March of Dimes

As you all know Max was born premature. He was 35 1/2 weeks and also had gastroschisis . I firmly believe that the stress I was under during my last trimester put stress on my baby which in turn made me go into early contractions. His due date was Jan. 23 but because of his condition he was to be taken out via C-Section. December was a hellish month I was in a car accident, I was working 40 hrs at Motherhood maternity, running around doing Christmas shopping. I don't think I took care of myself like I should have. I don't blame myself but I wish I would have taken it easier.

So to raise awareness I decided to take part in the March of Dimes. This is such a wonderful organization that helps women/mothers to reach full term pregnancy. I did this walk for Max and for all of the preemies that are with us and those who are with our Lord. It was so nice to see other families that had similar stories to ours. The kids had so much fun. They got to meet the Phoenix Suns Gorilla and take a picture with them. The Gorilla kept playing bongo drums on their head's, it was hilarious. They had food and games. Next year I'm going to make t-shirts with Max's picture and it'll same "TEAM MAXIMO" on the front.

Next I want to do the 3 day walk for breast cancer! Protect our BOOBIES! Does anyone want to join me?

Life's a dance

"You learn as you go, sometimes you lead, sometimes you follow. Don't worry about what you don't know life's a dance you'll learn as you go." John Michael Montgomery

That's our family motto. You can never be perfect at everything, you'll just have to go one step at a time and know that if you fall or trip that your family will be there to help you up. I have been trying to teach the kid's how to dance. It's been interesting, I find myself bribing them with candy. I don't think they like it very much but they'll thank me for it later.

Turtle contraversy

So Stephanie and I took the kids to the dog park today. We had so much fun with Charlie and the kids. While at the park near the pond we found a cute little turtle. I told the kids they can touch but not to pick it up or disturb it in any way. We admired the turtle and then left it alone. We went back to play on the swings and then we saw a couple of kids and mom's going over to look at the turtle. One of the girls start to pick up the turtle running around with it and bothering it. I was so sad that this turtle was getting man handled. Then we hear the mom say to the grandma "yeah we are going to take it home". I felt so bad why can't people leave the wild animals where they belong. Steph and I both look at each other and we both wanted to say something but didn't know if we had the guts to say anything. So as we were leaving the family was also leaving with the turtle in tote. I summed up the courage to tell them...

me-"You should leave the turtle back where you found it".

lady- "We can give it a home"

me-"That's not the point, you can't just take something from it's natural environment"

grandma-"It's not indigenous to these parts. Why don't you just mind your own business"

me-"I don't think that the park ranger would appreciate you taking the turtle from the park"
I whipped out my camera phone and snapped a picture of their license plates just to scare them and it worked.

grandma-" You're just a trouble maker! Why do you want to make trouble? Why don't you just mind your own business and take care of your kids!"

me-"You're the one that's taking the turtle from it's home. I'm not the trouble maker! You shouldn't take things that belong in the wild. People like you are the reason that animals are endangered."

onlooker-"What's going on?"

me-"these ladies think that they can just take home a turtle from pond"

onlooker-"that's not right, they should put it back"

They actually put the turtle back!!! Yay! Victory!! Go TEAM CLAUDIA! Anyways I was glad I spoke up there were a few things that I wish I had said that I thought of after the fact. I hate that feeling when you think of the things that you could have said and can't now. Those ladies were in the wrong. If they really wanted a turtle for the kids/grand kids then they should go buy one from the store. I get infuriated when I see people mistreating animals!

It's SPRING!

It's spring and that means lots of play time outside. Today the kids had so much fun riding their scooters to the park. They came back home to put on their swim suits and play with the hose outside. I love these days because as soon as it starts to get hot nobody wants to go outside.
For Easter we went down to Tucson. We stopped by Grandma Carolyn's house and they got to make cookies with her.

Sorry no pictures of the cookie decorating. Then we left to Green Valley to see Grandma Sheila and Panga (that's what little Max calls grandpa). We went to church and they were so well behaved. Then came back to have dinner and Easter egg hunt. They had so much fun and were so tired when we came back. I don't blame them I was falling asleep at work ha ha ha. I hope we have the rest of April to enjoy the weather.

