life is good

hello summer...

2008-06-20T22:30:00.002-05:00

We're looking forward to what you have to offer.

sharing

2008-03-31T08:53:00.003-05:00

Learning photoshop. Here are a couple layouts...

that's our daddy!

2008-03-30T15:26:00.003-05:00

Personal best of 38.38 during Chicago's 8K Shamrock Shuffle Run! Yay Daddy! Way to go! So very proud of you!!! Love ya even more.

i'm yours

2008-03-28T16:06:00.001-05:00

March recap

2008-03-28T14:51:00.022-05:00

The boys kept us on our toes as always.

Noah started walking along furniture and finally learned to get down to the floor without falling. Despite a nagging cough, cold and an occasional fever... he's still all smiles. He's starting to lose those yummy chubby cheeks but he's making up for it in length. He can look ouside the window without tippy-toeing and just today he was reacing and tapping some piano keys keys while standing. He got to enjoy his first Easter with us and he's still waiting for spring to make its appearance. He loves Cheerios, Josh's toys, splashing the water during baths and finally being able to sit in a high chair when we're out. Still toothless but that never stops him from grabbing everything off our plates and stuffing it in his mouth.

Joshua was busy all month openning drawers and cupboards in search of snacks. Almonds, pudding, and strawberries... he hoarded them all. When he wasn't snacking, he was playing with the light switches. We hear a good share of "Uh-oh... it's dark!" everyday. It's cute for the first 30 sec and then we start to wonder what our electrical bill will look like and that cuteness quickly fades. The Easter bunny brought him a flashlight but it's not the same. Josh's true love at the moment is "Daddy's new car." He can now spot a Honda anywhere. Rich is good about taking him on evening rides... just the two of them. Sometimes they get ice cream, typically it's just a long ride near the airport. He's ready for more trips to the park... now if only the weather would comply.

And little by little these two are starting to bond. Awesome.

my cup runneth over

2008-03-20T22:28:00.003-05:00

Truly blessed... thank you Lord.

this week...

2008-03-07T17:01:00.018-06:00

It's been such a longgggg winter. Can't wait for spring to finally get here. Good news is that my ticker is a-ok. All of my tests came back normal. Source of my chest pain still unknown but the frequency and intensity has subsided and I'm back in the gym. Sort of... can't seem to find the motivation to go there more consistently. I'll blame that on the weather as well.

The boys are growing like weeds. Noah is crawling, standing using furniture and eating rice, Cheerios and french fries despite the fact he remains toothless. He adores his Kuya even when he's being sat on or told a million times "NOOOO...AH! Don't touch that!"

Josh is progressing with his OT/Speech therapies. He's a bright and awesome little man and we are confident he will be just fine. He is mentoring us to be more patient and better parents. And for this, we are grateful.

Some of my fave moments from this week...
A P&B sandwich for breakfast

Talking on the phone with daddy (about how wonderful mama is)

Sorting through Grammy's goodies from the Philippines...

and then becoming a part of it (ummm... you're sitting on her glass bowls)...

Kuya Josh naming Noah's body parts

Standing is a breeze... getting down not so easy.

Waiting for his first spring by our front window

I have to work tommorow and Rich will finally get a much needed day off. He'll be home with the boys so I hope they take it easy on him.

Now get off the computer and have a great weekend everyone!

60 of 366 completed... life is good

2008-03-01T00:01:00.001-06:00

this one is for daddy...

2008-02-25T07:00:00.001-06:00

see all the fun you miss when you work a Sunday?!! :)

taking it easy

2008-02-17T00:13:00.006-06:00

So I've had this nagging feeling in my heart on and off during the past month. Knowing my extensive family history of heart disease I got a check up by a cardiologist on Valentine's Day (ironic, I know). There are a series of tests I will undergo next week hopefully to rule out a lot of things I don't want (a blood clot, a hole in the heart, blocked arteries, and on and on). What lays ahead can get overwhelming at times but I try not to let it get to me. All I want are answers and the thumbs up to be able to workout again. In the meantime I need to watch my diet better, get plenty of rest and simply enjoy the company of my boys. No worries. I am in good hands.

So Noah just learned to sit about two weeks ago and he's already trying to stand. Here he is reaching for the couch, getting on his knees and coming mighty close to standing until he slid back down. Rich and I are truly wishing we had a pause or stop button. Slow down my son... you are simply growing up way too fast.

