All about a one-year old...

Wait!!! My baby is ONE???!! What happened? Sigh, I guess they have to grow up. I just am always surprised at how quickly time passes. Honestly, this isn't the first time I have mentioned this on my blog. I have said it MANY times. I am just still amazed by that one consistent, constant, always reliable phenom that can be summed up in two small words... Tick - Tock. And alas, I have a beautiful one year old. 

Isaac was born on August 16th, 2011. He came into the world with what seemed like a smile on his face. I can tell you, that smile is every bit a part of his charming personality today as it was when he was born. He is one happy guy! And we all love him!

Isaac is one little smarty pants. He picks up on things so quickly. And he seems to approach life in a very what-you-see-is-what-you-get sort of way. When he has a comb in his hand, he attempts to comb out his very cute little blonde locks. What else do you do with a comb when your a one year old? When he has sunglasses in his hands, he attempts to put them on his face. Of course! What else would a one year old do with a pair of sunglasses?

He is also QUITE the little explorer. Really, if there is a closed cupboard within his grasp, he will not rest till he knows every detail behind it's closed door. I have cleaned up the aftermath of this little man's destructive path time and time again... Hurricane Isaac??? Exactly!

But MAN do we love this kid! He is so giving of himself with all of his little smiles. His little personality is infectious and cleaning up after him seems effortless when his four little teeth peek out from behind his cute-as-can-be grin. 

So hap, hap, HAPPY BIRTHDAY my little one year-old! Enjoy some photos from his first year!

Life from my phone...

So the other day I was scanning in some old photos that I needed digitalized. The pictures I was scanning were approx. 10 years old. I kept thinking to myself, as I grumbled about the quality of the printed photo as well as the scan, why on earth did I not have a digital camera ten years ago! It seems like I would have had better quality pictures, better preservation of memories and a little more convenience with emailing and sharing... Then I got to thinking, I don't remember digital cameras ten years ago. I am sure they existed, but I am pretty sure I was unaware of them. So in honor of technology everywhere, I am posting a collage of photos taken from my very sophisticated smart phone... Sophisticated today, who knows what tomorrow!

All of my wonderings about the technological improvements throughout the years, led me to start thinking of my own progression... I must say that I don't really feel like a new and improved version of myself. Somedays I feel the exact opposite! Hmmm. What do I have to say about the last ten years... Basically this, I have a wonderful husband, two beautiful kids, I have lived in some amazing places, met some amazing friends, my husband is two years away from starting a career as a Doctor (an 8 year endeavor), I have to dye my hair every 3 weeks due to my completely gray head of hair and its ability to grow (ha ha, just threw that one in for fun), and I believe my knowledge about this world is greater... I guess I have improved (even if it is 3:00PM and I am still in my jammies)!

May we all continue to improve!

Soccer Time

Isn't this what it's all about?? Life turns full circle when a part of yourself, manifested in a young child, follows in your footsteps. Well that is how we felt yesterday when Lauren walked onto a small outdoor arena to join her pee-wee sized soccer team for the first time. I will take the risk of speaking on behalf of my husband here, but I dare say he was one proud father. I am sure we looked the part with our camera phones in one hand, regular camera in another and a cam-corder strapped around our necks. Just to make sure we wouldn't miss a single second of this much anticipated moment. 

With all of our excitement, we had to remind ourselves that Lauren is only 3, and her less enthusiastic approach to this momentous occasion would not define her soccer career. After a lot of persuasion on our part, Lauren finally left our sides and braved her first day of pee-wee soccer practice.

She absolutely loves running! They have little relay races at the end of the practice and I am pretty sure that is her favorite part!

My Kids, My Life

**SPOILER ALERT** Some of the things expressed in this post might seem a little political. I apologize in advance. I don't mean to offend anyone.

These are the two faces I wake up to every morning. I am the luckiest person in the world! No matter how disheveled I look, how unorganized I am, or how much laundry is on my floor, they both continue to love me! Isaac is completely enamored with me... I see it in his eyes, his smile and the way he grabs my face to pull it closer to his. I know that for now, I am his life and his greatest champion. Lauren is my biggest admirer. She is constantly picking up on things that I say. Including the not so good things I say... We watch politics, do puzzles, and entertain Isaac together. She is my biggest helper and one of my best friends. The days when I am the most frustrated, they are the most forgiving.

Each day we are together, I am blessed to watch them grow in personality and love for each other. Lauren lights up Isaacs world the moment she steps into his sight. Isaac will watch her on the edge of his seat, just to see what she will do next. He is quick to reward her with a smile and a giggle. Lauren is ever mindful of Isaac. Constantly asking me where he is while he is napping. One of my favorite and cherished things to watch is Lauren teaching Isaac something that I have taught her. There is an assurance that life is good and families are meant to be eternal when I watch my two babies interact. What comfort I take from my children while the world continues to tear families apart.

