We're still here :)

I know it's been forever since I posted last, but school is keeping me crazy busy. I'm half ways my semester and I can't wait for it to be over. Summer went by too soon:( I'm already missing our “getaways” to the park when the kids would get crabby. Everybody did great at the milk challenge. The worst part was to get the IVs needles in them. Arianna was poked FOUR times before they finally got it. Armando was poked three times and lucky Miss Alea just one time. I'm just glad I didn't have to witness each one. Daddy took Alea, Grandma took Armando and I held Arianna. Now they can eat anything no matter how much dairy or soy is in it, hahaha. It's so weird to give them a chunk of cheese, when a couple of months ago we didn't let them get close to it. I'm so glad that everybody passed the test because they all want to it whatever the other one is eating. Now I have a lot more freedom to cook and make meals for the whole family. That has been a blessing. :) It’s been interesting to watch their reaction every time they try something new. For instance, the first time I gave them yogurt, they were not sure what to think of it. By the time the 3rd spoon rolled around, everybody was screaming for more. They love it!
It’s hard to remember what all they’re doing now, I’ll try my best. All of them have mastered their walking skill. Now is more of a quick run alone with screams, chasing each other around the house. They are climbing everywhere! The couch, chairs, toy chest, and anything they can get those little legs over. They are learning new words every day. Some of the most recent ones are: duck muck (which is their favorite book), grandma, woof woof, baa baa, maa maa, moo moo, papi (Daddy) + all the words that I have mentioned before. They are also following commands such as: cierra la puerta (close de door), traeme los zapatos de Alea (bring me Alea’s shoes), busca otro libro (get another book). It’s fascinating to watch them follow commands. I didn’t realize how much they really understand. It’s amazing!

We had our NICU follow up and I’m happy to announce that we have graduated from the NICU! We won’t have to go to any more follow ups! Woohhoooo! They are done :) We also had our 18 months check up. Everybody is doing very well. The stats were:
Arianna 21 lbs & 9 ounces, 30 inches long
Alea 22 lbs & 8 ounces, 30 ¼ long
Armando 23 lbs, 31 inches long
At the end of September Armando was hospitalized. He wasn't eating or drinking anything. Our Dr. said that he was dehydrated and the only way to get some liquids in him was through an IV (have I mentioned how much I hate IVs in my children?). Once again, it was a bad experience; he was poked 3 times, poor guy. He only spent one night (thank God). We believe he had roseola, but by the time the rash showed up, he was home. After Armando got back to his own self, Arianna got sick with the same thing. We had a couple miserable weeks, and I'm glad that's behind us. Well the best way to remember any of the things we've done in the last couple of months is pictures:) Right? During the Summer we were brave and took the kids to the supermarket. They LOVE to get in cart:) From left to right Arianna, Armando and Alea.

We made another trip to Kansas at the beginning of October. It was a blast. The kids had so much fun:) They love to explore:) This was fall fest weekend. This is Arianna exploring the exhibits at the Department of Economics.

Alea stretching her legs.

Armando taking everything in (as usual).

Mom!!!!!!!!! We're ready to go out now. From left to right Armando, Alea and Arianna.

Fall Fest also had a petting zoo. It was great because all the animals were small enough for our kids to pet them. Arianna had the best time. Armando and Alea were a little bit scared. On the above picture is Armando petting a baby goat.

Alea petting a chicken.

Arianna petting the baby goat. She really enjoyed it.

The kids at the petting zoo. From left to right Alea, Arianna and Armando.

The friends that we visited had this cute little tricycle with a handle to push. Alea is trying to push Arianna:) How cute:)

A wheel barrel full of toddlers :) In front Armando and Alea and in back Olivia and Arianna.

Arianna being goofy.

Alea looking adorable and innocent.

Armando smiling to the camera.

Any time I give Armando "real" silverware, he has to goof around with it, hahaha.

Alea's new ability is to take off her top after her afternoon nap. This is how I found her one day, without her top. She was SO proud of herself that she couldn't stop laughing and giggling.

We ditch our huge high chair for these cute easy to clean booster seats. The kids love to seat around the table with Mom and Dad.

It has gotten cold here, but we're not about to give up our stroller rides (at least not yet). But it takes forever to get out of the house when we need to put on coats, hats and mintens! At first the kids didn't like to be bundled up, but now they don't seem to mind it as much. On this picture is Arianna with her coat on, Alea waiting to get hers on and Armando exploring.

We go walking with our good neighbor and friend Elizabeth and her son Josh. Since I have 2 double strollers, it works great:) One for the boys and one for the girls:)

Alea is on the move! Also, Armando's new hairdo:)

After listening to several ladies make comments like "Oh, what a beautiful little girl," I decided that it was time to cut Armando's hair.

These are the before pictures:) Boy he looks like a little lion! Hahahaha.

Look at all the hair!

Grandma cut his hair:) He sat nicely for her:) Thank you Grandma:)

Here he is with his new hairdo:) I need to take more close up pictures of his head. I promise to post more later.

Yes!!! Alea is finally walking:) She started to give some steps yesterday and tonight she took off:) We are so proud of her:) You go girly!

Having fun outside:)

We've been having a lot of fun outside with the nice weather:) Alea had been sick with the virus roseola, yuck! But now everybody is doing well:) So we are taking advantage of the last days of summer by going to the park and going on walks:)

The kids are doing SO MUCH these days! It's crazy that they are 16 month old already! They are all climbing on and into the toy chest. Arianna is walking VERY WELL. Armando does fairly well, but he still wobbles. Alea is standing up without any assistance:) She is going to need an orthotic (s/p?) on her left foot:( Poor thing is going to have to wear tennis shoes all the time:( But hopefully, it won't be for too long.

