Thanksgiving

This was the week of Thanksgiving. The kids and I made hand turkeys and gave them to the grandparents. Louie put his foot print instead of his hand print. They were cute and the kids really enjoyed doing them, and giving them to all the grandparents. We went to Grandma Rita’s for breakfast, which the kids ate something crazy like 45 pancakes. Everyone was looking at Ava because she was on her third pancake of the morning, eating all by herself in the corner smiling. We were all laughing watching her. The kids loved playing with their cousins at my grandmas they were racing each other in the back yard. Later, we went over Auntie Crystals and the kids were super excited to see their other cousins. I remember always being excited to play with my cousins when I was little. They were great kids, and had lots of fun.
Anthony – Anthony is really maturing and I could barely keep up with all of his questions. His questions are starting to be harder to answer, as they are becoming more and more detailed. We put up the tree the day after Thanksgiving. Anthony was so excited to do it this year. Of course we got a call saying that we had a showing in two hours, to look at the house. The house was tore apart because we pulled out all the Christmas decorations. I panicked and looked at Anthony thinking we have to decorate this tree super quick. He looked up at me and said, “Mom aren’t you super excited to decorate the Christmas tree?” I told him I sure am son, and said I’m not rushing this moment for anyone. We decorated the tree, and ate pumpkin bread, to see the joy in Anthony’s eyes was priceless. I asked him if he wanted to sit down and eat his pumpkin bread, he told me, “No mom I have to eat quick because I’m working super hard decorating the tree.” I chuckled because he was so serious. I adore him so much.
Avabelle – I wanted to go the store by myself because it’s so much quicker. Well….Ava decided she wanted to go. I can’t resist that little girl to save my life, there I was waiting for her to put on her shoes. Tony said I thought you were going by yourself, I told him I know, but your daughter always falls through the cracks because she is so charming. I was happy to take her because she is always in such a happy mood to go. Her favorite thing lately is after she washes her hands she tells me, “Mom, can I touch Louie’s hands?” I tell her yes and she goes and finds him and touches his hands. It’s really cute! She loved playing with her cousins at my grandmas even though she’s the only girl.
Louie – Louie’s nose has been quite congested for three weeks now. He get’s blood in his mucous because it’s so dry. The doctors said it’s not a big deal and he’ll get over it. Aquafore seems to be helping. I wish he would get over this, because I know he would sleep though the night if he could breathe better. We finally put two humidifiers in the room. He loved being out and about for Thanksgiving, the grandparents all adore him, and he adores all of them. His four month check up went well. He is in the 75th percentile for his weight, 90th for his height and 50th for his head. So far he’s a healthy growing boy, which makes mom very joyful.
Tony and I – We found out that next week we go to the design center for the new house. Aunt Jenn is coming with us because she has great taste, and we both feel very comfortable with her. I am super excited! I took grandpa Rudy to see the new house and he loved it. He was very impressed. Something about his approval means a lot to me, him and Tony’s mom, because they really care about the best interest of our family. Even though they will miss us living closer, they are very happy for the opportunities we will be providing for the kids.

Moving along

Avabelle – Avabelle started back to dance and she loves it. She has been talking about it non-stop, and now that she has her second dose of her H1N1, I put her back in dance again. The teacher told me she fit right back in like she’s never misssed a class before, of course she caught a cold right away being around the other kids. I don’t care as long as it’s not the H1N1 flu. It’s hard trying to keep Louie away from her because she loves to be around him. She seems to be doing a little better and I’ve been trying to give her chicken soup everyday because as Ava says it, “Chicken soup makes me feel better huh mom.” I told her yes it does my sweet Ava.

Anthony – At night Anthony and Avabelle ask me to sing them a lullaby. So I have to sing to them and put their name in it when I do. Well I finally said I need some one to sing me a lullaby. Anthony said I will mom, he sang me this, “Lullaby and goodnight, go to sleep my precious mama, I love you and I need you my mama.” It was so beautiful hearing his little singing voice, of course it brought tears to my eyes. I love him so much. It’s always the little moments that mean so much. I took him to get his speech checked since it has been a great concern of mine. He has a huge vocabulary but has trouble with w,r and l. He can say them by themselves but has trouble when he talks too fast. At Child Find in Jefferson County they checked his hearing and vision and that came back great. We had to wait for the developmental specialist to take him back and make sure his cognitive development was o.k. She took him back and after she came back she has a concerned look on her face. She said he did fine but I was really nervous thinking oh no what’s wrong with him. She kneeled next to me and told me is he in Preschool? I told her he would be in December she said she put the plus sign on a piece of paper and asked him what it was and he told her, “That’s the addition sign it’s when you add numbers you use that.” She said she never had a kid tell her that before. I laughed and said I’m a teacher and I work with him but he remembers what he wants. She said that I was doing a great job and that he was also very delightful. I told her thank you and was actually a little embarrassed. Finally, the speech specialist checked him and said he was fine in his speech and that those letters come with time. I was really relieved to hear that.

