No mas!

So today we had a long day, Alexis didn't take a long nap as usual. He spent the morning at my mom's house because my brother was sick and I didn't want him to come to my house because he could Charlotte sick, so my mom decided to take Alexis with her in the morning which I didn't like and I told her I was going to be great with both of them but she insisted. I felt so lonely without him in the house, Charlotte and I spent the morning sleeping until 1 pm when he returned, Charlotte continued sleeping. I was so happy to see my little boy again but he was tired so I immediately put him to bed, once he woke up I knew it was going to be a long day because he slept only 2 hours. We got the movie in the mail of "Astro boy" so we decided to watch it with him and he liked, I guess, but at the last scene he got so sentimental; he was trying not to cry and kept rubbing his eyes that started getting wet with tears! I felt so bad, I was trying to calm him down and he was quietly shedding some tears, he was on top of Cameron's legs so Cameron kept holding him tight and telling him that everything was ok, that Astro boy won and he was ok but he wouldn't take that answer. The movie finished few minutes after that and Alexis wanted to still watch some more but it seems that he couldn't find what he was looking for because he said "no mas" and grabbed the controller and turned off the TV. Then he told Cameron that it was time to go a "mimi" (sleep). We were amazed the rest of the night with this tear incident!

My little boy wants to be a big guy!

We went outside so the kids could breath some fresh air and also to wait for Cameron to come back from work. There were some kids right outside our house, so we didn't go to the park but stayed there. I had Charlotte in a baby carrier, the diaper bag in one hand, and Alexis' hand in the other. I don't know how other mothers do this but it is hard to come out with two kids outside and try to protect them at the same time! Anyway, the kids were playing soccer so Alexis wanted to join in, the girls were nice enough to let him play but the boys were not too happy about this, but luckily the ball was from one of the girls. Then he saw the boys riding bicycles and of course he wanted to, but I didn't let him because obviously they are too big for him and I wasn't going to ask the boys to give up their ride! Then he saw them running into the street and he wanted to do this too, on this one I dropped the diaper bag near by and held his hand really tight,which is not easy because he is a big guy and he is strong and heavy and after all, I had Charlotte with me too. Not easy to stop a kid from running in the street but I did tell the kids to not run in the streets, they almost get hit by cars once and it is so irresponsible, they are not little either, they were like 10-11 years old! Where are the parents of these kids??? Oh well, at least I am glad that I am there for Alexis and I am always going to be there for my kids! they are way too precious for me but I feel really bad for Alexis that wants to do everything that bigger kids do, even talk to them but the boys would look at him weird and ask me why couldn't they understand what he was saying, I explained and they were a little more open with him but you know, young kids don't want babies to play with them but I gladly sat with Alexis, and Charlotte still on me, to play with his cars on the grass and he loved it and appreciated it! I love those moments with him!

Pirates!

So we had an ok day, we played with Legos, with cars, with the balls, we watched movies, etc. The best part is when at night, our movie was "Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead man's chest" and he loves the parts with the sword fighting in which Jack Sparrow, Will Turner, and the Commodore are fighting at the same time. He got his swords out of the room and ran excitedly  towards me to hand me one and to start fighting, the only problem was, that I had Charlotte in my arms because I was feeding her and Cameron was not home because he had a meeting at church, so it was hard, the only thing I could do was to protect Charlotte and myself with the sword, I couldn't attack for fear that he will swing the sword and hit us! He was disappointed but I think he kind of understood because he stopped but looked at me with a smile, I guess he knew that I was trying to do two things at the same time! Well, I will make sure I take a duel with him soon with the swords! Wish me luck!

Guilty

So we didn't do a whole lot today, we woke up at 7 am and we played until 11 am, my mom got home and I took a nap with Charlotte who didn't wake up until 1 pm and that is when I woke up from my nap. Then we ate lunch and it was time for Alexis' nap (2pm), he didn't really want to take a nap but I feel terrible when he doesn't take his naps because it is so important for kids to be on their schedules and routines and also sleeping is really important at this age. So finally he felt asleep, I still have to pat his tummy or chest so he can go to sleep, I am not sure how he is going to take his naps once we are in Utah and I have no one to watch Charlotte while I put him to sleep, I guess he will learn. Then he woke up at 6:30 pm which is a little later than usual, and Cameron was home and they played a little and then it was time to go to sleep. It is really hard to spend quality time with him while I have a newborn in my arms but I try... except for today, I still feel guilty that the day went by so quickly and we didn't get to play as much as usual. Hopefully tomorrow will be a better day!

