His Name is Jonas

Early one morning

2011-07-30T16:28:00.000-07:00

Photos by Jonas

2010-12-30T21:24:00.000-08:00

Jonas received a kid's digital camera for Christmas from Grammy Stella and Grampa Jesse. Here are some of his pics:

Month 60: Turning Five

2010-11-15T20:54:00.000-08:00

Dear Jonas,

*Your birthday was on Saturday. We had a big party for you because you turned five. We had it all: a brinka-brinka, a bunch of balloons, friends from school, lots of family, good food and a Toy Story cake and pinata. You were excited about it all and even helped set it up.

I can't believe five years have gone by already. Where did the time go? Well, I know where it went. It passed us by as you...

were learning how to talk at such an early age.
sat still and listened while I read to you at about 19-months old (Angus doesn't have time for sitting still while I read).
looked out the window of our little house on 4th street every morning watching the cars zoom by.
learned how to bake and cook everything from cakes to enchiladas. Always wanting to make something for all of us to try.
spent summers in a little plastic pool splashing, playing in the mud and holding the hose to cool off or just for fun.
worked on puzzles and mastered them so quickly and so young.
welcomed a baby brother into your life. It was a lot to take in, but you did it with ease and lots of love. You smelled his head for weeks after he was born.
sat in a barbers chair and got your very first haircut.
attended preschool and tried to keep a brave face the first day, until it was time to leave, then you started to cry. I cried in the parking lot after you went in. It was too much for mom, too.

This list does not even justify the amount of things you have done, learned, experienced, seen...

You are a very compassionate little boy who feels bad when daddy has to go out of

town or when you hear about grandpa being sick. You still enjoy reading, every night, three books or more, without fail.You have a great interest in nature. You now love video games, but which little boy doesn't. You are happy about having a sister, even though you keep telling me you want her to be your older sister.

You come up with the silliest things. After watching a Scotch-Brite commercial you now want all

the different types of scrubbers and you tell me what each one is for. Apparently, one is for tough angles, another for tough tub scrubbing and so on. You actually use them and clean stuff for mom. You are at the top of your preschool class, which doesn't surprise me at all.

Best of all I love you for being you!

I love everything about you, even when moods change, when smiles turn upside down, when grumpiness sets in, when you don't get your way and tell me I'm mean. Even though, sometimes, some moments are harder than others...

I love it all.

*At the end of your party, we let all of the balloons go in honor of you. I asked you to make a wish before you set yours off. You weren't sure what to wish for at first. After thinking it over you said:

"I wish for...a happy life."

I couldn't have said it better myself.

Happy Birthday!

Love,

Mom

El Vaquero

2010-11-08T20:39:00.000-08:00

My little cowboy.

Month 58

2010-09-13T21:54:00.000-07:00

Dear Jonas,

You turned 58 months old. You are getting closer and closer to the big 5 and almost off to big boy school. You are already turning into such a handsome young boy. That little brain of yours is full and full of ideas every single day.

You come up with the silliest things. I have to hug you to hold on to you at this age. Some day you are going to be all grown up and I will look back on these years and remember all your sweet and carefree ways.

Video games are hot on your mind. I wish they weren't around, but there's nothing I can do now, except to limit your time on them. Dad wishes you never played them at all. It's hard when that is all you see or hear about from friends and family. They are tempting and fun, and I can easily see how hours can be spent on them, but you do listen when it's

time to stop playing.

You and Angus are so

good together. Some days there isn't a fight in sight. Other days, you get mad at him for doing something to you or taking something from you. I am sorry, but that is just what little brothers do. He wants to be just like YOU! He repeats everything you say and copies everything you do. Forget about his baby toys, even the toys you like, he likes.

Dad has been working a lot these days and he wishes he didn't have to, but there is nothing he can do about it. I can see how much you miss him being around most evenings.

We continue to read at night.

That interest is still there, thank goodness! You ask questions about words you don't recognize and you use them later, correctly.

You know all your letters and numbers, can recognize them and say them without hesitation. You know the days of the week and months of the year. "S-T-O-P, stop, you have to stop at the stop sign, mom."

You are an amazing little boy and you are only four, but no matter what age, you will always be my little boy.

Love you,

Mom

The day you gave dad a tattoo

2010-08-16T20:56:00.000-07:00

Dad was home for lunch and out of the blue you asked him if he wanted a tattoo. You grabbed a tattoo book we checked out from the library and had him pick.

Dad chose the snake wrapped around a sword. You got your paint, a brush and some water. You did a pretty awesome job on it. Dad was very happy and pleased with it.

When he came home from work you asked about it. He was disappointed that it had rubbed off while working. He wished it could have stayed forever!

Photography by Jonas Armenta

2010-07-22T09:51:00.000-07:00

All that he wanted

2010-06-21T22:24:00.001-07:00

Month 55

2010-06-03T11:07:00.000-07:00

Dear Jonas,

What a big boy! You are now in preschool and you LIKE it. This makes mom so happy.

The first day was hard for both of us.

I had butterflies days before because I knew it was going to be hard dropping you off for the first time. We got ready that morning and you were doing great until Sesame Street came on (you knew that when S.S. was on we were going to be leaving).

Then you started crying and telling me you didn't want to go and that you wanted to stay with me, because I was the best mommy. Well, that just broke my heart. I felt like holding you and saying, "Don't worry, baby, you never have to go, you can stay with mama, all you want." I knew that I couldn't do that. I was trying my hardest to hold back my tears, while encouraging you, letting you know everything was going to be fine and that school was going to be fun.

Luckily, daddy came home and that helped a lot. You got in the truck and were still crying, but you weren't upset or anything, just a little scared, because you didn't know what to expect. We got there, looked around, you didn't want us to go. Then I was sent off to talk to the school director so it would be easier because you weren't letting mommy go. Daddy was the one to hand you over to the teacher. She told you to say bye to daddy and you did, in the saddest little voice.

When I heard that, I walked out of the gate, my tears just came out. Daddy said he felt like crying too, and daddy never cries! It was just hard to drop you off and leave you. I start to think, well, what if he needs water, or gets hungry or has to go to the bathroom or what if a kid hurts him, or whatever. Stuff I know because I am with you everyday. I know when something is bothering you or when you need anything, I am always there.

Today was different. You were happy to go, still a little nervous, but happy. When I said I had to leave, I told you to play in the playground and you said, "I want to be with the teacher." We found her, you hugged her and held her hand. How sweet! You told me you would miss me. I know you will be just fine and I can't wait to hear about all the fun stuff you will do.

I love you.

Mom

Savings

2010-05-27T21:31:00.000-07:00

Jeremiah bought Jonas this old big bird bank at a yard sale last Saturday. When we got home that day, he went straight to the bathroom to give it a good wash.

Jonas loves it, but we now have no change around the house, in my car and miah's work pants.

Jonas takes it all.

Pennies, quarters, p.p.p money, italian and mexican change, sure, why not. It's all in there. I try to explain to him that some is not worth anything here, but he just thinks I'm trying to take his money away. I would never!

He is saving up for a "really big toy," one worth "25 DOLLARS!"

and i quote

2010-05-24T22:02:00.000-07:00

"Angus looks chubbier everyday."

"It's my day off on fridays, saturdays and mondays."

"What the baby-heck!"

"I'm just a little boy."

B/W

2010-05-18T22:04:00.001-07:00

Jonas: Are you going to be my kids grandma when I get big?

Me: Yes.

Jonas: Are you going to look like that (while pointing at an older woman on a t.v. commercial)?

Me: Yes, when I get older.

Jonas: I want you to stay how you are.

Me: I'll try my hardest.

My son - the future hunter

2010-05-08T21:21:00.000-07:00

Jonas wants to hunt animals when he gets bigger. He says he is going to own a Bass Pro Shops.

He's going to hunt for his animals and get them stuffed. But he is only going to hunt deer, moose, ducks, and birds. Not elephants, zebras or giraffes. He told me this at bed time. Oh, then he changed his mind, he's going to own Cabela's.

Oy.

I tried to talk to him about how beautiful animals are and that shooting them isn't nice, but he said he's not going to shoot a lot. He said, "But I need some for my store." "Oh, I guess so," I said.

I hope he moves on to something else, something that doesn't involve shooting anything!

