Happy Birthday to the best Big Brother Ever!
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
Happy Birthday Sister!
It was 20 years ago today...
And what a beautiful, young lady she is now!
Happy Birthday Sister!
Dada to Bryce!
WE LOVE YOU!
Sunday, January 17, 2010
From the mouths of babes...
"Mommy, me have boogers!"
"Mommy, I farted."
"MOM, come look at my poop!"
"Mom, you bite my bubble gum. I mad!"
"My butt itches!"
"I like my penis!" Me: "Why?" Him: "Because it's pretty!"
Wearing sunglasses... "Mommy, me wear sunglasses. Me, I'm cool!"
"Mom! My stomach hurt. Go poop in the potty." He then points to me-"You like it!"
DANIEL:
Me: "Daniel, what are going to get me for my birthday?"
Daniel: "Me."
Me: "You?"
Daniel: "You get to be stuck with me forever. That is your present."
Daniel: (after watching an episode of Wizards of Waverly Place where the kids are asked what their wish is): "Mom, what is your wish?"
Me: Well I wished to buy a house of my own and now I have one! What is your wish Daniel?
Daniel: Well I had two wishes actually. My first wish was for a mommy and now I have you and a family. My second wish was for a brother and now I have Bryce."
Daniel: Mom, I am really glad I picked you.
Me: Why?
Daniel: Because you really, really wanted a son and if I didn't pick you, you would have started crying. That's why I picked you.
Me: I am glad you did.
Daniel: Me too.
AN INTERESTING BIRTHDAY WEEK...
So January 12th finally arrived and it was likely going to be the decision to terminate parental rights. Although it would be a relief to have that happen, I was also concerned that Bryce's step-grandmother might show up. It was a difficult situation all the way around and I was nervous about it. I wanted to write her after rights were terminated and assure her that she could visit him. Terry, the trooper she is, took the day off to "hold my hand". Well Kathy (grandma) showed up. She spoke during the hearing and pleaded her case. Then the judge proceeded to read off the history of the case and what happened, the results, etc. He ended with termination of rights for Bryce's mom and ordered that adoption placement start. I knew Kathy was upset and she asked him what about family visits and the judge told her it was up to me.
After court she asked to speak with me in private. I knew she would. But as she shared her frustration with the system and hurt, I stopped her to tell her that I wasn't going to cut her off from Bryce and that I wanted her family, (grandpa, uncle, and herself) to remain a part of his life. When she heard that I could see her whole demeanour change. We ended with a promise for a visit during the weekend and talking via email. After that, Terry and I had a nice, 3 hour lunch to "celebrate." I had a good feeling that things will work out...
Thursday night Daniel spent the night at the Monzon's. Which gave me a more relaxed night with Bryce. We even managed to go to Target to get shampoo and detergent and he didn't run away! Progress! Or that he is growing older. Then we went out to dinner with Auntie Romy. Food was okay, service was slow, and the bill was larger than we expected. Oh live and learn.
Kathy and I had exchanged emails during the week. I could tell by the tone of the letters that things were going to be fine. We met up at Hansen Dam in Sylmar, a half way point between us.
My friend Vanessa, who lived nearby agreed to meet me there with her boys to keep me company during the visit, but she didn't need to. I got to spend time and get to know the Cleversleys and they got to know me too. In the end, Bryce is going to win out because he will have more people that love him in his life, and he will have a connection to his mother if he ever wants to see her, although she is estrange from them most of the time. Bryce had a nice time in the park with his uncle RJ, grandpa Rick, and grandma Kathy. Everyone was happy and I am sure with time Bryce will feel comfortable enough to hang out with them on his own... and I will let that happen when he is ready. They are nice people who love him dearly and was there when he was born. I am so glad that things worked out in the end.
So during the visit, Daniel was with his Auntie Romy and Auntie Diane watching a movie, Leap Year, at the mall. Bryce and I drove to meet up with them there. We made a short stop by the cupcake store to get a mini red velvet...
and take a carousel ride...
How special is this kid?
Afterwards, Diane and Romy took us out for a birthday
dinner at a Filipino Restaurant in West Covina.
Hugging around before the food arrives...
The birthday ice cream treat...
Pansit noodles, the best dish!
Appetizer, could have done without, good calamari though
but everything else was fried and not as good.
great noodle dish!
This was not the dish Diane thought it was. She had a wonderful pork
dish last time, but didn't know the name. This was a Filipino version
to roast pork, but it was so fatty and not the same, pork belly I think
this was called. Heartburn city! Now we know next time...
Filipino fried chicken... it was good, but we realized
everything was pretty much fried! And in case you were wondering,
no I didn't buy a cake. Bryce wanted one, but Von's didn't have any
when I went, so I bought cake slices instead.
On my "real" birthday today, I was going to just hang out and maybe go to Disneyland later on in the afternoon. It started to rain and I did not want to go there in the rain again, so we just stayed home and had a wonderful, lazy home day. Rainy days are great when you don't have to do anything or go anywhere! I tried to sort some toys (Goodwill time!) while the boys played and watched TV, caught some of the Golden Globes, and eat leftovers all day. To top that, I found a train table at Toys R Us for 1/2 @ $39, bought it for Bryce's birthday, put it together, and watched him enjoy his new playspace... and the other best gift of the week besides my two boys... I haven't changed a diaper in the past week! YES! The true test was yesterday when he stayed dry all day at the park, the mall, and dinner! It was a nice week!
Sunday, January 10, 2010
Mary Poppins
Before the show dinner at Yang Chow!
Smiles with Auntie Sandra and her BFF Suzanne!
Okay, so his hair didn't look like it needed
a cut in this picture. It looked really stylin' tonight!
Daniel and his theater posse before the show...
Me with the girls!
Michelle (L) and Miko (R) are sisters
and both were in my kindergarten class!
Who has a pretty Auntie Sandra?
I do!
After the show group shot!
Disneyland and Underwear!
So it's the last week of winter break, the first week of January, what should we do?
Why go to Disneyland the first two weekends of course!
We actually were not going to go yesterday. It was going to be a visit the beach day, but Bryce wanted to swim in the water, so Auntie Romy suggested another alternative...
It so happened that Ashley and her sister were there too! And we ran into Patty and her family Main Street too! Samuel, Emma, and Bryce all over February birthdays!
Merry Go Round!
Auntie Romy with Daniel on Dumbo!
Cuddling for fireworks!
This was the lollipop that broke off when we opened it and
eventually shattered into pieces when it was dropped
at the tram stop. Not too bad if you ask me!
What is Disneyland without a turkey leg!
And we always have to visit our friend Mickey!
Big Brother likes to climb...
In front of Bryce's favorite ride, Small World!
We were lucky, it was still dressed for
Christmas!
So we were there the weekend before that as well...
It was the closing of the holiday decorations.
Meeting Goofy in ToonTown!
Brothers hugging on the way to Small World!
How beautiful is the weather on January 3rd in CA?
Their first lollipops at Disneyland.
I have never bought them one before.
Daniel licked his a few times and it was gone...
The little one, bit into his more!
And potty training too!
Visiting friends during the winter break...
New Year's Eve
Here is how we spent New Years Eve...
Our first fire place fire!
Last photo family photo of 2009
Auntie Romy came to spend the night with us!
Cookin' that New Years Eve black-eyed peas chili!
We spent the morning in the park..
With my buddy Allison...
Allison, her mommy, and new baby sister Samantha!
I gotta work on that squeezing hug technique ..
Daniel knows how to pose with Allie...
Mommy hates her new haircut, but loves Bryce and Allie
"My big brother and me!" - Bryce
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