Look what I can do

We took these pictures today...but Saturday night, while Dave was at Wheaton Academy's Homecoming, Alex accomplished something big!

Funny

I found this in a Reader's Digest. Maybe I will use it in a few years!

"Even through the toddler was having a furious tantrum, his mom was unfrazed. "You may as well give up on the crying," I heard her say as she lead him to the store exit. "You're stuck with me for 18 years."

Cute?!

How could I forget about my son

Here is a picture of Alex at the wedding. He did a great job. It helped that the wedding was outside. The little noises he did make were not noticable. His new thing in life is the throw everything overboard and then sign "please" to have me pick everything up so he can just throw everything overboard again. Let me tell you, it is great fun! At home or in the car...he does without, but at the wedding when I wanted him quiet...his wish was my command! When I got sick of picking everything up, I got out some snacks to munch on. He did not throw those overboard! Thanks Melissa for the use of the stroller! Thanks Kim for inviting us to celebrate with you and for letting Alex come with me!

On the road again

Well, as you read in the last post, Alex and I made a trip to Ohio this past weekend. My friend, Kim, from youth group got married this weekend. I was not going to miss it. Dave had a golf match on Saturday and the wedding was not until Sunday, so he could not go with us. We left him in Chicago Mia! I think Mia enjoyed the uninterrupted time with him! She had a lap and a side of the bed all to herself! Cat bliss!

Anyways back to the wedding. Kim was a beautiful bride. The wedding was sweet and simple. Those are often the best! Her best friend Bekah was her maid of honor. Bekah arrived in town from Disney World that morning. Needless to say, she was a little tired by the end of the day! She married Jake Reeder. They went to the same High School, but did not hang out in the same crowd. So they did not know each other until recently. They started talking at gathering at a mutual friend's house. They have been happily together since. I hope I have the story straight. If I do not, please let me know.

Mary, a friend from Church, watched Alex during the ceremony so I could get some pictures, but I was unable to figure out how get take pictures, talk with friends and take care of my son during the reception. I figured, taking pictures was the least important, so no pictures of the reception. Here some on pictures of the ceremony...enjoy!

Kim and her Dad

Jake and Kim Reeder

Home Sweet Home

It all started the weekend before when Dave, Alex and I went to Indiana for our niece, Julia's Birthday and Dave's Dad's Birthday! After School on Friday, Dave come home, we ate dinner finished packing and we were on our way. Alex must of been to excited to sleep, for he us awake for the whole three hours! Mind you, we left at 7:00, which is his bed time! We had Dave's Dan's Birthday Saturday morning and Julia's Sunday afternoon. In between, we had a blast with family. Alex decided that playing with his cousins was more important then naps.


After Dave's Dad's Birthday, Alex decided not to nap. So, we all got to go watch Jack play football Saturday afternoon. Isn't he cute in his uniform?
Sunday afternoon, we packed up the car again and headed home just in time for Small group!

Alex and I spent that next week getting ready for our weekend trip to Ohio. Dave had to stay in Illinois for golf. So, Friday morning, I packed up the car and headed out yet again. My friend, Kim was getting married and I was not going to miss it! Alex spent the weekend visiting great grandparents and playing with my friend Melissa's two kids. By Monday morning, Alex and I both were ready to go home! With a short stop in South Bend to visit a friend, we completed our 11 hour trip home with much relief. I have never seen Alex get so excited to be at home and play with his toys again! The boy went down for the night like butter!!

Dinner and a nap

Alex ate a chili dog

You can see Alex's fifth and sixth teeth

Dave and Mia took a nap

I wish I had a picture of this

Eating time with Alex is getting interesting. He is developing specific tastes to certain foods and he loves to eat what we are eating. Well today at lunch, I gave him some meatballs, corn and peaches. He polished off the meatballs, when he sat there long enough he ate the peaches, and would not touch the corn. I had made myself a chicken sandwich and when I sat down to eat it...he got really excited. I cut off a few pieces for him but he kept eyeing my big sandwich. I gave him a quarter piece of my sandwich and sat there in awe of my son polishing off the sandwich, big chucks of chicken and all. He loved it! No choking or gagging. He chewed it up with 5 1/2 teeth and some powerful gums!

