Wednesday, July 31, 2013

My kids would have conversations like these

I picked the kids up from camp today and was listening to the two of them talk as we drove home when Anthony started talking about building a house...

Anthony: "I'm going to build a house bigger than our house with a pool, no grown ups are allowed in the pool..."

Izabella: "How about a hot tub for the grown ups?"

Anthony: "ok a hot tub or the grown ups and two pools for the kids. I'm going to be the only four year old with my own house and my Husband is going to buy it for me..."

Izabella: "But Anthony don't you want kids? If you marry a man you can't have kids..."  
(I was going to interject here about adoption but figured it was best I stayed out of the conversation)

Anthony: "Okay okay I do want kids, I do, okay I'll marry a wife.."

Izabella: "Well you can always marry a woman and have a baby then divorce her and marry a man"

So they are fully comfortable being able to marry who they want but..

I'm thinking we need to work on marrying for love instead of a house or a baby...

Gosh, I love their innocence.

Sunday, July 28, 2013

We would have so much fun!

 This weekend started on Friday night when our friends Kate and Gianna cane over and the our Brother in Law joined us later. We had great conversation, lots of laughter and stayed up way too late but it was exactly what I needed to rejuvenate my soul. Carlos woke up early with the kids made an amazing breakfast and we hit the road to Rye Playland. I had no idea what to expect as I had never been there so we went full throttle into the unknown.
            The entrance to the park

On our way in

It was about 100$ for the four of us to enter the park and have unlimited access to rides, if and when we go again I think we will save ourselves some money and only pay for either Carlos or I to get a bracelet and the other can buy a spectator bracelet which only costs 1$. We spent most of the time watching the kids ride anyway. The amount of children's rides they had was insane the kids didn't get to go on all of them and we were there for seven hours.
Our view from the gondola aka Ferris wheel 
   Anthony and I on the Gondola

We had some scared tears before the ride Izabella was so scared to go on the Gondola so we talked and talked about what it means to be brave and face our fears. We got on the ride and started to go up and almost instantly those scared, nervous feelings she had turned to excitement and joy. She snuggled into Carlos' arms and laughed and laughed about how she couldn't believe how scared she was.

The options for lunch were Burger King, Nathan's, pizza or a wrap restaurant. We went for wraps as it was super hot and we didn't want the fried food to cause upset stomachs. They took forever to make them! The kids and Carlos had ham and cheese and I had a buffalo chicken wrap which had a secret ingredient of hot sauce... Lets say the first half was good the second half was to spicy to eat. They were also out of any bleu cheese or ranch...
Izabella enjoyed the lettuce and Tomato more then the wrap.
We went on more rides

My camera's battery died so these are all from my phone unfortunately.

They had a tent (thank goodness it was SO hot) where they played with hula hoops, simon says, danced to the Cha Cha Slide, Harlem Shake, and a few others. It was awesome to get out of the sun for a little bit and let the kids jump around.
Those are mine breakdancing on the floor!

Waiting for more directions!

We ate some ice cream, overpriced but soft serve ice cream hit the spot before more rides

Izabella's favorite ride

You can see how happy Izabella was this was one of the rides she cried before going on and then she rode it twice.

They were dancing through the park

Sweet hugs in line for the log flume

So cute as it wasn't posed!


A beautiful view of Long Island Sound


It was hot and the sun was in their eyes but I love this picture anyways

This is probably the last year Izabella can and will ride on some of the kiddie rides

Anthony still enjoyed this ride especially the bell

Izabella and I on the train before I got yelled at to turn off all electronic devices.. Really?!?!

Right before I took this picture I received wonderful news from someone close to me and no I can't tell but I'm so happy for so many reasons!Carlos makes me laugh in this picture, Izabella was sitting on the other side of him..


This was Anthony's favorite ride

They had a concert going on that night
We actually were able to see R5 up close as they rode a roller coaster. The kids knew who Ross Lynch from Disney's Austin and Ally was. Izabella was nervous and started hiding, Anthony was all into them trying to get a better look. It was exciting but the mob of preteen girls chasing them was intimidating, I'm so happy we have time before Izabella is one of them. We didn't stay for the concert because it was late and we wanted to eat dinner somewhere other then the park.


