SEVEN Months!

Misael is 7 months old! This month has gone by so FAST! I mean just a few days ago he was 6 Months. This month we have been getting ready to greet an old friend...his Doc Band/helmet. Yes, you read right, we are going to have another helmet. We (Jose and I) had some concerns about his head and it not being corrected as much as possible.  Once we got his exit scans from his first band our thoughts were confirmed. Misael still had moderate plagiocephaly.  Of course it took TIME to get another scan, insurance approval, the fitting scan, and now the band (which we get on Monday).  I hope he does as well with this one as he did before. He will have it for about 10 weeks. I know at the end my little guy's noggin will be even more perfect!

Misaelisms at seven months:

• Weight: 20.6 lbs. Oh wow...I was shocked when we weighed him.  For our unofficial weights we stand on the scale with Misael and then put him down and weigh ourselves.  Accurate I know.
• Length:  ??? inches 
• Clothes: Big man wears 6-9 months and 9 months.
• Diapers: Size 3
• Sleeping: Sleeping 10-13 hours a night. I cannot complain.  
• Still so serious. You can see to his soul through his eyes.
• Smiles with those cute 'ol dimples.
• Laughs often
• HATES his activity mat. As soon as you put him on it he makes it collapse and then rolls over off of it.
• Not using the Bumbo at all.
• Loves his jumper at Grandma's and home.
• Has TWO teeth!!! There are three coming in on top and maybe some on the bottom but we can't get a good look at that without losing a finger.
• Turns over from his tummy to his back (has been doing this off and on since 6 weeks)
• Turns from his back to tummy all of the time.
• Sleeps on his side and belly. He loves to move all around the bed. 
• You kick your aquarium on multiple times during the night....no matter where I put you in relation to it. We aren't sure if it soothes you or it's an accident!---Still happens
• Rolls everywhere.
• Really loves his big brother. He is smiling at him and gets so excited when he hears his voice or sees him.
• Loves to be carried. He loves to look around and be walked around in your arms.
• Loves his stroller...he sits in it like a big boy.
• Loves going on walks.
• Eats: He eats solids in the morning and at night before his last bottle. By the way you are eating 8-10 ounces before bed time.
• Says DaDa, Hi and other babbles.
• LOVES. LOVES. LOVES. BATH. TIME.

Oh Ipolito...

Seriously...Ipolito...what am I going to do with you?! You are so ornery and strong willed. You are also sweet and lovable.  You love to help me and you LOVE to talk! Really love to talk. Sometimes I just don't know what to do with you. You always ask so many questions and are a very bright, intelligent child.

We often clash. You are testing your limits these days and I admit I now know the true meaning of the words, "It hurts me more than you." I really do. Really. Believe me.

You love to sleep with me and I generally let you (if Papi is working)...if you are good that is. If you don't mind...that is the first thing to go.

You really don't like to do many things such as pick up your toys, eat all of your food, put up your shoes, etc. Who does?!

You love to reason with us and usually we get to tickled to hear what comes out of your mouth.

Yesterday; however, it was quiet. Too quiet. I was sitting at the computer as I am now trying to get a head start on my work for today. You and your Papi were playing the Wii and Miso was playing on the floor. All of a sudden I noticed it was quiet. I turned around and I saw Papi playing the Wii and you on the floor staring up at the TV and playing with your brother, or so I thought. You actually had your BIG TOE in Miso's mouth. What was he doing?! Misael was SUCKING on your toe! As happy as can be! I cannot believe it still. I screamed so loud all three of you jumped! Grrr....

What am I going to do with you young man?!

I love ya, but whew...sometimes you are a hand full!

Love ya,
Mama

Lately

Lately life has been happening. I really have no extra time. No extra time to work out. No extra time for me (which is fine). No extra time to blog. 

I always think of things I want to put on here but I just don't have time.

I need to make time. Seriously.

I need to do this frequently because so much happens.

Lately, we have been living. Here are some bullet points on  the Flores family:

• Misael is currently in week 5 of his helmet. They this next week is our last. Hmmm. I have mixed emotions about this. Are we ready? Notice I said we...which should really be me. Am I ready? The therapist said yesterday she'd like to see him have a little more growth here and there. Then she took his helmet off and said it would be the last adjustment since we are at the rivets (nothing else to shave after yesterday). So, I told her once the images are done and they think we need it longer that'd we be willing to get another one to insure he got what he needed. So we find out Thursday after our images if he is done or needs another. They say he probably won't. I am keeping my fingers crossed. Funny how I had mixed emotions about getting one and now I am having them about finishing.
• Misael is eating two meals per day. In the morning we give him cereal and a fruit and at night a vegetable. He is definitely a tubby. He loves his food.
• Ipolito has started indoor soccer. He looks so cute in his little shin guards and long socks. I am not fond of his coach. You see, his t-ball coach spoiled us. He was good. Really good. He was great with the kids and he could coach well. I am trying to keep an open mind. I told Jose today I am going to coach soccer next and I know next to nothing about it!! 
• We need a new roof and a new bathroom remodel. Ouch. The roof has been coming and since the last hail storm it is needed. A couple of weeks ago on my way home Jose told me that a "couple of tiles fell off" while he was cleaning. Well, when I got home there was a 4 x4 square missing. More than a couple...just a little. He fixed it for the time being but we need everything re-done...plus wood behind it. 
• Ipolito loves this darn computer. That's another reason I don't have time to blog. He is on it frequently playing games, watching movies, etc.

