Her First Steps

Today I brought the kids to Mom and Dad's so that I could go to my client's office. When I get back, Mom tells me that Kenna took two steps towards Grandpa! Well, I have been trying to get Kenna to walk for more than a week now. She is at Grandma and Grandpa's only a few hours, and they get her to take two steps?!? Geez.

So, of course when we get home, I try to coax her to walk. Well, finally as we were getting her ready for bed, she took a few steps towards me. She did it quite a few times. The most number of steps she took without falling was 5. She is on her way!

Are We Going to Have Another Baby?

"Are we going to have another baby?" Kevin asks us at lunch yesterday.

Keith and I look at each other, "Why?" I ask him.

"Because we are moving. When we moved here, we had McKenna," he replies straight-faced.

Hmmm. That is such a good observation on Kevin's part. Keith and I had joked about us having another baby because it seems as though whenever we move into a new place, we have a new baby. Well, when we joked about this, we don't recall Kevin being there.

I didn't even know I was pregnant with McKenna, but Kevin did. Here was that conversation about a year and a half ago:

"Mom, you're getting fatter. I think you are going to have a baby," Kevin said - once again straight-faced.

I reply, "No Kevin, I am just getting fatter."

Two weeks later - a positive pregnancy test.

So, is there something that Kevin knows??? So, what do you think?

Date Night

It's been a long time since Keith and I have been on a nice date. We went out to dinner last month, but it just didn't seem like a date to me. But last night was nice. Typical but nice.

Instead of wearing my normal jeans and sweater, I decided at the last minute to dress up. I actually wore a nice blouse and my nice black pants. I think the last time I really dressed up was for Christmas and I can't quite remember when it was before that!

We went to dinner at Pei Wei, a nice Asian Diner which we has fast become our favorite dining place. It is a family restaurant, but we do find it to be too expensive for the kids. So, we don't take them there. I guess it's good to have a restaurant or two where the kids aren't allowed.

After dinner, we went to the mall and walked around, of course ending up at the book strore. We went our separate ways. Keith to the computer section and I to the craft section. Neither one of us bought anything though.

After the bookstore, it was off to the movies. We hadn't been to the movies since before Christmas and were sorry to see that the prices had gone up to $10 a ticket. It wasn't that just before Christmas! I still remember in high school going to Tuesday $1 nights. Oh well, maybe by the time the kids get to high school tickets will be $20 and the "bargain" will be $10.

The movie didn't start for another hour and a half, so we went to Cheesecake Factory for dessert. The wait was long, and the coffee was crappy ($2.50 for a small cup that wasn't even worth refilling), but we enjoy the cheesecake.

We saw Firewall. It was entertaining enough. They did lay it on a bit thick the Harrison Ford is an older guy now, so in his fight scenes, he got hurt pretty bad and even had a few blunders in the movie - tripping in the forest, knocking into a chair as he jumped - those kind of things that would never have happened in Clear and Present Danger or any of the other "superhero" movies he's been in. Overall though, still an enjoyable actor to watch.

When all was said and done, it was 1:00am. We got home just after 1. We hadn't been out that late in a long time. So, thanks to Ris for watching the kids!

We had a nice typical date night. But, I would like to say that after all these years and all these kids, there is still no one that I would rather be with and spend quiet special moments with than Keith. Aren't I lucky?

Valentine's Day

Valentine's Day was really nice this year. It was a busy day, but we all had a lot of fun. We took this picture right before our 2nd annual Valentine's dinner. A bit of our heads is cut off, but we still liked this picture the best. You know of course that I took more than one. lol

Kevin and Kaela both celebrated Valentine's Day at school. They both received tons of cards and a lot of candy. While I waited to pick up Kevin from school another mom and I were commenting about how our kids seemed as excited about Valentine's Day as they were about Christmas. Although the holidays have been so commercialized, I guess it's not such a bad thing when kids can have some good memories.

