Ok, so I'm talking about my independence and *GASP* Dante's! I'll start with mine.....

So, last week was the first time that I went out all alone(and by alone I mean, with both Dante and Adriana, no other adults). it sounds simple enough, but trust me, it's not! I get Dante and Adriana all bundled up and the diaper bag packed. Then I have to get the two carriage seats(they come off of the base of the carriage) and bring them downstairs and outside. Then I bring the base of the carriage down and out. I have to go really quick because while I'm doing this, Adriana's in the play pen and Dante's playing inside. Then, I bring Dante down the stairs and make sure the door is closed so he can't get out(he's still inside the house, I wouldn't leave him outside by himself!). I run back up get Adriana and go back down the stairs. With Adriana in one hand, Dante holding the other we very slowly go down the stairs. If Dante is in the mood, he can do it pretty good. If not, I'm pretty much dragging him down the steps(keep in mind, Dante- 27lbs, Adriana- about 16lbs, the carriage- 40lbs). Then I get them both in the carriage and we can finally start walking.

Ok, so now we get to Dante's independence......We were walking to the park. When we got to the park, I let Dante out. now, usually, I have someone else with me, so one person play with Dante and takes him on and off all the playground stuff while the other is with Adriana. By myself, I have to stay with Adriana and follow Dante, but he has to do all the climbing on his own. So, I let him go and he runs around looking at all the kids, then he gets up the stairs....ALL BY HIMSELF! He was running all over the play bridges and things and he didn't fall off! Then came down the steps completely by himself! I was in shock! My little baby, running around the park like a big boy! I know, it doesn't sound like much, but it's kind of a big deal! UGH, before you know it he'll be off to college

Also, Dante is saying 3 word "sentences." We were reading his zoo book and he was naming all the animals. I was pointing some out to Adriana, and Dante says, "seeseeyou, see micky." In case you're wondering, seeseeyou means sister(how he came up with that I have no idea) and micky is monkey. Then he said, "Danna, see jaff." (Adriana see giraffe). Today, he grabbed my glass off the table so I took it away and said no. He looks at me, so serious, sticks out his hand and says, "gimmie." Like he's ordering me what to do! I almost died!

Adriana's pretty cute herself! She thinks Dante's pretty funny, every time he comes near her she stares and when he laughs, so does she. She's totally a mama's girl. It's really bad, when I'm not there she cries, so you can imagine how it is when I go to school! She occasionally rolls over, but she's not that good at it and she hates being on her stomach, so as soon as she gets on her stomach she starts screaming.

Gotta go Adriana's waking up!

SO, as you can imagine, I've been really busy with school and the babies lately! I had 2 papers due last week(which I got 100 on) I have a test this week, an oral presentation next week and a test after that! And of course, on top of all that I have my 2 beautiful babies to take care of!

Dante is growing so fast I can't believe it! He can name all the major body parts(although he always gets confused between ear and eye!) he's eating with a fork and getting better with a spoon(he ate a thing of apple sauce all by himself!). He is such a good big brother!! He loves making Adriana smile and he loves to give her kisses!!! Adriana loves him right back! She stares at whatever he's doing and laughs at him when he's being silly. She is also doing great. She is HUGE! No one believes me when I tell them how old she is....she is a lot bigger than Dante was at this age.

Also, I've been driving! I drove to WIC 2 days this week with my sister. I'm still terrible at parking though. I haven't been practicing much because it's hard obviously with the babies, but I'm getting better. ok, I better post some pics before Dante and Adriana wake up!

School I'm talking about! I just started yesterday Boy am I going to be busy! Only 2 classes and there are so many tests, papers, group projects, UGH! I can't wait until I'm done with school forever! I'm going to try and stay on top of things, but I am a procrastinator and I do have 2 under 2, so I'm guessing I'm going to be doing a lot of things last minute!

ANYWAY, Adriana is doing really good BUT she has an eye infection, so that's been really annoying. If it doesn't go away by Friday we're going to have to take her to the eye doctor, I'm not looking forward to that. I really hope it goes away because I hate seeing her eyes all filled with crap, I feel so bad for her. Other than that she's doing really well. She's getting HUGE, she's sleeping almost 6 hours a night and she's a pretty happy baby.

