Connie & Jorge

No words...

2013-09-07T00:22:00.001-04:00

Soooo... Im washing dishes and I look up and see the girls doing this.... No words...

Hair combing

2013-09-07T00:21:00.001-04:00

Mila combing Emmy's hair, Emmy combing Mami's

Baby This Week: 7 Weeks Old

2011-11-29T21:19:00.000-05:00

Your baby's hands should be mostly open now and ready to reach out to the world. Although your baby can't grab objects just yet, she can grasp things placed in her hands. And once she wraps her hands around something, she might not let go so easily. She'll also try to bat at objects, so keep potentially dangerous items far from her reach.

Your baby's brain is expanding in size and complexity. It will grow about 5 centimeters during the first three months.

You may notice short periods of time when your newborn is quiet and alert. This is prime time for learning. Use these calm intervals to get better acquainted with your baby — talk to her, sing to her, describe the pictures on the walls. She may not be able to add to your conversation just yet, but she's learning nonetheless.

New textures for her hands to feel and new sights and sounds (all in moderation) are all learning opportunities. Even bath time becomes a laboratory for understanding the world around her.

Your baby can track objects with both eyes now, able to follow things consistently and well, she can track a moving object much better, something she may have been able to do for only brief periods since birth.

- BabyCenter.com

Mila Tenga Emmy!

2011-11-27T00:54:00.000-05:00

How sweet is this? Mila is so funny, she goes around saying, "Mila tenga Emmy!" when she wants to hold her little sister. I think she thinks Emmy is a live doll. It's so sweet to see her so affectionate!

Mila gets so excited to hold her!

Emmy... not so much, LOL!

Emmy's little feet!

"Aaaaa-brazo Emmy!"

She loves her so much it hurts! So sweet! LOL, but I had to lovingly pry Emmy out of her arms before she squashed her, hahahaha!

Santa's Enchanted Forest

2011-11-26T12:48:00.000-05:00

Growing up in Miami, Santa's Enchanted Forest was THE place to be over the holidays! I was so excited to go with the girls this year. It's a Christmas themed fair with food, games and rides. Of course I could care less about the rides or games, I'm all about the fair food!! And of course, since it's in Miami, there's a bit of latin influence. You can find elephant ears, corn on the cob, sausage, shish kabobs, as well as arepas, empanadas and carne asada! My mom and my sister Cathy live about 20 minutes away from there, so we called them up and met them there.

The first mile in the park is filled with Christmas displays and lights and then there's a ton of food. I was so excited! Seeing all the lights brought me back to when I was a kid. I remember my dad brought us a few times and I remember being in awe of everything. I hoped Mila would enjoy it as much as I remember I did back then. It was hard to tell if she really liked it at first, but then she wanted to get out of the stroller and I could tell she was totally loving it.

Mila was fascinated by the kids on the carousel!

Can you say yum??

There was a pony ride and we thought Mila would enjoy it - she did!

Although, I'll be honest... I was so sad watching those ponies - they didn't look happy at all! Jorge agreed and we decided we wouldn't ride one again. So sad!!

Emmy is in the carrier!

Once Mila got out of the stroller, it got to the point that she didn't want to go back in, but instead wanted to be carried. As much as we encouraged Cathy and my mom not to carry her and to let her walk, they said they couldn't help but give in and pick her up. What a work out!

Then we headed back to the carousel. Can you tell I'm excited?

That's Emmy in the carrier, by the way. And yes, she's in there nursing!

What a fun time!

Happy Thanksgiving! Part II

2011-11-26T00:11:00.000-05:00

Every year we do Thanksgiving at my mom's on the actual Thanksgiving Thursday and then the following day we do a Thanksgiving at our place so we can have our own turkey day - Blanca cooks and man, oh man, it's so good! She makes the best meal! We had my mom and dad over, along with Cathy, Cindy and Blanca and her friend Steve.

Mila is sitting at the table to my right - if you look, you can see her sippy! I couldn't angle the camera any better to get everyone in the shot. Emmy is in the Ergo Carrier on my chest. But it's ok - I was able to get some pics of them afterwards!

Cathy made Mila this hat and she loved it! She didn't want to take it off! :)

Hugs for Aunt Cici!

Daddy and Emmy...

Look at that smoothy face!

Happy Thanksgiving!

2011-11-24T00:38:00.000-05:00

We drove down to Miami today for Thanksgiving... I was stressed about it because I know Emmy's not thrilled with being in the car. Somehow we made it though and had an early Thanksgiving with my grandmother, my aunt Martha, my aunt Carmen Julia, my cousins Lily and Rafaelito as well as my sister Cathy and my mom. I was so happy to get together with them! The holidays always make me feel like I'm a little kid again.

This year has been extra special. I have so much to be thankful for! I have such a wonderful family that's supportive and loving - and now Jorge and I have these 2 perfect little girls... I'm feeling so very, very blessed! :)

Baby This Week: 6 Weeks Old

2011-11-22T21:18:00.000-05:00

Has your baby smiled at you yet? If not, he will soon. At 6 weeks, about half of all babies can recognize their parents, and many of those babies are so delighted that they welcome Mom or Dad with an excited, gurgly grin. This is one of the first signs that your baby is developing an ability to socialize. In fact, it's called a "social smile," and it's one of the more emotionally gratifying milestones you'll see your baby reach.

Now that your baby's awake for longer periods during the day, you can use these times to support his sensory development. Try singing your favorite lullabies or playing music.

You don't have to limit yourself to children's songs. Fill the house with the sounds of music — from the Black Eyed Peas to Mozart — and watch as your baby expresses his pleasure through coos, lip smacks, and jerking arm and leg movements.

- BabyCenter.com

Toddler This Week: 22 Months, Week4

2011-11-22T20:05:00.000-05:00

When your toddler whines for something, you may be tempted to cave in just to make him stop. But it's best to hold your ground – if you can show your toddler that whining won't get him anywhere, he's more likely to try other ways of communicating. When you hear your child whining, gently point it out to him and ask him to use his regular voice. Toddlers don't always know what whining is, and they may not be able to recognize it.

Wondering what kind of toys to give your child for his upcoming birthday? Whatever you choose, be sure to check the boxes or labels to confirm that every item is safe for the under-3 crowd.

Toys labeled for age 3 and up pose a choking hazard or other risks to younger children.

Here are some ideas to get you started:

• Toys that let kids pretend: play cash registers, brooms and dustpans, phones, toy dishes, toy food, dress-up clothes, trucks, trains and cars, dolls and doll strollers and cradles
• Toys to manipulate: dolls with buttons and zippers, blocks of all types, the toddler version of colorful plastic building bricks
• Action toys: ride-on vehicles, wagons, balls, climbing structures, carts
• Musical toys: Drums, tambourines, xylophones, cymbals
• Books: Your child can never have too many!

Pee or wee or tinkle? Poop or BM? Every family chooses its own lingo for potty training. Choose the words that feel natural to you or that your child's daycare uses (to avoid confusion).

As for what you call the body parts involved, some families introduce words such as "penis" and "vagina" from the beginning while others choose to wait. Eventually you'll want your child to learn the official names for body parts, whether you use them with each other or not.

-BabyCenter.com

At a playdate at Audrey's house, with the girls and Dolly. :)

Mila Breastfeeding on the Toilet

2011-11-18T23:30:00.000-05:00

This was just way too funny not to post! Haha! That's my girl!! Multi-tasking, even on the toilet!!

Is this not the funniest face EVER?? She was sending me a kiss and I caught her in action! LOVE HER! :)

Toddler This Week: 22 Months, Week 3

2011-11-16T20:01:00.000-05:00

It's too soon to sign your toddler up for formal music instruction (experts say it's best to wait until your child is at least 3). But in the meantime, your toddler may enjoy attending an early music program or bopping to music at home. Cheerful, simple songs like "Baa Baa Black Sheep" and "Mary Had a Little Lamb" are easiest for your toddler to sing. You may even catch her making up little ditties herself, especially before dropping off to sleep or when riding in the car.

What's the best way to get your 22-month-old to try new foods? Keep on serving them. Even if he refuses to touch, much less taste, what's on his plate, exposure is the name of the game. It can take ten or 20 or more exposures to a new food before a toddler will consent to try it, nutritionists say.

Keep portions small so they're less intimidating. Try serving refused foods in a different format: A broccoli spear looks very different from, say, broccoli in cheese sauce or a soufflé. Never force your child to taste something or clean his plate. You want him to develop pleasant associations with mealtimes. Besides, nobody likes everything.

Don't expect perfect table manners at this point. Smelling it, handling it, and smearing it are some of the ways your child gets acquainted with a new food.