A nice day out!

Today I didn't get to play with Alexis because I woke up really late (Charlotte was up for a while the night before) then we went to the park where he would chase me with his two chubby hands full of little tiny rocks to throw them at me, it is funny how they can have fun with little things like this. Then he tried to chase a dog, and thought that an old man from far away was my dad, so him and I ran towards the man, who was at the other side of the park and once we got to him Alexis said: "Oh man!, oh no! oh oh! donde esta papa?" (Where is grandpa?) pretty funny and specially when he was saying all this in front of the guy who was not so old when up close! LOL, my little guy is so funny sometimes but then he remembered the dog so we had to go back to the other side of the park where my mom, my brother, Charlotte, and cousins where waiting for us! He was really happy to see them but sat down after running around so much and going up a hill! We went shopping and he did really good, we also had him sitting in the shopping cart so he wouldn't run around, and he was tired, but after such a nice day out, he was ready to sleep, or eventually he would be, and he gets cuter and cuter every day!

Long Sunday

It always seems like Sundays are days that never end! We go to church and usually we have invitations to go somewhere else, and then church meetings, etc. Now it has gotten a lot better than staying in the church from 10 am until 6 pm! but still, this past Sunday we had an invitation from one of the members to his birthday, it was really nice and specially the "Posole" which is like a Mexican soup, then they had a family  home evening and, of course, the birthday cake! but we got home really tired, the four of us actually. Alexis behaved so well though, he didn't get cranky even though he hadn't taken his nap, and he was pretty smiley and playful the whole time. During church though, a lot of kids come close to our seat and try to take his cars away or distract him, it gets me really mad because it took a long time to get him to seat for a whole hour and to be calm, but thanks to mothers that let kids run around or jump from on seat to the other, my little boy stays with me but won't seat down. So yes, is a fight again. I am so excited to go to an English ward for this reason! I know that they are better at controlling runaway kids during sacrament meeting and I hope that Alexis behaves once we are there. Well, not much to say since we didn't really do a whole lot today, all I can say is that Alexis is getting better and better about hit temper tantrum every day.

My little helper!

This week has been great with Alexis. Today he was really mad after his really late nap, but I think is jut natural since he was still tired and it was 8:30 pm when he woke up from a 2 1/2 hour nap! He kept whining and complaining about every single little thing, poor guy... but it is no wonder when he was helping the whole day! His day started a lot earlier than the rest of us, I think he was up by his usual time (aprox. 8am) but I was up by 10 am and that is because I heard a really sweet voice: "momma, diaper, come on" I got up and looked at him and he had already the diaper in his hands and he immediately laid in his back on the floor so I could change his diaper. Then, I warmed up two pancakes and he devoured them, then he ate one big piece of pizza from last night, and cereal! The poor guy was so hungry!!! he didn't even had his morning bottle because I forgot to do so when he asked for a bottle at 4 am! My little man is so good and I feel like such a horrible mother! Cameron did not wake up at all either until almost noon! and Charlotte the same, and Alexis kept helping me with little tasks without me even telling him, like for example: handing me a diaper, giving a bottle of formula for Charlotte, getting me her burp cloth, her blanket, then giving me water to drink, giving me pizza to eat. It was so cute to see him doing all this things just because he knew I will need them eventually. I can't believe how smart and intuitive he is for his age, my parents came by and my mom was changing Charlotte's diaper but she didn't know which diaper (we have several different sizes already that people has giving us) and we moved the room around so she didn't know where Charlotte's diaper was and as I was heading towards the room to tell her where (right next to her) I saw Alexis grabbing the right size diaper and handing it to her! My mom was laughing because she couldn't believe that she didn't know but Alexis did, and I hadn't even told him where I put them today (today was when we moved things around the room). Then my parents were saying goodbye and Alexis thought that he was going too so he grabbed his diaper bag and started getting it ready... awww, he is such a cute boy but my dad kindly told him that he will gladly take him but he was sure that I will miss him so he had to stay, and he said: "Okay!" and put the diaper bad where it belonged! As I said, I can't believe that my little man is growing so fast and is able to understand everything that is going on around him. It was so hard for Cameron to put him to bed tonight because Alexis was not tired (at 10 pm) but still, my little guy went to sleep! He is really obedient, but not every time, but very close! The terrible twos is a great age for both parents and kids, I love it!