Dante is also doing really well. I'm amazed at how quickly he just started saying so many words. He went from saying nothing to being ahead of the norm. It seems like everyday he says something new. It's sooooooo cute! I know maybe in a few months I'll be wanting him to be quiet, but for now I think it's adorable and I'm looking forward to him talking more!

Well, I'm off now, maybe I'll clean, maybe I won't, or maybe I'll take a nap!

So, as you can imagine, things have been pretty hectic around here! Adriana is growing like crazy and eating just about every 2 hours, so that's exhausting....especially having Dante running around and wanting to play while I'm breastfeeding. Aside from that, things are going really well. Adriana's finally getting the hang of latching on. On Thursday she was up to 9lbs 9oz and she is now 21.25in long! I think she'll be taller than Dante in no time!

Dante is doing really good also! He tries to be really gentle with her, he even tries to feed her(not such a good thing, but you have to admit it's pretty cute!) He also tries to pick her up when she's crying....again not so safe, but pretty cute!

I'm spending most of the day trying to get into some kind of routine(as much as you can with a newborn). I start school in less than 2 weeks and I'm not looking forward to it! I really thought that Adriana would be a lot earlier and I'd have at least 2 more weeks...but what can you do? Anyway, I'm lucky she's a pretty easy going baby so far....not as easy as Dante(he just slept all the time) but she doesn't cry all the time, so that's good!

Let me see if I can post some more pics(I'll add one of me 2 weeks before I had Adriana, just for fun!).......

Adriana was born on July 25th!! I have to make this quick, so here it goes!

I went into labor about 2pm on Friday. I was doing really well with the contractions. A week before at the doc I was 3cm dialated, so I was expecting that with the contractions I'd be pretty far along. Anyway, so the doc checked and I was only 4cm!!! I was thinking it was going to be a LOOONG labor. I was wrong! Soon after the contractions started getting pretty intense. I asked the doc for an epidural and he checked me first, I was already 8cm!! So, it was pretty pointless to get an epidural because by the time it would take effect, the baby would be falling out! So, as soon as he finished checking me I started feeling the urge to push! Not too long after, at 4:55pm, I pushed out Adriana.

Now for the crazy part, she was 9lbs and 20.25 in long! 9lbs and I'm 5'2" and normally weigh about 115lbs! I gotta go now, I'll post some pics later!

I tried to make an album but for some reason it's not letting me, so here are some pics!

Well, Adriana must really like it in there! I was hoping she's come a little early, but she is determined to stay put! I guess my uterus is just really nice and comfy!

I'm feeling ok, the heat isn't easy to deal with. It's so hot and humid here I try to not do much. I end up sitting around like a beached whale most of the day. I have such a hard time getting up from sitting on the floor, Dante started copying not only the way I get up, but all the noises I make when trying to get up! It's actually really cute. He started copying the way I call Mag......he SCREAMS, "MAAAAAAAG!!!!" at the top of his lungs. Poor Mag, has me nagging him and Dante screaming his name all the time!

Oh and I almost forgot, I passed my road test! It's about time, I'm only 25 years old! Well, I think I surprised everyone, most of the people taking the test were teenagers, then I come out, looking like I'm about to burst at the seems! But I passed and that's all that matters. At least it'll be easier driving to and from the doctors now....especially with 2 they have to go so often and it's not so close. It was hard enough taking just Dante on the train!

So, that's about all here. Please send me some labor vibes or something, it' supposed to be really hot and I don't think I can take much more!

Well, I'm getting closer. I'm 35 weeks today, that means in 2 more weeks I'll be considered full term! Honestly I can't picture being pregnant much longer! I feel so huge and I can barely move. I didn't feel like this when I was preg with Dante!

Anyway, so I've been busy preparing, trying to get stuff done. Would you believe I finally have a road test scheduled for July 8th?!?!?! I'm 25 years old, it's about time! Well, if I go into labor on that day I will take it as a sign that I am not meant to drive! So, I've been taking driving lessons and practicing with Magbert. It's kinda hard because of the size of my belly, it makes certain things uncomfortable, but what can I do? It would be  a whole lot easier if I can drive with 2 babies instead of waiting for Mag to be home from work. With just Dante I could manage, but with 2....well, that makes things a lot more difficult.

Poor Dante is sick of staying inside with me all the time. I can't really chase after him if we go outside! He's too fast and I'm scared he'll run into the street! Poor kid has cabin fever I think! If he wakes up early enough, Magbert takes him out and they run around and play. That's one thing I am definitely looking forward to doing after I have the baby, just running around with Dante. Well, it won't be much longer now!

SOOO, for the past few weeks we've been using cloth diapers on Dante. Honestly the reason we started was mostly for the money, you save a lot of money using cloth diapers!! The whole saving the environment is an added bonus. Anyway, so it takes a while to get used to, and it's not always easy(especially when it comes to poopy diapers! But it's not that bad at all. And, the cloth diapers they have now aren't like the "old school" ones. They're actually kinda cute. That's probably our biggest "green" thing we do. We do some other things, but again, it's stuff that we always do to save money that just also happens to be good for the environment.

In baby news, Dante started all of a sudden saying more words and doing more signs. It just kinda happened out of nowhere, but it's really cute! He says Daddy, sherooooo(cereal), bay-beee(baby) and train is na na na(he can only say the last part for some reason). ANd he is signing more, eat, bath and drink! Anyway, so I'm pretty excited about that!

Yesterday I went for a growth scan and Adriana is already 4lbs 15oz! She already looks like Dante too! We got some pretty good sonogram pics, I'll try to post them later.  ANyway, so that's about it....I better hurry now before Dante wakes up from his nap. He only takes one now so that's the only time I have to myself!

Some people just spew things out of their mouth, like they were never taught to think before they speak.

I was at the park the other day, sitting with Dante and Dante started "flirting" with this woman sitting next to me. So, she started asking how old he is and all the usual questions. Then she asked me what I'm having. I said a girl and she said the usual, "Oh that's perfect" (like if I were having another boy that would be terrible)....then she goes on to say, "oh, now when you have the girl you can tie your tubes." Ummmm, excuse me???? What kind of stupid comment is that??? Since when is it ok to tell a perfect stranger when they should tie their tubes??? I don't know, maybe my pregnancy is making me overly sensitive, but I just think that was totally inappropriate.

On the same day though at the park, this Russian old lady came up to me and could barely speak English. She starts talking and struggling the whole times she says, "Your baby is nice. You are nice. I like you. I would like to wish you good baby." It was the cutest thing in the whole world....I just wish you could've heard it because I can't make it sound like she said it. It was so sweet that she actually went out of her way to say something nice!!

Things have just been so crazy around here! I can't believe how long I've been gone! Let me give a quick update before Dante wakes up. Magbert's job situation in slowly improving. Not because they're giving him more money or anything, just because he's working extra hours and taking extra jobs and stuff like that. Hopefully he'll get enough experience here and then can find a better place. But at least now we can pay the rent!

Dante is doing really good. He says a few things, but still not much. We signed him up for Gymboree, in the hopes that being around more people would do him some good. I think it's adorable and he seems to like it....although he just kinda does whatever he wants. The younger half of the class just kinda does their own thing while the others actually listen. But, it doesn't matter, he's at least getting some kind of interaction with other kids and people than just me and family.

I am about 31 weeks pregnant now. All the fun pregnancy stuff is happening. The baby is up high and pressing on my heart causing tachycardia and irregular heart beat which is lots of fun *sigh* It make me nervous so I stopped my swimming class, I know it's nothing life-threatening but I'm scared something will happen while I'm in the water and I don't wanna take any chances. My back and hips are KILLING me! Despite that I'm trying to work-out very lightly. We'll see how that goes. When Dante is napping I'll try to do some weights, hopefully I can bend down to pick them up!

Tomorrow is my final. I'm not really prepared, but I've done well enough on my other tests that I'm not really worried. Honestly at this point I don't care. We'll just have to see what happens!

And it's only getting worse. Tomorrow I'm officially in my 3rd trimester and I've already started with all the fun stuff that comes in the 3rd trimester. My back is KILLING me, I toss and turn all night long and I'm exhausted!!! Other than that I feel good! Adriana kicks a whole lot more than Dante did, she wakes me up in the middle of the night(during the 5 minutes that I am actually sleeping). Last night she kicked me right in the diaphragm and I couldn't breathe! Another time she kicked me right in the bladder and I almost peed in my pants!

