Mikey turns 3!!

It's official, we have a three year old. I just can't believe it's gone so fast.  Everyone, and I mean everyone,  tells you how fast it goes.  But until you actually experience it yourself, it's then you realize that it goes really fast!  When planning his birthday party, I was determined not to have it at Chuck E. Cheese but when asking Mikey what he would like, it's the place he kept bringing up.  It was so hectic and crazy for his first birthday.  Mikey's third birthday party stepped it up and it was CHAOS!  Yes, the caps are necessary.  

To go along with the SuperHero theme, Mikey wore his Superman tee and his superhero cape and mask.  He would be known as Super Mikey.

He ran around so much, it really did seem like his cape gave him the power to fly. 

All the kids were also made honorary Superheroes for the day. I think the masks and capes were a hit!

One of my goals for the day was to get a family picture of us.  Phew! We were successful!

Our families took turns with Gisele allowing me to deal with the chaos.  She was so entertained with all the kids running around, she didn't fuss one bit. My sweet!  Here she is with Grandma Yolanda

....with Grandpa Bucky

...and with Shayla

The "Jett Rider" was hands down Mikey's favorite ride.  Here he is riding with Mattie.

And again with Shayla.

The photo booth was another popular attraction.

An A.J. sandwich!

This picture represents to me the craziness going on.  I'm trying to talk to my "host", our tables were maxed out, hardly any place to place things, trying to squeeze by other people, all while trying to keep track of Mikey who just wants to play games.  There might have been a few times I wanted to hide in the bathroom.  Ay yi yi yi!!!

Birthday boy getting ready for the birthday celebration.

Getting his face time with Chuck

Receiving his crown.  It's things like this that make me realize how different a year can be. For his first party, he would NOT wear the hat.  This year, it was as if he was expecting it.  He was birthday royalty after all.

 He was so excited!

Carmen enjoying her cupcake

Probably the best thing that happened was that I was allowed to go in the Ticket Blaster with Mikey.  I honestly thought it would be so easy and that I should probably not get too many tickets.  But they did entice me by placing a 1000 ticket bonus in there.  

This picture makes me laugh.  I'm thinking, "Hmm..this is harder than I thought", and Mikey is having so much fun.

I got the 1000 ticket bonus!!!!! Oh yea!!!

Having a blast!!

Taking some time to show his best friend some love!

Mikey's birthday celebration was wrapped up by going to the doctor for his 3 year check up.  He was not happy about having to go, but in Mikey's words "That wasn't so bad afterall".  

Mikey,

Every time I look at you, it makes me smile.  Smile because you have changed me.  No longer am I the same person I was three years ago.  I'm honored to be your mommy.  The day you were born is so fresh and clear in my mind. And everyday since then, you've taught me something new.  You are so loving, sweet and smart.  You're also pretty funny.  Daddy and I spend most evenings talking about all the new things you are doing, which sometimes include the new ways you are testing your limits with us.  

The biggest part of your second year of life would have to be the day your baby sister was born.  I still remember watching you walk in to meet her with your curious, unsure look.  In that moment, you were no longer my baby.  You were now a big brother and you have been a kind and loving one since.  You were a little scared to see me in the hospital bed but quickly warmed up.  There are so many times I look to the future but often stop myself.  Everyday is special and fun.  Right now you are such a little homebody.  Your home is your comfort and that makes happy. Walks to "your park" bring out the biggest smiles.  There are many kisses for Gisele without anyone asking you to do it.  They come purely from your heart.  Even with all the love you have for your little sister, you are very protective of your toys.  Anytime she comes towards them, you throw your body on top of them and yell "Mommy hold her".  At the same time, you do share with her and bring her other toys to play with.  And even though you are a big boy and remind me all the time that you aren't a baby, just today you told me "Ok Mommy, you can call me your baby".  

So let's close this chapter to your second year of life with happiness and wonderful memories.  I can't wait to see what your third year of life brings but I don't want to look to far ahead.  For now, I'm just excited for tomorrow. I love you my baby!

Gisele at 11 months.

 These pictures get more and more difficult to take each month.  Gisele is so active these days and doesn't sit still for long. She crawls, climbs on everything, yells with delight and shows when she's very upset.  Gisele, just like Mikey, has taken a liking to my iPhone.  She's very aware of what she's seen me and Mikey do with it.  I promise she makes a swiping motion when she grabs it.  

Did I mention it's going way too fast? Since she's moving around so much on her own, I think she's pretty content and doesn't show much interest in walking.  There have been a few incidents of her taking steps from one couch to the other.  I know she's my last baby so I want her to stay little for as long as possible.  There has to be some sort of pause button. 

Valentine's Day

As Mikey gets older, each holiday becomes that much more enjoyable. I'm starting to look forward to things we can do together.  This year Mikey made Hershey Kiss necklaces (that mommy found on her new addiction Pinterest.  He also made a Valentine's card for Grandma and Grandpa.  For a three year old, I think Mikey has a really good memory.  I told him that Valentine's day was a special day to remember to tell people in your life that you love them very much.  He kept repeating that to me when I asked him what it meant.  He is so loving!!

Filling out his Valentines cards.

 Showing me how he colored his hands during our special project. 

Hope everyone had a wonderful Valentine's Day!!! 

Gisele at 10 months

Oh this sweet little mami!!  I can't believe she's 10 months old.  And this little girl is all over the place.  She crawls, she climbs and she stands up on everything.  And poor Mikey is suffering the most because  her usual target is anything that belongs to him.  

Mikey always has to get in for a quick picture.  He sees me setting up Gisele for her picture and it's always the same reaction.  "Time for Mikey and sister to take a picture". And then 5 seconds later, he's bored and it's, "Ok, that's enough pictures".

She's just so sweet and cute.  Even when she's destroying the nicely folded laundry.  And that hair!! Sigh....it's going by way too fast.

He cooks!

If you know Mike you know that he likes to take credit when I cook something good.  Well, more like he wants to share the credit.  It's usually something like "We made lasagna".  The "we" is me.  Or you may also know that he feels like because he saw Bobby Flay make it on the Food Network, then he knows how to make it too.  

But I like to give credit when it's due.  And it's due.  About a week ago, Mike told me not to worry about dinner.  He had it taken care of.  I felt relief/anxiety/excitement/dread.  I kept the kids busy in the living room while he worked.  I tried to make excuses to come into the kitchen and he kept shooing me out.

The result? Tilapia fish tacos with mango salsa!!! And it was muy delicioso.  Seriously, it was so good.  I could've had 5 of them.  

So now I can claim "We make fish tacos with mango salsa".  

New Year's Eve

 We've had quite a few New Year's Eve celebrations at our house but ever since we've had kids, the evenings are a lot more low key.  I love it.  We can relax, not worry about driving with the other crazy people and enjoy family and friends.  This year, I thought I'd let Mikey stay up as late as he could handle.  Lil man didn't quite make it to midnight but he still had a blast!

Would you look at the fun we are having?  Good times!

Mikey and Gisele with their Servantez cousins.  May you have an awesome 2012!