Asking for a sign

Sometimes we ask GOD to send us a sign...and he posts this on Facebook.

Valentine's Day Part 2

Hope you all had a lovely day of celebrating Friendship, Family, and Love.

Nico and Papa's Card for Momma

Lela and Perry's Valentine's Card =)

Abuelito's Valentine's Card for us

Our Dinner...FONDUE!!! While skyping with faamily

My adorable Valentine's date...we were even matching =)

Family, Friends, and Technology-Mommy's inspiration!

Nico is surrounded by a very technological world....and because of it, we don't feel THAT FAR away from our friends and family since we moved away...first to Austin and now here to LA.We hang out with friends from all over the world, and family members spread out all around through SKYPE. We keep tabs of our baby friends through stories and pictures on their blogs and we even CALL people--I know how antiquated of us!--to check-in and see how they are doing when we miss them or it's been too long!

Today we called Peter's Grandmother, Florence, just to say Hi and found out that SHE JUST GOT a SKYPPE ACCOUNT!!

Yes you heard right... Nico's 84 year-young =) great-grandma was skyping with us this afternoon!!!! She's already hip, since she's had Facebook for a while, but Skype takes her to a whole new level. We need to thank, Andrew---Peter's cousin, who set his grandmother up with the webcam a SKYPE account while on summer vacation in Miami.

Nico is so lucky to be able to see so many familiar

faces and voices that make him smile everyday and remind him how close you all are!!!

You all are the inspiration behind a bilingual children's book that I've written and am in the process of illustrating. I hope to be self-published before the year ends in hopes that Santa can help me get my book into the homes of all Nico's friends, family, and children out there whose families that may SEEM FAR.

I've been working hard and am really happy with what I have completed thus far. With my mom in town for a couple weeks...my goal is FINISH FINISH FINISH. When you're a mommy...completing personal goals can easily slip down the LIST OF THINGS TO DO, but I'm fighting to keep this one close to the top until I can proudly put a check by it on the list!

Stay-tuned! "How'd they get in there?/ ¿Como se metieron ahi?" will be in a child's hand's near you soon!

HAPPY BIRTHday

Happy Birthday Vivi!!!!! We hope you had a great day...and we can't wait to see you in 2 weeks! So Nico can give you your birthday gift in PERSON!!

And Speaking of Birthdays!!!!!!

TODAY IS A VERY SPECIAL DAY FOR MY FAMILY IN COLOMBIA! My cousin, Betty had her little son, SAMUEL ANTONIO!!!! Felicidades Betty y Ricardo. Les mandamos un BESOTE.

Samuel is Nico's middle name. We both did it in memory of our grandfather, Samuel....my mom's dad. He would have been so excited to get Nico and now Samuel all dirty around the farm and up on horses!

It's a Special day in Austin too!!! Happy ONE-YEAR Birthday Jackson!

Julia, one of my Austin Baby Momma friends, had her little man ONE YEAR AGO! They are growing up SOOOO FASTTT!!!!

But wait!! There's more birth news in Austin!

Our running friends in Austin, Chris and Anne-Marie, welcomed their little girl, Natalie Alana a week ago, May 19th! Congrats guys! She's adorable and already has 2 body guards, Nico and Miles!!!! Can't wait to see you THREE in Austin in August!

Birthdays have always been a big deal for me, BUT now I truly understand HOW SPECIAL a BIRTHday really is! It's not only the day that your give your child the greatest GIFT---LIFE, but it's the day that you start to GRASP what LOVE really means!

Congratulations all you Mommas: FLORENCE, Betty, JULIA, Anne-Marie!!!

And of course...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY Vivi, Jackson and Samuel Antonio!

Happy Belated birthday Natalie Alana!

EASTER VACATION- in MIAMI!!!

We are back!
Well, I guess I should say, We've been back in a LA for a couple days now...hahah, But I've been too tired to post. Here's the play by play of our trip!

