Catch Up Time

I realized looking back that I haven't really blogged about "life" since the end of October. So, here is a little recap of November and December (you can follow along in with the pictures to the right):

In November, we went to Big Bear twice (once with snow!) and had fun relaxing as a family. We took walks through the trails in the woods and made a frosty the snowman, which the kids loved! Kira's Wall Mural was being painted this month, and every day there was such excitement as we would go upstairs to see what got painted next (a tree, a butterfly, a castle?). It was a lot of fun, and still is, with the project complete, Kira's room is the friendliest, happiest place in our house. Much like the personality of our little 2 year old princess.

We also hosted Thanksgiving at our house for my family and that was a lot of fun. With a huge feast in which Drew prepared his first Turkey (the best one I've ever tasted!), we ended the night reminiscing on past Thanksgivings, a treasure hunt for the kids, Dance Dance Revolution, and a few rounds of very competitive Spoons.

In December, our days were full of fun things like: going over to my Grandpa's house and helping him decorate his Christmas Tree, seeing the Live Nativity at Horizon North County, a Cutthroat Cookie Contest with my MOMs Group at Church, a nice elegant Christmas Women's Dinner at church, Christmas Shopping, Tristan participating in his first Christmas Performance with his Sunday School Class in front of the whole church ... and I'm sure there's more I just can't remember! We hosted Christmas Eve at our house for all my family and that was a riot. Another huge feast, an evening filled with games and sharing talents, a ping pong tournament, and opening presents. On Christmas Day, we had a chill morning at home as family, reading the Christmas Story and opening presents. Then while the kids slept, I went to see all my cousins and aunts and uncles in Carlsbad for a few hours. That was a real treat. I hadn't seen them since the summer. When I got back, we all headed off to Drew's parents house for another amazing feast, sitting by the fire telling stories, and the kids got to open more gifts! What a fun family-filled day!

The week after Christmas was an adventure, to say the least. I woke up the morning after Christmas with a very painful sore throat and dizzy spells. Thankfully Drew had the week off from work, so he took on the responsibilities of Mr. Mom while I tried to get better with every home remedy in the book. A couple days later, we celebrated by dad's birthday and brought him breakfast and then took him out to a movie later that night, just us sisters! I couldn't swallow or breathe, and actually had completely lost my voice, but it was still fun! The next day, we went to see a play at Lambs Players in Coronado, in which I was still voice-less and felt like Darth Vader, because that's what my breathing sounded like. Finally, on the 30th, I drove myself to Urgent Care because I felt as though I was swallowing glass. It was excruciating, worse than childbirth. I find out I have Strep and a Sinus Infection, so doc prescribes an antibiotic and I go home, praying the meds kick in in time for me to enjoy my 29th Birthday the next day.

At 2am, Tristan wakes me up, because the kitchen is flooded. How he knew this, I do not know. SO I wake up Drew, and it takes us an hour to clean up all the water and find the source. Seems the garbage disposal got backed up, and when I ran the dishwasher before bed, well, there ya go, water everywhere. We go back to sleep and I wake up on my birthday, still no voice, but at least the pain is gone, and my whole family came to serve me Breakfast in Bed and presents. What a treat! If only I didn't feel like poop. Thanks to my wonderful husband and amazing family, they took care of the kids, while I slept the rest of the day. I was too dizzy to get up.

That evening, we had plans to have dinner with friends, so I get all dressed up, take a dose of antibiotic, and I'm thinking, "I slept all day, I should be fine to go out on by birthday!" Ha! Drew and I are driving down the freeway, and suddenly, I feel really sick and I beg Drew to pull over. Immediately. Knowing the dangers of doing this on the freeway, I'm looking frantically around the car for a plastic bag or magazine or something to throw up in. Nothing! So he finally pulls over on the side of the freeway, and I jump out and threw up several times. I get back in, totally unprepared for this event, wishing I had my diaper bag with baby wipes so I could clean up, and Drew attempts to start the car. Nothing. He tries again. Nothing.

We look at each other and start laughing, this can't be happening! His battery died! I finally resorted to using a shammy(sp?) to wipe my face off (that's all we had!) and we try jump starting the car, with drew pushing from behind and me with my hands on the wheel from the passenger side. A few times to no avail. So I offer to go out and push the car while he tries to jump start it. Picture this: A young couple, parked alongside the freeway, wife just barfed everywhere, and she gets out and pushes the car from behind in a dress and heels! If ONLY there were a hidden camera. Finally, we get the car going and we continue on down to meet our friends for dinner.

We ended up having a lovely evening and finally realized it was the antibiotic making me puke, so after I stopped it, I began feeling much better and called the doc the next day for a different one so I could recover 100%. We spent the night at our friends house, push started the car again the next morning, picked up a battery on our way home, and THAT was the start of 2011!

And now, with New Years Resolutions in mind (sticker charts for the kids, potty training Kira, a cleaner house, daily devotions with the Kids, taking the time to actually decorate my house, etc..etc...), it's been a wonderful new year so far and I'm hoping it continues to be so!

