Here We Go Again!

So, Gaby has pneumonia.... again!
I cannot believe that she has it again! She had a small cold 2 weeks ago. Nothing major, sniffles and sneezes not even too much of a cough. On Monday night she began coughing and by Tuesday the cough had gotten much worse. But it was only a cough, that is until yesterday at 4 pm when she spiked a fever of 102.4. Naturally, I panicked and ran her to the Dr. with all 3 kids in tow. Luckily, they didn't close till 5, we just made it. Of course they found nothing but knowing her history they decided to send us for a chest x-ray. So, I called Grandpa to sit with Bella and Alex, since Bella was acting the fool at the Dr. Once Grandpa got there we were off to the Lake Forest Acute Care Center in Grayslake. That is after ramming the new Sienna into the garage (that's another story!) So 8pm last night the Dr. calls to confirm what I feared. Pneumonia. Luckily, it was caught early his time and hopefully we will avoid the dehydration that we had along with the pneumonia last year. She is on antibiotics now but still has a good fever. Luckily it's not 102 anymore.
Of course this could not have come at a worse time!!! Today she was supposed to go on a school field trip to Pizzeria Uno's for a tour and pizza making. She was so upset I about cried telling her she couldn't go. Daddy promised to take her once she got better. Hopefully that will be soon!
Now, let's hope the other 2 don't get it. Last year Bella got it as well. We shall wait and see what the Dr. says tomorrow.

Bella's School - Day 2

The second day went much better. She convinced me to stay for about 15 min. When I finally did leave, there were no tears but there was a long face. To the parent observation room I went for another 10 min to insure that my baby was ok. She was and I left.

When I came back to pick her up.... OH MY GOODNESS!
She did not want to leave. She threw the biggest temper tantrum in the history of the world.
She did not want to leave!!!!
I had Alex in the sling so I could not pick her up and carry her out. My only tactic and this point was to walk towards the car and hope that she followed. Her teacher also offered to carry her out. So, I started walking and she did follow. I got her in the car and locked her in there while I buckled up Gaby and Alex. When it was time to buckle her up her teacher came out to help. Bella took one look at her and screamed "NO!" So loudly that everyone in the parking lot had to look. If people didn't know who we were before.... they know now!

Speaking of (cont.)

So Gaby's favorite new phrase is "Speaking of..."

Example: We were eating lunch and talking about Kindergarten and how you have to be 5 to be in kindergarten. She asked if her friend Rachel is in kindergarten now that she is 5. I said yes. She says "Speaking of Rachel, I haven't seen her lately."

Bella has heard this phrase a few times now, but of course she does not know the context in which it should be used.
Upon hearing Gaby's last comment Bella then says:
"Mommy can I have more tomatoes?"
"Speaking of tomatoes, what time is it?"

I had to do my best to not choke!

Speaking of...

This was the conversation in the car on the way to school on Monday:
We were talking about Gaby's favorite TV show JoJo's Circus where there is a character Mr. Muscles.

Gaby: Is Mr. Muscles big?
Mom: Yes, Gaby.
Gaby: Super-Duper Big?
Mom: Yes, Gaby
Gaby: Big as a house?
Mom: I don't know.
Gaby: Are muscles bones?
M: No muscles are on top of the bones. First you have your skin, then muscles, then bones underneath.
G: Where is the blood.
M: Umm... by the muscles.
G: Does everyone have blood.
Mom: Yes, Gaby
G: Like Daddy and Nina and Grandpa?
Mom: Yes, Gaby
G: What about Pino?
M: Everyone who is living, walking and talking.
G: What about Coco?
Mom: Yes, Gaby
G: She doesn't talk!
M: Ok, Gaby
G: What about our Fishy
Mom: Yes, Gaby
G: She doesn't walk or talk!
M: Ok, Gaby
G: She swims... not walk. She has what are those things called?
M: Fins
G: Oh.......... Speaking of Fins, Valerie and Daniel are Finns!
M(thinking): Good God help me!

We're Rolling Now!

So we are mobile now! Alex rolled over today for the first time... luckily I was there to see it. Selfishly, I kept it to myself. But that was to no avail because half an hour later... he did it again. So, that's it, he is now mobile and my days of having a tiny immobile newborn are officially over. No more leaving him unattended... pretty soon he'll be all over the place.

Bella's First Days @ School

The much anticipated day finally arrives....
Bella's first day of school went off without a hitch, for the most part.

I had my morning all planned out. I was going to drop the girls off and celebrate with Alex by taking a nap. Only to discover that I had to stay for the first hour. Oh No!

She was more than ready to go. She seemed overwhelmed at first and did not know where to start. According to her teacher, transiton is something that is learned. When I finally did leave, she did cry. The teacher gave me the option of staying but I figured after a little tough love she would be fine. I left with my heart aching for my baby and the teacher had to pry her away from the door. I went into the parent observation room and she did only cry for about a minute. After 1o min. it was apparent that she would survive so Alex and I did leave. Alas, there was no nap for us.

Happy Holidays!

So we are back from our Holiday Hiatus. So much to write... Where to begin? Let's see.....

Bella's Birthday
So she is finally 3! She thinks she is now big people. She had an Ariel birthday party but in true Bella fashion she left her birthday party to have a nap, a 3 hour nap! That's my Bella.
She specifically ordered a yellow cake with chocolate frosting with Strawberries on top with sprinkles and Ariel. She was so happy. Luckily she had cake before she fell asleep.

Christmas
We spent Christmas Eve at Ramiro's grandma's house during the daytime making tamales. Ramiro and I both got promotions this year in the hierarchy of tamale making, ascending to masa maker and meat filler. We were so exhausted that evening. But I, having self-promoted myself dare not say a word.
That night was spent with my family and a traditional Puerto Rican Christmas dinner. Roasted pig, Rice and Pigeon peas and pasteles (Puerto Rican tamales made with plantains instead of corn) Notice no veggies were served. We skipped the traditional Yuca... which Ramiro endearingly calls "Yuck-A" My mom and dad were in Peru this Christmas so we figured.....

Christmas Day was low key. The girls were amazed that Santa ate all of the cookies that they had left. They tore through their gifts. Gaby was super excited about her McDonald's Cash Register. "It was just what I wanted" Never mind that he also brought her a bike. Bella was happy with her Graco set for her doll. Now her baby also has a swing, a car seat and a high chair. Maybe now she'll leave my baby alone.

The Nutcracker
The girls and I went to see the Nutcracker Ballet this season. Saying that they loved it would be an understatement. I don't know what was worth the money more. Watching the girls literally sit on the edge of their seat or watching Gaby get up and dance ballet during the Snow Queen's solo. Gaby of all people!

New Year's
New Year's Eve was as exciting as you would expect from people that have 3 kids 4 and under. We went to Ramiro's grandma's again. This time for Mexican Bunelos (elephant ears) and hot chocolate. We were home in time to ring in the New Year. What were we doing when the clock struck 12? Ramiro was upstairs with Gaby who had woken up from a bad dream and I was online ordering our Six Flags season passes for a discounted price since the offer expired 12/31/06. Yep... we lead a glamorous life!

So thus ends another holiday season. This weekend we will be celebrating Three Kings Day, Puerto Rican tradition where the children receive more gifts to honor the day when the 3 kings gave Jesus the 3 gifts. Hey, anything to keep the party going!