One month down, 11 to go

As we approach the end of the month, I realize how really lucky I am. So far in 2009, I've withnessed three little ones eat cake for the first time, started a business, won a countywide academic competition (my class took first place in the We the People Countywide Constitution competition earlier this month), gone out to a couple of nice dinners (Strip Club, Island Prime), seen a great movie (Gran Torino was fantastic), and kept up with the blog. All in all, off to a great start.

For February, I will have to find ways to keep growing and building a better year for myself and my family. I'll try to get into G and G's classroom at least once next month to keep connected to school. I'll also have to reconnect with some old friends- I'm just so bad at that. I need to make an effort to make it out to Deerborne at least a couple of times too- I miss them and I think of her everyday still. I should probably do something about the picture organization process... it could use some clean up. And lastly, I should probably try to get rid of a few items of clothing to make space. This always makes hubby happy, so I'd be killing two birds with one stone.

It all starts with a step

At 12months and 8 days, baby took his first step!

He has been standing for a few months now and more recently started walking while pushing a toy. But yesterday when I went to pick hi up after school, I witnessed the little guy take one (half) step before collapsing (melodramatically...that's my boy!) and crawling the rest of the way.

Before I know it, it will be impossible to contain the child.

On the business front, I've been super busy trying to learn and apply all sorts of new knowledge. It is kind of like being in school again in lots of ways...only fun this time.

Hubby has adjusted to the new work schedule and is enjoying his weekends off. This past weekend he and I got to see Gran Torino. talk about a good movie! We were laughing so hard at times taht I would miss complete segments. We will have to see it again just to catch all of it.

Too much food...

It is always so wonderful to see family and friends get together for a celebration. Music, laughter, and children running around almost define a good time. The one thing that I enjoy the most, however, is the food. I mean, man, so much food. Too much food. Lumpia, pancit, pizza, cake... I find that I myself get so busy entertaining guests that I never really sit down to eat. That does not mean that I go hungry though. I grab a breadstick here and a chicken wing there, and soon I've had enough to feed a small army without sitting for a moment. I watch sis do the same thing, so I know it must be something in the blood.

The babies were completely unaware that dozens and dozens of people fought soccer traffic to wish them a happy first birthday. Even the clown had to park outside of the parking lot and walk up the hill to be part of the whole thing. Although I am typically anti anything that takes that much time and energy, I am grateful that sis and mom took that time to put it all together. I got some great pictures.

The 8 year old opted for a super sleepover on his (their) actual birthday. After #1's super 9th birthday sleepover, hubby and I said, "Never again." But #2 really, really ,really had to have friends over, so we caved and said yes. All in all, it wasn't too bad, but we did have 5 kids and a baby walking to the donut shop the next morning. I'm so lucky that graveyards throw hubby's time clock off; he stayed up to tend to the tornado while baby and I slept.
This weekend, we plan on catching up on some much needed family time together. Work and school have been crazy, so we are due to slow it down and just hang out together. Can't get better than that.

What about you?

New Year, New Endeavors

To keep in line with my resolution of taking more pictures, a friend and I are starting a little project: Boudoir Photography. It's a little racy, a little sassy, and a little out of my comfort zone... the perfect new endeavor! We are in the process of getting all the details together and in the next few weeks we will have everything up and running. Where I've been lucky is that close friends (no names!) are so willing to "model" for me. Now, that's true friendship if you ask me.

Baby and Kuya will be celebrating their (shared) birthday on the 18th. Yes, for those who don't know, #2 and #3 share Janruary 18th as their special day. I was worried at first when baby came on big bros day, but it seems that #2 has decided that it is actually pretty cool to share that day. I think that he realizes how special something like that is for brothers. So, for now we will keep it as a dual celebration. Worst case scenario, I start lying to baby when he's older. I hope it doesn't come to that.

Next blog, I'll make sure to post pictures from the big (dual) day. Until then, anyone want to pose for a picture??

It is amazing how quickly children grow

I'm not the first mom to every wonder where the time went. The baby is just a couple weeks shy of his first birthday. He and the twins (first cousins who are 10 days older) are growing so quickly. It seems just a short time ago that sis and I were both pregnant and counting down the days. Now, our worlds are filled with blankies and bottles, diapers and onesies, smiles and laughter. It's crazy.

Having a one year old (again) is a true adventure. Baby gets to go to the dojo with his kuyas, the grocery store with mom, Costco with dad on a weekly basis. Being #3, he came to us a year ago and had to fit into the crazy busy family that we had already created. This is a very different experience from #1. #1 never left the house (because mom was too afraid of germs), wore clothes bought from Nordstrom's (not the sale rack), and ate food according to age as recommended by the Gerber foods chart. Wow, had I known what I know now, I would've saved a lot of money...not that I know how to save now or anything. Hey, it's a resolution.

The big boys are off to a great start. It has been a little over a week and both big boys have been sticking their goals. It helps that there is "allowance" attached to some. For example, emptying the dishwasher can score up to $4. Washing the car $5, watching baby while mom gets things done $2. those dollars add up and sure do make a difference when it's time to go to Target.

Hubby likes graveyard shift so far but the rest of us kind of miss him when we are awake :-)

Happy New Year!

Welcome to my blog. I thought it would be a great project for me to start a blog and update friends and family about the kids, the dogs, the husband, the job and all the other wonderful things I have going on in my life. I'll start by saying that I think we are off to a great start this year. The big boys have both resolved to help with the baby more this year, thus I have a chance to type this as everyone plays "Stop the baby from destroying the castle" It sounds like the boys are spending more time trying to stop godzilla than play with the glactic heroes.

Our family is starting by stating a few resolutions this year. The boys have 5 each. I'll be surprised if they can stick to a few ("I'll keep my room clean") While others I think they may be okay with ("I'll take better care of the dogs, I'll work hard to get my yellow belt")

One of my resolutions this year is to take more pictures and keep family and friends updated. So, I'll end this first blog with a few favorite shots from the zoo yesterday. I got a chance to shoot with a 300mm fixed lens on my new Canon 50D (thanks Hubby!) So, enjoy! And, you'll be hearing from me again soon!