Wow.

Can I just say "Wow"? I just got a phone call from Leo's pediatrician...not her office, not her assistant, from her. She called personally to make sure he is doing okay from all the shots yesterday. I explained to her my concerns about giving Leo the DPT shot because of a family history of reactions to it. We spoke about this at his first visit with her months ago.

I am just so impressed by her. She is such a good doctor. I am so grateful to have a doctor who cares about him. So again, I say "wow"

Pin Cushion

As Leo was a baby going through getting all his vaccinations, I opted not to get quite a few of them. I was picky, and selective about what I allowed to be put into my baby's body. I had some very personal reasons for my decision. I took a lot of grief over this decision and even changed Pediatricians over it.

I always said, I wasn't saying I would never vaccinate him, I was only saying not right now. I did a lot of reading on the subject and found that there is evidence that shows waiting until at least 2 years of age to vaccinate significantly lowers the risk of Autism and SIDS.

Today, was Leo's 2 year check up and because I was finally willing to vaccinate him...they did. Oh, my poor baby. It broke my heart. They stuck him so many times. He received 5 vaccines today and still needs to go back in 6 weeks for the ones that are remaining. He did very well though, and only cried at the last 2 shots. We did a blood check, his TB testing, MMR, DPaT, Hep A and a booster shot for Hep B and a flu shot.

I sat there wondering how could all these shots be any better for him then having had them spread out over the course of the past 2 years. It is too late to second guess my decision, I only hope I made the right one. I hate seeing him being pricked that way. He's my baby, and not a pin cushion.

Disney-Mania

Irene gave Leo a book containing 4 Disney stories -- Toy Story, Lion King, Little Mermaid and Aladdin. That's all it took. Move over Wiggles, Mickey is in the house. While I was pregnant I started buying the Disney DVD's as they have been released to build our collection. Inside them come these little pamphlets with ads for other Disney movies and memorabilia, Leo thinks they are books. He sits and reads them over and over (one pamphlet got us through a whole hour of church today).

He has learned the Disney logo and every time he sees it anywhere, he yells out "Disney" and will repeat it until I acknowledge that yes, it is in fact, Disney. Being that he is so crazy for Disney, we decided to have a Mickey birthday cake and Daddy bought Leo a Mickey Mouse balloon. But on the day of his actual birthday, we took him for his first ever visit to Disneyland. We stopped by City Hall and got a Birthday pin and a "First Visit" pin -- thanks to Erin for that bit of information. We did so much though, and had a fun filled, full day. We did the Tiki Room, and the Jungle Cruise, and Pirates of the Caribbean, the Winnie the Pooh ride, Autopia, Dumbo, It's a Small World, Toon Town, face painting, and the Merry Go Round.

Leo loved every moment of our day. We sat in the front row of the boat on Pirates and he did not even get scared for a moment. Not from the drop, not from the dark, nothing. He was a little intimidated by the characters at first, but by the end of the day he gave Mickey a hug.
I don't know who enjoyed the day more, him or me. I am a HUGE Disney freak myself, but going to Disneyland with your child is such a different experience. I got to see and do everything I loved, and at the same time watch the magic of Disney through my sons eyes. He fell asleep on our way out and didn't budge until we had gotten home and the first thing out of his mouth when he did wake up was him asking to go back to "Disney".

Happy Birthday To My Baby Boy

Two years ago today, my life changed forever. Two years ago today, God gave me the most beautiful little baby I had ever seen --my son. I always knew I wanted to be a mother, I just didn't know how much it would change me. In these last two years, I, as a person, have grown. I am more patient, less selfish, and more committed to making a life of meaning. I am not perfect, nor do I claim to be, but I want to give him the best possible life that I can and everyday I strive for that.

Everyday I am still amazed at how you can love someone so much. It really all makes sense though, because before Leonard, I had my nieces and nephews. They for 25 years before him, were my life and so often, I see them in my own son. I see them in his mannerisms, I see them in the faces he makes, I see them when I see pictures of him. It is from my nieces and nephews that I learned how to love someone besides myself and to love someone so unconditionally.

They are the ones who have prepared me for my calling in life. So on this day, when I thank my Father in Heaven for my son, I also thank Him for each one of them too. I thank the Lord for my husband, my partner on this beautiful journey. For it is a beautiful journey.

At this, his second birthday...Leonard is fearless. Leonard is brave. Leonard is stubborn. Leonard is loving. Leonard is smart. Leonard is learning 2 languages. Leonard is speaking in 2 languages. Leonard is the center of our lives.

Happy 2nd Birthday son, I love you.

It's not a party

Saturday is Leo's birthday. Most of you know how I feel about parties -- I think that for us with our family situation parties are a waste of time, effort and money for any child under the age of at least 4. I figure if I am going to exert so much effort into coordinating a party, I want my child to be able to at least understand what the heck all the hoop-la is about. I don't want to throw a party for other people's kids...no offense, I mean, I am happy to have children come celebrate with us, but when my kid won't even get to enjoy it, I see no point. So for Leo's birthday, we've decided a trip to Disneyland would be much better. He's very into Disney right now, and I think he will enjoy it so much more.

