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!!

Bunnies, eggs and chocolate OH MY!!!

Easter has been welcomed in our home once again! This year I decided to host an egg hunt/ egg decorating get together at our house.

Before we got to the festivities- we went to church! The last time we went was literally a year ago (last Easter- to be exact). I hang my head in shame with the thought alone! Since Mario works on weekends he can't join us. So I gathered up the troops and to Easter service we went. There was no stopping us now- well....except the traffic!

Last week all the statues in the church were covered in purple draping, which Gaby then asked why.... and since I didn't want to give her no answer, I said "ummmm...". It's the best I could do!

Well this weekend they were uncovered and the Holy Cross was bordered with beautiful flowers. All white Roses, Lily's, Orchids, Baby Breaths. It was gorgeous! Apparently, I wasn't the only one who thought it because everyone was taking pictures of the cross. I semi heard the word of Christ, but I was able to catch the priests jokes ;) He was saying how he wrote a letter to us all saying "I'll see you in Christmas and New Year!"

He was right, we were THAT family. That family who went to church LAST Easter and didn't go back until this Easter. We skipped Christmas and New Year- which makes it even worse. Although this was my second time taking both kids alone- overall they did a decent job. All Alex wanted to do was take out the offering envelopes and putting them back into the book holder. At the end he was just tired- but we made it! Gaby was great though, she kept asking if the service was done...I said to her "Gaby, we JUST sat down. The service hasn't even started!" All I can think about was me at her age asking my mother the same exact thing. Only difference is I would get the "EYES" from my mother- while Gaby actually gets an answer.

After the service, I wanted the kids to take a picture in front of Cross and so we did!

Easter 2011

We left church and headed home to get ready for our guests. I cleaned the floors one last time and got the festivities started! (I won’t mention that I cleaned the house for 4 hours on Saturday and another 30 minutes on Sunday!) This year I wanted to do the Rice Krispy Eggs and have the kids decorate them. And can I say they turned out so freaking cute! Everyone had such a great time decorating their eggs with chocolate, Gummy Bears, Marsh mellows, M&M’s, crushed Oreos and peanuts! It was truly a big hit with the little ones and the adults. It was super easy to make too. Here’s the recipe I used, the only thing I changed was using an entire bag of mini marsh mellows! Apparently, 6 cups wasn’t enough in my Betty Crocker book ;)

Here are some pictures of our decorating party and everyone’s Easter Eggs:

Gummy Bears, Oreos and Marshmellows OH MY!

Gaby, Genesis and Alex decorating

Alex decorating his delish egg!

Our very own Picasso's

from top center (clockwise): Clau, Sofia, Misha, Sandra, Jorge, Gaby, Genesis, Alex and Emi
The finished products!

I sneaked out of the house while everyone was decorating their eggs- this Easter Bunny had to set up the hunt!! One would think “Oh its just spreading out eggs, how hard can that be!?” Its tough- you don’t want to have all the eggs close to each other or too spread out then there are areas with dog shit! It’s some seriously major planning! Finally, the bunny was ready!

Just as the hunt started, someone who shall remind nameless (OREO) dashed out the door and I was left taking 2 pictures before I had to chase his ass down! I was SO upset- but I couldn’t let that ruin the egg hunt. I was able to take pictures AFTER the fact….booo Oreo!

I think I spent so much time setting up that in a blink of an eye and a chase of a dog- all the eggs were GONE! Geese people- enjoyyyyyyyy the hunt, soak it all in, right? Who am I kidding….

The boys grabbing the eggs!
Emi & Mischa grabbing the ones I put on the stairs

Clau enjoying the hunt too!

Gaby & Genesis

After the very quick egg hunt we all headed back inside and enjoyed the Wii for the rest of the afternoon.




All in all it was by far a fabulous Easter for us and for our family! We did miss Mario- but Gaby made him a Rice Krispy Egg and hopefully he enjoyed eating it! If not- I will enjoy it for him! ;)

So from us to yours, we hope you all enjoyed your Easter weekend as much as we enjoyed ours!

Mothers Day 2009

Well Mothers day was a couple of months ago and I know I'm horrible now at blogging our events! Mario and the kids really did great this year! I was treated for a new do and a day for myself. While I was waiting for my hair cut the kids and Mario were getting ready for a photo shoot! If I may say my kids are beautiful! Boy, we sure made them with love! :) Here are the pictures I was given of this special day!


Hopefully when Alejandro gets older he will like to smile like his sister for pictures!

My ultimate favorite one!
Ahhhh, don't let the smile fool you!
The cheeks alone must weigh over 2lbs each!
The outfit Alejandro is sporting here is 12 months! The little man was 3 months! Lord help us!

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!