2

It was a quiet day with all our attention turned to Esme.  I came up with the cutest outfit I could find in her mostly second-hand wardrobe and we were off.  Everywhere we went (bookstore to play trains, pet store, restaurant, toy store) I told the people it was her birthday.  Eli had school, so just the two of us went out for breakfast. The nice lady turned our single order of french toast into two with one cut up in small pieces.

I can see how she thought the syrup was a drink.

Her only two wishes were to play trains and for a purple cake.  I accidentally dropped half of the food coloring in, so it was quite a neon purple. And, of course, she didn't eat any.

Happy Birthday little one.  You fill us with joy.

18 Months

Last Tuesday Esme turned months.  I didn't make her a present or even do a photoshoot.  Oops.  We just sang to her at 7:43 and had cake.  Eli decided that she would like brown cake with pink frosting.  She only wanted to eat the cream cheese frosting and feed us the cake.

At her check-up we found out she's only 17 pounds and that the doctor wants her to get some tests, BLOOD TESTS and a sweat test for cystic fibrosis, done and to see an endocrinologist.  If everything is fine, then she will accept that she's just small.  She doesn't need her to be on the same growth curve as other kids, she just wants her line, much below theirs, to go up at the same rate.  I think she has her  own growth rate.  Since she was 6 months old, she's gained exactly one pound every three months.

18 months also meant that today was her first day in nursery at church.  Of course I got teary, of course she did fine, and of course I took pictures when I went to pick her up.

Esme Turns 1

A little swimming, eating out, few presents, and cake. I was excited to try this Korean tradition where you place several objects in front of a baby on their first birthday to see what they grab. Esme grabbed the bracelet, paint brush, and money. Aparently she will be fashion conscious, artistic, and rich. My favorite part of the night was listening to Eli's soft voice as he sang Happy Birthday and watching Esme laugh while Brian played with her.

As for what we know for sure about this girl.

She is so friendly. She reaches out to strangers and if they're nice enough to take her she honks their nose. If she really likes you she'll lick your face, which I have only seen a couple of times.

Adventurous. Not as cautious as her older brother, at least she she thinks about something she wants to do before she does it. Today it was crawling forward toward the play structure into the water as it got deeper and deeper and her face went under.

Easy. The first 6 months were tiring, but now she sleeps 10-12 hours and takes two long naps. She's independent, preferring to crawl around and explore to sitting in my arms. Flexible. She doesn't start whining once it's time to eat or sleep, but waits pretty patiently.

Loves animals and babies. I have to get it on video. This high pitched screech/laugh comes out when she touches a dog or our neighbor's pet pig. Babies get smiles, a face touch, and even a lick.

Prefers to feed herself. She's loved the introduction of a fork. And her favorite foods seem to be cheese, tomatoes, PB&J, and tonight's spaetzle.

Can't wait to learn more.


All night I've been imagining where I was a year ago. I get teary just thinking about it. Every day we're grateful for this angel girl and love her more. I don't deserve such sweetness, but I'll take it.

The Big 0-4

Eli has been waiting impatiently for his birthday since his dad's a month ago when he had to give presents, cake and sing to somebody else. His wishes were surprisingly simple.  A toy turtle, pancakes, a hard-boiled egg, hot dogs, and a brown cake with green ice cream.  I suppose I should start using the names of flavors, not just the colors.  Last night we took him out for a couple of things he didn't think to ask for. Brazilian food and a dinosaur museum.

"Eli 4" 

Chocolate chips are hard to read. 

This morning he woke up to several of his wildest dreams. Banana-chocolate-chip pancakes, chocolate milk, and a hard boiled egg. Sometimes I wonder if the only way I know how to spoil someone is with food.  Well, Esme was also a fan of his mac-n-cheese with hot dog lunch. 

The climax for him was singing "Happy Birthday" and having his cake, which he wanted ocean-themed with a turtle on top.  He didn't even notice the tortoises we bought don't actually swim in the sea. He's so detail-oriented, I can imagine him being bothered by such a mistake in the future.  

