my not-a-baby-anymore baby

Jace is my baby. He is so different from Reuben. Not only did I get my brown-eyed baby, but he's also a mama's boy (still) and not as talkative (yes, still). He gets so shy around strangers, hides his face, and runs away. I remember one day when Reuben was a baby, we were at a restaurant here in town and the waitress wanted to take Reuben to show his blue eyes to the chef. We let her, and he gladly went. Now-a-days I would not only NEVER let this happen, but neither would Jace. He would cling for dear life, and I love it. We took a picture of Reuben in this outfit and Jorge's hat when he was the same age. It's the one on the left side of the blog. What do you think? Complete opposites?
Jace has been curiously exploring how underwear works. He's decided to make a fashion statement, in his support of Reuben's potty training.
I was undressing Jace to get him in the bathtub, when he escaped. This is where I found him. He wants to be everything Reuben is and do everything he does. That can be good and bad! He sometimes does not realize he's 2 years younger and I'm sure he'll be giving me a heart attack soon. Brave boy. His devilishly handsome smile says it all. I told Allison tonight that I've been blog-neglecting Jace. I've had a lot to say about Reuben with his potty training and you know, talking! But I love Jace too and wouldn't change him for the world. Just thought you should know! have a great week!

Thanksgiving. 08

It's the most wonderful time of the year...

I love Christmas! I love shopping for everyone, making hot chocolate (almost daily), Christmas music, cookies, decor, etc...and I especially loved Christmas tonight. I had made pumpkin bread after church and of course hot chocolate (secret mexicany ingredient: cinnamon)! to go with it while we watched the 1st Presidency's Christmas message. Reuben has learned that Christmas is "Jesus's birthday party" and he paid so much attention to the program. Here are his comments. I hope you enjoy them as much as I have:

"He said OATMEAL!" (in reference to Pres. Uchtdorf)

"Mommy, HE said Jesus Christ." (Pres. Eyring)

"Bishop, mommy, bishop!" (again, Pres. Eyring)

He didn't comment during President Monson's talk, but listened so carefully and pronounced his little sincere "Amen" at the end. How my little 3 year old's attention span lasted so long was beyond me, but I'm glad it did. It was so heart warming to sit with my little family and listen to loving reminders about the Christmas season and celebration of our Savior's birth.

my first.

Reuben is my firstborn. The first to make me a mother. Well, this weekend I had another first. The first time I've experienced potty-training. It was great. Reuben is great. I have learned so much from having him, and he is amazing. It brings tears to my eyes every time I think about how we almost lost him. Most 27 weekers don't make it, or do, but with a lot of challenges. He is so smart, good looking, and creative (all 3 of which I'm sure he got from his Daddy!) We had a 3 day weekend, thanks to some unknown-to-me Mexican holiday, so I decided to POTTY TRAIN REUBEN! I know, I know...if you're doing the math, I'll help you out. He's almost 3 1/2. But I didn't want this to be frustrating for either of us, especially since my time with him now is limited. Here's how it went:

Putting on his first sticker! He was so proud of his big boy underwear, but a little embarrassed to have me take a picture! He kept telling me that he wears underwear and Jace uses diapers.
We started bright and early Saturday morning (5:30 to be exact). He tried for a while, while watching cartoons.

...even had to have a snack...

We read his "Potty Train" book...a few times...

And at the end of the 3 days, HE'S POTTY TRAINED! He's so proud, and so are we! Yes, the first day had it's share of accidents. Jorge told him that after he's potty-trained, he'd take him to the ranch to ride horses all day. After that, the stickers kept piling on! (Jorge, when we potty train Jace, please make that promise on the first day!)

For every successful "go" (how do you say that?!) he would get a sticker and an M&M. Jace stood watch, and when he saw the results, he'd run and ask for an "em!" also. Look at all those stickers! Man, he can pee! On a funny note, he would get so distracted and say, "mommy, it's LONG!" Yes Reuben, please go. Silly boy. Successful weekend! YEAH!

the rest of the sick day

This was the afternoon of our "sick day".... usually I don't cook lunch so we weren't stocked for today (atleast with anything that sounded yummy), so we ordered PIZZA! Reuben was pretty amazed that our pizza came on a "moto". Jorge was cleaning out his closet and found this. We do not put bumper stickers on our vehicles. I think it's somewhat rednecky, if that's a word. But Reuben was happy with his. I'm going to ignore what implications that may have....

