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.