you know your a San Diegan when....

I totally stole (I mean borrowed ) this list from a friend on myspace Ha thats funny.....I wanted to share it with y'all so here it is

You know you`re a San Diego local when.........

• ~All the street names around you are either in Spanish or Spanish related, and you're surprised when other areas don't have this.
• You can determine the accuracy of someone's "I'm ghetto" claim by knowing their high school. For example, El Camino High School or Crawford High School.
• You see weather forcasts for four different climate zones in the same county, and aren't remotely surprised.
• You routinely go or have gone to Pat & Oscar's solely to get breadsticks.
• You've ever gone to Downtown San Diego and marveled at the homeless people mingling with the rich young urbanities.
• You've gone to Mt. Helix in July and known you still need a jacket.
• You've tailgated at Qualcomm Stadium, and for bonus points, also tailgated when it was Jack Murphy Stadium.
• .You've ever been on a field trip to see an Imax movie at the Reuben H. Fleet Science Center.
• You still call it the Del Mar Fair.
• You say "i'm going to the track" and people know what you mean.
• You understand what May-Gray and June-Gloom is.
• A famous skateboarder/surfer lives in your town.
• There's a North County, a South County, and an East County but no Central County.
• "Mossy Nissan! Mossy Nissan! Mossy Nissan Moves You!"
• You know what it means when two guys are walking in Hillcrest.
• You know what it means when a girl in a short skirt is walking on El Cajon Blvd.
• You've gotten stuck in the Horton Plaza parking structure traffic after a Padres game.
• You know what "The Merge" is, and will plan your entire day around not being on it during rush hour(s).
• You've ever been to Belmont Park and rode the Big Dipper.
• (For North County) You remember the days before the all the big movie theaters opened. And when they did. First the Edwards in San Marcos, then the Regal in Oceanside, then the Krikorian in Vista, and finally the Regal in Escondido.
• You've ever taken the Coaster and laughed at people sitting in traffic on the 5.
• You know the difference between Claremont Mesa, Kearny Mesa, and Mira Mesa.
• You can correctly pronounce Tierrasanta, La Jolla, Rancho Penasquitos, San Ysidro, Otay Mesa, and El Cajon.
• You've ever gone to Sea World on a warm day and sat in the first few rows at the Shamu Show to get cooled off.
• You've ever been delayed at the Border Checkpoints on the 5 and the 15.
• There are more bands than people.
• Your house doesn't have air conditioning.
• You know it's San Diegan, not San Diegoan, or San Diegoite.
• Everyone has their favorite beach.
• No matter what the weather is, there is always someone walking around in a t-shirt, shorts, and flip flops.
• You live on, near or are surrounded by hills
• .You hate tourists and their bad driving. GET OFF THE ROAD NORTH DAKOTA, NOBODY WANTS YOU HERE. SERIOUSLY. GO HOME.
• You have family and or friends that have moved to Arizona, probably because they are tired of waiting to be able to afford to buy a house.
• There are four distinct seasons: Summer, Not Quite Summer, Almost Summer, and Oh Hey Look Its Summer Again
• Your house is worth more than the GDP of some small countries.
• You know what MB, OB, and PB stand for.
• You used to, and sometimes still do ride the carousel at Seaport Village.
• You know someone who doesn't own pants, and have a neighbor who doesn't seem to own a shirt.
• Your high school had a surf team.
• You know what Santa Ana's are, and that they have literally nothing to do with the city of Santa Ana (which, unfortunately for it, is in Orange County.)
• You know what a California burrito is
• .You never, under any circumstances call it anything other than "the Gaslamp."

cheers and have a nice day ! :)

jinxed

so I completely jinxed myself re: Nathalie and potty learning...since that post we have not had very good luck :(

Adventures in potty learning starring Nathalie

You see my friends at around 19 to 20 months old my beautiful daughter showed an extreme interest in the potty, so I followed her lead.... she was never fully trained but did well most of the time until of course her little brother entered the world....I left her be and never pushed her, as she went into her regression. Last Wednesday we were in line at Rite aid and suddenly she says "mom, I need to go potty", "What?" I asked, "I need to go potty right now," (as she starts to pull down her pants, while in line) I put our stuff down run her into the bathroom (with William in his sling) and she pees....and pees and pees it was a beautiful moment, and I took it for what it was just that a moment! I put an Ariel pull-up on her and encouraged that Ariel would be really sad if she had to be thrown away because she was peed on! We got home and about an hour later Nathalie went into the bathroom and I asked "what are you doing honey" "going pee pee mama" (what?) "Oh, okay" Since the first incidence at Rite aid last Wednesday Nathalie has succesfully made all her day time urinations on the potty which to me is an amazing start! She has still had wet night time diapers, and will not go poop on the potty, but I will take each small victory in stride.....Oh and sorry about all the potty talk, but I am utterly giddy!