They're predicting more snow tomorrow {sigh}. Truly looking forward to spring so we can pull out the strollers and walk to the playground.
Nighty-night.

happy love day

2008-02-14T22:33:00.009-06:00

i love you

happy day to daddy!

2008-02-13T06:56:00.003-06:00

35 years and counting.... love you Rich! Have a great day!

oh yeah...!

2008-02-01T20:13:00.000-06:00

I entered this layout to one my fave paper scrapping company and it was one of the winner's from last month.

Here's the link
The prize is some supplies... can't wait. Have a great weekend everyone.

little man

2008-01-31T14:02:00.000-06:00

Look who turned 7 months yesterday...

Grateful...

2008-01-27T00:59:00.000-06:00

for what I have.

this little guy...

2008-01-21T13:59:00.000-06:00

has the "Austria eyes" from my side of the family. {The kind that are closed in pictures when you smile} See here...

So cute. And they're even cuter when opened...

keepin' it simple

2008-01-12T08:49:00.000-06:00

have a nice weekend everyone :)

happy friday

2008-01-11T15:36:00.000-06:00

Rich has been working 7days/wk. Thanks for all do for us. Miss ya boo. Love ya even more.

365 project

2008-01-10T13:41:00.000-06:00

After a rough start to the New Year (dead car battery, trip to the ER with the boys... they're fine now, some viral thing going around that gave them high fevers, and Rich's car needing a new transmission), finally getting some time to catch up on housework (yikes... the x-mas tree needs to come down pronto), scrapping (shame on you Rich for laying the computer on top of my layout!) and playing with the boys (now minus the coughing on my face). Nevermind that I have a sore throat and achy body (ummm... mom's aren't allowed to get sick remember?). Just waiting for my cell phone battery to recharge and off to Costco. Note to self... better make a list!

Sorry I'm just rambling here (it's the virus getting to me). Once things settle down I promise to catch up on emails and phone calls. Everyone is doing this 365 pics in a year project. It really seemed like a lot of work at first but actually, it's not so bad. So here's my take... just some day to day images of my boys with a note or two about that day. Nothing fancy. Enjoy... :)

Bitter Sweet Year

2007-12-31T15:06:00.000-06:00

Ask anyone in my family and they'll probably say they can't wait for this year to be over with. Medical problems top the list. So very ready for a fresh start. Clean slate. Healthier outcomes. Best thing about this year is adding this little guy into our clan...

and showering this one with lots of needed TLC...

Here's to simplifying life in 2008. Be safe tonight. Peace.

Noah Balboa

2007-12-28T17:04:00.001-06:00

Pics were taken back in Oct when he was 3 months young. He'll be six months in 2 days. Still same great smile just a little bit balder and a few pounds heavier. He can now roll all over, hold his bottle, eat cereal, sleep all night and chew his toes. Such a happy baby... we are blessed.

Happy Christmas

2007-12-23T15:48:00.001-06:00

"May the spirit of Christmas bring you peace, hope and love."
God bless.

too cute

2007-12-18T06:32:00.001-06:00

no doubt about it...

2007-11-19T06:54:00.000-06:00

Growing up

2007-11-16T15:39:00.001-06:00

"In quietness and in confidence shall be your strength"

love you little man

i heart fall

2007-11-15T13:51:00.000-06:00

Noah is learning to roll. Josh is fascinated with tunes from the Sound of Music. Both have a cold. Life is good. Crazy, but good.

looking forward...

2007-10-27T13:25:00.001-05:00

... to Halloween

as long as we can avoid meltdowns like this one...

Can't wait...

2007-10-19T20:33:00.001-05:00

for Noah's first Halloween...

and Josh's third

A golden birthday

2007-10-10T19:39:00.001-05:00

Ten on ten/ten... so cool! Happy Birthday Jake! You are a riot! For ten years you have been nothing but pure joy to be around. Love your sweet humor. Love your sweetness. Love the fact that I can always depend on you for a hug and kiss. Don't ever change. Welcome to double digits. Enjoy your video games! Love ya to pieces!

You two...

2007-10-09T15:25:00.000-05:00

... have each other and life is good.

for keeps

2007-10-04T06:41:00.001-05:00

I love you rich. Happy 4th!

Recent faves

2007-09-25T15:14:00.001-05:00

Layout sketches from NYC Scraps.

hello!

