I've been terrible about keeping up over here, but I realize how important it is to keep this all updated! We went back, just before Evan's birthday, to read all the great posts from when he was born, and even at his 1st birthday, that I realized we haven't been telling the stories of our family in so long.
Mastectomy recovery has been just fine. I finally feel 80%, which, I hear, is about right. Not sure how much better it gets from here, but I do feel functional and starting to feel stronger each day. I've been working out a lot, and that's helped with my strength and range of motion.
Jorge has been working on a new project called "Bottled" which he has launched as a M-W-F web story, and people have been loving it! "Bottled" is the story of Olivia Chance (named after one of our favorite students, Olivia, and who has the personality of Joli, too).
Joli, as you can read below, has been liking her school more and more. Seems after the winter break, she felt much more comfortable being at school. It was definitely an adjustment going from small class sizes, knowing everyone, being a leader, etc., to a much larger school, not knowing many kids. But, I happened to arrive a few minutes early to the dance and watched her interacting with her friends. She was in heaven! She was so happy, dancing on stage with her buddies, and introducing me to lots of her friends. I couldn't stop smiling! Joli is an orange belt in karate and has a tournament coming up in a few weeks! She has been taking CCD school on Saturdays and will receive her first communion in May. Joli has been doing great in her gymnastics classes, which have helped her to gain physical confidence, particularly around balance. We were practicing headstands this weekend at home, and at first, she couldn't even balance. Now, she's doing it free style in the middle of the living room after only 24 hours! Yay, Jo!!
Jada continues to amaze us with her reading and writing ability. She has been reading independently since she was 3 1/2 years old, and now she just picks up every book and can read it. She usually chooses to sit on a chair and read, even when her cousins or friends are playing. Jada is so inquisitive and always wants to know what and why. Jada LOVES karate and gymnastics, and we can even see her strength when she dances around the living room, bounces into a handstand or cartwheel, or does push ups during commercial breaks. She also is wildly in love with her brother and sister. It hurts her feels so bad when Joli says something like, "I dont care about you." Jada just crumbles. (and, she just got out of bed and came into the living room crying about it... and is reading what I'm typing....)
Evan just turned 2 years old! He loves Thomas the Train (like obsessively). Can count to 10. Sings the entire Thomas the Train song (did I mention he loves it obsessively). Carry on a conversation. He has very quick temper, though, and will most certainly yell at you if he's upset. Evan is also keen on rolling his eyes at you if he's unhappy!
It's hard to believe how fast time is flying by. I feel like it was just yesterday that Evan was in his bassinette sleeping soundly in the bedroom!
Evan with Pops (February 2011)
Grammy and the kids (look at Evan's face! He's cheesin' pretty hard!)
Miss Jo Jo
Oh, how could we forget about ANNABELLE? See, Annabelle is, well, Jada's ringworm. Yes, her ringworm. Annabelle has been with us since the beginning of Feburary (note: it is now March 25th). My sister Grace even wrote a story about Annabelle. She seems to have become one of the family.....
The party hats for Evan's birthday. Yes, they are Thomas the Tank.
This balloon was so awesome -- the first few times. When you hit it, it sings "Happy Birthday". But, for a balloon, I swear this thing has subwoofers. You can hear it from all the way in the other room!
Golden Gate Bridge -- check!
