirm that he doesn't care what he is wearing or what people think of him.

So last week I am in the kitchen cooking dinner and he says "Mom I need to go out to the car and get something" he is telling me this as he is putting on his crocs....he has nothing else on except for underwear and his crocs. I just looked at him and said "Just wait and I will run out and find what you need" I honestly didn't know what he was going to get..

I continue to get dinner ready -I hear the screen door open Joe was coming in - and then he is cracking up - I look out the kitchen window and this is what I see....Thank God the camera was sitting on the counter!

I totally cracked up - I mean seriously the kid is a nut! What was even funnier is that he did not care that he was in his underwear - and our neighbor was outside and all I could hear for about

5 minutes was the neighbor laughing......

I must be crazy...but it is for the kids!!!!

I think that most parents would agree that we want to make our children happy, well at least I want them to be happy most of the time.

So last Wednesday I was looking at the Sprout website for coloring sheets for Quentin and there was an ad for The Wiggles they are joining the Sprout line up. Quentin LOVES the Wiggles, well I guess LOVES is a bit much. He did LOVE the Wiggles when he was younger, he does watch them every now and then but not addicted like when he was 2. So I clicked on the ad which then flashed that the lovable Australians will be on tour this summer, I took a look at the cities which they will be visiting and saw they will have one show in Western Washington in July. I immediately went to my mileage account with Alaska Airlines to see how many miles I had and if we could sneak away for a long weekend to see the Wiggles and of course all my peeps in Tacoma and Olympia!!!

I then called my mom and asked her what she had on her calendar and if she was up for a quick trip to America? She said YES - she was in!! I booked the tickets, hotel and car! BTW my mom said she is "super excited to see Captain Feathersword" I really do think that she is the best Grandma - I mean to know the characters of the freaking Wiggles - AWESOME!!!

My next call was to Aim (my BFF) I wanted to make sure she was going to be in town the weekend we would be down, YES she was - the planets were all aligned because everything was working out BEAUTIFULLY! I asked Aim if they wanted to come to Everett to see the Wiggles and she said she had to talk it over with Brian, so I told her I would call her tomorrow.

I called Aim the next day and she said that they were in!! I was at my mom's office so we jumped online to get the show tickets. We had some issues with the website so ended up calling the arena - now get this visual - I am on cell phone talking to Aim, my mom is on her office phone talking to the ticket agent at the arena - my mom kept telling me to hush which then I relayed to Aim whispering of course and then busting out in laughter because Aim and I were being told to SHOOSH.....Aim and I are a bit crazy when together and apparently on the phone as well!! LOL!!!
So the tickets secured and reservations made we are set, now I just have to wait 4 weeks and then our adventure will begin! Those who know me well know that I am not a good waiter!

I have not told Quentin we are going to see the Wiggles, I did tell him we were going to see Amy (he loves Amy) and that Grandma was going to come too! He was very excited about that!!

This morning I was getting ready for work and Quentin was eating breakfast watching Sprout and a commercial for the Wiggles concert came on - he asked me if they would be coming to Alaska, I told him no they weren't. He had the saddest little face and said "No body ever comes to Alaska" I mean I wanted to bust out and YELL - we are going to see them in Washington. But I didn't for two reasons 1) I don't want to count how many sleeps until we leave and 2) I don't want to hear for the next 4 weeks "Mom today we are going to see the Wiggles?"
So I am going to wait until the morning of the show and tell him, he is going to FLIP out!

So I must be crazy for taking a whirl wind trip to Washington for the sole reason to see a children's concert - but when I imagine how excited Quentin is going to be it is all worth it!!

The added bonus is that I will have a day in a half in Olympia to hang with my friends/family!

There have been additions to families, I can't wait to meet Kate's Daniel and for everyone to meet Adri - plus it has been a couple of years since I have seen everyone -so I am just plain EXCITED!!!! OK a little confession - I am a smidge excited about getting to see the Wiggles too!!!