Is Friday!

So many things to get ready for the weekend, clean house, kids' nails cut, YW's class reading, and making sure we have a full fridge to feed a hungry woman and her husband! Also, make sure the bills are paid! Doesn't sound like much but with two kids, is a lot. Alexis though, usually fights me when cutting his nails while he is asleep. Today I tried a different technique... while he was awake! and I am proud to announce that we enjoyed it a lot. Then we watched the movie "Spirit" and laughed in the funny parts and made the horse sound for the rest of the movie, and played with the Legos again, also with the ball pit. What a nice day, I couldn't get him in the bathtub, no matter what I did, but that is ok, tomorrow he will for sure have one. At night, we had a mother and son date type of thing, we watched "Pirates of the Caribbean: dead's man chest" and he got scared with few parts but he loved it for the most part, so much that at 11 pm, he didn't want to go to sleep because he wanted to watch it again! I promised him tomorrow we are going to watch it. I think there will be a lot of sword fighting in our family tomorrow too after this movie, so I am very excited to wake up tomorrow and play with Alexis! Good night!

A loving son

Today it was another one of those good days in which you feel blessed to have such a good two year old. Again we played but not with Legos for some reason, we watched the Lion King and I felt so good to explain to him each animal and he would look at me and smile every time I will say something like "I am a monkey uh ah ah ah" (the sound of the animals). I have been doing this personification of animals since he was like 6 months and he learned it ever since then, so every time he would see an animal he would say "I am a" and I had to say "I am a bird, twit twit" or stuff like that, but recently he doesn't say that anymore, maybe because he got bored of it or something, but I am so happy that he still smiles when I do that and asks for more. It is such a nice bonding experience for me to be right next to him and see his little sparkly eyes beaming at me like I am the best in the world! He is so adorable, I feel so good specially now that he is more vocal and understands more, it gets better and better every day and I thought that it was impossible, but I guess, once more, I was wrong. Having kids is one of the hardest things in the world because they are the future of society but that is why it is the best thing in the world, because society gets another chance to be better thanks to good parents that teach good values to their children everyday. That is my motto, I love you Alexis!

Fun with Legos!

Today it was such a great day. We played a lot, we played with cars, with puzzles, with balls and Legos. I made a racing track with the Legos which Alexis loved and destroyed so I could re-build it. It was awesome, he was really excited for it and I know that he was really happy that I was doing that for him because he kissed me several times and couldn't stop smiling the whole day. The funny thing is that simple things make a two year old smile and you don't need to dedicate them your whole day, just a little of your time and show them how much you love them and they are happy but once you give them your all, they'll appreciate you forever. Also, he is been getting a lot better with his sister. He caresses her, thinks that she can play with him too, points at her nose and makes sure that she is doing good in the swing and having fun. He will seat right in front of the swing and talk to her, but he doesn't like her feet showing, he tells her to stop and to put them away because they are "eww". I think her feet just grosses him out because they are small and wiggly but poor Charlotte, every time I am eating and I put her in the swing, she gets the same lecture about her feet but also a nice caress and smile from Alexis.

Crazy day and moody boy!

Yes, he was moody almost the whole day because he was for some reason, tired. Even though he slept 12 hours at night, which is what he usually sleeps, he was tired. He was angry the whole day, he didn't want to do anything and if you said anything that he didn't like, he will scream NO! even when I wasn't talking to him. It was a little hard today but at the same time nice because I had a chance to play with him in the morning while Charlotte was sleeping and then I gave him a bath and we played with water, the bathroom was a mess though, it was great but as I said, not so much when he was angry. I tried to put him to sleep, he sleeps if someone is right next to him in my bed, but it didn't work out the first time. Then the second time it was after a nap and at 3:30pm, a little later than usual but finally he was resting. He got up around 4:30 pm (his naps are usually 2-3 hours) and walked towards the couch saying "no" the whole time and then walked back to my room, laid on the bed and asked for tete, finally he was asleep again until 5:30 pm, when Cameron arrived and still he was moody. We put him to bed around 8:30 pm and it was 10:15 pm and I still could hear him complaining in the room. I am not sure what other thing was going wrong with him because he was tired but I wonder if maybe a tooth, or ear, or stomach pain... I don't know but hopefully he is in a better mood tomorrow, I will just have to watch him closely tonight and so far no fever! Good night!

