Hold out

for holding Kamren. Everyone wants to hold the lil man. I'm the only one that doesn't get any pictures holding him. Hey maybe someone will take a few of me holding him since he's usually in my arms.

Tonight everyone is watching the Giants game. The giants are kickin butt against the Rockies 8-0.

he's falling asleep, I wonder if I can fall asleep too

calming the lil guy down

Nothin like swingin

Sydney says cheese

Peyton hides out

Another Day another Bath

This bath was a little less stressful, but since his last bath we've decided that showers are more his style. I don't know about the bathtub we picked out, for some reason it's not like the old fashioned type that you fill and they never leak. This one leaks.... so unless I want to be bent over the bathtub with the baby bathtub inside... it's shower time.

When Kamren gets out of the tub or shower his hair is super curly, but by the time it dries, just the top is curly. I wonder.... Will he have curls like Peyton... or is he gonna have straight hair like the rest of us.

This water is warm, it reminds me of another place and  time

This is the life, warm water and an audience

Don't get that shampoo in my eyes, I know it says no more tears... oh wait thats J&J, we do Aveeno

Passed out after a bath

Announcement

The final product..  So happy with what I created.

SAHM Day 2

Today Ben changed Kamren before he left for the day, me and Kamren went back to bed til 830 and then we got up to meet the day.  Sydney and Peyton were up a lil bit afterwards.  We got dressed and headed downstairs, Soccer Jim was coming over for coffee at 9. 

I didn't want to start the coffee til he got there, but of course he was right on time, so I could have started it and the coffee still would have been fresh when he arrived.  He had his 3 oz of coffee, not sure he's supposed to have that, but it was his dialysis day and he was going to get the fluid taken off at 2.

We had a good visit, I made breakfast for the girls, breakfast burritos - bacon, egg and cheese.  One of their favorites. After breakfast they ran out back to play pirates and chase Kallie.  They have been enjoying this sunshine.  Soccer Jim finally got to hold Kamren, he didn't hold him long, but Kamren didn't even cry, guess SJ didn't want to give him a chance to cry. 

After SJ left, we got ready and headed out for a nature hike, this time the girls decided to walk, and bring their backpacks so they could find rocks as well.  Of course I got stuck carrying the backpacks full of rocks, rocks they intend to paint on Wednesday.  Good thing we have a lil storage under the stroller.  The girls got tired pretty quickly when they were hauling the rocks on their backs. 

We headed over to check out where the new park is going to be, we got almost there and the girls were ready to turn back.  Once we got home the girls counted and put their rocks away.  We had some lunch and watched Labyrinth, I tried to get a lil nap with Kamren, but all I got was 30 minutes.  After the movie we went back out to play.  We have to get our outdoors activities in before Thursday, it's going to rain.

Ben and Bianca are at her soccer game against Mira Loma, Ben said Bianca doesn't get to play this game.  I bet that's a fun game to watch.  I hope he brings dinner tonight.

 Soccer Jim holdin Kamren

 close up

 Look - how funny, playing outside and both girls were captured doing the same move with the hair.  Maybe it's a signature move, or they are practicing for a commercial for hair.  Whatever it was, I couldn't help but post it.  I love the new hair cuts they got.  It's so easy to brush and style their hair in the mornings.

Kallie and her favorite broom - what a witch

SAHM Day 1

Our first official day at home without daddy.  We got up for our 5 am feeding, and by 530 Kamren was asleep, snoring even... and I couldn't fall asleep.  I tried everything, head under covers, counting sheep, nothing worked.  By 615 Ben was up and moving around and I was trying still to go to sleep.  By 7 Kamren and I were up again for some milk.  After he finished we went downstairs and he slept in the swing while I cleaned up my counter, put magazines into the basket and picked up around the house.  I checked out the news and had coffee.

As 830 rolled around, Sydney and Peyton came down to snuggle, then we had breakfast.  We played with Kamren for a lil bit, everyone got dressed, ready for the day. Kamren wore his Giants outfit for the first time, and I'm not sure how many more times he'll get to wear it, he's growing fast. We played til his eyelids closed again.  While Kamren napped again, we went out back and played soccer, then the girls played Pirates on the play structure. 

Around 11 Lynda and Kaden stopped by... with Starbucks *lol*  the girls had some new apple grape juices, and some yummy real fruit snacks.  I had an iced Mocha..  Couldn't go wrong with some chocolate and espresso.  The kids went out back and played Pirates and keep away from Kallie.  Lynda and I hung out and chatted.  It's always so easy, the way you fall into conversations and it's just like home.  Not sure how to explain it, but we had a great time. 