IMG00285.jpg

Adri will be 9 months on Tuesday, she officially has two teeth that are showing when she smiles! I already miss the big gummy toothless smile. She is scooting around all over the place and tonight she decided to pull herself up and hang on to the ottoman she didn't take any steps yet but I guess that is coming soon! As you can see she was very proud of herself!

Sent from my BlackBerry®

Quentin are you there....?

When I picked up Quentin after school yesterday they were outside playing, which is GREAT that they are taking advantage of the sunny days that we have had. Last summer the average temp was low 50's all summer with maybe two days of sun - we are all LOVING this weather!

Anyway I was heading to the play ground and Quentin's teacher saw me and said he is a big dust ball - I just smiled and continued to the play ground. Sure enough he was a walking dirt ball - the first thing that came to mind was "my god I gave birth to Pig Pen" He was wearing plaid shorts and a white t-shirt that was now gray from all the dirt on it.....

I really should have taken a picture because it was so mind boggling how one child could get so dirty in a single day....he ran up to me and gave me a big hug - I was wearing black slacks so I had two little hand prints on my butt - NICE.....good thing I didn't have to go anywhere last night!

As soon as we got home we didn't not even say hello to Joe or Adri we went right upstairs to the tub where I proceeded to scrub the child, his hair felt so nasty when I put the water on his head to wash - like I was making a mud pie on my childs head or something, my white washcloth was black by the time he was all clean and the bath water was DISGUSTING.......I had to scrub the tub when he was done there was so much sand on the bottom.

I am glad though that he has such a good time at school, we have signed him up for the summer program so I will have many more nights of picking up Pig Pen!!

Finally some nice weather!!

tire swing

Adri had a lot of fun watching all the kids and chewing on her shoe!

Spring in Alaska has finally sprung. This weekend we had BEAUTIFUL weather!!

Sunday afternoon we took a picnic to the park and had a great time....

Really the pictures say it all!!

I am hoping that the summer and the good weather stick around!!!

Day 3 - Spirit Week

Today is Beach Day!! I think that my child is such a ham on most days but his outfit today was proof that he is a character!!!

I can't imagine what his Spirit Week clothes will look like when he is in high school if he loves doing things like this in Pre-school!!

I hope that you have enjoyed the pictures!!

Day 2 of Spirit Week - Crazy Hat!!!!

As promised here are pictures of Crazy Hat Day at Quentin's school!

We bought a Top Hat from Michaels and hot glued several items to the hat that he picked out from the dollar bin!

In case you can't see, I tried to get the best pictures:

- Kazoo

- Harmonica

- Bouncy Ball

- Yo-Yo

- Bubbles (that is what is hanging from the front)

- Felt Guitar - you know it would not be my child if he didn't have some kind of drum or guitar reference!

What the heck is he doing?

This morning when I went into to wake Quentin up and so we could get ready for school this is how he was sleeping. I am not sure how he did not fall out of his bed....


He was just snoring away - I really don't know what he was doing or how he managed to stay in bed and not fall out but he did...Also it should be noted because you can't tell from the picture but his little foot is not touching the floor it was just dangling there.........

Spirit Week

This is spirit week at Quentin's preschool this week, since he only goes 3 days a week he will get to participate....honestly I think that I am more excited about all the silly things he gets to wear to school than he is.

We went to Michaels this weekend to get the supplies we needed for Crazy Hat day - that is tomorrow so I will post a picture tomorrow!

We also went to KidtoKid to get the clothes that he needed for Crazy Clothes day! This is what we came up with -I have to say that it is a pretty cool shirt!

I bought these two shirts for $3.00 each and then cut the collar off each and cut them down the middle and sewed them together (with grandmas help) for a CRAZY SHIRT.....

He fit right in at school, there was a little girl who had on pajamas and a swim suit over them. I love it! If only adults could be so carefree! Although I wonder what my boss would say if I showed up at work with my jammies and a swim suit on!!!

More pictures this week as spirit week continues!!!

This just isn't right.....