My dad rocks

Nathalie's papa (my dad) and she in matching Elmo Slippers...now tell me that isn't cool!

Nathalie's first trip to the dentist

was today, January 9th, 2006....I was nervous, petrified in fact! You see for those of you who don't know Nathalie, she is a tad bit high strung! Miracously, the visit went fantastically! She let them take x-ray's, clean her teeth FLOSS Them even, I couldn't believe it. The cheesy mom that I am I took pictures, unfortunately my computer is being dumb and I can't upload them but I promise I will as soon as I can!

William is 8 months

The time this month has flown by, I think mostly due to the fact that the holidays were among us!

Dear William,
Its so hard to believe that you our dear son is 8 months old already. You have fallen in love with solids, [which has caused my hormones to go wacko (due to less nursing)] and want to eat anything and everything you see! I find myself often having to remind your sister that you can't eat certain things (like peanut butter, eggs, strawberries and popcorn)! But if I'd let you I'm sure you'd eat them! You have been a bit fussy this week, as I think more teeth are on the way, but still you have only 2! I enjoy watching you grow ds, but can't believe how fast its gone; I get somewhat sad when I realize you are the last baby that your dad and I will have (biologically at least)!
William at 8 months old, right after a hair cut by Dantie Nichole!

My Uberlist 2007

A new year is upon us, quicker they go as older I get! As I am now a parent I feel like adulthood has hit me full on! I have never really made resolutions, I've always thought about it as in "hmm what should I change this year" but have never have I set anything in writing to reflect back on through the year! This weeks theme at mamasaysom is uberlist! With the ultimate goal of 107 things for 2007! I'm not sure if I'll come up with 107 right now, and I give props to jemma for being the first one to contribute to mamasaysom with 107 things this year! Okay enough babbling, here's my list!

1.) Health: Workout some (instead of none) aim for at least once a week, even if its just going for a walk with the kids
2.) Health: Eat Less Junk. Drink Less Soda
3.)Health/Family: Cook more heart healthy meals for not only Husband's sake but my own as well!
4.) Health: of dh... support him fully as he approaches is shoulder surgery.
5.)Health: Get a physical.
6.)Health: Go to the dentist every 6 months
7.)Cooking: Cook at least 4 nights a week, instead of resorting to fast/easy foods
8.) Cooking: cook at least one NEw never tried before recipe a month!
9.)Family: Support my husband as he journeys through recovering from his alcohol dependency (this is a big deal.... he took the first step today)
10.)Family:Support Nathalie's independence more
11.) Family: Cherish every moment we have with one another!
12.) Family: Take the kids out of the house to play at least 3 days a week
13.) Family: LIMIT TV consumption as we tend to rely on this a bit much lately.
14.) Family: LISTEN to my children's needs
15.) Family: take a trip together just the 4 of us. no one else.
15.)Personal: Yell less, praise more (apply to both dh and dc's)
16.)Personal: Read at least 1 book a month
17.) Personal: Make me time...Take a day for myself once a month
18.)Personal: SPEND LESS.....SAVE MORE
19.)Personal: be more patient, more loving and more kind
20.)Household: take at least 30 minutes out of each day to simply declutter all the boxes that we have * after living here for a year and a half*
21.)Household: Do dishes daily, do not let them go for an extra day or two .
22.)Household: Do Laundry as soon as a full load is available, instead of allowing it to pile up for a week at a time
23.)Household: Gather up the Kids and our clothes that are too small/or we dont wear and donate or give to others!
24.)Love: Make time for just Sam and I at least once a month, we haven't been on a date in 2 years.
25.)Love: Find something Sam is passionate about and allow him to pursue it no ifs ands or butts



Thats about all the time I currently have, but I will be back to update as more pop in my mind!

