Miguel Arath

I have not posted anything in a long time. This post is overdue. Miguel & I received a wonderful surprise. We have a new addition to our family and his name is Miguel Arath and was born on August 23rd. Arath arrived at 12:27 p.m., weighed 7 lbs and measured 19.5 inches. I must admit that I am pretty proud of myself due to the fact that I was able to deliver without an epidural. Miguel thought that we were experts by now, but we had a bit of a challenge with the first diaper change. Yorek has been adjusting, he has been through a roller coaster of emotions, but has loved his little brother since day one. 

Thanksgiving

This year has been hard for many people in the world, although it has been a little hard for my family I am grateful that we have not gone without. We are truly lucky to have everything we need and more. Above all we remain a united family that love each other and would do absolutely anything for each other. This year we go back to basics and thank the Lord for our family.

Dia de los Muertos 2011

In an effort to teach Yorek our customs & traditions we took him to the Mexican American Cultural Center (MACC) on Saturday. We saw some beautiful altars and painted our faces. Unfortunately we did not make an altar of our own, but at least we got to show him what they looked like. Hopefully when he gets older he will appreciate his culture as much as his father & I do.

Holloween 2011

Arrrrghhhh...... this year we decided that Dante would be a pirate. We had a fun time with Daisey and Abby at Dolores Catholic Community Center and then went to my parent's home. Yorek was so fascinated with the Candy Walk (like the cake walk) at the community center. Abby looked so darling in her bee costume and they both chowed down on some hot dogs that Abby's grandfather graciously bought. All in all, it was like the good old times with Daisey, except that we were running ferociously after kids!!! We had sooooo much fun!!!!

Tough Week

Yorek has been sick ALL week!!! He has had fever and diarrhea followed by a rash! He has not been his normal self and has not eaten nearly as much food as he is used to eating. Thankfully, after a scare (due to his rash) we found out that whatever virus he had was heading out of his system. Today is our first fever free day as well. I have changed more diapers this week than I dont know what... but I have to say that if I had a dime for every diaper I changed, I would be RICH!!! Well... now I'm just exaggerating, but I did change a lot! My poor baby was terrified every time he saw a diaper in my hand! The good thing is that in almost 14 months, this is the first time that he gets really sick!!

Summer in the Water

Miguel has persistently invited me to the pool for many years and I have always refused to go. Well... it all changed this year!! Now we have been goint almost every Sunday and I have to admit that it has been fun. Yorek and I, both have a tan and enjoy cooling ourselves in the 60-something degree water at Barton Springs. I will definitely miss the summer exclusively for our days in the pool!!!

Yorek's Birthday

I never knew that a son's birthday was so special for a mother until Yorek's birthday came up. A year has passed by in a blink of an eye, literally. Yorek's arrival has definitely changed all of our lives. Our days are happier, our laughs are a little harder, and there is now a glow about our eyes that did not exist before. It does not matter how horrible of a day I am having, once I see Yorek everything that happened melts away and my day automatically becomes brighter. I have never taken (or have been interested in taking) soooo many pictures as I have had this past year. I dont think I have ever memorized so many precious moments in my mind in my life time as I have had this past year. I have always had a loving family, a happy childhood and adulthood, but his arrival has surpassed any experience that I have had until today. Happy Birthday Yorek!!! I hope that we can become the parents that you need us to be to become a productive member of society and a positive influence for others. I hope we can instill in you the values that my parents instilled in me. Your father and I love you very much.

Love,

Mom

PS: I also took you to your one year check up. The following are your stats:

Length: 29 1/4 inches (50th percentile)

Weight: 22 1/2 lbs. (50th percentile)

Head Circumference: 49 cm. (98th percentile)

You are not walking, but you are side stepping and crawl faster than some people can walk!! You know what you want and are not afraid to go for it. You have also said the following words at least once: Mama, Papa (or Ta for Papa), pera, toalla, mas, more, also more in ASL, agua, Dante, no, gma (for grandma).

A little late...Mother's Day

This Mexican Mother's Day was wonderful! First of all, it was my first mother's day and second of all I got the camera I have been wanting for about two years. Miguel bought me a Canon T3 DSLR camera!!!! I am STILL VERY EXCITED!!!! The above are a couple of pictures I have taken since...

Great Uncle

This weekend we visited my grandfather's brother. I never met my grandfather, he passed a year before I was born. My uncle, Rafael, has been the closest thing I have had to a paternal grandfather. I dont think he knows it, but he is VERY special to me. He has been special despite the fact that we hardly see each other. It has been about 3 years since I last saw him. We went to Houston to visit him and only stayed for a little longer than an hour. It was great to see him and hear him again. Yorek was delighted with my aunt and uncle. It was definitely a short, but wonderful visit.

