Easter Part II

A friend of ours started her own photography company (SeLaRom Photography) and back in April she asked us to help her build her portfolio by taking Spring/ Easter pictures of the kids.

How could we decline!? We headed back to Matheson Hammocks Park (where we took our maternity pictures for Alex) and I couldn't believe how much time has passed!

The pictures turned out great, not only is Zulaima a great photographer but the kids were such great models! Here are a few...











I want to enlarge the first picture- where Alex is giving Gaby a kiss! It's so tender and it shows the true love they both have for each other. Enjoy and remember to check out SeLaRom Photography when you can!!

A little update...

So many things have happened since I started this blog back in 2007. I started blogging about our planning our wedding, family trips, being bless with becoming parents again, to the birth of Alejandro.

Apparently, after giving birth to Alejandro- life didn't allow me to blog anymore.... life became a little too hectic. Honestly, the last thing I wanted to do after a long day with BOTH kids was...well...blog. I knew deep down I wanted to keep our 'Crazy World' alive in blog world. So here I am another year later giving it another try.

You can say many things have happened since I last blogged- Mario and I have realized we are one set of cool ass parents! We've been blessed with two crazy, well behaved kids (sometimes)... who at times make me count to 10, while tapping my forehead and taking deep breaths. But counting or not we wouldn't change it for the world.

Gaby "The Diva" is finally in kindergarten! I still can't believe it myself. She's learning how to read, write sentences, American history, etc. It just amazes me how much she has learned since the school year started in August. She did her first Science project in January- which if I may say so myself, turned out fabulously! Although she's only 6, her mind is all about fashion, music and the latest "in" thing. Mario and I allow her to dress how ever she wants- even if that means purple polka dots with green stripes. She's a great kid and has no shame in her game!



Alejandro just turned 2 and what a talker he is! He (like his sister) love to talk. His vocabulary has blossomed in the past 2 months. It's funny when people ask "What did he say?" and Gaby, Mario and I can translate with ease. Mario decided to start potty training him this weekend but for now all Alex does is clean his pp and his back (yes, you read correctly- his back). I'm just crossing my fingers that his aim is on point ;) Alex, just like Gaby love music. He loves all kinds of music- but his favorite artist is none other than the King of Pop... Micheal Jackson!



There are so many other things that I think and believe we've been blessed with that keeps our marriage alive and going. Mario and I have been together since 98' and we know each other way too to think otherwise. We know we can count on each other for anything and I can tell him the craziest thing that this brain of mine comes up with...and what will Mario do? Give me this look and say "Aye babe". And for that "aye babe" I know he loves me no matter what! As I type this- i just look at him (playing 'Angry Birds') and believe I'm the luckiest girl in the planet... why? Because I have that crazy man next to me and to me that is the best feeling ever- being loved by your love. Cheesy much.. TOTALLY!

Birthdays, Baptism, Bunnies OH MY!

Since Mr. A arrived he has had quit a social life!

My niece Genesis turned 7 years old back in February. It's soo crazy to think I changed her nasty diapers and now she is turning into a young women. I get all emotional every time I see her do something so lady like. I will admit I will pee my pants when she starts to wear training bras!

Here are some pictures of her fabulous day!

Opening her gifts
Her grandmother gave her $200 (Can she be my grandmother too?)
I guess the first $200 weren't enough- she got another $200 FROM THE SAME GRANDMOTHER!!!
Showing off the shoes my uncle gave her (they were 2 sizes tooo BIG)
Alejandro was partied OUT

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First let me say, I'm not big on religion. I like to call us Catholics with a hint of spice. I don't go to church every Sunday and I don't go on the "special" days either. I do speak to Gaby about God, heaven, angels, etc. I was dragged to go to church every Sunday, every retreat, every church event when I was younger. I had no choice. My mom on the other hand is one step away from becoming a nun. (No Lie) I don't want to push it so much on the kids that they become like me, not wanting to go. When we have gone, they both behave fabulously.