Pinata time

2010-04-23T20:17:00.000-07:00

We made a pinata today with some leftover tissue paper from Angy's birthday. We put candy in and let the fun begin.

Jonas hit it and some candy fell out, then I hit it kind of hard and all the candy came out. Jonas was upset that I did that.

He said, "It's supposed to be my turn, then my turn, then my turn." Then he was over it.

Month 53

2010-04-18T22:07:00.000-07:00

Dear Jonas,

You turned 53 months on the 13th. You have enjoyed fishing lately. Dad has taught you how to throw out your line and you do it like a pro, well like a 4 year old pro. We bought you a spongebob fishing pole and it has a plankton bobber. It's pretty cool!

I took you to the park the other night and you said you were going to try to catch us a big bass. Well, you only caught some "sea weed". You wanted to bring it because that was your catch for the night. It's still in my trunk.

I think I found the perfect preschool for you today. I can't wait for you to see it. I think you are going to love it. You are ready! You are ready to make lots of friends, learn new stuff, but you will be away from me and I will miss you so, even though it is only two or three days out of the week.

I am too attached to you. It's just that I see you growing up so quickly and I want to hold on to you as much I can until well, your friendships, school, or whatever you are into take you away. I know that is what is supposed to happen, but you will always be my little man.

Too sappy, I know, I can't help it.

We have been having some really good conversations and we have our own inside jokes. It's cool to see your sense of humor blossom. It's a pretty good one too. You make dad and I laugh all the time with your jokes or funny thoughts and sayings.

And one thing that I love is how sweet you are with brother. You love him so! That is sweeeeeet! I worried so much that you would feel jealous, but there was nothing to worry about.

Just one thing I want you to stop doing is whining. Oh my, please, stop the whining. You are getting a little better about it, but it's still shows up once in a while.

Other than that, keep up the great work!

Love you,
Mom

Bubbles

2010-04-06T22:03:00.000-07:00

(After buying his new Toy Story light-up shoes)

Jonas: I'm like a kid who has light up shoes.

(While eating lunch)

Jonas: When I get big I'm going to have a house.

Mom: Can I come visit you a lot?

Jonas: Yes, anytime you want. Everyday we can stay up all night.

Mom: Really?

Jonas: We can play a barrel of monkeys every night.

Mom: Are you going to have a room for me?

Jonas: Yes, but you can sleep on my pillow too. I'm going to have two.

(He was saying this after he heard it on a youtube video)

Jonas: "Would you kiss your mom with that mouth?"

Month 52

2010-03-26T20:29:00.000-07:00

Dear Jonas,

You turned 52 months old on the 13th. You have been cooking non-stop lately. I've stopped to think about everything you make and there are some days where you and I have made breakfast, lunch, dinner and some snacks in between. You are one good little chef. I let you create whatever you want. You uses spices, cheeses, noodles, and lately you've been working with flour.

The other morning your friend Philip came over, but you walked over to the kitchen and told me you wanted to wash the dishes. I said, "Play with your friend, you can wash them later." You said, "I like to be in the kitchen."

We have started looking for preschools. At first I told you about them and you were not interested. "I am never going to a preschool. I am never going." Today we went to two and you liked them. We walked into a classroom while the kids were getting ready for nap time and you kept asking if you could take a nap with them.

I am so relieved that you want to go, but then I look at how fast you are growing up and I feel sad. My first born child is growing up and soon you won't need me as much. Poor mothers all over who have to watch their precious babies grow up.

No matter what, you will always be my baby. As the little song goes from the book we read:

I'll love you forever

I'll like you for always

As long as I'm living

My baby you'll be.

Enchanted Island

2010-03-25T23:29:00.001-07:00

A day at the park on dad's day off.

We rode the train, Jonas got on the bumper boats and we even went on a paddle boat ride, which only lasted about 25 minutes.

Angus was mad, need I say more.

Both boys fell asleep on the way home after a little crying.

Bike Rider

2010-03-18T20:41:00.000-07:00

We were out driving around on Sunday morning, looking for yard sales. We were having no luck. We spotted one, stopped and saw what was to be Jman's new bike. It was $15, dad asked if we could have it for $10.

SOLD!

We bought training wheels, a new tube and took it to the shop to get it ready for you to ride. Now that you've got the hang of it you can't stop riding.

The Park by Jonas

2010-03-18T08:23:00.000-07:00

King of the dirt mountain

2010-03-13T20:46:00.000-08:00

Dad had a friend drop off all this dirt in our yard.

You didn't know about it until this afternoon.

Dirt throwing was definitely in store for you, as well as digging, climbing and seed planting.

A little bit of mud...

2010-03-10T09:07:00.000-08:00

We had a few rainy days last week. This equals lots of fun mud to play with.

At first it started out as a fun game of mixing the best mud hot chocolate.

Then you added some ingredients, then you fell in.

Then you got really muddy, then you splashed some on the wall.

Then you walked around the yard, spreading mud everywhere, then Angus was trying to eat the mud.

Then, well, the pictures say it all..

Dad got home and wasn't too happy with our "little" mess, but you sure had fun!

And in the end, isn't that what really matters, because we can always clean everything up, in the end, of course.

Bath time

2010-02-22T19:54:00.000-08:00

The boys eating oranges in the sink.

I tried to take Angy out and Jonas said, "Put him back in." Then Angy started crying because he didn't want to get out. So, I put him back in.

Angus splashed and splashed and Jonas squirted bubbles out of the "baby wash" bottle.

The kitchen floor was wet, mom was soaked, but the boys were happy.

Nana Irma

2010-02-19T20:22:00.001-08:00

I'm so glad you feel comfy at Nana's house, like I did when I was little. You asked if you could "borrow" her new box of cereal.

She gave it to you!

That's Nana for you!

Red, green and yellow!!

2010-02-19T20:17:00.000-08:00

In the sink. Lookin' a little too big, but having lots of fun.

Painting!

2010-02-17T20:26:00.000-08:00

Jonas and Philip painting outside on a lovely day.

A flower from my boy!

2010-02-16T21:09:00.000-08:00

It was the day before Valentine's day, we were walking to daddy's shop and you spotted these pretty yellow dandelions. You walked on over, picked one and handed it to me, "Here mama, a flower for you."

It was so sweet. It came from your little heart and I love that.

Riding around the block

2010-02-04T11:34:00.000-08:00

"I'm going to ride all the way to the shop."

Month 51

2010-02-01T18:57:00.000-08:00

Dear Jonas,

A lot has happened since the last letter I posted. You are four years old now. Christmas has passed. A new year has begun.

I can't believe that this year you are going to turn five! What! My little boy will soon be going to kindergarten, but lets not mention that now because I may start to cry.

We've had some ups and downs.

You are really loving cooking, baking, and just creating lots of different stuff. Daddy and I think its wonderful and we try to include you when we are cooking something new or different. We try to show you new stuff, well, as much as we know.

Today we made banana bread just because you heard someone making it on t.v. I found a recipe and just stood there, supervising, because you did all the work. You are a great baker!

This weekend you had lots of fun because your friend, Philip, came to visit you. He is eight years old, but you two get along really well. You two threw rocks into the canal, watched spongebob and colored. You even cried when he had to go home. You get pretty upset when lots of people have to leave. Even some of daddy's customers.

We have also had some not-fun moments. Today we went to the store to pick up some baby wipes and you threw a big fit over a spongebob video game that was $25. You screamed in the store and it was not fun at all. Buddy Boo was watching you and I argue. You didn't get it, of course. You were very angry!

You are the best older brother. You give Angus some sweet nicknames. The one that has stuck is "Buddy Boo" or "Angy Pangy". You always say stuff like, "Babies have cute heads," or "Buddy Boo's cute, Willy's Butte," just cause it rhymes.

The only time you get upset with him is when he pulls your hair or when he destroys something you are working on or gets in the way when you are playing. I can put a bunch of toys in front of him, but he would much rather be where the real action is, with his big brother.

Love,
Mom

Christmas is coming

2009-12-19T21:12:00.000-08:00

All that you have been asking for is the "piggy that eats hamburgers" and the spongebob sno-cone maker.
Can't wait to see your face christmas morning.

Nothin' but LOVE

2009-07-18T23:13:00.000-07:00

New Shoes

2009-07-18T23:01:00.000-07:00

Cool green "converse" from the swap meet, only $10!

