AD's Summer 2010

PHEW! It's been a whirlwind summer! Shortly after our move to the Westside, I started looking for new friends and activities for Alexander and I. Shortly after I found a group of moms in the area on MeetUp.com, the organizer bailed and I had a choice: lose the group or take it over. So, of course, I am now the Organizer of Westside Moms of Toddlers. It's relatively low maintenance, just keep events moving, keep the mama drama to a minimum, and have fun all over town!

To see ALL of our pictures, please visit "The Amazing Alexander" on Shutterfly!

Alexander has been adjusting well and growing. He knows there is a baby on the way and the baby has it's own seat in the car and a new bed in the bedroom. Every now and then he'll come over and pull my shirt up to give the baby kisses (on my tummy). He's not "talking" yet, but has lots of words and comes up with new ones everyday. He's definitely working on his terrible two's. A mother of grown children once told me that when I get mad, take pictures. Here is part of my collection:

Manny's company has made a HUGE move from the largest privately held printer in the world to the second largest public printing company with the purchase of one of the failing "big 3's". There has been quite a bit of staffing changes with the acquisition, but this has lead Manny to have a more senior position in his office and one of the most reliable employees. There will be plenty more change to come, but it will all unfold in time.

Overall the family is doing well. Carmen works a billion hours a week, VJ is home for the summer, Karen is working on getting into a Master's program, Xandy is working on four AMAZING scripts, Kara completed her school year AND managed to complete a Master's at the same time, and everyone is waiting for my water to break.


Here is what we have done this summer:

Beach
We took Alexander to one of the beaches in Marina del Rey. It was his second trip to the beach since he was one. This one was MUCH more successful!

Summer with Sasha
Since we moved, we haven't gotten to see our best friends Sasha and Lori as much, so we have had to make the best out of the once or twice a week visits to the Valley.

Father's Day
Father's Day was fun and sweet. With Father's Day grocery sales, I served Surf 'n' Turf with a group grilling effort amongst the three of us.

Climbing
We didn't get any photos of the planes, but we had a lovely evening climbing trees and watching planes land at the In-N-Out next to LAX. Alexander got chills after each plae flew by, but he loved it too!

Park
When you live in LA where it's not 102 degrees, you get to go to the park and play during the summer. We have spent quite a bit of time exploring the parks in our new area.

4th of July
Our 4th of July has shown to be quite traditional. We went to the annual Westchester Parade and lunch with Uncle Xandy and Aunt Kara and headed off to the Rose Bowl for fireworks outside the stadium. Alexander enjoyed the fireworks through Many's jacket.

Dodgers Game
Tia Karen gave Manny Dodger tickets for his birthday. It was our only game of the season, so we made the best of it! Alexander did really well and only cried once with the roar of the crowd.

Kids Club
One of the events that has been regularly scheduled with my mom's group is "Kids Club". Every week in the Marina, the shopping center hosts puppeteers, wild animals shows, magic shows, gymnasiums, etc. The pics here are from the exotic animal show. Alexander was the only one to volunteer to wear a tarantula on his head. He LOVED the animals!

Marina
One of my other events was a picnic in the Marina. It was only one other mother, but the kids had a great time running around and seeing the sites.

Wading Pool
Yet another Westside Mom's event, we discovered a great wading pool that was 1.5 feet deep at the most. Alexander LOVES the water, but here in LA, it's too cold to go in the pool. The wading pool was an awesome alternative!

Knott's Berry Farm
Manny's company summer picnic was at Knott's Berry Farm (theme park) this year. It was my first visit and we have a very enjoyable day. There wasn't much for Alexander to do, but it was a fun change of pace.

Science Center
This past weekend, we had a BLAST with Aunt Veej at the California Science Center. We heard it was a great place for toddlers and the whole family and was it ever! It was a learning experience for ALL ages!

Waiting for the Next Chapter
A whole new chapter is DUE to begin any day now. We are excited and look forward to our new arrival. It will be quite a change, adventure, and challenge, but we are all up to it and can't wait. You'll hear from us as soon as possible afterward. Facebook friends MAY get first post, but we'll notify everyone as soon as possible!

NAPTIME!

Hugs, Love, and Kisses!

The Diaz Family

Six Months Later

So, Christmas, Easter, six months, three birthdays, 12 trips to the doctor, and a new apartment later, you get an update!

WE HAVE MOVED!!

7137 Alvern St. Apt. 123
Los Angeles, CA 90045

As a recap, we put the house on the market in mid-August, had our official buyer and backup buyers by September, and received approval for our short sale from the bank on April 6. We moved into our new apartment just under two weeks ago after a VERY long month of sickness and packing.

First and Second Hair Cuts

Manny's birthday was April 7th, he got a fever that night and was diagnosed with pneumonia by the weekend. This was after Alexander had been on Amoxicillan for ear infections. By the time Manny was semi-recouperated from his pneumonia, Alexander got high fevers and started pulling on his ears again. We found out the puffy, hard way that he is allergic to an alternate antibiotic, Omnicef. While I was re-couperating from a pediatrician diagnosed ear infection and strep throat, Alexander got a stiff shot in the leg that knocked out his problems. We were all on antibiotics at the same time and were moving on Saturday. (And that's the short version.)

Needless to say, with a new address, we DID in fact make it to the new place. Packing was insane and stressful. We went from a 3-bedroom, 1500 square foot, two car garage townhouse to a 2-bedroom apartment...period. To avoid getting rid of EVERYTHING, we did get a storage facility for camping gear and VJ's room, etc. Most likely, that is where she will be staying for her summer home from Chicago. Should we have gotten the climate controlled one...?


Alexander has done SPECTACULARLY throughout the whole process. He had some fussy days when Daddy and I were busy packing and he didn't get as much one-on-one as usual, but the transition has gone very well for him emotionally and mentally it seems. He's getting big and is super fun and active. He doesn't have too many words yet, but I'm not worried. He talks as if he is actually saying things. He DOES say, "ball," "more," "Papa," and "Mom." (Everyone is Mom). He gets very proud of himself when he uses his words too. He's pretty adorable. After the move though, we miss our friends Lori and Sasha, Alexander's best friend. We see them weekly when I go to work for the HOA, but it's withdrawal from 5 days a week. :-(

Chuck E Cheese & A Long Day of Fun

Manny now has an 11 minute "commute" to work (this is in contrast to his guaranteed hour to and from our townhouse). Work is going well, he is working hard, and we have had family dinners almost every night for the last two weeks. Can't ask for much more than that.

Alexander at work with Mommy & his first day in Geography Lab

Early Pic of Number Two
I'm pregnant...pretty darn very pregnant. Today actually starts my third trimester, so we have just under three months to go (due August 2). Everything is going well. We didn't have the money for my midwife this time, so I am driving an hour to the OB that delivered Alexander. It just reminds me of why I love my midwife so much. The baby is a kicker, just like Alexander, but it's not as cute this time since I have to chase after a toddler all day. I am perfectly happy being pregnant, it just seems to be a little more uncomfortable than I remember. I just finished up the Spring Semester, hopefully with all A's. I will still be working for our old HOA until the baby comes, since they DO pay me a little. Then, a month after Number TWO is here, I will start the FALL semester. Not sure what classes will be available, but we'll see how it goes.

Feel free to ask questions. I'm just glad I got this much out!!

Good Night and Good Luck!