A little note from me

My mommy moment

2011-06-03T23:41:00.000-07:00

One thing I really dislike is that as a photographer I am always behind the camera. Which means I don't get to be in any pictures with my girls that often. I decided to fix that problem. For mother's day, I wanted to have new pictures with me and my girls. So I set up a back drop, a tripod, and pulled out the wireless remote and made my own version of a photo booth. Not only did we get pictures together, but we had fun doing it. And these pictures are my most prized possessions now.

Letter to Azure

2011-06-03T23:07:00.000-07:00

Dear Azure,

What an adventure you are.

You keep me on my toes. You keep me guessing your next move. You keep running faster and faster to prevent me from catching you.

You are growing too big.

Whenever I try to pick you up I forget how heavy you are. And that you barely fit in my lap. You have grown so much. I know that in no time you will pass me up.

How beautiful you are. Your eyes, your hair, you sweet smile.

Your cute little poses when you dance. Your "up to no good" grins.

Your knock knock jokes.

Knock knock. Who's there? Justin.

Justin who? Justin Bieber.

You made that one up all on your own.

How smart you are. Reading words. Writing words. Dressing yourself. Brushing your own hair and teeth.

It makes me want to cry.

My baby is not a baby anymore.

You are ready for school. You ask every day if today is the day that you will get to go to school. You want to learn and play with your friends. You want to pack a lunch and wear a backpack. You want to start soccer and dance lessons. You want to have a life that separate from home and me.

And you know what? That's okay.

We have had some fun times together, you and me. We've had many adventures, going to play dates, the beach, the circus, ice skating, picnics, museums. We've cooked and baked and scrap booked. We've tickled, we've laughed, we've cried, we've yelled and argued and disagreed.

And now we are ready for more.

Only this time, we get to do the big girl activities.

So while I cherish every moment I've had in the last five years, I also cherish what we will have in the next five years. Because it will be amazing. And fun. And the best years of my life, just because I know you will be in it.

You are beautiful. Don't ever think you aren't. You have what it takes inside. Make it count.

I know you will.

I love you.

Claire

2011-04-12T08:05:00.000-07:00

Dear Claire,

Time flies. For me, it feels like the speed of light. In the blink of an eye you grew. Every moment seems like a blur. Every hug, kiss, smile etched into my heart.

I am amazed at the things you've already accomplished in your life.

I am amazed at the wisdom and light in your eyes.

I am amazed by your selflessness.

I am amazed at how you love, wholeheartedly, freely, without expectations.

I am amazed by your pure innocence.

I am amazed at your ability to make people smile and laugh.

I am amazed at how fast you learn and with enthusiasm.

I am amazed at how well you listen and understand.

I am amazed at how spiritually in tune you are.

I am amazed by your independence, always wanting to do things on your own.

I am amazed by how you light up a room by just being in it.

You are radiant.

You are amazing.

You are you.

Never change.

I cherish every hug, every kiss, every smile, every moment of every day.

I am privileged to be your mother.

I am honored to call you my daughter.

I couldn't be more proud.

What I learned from 2010

2011-01-11T16:46:00.000-08:00

It's 2011.
Seriously. Time has once again flown by me and I didn't even notice. It's now eleven days into the new year and I'm just now getting to update the blog. I meant to write this before the new year, but what can I say? Procrastinator is my middle name. Or at least it should be.

I can honestly say that I didn't enjoy 2010 as much as I wanted to. In fact, without going through my hordes of pictures, I can hardly remember anything about it. But here were a few of my highlights:

I improved a lot on my photography.

It was one of my goals for the year, to improve on what I did know and to learn what I didn't know. And though I can't say I'm perfect and can get a great picture every time, I have improved. I'm quite proud of myself for that.

I learned new recipes and in doing so have found a lot of easy shortcuts to good dinners.
Google is my best friend. Any time I want to make something, but in dummy language( without the overwhelming list of ingredients or 60 minute prep times,) I google for an easier version and I can usually find a good one 98% of the time. Google and I are best friends.

We had an awesome trip to Mesa.

We did a lot of activities with the girls while we were there and had a blast. Museums, swimming, the zoo. Spending time with family and friends wasn't bad either.

Azure and Claire both had swim lessons.

It was Azure's first time alone in her lessons. Thank goodness, one of our former babysitters, Missy was her swim teacher. She freaked out the first day when they wanted her to go under water. But she was a trooper and did great. Claire freaked out when the teachers took her swimming around the pool without me. My kids have a lot of learning to do in swim still, but I'm glad that they made an effort.

Claire was potty trained and sleeps in a big girl bed.
No more diapers! No more crib!

So, there are some memories that didn't fly by without touching me, and I'm excited for the new year and what memories I can make this year.

Here is what I learned during 2010:

Babies grow up. I don't have one anymore. That's kind of sad to me.

Whoever said four year olds were better than three year olds and were nicer and had less attitude, LIED.

Having a puppy is like having a baby, only twice as stressful. You can take a baby to the grocery store, but you can't take a dog. We do miss Molly, but I don't miss the stress of having to rush through errands to get home to be with her. I know she is happy in her new home.

Some things are just better homemade.

I have very awesome family and friends who step up to help and support without even asking.

I am stronger than I think.

When I rely on the Lord, all things are possible.

Asking to learn patience is a stupid thing because life just gets harder. But the blessings are worth it.

Miracles happen. Even to me.

After twenty nine years of life, I still have a lot more left to learn.

So here's to 2010, a year of lessons taken to heart.

One of my goals for 2011- to be a better blogger. I suck at blogging. I'm not sure why because I love to write. I love to jot down what I'm feeling or thinking. Perhaps that is why I love facebook so much. It is constantly asking "what is on your mind?" I love to say what is on my mind.

In order for me to keep up with my blog, I have to schedule my posts on my calendar. Stupid I know. But I will forget otherwise. I also think it will be easier if I share a new recipe I tried and liked every week or a craft I want to learn. At least people will benefit from my posts that way. It will also help me to kep track of my many other goals for 2011.
So stay tuned. I'm not going to just survive 2011. I'm gonna own it!

25 Things I Am Thankful For

2010-11-24T19:34:00.000-08:00

Every year, in the month of November, I try to think of at least one thing I am thankful for every day. It gets harder toward the end and I have to get creative about my blessings. It also helps me to remember how much I truly have in this life, even if it's small. Sometimes the small things are really the greatest blessings.

1. I am thankful for the family I was born into, the family I married into, and the family I have created. They all bring me joy and happiness...most of the time.

2. I am thankful for a husband that works so hard so I can stay home with our kids.

3. I am thankful for the strong and loving supportive friends that take such good care of me. Friends like that are rare and I'm glad to have them.

4. I am thankful for the Gospel of Jesus Christ and the peace it gives me to know I will be with my family forever.

5. I am thankful for facebook because my friends make me feel so special and loved on my birthday.

6. I am thankful for blankets that keep me warm on cold nights.

7. I am thankful that I have a Granny that loves to babysit. I don't know what I'd do without her!

8. I am thankful my husband has a job so that we can pay our bills.

9. I am thankful for my mom that still takes such good care of me. My mom is the best!

10. I am thankful for men and women brave enough to defend my country so my family and I can live fearless lives and be free to choose without punishment.

11. I am thankful for a mostly health body. I could have so many more things wrong with me, but I am blessed that it's all minor stuff that won't affect my life.

12. I am thankful my dad got me into photography. It's so nice to see the world's beauty through different eyes.

13. I am thankful that I live in a country where I can freely worship God however I want to without consequence.

14. I am thankful that I have a car that can take me places. It would be hard to get around without one, especially with two little kids.

15. I am thankful for the little things that bring such great blessings.

16. I am thankful for the sunlight that warms the earth. I wouldn't know what to do if I lived some where without sun and warmth.

17. I am thankful for prayer. It's nice to know that someone cares about me and is listening.

18. I am thankful for rain. It means I don't have to water my lawn and I can spend the afternoon cuddled up with a book and blanket and take a little time out for me.

19. I am thankful for friends who take us to Disneyland for a day of fun.

20. I am thankful for a helpful four year old who decided to pour a bowl of cereal and milk for her and her sister so I could lay in bed a few more minutes.

21. I am thankful for laughter. It brings happiness and smiles, it lightens your load, and is truly the best medicine for any type of ailment.

22. I am thankful for the gift of hearing and sound. Because tonight I've enjoyed hearing two little girls laughing with their daddy and it's a wonderful sound.

23. I am thankful for the gift of sight. Without it, I wouldn’t be able to see my husbands loving eyes, my kids beautiful smiles, and a world full of fascinating colors and wonders.

24. I am thankful for the gift of touch. Without it, I wouldn't be able to feel hugs and kisses, soft blankets, warm fires, or the rain on my face.

25. I am thankful to live another day to be thankful.

Here are the latest pictures of the girls. Pictures of the whole family will come soon.

The Summer of Change

2010-09-07T22:43:00.000-07:00

This Summer has brought big changes for our family. I can't say that I was ready for them, although most were on my list of goals to accomplish. I feel good that I was able to get so many things done in one summer. And really, it was all the kids doing. They changed a ton. And I wasn't expecting that either.

This summer, Azure moved from a toddler bed to a twin bed. It makes me sad to see how big she's gotten just in a few weeks. She's grown two to three inches this summer, which sent her out of the baby toddler section and into the big girls section. She also grew a whole shoe size! One of my favorite changes about her is that she is learning to read words, tell time, and is really good at telling me directions and the places we are going to and the things that are next to it.
Azure has also taken it upon herself to remind me to clean her ears. She had her ears pierced just after mother's day and she has been pretty responsible about making sure I remember to clean them and she leaves them alone. She has gotten really independent about getting her own snacks out of the fridge for her and Claire and she is sleeping in her room more often than not now. I am really excited for that. She learned to do some back floats in swim lessons and is less afraid of the water now. She is looking forward to school in the fall.

Claire has had some major changes this summer. She is now potty trained and has no more diapers or pull ups! I think this was my favorite one. We are now living in a diaper free home! Because she was potty training, we also took down the crib and put it away and she inherited Azure's toddler bed. That was a sad moment because I realized I had no baby anymore and it broke my heart. To top that off, we decided to sell the toddler bed since we had gotten bunk beds from my parents and got the bottom bunk ready for her. Claire is thrilled though and she adjusted really well to her new bed. She loves that she can get in and out by herself and that her bed is now like sisters big bed. She also enjoyed her swim lessons and learned to not be afraid of the water and swimming with other people. She was a bit scared at first, but soon was used to the teachers. She loved singing songs in the water.

One of the biggest changes is our new puppy Molly! Molly is a 3 month old Chihuahua terrier mix. She is really sweet and playful. She still has a lot of training to do, because she listens just about as well as the girls( which is almost never...)and she is a puppy. But as a dog owner starting out, I can definitely say that I am relieved that it has been as easy as bringing a new toy home for the kids.
Azure loves her and loves to take her out and play with her and always wants to put the leash on her to walk her. She will scold Molly if she sees her doing something she shouldn't. She has also gotten better at picking up her toys so the dog doesn't chew on them and that is a big difference because my house has stayed cleaner longer.
Claire is still adjusting. She is a bit jealous of the dog at times because Molly likes to sit in my lap. She is still a baby and Claire still thinks she is one too. But she is gradually warming up to the idea of having a little dog in the house.
I think the biggest surprise for me is Fernando. He was very opposed to the idea of having a dog for a long time until this summer. He started warming up to the idea and then just decided it was okay for us to get one. Of course, I had to find one right away because I was afraid he would change his mind. I found Molly on craigslist and was able to get her right away. It's been a challenge to have a new baby in the house, but there are times when she is just so cute it makes me smile.

One of our new favorite excursions is hiking to the lake. Both girls are big enough to walk without the stroller. We park the car at Brackett airport and walk the path to the lake and let the girls feed the ducks. The girls get excited when we take them and we love taking them because it wears them out. It's a great family activity for us.

I can now say that I have accomplished my summer goal of getting Claire potty trained and organizing the house a bit more. I've been making it a goal to throw out a box of junk once a month. Watching the TV show Hoarders is really helping me with that because I don't want to be like those people who have tons of junk and can't walk anywhere. I'm a very claustrophobic person and I can't stand tight spaces. I've also been trying to continue working on my New Years resolutions of learning to cook better, working on starting a photography business, and learn to play guitar. I've done well on the first two, not so good on the last one.

Fernando and I are really excited that we are getting a new sister in law, Tricia. Fernando's brother Danny recently became engaged and the wedding is set for the end of October. We are looking forward to the many fun events that will be happening in the fall and I've already decided that losing ten pounds before the wedding is my fall goal.

So goodbye summer! It's be a very eventful ride!

Ten little things that made my Mother’s Day Special

2010-05-10T19:39:00.000-07:00

1. Hubby made me French toast. At least, he tried to. I woke up to a smoke filled house, windows open, and a plate full of a sloppy, yet burnt pile of what was supposed to be toast. He told me, “I am totally messing this up. I give up.” And he turned it off.

