Monday, November 30, 2009

"Santa" Needs Some Help!

So this year "Santa" and "Mrs. Claus" are having a bit of a debate about what The Phi should receive for Christmas this year. They have agreed that a hand-held game system is the gift, the debate is over which one.

"Mrs. Claus" thinks that a Leapster 2 is the hand-held game system for The Phi. Great big buttons for a 4 year old and lots of games with some of The Phi's favorite characters at the Pre-K and K level for her to play.



"Santa" thinks that The Phi should get a Nintendo DS lite. A more advanced game system with more realistic graphics and tons of games.




Here is my, I mean "Mrs. Claus" thought process. I think the DS is a bit too advanced for The Phi. I am already imagining spending way too much time trying to show The Phi how to play a game with it ending with us both frustrated. The Leapster games are geared for kids her age and they are educational. I figure we can get about 3 years out of this for her. Then it can get put away and brought back out with "Sweet Babboo" is about 4. Also in about 5 years The Phi will really want a Nintendo hand-held and in 5 years there is going to be a better, faster and smaller version that she will want and we will either have to buy her a new one or she will be the geek with the 5 year old Nintendo DS.

"Santa" being "Santa" just wants The Phi to have the latest and the best.

So help "Santa" and "Mrs. Claus" out! Which do you think is the right choice for The Phi?

Saturday, November 28, 2009

My Sweet Babboo

Thanks for all the kinds words on the last post. Just wanted to clarify that it was written the day after we found out I was pregnant. It was my immediate and impulsive reaction. Since then we have had about a month for the news to sink in. We have had a doctors appointment and an ultra-sound where we got to see the little bean. We have been able to share the news with friends and family, and with The Phi.

From the moment we told The Phi that she as going to be a big sister she was ecstatic. She is already in love with her brother/sister and with the idea of being a big sister. Her love for all things Peanuts has lead to the baby's nickname. She calls him/her, "My Sweet Babboo"


Most mornings the first words out of her mouth are "Good Morning Sweet Babboo." Every night she kisses my belly and says "goodnight my sweet Babboo". She loves looking at pictures of what the baby looks like every week. Like everything else, The Phi makes it so much more exciting.

Friday, November 27, 2009

From somwhere around Oct 27th....

The night before as I was drifting to sleep Joey said something about when my last period was. I told him and he said have you taken a test yet? This was the routine. Since The Phi was about 1 year old we stopped all birth control and went back to the "if it happens it happens" way of trying for a second baby. My periods have always been irregular and it is not unheard of for me to go over 40 days between periods. So when the stretch gets too big and my PMS symptoms won't go away I will get my hopes up and grab a pregnancy test, pee on a stick and see a negative result. That has happened many times over the last 3 years. This time Joey said something. He had suspicions. So the next day after work, and after picking up The Phi from school we went to the drug store and bought a twin pack. I debated buying tampons because I knew that right after I took the test my period would start.

I had a few symptoms, but my "hey you're pregnant" symptoms and my PMS symptoms are the same. So I got home and took the test right away. Immediately the little window displayed a plus sign. I was so shocked I had to look at the box again to make sure that "plus" meant a positive result. I stood in the bathroom, and I could feel my face on fire. I couldn't believe it, after 3 years I couldn't believe it. After the dozens of negatives this one was positive. Something we had been trying for for over 3 years and instead of overjoy I began to feel panic.

How would we afford another kid? Where will we put another kid? How will The Phi react to this? (I know all things we have thought of before but the realization of it left me panicked)

Then The Phi called for me and I immediately felt guilt. I had just ruined her life. She had things good. An only child who has her parents full attention and love and I just ruined that. The next step was to tell Joey. For about 45 minutes I waited for him to come home. I tried to act like nothing was different as I played school with The Phi.

Joey walked in the door and gave me some financial bad news, I just handed him the wrapped up test he opened it, looked at it, and said "I knew it". He hugged me and I cried. Cried because I was scared and I knew he was scared too. We had wanted this for a long long time, and here it was. Yet we were both scared. Even more scared then when we found out I was pregnant with The Phi. When we were broke and only dating. This time we have good jobs and have been married for 3 years.

