I woke up this morning and couldn't find Joli. When I called for her, she said she was in the bathroom. I figured she was actually going to the bathroom.... alas. No. Rather, Joli was hiding in there -- CUTTING HER HAIR. OH great.
The adventures of three kids, a dog, two nutty parents, and the memory of a 140 pound Presa.
Sunday, April 13, 2008
We had a great time at Leo and Lucky's birthday party! Check out the beautiful Mermaid Fairy and little Kitty!


I woke up this morning and couldn't find Joli. When I called for her, she said she was in the bathroom. I figured she was actually going to the bathroom.... alas. No. Rather, Joli was hiding in there -- CUTTING HER HAIR. OH great.
I woke up this morning and couldn't find Joli. When I called for her, she said she was in the bathroom. I figured she was actually going to the bathroom.... alas. No. Rather, Joli was hiding in there -- CUTTING HER HAIR. OH great.
Friday, April 11, 2008
Thursday, April 10, 2008
Welcome to the family, Nina Vega!
Nina was born on Monday, April 7th. I'm happy to say that I was the only family member there when Marie and Andy went to the hospital.... :) Yes, I will steal that thunder and remind that baby of it every single time. I WILL be the favorite Aunt....!!
Hurray! Another Vega girl!!
Me, Grammy and baby Nina just 1 day old!
Nina was born on Monday, April 7th. I'm happy to say that I was the only family member there when Marie and Andy went to the hospital.... :) Yes, I will steal that thunder and remind that baby of it every single time. I WILL be the favorite Aunt....!!
Hurray! Another Vega girl!!
Me, Grammy and baby Nina just 1 day old!
Saturday, April 05, 2008
Relay For Life
We had a great time at Relay for Life! The girls invited their friend, Julia, also an Rb survivor and camp friend, to the event. It's a bit jarring to see your little child in a sea of older women (and a 21 year old survivor). I actually think that when we got there, people thought that I was the one with cancer, and that I couldn't get a babysitter or something. I overheard a woman - when Joli and Julia got in line to do the survivor lap - say, "Oh my god. It's the kids who had cancer...."
Joli and Julia doing the Survivor Lap. Blurry on purpose because I'm not sure who wants to be identified in this group.
Our family, Julia and her mom Donna
We had a great time at Relay for Life! The girls invited their friend, Julia, also an Rb survivor and camp friend, to the event. It's a bit jarring to see your little child in a sea of older women (and a 21 year old survivor). I actually think that when we got there, people thought that I was the one with cancer, and that I couldn't get a babysitter or something. I overheard a woman - when Joli and Julia got in line to do the survivor lap - say, "Oh my god. It's the kids who had cancer...."
Joli and Julia doing the Survivor Lap. Blurry on purpose because I'm not sure who wants to be identified in this group.
Our family, Julia and her mom Donna
Friday, March 28, 2008
amazing....
I don't often mix business with family, but I wanted to give information out to people about a great group I am involved with about race and conversations. Check out Anti-Racist Parent at www.antiracistparent.com which is a fabulous blog with a number of great contributors (myself included!). The most recent one by Paula is just absolutely on the money.
Also, Joli taught a class at the college I work at the other day. she was a big hit! Together, we did a presentation on Rb, and the college kids asked her great questions. She was a bit shy but they loved her just the same and were really supportive. I then was asked to teach another class on it for a different section. Hurray for raising Rb awareness!!
Monday, March 24, 2008
Happy Easter!
Oodles and oodles of kid cuteness here, people! We had a great Easter weekend in NY with Grammy, Pops and Uncle Pedro. The girls wore matching (of course, c'mon) Easter dresses, had their hair done by Grammy, and got the rare chance to go up to the alter with Pops.
Rare Family Photo: Easter 2008
Jada gettin' her hair done by Grammy
Chillin' with the favorite Uncle living in New York

Hee hee.... Jada scared at a point in the movie. Too precious!
Oodles and oodles of kid cuteness here, people! We had a great Easter weekend in NY with Grammy, Pops and Uncle Pedro. The girls wore matching (of course, c'mon) Easter dresses, had their hair done by Grammy, and got the rare chance to go up to the alter with Pops.
Rare Family Photo: Easter 2008
Hee hee.... Jada scared at a point in the movie. Too precious!
Saturday, March 15, 2008
GUNPLAY PREMIERE IN LA!