Well, this is all for now. Papi's birthday and Father's Day is on the horizon.  Oh...here are some pictures of our happenings lately!

Where do I fit?!

Handsome Fellas

Proof he is part Beserra...we all stick our tongues out.

Squash was yummy!

Mama

Ipolito part Dos

Here are some things I posted to Facebook regarding Ipolito that I do not want to forget....EVER!

• Mama...you have two husbands right?! 
  Uh no...I just have one. 
  Well, Papi is your husband and so am I. 
  No Papi is my only husband. 
  Well...what am I? 
  You are my son. 
  Oh...that's right Mama I am your son....but can I be your husband too? I want to marry you when I get bigger. 
  No sweetheart. One day you will marry a very special girl, God willing. 
  Oh..ok Mama....but I sure love you....you pretty!
  Thank you I love you too!
  Can I have some cheese?
  
  This made me tear up! Gosh...I sure am blessed!!

• This may be the best Ipolito story yet! I was picking up the baby from his crib this morning when Ipolito said,
  
  I: "Wow, Mama you got big crests!"
  M: "What?! (somewhat distractedly)"
  I: "Your crests are so big when you pick up little bro from his crib you always turn on his fishy tank with your crests!"
  M: "Hmm...Oh my goodness! You mean my breasts?!"
  I: "Oh! Silly me, I made a mistake. I mean your breasts!"
  M: "Oh. Ok. So do you want to watch Ninja Turtles?"
  
  The things this child says!

My ninja turtle

• Well....it finally happened. Jose and I were cooking dinner catching up on the past few days (we don't see each other after Tuesday night-only talk on the phone briefly) and the boys were in the family room playing. All of a sudden we hear a high pitched screech then crying, followed by crying from someone else. We went to see what had happened and Misael had taken a bite out of crime...er...Ipolito! We told Ipolito well, why did you let him put your hand in his mouth? His response: "I wasn't paying attention!" I guess he will learn! Poor Misael had gotten so scared when Ipolito screeched! So it begins.....

• And a Miso story: We were getting ready for bath time & I had left his room for 10 seconds when I heard, "Oh my goodness" from Jose. Followed by, "come here babe!" I guess he spit up his peas or sneezed them out! He was smiling! He didn't seem too bothered but there was a big mess to clean up! 

Mr. Peas

As you can see my Ipolito is such a sweet, intelligent, inquisitive little turkey!

I love him!

Mama

Ipolito

So some have asked if I have forgotten about Ipolito or what happened to him since I seem to always post pictures of Misael. Seriously?! WTF?! Do people honestly think I "forgot" about him or that something happened to him?! It pisses me off so much! I want to say seriously?! I shake my head in amazement. Pure amazement and I keep my mouth closed. So far anyways.

So....

No, I haven't forgotten about him. No, nothing has happened to him. He is fine. He is alive. He is very much loved and NOT forgotten.

Misael is new to the world.

For the past 4+ years it has been all about Ipolito. Now it is all about both of them. Now I post pictures of the baby more because he is new, because I like to compare the two, and because I want to. I still take quite a bit of pictures of Ipolito. I still love him. He definitely keeps me on my toes.

He talks all of the time. He asks so many questions.

At first when Misael was born I felt very bad. I felt like I deserted him. I felt like a bad mother because at the time Misael was getting all of our time since he was in the hospital. I cried and cried and cried some more. I felt guilty. To date Ipolito was all I had. He was my world. I felt like I failed him by bringing Misael into the world. I felt like a horrible mother for not being there on Christmas with him. Yes he was surrounded by family. Yes he was able to open presents on Christmas. Yes we were able to share that through face time (thank you Apple). Yes he spent time with us on Christmas. Yes he probably won't remember any of this. This all passed (thanks pregnancy/postpartum hormones).

I guess that is why it pisses me off so much when someone says something like above. You see, my children are my world. Along with Jose, they are my everything! I used to think how on earth will I love them equally?! But I do. I love them so much.

I take pictures of them so often. BOTH of them. They each get my time. Yes, Misael gets a little more because he needs a little more right now. But there is special time carved out of my life for both of them.

So...yes Ipolito is still here. So is Misael. They are my life.

FIVE Months!!!

