December

With that original title, I should really put something amazing down here. But, I don't have anything amazing to write about. Just wanted to let you know we were still alive and kicking. Some more than others. We've been sick again, just finishing up another round of that, and it's nice to be (almost) done.
We took Abby to Disneyland last Monday, and it was really fun to see things through her eyes, as she would get excited about things I wouldn't have even noticed. It was raining cats and dogs, so we all got very soggy, but we got on all the rides we wanted because there were no lines!

Merry Christmas!

~Theresa

Things from our life lately...

The other day I was pulling Abby onto the couch and I said, "Climb aboard!" And she finished with, "me hearties!"

Jack will now pick up his old diaper, walk over to the kitchen, and dump it in the garbage can. Likes to keep things tidy!

I had to convince Abby today that our house did not need a purple Christmas tree like the one we saw in Walmart.

Yesterday Abby came up with a new nickname for her brother: "Jumbo Jack."

Park Days

Thankfulness

What am I thankful for? I found myself asking that question tonight, as we had testimony and praise time at our church for evening service. So many things - the major ones jumping to my head immediately: God, husband, kids, family, church, living in America, etc. I don't have anything else profound to add to that list actually, and even if I kept thinking about this topic for hours on end, I probably wouldn't come up with anything clever or unique to bless or encourage you. However, I think that I am finally beginning to grasp that I really don't deserve any of those things. I deserve hell. And I have heaven. And a lot of other things. It is simply because of God's grace that I have anything at all. I am a good person, but I am still a sinner. Sinners do not deserve anything from God. But He has given me everything. My being a good person does not earn extra gifts from God, because I live in His Grace and not in my own good merit.

So, this thanksgiving I hope to keep this in mind, and know that however long or short my list of things to be thankful turns out, all of them are undeserved gifts from God.

Day old doughnuts

You know, it occurred to me the other day that blogs are kind of like doughnuts, or around here, donuts. When you first put something up it's so cool and fresh and yummy, kind of like a donut. When you see it you think, ooh, wow, that's yummy. Even the next day they are still good. The third day they're getting a little crispy but it works in a pinch. By the next week, you don't even want to see those donuts anymore. They're stale and you're dying for fresh ones. That's how I feel about blogs. So, sorry about the stale donuts lately...

My Walmart adventures continue. Or, maybe I should say, my Walmart potty adventures continue. Today we went to the family bathroom to change Jack - who soaked through a couple layers - and Abby just had to go while we were in there. Abby has never met a public bathroom she didn't like or have to use that exact minute. I think it's a personal challenge for her to use one every time we go out. "No bathroom left behind," is kind of her thinking. Anyways, I'm dealing with poopy boy on the changing table, and all of a sudden the timer on the toilet thought that Abby had been taking too long and flushed automatically. You would have got the same reaction from Abby if she had been struck by lightning. She jumped off the toilet so fast and started screaming at the top of her lungs. This might not have been the most compassionate thought I could have had at the moment, but all I could think was "please, Lord, don't let the people who have been waiting 20 minutes for this bathroom think that I am in here giving her a spanking!" Anyway, it's kind of hard to comfort a child without any underwear on, so she finally calmed down and we concluded that it was okay not to go potty on that particular toilet today. I think the toilet had betrayed her trust, and I do not think we will be using that particular one for a long, long time. But never fear, there are plenty of others, as no doubt Abby will try to give them all a fighting chance.

My Favorite Quotes

Some things Abby has said recently:

After my announcement to build a fort...
"Yaaaaayyy! We're going to build a fort!!!
Pause.
"What's a fort?"

After plopping down on the toilet...
"It's going to get a little stinky in here. Better light a candle."

Some things Jack has said recently:

Da-da-da-da-da-da
Bah!

October Life

FALL Season

Well, I knew it was coming, but I really wanted to avoid it as long as I could, thus turning myself into a semi-paranoid parent who hovers over their children all day long. Maybe not that bad, but I really don't like to see my kids get hurt. I just still haven't learned to not always keep one eye on both of them at all times, and to not rush over to prevent an injury before it happens. Jack is trying to blow that wide open however, by being lightning quick to get into stuff and jump off counters. He fell off the counter the other day (yes, I put him there, it was my fault so be quiet) and grazed me and the cabinet door on the way down. He got a little bruise and scrape to show for it, and more importantly his mom learned a valuable lesson in not doing mindless things like that again. I just praise the Lord that he actually fell on top of me on the way down and not straight onto the cabinet door, because the bruise is right on his temple and could have been a LOT worse of an injury. So, no more counters for Jack. At least that fall is out of the way. Now I just need to wait for the one on the stairs...