Month 44

2009-07-18T22:33:00.001-07:00

Dear Jonas,

You turned 44 months old five days ago. You have been a very busy bee, what with all the coloring you do. You ask to get a picture printed out every day. Our printer is almost out of black ink because of you! You love coloring with markers and I am so proud that you put the tops on your markers and put them away in their special box.

The other day you threw a fit because you wanted these markers called "Blendy Pens" from Costco. You were screaming in the store and crying because you wanted them so bad. Well, you didn't get them and all the screaming and crying didn't help you. So, I showed you our change jar and told you to put any pennies, nickels, dimes or quarters you find, so that you can save up for your blendy pens. I wanted to teach you about saving and all that good stuff. Well, you finally had enough and we bought them. You were so happy because you bought them with the money you saved.

Next on our money earning agenda is to have a yard sale. You have sorted the toys you don't want anymore into three boxes. All we need now is good weather. It has been so hot.

I am sorry that we are stuck indoors most of the day. I have been looking for events or activities for us to do. But living in Arizona in the heat can be tough on a parent, or me, i guess.

Lately you have been asking me what ingredients are needed to make the foods we eat. We'll be seated at the table eating, then you ask, "What ingredients do you use to make pancakes?" So, I go through all the ingredients. This morning you asked dad what ingredients you needed to make people. You really got him there, he tried his best to answer that one.

Keep those questions rolling.

Love,
Mom

My beautiful sleeping babies

2009-07-09T10:45:00.001-07:00

Jonas' happy 4th!

2009-07-05T10:20:00.000-07:00

Enjoying a watermelon paleta in his pool.

Too many ribs.

Month 43

2009-06-29T21:48:00.000-07:00

Dear Jonas,

I started this blog when you were 10-months-old. I am going to start writing a letter to you every month to let you know about what a wonderful little boy you are. It's going to have all the ups and downs of your life.

Here we go. I hope you enjoy this.

You are finally getting over this grumpy state that you have been in for the past couple of months. I think I know why you have been Mr. Negative lately. Well, you have a brand new little brother who has been taking up my attention. Yes, I am trying to find a way to give you each the attention you deserve. It has not been easy and I know that is why you have been getting upset lately or irritated at the tiniest of things. Thank god you are finally getting over this. Life is much easier when you are happy.

You have been watching a lot of Gumby lately. Which I think is awesome because you like something that has such simple animation. Grandma Estella bought the Gumby movie for you and you absolutely love it. I used to watch it when I was little. Only thing is you want to watch it a couple of times a day. I know that you will soon move on to something new, so I allow it.

The other day I was telling you about how much fun school was going to be when you start going. We plan on putting you in preschool when you are four. You looked excited for a second, then you asked me, "Are you going to be there?" And I said, "I will be dropping you off and picking you up." And you did not like it one bit. Well, you frowned instantly and you said, "I don't want to go to school" about four times. So I dropped the subject.

You have been very attached to me, more than before, even. Ever since I came back from the hospital you have not wanted to leave my sight. Dad was feeling bummed because you didn't want to hang out with just him, but I think now you are getting over that too. You know that I am here and that I am not going anywhere. I will always be here! You don't ever have to worry about that.

You have so many interests: gardening, cooking, drawing, painting. The other day you said you wanted to be a pilot and you were going to fly me to Paris. Paris! I can't wait to for the time when we can travel together. Then a few days later you said you were going to work at Denny's and make food for everyone. That is your favorite restaurant. Daddy took us there one night and the first thing we ordered was a strawberry milkshake. That one you over, instantly.

Words you use: dignified, splendid, realize. Your vocabulary is amazing. Your daddy and I sometimes think we are talking to a teenager not a three-year old.

You absolutely love Angus. I know it is hard for you at times to see him in my arms most of the time, but you never let it get to you. Instead, you give him kisses on his head or fart on his tummy. You look out for him. If someone is holding him and he cries, you say, "I think he needs tee-tee."

In the early morning hours when you call me to your room, sometimes Angus starts crying to be fed and I tell you, "I'll be right back, I have to feed brother." You say, "NO," but then warm up immediately and say, "Okay, go feed baby brother."

I feel blessed to have a little boy that is so smart. You love books and you memorize them so quickly. You did this when you were younger, but I hadn't tested you in a while. The other day I started reading a book to you and paused on one of the sentences and you finished it for me. Then I asked you to read the rest of the page and you did. I can't even do that.

Love,
Mom

Me and my boy

2009-06-28T12:22:00.000-07:00

Big Brother

2009-06-13T08:42:00.001-07:00

Jonas is one sweet boy. He never ceases to kiss his baby brother on the head. He talks to him and includes him every time we do something.

If we are in the car and Angus starts to cry, he'll give him his binky.

He is learning patience, little by little. Sometimes things can't be done as fast as he'd like but he takes it without complaining, most of the time.

He is my little artist. Always working on some art project, coloring in his coloring books, or drawing pictures of his favorite cartoon characters, like spongebob.

Beautiful Brothers

2009-04-29T20:51:00.000-07:00

Handsome!

2009-04-29T20:45:00.001-07:00

First Haircut

2009-04-16T07:53:00.001-07:00

My little man is so good. He had his first haircut and it went so well.

I was worried about him getting scared or something, especially because he started crying after he saw Jeremiah with short hair.

He loved his long hair, but I told him it would only be a little shorter. He was ready.

Looking at these photos makes me sad. He is growing up so fast. That smile, those cheeks, his bravery...brings tears to my eyes.

He amazes me every day. He knows so much and speaks so well. He absolutely loves his baby brother and gives him kisses every day.

I know he's been feeling a little jealous because he'll glance over many times when I'm holding the baby, but he never gets upset about it.

Sometimes he acts up, but it's only normal considering how quickly his life changed.

I just want him to know that I love him so much! He is a beautiful person and he's only three.

Yeah, he has his Jonas moments, like when he sends people to work or tries to boss people around, but that just makes him more interesting. He holds his own when he's around older kids, no one tells him what to do.

My boy is one special kid. He loves books, loves nature. Today at grandma Estella's house he was popping water balloons and he started saying hello to the butterflies, trees, sun, ants..."Hello sun." "Hello birds." "Hello bees." "Hello dirt."

He was so sweet!

I always hug him and tell him, "Don't go growin' up too fast!"

"I won't grow up too fast," he reassures me.

I love him so much!!!!

Another day

2009-03-21T10:51:00.000-07:00

Another lovely, yet hot afternoon spent fishing. We didn't catch anything, again, but Jeremiah sure tried.

Mr. Jonas loves playing with our bait. They bought these big, fat worms that Jonas loves to experiment with.

He threw one in the water, put one on a tree and wrapped one around baby bear's neck, like a scarf, to keep him warm.

I don't do much because I'm just too big to do anything. I can't wait for the day to finally arrive. I am so ready to see this baby and to be myself again. I can't even walk for very long.

My little man has been so patient. He understands that his baby brother is in my tummy. No jealousy yet and I hope it stays that way.

Our whole world revolves around Jonas. I kind of feel bad, because we will be taking that attention from him. It will all work out. I hope.

My little chef

2009-03-17T08:04:00.001-07:00

Jonas enjoys making cookies, cakes and he helps with dinner all the time. We made these cupcakes a week ago and they looked so good.

We had a limited amount of sprinkles but he made sure each cupcake had some.

The other night he helped with dinner by cutting up the asparagus in pieces putting them in the pot, shucking the corn and adding the couscous ingredients.

One of his specialties is mac and cheese. It's his favorite and he makes it really cheesy!

I guess this love for baking and cooking runs in the family.

Jonas doing his first Elvis impersonation

2009-03-12T00:27:00.001-07:00

Gone Fishin'

2009-03-09T08:21:00.001-07:00

We went fishing yesterday and had a really nice time. Jonas loved it. He was eating up all the snacks we took, reeling in his line over and over and just waiting around like a good little fisherman.

He and Jeremiah even dug for their worms before heading out to the park.

He was a little hungry and started eating straight from the can of corn we took.

Planting our lemon tree

2009-03-08T14:48:00.000-07:00

Caught Red Handed

2009-02-11T19:25:00.000-08:00

I caught Jonas getting into the cinnamon rolls we baked yesterday.

I was in the laundry room getting clothes from the dryer and walked in to find him eating his second cinnamon roll.

He picked up the crate from the shop and used it to get to them. He was half naked because he had just gone potty.