Misael is 5 months old! I cannot believe it! This has been a busy month. Miso got his Doc Band helmet/hat. It took some time to adjust to. Since he got his Doc Band, he hasn't been sleeping well. It is improving but not great like it was.  I still can't complain because it is no where near as bad as Ipolito.  It seems like in the last three weeks he has grown so much. He looks more like a baby/big boy instead of a neonate.  

Misaelisms at five months:

• Weight:  16.8 lbs. Eeek!!! He is a tubbbbbyy!!
• Length:  inches 
• Clothes: 3-6 months, 6 months, 6-9 months, and some 9 months. Since we really try to dress down Misael he has been wearing many onesies and no socks or shoes (which irks me). I have this thing about my children having on socks and/or shoes in public. But...because the helmet makes him hot easier, I try to keep him as cool as possible. I have come to realize he has many, many, many clothes!! 
• Diapers: Size 2
• Sleeping: Well...gone are the days of sleeping through the night. Since the day Misael got his helmet he has not slept through the night. That first night he woke every 2-3 hours. It has gotten better since then and he has gotten back to more of an old schedule. These days (the past 6) he goes to bed between 830-930 and wakes up once around 3-6. He eats and then goes back to sleep until 8-10ish.  If we don't get him to bed between 830-930, he will throw a major fit because he is so tired. I am really trying to get his eating/sleep schedule good so he will sleep through the night again. I'll say it again, this is WAY better than Ipolito so I don't mind waking up once a night.
• Serious. Oh so serious. He loves to look and study everything....Ipo did this as well.
• Smiles-when he isn't so serious
• Laughs often
• Kicks and plays with his activity mat
• Sitting in the Bumbo
• Sits in the jumper
• Has TWO teeth!!! You still love your hands too! You love to have them in your mouth all of the time! You were very drooly and irritable for a couple of weeks (since the day of the helmet...so it was hard to know what the deal was) and all of a sudden this past week one popped up and then a couple of days later the next.
• Turns over from his tummy to his back (has been doing this off and on since 6 weeks)
• Better at turning from his back to his tummy. Not consistent unless the helmet is off.
• Sleeps on his side and belly. He loves to move all around the bed. 
• You kick your aquarium on multiple times during the night....no matter where I put you in relation to it. We aren't sure if it soothes you or it's an accident!
• Moves around the living room on his back. Pushes his little feet to get everywhere.
• Really loves his big brother. He is smiling at him and gets so excited when he hears his voice or sees him.
• Loves to be carried (Ipolito did not). He loves to look around and be walked around in your arms.
• Loves his stroller...he sits in it like a big boy.
• Loves going on walks.
• Eats: He started taking some rice cereal shortly after he turned 4 months old and this past week we have started giving you some fruit, which of course you love! Tubby!!! 
• LOVES. LOVES. LOVES. BATH. TIME.

Our little Aggie!

Misael, you are truly a joy to have in our family and our love for you grows each and every day!!!

Ranger Game

First time in the highchair!

Happy Baby

Love,
Mama

Week 3: May 17 - May 24

We are getting better and better these days. We had Misael's helmet decorated 5/17/13 by a company that wraps the helmets for free. It is a great organization and I am blessed to have heard about it. All we had to do was go in and choose our design then we brought something for a pot luck. While we ate and conversed the people at this company wrapped our child's helmet.

It was an amazing process! The helmets were taken from us and cleaned then they wrapped it with the same matterial they use to wrap cars. I believe it is vinyl. Then they litterally blow torched it onto the helmet.  Once they were done with htat they cut away the excess material.

Misael's helmet came out good. We chose a royal blue design that has some white, gray, and black in it with his name in white. On the back we had them put an A & M sticker on it. I chose the color because most of his clothes are blue. I truly love it!!

Our helmet design

Sunday @ Grandma's

At our fitting this week Misael's head grew three centimeters so more was shaved out of his helmet. I am now not as sensitive about his head. It is amazing the amount of people who actually stop me to ask about his helmet (which I don't mind) or tell me about their child or someone else's child who also had one.  I will say that some people are still a little weird about it but that's okay too.


We keep it on for 23 hours a day and take it off for the one hour at night to clean both it and him.

His sleep is improving. He also has two new teeth.

Some little girl in Church really wanted to know about his helmet when I went to change his poopy diaper and her mother told her to "shut up".  After the second time, I told the mother it was fine. I don't mind answering questions. I told the little girl why he had it on and what it was doing. No bubbles no troubles. I felt bad for her though because her mother was obviously not fine with it. I'd rather someone ask than not.

Mama & Miso at his helmet check!

Dinner at Twin Peaks

Oh well.....

I noticed tonight that Misael has a bald spot on his head!!! I was like OMG!! I have noticed his hair falling out but it was a big shock because it wasn't like that last night.  Like Jose says, "it will grow back."

This is just one more thing to do deal with!

Here's to week 4!!