2. After giving the girl’s regular cups to drink their milk out of, Claire of course dropped hers. In her saddened voice, with a sad, sad face, she told me, “Mommy, I sorry.” She helped me clean it up with paper towels. I had to hug her for that.

3. Azure got to sing with the Primary. It is her first year and even though she didn’t really sing, it made me feel special to see her up there in honor of me. And to top that, Claire wanted to sing even though nursery kids don’t go up, she went anyway. I loved every second.

4. Azure gave her very first talk in Primary. I helped her. It was about Mothers. I must admit, I talked myself up a bit. Wouldn’t you?

5. I received a Tulip from the Primary kids. Actually, it was half a tulip because some of the petals were missing. But at least I can say I got a flower today. They also made the cutest cards shaped like purses for me. I love them.

6. While the kids were napping, I sat and read. I have been so busy lately that I haven’t had to time to just sit and indulge in a good book. It was bliss.

7. I took the cutest interview video of Azure who talked the whole time about her upcoming wedding to a certain little boy. Apparently she has every detail planned out down to the name of their firstborn daughter, (no, it can’t be a boy) Cinderella. I don’t know if this boy will agree to that, or any of her plans, but it gave me a good laugh.

8. Family dinner at mom’s. Always an adventure there, but when you get to spend time with your mom and sister in law on Mother’s day and chat about random things, it’s even better.

9. Strawberry shortcake. Need I say more?

10. The kids reminded me about family prayer before they went to bed. Not only that, but they went to bed without complaint and I was able to finish the last bit of my book.

Although these are small and simple things, they are great things to me. One thing I did notice was that my girls were so sweet and it was nice to just have a peaceful day with no arguing, whining, fighting, screaming, hitting and so forth. It was a great day and I’m grateful to all who made it special for me. I am honored to be a Wife and Mother. It’s days like this that make it worth it all.

A New and Easy Recipe

2010-05-02T14:51:00.001-07:00

so my neighbor( thanks Caitlin) is such a doll and shared this really easy dinner recipe. Even Fernando commented that he liked it. And if he likes it, it must be good. So I just wanted to pass on the good stuff to you!

Cheddar chicken-serves 4

16 Ritz crackers, crushed
6 oz cheddar cheese, grated
1tsp(ish) garlic salt
4 boneless skinless chicken breasts
4 Tbs butter, melted

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a bowl, combine Ritz crackers, cheese and garlic salt.
2. Dip the chicken in the butter making sure to cover both sides in butter, then dip it into the crumb mixture making sure to cover both sides, press down gently so it is sure to adhere. Place breaded chicken on a foil lined baking sheet.
3. Sprinkle any remaining cracker mixture on top of the chicken and drizzle any reaming butter on top as well. Bake until the chicken is golden brown and cooked through, 25-30 minutes.

*The original recipe suggests you serve with rice pilaf and green beans. It was good with those!

Letter to Azure

2010-04-28T22:58:00.000-07:00

Dear Azure,

I think I may be in denial about how old you really are. The older you get, the older I get. I have to say, though, that the last four years have been quite an adventure.

I have to tell you, I knew from the beginning, when you were in my belly, what kind of a person you would be. When I would poke at you, you kicked back. When I read to you and then stopped, you would go crazy in my belly until I started to read to you again. You always knew what you wanted and how to get it. You don't mess around with nonsense. You see what you want and you go after it.

Every time I watch you with people, I notice how you are a leader. You show people what to do and how to do it your way. I know this will come in handy for you when you are older. I can see how your leadership will influence those around you because you lead with kindness. I see how you behave with you sister most times and how you treat your friends. I watched you once, running with your friends at preschool. When Claire tripped and fell, you stopped to help her up and give her a hug. All of your friends stopped running and watched you. All of the moms were impressed and wanted to know how I had taught you to love your sister and the truth is- I didn't. You are a naturally loving person. You love and you lead. And you always do it by example. You have taught me so much just by your loving and kind soul. I couldn't have asked for a better first child.

I want you to know that even when there is a lot of drama going on between us and we are butting heads all the time, I still love you. I love you even when you don't listen or follow directions. I am trying to listen to you because I know that you understand things as a child that sometimes and adult can't understand. Because you are my first child, I feel like I am learning with you and I hope that I don't fail you as a mother and make mistakes. I want you to stick with your education and expand your knowledge of the world and everything in it. I want the Gospel to be a huge part of your life and I hope that you will always stick with your values and morals and be an example to everyone with them.

I promise that I will do my best to be the best mom you could ask for, even if it means that I have to tell you no to keep you safe, or if I tell you to do something that I want you to finish, or even if it means not going out with that yucky guy. Remember, I am doing it all out of love.

With all my heart,
Mom

Azure's Birthday

2010-04-28T22:36:00.000-07:00

Azure wanted a Princess and the Frog theme for her birthday. I was excited to add in a few Mardi Gras decorations since that is the setting of the movie. I was a bit disappointed that it had rained the day before and the outside was wet so I had to move it inside. I decorated as best I could with streamers, beads, foil stars, lily pads and gold coins. Each girl got a tiny tiara to wear and the kids had a choice of decorating a mask or a sword. I also bought an inflatable alligator "Louis" just like the movie had. I think that was the one thing that the kids enjoyed the most. Despite being stuck indoors, Azure had a great time playing with her friends and celebrating her birthday.

Letter to Claire

2010-03-30T19:43:00.000-07:00

Dear Claire,

How time flies.
I can't believe you are already two years old. It really seems like yesterday that you were just born. I can still remember fresh in my memory how you smiled as you were placed on my chest, how I cried and covered you in kisses.
You had quite a struggle those first few months, being fussy and colicky. You were always so demanding at times; always wanting to be held and bounced and rocked. I never thought I would make it through, but I did. I truly believe that it has brought us closer together and at a better understanding with each other. I can still see the demand in your personality as you try to grow and become more independent and the frustration that comes over you when you realize it's harder than you thought. I admire your perseverance through the struggles you have faced thus far and I hope you never lose that quality because it will take you far in life.
I love you quirkiness, your silliness, your coy little smile. I love how you love to share with people, and learn, and try new things. I love that you love fruits and vegetables and I don't have to fight with you to brush your teeth. I love that you love your sister and are best friends. I love that you listen( most of the time) and that you follow directions to the best of your ability. I love that when I look into your eyes, I see Heaven; a window to your soul; Eternity.
What a blessing you are in my life.
My daughter, I am grateful for you and the joy you bring to my life every day. I am also grateful for the turmoil you bring because it teaches me patience, tolerance, and love. I can already see the fun you and your sister will have wreaking havoc on me when you are teenagers. I can't wait to see what kind of adventures we go on together.
Claire, I want you to know that I love you. Even on the worst of days, when I can't just live one more minute with your whining, crying, screaming, demanding self, I still love you. I love who you are and what you will someday become. Please stay true to yourself. Don't listen to other people or let them make decisions for you. You know who you are and what is best for you. Sometimes the right choice may be the hardest choice, but in the end you will grow with the experience if you choose right. Follow your dreams and goals in life because I know, just from being with you for the last two years, that you will go far and succeed if you stay focused on what is important in life and fight for your right to have it. Know that I will try my best to help you along the way and that I am here for you and that I will do anything in my power to help you reach the stars. I will do it.
For you a thousand times over,
Mom