Abby's Words of Wisdom

Plain and Simple:
I was looking at Abby's feet a couple nights ago, and I had just taken off her socks and shoes so her feet were all nice and clean. (Our feet have been repeatedly looking black by the end of the day this summer from wearing sandals or being barefoot, and getting filthy feet as a result.) Thinking to encourage her in the use of socks and shoes I asked her, "Abby, how did you keep your feet so clean today?" Without blinking an eyelash she confidently answered, "By not getting them dirty."


Favorite Phrase:
After my shirt had been carefully and artistically stickered by Abby, she looks at me and says, "You're all set."


Domestic Duties:
Abby: "You want to do hawnzy with me?"
Confused mom: "What's hawnzy?"
Abby: "Hawnzy is something you do with the hose."

Aaaahhh, that's better

It's not that we've been so busy, or that we've been gone all summer, or that I've forgotten where the computer is, but I haven't been blogging because I've been so tired! :) I love my kids but they sure are a lot of work. And I probably say that all the time, sorry, but that's just my life right now. But, I have enough energy right now to share one funny story of Abby...
We were driving back home from visiting Mimi (Grandma Sara), and from the backseat Abby started complaining about how thirsty she was. I told her that was fine, but that she'd have to wait until we got home before I could get her a drink. So, without further ado, Abby proclaimed, "I want mommy and Abby to go home and get Abby a drink and then Abby will drink it and say,
"Aaaahhhh, that's better!"

Hey, everyone who was at Abby's birthday party... I need some birthday pictures! I don't have any because we only used our camcorder. Send me all your birthday pictures either to my email, or make a CD at Costco and I'll pick it up. Thanks!
~Theresa

Happy Birthday Abby!

Abby turned 3 on the 23rd! Now we have a one-year-old and a three-year-old. Crazy. We've been without a computer for a few days, so I'm a little behind in posting for Abby's birthday. You don't realize how vital a computer (with internet) is to your life until it is gone. Can't load pictures, can't view pictures. Can't check emails, can't view emails. Can't view bank account, can't keep bank account from running out of money. Well, I guess that still happens with a computer, but somehow it feels better when you can watch it happen online. Anyway, it's up and running again, and so is my blogging, hopefully. Pictures will soon follow. Abigail is happy to be three, and we are happy that we have no more birthdays in July. It's been a busy month, and for the first time since living in California I'm actually happy that August is right around the corner. I feel very confident that if we survived this last month we can get through August too. Just have to keep the computer healthy and the kids happy.

~Theresa

Jack-Jack turns 1

Jack turned One this last weekend! His First Birthday! I am happy to report that Jack thoroughly enjoyed all the frosting on his cupcake, somewhat enjoyed opening his presents, and could care less if everyone took enough pictures or not. We had a lovely time and thanks to all who made it - it was more special because you came. Thank you!

Abby the Con-Artist

You know, I have to give Abigail credit for being pretty smart when it comes to figuring things out to her advantage. A little background: sometimes Abby will announce that her "tummy is hurting" and that usually means she is really, really full or that she needs to poop. Well, today we were having lunch, and she was supposed to finish at least half of her sandwich before she could have any chips. Pretty soon she announces that "my tummy is really hurting" and so I told her that maybe she was too full to finish her sandwich. I checked how much she had eaten and told her she could be done. Couple seconds later she comes running into the kitchen with a big smile on her face and said, "That means I can have some chips!" I started laughing and told her that if she didn't have room for her sandwich then she didn't have room for chips. I could see her processing that one in her mind and about 10 seconds later she came back and said, "My tummy is no hurting anymore!" "What about your sandwich?" I inquired. "My tummy no has room for sandwich - just room for chips."
So, yeah, I gave her the chips. What else could I do against such logic? :)

June 2008

He's Baaack!

