Interviews

I saw on a friend's blog the idea to interview your kids.  I decided it would be fun to do so I can remember their likes/dislikes at the ages they are at!

Asher turned five in January and Avery is 3 1/2 (just ask her!).

What are your favorite colors?

Avery: Blue and Pink
Asher: Blue (it has been for years!)

What is your favorite food?

Avery: Ice Cream (Asher commented that it wasn't healthy, and Avery replied "I like not healthy things then!") 
Asher: An apple (he's on this HUGE healthy kick!  yeah!)

What is your favorite drink?

Avery: Chocolate Milk
Asher: Normal Milk and water...because they are healthy.

What is your favorite toy?

Avery: Baby dolls
Asher: My cars and trains

What is your favorite thing to do at school?

Avery: Painting (probably because mommy doesn't do messy things at home!)
Asher: I like to do my projects because they are really cool and messy.

What is your favorite thing to do outside?

Avery: To take pictures with my camera.
Asher: To play football.

What do you want to be when you grow up?

Avery: a mommy that goes to be a doctor.  If I want to be a doctor, I have to wear the dr. outfit.  The playroom is going to be doctor office.  hahah!
Asher: I want to be a zookeeper that takes care of the monkeys.

Who is your favorite person to play with?

Avery: Aimee, my friend

Asher: Ms. Kristy's girls

What is the choir you are the best at?

Avery: Putting away the dishes
Asher: Feeding the dog

Pledge of Allegiance

Miss A has learned the Pledge of Allegiance now that she is preschool.  She has actually known this for some time, but I finally recorded it. Please excuse the food in her mouth and the cubbies vest.  Someone was not staying in cubbies for the night and therefore had to go out with mommy and daddy to our Valentine's Day dinner...at Chipotle.  I know you are all very jealous.  ha!

 

Avery's First Movie

We decided we would do something a little different for New Year's Eve and took the kiddos to see a movie.  I've been wanting to take them to see Tangled, but haven't had time (did I mention I finished my Christmas shopping Christmas Eve...for my children!).  Avery had never been to a movie, so she was super excited. Asher said it was a "girl" movie, but I think he secretively enjoyed it.  

A movie wouldn't be complete without a HUGE tub of popcorn!

Look at this face...I think he was excited! Maybe not...

Better late then never!

***Please ignore how late this post is...Someone took my camera at church, and finally returned it two weeks later when they figured out it wasn't theirs. I was so upset when it was gone, but it taught me to download my pictures, and that I should blog for more memories! Plus, Mike bought me that camera for Mother's Day two years ago with his own giftcard money, so it has sentimental value.***


We had a wonderful time celebrating Easter this year. The Good Friday services at our church were beautifully done, and I was given the privilege of singing with several people who are very talented and a joy to be around.

Easter was the debut of our new sanctuary design. Dan, our worship pastor, worked very hard to get it all done in time. Mike put in several long nights of work (along with Asher a few times!). I think it turned out beautifully. Don't you? The lights change with each background, and there are 3 screens now. I was joking that I should start matching my outfit to whatever lights were going to be used.

Here it is on Easter morning...LOVE the colors!

Another shot...

Asher was finally old enough this past year to sing with all the kids on stage. They range in age from 3-5th grade. He LOVES to sing, but for some reason never really sings when he is up front. He will do it perfectly before and after, but only sings a little on stage. Our Christmas singing was lacking, to say the least, so I took it upon myself to make sure that he new those songs PERFECTLY for Easter. They have a great message, and I'm glad that he's learning worship songs. He did okay this year. Happi and I laugh because all the children of the worship team are the ones normally getting in trouble or not singing! Caden (her little boy) and Asher always give us a run for our money! They are so stinkin' cute.

Here are our two stinkers Caden and Asher....so adorable!
(Ash is obviously an aspiring model in this picture!)


Finally singing (kind of!). At least they look cute!

I don't have any pictures of Avery at Easter due to my camera mishap. I was so disappointed! I decided that I am going to redress her up so I can have a cute picture of her in her Easter dress and frilly headband...these are what they at least looked like!

Avery's dress was from Gap and had a little off-white sweater to go with it. She's not really a "girly-girl" so it worked well since it isn't all frilly and lacey. I love dressing little girls!

Hope you all had a wonderful Easter! He is risen!

Crackin' Down

It's been a little brutal around here to say the least. I think my kids are having a hard transition to mommy (a.k.a the enforcer) being home. I'm crackin' down on the fighting and fits that I might have let slide while I was in school. Time outs are our new best friend; well mine at least. You can easily tell if you walk in my house who is used to them. My sensitive little man Ash cries everytime (maybe once a week) he gets in trouble. Sass-master Ave just sits and dutifully puts her time in since it is multiple times a day. I think she doesn't mind time outs since she had fun getting there. I'll need LOTS of prayer in 13 years!

I'm doing it!!!

Well, we have had two major accomplishments from my kids in the past few weeks. One of which I knew, another I did not.

I am a very, very happy mommy when I say that Asher is potty trained! He finally caught on after a week and has only had two accidents (because pants just get in the way sometimes). We've had NO bed wetting yet, but I might have just jinxed it by actually saying it out loud! Now if I can only get him to stop shouting "I'm doing it" everytime he goes (regardless of where he is), I will truly be thrilled.

Avery gave me a little surprise yesterday when she randomly started counting to ten. I was counting to three for her to do something and she looked at me and innocently counted to ten for me! I was baffled. I didn't know that she could do that! I wonder if she can secretly read or cook or do the laundry. I should test her on that.

Current scores...

Potty training is finally starting to take off! Avery pretty much goes as long as you put her on the potty. She is highly motivated by M&M's (I wonder where she gets that from!)...Asher likes all the stickers that Jaime brought him with cars. She has a little system for him where he gets a car if he gets 3 stickers. We've almost made it to two cars...hopefully we'll have a garage full soon. Hopefully!

Any potty training wisdom you all have would be fabulous. I'm just looking forward to the extra money in the budget with the diapers column gone! :)

I know...I know.

So life has been crazy in the Tiojanco household these past five weeks since I blogged. My deepest apologies. I'm sure you have all checked it daily waiting to see what we have been doing in our neck of the woods...right.

Anyway. Like I said, life has been crazy. We have some major happenings around here! I started grad school full-time last week. This consists of me leaving the house everyday around 6 a.m. to commute downtown (yes, 50 miles) to school. I'm done around 3:30 everyday, but don't grace my doorstep until 5 or 6. Due to this, if you visit my house, you will find mass chaos, a dog needing to be walked, a laundry pile that is as tall as Avery, and much more. Shout out to my honey for picking up on my slack! I couldn't do life without that man. On the plus side, this is hopefully my last summer in school since I'll be graduating on July 25th. See you all there, I'm sure.

If you have a second, please pray that I finish my project. I'm up to 65 pages and counting and have been informed that "it never hurts" to add more. Never hurts who, I ask.

Next up...National Boards next year. I just got my box today and I'm actually excited. I think I have a sickness when it comes to degrees and certification.

Our other BIG news is that we are POTTY TRAINING! Maybe this is where we really need the prayer warriors. Asher is stubborn. I take full credit for that one. He gets playing and does not care a bit about the rest of the world. My 16 year old sister Jaime is staying with us for three weeks. She is babysitting them during the day...and she accepted the potty training challenge head on. In fact, I think she initiated it (perhaps the monetary incentive that goes along with it helped...you'll do anything for money at that age). She arrived Sunday armed with ideas, M&M's, and a great attitude.

The current PTS (Potty Training Score) is....

***Drum role please***

Asher: 1

Avery: 2

Yeah for the 22 month old that gets it...that child will do anything for food!

Where has the time gone?

Last night after my choir concert, I turned around to see to little toddlers playing on the risers on stage. Initially, I thought who is letting their little ones run on the stage! Quickly, I realized they were mine. Oops! The thing that really got me was that it dawned on me that Avery isn't a baby anymore. She's not falling over her feet when she walks, and that child definitely has no problems running! She has a larger vocabulary then Asher had at that age (all girls love to talk) and she has no problem holding her own. She's not a baby. She's a toddler. Where has that time gone? Isn't it crazy how fast they grow up. I jokingly tell Mike it's time for another one...except she is still a sassy pants that I can't keep up with, so that next baby is long off (if ever).

Gotta love a three year old

I love the phase that Asher is in. He's constantly learning new words, picking up phrases, and constantly making me laugh.

Yesterday he was playing in the loft with Avery when I managed to overhear them "talking." Avery had put Ash's car underneath the couch by accident, to which he replied in a very manly voice:

"Stand back Avy, I hope I am strong enough to push this couch."

To which Avery replied, "Yeah" in her deep raspy voice. I definitely laughed at that one.

On another note, Asher learned the hard way that cotton balls are NOT marshmallows. While unloading the bags from our trip the store, Asher held up the bag of cotton balls we had just purchased. He quickly exclaimed, "Thank you mommy for buying marshmallows!" I placed the bag on the counter and let him know they were cotton balls, not marshmallows.

Fast forward to 30 minutes later. Mike and I came downstairs to Ash sitting at the counter holding two cotton balls and wet cotton stuck to his chin. With disgust, he looked at us and proclaimed, "These are funny tasting marshmallows mommy." Luckily, he had only had a few bites. Maybe next time I should buy real marshmallows at the store for the poor kid.

