Life in the New Year

Despite the longing for more art in my life, the hunger for more personal time, and the ravenous desire to look like I did when I first met Steve....this New Year is starting off with great gusto! My children keep my days blurred and often filled with maze-like jaunts throughout the home. What happened yesterday stays in yesterday and what happens today stays in today, aka: my memory is very short term! After bringing in the New Year with silly string, wine and fondue, and a brief travel to Arizona, which was filled with day trips and sleepless nights, I embrace what may come my way as each month unfolds. My hopes for this New Year are:

Kaitlyn learns the difference between an inside voice and an outside voice; that she gets potty trained with ease; the transition from 'my' bedroom to 'our' bedroom (Dylan is due to move in this coming week) goes smoothly and that she continues to wear her hats and tutu and finds an enjoyable yet thorough way to brush her teeth!

Dylan doubles his birth weight not at six months of age (as anticipated) but rather anytime after that; his hair falls out like Kaitlyn's did giving us a couple of months to take photos of him with a mullet or mohawk (whichever path the hair loss reveals); that he can enjoy being in Daddy's arms for more than 15 minutes so I can get a longer break; and that his bunking with Kaitlyn doesn't create some havoc in his sleep cycle!

Steve loses his Biggest Loser competition with me but still loses a chunk of the weight he wishes to cast away; his work schedule becomes predictable; he masters the Ben Harper song he keeps practicing and he works through his aroma issue resulting in his ability to still kiss me if I have mint-scented lips or coffee breath.

Me...I successfully dive into my art room and never come out of the creative zone; organize my office files and actually use them; win the Biggest Loser competition between Steve and I; run a 10K and find time for more faith development, child play and journal writing.

We shall see, we shall see what unfolds.

Happy New Year!

Arizona Days (& Nights)

Cousin Colin holding Chillin Dylan with Meg.

Making music with cousin Colin...

Temporary respite before shaking the bell ringers for another song!

Checking out the life beyond the wall of the tennis courts.

Cousin Colin, deep thoughts.

Trying on Mommy's H U G E shoe.

Getting a ride from Colin at the Phoenix Children's Museum.

Sand. Kaitlyn's favorite new texture, especially enjoyed when worn in the hair.

Checking out the sink in the playroom-notice the marble top?

This museum was no joke!

Hey! This place is cool.

Can you get any closer? I'm ready to eat.

JD (8 months) and Kaitlyn watching Yo Gabba Gabba.

Smiles everyone!

JD, Kaitlyn & Reigan.

Dylan's Baptism

Dylan was baptized on Sunday the 27th! It was a lovely and intimate celebration at my parents church in Moreno Valley. Fruncle Denis (both, Uncle and Priest) did the sacrament with cousin Chiara and brother Benet present as Dylan's Godparents. As I reflect on this special day I realize I have so much to learn about the gift of baptism. My hope is that as my children continue to grow they can also grow and discover with me what it truly means to be baptized and be a person of faith.

Kaitlyn's First Haircut

I'm fully aware that I could have done this haircut thing on my own but how could we pass up the experience. This place was outfitted with all the accessories to make any child want a trim. With great resistance from Steve, I took Kaitlyn for some split-end removal! She was so serious.

Happy New Year! 2010!!!

Could this be more fun? Silly String. Horns. New Year Hats. Tiaras. Toddlers were ruling the roost, screaming in pure glee. It was a party for them. My girlfriend opened her home for a few friends to gather, friends with children, mind you. It was to be a casual gathering with a menu of: pizza, wine, beer, and chocolate fondue. The plan was to bring in the New Year at 9pm for the toddlers before carting their exhausted bodies off to bed! It was a beautiful idea. Kaitlyn was in Heaven-she was all over the place as this home is super kid-friendly. The front living room is the playroom, buckets of toys, blocks and books lined the walls. Toddler sized kitchenettes, chairs and high chairs clustered by the window...the walls were dotted with the children's artwork and learning worksheets (mom used to be a teacher). It's always fun going over to Christina's...but this night was more than fun! When the ticker hit the 9pm midnight, silly string went blasting, horns were honking and screams were screeching!

Then there was Dylan. Remarkable little fellow. He slept the entire time...

Happy New Year everyone. May this year find you rich with happiness!

Christmas Faces

Hanging with Grandma, 26th of December.

Christmas Day at Natalia's (cousin's play area).

In a TuTu

Wearing a tutu has become a regular part of Kaitlyn's attire.

Kaitlyn wearing a pair of Nana's reading glasses while chewing on a snack.