Silly Lilly Lion

This is Lilly-licious (she's my bff's daughter). You've just gotta love that face. She's adorable I can't believe she's already 1. We got the kid's together and took them to San Tan. I captured some moments of Lilly.

a bit disasterful

This particular day was quite eventful. My Tia Charo asked if I could join her in looking for some furniture. So the kids and I went with her and spent all day looking at furniture which for a child is zero fun. So to make up for that we took them to McDonald's to run off some energy. We left to pick up Sebastiana from school and returned to look at furniture. While in downtown Mesa we thought it would be a good idea to see what classes they offered at the Mesa Arts Center. When we got there I whipped out my camera ( I never leave home without it) and started to take pictures. Unfortunately the kids were all tired and a bit cranky so I didn't get very many good shots.

King Pin

I love our date nights! Lately we've been able to go out every weekend. We always go see a new movie. The other night we did something a little different we went BOWLING. I used to hate bowling just because it was dirty and the thought of wearing shoes that someone else had worn before me is sick-to-the-nast! However I sucked it up and this place was actually CLEAN! NON smoking too! I put on the sexy shoes and I chose my fake bowling name (snookie) in the chance that I totally sucked no one would know who it was haha. I have to say I kicked some serious butt! Max asked me if I was sneaking off to the bowling alley at night to practice prior to our game. I bowled a 111 and max 101. It was so much fun!

Valentine's Day and Ash Wednesday

Ash Wednesday was nice we went to the 10AM service. The kids didn't really get the concept and I don't think I explained it very well. Bella cried right after she got it cause she said it was "ouchie". ha ha ha. I decided that I would give up shopping for Lent. I usually do something easy like no soda or candy but this year I wanted a challenge. I trust that God will give me the strength I need. I feel so blessed that I can share my religion with my kids. I can't wait for Easter! and also for the Easter pageant!
We decided to do Valentine's day on Saturday because I had to work on Sunday and we thought it would be less crowded on the day before. So we went to dinner at Macaroni Grill and then to see Valentine Day the movie. The total cost for the date was $35! You may ask how this is possible well we had a gift card from Christmas to Macaroni Grill for $25 and another one that I got at work for my collections which was $10 and then we had 2 movie gift certificates from Max's manager. YAY!
This is Charlie talking on the phone

Max was so cute along with my Valentine's goodies he got the kids their own Valentine's day bags. I'm so lucky to have such a great guy! Thank you Carolyn for raising such a gentleman!
HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY

gilbert photo shoot

Photo shoot in Mesa

I took all of these with my new camera yay!

Birthdays and Holidays

Maxito's Birthday was also the same week as all the other festivities. My mom rented a big moon bounce. The kids loved it. My Tia Charo is now a fugitive and is banned from WalMart ha ha. The day of Max's bday I was super busy and just got off a night shift. I asked her to pick up the 6ft sub I ordered from Subway. She went with my Uncle Raymond and cousin Sebastiana. They came home and I asked them for the reciept so I can pay them back only my Tia said that she didn't pay for it thinking I already did. So they unintentionally stole the sub we were laughing so hard at the thought of all three of them carrying out a 6 ft sub and not paying for it.
Christmas was kind of a blur because it was so busy. We celebrated Christmas eve at my mom's and then later went to my
dad's. I had to work on Christmas so we had to do everything that day. The kids had so much fun though. They were showered with gifts from the whole family. Thank you all!
















We had a nice relaxing dinner for New Year's eve at my Tia Charo's house. We came home afterward and decided to have a nice movie and spa night. Spa night is one of the many new things we like to do as a couple. We buy facial masques and give each other a facial and then I ask Max to paint my toe nails. He is very good at it. He hates that I tell people but I just have to brag a little. My man is the best! My birthday was fun I turned the dreaded 25. I am officially no longer covered under my mother's insurance. I can get a discount on car insurance. Oh it's also a quarter of a century old which makes me feel so young ha ha ha. Erika, Steph, and my dad made me feel better with a new camera and shoes yay and Max got me a Betsey Johnson watch that I wanted so badly.