These are the things the kids are saying these days. First the English words: Puppy, yummy, mmmm, bye-bye, uh-oh, night nite, tanky (Frankie), thank you. Spanish words: mami (Mommy), papa (potato), ma (más which means more) and gracias (thank you).

We have our milk challenge next week please pray that the kids pass the test. I can’t wait to get rid of this dairy and soy free diet for them.

Since I’m not too busy with the kids (can you read my sarcasm?), I restarted my MBA. I’m enrolled for 2 online classes. This was the first week of school and boy am I rusty! I was so stressed and freaked out after reading my courses syllabus that I had a hard time falling asleep (which never happens). Now that Friday has roll around, I feel a lot better and more comfortable with the classes.

The other day, Matt and I decided to go for a walk at the arboretum. Since it isn't complicated enough to take three toddlers and a triple stroller, we decided to bring Frankie as well. Frankie is not used to being on a leash (since we live on a farm he has lots of room to run around so we don't usually walk him). Anyway, he did fairly well. However, when it came to cross a bridge, he was scare to death, Hahahaha. Matt had to drag him through the whole bridge. Here is a photo, isn’t it hilarious?

Matt dragging Frankie across the bridge. I can't help it but laugh when I see this picture.

The kids, Frankie and me:)

We have discover a new way of transportation:) The wagon! Yay!! I love to use it for short little errands like running to the local grocery store for a few items, stopping at library for a couple of movies, going to the park, taking milk to our barn kittens, etc. The kids love it too. They finally sit nicely in it:) Thank you grandma:)

Alea really loving the swing.

Armando enjoying the ride:) Wow! Look at all that hair and now it's gone. Yep, we cut it last weekend (actually the day that I started this post). I promise to post pictures ASAP;)

Arianna laughing nonstop in the swing.

The girlies in the swing. Look at those cute pigtails:)

This time we even went down the slide:) Arianna after going down.

Alea trying to figure out what to do.

Armando ready to go down.

Armando climbing the "rock wall." He didn't get too far, haha.

I've been trying to take pictures of the kids together. This mission impossible. First, I start with Alea since she is the less mobile. Then Armando and Then...

by the time I bring Arianna, Armando is gone! By the time I go to get Armando, Arianna is gone. Then I end up with Alea alone, hahahaha.

This is the best shot I got and you can see Arianna is already on the move. Silly girly:)

First road trip

A couple of weeks ago, we packed the kids in the van for a 7 hour road trip to Kansas! We didn't know what to expect, but we were soooooooooo ready to get out of the house and spend time with our friends. Our friends have a little girl named Olivia and she is about our kids' age:) The kids did fairly well considering that they were confined in a car seat for soooooo long. Alea won the "Best Passenger" award while Armando and Arianna ended up tied for the "Worst Passenger" award. Hahahahaha. Armando was cutting a molar, and Arianna can't seat still for too long, Haha.

Olivia is a cute little girl and she is walking all over the place. After my kids saw her walking, they try to walk too:) I think this event prompted the 2 walkers that we have right now.

Arianna is walking ALL over the place she does not crawl anywhere anymore, she walks. Armando is getting better and better each day, but Arianna can out walk him. Alea has been sick with the roseola virus :( She doesn't have the energy to try anything:( Hopefully, she gets to feel better soon and join her siblings on the amazing walking experience:)


Pictures, pictures, pictures... Alea all set and ready to leave:)

Arianna "Mommy don't even think that this bunny is going to keep me busy the rest of the way."

Armando "Mommy I'm happy now, but as soon as this bottle is gone, I'll be crying."

Alea and Armando watching Olivia demonstrating how to walk.

Everybody is ready to go to sleep as soon as Olivia decides that she is done visiting, hahaha. From left to right Olivia (righ in front), Alea, Armando and Arianna.

The kids having their night bottle. From left to right Arianna, Alea, Armando.

Did I mention that it was VERY HOT in Kansas! It was 102F !! Uuffta!!! Hot hot hot! So we went to the pool. This is Olivia enjoying the water.

Armando playing in the water.

Arianna playing in the water with her hat.

Alea trying to get out of the pool.

Daddy, Arianna and Armando ready to leave the pool.

Olivia can play the recorder. Alea try it and she was able to do it.

Guess who's walking?!

Miss little Arianna gave her first 4 steps last Sunday. Then yesterday night, Daddy had her practice and she took off:) She was SO excited to be walking, squealing of delight with every step. It was SO funny! She didn't get tired of trying. She would fall then she would get up and try again. This went on for at least 1/2 an hour. Several times she walked about 20 steps without falling! Yay Arianna!!! You're doing great!

You made be wondering how much walking is Armando doing?! Well after a week ago Monday, he didn't do much until last night when he saw Arianna getting ahead of him, Ha. He tried some walking, but he never did 20 steps like his sister. He did about 10 steps at a time.
Last weekend we went on our first road trip with the kids. We went to Kansas to visit friends who have a little girl (about my kids’ age) and she is walking and running all over the place. I'm wondering if my kids got motivated to walk by seeing somebody their height walking?! Who knows! But it's been very exciting to see them give their first steps. Alea has done at the most 3 steps at a time. I don't think she is too interested in walking right now. Let's see what she does and Arianna walks everywhere:)

Enjoy the video :) I'll post pictures from our trip later.

We have a walker!

Well, I think we have a walker. Armando took off walking last Sunday, doing 6 to 8 steps. Then yesterday, he did the same thing. He is still a crawler, but when we less expect it, he starts walking. It's SO exciting to see him go:) It will be fun to see him master the walk in the next days:) Hopefully, I'll be able to catch a video soon.