Little Bro Scores!

 You know when you're really happy about someone and what they have done or what they are doing, but you get caught in other things and never take the time to talk to them or call or text or email or you just don't know how to tell them, "Hey! just wanted to let you know I'm really happy and proud of you...or I'm grateful for what you're doing...or it's so awesome to see you succeed or do so well...or wow you're coming a long way!" Anyway, I've been wanting to jot down my thoughts about my little brother for a while since last time I went to Florida (exactly a month ago Aug 12). I also wanted to write something about his high school graduation back in June when we visited because I was just so happy for him, but again, I never took the time...so here's a little belated post about this kid named Ricardo, who happens to be my brother.

Here are some facts about him and our relationship, so you can get to know him better

• We were both born April 17th. He, 1993, and I, 1984. We are 9 years apart.
• I remember the day my mom told me she was pregnant with him. I was sooooo happy and ecstatic! I was 8 years old and I was so tired of being an only child. I had wanted a sibling since I was like 3, it sucked playing alone! So when I learned of his existence I was on cloud 9, and then the day he was born, it was definitely one of the happiest days of my life. I remember seeing him in the nursery in the hospital when he was 1 day old and I couldn't believe he was mine, I finally had a brother, and although we were so many years apart and couldn't really play together, I was excited to help my mom take care of him. 

• Since he was 3 till I graduated high school, I would babysit him after school and he would throw apples at me when we would sit down for lunch. He would also call me, "MALA, FEA, GORDA!" (Meanie, ugly, fat) and would add a "YA NO TE QUIERO!" (I don't love you anymore) during his tantrums.
• I wasn't very nice during that same time either. I would always yell, "RICARDO! COME!" (eat, in Spanish) and would tell him he was crazy and wouldn't have friends if he kept throwing apples at me. Don't judge, it was the start of my teenage-hood, everyone is rude then. I apologized for this recently.
• He went from liking rap and hip hop, Usher and 50 cent, to being a hardcore rocker and liking bands like Bring me the Horizon and the Devil wears Prada during his high school days.
• When he was 3, I once caught him calling 9-11 because my mom didn't let him watch TV.
• He is one of the most forgiving and non-judgmental people I know.



When I was mean and he was annoying. The apple throwing years

• I wish I had his metabolism. He eats so much and doesn't gain a pound!

• He had to mature fast, at a very young age, growing up in a single-parent home and maintaining a good relationship with both my mom and dad when things were very rocky. I definitely learned that lesson from him. He really was the example of having to be like a child, and loving like a child.
• He is a gentleman, I don't think he's ever mistreated a girl.

• When he was little, he would eat eggs and hot dogs with everything. It was crazy! 

• He has super awesome curly hair. I have always been envious of this. Why did I get the boring straight hair!?!?? I wanted his curls so bad! he is such a stud!
• He is so patient, especially when people around him freak out. He is just chill and cool.

when he dropped me off at BYU in 2002

• I always wish I could've been there for him more and that we would've had more years growing up together.. Unfortunately I left home for college when he was only 9 and the only time we spent together was on holidays and summers. 

• He can pull some sweet stunts on his skateboard and rollerblades.
• When he graduated, everyone and their mom was putting a ton of pressure on my dad to buy him a car, but Ricardo shut everyone up by saying he wanted to buy his first car on his own with the money he was saving. That's right people! he's taking charge! that's how you teach your kids responsibility and independence!
• He is so sweet and affectionate to my mom, my dad, me, my baby...I love it. He doesn't act like he's too cool for it.
• He recently started working as a telerecruiter for Florida's Blood Centers and is currently a full-time student at Valencia Community College.
• He is the first priesthood holder in our family, and it has been a huge blessing for my mom and our home.

Ricardo, I love you bro. I am so happy for you and how far you're coming along. I can't believe you're not my little baby brother anymore. You are a man, and not just by age, but you're showing it through your actions. I know I always gave you a hard time for not trying enough, or for your grades or whatever, but now all I hear are wonders about you. And not just coming from mom. You're working and going to school, and taking responsibility for your own things, becoming more independent.You have your priorities straight, with things at work, school, church, family, friends, homework, social life, etc. When you talked to me about your experience with your patriarchal blessing, I felt like I was talking to a missionary, a mature priesthood holder, I felt so happy. Thanks for being there for mom when i couldn't be there because of school or my mission. You took on the role of being the man of the house when you were just 9. Thanks for being my friend, my buddy, and for also being there for dad and always showing us love, patience, and friendship. You are one of a kind. I know that if you continue to go forward, working hard, studying hard, serving others, and staying strong in the gospel, you will  be successful in whatever you do, in any career path you choose, and I know that your future wife and kids are going be so lucky and grateful to have you. Man, you are a stud. And remember there is a little person that is going to look up to you and follow your example. Hint: He calls you "Cayooooo!"