Okay, this was super amazing. Jorge's book "Gunplay" launched in Los Angeles today and it was such an incredible event! The pictures pretty much sum it up, but the highlights include:
Jorge getting interviewed
Group shot in the press room just before the CBC Ceremony
Jorge and Donald signing books. Here's how cool Jorge (and the rest) is: "Gunplay" normally sells for $1. But, to get a copy signed by Donald, Jorge, Nei and Dominic, they cost $5 and the $4 would benefit Camp Sunshine. How cool are they?
Liza and Jorge in the press room for Wizard's World.

Signing autographs ... the line for these guys snaked 1/2 way across the convention room floor! It was huge! And, I hear someone say, "WOW! This line is longer than the one for The Hulk (Lou Ferrigno!)"
Next stop: NY Comic Con!
Okay, this was super amazing. Jorge's book "Gunplay" launched in Los Angeles today and it was such an incredible event! The pictures pretty much sum it up, but the highlights include:
- Jorge being mistaken by an Australian guy who said, "I came all the way from Australia and may never get the chance to meet you again.... I love your show." (Jorge getting mistaken for Donald Faison... poor dude).
- A woman coming up to Donald Faison and saying, "No offense, but I really only want Jorge to sign my book."
- Getting to be an a press room (of only about a dozen people) with Alyssa Milano, Milo Ventigmelia, Donald Faison.. and of course, Jorge and the crew
- Seeing a line for Jorge's booth snake nearly 1/2 way down the convention room floor (and having someone say, "Daaaammm, this line is longer than The HULK's LINE!")
- Hearing a 20-something year old guy walk away from the Gunplay table and say to his friend, "This is the BEST day of my life!"
- Walking around the Con and seeing total strangers wearing Buffalo Soldier shirts
- Walking into the Con and having someone at the door hand me a "Gunplay" postcard and say, "Jorge Vega will be signing autographs later if you want to meet him!" (hee hee hee!)
- Hearing Donald Faison get interviewed and saying to the reporter, "Nah, man, the REAL news isn't me... it's this guy, Jorge Vega -- go interview HIM!"
Jorge getting interviewed
Signing autographs ... the line for these guys snaked 1/2 way across the convention room floor! It was huge! And, I hear someone say, "WOW! This line is longer than the one for The Hulk (Lou Ferrigno!)"
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
Geesh.. it's been a busy week!
Lots of things going on this week. Jorge is getting ready for his big debut this weekend, I've been at a conference all week, and the girls have been extra busy .. well, being girls!
This is Mary - working on the midterm that she should have written weeks ago...
Jada and Lolo -- some moments she loves him, some moments she's screaming at him. This picture looks like she's not sure...!

This is a result of Mary having done so much extensive research on the Muslim communities in the Philippines and making us watch hours and hours of video footage of her research. I guess the kids learned more than we thought...!
Jada refused to remove her scarf and insisted it be wrapped this way.

