Moved in and preparing for baby

Well, for the most part, it's done. We did it.  Our 8th move. And I don't want to do it again for a while. 

I was happy with the house before moving in, but in the 2+ weeks here I'm really really loving it.

The kitchen has a breakfast bar, so prior to moving in I went on the hunt for bar stools.  I came across a counter-high dinner set on craigslist.  Super sturdy, solid wood, with 8 counter-high chairs, and only $175 for the whole thing!  We had a really small table at our other home due to lack of space, so I figured I'd put 3 of the chairs at the counter in the kitchen and use the rest of the set for our dinning area.  I emailed the guy with little hope of getting it.  I was thrilled when he got back to me the next day and was on the road in lighting speed to get it before it got snatched.

I love it! Even Mike-the-king-of-good-deals was impressed with my find.

The girls are enjoying the backyard.  We have a lot more trees, which means a lot more shade. 

We've had this swing set for a while, but since it's not under direct heat anymore, it's gotten a lot more use.

I love the covered patio. As do the girls.

We feel blessed to have found a home that will work so well for us.

We had our first visitors last weekend. Mike's sister, Raquel, and her husband

spent a couple of days with us.  We went to New Port Beach on one of the days.

It's a good thing people come visit us, because we don't make it out there enough on our own.

Craig got little Raquel to boogie board.

And a boogie board is now on her wish-list.

Speaking of wish-lists.  I went to my OB appointment this week and he did another ultrasound.

There was a certain appendage that was not visible on the first ultrasound. 

So obvious that I don't know how it was previously missed.

That's right.  There is a little man coming into the picture.

Lucky kid he'll be indeed.  We are very excited,

but when we first found out there were definitely mixed emotions. 

We had mentally prepared ourselves for 4 girls.

4 girls would have been less complicated in so many ways. 

And if we never had a boy, I was really Ok with it. 

Though I would have always wondered what it might have been like

to have a little guy in the mix.  I now get to find out.

July Happenings

This month is flying by and Summer will be over in no time.

We only have a few weeks left before school gets going again.

This month has been spent looking for a place closer to the hospital. 

We finally found a nice house that will work and we'll be moving the first week in August. 

I'm not looking forward to moving, but it'll be worth Mike's mile-long commute.

Early in the month we celebrated the 4th of July at our ward's breakfast and primary water activity.

The girls had a great time.

I put this picture of Raquel chasing a boy because yesterday she asked me if it was ok for a 7 year old to have a crush on a boy.  I told her that Heavenly Father made it so that we liked boys so that we'd want to marry them someday.  It was ok to have a crush.  She just couldn't hold their hand, kiss them, or date them until she is way way way way older. 

After I got done explaining this I asked,

So who do you have a crush on?  

She made me promise not to tell so I won't tell you,

but after she told me who it was I responded,

Isn't that the boy that talks funny?

Last night when I told Mike the story he replied,

That kid? He's a goob.

Poor Raquel, she's going to have problems when she gets older.

We planted a couple of tomato plants a few months back

and we've been enjoying ripe tomatoes almost daily this month.

The girls have really enjoyed the whole process.

We had Mike's brother Daniel and his new fiancee Caroline visit last week.

She is from Brazil.  The girls loved having them here. 

We are very happy and excited for them.

As for me, this month has been a lot better.  I had been somewhat absent from homemaking duties the last couple of months, but the nausea is finally gone and I have a lot more energy.

My family is getting more home-cooked meals and the girls are getting more of my regular mothering.

Which they may or may not be grateful for.

Growing up in hot weather

It is almost October and temperatures have been in the mid 100s this week.  I'm usually all about the weather in Southern California, but this is a little excessive. Plus too much heat puts me in a bad mood. We've tried to stay cool this weekend by resurrecting the kiddie pool, lounging in the hammock, and keeping the ice-cream-man in business. 

 

It has been so hot that Gracie has resorted
to sleeping on the tile...because it stays cold.



We had our primary program in church last week.

With the chorus of every song you could distinctly hear Elena.  Her voice was so prominent that others in the congregation would periodically shoot glances at us with a smile and a look that said you know that megaphone-voice heard over all the other kids is your daughter, right?