Dear Everyone,
I announce with great joy that Bryan has returned from his hiatus, to enjoy marital bliss and family life once again. And to start helping me with the diapers. He is done, for the most part, and I am so glad it's over. Abby is loving the extra attention already, and roping him into reading her as many stories as she can get away with. Jack took a little more time to warm up to his daddy, but now he smiles and lets Bryan hold him without crying. I think I underestimated how hard things would be. All you single mothers out there, you have my deepest, most heartfelt respect. You are truly amazing. I would not want to go through this again, but I learned so many valuable lessons and grew closer to the Lord that I am very grateful for these last few months. Never again will I look at a harried mother and wonder why she didn't bother to do her hair or put make-up on that day. I will simply marvel at the fact that I am out of the house at all. Never again will I judge mothers for taking their kids through the drive-through to get lunch instead of making it. Now I will pat myself on the back for only going once today. Never again will I despise the mother who uses candy to keep everyone quiet and happy. I am proud of myself for sharing it with the kids.

Maybe some of our next few stories and blogs won't include pee, or pull-ups, or lizards - but one thing they will include for sure is, Bryan. And that is the latest from the whole Barquerobunch.

~Theresa

Pirate Princess

Library Trip

Wow, I didn't realize it had been soooo long since I last wrote something! Thank goodness I've been so busy. Those of you who know me know why I said that...
Today was Abby's first trip to the library! It was so fun! It was our big outing today, and I have to say it couldn't have gone better or been more fun. We just have to work on our library voices. :)
Abby knew about the library because of Dora (of course) so we checked out about 8 books and she proceeded to read almost all of them as soon as we got home. Just plopped on the floor and read out loud for anyone willing to listen. Lately she's been reading a lot books to lamby and snowman, until they fall asleep and then we have to be "really quiet" so we don't wake them up. Sometimes Jack and I get reprimanded for being too noisy after they have fallen asleep. So, I'm very happy that Abby is such a book lover so far, and will always be willing to make more trips to the library to continue the reading habit.

By the way, I will no longer be using my real name as I have been dubbed "Princess Mama" and "Big Mama" by my daughter, and must adopt my new identity. Thank you.

Okay, so I wasn't going to write about this because I was too embarrassed, but it will be good for my pride to have a good dose of humility so I'm going to admit what happened last week. Abby has progressed quite nicely in the potty training department to the point of squatting down and getting some results. The only problem is that I always have to remind her. If I don't, usually during the day she suddenly exclaims, "Mommy! Potty!" And I respond in eager hope and joy, "Abby, do you need to go on the potty chair?" "No," Abby says, and further probing on my part reveals that the potty has already made it's way out - and not into the potty chair. All my friends kept saying to take the pull-ups away because that was the magic cure. They'll be trained in no time, they said. It's too uncomfortable for them, they said. So I believed them. But they never trained an Abby before. The first day I had to wash two couch covers and lysol everything because Abby thought it was better to sit on the couch completely soaked than to miss her favorite Dora episode. The next day was the real kicker though. We were doing so much better the second day that I decided to go to Walmart for a few things. As I pulled her out of the car, the thought flashed through my mind that maybe the smart thing to do would be to put the pull-up back on for while we were in the store. Nonsense, I thought, she went potty right before we came. Famous last words. I walked into the store with a big S on my forehead, and about five minutes later I hear the familiar, "Mommy! Potty!" Looking into the cart confirmed my worst fear that yes, my daughter had not only soaked her pants this time, but had left a little trail in the store a few clothes racks long. I used my whole package of wipes to clean everything and everyone up, and quickly exited the area before the "Clean-Up on Aisle 10" blared out for everyone to hear. I may have gotten away with it, but the guy with the mop and bucket gave me strange look when he passed me later. Maybe he was just wondering why I chose not to let my daughter wear pants that day.

Hooray for Spring

I love gardening during springtime, and I especially love it in Southern California for two reasons: 1) It isn't raining all the time so you get to enjoy it, and 2) It's kind of the calm before the storm when the summer heat hits in full force. Abby and I go outside when Jack takes his morning nap, and we turn into pro gardeners for an hour. I always hoped my kids would like being outside as much as I do, but I didn't realize that I was maybe a little too successful with Abby when she wanted to go outside and dig the plants up. Not content to just weed, she wanted to uproot something. Guess I better start leaving the plants where they are and stop moving them around so much. Our current projects include watering the orange tree by the front door, and waiting for it to produce oranges.