Sushi Baby

The other night Asher was at my in-laws, so Mike and I decided to take Ave out to dinner for a special treat (for us, really). We were heading up to Chili's when we passed this little Korean (I think)/ sushi restaurant that I always to go to with my fellow teachers. If you know Mike, you know that he has quite a taste for...shall we say...bland and boring foods. After convincing him that there was bound to be something he liked on the menu, he okayed the choice.

I have found a new likeness in sushi lately. No, I'm not having pregnancy cravings. I just like sushi.I love this restaurant's California rolls...I get them everytime I go. I think about them daily, crave them, and splurge every in-service day on them. Naturally, I ordered them. As quick as they came, they were gone! My little 18 month old hoarded and finished the entire roll by herself...seaweed and all. I jokingly guessed it was the Asian in her...even though it isn't her Asian parent that like them. Next time, I'll order two.

A New Year...

I've never really been one for New Year's resolutions. I say that most likely to make myself feel better since I always make them, but never really keep them. Isn't that the point of making them in the first place?

On New Year's day, Mike and I sat down and decided what our goals were for our family. We did not agree on all of them...but did get a few of them accomplished. I went as far as to make them for my children. Is that weird? Asher's goal (that he made himself of course) include being potty trained, attending preschool in the fall, and learning basic chores around the house like making his bed in the morning. He even told me that he wanted to start on the cello (with NO coaching from me of course). Avery even took the time to make her own too (isn't she a brilliant 16 month old?). She would like to work on potty training by Christmas next year, recognize her letters, and be nicer to her brother. Okay, after typing all this I feel like one of those crazy mothers, but oh well. My children will be accomplished (right...).

Now for my resolutions....drum roll please:
1. Get into the Word daily, even if just for a few minutes.
2. Lose 35 pounds.
3. Slow down.

For all those that read my blog (which is probably no one since I NEVER update), I am hoping that you will keep me accountable to my resolutions this year. The first resolution I am making is to lose weight. I know that I have made this one MANY times over, but I am officially on board since my time at the gym. I was rocking it out running on the treadmill when I caught a glimpse of something that was also running in the mirror. In my mind I thought, "It's a great thing that person is here...check out that big butt." Well, you guessed it...it was MY big butt running on the treadmill. That is when, while wiping away a tear (that I can't have chocolate anymore), I vowed to KEEP my resolution. This officially means that you all have the permission to say to me "Hey big butt, get to the gym." Enjoy it while you can...hopefully by this summer I'll be down 35 pounds and you won't be able to say that! On the bright side, I'll be able to fit into all my clothes from before having Asher, although they are probably out of style now.

I am also hoping to slow my life down some, which I think will help with my other goals. I am someone who thrives on getting things accomplished, being apart of activities, and seeing end results. I love everything I do, but I love my family and sanity more. After a crazy month of December, which included singing at church every weekend and Christmas Eve, going out of town for a conference for a week, Christmas shopping, traveling, and directing the school play of Snow White, I have had it. Thankfully I've had the last two weeks at home with my children to slow down and just be there for them. Mike and I were able to come up with several ideas on how I might be able to work part-time or just teach several lessons a week for some extra money. Please pray that this might work out so I can slow my life down and really put more time and investment into my children. I know that I am not one to be cut out for staying at home full time, but if I honestly feel that this is what the Lord wills for right now, then who am I to say otherwise. I know that this will all work out in the end the way it should whether or not I work...I just need to learn the work NO. Maybe that should be resolution number four.

Hope you all had a fabulous holiday season...pictures to come soon.

Who doesn't love the pumpkin farm?

Last Monday my sister Janna and I decided to take advantage of the holiday (since we are both teachers) and take the kiddies to the pumpkin farm. We are trying to start family traditions while the kids are still young and like us...then in the future we can hold it over their head that it is tradition, and therefore they must go. Nothing like a little guilt trip.

We met up with Janna at The Apple Howler in Kenosha. It was a pretty good pumpkin farm, but wouldn't recommend picking apples there. Asher went on a "train" ride, led me through the corn maze, and made his own taffy apple. Avery had fun toddling around, and making faces whenever we put her in the hay. She is so prissy! We also enjoyed a hay ride and, of course, picking out some expensive pumpkins for our front porch. Now Mike has to carve them...I don't do messy things like that.

I'm not sure I'll be able to guilt them into doing this in the future:


Avery obviously didn't get the memo that the pumpkin is bigger than she is!


It wouldn't be fall without a tractor ride...


Or a kiddie corn maze.


We love Auntie! Thanks for going with us.

It's Fall!

Fall is by far my favorite time of the year. I love the weather changing and all the fun that comes with that...the colors are spectacular and it's football season!

Here are a few pictures of Ash and Ave from the last few weeks taken by Rowie...she does such a great job!

Backyard fun...playing football with the family.


Who doesn't LOVE fall coats? I had to buy Ave a cute one...

Thankful Mommy

Some days while at work, I take the time during lunch to eat at my desk and catch up on some of the many blogs I love to read. I decided I would look at Bring The Rain (look on the side, I don't know how to link yet!) and saw that October 15th is a day to remember all the babies that have been lost whether to miscarriage or any other reason. I decided I would start to read through the many (over a 1000) comments left by women, and it struck me. I am amazingly blessed. Granted, it is something I have always known...I have only had two pregnancies and both babies are here for us to love...I have never once planned a pregnancy and had problems getting pregnant (I've never even planned a pregnancy now that I think about it). Sure, they are not at the time that I would have thought was ideal, but we were blessed with them. I am so very grateful that I have not had to personally experience the loss of my child. For all those that have, I will pray for you today and even after. You are all much stronger then I could ever be. For all of us mothers or fathers, I hope that we will love the children we have to pieces and raise them to be thankful for the breath that God has given them.

Check out this website for more info: www.October15th.com

It's been a while...

So it has been a while since I've been on here. I've been reading other people's blogs and just trying to adapt to being back at work. Things are thankfully going well thanks to my wonderful husband helping with the household duties, my wonderful sitters (Emily and Kristin) for giving me peace of mind while I'm at work, and DVR for taping my soap. Okay, I suppose I could go without the last one, and I probably should not have even admitted that I watch one but oh well!

I thought I would update a few things that Asher has told me lately that were oh so cute.

-When I got home from work on Friday night, my back hurt, and he nicely came up to me and rubbed it saying "It's okay sweetheart. You okay sweetheart." So cute...

-After putting on my shoes for church on Sunday, he looked at me very taken aback and told me "Wow, mommy, those are BEAUTIFUL shoes."

-Finally, while praying at dinner, he said "Dear Jesus, Thank you for food. Thank you for Avey. I wuv you. Amen." It melts my heart to hear him pray! What a sweet boy. he is going to back a great husband one day!

On a side note, Avery is walking/falling so much better everyday and now has two molars. Poor thing, teething was not easy! Here is a picture of her in the middle of teething...she always has a drool ring. :)

Time flies when you're turning ONE!

The day has come that I officially have two toddlers in the house. Avery turned one on Saturday the 9th. We had a fun day hanging out with just our family and then cake and a few presents at my in-laws that night. We are having a rather large family party on Sunday which will be lots of fun.

My little girl has grown so much (okay, not really) this past year. She is still on the tiny side for being one, but she was a peanut at 6 pounds 9 ounces, 19" when she was born. She was an extremely easy labor too, which carried over into her entire personality. I can still remember going into labor last year a day before my due date while dancing around to Backyardigans with Asher sick on the couch. It was 11:00 at night and the dancing made my water break. I never went into labor with Asher, just had my water break, so it was expected that I would be put on pitocin with Avery since the same thing happened again. She was a quick five hour labor with only ONE push! Daddy barely made it into the room because she came so quickly!

Naming her was a whole other story. Mike and I each had our own names picked out. I wanted Lillian (Lilly) and Mike wanted Lauren or Callie. We knew that her middle name was going to be Jane after Mike's Mom. Asher's middle name is David after my Dad, so it was Mike's turn for a family name. Plus, I always have liked the name. We were told she had to be named by 1:00 on Saturday for it to be on the birth certificate, so we were under a deadline. The same thing happened with Asher. He was so many different names in three days! Adrienne helped us read down through the baby books and websites trying to find one. All three of the names Mike and I had picked just did not look like her. We liked several names, but the meanings just did not fit. Avery was a name my sister and I had discussed and liked. We found that it meant elf-like warrior, which was not what I wanted a little girl's name to be. However, at the last second Adge found that it means Noble for a girl. Thank goodness!

I am so glad that we had our little ones so close together after all. They are great buddies at times, and Asher is learning how to be compassionate to others. Avery is so easy going and loving. She is always smiling, which is what everyone comments about when they see her. Her entire face lights up. She is a mommy's girl, which makes me happy after having a daddy's boy! I am very grateful of the gift of a little girl that God has entrusted in me. Watching her grow and learn so many things brings such a joy to my life.

As of today...Avery can say:
Mama, Dada, Ash, Asher, Baba, Dat (that), Mo (More), Hi, and yes...not bad!

We can't walk yet! Oh well, I've learned not to push that because then I have to chase her!

She's grown too. Currently, she is 16 pounds, 6 ounces (1% average), 28 inches (13%). We are tiny, but that is okay. She's growing which is all that matters. Here are a few of my favorite Avery pictures from her first year.

Right after she was born on August 9th, 2007


First time meeting Lolli (my mom).


Quality Auntie time.


EVERYTHING ends up in this child's mouth. It is a true test of babyproofing!


Chilling on vacation.


First Birthday Fun...