I took hundreds of photos, but these are the ones I like most, still need to edit.
Sunday, February 28, 2016
4 Year photo shoot
Each year I take pictures of lily for her birthday. This time I did it twice, one in Gilbert at discovery park and the other in Tucson this week visiting family. Its almost impossible to get her to look at the camera, but oh well. We had fun. Or, maybe I'm the one that had fun?
I took hundreds of photos, but these are the ones I like most, still need to edit.
I took hundreds of photos, but these are the ones I like most, still need to edit.
Lily Bean is 4
My first born, my heart, my lily is now 4. She is looking more and more like a little kid every day! Mark said one night, 'lily is not looking like a baby anymore...I dont like it.' I agree! Though I do love her, and how much fun she is. She is the funniest kid. I find myself laughing not just at the things she does, but laughing with her like I would with a friend. We have actual conversations now, and she understands what I say... its pretty cool. She is such a good sister to her little brother, he goes looking for her in the morning cause he knows lily will play with him. She has absolutely no bubble when it comes to hugging others, which can get her in trouble. And she is not shy at all, which can cause me to blush. I'm trying to teach her the concept of stranger danger, but she refuses to believe people can be bad. Last night she told me that she wants to be a fire fighter, cause she is strong and wants to save people. how awesome is that! my daughter will be a hero someday. She is kind, caring and has a heart of gold. I love my lily so so much, she is my heart.
We had a fun birthday weekend last week. Grammy, Amma and grandpa came to Gilbert to celebrate. We went to the Phoenix Children's museum on her birthday, it was a pretty cool place. Then we had dinner at the rainforest cafe, which lily enjoyed. Then Saturday we played at the pool and had a little BBQ with family. Lily got her first bicycle for her birthday from us. I'm excited for her to learn how to ride a bike! It was a fun birthday for her.
We had a fun birthday weekend last week. Grammy, Amma and grandpa came to Gilbert to celebrate. We went to the Phoenix Children's museum on her birthday, it was a pretty cool place. Then we had dinner at the rainforest cafe, which lily enjoyed. Then Saturday we played at the pool and had a little BBQ with family. Lily got her first bicycle for her birthday from us. I'm excited for her to learn how to ride a bike! It was a fun birthday for her.
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| the museum had an amazing tree house for the kids to play in. We loved it! |
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| paw patrol birthday is what she wanted. |
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| only because no one else was going to eat it |
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| rainforest cafe is cool |
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| scooter from Amma |
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glad the kids a smiling... not!             |
Tuesday, February 9, 2016
Free at Last!
Two weeks ago I had a full time job, working from home while taking care of two young children...it was hell. I had said many prayers to know whether or not we could survive financially if I quit. No matter the answer I felt I'd received, it is not in my nature to quit. Call it pride or stupidity, I enjoy making money. It's security and independence for me. I was not handling the two very well, and the stress was causing me some major anxiety. Two Thursday's ago, I drove down to tucson with the kids as I always do for work each week. The night before I had prayed yet again for the lord to keep us safe while I drove and that I'd have a good week of work. I got the most peaceful feeling that I would have a good week. The words 'it'll all be ok' repeated in my mind. So, Yada yada yada, I was laid off. Yup. I was RIF'd as we call it in employment. And I could not be happier that the decision was made for me. It was not due to performance (which helps my pride), the company could not keep an HR staff anymore due to lack of work. They were an amazing company and I'm eternally grateful for the opportunities they gave me. Yes, I will miss the money, it makes a big dent in our household income, but I feel there is a big weight off my shoulders. We will be fine financially, mark makes a good income, just our future plans get to change a little. I now have more time to focus on Jacob and Lily, my energy can be devoted to them and bettering myself in the process. I am however sad for my friends and co workers who also lost their jobs. But I'm confident they will be ok, they are intelligent and hard working, any business would be lucky to have them on their team. It's been weird these two weeks not working, I feel like I need to be doing more, answering calls, responding to emails, it's nice to know its not in my day. Now I get to trust the lord we will be taken care of...It'll all be ok, right?
Wednesday, January 27, 2016
2016 Thus Far and Deep Parenting Thoughts by Andrea Ontiveros
So far the beginning of the year has been good. We did not win the lottery, in case you were wondering. it was at 1.5 billion dollars, we bought four tickets...sigh, oh well. (trust me, we never thought we'd win, but we enjoyed the 'what if's) lol.