Jack still can't crawl yet, which is just fine with me, and makes up for it by being so cute. Abby declined to hold him today citing that he was too heavy, and chose to just sit next to him and rub his head. She gets on the floor with him when we give him "belly time" and shows him how easy it is to roll over - as encouragement. They are quite peaceable together most of the time, and the harmony is only broken when Jack gets close enough to pull her hair or when Abby thinks Jack doesn't need the toy he's currently playing with.

That's kind of a normal day for us during this spring season. I hope yours is just as enjoyable.

DC Trip

Larry the Lizard

The lizard has been captured.
I will be happy for the next month on that fact alone. We had an alligator lizard hiding out in the hedge in front of our house, and we could not find him or drive him out for anything. So, I had resigned myself to the fact that he was taking up permanent residence there and was dealing with it okay when unexpectedly he made a second home in the bush in front of our mailbox. Now, when I'm reaching inside my mailbox for my mail, and all of sudden there is a rustle and a six-inch tail (that looks like a rattlesnake) draped over the bush right under my hand, I get kind of tired of explaining to my neighbors why I'm always running into the house screaming. So, my wonderful neighbor Jim dug up the bush for me (it was ugly anyways) and we found the little scoundrel hiding in it. He now has a new home very far away from me, more in the wilds as it were, and both parties couldn't be happier. More bugs for him, less heart attacks for me. So, Abby and Jack's reptile education will have to wait, and I've decided that all future pets in the Barquero household will always be warm-blooded.

~Theresa

Spring

Abby Learns Spanish

One good thing about watching Dora 24/7 is that Abby is starting to pick up on some spanish words. She can count from 1-5 in spanish, and it's really cute to hear her do it! My favorite one though, is "empujen," which Abby pronounces, "poopen." She was also saying "ba-hoe" and "riba" today for "abajo" and "arriba." I really have to credit that show with jumpstarting Abby's language acquisition. Just trying to say things from Dora has given her a lot of confidence, and now she tries to say almost anything. Another one of my favorites (in English) is whenever we go somewhere now in the car, Abby calls it the bus. I guess calling it the car wasn't exciting enough for her, so now I tell her to get in the car and she starts calling out, "Mama's bus, Mama's bus." I hope Jack has just as many funny sayings when he gets to be her age, because I'm sure going to miss it when she doesn't do this anymore!

It Keep Going and Going...

Well, we are still struggling to get well in this house. Jack has not stopped pooping since the last time I wrote, and now he's throwing up too. I was really sick on Friday, so maybe we have the same thing - mine was just shorter duration. I took Jack to the doctor on Saturday, actually my wonderful neighbor did because I was too weak to drive, and they said just to let it run it's course. Literally, I guess. I just don't want him to get dehydrated. You know all this feminism garbage about trying to prove what a strong woman you are? Have a couple kids and you'll prove how strong you are! Try getting up four times in the middle of the night, and changing poopy diapers till you think you're going to gag, then you'll have some merit.

Keeping up with poop

It never ceases to amaze me how much kids poop and pee. Sorry, this blog is not for the fainthearted or the politically correct. Look away now if you don't want to hear all this. Okay, that was my disclaimer. Jack woke up crying this morning, and so I got his bottle ready and the whole time I was feeding him I kept smelling this horrible smell. So, I unzipped his pajamas to change his diaper and he has poop all over his body. Up his back - even in his armpits! So, I threw him in the bathtub and cleaned him up. Right after I put clean clothes on him, I smell it again. Yes, another poopy one. So, changed him again. Then, we went upstairs to get Abby up and guess what? She had pee all over her jammies and her bedspread. So, I'm changing her and then I smell something horrible again. I looked over and Jack had pooped through his diaper onto the crib sheets. I'm thinking, do we have any clean bedding left in this house? Changed Abby, changed Jack, changed crib sheets, changed Abby's bedspread, changed Jack's bedspread. We all go downstairs, and no sooner does Jack lay down to play with toys, that we smell that familiar smell again. 4th change of clothes.