Remember him?!?

We ended the night at Portofino's Restaurant in Goldens Bridge, NY where the slices of pizza are bigger then your head and the service is wonderful!

Wednesday, July 24, 2013

How The Valenzuela's Began... Part One

My Husband (Carlos) and I first got together when we were 22 year old college students. We had no debt, no house and no real responsibilities. One month later I was sleeping like a rock, I was crying and peeing all the time and you guessed it my period was LATE! I knew I was pregnant but we went to the pharmacy and bought a test anyway. When we got home I went to the bathroom immediately and right before my eyes almost instantaneously those two little lines appeared. Those two little lines that would change our lives forever.

It's still positive after almost seven years.
And yes I kept it. How could I not?


It seems as though God already had a plan for us because what might have been difficult decisions for some came quite easily for us. As Carlos slept off the news he called his Mom, I called mine. I drove to my Mom's house and sat at her kitchen counter and our conversation went like this:
 
Me: "Mom, I took a pregnancy test"
Mom: "And...?"
Me: "It was positive"
Mom: "Are you sure it was positive?"
Me: " Yes it was an instant positive no waiting for it to change"
Mom: "Seems like its true. What is it that you want to do" (Keep in mind I was an unmarried 22 year old college student"
Me: "I want to keep the baby"
Mom: "Okay, congratulations! Let's eat!"

I wrote this conversation out because it was one of the most frequent questions I received from my peers. It was interesting that so many people assumed my Mom would be angry with me. My Dad on the other hand I avoided like the plague. I was too embarrassed and ashamed to talk to him none the less tell him the truth.

Looking back I had the strongest faith in us, I knew things were going to be hard we were going to have to work and fight every step of the way to make it as a family but I believed in us.  I wasn't naive though and if I had to raise and support our baby on my own I would and I was okay with that too. 

Carlos and I had one fight where I thought I would be doing it on my own. Looking back I can't even remember what it was about. I told him to get out... and he did he left. He walked to his Mom's house (which was not that far maybe a mile and a half) I had only met his Mom once at this point and it was the night before our first ultrasound. My sister picked me up to take me to the ultrasound where we met both my Mom, his Mom, his Aunt and little cousin Tina (who was 5 at the time) I remember being so confused and nervous not knowing what to expect or to feel. I went into the ultrasound room with my Mom, Sister and Carlos' Mom they rubbed gel on my belly and that's when I saw our baby, I was more in love and knew at the moment that this baby was our priority.
 

Carlos came back to our apartment after work and we sat on the front steps, I showed him the pictures and we kissed and made up (the details are pretty fuzzy). Years later my Mother in law sat me down and told me the story of how Carlos came to her house that night she told him "You can stay here tonight but you have a Wife (I was pregnant with his baby and we were living together so wife was used) who is pregnant with your baby, who is upset and scared, I don't care what happened but you belong there with her, you must work it out, you can not come back here when things get hard." I never knew what made Carlos come back with such love, compassion and a will to work it out but I feel forever indebted to my Mother in law for the tough love she gave Carlos that night, I am lucky to have a Mother in law who cared so much about me and her grandchild when we barely even knew eachother. Thank you Estella!

To be continued...

Sunday, July 21, 2013

My birthday baby

 I was able to receive one of the best presents for my birthday... a baby! As soon as my Sister told me she was pregnant (back in December) and her due date of July 10th I knew I was going to share my birthday, it took me a little longer to predict she was a girl but I was right with that too! I even asked if she was born on my birthday if I could keep her; Melissa agreed. Unfortunately when I went to claim her today Melissa was completely unable and unwilling to part with her.

I went to bed the night before my birthday a little unsure of how I felt about sharing my birthday (I had no idea she would go into labor) I wouldn't even make plans with my Mom and Sister for dinner because I knew they wouldn't be there. I awoke to Carlos handing me his phone with the news of a birthday baby a sweet baby girl. I was thrilled for my Sister and her family but a little part of me was sad that I no longer had this day to myself. Don't get me wrong I believe the birth of a baby is the most amazing miracle in the world. I know that this baby was born on my birthday for a reason and I can't wait to learn why!! 

