Some rambling thoughts as our due date approaches...

So I've been meaning to just do a post of a few of my ramblings, but haven't caught a chance to do it until now. As of today, baby G2 could join us any day. I am due in exactly a month - March 24. Hard to believe that the time has gone so fast. Preparing for baby #2 has been such a different experience. We are so excited and anxious to meet this little man, but being the "wise, experienced parents" we are (yeah, right!), it somehow seems like there is less work necessary to get everything ready. More so, I think there is just less of a need to feel like everything needs to be perfect. We know that we will love him and be able to fulfill his every need even if every article of clothing doesn't have a perfect place and every blanket isn't ironed and folded. And he will love us too, even if we can't seem to find the extra diapers in an instant and he has to share cuddle time with Mami or Daddy and Sebastian.

So much of preparing for our baby boy has also been preparing our first baby boy. It's hard to believe he won't be the "baby" anymore, even though I can't even fathom the thought that he is going to be the big one. I wish I could really know what Sebastian understands. He knows I have a baby in my belly and will sometimes say "abre" or "open" like he wants to see the baby. And he gets so excited when he sees a baby in person or on TV and cuddles up to me and touches my belly. Or he'll just give the baby kisses or sometimes even his prized stickers. I feel he knows there is a new little someone in there and he is excited to meet him. Most importantly to him, he knows he will have to share his milk with the baby (yes, we are still nursing and very proud!) and always says "che, che" (his word for milk) when we talk about the baby. He knows babies nurse for a long time and his che che is "quick, quick." We'll see how that goes! I've heard and read stories that are wonderful and also difficult about tandem nursing, so we'll see how it goes. It is bound to be an adventure!

We know that going from a family of three to a family of four is going to be a change. And most of me is ecstatic for that moment, knowing that we are so blessed to have a family with so much love. A small part of me is also terrified that we won't be able to juggle it all and meet every one's needs all the time. But I know that we will grow into a routine and soon things will become second nature. I look forward to the beautiful growth of our family and am certainly counting the days now!

I hope that someday I will reflect back on these ramblings and cherish the thoughts I had in the days before our family grew once again - as I muddle through piles of stained and stinky laundry and pick up piles of trucks and toys that make entirely too much noise. In case there is no more time for deep thoughts for a while, I am just so thankful to have the most wonderful husband to support and love me and our family, and so thankful for my growing family. Thank God for motherhood and how much it teaches us each day about sacrifice and unconditional love! There is no better job in the world.

Big Birthday Celebration!

This past weekend we celebrated Grandma Giammarinaro's 90th birthday! Wow - those are some good genes, eh?! Her three children hosted a party at Kobe Steakhouse (the place where they cook on the tables for you and give you tons of food) with about 40 people friends and family from all over. Grandma was so happy and really enjoyed herself. Here are some pictures from the festivities.

We really thought Sebastian would enjoy the "show" of cooking on the table, but he was petrified, poor kid. I think it was too overwhelming for him. Paul and I had to take turns just taking him out into the hallway of the party room so he could see a little bit, but not be up so close. He looks quite concerned in this photo.

Gram with her three children and two of her great-grand children. And Paul snuck in too.

Sebastian being silly with Daddy and trying to eat his nose. He thinks this is pretty funny...

Family picture with Grandma. This is me at 36 weeks.

Later on at Nana's house, Sebastian was giving quite the concert. He loves playing the piano and actually puts his fingers on the keys - he doesn't just bang away at it. If he keeps it up, we'll have to get him lessons when he's older. Ughh...and a piano. =)

Yikes - February is almost over already!

Hello! We've been staying busy the past few weeks! Lots of traveling back and forth to Orlando to hang out with friends and families for birthdays and just making good use of the time before the baby arrives! We now have a little more than a month before our March 24 due date. We are finally starting to get out the baby clothes, swing, and try to set up a little corner for the new munchkin. It certainly feels more real as our date approaches. I've felt great throughout most of the pregnancy. Just in the last week I've started to have more swelling and discomfort overall, but I have to keep up with Sebastian so I just keep moving! Enjoy some of our recent family events.

VIDEO - Just click play.

One of Sebastian's many funny faces. He can give looks like his mother. We call this "ojitos" or little eyes. It's pretty funny...

Happy Birthday Nana. Sebastian LOVES cake of any kind, and with so many January/February birthday's he's loving it. He'll say cake, cake and then pretend to blow out candles. He even blows out the candles in books if there is a birthday cake.

Are they going to middle school already? =) Sebastian and cousin Tyler with big boy hair.

Recently, Sebastian likes to set up all his animals facing him and then he'll read them a book or dance or build them a block tower. It's pretty cute.

Working on a special Valentine for Daddy and Abuelita. He loves any project involving "sticky" or glue.

Almost done! He really liked gluing all the little pieces of paper on the heart wreath.

