Esperanza and I keep on cookin'...oh, and I knit her that super cute headband that she hates! I had to bribe her to wear it..."if you want to help cook, we have to pull your hair back."
The Rodeo finally died...
We were hit with a big, huge, media hyped 'February Storm'. You can see for yourself just how big this storm was by all the snow on the ground pictured below. We actually did get a little more, but as usual it melted, then froze, then it was gone all within 24 hours. It was on a day that Esperanza wasn't feeling well & by the time she did want to check out the snow, it was all gone. 
We're still sick. And when I say still, I mean since about October-ish, off and on. Our immune systems have been useless the past several months. This particular bug has been with us for almost 2 weeks now. Esperanza has it the worse and has spent several days off and on laying in bed sleeping. I gave her some super high doses of vitamin D for two days along with homeopathic Phosphorus which has helped alot with her runny nose. She freaked out when I tried the warming socks and a castor oil pack the other night so her cough is still really bad and today he has a fever. I may end up taking her in to see Catherine if she doesn't perk up a lot more soon.
We went to visit my sister, her kids and her horse a few weeks ago. Here is Esperanza and Anycia riding a horse.
We have another artist in the family. Here she is painting a picture for Neva before we left home to visit her.
Esperanza has finally started to show a little bit of interest in using the toilet. She's far from wanting to use it consistently, but it's a start and she got a lolipop for going pee in the potty here (not sure why she has her shoes in her hand, but no, those were not a reward for using the potty).
Also, after 3 months of care at the VA Rehab Center, George was finally released to go home during the middle of February. There was yet another set back though after being home just a week and he went back into the hospital to get treated for an infection. He'll be home again soon, but the infection still needs to clear up. Keep him in your thoughts, it is crucial that this infection heals or he may loose his other leg.
It took me 6 months! Good thing it's several sizes too big.
The time, energy & money put into it was totally worth it - she LOVES it!
She picked out the buttons, doggies & kitties
Did I say she LOVES it!
It sure does feel good to complete a project like that AND get the added benefit of Esperanza being as excited about it as she is. She might even get a matching hat soon.
Happy birthday!
We had a very brief dusting of snow early in the month that melted at our house shortly after we woke up. Fortunately for us, it was on a day that we planned on heading to a higher elevation to visit with my friend Sarah and her 2 year old Michael. Michael was already outside playing in the little bit of snow when we got there.
That same Michael came to visit with us one day while his mama went to work. He's such a sweet little boy...if I have a boy half as easy as he is, I'll be one happy mama. A little wild, but completely drama and attitude free.
This is the usual crowd. Esperanza and her stuffed friends playing together at home. She's getting really good at playing by herself (I mean, with her 'friends').
We went to visit a good friend Alisha and her daughter Adalaide this month also. Adalaide is about 4 months younger than Esperanza (and born at home with the assistance of the same midwives). She's just as spunky as Esperanza and is even taller by just a hair. When they get together they battle a lot over everything, but still end up having a good time.
Hope to see all our friends again soon. We love you!
The next morning...bring on the periwinkle!
The room once thought of as a cave is now the brightest room in the house, especially with it having the only East facing window and having the curtains open at last. Esperanza can see her playhouse from her window which is kinda fun for her. I think I'll move some bird feeders to that side of the house so she can watch the birds too.
We went to the zoo today. It was rediculously sunny...and really, really cold with even colder wind!!! Freezing temperatures or not, seeing the bright sun was all it took to convince me it was a good day to visit the zoo. Fresh homemade blueberry muffins and the zoo was all I could think of when I woke up. We hadn't been to the zoo since summer, and never made it to the Zoo Lights during the holidays. And since we have just a few months left of our membership, we needed to put it to use.
Next, elephants! Quick little story...Esperanza and I read books every night before bed now. More often than not she chooses an animal picture book. Every time we get to a picture of an elephant and I ask her what it is, she says helicopter. Helicopter?! How does an elephant get mistaken as a helicopter? She has been a little obsessed with helicopters lately, and maybe just hadn't heard the word elephant associated with the actual image enough times. Who knows. After several nights of this though, I started kinda making fun of her about it and last night she finally got it right. Today at the zoo she knew the elephant was an elephant and not a helicopter.
Then we headed to the lions, after she'd been asking for them since we told her we were going to the zoo. Another association with a movie, The Lion King, she loves lions!
We were fortunate that on such a chilly winter day, we were able to see almost all of the animals. There are however several exhibits at the Portland Zoo that have an inside and outside viewing area so that probably helped. We were also fortunate that Esperanza not only survived the cold day without too much complaint, she really had a wonderful time. The morning started off rough with her, so we didn't have high hopes of the day turning out as well as it did. Of course, being the daddy's girl that she is, Armando carried her about 90% of the time.