Nicky's randoom question

So I'm laying down in my bed while my wonderful husband cleans up the bathrooms. Isn't he sweet? I did too much effort yesterday, and by the end of the day my bad foot looked horrible. Glenn told me to take it easy. I woke up "early" this morning and made some chocolate chip pancakes with eggs and ham. We ate and then I needed to rest. Anyway Glenn stayed with the kids the rest of the morning playing. Then he laid down Ian and let Nicky play her princess Wii game for an hour while I dusted the bathroom items and he cleaned off the rest of the bathroom surfaces. Anyway Glenn just went to tell Nicky to go and play with her toys because Wii time was over. She came to my room and saw me on the computer and with a concerned look asked me, "MAMA, ARE WE OKAY?" Then I looked back at her and asked her what she meant. To my surprise she looked at me deeper, kind of like she wanted to see through my pupils and asked me again while pointing to herself and then at me, "ARE WE OKAAAAAAAAAY?" Then holding my laugh in I looked at her in the same way to confirm to her, "YES, NICKY, WE (ponting at both of us as she did) ARE OKAAAAY." She was happy and pleased to hear that....I told you it is a random question since it came out of nowere...I think :)

Just pics

Children's museum

Play date with Tylin

Nicky's new hair style

Nicky and Ian's first slumber party

My dramatic foot

Well it's 6:05 p.m. and I haven't been able to stand up from bed (except of course to go to the bathroom). Glenn has been so nice taking care of the kids ALL DAY! He is just wonderful. Yup, that's right, I'm posting two days in a row. But what else can I do if I can't go anywhere?

Listening to my crew from upstairs all day made me miss them so much. I love that Nicky comes just to blow me kisses and tells me how much she loves me. She also came like 3 hours ago to tell me, "MAMA, YOU NEED TO COME DOWNSTAIRS AND EAT DINNER WITH US AT 5;00P.M." I told her I couldn't because of my ankle, but that wouldn't stop Nicky; oh no, she inmediatley had the perfect solution: "LOOK, MOM, YOU PUT YOUR CLOTHES ON (I have my pj's on of course), PUT YOUR SLIPPERS ON, AND CRAWL DOWNSTAIRS SO YOU CAN EAT SOME SOUP WITH US." I told her that I'd try, then she blew me a kiss and told me she loved me and left.

Ian on the other hand has been coming to visit me in my misery. He cheers me up so easily. With his big eyes and his cute lips. He just comes inside of my bedroom and tells me with his beautiful voice, "MAMI, MAMI" then he immediately comes and gives me kisses. They both had come to snuggle with me for 5 minutes until daddy took them outside so I could get more rest. It amazes me how much I miss them even though we all are here on a very cold day. I guess listening to their cute things without being able to see them makes me miss them even more. For example I was calling Glenn for something that I needed and Ian was the first in responding, "OH, IT'S MOM...YES, MAMI, ARE YOU OKAY?" Then I told him from upstairs that I was fine, but that I needed to talk to daddy, and he answered, "OH, OKAY." I guess I could go on and on with the cute things that they do. I feel bad for Glenn, though. Glenn has been doing a great job with them and still I don't know how he hasn't run away from their demands.

I'm having a headache from being in front of the computer and watching T.V and laying down all day long. I really want to return to normal activities. Glenn and I were just talking about how blessed we have been with this pregnancy. He had some flashblacks from my others pregnancies. It was kind of like today but for the 9 months. When I was expecting Nicky he just took care of me, but when I was expecting Ian it was doubly difficult. Especially since Nicky got sick with pneumonia and I couldn't eat but bacon and eggs for 8 months of my pregnancy, with Glenn getting ready for his step 1, etc. well, it was very hard. Now despite what we thought it was going to be, it has been better. It was surely hard when Glenn was doing his away rotations, but it was nice feeling the support of neighbors and friends. And then all of a sudden feeling better and eating better...speaking of eating, my favoite chef brought me chicken soup, so until next time...

Now what?

