A Year of CrockPotting: CrockPot Spinach and Artichoke Dip

A Year of CrockPotting: CrockPot Spinach and Artichoke Dip

Yummie!

A Year of CrockPotting: CrockPot Lobster Bisque

A Year of CrockPotting: CrockPot Lobster Bisque
This looks yummie! Can't wait to try it!!!

Merry Christmas!

I have been meaning to post stuff and I actually have a post sitting and waiting to be posted but I need to edit it first! It's been very busy getting ready for the holidays. We are actually at Randy's parents in Tenn. right now and will be heading to MI tomorrow. Hopefully there will be some snow left as Rayna really wants to see some. I'm just hoping we make it there in one piece with two kids in the car! We have had a good Christmas and both kids made out like bandits with all the presents they got.

A few weeks ago the kids and I went to the holiday parade where they were handing out candy canes. Well when we got home Rayna wanted one. In true Rayna fashion she asked me if she could have a "candy hooker". I laugh every time I say it!! Another saying she picked up at school is, "What the crack, Man?" She even has me saying it now. Lorenzo is starting to get really lovey as he now gives hugs and kisses. It is so sweet to see him reach for his sister and love on her. Of course his favorite part is pulling her hair.

Well I just wanted to give a little update before year end. Here is wishing you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! Feliz Navidad y Feliz ano nuevo!!

Late night and more adventures

Yes, I know, it is 2:30 in the morning and my son finally just went to bed!!!! Evil baby! I figured since I'm up I might as well update my blog. It's been awhile and we have been a very busy bunch with lots of exciting adventures I'm not even sure where to begin.

Well I can hardly believe that it is December already especially since it was like 65 degrees out today. Be that as it may, my birthday and Christmas are right around the corner. We are off to Tenn. first to spend Christmas with Randy's family then on to Michigan for a few days. Rayna is so excited to see snow. That's all she talks about. She asked me this morning if tomorrow she was going to see snow yet. She has it all planned out, first she is going to make a snowman and then a snow angel and then she wants to go skiing. That's my girl!!! I can't wait to get her on some skis. I think she is in for a rude awakening though as she is not used to the cold. I have a feeling that after about 5 minutes in the snow I'll hear, "I'm cold mommy!"

My dad was here over Thanksgiving. It was good to spend some time with him. He flew into Atlanta really early in the morning on a Saturday so we made a day of it in Atlanta. First we went and saw a puppet show at the Center for Pupperty Arts http://www.puppet.org/ called "Sam, the Lovesick Snowman." It was very cute. They also have a display of Jim Henson's work like Sesame Street and Fragle Rock. Then we decided to experience a true Atlanta tradition and went to Lenox Square Mall to "Ride the Pink Pig" at Macy's. http://www1.macys.com/media/pinkpig
My dad still can't believe I made him ride the Pink Pig. But I have poof!! Here are the pictures.

Randy's latest and greatest adventure came last Friday. He had spent the week in NY for work and was flying back into Atlanta Friday night. First, Delta called me in the morning to say his flight had been canceled. So he got on another fight, then that one was delayed. Finally he made it back to Atlanta at around 5 p.m. only to discover that he left he left his truck keys in NY. To make a long story short, he ended up renting a car to drive home, drove back to Atlanta Saturday afternoon to have a new key made for the truck.

More Pictures

As most of you know, I am addicted to getting my kids' pictures taken by Frankie and Heather at Stylized Portraiture. We went in for another session last night. Please check out the pictures on the blog by clicking on their link to the right. Scroll down until you see the kids. You might have to go into older posts or just hit the November post link.

Happy Halloween

Happy Halloween! Lorenzo was a fireman and Rayna was a ninja. We went trick o' treating in our neighbor. After every house Rayna kept asking, "Are we going to get some more candy?" This is the first Halloween she really gets it. She got to wear her costume to school today for her Halloween party. So at least I am getting my money's worth out of it.

Here are some pictures of the kids. There is one of all of us to our annual trip to the pumpkin farm. This has become quite the tradition in our family. We have been going since Rayna was a baby. This year she picked out her pumpkin all by herself. Of course she picks out the biggest one she can find, a 40 pound one! We named it "Big Eddie". It's so big it won't even stand up straight. So Rayna decides to ride it like a horse. Here are some pics of Rayna in her costume with her "boyfriend" Ian. Ian is our neighbor that she hangs out with all the time.