I put Reuben down for a nap and FOUND THIS. My fault. I left a pile of folded laundry in the basket in their room. So after he tried getting up a zillion times, I took him back to the disaster area and calmly explained that if he didn't take a nap he'd need a time out. He just looked up at me and said, "I'm poopy mommy." Augh.....so THAT'S why....*beware: diaper changing lingo....I changed his diaper and said, "Reuben, you did have a little turd." To which he replied, "It's a TURTLE!" hahahaha...... Have a happy Tuesday!

Jace's Sick Day

Jace threw up every 20 minutes for 4 hours. It was aweful, but more-so because he is my son who can EAT. The poor kid was starving. I thought he could try a piece of toast....no. Big mistake (on him, me and the floor). So after I arranged to not go to work, etc...he ran and stole Reuben's pb&j sandwich and scarfed it down faster than you can imagine. And surprisingly, he held it down. So after that and teaspoon by teaspoon of Pedialyte, he's fine. The boys had baths and fell asleep watching a rodeo. They were happy.

This is Jace's new smile in response to "say cheese"...isn't it the cutest thing EVER?! Does he even look sick?! NO!!!!!

Reuben wasn't very happy when he started roping him, so he resorted to roping himself...yes, my sick boy....I think he was totally faking it...just wanting another day with mommy. The weekend was too short! Although I asked Reuben what he wanted to do today..."go to Grandma's!"

Jace is growing up so fast. He's still my baby, but he's so independent. So although I was imagining worse case scenarios yesterday (I seriously thought he ate plastic off of a Halloween candy and it blocked his plumbing...etc.) He's absolutely wonderful and feeling fine. He even ate one of Grandma's cinnamon rolls with chocolate chips. My sick baby. I love him!

Happy Halloween!

My friend Cambria is amazing. Anyone who knows her, knows it. She totally went all out for Halloween, and thankfully asked us to join in the fun! We ate dinner in a pumpkin, carved pumpkins, ate DELICIOUS pumpkin pie, and even went to our ward Halloween party. Reuben was a lion, but refused to let me draw a lion nose and whiskers. He said make-up is for girls.....I even told him I bought a special pencil that's for boys...nope. He didn't buy it. Reuben won a plate of cupcakes on the cake walk, and loved that his had a plastic spider on it. For some reason, that was the funniest thing ever! Hope you all had a fun, safe weekend!

OuR WeEkeNd!~

Today we went to church, came home, and ate lunch. While I was cleaning up, Jorge was in the playroom building a house of legos with Reuben. Jace decided he wanted to drive....and he was going and going and going....until all of a sudden it was silent. I couldn't hear the wheels anymore, so I went looking....this is what I found: Sound asleep. He didn't even wake up as I twisted his body out of the car. Jorge had been gone for a few days, and we hadn't been home- so we thought we'd skip any chores or errands that needed done and just spend time with each other. AND of course, that means movies and popcorn! Luckily I got a shot of the boys before the popcorn turned over. I loved how they were just hanging out together, not annoyed that the other might be in the other's personal comfort space....just watchin' a movie and eating popcorn.
So we had a fun, somewhat lazy weekend. I asked Reuben what kind of cookies he wanted to make this weekend. (thinking he'd probably want cowboy cookies) His answer was: CHOCOLATE and KETCHUP! So I told him I would make him chocolate and ketchup cookies...I made brownies and accidently forgot to put the ketchup in! Hope you all had a good weekend!

Happy "Hawolleen" party! thanks mercedes!!!

saturday night fun

Tonight after I gave the boys a bath, Jorge asked for us to come outside for a minute. I was so confused as to why (especially since it meant a 99.9% chance of getting dirty again and needing to bathe in the morning before church)....until I saw it. the turtle. This was no ordinary turtle. It was not shy, did not hide from us, and walked very fast (ok- it ran). So what did my boys do??? THEY ROPED IT. poor turtle. I'd run too! But they had a blast! maybe jorge should start a new sport. I'd worry less if my boys were roping turtles instead of big steers!