Silly boy!

"Baby Bear and the Lava" by Jonas Armenta

2009-02-11T19:06:00.000-08:00

One day baby bear was going to the store at the donut place and he ran into yucky stuff and bubble gum. His mommy and daddy held all the bubble gum and then ran into the yucky stuff.

He didn't run into the lava and fire. He got out of the yucky stuff and he had to go poopo in the bathroom at the store and he was done and he didn't wash his hands.

He picked up a pastry, a strawberry one, and he went outside and it was raining. He couldn't eat his pastry. The little dog and Toucan ran away in the street and the little dog tried to catch him and there was nothing in AJ's.

Baby Bear went to AJ's and there was nothing in there. Then Toucan went in to look for little dog, he was in the store standing on the balloons real high.

Baby Bear said, "Where did everything go?"

Toucan says, "Over there." Little dog runs out of the store and then Toucan runs into the yucky stuff.

The End.

Play Doh Ice Cream

2009-02-10T16:17:00.000-08:00

In yummy flavors, like coconut, watermelon sorbet, vanilla and strawberry.

Ice cream man Jonas was busy all afternoon making these treats.

We couldn't touch these masterpieces or else we'd have an angry little boy after us!

Bath Time with Baby Bear

2009-02-06T08:18:00.000-08:00

Jonas loves this little stuffed bear that my mom bought at Ikea about a year and a half ago. His name is baby bear and Jonas talks to him all the time.

Jeremiah makes a high pitched voice with a mexican accent for baby bear.

Jonas loves this. He loves having conversations with him and now he has me talking like that too. "Mommy, talk like baby bear," he says. I do, but Jeremiah does it best.

Yesterday he took him into the bath with him. He was washing him, jumping with him and baby bear even got soap in his eyes.

Baby Bear gets so much love from Jonas, just like his favorite brown pillows do. He even made up a song tonight about him.

He'll squeeze him so tight and say out loud, "I love you, Baby Bear!"
I wish I got that kind of love from my little wild man! Well, I do, once in a while, but a mom would love it all times.

Leather is in

2009-02-03T20:07:00.000-08:00

My Little Man!

2009-02-03T20:05:00.001-08:00

Jonas the Juicer

2009-01-31T21:59:00.000-08:00

We picked oranges at grandma Tricia's house this morning. Jonas couldn't wait to come home and start juicing. We have LOTS of fresh o.j. for breakfast tomorrow morning, thanks to him.

3 years, 2 months old

2009-01-31T21:56:00.000-08:00

Fun with the Abuelos

2009-01-29T21:06:00.000-08:00

My mom and dad came over on Thursday. Jonas was having a good old time playing with them.

These three were jumping on the bed, running around the house playing chase and going into our messy bedroom with a flashlight. Jonas called it the haunted house. It can be a little scary at times, what with piles of clothes here and there.

He was so tired at the end of the night from playing so much that he told me he was ready for bed.

He got on the bed and began caressing his brown pillow (it's like a favorite blankie) and told grandma, "You sleep on the floor, grandma."

If she got up to go potty, he waited for her to come back in, made sure she was on the floor and then got comfortable himself and fell asleep.

Of course, grandma listened to him and pretended to sleep on the floor. These two are so funny together. When they are together, it's hard to see which is the adult and which is the child.

He had her trying to say "spongebob" corrrectly. Grandma says, "bombpop". So he said, "Just try it grandma."
She did and said it correctly. He was so proud of her. "You did it grandma!"

Up

2009-01-17T12:48:00.000-08:00

Always wanting to do everything daddy does.

It was a really nice evening.

Jeremiah was outside taking photos of a bike while we watched him and munched on Doritos. Jonas just had to climb the ladder.

Crazy Boys

2009-01-17T12:18:00.000-08:00

This always happens right before bedtime. Jeremiah gets Jonas all excited and wild.

I'm left with a little boy that doesn't want to go to bed. These two go crazy, running around the house together, playing chase.

The Big 3!

2008-11-16T15:34:00.001-08:00

Shop Baby

2008-11-10T19:56:00.000-08:00

Jonas taking a little cruise before bedtime.

These two were having too much fun!

Jonas in daddy's shop last night. He was helping fix the "ikle".

The Best Looking Thomas

2008-11-03T21:39:00.000-08:00

Halloween!

2008-11-03T21:17:00.000-08:00

We carved pumpkins before it was time to round up our candy.

Jonas' first costume choice was Wall-E, but since we couldn't find one and didn't make one, he decided to go as Thomas.

He was excited to go trick or treating, although he wasn't quite sure what to expect. He kept telling Jeremiah and I way before it was Halloween to take care of him when we see scary stuff.

He yelled out "trick or treat" and told all our neighbors who he was, "I'm Thomas the tank engine."

When we passed our house and saw kids trick or treating there he wanted to "beat them up" because he said they were taking grandma's candies away.

He dumped out his candy filled plastic pumpkin on the table and started tasting away. Most candies he just looked at and left on the table, which was fine by me. But boy does he love chocolate!

A Couple of Wise Guys

2008-11-03T21:00:00.000-08:00

Jonas and daddy drawing in the backyard one evening.

Pumpkin Carving

2008-10-15T14:39:00.001-07:00

The Artist

2008-10-15T14:32:00.000-07:00

Fun in a Box

2008-10-04T14:51:00.001-07:00

Mmm, broccoli!

2008-10-03T22:36:00.000-07:00

What to do

2008-09-29T20:58:00.000-07:00

What a temper this boy has. For the last couple of days he has been getting so upset over lots of little things. Usually he's pretty easy going, except for his usual "no's" and "go to work" phrases he says to just about anybody.

I thought that maybe it was because he was bored at home. I've been trying to find different and fun things for him to do during the day.

I ask him to help me cook, which he loves to do. He pours, stirs, shakes, whatever it is I ask of him, and he does it so good. I set up his easel outside and we paint. We even made dinosaurs out of blocks.

I pull out his puzzles. This boy can put together 24-36 piece puzzles so fast, it blows us away. Even new puzzles that he has never put together, of course, but he is so fast.

The other day, he was helping daddy "fix the ikle" by putting bolts here and there, using the screwdriver and playing with the new compressor. He loved this loud thing. He pressed it over and over and over... Jeremiah loves it when he's out there helping him.

One thing that bugs me is that he wants to watch too much T.V. I try to limit him to two movies a day, one in the morning and one in the evening. Which means I have to think up things for him to do so that he doesn't think about it or get bored.

Before bedtime, we read three books and talk. He's been telling me that he loves me so often. He says, "I'm little foot and you're the mama." Then he snuggles close to me and tells me, "I love you mama." It's heaven to hear his little voice tell me that.

That just melts my heart and I forget about all the little tantrums we had during the day.

Sweet Jonas!

2008-09-21T23:23:00.000-07:00

A Swirl of Emotions

2008-09-21T22:18:00.000-07:00

After a long day of playing, a good bath was in store for this little wild man. This morning we all got ready and went to feed grandma 'trisha's animals and went to the park after.

Jonas didn't want to go because he was worried about the rooster that hangs out in the back yard. When we went to feed the animals yesterday, I was in the front trying to open the door, when I heard Jonas crying and calling for me.

"Mama, I want you," he said.

I ran over to the back and found him. I asked what had happened. "The rooster was getting me!" he said. "I won't let him get you baby," I said.

This time, Jeremiah showed Jonas that the rooster wouldn't scare him again. Jeremiah chased it until he caught it. Jonas was cracking up. "Do it again," he said.

At the park, Jonas played for a long time with a couple of kids he met. They shared their toy. He was the smallest, but Miah and I giggled each time we heard him trying to be bossy with his new older buddies. So young and yet so bold!

After dinner we took a walk to the baseball field, where he found a baseball. He threw it around, then to daddy, then asked if he could take it home. We said yes, but I guess he changed his mind. On our way back home, he threw it back into the field.

Before bedtime, I grabbed the camera and started snapping away. I kept asking him to make different faces. Happy faces, scary faces, silly faces, and some really serious ones got in the mix.

We are always laughing so much. We have a special secret we tell each other. "I have a secret," I say, as I whisper into his ear. Well, I can't say what it is or else it wouldn't be a secret, but it's a funny one. I say it and we look at each other and crack up. Jeremiah is in on it, too. All I can say is that it has to do with gas.

