Christmas Vacation

Chris and I have 3 weeks off during the Holidays ~ that is the one good thing about working in education. We opted to "keep" Kate for 2 out of the 3 weeks to spend some quality time with her. Next week she is back to the sitter's so we can get some things done around the house. Though it is very tiring dealing with a 21-month old we remind ourselves that she will only be this age one time and want to take advantage of this time with her. It is true what "they say", they do grow up way too fast! The good moments definitely supersede the difficult toddler-hood moments...here are a few:

Reading a wine catalog with daddy ~ awwww, how sweet!




Emulating mom at what I do best, shop and talk...



"so, like, I was telling you, she said that he said..."

Merry Christmas!

Kate enjoyed her 2nd Christmas. She still does not "get" what is going on, but she sure did have fun opening all of her gifts! Her grandparents went crazy and she got way too many toys and books, but that is their job and it saves Chris and I money! Nana and Papa got her an outdoor slide and golf clubs for their house. She also got clothes, shoes, and a baby (which is so cute to watch her feed and change her baby). Tata Tony gave her good ol' money! Bum Bum got her a slide and bunch of really cool and educational Melissa and Doug puzzles (which, of course I picked out). Grandma Linda and Grandpa Mike went crazy with toys, books and her very own Pottery Barn Kids chair. Her great-grandma gave her a Pillow Pet, which I think I love more than Kate does.

I think next year we may be able to pull out Elf on the Shelf and she will understand it a bit more. Maybe she won't be as naughty and break stuff or hit the dog if she know the elf is watching her; ha, yeah right! Speaking of breaking stuff, she was messing with my bookshelf and all my picture frames, candlesticks and Christmas stuff came tumbling down on her head. Phew, thanks goodness she was not hurt. Can't say the same for Joseph and baby Jesus...even super glue can't help put them back together. Darn kid. She also broke Tata Tony's mug before he opened the gift. Kate also enjoys using her chalk to write on walls and furniture. What fun it is to stay home with Kate during our break! But seriously, we know she is a toddler and our grateful that she is happy, healthy and FULL OF ENERGY! We keep telling ourselves this, over, and over, and over...



Notice what is on in the background? "A Christmas Story"


Since this blog is dedicated to Kate I want to let her know that she is the BEST present I have ever received. Her laughs, smiles, and even her naughty toddler antics is what makes my life complete. Merry Christmas Kate! I love you so so so so much!

Christmas Card

We decided to send this as our Christmas card because, let's face it, we are not the perfect family that you see in Holiday cards. Chris hates taking pictures. As does Kate. She wanted to run and do what she wanted to do. So why not send out what our family is really like, right? Well, imperfect as we are I would not have it any other way. I love my Chris and Kate!

Santa Claus

Kate went to visit jolly Saint Nick today. Not so jolly was Miss Kate. She was in a GREAT mood until I put her on Santa's lap. What a mean mommy I am. Like any typical Mexican family the whole clan was there to witness this tradition. Grandma Linda and Grandpa Mike were there. NanaLu and Uncle Ish watched and cheered on. Ma and Nana were there too. Kate's favorite monkey made the picture too! I brought this along to soothe her and ease her anxiety. We have even been reading her Christmas book and I "prepared" her about Santa. But of course, none of these things worked. I totally expected Kate to freak out. I felt bad for her, but we all had a good laugh at her expense. Poor baby, I have probably scarred her for life.

Oh Christmas Tree, Oh Christmas Tree!

We went and picked out our Christmas tree yesterday. Once again, I thought Kate would be excited to pick out the tree or at least run around and pretend to enjoy the trees. No interest. I tried taking a picture with her and she was scared of the tree and kept saying, "no, no, no." Instead we got a picture of Chris (dada) with the chosen tree. Kate on the other hand we really enjoyed running away from me and playing with the Home Depot cart. Now tonight, we decorate the tree. That should be fun with a 20-month old!

Family Pictures

It's the MOST wonderful time of the year, c'mon everybody sing along with me! Ok, so maybe not. In my little world I think that I am going to get the whole family together in matching outfits to take a family picture. In my head I envisioned Kate smiling and laughing and taking pictures with all her favorite people. What of course ends up happening is that it takes us much longer to get ready and prepare for this day, instead of actual picture taking. We arrived in downtown Yuma to take family photos. This was supposed to be our Christmas cards and gifts to Kate's grandparents. She was supposed to take pictures with each set of grandparents and of course do a whole picture taking bonanza with several different shots (i.e., Chris with his parents and Kate, Chris with his mom and Kate, me with my mom and step-dad and Kate, you get the idea). What ends up happening is what you see illustrated in these pictures. Kate had her own agenda, as she always does. She wanted to run up and down stairs and we were getting in the way of her fun; how dare we?! Well all the hysteria, aggravation, and headaches aside these are definately worth keeping to remind Miss Kate what a lil' pill she was, is. Hope your family photos are memorable too!


"I want to play on this ball, no, wait, I change my mind, get me off!"


"You take her, no, you take her, you got her? no, you got her? no."