Mark has yet to begin his busy season, though sometimes work requires him to stay till 9 ish. which stinks, but we knew it would be that way. He is enjoying his workplace more and more, but misses the freedom he had when he was a student. I'm still working from home. Decided to go down to Tucson every other week for two days, instead of one day every week. Easier for me and the kids, and I think it's better for my employer. We decided that we will renew our lease in July and stay 6 more months if possible. We figure continuing to rent after a year is like putting money towards a dead horse, we get nothing from it and can't ever get that money back. So we will go ahead and purchase a house. We are on track to do so, so hopefully everything will work out. We want to stay in the Gilbert, I really like it here.
Benefit to living in the Phoenix area? All the stuff to do! you could never get bored here, it's impossible. That being said, we had a great time at the aquarium a couple weeks ago.
Mark started crossfit again, and loves it. I'll be starting next week. I was waiting for results from a CT scan to make sure I'm all clear (been having back/rib pain since april that's feeling worse...yada yada, all normal, I've decided i'm not dying.) I've begun running again, I really missed it! I get emotional when I run, sounds silly, but add some good music and I feel free. It gets me all excited. Hopefully we will be ready for the Warrior Dash in April. We are back to eating Paleo, I however am doing it modified. I do not want to eliminate anything from my diet. So i'm still eating grains and carbs (just very minimal). Mark has lost 12lbs already, me? only 3...depressing. BUT, i'm looking for long term health, not temporary vanity and it's understandable since i'm modifying. only thing is I've started a weight loss competition amongst friends, and need results to reach my goal of 20lbs by end of April. It's do able...hopefully?
Lily is now attending a gym three times a week called 'The Little Gym'. Its a cool little gym where the teachers teach the kids mainly gymnastics. Though, we signed her up for the sports class to learn the basics of sports, the real intention is to help prepare her for a school environment and help her interaction with other children. She goes two-three times a week for an hour.
I love watching her accomplish things she would never learn with me. It is very apparent however that she has mine an marks athletic abilities. Neither of us are flexible, neither of us have any gymnastics bone in our bodies. However, I am determined for Lily to learn how to do these things and choose for herself if it is what she wants to do. The only thing i'm struggling with? She losses focus all the time! I've even tried bribing her with a toy ('if you listen to Mr. Ralph today, then you will get a toy') she's focused at the start and then slowly begins to move towards the other side of the gym to play with something she's not supposed too. It. drives. me. bonkers.
I've come to discover, I'm THAT mom, who stands close to the window to catch her child's eye to give her the death stare. who opens the door to tell their kid to pay attention. I get upset, because I don't want to be wasting money and time on something she will get nothing out of. But i'm not going to take her out of the classes because she is not behaving. I never thought i'd be so controlling with my kids. I never thought i'd feel embarrassed that my child is the only child playing on the rings while the rest are on the balance beam. I keep telling myself 'I should have put her in these classes earlier, when she was 2, and then it would not be so hard for her to pay attention.' But the 'should a's' will get me no where.
So what to do? As we were driving home from the gym one day, I thought about what I should do. It was a rough day at the gym, we had countless discussions prior to arriving about working on our listening and obeying skills. She said she would listen to the teacher. It started out good the first 30 minutes and then she got distracted. Swinging on the rings, instead of sitting at the purple wall with the other kids. It was rough. I was upset when we left. Keeping these feelings to myself and not letting her see that I was disappointed. I thought about how'd approach the situation, what I would say, what the punishment would be. As I went to unbuckle her from her seat, she said something funny. I looked her in the eyes and said, 'Lily, you are a very wonderful girl. I love you so much.' Was it what I should have done? Not sure, i'm not a perfect parent or a child therapist. But at that moment, it's what I felt she needed to hear. I love my imperfect, kind, gentle and imaginative daughter. At some point in her life, she will have another adult/teacher discipline her when she is being disobedient. They will be frustrated with her, she will feel their disappointment. And that will be okay with me. But, I never want her to forget that she is loved and just an amazing girl despite whatever bad choice she made. We are not perfect, which is why we are on earth, so we can learn how to be better. I'll let the teachers at the Little Gym do their job teaching lily, and i'll do my part, teaching her obedience in the home.