Well my mom while I was STILL pregnant with Alejandro nominated herself as the Godmother. This annoyed me to tremendous level. How do you NOMINATE yourself? Um Hello??? Well- I had to drop the big NO on her. My mom has this very strong character about herself and it's not good when your daughter has the same character as well.

Mario and I originally wanted our best friends to be the God parents. I gave the news to my best friend first and she was all about it, until a week after and then she backed out. So I didn't want to pick whoever from this very important role in our sons life. We asked Mario's sister; Cynthia and she was beyond trilled to step up to the plate. Mike was on board all along. Mike has been Mario's best friend since they were in high school and all around a great guy to have around!

On March 29th, 2009 Alejandro was baptized in a private ceremony in Saint Timothy Catholic Church. It was a great feeling having our family and friends there to share this special day with the 4 of us. It's not common to find Mario in a church, but he was glad to have this moment with the special people in our lives.

Of course pictures!!!

The Father Blessing the Holly Water

Alejandro being blessed by the Holy Water
Blessings for ME! (I need them)
Mario needs more though....
The Godparents- Cynthia and Mike
Group Pictures (Mario's favorite Part!)
With the Godparents and the Priest
(please take a look at Gaby!!!- She's jumping off the ALTER)
The Alemans
My Family
Some of our friends

After the ceremony we all headed back to my moms house for some food, drinks and CAKE!

:::the 4 of us decided to go back home to change our SHOES!:::


The "Baby" on top has been used in all our kids baptisms. I believe it's 7 or 8 years old.
My mom decided that ONE cake wasn't enough
My cousin, Karen, gave birth to Serenity a week after I had Alejandro. They were both partied OUT.
Can you tell who likes taking pictures?
My little man
Alejandro and his Godparents

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East Sunday we spent with family. We first headed to my moms house for an egg hunt. My sister, who bless her soul, decided to make the hunt a little toooo complicated. Well this just ruined Gaby's morning! We had brunch and enjoyed the kids searching for their baskets and eggs outside. I will mention it was HOT! In the middle of our egg hunt Padrino Mike came to drop off some more goodies for the kids. Alejandro got his very own personalized basket and Gaby enjoyed all the treats in hers! Oh how I love all the holidays that include candy! After brunch we headed up to my mother in-laws house where we spent the rest of the day watching the kids running around and eating candy! Alejandro was (as always) pooped out!

It took Genesis about half a second to find her basket

Jorge took about 7 minutes
Gaby took about 10 minutes, since the basket was BEHIND the coloring board!
Coloring books, pony tails, chocolates, and GUM!
Outside searching for eggs- which took about 30 to 45 minutes to find. We gave up after that!

During our egg hunt, Padrino Mike and Giselle arrived to bring the kids some Easter Goodies!
Mike is a Gator fan hence the Orange and Blue.... he loves to mess with me!
Alejandro's First Piggy Bank


and some onesis

The loves of my life!

I thank my lucky stars above for sending me great kids!

We are back and pumping!

I've been away with no internet for 2 months and a TON of things have occurred in that time frame! Babies were born, birthdays were celebrated, milestones have been accomplished and of course more love has filled our hearts!

If you don't know yet Alejandro (aka- Mr.A) arrived into our crazy world Sunday, February 8th at 3:14am! He filled our lives with love, happiness and we are just over the moon with our addition.

On Saturday the 7th I had taken Gaby with me to my uncle auto shop to get the car fixed before being induced on Monday night! I was planning on doing my hair, shaving my legs and just be a little presentable for the arrival of Alejandro. Well as we were about to leave Gaby had spilled orange juice all over the back seat of the car and I had to get my hospital gown and clean the OJ. Well as I was getting out of the car I thought my water had broken and I freaked out! I wasn't going to tell my uncle b/c that's just awkward and not a lot of "water" came out. I jumped into the car and to Kendall we were going! I texted Mario and told him we were on the way to pick him up and go straight to the hospital. No time to stop by the house or anything since our bags were in the trunk. (the nesting in me) I started to get contractions but nothing super major, like in the movies. I got a couple that were manageable and would stop for a couple of minutes.

