The Baby Blog

In the classic Laxa fashion, Christmas cards will be New Year's cards...and since we are out of ink for our printer, there will be no additional greetings~

But here is what it would have read...

In April Damoomoo and I (with the gracious help of his parents), bought our first home. The biggest step we have made since the birth of our children. Yes, it has its challenges (paying the bills and keeping it clean after the "rugrats" storm hits), but there is nothing like the feeling of walking into your own home, relaxing in front of your TV, in your own living room. We sacraficed being closer to the bay area, but being in the double V is proving to be a plus. It is known for the outlets, but has kept it's family environment with the activities and places to go. Everything we need is a 10 minute drive.

We took a little break from dancing with Likha, but have now recently returned in time to experience upcoming tours and the most beautiful studio ever. Only good things are yet to come with the dedication and hard work that all of you have given and sacrificed. You are truly family to us!

As for work, we were blessed with some random opportunities. Damoomoo now only works 20 minutes away which will be a blessing when the boys start school. We can actually take advantage of the good school system here, and I won't have to worry about being so far away. With the new job, came some different responsibilities, and a new wardrobe. So if you ever get a chance to see him.... you'll see him sportin' his dress shirts and ties!

As for me, I left, I tried, and returned. In April I left CCC to work at Sac State. But at the end of summer CCC provided an opportunity I could not pass up. I returned to my "dysfunctional family" in a new PERMANENT position. For the first time in years I am on vacation and getting paid! But most importantly it was an opportunity to get AJ back in the preschool he has grown to love.

AJ
is growing up to be great little boy..just like his dadddy. Everyday he surprises us with he views the world around him. He observes the good and the bad, but will do what he can to not "make mommy angry". He continues to put a smile on our faces when he sings "fly me to the moon", or his other favortes by Black Eyed Peas, Red Hot Chili Peppers, and U2. We are looking to enroll him in weekend activities like T-ball and possibly karate.

Mio
plays the little brother role so well. One minute he gaya gaya kuya, and the next he will be at odds with him fighting for the same toy (even when they were given two of the same things!). Potty training is still a feat we are working on, but will soon overcome so that he can attend pre-school with kuya. He is overcoming his delay in speech. Although he is difficult to understand, he too will give his rendition of his favorite songs, but most of all the favorite lines to his cartoons, and movies...

All in all I have continued to be blessed (and thank God in my prayers) for the continued love and support that we receive. I have a husband who has yet to complain or show an ounce of stress, but continues to work to provide for us. I have 2 boys who challenge my every ounce of energy with their endless amounts, and neverending need to play. We have parents who support us with all they have. Who continue to guide us through parenthood, and give so much of their love to our children.

To all our friends near and far... your friendship means so much (that these simple words cannot explain). You are like family to us. We may not see you as often as we would like, but you are all in our hearts. We are only a phone call/email away.

I know that this was long... but to everyone... may 2006 be filled with more blessings for you and your families! Your cards will be in the mail!

And I'm not just talking about where we live :P

Today is the last day of school before we close up shop til next year! However, faculty like MathMajor got to leave pretty much after they finished finals and turning in grades (the latter being done via internet!) However, the worker bees, like me, are still here coming to work to empty buildings, empty parking lots, and no food vendors!

So, here I am in my new office space (the person I am replacing retired last Friday!) with no one around! We will most likely get to leave early today, however, I am still working. My co-worker and I are co-advisors for the Asian Pacific student group on campus, and we had this "brilliant at the time" idea of holding an overnight leadership/team-building retreat at my house which starts tonight and ends Thursday morning. So to all the former PACErs... this is my version of Bodega Bay!

damoomoo and the kiddies are being good troopers and spending the next 2 nights at Nana's house while we host 10 college kids & attempt to instill leadership skills, communication, follow-through, and all that warm fuzzy team building stuff I used to HAVE to do when I worked as a Youth Counselor. I'm not good at those darn games... but you always gotta give people that fun time, right?

We stayed up pretty late with the hyper kiddies who were still going strong at 12:30 last night. I guess AJ really understands the meaning of vacation now! I put away all the "bought, but not wrapped" christmas presents, all the toys are now in the Space Command room, and the boxes from the X-mas decor are nicely stored in the garage.

So, if we leave early today we will be going to Costco and stuff to pick up all the food and drinks for the retreat... oh boy... I'm starting to have anxiety! Hope this works!!

I have been good. Here is my list for Christmas.

A Mickey Mouse skateboard

A green Dragon T-Rex

A hot wheels racing game

Thank you Santa

From AJ


I have been me. Here is my list for Christmas.

Anything I can play with at my house, Nana's house, or Mama Tess' house

Anything I can play with without my Tuya bothering me.

Anything I don't have to share with Tuya.

Anything I can draw on and with that won't leave permament marks on the carpet, floors, and walls. Daddy already told me so!

Thanks Santa, love Mio

Dear Santa,

All I want is someone to clean up all the mess left behind by my kids.

Anything or anyone to do my laundry, and put them away!

Someone to drive me to/from work everyday...

Winning Lotto numbers would be nice, too!

Thanks, from Mighty Mom

Yesterday morning I had my first official "parent/teacher conference". Although AJ started to attend pre-school last semester, we left before the semester ended so we never experienced one--until now! I was actually a bit nervous. A parent never wants to hear bad things about their children...(I guess I can only imagine if I were the teacher that had to tell a parent bad things!)