He is the funniest little boy. I love his sense of humor so much. There is never a dull moment around here!

End of Summer Fun

2008-09-18T20:28:00.000-07:00

Jonas went for an early swim this morning.
It was about 9:30 a.m. when we filled up the pool. He played with his trains, splashed us with the hose and floated for a while, until he said, "I'm cold, mama."

We went inside, warmed him up and then while we were in one of the bedrooms, he spotted a cricket. He followed it for a while. Then I told him we should catch it. I grabbed a glass and caught the poor thing.

I asked him if he wanted to keep it or let it go and he wanted to keep it. He said, "Look at my beautiful pet!"
We went outside to put some dirt in the glass, because the cricket was sliding around. He filled it up too much and the cricket made an escape.

I caught it again and I told him that if he filled it up again his cricket would jump out.

He did and the cricket made his second escape and he was free. Jonas didn't mind too much. He continued to fill his cup with dirt. That was more fun, I guess.

Like Father...

2008-08-24T21:11:00.001-07:00

Is it just me or does he look a little too comfortable on a motorcycle?

Should I start worrying now?

I can see him now. All the girls are going to go crazy for this cool guy with his hair flowing in the wind as he rides.

Jonas the Baker

2008-08-24T20:54:00.000-07:00

This is why he loves to make cakes!
After it's been put in the oven, Jonas gets to enjoy the leftovers.

Jonas, holding his masterpiece!

Handsome Fella

2008-08-24T20:33:00.000-07:00

The wedding was in May, but I just had to post this photo of Jonas looking real smooth with his black tux. He was ready to walk down that aisle and he knew what he was supposed to do. I think I was the nervous one, thinking, "Oh, I hope he makes it all the way through."

It was so cute! When he got to the end, he saw his uncle Terry and started swinging the pillow at him. Don't know why, but it wouldn't have been like Jonas if he did nothing at all!

Rocky Point Adventures

2008-08-22T22:37:00.000-07:00

We went to Rocky Point last weekend. Jonas loves it. Although he does take long breaks from the sun to watch movies in the trailer. He didn't mind being buried in the sand, but I had to keep the sun away from his face with the boogie board.

Jonas loved the tide pools so much. He'd walk through looking for cool sea creatures. He even picked up crabs (some as big as his hand), star fish and other cool see life he'd find.

While he was walking along the tide pools, he carried his rake everywhere that evening. He put it down to go swimming and someone stole it. He did not understand why someone would take his toy. Before bedtime, he grabbed his shovel and pail and slept with them. He was not going to let those disappear!

We had to beg for this posed picture with smile from him. He was far too busy to stop for a photo. Grandma Estella and I smiled big before he walked away to look for more exciting stuff.

He would walk into the tide pools and "swim". "Look mom, I'm swimming," he'd say, using his hands to hold himself up. He and Jeremiah swam so much. The pools were a perfect size for him. He'd watch the fish swim by. It was so cool to see him so excited.

I think this smile says it all.

He'd spot crabs and let us all know. "Look daddy there it is," said Jonas. Jeremiah would walk over and try to catch the little crabs before they hid. He'd show Jonas and tell him to touch them.

At first, he was a bit apprehensive, but then he was brave and even held them. Then he'd pick them up himself and put them back in the water. He picked up two starfishes and put them into another small pool of water. "I put the baby with his momma," he'd say, putting the smaller one next to the bigger star fish. Mommy and baby need to be together. Of course!

Here we are at the most talked about aquarium in our lives. He always talks about the poor, lonesome seal, but every time we go to take a look at it, he changes his mind. "I don't want to see the seal," he says. Maybe next time! He does love to look at all the fish, crabs, turtles, eels and sea horses.

He told grandma and grandpa all about the aquarium. He showed them around. It's not the cleanest, but he absolutely loves it. We have to do some serious coaxing to get him out of there each time we go.

He points to all the sea animals on the mural outside the aquarium and names them. He's pretty much seen them all!

A Day at the Lake

2008-08-08T21:55:00.000-07:00

A few weeks ago, we packed up some munchies and headed to the lake. It was Miah, Tyler, Jonas and I, with water on our minds. We had a fun time, even though the water was pretty warm.

As soon as we got there, the birds found our chips and tore the bag up. They know all too well about humans and their junk food.

Jonas played in the sand with his trains, shovels and pail. He even walked over to join a little boy, who looked a couple of years older than j-man, but that kid just wasn't feelin' the company.

Jonas asked him what his name was and the little boy said, "I don't like to tell people my name." Well, Jonas and I walked away. We know when we are not wanted!

So then we got into the water and splashed with daddy.
We sat on our blanket eating a sweet watermelon, some cantaloupe, chips (another bag, that made it past the birds) and drank lots of water.
Jonas fell asleep on the way home. We had a really nice time!

Jonas' hair after it dried had the most beautiful curls. Women spend hours trying to achieve such perfect locks.

An evening at Tempe Town Lake

2008-08-08T16:18:00.000-07:00

A band was playing that night. We stopped to listen for a few minutes.

Then we walked into a store that sold bath products and Jonas got a free round bath salt. He was so happy and couldn't wait to put it in his bath.

Jumping Jonas

2008-07-03T23:15:00.000-07:00

Jonas has finally learned how to jump. I guess it happened while my mom was watching him these past couple of days. For months, we would play on the bed and he'd have Miah or me "bouncing" him or holding him while we jumped. We tried to show him how to lift both his feet at the same time. He would tell us, "I don't know how."
Now that he knows he doesn't want to stop.

"I wanna jump!" he said all day.

We went to his aunt 'Drea's house for a farewell barbecue. Drea has a trampouline, so Jonas was practicing his jumping skills.

Hunter and Walker are going back home. Jonas is going to miss Hunter so much. Those two had the best of times running around the house playing hide and seek. He asks for him almost every day. He even asks me to act like his cousin. "Mama, act like Hunter," says Jonas while playing with his trains, making a puzzle or while he's watching a movie. So, I try my hardest to sound like him, with tons of animated energy in my voice.
**Sorry baby, but next time you will see your cousin will be in December.**

When you've got lemons...

2008-02-17T12:21:00.000-08:00

Trick or Treat

2007-11-01T15:30:00.001-07:00

A few weeks before Halloween, I asked Jonas what he wanted to be and he would answer, "skeleton." So, I thought we would paint his face and let him wear black sweats and a sweater, so that he could be a skeleton. But when my mom and I went to the store, I spotted the cutest little dinosaur costume.

I wasn't sure whether he would keep it on. A few days before, I was telling him about his dinosaur costume and how cool it was. On Halloween, I put it on him and he was ready and willing. He was so adorable. Both grandmas were there to see him and he wanted to make sure they did. "Come on gramma, come on," he told them.

Then he looked in the mirror and was checking himself out. Probably thinking, "That is one good lookin' dinosaur."

The costume was perfect. And he was the best trick or treater ever. We sat him in a wagon, so he wouldn't get too tired. Everytime we stopped at a house, he was ready to go. We all took turns taking him up to the door, Jeremiah, grandpa Jesse, grandma Estella and I. He said "trick or treat" at almost every house we went to and "thank you." My boy is polite.

Every time I saw him walk up to a different house, a gust of wonderful emotions went through me. Some kids looked cute, but my baby was by far the cutest. He looked so grown up.

The coolest thing of all was that I had told him all about Halloween and what he would be doing. When the day finally arived, he knew just what to do, he had understood everything I had said. He was walking around as if he had been trick or treating for years.

All I have to do now is hide some of his candy. There is way too much for a two year old to handle on his own.

Jonas keeping his cool

2007-10-04T14:14:00.000-07:00

Here's Jonas at his friends birthday party.
We were on a small train and he leaned back and looked so tough and cool, but as soon as the train started moving he wanted to sit on my lap. It was a little too fast for him to sit by himself. He said he had ridden Thomas the train. He loved it!

In a pensive state

2007-08-29T21:29:00.000-07:00

Aunt 'Drea and Jonas chillin' at Rocky Point.
Jonas wasn't too sure about the gorilla made of metal that stood in front of him. So, he thought about whether it was OK to get close, as aunt Drea stood by with encouragment.