Christmas is over

Finally....I love it I do, but it is a rush that I am glad we are finally coming down from! I hosted Christmas eve this year! My mom, dad and sis arrived early in the day to watch the CHARGER game and help me with preparation (kept the kids busy for me while I prepared and that definitely counts for something!) I made Salmon, and Chicken (because my sister and uncle do not eat fish the crazy humans) Green Beans, smashed potatos. My Grandma brought a cesear salad and a spinach salad; and my sister made a delicious pumpkin cheesecake for desert! It was only my Dad's side of the family as my mom's side does not live in CA, and none of my husbands family does either! But it was an awesome night! My dad is the only boy with 3 sisters! and then he had 2 daughters! (so you can imagine the joy he finds in William being a BOY)! My Aunt Joyce plays the guitar and sings, we discovered that Nathalie does too! She was incredible (both my aunt and my daughter) I may ask my aunt to give her some lessons once she turns 3?! My Dad, my Aunt Susie and my grandpa helped play Santa Clause long after the kids were in bed by assisting me in assemling Nathalie's Kitchen good thing b/c it took us over an hour can you imagine if I had attempted to do that alone Ha! Christmas morning Nathalie was so excited by the presents (this is the first year she's really understood what was going on).....we stayed at our house until about 10 (Sam had to go to work) and the kids and I headed up to Nana and Papa's (my parents house)....Nathalie wasn't feeling too well, but she still enjoyed Christmas which was great!

is it christmas yet?

This has been pretty much the question out of Nathalie's mouth everyday for about 2 weeks! She has developed this inquisitive nature of late that I'm just not sure about! This morning she asked "Mom is it Christmas yet?" I said, "No hunny we still have 5 days," she replied "oh" and then I heard her say to William "we have 1-2-3-4-5 days until Christmas William" "MOM" she yelled (although I was sitting right behind her) "what hunny?" "Is Santa gonna bring Nana presents too?" "Yes baby he will" "Good because she wants some"

annnual meme

Okay, so I am relatively new to this whole blogging thing as I only started in May! One blog I find myself reading everytime I get on the computer is Elaine's! Well today when I read her blog it showed me the following post mini review, and I began on my journey to find out who came up with this brilliant idea! So I clicked on The silent K, from which Elaine found out; and proceeded on and on and on. I ended here frogblog, just incase anyone wondered?! Well so here's my mini mini review, since as I previously mentioned I've only been doing this since May Ok?!

May
William joined our family 4 weeks ago and made us a complete unit.

June
today was a great day, I actually got to go see nikki to get my hair done, and William cooperated :)....

July
O my if Nathalie wasn't Nathalie I think I would just die.

August
Hi everyone, I've been soo busy this week, I worked m-th, so finding time to do anything has been limited, with that to my defense I wanted to tell the story of Nathalie's new shoes, and because I'm lazy, I simply cut and pasted an IM conversation I had with my friend Lauren, sorry its not more personal....

September
I know its been forever.and yes we are still alive.

October
Dear Son
Today you are 5 months old, and I can hardly believe it.

November
thank goodness for my small miracle (aka William)...We (Nathalie, William and I ) Went up to Morro bay to visit my friend Kersti, her daughter Hayli and their newest addition "baby Emma" (as Nathalie refers to her).

December
I'm Special
Hah! I mean you all already knew that right!


so thats that!!!! Next year I promise you 12 full months! I just want to add that I am eternally grateful that both of my children are sleeping right now which allowed me the time to post this!

My snuggly boy!!!

William fell asleep on me today in his wrap while at a friends house watching the Charger game...My sister captured this moment on her new camera! and I couldn't help but share the moment with all of you

William is 7 months old

William turned 7 months old on the 4th (yes 3 days ago) and I haven't gotten a chance to write his 7 month tribute because there is SOOOO much to say, but I'm going to attempt to do it now.


Dear Son,
This month was one full of enormous leaps and bounds developmentally; the kinds of leaps and bounds that make mamma sad because your growing up way to quickly! You are now not only crawling, but climbing, pulling yourself up to standing and cruising along the furniture. You have a true desire to follow your big sister around and I think its highly possible that you are going to be walking at a younger age than she did (she was 10 months old). Your first two teeth broke through last week, so you have two bottom teeth now as well. You have begun to develop a bit of separation anxiety, you don't like Daddy, Sissy or I to leave you alone and you let us know it, if one of the three of us isn't with you then you fussingly find your way to us, and show such exuberance when you find us! Son, you and your sister are the lights of my life and I am so thankful to have you both!

10 years of Time

inspired by this weeks theme at mama says om!


