Black Shoes with Knee Socks

Zapatos negros con Calcetines Altos

Katy has been dressing herself lately, sometimes more than once a day.  During a recent trip to the grocery store, she chose to wear pajamas covered in small butterflies, socks covered in flowers pulled over her pajama pants, and sandals covered in polka dots over the socks.  More often than not, however, Katy chooses her black shoes and her knee socks.  She really likes those shoes and socks.

Katy comenzó a vestirse solita, algunas veces mas que una vez en un día.  Durante un viaje reciente a la tienda de comestibles, ella eligió a poner apuesto pijamas con un patrón de mariposas chicas, calcetines con un patrón de flores sobre sus pantalones, y chanclas con el patrón de manchas sobre sus calcetines.  Pero las mas de las veces, Katy escoge sus zapatos negros y sus calcetines altos.  Ella le gustan mucho estos zapatos y calcetines.

Christmas in April

La Navidad en Abril

Katy slept in her Christmas pajamas last week.  They must have inspired her because the next morning, she wanted to make a big Christmas tree to hang in her room and wrap one of her toys as a present.  It was Christmas in April!

Katy durmío en sus pijamas de la Navidad la semana pasada.  Creo que las inspiró porque la mañana siguiente, ella quería hacer un árbol de la Navidad para colgar in su cuarto y además envolver uno de sus juguetes como un regalito.  Tuvimos La Navidad en Abril!

Papo's Hair

El Cabello de Papo

Last weekend we visited Katy's cousin, Elijah, as well her grandparents, Grandma and Papo.  For reference, Elijah is four years old, and Papo has white hair.  During our visit, I was walking Katy and Elijah to Papo's house when I noticed lots of white, fluffy pollen floating in the air.

La semana pasada, visitamos Elijah, el primo de Katy, y sus abuelos, Grandma y Papo.  Elijah tiene cautro anos, y Papo tiene cabello blanco.  Durante la visita, estaba caminando con Katy y Elijah cuando vi mucho polen blanco y mullidito flotando en el aire. 

Me: "What's all that white stuff floating in the air?"

(long pause as the kids think)

A very serious Elijah: "I think it's Papo's hair."

Me, trying not to laugh: "Why do you think it's Papo's hair?"

Elijah: "Because Papo has white hair."

Me: "But why is Papo's hair floating around outside?"

Elijah, still very serious: "I think he was cutting the grass and it blew off."

Yo: "Que son las cosas blancas flotando en el aire?"

(silencio)

Elijah, muy serio: "Es el cabello de Papo."

Yo, tratando a no reir: "Por qué piensas que el cabello de Papo esta flotando en el aire?"

Elijah: "Porque Papo tiene cabello blanco."

Yo: "Pero, por qué está flotando en el aire?"

Elijah, todavía muy serio: "Creo que Papo estaba cortando el césped y el aire lo sopló."  

The boy was dead serious, and it was hilarious. 

Elijah era muy serio, y era muy gracioso.  

Visiting the Dinosaur museum near Papo's house.  

When I Was Pregnant, I Went to the Beach.

Well, I found another gem while cleaning out my blog.  I wrote this a couple of years ago, when my pregnant sister-in-law was coming to visit.  I think I was too embarrassed to post it, which you'll soon understand.  But really, this is one experience I'll laugh about for the rest of my life. 

My wonderful sister-in-law, who also happens to be pregnant, is visiting us next week.  I proposed a trip to South Padre Island, at which point Chris said it might be hard for a pregnant woman to make a day trip to the beach in the summer heat.  And then I remembered my pregnant trip to the island...

It was a hot day, as are most days at the island.  Being pregnant, I was especially hot and especially thirsty.  I drank a lot of water.  A LOT of water.  Before long, I needed to go the restroom.  I patiently waited on the beach for Chris to come in from the water so I could walk to the bathrooms.  Doug was with us, and I didn't want to leave him unattended because I knew he would throw the dog equivalent of a temper tantrum and attempt to chew through his leash.  After waiting as long as humanly possible for Chris, who was still swimming, I grabbed the backpack with our valuables, Doug's leash, and began the long, sandy walk to the bathrooms.

The sand was dry and deep and my bladder was about to explode, which gave me a lot of time to regret wearing a one piece bathing suit to the beach.  It had been so long since I had worn a one piece bathing suit that I had no idea how to go to the restroom in it.