We are already planning more play dates for Sydney, Peyton and Kaden, they really hit it off. 

After they left we got some snacks, Kamren got changed and ate and then we went on our nature hike.  The girls drove their jeeps, and I pushed Kamren in the stroller.  It was beautiful outside, warm enough for shorts and a tank top with a lil breeze.  It was a long stroll, but I would have loved to go further, but it was way after lunch time.

After lunch we practiced our address and phone numbers, then settled in for a resting period, when I'd like them to take a nap, but we didn't press it this afternoon because it would have been a late nap, and I'd rather them get to bed early.  They watched a movie and I tried to nap.  Didn't happen.

I started dinner around 530, Ben and Bianca were going to be home around 615 and arrived just in time for dinner.  Looks like it's going to be a long week.  They'll be leaving the house around 7 am and getting home almost 12 hours later, and two nights a week it will be 13 or 14 hours later (when Bianca has soccer games).  They play Mira Loma tomorrow but the coach told Bianca she won't be playing much, he's giving the 'not so good players' a chance to play since ML is the worst team ever. 

Right now the girls are all out back playing, and Ben and Kamren are watching basketball while I blog and work on Kamren's birth announcement.  Yay.  Looking forward to hanging out with Soccer Jim tomorrow morning for a lil bit.

Things are about to get chaotic

Monday Ben goes back to work.  So life as we know it is going to change.  For better or for worse, it's gonna happen.  Me, Sydney, Peyton and Kamren are going to be on our own.  Am I afraid?  Who wouldn't be.  Do you know these kids? :)

We have a full day scheduled for tomorrow, weather permitting.  First thing.  Breakfast, can't start the day without it.  I'm thinking bacon, eggs, toast, no hash browns, darn it.  Bianca wants me to wake up early and make her a mushroom omelet, doesn't she know that I'm up every couple hours, sometimes for up to2 hours... awake.. no sleep, it's really hard on the body and mind. 

We've got company coming around 1030, so that gives us a lil time to get ready.  I've showered the last couple days... and still not gotten around to washing my hair, yep, I'm gonna have dreadlocks in a minute. 

Wednesday Bianca and I are finally getting our hair cut.  (thought cut short.. not our hair) - I hear someone crying... it's Sydney, new bedtime and bedtime rituals were starting tonight... they were supposed to be in bed by 830... it's almost 9 and we have yet to brush their teeth.  At least they got showered and their hair washed.  I know they are on their way upstairs to get PJ's, teeth and hair brushed...  lil feet running.  Well hello sunshine

A long nature walk, the girls in jeeps or maybe bikes, and Kamren in the stroller.  Peyton wants to do art projects tomorrow, so gotta see what I come up with.  Please give us some beautiful weather, we want sunshine and heat :)

Kamren should be waking up in 30 minutes.... and then it's one long nursing session and down to bed he and I are going.  I didn't get a nap today, but I needed one.  Kamren had about 8 naps.

Hopefully  tomorrow while everyone naps I can start designing Kamren's baby announcement.  I think I finally found some pictures.  Wish me luck.  Nite

1 am

it's a wonderful evening when I can nurse Kamren, leave him downstairs with Daddy and crawl into my bed before 930...  knowing that kamren will be up before midnight, but I'm gonna get some uninterrupted sleep, no hearing him move or breath off key and I wake up. 

I'm in bed and Sydney comes in to hug and give me a quick cuddly hug, then she runs off and Peyton runs back up and snuggles with me.  She decided to stay upstairs with me cuz Daddy put on the Orphan and Peyton doesn't like scary movies. Mommie doesn't like Daddy putting scary movies on either, but I'm thinking time and I only have a little time before Kamren wakes up and I'm up again.  I put on Hotel for Dogs for Peyton and we snuggle til I fall asleep, I'm sure it didn't take long.

Midnight came really fast, as did Kamren with a fresh diaper.  So I rocked him and nursed him for about 30 minutes and then we got back to bed.  There was colic crying at 1 am...  Yep.  for a couple hours Kamren was awake and not happy, nothing made him happy and when Kamren is unhappy... Mommie is unhappy as well. 

So we rocked while the rest of the house slept, and I tossed and turned while he laid in his co sleeper making noise and then yelling.  Up again.  Yikes it was an ugly night, but at least we had a good Saturday morning.

Ben took Sydney and Peyton to Devin's 3rd Bday party.  Bianca and Ben had Velocity try outs.  It was just me and Kamren.  I made a mushroom omelet for breakfast, had some Yukon Organic Blend coffee and we hung out.  We went out back and played with Kallie, walked around a bit, then settled in for some rocking.

