Birthday with my Boys!

January doesn't just bring me a new year, it brings me a new age.  I feel like this double whammy effect compounds my desire to contemplate the new year and the new chapter in my life.  Well, luckily for my sleep deprived self, this year seems like a no-brainer.  This chapter will be all about the boys...my boys.

When Jake was about a year old, I had a funny conversation with Erin, one of my best friends in the entire world.  Since I was having so much fun with Jake, I told her how much fun I thought it would be to have a family full of boys.  Her response was something like, "You would have all boys!  She continued with some sort of ridiculousness about how boys had been obsessed with m all of my life, so of course I would just continue that into my adult life by having my own to love and adore me.  While this is a complete exaggeration of my adolescent experience, if not a total delusion on her part, I couldn't help but think of her words when we found out that the baby I was positive was a girl, was another baby boy.

So fast forward to my 27th birthday (that's right the beginning of the end for my 20's) and here I am surrounded by my boys...my amazing husband and his little clones.  Erin was right about one thing, these guys do love and adore me and they did such a great job showing it on my special day.

James woke up just as I was getting Jake out of the bath and as luck would have it the sun was shining into my bedroom beautifully.  After days of clouds and rain, I now had the light I needed to attempt some brother pictures.  Now I just needed one more star to align, the most elusive star of them all, the cooperation of a two and half year old.  Luckily, this little boy has the aptitude for comprehension and insight beyond his years.  But could I cultivate this potential?  I had to try.  "Jake do you know the only thing Mommy wants for her birthday?" I asked sweetly, and before he had time to guess, I continued, "Pictures of you and James."  And that is all it took.  My little star aligned and gave me a gift I will cherish forever.

After being such a good sport, I let Jake pick the next activity.  When he decided on play doh, I couldn't have predicted what he had in store.  As we sat at his little table, he began rolling little pieces of yellow play doh into, what he informed me, were carrots.  Then he handed me a flat piece of play doh and told me it was the dip for the carrots.  He also gave me one of the empty play doh containers and told me it was my juice, but I was not allowed to drink it until he had given me careful instructions that I was to drink it slowly.  The cutest part was when he took a plastic knife and began cutting a hunk of red play doh into perfectly equal slices.

He then turned the slices ninety degrees, realigned, and sliced them again in the other direction.  After explaining that he was preparing my steak he told me that he was "cutting it just like you do, Mommy."  Even after all of this, I didn't get what going on until Jake stopped what he was doing and excitedly yelled, "The Poopas are here for the party!"  He jumped up and ran to the front door, opened it, and invited them in.  And with our imaginary guests seated, one by Jake and one by me, we had a party...my birthday party hosted by my sweetest Jacob.

Shorty after my "party," Jake dissappeared into his room for a few minutes.   I met him in the hall as he came out of his room looking close to tears.  "What's wrong, honey?" "I was trying to make a real birthday present, but I don't know how." "Who is it for?" "For you, Mommy!"  I quickly assured him that he had already given me my gift by taking pictures for me this morning.  But there is no way for me to explain that he and his little brother are the gifts.

Seconds later, my boyfriend/husband, came home from work with another one of my great loves...chocolate...chocolate cupcakes.  

And that is how I spent the rest of my day.  Holding my Baby James, playing with my Jacob Williamest Boy, spending time with my best friend, and eating chocolate.

PS I guess I am not the only amature photographer in the family.  Here are some photos that Jake took with our little snap and shoot after I took pictures of them.

I gave him no instruction on the use of this camera...

Tight Knit

The most difficult part of this army life, for us, is being so far away from our families.  Jake and I were able to go "home" for a couple of weeks at the end of summer.  However, it has been exactly a year since Arthur said goodbye to his siblings and ten months since his parents made the trip here for his graduation.  That is a long time for any family, but for a tight knit Mexican family...it is an eternity.