From 1104 Easter Vacation

A little over a week ago we took the RED EYE to Miami. We left LA Thursday at 10ish pm. This was the first time that Nico was old enough to be aware and scared during the flight. He was actually really nervous during TAKE OFF, especially when the lights were turned off in the cabin, and there was NOTHING to look at through the window. Fortunate he calmed down and we arrived in Ft. Lauderdale 5 exhausting hours later (Friday Morning). Nico slept for about 3 1/2 of those, but neither Peter nor I were able to. We each dosed a little but never really got rest.

While waiting for my sister to arrive, I bumped into a college friend and her boyfriend at the airport---SMALL WORLD eyy!

Manuela arrived with a car full of toy, books, activity books, balls, and snacks for Nico. Though all we wanted to do was pass out, we made a pit stop at a little Cuban restaurant near Tia's apartmentand then checked out her place(super organized of course) ....WHICH was BEAUTIFUL, with tennis courts, 2 lakes (with DUCKS!), a pool, gym, and a walking path. We also got an express tour of Nova's campus. No wonder Tia hasn't come to visit...her little life in Nova looks so nice!

From 1104 Easter Vacation

Mommy, daddy, and Nico took a nap on the way from FLL to MIA. Daddy and Mommy continued their nap for 4 more hours while Nico entertained the abuelos at my house.

From 1104 Easter Vacation

For Lunch we headed to CAYO ESQUIVEL, my dad's favorite fish restaurant in Miami, where we met up with Todd, Vivi, and Juan. THE FOOD WAS DELICIOUS!!!

In the parking lot we did the shipment switch(all our luggage) and headed over to the Flores Abuelos' house----during which time, NICO took another nap!

I went on a run after getting in the pool while Peter play Basketball with some friends and cousins at a nearby school. Though it was humid, I felt great on the run!

From 1104 Easter Vacation

After putting Nico to sleep, Mommy and Daddy went out! We celebrated Juan's Birthday at Lolita in Brickell...LOADS OF FUN!!

From 1104 dinner guests, babysitting, Enotes

From 1104 Easter vacation outings and fiestas

SATURDAY-

Rough morning after celebrating Juan's Birthday---we're not as young as we used to be.Those days of partying all night and getting up for a 12mile run at 6 am are LONG GONE!

From Drop Box

Peter went Fishing with Todd and Nico and I hung out with the Flores Abuelos and then went to Fairchild Tropical Gardens with my mom, Florence (peter's grandma), and Vivi. I had never walked around Fairchild! Last time I went was for Kelly and Josh's wedding, but I didn't really walk around the park. Nico loved walking around and checking out all the leaves and flowers.

When we got back, we hung out the rest of the afternoon at the Flores's home. Todd, Forman, Tio Tony, Abuela (Eneida), my Sister and Dad, and the Barreras family came over. The guys played basketball and some of us (Nico and I) got in the Pool!!!

From 1104 Easter Vacation

From 1104 Easter Vacation

From 1104 Easter Vacation

From 1104 Easter Vacation

After some Easter egg painting with Nico's Primitos, Aiden and Jules, we got ready for our SECOND OUTING: Blue Martini with Todd and Antu---another great night!

From 1104 Easter vacation outings and fiestas

SUNDAY

HAPPY EASTER

From 1104 Pre-Easter foto shoot

We woke up to BEAUTIFUL EASTER BASKETS EVERYWHERE! The easter bunny at the Flores' is super nice! Vivi and Yesenia surprised Nico with LOTS of goodies!!! We ate a yummy breakfast and got ready for Mass at STA. Luz Mila was there too!

Then we went to Patricia's house (Peter's aunt) for some AWESOME FOOD, Family,

From 1104 Easter Vacation

and LOADS OF EASTER EGGS. Nico got to go on his first Easter Egg Hunt! Last year he slept right through it! He didn't really hunt so much as INVESTIGATE each egg.

But had a great time!

He was very puzzled by the fact that every time he picked up eggs from an area and turned around...there were MORE.....(work of the abuelos all setting it up for Nico to PICK UP MORE eggs).

In the end, we left the eggs with Peter's cousin who's a teacher and was going to use them as prizes in her class.