Ris came and watched Kevin, Kyle and Kenna so that I could take Kaela to her classmate's birthday party. It was her first non-relative party. It was at McDonald's. There was a really huge play area that went up about two stories. Well, I don't bring my four kids to theses places often because I can't watch all four by myself. So, Kaela doesn't have that much experience in these things. Well, she decided to climb all the way to the top. When she got up there, she took one look down (it was a series of platforms surrounded by netting) and freaked out. Of course she was at the very top (seven platforms up). Well, she would not come down, do here I am climbing throught his gigantic McDonald's plaything to rescue her - mind you, this is in front of almost ever mother in her preschool class. I made it up there, trying to look as graceful as possible, to find Kaela surrounded by five of her classmates. It was so cute. They were telling her that she would be okay and that they would keep her safe if she wanted to stay up there. She opted to come down with me though. The rest of the time she stayed near the bottom. She still ended up having a really nice time.

After we got home, I got read to make dinner. We had steaks, salmon, mashed potatoes, steamed carrots and spiral pasta. I lit candles and put out the rose centerpiece I made last year. The kids got to drink red "berry" juice in clear glass mugs. After we ate (which was yummy btw), the kids opened up their goodies from the grandparents. They got lots of fun little things. Then to close out the evening, we loaded into the car and headed to Baskin Robbins. We all had ice cream. Kevin got his usual "wild -n- reckless" - a green, blue, purple, white, swirled sherbet thing. Kaela got chocolate chip and Kyle chose mint chocolate chip. Keith and I got our usuals. It was a fun little outing.

Ten Months Old

Well, Kenna is now ten months old. I can't believe how fast it has gone. Her top two teeth are out now. You can see a bit of her right tooth in this picture. She is wearing her ballerina onesie from her Godmother Tina. This was her monthly picture with her bear. I've said it before, and I'll say it again - Ain't she cute???

We Have a Place to Live

Yeah! Such a relief for me. It is stressful trying to have to find a place to live. We signed the papers last night. We are scheduled to move in March 1st. We have to be out of here by March 9th. The lease runs through the end of June 2007. So, I don't have to worry about having to move again until the end of next school year. That was our biggest concern; that we would have to move Kevin with only a few more months in the school year.

Now, on to more stress of having to actually move. We have to move all our utilities and change our mailing address and all the other pains of moving. But, I have lived in a countless apartments and places for the last 15 years. My gosh! This new place will be the 13th place for me, if you count the moves back and forth from WA to CA separately. I think Keith moved around a bit before we married, but I don't know the specifics.

Kenna turns 10 months today. I shall take and post some pictures. Good bye for now.

House Hunting

So, the house has sold and we have 60 days to vacate. That'll put us at March 30. Well, I think we may have found a place. We are meeting with the potential landlord today. I never really thought it would make a difference one way or the other, but I will finally admit that not owning your own house can be a real bummer. I have a ton of packing and purging to do. We have a ton of stuff.

But, one thing I do get to look forward to is at the stroke of midnight Utah time (so really 11pm) here, I get to preorder some SU! stuff. The new Spring mini catalog has a lot of really cute stuff. I am being good though. I am only going to preorder one set. Well, and two huge monogram stamps. But, since they are single letters, I don't really "say" they are sets. I guess it makes me feel better moneywise!

Kaela got invited to her first nonrelative birthday party. It will be on Valentine's day. Ris is going to come up to babysit while I take Kaela to the party.

Kenna's top two teeth are finally poking though. She doesn't seem to notice that they are coming out. You should see these things. They are huge! lol I will post a picture soon. Maybe tomorrow when she turns ten months! Ten! Can you believe that?

