A special summer indeed

So there's this guy. He's been coming to my house almost every day. I look forward to his arrival; it makes getting out of bed, egggssshausted, with a cold, knowing I have potential tantrums to face & just a required level of energy that is often overwhelming, oddly exciting. He works on my house. For free. No strings attached. I just name it and he does it. (No bedroom closet? No problem. Want a custom built-in shelving unit for the office?  Done! Fireplace? Check. Kitchen Island? Yep, I can do that too. House not big enough for a family of four? Need an add-on? Sure! why not?! Another custom, built-in desk for the new office area? Easy Peasy. And a porch you say you've always wanted? Of course!) And he does it happily and excitedly. (seems too good to be true, huh?). He is transforming an old, very old, dumpy looking shack into my dream home. We talk when he takes breaks about anything and everything that comes to mind just as friends do. We share and hum as we work together to pick up leaves or sweep, or just sit in the shade wile we think or let our minds escape reality for a moment. I smile from ear to ear as I hear him belting out a song of his time as I clean the dishes for the third or fourth time. I feel completely guilty for the time and energy he gives but at the same time, I never want it to end. He makes me feel like a child again, calling me sweetheart at 30 and showering me with love & undeserving gifts at all times. He loves my children and is so, so incredibly good with them. They love him back, in fact, I'm pretty sure he's their favorite person. He is amazingly talented & smart. He's a handsome carpenter whose love knows no end. No, he's not Jesus (but pretty darn close, eh?).
He's my dad.
And he's my friend.
What a very cool, special thing it is to have his company these days (not to mention his incredible labor of love).

Some momentous moments captured today: 

  I love the little "alfalfa" hair sticking up. Bed head, hehe

My pops, my hero.

The porch remodel: End of day 1

A challenging week (recap)

A quick recap since the last post:

Thursday am: Mommy is finally full of energy and healed of her breast infection. Feeling brave and very much in need of some fresh air, we venture out for a good part of the day leisurely enjoying errands, stopping for feedings, potty breaks, snacks and the like. Return home just in time to get pooped on by child #2 followed by vomited on by child #1. After the purging & napping, Daddy & I surmise that Spicy must have eaten something bad based on her intense, normal levels of energy leading up to bedtime. 

Thursday pm: up ever 3 hours due to a fever spiking to 103 degrees. Despite the aches and chills, Spicy decides she is finished, done, over the diapers and wants to go "pee pee in the little toilet" in the  middle.  of.  the.  night.  Between potty runs, fever reducing remedies and nursing, mommy doesn't sleep more than an hour.

Friday am: Mommy is on the phone most of the morning with Aunt Rosie (thank GOD for a nurse in the family) followed by the pediatrician's triage nurse getting questions answered and home care advice as this is the 1st time in 3 yrs we've had a sickness of this degree. We trek to Ralphs by foot (& double stroller) for some fresh air and to buy everything needed to combat the stomach flu bug that has seemed to infiltrate our home.  Day is spent watching many a cartoon, eating lots of jell-o and recovering from an emotionally draining prior night.

Friday pm: Everyone sleeps much better.

Saturday am: Daddy offers to stay home with Spicy so I can get out. Sweets and I meet Auntie Nee-nee for some home decor shopping. Report back is a very fun day on the home front. Spicy is on the mend.

Sunday am: Daddy & I discern Spicy is well enough for church and could use the fresh air and exercise.  Much retraining to be done as Spicy acts as though she has never set foot in a church before and that mommy has not taught her 100 10,000 times to use quiet voices. Daddy and I are exhausted after one hour of disciplinary boot camp, oh I mean, worship. Spicy A is baaaaack. 110%

Sunday pm: Just when I think normalcy has returned, Sweet G begins to cough. And continues to cough.  All.   night.   long.  (although she never cried, Mommy spent most of the night staring into the bright monitor wondering what to do)

Which brings us to today...  Mimi came to pick up Spicy for a special overnight slumber party. Mommy and daddy are excited.  Relieved. Sweet G spends most of the day sleeping while mommy catches her breath and plans for dinner.... 

lack of ideas = a night out enjoying a fine Chinese cuisine!

(There was a cute white-haired couple sitting next to us conversing in a different language: I thought Italian, Dean thought Greek. Anyway, when they walked past us on their way out, the woman put her hand on Dean's shoulder and said "To see a young couple with a baby, and praying is beautiful! You just made my day. That's wonderful!" The man grinned from ear to ear nodding his head in agreement passing by with a "God bless" which in turn made our day!)