Face of Innocence

2007-08-20T22:21:00.000-07:00

More Mexico Fun

2007-08-19T12:11:00.000-07:00

Grandpa Jerry and Jonas making "mud" mountains.
Jonas loved the beach. Playing in the sand is his favorite thing, although he doesn't call it sand. He says, "mud, mamma mud." Can't wait to take him again, when it's not so hot.

Fun at Rocky Point

2007-07-26T22:53:00.000-07:00

Skateboarding with dad is so much fun!

2007-06-28T15:47:00.000-07:00

Jonas loves it when Jeremiah holds him and skates down the street. I tell them I'm going to get them and chase after. Jonas cracks up!
"Daddy, katebord," says little man when he's ready for a ride.

On Weaning

2007-05-22T13:42:00.000-07:00

The day has finally arrived. I have decided it is time to wean my precious baby. He is 18 months old and growing so fast. I feel sad because nursing him was such a special time for us both. Now, I am taking that away from him. I know, I am making it harder on myself. I know he will just forget, with time. But, I will miss our special moments together. Moment’s only he and I could share.

But I will replace our nursing time with lots of cuddling and play time.

He usually asks for his "ti-ti" when he wants to relax, after I get home from work or when he is ready for bed. When he was a baby, nursing would solve every problem. Instant relief would show in his eyes, as I sat and stared at his cherubic face.

On Sunday, I was trying to deny him of his afternoon nap “titi” and he cried, I cried and Jeremiah only watched. Not fully understanding how I felt or how Jonas was feeling. In the end, Jeremiah gave in and offered my “ti-ti” to Jonas. I guess, dad did understand.

But this time, I am going to be strong. He is eating well, drinking lots of regular milk and is getting too big for his loving “ti-ti.” I know it’s for the best.

Last night was the first night without “ti-ti” and it went well. We lay on the bed.
He asked for his soothing “ti-ti” and I told him I would sing to him.
“Ginkle,” requested Jonas. “Twinkle, twinkle, little star,” I sang as he repeated some of the words. “Upabove," “dimon” says my little man as his eyes slowly closed. A few minutes later, he was asleep. I think it was a little too easy, though. I’ll have to report in a week on how well or not so well, we both handled this situation.

For now, I'll just have to accept the fact that my little man is growing up, even though I don't want him to, at least not too fast.

Grandma and the boss

2007-05-15T16:13:00.000-07:00

2007-04-30T16:28:00.000-07:00

Jonas eating ice cream and hanging with his buddy Tali at grandma Estella's house.

2007-04-12T11:14:00.000-07:00

On the go

2007-03-20T21:58:00.000-07:00

J-man is one active boy. He is on his toes every minute, always moving, dancing and playing. I have to sit with him and entertain him with a book or an interesting object for him to rest a while. If I don't do this, he'll keep going and going and going and well, you get what I'm saying.

We had a bbq last Sunday and he was loving every minute of it. I was sitting back letting everyone have a turn playing with the man of the hour. He is one popular guy. He was having fun with his grandma's, grandpa's, cousins, aunt and best of all, dad.

I think Jonas gets a lot of his non-stop active nature from Jeremiah. They both want to be on the move, constantly doing something. I'm more laid back, but with these two, not so much anymore. They both love ramen noodles, motorcycles and skateboards. Oh and they are sporting the same wild hairstyle.

We're all a little sad because we are going to be moving soon. Mostly because Jonas grew up in this house and this is the last house Pico lived in.

Last week, we looked at the house we will be moving into and Jonas approved of it by running around, giggling in every room. He was especially fond of the stairs, which terrify me. We are going to have to make sure they stay blocked at all times and make sure he is never alone when near them.

He saw the first step, then looked up and said, "oooohhh.' That is one of his new sayings. If he sees something he likes, he'll say that and looks so amazed at whatever it is he is looking at. The move will be good because we will have more space to store our junk. He climbed up the stairs and only made it half way. His little heart was beating so hard. He then wanted to climb back down, then up again. A good thing about that is, I'll be in shape after following him up and down those stairs.

He is such a goofy boy. When we put sunglasses on him, we tell him, "look at the cool guy," and he'll say, "coo guy," lookin' all cute.

His new obsession is the hose. If we step out into the front yard, he will immediately say, "aba" (agua=water). Since it's warmer outside, we let him play in the water. He wets himself, us, the grass, our chairs, and his orange/yellow toy car.

He has also started saying hi, hola or hello to everyone he sees. Most people ignore him or may not hear him, 'cause he's so small, but he doesn't care. It hasn't stopped him from being friendly. I know that when he's bigger, he'll make friends easily.

Who wouldn't want to be friends with such a cool little guy!

Mr. Smarty Pants

2007-03-03T20:37:00.000-08:00

With all the walking Jonas does there are times when he falls and oh, I hate to say or see it, he bonks his little head. Jeremiah and I hate it when we see it coming and we are just a few steps too late to catch him.

I always wonder how much other kids get hurt. Should we be even more careful than we already are, but then he wouldn't be free to do anything. I just hope that this is normal and that all those head bonks won't affect him in any way, shape or form.

He has now become crayon and marker crazy. The first words he says when he wakes up are always, well, "gran-pa" and then he'll say "cononing". Which means he wants a crayon, pencil, pen or marker in his hand soon. You'd better watch out if you're standing next to him while he has a marker in hand. He scribbles on anything in sight.

I'm glad he likes to color and scribble, but a lot of things around the house have become Jonas coloring pads. Even his dad's stomach has been marked.

I love how much he comunicates. He responds when I ask him stuff. "Jonas, do you want cereal?" He shakes his head no. "Do you want eggys?" He'll look at me with approval, and ask for "pan" (bread). Or he'll tell me exactly what he wants.

He asks for "aba" (water), "melk," or "appa duce" (apple juice).

Although, I think I confused him today. I told him we were going to have a snack. I cut up some watermelon and we had our snack outside. Now he thinks watermelon is called snack. He asked me for more "snack" and I handed him another piece of watermelon. I'll explain it to him later. He's so smart, I know he'll learn the correct word without much trouble.

"Fourways Farm" is Jonas' favorite animated show about a "duck, a dog and a lazy cat, a cow and a pig who's much too fat, a great big horse and three bad rats." He likes it so much, he'll sit through the entire show.

Of all the educational shows he watches, I never thought Fourways Farm would be his favorite, but what do I know, I'm just a mom. I'm already out of the cool loop and he's only a year old.

Yesterday he was trying to hang out in the bathroom while Jeremiah was trying to finish some business. I was calling him so he could let his dad have some privacy, I mentioned that fourways farm was on. He came running out of the bathroom so fast, I could hear his little footsteps stomping the floor. I felt so bad, because I just said that to get him out and the show wasn't even on. He looked at the TV screen wondering why his farmhouse friends weren't on. I now know better than to say that again, when it's not on.

The boy is getting smarter and smarter every passing day. "He's going to know more than me and I'm old," says Grandpa Jesse. "I should be teaching him, but pretty soon, he's going to be the one teaching me stuff."

A morning check-up

2007-02-22T19:02:00.000-08:00

Jonas had his 15 month well baby check up today. Everything was good in the waiting area. Jonas played with a few older kids. He watched them jump up and down and tried it himself. He was only able to move his arms up and down, but he tried. He looked so cute doing it, too.

Then he shared his crackers with a spunky little two year old. She kept asking Jonas to sit on a chair next to her. The chair was to high, so Jonas just stared at her with a confused look on his face.

"Armenta, Jonas," the nurse called. In we go. He is starting to realize that doctor's offices may be a little scary.

"You can undress him, diaper and all, so I could weigh him," said the nurse. Jonas started crying as soon as I did that. He did not like it one bit. He weighed 21 pounds 10.5 ounces. He's a fit little guy.

He calmed down and was happily eating his banana when the doctor stepped in. As soon as the doctor sat on his stool, Jonas dropped his banana on the floor almost on Dr. Nagorka's shoe. "Woah, you missed me, buddy."

The doctor pulled out his pen and Jonas immediately said, "conody". Which means, coloring. I told the doc what j-man was trying to say. "Yeah, it's a pen," said Dr. Nagorka. "Pen," said Jonas. Then I told the doctor that Jonas knows and says over 70 words. I forgot to mention that he is also bilingual.

Boy was he impressed.

Jonas realized he had a piece of banana on his finger and said, "Mama, banana," and pointed at it, indicating I should remove it. "Hey you're a smarty pants," said the doctor.