Kevin seems to be getting in all kinds of accidents. He skinned his knee at school today. He said he ran into the wall. Well, we wasn't even running he said. He sort of just collided with it. Yesterday, I went to take Kevin to school and so I loaded up the car and we all headed over. We parking in the yellow zone and I thought it odd that there weren't any cars in the parking lot. Hmmm. 2 minutes til school starts. Where is everyone? DUH! No school today. Well, Kevin had wanted me to just drop him off and drive away - which I had never done before. He is only five! Good thing I didn't do what he asked. Could you imagine how freaked out he would have been?

Kyle is saying all kinds of words these days, but he seems to be getting on the other kid's nerves a lot more. Karensa and Paul can tell you that Kyle is my handful. But, thank goodness my handful isn't as big a handful as some!

Karensa and Paul are gone now. Paul left Sunday and Karensa left Monday. It was a nice visit even though they got sick! My kids are generally healthy, and hardly sick, but they all have runny noses which I think may have been spread to Karensa and Paul.

Keith is going to be busy at work this week. He has a load test to run and has a big presentation on Thursday. He is going into the office late on Wednesday and Thursday because he is going to be coming home late to run the tests. Hopefully not too stressful for him (or me!).

As for, me, well, I shall be anxiously awaiting my new stamps. I have a ton of swaps to do. I'll be happily stamping!

Watching the Ducks

Watching the Ducks

At The Beach

At the Beach

Today in Carlsbad. Keith and the kids after the kids walked on the beach with Karensa and Paul.

A Nice Day

Well, Karensa and Paul came yesterday so we are taking a break from the whole house search/sell. It was a nice break today from all of that.

We started the day with pancakes for breakfast. Then we straightened out the house because we knew that we would be gone all day and a realtor might come by. Anyway, I don't think anyone came by.

So, we packed a lunch and then we went down to Carlsbad and had lunch by the beach. Karensa and Paul then took the kids for a walk along the water. Kevin and Kaela collected shells and Kyle collected rocks.

After the beach, we headed to the Wild Animal Park and walked around and took the tram. It was Kyle and Kenna's first time there. I don't think Kaela really remembered it and Kevin vaguely remembered some of it. We hadn't been in so long. We ended up buying a membership. Kevin and Kaela got their own passes as they are now old enough.

After the WAP, we went to Mom and Dad's and had yummy dinner. Then we cracked out the karaoke machine. We all had a go at it. Kevin, Kaela and Kyle got a kick out of singing Twinkle Twinkle. Mom and Dad of course sang a few songs. Paul was the brave one and jumped right in. Karensa entertained us with her beautiful rendition of All My Loving. I sang two songs and Keith even sang! Paul, Keith and I even try our hand at singing Twinkle Twinkle! lol

Then, we headed out and now it is time for bed! It was a nice, fun day.

So Many Options

Well, we turned in an app today for a really cute townhome that we saw on Saturday. We think it would be perfect for us. It hasn't been determined who is going to be able to rent it yet, but I guess they have a few applications to look over before the final determination.

Did I mention that looking for a place to live sucks? lol Housing prices are through the roof and as a result, it is not easy to find nice rentals for cheap. But, we are still weighing our rental options.

We talked about moving away from this area and moving closer to Keith's work. Slightly expensive, but if we move more north, and by the highway, Keith can get to work faster with less of a commute. We have also talked about squeezing into a two bedroom and saving more money to pay off bills and then try to save. We've talked about a lot of things. I just hate change and well, these are big changes!

I am trying to keep a light attitude about it all. Those that know me well know that I can get a bit stressed out over things because I like things just so and hate all this up in the air stuff. Well, good thing Keith is so laid back. He helps me to keep calm to and make stressful situations less stressful. Of course other members of my family and friends are helping greatly to keep me calm. I am lucky that there are so many people to turn to during stressful times!

One really nice thing about it is that the house looks wonderful. Maybe if I keep in the habit of keeping the house really nice looking, it'll transfer over to where ever we live next.

A nice thing that is calming my week is that Karensa and Paul will be coming for a visit this weekend. They will be here Thursday actually and we can just hang out and enjoy each other's company.