This is obviously a big change for us. We are worried that we will not be able to be good parents to 2 kids. But everyday the fear subsides and the joy is creeping in. I am anxious for my doctors appointment next week and being able to tell everyone. I know my parents and sisters are going to be very excited and knowing that they are behind us will make the scary parts seem not as scary.

Thursday, November 26, 2009

So much to be thankful for...

The Punk Rock Family has so many things to be thankful for. We have a home, jobs, amazing family and friends and each other. But this year we have something amazing to be thankful for.

I think The Phi's note says it best..........





Happy Thanksgiving from our growing family to yours!

Wednesday, November 25, 2009

Day before Thanksgiving

.....and I am where most people are this evening. In the kitchen. My Mom's side of the family does a big Thanksgiving together. All my aunts take turns hosting at their homes. Everyone is assigned something to bring. My Tia Angie, being the awesome Tia she is, remembered we had a long drive ahead of us for the day and just assigned us soda. So why am I in the kitchen?

Well a few weeks ago PR Dad mentioned someone from his work asked if we wanted some persimmons from a persimmon tree they had. I told him to bring some and when the bag of orange fruit came into my house I had a flash back from when I was a kid and the first time I have ever heard of a persimmon. It was fall and for some party or get together my Tia Angie made persimmon cookies. I had never heard of this fruit before but I remember those cookies being oh so good. Everything my Tia Angie makes is heavenly but years later just the sight of a bag of persimmons made me think of those cookies. I found a recipe on-line (since my Tia no longer had hers) and made a batch.

My family ate then up fast. Since I had some persimmons left over I decided to make a few dozen persimmon cookies for Thanksgiving. So right now, like many homes across the nation, our is filled with the scents of warm Thanksgiving spices.

Tuesday, November 24, 2009

The Husband Habit


The author Alisa Valdes-Rodriguez writes the "Dirty Girls Social Club" series. A great set of books that I loved. I tried reading another book and lost interest very quickly so I was hesitant to pick up "The Husband Habit". But I did and I am glad. It was a great book. It's a very girly girl, sex in the city, kind of story. A quick read and lots of fun.

Monday, November 23, 2009

It's beginning to look a lot......

I know that Thanksgiving isn't even here yet, but around this house the talk has been about Christmas. This year The Phi really gets it. We have been watching Christmas movies, listening to Christmas music and answering A LOT of Santa Claus related questions from The Phi.


"Where is Santa now?"
"Why doesn't he come in through the door?"
"Why does he come at night time?"

The Phi is also understanding the idea of asking Santa for gifts. My little computer nerd has spent a good deal of time browsing the Toys R Us Big Book Catalog on-line. As she looks at every page she exclaims, "Oh I want that. I am going to ask Santa for that!"

The other day while at the mall after getting our hair cuts we walked past the man himself. He was sitting in a big red velvet chair. The Phi glanced over and he waved at her, she froze and slowly waved back. Then in a whisper of a voice she said...

"Mom. That was Santa."

She is so excited for Christmas and she is making me excited about it too!

Sunday, November 22, 2009

Saturday, November 21, 2009

Friday, November 20, 2009

Allergies

The Phis skin is awful. Her allergies are totally out of whack thanks
to the change in the weather and the wind. Alot of her fingers are
cracked and bleedy so she wears band aids on some on them. On both her
thumbs. Today was her last day of school before her week long
Thanksgiving vacation and they made the traditional hand print turkey.
When I looked at The Phi's I noticed something odd, Hera did not have
a neck. I asked her about it and she shoved her bandaged thumb in my
face and said "teacher wouldn't put paint on my band aid"

Thursday, November 19, 2009

Clickin' Moms Giveaway

Today until next Wednesday, you have a chance to win a one year subscription to a pretty awesome website. Clickin' Moms is a community of mom photographers. Head over to Photo Bliss to enter!

CLICK HERE!

and good luck!

Wednesday, November 18, 2009

Put on a little make-up, make-up. Make sure to get my good side.

After school I changed The Phi out of her uniform and walked into the kitchen to clean out her backpack and read the 20 fliers from her school and attempt to get all the dates, activities, and money deadlines straight.