This was here first primary program and she managed to make it through with only one potty break.

After it was over she ran down with a smile and asked,

"Could you hear me momma?  I was trying to sing loud so you could hear me."

"I heard you.  In fact, I think everyone heard you." 

I love how kids are so uninhibited.

Raquel did great as well, in fact, she was perfect. 

There was no wiggling or talking with the kid next to her.  She paid attention, she sang the words to every song, and she said her part flawlessly.  As I watched her I couldn't help but get emotional.  Not only because I was proud of her but also because in a way it saddened me.  She has always been a type of little adult, responsible beyond her age, but it was so magnified as she stood up there that it hit me just how fast she is growing.  She had lost all those little kid traits that Elena struggled with during the entire program.

Well almost all...

  She turns 7 tomorrow. Post to follow.

End of Summer

Labor day to me has always represented the official end of summer, and this year has been no exception; Raquel is well into school, Mike is into his 3rd week of cardiothoracic surgery, and I have gone back to my regular work schedule.  I've been meaning to post some of our end of summer activities for some time, but time just wasn't cooperating, so although late, here they are.

The last week in August we took a quick--but action packed--trip to Utah before summer came to an end.  Here are a few of the highlights.

Bowling.  After seeing the neon lights at the alley stating that it was America's favorite past time, Mike declared that he had missed out on that memo.  So on a whim we called up the family and had them meet us at Fat Cats.  I had not done this since my single dating days and I was reminded of my lack of talent, regardless the girls loved it and next time I may just have to join them in having the side bumpers go up during my turn.

Deer Creek Reservoir.  In lieu of a family camp out, my sister suggested that this year we rent a couple of jet ski and spend a day at the lake.  This was sooo fun that I think it will have to become a yearly summer-must. 

Children's Museum at the Gateway.  Had it been up to the girls they would have spent the entire day here. 

Family Picture Session.  We got the whole Ruiz Family Clan together for pictures.  Here are all of the grand kids.  Yes.  It is dominated by little ladies...

...in part thanks to us.

There were many many pictures taken and I would post more, but I've been meaning to get this post up for over 2 weeks..so this will have to do for now.  Plus, with so many people, it is hard to get a shot where everyone looks "good".  Especially when you have Elena in the picture...

See what I mean. 

Classical Conditioning:

A form of associative learning first demonstrated by Ivan Pavlov. 

With ice cream trucks cruising our neighborhood 6 times a day, it was only a matter of time before I succumbed into letting the girls use their hard earned tooth fairy money for buying some cold treats.  

Now when we hear that all too familiar chime, this is what happens...

Lorena Grace at the 9pm drive by. 

This kid dances, jumps, squeals, and tugs at your leg in a desperate-like fashion guiding you towards the door every time she hears the tune of Music Box Dancer...which happens approximately 6 times a day.

Singing in the Rain

I apologize for the lack of updates/posts.  3 weeks ago at work I was asked if for the next 6-8 weeks I would be interested in working 2 additional days.  We've had a doctor on maternity leave and patients are waiting a long time to be seen.  Seeing that Mike only had 2 weeks left of school (and then has all of August off) and with the girls being off school, working a few more days wouldn't create too much havoc plus the added income would be helpful.  My sweet mom-in-law has been here for the past two weeks helping us with the girls until Mike is done and I've been working 4 and 1/2 days a week.  I know...for you full time working people this is normal, but I've been spoiled in only working 2 days a week.

Summer is flying by.  The girls are enjoying the backyard and Mike's most recent find--a trampoline.  Last week we had some blazing H.O.T. days and we lived next to the fan.  On one of these scorching afternoons out of no where it started raining.  This was much welcomed and within minutes we had a "pool" in our backyard.  The girls were all about it.  Especially Grace.

Did you ever do this as a kid?  There is something so fun and inexplicable about splashing around in puddles.  It makes you want to sing.

I'm singin' in the rain...what a glorious feeling... I'm happy again...just singin' and dancin' in the rain.