Sandra came by at lunch time and brought lunch, yummy.  We hung out for a couple hours with her lil girl Sarah, who cried like a baby when Sandra held Kamren.  So she only got to hold him about 15 minutes, then had to hold Sarah.   We had a great visit and then after she left Kamren and I laid down to nap, except I got sucked into watching Fried Green Tomatoes - one of my all time favorite movies. 

Ben brought Carnita's when they came home from the party.  It tasted so good, but I missed the good hot salsa, can't do that to Kamren.  Everyone went outside to play for a lil while, it was to cold for Kamren so we didn't stay out very long.

A day in the life

Wednesday

I've been thinking about doing one of these posts for awhile... but then life takes over and I don't even get to post.  So I decided I'd do a couple of days while Ben is home helping, and then try a couple days when it's just me at home.  We really need to get back on a routine with all the kids.  We had a great one going before Kamren, but since Kamren.... it's been out the window.

We enjoy our visits with friends and family and now that the sun is out... We are going to enjoy some outdoor activities.  Thinking about taking Kamren to his first soccer game on Thursday, the weather is supposed to be sunny and in the 80's, but by 530, there's no telling how warm or cool it will be.

430 pm - Amy and Martin come by for a visit and to smell, eat and hold Kamren :) They brought dinner, including cake.. and my girl scout cookies.  Can you say yum?  Amy was first to hold Kamren, she loved his smell and wanted to eat him up.  Martin held him next, I think they'll be great babysitters.
445 pm - Brian shows up.  That's when the party starts.  Sydney and Peyton love Brian.  He's great with the kids, of course he brought some candy for the girls, and they ate it up.  He got a work out, lifting the girls up and wrestling with them.  All the lil girls love him.
450 pm - Alison stops in bringing Marie Calendars pie.... Wow, are they trying to fatten us up?  I skipped on the pie... I am trying to get my soccer figure back.  Alison held Kamren next, he enjoyed all the attention and ended up snoozing a lil bit in everyone's arms.  It was so good to see everyone, get caught up on the latest office gossip and share my little girls and new baby with them. 

Everyone took off around 540 when the lil man decided it was time to eat, not long after Ben and Bianca pulled in, and we ate dinner around 6.... and everyone had some of that chocolate cake.  It was so delicious. 

We went out back for a lil while and played in the sunshine, then it was time for Kamren to eat again and nap.  I opted to stay inside and watch some Top Chef, work on my blog and try and nap too.  Ben and the girls played soccer out back til around 830.  That 830 bedtime isn't happening tonight.

I sauteed mushrooms for Bianca at 930, and now it's 10....  Sydney and Peyton are upstairs watching Air Bud (with the pups).  The rest of us are watching Top Model, Kamren is snoozing in the swing..  I'm waiting for the next feeding... so I can go to bed.

1020 pm - Time to nurse Kamren (I'm upstairs in my room, where the PC works like crap... no shift key on the left side, the space bar on the right side doesn't work... off to grab the laptop)

1044 pm - Kamren's in the co sleeper, asleep.  Peyton is yelling and throwing a tantrum because the movie got turned off and she has to get ready for bed.  It's not looking good right now.  I get the girls into PJ's, brush their teeth and tuck them in after about 15 minutes....  then i get myself ready for bed. 

1111 pm - I'm in bed :)

140 am - First wake up feeding for Kamren, he's back in the co sleeper asleep at 220 am.  My shoulder is so sore, not sure why... pain medicine and back to sleep for me.

4 am - Next feeding and diaper change for the little man.  I decided to be sweet and let Ben sleep and do all the night time changing and feedings, not that he can help feed.  Kamren was wrapped up and back asleep by 420 am.  Yes, it was a quick eat, but that means he's waking up sooner the next round.

530 am - Hungry again.. I pull Kamren into bed with me so I can nurse him and sleep...  it worked, put him back to bed only to wake up a lil before 7, wake Ben up so he can take Bianca to school, then I brought Kamren back to bed with me and nursed him again.  I asked Ben if he could stop by Starbucks on the way home and get me a grande vanilla latte, half caff....  and he got all upset, how is he going to remember that, it's the same drink I almost always get...  and  it's not that hard to remember, I've sent it to him numerous times in texts...  why can't he remember?  I told him to forget it....  of course by then he's getting paper to write it down.  To bad I originally wanted an iced mocha... but didn't want to cause a commotion.  Ugh... morning is off to a bad start. 