   Things I have learned in the past few days:

- I took for granted the blessing of my children's health
- Children are resilient above & beyond my expectations

- Spicy A has a mind of her own. A beautiful mind. One I often take for granted. One I now admire. One in which God used to show me (yet again) that being a mommy is never about convenience nor control (I'm referring mainly to the will of this child to transition to the potty, literally overnight, in the midst of being sick with no accidents to date)

- Sweet is even sweeter when she is sick. 

- My parents are an incredible help and support to us. Oh wait, I already knew that! 
- I can still grow (a lot) in the area of patience

 Here's to a good night's rest. Sweet dreams everyone!

Back to the Basics

Well, we are still very much recovering from the effects of late nights, no schedule and a lovely (words dripping in sarcasm) breast infection. After many a melt down had by all 3 Soto females, the youngest 2 of the bunch teach the old 'hag' (that's certainly how I feel) yet again....As I found myself frustrated with fatigue and impatience that I could not muster the energy to get us dressed and out of the house for one simple, important errand, nor make one room in the house look half-way decent, I had one of those timeless moments staring into the eyes of the innocent babes as they both remind me of what really matters....living in the present moment, enjoying life, even & especially in the most simple, ordinary, necessary tasks of the day such as bathing and eating...

 ....see what I mean! She did this all on her own. How can you not laugh and forget about anything negative with this face?

 ...And this one just pierces me with a feeling of undeserving love with those big, innocent, trusting eyes...

 So as we all regain our strength & build up our immune systems, releasing toxins as fluid seeps from our every pore, we remember that life is a gift, every single day, every single moment!

Father's Day Weekend Extravaganza

This year's Father's Day was more than just a day's celebration. With Tita visiting, it was hard to leave the Emde Resort and miss out on the family fun so....we didn't! Our 2 days and 2 nights of pure joy...

Lots of relaxation in the warm pool soaking in the Vitamin D

Alizea with swim coach, Bapa, learning how to swim! (she didn't start out too brave but over time that changed quite a bit!

And the perk of having Grandpa as swim teacher includes lots of goofing off and taking things at her pace...

Sweet G really impressed us as well with her buoyant floating and not being bothered by lots of water in her face. What a happy baby girl!

And then we got our game faces on because at dusk, the ping pong tournament began...

Day 2 included lots of meal prepping fun sister time in the kitchen....

While pops finally took a well deserved break....

The refined, sophisticated guests of honor:

What a pleasure it was serving our father who has provided, protected and served his family for so many years. Just as it is with our Heavenly Father, I feel we will never be able to give to you, Dad, what you have given to us through your unconditional love in action but we hope you felt special, cherished and extra loved today!

And to my husband, what an incredible, handsome, hard-working, loving daddy you are to our ladies. Whether it be comforting or disciplining, you love with the love of our Father of Lights with so much joy and life! Thank you for growing with me as we learn to be better parents every day! I love you!

Father's Day 2010 (Genevieve - 5 mos; Alizea - 2yrs 11mos)

Sister Sister

This morning, I woke up to this ....

I'll explain...After some snuggly time in my bed with Spicy A, we heard Sweet G moving around on the monitor. Alizea immediately exclaimed screamed "Jenna!" and squirmed her way out of my arms. When I asked "should we go check on her?" she answered "No, I!". "No problema" I thought as I savored my final quiet, relaxing moments covered in my warm down comforter. I knew that all would be fine and all she would or could be doing is climbing up on the bottom rail of the crib to greet Sweet, talking to her in her (adorable) baby voice and tickling her (as she says "keekol, keekol, keekol ) so I took advantage quickly making the bed and getting dressed but I had forgotten that there was a small stool in her room I had used to pull some diapers down from her closet. Naturally, Spicy moved it and climbed right up & in giving Sweet some snuggles of her own. I was slightly scared when I walked in and didn't see her but after seconds of realizing what had happened, my heart was smiling along with my mouth! And with that, Alizea kicked off a wonderful, fun weekend enjoying lots of laughter and love with the blessing of the sisterhood!

Picking up Big sister (aka, Auntita) from the airport :

A 2nd meeting. 

It's hard to believe 5 months has already passed since...

no wonder we were all so very excited to see you, Teets!

And with this...

and this...

we began a very exciting family fun weekend! 

(apparently, you can't start them too young - they are doing online word searches in the thesaurus , not playing games, of course)

A Perfect Score

No, I'm not talking about Lakers star Derek Fisher or Kobe Bryant but an even bigger star in my books, my Alizea Ann! Today, she decided she was done with the diapers for good! 5 times out of 5 attempts, she announced her need to go "pee pee" or "poo poo", she ran to her little toilet, pulled down off her shorts and panties all by herself (when I tried to help, she yelled "No, I do it!")  and each and every time, she did it! She didn't even want the diaper when it was time to go to bed but since I'm not sure she can go the whole night without relieving herself (if she's anything like me, that's asking a lot), it made its way on those adorable cheeks and she cooperatively followed our explanation for the need for protection. 

One of the occasions for success and celebration followed an exciting interaction playing with 2nd cousin, Caleb on the front yard. It seriously shocked me that she left the scene on her own, saying something about "pee pee on the little potty" as she walked right into the house. Before I knew it, she was coming outside again in the nude with a huge open-mouthed smile on her face. I was expecting at least a little trail but to my utter surprise, she had made it to the potty yet again! When I excitedly shared the victorious happenings of the day with Big D, he said "That's just like her; to do it on her terms" with a proud smile of his own! 

Daddy and I are so very proud of YOUR accomplishment, sweetheart. With very little intervention and assistance (I never even asked or prompted you today), you have reached this milestone with your spirit of joy, energy and excitement and 5 weeks ahead of momma's deadline. Way to go, little Miss ;)

Changes all around

Seems as though Sweets is changing her little schedule (loosely used). Not that I have been paying very close attention to any sort of set routine, but I do seem to recall 3 naps up until the last week. Now with solids in the picture (3 times a day mind you, the girl loves to chow) and much more awake time, she's down to just 2 naps with a slightly earlier bedtime. Spicy is also going through changes of her own. Seems as though her only roadblock to being fully potty-trained is muah (as in, mommy, mom, ME!) Every time I let go of the fear of a potential accident and fight the temptation to put on the diaper, she has been successful at communicating her need to go and then actually going (even outside of the house!) It's so exciting. Being my 1st, I get such a sense of pride (& a teensy bit sad) seeing her think, communicate & follow through like such a big girl! It's fun hearing her say "Mommy, I did it!" and then holding her hand up in the air awaiting her 'high five' followed by the 'fist bump' and the 'thumbs up' routine we have established. You are still napping 90% of the time, however, it is normally later in the day & I can see that possibly disappearing soon. Now, if I could get you both back on the same napping times (or at least a 30 minute overlap), that would be glorious. Until then, I'm one wiped out momma bouncing back and forth for 12+ hours during the day with not much silent solo time while there is still sunlight out. 

But I still L.O.V.E. my new job. Maybe a slight demotion going from pitching charts to a room full of  brilliant engineers and managers to scrubbing toilets but oh such a wonderful trade-off to see the most angelic faces all day long who constantly love on me with smiles and hugs and kisses and "i love you's". Oh, and I got to stay in my sweats ALL day (today's act of not dressing was a conscious decision, other times, not so much) and play under the sun and picnic in the beautiful breezy shade!

For the corresponding visual:

This...

Makes this....

A pleasure...  

(**side-note for documenting purposes** While I was sneaking in some household duties, Spicy sneakily found the camera, turned it on and started snapping away, catching my hard work, while I thought she was working on puzzles and doing imaginary play with all of her stuffed animals. I had no idea until I was reviewing the pictures tonight and got a good laugh. Thanks for capturing my under-appreciated labor of love, sweetheart!)

 On the home front, many changes are taking place as well. We're quickly shifting gears from the fun, not too serious planning/research phase to the very challenging decision-making stage. Thanks to DE's dedication & leadership on this project & very hard work (with 100%STUD's financial contribution), we now have a professionally designed plan complete with soft-scape details such as names of plants and flowers recommended to compliment our house style and ideas. We've come a long way in a short time.

From this: 

To this...

Blogging will remain a little sketchy as the next week has me spending a lot of time here:

choosing the roof color, house (stucco) color, concrete color, planter cap color, decorative foam styles, water fountain styles, oh yeah and feeding 3 mouths, wiping 3 bottoms and squeezing in some Zzzzz's here and there! 

(PS -  I'm pretty sure Mother Mary is also the Queen of design and decor as she has been with me every step of the way helping me juggle motherly, wifely, house project and spiritual affairs while maintaining my sanity and peace of mind!)

Happy 75th Birthday G.G.

Although we missed the "SURPRISE!!!!!!!" moment (by just a few minutes), in which 30+ people jumped out from behind 'the beast' (Uncle Tom & Aunt Cheryl's  very large & very luxurious RV), I heard Grandma Gloudeman (aka, Grandma, Granny or G.G.) was utterly surprised, shaking with shock as tears of joy ran down her face. What an incredible day. Lots of fun, laughter, hugs, sunshine, catching up, football, frisbee, volleyball, sand castle building, grilling, celebrating.  At the end of the day when we got in the van and realized it was after 8pm, we could hardly believe we had spent over 6 hours at Newport Bay. The time flew by. We completely enjoyed, in the words of Matthew Kelly, care-free timelessness.