We arrived at Memorial Miramar within 20 minutes and was wheeled to the maternity wing. I kept telling them I thought my water broke but the contractions had stopped- of course ;) They did a test to see if what came out was discharge or atomic fluid. 30 minutes later we found out it was a false alarm but the doctor wanted me to walk for an hour. I felt like a moron walking in a gown up and down the hallways, the things we do for our kids! Within our hour walk I got maybe 5 contractions, again manageable. Up to our room we went and I was dilating. When I got there I was 1 cm by the end of our walk I was 2. So something was going on. I laid on the bed and like magic the contractions started coming back and started to get a bit stronger. The nurse asked if I wanted the epidural now or to wait. Of course I told her I'll wait but she will know when I wanted the epidural ;) Time passed and I think we saw Lara Croft Tomb Raider about 2 times!

While waiting for the doctors orders my sisters in-law arrived along with my mom. A couple of hours later I was rechecked and no change. After hours of not eating or drinking anything the nurse had to start the IV to hydrate me. The doctor finally gave the order to start the pitocin to speed up the process. HOLLY COW- that pitocin really kicks in man! The contractions started to get stronger and hurt like a mother of a heffer! After about 45 minutes on the pitocin I had to get the epidural. Of course I had to wait another hour to put in the order and have the anesthesiologist come and work her magic!

After what seemed like days the anesthesiologist finally arrive! She was my new best friend, until she had to poke me 3 times to find the spot for the epidural! At this point all I wanted was for her to stop calling me "sweeeettttyyyyy", but I survived the painful contractions, the 3 pokings and the sweety!

Drugs are good....the epidural was my new best friend after the Anesthesiologist left. Everyone was my friend actually. A couple of hours passed and the nursed checked me and while checking me my water broke- I didn't feel a thing! This is when the party started! About this time it's close to 2:30am! The nurse called the Doc to inform him about my progress, he wanted a call when I was 10cm dilated. At around 3am I was 9 1/2 cm. The nurse called the doctor one more time and I swear to GOD- by 3:05 that man was there full of spirit and too much energy for the time. The room transformed into a labor room in about 2 minutes! I did about 2 "practice" pushes to see if I felt anything....I didn't. I was still numb from the epidural. The doctor noticed the baby's heart beat dropping every time I had a contraction and he wasn't too worried since it wasn't a drastic drop. He did warn me Alejandro's umbilical cord was wrapped around his neck- but not to worry. Somehow I mentally prepared myself if we needed to do an emergency C-section. At this point I didn't care how Alejandro would come out- as long as he was safe and sound.

I literally pushed 3 times and Mr. Alejandro Gabriel was born at 3:14am on February 8th. It was the best feeling in the world. We all cried and I was lying there in my bed just thinking "wow, I'm a MOM of TWO!" The feeling is one you can't put into words but only say "It was the best experience ever".

At exactly an hour later Mr. A was given his first official bath. He wasn't too pleased to be awaken to get a bath, but he sure looked handsome after it!

I was a bit sad Gaby couldn't go to the hospital all 3 days, she was home sick and we didn't want her to get the baby sick. I called her everyday and Mario spent the 3 days going back and forth between the hospital and his moms house. She saw pictures of him and was super excited to meet him the day we went home. We arrived as a family of 3 1/2 and left as a family of 4!
and we wait...
and after 3 pushes Alejandro Gabriel was born at 3:14AM
weighing 7 pounds 8 ounces (4 ounces more than his sister!)
My mom carrying her 6th Grandchild along with my aunt who wanted to "see" her first birth
BOOB time!
Shower Time...
FINALLY food! After 24 Hours I was able to have some food!
Alejandro's first day
She's HERE!!!! Big sister has finally arrived!
She couldn't wait any longer to hold her little brother!

The beautiful flowers we received from my co-workers
Oti with Gaby and Alejandro

Our first walk
wow- I look a bit tired!