Well, I should head to bed. Not much news with the kids. Kenna's top right tooth has finally broken through the gum. It looks like it is going to be a huge honkin' thing! lol

Here's A Picture for You

Kaela and Kyle last week while Kevin was at school. This is one of the times when they were best of friends. It goes both way. Best of friends then the next second the worst of enemies. lol I guess that what happens when you are only 18 months apart.

The Latest

Well, sorry I haven't been updating frequently like I had told myself I would. There is much going on (as usual), and we haven't been home much.

Okay, house update. Well, on Monday's holiday, Mom, Dad and Ris came up for lunch and we went to the realtor's office to talk to a mortgage broker. It didn't go as well as we would've liked. We just aren't in a position to buy right now I don't think. So, we are looking for rentals. The problem with that is that no one knows right now if they have vacancies. Most will know better after the 1st of February.

As for the buying, we thought of maybe moving back down to Northern San Diego were the housing costs are about 100k less, but the school district isn't as nice. I want the kids to go to a good school, the minimum requirement being that the majority of students have English as their first language. I don't want my kids falling behind so that the other kids can catch up. Also, I want the school to be safe. How crappy is it to have to worry that your child is safe at school?

Anyway, we are hoping to rent around here so that Kevin doesn't have to change schools at the end of a school year.

As for this house that we are currently in, it has been seen continually since the house was listed on the 11th. We have pretty much been at the beck and call of realtors since then. It is really getting old. The kids are too loud when the realtors come by as they get excited when new people are here. Well, they want to show off their toys and tell them their names, etc. Cute, but these people are here to look at the house. Kinda creepy to me. Anyway, so we have been trying to leave when I know that people are coming over. Also a pain. I have run out of errands to run and now that we are never here, we are actually paying rent to have people look at the house that they are going to buy. If the house doesn't go into escrow soon, I am going to request to the realtor that viewings from now on be by appointment only.

Let's see. The kids are doing well. I have be preparing Kevin in case he has to change schools. He said that it'll be alright. I think I am more worried about it than he is! Kaela is doing well. Same old Kaela. Kyle is getting more and more stubborn as he is finding more independence. Kenna is getting a big honking tooth in. It looks like it is going to be big!

Keith is doing great at work and is working on a project that is wowwing the socks off the big wigs. He comes home in good spirits and I can tell he is really happy about how things are going. Next Thursday he has a big meeting to demo his project.

As for me, well, I am trying to keep this place cleaned up. I have had nice comments from realtors and looky-loos saying how clean the house is. My friends and family has been saying that I shouldn't keep the house so nice. If it looks gross and dirty, maybe no one will want to buy it! lol But, I keep it nice looking because even though I probably won't see these people ever again, I would be embarrassed to have them coming into my home with it looking messy. I guess that is my own problem! lol

Anyway. I guess that is it for now. Talk to you all later!

Picture of the Week

Picture of the Week

Ain't she funny? Kenna turned 9 months on the 1st. She had an appointment and got a follow up flu shot. She weighs 17 pounds 8 ounces and is 26.5 inches long. She is right about were her sibs were, but according to the "charts" she is in the 25th% and 20th% respectively.

Things are better these days. Keith's truck has been repaired, but still is having transmission problems. He is feeling a lot better, but has the remnants of a cough.

The kids are fine and doing the same ole same ole. Kevin has started soccer again.

I finally got the house all put together and a huge weight has been lifted from my shoulders. The house looks GREAT. We have had a few people look at it and a couple of realtors have told me the house looks wonderful. We are considering maybe buying something and today I saw two different properties. Let me tell you, our house looks like a model showroom compared to the two I saw today. Maybe I shouldn't make this place look so pretty. It might sell quick.

