G Fam

This weekend Walter received a surprise visit from the G Fam. We had been planing it since July and as it grew closer we were all getting more and more excited. The surprise went well and the smile on Walter's face meant the world to us all! 

Each member of the Garcia family has a story and each story is equally heart wrenching. Of course Walter's story is closer to my heart and the story that we talk about often. We learned a lot this weekend about the different family dynamics and a lot of healing went on. 

Papa Rene is an amazing dad to his children! I truly believe Walter's love, compassion and who he is as a person started back in Guatemala with his birth family! Not to mention he is a spitting image of Papa Rene. His hands, his walk and his posture are all Papa Rene! The genes in this family are strong! 

I am proud to be a part of this family and that they are in our lives. The Garcia's prove blood relations are not the only recipe for family, but instead people that love each other unconditionally and are there for each other are. 

G Fam, we cannot wait to build more memories and to continue down this path of healing. This weekend was one of the best and it meant so much to have you here! We love you all so very much and are happy you left stuff (it means you have to come back)! 

Beachin' It

We just got back from a nine day trip to Manzanita with my family. It was beautiful on the coast the entire time we were there. Felix had a blast in the sand and playing with his cousins. All of the kids were so exhausted by days end. We roasted marshmallows, cooked delicious dinners and made great memories. 

We stayed in a house a half block from the main street. We walked everywhere, it was so nice. The candy store was directly across the street (heaven), ice cream was right around the corner and coffee was in any direction you wanted to walk. There are some very fun shops to browse, but this small town is in need of a very fun toy store! We walked the beach during the early morning hours in search of whole sand dollars and most afternoons we would stake out a good spot on the beach for us to set up camp. The afternoons were very windy, we would come back from the beach with sand filled beach bags. On Fridays there is a farmers market. It was very small, but fun to walk around. Manzanita closes down early, very few places stay open past seven.

The whole stay was fun. I hope we are able to keep this tradition going! 

3 Week Vacay!

Tonight reality hit and Walter went back to work after three weeks off with all of us. Our favorite thing is to be together and Felix LOVES it more than any of us. We had the best three weeks and it was such great bonding time with Oscar and indulging in Felix during this huge adjustment. We went to farmer's markets, many splash pads/fountains, celebrated 4th of July, Walter was able to go to Felix's classes, visited Stayton, met a special baby boy, spent time with extended family, had BBQ's, had a movie date and best of all...relaxed together.  

We have built a beautiful family together. Walter is an exceptional father and I feel very lucky to have found each other. We all love being together. When we all are home, it is rare that we separate. 

This felt like the best 3 weeks of my life! I wish it didn't have to end, but back to the real world we go. I hope I will be able to do it on my own while Walter works and sleeps. Crossing my fingers! 😁 

Past 3 weeks...

The last three weeks have been an emotional roller coaster! I have been in and out of the hospital three times, gave birth to a healthy baby, worked (if not in the hospital), tried to spend quality time with Felix to prepare for Oscar, had many doctor appointments for myself and Oscar and our family dog passed away.

My blood pressure fluctuated throughout my pregnancy, at 36 weeks pregnant I checked into the hospital with a horrible headache and blood pressures that could have caused a stroke. I stayed the weekend and felt like I had missed out on a lot of family things and hadn't finished preparing Felix for Oscar. I was released from the hospital with strict instructions to go back in if my blood pressures were elevated. That following Tuesday my blood pressure was back up so I went in. They kept me for several hours and drew blood, but I was again allowed to go home. In the meantime I was still working and truckin' along. I had been feeling great, my low back pain wasn't fun, but nothing that wouldn't go away after Oscar came. That following Monday I went to my routine appointment and again had elevated blood pressures. The doctor decided to send me to Labor and Delivery at the hospital. That's when they decided it was the day. Oscar was born that day at 3:19 in the afternoon. He was healthy, had hair and dimples, everything I had hoped for! When I returned to the room from the OR, Felix was waiting anxiously for his baby brother. It was the moment I had been waiting for, for the past nine months. 

While at the hospital our dog stopped regularly eating his food, but everything else seemed so normal. He didn't seem sick and was still waiting for Walter at the window when he heard him pull into the driveway. After I was home, eating seemed less and less important to him, but he still loved on the kids and followed us around. This past Wednesday we came home from a doctor appointment and he seemed out of it. He had snot dripping out of his nose, his breathing seemed shallow, he went to the bathroom lying down, nothing was normal. Walter called around to many different animal hospitals, but everywhere was booked or places were closed for the evening. I was crying because I knew what was in store for us. I sat on the ground petting him and telling him what a good boy he was and how much we all loved him. That night the boys and I stayed at my mom's while Walter went to work. The next morning Walter went straight home to be with Camo. He found a couple puddles of throw up and saw Camo laying in Oscar's room. Walter sat with him and talked to him as he took his last breaths. I truly believe he waited for his person. Walter was his person, they had a morning routine, Walter was the one person that could really get him going, but was also the one that laid down the law. We buried him in Stayton and now have a place we can visit. We only had him for three years, but he was a great dog. Felix and Camo were buddies and loved playing in the yard together. We had just celebrated his 8th birthday and made him some yummy treats. 

We love you Camo Wamo, we will visit you often! 

Mother's Day

We were a little bummed looking at the weather leading up to Mother's Day. Walter knew how much I loved last year and that I would love to recreate that day. 

When we woke up on Sunday morning he took Felix downstairs to play, while I stayed in bed. I cannot tell you the last time I was able to slowly wake up and not be rushed to get somewhere. It was AMAZING! 

We wanted Dim Sum for lunch, but the line was out the door and around the block! Dang it! So instead we went out for Pho, delish too! After lunch...it wasn't raining yet...so we headed up to Washington Park to walk around the Rose Garden and have snow cones! Yay, a dream come true! It drizzled on the way up there, but it stopped as we found parking. I watched my boys roll down the hill, play soccer and completely enjoyed everything about my day. I love when the three of us are together and multiple times that day, Felix, told us "It was the best day ever"!

Walter makes me feel like the best mom in the world and always tries to surprise me. I love that about him and so glad I share parenting with him! 

Seattle for the night!

Felix and I took the train up to Seattle yesterday to visit our family. The train ride was so fun and it was great to see how Felix took in the new experience! We left bright and early so we could maximize our time in Seattle. My sister picked us up from the station and as we pulled into her driveway my nephew was waving and smiling ear to ear! I love how close Felix is with my nephews! They all have really special relationships.
We spent the afternoon playing with the family, going to the park and giving lots of hugs! Walter arrived in Seattle around dinner time and we headed to OSF! Felix was sure glad to have his daddy there. He loves us all together. This morning we had a waffle breakfast and headed to the children's theater to watch "Spot". It was a great show and the boys really enjoyed it along with my sister and me. After the show all the actors and actresses sat on the edge of the stage and signed autographs. I asked Felix which part was his favorite and it was the autographs. So we will be saving our program!
It was a very fun, special trip and I am so glad we were able to go up.

Soccer

Today was just the start of organized sports in our house!...ok, well maybe not completely organized, but as organized as it can be with 3,4 and 5 year olds.

It melted my heart watching Felix follow directions and while watching Coach Terrell. I stood back and let him be with his teammates and coach. It was quite the show! I teared up watching him experience this new adventure. It was so amazing for me. I was in awe! He came home and told Walter all about soccer and explained how you "trap" the ball.

I am overjoyed to be able to experience this moment in his life with him. I cannot wait until next Tuesday. He says he is ready! The entire time I watched, I smiled! His growing up is absolutely amazing!