Now that you're all caught up, my future blog updates won't be so long. :-)

"Legacy of Love" dedicated to my Grandma Caligiuri

LEGACY OF LOVE

Why do we start traditions
After our loved ones are gone
Why do we share our secrets
With flowers and a grave

Why do we wait to let tears fall
Until we're kneeling in the dirt
Why do we wait to appreciate
Until after it's too late

I wish we'd started these traditions
While you were still here
I wish I had told you my secrets
While you had a listening ear

I wish I had let you see me cry
When life was hard and times were tough
I wish I had told you how important you were to me
And how your love was always just enough

But now even though you're gone
And even though the ache is here
Your legacy of love
Still draws everyone near

I remind myself as the memories flood in
How much better it must be for you in Heaven
Because life is hard and times are tough
And only God's love is more than enough

Why It's Better To Take Your Kids To An Open Field Instead Of A Playground

1) A 2 year old really just wants to run away instead of play on the equipment
2) A 3 year old really just wants to gather rocks, sticks, pine cones and leaves
3) You don't have to worry about running into that one child that tells you his name 8 million times and is in your kids faces the whole time so they can't even play and whose parents don't even notice because they're talking on their cell phone
4) You can run wild with your children and there's no one around to judge
5) You can enjoy a quiet outing with your kids in your pajamas without people staring at you

To Be Or Not To Be, That Is The Question

Preschool ...

1) Is it necessary?
2) Is it beneficial?
3) Public or Private or Home School?
4) 2 Days or 3 Days a Week?
5) Now or never?

My 3.5 year old son has been asking me for almost a year now if he could go to school. So next week, I am starting my preschool interviews. What do I do? What do I ask? What if their first impression of me is "psycho OCD parent"? Well, I do love a challenge, so ... preschool directors, watch out, here I come !!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :-)

Pain, Pain, Go Away, Don't Come Back Another Day

This past month has been a challenging one for us. Our little family has been hit with one sickness after another. From Shingles, to Pink Eye, to a 2 week long Stomach Bug, to a potential Chicken Pox scare (thankfully not!), to Toddler Molars coming in and turning my Angel Baby into Miss Cranky Pants.

I normally like to see the glass as half full, and find the positive in all situations, and I don't complain very often, in fact, I don't even like to complain. But some days, like today for example, I wish that God would give me a new digestive system. What hope is there for a bathroom-bound wife and mother? What benefit is constant pain? I trust God in all things, but sometimes I have to ask him "why" ... "Why me?", "Why this?", "Why now?". I know that the testing of our faith produces numerous good things (especially Patience as it says in James 1:3), but I don't like being tested. I want to be free like everyone else. This condition is like chains holding me down. I'm restless inside, I want out.

It's been over a year now that I've been suffering (or for a better word, dealing) with this condition, and I'm done suffering. I want to eat a fresh salad again or even a bowl of cereal. What about ice cream or even a steak(don't tell my parents) ... I mean, hummus is good and all, but everyday for breakfast? :-)

Will I ever be able to volunteer in my kids' classrooms without having to run to the restroom like an unexpected bolt of lightening? Will I ever make it through an entire shopping trip to Target without having to ditch the cart, grab the kids, and run to the restroom which is always on the opposite side of the store? Will I be able to work my dream job again?

Alright, there ya go, I got it off my chest, now I can move on to better and brighter topics, such as ... PRESCHOOL !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Terrific Twos

I am so blessed by my life. Granted, it has it's hardships and there are some days where I don't think I'll even survive past lunch due to sleep deprivation or sibling rivalry, but overall, it is a joy to be alive. I wake up every morning to my 3 year old's face 2 inches away from my face (between the wretched hour of 4am-5am), saying "Mommy, is it morning yet?" Despite my response to that question, or my best efforts to ignore such a sweet face and go back to sleep, it is time to get up. A few hours later, Little Miss Chubby Cheeks and the Handsomest Prince in the world awaken to the smell of Dunkin Donuts Coffee and then the day has officially begun. We send Drew off to work like an official "goodbye committee" with hugs and kisses and waves and "bye daddy" over and over until we not longer see his car anymore. Our days are filled with laughter and fun as we play the day away and await Drew's arrival home from work. Some of the days include Tristan's Karate Lessons, Park Playdates, Shopping Trips, Moms Group at Church, or even just pajama home days filled with puzzles, block towers and art projects. Well, now I am off to enjoy another day with my beautiful little family ...

Babies Always Grow Up

It's late and I've got a mild case of insomnia. Thanks to blogging, I have something better to do than lying in bed forcing my mind to shut down.

My mind races to the summer so far ... saying goodbye to my family as they left for Spain/Germany for a few months; our trip to the East Coast with Andrew's family; our Palm Springs weekend with my Dad's side of the family; frequent Skype dates with my parents and sisters; playdates; birthday parties; pool days; park days; backyard renovation days ... it's all a whirlwind in my mind ... then I look to the future: baby showers, company coming from Germany, more birthday parties, more playdates, weddings, family flying back in from Europe, and what is occupying my mind most of all, is Kira's upcoming birthday!

My baby girl is turning two years old! It is a milestone and such a joy to prepare for as I am excited to take a day and dedicate it to our Kira Belle (as she is currently nicknamed). As I plan out the order of events for her special day (this coming Sunday), I can picture her face as she smiles when the doorbell rings, and each family member walks in the door. I can hear her laughter as she opens her Elmo Radio gift from Drew's Grandma. I can feel her delight as she gets her first dress up Tinkerbell outfit from Auntie Chris. I can feel the stickiness of her hands as she devours her first homemade birthday cake (thanks to me, ha ha!). And I can picture her excitement as she runs up to my laptop when Yia Yia (my mama) calls via Skype. Just seeing her Yia Yia's face, brightens up Kira's whole countenance! She gets so excited, she doesn't know what to do with herself. Can't wait !!!

I am so thankful that God has blessed me with an incredible husband and two precious children.

And to quote from the soundtrack from "Message In A Bottle" based on the novel by Nicholas Sparks,

"These are the moments I thank God that I'm alive
These are the moments I'll remember all my life
I've got all I've waited for
And I could not ask for more"