Here I'm the tallest...

Here I am NOT

Here I get a kiss on my BYU graduation 2006

Here he gets one on his high school graduation 2011

Remember he is watching! mwahaha!

The proud gang!

First "Official" Haircut

Ok so this is very delayed...like a month and a half late and Jandro already needs another haircut...hahaha.

Anyway so on May 28th, we went to get his first official haircut! After I had ruined it back in March as you can see in a previous post here. So we headed over to "The Yellow Balloon", a children's salon in the Kentlands, and I fell in love with the place! It was so cute and vintage, I didn't know if I was in an antique children's store or a old toy store from Peru. 

He patiently waited for his turn while played :)

He sat in Papi's lap, while I was photographer, and Emily, his first hairdresser from Peru, got him all set up! (Funny fact, my first midwife-the one who confirmed my pregnancy-was also Peruvian, and we were also sealed/married by a Peruvian temple worker/sealer! coincidence? I think not! Alejandro will definitely be aware of his roots)

He was soooooooo nervous...pobrecito

And...let...the...snapping.....

and.....

crying.......

BEGIN!!!!!!!!!!

He was so scared, he wouldn't stop crying or moving! There was a TV playing Elmo's World across the room, we had to turn him around so Elmo could help him calm down :(

A little better now :) Except his face and eyes were swollen...

All done now! Right outside the place with Daddy :)

The First of Many Graduations

Almost a month ago on June 10th, Alejandro graduated from his "Bugs" class at the Little Gym, and he is now moving on to "Birds". For their little graduation, their instructors threw a fun show and tell party, where they pretty much did everything they did during their semester at the Little Gym. His instructors were Ms Katie and Ms. Christina. Unfortunately, Alejandrino was feeling a little bit sick (because he had been throwing up that whole week) so he doesn't look too excited when "showing off" :) Here are a few pics:

Rolling over the Hot Dogs

Here comes a forward roll!

YEAH! WELL DONE!

Now off to the Donut!!

That wasn't too bad now, was it? :)

It's Ball Play Time! Here he is with his buddy Lucas

Papi and Abuelito came to watch this special event :)

with his friends and all the mamas taking pics...just like I was ;)

This kid LOOOOVES bubbles!

Proud Mama :)

Proud Papa!

And now, presenting the Little Gym's "Bugs" Winter-Spring Class of 2011!!! woohoo!

Striking a pose with Abuelito Fidelius and Papi

With my friend Ixiana and our little ones, Lucas and Alejandro

Now you may think I'm silly, but this was such an exciting and emotional event for me. I think much more for me than for him. I've seen so much progress in my little guy since we first joined. I think he was 9...maybe almost 10 months when we first visited the Little Gym. I had received an invitation on the mail for a free class, so we went. I  remember he looked a little bit overwhelmed, and it was probably because of the bright colors that filled up the room, the babies and mamas running/crawling/sitting around, the music, the movements. But I think all that stimulated him for the better. Soon after we began going he became more mobile, with a greater desire to explore, play, and do things independently. From scooting to crawling to standing up on his own to taking steps to climbing steps up and down, to catching a ball and throwing it back, to following bubbles, to singing along to music. Oh it's been a blast! I love my Little Little. I couldn't help but think how fast he is growing and that soon I'll be attending a Pre-K graduation, then Kindergarten, then elementary, then middle school, then seminary, then high school, then college, then grad school....aaaah! like I said, you probably think I'm silly and may laugh at me, but hey, I'm a new mom and I can't believe Alejandrito was once a single cell that lived in me; that I was once this little man's house and food and everything, that I gave birth to him and many could say I gave him life, but in all honesty, he's given ME life....along with purpose, direction, and infinite joy. He's helped me look at life in such a different manner. And when he gives me a kiss, a breath, a smile, or a cariñito, it's so surreal, I feel like I'm in another dimension. He really is my little gift from God. 