Bianca and Ben are out the door, I changed Kamren's diaper and rocked him to sleep... Now I'm right here blogging.  I should be asleep too.  Instead I put the computer up and rocked Kamren and chatted him up.

Ben came home with his peace offering... Grande Vanilla Latte half caff.  We decided to get out today since the weather was summeresque.  Took us 2 hours to get out of the house.  I got ready, helped the girls pick out their clothes, they can get dressed on their own.  Sydney was dressed and ready quickly, but I had to keep asking Peyton to get dressed, for about 30 minutes.. Kamren wore skinny jeans, and his Adidas jersey. He looked sporty.

When we finally got out of the house, we had the windows rolled down, wind in our hair, and headed to Sports Authority to look for shoes for Peyton.  Peyton wanted Nike like mine.  She tried on a few pairs of shoes and then settled on some white, silver and pink Adidas.  Good shoes... She said they make her run super fast.  I believe her.  I should buy a pair too... I need to run faster. 

From there we headed to Sunrise Mall for a stroller ride for Kamren and a good walk for the rest of us.  We picked up hand sanitizer and foam soaps from Bath and Body Works...  Then grabbed some lunch at the food court.  I'm not into the food court, but I was really hungry, and the Panda Express (wanna be) was what the rest of the crew wanted.  I didn't like it.  Sydney and Peyton ate orange chicken and rice.  I had orange chicken and chow mien.  Ben had orange chicken, chicken and green beans and chow mien. 

After the mall adventure we ran by Target to get the girls Squinkie Doos & Barbies with puppies. I stayed in the car and nursed Kamren while Ben and the girls did the Target run.  It was so hot in the car, even in the shade with the windows down.  I had to undress Kamren to keep him awake long enough to nurse. 

Quick trip to Grandma and Papa's to check out the Quincenera stuff, change, and feed Kamren, then we hit the park with Sydney and Peyton.  Kamren stayed with Papa.  We played for a lil over an hour, chasing the girls, Ben was the monster who locked the girls up in the jail, I was the one who broke them out every time.  Then we played hide and seek and tag.  Peyton made a friend at the park before we left, or at least they talked and decided they'd be friends, though they never really played. 

Back to Grandma and Papa's to nurse and change Kamren.  I wanted to nap while Kamren was napping, but that didn't pan out.  Sydney and Peyton were fighting like crazy, running back and forth from room to room, it was chaos.  Grandma and the girls went to pick up dinner.  Chinese Food.  Can you believe it.  It was the worst Chinese food ever, I think it was the first time they ate there, usually we get Peking.  Oh well.

Off to watch Bianca play futbol.  First stop Sams to buy new chairs for the game.  Me and the girls got matching chairs.  How cute.  The girls can now carry their own chairs.  They are so grown.  The game started as we got there.  Bianca got to start.  Yay.  She played most of the first half and I thought she played most of the second half.  Kamren was good for the most part, he nursed on and off and was awake a bit, then got fussy as the sun was going down.  Sydney and Peyton ran around the grass, chasing each other and doing races.  Bianca had a couple good crosses, a few good dribble moves, but no goals..   Oh well, maybe next game.

Back to the in laws so Bianca could type and print a paper.  Grandma found the ties for the boys (with the Flamingo colors), and different dresses for the girls.

Once we got home we watched the tivo'd episode of Grey's Anatomy while nursing Kamren.  I think we went to bed around 1030.....

Down for the count

Tuesday 2am that's when it hits me...  Food Poisioning or the Flu.  I don't know... but I spent most of the night in the loo and the next day.  How can I be sick, it's hard to take care of a baby when you're flat on your back or curled up in a ball. 

My biggest fear is that Kamren will get sick, so I tried to have limited contact with him, hard to do when your nursing...  So I mostly nursed him and then laid him down or Ben held him.  It was the longest day and night, but today I'm feeling much better.  So far Kamren still seems healthy and hopefully the sickies skips the rest of us. 

I had to cancel a couple visits for today, so glad I did.  It's been a really nice day so far.  I think I wanna take a lil drive, hit up an ATM and Starbucks, that always makes me happy.

Kamren meets Jackson

Kamren has no real friends his own age yet.... But the closest thing he's got so far is Jackson.... but Jackson is headed back to Carolina on Friday...  So what better thing to do than have them meet now... and hey at christmas maybe Jackson will be back in California for awhile.

Okay, it wasn't much of a playdate.. Jackson was wide awake and happy to share his spit up milk...  Kamren was rather tired and liked his eyes shut most of the time.  They did lay next to each other on the blanket and Jackson took his shots, a backhand here, a poke there... just joking.... 

