I could be better about this...

But as much as I blog, I never really recorded down Aubrey's verbal achievements!

The girl knows so many things that I didn't know she knew. In a nutshell.... I'll go over some funny things.

She likes to say "money money money!" which is an opening line in Toy Story 3. She loves this movie!! She knows who Jessie, Buzz, Woody and the aliens are.

She knows her "paci" and keeps asking for it, even though we were on our way successfully weaning her off. But she seems to be teething and very moody, and all that works to keep her sane is this binky she loves so much.

Today, I came home and found her carrying and biting into a big apple. For fun, I asked her what she was holding. She told me "appo."

Lately, she's been referring to her milk as "bottle" when she wants it. Previously, we were calling it "meme" which is our baby word for the bottle. "Milk" is our big-kid word for drinking milk in a sippy or regular cup.

She knows the people in her life. Of course she knows mama, she knows my name and face. She knows her papa but doesn't really acknowledge him as much. She knows Gerard, and refers to him as "Jard." She knows her grandparents too, both names and faces.

Her favorite movies are Toy Story 3 and Annie. She usually asks for "Annie" when I ask them what movie they want to watch.

Both kids love to watch Leap Frog on Netflix. Aubrey sings along and knows the cue for certain words!

More recently, I showed her Yo Gabba Gabba (a show I never got into) and she seemed to like it. She now knows the word "awesome" and repeats it. Today, both kids were having a blast dancing to YGG.

Her favorite word? "Mall." What else?! Ask her where she wants to go... ask her where she's going... usually, that's the answer.

And now, about Gerard....

We capped the mall trip at Borders, atleast there's a section for kids there.

At that point, I had taken on Gerard while Egan took on Aubrey. So I was sitting at the mini table with him, and just observing him with the toys and books he kept bringing over to the table.

He had brought over 3 VW buses and a bunch of plastic cars, and created a traffic jam, while re-enacting a monologue he's probably heard from his dad:

"Why are you so slow? I have to get somewhere!" And he was saying some other things to himself, all were about a traffic jam situation.

I chuckled to myself, and then a sense of calm went over me.... hearing his monologues that he pick up from us crack me up.

An entry about Aubrey

What can I say about my little girl that hasn't been said yet? Well, a lot of things! She is always on to something and it's never a dull day with this chickypoo.

Yesterday evening, we took the kids to the mall just so they could get out of the house. Our first stop was Nordstrom. So there went Gerard running around, and there I was with Aubrey... following her as she picked out specific women shoes, and pulling them off the table as if she wanted to try them on. I mean, she was really shopping! But I didn't buy her anything. We just got that girl a pair of La Costes, $30 for her little feet! And she won't even wear them that long! My $40 shoes last me for 10 years!! Just saying.

Anyway. This Tuesday morning, I was rushing to get out of the house because it's street cleaning. But before I could leave, I was trying to fix our magic jack connection so that my grandma-in-law would have a phone in case of an emergency. I got fed up not knowing how to fix it, so I gave up and hoped that nothing might happen. I went calling for Aubrey so that she and I could go to grandpa's house, and what did I see?

A GIRL COVERED IN LOTION!!! It

was a little horrific at first -- I mean, a little person whose face and head were doused with creamy white stuff. But well, I had to LAUGH. And I had to take a photo. She let me take her photo, and then I had to decide whether I should bathe her first, or move my car out of ticket's way. It took me about a minute to realize I didn't want a ticket at all, so I rushed out of the house to move the car.

I came back and gave her a quick bath. Of course I got wet all over, and had to change too. Needless to say, I was late to work. But looking back, it was a worthy funny moment. I swear, if she did this to me at the age of 12, I would have smacked her. But since she's only 1, it was cute.

Work @ Home Monday, Day 1

Today was the first of 4 Mondays I was approved to work from home. This is to relieve my dad and grandma-in-law from taking care of the kids daily for the time being my mom is on vacation in Europe.

The last time I worked from home, it was crazy hell. I barely got anything done during the day, and had to stay up until 3 am both nights just to get somewhere.

I was dreading today but miraculously, it was easy breezy. Both kids were mostly behaved, I got some time to play with them, read to them, feed them and get them to nap. I was able to nap myself, but 3 cups of coffee and a full night's rest the night before got me going. I got a lot of work done, but I still have some to continue tonight.

I hope it's like this for the next few Mondays. I do enjoy spending the time at home with them while getting work done. Unfortunately, I do end up sticking them in front of the TV. Luckily, though, they don't really stay too interested in TV for long periods. And luckily, they choose PBS programming.

Thankfully, I've got a flexible boss who understands and have always been all about "family first."

Playing with the kids

So I was laying on the couch, and Aubrey was sitting above me on top of the couch while Gerard was playfully assaulting my neck. I appealed for help to Aubrey, and from where she sat, she stomped on Gerard's back and shouted "stop!"

HAHA

Passport photos...and I want to brag about my kids' faces...May I???

I took the kids to Walgreens this weekend for their passport photos. The fam is planning a cross-border trip up north this summer.

Well, I was surprised it was that easy. THEY NEVER POSE FOR ME. But they posed for the Walgreens guy. It's ok, their pictures came out so cute! Both were smiling!

While waiting for the pictures to be processed, Gerard was with his uncle in the toy aisle while I followed Aubrey around the store. Another shopper was smitten by her and noted that she looked just like me. Like, wow!! I admit she kind of looks like me, but I believe she's cuter and prettier. She is a freaking princess in my world, and I melt when I see her!!! I'm always so gushy when someone tells me she looks like me, but between her and me, I humbly give her the gold medal for the better looks.