After what seemed like forever, I made it to the restrooms only to discover a sign outside that read, "No pets allowed."  Without hesitating, I walked into the restroom with Doug.

The restroom was gross: sandy, wet, humid, and steel everywhere.  I walked straight to a stall and attempted to pull Doug in.   I was about to pee on myself, I was using one hand to pull Doug's leash, and one hand to frantically shut the stall door.  And this is when Doug panicked.  For some unknown ridiculous dog reason, Doug was not going in the bathroom stall.  He stopped moving, planted his feet firmly on the ground, and began pulling in the opposite direction.  I tugged as hard as I could to force Doug into the stall with me, but he would not budge. The more I pulled, the more Doug resisted.  Eventually, my need to urinate won.  I dropped the leash and desperately tried to pull down my bathing suit to use the restroom while people in the bathroom yelled, "Your dog just ran away!"  There was nothing I could do about it, however, because I was straddling the toilet with just the top half of my bathing suit down and pee running down my legs.  It's never fun to pee on yourself, but it's especially disappointing when you are standing right next to a toilet.

I left the bathroom as soon as I could, only to discover Doug was running down the beach with his tail between his legs and his leash dragging behind him.  I tried calling for him but he was too far away, so I ran after him with a giant pee spot on my pants.  It took me several  minutes to catch Doug, at which point we walked to the beach showers to wash away the evidence of a bathroom trip gone horribly wrong.

When Doug and I finally returned to our spot on the beach, Chris was relaxing in the shade.  Now he was done swimming.  He calmly asked, "Hey, where did you go?"  Where did I go?  WHERE did I go?  I'll tell you where I went.  I went to the bathroom in my pants as I stood over a toilet while Doug ran down the beach in a state of total panic.  That's where I went.

Yes, Chris is probably right.  A trip to the beach in this heat may be too much for my pregnant sister-in-law.    I think we'll just air-up the kiddie pool in the backyard and open up the sandbox.

A Letter to My Two-Year-Old

I found this unpublished draft of a letter to my two-year-old Katy while cleaning up my blog.  I remember writing it and then not posting it because it was so sappy.  But now, nine months later, I love it.  It's funny how in just a matter of months, some of these things have changed so much.  It's even funnier that although I say I wrote it for Katy, I probably wrote it more for me.

Dear Katy,

You are two-and-a-half-years-old, at the peak of toddler-hood.  Someday you may wonder what you were like at this age and if we're being honest, I may not remember the many details that make this stage of life so magical.  Here is my best attempt at capturing you world.

• You like falling down, walking on your knees, spinning in circles, walking backwards, jumping, and doing somersaults.  You insist that I join you doing these things, even if I do not fit in the tent where you are jumping or it hurts to throw myself down on my knees on the bare floor.
• You are finding your sense of humor and often do so with an exaggerated, fake laugh.
• You frequently tell me that you are growing and that you are a big girl.  Although you readily admit big girls don't use diapers, you have no interest in being this type of a big girl.
• You do not want me to help you buckle your seat belt, so much so that you tell me, "Mommy, go to your seat," as I watch you fumble with the buckles. 
• You ask if you are putting your shoe on the correct foot, even after you have confirmed the other shoe is already on the correct foot.
• You sing without shame in the library or the grocery store or during church. You frequently make up your own words.
• You are shy around new people and places. You cling to me like glue at the library during story time.
• You don't mind walking around with your shoes on the wrong feet.
• You make up words and either laugh at how silly they sound or ask me how to say them in English.
• You have discovered the concept of favorites.  Cherries are consistently your favorite food.  Barquito Chiquitito is consistently your favorite song.  All other favorites are subject to frequent change.
• You have learned to tolerate brushing your teeth but still dislike washing your hair.
• You continue to be a very messy eater.
• You frequently need to dance when you are naked.
• You talk all the time and I'm almost certain you sometimes start sentences without knowing how they will end.  For example, one time you asked me, "Mom, do you like...(looks around and then down at arms)...my arms?"
• Seriously, you talk All. The. Time.  Especially if I'm on the phone.
• You are learning to share. You tell other people to share as you pull things from their hands.
• You are terrified of cockroaches.  One time you stepped on a dead one.  You screamed, shook, and tensed your body for almost a minute before I could calm you.
• You love making art, reading, watching videos of animals, doing puzzles, and playing in water.
• You like helping me cut vegetables in the kitchen using your red, plastic knife.  I constantly tell you not to cut your fingers.  When you see my cutting with a knife or scissors, you also tell me to be careful to not cut my fingers.
• You like to cook at the stove next to me using your tiny play pot.  You insist on filling your pot with the same ingredients I am using and about 20 extra spices in very generous amounts.  You never want to taste your creations.
• You are becoming more affectionate.  You tell me you love me and give me hugs.
• You announce at random times that Jesus lives in your heart as you point to your chest.
• You giggle way too much when hiding.
• You gently run your hands across my face and neck when you wake up in the morning, if we happen to be sharing a bed.  This is one of my most favorite things in the world, so much so that I pretend to be asleep so you'll keep doing it.
• You notice when I am frustrated or angry and ask me in the sweetest little voice, "mommy, are you happy?"
• You are beautiful.  When I ask you to stop wiggling after I dress you, so I can see how you look, you tell me you are beautiful and run off.