He then looked at the doctor and said, "granpa" and we all giggled. I think he was telling him that his "granpas" also have mustaches.

As soon as the doc's stethescope touched Jonas' chest the wailing began. He didn't mind the doctor at first, because there was a distance betweeen them. But then the stranger anxiety hit and Jonas wanted nothing to do with him. Dr. Nagorka finished his checkup and walked out to get Jonas a fire truck book.

The doc handed the book to Jonas. Jonas quieted down and just stared at the doctor probably thinking, I guess you're not that bad and gently grabbed the book from his hand.

Things were better after that.

But J-man didn't know immunizations were next on the agenda. He got two on his left leg. The nurse was quick, but I know they hurt my baby. He cried all the way to the truck.

Nana 'Stella showed him his new book and he started flipping through it. That calmed him down.

As we were leaving, the doctor said, "Keep doing what you're doing." I smiled and said thanks. My little man is healthy and super smart. Jeremiah, my mom and I aren't doing a bad job raising Jonas.

Missing my baby

2007-02-04T15:51:00.000-08:00

Now that I've been working, Jonas has been a little clingy. If I leave the room for just a second, he calls out to me. "Mamma, mamma," says Jonas. "I'm coming right back, baby, mommy's right here," I tell him as I rush back to him. Being away from him is hard for me, too.

I get home at about 5 or 6 in the evening and it only leaves me with a few hours to spend before it’s his bedtime. I guess it'll take some time getting used to being away for so many hours, but oh, how I miss my little man.

The boy is amazing. He has been saying some really difficult words. He uses words with more than two syllables, like, tyn-ne-nol, con-ta-ble, apatos, and vacado, meaning Tylenol comfortable, zapatos, and avacado.

Now that he has mastered the art of walking, it's rare to see him sitting still. He is always on the move.

Today, we sat him on the motorcycle fender, or "ikel" as Jonas calls it, along with daddy and he looked so comfortable on it. As if it were something he does everyday."Yup, it's just me and my dad on our bike." It scares me how much he loves the motorcycle. When he hears it start up, he goes wild and can't wait to be taken outside to see it. He says, "Ikel, ikel," and of course Jeremiah loves this. I can see it now, Jonas and Jeremiah, riding off into the sunset, leaving poor old mom at home.

He's going to be driving, before we know it. My dad is beginning to think that he likes his van more than him. Whenever we go to my parent's house and as soon as he spots the van, that is all he will talk about. "Ven, ven, ven,” insists Jonas. There go the obedient grandparents, listening to their sweet, demanding grandson, off to the big, fun van that he loves so much.

Going to the store with him is fun, too. I talk to him as we cruise the aisles - he pointing stuff out, while I hand him most everything he asks for. We're a good little shopping team, the two of us.

Hopefully we'll both adjust to our new schedules soon. I know he'll be just fine, it's me I’m worried about.

Jonas the Parrot

2007-01-19T22:16:00.000-08:00

"Do you want a cracker?" I ask Jonas. "Ca-cker," he answers. I hand him a Ritz cracker on our way home from dropping Jeremiah off at school. Jonas chats the entire ride home. He is my little companion, my buddy. It's a lot of fun now that he's talking so much.

According to American Baby, children his age acquire language at the rate of about two new words a week. J-man says way more than two words, in a day!

He repeats everything we say. I was telling my brother, "Imvan" (as Jonas would say), "Jonas already knows 40 words." Then Jonas jumped right into the conversation, saying, "For-ty." We looked at each other, both surprised. "That makes 41," I said, as we both laughed. He is just so smart. Pretty soon, he'll be saying complete sentences. "Mother, can you hand me my sippy cup, please."

It's so amazing how fast he learns and remembers everything. He also knows the meaning to all the words he knows and hears.

We were looking through his photo album the other day. I was showing him a picture of Pico, when he spotted the photo below Pico's, he pointed and said, "Gaul-ker." "Yes, baby, that's cousin Walker." We hadn't seen Walker in days and he had never said his name before. It's amazing, I tell you.

But the boy has had a temper lately. Jeremiah was holding a spoon while feeding Jonas, Jonas decided he wanted to take it away, but it had food in it. So, Jeremiah said, "No, wait little man, wait." Jonas got so mad, that when Jeremiah finally gave it to him, Jonas just threw it on the floor and started wailing. I guess it's normal at this age. There is not much we can do, discipline-wise.

"At this age, many toddlers begin to behave unpredictably. Yours may scream at the top of his lungs for no apparent reason, pull the tablecloth to the floor, or yank the dog's tail despite your firmly telling him not to. Though this may be a trying time for you, remember that your toddler isn't deliberately disobeying you — he's just exploring his surroundings and figuring out how much power he has over you, his environment, and himself. Many of these "destructive" practices will actually help him develop a sense of independence and figure out which types of behavior are acceptable to you and which aren't."

Reading this makes me feel better. I was beginning to think, what are we doing wrong? Why is he behaving like this? It's just Jonas' way of seperating himself from us, he's becoming his own little independent self.

Oh Jonas! How do I love thee, let me count the ways!

I love your beautiful, curly brown hair, that looks so wild every single day. I love when you sit and look through your books, with such intense concentration. I love when you flash daddy and I a big cheesy smile, showing us your pearly whites, while scrunching your nose. I love it when you demand for more toothpaste on your bright green shark toothbrush. I love waking up to your sweet kisses. I love it when you hold your plastic fishing pole and say, "pish." I love to watch you slowly toddle around the house, exploring every corner or crevice in sight. I just love you!

Everything about you is beautiful. You fill my heart with so much love, I sometimes feel I might explode. Some days I might feel tired and sleepy and would love to just sit and vegetate, but I would never trade my days with you for anything in the world. I love you so much, words can never describe what I feel!

Wild Child

2007-01-09T21:07:00.000-08:00

If someone were to walk into our house, they would think a tornado had hit it. There are clean clothes scattered, here and there, that I just haven’t had the time to put away. There are toys all over the living room.

Every night, we pick every thing up and put it back in its place. But as soon as I step into another room and look back to the one I had just cleaned, it’s messy again. Aahh! It’s the twilight zone.

No, not really. It’s Jonas man, taking his toys out of the toy box, grabbing the neatly folded clothes from the dressers, opening the kitchen cabinets and taking things, that are meant to be hidden and displaying them on the not-so-clean, kitchen floor, that if I had a chance to mop, I would in a second.

Telling him “no” will get you nowhere. When he is in his car seat and I hand him his sippy cup, he’ll take a few drinks, then he’ll look at me and let the water drizzle out of his mouth onto his nice, dry shirt. “No, baby don’t do that, you’re getting all wet,” I tell him. This motivates him even more and he laughs, so it turns into a game. I take away the cup and tickle his chin, he lets out the cutest giggle, one could ever hear. This continues for about ten minutes. Good times!

We went to the library today. Jonas always makes friends. We met a little girl, who was also 14 months old. She saw Jonas and gave him a hug and a kiss. On their first meeting! I totally understand why she did it. Who could resist kissing the most handsome boy in the entire world?

I spoke to her mom and asked her if her daughter was sleeping through the night. She gave me a “look” and said no. She didn’t have to answer; the “look” said it all. We talked about baby joys and woes. It felt good to talk to someone who knows exactly what I am going through and to know that I’m not alone, with the ever so prevalent, sleep issue.

We had a not-so-healthy dinner, but it sure was fun. We ate top ramen noodles. Jeremiah and Jonas, both shirtless, had a contest: Who could slurp the longest noodle, the fastest. Jonas won, of course. Jeremiah didn’t stand a chance. Jonas is one fast noodle slurper.

Watching my boys enjoy dinner, looking so beautiful together, makes me think, life can't get any better than this.

Growing up is hard to do

2006-12-30T10:43:00.000-08:00

I don't know what could be bothering Jonas. He wakes up every night crying. We change his diaper, offer him water, give him tylenol, what usually works to quiet him down is nursing him. He'll sleep for a couple of hours and then he's up again.

I feel so tired every morning that I don't know what to do. I was hoping that as he was getting older, our sleep problems would have receded a little, but that's not happening. Jeremiah and I sometimes guess and assume he is teething, but I don't see any new teeth popping up.

