Family Time

This is the start of a new family tradition, spending the evening at Holiday in the Part at Fiesta Texas. We had lots of fun!!


Christmas time is the best time of the year! It is one of the few times that we see most of our family, as sad as that sounds. With everyone working, juggling their own family life, and surviving everyday events, it is hard to make more time to just relax and hang out with family. During this time of year, we make the time to focus on what is important, FAMILY! Every Christmas Eve, we head over to The Gonzales Family home. Michael's Aunt Mercy and Uncle Joe. Her home is the home where Michaels' mother, Rosa, grew up. Rosa lived there with her parents and 7 other siblings. The Gonzales home is the hub of the Chavez family. We gather there several times throughout the year to catch up, eat great food and watch all of the kids play. This Christmas Eve was no different. But my, how the kids have grown. And now, for the first year, we have our own family addition, Logan. Most of our family was meeting him for the first time. How exciting to see the joy on their faces, and ours. Our time there was fabulous. My parents joined us too, as Michael's family alwaya extends an invitation to them and has done so for many years now.

The biggest part of Christmas for us this year was celebrating with Logan. This was his first Christmas and by far the best for all of us. For being almost seven months old, he was full of excitement and really focused on opening his gifts and touching each one. I really thought that he would not pay much attention and would not have much interest, but as always, he amazed us all. My mom and I are avid resale shoppers when it comes to buying toys and clothes for Logan. I don't feel it is neccessary to pay full price for his clothing since he is out growing them after a month or two. And the same with his toys. We have found so many bargains, that he has more than we ever dreamed. Needless to say, he received some fantastic learning toys, books, trains, etc that will last him a long time. He has so much that I have put some away so I can bring them out in several months as if they are brand new.

I am so looking forward to many years of making family memories. What a blessed life I have.

Someone PLEASE don't answer the phone.....

"Hello"...(silence)......"Hello".....(continued silence)....."Hello, can I help you?"........"Yes mamm, can I speak to....(telemarketer). My response...click.

Is it rude of me to hang up? Should I warn them that I am about to hang up on them? How friendly do I need to be? With their scripted questions and answers, I have no time to discuss what they are selling or wanting me to sign up for. My evening time with my family is my time. I completely understand everyone needs a job, and when they have a job, they need to do what it takes to hold on to it. But who started the business of telemarketing? I find it intrusive and un-necessary. If you know this person, please have a chat with them. Explain that when people spend all day at work, talking on the phone, sitting in meetings and trying to make the world go round, they don't want to come home and continue to listen to the phone ring. It's time for peace and love.

I love the Seinfeld episode where he receives a call from a telemarketer. Seinfeld explains that he is busy. He then asked the telemarketer to give him his home number so he can call him back later when he is at home with his family. Do you think the caller really did it? NO!! But it proves a great point. Why would you do this to someone, when you wouldn't want them to do it to you.

I have found an IPhone app that allows you to set up various voicemail messages for different callers. For unknown numbers and 1-800 numbers, I have a message that states the number they are calling is no longer in service. This has helped reduce some of the calls. But where are they getting my number? Supposedly, you can call and sign your number up on a no call list. I have done this numerous times, but still get calls. We do not have a home phone, only cell phones. And my cell phone is also my work phone. So of course, my cell number has to be used for everything. I guess it's true that our numbers really are being sold for advertising purposes. Why am I not getting a cut of the money? Afterall, it is my phone number. Oh well, I guess it's the price we pay to keep businesses in business. And with today's economy, everyone is looking out for only themselves.

Suppose this is something I will have to deal with. As long as it's not a bill collector, then I will let the phone ring....but I still choose to not answer it.

Thankgiving down......Christmas still to go!

Well, we made it through Thanksgiving and Black Friday. First time cooking a holiday meal as a complete family. My parents were here to celebrate and give thanks as well as two of my favorite aunts. We enjoyed our time together and the memories of Logan's first Thanksgiving. Next year he will be able to sit at the big table and eat with the rest of us. This year his menu consisted of Gerber carrots and cereal with a splash of formula. Doesn't sound tasty, but the little guy enjoyed it.