Claire's 2nd Birthday

2010-03-30T19:04:00.000-07:00

Claire's birthday was celebrated last Friday. Since she loves Mickey Mouse, we decided to do a Mickey Mouse picnic in the front yard. I like to make everything as easy as possible for myself, so I bought a lot of outdoor toys and got the kiddie pool from my moms for water play. I made mac and cheese, hot dogs, fruit, pretzels and juice for lunch. The kids were really happy with the choice of lunch and most all of the kids went straight to water play. The moms were able to visit.

Thanks to my mom who decorated the cake, it was a huge hit. The sand is made of graham cracker crumbs and the mickey and minnie figurines were given to me by my sister in law( Thanks Adriana!!) The bigger kids chose whether they wanted a brown or blue piece of cake. Claire enjoyed her gifts and everything ended right in time for nap! It was a great success for a friday morning!

Girls Afternoon Out

2010-03-14T22:39:00.000-07:00

On Saturday I went with Fernando's mom and sister to his cousins house. All the girls were meeting together and having lunch. It was a fun afternoon and I enjoyed visiting with them. Azure and Claire were able to play with their cousin Natalie which they enjoyed. They can't wait to see her again.

Azure's Field Trip Day

2010-03-10T21:53:00.000-08:00

Yesterday, Azure had her first field trip. She didn't leave the school, but did get to go outside. It was safety week and they were learning about fire safety. One of the parents happened to work for the La Verne Fire Dept and so they came and talked to the class.
The Captain saw their stop drop and roll hats and reviewed that.

One of the firefighters dressed up in his gear so the kids could see. Some of the kids cried and were scared.

Azure was a little wide eyed, but she remained calm. Claire hid in her sisters lap, but she didn't cry. The firefighters assured them that it was a regular person and after demonstrating what each piece of gear did, the kids were more relaxed.

Afterward, we took the kids out to see the truck. It was cold and windy outside and a lot of the kids were shivering.

The Captain showed them how the ladder moved up and down on the truck and the how the hose was packed on the truck, all the gears, and then they let the kids walk through the cab of the truck.

About half the kids refused and some started to cry again. But I was able to watch as Azure and even Claire volunteered to go through. I think Uncle Ben would be proud.

I was really happy that the girls were able to be a part of the day. They learned new things and showed Azure's class how brave they were. And they didn't forget to mention that Uncle Ben's fire truck isn't red, it's yellow!

Oh and By the Way

2010-02-23T22:43:00.000-08:00

I started a blog for my photography. I finally decided to just take the plunge and make something of myself as much as I can. I'm not to worried about it because if people like what they see and are interested then they will make a point of using me. I put images that I've been taking on the blog for them to see my work. I've had people ask, but I've always uploaded my images to facebook and not everyone has a facebook account.
I also ordered business cards for those who are really interested. I don't think I will be doing weddings any time soon, but I am feeling pretty comfortable with portraits and family pictures, which is what I originally wanted to do. The problem is that I've noticed that a lot of my local friends and peers have been taking up photography as well and it almost feels like a competition. This motivates me to practice and become better, but it does instill a little bit of fear that I will never be good enough. For now, I will keep on snapping pictures and learn from my mistakes.

http://jhpphoto.blogspot.com/

What the New Year Brings

2010-02-23T22:04:00.000-08:00

Well so far the New Year has been productive. My brother Tama came home from his mission. It was so exciting to see him walking up the arrival ramp with my mom and dad. The three nieces had matching I love Uncle Tama shirts and it was an emotional moment for me to hug him. After he was released, we went to Islands for his first meal home. The cheddar fries were amazing. I know he loved them.

In February, I started a diet. It's been a long road, but I am determined to lose 20 lbs by summer. I started off by doing a 1200 calorie diet. I did lose three lbs in four days, but I was starving all the time. So I switched over to a high protein, low carb low sugar diet. This diet was great at first and I was really motivated to do it, but now I've begun to lose my drive. I've lost 7lbs in the last four weeks and I feel great. I have more energy and I feel lighter. I haven't really started exercising and that is my next goal to add to the diet. I think if I had been more strict with the diet I would be losing more. But I have cheated a little here and a little there and so the losing process is slow. But I'm 1/3 of the way done and hopefully I can get past my goal of 20 lbs and get all the way to 30. But I am hopeful that incorporating exercise will help a lot.

We have also been working on getting Azure into modeling and acting. We have met with a company that scouted us out at the LA county fair. They seem legitimate and we are excited to see what comes of this experience. Azure is also excited, though I don't think she understands what it really means. I hope it works out for a while. I really would like for her to be able to earn money for college.

Christmas Dresses

2010-01-26T22:43:00.000-08:00

Fernando and I had take the girls to the mall where we found some Christmas dresses on sale. So he let them pick out a dress for the upcoming holiday. Claire absolutely insisted on the green dress even though I tried to convince her to take a deep royal blue. Azure picked out a "Cinderella" dress. It was absolutely gorgeous. I loved it even more because the sale made it affordable.
I took an afternoon and set up the equipment to take some pictures of them in their dresses. They loved to pose for the camera and spin and dance with each other. Allie came over later and we had fun getting all three of them to cooperate. It was no easy task, but we were happy that they looked so so cute!

Christmas Eve

2010-01-26T10:38:00.000-08:00

I know it's past Christmas, but I wanted to share. I took these pictures on Christmas Eve. The girls were sitting outside looking for Santa's sleigh in the sky. They were so excited for him to come. The sun was nearly set and I went to grab the camera to get a couple pictures of them. Sometimes, when I have a hard day or I find it hard to go on with my life, I look at these pictures and remember my two little girls that believed in someone that night. I think about how their eyes twinkled and they laughed and were so excited. And in those few minutes on the front porch of our house, all was peaceful. Peace and love are the greatest of all gifts. And they were mine that night.
I believe in Santa Claus.