Baby gap dress & tights $50, Grandma Delia's outfit $??, 3 Hours primping, Kate not partaking in the photo session ~ priceless.

Gobble Gobble!

Kate survived her 2nd Thanksgiving! All the family came to our house to celebrate the beginning of the holiday madness. Let's see who came? Uncle Tony, Nana, Papa, Grandpa Mike, Grandma Linda, Bum Bum, Bisabuela (great-grandmother), Nino Eric, Nina Bianca, cousin Bella, Uncle Ish, Tia Carla, NanaLu...phew, don't think I missed anybody! Needless to say it was a packed house and we had a blast! The family convinced me not to get all Martha Stewart so it was a fancy free Thanksgiving this year. We are talking paper plates and cups, plastic utensils and no tablecloths or place cards this year. I have to admit, it was stress free and tons of fun! Kate was pretty moody as usual. She woke up from the wrong side of crib from her nap. She finally warmed up to everybody and started playing and seemed to enjoy all the fixins'. She even tried Grandma Linda's "Green Death" and appeared to like it ~ that makes 3 people! Green Death is the affectionately named pistacho/cabbage/jello concoction that is a mid-west favorite and Grandma Linda grew up eating, and now she shares with us during the Holidays. We all enjoyed great food and company. Hope yours was great too! Happy Thanksgiving!


"These people are crazy, I'm outta here!"


Kate with Mommy, Uncle Tony and Nana


Kate trying Grandma Linda's "Green Death"


Chris very carefully frying the turkey as Grandpa Mike, Bum Bum and Papa look in awe


NanaLu, Tia Carla, Cousin Bella (tired of taking pics), Nino Eric, Nina Bianca, and Uncle Ish


Bisabuela with her great-grandaughters Kate and Bella, and grandchildren Tony, Eric, Ish and Annette (of course Kate had no interest in picture taking)

This time last year

This time last year Kate was preparing for her 1st Thanksgiving feast! How time flies. A cliche I know, but so true. Last year we were feeding her in her high chair which she was too small for. We were giving her soft foods as she was just beginning to eat other foods (mostly rice cereal and baby food) besides from her bottle.



This year, Kate doesn't really like her high chair. Really, she doesn't like to sit and like any toddler wants to run and play. Grandma Linda gave her a booster chair; an early Christmas present. I think Kate likes it!



So last year was rice cereal, bottles, and high chairs. This year it is booster seats, eating at the big table, feeding herself and drinking from her sip cups. I can't believe how big she is getting and how fast this is going by. Last year was mostly cries with no communication. This year, still plenty of crying but she understands us, has some words and uses her signs like "more". Wow. What a difference a year makes. We have so much to be thankful for! Happy Thanksgiving and let's see what next year brings us!

Balloon Festival

Kate is 20 months old today! We thought it would be fun to take her to watch the Hot Air Balloons take-off at McGraw Elementary School. Chris teaches PE there so it was fun to take her so that his colleagues could catch a glimpse of her since she is growing up so fast! She was in awe at first, just staring at the balloons and not wanting me to put her down. Once she became comfortable she started running towards the balloons and wanted to touch them. It was really fun to see her run, laugh and experience this.


Love this face! Love those lashes!


Kate and Mommy


Daddy showing Kate the Balloon, or as Kate says, "this?" or "ba-boon?"


Nothing is better than watching Kate run and laugh ~ LOVE this girl!

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

Kate's 2nd Halloween went as I imagined. She wanted nothing to do with anything or anybody. Shocker. I had been prepping Kate for this holiday. We decorated the house, she had been watching Yo Gabba Gabba's Halloween episode, and we tried the pumpkin costume on her several times. Kate pretty much refused to wear the head piece to her costume, which was fine. She let us put the pumpkin costume during the "prepping" stage. Nanalu even made her a black tutu with purple ribbon which was supposed to be her "day" Halloween outfit.



Halloween eve rolls around. I have to wrestle her to the ground to put the tutu on her. She threw a massive fit! Forget about putting a bow on her head or the purple with black cat baby legs on her. After a while and pretending to wear the tutu (yes, me, wrapped around my leg) she finally let me put the tutu on her. On Halloween she had a really nice long nap. I thought this was perfect because then she would be in a good mood. Wrong. She was SO clingy (as usual) and only wanted to be held by me or my mom (Nana). Again, Shocker. The sun was setting and it was time for trick or treating. Which, in reality she wasn't going to ask for any candy and we were not going to go door to door. The idea was to take her for a ride in her red wagon with her Halloween costume on. After about an hour we finally "convinced" Kate to put on the costume. As you can see from the picture, she was not too pleased or enthused about this holiday as we were. Oh well, there is always next year!



However, the night did get better. After she came back from "trick or treating" she joined the rest of us to eat dinner. Our friends, Shawn and Rachael, our neighbor Sarah, and my mom and tia were at the house. Miss Kate finally warms up to everybody and even let Rachael or should I say "Aunt" Rachael hold her. You pretty much earn honorary "aunt" and "uncle" titles if Kate lets you hold her and especially if you can make her laugh! Rachael finally earned her title; it only took 19 months!