After all the eating, talking, laughing and football, we planned our shopping out for Black Friday. Up at 5am, we left at 5:30 to hit the stores. About two years ago, we braved the cold and were at Best Buy at 4am. This time, we decided to take the more casual approach. If we find stuff, we buy it. If we don't, we don't. I think we did fairly well. Got Logan lots of toys......that he tested before we purchased........as well clothes, shoes and other small goodies. We finally made it home around 4pm. Had some leftovers and rested. Logan did extremely well. For being six months old, he shopped like a pro. He took his naps, ate when he was hungry and never complained about the atmosphere. He was great, which gets us prepared for next year. Didn't get all of our gift shopping done, but will finish soon. I don't plan on waiting till the last minute.......like I have in the past.

Thanksgiving this year was different as we are so thanksful for the new joy in our life, Logan. Every holiday now has a different meaning. More memories are being made and new traditions are created. We can only hope that each year brings new blessings and shows us what we are truly thankful for......our family and each other.

Hope you had a great Thanksgiving with your friends and family. Looking forward to Christmas and the beginning of a New Year.

What A Week This Was.....

You will never know just how much your baby can handle, or how much you can handle, until it hits you. This past week, the feeling of being overwhelmed doesn't describe it enough. Last weekend Logan, our 5 month old, continued to suffer with diarrhea. He had previously been to the doctor to make sure there was nothing serious that we needed to be concerned with. As always, she stated "no fever, no worries". Well, not for her anyway. As the week passed the diarrhea still continued. We then begin to notice a slight rash appearing during diaper changes. OH MY!! We were finally experiencing diaper rash. In the 5 months of Logan's life, we were blessed to not have to deal with it. We immediately began using Desitin with every diaper change. Oh, how that did not go over well. I have never heard my son cry and scream so much from the pain and irritation. To the point, that I wanted to cry myself. This lasted for the next two days. Finally, as the weekend rolled around, we decided to leave him out on his blankets, with only a t-shirt and socks on. Raw bottom completely exposed. Yes, we had to deal with the poops and pee, but we were willing to do whatever it took to make him comfortable and speed the process of healing the diaper rash. That Sunday, before heading off to HEB, I did some research online. I heard other parents say, "never change the brand of diapers you are using. Stick with one brand to prevent rashes". Well, did I follow their advice, NO. Two weeks prior to all of this, I changed from Pampers to Huggies. So, I decided I should switch back. The first isle I went to at HEB was the diaper isle. Back to Pampers we go. And, I also found that the Desitin was not as strong as other brands on the market for healing and preventing diaper rash. As odd as the name sounds, Boudreaux's Butt Paste, has the best products for babies ever!!! I had been using the Skin Moisturizer and the lip balm for myself for several years. I even had the Diaper Rash Ointment on my baby registry and received several tubes. But when I first tried to use it on Logan, it seemed to burn the irritated areas more so on his bottom. After further reading on their website, I immediately went, cleaned the Desitin off and applied the Boudreaux's Butt Paste. Within 24 hours, his rash was already healing and he was no longer bothered during diaper changes. The crying and screaming stopped. WOW, what a difference it made!

That Monday, when Logan went back to Day School, his teachers were so impressed with how quickly his diaper rash had started to clear up, especially compared to Friday. They are now requesting for the other parents to consider switching from other diaper rash ointments to Boudreaux's Butt Paste. Logan's little bottom has made them believers, just like me.

My husband and I have come to realize that we can handle alot of things when it comes to each other, but having to see our little guy deal with life's irritations is bothersome. But, we made it through our first ordeal with diaper rash. We conquered it and our little guy has a happy bottom again!

Trying to Figure It Out...

When people ask..."what do you want to be when you grow up?"...do you really know the true answer. For most of us, the answer is...."a doctor, a lawyer, a teacher", etc., etc.

For me, I had many answers and they changed from year to year. At the age of 33 (wow, doesn't seem old when you say it out loud, but on paper...oh my!) I am still trying to figure it all out. I am now a mother of a beautiful 4 month old baby boy, Logan Bost. He is the first love of my life. My husband, Michael, was always my first, until Logan arrived on June 2, 2009. They say you will never love someone as much as you do when you have a child. SO TRUE! I love Logan so much that it hurts at times.

I work for a non-profit agency, supporting Individuals with Developmental Disabilities. I started working with this population almost 13 years ago, and feel it is my true purpose in life. I have never considered any other type of career. I guess I could honestly say that I have figured out this part of my life.

Since our family expanded in June, we have both made many sacrifices. But all are worth it in the end.

Each day brings about new adventures, first times, lots of laughs and most importantly....precious memories.

There is still so much that as first time parents, we are still trying to figure it out. But with supportive parents and wonderful friends, I really don't think it will be that hard.