Hand washing is the number one way to protect your family from illnesses like colds and flu. You can cut down on germs around your home – and make your life a little easier – by giving your child his first lessons in this important skill. Put a step stool in front of the sink so he can reach the faucet and show him how to turn it on and off. A bar of soap may be easier for small hands to manipulate than a pump dispenser. Fine-motor skills are still developing so he'll need your help and supervision for quite some time.

Demonstrate how to get the suds all over his hands and then rinse. It takes 20 seconds of scrubbing to kill the germs that need to be killed. One way to make sure he soaps up for long enough: Have him rub his hands while you sing the ABC song and rinse when you get to the end. Reduce the chance of scalding by setting your hot water heater to no higher than 120 degrees Fahrenheit.

To further banish bugs, start teaching your child to cough or sneeze into his elbow rather than into the open air or his hands – just don't expect him to master it yet.

-BabyCenter.com

Baby This Week: 5 Weeks Old

2011-11-15T21:18:00.001-05:00

Your baby is learning that she has hands and fingers and feet and toes. She's also starting to talk more. Not with words, of course, but by cooing — with increasing goos, gurgles, and grunts. This marks the beginning of her language development. Talk to your baby often. You'll be able to keep her attention by shifting from a low to a high pitch — the singsong style that parents in every culture tend to use when speaking to a baby.

Smiling is universal. A baby's first smile happens at about the same time in all cultures, so get ready for your baby to reward all your loving care with a beaming, toothless, just-for-you grin. This will probably make your heart melt, even if you've just had your worst night yet.

- BabyCenter.com

Mila Breastfeeding Dolly

2011-11-14T01:15:00.000-05:00

Mila is at the age that she is very aware of what people are doing - especially Mom and Dad - and she wants to do it too - usually with Dolly. So Mommy puts Mila in her high chair to eat, and later Mila puts Dolly in her high chair to eat. Mommy gives Mila her sippy, so Mila gives Dolly her sippy too.

Sometimes she'll shout, "Mee-na!"mispronouncing her own name when she's trying to say she wants to do something herself. (That's how she pronounces her name; she doesn't pronounce the "L" yet. And, yes, she refers to herself in the 3rd person, LOL!)

Anyway, she's seen something new in the month that Emmy's been home... Mommy's been breastfeeding Emmy. She's funny - she comes and peers down at Emmy to see what she's doing. She even says, "Emmy come booboo." ("Emmy eat boob.")

So I guess it was inevitable that she see me breastfeeding Emmy today and then she tried to do it too... with Dolly.

OMG. I just about died laughing.

She just kept shoving her under shirt! "Doh come booboo!" ("Doh eat boob!") she'd say matter-of-factly, (like I said, she doesn't pronounce the "L" yet so Dolly is "Doh") as she'd continue to shove Dolly's head under her shirt... Some kids give their dolls baby bottles. Mila doesn't see bottles. She sees Mommy nursing. So she breastfeeds! Love it!!

I ran to grab the camera a snap a few shots! I even got a little bit of video...

Sisters!

2011-11-13T16:56:00.000-05:00

Mila and Emmy are so sweet together! Mila is so fascinated by her little sister. She's a bit afraid to get too close to her - she'll go in to give her a kiss and then quickly back away. So funny!

Out for a Walk

2011-11-12T11:56:00.000-05:00

Took the girls out for a walk in our new set of wheels - the City Mini Double Stroller! It's obviously wider than a front-to-back stroller, but it fits perfectly through doorways. My favorite part is how easy it is to maneuver. I love that they can both recline for a nap (or a diaper change) and have an unobstructed view while we're on a walk. I'm really happy with it! And the girls seem to be too!

Emmy is One Month!

2011-11-11T02:27:00.000-05:00

Dear Emmy,

You are one month old today and you are just beautiful.

You love to cuddle, sleep and nurse. You still sleep most of the time but you're figuring out the difference between daytime and nighttime pretty quickly and we're happy about that!

You're starting to coo and make sweet noises. It's just adorable.

We can't help but compare what you look like to your sister Mila. At first we thought you guys were so alike, and now we can see the differences. You're your own little person! You have a lot of hair just like Mila's, but while her's was more dense, yours is longer and lighter. You almost look like a little red head or a strawberry blond! I love how you've got the signature bed head look! Your hair sticks up in all different directions! It's so cute!

Your eyes are a darkish gray, similar to how Mila's started out. Who knows what color they'll end up being? You still like to open one eye first and then the other - you are truly Emmy Popeye!