Daddy and Sebastian made Mami a Valentine butterfly. I wanted Sebastian to pose for a picture, but he didn't want to - obviously! Boys will be boys I suppose! What a face.

Daddy and Abuelita after they opened their special projects from Sebastian. He was so proud!

Helping Mami cook in the kitchen. He makes some great pasta! =)

Happy birthday Titi and Angelica! Sebastian had a great time at the birthday party at Moss Park playing with the big kids. And of course, more cake.

Happy birthday, Lelo. We made him an airplane cake which Sebastian was ready to dig into. Again, he loved the cake and I had my doubts on this one because it was a lemon cake!

Slow on the posts lately!

Hello! Well since Sebastian has begun waking up at 5 am lately (yeah!! I know!!!), I have been going to bed quite early - hence no time to post to the blog in the evenings! We are adapting to his new wake up time and Daddy and Sebastian enjoy their morning time together while I sleep for another hour or so. I am 32 weeks so only two more months to go before we meet our new little boy! Luckily I have been feeling great. Just minor aches and pains and some tiredness, but no crazy swelling like with Sebastian! Yeah! Below are some pictures from the past few weeks.

Wow! A new Elmo book from his friend Jackson for Christmas.

Driving Nana's car.

At Crane's Roost park on a nice day. Sebastian loves the fountain.

We met up with my friend Amy a few weeks ago at the Hard Rock Hotel. There were all these stairs and Sebastian wanted to do it by himself and hold on to the rail. It took a while, but he did it!

Getting Sebastian to eat dinner is becoming more and more of a challenge. His toddler pickiness is really starting to come out. But he loves this Mickey plate and it sure helps him eat things sometimes. Whatever works!

Celebrating Abu's 79th birthday!

Drawing with the tub crayons for the first time. A big hit!



VIDEO - Turn on the volume!

Sebastian is finally brushing his teeth without crying every night. His prize each night is a sticker and is the only reason he looks forward to brushing his teeth. You can see that our picky toddler is also picky about his stickers...it's quite the decision making process. =)

Happy 2009! Welcome to a new year of adventures!

We hope you all had a wonderful new year celebration! We are excited about 2009 - so many changes will happen with our family! We are looking forward to welcoming our new baby boy in March and becoming a family of four and then our first big move. It looks like 95% chance it will be Rochester, NY which we are excited about since we've heard it's beautiful in the fall and a great, family friendly town. We know it'll be cold for us Floridians, but we'll adapt! Enjoy some pictures from the first few days of the new year!

Paul and Cristina. This dress does a weird thing to my belly!

Sebastian before he fell asleep around 10 pm. Too bad he didn't make it to midnight this year...

On New Year's Day we went to Paul's parents to celebrate a belated Christmas with his sister and family. We also played our traditional "search for the pickle" game. Paul found it with Sebastian and when Sebastian saw it he immediately opened his mouth and tried to eat it (it's a fake pickle by the way)! It was so funny and strange because he's never eaten a whole pickle before, but it made for a pretty funny picture.

Opening two new Barney (Coe) DVD's from his cousin Tyler.

Over the weekend we visited the Brevard Zoo for the first time. He enjoyed the monkeys, birds, giraffes, gators and rhino the best. He was so excited when we walked into the open bird aviary that he just started running around waving his arms like this and shrieking. It was pretty funny.

Is this a real monkey??? Anytime we see a monkey he makes monkey noises.

Feliz Dia de los Reyes! Happy Epiphany! We gave Sebastian three small gifts as is our tradition in Puerto Rico. He was very excited to open the first one.

And he loved it! They were these neat crayola stamps - and he loves stamps. He didn't want to open any more of his presents after that.

Playing with Abu (great grandma) and laughing! We spent a morning at the park together so she could enjoy Sebastian.

A Quick Story

We keep saying we want to post this story and just keep putting it off, but I just want to recount it quickly for posterity's sake. And so Sebastian can read it years from now and laugh too. =)

Sebastian has always been pretty good about using the real words for things, except for a few. He only has made up words for a couple of things - toys = dodos, Barney= Coe and then this last one: Jesus = Chachi. I know, I know!!! I have no idea, why or where he got this, but obviously only very special people/things have made up names so it's a good thing Jesus is up on that list.

We pray before every meal and every time he sits in his high chair he says "pray" and folds his hands. He has attempted the sign of the cross a few times, but usually he just wants to fold his hands. Then when we are done, he always says "Thank you, Chachi."

Then, the other night we were at Mass and right before the procession begins he always looks for the crucifix that they carry in during the procession. It was those few seconds when they announce the gathering song and before the choir starts when he spotted the crucifix. So, the church is silent, the song is about to start and the procession, when our lovely Sebastian shouts out - LOUDLY - and points - CHACHI! We could have melted....it was soooo embarrassing, but such a memorable moment. We continue to work on his saying Jesus, but it still always comes out as Chachi.