I know that my family will kill me for taking these pictures someday - but oh well - how fare is it that my whole family was still sleeping this morning and I was leaving for work? Hopefully I will get to sleep in tomorrow - I won't hold my breathe!

Happy Friday everyone!

Blessings, Bunnies, Bread and Brunch

What a full weekend we had. My office was closed on Friday, so the kids and I headed to my mom's house to help her make the traditional Easter Bread, Bosca. The bread is an all day process so we got to my mom's house around 10 - she had already started the bread, it was rising for the first time.

Quentin went on an errand later with Joe in the afternoon and Adrianna took a nap so I finished up my "bunny" shopping. When I came back it was time to get the bread in the oven and just wait....my mom made potato soup for dinner and we watched a movie. As the first batch of bread came out of the oven Quentin and Grandma colored eggs it was fun to watch him dunk the eggs in the color.

Once the bread cooled it was time to FROST - YES!!! Quentin did the sprinkles and then licked the spoon for frosting. I will post pictures later -

Saturday was another busy day - Quentin wanted to eat lunch at Red Robin - not really sure why but we ate lunch there and then went home for naps - we colored eggs at our house and spent the afternoon cleaning getting ready for the Easter bunny - we put a carrot out for the bunny before bed. Quentin wanted to leave a cookie out for Santa too - I told him it was too early for Santa and that the bunny was Santa's friend. He was fine with this..PHEW!

Sunday was our busiest day - EASTER SUNDAY! I woke up at 6:30 AM and was able to get both kids dressed in thier Sunday best and myself out the door by 8:30 to make it to mass by 9:00AM -Even with the excitement of the bunny eating the carrot and leaving a treat I still made it to church on time! YEAH ME!!

After church we went to my mom's house for a traditional Landeis Family Easter breakfast, hard boiled eggs, Bosca and Itialin Sausage, I know my grandpa was smiling down on us as we ate, Easter breakfast was his deal and as long as I can remember it was always the same items, simple but memorable and good.

My mom had eggs hidden around her house for Quentin who had a blast finding the eggs -

After breakfast we watched Pinocchio and all let our bellies rest.

At 3PM we headed out for brunch - it was nice - Quentin really was impressed by the chef who made him a GIANT waffle - he also was sitting at the end of the table with the kids, and thought he was hot stuff.

(sitting at the big kids table)

(ready for another waffle)

Adrianna slept most of the time - when she woke up she just sat in her car seat and smiled at everyone.

My favorite part of the whole brunch was the dessert - Chocolate Covered Strawberries - they were DELICIOUS!!

I hope that you all had a great Easter! I feel blessed to have such a wonderful family and of course my friends.

7 Months

Seven months ago today at 9:58 AM we welcomed Adrianna Norma Chavez into our family! We have never been the same since! LOL!!!!

I can't believe how quickly the time has gone by - to think that 7 months ago I was giving birth - where the heck has the time gone already?

Where is my snugly baby that would let me hold her for hours and just be content, now she is wiggly and only wants to snuggle if I am feeding her (thank goodness I am still nursing so she still needs me)

She is sitting up now unassisted - rolls all over the house, so I know it is just a matter of time before she is crawling. Has teeth that are coming in, loves her big brother!! She will look at you if you call her name, she recognizes me, Joe, Quentin, Uncle Ryan and Grandma.
Adri has also developed this high pitched scream - I haven't figured out what she is using it for, she seems to use it when she is happy or just playing so I think it is a happy scream!

I can't complain because she is a wonderful baby very content much like Quentin was - she has the same laid back go with the flow attitude that Quentin had, how did I get so lucky to be blessed with two wonderful babies.

The other day I was watching Adri play in her exersaucer and she just looked at me and smiled, I just melted it was so cute!

So the compulsive planner in me wants to start thinking about her 1st birthday party, for crying out loud I only have 5 months to plan this!

I have also started calling her Adri - what do you think? I really like it, but not sure!
I know that the time will continue to go by quickly so I plan on enjoying every single second that I can.