I know it was tough going through the tongue tie and the clipping. It was tough for me too!! But now nursing has been wonderful and you're gaining weight very well and those little legs of yours are starting to plump. I love seeing those little creases get more pronounced. Sometimes I just want to take a bite out of 'em!

I love your little toes and how they curl up and they get all sweaty and stinky. They smell really bad sometimes, LOL! But they smell so bad, it's good. I swear I can't help but take a few whiffs… weird, I know. I can't help it! Your mom is strange... Get used to it. ;)

Many people say you look so much like your Daddy, but a few people say you look like me too, and I can't tell you how happy it makes me. :)

It's really amazing having two kids. We are so happy that you'll grow up with a friend and playmate. Mila is showing to be a caring big sister. I know she's a bit loud sometimes but she just gets excited. :) She really loves having you around.

One of the most common concerns one has when having a second child is - after having the first, how do you find room in your heart to love another child the same? Well, the moment you were born our hearts grew twice as big, that's how!! You're so sweet and tender and cuddly. You look at me and your Daddy with such innocence… I can't help but melt! I just love getting to know your sweet personality.

I can't wait to see what next month will bring. Life has been so generous and kind to us - two precious little ones! How did we get so lucky?

Feeling so very blessed to call you my daughter... I love you!

Your mommy

Toddler This Week: 22 Months, Week 2

2011-11-10T19:59:00.000-05:00

"Me do it!" is a frequent refrain among 22-month-olds. As your toddler becomes more self-aware, he'll likely want to do more things for himself. Setting limits is important, but you can let your toddler take the lead sometimes, like choosing which clothes to wear (even if it means a mismatched outfit), wetting the toothbrush, or turning the bathroom light on or off. By encouraging independence now, you'll help your toddler grow into a confident preschooler.

Interruptions are a way for your child to ask for your attention. It's annoying – but effective!

A toddler most often interrupts when her parents seem to disappear (in spirit if not in body) for long periods, such as during telephone conversations or computer sessions. Try to remain present with your child by limiting those kinds of activities unless she's napping or deeply absorbed in play. When you're busy, maintain contact by ruffling her hair and looking over and smiling at her.

Saying "just a minute" is rarely effective because your 22-month-old has little idea of how long a "minute" is. And a minute feels like an eternity, anyway! Do a quick check to make sure she doesn't need anything more than attention – for example, a fresh diaper.

Don't give in right away. It only teaches your child that interrupting is socially acceptable and effective. But keep your expectations realistic. A two-minute phone conversation? Fine. Half an hour? Too long for a toddler to tolerate.

What to do with all those clothes your child seems to outgrow every three months? Consider a clothing swap with neighbors, a playgroup, or another social network. Have everybody bring what no longer fits and trade for new items. You could also turn old clothes over to a consignment shop or donate them to charity.

Of course, if you're planning to enlarge your family, you'll want to hang on to some of them. Store outgrown clothing in boxes labeled by size and season for easy access later.

-BabyCenter.com

Baby This Week: 4 Weeks Old

2011-11-08T02:01:00.000-05:00

Your baby can probably focus on and track moving objects now. Try giving his new skills a workout by slowly passing a toy in front of his face or by having a little "staring contest" during which you walk slowly back and forth in front of him. Watch how his eyes lock with yours and follow along with your movement. This skill is a building block for hand-eye coordination, which will come later.

Your baby may gurgle, coo, grunt, and hum to express his feelings. A few babies also begin squealing and laughing. Be sure to coo and gurgle back, and talk to your baby face to face. He'll enjoy holding your gaze now.

If you have things to do, your baby will still enjoy hearing your voice from across the room. And don't feel silly about using baby talk — babies are particularly attuned to this high-pitched, drawn-out way of communicating, which can actually teach your baby about the structure and function of language.

- BabyCenter.com

Family Photo Session

2011-11-06T02:43:00.000-05:00

Finally got some family pictures taken! My sister Cathy was wonderful - I helped frame the shots and put the settings on the camera and she helped taking the picture! Kinda like a human tripod! LOL! She did AWESOME and I'm thrilled with our pictures. :)

Mila and Emmy's faces in this one are PRICELESS!

Family Meets Emmy

2011-11-05T02:40:00.000-04:00

Finally got the nerve to drive down to Miami to visit my grandmother and some of my family. It's been a little crazy with the breastfeeding and the pumping I'd been doing, as well as Mila's sleep issues we've been having, to even think about driving an hour in the car with both girls. It's taken us a bit to organize ourselves to make it down there, but today was the day!