Thankful Thursday

I am thankful for.....
1. Alex is now pulling himself up to stand and every so often you might get lucky and see him slowly walk along the coach (I have seen him do it twice!)
2. Dave's heart for trying to make his family a priority, even with his very busy schedule.
3. Our sitter, Angela, who comes and watches Alex when I am at work and Dave is with the golf team. It is great to have someone who is flexiable and is great with our kid.
4. Alex signs "more" and "hungry" to me. When you have a son who does not have words....it is wonderful when he is able learn other ways to communicate without just yelling at you! Even if it is only two words.
5. The cool weather is wonderful. The other week, I stopped by Starbucks for a little treat. I got a Pumpkin Spice Latte, the taste just made me long for Fall and everything it brings with it! BRING ON THE FALL!

Time with friends

Brian and Sarah, from Indiana, came for a visit this weekend. Dave and I enjoy our time with them. Last time we hung out, out kids where maybe a month or two old. Lauren was born two weeks after Alex. I think Alex spent the first 15 minutes watching Lauren play with his toys! And Lauren was having a blast playing with Alex toys! As you can see below, they did have some fun together.

It was a great break for Dave and I to spend some time with friends hanging out, eating, playing games, laughing. Thanks for spending time with us Brian and Sarah!

Wanted: An Ark

It just keeps raining and there appears to be no end in sight. That is all I have to say about that! (I should be thankful that it is not a hurricane, right?)

Two great pictures

We took these a few weeks ago, but I just never got around to post them.

Thanks Gramma Miriam for the hat. This was Dave's hat that HE bought when he was a kid. His mom found it and brought it to us.

Yes, My son is wearing shorts!

Thankful Thursday

I should just start calling this "Thankful Thursday on Friday." Anyways....

1. We had Alexander's year wellness Dr. appointment on Thurday. He is a healthy little man! For that, I am very thankful.
2. Alexander faces forward in the car! I love being able to see his cute little face when I look back. I feel like he is in the car with me instead of in his own room in the back of the car!
3. Living so close to Target. Alex and I went shopping yesterday, and just wandered around Target. I found a few things to buy and a few things to put back! I figured I needed to keep something there others to buy!

Has it been a year???

This past Saturday, Alexander turned one year old! What a great weekend we had with family. I had just a great time watching my son having so much fun with his cousins. He enjoyed laughing at them when they did silly things! Alexander laughed so much! I do need to give a shout out to the moms in my life! They helped me so much this weekend with the food! Wow, I have never fed so many people for a weekend! If you ever need to find room in your frig for more food, call Miriam! She is amazing!

Here are some picture to enjoy !

Alexander's cake and my first time making a layered cake (4 layers to be exact!)

He was not sure about the cake. He got a few good hand fulls in

The boy has not offically eaten until he has sucked this thumb.

The only present he helped open up

Thankful Thursday

I have 15 more minutes to have this done on time!!

- I have a great house that I enjoying spending time in (which is good since I spend ALOT of time in it) God provided for us in mighty ways with this house!
- Internet, to help keep me in touch with outside world while I stay inside the great house that I live in
- My job! I enjoy getting out in the evening and building relationships with co-workers and my clients (professionaly of course)
- That I am not longer the only family member in the United States! For the past week, my parents, brother and sister in law where in Costa Rica. That left me and Dave alone in USA! I am thankful they had a good time and that they made it home (At least I am assuming Joel and Lisa made it home, I have not talked with them yet?!)

Speaking of Trader Joe's (see the following post)

I love Trader Joe's I would love to hear from the blog world what is yours (or your family's) favorite thing to buy at Trader Joe's? I would love to hear what other people love from TJ's, Then I can try them also!