Time runs away from me so quickly....Just yesterday I was in High School: carefree with hopes; dreams; & aspirations....My ten year reunion is coming up in May or June....and where am I today? Am I anywhere I thought I'd be 10 years later? Well lets see my Senior year I was 100% sure that I wanted to be a High School English Teacher; that I wanted to Leave California and start a family after I was ready? Truthfully is anyone ever ready...mind you this was my 17 year old brain thinking.....Time Flies..... At 18 I began working in a good neighbor pharmacy called Casa Drugs to help support myself through college... I was attending grossmont and cuyamaca community college... I progressed quickly received my AA in English after 2 years and transfered to San Diego State; where in my last semester I decided I wanted to become a pharmacist rather than a teacher; so I crammed 21 units into one semester (while working two jobs) I began working for Rite Aid this semester in the pharmacy, due to the flexibility of their hours being much greater than the smaller good neighbor pharmcay and graduated after a total of 3.5 yrs of college with my BA in English Literature...I began shortly after that taking prerequisites for pharmacy school, Chemistry, Physics, Microbiology, and the dreaded Math.... I dated a lot in college, but nothing felt right, like it was it. I moved out on my own I lived in a studio apartment in Banker's hill that was furnished and that I payed Way to much to live in, it was walking distance from the Rite Aid in Hillcrest that I was working at. After working for Rite aid just about 7 or 8 months I met a man, the man. Sam who is now my husband, he was (still is) an assistant manager for Rite Aid, and I found him to be handsome, sincere, kind....all the things every little girl has dreamed of finding in a man he was. I felt butterflies in my stomach everytime I saw him, I had only experienced that one other time, it was amazing... He was persistent and I finally commited to a date; i was his hook line and sinker. We were married a year and a half after we started dating and Nathalie wasborn 4 months later ( yes if you can do the math she wasn't exactly um planned) however we were already engaged so to me it was god's way of blessing us with our daughter and the timing was insignifficant! She has been an incredible blessing and when William was added to our family this past May our blessings doubled.... So time has flown by these past 10 years; and I am a teacher, not of high school English, but to my children each and everyday. I have a wonderful family and to me that is allthat I need in my life!

a gift to give and give back!

Look at these books for an awesome gift idea that you give and get back!!! For only 15 dollars what a deal....I definitely want to order the grandma and grandpa ones for my kids to give to nana and papa for xmas!!!!

I'm Special

Hah! I mean you all already knew that right! I'm so excited though because I thought it was always so cool how people could write one word and you could click on it and it would link you to something else, you know what I mean, Like this, William and I never knew how to do it (so yes I'm a little behind). apparently its called a hyperlink....well now I know how to do it ha ha im so giddy!!!

William crawling

about 2 weeks ago William upgrading from combat crawling to FULL ON CRAWLING and this week his newest move is to pull up to standing on things, um excuse me could you please stay a babe for a while longer momma is not ready for 2 walking children....

Auntie Nichole got a new camera and was over using it at our house yesterday; she captured this lil clip of william crawling....

click here to see our little man in action http://s10.photobucket.com/albums/a121/scarika/?action=view&current=11-28-06014.flv

two front teeth

YEAH they are finally here, after days and weeks and months of anticipation, William's two front bottom teeth broke through the gum last night!!!! Woo hoo, so my baby truly has been fussy for a reason. Its funny in a not so funny kind of way, Nathalie never made a peep when she was teething and then suddenly she had teeth, (on the other hand she makes more than enough peeps now lol) and William has been peeping about these teeth for about 3 months, I'm so glad they are finally here, and hope that this will bring him some much overdue relief!!!!

Inside

Inspired by this weeks theme at www.mamasaysom.com


Today was an inside day, mommy was feeling very lazy ( af came to visit for the first time since William's birth :P), Nathalie was running a bit of a fever and William was much on the cranky side, hopefully due to teeth coming in?! I was going to spend the day cleaning and it didn't happen...about the only productive thing I accomplished was polishing Nathalies finger and toenails and that was because she begged so nicely!

Scars on the outside are often visible, easy to see; its the scars on the inside that noone sees and unless one reveals them others may not know they exist. There are several scars on the inside of me, and I am afraid to share some of them; most of them infact, but I know that as I build courage to tell the stories of the scars inside of me I will become stronger and help them to heal in the process. However now doesnt seem the time nor the place for that.

Inside of me I fight a constant battle with myself to stay strong for the sake of my children,
to set a good example for them to show them the good that really does still exist in this world. inside of me I repress anger, insecurites, and burdens in order to stay strong for my family. Often I confide in my husband as he is my best friend, although at times I feel that he (as a man) expects that I have overcome much of the emotinal struggles that I have dealt with for as long as I can remember!

I suspect that everyone is complicated on the inside, with lists of internal scars that would take up thousands of pages. So remember what you see as perfection in someone from the outside may only shadow what is lurking on the inside!

To Give Thanks

I am thankful for my family! Call me Lame,tell me its a cop out but thats what im thankful for. I hope you all have a great thanksgiving

my BIG boy

okay so William went to the dr's today for his really bad bowel movements and he weighs....19 pounds and 6 ounces!