Trent is a Walking Man!

Trent has been standing on his own for a while and would take a step or two here and there, but on September 8th, he took his first true steps and I got it on camera!! He got in his first steps right before he turned 11 months. Now, he is walking for than crawling. He is so proud of himself and he has such a big smile on his face while he is walking. This little boy is such a joy! He makes me so happy! He is going to be RUNNING by the time his 1st birthday comes in just 11 days! Ekk! Let me get back to planning his Baseball Themed Birthday part! Here are some videos of him walking:

This is Trent's FIRST STEPS EVER!
Walking to Apo
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dOyRp17l4-g&feature=share&list=ULdOyRp17l4-g

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6jr2GyeHISo&feature=share&list=UL6jr2GyeHISo

http://youtu.be/uv-mzhGYeAY
Taelyn is such a character, with so much personality! She cracks us up!
http://youtu.be/N1YtQ-2hIYw

No More Diapers for Taelyn!!

Before Taelyn's 2nd birthday, I attempted to potty train her. The 1st two days went off without any accidents. I thought, "This is WAY too easy." She got it, she liked it and things were great. The 3rd day of potty training, Taelyn, somehow locked herself in the bathroom and was stuck in there for almost 45 minutes with me on the outside and her on the inside, equally freaking out and not knowing what to do. Todd's dad (who just so happened to be in town) was able to get the door open by taking off the knobs and pushing the door in because even with the knobs off, the door still wouldn't open. This was a traumatizing experience for Taelyn and after that, every time I tried to put her on the potty, she screamed, cried, kicked and wanted nothing to do with it. Needless to say, we put potty training on the shelf for a while.

This is Taelyn in March, right before her 2nd birthday so proudly sitting next to her pee pee and poo poo! (I took this to send to Todd at work)

Fast forward five months to August. I wanted her potty trained before Trent's 1st birthday, so I started talking about it to her and she said she was ready. The first thing I did was brought out her cute panties that she loved. She has the Disney Princesses, Minnie Mouse and Daisy Duck and her most favorite of all... Yo Gabba Gabba! I told her days before we started that I was going to put her in her "Big Girl Panties." She as excited. The first day, I got rid of the diapers, I gave her lots to drink, I told her multiple times that when she felt like she had to go "pee pee," she had to tell me. The moment she opened her eyes in the morning, I out her on her potty and she went right away! We had breakfast and lots of water and I went to the bathroom and put her on her potty with me and she went again! We did this multiple times throughout the day. I asked her so many times if she had to go potty, she was getting mad at me! The 1st day was a complete success! The whole day, she wore only one panty! I documented every time she went potty and when she did, I rewarded her with a celebratory dance, all while I sang "Pee Pee in the Pot-tay!" and I gave her 3 M&M's if she can tell me the color and choose the correct color.

Not every day was successful, there were a few accidents here and there. There were two days where Taelyn went poo poo in her panty. I don't know why she did it. The 1st day, I think, was an accident, but the 2nd day, I was not happy! Instead of cleaning her up right away, I left her with the poo poo in her panty and explained to her that if she didn't like the way it felt, then she had to go poo poo in the potty. She cried and screamed, "Change me, clean me!!!" I just told her that if she would have gone in the potty, then she wouldn't have to deal with the mess. I didn't want to clean up her smelly poo poo. I told her she couldn't get close to me and her brother because she was stinky. This lasted about 15 minutes and I finally told her that I would clean her ONLY if she promises that she would tell me the next time she had to go and she would go on the potty. IT WORKED!! The next day, she told me and she went and we haven't had any accidents since, not even pee pee! I was waiting to write this post, just in case she regressed for any reason, (fear I may jinx it somehow) but we have gone about two straight weeks without any accidents, so I guess it is safe to say with confidence, Taelyn is completely potty trained!!!

I forgot to mention, the 1st few weeks of going out in panties, I carried Taelyn's potty everywhere because she wouldn't go in the "big potty" (the regular toilet) Now she will go anywhere and in any bathroom. I am one proud mama! She is getting so big and independent!

These pictures have nothing to do with potty training, other than the fact she is wearing panties in them, I just think they are cute!
She loves her Grandpa!