Pacheco Favorites
- Roasted black bean salsa
- TJ white corn tortilla chips
- TJ flour tortillas
- TJ Jelly (any fruit)
- Orange Juice
- 1 lb block of Dark Chocolate

In case you do not know, at the bottom of every post, you can click on the work comment. You can then post a comment on our blog. You do not have to be a member of Blogger, you can post anonymously.

Thankful Thursday

I know, it is Saturday morning! But since I have missed the past few Thursday, I figured it was not a big deal!

- That I am a Mom!
- My son is able to crawl. I have just loved watching him crawl around and get into everything! He loves to open and close doors. He has recently found the kitchen cabinets. He will open and close them while I am cooking. It is a riot!
- I have a husband that thinks I am the greatest. It just makes a married work better when both people think the other the best since sliced bread!
- For two naps! There are some days that Alex will only take one nap. but that means I am just that much more thankful for the two nap days!
- My parents and brother and sister-in-law are able to go to Costa Rica together on a missions trip with my brother and sister-in-law's church. They get back on Tuesday night
- Soymilk! Alex loves it.
- Trader Joe's, they have good stuff. I love their salsa.

Not much of anything

Well, I got my wish. We were really busy during June, so I told Dave that I do not want to go anywhere in July. I just want to stay home and enjoy our house! That is what happened and boy am I bored! I am just looking for things for Alex and I to do between naps just to get out of the house! So, that being said, there is not much to bring you up to date with. This is a picture from a picnic that Alex and I went on the other day.

So how about some mundane Pacheco facts.
1. Alex is officially allergic to Milk.
2. I have been unable to fall asleep until midnight for the past two nights
3. Dave played golf yesterday
4. Dave played golf today
5. Alex ate bits of carrots tonight for dinner.
6. I changed 4 diapers today
7. During Alex's morning nap, I cleaned bathrooms
8. Alex was asleep tonight by 7:10

Rollin', Rollin', Rollin'

Dave here. Well, our son is rolling over like there's no tomorrow. In fact, he said to me the other day, "Dad, I just love rolling over." Okay, that last sentence isn't true, but if he could talk, I'm sure that's what he would say.

Well, we've been working out now for almost two weeks and I have already lost 62 pounds. They're literally falling off. I now weigh less than Esther, it's weird. :)

We had a crazy storm on Wednesday, with horizontal rain, a lighting display was akin to Chicago's Fourth of July show and some deep rumbling thunder. I have never driven in such heavy rain before. I had the wipers going full tilt and there times when I still just could not see.

I just wanted to get something on the blog so our faithful readers didn't think we had perished.

Just for a laugh

Thankful Thursday

I am thankful for....

1. Alex is finally crawling and he is so cute when he crawls. He started about two weeks ago. After practicing for a few days, he is a pro!
2. A great husband who made a wonderful dinner tonight; steak on the grill, sweet potatoes, broccoli, and biscuits.
3. I am going to have a nephew (not to exclude Dave's nephew, Jack, because he is way cool). I never thought Alex would have a cousin on my side of the family.
4. The Rain. It is so great to see green grass!

Where does the time go?

This is what I looked like a year ago. The picture is with my mom and my mom's mom at a baby shower I had last July 3rd. In a month from yesterday, my son (who was inside me a year ago) will be a YEAR OLD! Unbelieveable! Ohhh how different my life was a year ago. Alex was contained nicely and cutely in my belly and now I can not keep him out of the cat food!

He is an amazing kid and a true gift from God!

Fighting the Fat!

Dave here. Normally Esther would be writing her "Thankful Thursday" column today, but there is a minor glitch to that happening this week. You see, since Tuesday, Esther has had a bad case of "liftedweightsforthefirsttimeinalongtime-itis", more commonly known as sore muscles. I don't think she's been out of bed since Tuesday.

