that's how God made me

In the car the other day (most conversations are done in the car) I told the trio how I didn't like them goofing around at bedtime.  From in the kitchen, I can hear them jump down out of the top bunk bed (which we just recently bunked) and run down the hall to use the bathroom...

Gabby - but Mom, I needed to use the potty. 
Mom - Gabby, I heard several jumps, not just one
Gabby - well Mary had to go to the potty
Mary - yeah, I had to poop
Gabby - and then she had to pee
Mom - well, we need to limit how often we are getting out of bed after bedtime
Gabby - Mom, we can't help it, it is how God made us.  God made me have to pee once... and God made Mary have to poop and pee lots of times.  We are all different and have to pee and poop more than each other... that is how God made us!

How am I supposed to argue with that?

always a conversation

Shower/bath time in the Garcia house always offers me some amusement...

Abby:  Toe have penis?
Mateo:  Yeah - I am the only boy here - only boys have penis
Abby:  I pull it?
Mateo: no, Abby.. you don't touch it (starting to get defensive with his fists)
Abby: (laughing) I pull it...
Mateo:  I pee on you Abby (pointing penis at Abby)

Mommy interfering.. Mateo, put your penis away!  (Why am I constantly saying this?)

Mommy's chunkers

Abby's thighs are scrumptious.  Yes, I realize that I am describing her like she is some butterball turkey... but her toddler thighs are the cutest, chubbiest, sweetest thighs that I have ever seen!  (Well, almost.. the triplets had cute baby thighs, too!)

And so I started telling her how much I loved her "chunkers."

But now it has evolved and she (along with the trio) has begun to talk about how everyone "does" or "does not" have chunkers.  It is a debate to see who has the fattest, squishy-est thighs.  And although pleasantly cute on a child under the age of five, Mommy does not appreciate the word "chunkers" describing any part of her body!

Tsk-tsk Mom for giving them a sounding board to jump off of!

my buddy

Back in the early 1990's, there was a commercial that aired selling a boy doll... he was called "my buddy."  Every time I see Savannah and Abby interact, my mind starts replaying the jingle... "my buddy...my buddy... my buddy and me!"  Oh the mischief that lies ahead for these two...

cousin time!

If there is one thing the Garcia kids LOVE... it is their cousins!  They not only smile with delight, but look forward to each time we all get together...

miracles

Friends - you have probably noticed that the Garcia's took a short hiatus from blogging this past month.  Pa was very sick and in the hospital... and just now is the family starting to let out the breath that we have been holding the last three weeks. 

I witness miracles every day... especially when I look in the four sets of eyes that stare up at me.  But it is quite a different experience when it is your own father's life on the line.

I can safely say that my family witnessed a pretty big miracle when it comes to my father and the continued success he is making with his health.  God is Good!

We love you Pa!

Abby's ISR

As many of you recall, we had the triplets go through a swimming course called ISR (infant swimming resource) when they were 3 1/2.  This is a course that teaches children self preservation - essentially, how to float if you were to fall into a pool.

Abby is pictured in her winter coat here because part of the "graduation" process is to simulate what it would be like for a child to fall into the water fully clothed.  Not only is it heavy, but also confining... and she handled it like a champ!

At 2 1/2, we felt that Abby was ready for the course.  The website is being funny about which videos they will let me upload... but you get the idea!  Go Abby!

show us some focus, Mom!

It is hard enough to have one set of eyes double checking my driving ability... but quite another when you have 4 backseat drivers!

Ever since the trio finished safety town training, they are on a covert operation to critique my driving and make sure I pass a series of "safety" tests along the way.  Of course,  I haven't passed all of them.  "Sorry, Mom.. maybe the next time..."

Today, the person in front of me took their sweet time turning... and being in a usual rush, I had to apply a little brake.  Gabby tried to soften the blow... "Mom, your driving has been pretty good today - but you need to use your focus so that you don't hit any of the cars in front of you... like that white car you almost hit."

It isn't enough that I have to deal with all the drivers on the actual road... but now I have them in the car- with eyes wide open!