Taelyn and Apo

Taelyn's cute hair style

"Living Young, Wild and Free" Part II

After my last adventure, Todd let me sleep in and got the kids dressed and ready for the day. Sunday is Todd's favorite day of the week... Football day! I took advantage of sleeping in. When I woke up, I had a light breakfast and got dressed and left.
This is how Todd dressed Taelyn (I did her hair)

I met up with LaQualia and we went to Glen Ivy Hot Springs.
Talk about a day of pampering and relaxation. My massage was absolutely Ahhh-mazing! I don't like to fall asleep because I want to feel everything, but I was so close. Every pressure point was worked out. I felt so much better afterwards.

After our massages, we had lunch. We talked and talked and talked. I love friends who you can just talk to forever and never run out of things to say.

I have never done the mud because I have issues, but LaQualia talked me into it and it actually felt good and made my skin so soft. We did the hydrating treatment in the Grotto and just chilled.

I honestly don't remember the last time I had a kid free weekend and got pampered and felt so relaxed. I must do this more often because I came home and was so happy and pleasant. I enjoyed my family instead of worrying about what needed to be done next. Happy Wife, Happy Life. In that moment, Mama was VERY happy!

"Living Young, Wild and Free" Part I

I am not a fan of Wiz Khalifa, but his song "Young, Wild and Free" was my anthem for my weekend. I looked up the song to attach and actually listened to it... I guess when I heard the song on the radio, I never really listened to it. I just like the chorus-- the edited chorus...

Todd is currently in New Orleans so the weekend before he left, I was able to enjoy two full days of whatever I wanted to do! It was amazing!!! My sweet Sorority Sister Nikia turned 25 and we celebrated by going wine tasting. It was a LONG, adventurous day. Something that would have been normal for me in my younger years. I left my house at 11am and met up with Tiffani (another soror) in Rialto, from there we dropped her daughter and some friends off to play basketball, in Corona. From there, we drove to Riverside, for a debutante social mixer, (sorority function) to Moreno Valley, to pick up our friend Brigette, on to Perris, to pick up another sorority sister, Tanka.... That was 5 cities in a matter of 2 hours. When we finally had everyone, we drove to Temecula to South Coast Winery. We were about an hour and a half late, but we made it and the party started when we walked in! Like I said, we were living "Young, Wild and Free" For me, this was BIG!

This is me at Brigette's house... I needed a drink after the morning we had!

I was totally getting on Tiffani's nerves. She joked that I was the "time keeper" and she didn't realize that her "mom" was invited. She had to remind me on more than a few occasions, I was kid free and among adults, with nothing but time, so I needed to relax and enjoy the ride. I guess I have aged myself, just a bit. In my defense, I already had a full day of activities even before we made it to our tasting.

Tiffani, Tanka, Me and Brigette

Me, Brigette, the birthday girl, Nikia and Tanka

All of the lovely ladies who partook in the tasting

After the tasting, we decided to go to Pechanga, now those who know me, know, I LOVE TO GAMBLE!!! I am Filipino, its in my blood... That's my story and I'm stickin' to it! I took out $100 and I lost $60 right away playing Blackjack. (You would think I knew better) I took my remaining $40 to the poker room and got my money back and then some! I ended up waking out with $280. I am proud of myself, I used to play until I had nothing left to play, causing me to have to stop playing. When I walked out of the Poker Room, Brigette, Tanka and Tiff were right outside waiting for me and we left. By the time I got home, I was gone for nearly 12 hours. I pumped my milk and decided to dump it because I didn't want to chance any traces of the alcohol I consumed being in my milk. I was so sad when I poured it down the drain.

It was a great day and night. I had a blast and I really needed the time away from my munchkins.

Tina's 60th Birthday Party

Last weekend was my brother, Russell's, mother in law, Tina's, birthday. She had a huge birthday bash at the Hilton. It was a really nice black tie event. At first I wasn't really excited about it because I was dreading the formal dress code. After having two kids, although I have lost the majority of my baby weight, my body is not formal attire ready. My mom talked me into going and I am certainly glad I did. I went shopping in my mom's closet and found a dress that was perfect. It is actually the dress that she wore for my wedding. I got a much needed pedicure AND at the last minute, I even sprung for a manicure (I hate having my nails painted) I wore contacts and wait for it.... I wore makeup!!! The last time, I think, I wore makeup was my maternity pictures for Trent which was almost this time last year. My sweet neighbor, Carly, came over and helped me get my hair together, based on my last post, I am a bit hair challenged. It was kind of nice getting all dolled up and pampered. It has been far too long. It actually gave me a bit of a boost of confidence, not saying that I am lacking, but it was nice to see myself in something other than my everyday "Mom Uniform" of t-shits and cargo's.