Louie – Louie rolls over non-stop. He’s rolled over a few times before, but now it’s non-stop. He get’s so excited to see his brother and sister run around, I think he’s getting anxious and wants to move too. When he gets burnt out when I hold him in one place he starts kicking his leg. I told Tony I’m like his horse and he kicks me to get me moving. He is very funny and energetic.
Tony and I - We found a house in Castle Rock that we fell in love with. We had looked at Oakwood, Richmond and Meritage homes. We went with Meritage because they offered a lot more options and it was the perfect floor plan. I told Tony it was my dream house. As soon as we get a contract on our house then they will break ground on our home. We are really exctied about raising our kids in a smaller town and to still be in the Douglas County school district. Hopefully everything works out!!!! I get really excited!!! I’ve never been so excited about a house and the location. Tony told me he didn’t know how I did it by caring for all the kids the way I do. That made me feel good because so many people think that it’s such an easy job caring for your kids well at home. I work really hard at taking care of everyone. It requires a lot of energy, which I used to have a lot more of.

Doctors Visit

I took all three kids to the doctor by myself this week. AHHHHHHH! The kids had to get their second dose of the H1N1 and Louie had really bad stuffy nose bleeds for a week. I had Anthony push Ava in the stroller, and I carried Louie. It was a sight to see. The people at the pediatricians office were shocked to see that I brought all three. The nurse put us in a room I’ve never been in, in our 4,000 trips to their office. I told the nurse we’ve never had the suite before. All was going great the baby was happy laughing at Avabelle jumping up and down. Anthony was sitting in his chair not jumping around and touching stuff. The nurse came in and I saw the shots on her tray. I told her, “Do you have any of the nasal sprays left?” She told me they just ran out yesterday. I didn’t even consider them not having the spray. My eyes filled with horror thinking I always like the kids to be by their selves when they get a shot, because I like to comfort them. Anthony was up first, pulled his pants down and of course didn’t have any underwear on, he started screaming after she poked him. Ava had to take off her dance leotard to get to her tights to pull those down, finally she was ready and also screamed at the top of her lungs….now of course Louie was screaming, because they were screaming, so now all three of them were screaming. I was trying to comfort all of them at the same time. Marc the P.A. came in as I was trying to hug Anthony, hold Louie, and put Ava’s dance leotard, and tights back on. I think he was as nervous as I was and grabbed Louie to help me out. He had this look in his eye like…have another kid lady. Louie ended up not having an ear infection, which I was extremely grateful for. Finally, we all left on our happy little way. I told the kids I would buy them some hamburgers from Burger King on our way home. They were excited and when we pulled up to order the lady told me their broiler was down. I was thinking you have got to be kidding me, what are the odds of that. I took the kids home and made them some peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, which they were happy about. They did a great job and I was so grateful to them. WOW, what a morning!