I am relishing every moment I have with my Jonas, because I will soon be working. I feel so bummed about having to leave him for so many hours a day. I keep thinking of all the things I'm going to miss. He's growing so fast and I wish I could be there for every new thing he learns.

I was lucky enough to have most of his first year off. I went to school, but that was only a few days out of the week. Now I'm going to be away 40 hours a week. I think I'm taking it harder than he will. I'm going to miss our days together. I know he'll be fine with my mom, but I can't stop thinking about how much I'll miss spending time with him.

I was putting his pants on him the other day. I looked at his feet, they looked so small and adorable. I was overwhelmed with love. I hugged him tight, as he was attempting to wiggle out of my arms.

This little person I am raising is mine, all mine. He is a sweet little guy, too. He rests his head on my chest, as if he's telling me, "I love you, too, mama."

A year ago, we stared at this little person who couldn't talk and barely moved. Now, he communicates so well. I understand most of what he tells me or points at. Although, there is one thing I can't seem to understand. He's been saying, "dacorn" or "d'accord". One sounds like popcorn and the other is a french word. I don't know, I guess I'll keep trying to figure it out.

A Jonas kind of day

2006-12-09T18:46:00.000-08:00

Every morning when Jonas wakes up, he wants to be taken out of the bedroom. He'll reach out his arms to either me or Jeremiah and plead, "please get me out of here, I've been in here too long." While our brains are thinking of only sleep and staying comfortably in bed, we have to force ourselves up and get our little man out of the room.

He has this special routine he does every day.

We'll take him into the living room to watch Sesame Street. He sits on the rug and watches it for a few minutes, then he is off searching through his toy box. He grabs certain toys and looks at them for a split second, "No, that's not the one." He tosses them out, until he finds the one he was looking for. He plays with "the chosen one" until he's bored of it, then on to the next thing on his agenda.

He stands by the fireplace and goes through his books. (I neatly arrange them every night and as soon as I finish Jonas spots them looking so organized, he throws them until it looks like it did before I stacked them.) He'll look at them until one catches his eye. He sits down, turning every page, studying it, ever so carefully. Then he'll sometimes hand it to me, so I could read it to him. I do, but a few minutes go by and he crawls away.

Into the bedroom he goes. He sits in front of the bookshelf and takes out all the bottom row books. Making a huge mess for mommy, daddy or nana Estella to pick up. Then to daddy's dresser, where he takes out all the neatly folded shirts, one by one. He hands each of the shirts to me. I stack them on the bed and wait patiently to put them back.

In the kitchen, he holds onto the water cooler and sticks his finger where the water pours out from. He gets a few drops of water on his tiny index finger and offers it to me. I acccept his offer, of course, who could refuse.

In our bedroom, he takes all of his own clothes out of the drawers, then crawls over to the diaper organizer and hands his diapers to me. I thank him after each one he hands me. Then it is back to the living room to find other interesting things to do.

These are what our days with Jonas are like. They aren't always in that exact order, but that is pretty much what he does around the house.

He walks

2006-11-27T20:07:00.000-08:00

Jonas took his very first steps early this morning.

Jeremiah and I were both watching him when he made his first big leap from being a baby to toddlerhood. Excited does not even begin to explain how we felt. Jonas knew he had done something big, but he was not ready to try it again.

I stood him up and said, "Walk to daddy," but he was done for the time being.

After dinner we were in the living room playing and he was holding on to the table and he let go and took three steps in my direction, then he fell into my arms. He tried again, but stopped after that. We are not rushing or pushing him to walk. He can take all the time he needs.

My little man is growing up so fast. I feel happy, but at the same time, a little sad because he wont be my baby for long.

He is already showing his independence and he has such a beautiful personality.

He is so loving towards his grandparents. I don't know what it is about my dad, but he loves him so much. If I tell him, "Grandpas here, Jonas," his eyes get big and he makes me take him outside to greet him. When he sees my dad, he says, "mpa," or he'll say it if my dad leaves the room.

He is so friendly. When we are out and Jonas is in his stroller, he'll get so excited when he spots another stroller or car seat. He'll say, "baby" and he's a baby himself, he's so sweet. He loves to see babies and kids. He loves it when his cousin Walker comes over. When Jonas is a little older, I bet he's going think his cousin Walker is the coolest person.

Mr. Independent keeps me on my feet all day. He crawls everywhere. He has now discovered rocks from our front porch and it is so hard to pull him away from them. I try to talk him into playing with his toys, but he looks at me, as if he is thinking, "Mom, toys are for babies, I'm a big boy." Then he continues doing what he was doing before I so rudely interrupted him.

Oh Jonas, you are such a beautiful little person! I can't wait to see you running around, being the lovely and wild person that you are.

Turning one!

2006-11-16T11:08:00.000-08:00

Jonas turned one on Monday.

We celebrated his birthday on Saturday at the park with family and friends. He had about 30 people show up to his birthday party. Way more people than Jeremiah or I have ever had show up on our birthdays. And that's the two of us combined.

He was loving all the attention he was getting. Not even being bothered by the many arms reaching for him. He went with both grandma's and grandpas, aunts, uncles and played with his little cousins, whom he rarely gets a chance to see.

There are so many new physical, social and intellectual developments going on with our little man.

May have temper tantrums
Does he ever! On our afternoon walks, we pass by his aunt Anto's two horses, Spiderman and Cricket, and Jonas will get upset if we don't stop and see them. He will turn around and look at us, letting us know exactly what he wants us to do. If we don't we'll hear it from him, alright. He'll cry and get really upset, so off we go to visit the horses, which isn't a bad thing. I'm glad he loves animals.

Shows an emerging sense of humor
When he hears anyone laugh, he lets out this chuckle himself, as if he also understood the joke that was just said. It's so funny to hear him. His uncle Ivan was laughing at something Jonas was doing today, then Jonas started laughing, too. They were both in on the joke.

Searches for a hidden object even if he only remembers its last location
If Jonas has something he isn't supposed to have and we try to take it away from him, he looks for it the last place he remembers he saw it. Jeremiah has to constantly take his cell phone away from Jonas. This is Jonas' most favorite "toy" to play with. But he knows when his daddy takes it. He looks behind, under and over Jeremiah. I just had it. It has to be somewhere around here, he must think.

I can't believe a whole year has already passed.

Jonas, Jeremiah and I have come a long way, from when Jonas was first born. I remember the first few days being home with our baby boy. It felt like Christmas everyday. I had a wonderful present. Everything about him was so interesting and new. It still is, of course, but now we have routines and have gotten the hang of being parents.

We still have our many parenting dilemmas. Sleeping is still an issue with us. I worry about how long we will have this problem, but I know we'll get through it, just like we have everything else.

In loving memory

2006-11-09T19:39:00.000-08:00

Before Jonas was born, Jeremiah and I had our hands full with our pets. The one that received our special attention was our little chihuahua, Pico. He was the only one allowed in the house and on the bed. He traveled everywhere with us. We called him, "the baby, before the baby."

The day we brought Jonas home from the hospital we sat down on the couch and called little Pico over. We introduced him to the newest member of the family. He sniffed around Jonas' little head and looked up at us and then jumped off the couch.

He didn't know his life was about to change.

He was not allowed on the bed, the couch and his time with me was limited.

When Jonas started crawling, he began noticing his little mascot. He would get so happy when he would see his little puppy walking by him, Pico not even giving Jonas the time of day. I would grab Pico and let Jonas touch him. Jonas' eyes lit up every time.

Pico began getting used to the baby.

They began playing a little cat and mouse game. Jonas would spot Pico and chase him around the living room. Pico would grab his toy and run from Jonas. When Jonas saw Pico coming around the corner, he would say, "Pics" in a whisper.

About a month ago Pico started getting closer to us when we would play. He was comfortable being around Jonas and Jonas respected him. Jonas wouldn't try to reach out and pull his hair, like he used to do. He even offered him some of his food. He would drop a piece of what he was eating from his high chair down to Pico, where he waited so patiently for something to fall.

On our morning and afternoon walks, Pico was always present. Jonas would hold his leash and I was teaching him not to let go of him. He was learning how to take care of his little pet so well.

Last Saturday, our little Pico passed away. It's been hard getting used to him not being here anymore,
we miss him so much. We used to say he and Jonas were going to be the best of buddies. Now he will only be a memory in our hearts. When Jonas is big enough, I will tell him about his little buddy Pico and how much happiness he brought our family.