Tuesday, December 2, 2008

Laughter is not the only thing that is contagious...germs are too!

It's been a long while since I've written, and I'm sure there is so much that has happened in the crazy lives of the Velasquez clan! The latest tidbit of information is that both of the girls are very ill :( Poor babies! I'm sure it was bound to happen with all of the Thanksgiving gatherings we attended this past weekend. Mia started first with a fever and now it has turned to an ear infection and a sinus infection! Lydia is running the fever and has a stuffy nose! I know it could be much worse so I'm not complaining too much! But if you think about it sometime, say a quick prayer for them and for me! With Aron being out of town this week, I cannot afford to catch what they have!

We have been decorating the house for Christmas and Mia has really enjoyed being on the "decorating committee!" She is so excited to go and pick out our tree this weekend, assuming everyone is healthy! Then next week we are going to visit Santa! She is even more excited about that! The one thing she has been asking for over and over is a pink piano! Let's hope Santa can come through! I'll be sure to post some pictures from our visit with Santa! Should be fun with a 6 month old who fears any person that is not her mommy or daddy!

Hope this blog finds you all doing well! I'll be sure to write more soon as the kids begin to feel better!

Love and Blessings!

Friday, October 17, 2008

We need each other!

Anyone who knows my family knows that my girls are sleepers! They love their sleep and are cranky when they don't get enough! (I have no idea who they inherit that from!)

On Wednesday I was the first one awake at 9:00am...I know rough life! While the girls were still sleeping, I decided to have a quiet breakfast and get some things done around the house. I was able to get a lot accomplished, but after 2 1/2 hours of pure silence in my house, I was going insane!! I found myself walking around aimlessly as if I didn't know how to function without little ones calling after me, or needing me to do something for one of them! I was lonely! I peeked in on Mia and she was still snoozing away. I peered over the bassinet at Lydia and she was still dreaming away. What was I going to do with myself?

It was now 11:30am and I decided they had slept long enough! I purposely started making noise around the bedrooms until they started to stir! Before too much longer they were both awake and both "needing" me! As the house went from 0 to chaos in 30 seconds, at first I thought, "What was I thinking?" But then I was reminded of that lonely feeling I was experiencing just moments before. It wasn't even bothering me that Mia was whining for juice while I was changing Lydia and getting ready to feed her, while she was also whining! I was needed again! That's when it hit me! I need them as much as they need me...or maybe I need them more than they need me! I love that they need their mommy! I love that I get to stay home and be their mommy!

I'm still undecided if I need them more or if they need me more! Whichever the case, my girls reminded me we need each other! It's good to be needed, wanted, and loved. So many times I forget to mention to the people in my life how much they mean to me and how much I need them. Let this be a simple reminder to take time to tell people how important they are in your life! Everyone likes to feel needed and appreciated!

Love and Blessings friends!

Wednesday, October 8, 2008

It's okay to cry!

Wow, it's been a little while since I've been able to sit down and write! I guess you'll have that with two little ones!

In my last post I had written about how I was having an emotional time. Well the next day all of my emotions came out to a dear friend on the phone! (Thanks Kati for listening!) I've always had this "rule" that I won't cry in front of Mia. Some may call that silly, but I never want her to get nervous or upset because mommy is crying. On this particular day there was no holding back as my emotions overcame me and began to let it all out. At first Mia was very quiet and just watched me looking a little confused. As I continues talking and crying, she began to bring tissues over to me one by one. She's so sweet. After getting off the phone she asked me if I was okay and I explained to her that sometimes you just need to cry! Later that afternoon we were grocery shopping and the store was completely out of something that I needed. I must have looked disappointed because Mia, who was sitting in the front of the cart, began rubbing my shoulder and said, "Are you going to need a tissue, because it's okay to cry mommy!" She's my sensitive one!

On some lighter notes, Lydia is working on some teeth. I think her fist is in her mouth every waking moment. She is also rolling over regularly and now loving to play in her exersaucer! She's getting so fun! She cracks herself up when she pushes the buttons and makes her toy light up! I love the sound of her laughter!

I told Mia we would do something special this afternoon and she has chosen to go see the movie Beverly Hills Chihuahua...pray for me! ha! Thankfully we have a really cheap theater here in BG and it only costs $2.00...so if I have to take Lydia out it won't be a big deal. Plus I really don't think Mia will sit still for a whole movie! This will be an adventure!

Love and blessings!

Monday, September 29, 2008

There's no place like home!

Today my girls reminded me that there's no place like home! I've been having a very rough and emotional time this past week. I won't get into details, but I've felt every emotion from anger to sadness and the latest, rejection. So after a long couple of days that have included being away from my kids and husband, it was nice to come home after work to the unconditional love and feeling of being wanted and needed! When I walked in the door Mia came running through the house yelling, "Mommy, mommy!" Then as Lydia spotted me she began kicking her legs and lunging forward with her big beautiful smile plastered on her face!! I love it! Plus, Aron was happy to see me too...I think after being a "single" parent the past few days, he was really happy to see me! haha!