The Phi walked into the kitchen and for a split second I thought she had hurt herself until she handed me her little princess make-up kit.




She gets her make-up talent from her Mother.

Tuesday, November 17, 2009

Random

Two random things:

1. Does any other 30 something still rock a caboodle like mine? I
think I totally stole this from my sister like 15 years ago.

2. I had a very random memory today. When we were little my mom use to
keep a salt shaker with cinnamon and sugar in it so we could make
instant cinnamon toast. Yes my Mom is a genius.

Monday, November 16, 2009

The Bell Jar

Why why why???? Why have I never read this book before. Of course I had heard of it. I think the title was too similar to the "bell curve" that is made me associate it was an academic text book full of statistics. Boy was I wrong.

I was first drawn to this book after reading a little bit of the life and death of Sylvia Plath. She is a well loved poet and her tragic end made me very curious about her and this book.

The Bell Jar is said to be semi-autobiographical.

What a great story that to me was part Catcher in the Rye and part Girl Interrupted. A very quick read and a very engaging story. I cannot believe this was not required reading in high school or college.

Have you read this? What other great American novels are must reads?

Sunday, November 15, 2009

Bottomless Pit

When The Phi's exczema gets really bad we have some steroid medication
to give her. With the cold weather finally here the wind and heaters
make her skin pretty bad so I gave her 2 days worth of the steroid
medication to help clear up her skin. The medication works okay on her
skin but the side effects are pretty funny.

First off the kids is. Constantly bouncing. Always moving and talking.
The second is her appetite. The kid eats all day. She will have
breakfast and immediatley ask for lunch. She always wants a snack.
Tonite at dinner she ate 10 chicken nuggets (plus some fruit). 10!!!!

This "bottomless pit" version of The Phi is so nice because normally
we have to beg and plead to get her to eat. It is such a drastic
change and we enjoy it while we can.

Saturday, November 14, 2009

Visit

Out today visiting the truly adorable and so cute and little baby Matias.

Friday, November 13, 2009

AZ Part 2

So the best part of the trip was Saturday night. After a quick costume change at the hotel we did the drive out to Artful Chica's house. We got to met all her beautiful boys and her husband, as well as see some of her amazing art work. I also got to see her studio where the magic happens.

It was amazing to just be able to sit and talk to her face to face. Her husband made an amazing BBQ dinner. Seriously his rice was so good The Phi asked for seconds. I don't think she ever has asked for seconds before. The boys were super sweet with The Phi and even sat and watched "Chicken Little" with her.

As we finished eating my parents, my god-parents, my Tia and my Cousin pulled up and made the get together even better. We sat around the table, talking, laughing and Artful Chica immediately was one of the family.

I was happy she got to spend some time with my family because my family is a really big part of who I am.

We stayed late, well after The Phi had fallen asleep on the recliner. It was so awesome to hang out with Artful Chica and her familia. I wish they lived closer.

The next morning we ate a late breakfast at Cracker Barrel. I had never been to one and I tried Grits for the first time! Then we hit the road back to California.

Along the freeways there were these billboards everywhere....



CASH MONEY EYES!
The Phi was super stoked.

Thursday, November 12, 2009

Reminder

Just a reminder that I also keep a Tumblr photo blog. This is strictly for uploads of "Polaroid" photos from my phone.

So head over and check it out! Click Here

Wednesday, November 11, 2009

A Trip to Arizona Part 1

Over the weekend we took a quick trip out to Arizona to visit Artful Chica to see the beautiful exhibit of Dia de los Muertos altars she put together at the gallery she works. They had arts and crafts for the kids.

Here The Phi gets some help from PR Dad in making a Sugar Skull.

And here is The Phi working on her "Cash Money Eyes" metal embossing.


They also had booths on the outdoor plaza with so much adorable things. I loved this Michael Jackson calaveras.

We all know The Phi's love of cut-outs. She was super stoked to find a Frida Kahlo one....

And I love Frida so I had to get a picture.....


And not to be left out........

Tuesday, November 10, 2009

Happy 40th Birthday Sesame Street!