Side by side .... can you tell?  Jackson is going on 3 months and Kamren 3 weeks.  I think they'll be great buddies one day.  That is if Melissa moves back to California.... I mean... who wants to live in  North Carolina anyhow... I could see South Carolina... cuz my girl SarahBeth lives there... 

The photos:

 Stretched out

 backhand

 stretched out

 The girls enjoying the boys

 One, two - Muscles

                                                  Peyton gets her turn at holding Jackson

                                                      Sydney gets a laugh out of Jackson

                                                                  Two sleeping babies

Tia Amy & a snoozin Kamren

Hangin out with Diane & Drewbie on a stormy Saturday

Saturday was a big day.  Kamren's social calendar is always packed...  We had Diane coming at ten and Drewbie coming at noon.  Diane was all smiles when she showed up and couldn't wait to hold Kamren, he was wide awake, he's been having awake stretches from 10 am til about noon everyday, so it's always nice to have company during that time.  Diane and Kamren shared a few moments, there were smiles, coos, and lots of tummy rumbling and tootin going on.  Leave it to the Avila's to give welcome farts to all they meet.  Sydney and Peyton enjoyed talking to Diane as well, luckily they didn't grab onto her nice scarf. 

Drewbie came by and showered Kamren with gifts, and well he also fixed all of our computers... yay for computer savy Drewbie.. Peyton and Sydney love to ask questions and Peyton never tires of talking... Do you have kids? Do you have a life (wife)? Speaking of.. She loves to watch the Good Wife with me.... and Vampire Diaries... Anyhow... She was so cute. She asked Drewbie the typical questions.. and then... She asked.. "Well who do you live with?" Drewbie said.. My Partner... and Peyton said... "What's his name?" It was totally cute and so appropriate... I love her.... Anyhow.. here are a few pictures of Drewbie and Kamren.

Maria Maria

I haven't seen Maria in over a month.  Normally I see her every day, a few times a day, so it was great to see her bright and early this morning.  She brought Starbucks... I swear all of my friends know me and my family so well.  They always bring starbucks *lol*  So we had Passion Tea's, Sydney and Peyton really liked the tea, and chocolate chip crossiant, there was lemon bread, pomigranite scone, cranberry scone, yummy.  I think I've been eating way to much desserts....  I had cake pops this week too.  Yikes... 

Kamren had just eaten and got a diaper change when Maria showed up, he was happy to see her.  He got really comfortable in her arms and after a little bit of chattin, he fell fast asleep.  It was nice to catch up with Maria, I miss all my adult interaction, especially with my Maria.  I can't wait to start playing soccer again with her.  It's been about 7 months since I played soccer, and it will probablly be another 3 to 5 months before I start playing again.  I'm looking forward to getting back to the gym and running. 

At St Patty's Day I was totally reminising about my St Patty's Adventures I had with Maria when we were in LA.  Oh how traveling made work so much more fun.  I really miss that.  I hope things get back on track soon at work, and that we can eventually get on the road again... though it may never happen...  all i can say is at least we had LA :)

Rub a Dub Dub

there was no duck in the tub... there are no picture either. We did manage some video, thanks to Bianca... I thought first baths were supposed to be documented... whoops, to hard to do it all. It was total chaos anyways. I don't think we've had this much chaos in the house in ages.

I was nursing Kamren while Ben went upstairs to get the tub ready. He's got the cutest Frog bathtub.. so after 20 minutes I went upstairs to get the show on the road... but Ben was playing on the internet and not getting the water in the tub. So I filled the lil tub and well Ben came in and picked it up and water was leaking everywhere, he set it on the counter and more water, gushing everywhere... so Ben started shouting out orders and yelling at EVERYONE... the drama began.... Bianca got the brunt of the yelling... guess that's what happens when your 14. Yikes.. I was overwhelmed. 20 minutes later.....

We are in my bathroom, putting Kamren's tub in our tub... Not sure if the water was still leaking, but we got through the bath eventually, of course there was more yelling and telling people to get out of the way, and move here and there and everywhere.... after the bath.... we got some pictures of Kamren... Peyton liked his curly hair.. and yes, it looked curly.... but now it's back to his faux hawk..... he's knocked out in the bouncer right now... I'm catching up on The Practice. The lil ones are in bed. Bianca is playing a zombie game and Ben is eating cereal.... it's quiet now....

the only pictures I got were after the bath. Peyton was excited to see all the curls in Kamren's hair... Check it out.