Catching up!

I have been working a lot lately so I haven't had the time (or the energy quite frankly) to update you all on the comings and goings here. Today is my first day off in a week!

Well, I will start by saying that Kailtyn is 98% potty trained. 98%? Yes - She goes pee and poop in the potty AND sleeps in her big girl panties but refuses to go potty outside of home. We don't go places very often so it's fine by me. The other night was my Papo's 74Th birthday and we all went over to celebrate it (which I will talk about later) and I asked Kaitlyn 3 times if she had to go potty - then she comes running in from outside, naked as the day she was born, and proudly announces " I went PEE PEE in the yard"! LOL. Well, at least she didn't pee her pants!

Back to the birthday - My grandpa is 74! He is doing pretty well all things considered. His Parkinson's is advancing but the therapy he is getting really helps keep his muscles from stiffening up. I think he really enjoyed our company. All the kids (and Mike) went outside to play softball and had a great time! Oh - when we pulled up this is what we saw:

Isn't that amazing? I thought it was a beautiful site. That hive was probably as big as a basketball. Can you imagine how long it took them to build that? Needless to say they called an exterminator and it will be gone soon.

Here are a few pics from the party:

Papo being silly

The best people in the world - my granny & my daughter

Playing ball

Yesterday we filled up the pool (even tho it had a leak) and built a home-made water slide! The kids absolutely loved it! I was cracking up at them! It was SO hot yesterday when I got home from work - I knew the kids were probably hot and miserable. We all had a good time - even when they were splashing Jamie and I!

After pool time my husband took me out on a date! We went to dinner and a movie! It was nice! We saw the new batman movie and it was really good! It was nice to get out of the house for the evening! Mike and I thought we had better take advantage of Jamie being here before she leaves in a week!

Heath Ledger was amazing - It was sad - it was probably the best performance of his career. Well, that's all I have time for today!

Check back soon!

Camping & 4th of July 2008

We went to Lake DeWeese for the 4Th of July weekend to go camping. We had a great time, although it seems to me that it was WAY to much work. It took me two days to get stuff ready to pack, one whole day to get it set up when we were there, one whole day to tare down and two days to clean up once we got back. And that isn't even the work involved while we were there (the cooking the cleaning etc.). Overall it was a good time and I captured some fun pics!

We took a hiatus from camping to go up to Mom's to ride the 4-wheelers! It took a little while to get my "groove" back - but I finally did and it was SO much fun! ;-) As you can see from the pic, Mike never lost his groove - he LOVES riding!

Kaitlyn's first time fishing! And with her new Barbie fishing pole!

Their "Diamond" Rocks.

Check back soon for more updates and fun photo's!

Christy

P.S. I almost forgot! KAITLYN POOPED ON THE POTTY! I hope it wasn't a fluke - since she went on the 15th, and hasn't gone again. Keep your fingers crossed folks!

INTERNET IS BACK!!!!!

So, we didn't have internet for over two weeks! I feel so out of the loop! I'm back now and after I get through my 100+ emails I will update this blog with pics from camping and the 4th!

Check back soon!

Lakeside

The other night we were trying to find something fun for Kaitlyn to do and that we could all enjoy as a family. Mike said "what about going to Lakeside Amusement park"?

So - off we went! I will admit that I was a little scared. I mean the last time I was at lakeside I was worried that:

1) I was going to get "shanked" in the kiddie park

2) I was going to contract some terrible disease if I touched anything

and 3) I was pretty sure the rides had NEVER been serviced and I was probably putting my life in jeopardy by riding even the carousel.

Well - maybe I was a little jaded back then. NO- it wasn't the cleanest place and YES some of the rides were broken but; we actually had a great time! What made it even better is that the kids there were there weren't crying or yelling, they were all smiling and happy! Kaitlyn always does better at new things if the kids are happy!

Mike and I both thought that Kaitlyn would be really nervous and stand-offish about riding the rides but we were pleasantly wrong! She was SO excited! She hopped right on and smiled the whole time! Here are a few videos & Pics of the fun we had!

That's all for now! Check back soon!

