Let's rewind a little from the above picture shall we... :)
This... this was you allll summmmer Mateo when we told you you were going to be attending school in August 2015. (Sorry for the embarrassment of your undies but I'm your mother and I can do this.) August couldn't get here fast enough for you bud. I doubt you'll be this eager to start school as the years go by. I'll be sure to remind you and pull out this video and say "loooook you love school remember?!?!" hahaha
You are such a friendly little boy. Anytime you see a crowd of kids, you immediately become curious and want to go see what they are doing. Especially with your cousins. You just looooove playing with them. So we knew you were ready to venture out into Pre Kindergarten 3! Certain schools offer this program for 3 year olds. Let's just say it's pre pre kinder. ha! You did so well in daycare and socializing with kiddos your age that we had no worry whatsoever that you would do great during a regular school year program. What's the difference with daycare and school? Well first you won't be taking naps in school. Bummer! Second you will be learning a little more than in daycare. You learned a lot in daycare but you did have a lot of playtime mixed in there. School will prepare you for your school years. You will notice that from here on out you will be getting more homework, learning more and just growing within each school year! Exciting stuff!
I love the process of getting you ready for school. From buying school supplies to buying new wardrobe to even picking out your backpack/ lunchbox! Yes I am THAT kind of mother. I will go crazy and just have fun each year with you two. Now as far as the homework part... welllll just don't ask me about math too much ok. haha! Anything else, I'm your gal!
Here you are getting your physical for school. Healthy as can be. Yay!
Fresh haircut before school starts. This was our first time to this haircut place and you sat very still the whole time. Why is that? Well because you sat in the cool yellow car and watched Mickey Mouse during the whole time. Spoiled much?? :)
Here is Meet the Teacher night. Your teacher's name is Mrs. Amanda and she immediately started loving on all her students. You felt real comfortable with her and when we left you were already eager to return to her class and continue to play.
This was your first day of school. You came to me as I sat on the couch to get your things ready and gave me the sweetest most loving hug. You remained here for a while as you watched Daniel's Tiger Neighborhood and I could feel your heart beat. You weren't scared or anything. It was so soothing to me as if you were telling me "It's ok mom. I'm going to be alright." And it was at that moment when I felt at ease. I knew God was going to send his angels to watch over you.
Your dad and I (and of course Nico) took you and walked you to your class. As we were saying bye you turned to us and you had a liiiiiiittle fear in your eyes but it didn't last much because you remembered your teacher had a Mr. Potato head in a certain box and you went straight to it. Getting back into the car I of course lost it. hehe. I cried like any mother would and I just felt sad. Not because I didn't trust the school or teacher. I was simply sad that time is passing by so quickly and here you are starting pre-k. Weren't you just born yesterday in my eyes?!?! :: sigh:: The crying or sadness didn't last long because I knew this was part of life and you have been looking forward to this day for a while now.
Your eagerness to learn amazes me Mateo. You catch on very quickly and are very curious when it comes to seeing how things work. Education is very important to us and as your parents, we want the best for you and your brother. We want you to shoot for the stars and pursue whatever it is you want. You can become anything you want in your life. There are endless of possibilities when it comes to education and I only pray that I am there along the way to support you both. Since the day you were born and every day from then on, you are making us proud. Don't ever forget that. I may forget to say it everyday but KNOW that I am soooooo very proud of you.
Here you are (taken a few days after first day of school) as I go pick you up. This is my view around 1:50 pm Monday thru Friday. You running towards me and smiling/ waving as you approach the car. I buckle you in and right away you turn towards Nico and say "Hi broyer!" I LOVE it. I LOVE you. These moments will be cherished and embedded in my head ALWAYS.
Sunday morning selfie! Mattie will start school (Prek-3) tomorrow morning... Eeeeeek!
I don't want to let go of these little moments. Do I really have to get up from here? Can't I just snuggle with you all and just call it a day? Is it possible to freeze time? ::sigh:: oh how I wish I could.
