Christmas eve 2012

How did Christmas come so quickly this year?  I don't know.  All I know is that with two kiddos, time just flies!! 

Daddy is here for about an hour and then has to go back to the hospital.  He's on call today but has tomorrow off.  The house is clean, Catherine is asleep, Jordan is playing somewhere (should I go look?), there's warm soup on the stove and I'm just relaxing thinking about life.

It's been a crazy year!  We moved, daddy started a new job, bought a house, had Catherine, settled down in a new place, church, life, went to South Africa, had fun at home, had fun in town...we laughed, cried, cuddled, and loved each other this year...in no particular order!

Here are some of the highlights of the year:

October 18 Happenings

On October 18, 2012, we welcomed Catherine Elise Geach into the world!

Dear Catherine,

It was a cool morning when daddy and I walked into Erlenger East that day.  I had my overnight bag, baby bag...all was ready.  We had big smiles on our faces because we knew we were going to see you soon.
Daddy offered to carry the bags and that's when I noticed that the camera bag was missing.  I thought he forgot it in the car, but it turns out, with all the excitement, he forgot it at home.  Since there was a lot of time left, I told him to go back and get it.  So I went into the lobby with the bags and checked in by myself.  A nurse later came and started escorting me to the room.  On the way there, she turns to me and asks, "Honey, is someone going to be with you today?"  I thought it was hilarious...and really wanted to play along ...but I didn't.  I was so happy to see your daddy come in a few minutes later.  I can't imagine how sad it would be to welcome a new baby all by myself.  You have a wonderful daddy who couldn't wait to meet you!
So we finally met you at ----- You were 7 lbs, 7 oz.  You looked as cute as a button.  When I held you in my arms it was the most wonderful feeling.  It's amazing how you can love someone you've only just met so much!
We were completely in love with you!
We later had all the grandparents over to see you.  We skyped with your aunts!  Friends came over...Everyone was so excited you were here...especially Jordan!
When you first met he just got really close, kind of grabbed you and gave you a big kiss.  I know you are going to be great friends for ever.
You are such a good baby.
Dr. Newman was our doctor and she did a fabulous job with the delivery.  Mommy quickly recovered and we took you home as soon as we could.  These are some of the first pictures we took of you at home.

We only stayed home for just a few days and then we took you on your first airplane ride to Lake Tahoe, where auntie Angeles was getting married.  You got to meet more family there...and like always, everyone was in love with you!

We've been home now for a couple of weeks after traveling.  It's so nice to get to know you.  You are so sweet, soft and cuddly.
You love to sleep with us and cuddle.  You always fall asleep on my chest...it's so nice!
We love you baby Catherine!  We can't wait to see the person you will become.  We are so happy to be your parents!

Toothbrushing!

Toothbrushing has been going on quite well for us.  You think it's a game, I try to make it fun...we have no problems!  So I thought I would take it to the "next" level this week!  I sat you next to the sink, brushed my teeth and then showed you how to spit IN THE SINK.  I brushed your teeth, then told you to spit....you LOVED the spitting part...too much!!!  After that all you wanted to do was spit!  

Now I have a little llama on my hands!!!  (with very clean teeth! :)

Nuk!

Nuk is milk!  You love it, you ask for it as soon as you wake up!  You expect it to be ready in the morning waiting for you next to the night stand, and even though some may say you are a little too old to be drinking a bottle, you still do.  In the morning, when you have a onsie on and drink your bottle...you still look like a baby....and I love it!
One day you'll stop drinking your nuk...you'll stop saying...mas...mas with your little fingers...or cacke....cacke...while you "knock" on your wrist and point to where it is in the pantry....but until then...drink nuk to your heart's content!

Mami love you!