Dante is doing great. I know he's my son and I'm biased but he's just so damned cute! He just gets more and more handsome all the time! He has this great personality....he's a little joker already(even though he still doesn't wanna talk!)He gives me little kisses and hugs when he feels like it(not when I ask for it, just when he wants) He LOVES Mag! Since Mag is always working, whenever he's home he wants to be with him! He follows Magbert all over the place and copies everything he does. It's just adorable!

I have yet another test this week and then a final soon after...then I'll be done. But it might as well be a million more years of school because that's what it feels like! I just have to get past these last 2 tests!! I'm starting a swim class this week too! I'm not sure if that was such a good idea! I'm just so tired right now, I don't know how much I can swim. Hopefully though it'll make me feel better!

Yup, that's right! I am so lazy it's not even funny. I had a test yesterday and I didn't even study! You know what I did??? I took Dante to the park! It was such a beautiful day, I didn't wanna spend it inside!! We had a GREAT time at the park. Dante chased some birds, a dog and a squirrel. Then he kinda just walked around screaming like a maniac! Poor kid, he doesn't get out much and he's not around other kids so I guess he was just so excited he screamed! Anyway, we both had a wonderful time....too bad I wasn't graded on what a great day I had!

Today though is a different story. It's all gray and nasty out. It's supposed to thunder storm so we're stuck inside. I'm still feeling lazy though. I should be cleaning or cooking or something, but I just can't get my lazy butt up! Dante is sleeping now and I'm just wasting time on the comp! Well, I'm gonna go, maybe I'll put up a few new pics. I haven't done that in a while!

I just had to share. Dante, who's now a whole 14 months is REALLY protective over my belly!!

Yesterday, my sister was rubbing my belly, he stops playing with my mother, comes, sits next to me and puts his hand over my belly to cover it and was staring her down!!! This isn't the first time either, he did the same to my other sister and Magbert! Isn't that adorable??? My little man is protecting his mom and sister!

I took another test on Thursday, I'll get the results on Tuesday, but I have a feeling I didn't do so well. There's just so much going on, I can't get myself motivated. The next test will be better on sure, it's on 1 topic instead of 3, so it won't seem so impossible. Everyone keep your fingers crossed for me!!!

The whole job thing still really sucks. Apparently they didn't really tell Magbert the truth about how  he would get paid. It's  a  LOT less than we expected. It's still better than before, but still not really enough. I'm really pissed off about all of that, but at this point, there's not much we can do. It took long enough to get this job I can't imagine how long it would take to find another. Mag is looking into getting some more certifications so he can get paid more...but who knows if they were telling the truth about that???

ON a happier note, I got accepted into a Bachelor's nursing program(Ironic though...we have no money to pay for it...I'm gonna have to take out loans). Anyway, I'm starting this program the last week of August(and just to remind you Adriana is due on July 23, I'm going to be BUSY!) I will most likely only be taking 2 classes, but of course I'm a little worried about the financial situation. I'm going to start looking into some work from home jobs, but legitimate ones are hard to come by, and even though you're working from home, I'd still be working with 2 kids under 2 and going to school. Back to the happier note, I did get a scholarship...not a big one, but a scholarship nonetheless. It's for $1200/semester, so basically, that would save us a month's rent.

I better go now, Dante should be waking up from his nap any second now!

I got a 96 on my Anatomy and Physiology....I'm pretty sure I didn't mention that in my last blog, if I did, I'm sorry, it's the pregnancy brain. Anyway, I have another one coming up on blood vessels and the lymph system(doesn't that sound exciting?) Those things really suck and I don't particularly like them....of course, I shouldn't say that, they play a very important part in our bodies! It's just that other systems and things are just so much easier to picture!

So, I went for my sonogram and #2 was VERY cooperative SHE was moving all over the place! So far, everything is looking really good. I'm really excited. Mag is a little worried, he keeps on saying, what can I do with a girl??? LOL, like all she's gonna wanna do is sew dresses, play tea party and bake cakes all day long. Anyway, we had a girls name picked out from when I was pregnant with Dante and it's final, her name will be Adriana. I think it sounds nice with Dante. "Here are my kids Dante and Adriana." I think it's nice.

Anyway, so I'm getting bigger and bigger. I'm starting to have all the fun stuff like back pain, if I sit on the floor, I'm like a beached whale. I get stuck and have a hard time getting up. But, the cute thing is this morning Dante feel asleep on my belly! It was adorable! Too bad Mag wasn't there to take a pic!

