2 weeks ago

Two weeks ago today I was praying that I wouldn't have the baby so we could celebrate Jack's birthday. He had been planning the perfect birthday party for so long and I wanted him to have a perfect #5 birthday. As mentioned before he really wanted a Chuck E Cheese birthday with a hamburger cake. I'm pretty sure he had that planned since his #4 birthday. When we arrived at Chuck E Cheese that night it was a mad house - the whole parking lot was filled with minivans and SUV's so we had to change plans and Jack agreed that he could have his birthday at Peter Piper Pizza. The fact that I had taken the time to search coupons online to satisfy my need to be as frugal as possible went out the window, but it was worth it considering the kids could run around a play games without waiting in a 10 minute line. I mean its Chuck E Cheese for crying out loud - not Disneyland.

The last photo I have with just two (and a half) sons.

Birthday morning pancakes - Mickey mouse of course - and hot chocolate! Just what the birthday boy ordered. Of course he filled up on hot chocolate and didnt' eat the pancakes.

The hamburger cake was freakin awesome!! I was really uncertain about how it was going to taste because it looked like it was about 3 inches of frosting -- and the smell!!!! I know it was because I was pregnant but the smell was very unattractive to me. I have to say that we were all very impressed it really was a great tasting cake!!

Now the french fries on the other hand - not so great. I'm not sure what happened there but it still looked pretty cool.

Me and My Jack

The party crew - Grandma Mikey, Aunt Bess and Jeff, The Valles family - Benny, Larisa, Maria, and Abbie

And what party isn't complete without Dad and his pornstache!

How's that for October 27, 2008 - now October 28th a whole new adventure!

More pics

Benjamin is now 1 week old!! He still has his days and nights mixed up so he sleeps the majority of the day away. I'm still trying to catch up on sleep but I have a feeling I'll be saying that for years to come.

I finally got a good picture with his eyes open - its not too often that his eyes are open for any long period of time.

Payton and Benjamin - the newness has not worn off yet. The boys still love to hold Benjamin every chance they get.

Benjamin sun bathing and Jack keeping him company.


Stay tuned for pictures of Jack's birthday........

Benjamin Michael

He's here!! I know you are all anxious to see pictures of Baby Benjamin - here's just a few. When I have had a good nap I will post more.Minutes old

I know compared to little Sammy he probably looks like a giant

Thankfully Ryan's mom Mikey could be here! It was great to have her in the room during the delivery and such a relief to know Payton and Jack were loved and cared for while I was in the hospital.



Yes they are both still this excited about their little brother. It is so fun to see how they behave around him.

Big Brother Jack

Jack and the baby

So despite the fact that I really want to have this baby I'm concerned that he will be born so close to Jack's birthday. For a while Jack thought that if the baby was born before his birthday that the baby would be older than him. I think that he has gotten over that but he may not understand that if this baby comes before his birthday we will have to re evaluate the birthday plans. Jack has been planning for some time to spend his birthday celebration at Chucky Cheese. He also has wanted a hamburger cake. Everytime we are at Albertsons we have to stop at the bakery to see the cake decorated like a hamburger complimented with french fries. At first I thought -"I could do that" but honestly I just don't have the energy or desire to do anything right now and I guess that includes trying to make a special hamburger cake for my Jack. So last night I was talking to the kids about the baby and I asked Jack "what if the baby is born on your birthday?" He got pretty excited and said that I could I give the baby to him as a present and put him in a box so he could open the box but that I would have to put holes in the box so the baby could breath. Its a good thing he remembered the holes.

And just so that you know because Jack is very excited and has been counting down the days :

4 more days !!!

Stop the Press!!!!

OK no joke this was on the front page of the El Paso Times today:

"Without bid, inmates will be without tortillas"

EL PASO -- In a city where tortillas are as common as dollars and pesos, inmates at El Paso County jails will have to go without tortillas -- a cruel and unusual crisis.
No tacos. No burritos. No soup. No corn. No flour.
County officials announced on Monday that no vendors had responded to a bid asking for tortilla supplies for the detention bureau division which includes the county jail, jail annex and juvenile detention center.
"Can't we just arrest someone who knows how to make them?" asked County Commissioner Dan Haggerty.
The contract, which is for six months, is normally worth about $10,000.
Piti Vasquez, the county's purchasing agent, told commissioners that one company did intend to turn in the paperwork needed to make the tortilla bid, but they were several hours late in doing so and had to be disqualified.
The county will now have to re-bid the tortilla contract and hope that at least one of the 20 tortillerias in the El Paso area respond.
Haggerty had a better suggestion -- have the inmates make them.
"I can understand why we have to have a contract for the milk," he said. "But there's no reason why the tortillas and the bread should not be made by the prisoners."
Gustavo Reveles Acosta may be reached at greveles@elpasotimes.com;546-6133.


My favorite line "Can't we just arrest someone that knows how to make them?"
Seriously?
What is the world coming to? God Bless America!

Pregnant Bellies and Sweet smelling showers

So I've realized for some time that I can't see my feet anymore and maybe that's a good thing considering they are swollen a good majority of the time. Just thought I'd share - in case you are wondering what that big blob is covering half of the picture it is the pregnant belly I speak of. And yes I had to do some creative acrobatics to get this picture. Good times!Jack just got out of the shower while smelling his arm and said "Mom I could eat myself I smell so good!" Who ever said that little boys smelled like puppy dog tails? OK so most of the time they do but not after taking a shower with tangerine smelling soap. Jack just makes me smile!

My #1 Son

Payton's birthday was on Tuesday and I can't believe that he is 9 already! So in tribute to my #1 son I thought I would share a few things about Payton.

He really is a great kid and has a delightful sense of humor. The other night the boys were acting up at the dinner table so Ryan told them that if they didn't stop he was going to have to slap them. Without much thought Payton said " What style?" What do you mean what style? Well you know it could be a ninja slap or a disco slap... and then proceded to show us the different kinds of slaps.

I love to hear Payton laugh. Its actually kind of a giggle and its quite contagious.

Even though he is 9 now and its not very cool to hold his mothers hand he sometimes lets me hold his wrist.

Apparently Payton has a pretty cool shower dance which I have yet to catch him in the act

I love the fact that he loves to tell people about his one normal ear and his one elf ear and how much he is like his dad

It seems as though he has a very low pain threshold - even when I cut his hair you would think that I was beating the child to death the way he over reacts. I think we have heard the phrase "Its the worst pain I've ever been in" a number of times. You would think this would get old, but somehow it never does.

Payton has a great memory (which obviously he got from his dad) especially when it comes to tv shows or video games and if you have a few minutes he will tell you all about it.

He is a great helper and I know he is excited to be a big brother again as long as changing diapers isn't required.

He is very intelligent and apparently much smarter than I am but maybe someday he will realize that I do know a little about some things. I have always thought his he must truly be older than me in spirit. Even as an infant he seemed to be this little man in a tiny body.

He is a wonderful son and I love him! I couldn't ask for a better #1 son.