A New Year!

December has come and gone, and now it's officially 2013. But before we get to those resolutions, here's a glimpse of what December looked like:

We celebrated Ellie's first birthday.

We celebrated Christmas!

And finally, we brought in the new year like most parents did: babies to bed, champagne poured, *clink* at 9pm west coast time. It was the best new year's eve a girl could ask for, really.

I'm going to make an effort to blog more this year. I want to leave something behind that my babies can read, to see what their childhood looked like. Hopefully it's a pleasant snapshot.

Much love,
The Dolfos

November?!

The last two weeks of October really flew by. Granted, we did spend pretty much an entire week celebrating the awesomeness that is Mak. On October 16, he turned three years old. Three. It still feels strange to say that. "My three year old..." It doesn't quite fit right on my tongue yet.


Mak wanted a Dinosaur Train party. So that means Dinosaur piñatas. They were pretty small, so we got three. :) He was pretty excited! He kept wanting to "break them", like I told him we would. I promised him he could when his party started.

Party day came! It was a lot of fun! We kept it small, only had about five friends of his over, which turned out to be a great number (since four of those five also had little siblings around Ellie's age).

When it came time to break the piñatas, sadly, Mak was too scared! I didn't account for the possibility that he may get attached to them.... oops! Bad mom. =/ Luckily, Mak did have a few friends who were game to try and break it.

And little hands are always down to grab some candy. ;)

We did presents after everyone left, in some peace and quiet - Mak doesn't like too much attention. But I was happy to see him playing nicely with all his friends. Makes a mamí proud.

On his actual birthday, we had a family party. Almost everyone was able to make it, even though it was a Tuesday.

Uncles Kai and Myles

Me and my (not so) little bros

My brother, Gilby, being a good Tío

And finally: 

Our three year old. 

I have no words. My love for this little boy that, three years ago, made me a mom. I hope these have been a great three years for him, since I know they have been for us. Brad and I are always saying how we can't imagine a life without him. And it's true. The world really is a better place with you in it, Mak. 

Much love (and a few bittersweet tears),

The Dolfos

Preschool

I would love to homeschool my kids. Not for religious reasons or anything (we all know I'm not religious), but I feel like I could do a better job than the mainstream "standardized testing" school system.

And here's the thing, I figure if I really want to do this, I should get to know my kids, academically. So I signed Mak and me up for a "mom and me" preschool.

Here's a picture of him on his first day!

Just because I'm going with him for three hours, twice a week, didn't stop me from getting all choked up. Part of it was missing Ellie, who I'd never been apart from, but most of it was just sad that this precious child of mine is old enough to be going to a preschool class. 

He fit right in. He was just as tall (if not taller) than those three and four year olds. Since I know him so well, I knew he'd be a little shy at first. My thinker, my scholar, my cautious one... My observer. He finally started, on the third day, feeling comfortable about sitting and singing along during circle time. 

I love learning with him. And I love that this is a new thing, just us two. Just me and Mak. I forgot how much fun I had when it was just me and him at home. Don't get me wrong, I love Ellie, too, but it's clearer to me now that one-on-one time with each kid is important. 

Looking forward to the rest of the year. We're bringing cupcakes on Tuesday for Mak's birthday. Fun! I loved celebrating my birthday in class. :) 

Much Love,

The Dolfos

October eve.

I'm in total denial that tomorrow is the first of October. It's hitting me hard because it means that Makani, the awesome little human being that made me a mom, is going to be three years old. I'm not ready for it. I hope the first fifteen days go slowly so I can soak up my wonderful two year old before he grows up a little more, and as always, too quickly.

We love you, Makster.

Much Love,
The Dolfos

Jungles are chaotic.

All day long, Makani has been saying, "Remember, I go to the jungle and watch the chargers game?" and we just could not figure out what he meant. Then, lightbulb: jungle = the stadium. Cracked. Me. Up. That my two year old's brain is brilliant enough to recognize the chaos at a football game and equate it to a jungle!

Tasty Animals

Me: I wonder if she works for PETA or something.
Brad: People Eating The Animals?
Me: Noooo, People Eating Tasty Animals.
Mak: I want to eat tasty animals, too! Me, too!

Bhahahahaha.

Much Love,
The Dolfos

A morning moment.

Brad has a new job. It starts at 7:30am. Which means he leaves the house at 6:30am.

I am not a morning person, so this is tough on me, but I push through it. Counting the hours to nap time usually helps.

Ellie (and I) have gotten into the habit of sleeping until 7:30 (me, until 7). I thought it'd be fine if I just left her bundled up in our bed sleeping (safely, of course) until her normal wake up time, so I went downstairs to be with Mak and commence the morning. Ellie stirred. I rushed up to comfort her back to sleep.

Mak followed. SHHHH!! I insist. He whines, wanting to "help" wake up his little sister. So I resort to what every parent resorts to in times of desperation.

Bribery.

If you let me put baby back to sleep, I whisper, I'll give you a jellybean.

He taps his chin with his finger. I see him thinking. Then, in his LOUDEST whisper, he replies: No, I want TWO jellybeans.

Fine, I say. I can spare two.

Too late. Mak's loud whisper carried into his sister's ears, and her eyes pushed wide open. I hang my head in defeat.

SHE'S AWAAAAAKE! Mak screams with a smile. He climbs on the bed and kisses her belly. I can't be mad.

But, no, I did not give up the jellybeans.

Much love,
The Dolfos