EDIT: I did mention my grade on my last test...but I calculated wrong. I actually got 2 points higher...so I don't feel like such an idiot that I mentioned it again!

I don't know yet, so I'm not really trying to get my hopes up too much, but Magbert was talking to the manager who was on vacation for a million years and he said he heard that Mag's been doing a good job and that he will get the technician job(the one he wants). BUT we have to wait for the district manager to do the necessary paper work or whatever he has to do.....which may take a million years. IF he does get that job, and the salary that comes with it, we'd finally be able to pay rent and our bills again AND save money! So, I'm hoping that they are telling the truth this time.

In other happy news I took my anatomy and physiology test yesterday and I got a 94! Not bad for someone with major pregnancy brain!!! Hopefully I can keep it up, or at least get in the high 80's. We'll see what happens. I think the next test is gonna be a lot harder.

Me and Dante have been going to the park a lot this week. It's been really nice getting out of the house and Dante really enjoys it. Of course though, it is getting harder getting around by myself, my belly's getting pretty big and Dante isn't that big compared to other babies, but for me, he's pretty heavy. He's probably about 21lbs now. I've been trying to work out regularly. I know that it will help me later, I mean, it's hard now just with Dante, but in the summer I'll have Dante and #2 to carry around plus a double stroller. I've been researching double strollers and the lightest one is 30lbs!! Can you believe it?? 30lbs, plus Dante who will be at least maybe 22lbs and then figure maybe a 7lb baby, that's almost 60lbs I'll be pushing around!! I will definitely need the extra strength!

I'm going crazy with excitement, my next ultrasound is on Monday! It's the one where hopefully #2 will cooperate and we will be able to find out the sex and we'll get some cool 3D pics. I'm so excited you have no idea! Just thinking about it I can't help but smile! LOL, with my luck though #2 will have his/her legs firmly crossed and hide it's little face the whole time. If it does that I know for sure that #2 will be a trouble maker!

OMG I'm soooooo mad right now.

I was just talking to Mag on the phone. The whole time when Mag was working his "real" job that he lost, he was also working a part time job, at Strauss Auto. Anyway, so after lots and lots of BS, he got an interview at another store. He was applying for a technician position. They "hired" him, but said they'd have to "test" him for 3 months to see if he could do it.The service manager said, during that time, he'd be paid less, he'd be paid as an installer. OK, fine, whatever, that's still more than he was making. So, Mag got his first pay check today and it's the same pay he was getting at the other store!!!!

He spoke to the manager about it and he doesn't seem too worried about it. The service manager is on vacation until next week, so Mag can't ask him about it and just no one else seems to care. Magbert is being very calm about the whole thing because he doesn't want to get fired again for asking for more money, but damn it I'm pissed off! Why the hell do people do stuff like this???? It sounds like he's gonna lose all the extra money he was supposed to be making too. So, Mag has more responsibility, is traveling a long way to get there(the other store was really close) and he's making the same amount of money! If I wasn't pregnant I'd go over there and punch them in the face!

Anyway, so the plan is....the more rational plan I guess. Is Mag is gonna sit tight until the service manager gets back from vacation. Then we'll see what that jerk says about the whole thing. If they don't fix things then we're really screwed. maybe then we can move on to my plan of punching someone in the face.

I got my sonogram on Wednesday and Baby #2 was just sitting there, nice and comfy with it's legs crossed!! It would move for a second and go right back into it's sitting position. I guess Baby #2 wants to be mysterious! So, we didn't get to find out the sex, but, the baby is looking great. I have another sonogram on the 10th, so hopefully then we can take a peek and find out the sex.

I'm doing good, despite only gaining 3lbs, somehow my belly is pretty big, it's funny how it works. By the size of my belly, you'd think I gained a lot more than that! I'm already being ignored on the train. I was coming home from school and it was really hot, so I had my jacket open. AS soon as I got on the train, people started looking down and trying to avoid eye contact. And I know that now I look obviously pregnant, I'm not at the "Is she fat or is she pregnant?" stage anymore.