I am feeling especially grateful for my kids lately. On a daily basis I hear about the "war on women" and their health. Some of the things I have read have led me to believe that women are turning their backs on children and family. I think that the greatest and most powerful aspect of being a women, is the opportunity to bear and raise children. It is truly heartbreaking that the trend of the day is for women to surrender that power and uniqueness in the name of health and equality. Especially when there are very deserving women everywhere, who with all their hearts desire a child, and cannot have one. I believe that the war on women is waged every time a commitment to marriage is decided against, a career over a family is chosen, or the choice to bear children is denied. It seems to me that women are just as much engaged in warring against their divinity as any man or political party.

My kids are my life. I chose them. They are a reflection of me. I see how their lives have shaped my own. I am a stronger, braver person because of them. I have a deeper understanding of love and empathy, of service and sacrifice. The day I became a mom I became a student of happiness and hardships on a whole new level. One opposing the other, they work in harmony, and with hope, someday I might be a scholar. There is no school or university on the face of this earth that can teach me the things my children teach me.

I hope that all women will stop the war on womanhood and embrace the very thing that sets them apart from men. That they will no longer be ashamed of it, or stifle it. That they will have the courage and vision to chose marriage and family. To bear children and allow motherhood to shape their lives into something more amazing then any career ever could. When women everywhere acknowledge their power and purpose as molders of the future, that is the day we change the world.

I truly admire those women who have to do it alone. I cannot imagine my family without my husband. He is my strength. We constantly lean on each other as we strive to be loving responsible stewards of our two beautiful children. I am thankful for the choice I made to have a family. Being a mom is a BIG deal, a big deal that is belittled and undermined on a constant basis.

So this post may be lengthy... You've been warned... We have been having so much fun celebrating the holidays, including Lauren's 3rd birthday! We also had my brother and his girlfriend visit! During their visit, Lindsay was kind enough to take our family pics! Lets start there...

Including some family pics, she also captured my two beautiful children! Of course, I am just a little biased! 

And last but not least, as if our family pics haven't displayed her talent enough, she took some amazing shots out at Newport Beach and Huntington Pier...

(This pirate ship was one of two sailing the waters just off the coast of Corona del Mar in Newport Beach. While we were watching them, one of them shot off a real cannon! It was awesome.)

The next little segment in this post is somewhat self explanatory. I may drop in a line here and there... Other then that, enjoy the picture show!

We pretty much celebrated her birthday all month long! 

So I am trying to set up a few family traditions... Some of them include homemade doughnuts on Christmas morning. Another tradition that I have been following for about 4 Christmas's now is making treat trays to take to friends and neighbors. This Christmas, since we are in a brand new ward, I thought delivering treat trays was a great way to get to know some of the families...  I started baking on a Sunday and the treat trays were ready for delivery the following Thursday. I attempted to deliver them on my own with the two kids... The first delivery was a success, the family was home and I started to feel a sense of accomplishment. I however didn't want to deliver anymore on my own! I waited about an hour for Punj to get home to help with the deliveries. So we all piled into the car and set out for our next destination... The plan was simple, I would deliver and Punj would drive... At the next home, I got out of the car and searched for the right apartment. When I found it, I noticed all the lights were off. I debated wether or not to just leave the plate of goodies at the door... Looking down I noticed that someone else had been making deliveries that night and left theirs in front of the door. So I thought it probably wouldn't hurt if I did the same. I bent over to place the treats next to the already delivered tray and noticed a striking similarity between my tray and the tray on the door step... Upon closer inspection, I noticed that it was my treat tray... At first I felt somewhat embarrassed that someone had re-gifted my treat tray. Then I felt kind of sad that I wouldn't be able to leave my treat tray (what would that look like!)... Then I had to laugh... After that, we attempted to deliver a number of other treat trays without a whole lot of luck. We ended up with a TON of leftover treats! Needless to say I am not sure that the treat tray tradition will last. Maybe I will try a craft next year! Ha ha!

New Years was spent with our friends the Clarks! The Kids jumped on the tramp, we ate loads of food and then tried out our coordination with one of those fancy dance games! Very fun!

It really has been a great year! Punj is loving his residency program and I am enjoying living in such a beautiful area. I love our new ward and I am enjoying being a mom of two! I am so excited to see what 2012 brings! 

These next photos are just for fun... I wanted to compare my two kids to see the similarities and differences in their looks, thought I would share...

Happy New Year!!! Love the Recalde's