Not potty training and Going Camping

So life at the manzzy house has been crazy and one thing after another! Kaitlyn has all but quit trying to go potty on the potty. I bought lots of "potty presents" that she gets to have when she finally goes poop, she has chocolates (which worked for Jane and Kaitlyn seemed enthusiastic), she has jelly beans (JELLY BELLY'S EVEN), she has stickers and even a potty chart so she can see how good shes done. She was doing GREAT going pee - we have a whole chart of "pee" progress - but poop - well POOP she wont go! One day last week Akasha was trying to teach her how to go poop and she sat there and pushed for 30 minutes or so - and when she got up the seat stuck to her butt and she screamed that it hurt so now she doesn't want to be a "big gruel" at all. Sigh. I have no idea what to do next other than demanding that she go. Yesterday I was so frustrated that I told her she couldn't have anymore candy until she went potty on the big girl potty. I know that's wrong but I was desperate. I should have started this a year ago when I wanted to (not when the DR. told me to) because she would have been much more open to the idea and I could have molded her easier. NOW - she has an opinion of her own and her own idea of what a big "gruel" is. Sigh again.

We are going to go camping this weekend and I am excited and nervous. I sure hope Kaitlyn does well but if not my Mom's is not that far away. So - I wont be blogging for a bit (no access) but I'm sure I will have lots of fun stories when I get back!

Have a safe and happy 4th -

God bless this country and god bless our troops!

3rd Birthday Party Slideshow

Here is a slideshow of some of the pics at the party. If you want to see them all - just click "view all images". :-)

3 Years old!

The Birthday party was a success - sort of! It was really hot that day (in the 90's) and the T-Shirt thing didn't go quite as planned - but overall it was a great day! I was so busy that I didn't have time to stop and take it all in. After everyone went home and we were cleaning up I looked at my little girl; who seemed so big! I swear just last week she was barely crawling. Where did the time go? After the day was done, she looked at me and asked if she could have another "par-ree" tomorrow. I smiled and told her everyday was a party at our house, which appeased her!
The kids all said they had a great time (with exception of a few - but hey! You can't please them all right?) The pinata was a hit and the pool was a welcomed addition! At the end of the party I put my suit on and got in to cool off - which was my first mistake. The kids decided to dunk me. Then we decided it would be fun to throw Aunt JJ in too! :-) Of course no one captured this event on film. Actually it's a good thing because Im sure it wasn't the most picturesque scene!

Thanks to all my family and friends who helped make the day special!
Here are a few pics of the day!

Errr...see above. Sorry.

My how time does fly...

My baby girl will be three years old tomorrow. Three.

I was tucking her in last night, looking at her beauty and tears welled up in my eyes. God sure did bless us! So - I am totally emotional and I thought I would share a few excerpts from the baby journal I kept for her.

10-13-04

"Well, we are trying to have a baby! I'm not sure if I am pregnant or not - but I should have started by now....I know it's too early to feel anything but I think I am pregnant!!"

10-22-04

"The waiting was killing us so I bought a home pregnancy test. (It was a two pack!) I did the first test at 10:00 p.m. It was POSITIVE! Your daddy was - well shocked & scared I think. He said "Maybe you better take the 2ND one just to be sure." So when I woke up the next morning, it was confirmed! He was so sweet and we both cried. He said "She's not even here yet and I already want to protect and take care of her" Your daddy at six weeks was positive you were a girl.

11/9/04

...We got to see you on the ultra-sound - WOW! You are about 1.5 inches long! Tiny! We could see your heart beating away! What an amazing feeling - I am carrying a life inside me! Your daddy and I both cried (again)! Oh baby you are going to be so loved! P.S. your daddy still thinks you're a girl!

12/12/04

"...you don't really like sweet stuff - but you sure did like pizza!"

1/16/05

"We were coming home from a visit from your grandma's house and I felt you kick for the first time! It felt like you were running around in my belly! You didn't stop either! All night long "tap tap tap"! Oh how sweet to finally feel unmistakably you! I thought I felt you before but this time I was sure! Your daddy can't wait for his little girl"

2/2/05

"...We got to see you on the screen - I cried at the sight of you little hands and feet... your daddy was so quiet.... When we first saw you, you were curled in a little ball! The nurse kept pushing an pushing - and the harder she pushed you would kick her! We got to see your kidneys, heart, your spine, you little tibia and fibula, and the coolest thing was to see your brain! We could see your cerebellum at the base of your spine - it was so amazing! She went over your face & you raised your hands to cover it - awe, you're shy?! Your mommy will fix that! The nurse asked if we wanted to know the sex and we both shouted YES! The nurse finally got you to move and there it was, or wasn't in your case! "It's a little girl" she said. A wave of emotion ran over me - that I can't explain. That's my daughter, I thought to myself. I kept wiping my tears so I could see the screen. That's when your daddy said (rather loudly) I KNEW IT!!!!! He was wiping tears from his eyes with a smile from ear to ear! "

5/4/05

...I keep asking myself questions; will I be a good mother? Will I know what to do? Will you love me? I know I will love you, I already do. I've gained 14 pounds - which is really good - but I feel huge! We met another Dr today - Dr. Levy. He asked me not to go in to labor for at least 6 weeks because he hadn't finished the delivery chapter in his "how to deliver babies" book. too funny! Hearing your heartbeat still makes me smile! Your father beams with pride every time he hears it!