We brought the kids to Filipino school where Mary was teaching kulingtan.
Lots of things going on this week. Jorge is getting ready for his big debut this weekend, I've been at a conference all week, and the girls have been extra busy .. well, being girls!
This is Mary - working on the midterm that she should have written weeks ago...
This is a result of Mary having done so much extensive research on the Muslim communities in the Philippines and making us watch hours and hours of video footage of her research. I guess the kids learned more than we thought...!
We brought the kids to Filipino school where Mary was teaching kulingtan.
Wednesday, March 05, 2008
Sunday, March 02, 2008
We've been so busy!
Whew! March has certainly come in like a lion for us! Jorge has been gearing up for the comic convention circuit which truly goes into full force! Feel free to purchase a Buffalo Soldier shirt -- they are now on sale!!
Jada and Joli went to the movies today with their friend Melina! It was so great! This was Jada's first movie theater event, and she completely enjoyed her own popcorn and drink at the theater!
Getting ready for the movie... Jada refused to remove her sunglasses - like a true rock star!
My first theater movie!
Oh, yeah. I'm going to the movies!!
Our buddy Melina!
Whew! March has certainly come in like a lion for us! Jorge has been gearing up for the comic convention circuit which truly goes into full force! Feel free to purchase a Buffalo Soldier shirt -- they are now on sale!!
Jada and Joli went to the movies today with their friend Melina! It was so great! This was Jada's first movie theater event, and she completely enjoyed her own popcorn and drink at the theater!
Getting ready for the movie... Jada refused to remove her sunglasses - like a true rock star!
Friday, February 15, 2008
Thursday, February 14, 2008
Sunday, February 10, 2008
Joli is allergic to can fruit/fruit cups
We just sent an email out to family, but we're also posting on the blog for family/friends who check this. We think Joli is allergic to fruit cups - you know, the Dole kinds in the plastic little tubs? In December she had some and broke out in hives. It wasn't bad at all, but we took her to the doctor (who also said it wasn't too bad). She had some Benedryl and it was fine.
Well, 2 months later, we decide to try the fruit cup theory again. Joli had one of those little cups and this time, she spent the entire night (and half of today) throwing up. She didn't break out in hives, no fever, etc. But, she did spend most of the evening hovering over the toilet. There was nothing else new that she ate, so we are assuming that it's the fruit cups.
So, while her school certainly hasn't given her any for the past 2 months (they have a huge sign on their refrigerator not to give her any), please do not allow Joli to have any. We've been teaching her to say, "I do not want that fruit cup, thank you. It will make me sick." But, in case she didn't, please know not to give her any.
Thanks!
We just sent an email out to family, but we're also posting on the blog for family/friends who check this. We think Joli is allergic to fruit cups - you know, the Dole kinds in the plastic little tubs? In December she had some and broke out in hives. It wasn't bad at all, but we took her to the doctor (who also said it wasn't too bad). She had some Benedryl and it was fine.
Well, 2 months later, we decide to try the fruit cup theory again. Joli had one of those little cups and this time, she spent the entire night (and half of today) throwing up. She didn't break out in hives, no fever, etc. But, she did spend most of the evening hovering over the toilet. There was nothing else new that she ate, so we are assuming that it's the fruit cups.
So, while her school certainly hasn't given her any for the past 2 months (they have a huge sign on their refrigerator not to give her any), please do not allow Joli to have any. We've been teaching her to say, "I do not want that fruit cup, thank you. It will make me sick." But, in case she didn't, please know not to give her any.
Thanks!
Tuesday, February 05, 2008
We love having our family around us again!
The girls with their favorite Teetah!
Jada and Ninang Mari have a special relationship.... basically, Jada freaks her out and Mari likes to make fun of her... oh great.
Okay, I've been horrible about the whole "taking the 1x a month picture" with Tigger and Grover. Technically, Jada is 21 months old.
Joli is 45 months old!

The girls with their favorite Teetah!
Friday, February 01, 2008
Joli's Week
This past week was pretty crazy! On Monday, Joli went to the ocularist to have her yearly prosthesis fitting. When she went, he noticed a "bump" on the tissue. So, I said, "Is that something to worry about?" and he replied, "Well... no... sometimes it's normal.....". That wasn't a confident enough answer for me, so I booked an appointment to see Dr. Mukai. The ocularist thought it might just be the back of her prosthesis rubbing up against her tissue. So, he shaved some of the back off the prosthesis.
When Dr. Mukai examined her (5 days later) he said the bump wasn't there anymore - which leads us to believe it was, in fact, just friction from her prosthesis. Emotional week, of course...
Joli did AWESOME at Dr. Mukai's. The visits are getting easier and easier, and they were very impressed by how quickly Joli got her eye in and out. She's officially 46 pounds and 48 inches tall. Dr. Mukai cleared her for another year!
Now, Jada's appointment next month!
* This is from Joli, March 2007 -- last year was her first exam without anesthesia!
LOOK HOW MUCH SHE'S GROWN!
My beeeaaauuutifulll Joli!!