First Christmas

Merry Christmas to all!!! This is Yorek's first Christmas, therefore it is a very special Christmas for all of my family. Not only is it his first Christmas, but he got to spend it with both sets of grandparents and a set of great-grand parents. My mother in law extended her stay to spend Christmas with all of us. A gesture for which everyone is very greatful. Miguel & Felipe had not spent a Christmas with their mother in more than a decade. Santa Clause came on Christmas Eve as he always does with my family, but Yorek was too tired and went to sleep before Santa Clause came. This morning he woke up to many presents. Above all, Yorek really enjoyed unwrapping his gifts. Now that Yorek is here, Christmas has a whole new meaning for Miguel and I as well as for my parents.

Feliz Navidad a todos!!! Esta Navidad fue muy especial, pues esta fuel la primera Navidad de Yorek. No solo fue su primera Navidad, si no que tambien lo pudo celebrar con sus abuelos maternos Y paternos Y tambien sus bisabuelos. La mama de Miguel se quedo con nosotros para Navidad; algo cual hizo a todos muy feliz. Miguel & Felipe no se habian pasado una Navidad con su mama en mas de una decada. Santa Claus vino, pero Yorek ya se habia dormido para cuando llego. Esta mañana se levanto con muchos regalos que Santa Claus y la familia le dejaron. Lo que mas le encanto fue abrirlos. Ahora que Yorek esta en nuestras vidas la Navidad tiene otro significado y otro sabor.

Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving this year was splendid. We have been so blessed this year with the birth of Yorek. It has been a learning experience for both Miguel and I, but we could not be any happier. Yorek has brought a burst of light into my family and has changed us forever. In addition, God has granted my family another year with my grandparents. My grandfather has been a little delicate, but nonetheless he still infuses us with his wisdom. All in all we have had some trials this year and it has been kind of tough, but I would not change it for the world. To end, we are also very blessed to have shared our Thanksgiving with Miguel's mom. She came from Mexico for his brother's wedding and has prolonged her stay. Miguel and Felipe are elated with her presence. Jacky and I are very happy that she was able to come and spend some time with the kids and the kids could not be happier!

Santiago's Baptism

Miguel and I baptized Santiago, my friend's son yesterday. It was such an honor to be chosen as his Godparents. We owe so much to my friend Martha; she was the one who introduced us to each other. We hope to be there for Santiago and support him in all his endeavors. Martha and Agustin, thanks for trusting us. We love Santiago very much!

2 Months!!!

Yorek has been growing soooo much. He is now 2 months old as of Monday, September 6th. We had his two month check up today. I knew Yorek was pretty big, but I did not know he was HUGE. The following are his stats at two weeks of age:

Length: 20 1/2 inches (50th percentile)
Weight: 8 lbs, 8 oz. (45th percentile)
Head Circumference: 37 1/2 (50th percentile)

Now.... these are his stats at 2 months.

Length: 22 3/4 inches (45th percentile)
Weight: 13 lbs 12 oz (90th percentile)
Head Circumference: 41 1/2 (85th percentile)

YES.... Yorek is now our chunky monkey! I was a bit concerned about his weight, but the doctor said he would grow out of it. Actually, I was in shock and had to ask the doctor to repeat his weight to me. Over all the doctor said that Yorek was a perfectly healthy baby!

He also had his first round of numerous shots. Yorek was so brave. He only cried for a little while, ate, and fell asleep before we left the office.

New Born Pictures!!!

On my birthday I decided that as a birthday present I wanted nothing, but to take new born pictures of Yorek. I contacted an amazing photographer who came over to our house and took pictures. Her name is Nicole Whelan and she is just the NICEST person and seems to have so much dedication towards her work. Nicole has sooo much patience with kids. Miguel & I were amazed. In case anyone is interested her website is http://nicolewhelanphotography.com/index2.php . I had been delaying picking pictures because I wanted them ALL. After contemplating each picture for I don't know how much time, I finally decided. The folowing are some of the picture we chose:

En mi cumple años decidi que queria tomarle fotos de recien nacido a Yorek. Contacte a una fotografa que fue hasta nuestra casa a tomarle fotos. Fue super paciente, y estamos muy complacidos con su trabajo. No podia escojer cuales fotos comprar, despues de contemplar a las fotos por mucho tiempo pude decidirme. Las siguientes son unas de las fotos que escojimos:

Past 6 weeks

The past 6 weeks have gone by so fast! Never before has time flown before my eyes like now. Yorek is growing. I see his newborn pictures and do not believe that he has grown so big before my eyes, and I would never have noticed it if it were not because of the huge amount of pictures we have taken in the last 6 weeks. Tomorrow is my first day at work and I must confess that I will miss him dearly.