There are things that AJ is good at. He participates in class activities, socializes well (he gets that from his dad!), and he recognizes his numbers (1 to 20) and alphabet. Things we need to work on at home: 1. recognizing all the sounds of the alphabet. 2. finishing a project on his own. Teacher says that once he is challenged with something he will ask for help (but AJ "help" means "do it for me". If he doesn't receive help he completely gives up. 3. Not getting over stimulated when his "buddies" are around. Apparently there is an inseparable foursome which includes AJ. And any point that he gets distracted by them... it's over! Teacher is running around after them!!

Overall, AJ is doing well. We will need to work on writing his full name. Apparently that is already expected of children entering kindergarten! Geez... what else do they want..the chem charts memorized, too! Actually, his writing is something I would love to work on while we are on vacation.... wow, writing and potty training... GREAT!

Today, I just got a call from his teacher informing me of an "incident". Apparently he might have thrown a tantrum when his teacher asked for him to do something... I have to go and call right now for the details!

It's a bit different when you get to decorate your own home for the first time...and a bit expensive!! Most decorations we have bought in the past were left behind at the in-laws house, but we did get our parol that my mom gave us when she came to visit one holiday!

AJ was really excited about buying a Christmas tree. He has been ready to go every morning when the sun came up! So, we started our Saturday with a re-arranging of the playroom to make room for the tree. We decided that this was the room with the most flexibility, and everyone should see the tree from the outside, right? This was also a great excuse to move the couches and the TV to a better formation AND vacuum the whole room! It's amazing how messy that small room can get!

The decorations
We took Drama Queen's advice and checked our local Big Lots! We walked away with our ornaments, 3- lighted wreaths for our outside columns, large ribbon to wrap around the tree, and 3-large ribbons to decorate the wreaths. Then we went to Yard Birds where we bought the lights for the tree. Then we drove to Lowe's for the tree and the tree stand. Then finally, Target. Here we found our "Star", the outdoor lights, and our Christmas stockings (just the cheap kind for now). I was a bit disappointed because we are unable to have icicle lights on the outside. Apparently we don't have a gutter that runs through the lower part of the house in the front, which make it difficult to hang anything. I think next year we'll invest on the lighted reindeer or something.... or maybe the little tree out front. We don't even have railing to decorate!

Let there be lights
While Damoomoo figured out what "hardware" he will need for the outdoors and put up the tree so it stood straight.. it was my turn to decorate. He set up the multi colored lighted garland around the banister of our stairwell. I hung all the ornaments, and finally it was time. We called AJ and Mio to the room... We have our very own Christmas tree! As AJ described it, "Mommy, it's beautiful!". And he said that he was going to tell Ms. Denise at school!

We finished the night cleaning up as much as we could, and sat down to watch "The Exorcist: The Beginning". Sunday was going to be another busy for us!

Walt Disney! Yes, he was born on this day, which also happens to be my birthday, too! hmmm... maybe that's why I love Disney so much?!

Anyways, had a great pre-birthday dinner with my gals from State (Weekender and fiance Etch, Voodoo, and MnM.) my Likha family (UPSer, Silent H, Ms Teen, Eman, Manok, Drama Queen and her man R, Rok Star and Tin, and Virtual-E), and of course my litter (AJ, Mio, and Damoomoo). We basically took the front half Drunken Fish. Bomb ass sushi! Loved it! I have been craving sushi for months now, and this definitely hit the spot. My most favorite was the Titanic roll and the Mexican roll, and Damoomoo said the Dynamite Roll was really good, too. For the evening my favorite was hearing my boys sing Happy Birthday, including the Madagascar version! They did really well in the restaurant which is a really big accomplishment!

I have received lots of gifts from my office mates which was really nice... I will open them up tonight when I get home. Tonight we are pretty exhausted so don't know if we will actually do anything else. I do want to watch Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire! Oh how I love my birthday... I am still the "baby" of the office, so I'm in good shape! hehehe too bad my body can't feel as young!

So my birthday wish... everyone enjoy your Monday!!

I just started to listen to 96.5 who is playing Christmas songs all day long. I haven't felt the urge to get into Christmas until now... and even then I feel like it's a little early. But now I feel that I am in catch up mode because it looks like we will be hosting the D.O.M holiday party next week!!

And because this is our first holiday in our home, we are starting from scratch! Oh boy... Drama Queen mentioned Home Depot having a sale on poinsettas so hopefully we can catch some other good sales! Any other leads? Any other helpful hints, do's and dont's of decorating... I am really starting to freak out! OH MY GOSH!

I went to the Red Apple warehouse sale yesterday to purchase stuff for our Staff Party. Bought a set of 2 cocoa mugs for $1.50! Bought a handful of other gifts for co-workers, friends, cousins, etc. for $1.00 to $1.50 each. Bought rolls of wrapping paper for $1. Pen sets for kids for 75 cents! and they just had soooo much stuff... if you are interested it's in Benicia and they have extended their sale until the 18th!

Now, I just want to enjoy my birthday "week". Yes, I like to claim a whole week cuz 1 day is just not enough... hehehe. Went to lunch with all my office mates today. There are 5 of us with December birthdays. It's not often you'll find yourself in a casual setting with the President, V.P, and Deans of a College campus! It was interesting and fun.

Happy weekend all!