It was wonderful having the family reunited here at the end of the Christmas holiday.  All five members of Arthur's family, plus Frankie's girlfriend, Jordan (who Jake still believes belongs to him),

Need I say more?

made the long trip down to the South to visit us and meet the newest member of the family.   Having my house full of their love and laughter really made it feel like holidays, and the four days slipped by much too quickly for all of us.
We did our best to make the most of each minute.  We spent time at the museum,

took them on a tour de PX, ang the boys got fireworks for New Year's Eve (Arthur has been waiting to do that with them since the 4th of July...remember nothing is legal in California).  I even made everyone dress in coordinating clothes and pose for family pictures.

 

But the most special time was when all ten of us were packed in our little house.  I loved watching the time and distance disappear as Arthur and his brothers fell right back into their "loving" brother banter while their sister, Jessie, just sits back and laughs.  While Arthur believed having his family here would make him miss them less, I know it just reminded him how much fun they all have together.  But that is difficult thing about visits with loved ones.  It is amazing to be together, but the void you feel without them is so much more tangible when they leave.  

 

I don't think Jake noticed or cared that he had parents with all the attention he was constantly showered with.  Although, his elaborate imagination games with Ama and Apa did get quite gruesome.  I can't tell you how many times I heard urgent phone calls being made to the "ambulance" or saw teddy bears at the "hospital" having some terrible injury being treated by "Dr. Orr."  Baby James, of course, spent the days being passed from one set of eager arms to the next.  I did my best to share him, especially with his Grandma.  She, on the other hand, was not as good at sharing him with everyone else, but who could blame her?  I know how it breaks her (and my own mother's heart) that we have had to take these babies so far away.  

 

Needless to say, each morning brought another delicious Maria breakfast and the afternoons were spent near the kitchen as another amazing dinner was prepared and then quickly demolished.  There is nothing like home made authentic Mexican food...nothing.  And to top it all off, I was basically forbidden to cook or clean the entire time the were here.  I felt like I was on vacation!  But there is no arguing with the matriarch of a Mexican family, so I didn't even try.  Instead, I just sat back and soaked it all in.
I love being part of this amazing family, and I love that my children are a part of it even more.  I believe I was destined to marry into beautiful Mexican family...I mean come on, my first word was "quesadilla."

Christmas Favorites

This post brings me back to the beginning.  I started this blog almost an entire year ago with my first entry "Mary...Mary Christmas!"  in which I recorded all of my favorite Jake quotes from last Christmas.  Unfortunately, I was not as good at keeping track of Jake's ridiculous quotes this past holiday (mostly because there are so frequent, I can't keep up).  But I would still like to end my 2010 blogging (yeah I know it is already 2011) by recounting my favorite Christmas moments and quotes of this past Christmas.

1) This year Jake took a real interest in the Baby Jesus in the manger figurine from our porcelain nativity set.  The day I set it out, we had a difficult time keeping his hands off of it.  The weirdest part was that he refused to refer to him as anything but "Baby Jew."  The only explanation I can find for this is that Jake and I read the New Testament Reader almost every night where Christ is commonly referred to as King of the Jews.  However, I cannot find any explanation for is why Baby Jesus needed a car seat.  

Can you find Baby Jew?

2) A child's interpretation of a song is almost always entertaining, and Jake's version of "Jingle Bells" did not disappoint.  Here is goes...
"Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle all the way!  Oh what fun and it's all right in one horse stompin' slay-a!"

3) Jake's insistence on "writing" his own letter to Santa was another favorite moment.  Luckily, I was quick enough to get this one on video.

 

4) Our first complete family photo!

Christmas Eve

5) Robyn and my matching Christmas PJs.  I love that after two babies, she still doesn't think I am too old to continue this long standing tradition.
 

 

But matching or not, it was wonderful to have Robyn with us for Christmas.  She adds such spunk and fun whenever she is around, and she is the most amazing aunt any boy could ask for.  We love you Aunt Robyn!