My home and my family are truly my "safe place." I can always be myself and always feel loved and appreciated! I'm so thankful for that. I think it's good for me to be reminded of this rejected feeling sometimes, because it forces me to think about how my Creator must feel at times. It reminds me to thank Him, tell Him daily that I love Him, and most importantly make Him feel welcome in my home.

I like to sing to my girls...a lot! When I'm trying to calm them down, or just put them to sleep, I sing! Mia already has her favorites and Lydia is starting to respond to some songs I sing regularly. One of my favorites that I sing to both of them has a chorus that I love and it's how I'm going to close for tonight! As I even think of the lyrics, they bring tears to my eyes as I'm reminded of the unconditional love I have for my girls, and how thankful I am for the love they always show me! I'm so thankful for my family, my Savior, and my home!

"I love you today,
I love you tomorrow,
I love you as deep as the sea.
I love you in joy and I love you in sorrow;
You can always come home to me!"

Friday, September 26, 2008

Special days are meant to be celebrated!

Today the girls and I took a quick shopping trip to Kroger. We had gone apple picking last week and I needed to get some freezer bags so I could freeze some pie filling for the winter...yummy! While at the checkout I noticed the date, September 26th. This day is an important day in the Velasquez family history because exactly one year ago on this date we discovered that we would be soon getting an addition to the family!

After loading the groceries and the children in the van, I told Mia that today was special and reminded her of the day that her and Mommy found out that Lydia was in mommy's belly! She asked, "So, is today Lydia's birthday?" I tried my best to explain that it wasn't a birthday, but a "special" day none the less. Thinking like a 3 year old she then said, "Well mommy, if it's a special day, then we should celebrate!" I asked her what she thought we should do to celebrate and she replied with, "I think Lydia would like to get a Happy Meal from McDonalds!" Typical for Mia to want to celebrate with a Happy Meal!! Since I'm on a diet, and a budget for that matter (thanks, Aron!), I told her we could not get a Happy Meal today but we would do something else to celebrate! So we now have an apple pie baking in the oven and we're going to have a little family celebration after dinner!! Thanks Mia for reminding Mommy that special days are meant to be celebrated!!

And thank you Lord for blessing us with our beautiful Lydia Ruth!! I know I speak for all of my family when I say that we could not imagine our world without her! She is a true blessing and tonight we're going to celebrate her, and our family!

Love to all!

Wednesday, September 24, 2008

Laughter is Contagious!

Today my girls reminded that laughter is contagious!! On a day that began with no laughing matter, this afternoon was spent making memories that will last a lifetime! (for me at least!)

The day began at 4:30am when I was suddenly awaken with a warm sensation all down my back. When I finally came to my senses I realized just what that warm sensation was and who caused it, and no it wasn't Aron!! You guessed it! Mia had crawled into our bed and peed all over me! I woke Aron up and sent him on clean up duty of Mia while I wiped down the mattress and changed our bedding...all while Mia was repeating, "After I get cleaned up can I come back in your bed?"

So after literally waking up on the wrong side of the bed this morning, I was in no laughing mood. Mia's first question in the morning is always, "So mom, where are we going to go today?" This morning I told her we were going no where because mommy had to clean and she now added to my laundry list by peeing the bed! But as noon time rolled around, I began to feel guilty about not being outside to enjoy what will be undoubtedly be one of the last days of summer weather, so I decided to take the girls to the park.

Every time we get to the park Mia heads straight to the swings, which still baffles me because we have a swingset in the yard, but for some reason park swings are so much more appealing to a 3 year old! After loading Mia into the swing, while wearing Lydia in the "snugli" on my chest, I begin pushing Mia facing her front so Lydia could watch. Each time Mia would come forward she would look at Lydia and shout, "I'm gonna get you Peanut (her nickname for Lydia)! At this Lydia would squeal with delight, which would in turn make Mia laugh hysterically!! As the game continued, Lydia began laughing hysterically like no other 4 month old, 11lb 6oz little girl I have ever seen!! She was laughing so hard that at one point she couldn't catch her breath. Before I knew it, another mom and child came over to the swings to watch Mia and Lydia playing this game and watch Lydia laugh! Then a few minutes later more people were over watching, and laughing along with my girls and myself. At one point I thought to myself, "Now I'm never going to get Mia off these swings!" But then I realized all the joy and laughter my girls were spreading just by interacting with each other and this simple game! Suddenly the 4:30am awakening was out of my mind and all I could think about was all the laughter being spread by my two sweet little blessings. I began to wonder in that moment what else was being forgotten about at that playground by all of other "spectators," as we all joined in laughter together!

So I encourage you today, no matter what your circumstance may be, to take a minute and spread some laughter, or even just a smile :) After all, it's contagious!