Well this title sounds like I'm complaining, but rather than that I'm actually about to laugh and cry at the same time. Okay, for this to make sense I'll explain myself. I have a cold, a little bit of anemia from the pregnancy, and I just fell down and injured my ankle. So I'm laying down with my foot on top of a pile of pillows, can't move at all, and the belly is hurting my back like you have no idea. And yet I feel very blessed that the baby still stretching and moving (even though it hurts), my kids are fine, and my hubby is here making some chicken soup for his sick family.

Originally I was going to be the one making the chicken soup. I invited a friend of Nicky's to play with her while Ian took his nap (that's right, Nicky finally stopped taking naps). We made a deal and if she looks happy all day she could stop taking them but if she gets grumpy it might mean that she needs the nap again. She tries to smile and laugh (fake laughs of course) to prove to me that she is ready to stop taking them. Anyway, as I was saying, I had everything planned. On the way back from picking up Nicky we were going to pick up Taylin and then come home, eat a snack, send Ian to take his nap, and bring all the toys downstairs so the girls could play. Everything was going as planned until I don't know how my ankle just...well, I don't know exactly how it happened, but I fell down the stairs (I'm trying to not call myself dumb). I was holding Nicky's play house so I just let it go down the stairs. I wanted to scream and cry...well I actually screamed so the three of the kids went to ask me if I was okay. I told them I was fine (of course with a tear in my eye because of the pain). I told Nicky to bring me the telephone, and she immediately did. I called Glenn, but to my surprise he forgot his bipper here, so no luck with that. I couldn't move at all, the pain was killing me. I had to remember my baby steps by crawling funny. I asked the girls to help me to trick Ian so I could send him to sleep. We went to his room (I was still crawling) He thought we were going to play there until he saw me that I was trying to stand up. Since I couldn't stand up, for the first time in my life I was so glad that I have such long arms such that I could get him inside his crib from a kneeling position. He cried sadly. We came outside his room and very slowly came downstairs. The girls were very understanding. I told them I couldn't play with them because my ankle was hurting so bad. They understood. I felt so bad because I was planning to play with them and the dolls etc. Anyway I kept asking God to help me in a way to either have a special connection with Glenn so he would know I needed him or for him just showed up. 10 minutes later Glenn opened the door and as soon as I saw him I told him what happened. He was worried about me so he told me to go to the hospital. I told him to check me first. Thank goodness I didn't break up my ankle but it is so swollen and it hurts so bad. Anyway that is the story. The girls were playing very well and then I told them I wanted to play with them so they brought me some of the dolls and I got to be Ariel so we were "planning a wedding" until Taylin's dad came to pick her up.
Nicky was sad and so was Tylin so we hope maybe she can come tomorrow to have another play day. I was going to post some pictures but as you can imagine the camera is not here is downstairs and I'm not planning on bringing it so I might do that later:)

and the anguish continues.,,

We are getting closer to my hubby's graduation. At the same time, it's scary to think about what the future will hold for us. Glenn is almost done with his interviews. We are waiting for the match to come. It's funny to think that the match ceremony will be just 2 weeks before my due date. It's going to be interesting to see if this baby decides to arrive the same day that we will be knowing where we'll go for the next 6 or perhaps 10 years (scary). There's supposed to be a dinner where everybody gets to know about their match, followed by a short cruise. I think this event will be in College Station which makes the perfect excuse to stop by at this place where they make the best ribs ever (in my humble opinion of course).

I'm at my 30th week of my pregnancy. I'm really feeling way too big. I honestly can feel how my skin keeps streching (no streching marks so far, YAY!). I have some question also if the ultrasound was right or not, and if it's really a girl or is it another boy. I have never felt my babies moving this much. Nicky was quiet as a mouse and Ian wouldn't move unless you would bother him by touching my belly. This baby on the other hand moves SO much that it hurts. I'm not complaining about this. On the contrary, I'm so greatful. With Nicky and Ian I knew everything was fine because I had the nausea and all the bad symptoms you can imagine. That was a good sign. With this baby after my 20th week I started to feel very good and eating pretty much everything. If she wouldn't be moving I know I'd be so scared that she is not fine. I can't wait to meet her. It is going to be interesting to add another member to the family. I know the kids loves her already so much. Nicky could feel her kicking my belly and she was so excited when she felt the kicks. She giggled and told me that she felt her.