6) Waking up surrounded by both of my little boys Christmas morning.

 7) Jacob's face filled with excitement as he unwrapped each gift (even the ones that weren't his).

8) Loving on Sweet Baby James, who somehow picked Christmas morning as the one hour he was wake that day.

The magic and wonder of Christmas through the eyes of a two year old, combined with the joy of having our new baby home in time for his first Christmas made this a beautiful day for all of us.

What a Merry Christmas!

"Unto us a child is born. Unto us a son is given."

I read these words in front of a little Baptist church a few days ago, and while I have heard them, read them, and even sang them countless times throughout my life, I was deeply struck by them.  Maybe it is because our family has been blessed with child this holiday season, or maybe because there were a few days in which I was terrified I might have to give him back.

 

But for whatever reason I have been very focused on the last half of that simple scripture.  "A son is given."  What a gift...what a sacrifice...what love.  So at this time I am overcome with gratitude that my Heavenly Father "so loved the world (including me and my sons) that he gave his only begotten son."  I hope that as the lights, stockings and trees are put away for another year, that I will not put the true meaning of Christmas away with them and that every time I look at our little Christmas miracle I will remember that greatest gift of His Son.

Christmas Crafts and Cookies

Yep, I was the person who put up Christmas decorations the day after Thanksgiving.  Everything but a Christmas tree and stockings were up and ready to fill our home with holiday cheer before the calender said December.
I put the "boys" in charge of decorating the front.  Shortly after the assignment was given, Arthur and his mini me, Jake, marched outside.  They quickly came up with a plan, and after one trip to Lowe's they were off.  Well, Jake did get a little distracted by musical Christmas decorations, but after we pried the guitar playing cowboy, singing "Holly Jolly Christmas," from his hands then they were off.  We got home with little white lights and golden bows (all Arthur's idea), and within 40 minutes the front was done.  I love Arthur's efficiency.  So efficient, in fact, the front was done the week before Thanksgiving...so we were those people too.
My decorating took me a little while longer.  Decorating a new space takes a some trial and area.  But as I was finishing up, Arthur made some comment about how Baby James could come now because the house was ready for Christmas.  Maybe I should have waited a few more weeks.
I had big plans for the rest of the month.  Lots of baking, Christmas themed crafts, trips to the library to load up on sweet holiday bedtime stories, and decorating our first Christmas tree.  All of this, of course, to be complemented with my favorite Christmas music as the sound track for the month.  With James' early arrival and his two and a half week stay in a NICU nearly two hours from our house, I thought all of that would have to wait till next year.  Luckily, Arthur and his dad kept Christmas going at our house for Jake, while I was with James.  It warmed my heart, as I sat by James bed, when Arthur sent me this picture.

 

While, I was a little sad (okay so I cried) that I was missing this Christmas tradition, I was so happy Jake wasn't.  They even kept Jake busy with his Christmas coloring books and hot coco (not to mention all the time, attention, and toys his Apa and Daddy showered him with).

 

While, the magic of the season was still going on at home, I was missing it.  Not even a picture with Santa can make a NICU feel merry.  So between trips to the hospital, I stocked up at Joanne's and Michael's so we could hit the holiday ground running when I got back. 
Our first project was painting.  Since James wasn't home yet, I had a hard time getting into it, but Jake did a great job!

By our next attempt, James was home, and Jake and I made ginger bread cookies.  It was just like I had imagine it would be.  Arthur was snuggling with our new little one on the couch while Jake and I measured, poured, and mixed.  Thanks to Pandora online, we even had beautiful Christmas music filling our home.  Nothing is more prefect than listening to Jake giggle through Christmas Don't be Late by Alvin and the Chipmunks and then having it followed by Josh Groban singing Oh Holy Night.  A little something for everyone.

