Father's Day Pictures: A Little Late

The idea of these pictures as one of Juan's Father's Day gifts was anything but last minute. I ordered Austin's shirt weeks in advance and the chalkboard has been good and ready, sitting in a corner for quite some time. I can't even tell you why we couldn't manage to get our my shit together and actually sit down and do the thing- it just never happened.  

So here we are, almost two weeks late, finally having our Father's Day photo shoot! I was only able to capture serious cheekies, that boy wouldn't crack a smile for anything!

Per the usual (and convenient), all pictures were snapped on my phone. The natural lighting wasn't great, and my attempt to blur out the folds of the sheet definitely shows. But nevertheless, I really think daddy is going to love these! 

16 & 17 Months

"He will be a year and a half next month." That's been my answer for the past few weeks when asked Austin's age. How is he already almost a year and a half? Just one more half and he will be two?! Sometimes I do forget that he's still such a babe- he could fool anyone into thinking that he's well on his way to preschool with his blatant attitude and urgency to brush his teeth twice three times a day. (Wonder how long that will last.) But then I remember that a few weeks ago he tried to down a bottle of bubbles, and just this morning he mistook his snot for lotion. Yep, he's definitely only one (and almost a half).

This past week was the first of Austin's month long "Summer Vacation." We're giving him a four week break from morning school to enjoy some extra time with his grandma who is home for the summer... I may also have secret hopes that he will decide to sleep in one of these days... Austin if you're reading this- hint, hint. Oh, and he's been sick every month since January. Soooo there's that. Pediatrician three times just this month. Yeah. So I hope this time off gives his immune system a break!

Sick or not, the kid can rock it.

Favorite Activities: Reading- mostly I Ruff You. I have it memorized. Swimming in the big pool, as well as sliding down his slide into his baby pool. Imitating everything I do. He is obsessed with headbands and carrying shopping bags around the house on his shoulder. Juan, you need to come home and take this boy fishing. ;)

Babe is an excellent shopper. Lately he's been going on his own little shopping trips around the house. What's a trip to "Target" without our Starbucks? And can we please talk about that "purse" he wrapped around himself? Thank goodness he couldn't actually find one and grabbed a lifeguard whistle instead. But really, Juan. Come. Home.

Austin is finally down for his morning nap, then we'll be on our way to the weekend Farmer's Market and later hit up a ginormous sale at the kid's consignment shop! #bargainhunters

Happy first day of Summer! Cheers!

Bedrooms and Nail Clippers

Over the past few weeks I've been feeling a bit creative. Nothing too crazy, just a moderate amount that I've recently noticed. Since leaving Jacksonville, I'd say my drive to craft and create has been, well, nonexistent. My thought process has been looking a bit like: Why am I even decorating this bedroom that isn't really mine? It would make things so much easier if I could use this giant ass (empty) gun cabinet taking up a fourth of my room as an extra closet- but it smells. Bad. And I should set up my scrapbooking station- but to do what? Document all of the pictures that I am not taking?

 I've slowly been crafting little projects for Austin's room, as well as adding piece by piece to the gallery wall in my own room. Basically the contents of Austin's entire bedroom are still in Jacksonville, so we are making do with what was already in the guest room. Luckily we had an extra crib already down here!

In addition to improving our bedrooms, I have also noticed this burst of innovation in my "gift giving." More specifically, in my "it's my husband's birthday- Father's Day is also coming up- and I'm not allowed to send our soldier diddly-squat- wait, you say nail clippers are allowed? Thank God. I'll send nail clippers" giving. You can bet Juan received some of the finest nail clippers for his 26th birthday. The man is for real about his nail clippers. We also sent some pens (per his request), cough drops, a few pictures, and a promise to celebrate soon. One of the pictures that I sent had our song typed on it- I was so proud that I then had it laminated and made an extra copy for myself! We first sang this song to Austin when he was in my belly. And one of my favorite memories is of Juan and I conga lining in and out of our kitchen, singing this song on repeat. Three month old Austin was in Juan's arms, soaking up every little bit of silly.

So it's now Father's Day and Juan's package has yet to be mailed. I was early with his birthday, so this was expected. I can't be on top of things on a regular basis, it's just not happening. No nail clippers this time, at least. Austin had a little Father's Day photoshoot at school, so we'll be including that in Juan's package, along with the sweetest painted baby feeties with the classic "Walk With Me, Daddy" poem, and a few pictures of Austin from our own photoshoot that also has yet to happen. Austin will be rocking this shirt. Perfect.

Happy Father's Day to all of the wonderful dads out there, including the two best grandpas that Austin could have asked for!!!

Feels Like Summer

Lately we've been getting little tastes of summertime- and I absolutely love it. I think this past three day weekend really got us into the groove. We had a pretty traditional Memorial Day: backyard, barbeque, beer. Okay, so no beer. In that case, can I even call it a traditional, American Memorial Day celebration? Nevertheless, it was pretty freaking awesome.

Our day was alive with the summer season. Big pool, baby pool, and Fourth of July Pandora on the cutest retro radio you ever did see. (Austin really knows how to pick his Mother's Day gifts. ;)) Did I mention chalk and bubbles? In the mouth. Both the chalk and bubbles. Just when you think your kid has turned into such a little adult, he takes a giant bite of the calcium sulfate.

