2/10/18

I went to North Carolina for the weekend! The kids are growing up so quick. They speak so much more now, and in Spanish! I'm so proud. They give hugs and kisses and smiles and I love seeing them.

Also Karla got me Strawberry Cheesecake spread. It's D E L I C I O U S

From the Mouths of Babes

Cristina, as Karla was dropping me off at church:

"Tia Sammy. I love you. Have a good day okay? You have to feel better okay?"

No clue what prompted it. I know the feel better part was because my stomach hurt. But like. It was literally the most wonderful thing I could've heard right then.

Broken Whiskers

It's been a successful day. I wore my Howl's Moving Castle shirt and I feel super happy in it. I helped babysit Cristina and David, and David basically slept for three hours. Cristina watched The Lion King and The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh, and quoted along with the movies in addition to making some perfect commentary (as seen on my Twitter). I got to watch movies that make me really happy with a little itty bitty who clung onto me when the scary parts started. It makes me kinda proud how much Disney she loves already. I love days like today.

Also, I'm finally giving a listen to Bad Suns' new album, Disappear Here. I am a fan. So pumped for the concert in November!

Cristina Called Me Beautiful

That's it. Like that's honestly it. I don't even think she knows what that word means really. But she called me beautiful and I think that's all that matters :)

Important Habits

Karla and I, along with her husband Eric and the two itty bitties, visited my dad today for Father's Day. We all sat down and enjoyed some lovely apple pie and ice cream. Before we started eating, Cristina said, "Daddy, let's have prayers!". So we all held hands and Cristina prayed for the food with her daddy. It warmed my heart beyond words. This is such an important foundation for kids and I'm touched that she is already making this a part of her life.

Day 19: Cold

The perfect treat for a sunny summer day

Spring Break Begins

My final Spring Break is off to a wonderful start. Just in time. I so desperately needed a break, partially 'cause stress and partially 'cause I'm spoiled and the feeling of being on campus for a month straight is slightly overwhelming. Of course visits from my family and friends helped, but it's so good to be in my own home in my own bed.

First night and I got to see my high school's production of Seussical! Adorable production with some very promising performers AND A PROPS DEPARTMENT THAT WILL BLOW YOUR MIND GOD BLESS (R.I.P lighting crew, I'm so sorry for Smeallie's trippy approach, but it looks GORG). Best of all, I saw it with my girls Margie & Charlotte, who always make me feel safe at home.

And today was my nephew's baby shower! Karla did such a great job with everything. The whole thing looked so great. The kids had lots of fun, the activities were cute, the food was delicious, and it was so beautiful to spend the day with family. We are all very blessed to know and love one another, and today was a great reminder of that. And Baby David will be with us SO VERY SOON <3 I cannot wait to love on this new little gift from God. Hope he's ready to meet Tia Sammy!

V-Day Spirit!

Day 6: Even

Making Valentines with my lovely niece, Cristina!

Phone Calls

Karla called me today and said "someone just woke up from her nap, and said she wanted to call you". Cristina has no idea what that means. She had absolutely nothing to say to me. But the fact that she asked Karla to call me made my heart soar. And, according to Karla, she had a really big grin when she heard my voice. She announced, "It's Tia Sammy!". Not much to say to me, but it doesn't matter. I melted. Baby girl made my day.

Sidenote, Big Hero 6 is everything and definitely deserved the Oscar.

Babysitting!

I spent all day with my little niece Cristina. She gets cranky sometimes. And sometimes she makes it very clear that she would much rather have her Abuelita than literally anyone else. But sometimes she also cuddles up to you and offers you sugar during your Minnie Mouse tea party. She's a lot of fun, and fairly easy to care for. Drains your energy like crazy, but that's to be expected haha. I'm glad Karla and Eric trusted me with her. And I really enjoyed our time together :)

Musical Family

I listened to little Cristina sing along to Frozen today at the top of her lungs. She loves it so very much. She also sang classic hits such as Row Row Row Your Boat, The Wheels on the Bus, Slippery Fish, and Twinkle Twinkle Little Star. In the words of her mother, she's a singer. And I cannot begin to tell you how happy it makes me that she has a song in her heart.