Montessori

Many of you have asked me, "What is Montessori?", since that is the school we have Rayna in. I have now provided a link to the right that you my click on "Montessori Way" and you may discover for yourself the philosophy of Montessori. This type of educational/life training really does make sense once you understand it. Rayna is doing really well in school. She likes it a lot. We have parent/teacher conferences in two weeks, so we will really get to see what she has been doing.

New Family Pictures

We took some new family pictures over the weekend. Please check them out on the Stylized Portraiture blog. Click on the blog link to the right on this blog and scroll down to The Family in Red. That's us! I love the one of me and Rayna and the one of Rayna and Lorenzo.
Enjoy!!!

A Year of CrockPotting: CrockPot Pumpkin Spice Latte Recipe

A Year of CrockPotting: CrockPot Pumpkin Spice Latte Recipe
I can't wait to try this one either! Yum!

Mystery Solved

As for all of you that are wondering about the butternut squash soup, it was delicious! I made it today for dinner. Rayna even eagerly ate it up. Lorenzo was eying it like he wanted some too. It made the house smell really good too. I ended up making him a bowl of rice cereal. Yes, he is eating solid food already. He had two bowls of rice cereal today. I was trying to hold out a little longer to at least 5 months old to start him on solids but he has just been so interested in food. He started throwing a fit tonight because he saw Rayna and I eating and he didn't have anything. Thus, the second bowl of cereal.

Mystery solved about where Rayna got the idea to call the box her "underground house". It is from one of her books called "The Gruffalo". In the book the fox goes to his "underground house". And here I thought she was making a reference to Digital Underground, silly me!!

A Year of CrockPotting: CrockPot Butternut Squash Soup Recipe

A Year of CrockPotting: CrockPot Butternut Squash Soup Recipe

Yeah, I can't wait to try this one! I have been wanting to know how to do butternut squash soup!! Yummie!!!

A Year of CrockPotting: Acorn Squash CrockPot Recipe

A Year of CrockPotting: Acorn Squash CrockPot Recipe

If you have not checked out this blog, you really should. She has got some great recipes. I was just wondering about doing fall squash in the crock pot and here is a easy recipe. I will be making this tonight as Randy is out of town. He does not like acorn or butternut squash so I can have it when he is not around. :)

From the mouth of babes

Well I am once again on my own this weekend as Randy is with his dad at the races. Yeehaw! But I had some pretty cool things happened to me today. The first one I'll tell you about was when I was giving Lorenzo a bath. Rayna was helping me by washing his legs and feet then she says, "Don't forget to wash the booty. Mommy, Lorenzo has a boo boo on his booty." I asked her to show me where and she pointed to his penis. I just about died laughing. I told her that is where he goes pee pee and we call that a penis. But in true Rayna fashion she immediately made up her own name, "peeme". I was wondering how long it was going to be before she noticed that he has different parts then her. She comes up with some of the craziest names for things.

Yesterday I bought her a new car seat since little man is almost too big for the infant carrier. So of course she has been playing with the big box it came in. She named it her "underground" house. I don't think she got the name from the Atlanta Underground, since she has only been there once when she was about 10 months old. I think she actually came up with it from Randy teaching her Digital Underground songs, "Humpty Dance" comes to mind as one. Which of course brings up the question of "Is Tupac really dead?" Another story for another time.

Last but certainly not least, the best thing Rayna said to me today was, "Mommy, I want to go to heaven today. Today Mommy, can we please go to heaven?" Isn't that just the sweetest thing ever. We were listening to the radio and the song "I can only imagine" by Mercy Me came on. I was sitting on the bed just holding Rayna and listening to the song because I love this song. It is the best song ever. Ok, I figured out how to add the video from YouTube directly to my blog. Please click play to hear this awesome inspiring song. If you have not heard this song, please see this link to their video on YouTube:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S70gwFcSK9k

Don't forget to turn up the volume on this one!!!