We joined Core Fitness on Monday night and the race to emaciate is on! Okay, we won't take it that far. As my dad is fond of saying, "I'm going to be a lean, mean, teaching machine." (You can substitute "counseling" or "communicating" for "teaching" depending on if you're talking about Esther or me.)

Anyway, I swam on Tuesday and Wednesday mornings and I lifted weights this morning. Esther dove right into a class on Tuesday morning called "Pump & Flex". My wife cannot climb a stair, laugh, or even walk for that matter without her whole body just aching. I laugh only because I've been there before and I will probably be there tomorrow morning, although I probably did not lift today as hard as she did in her class on Tuesday.

Core Fitness is so inexpensive compared to other gyms that we looked at and they have exactly what we need, including a hot tub! It really is a blessing that we can join a club and not bust our budget. Although our muscles are sore, in Esther's case it goes way beyond sore, it feels great to get back into workout mode.

Britains Got Talent - A Star Is Born

If you have not seen this...it is a must watch. It gives you "goosepimples"

It was great to have the 4th in the middle of the week. Gave us a little break, and we had Dave home for a day! I just wanted to share with you how Alex spend this 4th of July morning.

He sat there and watched Dave mow the back yard. He was a little fussy inside, so I went outside with him and he just sat there and watched. Every so often he would get excited and laugh and kick. It was really cute. I was able to got some things done inside while he just watched!

Dave and I had our friends, Sarah and Wille Bosque over for Ribs that night. They have a son, Jonathon, who is about 4 months older then Alex. They had so much fun just playing with each other. Ok, they really played next to each other, but it was fun to watch thim enjoy having each other around. Jonathon loved to share things with Alex. It was great to watch Alex recieve things from Jonathon and then just laugh! How fun it is to watch little kids get so excited when they see other little kids just like them. It is like they are saying "Yeah, I am not alone in this world full of big people!"

Say Cheese

Alex loves and camera and loves to smile for it. Our camera beeps when it is in focus. When Alex hears the beep, he turn and gives us this really cheesey smile!!! We love it!!!

7+1=Family

As you can see, there are only 7 people in this picture. So, who is this other family member. Well, it may be hard to believe but Baby Boy Robinson belongs to Joel and Lisa! Isn't that the coolest news!!! I think I am more excited then when I found out I was expecting!!!

No word on what his name but we will get to see him at the end of November. I can not wait to see Joel and Lisa as parents...how fun! They will be wonderful parents!!!

We went to Kentucky after our time in Akron to spend time as a family. We decided to spend a day at Natural Bridg State Park. My parents have talked about it alot and have made several trips there. Now I know why.....it was beautiful. But be prepared for a hike if you every go. There is no easy way up!!!

This is my son at the begining of the hike

And this is my son at the end of the hike

Where have you been?

Oh wait a minute...it is been me that has been gone!!! I know, it has been a long time since I have updated our blog. I have not figured out why I have not been doing it. It could be that there is too much going on and therefore too much to write about or my writing creativity gets depleted and I just have nothing for a post. Whatever the reason...I am back again! So let me see...where did we leave off?

Two weekends ago, Dave, Alex and I headed to Akron for a "Robinson Family Reunion," or so my Grandma Robinson thought. Little did she know, her daughters had planned a surprise 80th birthday party for her. It was a great weekend.

Dave, Alex and I stayed with my Uncle Steve and Aunt Nancy (my mom's brother). They were very gracious to us...especially since I did not call them until Thursday before we left, to see if we could stay with them! Thank you Uncle Steve and Aunt Nancy!! It was great to hang out with them and their family; Ben and Joanna! I can't forget about Josh, for it would have been fun to hang out with him also...but alas he is living in Huntington Indiana. By the way, Congrats Josh on the new job!!

Anyways, at the actually birthday part, Alex had a blast with everyone and I had fun catching up with the family. I do not get to see all my cousins often, so it is always a good time.

Here is Alex with my cousins Halie and Nikki (can you tell they are sisters!)