I hope you enjoy reading this someday.

Love,

Mom

Tiny Cake Party

I found a recipe for an easy-bake oven.  I doubled it and let Katy mix it up in her tiny green bowl.  Next thing I know, she was mixing it with her pretend mixer.  After the cake baked in one of Katy's tiny pans and cooled for what seemed like forever to Katy, Katy covered it with sprinkles and set the table for a party.  It was a tiny cake party, and we loved every minute of it.  Please don't grow-up too fast baby girl.

Fabulous Florals Baby Shower

In-between a weeklong trip to attend a friend's wedding and our week-long vacation to Washington DC,  I was home for three days.  During those three days, I unpacked from one trip, packed for another trip, and hosted a baby shower for my dear friend Sylvia.  I'm either way too ambitious or just plain crazy.

Despite my packed schedule, the shower turned out fabulous.  After hosting/co-hosting more baby showers than I can count, I think I've finally mastered the baby shower.  In fact, I may never host another one so that I can be sure I go out on top. 

Birthdate prediction calendar and baby picture game ready to go.  Thanks to my mom
for helping me make the diaper cake.

Baby picture of the mom-of-honor.

These paper plates were my jumping point for everything else.

Thank you to my neighbor for lending me lots of jars!

Lots and lots of diapers!

Love my big table and the shadows from the garland on the wall.

The baby picture guessing game was lots of fun!

Gender Prediction Game.

Rachella made a lovely cake!

 

Leaving My Comfort Zone

A couple months ago, I started teaching a high school Spanish class on-line.  The thought of teaching other people Spanish was a little terrifying at first, but it has been a great way to challenge myself, have a little fun, and even make a (very) small amount of money.  It has also taught me that Katy is a wonderful child, capable of playing quietly next to me for 50 minutes.

Katy and I took our fist trip to Nuevo Progresso.  Our mission was to find a skirt for Katy's ballet folklorico class.  At first I was a little nervous about the trip, but it turned out we were surrounded by loads of winter Texas.  My ability to converse in Spanish also made me feel much more comfortable once there.  We even went back a couple weeks later to buy some medications.

Wearing her Folklorico skirt.

When I told Katy we were going to Mexico a second time, she moaned and said, "But I don't want to go to Mexico," as if it was somewhere she went all the time.  When I reminded her that we could walk on the big bridge over the river, however, she quickly became excited about the trip.  I guess Katy is becoming quite the international traveler, or at least a fan of large pedestrian bridges. 

One the bridge, enjoying the river.

I also started seeing an acupuncturist.  This is a big deal for someone who hates needles.  After several sessions, I am finally able to relax enough to fall asleep while tiny needles are hanging out all over my body.  While I am still a bit skeptical about the effectiveness of acupuncture, I was amazed one week at the acupuncturist's ability to eliminate some bad swelling in a bruise using nothing more than magnets.  I also love the cultural experience of feeling like I've walked into China when I enter the acupuncturist's office.

There are other more personal things happening that have pushed both Chris and I outside our comfort zones, things that require a lot from us but that also have the potential for so many good things in the future.  These endeavors make teaching a Spanish class, taking a trip to Mexico, or visiting an acupuncturist seem like amateur hour.  I look forward to when I can write about it all because that will mean we've made it to the other side, for better or worse.

Travel, Travel, Travel

Whoa! Where has our family been lately?  It feels like everywhere but home.