I've been tagged...by marci.

Sorry....I guess I was tagged a long time ago, and I remembered seeing it but didn't have time. So here it is!:

Joys, Fears, and Obssessions
These are the rules: list 3 joys, 3 fears, 3 current obsessions/collections, 3 surprising facts and then tag 5 other people. Leave a comment for the people you tag so they know they have been tagged.
Joys.
1. Holding my sleeping babies.
2. Dancing with Jorge.
3. Listening to rain on a tin roof.
Fears.
1. Being in the wrong place at the wrong time.
2. Being with the wrong person at the wrong time.
3. Having anything happen to any one of my 3 boys.
Current obsessions/collections
1. Actually, I'm currently obsessed with de-junking. so...anti-collecting?!
2. I'm trying to convince Santa Claus to bring the boys a dog.
3. Organic chicken eggs and goatmilk. NO, I'm not necessarily obsessed and it's not a "collection" but I believe it's healthier- and hey- I Do have to balance out the weekend cookies!
Surprising facts
1. I have one square lamp in my house and I'm trying to have it be diagonal on the entertainment center and it really bothers me.
2. I have a strict shower routine, but a few weeks ago I was pretty tired and put SHAMPOO on my face. kinda disappointed in myself. I've had the same routine since high school....
3. To some this may not be surprising...but TODAY I wore brown and black to church. Yes, I did. AND I looked good. (maybe that's the surprising part! haha)

I tag....Becky, Vanessa, Amy, Lauren, and ?

toenails and blogging

There are two things I haven't been able to do since August 4th. 1. is polishing my toenails and the second is blogging. For those of you who aren't in the know...just kidding...I started working again. Here: Actually, this is a picture of the school. This fabulously designed blog (http://jsateam7.blogspot.com/) was done by my oh so talented sister, Becky. (Thank you!) So, when I have spare time, it is all devoted to my family. I've learned that I used to take our time together for granted. Now, we literally cherish every single moment. At this very moment, I am blowing bubbles for them to chase while I do this.
I've also started a ritual that the boys, Jorge included, do not complain about. Weekend ritual cookies. We make cookies every weekend. And, sadly, usually eat them all before Monday rolls around. My mother-in-law keeps the boys, which is extremely convenient because I then get to see the boys at lunch and eat her oh-so yummy cooking. She's great with the boys and they usually don't want to come home! I was sick all last week (thought the stomach flu was only suppose to last 24 hrs?!) and attempted to go to work one day....but ended up turning around after 2 minutes of driving. Reuben cried. "I want to go to Grandma's house! not my white house!" So sad. Sorry Reuben. Mommy couldn't make it. But I was able to be with my little family ALL WEEK, and even though I felt like death, couldn't cook for them, couldn't change their diapers, and had to leave the room when they ate- inside (in every part of me other than my stomach!) I was happy. They are my life. And I'm so grateful to have them and to have Jorge, who by-the-way did a great job at taking care of me and the boys. EVEN when the only thing that sounded good after 4 days of not eating was SUPER YUMMY SUPER greasy! tacos. He went and got them. I ate....I was sick. Again. Still. Not even one "I told you so" He was great! Thanks!

Cowboy Cookies! Sunday p.m.

 

we *heart* the ranch

SUNDAY fun.

This past Sunday, all of the future Sunbeams went to Primary for singing time. First of all, I can't believe I have a soon-to-be Sunbeam! and Secondly, I was amazed at how reverent he was! I snuck in the back of the room to snap this shot! I love how his feet don't even touch the floor! (He was very happy to get to sit by his friend, Alan, who is a year older.)
Jace and Reuben are "Colony Boys"- they love getting dirty, chasing chickens, and not using their carseats. KEEP READING. We require carseats, except on the way home from church. We live on the same road. They think this is the best ever! Reuben usually "drives" and this particular Sunday, Jace fell asleep in my arms in the 1 minute it took to get home. He's not a baby anymore, but I love these tender moments.

