The blinding crown

Callie made this crown today out of stickers and a punch out paper craft. I didn't size it all that well as it slid down over her eyes. Just before I took this photo it fell over her eyes and she walked into a pole just outside Target. Ouch! 

Day 1 pacifier free

I guess it isn't going too bad. Besides a lot of crying last night at bedtime he woke up once in the middle of the night and woke up extra early with outgoing back to bed. And he was tired most of the day yet napped shorter than usual. It wasn't fun but not terrible by any means. Crying at each bedtime seems consistent but much shorter today at nap and tonight. Hopefully within a few days he will adjust and not cry.

We stayed home all day despite that we had plans made to visit friends as Callie is sneezing and has a runny nose. Just 3 days back at school and already catching a new virus.

Diego just wants to be like his big sister. He copies everything she does. Today he wanted to play everything she was. The best part was him caring for a doll just like her. He fed the baby, put the baby to bed, gave her a bear and sang her a song. Such a contrast from the crying video I posted yesterday. Melts my heart. He will be an excellent daddy some day.

Bye bye chupón

For starters sorry about no photos for a few days. My iPhone battery was on its last leg and even with midday charging I was having a dead phone by the end of the day. I now have installed a new battery and am back with a functioning phone after only minor reinstallation errors and 2 missing screws.

I've been talking about taking away the pacifier or chupon as we call it. For those of you back east that's the Spanish word for pacifier. Diego lovingly calls it pu. I'm a very decisive person and I rarely change my mind once I've made a decision. I contemplated this back at Thanksgiving then decided that after the plane trip would be better. So I've stuck to my word and today was the day that Diego has to be a big boy and give up the pacifiers. I told him he's big now and he doesn't need it anymore. We packed them in a box then threw them in the big outside garbage can. There was a lot of crying involved. I took a snippet for you all to enjoy and also so I can remains D when he is a teenager ;)

Bedtime was tough. There was lip quivering and sobbing followed by screaming. It took awhile for him to fall asleep and I'm anticipating a few wake ups at night as well. But I will not go back. This is it cold turkey method and adjust to the new way. I did think maybe s blankey would help give some comfort and so between that and the Chargers potentially leaving.... I sewed a blanket from all his Chargers baby onesies, blanket and sleepers. Literally all the fabric is from his baby stuff, except the middle filler layer you can't see. It's not perfect but it's cute and even if he doesn't like it I'll be saving it and treasuring all the memories of him wearing his Chargers gear even if they don't stay.

Don't mind my blurry photos tonight the lighting was bad and the camera had a hard time focusing. D is holding a box of pacifiers in the first and Callie is holding the box full as she is "helping".

Visiting family in SD

Sunday morning we had a big brunch with Grandma and Grandpa and the kids. Callie was so excited to see Ford especially. The kids all played with the new tractor they got for Christmas although Callie mostly hogged the drivers seat.

Today I had doctor appointment so Tia Mari stayed to play with the kids for a bit. She snapped these "cheese"y smiles.

The last photo is Callie and I playing at bath time with a new Christmas toy called squigs, they are suction cup building toys but Callie decided they look best as bug eyes or antenna.

Back to work for me tomorrow. The best part is that usually after a long vacation I return to piles of work. But now since no one is working during the time I am off I return to a clean slate and a slow start. It makes going back after 3.5 weeks a little easier ;)

Settling in at home

It's always nice to sleep in your own bed. At least D and I felt that way yesterday. D slept 13 hours! He was a tired boy. Callie on the other hand was up at 3:30, 4:00, 4:30 and 5:30 was time to get up. Hopefully she adjusts back to west coast time quickly.

Diego was so happy to be with his daddy today and play with his usual toys. He is a creature of habit while Callie enjoys adventure and change.

After unpacking we went out to visit Tio and get some lunch. It was a beautiful day sunny and high 50s. Callie insisted on wearing her bat girl pajamas with a cape. She kept calling herself batman girl but I told her just batgirl is better. I got her to pretend to fly in front of the city skyline of downtown. She thought this was pretty fun and the kids love trying on sunglasses in Tios store.

The kids also came home to surprises from GiJu and PaPa sent via mail. A slide! And fire boots that actually fit D. This is a huge help as he always wanted to wear Callies but they were Sonia he couldn't walk. These fit well and he can walk all around in them. The slide must have been used 100 time already today.

And Callie got out her new stomp rocket to shoot rockets in the yard.

I must say I enjoy my bed and pillow and will be sleeping by 8:30 again tonight. It takes time to adjust back to west coast time.

Home sweet home

We made it home! It was a long day but the kids were both very well behaved on the plane. There was no crying or tantrums and we even received several compliments from passengers on how well they behaved. Callie is finally old enough she really grasps the concept of needing to behave. She said I was really good so that means we can go back again right? Apparently my last trip and many comments about if they can't travel nicely we will wait until they are older paid off. I didn't take a single photo as my hands were very full and my devices were being used by two little munchkins. She was excited to see daddy who she was missing but then followed that up with but now I miss my GiJu. She will be anxiously waiting Gijus next trip out.

Diego was so excited to see Manny I couldn't believe it. Sitting on the floor with Manny rolling on him and licking his face. Manny was very happy to have us home too. Now we have a few days to settle back into routine before I go back to work.

Packing up to say goodbye

Two weeks went pretty fast. I spent the day packing up all our stuff plus the many gifts the kids received. We played hide and seek with Walkie talkies and went to McDonalds for one last play. Now I just need two kids to be angels on a very long trip home tomorrow early in the morning.

Thanks to everyone in CT who came to see us and sorry to those I didn't get to see. Even in two weeks it's hard to fit everything in and with a long illness the outings and visits were much more limited. Until next time bye bye CT.