So I was explaining to Rayna what it was going to be like in heaven when Jesus comes to take us home. That in heaven, we will get to play with all the animals, lions, monkeys, hippos, etc and eat good food and of course see Jesus. I said to her, "Don't you want to go to heaven and see and do all those things. Won't that be fun!!" She just looked up at me with those big blue eyes of hers and asks, "Can we go to heaven today? I want to see Jesus." Oh, if only we could see through the eyes of a child and make everything that simple!!! What a humbling experience that was for me, reminding me that I am a child of God and that our goal, no matter what, is heaven.
I was already crying because every time I hear this song it makes me cry but after she said that I started crying even harder. "Me too." I told her. "I wish we could go today. I really wish we could. But someday really soon, we will be in heaven with Jesus." Oh how I can't wait for that day to come!! So tonight, I will leave you with these thoughts: Do you want to go to heaven too? What do you think heaven will be like? Can you imagine what it is going to be like to see Jesus for the first time and be able to spend time with Him? Will you sing halluliah or in awe of Him be still? What will your heart feel? Will you be able to speak at all? Can you only Imagine? I can only imagine.......

i can only imagine

I can only imagine what it will be like
When I walk by Your side
I can only imagine what my eyes will see
When Your face is before me
I can only imagine

Surrounded by Your glory
What will my heart feel
Will I dance for your Jesus
Or in awe of You be still
Will I stand in Your presence
Or to my knees will I fall
Will I sing hallelujah
Will I be able to speak at all
I can only imagine
I can only imagine

I can only imagine when that day comes
And I find myself standing in the Son
I can only imagine when all I will do
Is forever, forever worship You
I can only imagine
I can only imagine

I can only imagine
When all I will do
Is forever, forever worship You

Words & Music by Bart Millard
© 1999 Simpleville Music (ASCAP)

Big Man

Lorenzo had his 4 month check up today. Poor guy had to have three shots and an oral vaccine. He is a growing boy, measuring in at 26 1/2 inches long and weighing 15 lbs. 15 oz. He is in the 95% for his height and 75% for weight. He is the total opposite from Rayna, which is fine since he is a boy. Boys are supposed to be bigger.
These are some pictures I took the other day. You can see how big Lorenzo has gotten and Rayna too. Soon Lorenzo will be bigger than Rayna at the rate he is going.

4 Months Old & Rolling Over

Ok. so Lorenzo turned 4 months old yesterday and he decided that he wanted to roll over tonight. And it wasn't a fluke as he did it three times in a row!!! He rolled over from his back to his front. Too bad Randy wasn't home to see it! :( He is once again out of town, in NY this time. He will be home tomorrow. So it has been a long and busy week here with just me and the kids. I'm actually patting myself on the back tonight because it is 8:45 p.m. and both kids are in bed! Wow!! I can't even do that when Randy is home. (Oh, I spoke to soon! Rayna is now up and Lorenzo.)

On Tuesday we had a potluck dinner for Rayna's classroom at school to just socialize and get to know other parents. It was fun to see Rayna play with the other kids in her class especially since it's a mixed age group. Next week there is another dinner at her school for the entire school celebrating 30 years of the school on the 30th day of school. I can't believe she has been in school for almost a month already. She really likes it. This month they are studying Cananda and next month they are studying Mexico. So of course I had to dig out my "loonies" for Rayna to share with the class.

Here is my laugh for the day: Rayna went to use the bathroom today and she went to sit down on the toliet but forgot that her little insert seat wasn't there and fell in the toliet. It scared her at first until I started laughing about it. Then she thought it was funny too. It was pretty funny if you think about it. Then the other day she was telling me how she went poop and how big it was. Instead of telling me, she demistrated by holding her little arm out to me and said, "I made a big stinky poop as long as my arm mommy." I just about died laughing. I asked Randy if he told her to do that and he said no, she came up with that all on her own. She cracks me up. Maybe I should write Bill Cosby and tell him that one so Rayna can be on the show, "Kids say the darnest things."

A Year of CrockPotting: CrockPot Falafel Recipe

A Year of CrockPotting: CrockPot Falafel Recipe
I found this recipe and it is next on my crock pot to-do list!!!

My Review of Stay-Put Adjustable Swim Shoes

Originally submitted at One Step Ahead

These shoes have a larger fit than others in our collection. Please be sure to find the perfect size with our printable .
Waves can't tug our swim shoes loose, not with their quick-grip anchor strap! Our swim shoes provide kids with outstanding protection against pebbly beaches, h...

Stay-Put Adjustable Swim Shoes

Great Shoe

By Jacki Mom to preschooler from Athens, GA on 9/8/2008

 

5out of 5

Sizing: Feels true to size

Width: Feels true to width

Pros: Comfortable, Durable, Breathes Well, Stylish

Best Uses: Daily Wear

Describe Yourself: Casual, Stylish

This was the perfect shoe for my daughter to wear at school for her "quiet" shoes. They are easy for her to put on and take off by herself. They are comfortable and stylish. The other water shoe I bought from here was not as easy to get on and off. But I love One Step Ahead return policy. They made it so easy to return and exchange it for this shoe!

(legalese)

In Memory of Sharon Counts

This post is in memory of Sharon Counts. Sharon was a very dear close friend of the family. She was my dad's best friend's wife. Sharon was like another mother to me. I always called her Aunt Sharon because that is what she was to me. She was the kind of person who would do anything for you. She loved life, her husband Brian, her family, ballooning, University of Michigan and dolphins. I was very fortunate to be a part of her life. I am so glad I was able to see her while I was in Michigan last month. She was able to see how big Rayna has grown and was able to hold Lorenzo. I know that meant a lot to her. She loved babies and kids. Sharon had been sick for a long time, first with the cancer and then the last few months with the brain virus thing. She was a fighter. She fought that cancer and was doing really good until this brain virus thing came along. She is now resting at peace, waiting for our Heavenly Father to come and take us all home again.

She will be greatly missed and she was loved by all. I only wish I could have been in Michigan to go to the funeral not only to say good-bye, but to also support my dad and Brian and family. Here are a couple of pictures that I took while I was home. I will always have the great memories of hot air ballooning and going to U of M games with her, Brian and my dad. We love you Sharon!!!!

Here is the link to her obituary:

http://www.legacy.com/Link.asp?I=LS000116678192X

I Measure Every Grief...
by Emily Dickinson

I measure every grief I meet
With analytic eyes;
I wonder if it weighs like mine,
Or has an easier size.

I wonder if they bore it long,
Or did it just begin?
I could not tell the date of mine,
It feels so old a pain.

I wonder if it hurts to live,
And if they have to try,
And whether, could they choose between,
They would not rather die.

I wonder if when years have piled--
Some thousands--on the cause
Of early hurt, if such a lapse
Could give them any pause;

Or would they go on aching still
Through centuries above,
Enlightened to a larger pain
By contrast with the love.

The grieved are many, I am told;
The reason deeper lies,--
Death is but one and comes but once
And only nails the eyes.

There's grief of want, and grief of cold
A sort they call 'despair,'

There's banishment from native eyes,
In sight of native air.

And though I may not guess the kind
Correctly yet to me
A piercing comfort it affords
In passing Calvary,

To note the fashions of the cross
Of those that stand alone
Still fascinated to presume
That some are like my own

"And behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to everyone according to his work. I am the Alplha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End, the First and the Last." Rev. 22:12-13

"Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed." 1 Corinthians 15:51-52

"In You, O Lord, I put my trust;
Let me never be ashamed;
Deliver me in Your righteousness.
Bow down Your ear to me,
Deliver me speedily;
Be my rock of refuge,
A fortress of defense to save me.

For You are my rock and my fortress;
Therefore, for Your name's sake,
Lead me and guide me.
Pull me out of the net which they have secretly laid for me.
For You are my strength.
Into Your hand I commit my spirit;
You have redeemed me O Lord God of truth."
Psalm 31:1-5

8 hours of Sleep!!!

I can hardly believe it but yes, last night I got 8 hours of uninterrupted sleep! I am probably jinksing myself now that I have said it. Lorenzo slept all night and didn't get up until almost 8:30 this morning. Rayna also slept in!! I can't remember the last time I have had 8 hours of sleep! I actually woke up at around 7 a.m. and had to go and check on Lorenzo to make sure he was still breathing. He was sound asleep so I went back to bed. It felt soooooo good!

Rayna had a good first full week of school. This next week is her class open house, so I will get to see more of what she is doing. I have to go by myself though, because Randy has to go to Detroit for the week. Yikes, me at home by myself with two kids for the week, does not sound like my idea of a good time! Wait, it gets better! In October it looks like he has to go to China for two weeks! Lucky me! The are going to think I am a single parent at Rayna's school. Randy hasn't been able to come to anything. He hasn't even ever seen the school!

Poor thing, Rayna scraped her knee up at school. She is deathly afraid of band aids, I don't know why, but she is. Randy told her she could play doctor and gave her a big band aid, some tape and some "magic saave" to put on it. She was very proud of herself for putting it on herself. Whatever it takes to get the band aid on!!
Ok I'm going to bed now. Maybe, just maybe I can get another 8 hours of sleep tonight!

Rayna's 1st day of school/Monster Baby

Rayna started school yesterday. I can't believe my baby girl is in school already. She is attending Athens Montessori School five days a week from 9 a.m.-Noon. She has had a great first two days. She walks right into her class and barely says good-bye to me. I guess that is better than clinging to me. She seems to really like it so far. I ask her what she did and the only thing she tells me is she played in the sandbox and what she had for snack. You know, the important stuff. I think school is going to be really good for her. She is so smart. Her little mind is just like a little sponge.

On another note, I think I am growing a monster. Lorenzo went for his two month check up this week. I know, I'm a little behind since he is actually three months old, but we've been gone.
Anyway, he is in the 95% for height at 24 3/4 inches and 75% in weight at 13lbs. 9 oz. He is HUGE!!! I had to go to Walmart today and buy him 6-9 month pjs!!! That is crazy!! It is such a big difference compared to tiny little Rayna. She is still tiny at only 27 lbs. and 36 1/2 inches at three years old!

Here are some pictures. The first one of Rayna is on her first day of school. The next picture is us taking a boat ride on my sister's lake. The third picture is at my dad's birthday party. The next picture is Rayna with her cousin Delina. The last picture is of Kennedy and Rayna reading a book. Rayna had a really good time hanging out with her cousin Delina and going for a boat and tube ride. Lorenzo liked the boat ride so much he fell asleep.

Stay tuned for more Gaytan family adventures.

Michigan

Hi, We are in Michigan at the moment, well, me and the kids are in Michigan. Randy had to stay home and work. We came home for my dad's 65th birthday party. The kids did great on the way up. Lorenzo pretty much slept the entire time. We have been having a good time seeing friends and family. I will have to post pictures later as I am on my sister's computer. We are at her lake house today and getting ready to go out on the boat. Rayna is having fun playing with her cousin Delina. Everyone is enjoying the baby.

We went swimming at my mom's house the other day (Grandma Dee's house) and Rayna went down the slide twice! She is doing such a good job swimming. She loved the slide. She is really homesick this time around. She keeps asking to go home and wants to see her daddy. She even made up a little song about it the other day. "I miss my daddy. I love my daddy. My mommy and daddy love me so much." It was really cute. I just wish I had my video camera. Well I will definitely post more later when I get back to GA with pictures and maybe even some video from the trip if I can figure out how to do that!

Lorenzo Smiles

I took these pictures on my new touch phone. I love the one of Rayna and Lorenzo together. Also the one of Rayna in the swim goggles is priceless! My two Beautiful children! :)

2 Months Old Today

Lorenzo is officially 2 months old today! I can hardly believe it! Where did my newborn little baby go?? He is already growing up too fast! He is so lovey and cuddly. I look at him and then I look at Rayna and know that all too soon he is going to be his own little person. I'm so excited to watch him grow and see his personality develop. It's been so much fun watching Rayna.
Her birthday is in 2 weeks. Three years old already!! She is so excited about her Backyardigans party. She is inviting everyone, including the Orkin man and the Best Buy man! :) Grandpa G (my dad) will be here Saturday. He is driving down from Mich. to see us and go to Rayna's party. Then the plan is to drive back with him to Mich. to go to his big birthday bash that my aunt is throwing for him. I know all you peeps in Mich. can't wait to get your hands on my baby. Ladies Love Lorenzo! "Triple L" that's my new name for him. He is just so sweet. He is really starting to smile and make little sounds now. He knows his name when you call him, he will turn and look at you with his beautiful big blue eyes.

Well everyone is in bed and I really need to go to the grocery store. It's sad to think that going to the store by myself is a treat and considered "ME" time.

Happy 4th of July!!/God's Awesome Beauty

I can't believe it is July already and Rayna will be turning 3 years old!! Where has the time gone!!! Lorenzo is almost 7 weeks old. He had his first big car trip last weekend. We went up to Tenn. to Randy's parents to get Rayna. She spent the week with them. It was the first time she had ever been away from both Randy and I. She did great and even told everyone that she was never going home! Well, how can we compete with a swimming pool, going to the movies and the aquarium??
It is nice to have her home again. I missed my baby girl!

I finally cut Rayna's hair a couple of weeks ago. We had a Mommy and Rayna day and I took her to the salon to get it cut. It was her first hair cut. It looks good. Now it isn't hanging in her face all the time. She looks like such a big girl now!

Lorenzo is getting bigger every day. He is now wearing 3-6 months clothes and at this rate he won't be in them long. He is even letting me sleep for 3-4 hours straight at night. He is really starting to smile now and will turn his head when you call his name. I got his birth announcements back today but they have to be reprinted. Our last name was spelled wrong. I can't wait to send them out. They turned out really awesome! Frankie is even going to use Lorenzo's pictures and one of my maternity pictures for her display. Rayna is already on their business cards. We will be famous all over Athens!!

I have to share with you this rare and beautiful moment. After we got home from Tenn. Sunday night it rained for maybe 20 minutes. It was near dusk but the sun came back out. I was putting Rayna to bed when Randy came and got us and told us to go outside. And what an awesome sight we saw! A full arc rainbow with another faint one over the top, so a double rainbow all the way across the sky. I can't really even describe to you the color of the sky. It was like this pinkish/purple color. We tried to get pictures but the rainbow was so big I'm not sure if Randy was able to get it all in.
What an awesome reminder of God's promises to us and a glimpse into His awesome, indescribable beauty. I can only imagine that maybe, just maybe, that is what the sky will look like when He comes again in His clouds of glory. I was just in awe of this rare but marvelous sight. And what a great teaching moment I had with Rayna about God's promise to never cover the earth again with water and to show her God's wondrous beauty. I have seen a lot of rainbows, but never one like this. It is so rare that you see a full rainbow, let alone a double one!
It really was a great reminder that Jesus is coming again very soon!!

New Pics

I took this picture on Thursday. Rayna was being very loving to her baby brother and wanted her picture taken with him.

Finally some new pictures! I know you have all been waiting patiently for them. I tried posting them the other night but I ran into some problems. So I hope you enjoy these. Lorenzo is 4 weeks old today. I thought time flew by with the first baby, it goes even faster the second time around. He is starting to loose his new born look and he is starting to get some baby fat. He likes to eat!!

3 Weeks Old

Little Man (Lorenzo) is now three weeks old. He had his new born pictures taken today. He did great, slept the entire time. He did manage to both poop and pee on Daddy. I can't wait to see the pictures. I know she got some good shots.

I have manage to survive my first week by myself with both kids. It went pretty good. I actually went to the store with both kids. I'm even getting a shower in on most days. I'm still trying to adjust and get into a routine. Needless to say, Rayna has been watching a little more tv than I usually let her watch. At least most of it is educational, Sesame Street, Curious George. She has started watching Yo, Gabba, Gabba. It's actually not a bad show. Of course, she always has to watch Backyardigans. She has already informed me that she wants a Backyardigans birthday party.

I know, I know, I need to post some more pictures. Easier said than done. Soon I promise! Maybe tomorrow after I get some more sleep. Speaking of sleep, I'm going to try and get some before little man wakes up and wants to eat again.

One Week Old/Little Gardener

Lorenzo is now one week old! It's been a busy first week of life for the little guy. He's already been to the doctor. The dr. said he is doing great. He has a little bit of jaundice but nothing to worry about. He wants to see him again next week. He is eating like a champ and starting to stay awake for longer periods of time. It's so fun to watch his little facial expressions and his personality come to life. I'm actually getting some sleep. He is letting me sleep for 2-3 hours straight at night, waking up to feed, be changed and goes back to sleep. I just hope he keeps that up! I'll be posting some more pictures soon. I promise!

Rayna seems to be adjusting ok. Of course she just wants me a lot of the time. I'm trying to make sure I spend time with her every day. Yesterday we planted some seeds to grow in little pots. She helped me mix up the soil, and put the seeds in the pots. We planted tomatoes, chives, oregano, basil, and marigolds. She can't wait to watch them grow and plant them in the garden. Stacey and everyone at the Arboretum would be so proud! Randy had her digging out in the garden the other day, pulling out the old tomato plants and putting stuff in the compost bin.

It's a Boy!!

It's a Boy! Randy and I are the proud parents of a beautiful baby boy!

Lorenzo Thomas Gaytan
Born: May 17, 2008 at 12:49 p.m. at Athens Regional Medical Center in Athens, GA Weight: 8 lbs. Length: 20 inches
Hair: Dark and curly Eyes: Blue

He is beautiful and healthy. Rayna is a very proud big sister. Mom and baby are doing great. Labor didn't go too long about 6-8 hours. I am very proud to say that I did it all naturally without any pain medications. That was a big goal for me and one that I am very proud to say that I accomplished. We are just glad that he is here safe and sound. I couldn't have done it without the wonderful support of my doula, Erin and of course, Randy. The nurses were awesome too! My regular doctor wasn't able to be there for delivery. He missed it by about 30 minutes. But the doctor I had did an awesome job. I couldn't have asked for a better experience.
Randy's parents made it just in time. His mom walked in about 10 minutes before he came out. I'm just glad he didn't wait another week for his actual due date or more, especially at 8 lbs! I couldn't believe it when they told me that he weighed that much. Rayna was only 6.5 lbs and she was a week overdue!!
It's always worth it in the end. It amazes me every time I think about the incredible miracle of bringing a new little human life into this world. It just makes me in awe of the Creator Himself! WOW! How can anyone ever doubt that there is a God after you look into your newborn's beautiful face! It truly is an awesome event that words can't even describe.
Stay tuned for more updates and pictures!

Another Adventure

Happy Belated Mother's Day to all the Moms out there! I had every intention of posting on Mother's Day but I got a little side-tracked. Just to let you know, I am fine and the baby is fine. I tripped over the dog Sunday night and dislocated my left knee. I haven't done that since high school. I fell on my face and left side so I didn't land on the baby. We spent most of the night in the ER. They took xrays of my knee which turned out to be fine, no damage. They monitored the baby for an hour and it's fine, moving good and everything. My knee is just really sore. Like it wasn't difficult to walk before, now I have a bum knee. It feels better today. So hopefully by the time I go into labor my knee will be better. Rayna was a real trooper the whole time. Of course she was making friends with all of the nurses.

Progress and wiggly worms

We are getting closer to the due date!!! I'm so excited. I had another ultrasound today. It was really cool to see how much the baby has grown. You can really see the features. We got a good picture of the baby's face sticking it's tongue out. The good news is that the head is down but that also means that it has been kicking me in the ribs!! It really hurts! This baby is definitely going to be bigger than Rayna! I am progressing. I am now 2 cm/60% so at least things are moving in the right direction. I'm getting a massage on Saturday so maybe she can hit those labor pressure points and get labor going. That would be nice!

I took Rayna to story time at the library yesterday. They were doing a special presentation on composting. They had a composting bin with worms there to show the kids. Of course Rayna is the only kid that would actually hold a worm. That's my girl! My friends at the Arboretum would be so proud. I think she wants a worm for a pet now. She thinks they are cute.

Maternity Pics

Well with only 3 more weeks to go I am really feeling it! I am just about ready to have this baby. Earlier this week I had some maternity photos taken of my big belly. It's something I wanted to do with Rayna but never did. So I thought it would be something special just for this baby. For those of you that are familiar with the 2 year pictures I had done of Rayna, the same photographer did my maternity ones. I don't have them back yet but they did post some to their blog. So go and check out the link and see my big round belly. We got some really cute ones of all three of us and Rayna kissing my belly and loving on the baby. After you click on the link, just click the blog and you're there!

Pics and other stuff

Here are some pictures of when Shannon and baby Anna came to visit and Tanya and Jack too. Our two sleeping angels in the car on the way home from Zoo Atlanta. They weren't in the car 2 minutes before they passed out. Rayna was so sweet with baby Anna. She just wanted to play with her and love on her. She is going to make a great big sister!