A little hectic to pack up to get out of the house - if I thought I was packing tons of stuff with just one kid, now with 2 it's DOUBLE! We planned to get to my grandmother's at 11am and we didn't get there until almost 1pm! It takes FOREVER to leave the house, especially since I want to make sure Emmy has a full tummy before we get into the car, so I'm power-nursing for the hour before we're supposed to leave. It just seems it takes forever to get out!

But we finally made it and it was wonderful. My grandmother, my uncle Ricky, my aunt Martha and my other aunt Martha loooooove to dote all over these kids - Mila and Emmy both have it good!!

Mila & Abuelito

2011-11-04T02:19:00.000-04:00

My dad, Mila and Emmy's "abuelito" came over to visit today... he just loves to tease Mila! He put stickers all over her!

Toddler This Week: 22 Months, Week 1

2011-11-03T19:56:00.000-04:00

Your toddler can probably hop off the bottom step of a staircase by throwing one foot forward and letting the other follow. But true jumping, where both feet leave the ground at the same time and then land squarely, is a skill that requires excellent balance and may take a few more months to master. You can help your toddler practice two-footed jumping by letting her bounce on a bed or low trampoline while you hold both her hands.

By now your child will begin to have particular ideas about what he wants to accomplish – such as pushing a toy lawn mower down a path. When you disrupt your 22-month-old's plans, he's apt to get upset. You'll see he's pleased when he's successful and frustrated when he's not. It's all part of his burgeoning independence.

Praising attempts, not just accomplishments, can help him learn to cope with disappointments. For example, if he's struggling and on the verge of tears, you might say, "I know it's hard to get that shoe on, and you're trying really hard." Or, "You look mad. Can I help you?" Mix challenging activities with those that boost your child's sense of pride, such as stacking chunky blocks or helping you water plants.

Try not to rush to your child's rescue if he's mildly frustrated. Jumping in to do it for him can foster dependence and diminish his confidence. Your challenge is to balance your natural desire to help and protect your child with his need to tackle new tasks.

Power struggles seem to lurk around every corner and over the simplest requests, thanks to your child's willpower and strong opinions. How can you avoid them – or at least make them more manageable?

Distraction is the key. Since your 22-month-old's attention span is probably only ten minutes or less, redirecting him or interjecting silliness into a standoff can make him forget his intractable ideas and move along to something else with minimal fireworks. Sometimes picking up your child and moving to another room – especially outdoors – will turn him around.

An especially stubborn toddler might go along with the distraction but then remember the original issue and pick up right where he left off. Even so, the ploy can buy you time to calm yourself and think about how to handle the situation.

-BabyCenter.com

Mila and her many passengers.

Baby This Week: 3 Weeks Old

2011-11-01T01:58:00.000-04:00

Every baby has a unique temperament. Some are placid and agreeable, while others are more sensitive. One thing all babies have in common is that they communicate with you by crying. Sometime in the first month, you'll begin to hear another kind of sound. That's when most babies find their voices. When your baby is calm and alert, you may notice she says a little "ooh" or "aah" when she sees you or hears you approaching.

Be sure you're continuing to put your baby down on her stomach for "tummy time" when she's awake. Babies should sleep on their back, but they also need to spend time on their belly every day to strengthen their neck muscles, which help them push up, roll over, sit up, and crawl. Tummy time will also help your baby avoid developing a flat spot on her head from being on her back.

By the end of this week, your baby may lift her head briefly and possibly move it from side to side when she's lying on her stomach. Try putting your face in front of your baby's to encourage her to hold up her head to look at you. You can also roll up a towel or receiving blanket and put it under her chest to help get her started with her push-ups. Soon, her nervous system and muscle control will mature and her jerky movements will become more fluid.

- BabyCenter.com

First time out with both girls by myself - going on a playdate!

Newborn Session - Part III

2011-10-29T23:26:00.000-04:00

Finally getting a few shots of Emmy with Daddy and Mila... and one with Mommy. :)

At the Park with the Girls

2011-10-28T23:20:00.000-04:00

First time at the park with both girls. We've taken Mila to the park many times when I was pregnant, but this was the first time I could really enjoy it with Emmy on the outside! Emmy stayed sleeping in the stroller while we played around the park with Mila.

"Wee, Daddy! Weeeeee!"