It Was Perfect!

It was definitely worth the wait. Our Christmas this year was perfect. What Christmas should really be about. About family and the joys that come along with childhood. Yeah, Sammy still got way too many gifts, as usual, but he really appreciated all of them. And so did we. His reaction was more than we could have asked for.

It all started with a great Christmas Eve. My parents came over and we had an excellent dinner. We even made a gingerbread house before the night was over (I'll post pictures soon). Before Sammy went to bed, we made sure we put milk and cookies out for Santa. Sammy was super excited at this point and I was surprised that he went to sleep so quickly. I guess that's just how tired he was, he didn't even put up a fight.

In the morning, Sammy inspected the plate and glass. He made sure to point out that Santa left some of one of the cookies and some milk. We told him that Santa was in a hurry and had to leave some room in his tummy for the milk and cookies at the other houses ;) He then proceeded to open his presents, making sure to play with each one. We then continued exchanging gifts at my parents and Juan's parents houses, spending time with all the family throughout the day.

This truly was a perfect Christmas, and not because of any gift that was received or given, but because of the whole experience. I never thought that it could ever be more enjoyable than what it was when you were a kid. I've had some great gifts over the years, but this is the best one anyone could have ever given me. It's like I had the opportunity to see it all through a child's eyes again. I want to thank everyone that was a part of this special day and we are so glad to have you in our lives. Merry Christmas!

Bring It On!

It's finally here! My two week break for the holidays. Just one of the many perks of being a teacher. Although I plan on spending most of my time relaxing, I do have a few things that need to get done during this time. I'm going last minute shopping with my mom tomorrow and we need to do quite a few things around the house. Overall, I think it's going to be a productive two weeks. At least it'll be a change of pace. No students to deal with!

Why do these things have to happen?

Why do these things have to happen to children? They are innocent beings who do not deserve to suffer. Childhood diseases, cancers, and deaths have always caused me great pain, but I have never fully understood why they even have to occur at all.

A co-worker of mine has a family member who has cancer. Gaby is 2 years old with stage 4 cancer. I sat here crying while reading her blog on Gaby's progress. I ask you now to please pray for Gaby. You can check out her blog here: http://www.gabyzspot.blogspot.com/

It's Not Over Yet

I thought we were making some progress. I guess I was wrong. My mom tried to get Sammy to go in the potty today. He refused by saying, "No more!," and then proceeded to turn the potty over upside-down on the floor. I guess we'll have to try again tomorrow.

Christmas Count Down

I had Sammy pose today for a few pictures to use for this year's Christmas cards. He loved every minute of it. He is really excited with the whole Santa business. Here are a few of the shots for your viewing pleasure.

We're Making Progress

Sammy went pee in the potty today! My mom had taken off his underwear to put him on it after lunch, but he didn't go. He was still naked when she saw a few drops trickle on to the floor after they had gone into the other room. Then she saw him run off to the living room where the potty was. When he came back, he said "I pee pee'd in the potty!" She went and checked, and sure enough, it was full. He got the urge to go and actually ran to the potty to go there instead of on the floor. I'm so happy that he's finally getting it, even if it's still not perfect.

Apparently, It's Really, Really Fun to Pee on the Floor

I now wish that children came into this world already potty trained. My son has decided that it's funny to pee on the floor. The potty training process has not been an easy one for Juan and I. Sammy seems to know exactly what he's doing. He just refuses to use the potty. He prefers the floor. I have raised some kind of a little wolf boy and I didn't even know it. It's not like he's seen us do anything like that (or anyone else for that matter, I hope).

I have been told by several people that for some children, this is normal behavior. It will last for a while until he gets the hang of it. I am not sure if I believe them. I am starting to wonder if this is ever going to get better. Deep down inside, I know it will, but for now, the process is extremely frustrating. I guess lots of patience is the key.

We've tried pull-ups (which don't work for him because he thinks they're a more attractive version of a regular diaper), we've tried cool underwear in hopes of him not wanting to ruin them. Yeah, he doesn't care. He knows he'll just get a new one when he wets the one he's wearing. We've also tried the M&M bribe method. This one worked really well for a friend of ours. Not for Sammy. He could care less.

And now, he seems to prefer to run around the house bottomless! I'm just glad he hasn't decided to poop in a corner of the house somewhere. Jossie, I may need some of Bailey's pee pads soon if this behavior doesn't improve!

First Real Christmas

Sammy is turning 3 in January, so technically, this is the first Christmas where he has any clue as to what's going on. And we're really enjoying it too. You should have seen his face when we put up the decorations. He says the x-mas tree is his (well he says that about everything) and loves all the lights.

We've been using the Santa is watching you threat to get him to behave, not that it's working. He's too smart for that. Do you know what he said to my mom the other day? The little booger actually said, "No, Santa not watcheen Sammy, Santa watcheen you!" Of course my mom thought this was hysterical and could not keep a straight face. He has such great respect for his elders.

Surrounded by Awkwardness

Have you ever woken up and felt like you're here but not really here? That was me this morning. While I was walking into school today, I couldn't help but notice how awkward everything seemed to be. Like if I was in some strange alter dimension where everything looked right, but it really wasn't. Like if I was here, but I really shouldn't have been. It was a little creepy. The fact that there was less traffic while driving and less people in the halls didn't help my situation. It just added to the awkwardness.

The Joys of Mommyhood

I recently told my bf, Jossie that nothing interesting ever happens in my life through an email. Boy was I wrong. Bad choice of words, I guess. My life could not be anymore interesting (well it could, but I'm not sure I could handle it).

My son never ceases to amaze me. He is the source of my excitement. What makes my life interesting. He surprises me everyday, and I couldn't possibly ask for anything to be different.

I have come to the realization that, although my life may not be exactly what I expected, I do not regret a single thing about it. And what I find interesting, may not be so for others, but who cares when it's what makes me,well, ...me.

"The Night of the Vomit Pants"

Here I go...my first blog. I decided to do this after a message I sent to my bf of what seems like forever. If anyone is actually reading this, I have posted the message below for your enjoyment.

I love reading your blog. It fills me in on what's going on in your life and I can't help but think it sometimes reads like something out of Bridgett Jones' diary. It's very entertaining. I have thought about starting one myself, but haven't after wondering who would be interested in hearing about my usual crap. Nothing exciting ever really happens in my life. Except for last night. Yeah, last night definitely makes it. I thought I'd share it with you....

When you become a mom, you don't get many opportunities to go out at night. So when my cousin invited Juan and I to the Hard Rock to go to a club for her boyfriend's Bday, and my mom easily said she would stay with Sammy, Juan and I jumped on the opportunity.

This was the first time in a long time that I had done this. We were drinking the night away, dancing, not a care in the world, until...it happened. The moment that ruined my night. Some skanky ass bitch that can't hold her liquor threw up on my pants. Great huh? Yeah, exactly.

So, as you could imagine, my night ended early. I then had to take my pants off in the parking garage when no one was looking (if I was famous, someone would probably be selling it on the internet right now after catching it on the cameras in the parking garage) and drive bottomless all the way home. Juan had a little too much to drink. He was talking crap all the way back. I will forever remember poor Andy's bday as "The Night of the Vomit Pants." Maybe we can turn it into a movie and get Alexis Bledel to star in this one too.