With only four weeks left to go, we have been very busy. Last weekend we took Rayna to the Atlanta Dragway in Commerce to see the races. Even with how loud the cars are, she really liked it. She liked seeing all the different cars. We bought her a stuffed bear and she said that the bear was scared of the cars but not her!

Also my friends here threw me a little baby shower. It was awesome! I love you guys! You guys rock! It's just nice to get together and hang out with friends. It's so nice to have that kind of support here especially when we don't have any family around.

5 More Weeks to Go!

Only 5 more weeks to go!! The count down is on!! I'm starting to get really excited! Not that I haven't been excited about having another baby, but now I can see the light at the end of the tunnel. The other exciting thing is that at the Dr. on Friday he said I am already 1cm dilated. Now I know you can be that way for a long time but for me to be dilated anything at 35 weeks is really exciting. Because with Rayna I wasn't dilated at all at 40 weeks. We had to force her out!

Well we have been really busy over the last couple of weeks with visitors. First my friend Shannon and her 5 month old baby girl came for a visit. It was so much fun spending time with them and getting to see her baby. It was good practice for Rayna to be around a baby. She did really well. She wanted to play with the baby more than anything. She is going to be a good big sister.

Then as I was dropping Shannon off at the airport, I was picking up Tanya (a.k.a. Batman) and her 3 yr old son, Jack. It was really good to get the kids together and to catch up with friends. Whenever we go to MI I never get to spend that much one on one time with my friends because we are always so busy trying to see everyone we can see. And now with two kids, I have no idea when we will make a trip to MI. Everyone is more than welcome to come and visit us!

As soon as I download the camera I will post pics of the visit. I got a really cute one of Rayna and Jack passed out in the car on the way home from the zoo and one of Rayna holding baby Anna

Cute things kids say

I just had to post this because I thought it was so cute. Rayna says funny things all the time. It's hard to keep up with her. Last night I found a photo album with some wedding pictures. I was showing them to her and explaining what was in each photo. There were some of me in my wedding dress, so I was telling her that it was mommy in her pretty wedding dress. And in true fashion that only a 2 1/2 yr old could do, she says, "Oh, mommy was playing dress-up. She looks so pretty. She looks like a princess." Then there was a picture of the guys in their sombreros and I said to her, "Look at daddy and Uncle Schim in their sombreros." In reply, she says, "No mommy, those are hats not sombreros."
I stand corrected!
Randy is working on some videos to post soon. He found a website on-line that you can upload photos to and it will put it into a video. It's pretty cool. So hopefully we can get that uploaded soon for you to enjoy.

Wrong link to blog

Ok, I apologize if I sent you the wrong link to the blog. Hopefully you got here ok. I don't know why it sent you to my sister-in-law's blog. Weird!! It will remain one of those mysteries of the world wide web!
Here is another parenting mystery. Rayna has had an on again/off again fever for the last few days. It seems to creep up at night but she'll be fine during the day. Last night was horrible. She was waking up like every two hours. At one point I wasn't sure if we would be able to calm her down. She was just crying and crying. I'm just glad she is in her big bed now so Randy was able to stay with her. At one point she told us she wanted oatmeal for dinner. It was 4 a.m.! Now today she has been sneezing and a little bit of a running nose but no other symptoms. I hope it is just a little cold. I can't afford to get sick. Every time she gets sick, I get sick. It is no fun being pregnant when you are sick because you can't take anything!!!

Wow! I'm pretty proud of myself. This is the second post in 2 days!!!

New Blog

Here is the new blog for the Gaytan Family. Maybe I will actually keep up with this one, but I can't make any promises. I figured that a new blog would be a good idea to keep everyone updated on our little growing family. This will be a great way to keep in touch with all of our friends and family scattered around the world.

I will update you on the latest and greatest happenings of the Gaytan Family. Most of you know that we are expecting baby number 2 in just a few short weeks, 7 to be exact. This pregnancy has gone pretty good and normal, not as easy as the first time around though. I did have some morning or what I like to call, all-day sickness. But other than that, pretty normal. I think that other thing that makes it harder is that I now have to chase Rayna around all day. That's enough to wear anyone out, pregnant or not!

Well I hope you enjoy the new blog!