But for now, we will continue a few more snuggles and then head on out for lunch. Tookies Burgers it is. Mmmmm!
It's Friday night and you have taken your shower. This is my view right now. Your daddy is actually to the right of you but he doesn't have a shirt on sooooo he doesn't get in my picture. Lol.
Every month you get a yellow box like the one pictured and it's pretty much a project or craft that you can do for kiddos your age. Everything is included in the box (supplies) and each month is a different, cool project! You love this so much! Your face lights up when this arrives in the mail. You know already that something magical is inside for you and your dad to do together. As I sit here watching you so curious to see what the final result will be, my heart fills with happiness. I love your curiosity in life. I love how eager you are to learn. I love how these moments make you happy. I love how excited you get when daddy gets home and you're jumping up and down wanting to do your project. Your daddy loves it too.
This is my Friday night... And I couldn't be more content. <3
I wanted to share a couple songs that we wanted to dedicate to you both. I'm sure there will be more down the road where so many songs will be "our songs" but these two stand out for now.
The first one is a sappy song that I, your sappy mother, wanted to share. I heard it when I was pregnant for the first time and would play it for both of you while you were in my belly. I had these headphones I would place on the belly and it transmitted the music to the womb. It was so calming and would relax me instantly. As I heard it, the first thing I would imagine was the moment they would place you in my arms for the first time. That moment when I would see your sweet face for the first time and realize that God granted me the privilege to me your mommy. I just couldn't wait for that moment. And just like that as the song kept playing, my world became peaceful and my heart raced every time with so much anticipation of meeting/kissing your beautiful faces. So please listen to the lyrics and whenever you feel down or miss your momma, listen to this song and remember ALWAYS that you both are my miracles.
This next song is a song both me and your daddy listen to every once in a while. Not because we don't like it. Actually... we LOVE it. But because sometimes we can't handle the emotions!!! Seriously as soon as Mr. George Strait even remotely starts singing and leading to the chorus... We lose it. Bring on the water works.. because it's happening. Your dad is so proud of calling you his boys. I know you know that. He works hard every day for our family. You both are his inspiration every day. This song is just a simple reminder of life evolving between a son and father. Please love him always. There will be arguments and times you may hate him. But please oh please, never doubt his love for you two. Respect him always. Love him always. Cherish him always.
I'm actually sitting here in the computer room typing this and you, Mateo are on my lap. (Nico you are in the room fast asleep with your tush up in the air) Mattie you're wanting so desperately to push the keyboard buttons of course. You just want to be with mommy. You're looking back at me, getting off my lap, getting back on my lap, smiling away, asking me for a cookie even though it's past your bedtime. And you know what... I absolutely love it! I will now be logging off this thing because you are giving me the sad puppy eyes and want me to go lay down with you in bed and sneak in one more episode of Caillou before calling it a night. Who am I to say no to that request?! I can't deny those puppy eyes.
I had 5 baby showers... Yes, 5! Which actually included one for your dad who had a diaper shower. I didn't get any pictures because let's face it, guys don't have their phone out taking selfies like the women do. Hehe. But I can tell you this. We were blessed to have all sorts of diaper boxes/wipeys to last us until you were about 9 months or so. Score!!
Let's me take you down memory lane of the remaining 4 baby showers that you were honored with.
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My most amazing girlfriends (the screetchers I mentioned on my 30th bday post <3 well they gave me a super sweet, thoughtful shower. Oh these girls. They have made my life brighter and just that much more valuable to have them with me thru this journey. When I tell you that they have made me laugh probably about a million and 1 times, I wouldn't be exaggerating that much. Because they really do make me laugh like crazy. Laura. Ash. Lala. Rebeca. Wendi. Juanita. These are the gals that made my first anticipating baby shower ever, truly an unforgettable one.
