OVG!

This pregnancy has been very similar to the first. The ultrasound tech quickly ran the doppler over the entire baby at the beginning of the appointment, Walter and I were both pretty sure of what we saw. I didn't have my heart set on either sex and I was pretty sure this would be a boy!

I am so excited to bring another happy, sweet, loving boy into this world. I cannot wait for Oscar and Felix to become best friends and to build a bond that is unbreakable!

Oscar Vincent, you already light up my life! I cannot wait to hold you in my arms! I imagine what you look like and how absolutely beautiful you will be! I love feeling you kick, I love the thought of your giggle, I love imagining you and your brother playing with each other and I am so excited for our journey to begin! Always remember, I love you to the moon and back!

I hope the world is ready for the Garcia brothers!

Ridin' the Potty Train!!

I stole that saying from my sister. She recently went through potty training with my nephew. They called us on FaceTime one morning and said, "We're ridin' the potty train!" Loved it! He did it like a champ! It seemed to come so natural for him...I can't help, but be a little envious! I know there were/are difficult potty days for her, my BIL and my nephew, but he seemed to transition into the new phase really well!

So now it is our turn...we started months back, having Felix sit on the potty chair. He was hesitant and wasn't too sure, but it soon became easier. Beginning the 2nd of this month we jumped on the train! It was time to get serious! He now uses the potty most of his days. Diapers are for nap and nighttime and of course some random times in between, but in general the potty is in regular use throughout the day.

Today we took our first trip out of the house, without a diaper on and we were successful! We drove to the aquarium, no accidents! While at the aquarium, 2 bathroom breaks and no accidents! Our drive home, no accidents!

I am proud to say we are definitely, "Ridin' the Potty Train"! Choo Choo!

2013

It's a new year with new beginnings! Life in the Garcia house will be changing with the expansion of our family! It will be an adjustment for us all!
I am excited to start a new chapter of our lives. I am excited to watch Felix become a big brother! I am excited to have a little baby in our house to shower with love! I am excited that I have Walter to share the experience with! I am super excited to watch my best friend and his wife transition into wonderful parents!
2012 was a great year as I watched Felix grow into a little kid! I am anxious to see his development this year and how he will respond to a younger sibling. Right now it is all fun and games, he thinks he and Mommy both have a baby in their tummy.
Bring on the new year with a new adventure and a healthy pregnancy!

Holiday Season

We had a great Christmas holiday. I was able to take time to enjoy some of our favorite traditions with Felix and as a family. I love sharing these magical times with my family.
This year Felix really started to understand the holiday and the different traditions we have. He LOVED Santa and was very vocal about what he had asked him to bring. Another character he grew to love was The Grinch or as he said it "The Dinch". He watched part of the movie one time, that was all it took. I tried to introduce to him many of the Christmas specials on tv and he really got into the music!
Work is always busy this time of year, but I seemed to get all my shopping done and still spend time with my family, which is my absolute favorite. Our house was decorated and cookies were baked. I love this holiday and am watching my son turn into a total believer also! He definitely appreciates it as much as I do.

30th

I had been telling Walter for years that I wanted to see Leavenworth in December. Two of my favorite things; my birthday and Christmas at one time! It doesn't get much better.

We started looking for a place in September, figuring it was enough time... We were wrong. Places book up and they book up fast! We found a condo a short distance away and emailed the owner right away. We secured our stay, she wrote me later that evening telling me she had multiple families inquiring about the same place! Whewww!

We drove to Seattle on Friday to pick up my sister's family. From there we continued our journey to Leavenworth! The drive from Seattle to Leavenworth took longer than expected, but once we got there it was instant love!

Everything was lit up with Christmas lights, it looked like the pictures! The little town was beautiful and exactly what I expected. Our condo was super close, very nice and comfy. Saturday morning we woke up to a winter wonderland! The first snow in Leavenworth on my birthday! The hills, trees and buildings were all covered.

Walter, Felix and I ventured into Front street early. We found a delicious bakery with the most amazing pastries! Not much was open, but seeing it in daylight was just as amazing! We took our pastries home to share and ate a yummy breakfast my sister had prepared! We headed back to the main street after breakfast to browse around, the crowds started to pick up and people were coming in by the bus loads! There were lines to many stores and restaurants. All the holiday characters were out taking pictures, Felix didn't want anything to do with them! Walter and my brother in law were constantly planning their next meal, they were in heaven! Kids were sledding down any hill they could and music was constantly playing. Everyone around seemed to be enjoying themselves.

Dinner, cupcakes and presents summed up our evening! After seeing the crowds coming we decided to stay in. We made the best dinner and ate delicious cupcakes Felix and Satchel picked out.

We headed back home Sunday. It was hard to leave! Walter and I both wanted to stay longer and the snow began to fall again! It was such a great stay and we will definitely be back!

My birthday was great and exactly how I imagined. I have spent many of my birthdays with my oldest sister and she has always done an amazing job making me feel special! And Walter makes sure all my birthday dreams come true! I am so happy we were able to experience Leavenworth together! Everyone enjoyed themselves and were able to relax a little!

Thanksgiving

Every year we go around the dinner table and each one of us says what we are thankful for...every year I am thankful for my family. We might not have the "perfect" family, but who does and my family is perfect for me.

I know I have said many times how special Walter is to me, but recently I was reminded of how very special he is. He has been through a lot in his 34 years of life, more than many of us could handle and he is still a happy, loving person. He is one of the most resilient people I have ever met, you will never hear him down on life or luck. He has had it rough, but you won't hear him asking for a handout. I am so very thankful we met and that he is a part of my world. He has opened my eyes to a life I never even imagined, to a world I knew little about and to a love I have always hoped for!

Walter, you have an amazing story! You have brought so much happiness to my life and we haven't even made it halfway through the book! I am thankful for you and love you!

October!!

I was determined to take Felix to a couple Pumpkin Patches this year. In one weekend we went to three different ones. It was fun and he LOVED them all. They all had something different. When Cameron and Madison were at our house for the weekend we hit up our usual, Kruger Farms. It was muddy and packed, but the kids found great pumpkins, ate some yummy food and even caught a frog!
Felix started another season of art class, it is centered towards Halloween and Fall. He of course uses glitter like crazy, but in this class he is more interested in the play-doh. He also started a new term of swimming lessons and music class. Basically he is a busy guy and now says he goes to preschool...which he really doesn't, but I find all his classes to be as close to it as we might get.
Walter and I took a trip to Eugene last weekend for a Duck game. We had fun and again it was great to see how happy and what a die hard fan he is! His outfit was AMAZING! He is a Duck fan from head to toe! It was fun to have a day to ourselves and spend time together.
I had a couple extra days off this weekend, it was so nice to be home! I napped a couple days, which I never do! I played A LOT of Legos with Felix! We went to his classes and our usual Starbucks run. He is my partner, and as sad as it might sound, he is definitely one of my best friends! I love every second with him, even if he is being a pill! We trick or treated at Mor Mor's with his aunties, uncles, Mor Mor and Olin. It was fun. He was more timid this year and wasn't a fan of the spooky houses. He was dressed as a fireman and he was so proud of the costume. After he had enough of Mor Mor's neighborhood we headed over to Uncle Brandon and Auntie Kate's house. He fell in love with Stella, their bunny! He scored even more goodies and got to climb all over Uncle Brandon.
We had a GREAT month and it was full of excitement! Back to work tomorrow, but feel so lucky to have a job that I am able to take important days off to be with my family!