And now at age 3, Gerard is still hanging on to his baby face. His godmother declared he is a mini-person of his dad, while Aubrey is my mini-me. I agree. He does look more like his dad than me. He is going through a very handsome phase of a face right now. In my eyes, he's always been handsome. But now I look at him from a stranger's point of view, and say to myself, what a handsome boy!!

Okay, well, the reason why we have this blog is so we could brag about our kids. And that's what I just did. Thanks for reading!

Movies at Casa Hernandez

These are the movies we constantly watch:

Toy Story 3

Annie

The Rocketeer

Back to the Future III

Raiders of the Lost Ark

Both of the kids love the first two together, but only Gerard likes ALL of them. He hogs up the TV.

Aubrey much prefers TV or movies that are filled with music (Raggs, Wonder Pets, Leap Frogs). Gerard likes these too, but he doesn't get Raggs at all.

Sometimes they like Sid the Science Kid but they can live without it.

These are FAR different from what we used to watch as kids!

Happy Birthday!

April 11 is our darling son's 3rd birthday!

Where did the time go? It really, really, REALLY does seem like it's only been some few months that I had my first glance of him as he entered our lives! He's absolutely changed everything about me, about us, and everyone around us.

We celebrated his birthday a day early with a picnic at beautiful Crissy Field. We were blessed with a gorgeous warm day! Friends and family came to help us celebrate.

Everyday, I thank God for bringing this kid to my life. Through him, I have learned to value the littlest matters in my life. It is because of him that the little things make big sense to me now.

Thank you, Gerard, for being the greatest challenge I've ever faced. I'm learning to do my best to be your guide as you (and Aubrey) both grow up.

Family time

We recently attended and celebrated the 10 years of marriage my brother and his wife have kept.

To mark the significance, they had a church blessing (finally) and it was just a small family-only event.

Because it took place kind of late on a Wednesday night, we decided to just bring Gerard at the last minute. Aubrey didn't get to go because she sleeps early, and we didn't want to bring her out when the girl wants her sleep. Gerard's bedtime was looming too, but since he hadn't been out of the house for a few days, we wanted to let him out.

As any toddler in church, of course he didn't want to sit still. Egan and I manned the cameras so we had to let Gerard do his thing, although, grandpa did try to restrain him and so did his other uncles.

Well, after the blessing, the priest passed out so there was a moment of panic. As emergency was being called I had the urge to keep recording the incident (was it rude of me?) I consider myself a documentarian, hence these blogs I try to keep updated. So all I had was a camera, and it was second nature of me to let it roll.

In the midst, Gerard disappeared. When I realized this, I ran to the back of the church first on my nephew's tip that he saw him go that way. I called out his name but didn't get a response, and I knew that he would respond to me in that situation if he were okay.

I ran back out to Egan who was taking photos of the emergency vehicles and he told me that Gerard wasn't there. I ran back in the church and shouted out if anyone has seen Gerard. At that point, he emerged from the back area with my aunt.

So that had me panicking, but thank goodness, he was with my aunt.

That brings me to a reminder: shooting photos/being a documentarian can only be second to watching our kids when they are with us. And I live by that: when we're out, I don't go crazy with photographing. I know I'm always a parent first no matter what.

When there was a window to leave the priest in the care of the medical team, we headed to the late dinner party. We had a real good time eating and drinking, and being loud.... and before we left, I realized my dress was on backwards.

As we entered home, Aubrey was comfortably sprawled out on our family bed and grandma was watching a movie. We put Gerard in bed and I spent a few minutes just staring at them as they slept.

Every night, I go to bed telling myself how fulfilling my crazy life is. I love these kids so much, and nothing will ever change that.

Is he really 3 already?

Three years ago today, I had no idea that I would be giving birth in a few days. I hope to never forget the very day I was sent to the hospital to get induced. That was April 10, 2008.

I gave birth to Gerard on April 11 and it's been one crazy ride. I'm looking at his baby picture on our wall as I write this, and am remembering those first few weeks. He was so tiny and clueless and all he knew was how to cry for milk.

Now we have an energy-filled toddler who can not stop talking, running, jumping and sleeps like a rock at night.

Shortly after he was born, a song by The Platters stuck with me and I have since dedicated it to Gerard. "Only You" described every ounce of feeling I had when I finally felt that connection with him as his mama. It took me a few days because his whole existence in my life was still overwhelming me and it was hard to believe I had a child.

I love him ever so dearly, and wish him a very good third year.

This blog entry is just about his birthday, I have another one to write :)

Letter to my brats

Dear kids,

You're two of the millions of children who barely get to see your parents while we're away at work. Unfortunately, we can't take you to playgroups or the park everyday, nor do we get to go out everyday. By the time we get home, our special time is spent eating dinner (or when you decide you want to eat), watching TV, reading books and brushing our teeth. Even if that's all we can do in our limited times at night, you bet we're enjoying that bonding we get to do. Just remember, we both work to secure your futures. We live in a metropolis where we can't afford having just 1 income. Because this is what we chose to do, we chose to live here, we made choices that allow us to live the kind of life we want to expose you to. We may not have always made the right choices, but we're working very hard to fix "mistakes" or better yet, they are helping all of us to become the people we need to be. We never looked for the easy way out (whatever that is) and we want you to learn the value of working your way up in the real world. Trust us--this world needs people like that in order for it to operate.

Love yous,

mama + papa

My conscientious son

Tonight, in my toddler son's presence, I shared frustrations with my husband in the same room about our mobile provider. I was so pissed off that my tone took over.

My son, thinking I was fighting his dad, calmly walked to where I was sitting and asked of me, "Mama, don't talk that way." I gave him a kiss and assured him I wasn't mad at his papa. Then he walked to his dad and said the same thing.

I'm rather amazed that he is taking the initiative to calm me down. I see in him a son that I can rely on during tough times.