South Africa

We went half way across the world the other day to visit my parents in South Africa.  One of the biggest benefits of being here, near Atlanta, is the 16 hour direct flight.  We had such a good time.  I didn't want to come back!
But let me back up and write about how good God has been to us.
Both my parents were supposed to go for a three week trip to Angola, Zaire (Congo), and somewhere else...I forgot...but they were supposed to stay in really primitive places.  They have been planning this trip for so long.  They have materials, presentations etc to take, translate, and who knows what else.  But they had been planning this for months.
When they were at the gate, my mom started to see flashes of lights in one eye, and then a dark spot.  They figured it was probably a retinal detachment and canceled the trip right away.  Thanks to their good friend Eustis, an ophthalmologist, she was able to be seen the next day at a clinic in Joburg, and they confirmed the detachment and took really good care of her.  My dad had been having some "reflux " problems and told my mom that now that they were there, he really wanted to see a GI doctor.  So he made the appointment, got tested and was told that he might have a cardiac problem instead.  He went to the cardiologist right away and was set up to have a stress ECG, later told that he needed an angiogram and that's when we got the call to "pray for dad, because he's having an angiogram and might need a stent put in."  So we prayed.  Being so far away is not fun when you are a close family.  Later when we called, mom told us that because of the blockage, dad was going to stay at the hospital and was set up for surgery the next Tuesday, when the surgeon would be back.  So we waited, dad had surgery, and it turned out to be a 5 vessel bypass surgery.  He was in the ICU for a while, then went to the ward and eventually was released to go home.  Laura was able to go and help mom, but we all wanted to go.  With Jordan being so little, and my dad being so weak, it was just not a good idea to go right away, but as soon as we had a chance, we bought a ticket, packed our suitcase and left on a 16 hr. flight straight for Johanesburg.  Jonathan couldn't come early with Jordan and myself, but joined us a week later.
Jordan did so good on the trip.  He slept about 10 out of the 16 hrs. and played the rest of the time.
It was so nice to have them waiting for us and to see them again.
The first week was great.  We basically rested and played with Jordan.  They had bought a slide, a tricycle, stuffed animals, books, and more toys...he loved being there....but most of all...SAM.  He chased sam, fed him "illegal" crackers, slept in his bed.  Sam loved it...specially the crackers.  Jordan would come saying "hambre" (hungry)...like he was starving.  Then he would make the signal for "cracker" and stood right next to the pantry.  We would give him the cracker and then he would run away to find Sam.  He loved feeding Sam.
Jonathan came on Saturday night.  It was soooo nice to see him after a week apart.  I don't like being away from him and as much fun as it was, it's never as fun without him.  Jordan was so happy to see "daddy."  He didn't let him leave his sight.  It's only now that he doesn't cry a storm when Jonathan goes to work.  He does talk about "daddy" all day.
On Sunday we went to Kreuger.  It was so much fun.  Jonathan, Jordan and I would wake up and go on an early morning drive where we got to see so many wonderful animals.  We then went back to the bungalow, made breakfast, picked up my parents, had breakfast and went for another drive.
We always took mate, snacks and it was absolutely perfect.
Mom and dad got to rest, and it was a nice break for all of us.
The second week went by too fast.  We had to come back home, but the memories we made will be with us forever.

Post call fun!

One of the biggest advantages we have living in TN is all the family time we've been having.  Jonathan is working hard at the hospital, but his schedule is so much more family friendly.  He's on call about once a week, but the next day he's off.  So on his off days we've been trying to do fun things together.
The first place we visited was Rock City.  It's definitely not a city made out of rocks!  But they did have awesome hiking, a waterfall, rock walls, a hanging bridge, and beautiful flowers everywhere.
Jordan loved it!!
The Aquarium was a blast!  Jordan learned to say "FISH" by the end.  The penguin exhibit was his favorite!
We also went to Ruby Falls.  Another fun place to visit...probably once!
The Creative Discovery Museum wins so far!
Jordan loving it does not even come close to how he felt about it!
He thoroughly enjoyed playing in the kiddy section.  He cooked, rode a car, mowed the lawn, played with electricity, molded clay, made plastic balls fly with air hoses, learned about musical instruments, played the harp, etc. etc.  We had so much fun!!!

2 + 2 = 4

We are so happy that baby girl is coming to our family this October!!!