Goodbye grandma!

Today Grandma Dora left to PA, Alexis was not so nice during the weekend but I was glad that he was able to say goodbye with a kiss and a wave of hand. We went to the airport to say goodbye to her and obviously there were a lot of airplanes which he loves except that a big one passed right on top of us while in the parking lot and the sound of it made Alexis run towards me with fear in his eyes and facial expression... I have to admit that it was cute and that I loved it because it made feel like he still needs me :) Also, he was afraid of the train, we had to go on a mini train to get to the terminals and he didn't enjoy the ride at all, it was really funny to see him so scared of it but at the same time, again, it was cute. He is still my little boy and no matter how tall and how old he is, he will always be my baby. In the airport though, I realized how jealous I am; people were looking at him as he was talking and waving to everyone and of course they were trying to talk to him back and saying how cute he was, I didn't like that and not because I don't like people to compliment him but because it made me feel like I had to protect him more, specially in an airport so it was a little hard for me. Also, people were looking at Charlotte a lot but that is a different story! I love my little boy and he will always be my little baby boy and that makes me happy!

Eating eggs and finally wearing a cap!

Well, after egg coloring the eggs needed to be eaten! but not by Alexis, by Cameron because Alexis gets grossed out! so we took a video, for some reason I can't post videos in this blog so I have to change the settings, and it was really funny. Alexis crawled away and Cameron caught him and sat on top of him and Alexis was just laughing the whole time, even when Cameron was eating the egg in front of him! What a curious little boy, other times he would have thrown up but I am glad that didn't happen today. Also, he never wears a hat or anything to cover his head, not even in winter... well, we had to make him wear his cap in winter. Today was different, he wore a cap with pride and wore it the whole day, it was my dad's cap but I guess now is his... sorry dad!

Egg hunt

Because in my culture/religion, we don't celebrate Easter. Culture: in my country they don't do the egg hunt but they talk about the resurrection. Religion: I am Mormon and in Venezuela the catholics celebrate the resurrection with a type of march and carrying around a life size cross and Christ, therefore; we only remember why Christ die, and what happened in those moments. Since I don't know how to paint eggs and my mother in law was coming to town, we decided to wait for her and do it with her! it was really fun, Alexis loved to put the eggs in the paint and didn't really know what to do once they were hidden but we came up with the idea to use a flashlight and ask: "Donde esta?" (Where is it?). Then he knew we were looking for something because that is the method that Cameron and him use to try to find lost cars around the house. At the last two eggs, he was really happy to find it, he smiled and clapped like he usually does once he does something good! Anyway, it was really a fun day for him until the night came and Cameron and I went out on our date, he cried for 5 minutes after we left and finally felt asleep in the floor! poor little guy... I guess he wasn't used to his grandma but I know one day he will be able to recognize her and get more familiar with her... I least I hope so but for that we need to get more visits and visit more often!

Grandma gives Alexis new cars!

Yep, that is right... he got 5 more new cars from Dora. As anyone can guess it, he became more friendly towards her. Today he was very smiley and didn't care much about me since he got new stuff to play with, then my mom came to say hi to Dora and he made her build a tower of 200 legos so he could hit it down with a bat! He had a blast and my mom was really tired after picking them up and building the tower several times, well imagine putting together 200 pieces and then watch it coming down in a matter of seconds! I just love his smiles and today was one of those days were he seemed happy and that makes my heart melt so bad... I love him. Today I felt like it was another good day, except when he pushed my face away because I told him it was time to go to bed but no worries, I laughed and he did too!

PA Grandma is in town!

So Dora arrived to Chicago nice and safe! Alexis, of course, ignored her like she was not there which is typical of him when there is some one that he hasn't met yet... unless is a cute little girl! We were outside for an hour to wait for Cameron to arrive with Dora, so he played with the other kids that live around the area and I discovered that I am a hawk, I couldn't take my eyes off him nor separate from him; if he ran I ran too with a diaper bag and baby in arms! The kids had a mini skateboard and a ball so naturally Alexis took them and said "mine", the kids didn't mind at all but they were asking a lot of questions about him like: "why doesn't he go to school?" I responded "because he is too young", "but he is so big", "but he is only two". I could have been more patient but those kids have a newborn brother too but it seems like the parents didn't care to tell them what they do, how babies act, or they didn't even care that their kids were almost hit by cars because they will go in the middle of the street and play like it was normal. urghhh.. I don't like that and that is so irresponsible for some parents, one little kid, like 5 years old, was almost ran on by some of our friends when they were backing up because the kid went towards the car just to play like the other kids were doing whenever there were cars coming! Thank goodness nothing happened. I am just glad that I am there for Alexis and if I can't be there, then he is not going to be there either. Anyway, hopefully tomorrow he likes Dora better, I am sure he will start to adapt!

When a toddler misses his nap...

Thanks to my mom being with me in the mornings, I can sleep what I don't sleep at night, which is usually none sleep the whole night. So I didn't get to see my son much during the morning, only for like 2 hours and then 1 hour at noon. Then I woke up at 2pm again for good, my mom had to go because she needed to do her house chores too, well I started doing the laundry and trying to follow up with the long list of things to do for today. Alexis was not happy at all, he didn't want me to carry his sister Charlotte. He threw himself on the floor when a car slipped from his hands, and screamed because he wanted to stay in the laundry room when I said no. Later, he kept screaming for little things, and poured all the baby detergent in the couch... then I got mad and told him that he knew he couldn't grab that but still he did and it is my fault because he just wanted attention and finally got it the wrong way. After telling him that I was really upset because I had to clean the couch on top of everything else, he got mad because his cars got some detergent too. It was not a fun day today, but I know most of it is my fault because I should have pay more attention to him. Cameron got home and he got a little happier but he was tired. He went to bed a little earlier than usual, normal time is 8:30pm, which was 8pm! I know the poor guy wanted me to put him to sleep for his nap but with a crying one month old it was really hard, and this got him really mad and he wouldn't go to sleep no matter how tired he was, but the results of this is a moody toddler. Not fun and I have to figure out what to do next time that he does this, like for example: stop the house chores and play with my son... I am a clean freak so this is really hard for me but I love my son the most so anything to make him happy!

More Cookies!

Well, I am glad and should be sad about the fact that Alexis got really mad today. It was almost dinner time and Alexis wanted a cookie, we said no so naturally he screamed. Then he asked for his bottle and I said no because he needed to eat his meal first. I promised him that he was going to have one cookie after his dinner. We finished eating and immediately he asked for his cookie so I gave it to him, after finishing that one he asked for more, Cameron and I discussed about it, whether to give him one more or not, we were wondering if it will harm him the fact that I said only one cookie... usually I do as I say unless is too irrational. Finally we decided that we were going to give him one more and explain to him that there was no more cookies for the day, I did but while trying to explain to him that I was going to give him only one more cookie... he screamed and moved his arms and hit me with them! It was really funny because I was just trying to explain but he wouldn't listen, he thought I was just going to say no, so I grabbed the cookie and said: "after this one, no more cookies. I love you and I am giving you this second cookie because I think only one was not enough for you tonight!" Then it seemed like he understood me, finally, and left happily and didn't return for more!. I guess is just natural to try to come back for more, but I think if he would have come back for a third cookie, it was definitely a NO!

Forced cookie!