The two places I saw today are in our complex. The first, one they want way too much. The house is total crap (sorry). It was always been a rental property and the owner never put work into it. The garage door opener and microwave don't work and the garage door is warped. The carpet is disgusting and it reeks of smoke. The current tenant showed us the bathroom were the wall is rotting away and the owner doesn't want to fix it. The price they want for it I doubt they'll get in a million years. The second place was actually pretty cute. It needs work too, but they aren't asking as much. It faces a large common grassy area and is away from the street. It doesn't have a yard though. It has a small patio in the front.

Well, I guess that is it for now. Not much news, but Kyle is bugging me for food. Gotta run!

Happy Winter

Winter? It is 85 degrees outside. It is HOT. It has been cold, especially in the evenings and mornings when we walk to school. But today, it is hot!. We got all bundled up in our sweaters thinking that it was going to be cold like it has been since school started up again.

Well, it felt not so cool. But 9am it was in the low 70s. By noon it was mid 80s. I had to stop back home between errands to change out of my sweater and into a short sleeve short. I almost changed into my sandals, but I was too lazy to find them.

Hmmmm, What's This Year Gonna Be Like???

Well, it's only the 4th, well, technically the 5th as I write this, and our year hasn't started off well.

Let's see. A short recap.

Keith got ill on New Year's.
We just found out Keith's truck needs a few hundred in repairs.
McKenna is now sick and keeping us awake at night.
Our landlord has decided to sell. We have to find a new place to live.

*sigh*

What else is coming our way? Please don't let this be an indication as to how our year is going to be! I'm going to bed...

Top 100 Baby Names of 2005

Well, I was reading one of my dozens of newsletters I get in my inbox. One from babycenter.com had a link to the top 100 baby names of 2005. Here's what said...

"This year, just two boy's names are new to the Top 100 list: Ben at #97 and Drew at #100. As for girls, eight new names entered the top 100: Kyra debuts at #40, with Cadence, Camryn, Addison, Alana, Layla, Mckenna, and Lucy coming in lower in the list."

McKenna comes in at number 99 for 2005, but notice the little "K". Maybe it'll be the new "Michelle". I see a lot of Makayla's or Mykayla's. I still prefer Michaela. McKenna and Michaela. Not girlie names. Feminine, but strong. That's them.

Happy New Year!

Okay, so I'm a day late. But, I haven't gone to bed yet, so for me it is still the 1st.

We spent New Year's Eve just hanging out like any other Saturday. The kids played and watched some TV. They did their usual riding bikes and scooters, legos, coloring, Kyle played with his cars. Keith and I played on our computers. Not really doing much, but managing to fill an entire day. After the kids went to bed, Keith and I watched The Exorcism of Emily Rose. It didn't scare the bejeezers out of me like The Exorcist did. It was more thought provoking if any thing. I didn't have to sleep with the lights on. lol

New Year's Day. Today. It rained, as it did yesterday. Today Kevin and I went to church. We saw one of his classmates and her family which was really nice. It was nice in that we had never been to this church and it was comforting to see some familiar faces. So, one of the things I wanted to do this new year was to go back to church. I haven't been going regularly in so long. Kevin hasn't gone much and doesn't know a lot of the traditional things that are done at Mass. There isn't a Sunday school program for Kindergarteners, but next year I plan to enroll him. He was a little fidgety, but not too bad.

Keith is sick. He started not feeling so good in the early afternoon. It is a stomach thing. Poor Keith. I feel bad for him. I don't think it is what Kevin had. Kevin's been over that since Wednesday. I think maybe it was something he ate, although I can't imagine what it could have been.

We had chicken curry for dinner last night. Keith made his own modified version and ate that. I don't think that was what did it though. It is a mystery.

Keith has Monday off and is planning on taking Tuesday off to get repairs done on his truck. With him feeling this lousy though, it might end up being sick time and him not being able to take his truck in.

Kyle is talking more and more. Kenna is finally eating food other than baby food. Kevin's stuttering is present again and it had been going on since Christmas. I am not sure what brought it on. I may talk to the school's speech therapist and his teacher to see what our next course of action should be.

