La Tia Jas

La Tia Jas llego a Omaha visitarnos para el fin de semana del cumpleanos de Mateo. La pasamos muy rico, pero el tiempo paso demasiado rapido. Te queremos MUCHO Tia!

Aunt Jasney came to Omaha over the weekend to celebrate Mateo's birthday. We had a great time, but it went by too quickly. We love you Tia!

Mateo's 2nd Birthday Party

On Saturday, March 28, we celebrated Mateo's 2nd birthday - a few days early. Here are some pictures from the party!

El sabado, 28 de marzo, celebramos el 2do cumpleanos de Mateo - unos dias temprano. Aqui hay algunas fotos de la fiesta.

Vamos Mama!

Many days, when I come home from work, Mateo is ready to go somewhere - anywhere! "Vamos Mama!" he says. And so most days, we go somewhere - to the grocery store, for a walk, to the mailbox, for a drive around the block, to drop off Dona Blanca, to the mall - wherever we can go for a quick escape to help alleviate Mateo's "cabin fever." If you've been following our blog(s) for a while, you might remember Mateo's reaction to the word, "Calle!" in Colombia, when he couldn't wait to leave the apartment and go outside somewhere - anywhere!

Some things never change.

Muchos dias, cuando llego a casa del trabajo, Mateo esta listo para que salgamos - a cualquier lado! "Vamos Mama!" me dice. Y muchos de esos dias, nosotros salimos a algun lugar - al supermercado, a caminar un rato, a revisar el correo, a dar una vuelta al barrio en el carro, a llevar a Dona Blanca a su casa, al centro comercial- a donde sea que podamos ir para escaparnos rapidito y poder solucionar el "encierro" de Mateo. Si ustedes han seguido nuestro blog (s) por algun tiempo podran recordar la reaccion de Mateo a la palabra "Calle!" en Colombia, cuando no podiamos esperar un minuto mas para poder salir del apartamento e ir a algun lugar - a cualquier lugar!... Bueno algunas cosas nunca cambian.

Thumb sucking

Today as I was burping Francesca, she found her thumb and began sucking! This was a very cute "first."

Francesca's Dedication

This Sunday, March 15, Francesca was dedicated at Christ Community Church. It was a sweet service and the acoustical music was perfect as we celebrated our love for and commitment to the Lord and promising to raise Francesca and Mateo with His guidance and for His glory. Our prayer is that both of our children will grow to love Jesus with all their hearts and live lives that bring glory to him.

Dusty White was the pastor who did the dedication. He also dedicated Mateo last year in March. It was a joy to be on the stage exactly a year later with our TWO babies knowing that God's timing and His plans are perfect.

After church, Grandpa and Grandma, Aunt Noody and Emma and Great Grandma Olsen came over for Jose Fernando's special grilled hamburgers. It was a relaxing afternoon with family

A Happy Family

Mateo and cousin Emma before the service began

Waiting for Francesca's turn on stage

Francesca on the big screen - "Francesca Sue - 12/07/08 - Parents Jose & Jaimie"

Mateo did a great job on the stage - he only stuck his finger in his nose once!

Pastor Dusty with Francesca

After the service with Pastor Dusty

Grandma and Grandpa

With Aunt Noody

Great Grandma Olsen

Francesca with flowers from Grandpa and Grandma

Francesca lounging around after everyone had gone home

Quote

A friend of my Mom's recently sent her a letter of encouragement that I wanted to share. She and her husband raised a special needs daughter years ago. Her letter expresses my heart's desire in how I hope to always see the special calling we have in raising Francesca. My mother's friend referenced a quote from the poem "Welcome to Holland" known well among those familiar with Down Syndrome. You can read the poem at: http://www.ndsccenter.org/resources/package1.php

In the poem the author, who has a child with Downs, states "The pain of that will never, ever, ever go away because the loss of that dream is a very significant loss." She is refering to the loss of the dream of having a "normal" baby. And to a certain extent, I can relate to her pain. However, the words from my mother's friend express the hope and peace that I (and Jose Fernando) hold closer.