And of course, we held in our hearts and minds some of America's truest heroes, our fallen soldiers. Something pretty neat that I learned the other day: Israel's Memorial Day includes a one minute siren that sounds throughout the entire country, signaling everyone to stop what they are doing in honor and remembrance of their fallen soldiers. Highways stop, people get out of their cars. Talk about an honorable tradition. A girlfriend of mine has spent the last several months exploring Israel, and I love the vicarious thrill that her blog gives us. Us, meaning we who sometimes consider handing the tot who insists on making dessert out of our limbs over to the neighbors and high tailing it for the nearest airport. I joke. We are, however, three days "bite free." #success

Though it'll be hard to top last weekend, we do have a bit to look forward to over the next couple of days. A wedding, decorating Austin's latest nursery big boy room, bathing suit shopping (wait, I hate that), and the HALF HOUR PHONE CALL WITH JUAN that I've been promised may just do the trick. I'm not quite sure what's going down on his base, but I am fairly certain that the highlight of my week was the surprise phone call that I received during my Wednesday night class from the little whispering Colombian hiding in the supply closet who  "pulled a few strings" to call and check in.

The Choice to Dwell

For every one in this small hometown of mine it has been no secret that I have been living in the same two pairs of shoes and monotonous nail polish colors for the past few months. I'm going to be a total hypocrite for a flash second and use the phrase that's at the top of my Blacklist... First World Problems. (You know, the list where you can also find "legit." Barf.) It has been killing me knowing that three hours away, my collection of nail polish, workout clothes, and shoes have been waiting for my return in my overpriced storage unit. Among other (I guess somewhat more important) items like dishes, furniture...

Juan's Army process began in December, so it was around that time our house slowly began losing its "homey feel." Four months of enjoying our new little space, that's all we had. The realization that I would have to temporarily move back to my hometown quickly became a reality. I love the extra help with Austin, I love his school, and of course, all of the attention he gets from his grandparents. But after living on my own for so long- having my own life and home- it's hard to come back to this.

I miss the responsibility of living on my own. I miss making decisions for myself and for my son- without twelve and a half different points of view distorting my judgment.
I miss stand alone Chick-fil-A's on every corner, dammit. 

This current chapter of the Martinez family life is what is best for each one of us, and that is what keeps me grounded. I could lie in bed each morning, dwelling on the fact that I have no one to share with the equal disappointment and hilarity that is our son biting his friends at school. Because the only person who can truly parallel my feelings for Austin is hundreds of miles away. I could dwell on the frustration that comes each time I sit down to write a letter, knowing that by the time any news reaches Juan, it will be old news.

 Or, I can keep reminding myself that this new part of Juan's life is so important, and will pave the way for so many new opportunities. I can hug our baby a little tighter- thanking God for his life, and for always having a part of Juan with me. And that's what I try to do.

I could dwell on the absence of that giant, wet nose that once reminded me that I was on mom duty at the crack of dawn. I do dwell on the thought of Duke, without his daddy and unable to understand why he is living in a new home or when daddy is coming back for him.

Again, I have to constantly remind myself that not only does Duke now have a house versus a condo, but that he is also living with one of Juan's closest friends, and another dog! This arrangement is the best one for him, and I'm sure that when Juan returns at the end of the year, Dukie won't be quite ready to leave ;)

It's all a choice. Every day, I try to make the choice to stay positive. Some days are better than others. (I can't blame it all on the fever when I broke down on Mother's Day.) But today, I'm choosing to share this with you, and I'm choosing to keep in mind the big picture. This new chapter in our lives is definitely testing us, but I know that it will prove to be worth it.

Mother's Day

Our original Mother's Day plans were turned upside down when Austin and I woke up sick. (Typical, right? We all remember what happened the morning of his first birthday party...) A lunch date with my mom and grandma Peach, matching pink and green outfits for the babe and myself. Such a shame. I couldn't even manage to get out of my jams on Sunday.

Despite his cold, Austin really pulled it together- it's amazing how children can be coughing up a lung one minute, and running around in circles the next. I've got to hand it to the kid, he made sick look good.  Meanwhile, I observed from the couch, under two blankets and a heating pad. Although we weren't able to get dressed up and document our day with pictures and a fun write up, my second Mother's Day turned out to be completely rewarding and blessed, in every way possible. Despite the fever and runny noses. When I broke down in tears, Austin crawled up onto the couch with me and buried his little body into mine until I calmed down. He didn't leave my side. And my own mom spent her day taking care of the both of us, without a second thought or complaints. I truly have the most wonderful mom, and Austin made me feel (almost) as wonderful through his sweet concern and complete disregard for his own sickness. It's the little things, it truly is.

Today, I finally feel like a normal person again. I'm out of my jammies, brushed my hair, and even had enough energy to press a little harder on the gas pedal to go the actual speed limit. Yeah, I know, weird. I've been in super slow motion, it's like the energy was completely sucked out of me these last few days.

We're looking forward to celebrating a bit more this Sunday- without the tears and tissues! Happy (almost) Weekend!

Siete de Mayo

So like I so excitedly mentioned the other day, Mexican for dinner and the obligatory mustache just about sums up this year's Cinco celebration for us... 

Olé.

On that mustache talk- (the real topic of this post >>) if you follow me on Instagram, you're probably wondering why I haven't mentioned Juan's latest news on the blog. Not sure. I mustache you the same question? Ok, I'm done. You liked that transition though.

Over the past several months, my dream chasing husband has been hard at work getting himself involved in one of his many life long dreams. Juan is now in the United States Army and he left last week to begin his training. On Monday his phone was taken away. (We get three, one minute calls over the next few months. Thanks Army, really doing me a favor.) I'm not going to elaborate- but I can tell you that I am so proud of this determined man and soldier. Austin and I have been on top of our snail mail game, writing silly letters to remind daddy that there is an outside world waiting for him when he is done. 

His whole world is here waiting for him.

And for the record, Austin was the only Martinez man sporting a stach this week. Praise Jesus the army took that awful thing from Juan almost immediately. I guess I owe them one, after all.