News Flash

2009-11-20T17:19:00.000-08:00

For the last two weeks, during bath time, I've been sitting Claire on the toilet, just so she can get used to the feel and I tell her what she is doing and supposed to be doing. She's been watching Azure as well. Today, she actually peed on the toilet for the first time. That may not mean much to anyone, but I had to write down this moment so I wouldn't forget. One step closer to a diaper free kid!!!

Carving pumpkins

2009-11-02T15:54:00.000-08:00

On Halloween morning, I took the girls out in the backyard to carve their pumpkins. Azure was really excited, but Claire didn't care. I cut open the first pumpkin and showed Azure what was inside. I explained to her that we had to clean it all out before we made the face on the pumpkin. She was excited to help.
I gave her a spoon and she was able to get a handlful of seeds out before she told me, "This is gross, mom. Really disgusting!" And she gave up.
So I got to finish cleaning and then carving the faces. But Azure was so happy when she saw the finished product.

Halloween celebrations

2009-11-02T15:47:00.000-08:00

Here are some of the pictures from our fun weekend. Azure celebrated Halloween at school with a big party and singing for the parents. We made cookies to take in for her classmates. She was very sweet to let Claire sit with her during singing time even though the other kids didn't want to. Later on, she was lucky enough to spend a few minutes playing with her best boy friend Elijah!

On Friday afternoon, we went to Mamie's work to trick or treat. We met new friends and got lots of candy. Even Allie dressed up for the festivities. She made such a cute fairy!

We tried to get a good photo of Mamie and the girls, but no one cooperated. This is the best we got.

Azure corrects her Teacher

2009-09-17T13:28:00.000-07:00

On the first day of school, I noticed when I picked Azure up from class that her teacher called her Ay-zure. She used a long "A" instead of a short one, like the A in Apple. On the way home, I asked her if her teacher had gotten her name wrong. She said "Yes, but my name isn't Ay-zure."
I told her, " Well you need to tell your teacher that your name is Azure. But say it nicely." I didn't think about it again until I dropped her off. I reminded her that it was okay to tell the teacher how to say her name in case the teacher got it wrong. She nodded, but didn't say anything.
When I picked her up from class today, I hear the teacher say, "Your mom is here, Azure. Have a good day!" As soon as we got to the car, I asked her what she had told her teacher. She said, " She said Ay-zure and I said, no that's not my name. My name is Azure."
I asked her if her teacher said anything else and she said, "No, but my name is Azure now."
I am so proud of her to have the courage to step up and say something to her teacher. Usually, I am the one who does the talking for her and telling people how her name is pronounced, but this time I wanted her to do it herself. I don't want her to be afraid to speak up or to always depend on me to do things for her. So far, school has been a learning experience for both of us, and I'm really noticing how grown up she really is!

Azure's first day of Pre-school

2009-09-15T14:24:00.000-07:00

Today Azure went to her first day of preschool. I had gone to the store the night before to buy her a fisrt day of school outfit. It was something my parents had always done and I wanted her to feel special with a new outfit. Tania met me at Target and we settled on a cute dress.Azure was awake at 5 am. She couldn't sleep so I let her lay with me in bed and hoped that she would fall asleep. She tossed and turned for about an hour before falling asleep. I had to go and wake her at 8 am so she wouldn't be late for school. She was so excited to see her pretty new dress and only ate about half of her breakfast before she wanted to put it on and get ready. She told me she wanted her hair pulled back and wear a pink hair clip.When we got to the school, I let her out of her seat and she immediately said "Bye Mom!" and started to walk away. I had to tell her that I needed to walk her to the door. She was a big help and held Claire's hand and her emergency kit. We were a little early and we were able to watch other kids come around. On the table next to her class there were name tag necklaces with all the kids names on it. We found hers, and she was happy to wear it.

The teacher, Miss Jackey, came to open the door and smiled really big. Azure was the first to walk right in without hesitating. She handed over her emergency kit and I gave the snack and picture to her teacher and followed her straight to a little play castle. She had seen it at orientation the week before and wanted to play with it so badly. It was on a table so she went straight to play with it. She saw me still standing there and she said, " Bye Mom, get out!" I was so surprised that she just wanted me to leave her so quickly. I told her to give me and Claire a kiss which she did. And then she said "You have to leave now." And she went back to playing. A little saddened by her actions, I turned and walked out. The teacher told me it was a good thing, that at least she wasn't crying. I had to agree.
As I drove home, I shed a few tears, not because my child was in school, but because I was a little sad that she dismissed me so quickly. But I was over it when I got home and noticed how quiet it was.

Claire had a hard morning. She walked from room to room looking for Azure and sometimes crying. She didn't have anyone to play with and she missed her sister. She was really happy when it was time to pick her up. We had gotten there a few minutes early and she cried because they wouldn't open the door fast enough for her to get to her sister.

Azure made a new friend named Sophia. Miss Jackey said that they became friends fast and played with each other all morning. They were even able to sit next to each other at the table when it was time to be picked up. She was excited to show me her calendar and can't wait until she goes back on Thursday.

I'm so proud of her. She really was ready for school and I'm glad that she is able to go. She has looked forward to this day for a long time. It saddens me that she is even old enough for this. It seems like it passed too quickly for me. I can't wait to see what she learns this year at school!

Skype

2009-08-17T21:53:00.000-07:00

I am having a lot of fun with Skype. It's is the best invention ever for keeping in touch with those of my friends across the universe. I'm really excited that I'll be able to keep in touch with Katie and MAry since I'm stuck here in Cali without them. Miss you already.

4th of July

2009-08-03T22:11:00.000-07:00

I was looking back at my blog and realized that I never shared about our 4th of July. Even though we did the same old thing, we had a lot of fun doing it. It was Allison's first 4th of July so it was special.
We went to the Dye's house for breakfast before the parade started. They live right on the parade route and were kind to invite us to their home to watch the parade after breakfast. Azure and Claire were really excited because they got the chance to ride on Papa and Mamie's wagon to the house. They love to sit in it and many people we passed thought they were so cute in their matching red white and blue outfits. They looked so patriotic! After a nice quiche breakfast we waited and listened for the sirens that start the parade. They were soft at first, but they got louder. When they got close to us, the fire trucks let off a big sound and it made Allison cry and Claire started to cry. They had such sad little faces!
After all the loud trucks and cars and motorcycles went by, we were able to settle down and watch the rest of the parade. We were waiting for Mamie to walk by so we could cheer her on. She was in the parade representing her work- The University of La Verne. She held on to some special candy for the girls. Azure was able to get some candy and she was happy. Azure's favorite was the horses. She always loves the horses. I'm pretty sure Claire didn't care about anything. She was pretty tired and close to her nap time by the end. After the parade, we pulled the girls back on the wagon.
Later that night, we took Azure and Claire to the local park and watched the fireworks. Fernando and I each took a child and covered her ears. Claire loved the bright lights and clapped. Azure wouldn't even open her eyes to look, she was so scared. I was disappointed because she loved them the year before. But she has a fear of loud sounds.
The 4th of July is one of my favorite Holidays. It is a special day to recognize the freedom in this country and the people who are fighting for it. I have many friends who are in the Military Service and I tear up knowing that they are putting their lives on the line for me and my kids. Just because of them I know that my kids will have a better life in a free country that they will be able to voice their opinions and not be punished, that they can take a stand in their beliefs and morals, that they can get an education wherever they want and whatever they want. I am proud to be an American. And from the bottom of my heart I thank all those who dedicate their lives to this country so that I can have that freedom.

My Girls

2009-07-31T22:51:00.000-07:00

Today I set up the backdrop and took pictures of the girls in their tutu's. At first they weren't interested in taking pictures, they just wanted to play. After a while I was able to get a few good pictures of them being happy together. It is a rare moment to see them loving each other and it always melts my heart when I get the chance to see them as friends.

Cranky Pants

2009-07-29T22:48:00.000-07:00

I've learned that three year olds are good at not listening and talking back... a lot. But sometimes, they say something that is a bit humorous and you just have to laugh. And that is why Azureisms were created. Here is Azure's latest one.

Today Claire was being super whiny. I said to her " Claire are you being a cranky pants?" And after a moment, Azure said, " No she's being a cranky in your pants!"

Things that happened at comic-con I've learned from

2009-07-26T07:58:00.000-07:00

I had a great time at Comic-con. It was a last minute trip since we had to buy tickets off Ebay the day before and it turned into an expensive event. But I'm very glad that mom and I went. We took Azure and Claire also which was a pain, but we survived. here are some of the hi lights.

My Dad is a saint. He drove out with us wednesday night so that we could register in the morning. He had to register for my mom because the badge was in his name because it was his pay pal account that paid for the ticket and it was too late to make the change to my mom's name. No exceptions. So he drove with us two hours, stood in the line, registered, gave mom the badge, and drove back two hours to go to work. I love you dad. seriously. best dad ever.

Comic-con is all about lines. You wait in a line to register. You wait in a line to get into the panels. You wait in lines to get to participate in certain exhibits. You wait in lines to win a chance to get autographs. And if you win that chance, you wait in a line to get that autograph. It's all about the lines.

If there is a panel that involves the cast of Twilight, be prepared to not get a seat unless you are there two panels before hand. And if you are wearing anything twilight you will get nasty comments by geeks who think you don't belong there and neither does twilight. Also, if you are a woman, forget about making a trip to the bathroom inside Hall H because the line is just as long to get in it as it was outside to get in the hall.
And if you are a in the New Moon panel be forewarned that you will be deaf and hoarse the rest of the day from all the screaming you will do as well as the other 6,000 people in there.

The panels in the order we saw them.
Disney 3-d showcase: A Christmas Carol, Alice in Wonderland, Tron ( all in 3-d)
We were shown clips of each and the directors and some of the cast from each were there. Yes, Johnny Depp was there. Unfortunately, I stepped out with the girls for two minutes in which he appeared and left.
Another 3-d showcase: Cloudy with a chance of meatballs, The Hole, Final Destination. Let me just say that the last two were spent covering the ears and eyes of my kids as they were freaky and scary and I didn't like them. Also, cast and directors were present for a brief introduction.
Summit Panel: Astro Boy, Sorority Row, New Moon. Astro Boy looks really cool. I will NOT see Sorority Row.
If anyone questions whether New Moon is going to be better that Twilight, it will be. Hands down, a bajillion times better. I'm serious. And I LIKED the first one. If the clips are still out, find them on youtube. There are two. The first scene is of Bella and Jacob and the motorcycles and the second scene is Alice and Bella in Italy. In this movie Jacob and Edward both take of their shirts and they have both been working out. OMG.
The director Chris Weitz is a goofball. He is just like a kid. And he enjoyed giving us one extra scene. It was like watching a kids open a present on Christmas morning. His face was lit up and he relished the screaming. I heard he walked around the con unprotected too. The cast, Rob, Taylor, Kristen, and Ashley. AWESOME!

Geeks are apparently not cool enough to wear deodorant. I'm serious. A lot of them smell. And the ones in costumes( the geeky kids that dress up, not the professional ones- there is a difference) smell and sweat even worse. And in crowds like that- whoa.

I-honest to goodness- saw a guy that was probably mid thirties, total geek, dragging his mom around and having an argument with her. Okay, I realize that I was with my mom at Comic-con so I was probably just as bad, but he was seriously arguing with her about the lines. And she was just letting him talk to her like that. weird. Some people just have no life. He looked like he didn't have one either.

If Batman were real I think he'd be just like the one we met at Comic-con. We met him the first day and I took a picture with him while holding Claire. He asked me what her name was and said that she had such a pretty smile and that she must be a good baby. Thinking it was kinda weird coming from a man in a bat suit, I didn't think anything of it. Day two we ran into him again only this time it was mom and Azure who needed a picture. And while the crowd was pushing to get into a picture with him, he put his hands up and stopped them all, walked over and picked up Azure and gave her a hug. Catwoman( who was posing with him) got a kick out of it. He just held onto her and Azure( surprisingly) held on real tight and didn't let go. Just put her head on his shoulder and held on tight. It was really sweet. Batman asked mom if Azure was hers and mom pointed me out. He came and told me that my daughter was precious and that she had a good heart. He really liked her. Azure loves Batman. She is still saying it. Then he asked if he had to give her back. Azure was kinda sad about it, but we left him to greet the crowds. I think maybe 100 people have a picture of Azure hugging Batman.

Food at Comic-con is expensive and crap. It was $2.75 for a can of soda. I'm not kidding you. A small pizza was 8.50. And it was terrible and lukewarm and tasteless. Bring your own food and water. the fountains aren't any better.

We met Charlaine Harris. She is the author of the True Blood Series. She is nice and has a southern accent. She said that we were brave for bringing kids with us. Maybe we are just crazy. We had to win a drawing to see her, but mom had to go through the line 3 times before drawing a winning ticket. I got it the first time because Azure picked for me and she looked in the bag. It was cheating, but I took it anyway.

If you want to see a lifesize lego version of Spongebob or Buzz lightyear go to comic con.