Changes

Ohhh the million things that happened in the last 2 months!!  It's amazing how life changes from day to day.
We finally moved to TN.  It's hard to adjust to a new place, specially when you liked the old one just fine.  The house we moved into is beautiful.  We've been cleaning, fixing, unpacking, and trying to settle in as fast as possible.  Little by little it's starting to look like our house.
We are also putting in a pool which will be awesome once it's done!
Jordan is getting so big!  I see new little babies and I just can't believe he was that size not that long ago.  He "talks" to us like we understand what he says (we don't always, but pretend).  His favorite words are "agua" for liquids, "daddy" for mommy or daddy, "caccer" for cracker, "caca" for poo, "noooooo" for NO, "doggy" for anything furry, "bubbles" for bubbles,  "bbuten" for bellybutton, and I don't remember any other ones off the top of my head!
He also has an opinion on everything.  He shakes his finger at me when he says no.  He can unplug and plug in electrical equipment.  (we don't really let him do this...but he can and LOVES to).  He climbs and jumps and has no fear.  LOVES bubbles and sabbath school.  He's shy and completely extroverted from one moment to another.  He loves food...specially veggie hotdogs when he can dip them in ketchup.  Actually, he loves ketchup period!  When he's done dipping the hotdog, the finger comes out and he just licks the plate dry!  I know that it might not be the best manners to instal in your kids, but have you ever seen a one year old use his tiny little finger to get all the ketchup off a plate?  You would let him do that too!  :)
Talking about manners...we are working on "gentle" and "sharing."  Two very essential qualities that a little boy must have but that seem impossible to teach.  But we'll keep working on this.
Jordan also loves to sing.  When we go in the car we sing:  "Vamos de paseo...pi, pi, pi....en un auto nuevo...pi, pi, pi...pero no me importa....pi, pi, pi....porque llevo torta....pi, pi, pi"  He sings with us but the pi, pi, pi, are all pa, pa, pa's.  It's very cute!  When he wants us to sing, he'll start singing....Pa...pa...Pa...really loud and that's our cue.
We are very much in love with our little one year old.  He has a strong personality, he's very smart, very inquisitive, happy, sweet, and full of energy.

I'm a hamster!

I developed a new trick this week.  I can eat food and if I don't like it, it goes in that little pocket that's between my teeth (oops...I don't have any there) and my cheek.  I can just stuff that area until it gets bigger and bigger!  I can even pick out what goes down my throat and what I keep...all that yucky broccoli is definitely going into my hamster pouch!
That's what mommy calls it...my hamster pouch!  Silly mommy!
When I'm done...I expel all the yucky stuff!  Isn't that brilliant?  Mommy doesn't like that very much..although I think I saw her trying to hold back a smile when I did that!
I'm running so much better now.  It makes catching Poppy a lot faster (and getting away from mommy and daddy...I think they really like to chase me around the house!)
This is my first post!

Jordan

Dear Jordan,

You are 14 months old right now.  We are having so much fun together.  You can do so many new things. Your latest achievements include:

Que dice la vaca?
Moooooooooo

Uno, Dos, y TRES!!!!!!!

Como dice el perrito?
wa...wa...wa...wa...


You can walk, run, ride your little car like a pro...you play with your cars and say....Rum, Rum...you blow kisses, help unload the dishwasher, climb into the closet all by yourself, climb stairs, blow food when it's hot, dance with grandpa, push elevator buttons (you LOVE the elevator)...and who knows what else...I forget sometimes!

We love you so much, and are having so much fun with you!

Mami

Daily living!

Living with a one year old really keeps you on your toes! 

It's amazing how many times I save his life during the day...How fearless a little boy can be even when he just began to walk...How, the first few steps turned into running around the house within a day!

I'm also amazed at the speed of said "one year old."  WOW!!  

I've learned that I'm really not OCD about the house anymore, things can get done later...if at all (like the thank you cards for his birthday)...They are still in my to do list...that list that just keeps growing and growing.  

I've also learned that prioritizing is KEY.

The house will never be as clean, I might never finish all the books I've planned to read, running errands with a baby is like living in slow motion, eating dinner is not just dinner, but it's dinner and a show.  But I'm ok with this...really!

Jordan and I went on our first date the other day!  First we went to Kissui, then had lunch at Briskets.  Jordan learned how to eat with a fork...just perfectly.  We then went to Trader Joe's and Costco.  Yes...all in the same day! Oh...I forgot...we also went to the Frugal Brigade book store, which was absolutely amazing!  I wish J was a little older and we could go hang out there every day! :)

Moving plans are coming along.  We have people coming to give us quotes in the next couple of weeks.  I started cleaning out my closet. Now to start labeling and sorting through boxes.  My favorite! :)

Great Expectations!!

More to come!  The title should be a little bit of a clue! :)

Walking...walking...and walking!

You are the cutest!  You are almost walking all by yourself.  Right now, I think we counted about 5-8 steps.  I think you are amazing!
Here are some pics:

Daddy and I are so proud of you!
We love our happy baby! :)

Oh my baby Jordan!

You bite!!  Yes you do...and hard!  I guess it's my fault.  I've been kissing your little toes since you were born...and kissing became pretend biting at some point.  I call your little feet..."my little empanaditas!"  So, it's my fault!  Now...you bite my toes and it really hurts!  You also think that kissing is biting.  So when you kiss my cheek, I get bite marks for the rest of the day.
But I love your kisses!
You've been so active lately.  You play with everything...sometimes at the same time.  It's non stop fun!

You are 1 year old! Viva!!

The birthday boy!

Dear Jordan,

I can't believe you are one!  I don't know how, when or where this year went!  You were a tiny baby and now you are one.  You are so cute!  Right now you are almost walking.  We practiced a little while ago with Daddy and you almost had it!
You mimic everything.  Today I brushed my teeth and gave you your tooth brush...so we brushed together.  I finished, got the brush, combed my hair, put it away and they started on something else.  You put down the toothbrush, got the hairbrush out of the toiletry bag, and started brushing your hair; like if you did it everyday!  I just smiled!
Yesterday we were with grandma and grandpa (los abuelitos) and grandma zipped up her purse.  You just unzipped it and took out everything you wanted.  I zipped it back up...thinking that it was just coincidence...you unzipped it again, and again.  It turned into a game. Everything is a game right now.
You are very independent.  You want to eat by yourself, you exert your will...like if you don't want to wear socks, you don't...or you try really hard to take them off.
You are also trying to communicate with us all the time.  You talk and talk and talk.  You also climb everything, get into everything, take out everything that is put away that is within your reach...etc. etc.
Mami gets really tired by the end of the day!  It's nonstop fun!!  And it really is fun!  I love seeing you grow and grow.  I love how everyday you learn a million things.  Most of all, I love how you imitate me in everything!
We have so much fun everyday.  The last week was a busy week because we had all the grandparents here and we were planning your party and dedication.  It was so much fun to plan!
The weekend started with your dedication at church.  It was such a wonderful moment for both mami and daddy.  The thing that we want most in this world is for you to love Jesus and be really close to him throughout your life.  By dedicating you, we put you in His hands to lead your life for ever.  It was a really special moment for me.

Back to your party:

The circus cake!

The main table!

I love to plan parties, but this one was the most fun!  We had a circus theme and it turned out really good.  We had all your close friends and family and were so happy for you.
The cake turned out so much better than I hoped!
We had balloons, giant balls, wagon rides, a ball pit, yummy food (pizza, different salads, yummy snacks), and one of my favorites...a photo booth.

Family Picture at the photo booth! :)

Grandpa Bob and Grandma Geneva being silly!

Los abuelitos being silly!

Everyone got to be a little silly and got to have loads of fun!

Ha Ha Ha!!!  :)

Best Juggler in the Inland Empire!! :)

Opening presents!

Family time with Olivia, Emily and Dinah!

There were millions of pictures taken today.  The ones above are just a handful!
Happy Birthday Jordan!  Can't wait to plan another one next year! :)


Mami

We are moving to Chattanooga!!

Wow...I still can't believe it!
Jonathan accepted a position with a group based out of Chattanooga and starts June 1!  Contract is signed, mailed and we are looking for a new house.
It's exciting and a little freaky at the same time.  I love my house, my friends, my job, my everything!
But here's to a new chapter in our lives!!!

Oh Christmas tree!!!

Merry Christmas!!!

What a Christmas!  No one told me how much fun Christmas was going to be with a baby in the family!  

Our baby lamb!  (Azure Hills Church: Jordan 10 months)

I know he's not a baby anymore, he's crawling like crazy, standing on everything, hanging off of everything!  But the look on his face when we set out the Christmas tree!!!  

Playing with the Christmas boxes under the tree!

Dad, Mami, and Jordan Stockings 

The lights, pulling tissue paper out of bags...who would have thought it would be so much fun!  

We had Christmas dinner at our house the 24th, then had a brunch with my parents the 25th.  We also opened presents with them...so fun!

The hat lasted about 2 sec. on your head!

Noelle and Colin came to visit for Christmas!

Opening presents with Grandma...what could it be?

It's my first car!!!  YES!!! Now...how does this work?

Look Grandma...look!!!  :)

That night, we flew to Atlanta to be with Jonathan's parents and family for another round of Christmas!  So fun to see everyone!  

This is my favorite school bus...EVER!! 

"Yes Sparky...I know...but look...it's yellow!"

Grandpa Bob made you an awesome wagon!  So much fun!

My first carousel ride with daddy in Chattanooga! 

What a Christmas!!!