The Happiest Place On Earth

Here are some pictures of the Valasco Families' annual trip to Disneyland.

Getting ready for Toy Story, the ride.

Cousin Anthony was chosen to train at the Jedi Academy

Here he is fighting Darth Vadar

Riding the train

Hanging out in Toon Town

Roger Rabbit ride.  It was fun going in, but a terrible ride for kids.

The Valascos (minus Joss, who was with Grandma for the weekend)

Freakin' Genius

I think every parent would like to think their kid is smart and not just smart, but in our case, smartER than the average 2 year old.  I am "every parent."  

Ryland's new trick is finishing sentences when I read certain books with him.  He's so into the "Dinosaur" books ("How Do Dinosaurs Say Good Night?" etc.) and books about race cars.  At first, I would point to an object or character on a page and have him say the word and then I would continue reading.  But now...  he just knows how the story goes.  And, rhyme or no rhyme.  It doesn't matter.  If he likes the book, he just knows how it goes.

He totally gets into the stories too.  He gets sad when the character gets sad or scared when there's something scary.  He's even asked me what words like "pout" "sigh" and "spooky" mean.  What 2 year old does that?  So, his other new trick is expressing emotions.  He can do happy, sad, mad, scared and of course, he can pout.  It cracks me up when I have him do it all over and over again.  He starts to get confused and then he cracks up.

As much as he is a handful at 2, I wouldn't change him or this time of his life for anything.  I love this age.  He's just like a sponge.  Soaking up the world around him.

Welcome to my world

How the hell do you bill for your time when more than half way through preparing 4 income tax returns you realize someone has already completed the returns and a) didn't tell you, b) didn't make copies for the file and c) didn't even send out a cover letter to the client when they mailed the returns? YOU CAN'T!!!! ARGHHH!!!!

Joss Milestones

It's been so long since I wrote about Joss and what she's up to now.  She's just over 5 months now and is babbling non-stop.  She's still such a happy baby, but is now realizing that if she screams and squeals at the top of her lungs, I will magically appear.  I actually think she thinks it's a game.  Her umbilical hernia is no longer.  I really need to post an "after" picture of her belly button.  Note to self...  "post 'after' picture of Joss' belly button."

Joss' milestones are still a little delayed since she was born 6 weeks early.  I find myself comparing her to Ryland even though I know I shouldn't.  She's still a little wobbly with her head/neck control.  She's getting lots of tummy time, but it seems like she's just lazy or maybe her head's just too heavy.  She hates the Bumbo chair where Ryland loved it at 3 months!  There I go again...  I really need to stop thinking like that.  So, we're probably not going to start rice cereal until after 6 months.

Last night Joss had a pretty significant milestone.  She can turn over from her back to her tummy.  It's kinda scary because I heard faint cries, but didn't know it was her.  I checked on her anyway and found her in her crib on her tummy struggling to pick up her heavy head.  Poor thing...  I really have to keep my ears open when she's sleeping.

More exciting times ahead...  =)

Ryland Milestone

I just can't believe it!  Ryland is growing up so fast.  He's showing a lot of interest in potty training.  For about a month now, he's been asking to sit on the toilet, but it wasn't until last Thursday morning that he actually did something.  As Ryan was changing his diaper, he noticed that his poop was already starting to crown.  So he rushed him to the toilet and sat him down.  There he sat for about 5 minutes doing nothing.  I figured he wasn't comfortable yet to actually push it out.  I asked if he was finished, he said "yes."  So, I told him to hug my legs so that I could wash his ba-butt.  I must have relaxed his butt muscles or something because next thing you know, he was gripping my legs and pushing.  I stopped washing him (of course) and then *PLOP* Out it came!  I cheered, clapped and praised Ryland's great job.  I finished washing him and helped him off the toilet.  There he stood admiring his fine work.  He looked so proud, pointing and exclaiming, 

"I did it Mah-ee, I did it!  I poopoo toilet!"  

"Yes you did, Buddy!  You did it!"

Since then, Ryland's pooped in the toilet twice without incident and pee-ed in the toilet several times with a couple of accidents where he didn't quite make it into the toilet.  We're so proud of our little guy!  =)