Fall Week

This week was such a beautiful week for weather. The temperature was low 70s all week. Anthony and Avabelle loved playing outside. Today it is cold and gloomy but it is November 13th and we are fortunate to still have nice weather. I’ve been living in the moment with the kids this week and it makes such a huge difference sometimes the house isn’t perfect but the kids love the time I spend with them.
Anthony – Anthony is getting so big I look at him and I’m amazed. Although he wasn’t too big to take a bath in the sink this week. I gave Louie a bath in the kitchen sink, and then Avabelle, and Anthony wanted a bath in there too. It was funny Tony came up for coffee and Anthony was naked trying to get in the sink. He said what’s going on, Anthony told him that he needed to get his cars first before taking a bath in the sink like nothing was out of the ordinary. Tony and I laughed once he was in there, because he looked way too big.
Avabelle – Avabelle was super cute this week…she was supposed to go upstairs and get her pajamas on she came down in her tights with the ballet slippers on them, and a thermal shirt. It was such a sight to see, Tony and I couldn’t stop laughing because she was so happy in her outfit. She did such a great job at singing to Louie this week. Louie just goos as she sings to him, while I secretly watch and hope she doesn’t fall on, him because she keeps dancing around his little body.
Louie – Louie is really babbling a lot lately. He is still super happy and loves to be held. Tony thinks he’s so happy because I walk him around all day. I love to hold him although he is getting heavier and heavier. He loves to see what’s going on. He gets super excited when he sees Anthony and Ava running he kicks his legs and arms. I sometimes wonder if he ever gets sick all of us being in his face all the time.
Tony and Rita – We had a great week. I was little overwhelmed one morning I had to feed Louie and I had to get Anthony, Avabelle, and myself out the door in 30 minutes and we were all still in our pajamas. I had a little melt down and Tony came out to see what was going on because I don’t have them too often. I told him it was just a hard morning because Louie had been up a few times last night and the kids were in slow motion. I know he thinks I’m crazy sometimes, but he’s always known this. He helped me and gave me a kiss on the head, which I really needed. I was out the door and had plenty of time. I told Tony you know I was thinking of how overwelming it is to take care of three kids and the house. I said I feel like I can’t take care of myself because I’m always taking care of everyone else, but then I said I thought about how lucky I am to do it, to be able to stay home and watch my kids grow. I feel very fortunate and I am very grateful that we have the life we do. It reminded me of a saying don’t complain that you have to, but be grateful that you can. I feel like I set my expectations too high of myself. Well I’m off to make the beds and do some laundry. Oh yeah and the house has been on the market for almost a week.

Halloween Week!

Louie - I think Louie is getting his first tooth but not sure. He has been drooling like crazy. I was acting like I was going to tickle him and he started laughing(you know the gut laugh). I started laughing too because it was sooooooo cute. I weighed him on our scale and he is up to 15lbs I'd like him to double his weight by his 4 month check up because it lowers the risk of SIDS. He was such a super cute cow!!! He fell asleep and dad carried him the whole time Anthony and Ava went trick or treating.

Anthony - I really enjoy how polite Anthony is. He uses his manners often. I just have to start keeping up with his non-stop questions, all day. They never end, it reminds me of when I was little and had non-stop questions. Oh wait I still have non-stop questions. He loved playing outside in our big snowstorm, we had 24 inches of snow in the backyard. Anthony and Avabelle would run up and down the hill with their sleds. They would laugh when they would get to the end and do it over again. I sat with Louie by the back window and just watched them, I didn't stop smiling the whole time. I love to watch them laugh and smile. Anthony was at my bedside when I woke up with his jacket, pajama shirt, snow pants and snow boots on. His hair was all messy and he told me, "I want to go outside!" I said Anthony it's too early to go outside it's only 7:30. It was super cute and everytime I think about it I smile. He had such a great time. I love my Runks. He really enjoyed trick or treating this year. He was wanted to go to all the houses except the scary ones. I had to go first and then he would follow. He didn't want to stop trick or treating but his sister did so he did.


Avabelle - Ava adapts in every situation she's in. When I get upset with her it's hard to stay mad because she is so happy all of the time. We brought the wagon along and she wanted to be pulled to every house like a princess. I told her she could walk because it would take more time to get in and out of the wagon. She didn't care she got in and out every time. She finally was exaushted and said let's go home and eat some candy. She didn't need a lot or she figured my parents aren't going to give me a lot anyway(she is a very smart girl).


Tony and I - Tony carved their pumpkins and he was tired because he had to work late. He told me I'm just carving simple pumpkins, but of course Anthony wanted Lightning McQueen and Ava wanted a princess. Of course he gave in because they were really excited about them. It really warmed my heart because he is such a wonderful father and such a wonderful human being. I've been more grateful than I normally am over him this weekend. He always goes the extra mile for all of us. I don't know how he does all that he does but I am extremly grateful that he's my husband. We're a good team. We always eat at home now, and I like us both cooking together because we bond and talk. Also, because he's much better at cooking meat than I am. Our time together is cooking, and after the kids go to sleep. It really amazes me how in love with him I am after 17 years. I told him that he's my super hero and I truly meant it.