We played outside since it was such a nice day. Alexis saw a kid the same size as him but like 3 years older so he decided to play with him by the garage of our apartment, so we didn't go to the park but stayed around. Alexis loves baseball since he watched "Everyone's hero", so he has his baseball bat and ball (they are not that hard, so no worries) but this kids had a plastic bat with drawings of super heroes and an old tennis ball... of course he wanted those so he demanded the kid to give them to him: "Dame (Give it to me), this is mine." then he told the kid : "Go, ball" meaning that he wanted him to throw the ball at him so he could hit it with the bat, he told the kid exactly where he wanted him to be and how to do it. After a while, the kid did not like the fact that he had to give his toys to Alexis, so he attempted to hit him and then I had to interrupt by saying: "those are not his, but you are playing with his  toys too, don't worry I won't let him take YOUR toys to our house. You are only letting him borrow them. But hitting is not good" he did hit Alexis in his hand very softly but Alexis did not care since his hands are a lot bigger, and probably didn't really feel it anyway. The kid got mad anyway and then turned to his a lot bigger brother and started hitting him. The kid though, felt like he needed to do what Alexis told him even though he knew that Alexis is just a baby but I don't think that he believed it too much because of his size!
Then we had a doctor's appointment for Charlotte and went to McDonalds to eat. We always ask for cookies and when it was the moment to eat the cookies... Alexis got really happy, I split one cookie in half and gave him both halves. I got the other cookie without splitting it and prepared to take the first bite when I suddenly see him giving Cameron his pieces quickly and taking the whole one from my hand, I guess he doesn't like when I split his cookies. Towards the end it seemed like he could not eat a whole cookie because, while he was standing up in the seat right next to Cameron, he shoved the last piece of cookie into his dad's mouth and finally said: "No mas" I guess that was it! so Cameron ended up with a very "yummy" piece of cookie and with a laugh! Alexis sure has a very strong and demanding personality, he is willing to share a little more now but at the same time he can be very bully like. I usually just let him be with other kids because I believe that he will learn when he sees the other kids' reactions but at home I try to explain and demonstrate that he can't have everything he wants, only certain things we are willing to give him and share with him but not everything. It is certainly not easy but slowly he will learn. I just hope he won't "force cookies" to everyone else.

Blessed Sunday

I feel as if Alexis mature this last couple of days. I usually want him and try to encourage him to share so I always ask him for one of his cars, one of his cookies, or one of his balls. Usually he will share with me his balls and cookies but not his cars; and this hasn't really changed. Today, before I even asked him for candy or whatever he is eating, he came up to me and game one mini chocolate. Then I noticed that he has been doing this for few days, also he sits down at the table before I have to tell him that he needs to sit down to eat. He always likes to eat with a fork or spoon now, he knows that he needs to get his hands VERY clean with a napkin, and also that once he is finished eating, he doesn't need to push the plate and scream NO, he only needs to say "No mas" (no more) and he patiently waits for us to put him down (he has a booster seat). His attitude seems to have changed incredibly, we went to church for the first time as a family of 4 and Alexis saw the gym... he knows that means: balls and games. I thought to myself "oh boy, I will have to chase him and drag him to the sacrament room while carrying a newborn little girl". I said to him: "baby, we have to go inside and you know today is Sunday, we don't play at the gym today" he gave one last glance at the gym and then walked with determination towards the sacrament room and sat down without any complains. I felt so happy that he finally understood! I felt so proud of him and felt like my heart was melting for him. I love my little boy so much, and even when a lot of people were coming towards me just to hold my little girl, he never showed a sign of jealousy and sat calmly. Eventually people noticed him and said hi to him, and they also noticed how calm he was and commented on how well he was behaving! He is usually eager to come out of the sit and play but obviously I don't let him run during sacrament meeting and if he cries, I go out of the room with him and seat him on my lap and gently explain him that even though we are outside he still won't be able to play because that is the time to be calm to wait for the sacraments. I have been doing this for a year now, and he sees other kids with frustrated mothers that let them run and complains a little, but I still don't give in to that cute face of his. I guess today is showing that, one year of discipline is finally paying off. I didn't have to worry about him the whole sacrament meeting and Charlotte was asleep the entire time. It was a truly blessed Sunday but today was the best for Alexis, even though we stopped going out of sacrament room 3 months before Charlotte was born but today, he really showed me how much he understands!

Birthday party!

Today was his birthday party and so we invited few people and it turned out to be a great little party for the kids! he had so much fun but I really didn't get to see him much or play with him that much because he was playing with other kids which I was really happy about because he is so social and outgoing that I know he was in his world! He did get mad at some point though because he couldn't have cheetos before the party started and I felt a little weird about it too because as I was saying: "No, that is for YOUR birthday party later tonight" I thought, that it was his birthday party and why couldn't he eat them now if it was for HIM anyway for his birthday. Then I thought of explaining to him a little better and said: "You can't eat them now because we have to share with the guests too, they may want to eat some too and if you eat them now, there won't be enough for everyone later" He still wanted them but then, put them aside and did not fight any longer. And of course as soon as they were in the table he started grabbing a lot of Cheetos and eating them like crazy and even at some point, one of his little friends and him, thought it better to just get the chairs close to the table and eat at the table to not have to come back every minute to get more, but hey, he waited and shared which I think it was really important and also the fact that he trusted my words and knew that it was going to happen as I said not like: I will give it to you later and then hide it so he wouldn't "remember" and not eat any. I think that when we say: I will, then we should do as we said, the results... no screaming from a two year old and trust in return! I feel very happy that he trusts that I am going to do as I said, even when sometimes he doesn't like what I am going to do like: "you can only have one cookie today but after you eat your lunch", he hates the amount that I tell him and the time when he is going to be able to eat his cookie but he can always know that I am not going to forget and that I am keeping my promise!
I love Alexis so much, I hope to get more rewards like today when I do something that I think is good for him. I just hope that I am able to mend the mistakes I made and that I will make along the way, being a parent is not easy but seeing my son grow is priceless.