5/25/05

..."I'm watching one of my favorite shows, and I can't help but think of all the things I want for you - Love, Laughter, Happiness, Faith, Security, Hope, Pride, Humility and even a little fear. I want you to feel support and encouragement from your family. I want you to feel loved and protected. I want to teach you right from wrong - but I want to allow you to make mistakes of your own so you an learn the difference yourself. I want to encourage your strength's and help you strengthen your weaknesses. I want to laugh and cry with you but most of all I want to love you - love you with all my heart! There are so many uncertainties in this world, but the one thing I always want you to be certain of is that I love you with every ounce of energy in my body!"

6/13/05

"...I am savoring every little kick and wiggle and hick up that I feel. I know I will never feel those "firsts" again. I still giggle every time I hear your heartbeat at the Dr. I love patting my belly when you get the hick ups. I love the gleam in your daddy's eyes every time he sees you move inside me. Before I got pregnant with you I never understood how you could love something so much and yet have never seen it, touched it, held it; but i know now that it is so possible!

6/20/05

"Happy Birthday Kaitlyn Mychael Manzanares! .....9:15 a.m. Dr. Levy told me to stop pushing, he told me to open my eyes and watch you be born. That moment was the most miraculous, awe inspiring moment in my life. They placed you on my tummy, I cried and could not believe the miracle I just witnessed."

And still today - I think she is a miracle! She is a blessing in every way!

Thank you lord for the blessings!

Hot fun in the summer time

Tuesday Jamie and i took the girls to 2 Dollar Tuesday at the Ridge. We had so much fun! The girls laughed and played and played some more! I was missing my brother so I decided to be "incognito" like him. It wasn't near as funny as he was but it still made Jamie laugh. The first few pics are of last year - I thought I had a picture of him being incognito with goggles on - but I can't find them, so these will have to do!

We miss you brother! Come home soon - and come home safe!

Be very very quiet...I'm hunting wabbits.

Splish Splash!

Girl Time
The sweetest girl in the whole wide world

The sweetest girl and her cousin decided to attach aunt JJ - and some little boy who wandered by thought it looked like fun - and joined in!

Well , I better get going! Check back soon!

Girl Time, Sister Time, My Time

I have been putting off writing this blog, because I was really conflicted and emotional about it. Monday, Jamie and I went to the Brandi Carlile and Sheryl Crow concert and Red Rocks. It was amazing and beautiful and wonderful! We both had a blast - although be both forgot how much of a hike it was to actually get to Red Rocks (ahem, it was A LOT easier in high school). We did miss Brandi's first song (I was almost devastated because that's who I came to see) but I quickly got over it and enjoyed the rest of her set; which was awesome by the way! If you have never had the pleasure of listening to her music you can check her out on my tunes. She really is gifted and her music brings me to tears sometimes (in a good way). Something exciting happened too! I won ticket a 20 row ticket upgrade! So, we moved to row 15 and saw Sheryl Crow much closer! It was so cool! Sheryl was as good as I remembered her and Brandi was even better!

Any way - we got there and I was looking around at the beauty that is Red Rocks and remembering a time before I was a wife and a mom - and all the carefree things that made up my life then. I have to admit that I was a little sad. I do miss being able to take off when I want and go where I want and not worry about bed time or nap time or if I have enough diapers. Back in the day - concerts were my "thing". I would see at least 6 shows a year. They were my escape - my freedom, my dream. I would listen to my idols and watch them on stage and dream it was me and what it must feel like to have "that". "That" feeling is why I went - and obviously the music. Anyone who knows me -knows that I am a music freak. Always have been and always will be. During Sheryl Crows set I began missing my family - I wished they could have been there enjoying the music and the scene and taking it all in with me. I was having a great time - and this is where I realized that I don't really want to take off at a whim anymore - or do what I want when I want. I want my family with me! So it was so nice to have "my time" and to enjoy a night like it used to be... but in the end I was so thankful to come home to my husband and my precious baby girl. Thank you Jesus!

Breathtaking

BRANDI!!!


Brandi Upclose

Brandi and Sheryl Crow!

We had a blast!

Love is free

Well, its late and I have to go to work in the morning!
Good Night!