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.

Arianna has been home for a year!

Arianna can home on July 16th, 2008. By the time Miss Arianna came home, we had a routine established with the other two. It was VERY difficult to adjust our routine to add one more baby, particularly because Arianna was eating every 2 hours while Alea and Armando were eating every 3 hours. Arianna's first night at home was bizarre! She cried (maybe screamed is more acquired) ALL night long! That night Grandma took care of Alea's and Armando's night feedings and I was devoted to Arianna. I didn’t sleep at all that night. Thank goodness that the following night went a lot better.

I have to admit that I have a soft spot for Arianna. This miracle little girl was the most in distressed in utero, coming home last with an apnea monitor and thickener to be added to her formula. Arianna is tough little cookie, after being home for a month, she was done with the thickener and two months later with the apnea monitor. Miss Arianna was the first one to seat up on her own, but the last one to crawl. It might take her a little longer to reach some of her milestones, but she always does it :) That’s why I have a soft spot for this sweet little girly, not to mention that she has been a Mama’s girl since the get go.

Arianna is what you will call a true sweet heart, giving kisses and hugs any time she has the chance. She loves to be tickled and to be put up side down. She is a giggly lovely little girl, but lately she has been having some serious tantrums (at this point, they all are). It’s so funny to see her get upset and through herself on the floor and make funny movements to express her frustration. I’m sure she doesn’t think is funny, but I sure do, ha.

Arianna is walking around with her push toy. She knows how to steer it, allowing her to go all over the house making engine noises. But, she much rather walk holding on to somebody’s finger. That’s her favorite thing to do in the whole world. She loves to play peek-A-Boo, Pot-A-Cake, so big, wave bye-bye, shake her head saying “no, no, no,” stock blocks on top of each other, put things in and out of a box, crawl into the toy plastic box. She is also saying ma-ma, da-da and uh-oh. I’m sure I’m forgetting a few things, but we’ll leave it at that.

Then there were Three :)

From left to right Arianna, Armando and Alea

July 2009 (3 months old)

Finally Arianna is coming home :)

Napping in the way home:)

Not too happy about her first bath.

Sweet dreams...

Smiling in her sleep:) Loving the swing.

Do I look cute or what in this tea cup?!

August 2008 (4 months old) Napping with Daddy:)

Reading with Grandma. "This is a very intense book."

" Practicing the pouty face that my sister taught me."

Tasty thumb.

September 2008 (5 months old)" This swing is something else, I love it."

when the paci felt out of her mouth, it was a clear sign that she was in deep sleep, LOL.

Tummy time!

October 2008 (6 months old) "No matter what's in the way, I'll find my thumb."

Princess hat for Halloween.

November 2008 (7 months old) Look at me! I can sit up :)

"I'm a big girl, I can hold my bottle."

December 2008, (8 months old)"Really?! There is a fat guy dressed in red that will come and bring toys for all of us?!"

Just hanging out :)

"Mommy if I have to wear this darn three peas in a pod outfit again, I won't be happy."

Merry Christmas everybody :)

January 2009 (9 months old) "I don't like it. Take it away."

Yeap, Miss Arianna is the messiest eater of the three, hahahahaha.

Helping Mommy fold the laundry.

February 2009 (10 months old)" Summer clothes on winter time, yay! Good idea Mommy."

" I'm a pro with the sippy cup."

"I love Cheerios!"

"Frankie is my friend."

March 2009 (11months old) "Are we done with the pictures?!"

April 2009 (12 months old)"It's almost my birthday."

"Happy birthday to me."

"Hello!" Arianna loves to play phone :)

"This tunnel is wicket! thanks Mary"

Arianna in the middle. "Nothing like going on a wagon ride and using my brother as a pillow."

"Don't know what to think of this new car seats."

One year picture.

May 2009 (13 months old) Loves stroller rides

Her best grin

Loves going to the park and swiging:)

Loves to shake things (see the plastic bag in her hand?)

June 2009 (14 months old) Having a picnic at the park.

This is what I see when I look down between my legs.

Loves the pool!

July 2009 (15 months old)

Yummy cracker!

She loves to play her boom box and dance to the music.

Her favorite spot to "read" books.

"Look at me! I can stand on my own."

Arianna mi niña linda, tu eres un milagro doble de nuestro Dios. Me siento tan bendecida de tenerte:) Le pido a Dios que me ayude a siempre guiarte por el buen camino y darte todo el apoyo que necesites para que te conviertas en una persona de bien y provecho para la humanidad. Te amo y te adoro con todo mi corazón. Iluminas mis dias con tu be lla sonrisa:) Qeu Dios continue bendiciente grandemente:) Te quiero muchisimo mi corazon de melon!

tu Mami :)