2007-09-25T14:17:00.001-05:00

Our computer is running low on memory and I can't download from my camera. I have a really hard time deleting pics from our hardrive so until we purchase extra storage, it may be awhile until I add a bunch of new pics (including a ton from when I had a get together with my college pals... hi guys!). In the meantime, enjoy some of these taken a few weeks back.

Here's Rich playing the Beatles "Blackbird." A great, nightly routine in our home.

I called Josh to sit and eat his dinner and he sat... in the middle of the kitchen floor. He thought he was so hilarious. Such a ham!

And this one... simply pulls on my heartstrings. So handsome.

soakin' in last few days of summer

2007-09-14T07:05:00.001-05:00

Sun-kissed

2007-09-06T14:45:00.001-05:00

Our Josh at 8 months...one-a-half...

and two-and-a-half.

Time flies way too fast... must slow down and enjoy these moments.

Enjoying the last few days of summer with a trip to the zoo and beach all in one day. A first for Noah to both spots. He slept through most of it though. Josh called out "mongoose" and insisted he ride the kiddie train at the zoo. Once at the beach he got a lot of play time with Daddy. Josh simply loved tossing sand into the water. Couldn't ask for better weather. It was picture perfect and before we knew it... almost six hours had gone by. Wish I could just bottle up days like these. Don't you you just love summer?

"No Neck"

2007-09-05T13:45:00.001-05:00

Simply... adorable.

Look who turned 12 yesterday!

2007-08-31T12:54:00.001-05:00

Yeah that's my nephew Colin. Isn't he handsome?!! And the best part is that he's a great kid too. So smart. Athletic. Considerate. Loyal. Respectful. Honest. Classy. And so much more. Love his relationship with his family especially the way he watches out for his yonger siblings and cousins. Hard to believe when he was first born he was so tiny you could hold him in one hand and now just look at him... at the brink of his teenage years. Love you Colin! Thank you for always bringing a dose of sunshine into our lives. We are all so proud of you!

hangin' out with the boys

2007-08-31T12:33:00.001-05:00

Pretty quiet week. Josh is just about potty trained... now if we can only get him to keep his undies on... any suggestions?

Noah turned 2 months yesterday. He's hearing a lot of "You're so fat! What's your mama feeding ya?" Yes, I agree... those cheeks look mighty scrumptious! If you want to bite 'em, get in line :)

And Colin turned 12 yesterday... happy birthday!!! More pics to follow.

Anyone...

2007-08-27T15:11:00.000-05:00

... wanna box???

Photo shoot...

2007-08-24T09:18:00.000-05:00

Rich and I took the boys to get their pictures taken last weekend. So glad he was with me since they were a handful (thanks boo!). Josh was totally absorbed with the alphabets used for props. Couldn't get one decent shot with him either looking or smiling at the camera. We tried having him pose with his favorite letter M. That only made him ignore the camera even more. So perhaps this picture of him with the letter best captures him at this stage... a two and half toddler simply content and obsessed with M.

Noah is smiling more and more these days but of course when it came time for his first photo shoot... no smiles. I purposely scheduled the shoot right after his nap and feeding but that didn't help. He too ignored the camera. And when the yawns started coming, it was hopeless. I was glad the photographer took one decent pic without him making a funny face (last one above). With that big forehead and chubby cheeks... he's definitely an Austria. That nose is from Rich's mom. Josh has that nose also. I *heart* my boys.

He's working hard for those M&Ms...

2007-08-21T14:32:00.000-05:00

We are in the midst of potty training. We are getting so close. And we're quickly running out of M&Ms! Josh gets 1 M&M for #1 and 2 for #2. He's clever though. He'll drag out #1 by going just a little bit each time within a 5 minute time span... piling up on M&Ms along the way. So he's got good control... he's got to be ready right?

Noah is a horse. He eats like one. He even grunts like one. I know there's a baby in there somewhere because once in awhile I get those adorable coo-ings.

Did I mention there's a third boy in the house? Yeah it's Rich and he's home in the middle of the afternoon nursing a sore back. He fell asleep before the younger boys. They are all napping now and I'm lovin' this peace and quite. No "Joshua... did you pee-pee on the floor?!" No grunting coming out of the bassinet. No "Hey... massage my back." Which gives me time to... scrap. Got to go!

BUH-BYE!!!

Thursday dinners

2007-08-19T22:59:00.001-05:00

Dinner with the Austrias this week was at our house. