Gaxiola Family Vacation

The Gaxiola's hit the open road this weekend! Nick was off this week, so we decided to take advantage and go somewhere for the long weekend. First we thought the beach, but then quickly found out that every condo on the Alabama coast was completely booked, so we decided to head east instead to Stone Mountain, GA for some good ol' fashioned All-American family fun!

We were planning on leaving early Friday morning, but the the kids (and we) slept in, Lu (and subsequently I) had had a  rough night the night before, so it was much needed. We finally got out though, and stopped where else but Mickey D's about half-way there.

That was where the fry consumption began, and it didn't end until we reached our house on Sunday evening... I learned one thing on this trip, my kids love fries!

We arrived in Atlanta and went straight to the Lenox mall, where we eventually found ourselves smack in the middle of the Star Wars decorated section of Pottery Barn Kids, otherwise known as Z's dream room.



















The kids got in some quality stroller time, while we had some quality mall time.

We left there (unfortunately during rush hour) and headed to Stone Mountain. It took about an hour due to the bad timing, but Lu was napping for most of it, so it wasn't as bad as it could've been. We checked in and headed to our rather large suite, which the kids LOVED. They just ran back and forth across the floor to their little heart's desire. It was rather adorable actually. Then we got ready went down to the dinner BUFFET (sweet!). 

It was super late, but the kids handled themselves relatively well. Especially Lu who was shoveling food in by the handful!

 
Because it was late anyway, we decided to go see the last part of the laser show. We couldn't believe how many people were there, but it was really cool to see the images projected onto the mountain and the fireworks. Z was a little afraid of the fireworks at first and kept telling Nick his knees were shaking. But after he got over that, I think he liked it.

We really had to prepare Z about sleeping in the hotel because last time we came to Atlanta, he wanted to go home at nighttime and sleep in his bed. Aside from the few minutes before we walked into the laser show, he never really said he wanted to go home, and he really actually liked sleeping in the hotel. He had his own rollaway bed and we brought his blanket, pillow, and winnies. Besides, he was so exhausted by the time we got back to the room, he didn't have the energy to complain.

Lu slept pretty well too. She hasn't been sleeping that well at home these days, so we were nervous, but the first night she didn't make a peep. The second night she cried a little here and there, but overall they both did awesome and slept in both mornings until 9! Speaking of sleep, we all took a nap at the same time on Saturday afternoon, talk about a miracle/blessing!

Next up Day 2, but needless to say Day 1 wore us out!

Family Togetherness

I never get tired of seeing my two babies together. I love watching them play and interact. The bigger Lu is getting the more she interacts with Z,

And by interacts, I mean gets into his business.

The past couple of weekends have been really low key because hubs is fasting during daylight hours for Ramadan (I am not, because someone has to be able to keep up with the kids!). We are excited to teach Z a little bit about what Ramadan means, praying, spending time with family, being thankful for our blessings, among other things. We’ve also been preparing him for Eid, a Christmas-like celebration that comes at the end of the month of fasting.

We have already bought him several gifts, and we’re going to try and make it a big deal this year. We want him to understand why we celebrate and mark the occasion every year in a special way.

Baba may not be able to take him to the pool or the park, but noone said he can’t get in lots of cuddle time while he’s fasting!

Needless to say, dinner (also known as Iftar) has been a big deal around here. Perfect time for me to be experimenting with Mix and Match Mama’s Bundts! All of which have been awesome!

We have been eating with Nunna, Jido, and cousins a lot too lately. I think it’s safe to say they are having a fun Ramadan so far.

Bedtime Routine

Bedtime routine in our house can get very complicated, read lengthy. Z has stalling down to an art, and he has used some Skinner-like training to get us to do an awful lot just to get him to finally settle into his bed (you know like the rat who learns how to go through an obstacle course and do a flip turn to get his treat, we’re that rat).

First we do bath and teeth (now that we have a light saber toothbrush, we have to occasionally use it for what it’s intended, sword fighting, of course).

He has Baba go first, then Mama, then we play light sabers (and by light sabers, I mean he and Nick have them and I use his foam sword, which he “turns on” for me, incidentally he is Darth Vader, Nick is Obi Wan Kenobi, and I am, wait for it, Master Yoda…), then he gets a drink of water, then I have to say “good night” just the right way, then (if we’re lucky) he lets us leave.

 

Every once in awhile, he figures out after a few minutes that a cog in the machine is missing and he screams out with urgency, “but I didn’t have my waterrrr!” or “Mama didn’t sing itsy bitsy spiderrrr!” or my favorite “I didn’t get to pick my pajamaaaaaaas!” It’s terribly dramatic, and I try to spend the majority of the time making sure we didn’t leave out one of the big things so we can avoid the rude awakening, whereas Nick, in an attempt to break him of these habits tries to see how we can get away with doing something out of sequence or leaving it out altogether (the horror!).

No bedtime post is complete without mentioning all his friends that he sleep with him. These days he is pretty specific about where some of them need to be too.

Some nights when we feel like it’s so late, or he’s never going to stop stalling we have to remind ourselves what we tell him all the time which is “be patient” and soak it up. I truly think those moments are some of my favorites!

Miss Lu on the other hand, she almost always gets her bath (as she is a messy eater), but only occasionally gets read to and rarely sung to. Is that not sad?

Oh well, so far she doesn’t know the difference, and in fact when it comes to sleep, she likes to be left alone!

I did capture the moment where Nick got to read to her a little before bed recently.

She’s got him wrapped around her little finger!

Training

This weekend we have been working hard on stroller training, cart training, gym training, and restaurant training. This is mainly because it has been RAINING NON-STOP and we have nothing to do but shop, work out (okay, only once) and eat (out).

Z has been pretty good at behaving at a restaurant since about 6 months old. We took him enough to make sure of that, but Lu on the other hand, she has been made to believe that if she cries enough, she will get picked up (and sometimes taken outside). We have had to work hard to break that habit, and hanging with Nunna usually sets us back a little.

I have finally started taking them out some on Fridays and even venturing with Lu by myself on Saturdays while Z naps and Nick works at home. She really does well in the cart as long as she rested and sometimes has a snack.

Even Mom was impressed that she seemed to want to sit in the cart at Nordstrom Rack on Friday.

Z sometimes rides too, but on this particular day, he was "the driver."

One thing they both know is how to ride in the car at Publix because we all go together almost every Sunday afternoon. It's a fun little family tradition.

Today, she stayed in child watch at the Y for the first time, and she actually did really well. We only left them for half and hour, but after the first few minutes she didn't cry at all! Now, I have no excuse to stay away from the gym!

We have eaten out a few times this weekend, and she's done really great. Last night, she even sat in a booster seat in a Carrabba's booth. She was very happy until she ate something that set her off (we think the garlic in the marinara). Needless to say, she won't be eating their pasta again for a while!

Eating out and shopping are definitely two of the more fun things to do around here, so the better my kids are at those things, the more we'll want to do them, and that is good for everyone!

The Life of a 3 1/2 Year Old

As I write this post, I am sitting in the bed with Z and Nick, and they are playing Lego Star Wars on the Xbox, otherwise known as Z's favorite thing to do in the world. I can say with fair certainty that (at least at this moment in his life) it is his happy place. I have waited a long time for Z to show that he really loves something so I could experience the joy of getting it for him or watching him do it. My dad has tried to explain this phenomenon to me in the past, but now I really get it. You know, when you go out and spend lots of time and/or money pursuing something for your child, whether it's an activity or a toy or a hobby, you would do anything to give it to them, just so you can see the happiness that comes to their face.  That is what we are experiencing right now with the Star Wars craze that he is in.

The only person that has it worse than me is Nick, he's the one that really introduced Z to Star Wars, all the characters, what it all means. He's the one that went to Target late one evening on the way home from work to surprise Z with his beloved light saber, which they use to have duels every night before bed. He's played Lego Star Wars with him every weekend night for the past couple of weeks (a LOT over this holiday break). I think that's what makes this even more special is seeing them share this love. I hope it continues, and I know there'll be even more things like this in the future, and I can't wait!

We are so loving our long break with our babies and feeling very blessed and thankful!

Fourth of July

This has been the rainiest fourth in a long time. I had envisioned spending time at the pool grilling out and going to fireworks, but instead we went to the mall, still grilled out, and went to bed early with the sounds of fireworks ringing in our ears. 

We had a great time at the mall. The kids did great. Of course, it was mostly about them, until Lu fell asleep in the stroller and I snuck into Loft, then it was about me just a little. But the rest of the time it was about them. Z even got to play at the Lego store and the arcade. 

And of course, we had an all-American food court lunch that everyone enjoyed. Lu especially devoured her nuggets and fries!

Before we got our food, I put out some puffs for Lu, which of course Z always wants to eat all of a sudden because Lu eats them, but it was a really cute moment because they were feeding them to each other. Lord knows they don't always get along, but that was some sweetness.

Even though I usually get Z's shoes on Amazon, we still like to hit Stride Rite every time we go to the Galleria (which is not too often), and we always seem have luck there. This time we hit the jackpot when we found the coolest shoes ever. I was more than a little reluctant at first, but when I saw his face light up when he heard Darth Vader's breath coming out of them, I, as well as the shoes, was sold right then and there. 

It was a near perfect day. Nick grilled burgers, I made baked potatoes and what turned out to be an amazing Mix and Match Mama bundt cake. Z and Baba played Lego Star Wars on the Xbox, then we all crashed!

Can't wait for the rest of the weekend!

Lu 13 (and a half) Months

I get so behind on here sometimes, I don’t even know where to start, but Lu has been taking steps for over a week, and I haven’t so much as mentioned it! Shame on me! Last Saturday, we watched her take one baby step then fall, and over the past week she has advanced to taking 1 or 2 then falling. She seems to be very cautious so far.

At Jude’s party, we went to play in the baby area and she found these foam blocks. She would pull up on one, pick it up for a second and throw it back down. It kinda reminded me of those strong man competitions where they pick up giant logs and cars, (I know, but I said kinda).

 

She was very proud of herself.

And, in case you can’t tell those are size 1 feet holding up that sweet little body, dress, hairbow, and giant block. No wonder it’s hard for her to go more than one or two steps!

She talks all the time, and her favorite saying right now is “ah-bidah.” It means, hey look at me!

She has started waving like full arm style, but only does it after the fact, like ‘say bye Lu,’ ‘oh well she’s not going to do it,’ then we walk out and she does it. Isn’t that what all babies do? It’s like they are telling you, hey I’m not going to be your little performance monkey. I do things on my own time.

Here is some video proof