 

 

 

It was close to a perfect night...what I hadn't counted on was three "perfect" nights of ginger bread cookies.  After two nights of mixing, cookie cutting, backing, and decorating, I was loosing my love for this little activity.  So it was lucky that the missionaries showed up on the third night and wanted to join us.  We had a great time.  Although, we did have to watch Jake pretty close with the sprinkles...he can get a little crazy with those.  Apparently, Jake doesn't consider his cookies complete unless there is a small mountain of red or green granulated sugar on top of each one.

My favorite craft of the season was our stockings.  I not only saved money by not ordering some from Pottery Barn, but I also felt pretty creative for coming up with the idea.  It was a pretty simple activity, but we all had fun..all except for James, who was not very into having his feet covered in craft glue...but how else was I suppose to make the glitter stick?

I love them because they are the perfect representation of our little family at Christmas of 2010...and because the have lots of glitter.  Maybe that is where Jake gets it from? ;-)

A Public "Thank You" for Prayers and Parents

The early arrival of our beautiful son James brought a level of fear and stress that Arthur nor I had ever experienced.  During other times of sadness or trial, my mother has often reminded me of opposition in life.  She would explain that we must feel hard things as deeply and fully as we feel the wonderful things.  James' birth caused us to feel both extremes in nearly the same moment.
As James' days in the NICU dragged on, I mentioned to my father that this was the most stressed I had ever been.  But then I realized, what else could be more stressful than watching your own child struggle for each breath?  And because Arthur and I were both going through the same thing, it was difficult for us to comfort one another.  But before we could be completely swallowed by our fear and sadness, reinforcements arrived.
It started with the power of prayer, prayers from family, friends, and even people we have never met.  I am overwhelmed by all the people who took time out of their lives to pray for our family and our sweet baby in our time of need.  I know that these prayers were heard and answered, along with the blessings and positive thoughts and energy from so many.  I know this is just a little blog, but I want to use it to publicly thank those of you who showered us with love and support during this time.  Words truly cannot express out gratitude.
During James' first few days at the NICU, his condition got progressively worse.  For hours I would sit with my eyes fixed on the monitor above his bed.   I would stare at the numbers in hope of some indicator that my sick baby was getting better... trying to will them to improve.  During those days Alabama has never felt further from California.  My sister, who now also lives in the South (my father said she would follow my babies anywhere), was amazing.  She came every weekend, but with a new job, a new apartment, and bills to pay we could not expect her to put her life completely on hold for us.  And then California came to us.
Arthur's father was the first to arrive.  He jumped in ready to love, entertain, and spoil.  As hard as it was for me to let Arthur and his dad take Jake home,  I knew it was what they all needed... a few days of normal.  Okay maybe not normal, but between the homemade Mexican food, non stop fun with Apa for Jake, and several house projects Arthur's dad took on, Jake and Arthur were given some distraction and relief from our situation.  And it brought me comfort, knowing that as much as my heart hurt to be away from them, they were being taken care of.
Jake, had been my buffer from the pain.  His dimpled smile and cuddly hugs were a great distraction each time I walked out of the NICU with empty arms.  With him gone, I really felt the deep loneliness of being separated from the baby who had been inside me just days before.  My parents arrival came just in time because I don't know when I have needed them more.  I know how difficult travelling is on my mom, so it meant even more to have her by my side as we sat with James.  And I know that James felt her love too, as she sang him the same songs she use to sing to us as babies and rubbed his tiny head.  And my dad's ability to always know just I need without me having to ask is what got me though each of those difficult days.  He was the perfect companion, that week, as he drove me back and forth to the hospital.  He knew when to let me vent, when to talk about something else, and when to let the silence linger.  Their presence was such a gift to me and to Arthur because he knew I was being taken care of.
Sometimes, even as adults, you just need your Mom and Dad.  I am so grateful to Arthur's dad and to my parents for being here for us.  Because they came to care for their babies, they helped give us the strength to take care of ours. 
Parents and prayers, we couldn't have gotten through time time without them.