We were listening to music in the house, dancing and playing and then a song came on my iheartradio by the name of 'Lizzies Do's and Don'ts', the lyrics really touched me. It was about a Mom and her interaction with her daughter, the lyrics were something like this (i'm having a hard time finding the lyrics online) Mom to child: "Don't bring the sand home from the beach. Don't feed the kitty cat a peach, don't lick the dog when he licks you..." then child to mother: "Don't chat, chat, chat on the telephone. Don't lick so much of my ice-cream cone, don't tell me that my hair is messy..." but then the child goes on to say, "Do tell me that you love me, Do hold me close, Do help me"... This is all so true. I feel like i'm always saying Don't to Lily instead of Do. No wonder she gets so frustrated when playing and decides to completely ignore everyone. I limit her way to much and am not telling her what she can do. I would think, she would always feel like she is making a mistake. I need to work on telling her the Do's in life and less of the don'ts. I'm not a perfect parent (obviously) and I know there is no such thing (regardless of what old parents think of themselves raising their kids, earth to you, you were not that perfect, you're kid still does not know how to clean their messes). All I can do is, my best. This whole parenting thing is hard! Hoping I don't mess them up too much.
Mark has yet to begin his busy season, though sometimes work requires him to stay till 9 ish. which stinks, but we knew it would be that way. He is enjoying his workplace more and more, but misses the freedom he had when he was a student. I'm still working from home. Decided to go down to Tucson every other week for two days, instead of one day every week. Easier for me and the kids, and I think it's better for my employer. We decided that we will renew our lease in July and stay 6 more months if possible. We figure continuing to rent after a year is like putting money towards a dead horse, we get nothing from it and can't ever get that money back. So we will go ahead and purchase a house. We are on track to do so, so hopefully everything will work out. We want to stay in the Gilbert, I really like it here.
Benefit to living in the Phoenix area? All the stuff to do! you could never get bored here, it's impossible. That being said, we had a great time at the aquarium a couple weeks ago.
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| These babies of ours are so adorable, seriously |
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| Scuba Steve |
Mark started crossfit again, and loves it. I'll be starting next week. I was waiting for results from a CT scan to make sure I'm all clear (been having back/rib pain since april that's feeling worse...yada yada, all normal, I've decided i'm not dying.) I've begun running again, I really missed it! I get emotional when I run, sounds silly, but add some good music and I feel free. It gets me all excited. Hopefully we will be ready for the Warrior Dash in April. We are back to eating Paleo, I however am doing it modified. I do not want to eliminate anything from my diet. So i'm still eating grains and carbs (just very minimal). Mark has lost 12lbs already, me? only 3...depressing. BUT, i'm looking for long term health, not temporary vanity and it's understandable since i'm modifying. only thing is I've started a weight loss competition amongst friends, and need results to reach my goal of 20lbs by end of April. It's do able...hopefully?
Lily is now attending a gym three times a week called 'The Little Gym'. Its a cool little gym where the teachers teach the kids mainly gymnastics. Though, we signed her up for the sports class to learn the basics of sports, the real intention is to help prepare her for a school environment and help her interaction with other children. She goes two-three times a week for an hour.
I love watching her accomplish things she would never learn with me. It is very apparent however that she has mine an marks athletic abilities. Neither of us are flexible, neither of us have any gymnastics bone in our bodies. However, I am determined for Lily to learn how to do these things and choose for herself if it is what she wants to do. The only thing i'm struggling with? She losses focus all the time! I've even tried bribing her with a toy ('if you listen to Mr. Ralph today, then you will get a toy') she's focused at the start and then slowly begins to move towards the other side of the gym to play with something she's not supposed too. It. drives. me. bonkers.
I've come to discover, I'm THAT mom, who stands close to the window to catch her child's eye to give her the death stare. who opens the door to tell their kid to pay attention. I get upset, because I don't want to be wasting money and time on something she will get nothing out of. But i'm not going to take her out of the classes because she is not behaving. I never thought i'd be so controlling with my kids. I never thought i'd feel embarrassed that my child is the only child playing on the rings while the rest are on the balance beam. I keep telling myself 'I should have put her in these classes earlier, when she was 2, and then it would not be so hard for her to pay attention.' But the 'should a's' will get me no where.
So what to do? As we were driving home from the gym one day, I thought about what I should do. It was a rough day at the gym, we had countless discussions prior to arriving about working on our listening and obeying skills. She said she would listen to the teacher. It started out good the first 30 minutes and then she got distracted. Swinging on the rings, instead of sitting at the purple wall with the other kids. It was rough. I was upset when we left. Keeping these feelings to myself and not letting her see that I was disappointed. I thought about how'd approach the situation, what I would say, what the punishment would be. As I went to unbuckle her from her seat, she said something funny. I looked her in the eyes and said, 'Lily, you are a very wonderful girl. I love you so much.' Was it what I should have done? Not sure, i'm not a perfect parent or a child therapist. But at that moment, it's what I felt she needed to hear. I love my imperfect, kind, gentle and imaginative daughter. At some point in her life, she will have another adult/teacher discipline her when she is being disobedient. They will be frustrated with her, she will feel their disappointment. And that will be okay with me. But, I never want her to forget that she is loved and just an amazing girl despite whatever bad choice she made. We are not perfect, which is why we are on earth, so we can learn how to be better. I'll let the teachers at the Little Gym do their job teaching lily, and i'll do my part, teaching her obedience in the home.