Kaela is as princessy as ever. She is trying to get away with things by flashing her little smile. I made it clear to her today that that was not going to work. She got the hint, but still tries to get away with it with Daddy and Kevin.

As for me, I am just trying to focus myself and trying to see what I want to accomplish for the new year. Still thinking. Maybe I'll post what I plan for the new year.

I tried to take a New Year's picture of us last night, but Kenna was sleepy so it was a no go. I took two pictures and they both came out horrible. Oh well.

Okay, I guess I shall be signing off. Happy New Year!

It was a Nice Holiday

So, I have like four posts in the last two months and before that I was doing so good at keeping up the posts. Well, as like everyone, it has been really busy for me since Halloween. Time slows for no one, but for me it seemed to have sped up. With all the stress that was incurred with the car accident, that made Thanksgiving fly by and before I knew it, it was the day after Christmas, even now it is four days after Christmas and then it'll be the new year.

Well, let's see. I think I will spare the details of just our everyday stuff that has taken up most of my time, and recap Christmas.

Mom came down and spent Christmas with us. It was so nice to have her here. The kids were so excited that she was going to be here and they loved all the attention that Grandma showered upon them. They played games and she read to them. The day before Christmas, she walked them to the park and they played there awhile. Afterwards, the walked all the way down to the Dairy Queen were they had lunch and ice cream. Mom brought them a lot of really cool toys, clothes and some PJs. They really enjoyed getting them. Mom's visit with us was short, but I know they kids will talk about it up until Mom's next visit with us.

Christmas eve the kids each got to open one present. On Christmas morning the kids opened all their gifts. They all got some really neat things. Christmas seemed like it had been going on for a few days because the kids got to open some presents early. So, there has been new toys being played with around here for about a week.

Maria and Ris and the kids flew in from the Philippines a few days before Christmas and Mom and Dad continued with their visit there. They were all there for my aunt's 50th wedding anniversary. We didn't go because with McKenna being so young, we didn't think it would make for easy travel. So, we stayed behind.

With Mom and Dad in the Philippines this year, so they didn't host the family party which has been held at their house every year my entire life. I remember them having a party with tons of friends and relatives pre-California days, which was more than 30 years ago.

This year the party was at my cousins house. It was a nice party and we did have fun. We were missing almost an entire branch of the family tree and they were missed. It was weird not having Mom and Dad there, but they did call during the party and spoke to everyone.

Before the party, we exchanged our family gifts. The kids got a ton more stuff, then at my cousins house they got even more! Christmas gifts are for kids, but sometimes I wonder how much is too much. I say that with a bit of guilt as I know that they get so many wonderful gifts because they are loved by so many wonderful people. They are so fortunate to have so many people that care so much about them.

Well, my parents flew home yesterday and they stopped by here on their way home. It was nice to see them. It was weird not having them here. I am glad they are home. They brought back lots of yummy Philippine sweets which got divvied up amongst us all.

Kevin refused any of the sweets. He got sick the day after Christmas with some weird stomach thing. He complained about having an upset stomach right before bed the day after Christmas. Maria and I went to Target to hit the after Christmas clearance stuff and when we got home, all the kids that were asleep when we left, were all awake and Kevin was in a new pair of PJs. It turns out that shortly after we left, he threw up at least a dozen times and was on his second set of PJs. His bed sheets and blankets were a mess and they had gone through almost all the towels. Keith and Mom (mostly Keith according to Mom) cleaned it all up. I ended up staying on the couch with Kevin. The poor thing threw up all night until about 7am the next day. He stayed in bed all day Tuesday and yesterday. He was weak and dizzy. Today he is feeling great (according to Kevin), but he looks like he hasn't eaten in two days - which he hasn't.

So, it is today. I am going to work in the garage, clearing out the tons of stuff we have in there. I hope to get it done this week (what's left of it!) to start the new year off, well, new!

I plan to post on new year's eve. It'll be this blog's one year anniversary!

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas everyone!