Today Sesame Street celebrated its 40th anniversary! Wow. Like many of us late 70's babies I grew up watching Sesame Street. I can remember watching an episode bright and early in the morning, and then waiting all day to watch the same episode again in the late afternoon. This show helped me learn my ABC's, my 123's and even how to blow my nose correctly.

I was so disappointed when The Phi had no interest in Sesame Street. But last night, on the eve of the 40th Anniversary she watched an entire episode and enjoyed it! So maybe she will be a Sesame Street kid, just like her Mom.

In honor of Sesame Street's 40th here are 2 of my favorite clips........








Monday, November 09, 2009

Why the kids beg to go to Nana and Tata's house


1. Their own jeep to cruise around the ranch on.


2. Awesome hot wheels tracks and tons of cars.


3. Their own personal jolly jumper in the backyard



4. The culture all over Santa Barbara


5. Cool places to eat like Rock & Tacos

6. Getting to be together with Nana and Tata.

Sunday, November 08, 2009

On the Road

Spent the day driving from Chandler, AZ to home. We are here safe and
exhusted.

Saturday, November 07, 2009

Day of the Dead

Last Tuesday we headed to downtown Riverside to a Dia de los Muertos celebration. We circled around until we found a parking spot and walked over to the festivities. There were arts and crafts booths for the kids. The Phi made some papel picado .

We even ran into Pearmama and her beautiful family, and they were all decked out for the day.
On the steps of the art museum they built a large beautiful community altar.

As a family we added our own name to the altar.



Our beautiful Angel Roman.

We also walked around and loved all the altars that people had created.

Beautiful, loving tributes to their dearly departed.

I was very impressed with the celebration. (Thanks Oliver for the heads up!) My only suggestion is a bigger venue. It was so crowded!!

We know that Dia de los Muertos is a celebration of life and the lives of those who have passed. We know it is suppose to be a happy event. But after we placed "Roman's" name onto the altar and we walked back to the car PR Dad said exactly what I was thinking.....


"It is still so sad"

Friday, November 06, 2009

Birds are done

The birds for the cigar box shrine are done! Go and see the progress we are making...

CLICK HERE

Thursday, November 05, 2009

Remember that holiday that was like forever ago....

I know I have not put up a Halloween post yet. So here it goes.

We spent Halloween at my sisters house. So the kids could go trick or treating together. It was a huge success and even the adults had a lot of fun. We started the day with lunch at In and Out and then came back to my sister's to carve pumpkins. Because she is brilliant/too busy and waits until Halloween to carve them

Halloween 09

They offered PR Dad and I a watermelon to carve. So we did.

Halloween 09

Then it was time to get the kiddies dressed up.

Halloween 09

We had one gothic witch, one Cinderella, on Transformer and a Silver Mist fairy.
yea they are one cute bunch.

My brother Luis made this awesome pumpkin.

Halloween 09

Total rock-a-billy skull.

We took the kids to a local park where a church puts on an annual Halloween carnival. If you can make it through the hourly Jesus plays it is a lot of fun. They have different Christian themes booths and each kid who plays gets a handful of candy. The kids had a lot of fun. The Phi started to get some attitude so I shoved a handful of Smarties in her mouth and she was back on track. That's right, Mother of the Year right here people!

Halloween 09

Halloween 09

Halloween 09

Halloween 09

Yup, Lili is way better at basketball than her brother.

After a turn in the jumper (which only cost 50 cents a kid!) it was time to hit the neighborhood for the real deal.

First stop, of course, was next door to Tia Mary's house where we totally found Waldo!!

Halloween 09

The kids were total pro's this year. Even Little Felix who always seemed to be bringing up the rear.

Halloween 09


Halloween 09

Their bags filled up fast and after almost every stop Felix would open his bag and say "I got candy!" Like he couldn't believe people where just handing him the stuff.

So all in all we had a very....

Halloween 09

and I know the kids are already looking forward to next year.

Trick or Treat

I am too.


Dirt Road Diary- Berdoo Canyon

It had been awhile but Joey recently convinced me to head out on an off-roading adventure. Mostly because the San Berdoo trail ends inside J...