I got the rest of the details a baby girl named Adeline weighing in at 8lbs 2oz 21.25inches long! She was a perfectly planned home birth after only 4 hours of labor and to make any of you other Moms out there jealous I'm pretty sure my sister was wearing pre-pregnancy shorts today too. 

                 A few hours old




     My Sister Melissa and baby Addy.
My nephew Robbie, my niece Sammie, and baby Addy! 
     My Brother in Law Kenny and Addy




                     Perfection 

I was unable to make it up to meet her until today :( I was so happy to meet her, hold her, kiss her. She's a very calm baby, with lots of alert time and I swear at a week old she was giving real smiles.

As soon as I saw this sweet little girl held her in arms and cooed over every ounce of her all I felt was complete joy and love for my sweet little niece. I love you little Addy! Melissa, thank you for being such a great Mom to my precious little niece. I am completely faithful she will always know how truly and deeply she is loved by us all.

It aches my heart that they are a little over a two hour drive. My kids love spending time with their cousins, Izabella cried and cried when it was time to leave.

I wish I took more pictures but I enjoyed being and playing with the kids that much more. 

  I think she's going to look just like me!





   My nieces and I... See she's smiling!

Thursday, July 18, 2013

Trip to Maryland

 
                   Stuck in traffic
I have to give my kids some credit they are REALLY well behaved in the car. They can sit for hours gracefully, they tell me not to stop for food or for the bathroom they just want to get there.

    Upon arrival at my Dads house right into the pool!

Anthony learned to cannonball and jump into the pool. I finally had to get him out as he was blue and shivering.

My little fish who is swimming so well above and under water.

It's so nice for the kids to have a place to ride bikes! We always have to pack up the bikes and take them to a parking lot to ride safely.

After racing down the driveway as fast as he can!

My cousin Kelly and her son! They are such beautiful souls and I'm so lucky to be able to spend such quality time with them. Even though its only a few times a year they have special places in my heart.

He is so sweet and adorable. I can see him doing great things in life.

Snack time with cousin DJ!! He's growing up so fast and is talking so well!

One morning it was too cold to stay in the pool any longer so I brought them in to swim in the jacuzzi tub!! They had so much fun and got clean at the same time.


Sleep is always difficult when going some place new, as the kids are used to my Dad's house it always takes time to get in the groove of sleeping. I was tired after not sleeping through the night for a few nights in a row. Even for being tired taking trips are always such great experiences for all of us. Anthony and I finally slept in on the day we left, Izabella was up early with Grandpa and enjoyed watching The Flinstones an eating dry cereal.

                  Digging for fossils
  
Anthony fell asleep in the car on the way to my Dad's office. I loved having him sleep on my chest.
                Love his little hands

Izabella was very interested in my Dads office. She loved going into the lab. She had tons of questions, who knows maybe she will be a doctor or scientist or both one day.

My Dad then surprised me with dinner reservations at a French restaurant. The kids did well and devoured the tres leche cake. It was a wonderful birthday surprise!! Thanks Dad!

Then it was time to leave the next day!
Good bye Maryland until next time.

Wednesday, July 17, 2013

No one ever told me...

That having children would teach me more about myself then I ever thought was needed. As I putting the kids to sleep tonight Izabella went right to sleep eye mask on and was out. 


Anthony was twisting and turning uncomfortable in his own skin. I started massaging his hands,his feet and his legs which calmed him but not quite enough. So I tried leaving him alone which led to him crying, turning the lights on and off, complaining of the light from the window, then it was too dark, he was actually crawling under his bed. So then I went in and he looked at me and I knew the look he missed me. The kids have been with me pretty much every minute since school got out and now he has been at camp every day from 9-3:30. (He's been having a great time and didn't want to leave today) so I asked if he missed me and the tears came he said yes. I held him as he cried and told him I missed him too, it was okay to miss me and still go to camp. I told him there were only two more days and then he would be back home with me. He calmed down quickly laid back down had me put my head on his chest and he fell asleep. 


This reminds me how myself will find other things to be mad or upset about instead of the simple truth of missing someone or something. That if I let myself go to that vulnerable spot and express my feelings then I too can calm myself to peace.