Stories

Elena (telling story) - One time, when I was a big girl, they wouldn't let me on the bus. 

Mark - Oh, because you were black?

Elena - Oh, no. I was white. 

Elena (waking up and not wanting to go to school) - Today is not today. I'll go to school tomorrow. 

Alvaro's Stats

Length - 25.5 inches - 75th percentile

Head - 43 cm - 75th percentile

Weight - 17 lbs. 11 oz. - 93rd percentile

The end of an era

It took school precisely 4 days to cut "ka-buzz" from Elena's vocabulary. She now says "bee-cuzzz" and sighed heavily at me when I said "Not, ka-buzz?"...(exasperated expression) "no Mama, it's not".

I'm awake, OK??

I picked up the ever-smiley Alvaro, tossing him into the air to make him giggle. And he vomited...on my face. at least i had my glasses on.  

the TRUST ME day...

well today started out with me climbing a 125 foot antenna tower with no harness and everyone saying.. TRUST ME you'll be alright.. well of course i know how to climb.. but at 125 feet trust goes out the window and the oh shit im about to die mentality kicks in.. this is about when the antenna begins to collaps on its self.. i scream like a 5 yo girl and jump for the roof that was thankfully covered with folded up camo nets.. broke my fall.. only about 25 feet or so..

about 2 hours later... were breaking a wall down when a wire falls down in the wall.. i said uhh im not getting that.. sgt osorio says come on man grab it.. i say no...... im not putting my hand in there.. (here it comes) oh come on guti.. TRUST ME you'll be alright.. so i did.. and im reaching... and streaching.. and black out.. apparently we cut a 220 wire and i grabbed the ends.. woke up about a min later and didnt know where i was at.

4 hours after this.. im carrying a desk across a bridge.. the railing doesnt start till about 4 feet over the water.. im carrying the ass end.. with one of my soldiers on the front. i cant see anything.. desk in my face i ask hey am i walking straight onto the bridge.. yeaaaah he said TRUST ME .... 2 seconds later im completely engulfed in what we call the AIDS water.. i hop out and run to the showers with my eyes mouth and any other orfice on my body closed as best as it could be.. keep in mind im squeezing my booty cheeks closed as well while running.. very difficult if i do say so myself.. and yeah

This is the TRUST ME day

thought you guys might get a kick outa this one

First

Elena's drop-off for her first day of school was entirely uneventful. She got up this morning without a problem and the first words out of her mouth were "Mama, I need you (big hug). I GET TO GO TO SCHOOL RIGHT NOW!!!". We got there a bit early and thought we'd wait in the car, but she insisted she was ready to get down. Once inside, she showed her lunch box to the school director, hung up her coat, and ran off to go play. We didn't even get to say goodbye to her, but the director said it's best to go when they are distracted. So, we left and had breakfast. Very proud of the kiddo. Of course, there is still tomorrow...

Since Elena's request for a dress,sweater and knee high socks is the only way for a lady dress, she looked at me strangely when she saw me wearing jeans, a sweatshirt and tennis shoes. She n
then asked me "Nonna, why are you dressed like a man?"

Some random musings...

On the occasion of Elena's first day of school tomorrow, I've been thinking over her 3 years and thought I'd write down some of my favorite stories. 

In no particular order: 

1. but i've GOT to give him ninny

While driving in the car, Alvaro starts to cry fairly hysterically from hunger. Before Mom and I know it, Elena has wriggled herself out of the car seat straps,  pulled an arm out of her top, and was leaning over his carrier in an attempt to nurse Alvaro. No matter how much we protested (in hysterical laughter), she insisted she had some ninny 'riiiiight here'

2. can't buy me snow. or can you?

Elena got to witness some snow flurries at Mark's house. This fun and unusual event only irritated her later, when she realized there was no snow on her grass at home. I explained that Texas doesn't usually get snow, so there wouldn't be any this year. Two responses: 1. Tell Nonno, he'll buy some snow. (I'm sure he would have). 2. Markipoo's house isn't in Texas then, because it snowed there. 

3. Not the kind of kick I was talking about.

While pregnant, we were laying on the bed when Alvaro started to kick. I quickly grabbed Elena's hand to have her feel his movements and Paco and I explained to her that when she was in utero, she kicked the same way. Elena jumps to her feet and said "I can kick you right now?", with her foot cocked back ready to fire. 

4. Food, always on her mind. 

Paco taught Elena the "now I lay  me..." prayer and she mastered it fairly quickly. One night, while Paco was out of town, Elena had really been irritating me and Mom and refused to go to sleep. While I was getting ready, she came in to my bathroom to say her prayers for the 10th time. except this time, she finished it out with "and if I die before I wake, I pray the Lord my soul to take.....to breakfast". 

5. Truth, out of the mouthes of babes

Elena went to work with Paco one day shortly after Alvaro's birth. She insisted she had to wear "jeans and a shirt because I'm going to work". This from a kid who asks for a dress and knee socks and a sweater every day. While at work, Elena behaved fairly well, says Paco. She did note to him that his job was "reeeeeeally boring". She shouldn't complain too much, since she reminds us all daily that "Tata goes to work to buy money to buy me toys". 

I'm sure I've got more stories that will come to mind, but please share some of your favorite Elena stories if you've got them.  

A day in Iraq

after getting back from a rough 14 hour mission.. im walking with a friend of mine oh and i guess i should let you know at night its so dark you cant see your hand infront of your face.. so were walking across a bridge talking about how "badass" we are when something wraps its self around my leg and bites me.. well of course i yell some foul language and proceed to beat the crap out of my leg with my rifle.. when i look up, with my flashlight i see my friend in a dead sprint about 100 meters away from me yelling "im so sorry im so sorry.." this is about the time i realize it was a cat... not a kitty cat.. a wild cat.. a crazy cat.. but a cat non the less.

i felt like a homo..

gota love iraq

love you guys