Speaking about Nicky: I'm so happy that after 4 years and 2 months I can finally make ponytails in her hair. She also let me style her bangs. She loves it and so do I. She is growing up so much. I keep telling her that no matter how old she is, she is always going to be my princess and my baby. She is so determined to acheive her goals. I'm so proud of her. She really wants to buy a whole bedroom set of Sleeping Beauty (you know sheets, pillowcases, blanket etc). I told her those were very expensive, and I didn't think we could afford it. Then she told me that her daddy has a lot of money in his pocket. I told her that maybe if she started to save the money that she received during the year, perhaps by the end of the year she could buy what she wanted. She of course was immediatly asking me, "ARE YOU GOING TO GIVE ME A DOLLAR?" I told her no, but she could wait until her b-day, easter etc to see how much she could save. The next day I asked her to clean up her bedroom, and she did great. Then I asked Ian to put aways his toys and he of course did nothing. So I asked Nicky if she could help me and she immediately answered, "ASOLUTELY![sic]" So she did it. Since that wasn't her chore, Glenn gave her 25 cents. She was so excited I told her to save it and we took advatage to talk about tithing. The next day Glenn was on his interview and I wasn't feeling very good (the belly is too big I'm not used to that); anyway she helped me again as Ian refused to help of course. Since the only cash that I had was a dollar, I gave her a dollar. She was so thrilled, and she ran upstairs to save her dollar in her "secret hiding place." Ian wanted a dollar, too but I told him why he couldn't have one. He immediatly picked up his clothes and ran upstairs to put it in my bedroom door (he knows the basket for dirty clothes is in my bedroom). Then he came downstairs and very proud of himself he told me, "I DID IT!" I felt so bad I told him that I wasn't going to give him money, but rather a kiss and a piece of gum. He really deserved it, but he was as thrilled as Nicky. Glenn and I thought that if she helps with something that she doesn't have to do (like picking up Ian's toys), and if she does it with a smile she could gain 25c. I know it's not much but she helps me everyday. If I pay her a dollar she might be the one bringing the bacon home. :)

They are so little and they are learing so much already about everything. It makes me feel scared a little bit. Raising them, well, that's what makes me scared. We have so much responsability with them: feeding them, clothing them, and making them presentable sounds like a joke. That's why I admire moms with teenagers at home (my older sister in-law is one of them). When I see how good they are turning out I quickly go close to them to ask what the secret is.

Glenn finally came back from playing Wii. So I've got to go. Best wishes to all the Medical School students' wives who are waiting anxiously for the big answer. Let's keep praying for the best to come. :)

I don't know how to title this blog. I just have so many feelings right now. I can feel you moving around me. I love feeling your little foot kicking my ribs (it hurts but it's cute) Or your hands just tickling me. You are not here yet but you are already so important in our lives. I can see the happiness in your daddy's eyes every time he sees or feel my belly jumping up and down. I love seeing the excitement of your siblings every time they come and "talk" to you through my belly button. Or every time they kiss my belly thinking on you and saying good night to you. We lovw you my aweet baby. We can't wait to meet you.

Nicky's because..

We were watching t.v. yesterday at night. There was actually nothing good on, so I put on a British show (those ones you know where the candidates try to win a prize on whatever they are good at). In this case it was a ballerina. Nicky kept telling me how beautiful she danced so I assumed she was going to ask me to take classes, too. Since the question never came up I asked her, "SO NICKY WOULD YOU LIKE TO DANCE LIKE HER AND BE A BALLERINA, TOO?!" To my surprise her answer was, "MMM, I DON'T THINK SO." I asked her, of course, "Why?" and she soon answered me, "I DON'T WANT TO BE A BALLERINA BECAUSE I DON'T WANT TO HAVE TO SHOW MY UNDERWEARS!" Glenn and I were laughing so bad and trying to explain that even though we like her to be modest, ballerinas dress like that because it's classical ballet. She immediately told us, "I DON'T CARE! I DON'T WANT TO SHOW MY UNDERWEAR!" She had spoken.