We left around 7:30pm....but the party wasn't over. Nico's visitor calendar had one more party stop. We made the Switch from the Flores' home to my home. Juan's parents, the Tafachi Family, and Andrea Portillo were awaiting Nico's arrival.

MONDAY

Peter and I slept in while TIA tortured NICO!

From 1104 Easter Vacation

....Just kidding, she also read and played with him...hahaa

From 1104 Easter Vacation

When we FINALLY got up, we went on a nice and humid 6 mile run in south Miami. After Lunch we rounded the troops (all the abuelos and Tia) and headed to Key Biscayne for a BEACH DAY(afternoon)!

From 1104 Easter Vacation

From 1104 Easter Vacation

From 1104 Easter Vacation

On the way home we stoped by Angela and Andrew's new house---they're renting but it's still a house! It was adorable!!

We went to the movies at night to watch RIO....I thought it was really funny but the best part was the 3D glasses that we kept, lol...but they don't work outside the theater. =(

From 1104 Easter Vacation

TUESDAY

Pampered myself at the Beauty secret, getting a Mani/ Pedi/ and Haircut! I felt like such a girl =)

From 1104 Easter Vacation

Barbie came over and we hung out, had lunch, and caught up on life. She opened her own dance studio, All Access Dance Studio, almost a year ago and was telling me all about it. She is such an inspiration!

From 1104 Easter Vacation

We had a chill afternoon while Nico napped at my house. We hung out at Peter's pool, soaked in the sun, and mentally prepared ourselves for TITO's bootcamp workout. It was really hard. I was sore until Thursday!

After a "sink shower" we went over to Sunset Place for dinner.

From 1104 Easter Vacation

From 1104 Easter Vacation

Our goal was Cool de Sac, ingenious place I might add, but they closed too early, so we ended up eating in Spiltsville...which was DELISH!

We had a big good bye dinner crew: Jeanette, Carlos, Anthony, Yesenia, Manuela, the Flores Abuelos, and the Rodriguez Abuelos!

WEDNESDAY- Travel day again. By 5:38am we were on the road and heading over to FLL airport to catch our flight back to LA. Alyssa and Lorena Picked us up at the airport!

It was so NICE TO BE HOME, but we were exhausted. Peter was supposed to work half a day but didn't really manage to keep his eyes open. I reorganized Nico's room to fit all his NEW CLOTHES AND TOYS and then started unpacking my clothes (NO NEW CLOTHES or TOYS FOR ME).

Nico's Second Vacation in Miami was great! This trip was number 8 for Nico before even being 16 months of age! There are still so many places to go, people to visit. Next stop...I HOPE...is Austin,Tx!

We miss you all in Miami, thank you for making Nico's trip SO SPECIAL!!!

Colombia TRIP!!!--Finally Posted

I don't know where to begin discussing our Colombia TRIP! This entry will be kinda of long, but what do I exclude pictures can I exclude from this trip?!?!

Saturday- December 11,2010

We flew out of Austin and arrived in Miami. We hung out with some friends at Peter's house, where we slept for a couple of hours.

From 2010-12 Nicos Baptism Colombia

Sunday- 12/12/10At 3:45am the driver arrived at the house to drive us to the Airport for our 7am flight to COLOMBIA!!! We arrived in Bogota at 10ish am and were greeted by my grandma, aunt, and cousin. IT WAS PERFECT!!!! They got to see Nico, hang out with us for about 2 hours before we had to board our flight to Pereira.

Bis-Abuelita y Nico-por primera vez juntos!

Arriving at the Farm!

Monday- 12/13/10 We went horse-back riding, Got the horse, HUNG OUT at LA FONDA.

We all had our first AMAZING colombian breakfast! Then we walked around the farm to find HOMERO, the cow.

After breakfast, Nico got on his first HORSE, after practicing on a plastic one first!

We all went horse-back riding around Santagueda. We stopped at the church where Nico was going to be baptized at and at a friend's parents' former farm...Naranjuelo.