Grandma in heaven with great-grandchild #2

Daddy & Alizea hard at work

Other highlights:

(from left to right: lovebirds, Nicole & Justin, TJ showing off his spiral throw, Spicy A & me (of course), Jacob Levi Gloudeman, the newest member of the family at just 8 wks old, and Brett serving an ace)

And the group shot (which included the 7 children (+ 1 looking down from heaven), 14 grandchildren & 2 great-grandchildren, not to mention 9 spouses & 1 other relative

*When I was saying good-bye to Grandma, I asked her how it felt having all her "chickadees" (Bapa's word to describe a momma's children of any age) together, at one time, with her? She got choked up and said "and to think I was an only child." I smiled and said "yeah, that huge group picture is because of your sacrifice of love. She smiled back and said "and now it keeps going and going and growing"

Happy 75 years of life G.G. What a beautiful gift you are and what a blessing this family is!

Sitting up (A comparison)

For the record, this is not, I repeat, NOT the beginning of a trend of comparing amongst the sisters (or future siblings, for that matter). Just a fun, little flashback from the past....

Alizea, at a little over 4 months, sitting up for the 1st time:

Genevieve, at a little over 5 months, sitting up for the 1st time:

Although spicy A's sausage arms had a tad more strength a bit sooner, sweet G did something that has never been done in the Soto lineage. From a 'lying on her back' position, reaching and twisting, she lifted her outside arm, then leg, rolling over completely to her belly and then pushing herself up in a crawling stance. She is also very much on the move scooting on her back by digging her heels in the ground and even showing clear signs of early crawling! Uh Oh momma, I see an extremely mobile little tot in the very near future. Your lazy days are numbered. 
TGIF!

Adjusting

I was reminded late last night after being away from home for the past 4 days of something that I do not enjoy doing.  unpacking . Even though I left the house squeaky clean and not a dirty sock left behind and even though the house was in the same condition upon return (much appreciated, Big D), it still took most all of today to unload the van, unpack clothes and lots of sorting and organizing since the gathering-up process consisted of stuffing everything from clothes to books to phone chargers (which I still can't locate) into various bags of all sizes or straight into the van in a rush to keep sleeping babies.... well, asleep! 

So my day consisted of emptying bags of leftover stale snacks, broken crayons, dirty burp cloths and sunscreen, refilling empty wipe containers, oh yes, and attacking those 4 loads of laundry that had accumulated in just 4 days... and well, lots of adjusting by all. Adjusting to soft, quiet, still beds to nap in rather than the bumpy car seats with lots of "white noise", that is, the 3 generation of Lizardi-Emde-Soto women yapping away. Adjusting to bouncers and lots of tummy time rather than warm, soothing, loving, welcoming arms. Adjusting to more independent play rather than leading a circle of fans in the lawnmower dance (imagine an 82-year-old, white-haired Grandpa mimicking a 3-year-old doing this...hysterical!). Adjusting to juggling the needs of the girls, the house, the hubby dinner, and the needs of myself. (All this talk of adjusting reminds me that I haven't been to the chiropractor in months and could use a good adjustment right now.)  Anyway, I digress. And since we were all a little "off", why not change up the eating/sleeping schedule of Miss G by introducing solids for the 1st time!?! A tad shy of 6 months, but the idea of weaning and breastfeeding less than every 3 hours for at least 5 times a day was all too tempting. So, we went straight to the good stuff. Seems as though she is just about as fond of peas as her Bapa is...

The watering eyes, scrunched brows and flared nostrils say it all.

But, for some special time with cousins sharing about parenthood, for lots of great research for the exterior remodel project (which included many an adventure up dirt roads and dusty trails with, don't forget, 2 kids under 3), and for lots of time with a holy, absolutely adorable couple, the adjusting was well worth it. Some of our highlights since the last post:

Surprise visit from Auntie K one last time before the big take-off :

2nd cousins:

And the mommies:

Beautiful Emma and adorable little "Dogo":

And the gals who make every experience a complete joy!

 **Some random side comments** 

Although this won't ever capture the emotion I felt upon hearing it, I must document something that made my heart skip a beat today.  Sweet G was fussing in her bouncer. Alizea piped up on her own accord: "Don't worry Jenna. I'll be right here next to you, eating my lunch" then proceeded to get up from her desk, walk over to her and give her a big hug and kiss. Ahhhh! The compassion and mature sensitivity in this girl blows me away every time! You have such a special, loving, pure heart and you are an incredible gift from God, Alizea.
I was reminded today... there is definitely only 1 baby remaining in the household.

And, because I'm sure I will look back on this when I'm a much more experienced, seasoned mom of 4 or 5 (or 6) and laugh...  So 5 months later, I discovered that the black spot in Genevieve's belly button was not, in fact, a permanent birth mark....I know, I know....Gross!