Bicicleta Fun

A little over a week ago, I purchased a kid's bicycle seat from walmart, a toddler helmet from Toys R Us,  and finally put some air in my bike tires. I'd been wanting to ride my bike with Jandro since the last day of winter. I was so curious to see his reaction  to how the wind would hit his face, to speed, etc. I was curious to see his observations and if he'd be scared. And I also wanted the workout with such an enticing motivation: MY SON! plus it's perfect, I don't have to leave him in the gym daycare or with anyone else! he can easily tag along!

So here's a pic of us from the first time we rode our bike on June 16th, 2011: 

He is about to cry because I'm stopping. He cries EVERY TIME I stop. 

                                         Here he is playing with Tia Angie

He was kinda whining because it was slow

This time daddy got to give him a ride!

Btw, don't you love Alex's ghetto shirt? It's from his high school days where he thought he was all thug. Now it's his comfy house shirt...or part of his pj's...

Alejandro has discovered this thing where he thinks it's a lot cooler when you ride the bike and walk the dog at the same time. He will yell until you hand him the dog leash, but he'll also cry if you go slow. It's like he wants to go full speed while walking the dog! sorry little man, can't have the best of both worlds :(

Although he's not smiling in any of these pics, it's because they were taken with my camera phone, which means we had to slow down or stop, which makes him sad/angry. hahaha. Maybe i'll post a video next time. But he is seriously so cute and has so much fun. Each time we go downhill, I'll say something like, "WOOOHOOO!" and now every time I say, "Hey Jandro! vamos a montar bicicleta!" (let's go ride the bike!), he says, "woooo woooo!".

Yep, he definitely makes the connection and knows that bicicleta means "woooo wooo!"

I love this Little Little. And usually after a morning or early afternoon ride, this follows:

Nap time. My favorite time of the day. Only because we get to cuddle. Gosh I love my little prince! I know this may sound cheesy but we really are the best of friends!

Self-feeder & Smart Eater

A few days ago, Alejandro stopped feeling sick and started eating normally again. He hasn't thrown up and he has gained back his appetite.  First, I'd like to say that I feel so lucky and blessed to be his mom. I have tried developing healthy eating habits and i'm just starting to see some of the results. Seriously, this kid is amazing. 

For some reason, he doesn't seem to enjoy junk food. He doesn't like hot dogs, or chocolate chip pancakes, or whip cream, or some cakes. Am I complaining? NO WAY! He's had some ice cream but he won't even take much, and if he has pancakes he'll eat them plain, like without whip cream or maple syrup or anything. But he'll have a bowl of fresh quinoa or oatmeal with bananas, strawberries, and yogurt (which he devoured in minutes after spitting out his choco-pancakes) and he'll eat a plate of tilapia with brown rice and zuchinni and broccoli. He also loooooves cheese...just like papi. This kid could eat cheese with anything...even a cream cheese sandwich filled with grated carrots. And he will enjoy it. He doesn't really drink fruit juices, unless I make them...but he'll chug down a bottle of quaker con quinoa y manzana (a drink made of boiled quinoa, oatmeal, and apples)....y con que ganas! He loves it! He also doesn't really know what  dessert really is (or what we consider to be dessert, aka loads of sugar, food coloring, and other additives). He thinks fruits are desserts. Which isn't necessarily what i was taught, but i plan on teaching him that. He loves watermelon, GRAPES, mangoes, ORANGES, strawberries, kiwi, cantaloupe, blueberries...you name it...

         

   Here he is stuffing himself with some grapes.

mmmmmmmmmmmmmm UVAS!

Here he is stuffing himself with cheerios, yogurt, and strawberries

Here he is attempting to eat with a spoon, which he did successfully only a couple of 

times but also spilled, but it's ok! he just turned 13 months!

He LOVES holding the spoon on his own. Independence starting young. Which 

is fine with me. I respect his decisions and I strongly value independence! Shoot, 

if he can be ready to pay his full college tuition by the time he's in

8th grade, he has my full support! hahaha

"MIRA MAMI! i'm so cool i can eat all by myself with my cucharita!"

"MAMA, why does my food fall out!?"

Ok, let mama help you!

YEAH! now I'm happy! we did it!

BARRIGA LLENA, CORAZON CONTENTO!