Maybe tomorrow I'll just let them go naked. We don't have any more clean clothes anyway.

~Theresa

Logan's Day

For today, I just wanted to ask you to keep my neighbors in your prayers. Today marks one year since their daughter passed away, and I am praying that it would be a day of both grieving and rejoicing. Please join me in this. Thanks!

~Theresa

"He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart..."
Isaiah 40:11

"For who is God besides the Lord? And who is the Rock except our God? It is God who arms me with strength and makes my way perfect. He makes my feet like the feet of a deer, he enables me to stand on the heights."
Psalm 18:32,33

I recently added a post last week and then removed it for different reasons, so just wanted to let you know that there are some recent developments with Bryan's job. So call me or email me for the details. If you are curious at all. Or some. A little. Maybe. Thanks.

~Theresa

Notes and News

Jack can sit up on his own now. :) He still falls over - throws himself backwards, actually, when he gets bored - but stays up unless pushed over by his older sadistic sister. For some reason, Abby gets the biggest kick out of walking over and poking him until he tips over. Jack takes it all in stride, thank goodness.

Abby's vocabulary has been increasing by leaps and bounds the last few weeks, and is even putting words together now instead of just one at a time. "I want foood" and "I want eat" are the predominate phrases lately. Kids are bottomless pits that you have to throw food into. All the time. Jack weighs 21 lbs already! I took him to the doctor a week ago and he was 21 lbs, 4 oz. My back is starting to be a little sore by the end of the day. :)

Well, just wanted to write a couple things. For those of you who are not gmail subscribers and can't post on our blog, send me an email! tcbarquero@yahoo.com I would love to hear from you! I'm sorry if it takes me awhile to respond, but I will eventually! There are some of you, you know who you are, have not written to me for awhile, so let me know you're still alive and kicking. Thanks! :)

~Theresa

January 2008

Teething Time

Jack started cutting his bottom teeth last weekend! Poor guy, he started teething and got a cold all in the same weekend, so we had a long week last week. He has been biting everything in site, currently my shoulder is one of his favorites. Now, whenever he cries, Abby points to her teeth and runs to get him the orajel - she knows! By the way, Abby has changed her favorite color from "boo" (blue), to "peet" (pink), and wants everything in that color. Including boots, because it's been raining cats and dogs this week, and she wants pink boots now. But I have a sneaking suspicion it's because of our favorite monkey, Boots.

~Theresa

In an effort not to make this blogspot my public journal or diary, I like to choose things from our life that seem to be interesting and/or funny. However, I just want to say that the normal humdrum of life is just okay too, and I don't have to have something amazing to report every time I write. I am thankful for my hubby and kiddos, and so grateful to God for daily-ness of daily life and the chance to live it out.

That being said, I think these are on my wishlist for this year:

1. Floors that are not sticky
2. Showers longer than 5 minutes
3. Houses that self-clean
4. Kids that self-clean
5. Cars that don't have left-over fries, juice boxes, and bananas stuffed into them
6. An extra 2 hours of sleep every day
7. Unlimited funds for take-out chinese food
8. The ability to pick up toys like Mary Poppins
9. Laundry that magically appeared back in my drawers, washed and dried

And #10. The chance to do it all over again, because I will never be able to go back to these precious moments of my life.

Bedtime Prayers

Every night before Abby goes to sleep, we read our two books and then pray. Well, two nights ago, she was so tired she fell asleep while I was praying. Which is fine and normal and I was not offended or anything. But last night, while I was praying, I was so tired I fell asleep in the middle of my prayer! You know your prayers are getting boring when not only your daughter, but you yourself fall asleep in the middle of them!
When we start praying for individual people in the end it usually ends up like this...

Theresa: "We pray for Mama, Daddy, Baby..."
Abby: "Lamby..."
Theresa: "Lamby, Pablo..."
Abby: "Nini..."
Theresa: "Nini, Gramma..."
Abby: "Papa..."
Theresa: "Papa, Aunt Amanda, Uncle Phil..."
Abby: "Nini..."
Theresa: "Nini..."
Abby: "Lamby, Pablo..."
Theresa: "Pablo..."
Abby: "Mama, Daddy, Baby..."

Maybe you can see why I fell asleep.

~Theresa