Big Brother Reuben!

Reuben had never really showed an interest in coloring until spending all summer with Alexia, his super cute older cousin. This is one of his many masterpieces. And although he TRIED to stay in the lines....or on the paper..... it really didn't happen that way. HOWEVER, he was very happy to clean up his mess. I think that might have been the most fun! I asked him if I could help clean it and he said, "No mommy- I do it!" OK!!!!!

Reuben also loves reading. He makes sure that Jace has a book also. This was in Phoenix, but every night when Jorge and I are reading scriptures- the boys get their "scriptures" and "read" while we do. When they get a little older we'll start with BOM reader, but until then....this is cute, and fun. Reuben also does chores. He asked for them. He puts our scriptures in their little cubby and he gathers their socks when I wash whites and puts them away. He gets so excited and runs around the house while we all give him 5. Love it! and him!

A Summer of Firsts for Jace

Jace's 1st haircut. I do feel bad that we did it....only because we took Reuben to a huge salon and had it all fancy for him- BUT this is why....Jace has no hair. Ok, I lied- he has 2 of them! Yes, I'm only kidding. His hair has grown but only around his ears and on the bottom like an old man, so we gave him his 1st haircut and HE LOVED it. He looks older and is still devilishly handsome. He also drank his 1st virgin margarita. Midnight margarita. Name that movie. I know it looks like he didn't like it but he kept wanting more! He'd even stick his lizard tongue out and lick off all my salt. Funny kid!

WHETTEN WEEKEND

I have the best husband. Really, I do- there's no argument. This weekend, I wanted to redo a built in bookshelf in this little corner of our house. It included ripping off old wallpaper, using thinner to take the excess glue off, taping, painting...and more painting. I told Jorge it would be my little weekend project. I really wanted to get books out of boxes and feel productive. So, Jorge helped me take the wallpaper off, thin the glue, tape the wall, and he painted. AND "my little project" was done. And even though I mostly just watched...I DID feel productive! Here's my project and smile to prove it! And me, thanking Jorge for actually doing it all....and him...pretending not to enjoy it! Thank you handsome hubby!

Saturday morning smiles...

Yes, we are back! We came back to Mexico after spending all summer in Phoenix and the internet wasn't working. FINALLY some telmex person came and fixed the line (it took all of 5 minutes) so we are again...modern. It is now Saturday morning, 6:00 to be exact. I...am....so...tired. I am working again, but it's all going very well. We've had a lot of crime (shootings and kidnappings) in our area so I've been emotionally drained all week and looking forward to Saturday morning. Reuben fell asleep yesterday afternoon around 4:30 and DID NOT WAKE UP until NOW!!! I knew he'd be up early, but he usually entertains himself wtih Handy Manny, Mickey Mouse Playhouse, etc....but he was coughing so I got up to give him a treatment and he was lonely. So there I sat...when he came up to me and said, "Mommy, I break my owwie!" can you guess what happened???? He pulled a scab off of a healing mosquito bite wound. Yes, I break my owwie. His next statement was, "PUT IT BACK ON!" Isn't that just the cutest thing EVER? I love my family so much and at this moment am going to make our weekend ritual cookies...this week...thumbprint cookies with fig jam from our own fig tree! (Jorge's been teasing me all week for being country- I even bottled peaches. yay for me! haha) Have a GREAT Saturday!

My binge on humble pie!

Case #1: We asked Reuben what he wanted for his birthday, and this is what he asked for. I didn't buy him any boots this summer because I thought he could just wear his sandals and we'd get some in the fall. Nope. It's all about boots this summer! So...when we were in the store, they had one pair in his size but they weren't a match. One was a darker brown. I thought, "some idiots bought the wrong ones!" We ended up buying a bigger size so he could put them on and take them off himself. THEN I went shopping- found some *FABULOUS* shoes, love them- but the boys were getting tired of shopping so I hurried to check out (have to make myself some excuse!) I bought 2 different sizes! 7 1/2 and 8. Like I said...humble pie.