Party Girl

I don't even know what to say. Kate's eyes light up with the sight of a beer. Is it because she is a party girl like me and "Soto Blood" runs thick in this child? Or is it because it is a bright blue aluminum can that is ice cold and feels good on her gums? I hope the latter. Nobody call CPS, I swear this can is not open! Chris is proud of his little girl because now he has someone to fetch his beers. I seem to think she is a good little hostess.




Look at that grin on her face. Kate rarely smiles for photos. Most of the time she is whining, telling me no, or running away from me and throwing some sort of fit. But this bright blue can does wonders. All of sudden she is socializing with everybody, smiling and having a good time...hmmm, maybe this can was open? I kid, I kid.



So as I mentioned earlier, Kate is kind of a pain. We love our child, of course. But she is in the phase where she only wants me, my mom, me, her sitter, or me. She won't even go to Chris. I think because my mom and I are the suckers and let her do what she wants. Total master manipulator! However, when our friend Shawn comes over she totally melts and goes to him. My friend Leslie has been hanging out lately and she doesn't even go to her...it pretty much to Kate 15 hours to warm up to her. Kate won't go to Shawn's wife, Rachael. My friends Kendra and Sal are total "kid" people and she won't go to them. She loves her uncle Shawn!

Soy Mexicana!

Kate's babysitter is your traditional Mexican woman; she makes chorizo burritos, sopita and fideo, and loves her Mexican music. She has passed her love of Mexican music to Kate. When she hears any "tunka tunka" music as I call it she goes wild. Kate starts bouncing up and down, she claps her hands and squeals or screams with excitement plus she has a big goofy grin on her face. The love of that kind of music gene must have bypassed me and went to Kate. What is really cute is that she knows or I guess I should say understands how the computer works because when the music is over she tries to touch the mouse as if wanting to play the song again. She also know about the speaker we have for our computer and the knob on it to adjust the volume. She always tries to turn up the volume. So funny. I hope you are able to see the video I attached. If not I will snap some pics of her dancing to Ramon Ayala's Piquito de Oro.

Getting into the Halloween Spirit

Halloween is quickly approaching and we have been decorating the house and getting costumes together. I learned my lesson by waiting too long for getting Kate a Halloween costume. She was going to be "blue" from Blues Clues but the costumes were either too expensive, ugly or too hot to wear this time of year in Yuma. I settled for a pumpkin costume, because, well, c'mon, how cute will she be? But the costume is a bit small. I went to Target, Party City, Toys r Us, all three Walmarts and even several places online and they are all out of stock on size 18-24 months or 2T. I bought size 12-18 which does fit, but that hat is way too small! Oh well.

In addition for the hunt for the halloween costume we have been decorating. Well not we, me. Nothing too extravagant or tacky just some little touches here and there.



Kate and I went to the Pumpkin Stand and then to Walmart to buy the decorating size pumpkins. She loved the mini pumpkins! She even took it in the bath with her.



And of course it wouldn't be Halloween without some pj's.



Happy Halloween to everybody...next time I will post Kate in her costume!

Pumpkin Stand

Kate, Grandma Linda, Nana Delia and I went to visit the Morris Pumpkin Stand today. If the weather was nicer it really would have been perfect! We went at about 10am and it was already approaching 100 degrees. Seriously? Yes. C'mon Yuma it is already mid-October, enough already! But enough complaining. The Morris Family had an awesome display of pumpkins to choose from and fun kits to take home to make your own silly pumpkin. Kate picked out her own little kit to make a "diva" pumpkin ~ pretty fitting for la princesa. She didn't get to hang out with her friend Grayson ~ I guess the heat got to him and he went home with his grandma; I don't blame the kid. I would say we lasted close to 15-20 minutes until Miss Kate decided enough was enough. She was really good and liked walking around and checking things out. She just didn't get into the picture taking, of course ~ what else is new, right? We hope to go back and get some more pumpkins. I think the grandma's enjoyed watching Kate "pick" out her pumpkin.


Kate ~ 18 months old.


Ramsey (and baby Morris), Me and Kate


Grandma Linda and Kate

This

So everyone knows that Kate loves to get into things and make a mess. Like any typical toddler I am sure. The other morning while we were getting ready for work, Kate went into our closet and decided to rearrange things for me. It looks like she made a space for herself. Pretty cute I think.



Nothing too exciting to report at this time. Kate keeps us busy and laughing. I cannot even explain how much we enjoy and adore this child. So I will share some stories.

Kate now loves "Yo Gabba Gabba" and "Blues Clues" is so not cool anymore. Once DJ Lance Rock and the characters come on the screen she is in a trance. Kate busts out in her moves.



She is picking up skills from her sign language dvd. When it's bath time she does the motion for "bath" and says "ba?" The other day she said "up" with her arms reaching to me for me to pick her up. This is great because she was still doing the reach arms things with whining. The other day I gave her a waffle and she said to me "tan you". So sweet.

I think she has really strong receptive language. Kate definitely understands everything that we say, but always responds with "no". So funny. She also always says "this" instead of saying the word. Everything is "this?" When we tell her the word she will say it, but if you ask her to say the word she says, you guessed it, "no."