Other interesting things about Nicky: Last week while Glenn was on an interview Nicky approached me and told me in a very firm voice, "MAMA, I DO NOT WANT TO GET BAPTIZED." I was shocked to hear that. I asked her why and she told me that even though she wanted to be 5, she did not want to be 8 and get baptized. I tried to explain her why baptism is so important. She started cry and told me the same thing again. I told her that I wanted her at least to think about it. She told me that she didn't even want to think about it she just didn't want to get baptized. She wouldn't tell me why. So I went sadly to the kitchen to prepare dinner. Then Nicky was asking Ian if he wanted to get baptized, and Ian with a very firm voice said, "YES!" Nicky was very sad about the subject. Then she came to me and told me, "MOM, I DON'T WANT TO GET BAPTIZED BECAUSE I'M SCARED. I DON'T WANT TO GET IN THE WATER LIKE JESUS." Then I remembered that she loves the movie "2 Testaments," and on it they showed Jesus getting baptized. I explained to her that that part of the ceremony was necessary, but she didn't have to be scared because she was going to be just fine. I told her of course that I did it, daddy did it, grandpa, grandma, abuelita and abuelito did it etc. She told me that she was going to think about it. I was cheered up to hear this. I know you might be thinking "COME ON CLAUDIA, SHE IS JUST 4," but you see Nicky is the kind of a girl who would stick to her ideas no matter how much time she needs to be convinced otherwise. Anyway I served dinner and while we ate Nicky touched my hand and told me with a very serious voice and looking at my eyes, "MAMA I THINK (she meant thought) ABOUT IT ALREADY. (a pause) I DECIDED THAT I DO WANT TO GET BAPTIZED!" I told her I was so happy to hear that. Next day, when Glenn came back, those were some of the first things she talked about with him. "DAD, I'M GOING TO GET BAPTIZED WHEN I'M 8, LIKE JESUS DID!" Glenn was confused and of course I had to explain to him what it was all about. Then we both explained to her that we all get baptized when we are 8, but Jesus got baptized a little bit older than that. She of course didn't care, she was and is fine with the idea of getting baptized sometime in 4 more years.

Our new chef?

"Daaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaad, I just saw Ratatouille in the kitchen!" Those were the words that Nicky used to tell Glenn about our new chef. Glenn went to the kitchen to see what she was saying and saw nothing. Two days later we found mice poops in our kitchen. How could this happen to me? I never leave leftovers out. I don't go to sleep with the kitchen dirty, EVER! Glenn even joked abour maybe the idea that our new chef was going to the neighbors during the day and at night they might just come here to sleep in a clean place lol. That is the thing we haven't found: bites or marks that would prove his existence...except his droppings. Anyway, my brave and handsome hubby went inmediatly to the store and bought some traps to catch them. We thought it could be more than one, we didn't know, so we bought a few. That same night after we laid down the kids Glenn and I decided to watch a movie in our home. He made popcorn and brought some sparkling juice that we had. We were fine until he heard our chef in the kitchen again. I went to make sure he was caught. Glenn told me to stay away, he was scared I was going to be attacked or something...he is my hero I'm telling ya. Anyway we checked and we saw nothing. We finished the movie and went to sleep. Next morning we came down stairs to make breakfeast and their it was. The poor chef stuck in the glue trap. Glenn put his shoes on and KILLED IT ...just kidding. No he put it inside aluminum paper and inside of a bag. Then threw it in the dumpster. Since then we haven't heard, seen or have had proof that we have more of them. I hope it was just that one. However if I was paranoid with the cleaning area before. I'm totally extra paranoid now... (3 days later) ... we just caught another one in the trap next to the fridge. It appears Ratatouille let in his brother. At least the traps are working, but those glue traps are never great because you have to get rid of them while they're alive. Oh, well. Only 3.5 more months in these lovely apartments! :)

New Year and more...