Friday April 9th

My little boy woke up a little late because he stayed up until 11:30 pm talking to himself! It was like a word rehearsal, he kept saying a lot of words he has learned lately and it was cute to hear him but it was so late! so then, that is the reason for him to wake up late. I was asleep when he woke up, my mom entered my house while we were all asleep and I did not even notice because I stayed all night awake with Charlotte who decided that the time to smile was at night. After a few hours of him playing with his cars I heard a voice saying: "mama, I want tete" (his milk bottle) he said this again and again, I was thinking that I was dreaming because the words were so clear and it was so weird to hear that from a little boy's mouth, specially MY little boy! then, he finally repeated while trying to open my eyes and to my ear: "Hey! I want tete" I looked at him and realized that it was not a dream and then heard my mom's voice telling him not to wake me up! he said: "Okay" and left the room, it was really amazing to hear my little Alex saying something sooo clear! it is so weird to me because one day you have them in your arms with the first cry of their life and the other they are already talking to you full sentences and really clear!  When I finally woke up, after honestly only 3 hours of sleep and about 45 hours without sleep, I came out of the room to be greeted by my little boy with a: "Hi mama, what are you doing?, sit down!" It was priceless, it was one of the best greeting ever and again no temper tantrum today which is weird but at the same time, it makes me think that the terrible twos are not so terrible and makes me love this age even more.

Finally turned two!

Today it was his birthday so he was more spoiled than usual! I told him he could eat whatever he wanted and could do whatever he wanted! The menu of course was pancakes in the morning, then cereal, yogurt and of course... chicken nuggets! and more yogurt and cereal at night! Then I baked a brownie, he loves chocolate, and sang happy birthday for him; we pointed at him in every part that said "to you" and he loved it! he laughed and smiled and knew that he it was specially for him, then he did a pretty good job at blowing his candles. Now, today is not his party day, it is going to be on Saturday but I thought it will be special to sing happy birthday in his actual day and just the four of us!

I wish I could have some crazy story today about some tantrum but actually today was really nice, he helped me with his little sister, I bathed her today and he was "helping" by throwing the water on the floor, then he gave me a diaper for her and handed me her clothes. He kissed me a lot and hugged me a lot today, we played hide and seek until, when I was hiding, he never came to look for me :(  I guess he got bore of the game so we decided to play with the legos and his cars. Today I felt so overwhelmed by how much love I feel for him and sad because he is getting so big every day, and not every day has to be a hard and terrible two day! Today was one of those days, when he was full of his sweet usual self and enjoying the company of his family. I love how he plays with cars. He got two new cars from his Nona (grandma in Italian) and he showed the cars to my dad and his dad but when Cameron grabbed his car he screamed "NO, this is mine" took it away from him and gave him an old car so he could play too but not the new cars! It is funny how well kids understand the difference between new and old and how selective they could be! Poor my dad and Cameron, they could not play with new cars but I am sure one day (probably Saturday) they will get to play with those cars since we are giving him a box of new cars!! LOL.
Something that now I remember, my grandmother called from Venezuela to wish him a Happy Birthday and she sang the song in English! well, she was on speaker phone and Alexis just had this smile that said "what is this crazy woman doing?" and a little smile that said, "she is crazy" my grandmother asked what he did and we were pretty honest since we couldn't stop laughing so she laughed as well. Then we tried to take the phone so we could talk to her but he said no and sat on top of her while she was still talking through speaker phone! it was hilarious! but after all, it was his birthday. Don't you love kids? It is an exciting age, that is for sure!