If you want to get vouchers for the Summit Booth without standing in line, make the guy thats holding the "Line is closed" sign feel really stupid and have your mom give him a sob story about how frustrating it is to always be told that they don't know anything and to come back later and while we are dragging around two small children. You'll get passes real quick. I probably should have apologized after that but he was kinda ignorant and stupid until I made him feel stupid and mom saved the day.

Know that your kids will not get naps and will get cranky after snacking on goldfish crackers all day.

People who ride bikes with trailers on the back will escort you to and from your car- for a fee. And the later in the day, the more it will cost. It beats walking like ten blocks. But if you don't get to Comic-con early enough for decent parking, you will pay 25 dollars to park half a mile away. And don't trust anyone to know directions to where you want to go. You will get lost.

Anyway, that was Comic-con for me. I'll post pics soon!

resting after the New Moon Panel( apples were $2.50)

Practicing Manual Mode

2009-07-01T21:18:00.001-07:00

On Monday I was fortunate enough to have two members of the ward, who are very talented photographers, give me a lesson on using the manual mode on the camera. I never use it because I can't think fast when I'm trying to take pictures of kids and I can never remember the settings and how to get the exposure right. They were able to, not only give me tips, but to show me that manual mode is not as scary as I thought it is. It takes a lot of practice and a lot of mistakes to become good at manual mode, just like anything else in this life. And so, in order for me to become a better photographer, I am stepping away from the automatic settings and reaching for manual mode. Here are two pictures I have taken in manual mode that I actually think are really cool!

Our House

2009-07-01T21:01:00.000-07:00

YES! We have finally closed escrow and moved into our new house. It has been a long journey and we are glad it is finally over. We moved on the 15th of June and were warmly welcomed by the new neighbors. Our house is still in the same ward, for which we are grateful because we have an awesome ward. The Elders quorum did a fabulous job of moving us in and a special shout out to my friends, especially Meg for watching the kids late into the evening and Aimee Nolte for helping me out with putting the house together and taking such good care of our family! It makes me feel good to know I have such caring friends. It has been a crazy couple of weeks trying to get settled into the home, unpacking, and keeping up with the many chores that come with the house, AND taking care of two kids that love to explore their backyard and play in the dirt. We have fruit trees, especially the apple tree that are well on their way to giving us a good harvest this fall. I am looking forward to many happy years here. And when I can get the house looking a little less cluttered, I will post more pictures!

Azure's Dance Recital

2009-07-01T20:35:00.000-07:00

Since we have moved, I am behind on posts. BUT I will try to catch up with everything.

On June 5th Azure had her first dance recital. She was so excited! Mommy even let her wear a little makeup for the big event. It was fun to watch her on stage- scared at first- and then she broke out of her shell and started to dance. It was very cute. She was very proud of herself and I am very proud of her. For a three year old to get up on a stage in front of a huge audience is quite scary! But she did it and now loves to watch her video. Here are a few pictures and the video of her performance!

Little miss Smarty Pants

2009-05-31T21:34:00.000-07:00

Today, as we were getting ready for church, Azure decided to step on the scale and weigh herself. I think she finds the digital numbers entertaining. But today, she looked down at the numbers as it registered and she told me, " mom it's 26."
I got up to look and sure enough, she weighed 26 lbs! How she knew that I'm not sure. But it was surprising to me that she recognized it! I've only worked on 1-10 with her. I have to watch out for this girl. She is way too smart for me!

Pony Rides

2009-05-25T16:08:00.000-07:00

On Saturday, Fernando took us to Griffith Park in Los Angeles so the girls could ride the train and the ponies. It is one of Azure’s favorite activities and she was excited to go. It was a long line for the train, but we were able to get on right away. Even Claire is starting to understand the fun in riding trains. Unfortunately, since we all rode the train, I have no pics to show for it. After the train, Azure dragged us to the pony rides. I noticed the sign said ages 1 and up to ride the slow ponies or the caged ones that go in a circle. So I thought for sure that Claire would love to ride. The sign also said ages 3 and up for the medium ponies that happen to go faster and a little further than the slow ones. I thought for sure Azure would love that. And she did. The pony ran up the track and Azure’s little head was bobbing up and down. She laughed about it. There were other kids that were not as excited and screamed while riding.

After her two (yes, two) rides on the pony, we took Claire to the caged ponies that walk in a circle. I didn’t feel comfortable putting her on the track for the first time. Of course, Fernando had to run a buy another ticket so Azure could ride with her sister. Claire was so excited; she banged and shook the fence. She screamed and tried to climb out of my arms to get to the ponies. But when it was her turn and she handed the ticket over to the guy and I put her on top of the pony, she wanted to get down and started to whine and cry and hold onto my hands for dear life. I am a mean mom and made the guy buckle her in anyway and then I put her sucky in her mouth. She quieted down, but threw angry looks in my direction. By the end of the pony ride, I could tell she enjoyed it as much as her sister.

We ate some lunch and Daddy was nice enough to buy the girls pinwheels as a souvenir. The whole family had a great time and we were excited for the rest of the weekend.

Another conversation about male anatomy

2009-05-15T22:32:00.000-07:00

I've had this conversation with Azure many times. She is so curious and inqusitive. It took me by surprise the first time. But she never seems to remember what I tell her.
Today I was changing a boy's diaper at daycare. Azure, of course, had to watch.
Azure( pointing): what is that?
Me( of course, trying to change the diaper): what is it?
She gets a thoughtful look on her face. "It's uh....um....um..."
Me: "What do boys have that girls don't?"
Azure( after a pause of thinking): "stinky poop?"
Oh the thinking that goes on in her head!

Azureisms

2009-05-12T20:40:00.000-07:00

Azure says a lot of things that make me laugh. I call them Azureisms. I think Tama actually created that word. he would read all the things that she would say and shake his head. She is really smart to say things like this because I didn't even know that 3 yr olds were smart enough to make comments. here is an Azureism from yesterday.

I was talking to my mom about something and I said, "holy crap". Azure has repeated that phrase before and I told her not to say it and that it was not nice. If she said it again, she would get hot sauce on her tongue. I then have been trying to watch my mouth. But it slipped out this time.
She told me, "mom that was not nice, you need hot sauce." I said, "You are right Azure, that was not a nice thing to say. I do need a hot sauce." We were out and about, so I put her in her carseat and drove home.
When we got home, she brought me the little bottle of hot sauce. "here is the hot sauce mom."
If I was a good mom, I would have taken it. And probably next time, I will to prove a point. But I just smiled and said thanks and asked her to go potty so we could put on her pajamas and get her ready for bed.

here are some previous Azureisms that I have saved because they make me laugh.