Happy 2009 for all of you! We had a terrific time during the holidays. I'll start where I stopped last. The 31st (New Year's): Glenn, the kids, and I went to my sister's place in Austin. The only thing not 100% Mexican in her house were (besides Glenn) the eclairs that I bought at Sam's. She made all kinds of Mexican food to receive this new year. Dina and I decided to make the most of the traditions that we always do during New Year's in our family. For example, we dress in something new (that means that you are going to be looking good most of the year); when it's 12:00 we put our shoes on the wrong foot vice verse and put a coin inside of the shoe (that means you will have luck and money); we also eat 12 grapes and make a wish for each one of the grapes. Then we go in and out of the house 12 times while holding a suitcase in one hand and the rest of the family with the other hand (that means we are going to have trips during the year). It's all very superstitious I know, but it has worked so far :) After that we all hugged and then celebrated with sparkling grape juice. The kids were so tired that they didn't fight by the time they had to go to sleep. After we celebrated and laid the kids down, Glenn, Beto and Dina were playing Wii. I was way to tired, so I stayed up until 2:00 a.m. Glenn and the others went to sleep until 3:00 a.m.. Next day we woke up and had a light breakfast. Then the guys played Wii again most of the day. We spent the night again there so the second of January we decided to come back home, but before our return we decided to go and visit Aunt Barbara who had kindly invited us for lunch. The kids had a blast. Nicky thinks she is so cool with her theater that she has in her house. Ian was happy exploring the house which, by the way, is huge. We had a fun visit and got the chance to met her new daughter-in-law. We came back home very very tired. I just wanted to sleep and the kids were so grumpy but happy for coming back home. Ian even learned the sentences, "ARE WE GOING HOME? I WANT TO BE HOME!" Poor little guy. At night that same day we went to our friends the Chapmans' house. It was Eric's b-day and it didn't matter how tired we were we just couldn't miss that event. We had a fun visit and the kids were very well behaved (if you count the fact that they were very tired and hungry). After that we came back to our home and the kids immediately asked for dinner. We served them turkey and some noodles; they devoured it. Then we changed their clothes and laid them down. Glenn and I went to bed and as soon as our body touched it we were totally out.

Since then we are just trying to get back on schedule. Nicky even told me that SHE LOVES TAKING NAPS...which is great because this was going to be the year that I was not going to let her take them anymore.

This weekend Glenn has to go to Michigan for an interview. We will leave tomorrow for my sister's, and I'll drop him off to the airport on Thursday. I'll be staying with my sister until Glenn gets back from his trip. Keep us in your prayers so his interview can go well. We would love to match here, but at this point as long as he matches we will be so happy and blessed.

Anyway, in conclusion, we had a great year. 2008 was full of blessings. We are so grateful we could say good bye to Grandma Walker and that she is happy and reunited with Grandpa in heaven. We are so happy and recognize the Lord's hand in our family and feel so blessed we could make it to Canada to visit and get to know the rest of the family. The kids bonded very well with their extended cousins. Nicky keeps asking me when she is going to see them again...that's a tough question to answer. Nicky started school and she is doing great progress in the language and other skills that she has been working on. Ian is fast in catching up with her. Glenn is also done and happy with his results on Step 1 and Step 2. We decided to add another member to this family, so we adopted 2 beta fish who by the way are STILL ALIVE. We had a great trip to Monterrey to visit with family and friend. We also decided to add another member to the family who we'll hopefully meet in April (unless she decides to come a little early). We got to visit Lisa (my sister in-law) and her family, and not just get to know her new place but also to meet baby Sabrina (who by the way is gorgeous). We have 2 more nephews and one more niece added to the family this year, which make Nicky and Ian so happy because they have more cousins to play with for future family reunions.

We are so thankful to the Lord for His help with my pregnancy and our family. We are still together and happy, which is the most important. We still have lots of trials just like we had this past year, but we know our heavenly father will help us on the way as He always does.

We love our friends and family and wish the best for all of you.

The Walkers.

We are praying of course for this year to be even better and full of good surprises.