Case #2:

I recently read the blog about the woman whose baby drowned in their hot tub. This was really hard for me. I was grateful they forgave themselves, but when they said they didn't feel like they were to blame- I very much dissagreed. I told Jorge I must need to read my scriptures more, but I felt like I had a hard heart and was somewhat angry at this random woman. While I still feel like they were to blame, even though I know it was "meant to be" meaning Heavenly Father knows what mistakes we will make before we make them- my rude awakening was this: Reuben ate ALL of Jace's teething tablets. Ok, not all- I had given Jace 3, so he actually ate all 122! (I was putting Jace down for his morning nap, and he tried waking up so I stayed with him for a few more minutes.) I about died. I called and come to find out, a baby can actually eat 6 whole bottles! before feeling a negative side effect, which is: dry mouth. Holy cow huh? I screamed, "Reuben, this is medicine- not candy!" and when I found out he was fine, I cried. Sobbed. Uncontrollably. I asked him, "do you know how much I love you?" He said, "yeah." and brought a blankie and wiped my tears. If anything had happened to him, it would have been 100% my fault. So it didn't really change my mind about things, but it did open my eyes. Also, it made me question the overall effectiveness of the teething tablets. The belladonna didn't sedate him and the caffeine didn't seem to do much either and trust me- he didn't leave my side for over 24 hours.

Lesson learned: I'm still pretty opinionated, but I might need to work harder at keeping those opinions to myself because before too long, I will be making the same mistakes...myself.

My 3 year old!

Reuben LOVED riding horses. We went to visit Jorge's cousin, Adrian, on Sunday and they were roping. Here is a pic of Adrian talking to his son, Ruben. And of course, my hot hubby and his son....Reuben. It was atleast 10 at night, so Reuben was getting tired but not about to let Jorge ride off without him. Sorry about the spots- with the lights and dust in the air- couldn't help it. I say that as if I'm so smart...but really I asked Jorge what was wrong- if I needed to return my *NEW* camera because it wasn't taking good pictures. Good thing he's not an airhead- we would have felt funny going in the store and returning it!
This is a nightly ritual in our house. BULLRIDING. But this bull had had enough so Reuben was entertaining himself. The drool marks on Jorge's shirt are from Jace laughing so hard when he was getting bucked off!

Reuben loves to be a cowboy and sing. He made this song up all by himself, and said it was okay if I filmed him. If you'd like to sing along..."The cow says moo, moo, moo!" We hate nicknames, but can't help but think -kenny chesney- when he's wearing his boots with shorts...and singing. His Grandpa Maurice plays the guitar and Reuben is the only grandchild who asks for the performance, will sit and listen the entire time, and give a standing ovation. He is growing up so fast. In reference to my post about his birthday...the other day I asked him to massage my "peet" and he said, "no mommy. it's fffffffeet!" so true, but so sad. He is such a cutie, and helps me a lot with Jace. I was folding laundry yesterday and heard Reuben in the hall, "Jace....no coloring on the wall." So calm. And sure enough- Jace! Don't worry- I only allow washables and love clorox wipes. No harm done. Doesn't it seem like just yesterday he was born! I love him.

My 1 year old!

Jace is my clingy baby, and I love it- most days- he loves me! This day he had to be in the bathroom while I did my hair and make-up. I know it wasn't very sanitary but he was happy and it was cute! Bytheway- he looks EXACTLY how Jorge did as a kid- he's definitely a handsome guy!
He has to follow me....and this day I was going between the laundry room, bathroom, and bedroom and he gave up! He does this often, people (Becky) think my kids are weird because they just get tired and find a place to crash. I love how he just stuck his little tushie up in the air. And yes, I realize I did an aweful job at making the bed that day. I love my little guy soooo much! He's started to feed himself (or insist on trying) and he shakes his head to say no and bounces his entire body up and down to say yes. He is for sure a quiet one, but I'll tell him to do something or get something and he understands everything. I'm positive he's thinking, "why talk- Reuben does enough for the both of us?!"