My mom hung out with her brothers at the farm while we went for that ride!

Tuesday- 12/14/10 Manizales: Cathedral, walk around, SkyWALK, futile search for WINE! We played soccer that night.

From 10-12 Colombia Trip-LUIS

We took "el teleferico"---ski-lift type contraption, to Manizales. Pete was a little UNCOMFORTABLE on the ride but it was a smooth ride...and Nico loved it!

From 10-12 Colombia Trip-LUIS

From 10-12 Colombia Trip-LUIS

From 10-12 Colombia Trip-LUIS

From 10-12 Colombia Trip-LUIS

From 10-12 Colombia Trip-LUIS

From 10-12 Colombia Trip-LUIS

From 10-12 Colombia Trip-LUIS

From 10-12 Colombia Trip-LUIS

From 2010-12 Nicos Baptism Colombia

We came back from Manizales straight to the SUBASTA:

From 10-12 Colombia Trip-LUIS

Wednesday-12/15/10 The day of Nico's 11 month Birthday!

The morning of Nico's Baptism, Peter and I went on a run. When we got back, Nico was DRIVING my uncle's Willis.

Then we went riding to El salto del Casique...a waterfall. When we got back, we had a scrumptious bandeja Paisa awaits us!!!

Unfortunately, after that comma inducing lunch, I had to run to the Confamiliares Doctor because Nico had a really High Fever of 102.3. We were able to keep the fever from getting higher by giving him COLD water baths....which he hated!

Later that evening was Nico's Baptism, at 5:15pm. Luz Mila, my godmother, showed up at a SURPRISE!!! When we got to the church, a lot of family members were waiting there! It was so nice!!!!

Nico's GodparentsMe and my godparents with Nico!

From 10-12 Colombia Trip-LUIS

My mom with her two brothers and all their spouses!

From 10-12 Colombia Trip-LUIS

From 10-12 Colombia Trip-LUIS

From 10-12 Colombia Trip-LUIS

Nico didn't get to hang out at his own Party!! because of his high fever and cough. He finally went to Bed and I went out to say HI to all the family members who came from near and far to see Nico!

Baptism Dinner

From 10-12 Colombia Trip-LUIS

Thursday- 12/16/10We went to Los Termales de Santa Rosa....INCREDIBLE! Sang Happy Birthday to ME!! Hung out at DECADA...a bumpin club

Our new Hammocks

After breakfast we drove to Santa Rosa to Visit los termales, hot water natural springs.

It was beautiful!

On the way home we stopped at a million places, for snacks, bathroom, and artesanias;

Hammacks- Hand made

we also stopped at the Juan Valez coffee factory

Home from the termales

Friday- 12/17/10 Peter left at 2:45am. He left early because we was a groomsmen at Patrick Khoury's wedding...which was the next evening.

We went to Arauca. Horse-back riding with NEW FRIENDS, played soccer. Nico was up most of the night coughing. He was awake from 12:30 to 1:55am. My mom came in 5 minuets later to help me start packing up our stuff to get going to the Airport! I wanted to cry of exhaustion!!!

Arauca day



We hung out at the farm in the morning and then took a willis to ARAUCA.

ARAUCA's transit system
Framer's Market

Saturday- Left at 2:45am to Perreira, Got the 7am flight to Cartagena. Stayed on the flight for 1 hour and 1/2 in Cartagena on the tarmac. Then took off to Miami. WE MADE IT BACK SAFE AND SOUND...AND EXHAUSTED!!!!Upon arriving in Miami we drove home for a quick shower and shortly after left for Patrick Khoury's wedding to meet up with Peter who I hadn't seen since 2:45am Friday morning. The wedding was beautiful.

The Trip was amazing! There were times that is was difficult to do things quickly with so many people to move and coordinate, but I must say we did A LOT in one week. Nico got to meet my Abuelita, meet my family in Manizales, RIDE A HORSE, and a CALF!!! I got to eat all the yummy food that I've missed so much, horse-back ride, hangout with Peter, and Peter's family got to see where I grew up! It was a great experience!