Leonard's sister, loves to throw parties. She thinks it is awful of me not to give him a party. What we've also decided to do is to get together Friday night for some birthday cake with our families. Now keep in mind, that just our 2 families together (and only the ones who live locally) is 35 people. That does not include friends or even all of our families. But in his sister's mind, 35 people is a "party" and is insisting on a pinata or something more.

How do I explain to her, that I just don't want any of that? We don't have any where to do a pinata in the first place. We are not opening gifts, I've actually requested no gifts be brought, although, I know Leonard's family will bring them anyway. It's not dinner, it's cake and ice cream. No party games -- just cake and ice cream and a few appetizers. I finally had to tell her, that parties is what she does for her kids, that she is the one who enjoys the big production, and that is all good and fine for her kids, but for our family we do things differently, we do low key and laid back.

Part of my reason also for not wanting a "party" is because to me, a party is something you get to invite the whole family to, you invite friends, and you do all the party games and of course the pinata. But understand, that between our 2 families we are talking almost 120 people! That doesn't include our friends or even Leo's friends.

Leonard and I enjoy things in a much more intimate setting. That's how we like to do things, am I wrong? I don't feel I should have to do something to impress somebody -- I do not feel the need to keep up with anyone. I hate that I have to explain myself. I am almost tempted to call the whole thing off and just go to Disneyland as we originally planned.

Fun with Dad

Since Leo was a baby Leonard has been waiting for this age. An age where Leo is big enough to play rough, but still small enough to be impressed by the little things. Just after Leo's birthday last year, Leonard bought a small battery operated helicopter. He was so excited to show Leo and play with it together. Well Leo was just too small then, and completely freaked out when ever Leonard brought it out. So regretfully he put it away and waited patiently until the time was right.

Today the time was right...Here's a video of the two of them playing together.

My Basque Experience

This past weekend was the 42nd Annual Basque Festival and Picnic here in Chino. I've been wanting to go for the past few years we've just never made our way over. This year, we marked it on the calendar way in advance and made it out to see the festivities.

It was really a neat experience. I learned so much about the origins of much of my heritage, and exposed my husband to what we may ultimately discover is his as well. That still remains to be seen, but it did spark his own interest in his Spanish roots.

I did notice first off, how much they like to drink - everything revolved around the bar. They even made an announcement before the dancing started to go hit up the bar...it was hilarious. Secondly, I noticed how dominant their features are. I could definitely see my Dad in much of the men there. I also noticed the Basque influence on the Uruguayan culture on such things as the Beret that Dad and many Uruguayos wear, and the Gauchos traditional clothes is influenced by the Basque as well. It was just eye opening.

I have attached some videos that I took while their and added some pictures mostly for Anita, but you are all welcome to enjoy.

What the...!?!

So last night Leonard decided a good family outing would be to go to the Dodger game. It was last minute, but Dodger games are always a favorite of ours. Making it especially fun, was there was a fireworks show after the game. Little Leo always enjoys it and he just loves being out there in the stadium.

As everyone knows, my husband is a die-hard Dodger fan. So much so, that my not even 2-years old son associates anything baseball with the Dodgers and although his speech is limited does know how to say, "Go Dodgers!" So yesterday, when we started getting ready to leave for the stadium and we pulled out our jerseys he became out of his mind excited.

Again, as most of you know, my not even 2-years old son loves girls. He is a shameless flirt and knows how to ham it up. I personally think that's part of his attraction to Dodger stadium. I think he likes to people watch and there are so many girls there available for flirting. With that being said, as we arrived at our seats we were surprised and shocked to see some of Leonard's cousins (both teenage girls, ages 15 and 14) sitting 2 rows behind us.

As the game progressed Leo is playing with his cousins, and in between us and them, though, is another row of teenage girls so he is really having a great time. At one point, Leonard's cousins start take pictures of Little Leo. Leo loves having his picture taken, and loves to ham it up for the camera. So as this is going on, I am paying little attention until I hear one of the girls from 2 rows behind us say, "Are you taking pictures of him?" in such an accusatory tone that it begged my attention.

I turn to find the girl directly behind me (who are perfect and complete strangers) taking pictures of my kid on her cell phone! What the...!?!

Who does this? Who takes pictures of some strangers baby...WITHOUT THEIR PERMISSION? I was at a total and complete loss at what to do. The old Liz would have and desperately wanted to grab the phone from the girls hand, delete the pictures and give her a piece of my mind...but the new, mature and more controlled Liz just laughed it off and made a joke about seeing these pictures on the Internet. I didn't know what to do. I was totally shocked. I know it's probably not a big deal, but I don't know, I just don't like the idea that some strange girl in the LA area has pictures of my kid, whom she doesn't even know his name or us hers, on her cell phone. I had to laugh because one of Leonard's cousins friends basically told the girl everything the old Liz so desperately wanted to say. It gave me personal and private satisfaction that at least somebody was trying to shame her into place.

Seriously though, who does that?

I am so ashamed

It's awful, and I am ashamed to admit this but I really like this new video from The Wiggles. A few of their songs are just lodged in my brain, but more than that, on the video there are a few skits that are just really catchy and I actually like watching them. I am so embarrassed but I am Bananas for The Wiggles Go Bananas!


This is my favorite...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XPnRxjrU8G0