10-5- 08

I gave Azure raisins in a bowl. They were stuck together in big clumps.
"Mommy- it's poop"
" They're raisins"
"It's poop!"
"No, Azure it's raisins"
"Poopy raisins!"
Later I found them in her little potty chair.

4-11-09
This morning Azure came to me and gave me a hug and said, " I love you mom."
I said, "I love you too. But I really love you when you are obedient. Are you being obedient?"
She smiled and said, "no, I be awesome!" and then she laughed like it was the funniest joke ever.

At the church Easter breakfast she was hiding on the other side of the church outside with Omar her friend. I said, "Azure, you don't go hiding alone with a boy!" then Gage came running out. I said, "Gage too??" and she smiled and said very sassy like, "Yeeeeesss!"

Later that day....
Fernando asked her a few times to put on a shirt and she ignored him or walked away. Then he said, "I told you ten times to put a shirt on!" and she said, "no, only two times!"

4-16-09
I told Azure "you are pushing my buttons" to which she replied, "well you are pushing MY buttons"

I made a stir fry for dinner to which Azure replied, "no thanks, mom, I'll just be hungry."

4-18-09
I listened to Fernando ask Azure, " How old are you going to be on your birthday?" to which she replied, "seventeen." seventeen? she's watched too much twilight I think.

My Mom

2009-05-10T13:39:00.000-07:00

My mom has to be the greatest mom in the world. Literally.

My mom is the mom who stays up till two in the morning putting the finishing touches on a project you were supposed to start two weeks ago.

My mom is the mom who will drive to the school to drop off your lunch that you either forgot or just didn’t make.

My mom is the mom who will ride her bike with you and your friends, just to make sure you get to school safely.

My mom is the mom who will let you take the car so you can hang out with your friends, even though she had a long list of errands.

My mom is the mom who will spend every minute of free time and every last dime to make sure her daughters wedding is the very best. ( and still look good the day of!)

My mom is the mom who cleans my house whenever she stops by.

My mom is the mom who will walk home from work and play in the sprinklers in her work clothes because the grandkids are happy to see her.

My mom is the mom that never says no to watching my kids, no matter how busy her schedule is.

My mom is the mom that says “I’ll find a way,” instead of “I can’t,” when people need help.

And even though my mom never had a formal education, she is one of the smartest people I know. She taught me that people are important and it’s not what you know, but who you know in life. She has shown me that I should take time to know people and to help them, no matter how busy my schedule. She has shown me that unconditional love and service can be the more rewarding than millions of dollars and a top spot in a high company.

I have watched my mom love and serve and sacrifice over the years. I’ve seen her strength and wisdom, even at the toughest of times. And even though we didn’t have a lot growing up, my mom made sure to give us the best life she could. And I am grateful for that.

So, here’s to you mom. You are my hero. You are my confidant, my best friend. You are mine.

And I love you.

Happy Mother’s Day!

My most memorable mothers day

2009-05-09T11:53:00.000-07:00

I don't remember what year it was, but I was coming home from my cousins wedding in Utah on Mother's day. My Aunt was driving and my granny, mom, cousin, her daughter were with us. My Aunt was speeding on the freeway and didn't notice. It wasn't that much. We were passing through Nephi, or Lehi, or some town from the book of mormon, when a police officer stopped her. He wasn't very nice pulling over a car full of women on Mother's day and he was a bit rude. When he gave my Aunt the ticket and walked back to the car, she yelled out, " Happy Mother's Day to you too!" I'm surprised that he didn't come back after that comment. Maybe he was feeling guilty about it.

Hula Dancers in training

2009-05-06T20:38:00.000-07:00

On Monday, we went with mom to the University of La Verne luau they were hosting. We had some good food and watched the dancers. Azure loved the dancers and she danced along with them and tried to copy their movements. Even Claire sat and stared. I'm sure that they will be great hula dancers someday.

Azure's 3 yr stats and Claire's 1 yr stats

2009-05-03T14:57:00.000-07:00

okay first off, I think its amazing that my girls are complete opposites. They really are. I like it that way because it reminds me that they are unique individuals and not just "kids".
I took the girls to their wellness appointments last Tuesday morning. I knew ahead of time that Claire would get shots and that Azure wouldn't. Azure, of course, loves Dr. Scheibe. He is a really fun Dr. He has a lot of energy and tries to focus on the kids to ask the questions. He is very patient, which came in handy that day.
As soon as we got out of the waiting room and into an exam room, Azure became more excited and Claire's grip on my shirt got tighter. I undressed them both for measurements. Azure was a good girl and held still. Claire screamed. It wasn't really just a baby cry of discomfort. It was a full on, "mom they are going to torture me, come get me now, why did you let me go, what is happening?" scream, loud and high pitched. I never knew that she could scream like that.
When the nurses left, Claire gave me a pleading look and asked, "All done? All done?" I felt really horrible because I knew the worst was coming. But how do you explain that to a one year old who is afraid of the doctor?
When Dr Scheibe came in, the screaming started. We had to speak loudly to hear over Claire. Azure had her hands over her ears, but volunteered to go first. Claire watched semi quietly. When it was her turn, I put her on the table and she screamed. When he laid her down, she started thrashing and kicking and got even louder if that was possible. He checked her teeth while her mouth was open and he made her walk to me, which she almost did because she was so stiff and angry at him. He said both kids looked really healthy. Then the nurse came with the shots.
I had to practically sit on Claire because she was thrashing around so hard. I thought for sure she would have no voice by now, but she got even louder. She has two shots in her arm and one in each leg. Poor Azure was so scared from watching, she almost cried.
We made it out alive. But the Dr had asked for a urine sample from Azure. I'll just tell you that juggling a crying baby in one arm and trying to get a three yr old to pee in a cup even if she doesn't want to, is more challenging than it sounds. But I made it through.
Azure is 28 lbs and 37 1/2 inches. 50th in height and 20th in weigh. Dr Scheibe says that although he wants her to eat more, she is not in any danger, wight wise. Just small.
Claire is 16lbs 12oz and 29 inches. he wasn't worried about her at all because she eats a lot and eats healthy.
So I have two healthy kids on my hands.

My first post

2009-05-02T15:31:00.000-07:00

This is my first post in my blog. I've thought about making a blog forever, but never did it cause I'm lazy. And then I figured out that since I have a gmail account I never use, I already have the blogging option. cool.
Plus, I figured this is the best and fastest way for family and friends to see the crazy, spontaneous, and sweet moments that go on in the Pineda family. And it helps me with my writing. :)