He's been the same since he was a small baby- shy, cautious, clingy, and even obedient, yet goofy and hyper when comfortable at home. Lately he's become quite the story teller.  Tonight's tall tale was his reason for not wanting to go to school.  Apparently there are monsters there.  One followed him home and died outside the window.  If you're lucky enough to be on the other side of one of his phone conversations you will hear a long, colorful story.  Still trying to figure out if he's lying or making up stories. 

It's been so long since he was small, it's hard to believe he was a tiny baby. So here are some pictures from around each birthday up to now. 

I love you, my little man.

Golden Boy

(will flip as soon as I figure out how)

 So Brian turns 28 today, on the 28th.  Very big deal, right? I think he's happy that I didn't make the biggest deal about it. I did insist on the traditional flourless cake, made of only melted chocolate, eggs, and butter.   I didn't realize he was so shy that he even took his birthday off Facebook and Skype so he wouldn't get any attention.  Luckily we surprised him work with these cupcakes for him to share.  We were a little sad that none of those nerdy guys would notice the gourmetness of chocolate cupcakes, topped with chocolate mousse and ganache.  Oh well. 

I had to bring balloons to embarrass him just a little.

  

Cubicle Party.

I knew he would prefer a quiet night at home, rather than socializing and entertaining.  So it was just the 4 of us.

Eli ended up giving him the best present of all.  I had him color a picture, tell me a message to write, and then told him to sign his name. I figured it would be a little squiggle, but he actually WROTE HIS NAME!  We've never even shown him how to write letters.

Brian was so excited he started the boy on a writing lesson before we even had any cake. It was so exciting. He told Eli that was the best present ever.

And Esme? She practiced for her big day in a month or so.

Happy birthday to the best husband and dad ever. 

5 Months

Man, I had a hard time putting her to bed tonight. How could I walk away from such sweetness looking up at me and holding my finger? But I had to post today's photoshoot on her 5 month birthday. She's getting more fun with all the blabbering with her raspy little voice and kicking. Sometimes she's downright hyper. And opinions. At dinner she must always drink from my glass of water if I want any peace. And the fee for anyone to hold her holding her... your finger to suck on. She's also crazy about her brother. All he has to do is stand in front of her, not even smile, and she smiles. I, on the other hand, have to figure out a new comedy act every day.

Why don't I throw in a couple from Eli's 5 month birthday. Exciting day, he got to taste his first pickle (very slobbery situation) and dip his feet in the water under Bridal Veil Falls in Provo Canyon. I was also in mourning because his first tooth came through that day. For some reason it hit me hard that he was growing up. And a baby growing up is always sad.

I can't believe people were always telling us he had lots of hair. Esme makes him look like Mr. Clean.

27 Years Ago Today

Thanks Mom.

When I had friends over for a party growing up my mom would always make sure and pull out a note card with sentimental tidbits about my birthday, as if teenagers care about what a beautiful clear day it was with fresh white snow glistening. But I care, and thank you for always making me feel special on this day.

Happy Birthday Esme!

Esme Simone Corrales

11/3/09

6 lb. 2 oz.

Well, today was her due date, but she came 3 days early!

Happy Birthday Eli!

Eli's been growing up so much the last few weeks. First with the potty training, then he wanted to sleep in his new bunk bed (on top!), he's talking so much more, even his new hair cut makes him look older. Despite all this change, he's still obsessed with trains, and it ended up being perfect that it was trick-or-treat day at the zoo on his birthday.

After a donut breakfast we headed to the zoo, train conductor costume in hand. We rode the little train at the zoo first thing with our miniature conductor. He loved the animals and pushing Percy all over the place. It was the perfect start to an Eli day.

The poor boy did have a nap, just to keep away crankiness and let Brian go shopping. But when he woke up it was presents (including more trains), dinner of noodles and shrimp, and my attempt at a Thomas birthday cake. He loved it, except that the train and animals were getting messy with frosting. He ate the tracks.

We did our best to show him how much we love him. It was pretty rewarding to see him so happy and excited all day.