My cousin Jonathon (3 years old) enjoying his piece of cake. He was so focused on each bit. It was hard to get the cake on this fork then to his mouth!!

This picture was taken as Jonathon was walking to his spot to eat his cake. Apparently he was not holding his plate very straight. Note that his mom (standing in the back in the orange)is laughing. This is a picture of my grandparents and all their children and spouses.

Meet Emma, she is my cousin Marianne's daughter (I am not sure what cousin that makes her to me, I always get confused!) She is 16 months and looks just like her Dad!
Well, that concludes that update for now...more later. Alex is awake and the store is calling us!!!

Great Pics

Dave was playing with the camera the other day and these pics are the product of that. I love my boys

Thankful Thursday

I am thankful for....

1. Time out of the house. My fours hours of work each week plus an evening out with friends makes for a wonderful week

2. A wonderful weekend with my husband, childless, celebrating 5 wonderful years!!!

3. All the great help that Dave's mom received last weekend with Alex. Alex had so much fun with everyone!

4. Cheesy smiles! Alex has started to give big cheesy smiles full of gums and his four teeth.

5. Alex still has two solid naps a day! I treasure those few hours!

6. Garage sales. Today I was able to get Alex some great toys for just $20

It has been five years!

Marriage bliss!!! Dave and I celebrated our 5 year anniversary this weekend! Dave started planning this last year. I had no idea what he was up to until about a month ago. Being the great guy that he is...he decided to take me to Indy. We stayed in Indy our first night. He was able to get the same room we stayed in also! It was very romantic! So, on Friday we dropped Alex off at his parents house and drove down to Indy. Yes, you read that right. It was a weekend with no Alex. It was a little strange, yet very much needed. It was wonderful to just enjoy being with Dave and not have to think about feeding, naps and bedtime! We could go and do anything we wanted! It was just like life pre-kid! I would post pictures but half way to Dave's parents house, he remembered that we forgot the camera!! I told him we will have to do this in another 5 years so we can take pictures then. Thanks Dave and Dave's parents for such a wonderful weekend! Back to everyday life now!

Thankful Thursday

I am thankful for.....

1. Wheaton Academy! They are the reason we ended up here in Chicago. Because of them, Dave has a job he enjoys, we are a part of Crossroads Community Church, we have this great house, and ohhh the friends we have met!
2. All the rain we have received the last week. Things were looking really brown around here until the rains came.
3. Babies R US. They have everything you could need for a baby. One stop shopping!

Is it stealing?

I was out for my run this morning, and noticed a dresser and a trundle bed box springs out by the road. I will admit, I got a little excited. "Did I find a treasure that someone put out for the trash?" I stopped and opened all the drawers to see if they worked and they did! Then I walked around to see the outside condition of the dresser....and then I found it. A piece of paper, saying that if you leave items out to be donated, they will be picked up on Wednesday June 6th. I WAS SO BUMMED! It would have been stealing if I would have taken it, right???

I just checked, they are still sitting there!!! Ohhh what should it do???

I am not in this alone!

So often as a mom, I get so selfish about my own time and so consumed by what everyone thinks of me. Read Tuesday's entry on Beth's Moore's blog. It does my heart good sometimes to hear that I am not the only one who struggles!

Alexander and the Train

On Saturday, Dave and I witnessed our second class graduate from Wheaton Academy. We did get a little nervous, the ceremony was outside and the day called for thunderstorms. But, like always, it was a beautiful and sunny day! The sun was shinning throughout the ceremony and as soon as it was over, the sun hid behind clouds the rest of the day.
Don't you remember graduating from high school, so excited for what your future held; college, job, independence, future spouse, independence!

After graduation, Dave, Alex and I headed out for lunch. As we were walking out a train was coming down the tracks. Instead of just sitting in the car waiting for it to pass by, Dave decided to introduce Alex to a big train. Dave said Alex just watched, did not smile or cry, just observed the train going by.