Six

Everyone told me it goes by fast, boy were they right! It's bittersweet for me. I love that Felix is growing up, at the same time it is so hard. 

This year has brought many new stages. Felix now gets embarrassed if we give him too much love at school, if we say certain things or bring too much attention to him. He still loves hard and is one of the most caring individuals. He still likes to hold hands, cuddle at home and talk about life. He really is one of the sweetest people in my life and not just because he is my child! He is a nice kid. A kid that other kids like to be around. He is so inquisitive and loves learning new facts about animals. He LOVES school and LOVES his family. 

Felix Rene,

You bring so much happiness to so many peoples lives! Your smile and giggle are contagious! I love every ounce of your being, and every little beauty mark! I am thankful for having you. You make my life better. You are the reason I fight so hard. Happiest 6th Birthday, Groundhog! You complete me! 

2016

This house is ready to move on! 

2015 has been the hardest year yet; lots of stress, lots of tears, lots of anxiety. During all of the rough patches, we sure made some great memories and all stuck together! 

We couldn't be in a happier place right now. Walter's job has been a perfect fit for him and they treat him the way employers should. Felix is LOVING school. It's crazy to watch his different stages of development. Oscar is talking so much clearer and loves copying Felix. And for me, I have my health, my family and my friends...it's really all I need! 

My hope, is for everyone that had a rough year (and I know there are many of you), to get a break and have a little peace in 2016!

Bring it, we are ready! 

Thankful

2015 has been, hands down, one of the toughest years! So many obstacles, so many lows. I have had some of the best support from friends and family. 

I am so thankful for Walter! Thankful for how hard he works for our family. Thankful for how dedicated he is to us. Without his unconditional love, this year would have felt impossible. We got through it all! I love you beyond words! 

Thankful doesn't even begin to explain how I feel about my mom. There is no support like hers, no love like hers and no compassion like hers! I am beyond thankful to have her by my side every day. She has helped in so many ways this year; helping with the boys, talking on the phone, listening to me cry and letting me just veg out at her house. She is home to me and I am so thankful for her. 

The two that filled my heart when it felt empty, showered me with an endless amount of love, and kissed all my tears away. Felix and Oscar, thankful is an understatement! You two are my world, my being and what I will always continue to fight for! 

Of course, my sisters! When I was scared, you three were all there! When I was sad, you three were all there! When my heart felt crushed, you three were all there! I am so thankful I have you three in my corner! I love you and feel lucky to have you as my sisters! 

And to my friends, so very thankful for all the support and love. Thank you for all the hugs, texts and positive talks. I really appreciate all of you! 

So much to be thankful for this year; health and happiness! Happy Thanksgiving! 

School

This will be a huge transition for us all. Like many parents, the decisions we make are made with our children in mind. 

Felix was nine months old and we decided it would be beneficial if I were home more. My current job opened up and it meant I would have EVERY morning with Felix. It has allowed us to enroll Felix into many classes at the community center, partake in Music Together and to just have time together. 

The start of this school year is bittersweet for me. I chose this job because I wanted to be with him, I chose the community center for him, I chose all of our morning activities with him in mind and now he will be gone! My heart aches that my mornings will be without him, but I am so excited for this new chapter in his life, our life! He is so excited to start school and beyond ready! 

Felix Rene, you are gonna rock at this school thing! Have fun, make friends and remember we will always be cheering you on! We love you, Sweet Potato! 

KINDERGARTEN HERE WE COME! 

Tough as an Ox

Today was like any other day. We got up, the boys had some yogurt, Walter and I were getting ready...and in walked Felix. Calmly, he told me that Oscar fell, but he tried to help him. I asked if he was hurt and he said yes. I walked toward the back door and in walked my bloody faced two year old, crying. I was trying to get the story from Felix, which wasn't very easy to understand. The gyst was that we have a slide in the backyard that is waiting to be built, the boys just couldn't wait any longer. Felix was holding Oscar and somehow he slipped out of Felix's hands? And that's pretty much all the info we can gather. We wiped off Oscars face and immediately knew a trip to the emergency room was needed.

We decided to head to Mt Hood emergency because it is closer to our house and we were all kind of frantic. We were checked in and taken back to a room where the nurse and doctor checked Oscar out. The doctor said his lip would definitely require sutures. And that he would need to be sedated in order for her to get in there and actually do it. She explained the side effects and how rare it is for someone to experience them and that the nurse would be right back to get an IV started. They numbed Oxy's little arms and put in his IV, he cried, but it was short lived. Next the nurse explained that when they sedate a child because of the side affects, they always have a pharmacist, respiratory therapist and another nurse in the room to have on hand. I signed the consent as Walter held my scared little baby and they gave him the sedation medication. Immediately you saw his body calm and that was when my worst nightmare happened...the doctor said "get the other doctor in here, he is having tremors" I escaped the room with Felix in hand, crying. They took Oscar from Walter and laid him flat to open his airway and placed oxygen on him to help. For a split second everyone froze, they froze because most of them had not ever seen the side effect actually happen, they froze because they weren't sure if the gurgling noise was him having a hard time or him being a kid. Within three minutes he was breathing on his own and was being stitched up. 

Oscar ended up receiving four stitches and did great. He definitely was hallucinating with the sedation, which made the scary situation a little better. He just wanted to be held and it was the best feeling in the world to have him in my arms. 

I always knew he would be our first trip to the emergency room for an injury, but I never imagined it would be as scary as it was. This little boy is one tough cookie, I am still recovering from what I witnessed. As everyone explained in that room today, you can watch this all the time, but the minute it happens to your loved one it changes everything. So true for me! I watched time and again in the emergency room at Good Sam, but today was different. Today was so very real.

Foxy Boy, you are amazing! 

2

How did these two years fly by? I love who he is as a person, but am so sad it's flying by. 

Oscar is by far the most opinionated, strong willed babe I have ever met! He knows what he wants, when he wants it. He loves to hug, gawk over babies, give kisses and pet dogs. He will stop in his tracks if he hears an airplane soaring through the sky, sees a truck (guck), spots anything cute (ahhhhhh) or if he notices the moon (moon,moon).

His love for his big brother is out of this world! The way he copies Felix, follows Felix and just loves on Felix fills my heart with joy. They are each other's best friend for sure! 

Oscar Vincent, your love for life is incredible! Your dimple cheeks, one little chocolate spot, gappy teeth and love for music make my world go 'round!  I love you so incredibly much and have had such a great (exhausting) time watching you develop and grow. Reach for the moon baby boy! You, Felix and daddy are my heart and soul! 

You are a daredevil (it scares me), just promise you'll be safe! 

Mom Life

Being a mom is the hardest step I have taken in life, but with 100% confidence I can say I am a great mom to my babies. This has been, hands down, the hardest year of motherhood for me. Looking back on it, I put up a dang good fight! I am proud of the mom I have become, this year taught me a lot! I am proud to have proven to myself that I do have a little fight in me. I am proud to be my boys mom. 

And to my mom and sisters, you have no idea how thankful I am for all your support! You all help in my fight and I love you so very much!