I thought this was the most sweetest thing ever.... So each one gave me 5 beads and said a good wish to me as they were making a bracelet so I can wear during my labor. <3 talk about tears and choking up. How dare they do that to a pregnant woman!?
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I had a baby shower at work. I worked at Texas Children's Hospital at the time as a secretary to the Care Management Dept. That's actually how I met the crazy girls from shower #1 (just different departments) so I'll be grateful for this place forevaaaaa. Working at TCH, I met a lot of wonderful people. Including these wonderful ladies in my dept who may I add also threw me a bridal shower and a shower for your brother Nicolas. Cool huh? We were a semi large group and it was great working with so many personalities. One thing was for sure though, to this day I still miss them greatly and our chats. Well... Some of them. Hehe. You know there's always one that you just don't quite miss that much. Lol!
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April 18, 2012
Going to TCH and coming back I found the most amazing, fuel saving-no need to rip my hair out- HOV lovin- way to enjoy actually going in to and from work.... VAN POOL! The most convenient mode of transportation for me and a lifesaver! Well one morning, as I'm about to open the van door to join my fellow van poolers, they all shouted "SURPRISE!" To my surprise, the van was actually decorated inside w streamers and balloons and all I could do was laugh and think "these ladies are something else!" We were known to throw parties in the van to and from work especially for Xmas! Oooooweeee we sure knew how to have a Xmas party via van pool. Lol!! Food galore! Pot luck style! Hahaha crazy right?? Who does that!? So this didn't lack in that department. We enjoyed breakfast and then afternoon food on the way to and from work that day. They were all so sweet to go in on one big gift card and present it to me during our traffic feast. Lol.
13 women in this van... Let's just say there was NEVER a dull moment in morning/afternoon conversations.
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Last but not least... The shower your wonderful Tias Ceci & Blanca and Grandma Mari threw for us. The isn't enough blog space to write about how amazing these three are. I'll definitely have to dedicate a post about them in the near future. But you already know how wonderful they are. And grandma Rebeca. Ohhhh my sweet, sweet grandma. You loved her! I loved her!! Everyone loved her!!! I'll never forget this day in particular where she would glance at me every chance she took and just smiled her big, beautiful smile. She was SOOOO HAPPY. She was BLESSED. She kept making sure I didn't trip on anything, that I ate right and kept you fed with all the yumminess around, and just simply watching me enjoy myself. And why wouldn't she be over protective after all?? I was carrying one of her greatest gems! Oh how she loved her grandbabies!! Every conversation over the phone literally began with "Como estan los chiquitos?" so I know she (like many) was anticipating your arrival with big open arms. I was joined by 40 lady friends this day in a baby shower luncheon. The food was delicious, the service was great but it was the people surrounding me that made it special. Your other grandma Mere (as we all call her) and Tias Adriana & Mari joined also. Family & closest friends that live in town also celebrated with us and shared with us laughs.
Your grandma Mari made you your quilt that you have. Handmade with love. Isn't it gorgeous?!?! I of course lost it after taking it all in. I knew she was making me one but the image of seeing it done and her face when she saw me admiring it. Priceless. I just can't describe it. Handmade gifts are the best. Remember that ok. When you make me your artwork or when you say "here mommy, I made you this" Those are the items I cherish and just take in that moment. So don't ever stop making them ok. They make your mommy super extra happy!
And there you have it. My heart fills up with so much gratitude whenever I go back to relive these moments. Can you tell how loved you already were even before you made your debut?!?! :) It's pretty remarkable.
Your Tia Laura (honorary Tia thru friendship hehe) took our maternity pictures. She did an amazing job as you will see!
I was about 33 weeks I believe...
You must've felt the joy we had during this day because you were giving me your sweet, gentle kicks all throughout the photo session.
By looking at these pictures, can you tell how incredibly lucky we are to be in this position? Can you feel how deeply grateful we are to be in this moment with you?