We were listening to music in the house, dancing and playing and then a song came on my iheartradio by the name of 'Lizzies Do's and Don'ts', the lyrics really touched me. It was about a Mom and her interaction with her daughter, the lyrics were something like this (i'm having a hard time finding the lyrics online) Mom to child: "Don't bring the sand home from the beach. Don't feed the kitty cat a peach, don't lick the dog when he licks you..." then child to mother: "Don't chat, chat, chat on the telephone. Don't lick so much of my ice-cream cone, don't tell me that my hair is messy..." but then the child goes on to say, "Do tell me that you love me, Do hold me close, Do help me"... This is all so true. I feel like i'm always saying Don't to Lily instead of Do. No wonder she gets so frustrated when playing and decides to completely ignore everyone. I limit her way to much and am not telling her what she can do. I would think, she would always feel like she is making a mistake. I need to work on telling her the Do's in life and less of the don'ts. I'm not a perfect parent (obviously) and I know there is no such thing (regardless of what old parents think of themselves raising their kids, earth to you, you were not that perfect, you're kid still does not know how to clean their messes). All I can do is, my best. This whole parenting thing is hard! Hoping I don't mess them up too much.
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| Working on her back flips with Mr. Ralph |
Jakey-Roo is 7 Months
(i'm about a week late on this...oh well)
Our boy is now 7 months old...and moving everywhere!
He is army crawling all over the house, and he can move fast. His favorite place to travel to is the bathroom, which I hate and it grosses me out when I find him in there, but he loves it. He managed to crawl upward onto a mattress on the floor, I was impressed by his strength!
He also loves his jumper, and will bounce himself to sleep (literally). Even when he's not in his bouncer, he's jumping in your arms. I think it's the effects of Crossfit while in the womb. lol.
He is loving solid food and will try to eat what is in your mouth if you are holding him while eating. Every morning we begin the day with organic oatmeal cereal and mashed banana.
His hair is slowly but surely coming in, but he's still my bald little man.
He gives the sweetest kisses and likes to hold those he loves nice and close. if he loves you, expect a face full of slobber from all the kisses...and you should feel so honored.
He loves to chase lily around the apartment (I hold him while we chase her). And he is now taking baths sitting up all by himself! I've joined lily and Jacob in the tub together, he loves being with his big sister.
He has an ear piercing scream and grunts like a bear. He enjoys talking, he will stair at you and grunt for a good five minutes discussing his day.
He loves to smile, people always comment on what a happy baby he is. And he really is a happy little man!
Love our sweet happy boy so much!
Our boy is now 7 months old...and moving everywhere!
He is army crawling all over the house, and he can move fast. His favorite place to travel to is the bathroom, which I hate and it grosses me out when I find him in there, but he loves it. He managed to crawl upward onto a mattress on the floor, I was impressed by his strength!
He also loves his jumper, and will bounce himself to sleep (literally). Even when he's not in his bouncer, he's jumping in your arms. I think it's the effects of Crossfit while in the womb. lol.
He is loving solid food and will try to eat what is in your mouth if you are holding him while eating. Every morning we begin the day with organic oatmeal cereal and mashed banana.
His hair is slowly but surely coming in, but he's still my bald little man.
He gives the sweetest kisses and likes to hold those he loves nice and close. if he loves you, expect a face full of slobber from all the kisses...and you should feel so honored.
He loves to chase lily around the apartment (I hold him while we chase her). And he is now taking baths sitting up all by himself! I've joined lily and Jacob in the tub together, he loves being with his big sister.
He has an ear piercing scream and grunts like a bear. He enjoys talking, he will stair at you and grunt for a good five minutes discussing his day.
He loves to smile, people always comment on what a happy baby he is. And he really is a happy little man!
Love our sweet happy boy so much!
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| Crawling on the floor just wasn't enough I guess... |
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| Bath time for Bonzo! |
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| These two are my world |
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| Love him! |
Sunday, January 10, 2016
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