Here are some pictures of the night. My sweet and sexy Mama

My mom and I are beginning to look more and more alike as I get older

Maya, Allan and Leah

My brother was the funniest MC I have ever seen

My niece, Maila, was looking beautiful

My mom, me and Gigi... Gigi did EVERYTHING for her mom's birthday and it turned out amazing!

Me, Russell, Tess and Maila

Maya, my beautiful niece

Tess and Eddie

Russell and Allan... they are like TWINS!

My mom, Leah and Tina, the celebrant

We had a really fun night and everything went off without a hitch. My nieces and nephew played the piano and the girls did a little hula dance for their grandma. She loved it. I have to say, I am one proud Auntie! They played so beautifully and the crowd really enjoyed them. Only regret of the night was that Todd wasn't able to go. We don't really have babysitters on hand. All of our potential babysitters were at the party, so Todd stayed home with the kids. I said countless times throughout the night that I wished Todd was there. I had so much fun, but I know I would have had even more fun if he were there and for that I was sad. Other than that, it was a great celebration of 60 years, Happy Birthday, Auntie Tina!

Life Lately And Pictures

We have been busy in life, I don't know where the days are going and how time is flying so fast, but here are a few things we have been up to... and of course, I have pictures to document what we do :)

Taelyn and I went to Story Time at the Highland Library

Taelyn driving the Recycle Truck at the Highland Library

Taelyn being silly in her Castle Bed

Trent loves the water now

Taelyn before and after... she sure cleans up nicely

Taelyn is so creative and imaginative, she was "Cookin"

Taelyn is going to be a super star singer one day!

Trent showing Mila around

I can totally handle two babies at one time!

Mila and Taelyn talking

Just for Diva's Football Draft board. I get so stressed out with this fantasy football stuff!
Last year I came in 3rd

The very next day, I went back to Tiffani's house to hang out and we made it a hair day! I hadn't been to see Maine, my hair dresser, in nearly two months, which means I had not washed my hair in two months, I know that may sound gross, but for black hair, that is not so bad. I am "Hair Challenged" meaning, I don't know how to do my hair, so I am reliant on others. Two month is a long time, even for "black" standards, so Tiffani took pity on me and did my hair and it looked AMAZING!

Taelyn is my little "Mini Me" and mimics nearly everything I do, even breastfeeding!

We went to Story Time at Barnes and Noble, then played with Lego's

Then she enjoyed playing with the trains

Taelyn is so domesticated, she loves to cook and serve Mama yummy meals. This time it was Tea with Cakes!

She sat in Trent's Bumbo and got stuck, just as I was gonna save her (after I took a picture) she figured out how to get out!

Taelyn and Trent were both under the weather from teething and spent most of the day snuggled in these "Kiki's"

Taelyn was really tired since she hasn't napped in about a week

Taelyn and I were putting clean sheets on my bed and she left the room, I found her in her bed

Yo Gabba Gabba... A little bit of digital babysitting

I made these yummy Oreo Stuffed Chocolate Chip Cookies

I never know what the days will bring us, but I try and fill them with fun things to do to stimulate my littles. I guess that is why the days seem to fly by. Life lately has been good and I can't complain. I take each day as a blessing with my kiddos.

Trent's Surgery

Trent was born with HYPOSPADIAS. It is something that is pretty common among boys. There are many different levels of severity and thankfully Trent's case was not very sever. Our pediatrician was hopeful that by the time he was 6 months, he would have grown out of it, but at his 6 month appointment, it was clear that he hadn't. So we took the proper steps that followed up to his surgery and he was scheduled for July, but he was sick, so we had to reschedule in August.

Her is my man while we were waiting to be seen

This was when they were taking his weight and temperature

He was so curious about this little thing

My little Monkey Man

He waited so patiently

Trent didn't like the hospital gown

He was such a happy guy

He fell asleep nearly 5 minutes after that last picture

When he woke up, he didn't mind the hospital gown so much

He was so pleasant

The nurses and doctors couldn't believe cooperative and happy he was. They said he didn't even cry!

We did a whole lot of waiting and what do I do when I wait? Take pictures! It was a pretty boring, yet stressful day. I hate that I was alone, while Todd was home with Taelyn, but we had to so what we had to do. It was an hour and a half surgery. Not that it was super long, but I just worry. He took it like a champ and his recovery was very easy. He didn't seem to be in any pain at all. It was much better than I expected. Thank God. I am just so glad it is all over and we can put it behind us. I don't want to have to think about his hypospadias ever again, and according to the doctors, we never will. Again, Thank God!