I had my first test yesterday and it did not go so well....or should I say I did not do so well. I missed a class and of course a lot of questions on the test were from that day, so I really don't think I did so well. Luckily, the lowest test grade gets dropped, so I'll just have to stay on top of everything from now on.

It's snowing like crazy this morning which sucks. That means I'm trapped inside! The stroller doesn't really do well on snow, and Dante's not that good at walking that I can take him out in the snow yet. PLUS, I'm sure if I took him out, he'd just be sitting in the snow the whole time, getting cold and wet. I really can't wait for some warmer weather so I can take him to the park!!

This morning, I open a cabinet and inside one of my pots was a soccer ball. Hmmmmm.....I wonder who put that there??

Aside from the usual money issues, things have been pretty good around here. Dante "kisses" me. Dante's version of a kiss is he bites my face without actually biting down. Then he looks up at me and smiles.  It's really cute actually, how he came up with that I have no idea! He still isn't really talking though, if he keeps it up, I know at the next doctor's visit they're gonna make a big deal about it, and that's kind of annoying. So, I'm hoping he'll start saying a few words before he's 15 months.

I started feeling Baby #2 last week. That's always nice. It's so reassuring to finally FEEL the baby, before that you just kinda assume it's there. Only a few more weeks until we find out if it's a boy or girl. I'm REALLY excited about that. Of course I want the baby to be healthy and that's the most important thing, but it would be nice if it was a girl. Just because Mag's family is all boys and I'm thinking I probably won't ever have a girl, so if this one is a girl, it'll be great because than any baby after that can be whatever and I won't care, at least I'd have one of each. But of course, HEALTHY is the most important thing.

My pregnancy brain is really not doing me any good when it comes to school. I'm forgetful and tired all the time. It's a good thing I only have one class. I have a test next week already and I'm really not ready for it. I'm gonna start really studying this weekend, so I just have to psych myself up before then!

It's a little too quiet in here, I'm off to check on Dante. Have a very happy Valentine's day!!!

Yesterday I was at my parents house and a window installer guy was saying how cute Dante was(asking my mother...I think he thought that Dante was hers) then looked at me and said, "well, and you look like you're ready to go any day now."

WHAT!!!! First of all, I will post some pics later, but let me assure you, I do not look 9 months pregnant! Most people can't even tell I'm pregnant! Second of all, when did it become ok to comment on people's size??? If I went up to an overweight person ans said, well, you have to be at least 300lbs! I think most people would agree that would be rude. But why is it ok to comment on the size of a pregnant women??? I actually don't mind if my friend or something says something, but a complete stranger??? What if I wasn't even pregnant?

ANYWAY! I started school and that's always fun! I can tell this is gonna be a hard semester. It's a good thing I only have one class.Oh, and speaking about my class, it's scheduled on Tuesday's and Thursday's, which I purposely did so I could see Heroes which is on Mondays and Lost usually on Wednesdays. So, why the hell is Lost now on Thursdays???? I'm so pissed off about that! I'm always going to miss the first few minutes of it because of school!

Mag had a job interview and they are waiting until his drug test results come back before they give him an answer. He's a little worried about that because the guys at his last job smoked a lot of pot and he's worried that his second hand pot smoking will effect drug test results. I doubt it, but then again, I don't know anything about stuff like that! Anyway, please pray, keep your fingers crossed or whatever that Magbert gets this job. We really need it.

Well, it's been a long time! I just have been so busy with everything! Dante just turned one year old! I am in shock, I can't believe a year has passed so quickly, it feels like yesterday that I was in the hospital. Anyway, so Dante is pretty much walking. He still prefers crawling, but he is able to walk...and even run sometimes.

ON the job front, things are still the same. Magbert had an interview on Tuesday, but we still haven't heard anything yet. We were really hoping he would get this one because it would be really good money and we would actually be able to save a lot(which we haven't done for a while).

And the big news is................................................



I'm pregnant! Yes, so that's why I've been kinda all over the place. I've been sick(not morning sickness, just regular sick) and between being sick, taking care of Dante, helping Mag look for jobs, things have been pretty crazy. And now next week I'm back to school, only 2 days a week, but it's still hard to leave Dante, and extra hard to concentrate when pregnant! Anyway, I'm 14 weeks now and I'm due in the end of July. I'm still going to go to school, part time of course.

So, that's my story! Please excuse me if I'm lazy with the blogs!