God Mommy Powers Activated

Today was super odd. I've never really felt so responsible for Cristina before. And I certainly would not have done as well if Tia Haydee hadn't been with me. But, while Karla is in the hospital (because Hyperemises is no joke), and while Eric was keeping her company, itty bitty needed to be cared for. And they trusted me. So I did it. You can tell she missed her parents. She needed more attention than usual and was super huggy. She didn't like if I wasn't right by her side. But it was nice to know that I could do it. And that she is comfortable enough with me to actively seek me out when she's sad. I'm glad Karla & Eric are teaching her lots of songs, because I think my new favorite thing is singing with her. It puts a smile on both our faces. Her version of For the First Time In Forever was perfect. And by perfect I mean I had no clue what she was singing until Eric joined in. Precious.

The Street's A Little Kinder

It's been an odd week to say the least, but I am finally home. And after leaving McDaniel, I went straight to Karla's. I walked in and saw my lovely sister, finally getting some time to herself while Tia Haydee played with Cristina. And Cristina got so excited when I walked in! She made me play kitchen with her for a very long time. She's such a good little chef. She really enjoys feeding me the plastic hot dogs haha. And then we had a yummy dinner at California Tortilla. Karla wasn't feeling too great, but we got home and my mom made her a nice cup of lemonade, which actually helped her tummy. It just felt so good to be with them. I couldn't have asked for a better evening.

A True Honor

Despite it not being what we are used to in our family, and despite not having announced this formally, Karla asked something very big of me today. She asked me to be Cristina's godmother. And I could not have been happier to say yes. She said a lot of things that I am too amazed by to type. But to have the person you look up to the most say they want their child to look up to you truly means so much. I will do my best <3

The Highest Compliment

Cristina did a photoshoot not too long ago and we got the pictures! They're gorgeous. She's precious. It all makes me so happy. In one of my favorite shots, she smiles super big. My Tia Mela saw it and commented, saying her face and smile look just like her Tia Sammy. EEP. So sweet.

Day 10: Sour

I'm kinda upset about all the movies that didn't make the cut for my new video. 

I love them all so much! 

Ah well

Baby's Steps

CRISTINA HAD HER FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL (summer program) TODAY! She looked so freaking cute. And her backpack was so huge next to her! She had lots of fun, especially with her best friend Ava. They ran to each other and played :) And Eric said she seemed very happy when he picked her up. She even napped. Ugh! So proud. My baby girl. Oh my heart <3

Also THIS IS SO EXCITING AND CUTE

SEUSS

I got to listen to the Seussical soundtrack for a long time today. Twas lovely. And the reason waaaaas....

Today is Cristina's 2nd Happy Birthday!

 My niece is two!

Today has been so fun and I'm so grateful to all the people who helped and who came to the party. She had a great time. She looked so cute. The gifts were wonderful. And we, as a family, are just so beyond blessed.

3 Little Words

Guess who Cristina said I love you to today? Yep. That's right. This very lucky Tia who is so happy to have such a beautiful little girl as her niece. ALSO I got some fantastic videos of her today. My heart is rejoicing!

Saturday in the Park with Cristina

I'm not clever. Ignore the title

I got NO homework done today. Which is pretty bad considering this presentation is Wednesday. But it was for a good cause! Today, I babysat my niece. We enjoyed a lovely, long afternoon together. She's too cute, that one. I never get tired of her saying my name or laughing at the silliest things. She loves her Elmo, I will say that. And she really likes the swings at the park. I'm glad I got to see her this weekend before I spend my month away from home. Busy times all over!

4-5-15

I went to Karla's for Easter dinner with my lovely family for some amazing food. Yo, that corn casserole. Ugh. Anyway. Cristina woke up from her nap, so I went upstairs to say hello. She saw me and said my name right away. And then I said hi and she smiled super big. She went with me lots of times today. I am quite happy. Happy Easter!

Baby Cuddles

That's it. That's really it. I can't tell you of a single thing that made me happier today. I got to cuddle with Cristina. And she actually gave me some big hugs and kisses and she laughed with me. And how could I not be the happiest ever around this little girl?