Oh, this child!

I'm the youngest of three. I have two older brothers who are eight and ten years older than me. So I don't really have to put it out there, but I had it pretty sweet in terms of birth order. I was not only the baby, I was also the princess. My husband, on the other hand, in number 3 of 4. Right in the middle. He speaks of the horrors (I'm exaggerating just a little) of being the middle child. I look at our Diego and wonder if he feels any of that middle child syndrome business. Does he feel ignored, unimportant, passed over? I'll admit that he has a lower number of pictures compared to Sophia and Carlos. Ugh- I feel horrible about that. But man o man, this child of mine has such a personality. His huge eyes just express so much! He cracks me up constantly. He walks with such confidence and talks to people he meets at the grocery store like they're his best friends. When we are out and about, I hear people commenting to each other about my lil man- "Oh, he's so cute!" "Look at that little boy and his head of hair!" "He's going to be something else when he grows up". I seriously almost had to have words with these two ladies who would not stop talking about him. We were at the Fort Worth Stockyards and Diego was busy playing with his brand new corkscrew shotgun and I overheard them talking about him. Then they just kept going... "He's so handsome. Look at him. He's going to be gorgeous when he grows up. Look at him strut around. He is really cute." And on and on. It was kinda creepy. Diego is on the petite side but he will walk up to a group of first/second graders- start chasing them and stand up for himself. He doesn't back down. I love how he demands attention from those around him. I don't want him to ever feel ignored, unimportant, passed over. So here are my favorite Diegoisms that make me smile:

*Mom, I'm super duper hungwy.

*What would happen if a giant (insert whatever scenario you want here)- his favorite is what would happen if a giant stepped on us.

*Mommy- I don't ever want you to leave me because then I'll cwy.

* HEY- LOOK AT ME!

*When I gwow (grow) up, I'm going to be a hospital doctor. And Spiderman.

* Watch my head!- this he says when he is jamming out to hip hop while strapped into his car seat. His body can't move but he wobbles that head to the beat. Looks like a bobble head!

* Oh MAN! Not again!- to this he adds the open palmed hand slap to his forehead.

*Bubble bubble bubble guppie guppie guppies- his new fav show.

* I like shocolate. Lots and lots of shhhhhocolate.

365 days of lovin' this baby!

This picture pretty much says it all! YIPPEEEE! Carlos is 1!!!! Can you believe it? So I started thinking about how to celebrate his birthday a couple of months ago. The actual day of his bday was the day after school ended and Sophia and Diego both had a dance recital to get ready for so I knew that weekend was out. So I planned it for the weekend before and it turned out to be a pretty good weekend for it- Memorial Day weekend! I decided to go with a Fun in the Sun theme. There is something about a smiling sun that just makes me happy. We made it a small family affair. Ha! If you know our family- we don't come in small!!! But I really wanted it to be about all about my Carlitos. If I could write how much it means to me to have those close to me at my son's birthday party... I just can't put it into words. My children are SO loved and it just moves me to tears.

My sweet Carlos- you have been such a true joy! Every single thing about you makes my heart smile. You are a gift from God, a piece to the puzzle and one of the loves of my life. As I've watched you sleep in my arms for the past 12 months, I have come to realize the miracle of God's love for us- only HE could make me feel the way I do about you. Your smile, your hugs and listening to you laugh fuel me to be a better mother and a better person. I've said it before- it is such a privilege to see you grow and I cannot wait to celebrate all the milestones you have ahead of you. I will walk beside you, guiding you along the way.

Time flies....

...When you're having fun. Oh, and when you're sleep deprived!!! So I'm sitting here on our couch, this lovely June 2nd and I'm thinking about what I was doing/feeling exactly one year today. I was huge with Carlos and preparing for his birth the next day. There were no butterflies in my tummy. More like pterodactyls. My bags were packed, gifts for big sis Sophia and big bro Diego were wrapped. I showered, got my outfit for the next day ready. All my lists were checked off but, you know, it really doesn't matter how well prepared for a baby you are... even when it is your third child. Nothing can truly prepare you for the life change a new baby will bring. Carlos turns one tomorrow at 7:44 in the morning. The first three months were a blur, I have to admit. Thank goodness I have plenty of pictures to look at because I can not for the life of me remember anything that happened during the summer of 2010. The third child really tested Ramon and I in the beginning. Even though he was, and still is, such a calm baby- caring for another child really required us to take a crash course in teamwork. No more man on man defense, as they say! I am so blessed to have such a wonderful husband who stepped up to the plate to become so much more of a hands on dad. I needed to be with the newborn and he gladly fed, cleaned, bathed and read bedtime stories to the other two.

Sophia and Diego also learned patience and the art of nurturing for a young baby. Sophia is so, so, so good to Carlos- from day one she would sing to him and look out for him. She still is truly mesmerized by him. I found her playing with him the other day, all alone in his room. I watched her interact with him for a couple of minute and thought, "What a wonderful mother she will be when she grows up." My Diego was so mad at the beginning! I understand now that we really didn't prepare him as well as we should have for a new baby. He took out his anger on poor Sophia and me but never at his brother. He loved the idea of being the BIG brother and now loves to play cars and trains with Carlos. I can't wait to see their relationship blossom as they grow up together- my boys!

Carlos completes our family. I honestly cannot get enough of him. My arms feel empty when he's not in them- I miss him when I am away from him for too long. He is my chunky monkey, my fluffers, my squishy, mi rey, mi amor, mi bebe. I am proud to be his mother. I am honored to be his mother. I feel so blessed to be his mother. Happy Birthday, Little One.

I'll post pics of his party tomorrow. I'm sleepy. Carlos' top teeth are coming in and well, sleep is only but a dream nowadays....