At the end of March, we traveled to San Antonio with the Granados family to see Daniel Tiger Live. We rented a house in need of a little TLC located in a somewhat sketchy part of town.   All the more reason to get out and enjoy ourselves.   It was an awesome weekend, and we are so lucky to have friends with kids who want to travel with us despite the beautiful chaos it may entail.

Cutest little vet at the Children's Museum.

Riding the mini train!

This is 30 minutes parking and 45 minutes waiting for a table.

We walked almost an hour in search of this trolley and then we
left a phone on it.

Trolley snacks.

Tailgating before Daniel Tiger.

Daniel and his Trolley.

Daniel Tiger live was so exciting Chris
fell asleep.

At the end of a busy weekend.

The weekend following Daniel Tiger was Vivian's wedding and Katy's first flower girl gig.  Despite Katy's reserved nature in group settings, she did so well walking down the isle by herself with all eyes on her tiny self.   About halfway down the isle, she ran out of petals and looked back despairingly at Chris, which of course made everyone chuckle.  Luckily, I had the forethought to tell Katy before the wedding that if people laugh, it meant she was doing her job well and that everyone was happy.  So, she took the laughter in stride and continued walking down the isle empty handed like such a big girl.

The wedding was gorgeous, of course.  I missed the first part of the reception because Katy needed a nap, but I woke her up in time to listed to two mariachi bands (my mother-in-law accidentally booked two bands without realizing it until they both showed up at the same time!), eat the delicious popsicles, take pictures in the photo booth, sit for a caricature drawing, and run around barefoot on the green lawn with my three-year-old.  It really was a beautiful wedding.

Pre-wedding Pictures.

Mad at the wind because it kept blowing petals from her basket.

So. Stinkin'. Cute.

Sometimes a picture gives me a glimpse of my future big girl.  This is one of them.

Wedding reception nap.

Yay for popsicles.

Two weeks after Vivian's wedding, Katy and I were back in North Texas for the wedding of my long-time friend, Heather.  The wedding weekend was a blast! Katy shared her second flower girl gig with 14 flower children, including two of her cousins.  It was fun (and perhaps slightly chaotic) to see so many children in one wedding.  Heather went above and beyond by accommodating all the children with festive kid-sized tables at the reception filled with food and treats just for them.  Whenever I tried to take Katy around to meet people I hadn't seen since before she was born, she quickly wiggled away from me and ran back to her spot at the exciting kid's table.

Katy and I stayed in town a few extra days after the wedding to visit family.

Bachelorette party!

Sleeping on the edge in preparation for flower girl duties.

Katy and her cousins with the bride!

Look at that fun kiddie table!

Love this beautiful bride!

Reading with Gigi.

Katy loves her Gigi!

And she thinks Pops isn't so bad either.

My grandma said this was her first time to paint.

Four generations of ladies painting together.

Three days after returning home from our trip for Heather's wedding, we were on an airplane.  We met my brother-in-law, Jesse, and his family in Washington DC and spent the week touring the capital with three kids three-years-old and under.  We were a slow moving operation consisting of two strollers.  We interrupted pedestrian traffic, filled elevators, clogged escalators, and delayed passengers exiting or boarding public transit (especially during rush hour).  We toted the kids from monuments to museums to cemeteries to restaurants, we denied them nap times and regular bedtimes, and we bribed them with loads of snacks and even a little time on the i-pad.  Despite all this, we had a blast and the kids did pretty well (until the last couple of days when everyone was just plain tired).  Our last day in DC, we swapped baby sitting duties, allowing the kids to stay in our rented apartment all day while Chris and I went out in the morning and Jesse and Vanessa went out in the afternoon.  It was a brilliant idea discovered way too late.

The cherry blossoms were starting to bloom!

Cousins.

Cousins running.

She found her favorite at the Natural History Museum.

Winning at parenting.

At the Air and Space Museum.

She was so excited to see "el lapiz."

Snacks with a backdrop.

Kids ran up the stairs, while the parents dragged their strollers behind them.

Underwhelmed by Lincoln.

Fala was her absolute favorite.

More running.  Until socks were soaked.

No Katy meant we could sit for a lecture at the Supreme Court.

Finally a museum the kids really enjoyed!

We found Chinatown.

Easter Sunday Easter Egg Hunt.

The loot.

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Jammie time!

Grocery shopping in a suitcase.

Cherry blossoms by the white house.

Pedicab ride.

We loved the pedicab ride.

We loved the National Portrait Gallery.

Clogging the elevators with confidence.

And now we're home.  For now at least.