"Yes, the loss of our dreams are significant to us, but as we gain a vision for the purpose of God through the loss of our own dreams that He may be glorified and we fulfill His purpose in our lives, we give thanks and rejoice! His ways are not our ways! His thoughts are higher than our thoughts! God is good in all things! Fulfilling God's plans for our lives is so much more fantastic than the fulfillment of any of our own dreams! ... The Lord has entrusted to your family the wonderful stewardship of raising a special child -- how wonderful to have a relationship with the God of Heaven wherein He trusts you with such a great responsibility for one of His own special creations!"

So hear our hearts, and love our babies along with us, rejoicing in the special gifts that they are!

3 months and 2 years

Francesca is three months old today! It's incredible to think about how quickly time has gone by, and yet December 7 seems like such a long time ago. She is growing so fast and continues to be a sweet, content baby. As of last Saturday, she weighed 11 lbs. 10 oz., which we can contribute to her healthy appetite.

Hoy Francesca cumple 3 meses! Es increible pensar tan rapido que ha pasado el tiempo y a la misma vez que el 7 de diciembre me parece que hace mucho tiempo nacio. Ella esta creciendo muy rapido y sigue seiendo una bebe muy dulce y contenta. El sabado pasado peso 11 libras, 10 onces, lo que contribuimos a su buen apetito.

Last night, Francesca slept in her room in her crib for the first time, making the big transition from her bassinet in Mom and Dad's room. She likes to turn around at night, and was getting caught sideways in the bassinet with her head smooshed up against the side. Last night, she had plenty of room to do her sleeping pirouettes. Let's just say we all slept more soundly.

La noche pasada, Francesca durmio en la cuna en el cuarto de ella por la primera vez, haciendo la transicion desde la cuna en el cuarto de los papas. A ella le gusta dar vueltas mientras que duerme, y en la cunita se quedaba atrapada con la cabeza contra el lado de la cunita. Anoche, tenia mucho espacio para dar las vueltas, digamos que todos dormimos mejor.

This morning, Mateo was showering Francesca with all the usual attention while he sang her "Happy Birthday," his favorite song. You can see the video of his serenade below. Mateo loves to sing happy birthday in English and Spanish and during these winter months he has plenty of opportunity to practice. Dad's birthday is the 20th and Mateo turns 2 on March 31st! We are currently practicing the questions, "How old are you?" and "Cuantos anos tienes?" Holding up two fingers is a bit of a challenge.

Esta manana, Mateo le daba mucha atencion a Francesca como siempre mientras le cantaba "Feliz cumpleanos," la cancion preferida de el. Abajo puedes ver el video de la serenata. A Mateo le encanta cantar feliz cumpleanos en ingles y en espanol y durante estes meses del invierno ha tenido varias oportunidades de practicar. El cumpleanos del Papa es el 20 y Mateo va a cumplir 2 anos el 31 de marzo! Al momento practicamos las preguntas "Cuantos anos tienes?" y "How old are you?" pero mostrar los dos dedos es un gran desafio.

It truly is amazing to have two beautiful children and to watch them grow. They are both so sweet and special in more ways than one. Enjoy these pictures of our blooming family.

Es maravilloso tener dos hijos tan preciosos y a mirar los creciendo. Ambos son tan dulces y especiales en mas que una manera. Que disfruten estas fotos de nuestra familia.

Sleeping with my first doll ~ Durmiendo con mi primera muneca

Working out on the bars ~ Jugando ejercicios

Talking with "Los Abupas" on Skype ~ Hablando con los abupas por Skype

Saturday morning kisses ~ Besos de sabado por la manana

Mateo loves Curious George - Don't look now, there's a monkey on your back!

A Mateo le fascina "Jorge el curioso" - No mires, pero hay un mico en tu espalda!

"Queen of Daddy's Heart" ~ La reina del corazon del Papa'

Blanca took this picture of our darling babies! Dona Blanca tomo esta foto de nuestros dos bebes

Sleeping Angel ~ Angel durmiendo

The Happy Birthday Serenade ~ La serenata de feliz cumpleanos

Aunt Noody puts me to sleep ~ L tia Noody me pone a dormir