This past week was pretty crazy! On Monday, Joli went to the ocularist to have her yearly prosthesis fitting. When she went, he noticed a "bump" on the tissue. So, I said, "Is that something to worry about?" and he replied, "Well... no... sometimes it's normal.....". That wasn't a confident enough answer for me, so I booked an appointment to see Dr. Mukai. The ocularist thought it might just be the back of her prosthesis rubbing up against her tissue. So, he shaved some of the back off the prosthesis.
When Dr. Mukai examined her (5 days later) he said the bump wasn't there anymore - which leads us to believe it was, in fact, just friction from her prosthesis. Emotional week, of course...
Joli did AWESOME at Dr. Mukai's. The visits are getting easier and easier, and they were very impressed by how quickly Joli got her eye in and out. She's officially 46 pounds and 48 inches tall. Dr. Mukai cleared her for another year!
Now, Jada's appointment next month!
* This is from Joli, March 2007 -- last year was her first exam without anesthesia!
Tuesday, January 29, 2008
Just having some cousin fun!
These girls are best friends! We even found out today that they like to compare underwear types - as in "Mia! I love the picture on your underwear today! It's so pretty!"
Jada is oddly obsessed with being a princess. She LOVES dressing up and wearing princess clothing- especially ones that are way too big for her! Every morning, even if she's already dressed in a shirt and pants, she says, "Mommy, I want a princess.. I want to be Princess Mia" (because Mia is notoriously known for dressing like a princess, too!)
Jada is definitely a talker! For a while there, (around when she turned 1) she wasn't speaking much at all. Then, out of nowhere, she could form sentences and identify numbers and letters. She can sing the whole ABC and count to 20 (skipping 15-19)! Woah... all this at 20 months.
Joli, on the other hand, will ONLY wear "soft pants" (aka sweat pants). And, she is completely in love with High School Musical. She can sing almost all the words - and by default, so can Jada! Jada can also sing Celine Dion's "My Heart Will Go On" and yes, she forces us to listen to it in the car about a dozen times a day!
We're so glad that Gavie has joined the Cousin Brigade! I think he's adjusting to not only being surrounded by kids but also being surrounded by girls! Tita Grace takes Gavie and Jada to music class on Wednesdays, and they are loving it! Hopefully we can get some pictures of that soon!

Let's see.... it's been a while since I really wrote down the girl-happenings!
Joli: goes to school 2x a week and she'll start 3x a week soon. She LOVES her pre-school (and so do we!). I can't believe how tall she is and how much of a little person she is! We went to the ocularist recently and all seems well - except he said that her eye socket looks like it's getting "sunken". This is pretty normal because there is no real pressure forcing the bones to grow. I have to admit I wasn't paying as much attention as I should have, but all I remember hearing were the words "little plastic surgery."
Jada: Oh, Jada. She is convinced her name is "Jada Louie". She is completely attached to me (Mama). She's FINALLY weaned (yes, much info there) completely, though. Jada works really well with Jorge - she does anything he tells her to do. Every morning, Jada says, "Mama, I want Lily." Those two are peas-in-a-pod! They love each other completely and get along so well!
Hopefully pictures from Music class soon!
These girls are best friends! We even found out today that they like to compare underwear types - as in "Mia! I love the picture on your underwear today! It's so pretty!"
Jada is definitely a talker! For a while there, (around when she turned 1) she wasn't speaking much at all. Then, out of nowhere, she could form sentences and identify numbers and letters. She can sing the whole ABC and count to 20 (skipping 15-19)! Woah... all this at 20 months.
Let's see.... it's been a while since I really wrote down the girl-happenings!
Joli: goes to school 2x a week and she'll start 3x a week soon. She LOVES her pre-school (and so do we!). I can't believe how tall she is and how much of a little person she is! We went to the ocularist recently and all seems well - except he said that her eye socket looks like it's getting "sunken". This is pretty normal because there is no real pressure forcing the bones to grow. I have to admit I wasn't paying as much attention as I should have, but all I remember hearing were the words "little plastic surgery."
Jada: Oh, Jada. She is convinced her name is "Jada Louie". She is completely attached to me (Mama). She's FINALLY weaned (yes, much info there) completely, though. Jada works really well with Jorge - she does anything he tells her to do. Every morning, Jada says, "Mama, I want Lily." Those two are peas-in-a-pod! They love each other completely and get along so well!
Hopefully pictures from Music class soon!
Friday, January 18, 2008
We've been busy!
It's been a really busy few weeks (hence the lack of posting!). Work has picked up at a fast pace for me and Jorge has been busy with Gunplay related work!
Mari, JP and Gavie have finally joined us on the East Coast, and now all the cousins are here!

Now that all the siblings are around, it's always party time!
It's been a really busy few weeks (hence the lack of posting!). Work has picked up at a fast pace for me and Jorge has been busy with Gunplay related work!
Mari, JP and Gavie have finally joined us on the East Coast, and now all the cousins are here!
Now that all the siblings are around, it's always party time!
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