Well, it's the last day of the year of 2013 and I am now sitting in my pajamas with a glass of wine, waiting for 2014 to begin and I regret that I have not updated this blog. Dave has so 'graciously' reminded me that this is for the kids and needs to be updated...he is so right. Life has a way of getting away from us and I 'try' to live in the moment and enjoy all the little things, but the stress and worry of work and everything else sometimes grab a hold of me and everything seems so insignificant sometimes, like this blog. For a brief recap(what I can remember), lets see what went on in 2012 and 2013.
In 2012, DJ and Yvie started playing soccer in a small group called Kids In Saturday Sports. It teaches the fundamental of soccer to small kids starting at age 2. Yvie could not start until the end of the year before she turned two. DJ seemed to enjoy it more than Yvie, who had a very short attention span.
For Easter, my parents came down to enjoy the holiday with us. It was a short visit, but any time spent with their 'Nana' and 'Papa' is always a good thing.
In May, DJ turned 4. We were short of cash and could not afford to do a birthday party for him. He did ask for a white cake with white frosting which I made. He refused to eat it because he said he didn't like cake. What is wrong with this child???? You want to give your kids everything you can, and he has all the love we could give. What else could he need?
In June Yvie came down with 'intussusception'. Not cool! This was another scary time in our children's lives. Yvie started screaming and crying at daycare and collapsed on the floor for no reason and then stopped suddenly. I guess it happened several times in the morning before the daycare called me to pick her up. When I got there, she was fine. Took her to the pediatrician and she was fine but was told she had an ear infection. If her symptoms persisted, I was to take her to urgent care. Rest of the afternoon she was fine...and then IT happened. Unbelievable screaming and crying. I was at a loss. Yvie could not communicate to me what was going on. Rushed her to Urgent care and after an ultrasound and xray, she was diagnosed with intussusception. An enema with xrays had to be performed to straighten out her intestine. Of course I hold to hold her down and wear a lead apron and tell her everything was ok while they did this to her. I felt horrible. I wanted it to be me, not her. I didn't want her to know what pain was. After too many hours to count, they decided to admit her to observe her and make sure she was out of the woods. Dave ended up staying with her all night and most of the next day since I had to work. Needless to say, she turned out ok. This turned out to be her first hospital stay.
In August, we went on vacation to California to visit. Jamie came out to Albuquerque first and we drove to San Diego where we stayed at the Marriott my cousin Alex works at. It was a hot and humid vacation! We went to Sea World and ate in-n-out as well. Took Jamie home and stayed with my parents. Went to Knott's and the Long Beach Aquarium as well. My kids are great travellers!
In September, we went once again to the state fair and then the following week we did the balloon fiesta. This is my favorite time of the year!!!
Yvie turned 2 in October. Once again, we could not afford a birthday party for her either. So, we took her to I Scream, Ice Cream for her birthday. She had a good time playing with her brother. I also made her a chocolate cake which she ate unlike her brother!
Also in October, I ran my first half marathon!!! WooHoo!!!! I did it in less than 3 hours. Not bad for someone who started running 2 months prior!
For Halloween we did the pumpkin patch and the kids dressed up. DJ was Buzz Lightyear again and Yvie was a scarecrow. Mommy (me) dressed up as a clown for work on Halloween. As everyone knows we celebrated Thanksgiving and had Christmas.That's all I can remember!
In 2013, DJ had his second set of tubes placed in his ears in February. I think this time he understood a little more about what was going on and was a little more scared/nervous. Not as much as I was. It is so difficult for me to see any child go through anything traumatizing, especially my own. Once again, he was a trooper and did fabulous.
We went on our first road trip of the year to Denver for Valentine's weekend. Took the kids to the zoo over there. What a GREAT zoo they have! It was very visitor friendly. I would definitely go back!
In March, Dave got a new job working at the VA. First working in the spinal cord injury unit then he was able to transfer to optometry which he just loves. The good part about that is that he now works on my floor. We now take lunch together, which is very nice!
In May, my little man turned 5!!!! This year we did have a party at the bowling alley on base. DJ wanted a batman themed birthday cake and wore his batman mask most of the time bowling. It was a good time. I can't believe he is 5. Where has all the time gone. He is still my snuggle buddy and still loves for me to 'hold you', but how long will that last? I don't ever want it to end. I will love to do it while he lets me and when it stops, a little sliver of my heart will crack...but we'll keep plugging along.
This was the first year we decided to try swimming lessons for both kids. It was ok while it lasted, but DJ refuses to put his head in the water due to the tubes in his ears and refuses to give up his kickboard. Yvie on the other hand, loves to be in the pool as long as she has her floaties on. Sooner or later these kids will need to learn to not use these devices to swim. Maybe not this next year, but next year.
We went camping this summer in Durango at the KOA. It was definitely a great experience, not only for us, but for the kids as well. We went to Mesa Verde to check out the ruins I always wanted to go to ever since I was a little girl reading about it in social studies class.
In August, DJ started Kindergarten at Sandia Base Elementary.. My little man is growing up!!! It's so incredible the emotions that I was feeling on that day. DJ was not scared one bit. He took it all in stride. I guess what helped was that everyone that he went to Pre-k with would be going to that same school.
In September we went camping again at another KOA in Carlsbad. We went to Carlsbad Caverns and tried to go to Sitting Bull Falls which was close by. Unbeknownst to us, there had been a lot of monsoon rains which flooded the road to get there, but we decided to persevere and try to make it there anyway. After an hour of cautiously maneuvering away through many messes and obstacles, we were close to victory. But alas, my SUV could not make it through the last part and we had to make our way back to our campsite. This road we took was fine until we almost made it to the main highway where the road was closed due to a washed out bridge. We did not want to turn around and drive another hour out of our way, so Dave decided to brave the water in my car!!! I was not going to do it. I wanted someone else to blame if something went wrong! But I am happy to say, we made it.
Fall, for me, begins with the State Fair. Once again we made the usual rounds of the fair, balloon fiesta and the pumpkin patch. And in the midst of all that fun, Yvie turned 3! Yvie definitely has her Nanas personality. Stubborn one moment and then loving the next moment. I can't help but love this little girl. She always puts a smile on my face. She requested a Minnie Mouse birthday party at the park and a bouncer which Nana and Papa happily obliged! A great time was had by all! Soon Halloween came and DJ was Iron Man, Yvie was Minnie Mouse, and I was a bumble bee. The older they get, the more fun it has been. I love seeing the recognition and joy of things in their eyes. It makes me feel like a kid!
In November we saw quite a bit of snow, more in the mountains than here. Kids are looking forward to doing some sledding and making some snowmen! Dave also (finally) got promoted to an E6! He is now Staff Sergeant Guidi! Thanksgiving came and went and Christmas was just upon us. Kids looked forward to Santa and leaving cookies and milk for him and carrots for the reindeer.
It's hard to believe we are at the end of one year and the beginning of another year. I have to keep on reminding myself to stop and enjoy the kids. They will only be small for a short period of time. Let them sit with me and lay with me and want me to hold and play with them. Try not to lose my patience and see the humor in their antics. Happy New Year. May this coming year be blessed. Pictures to be posted next year!
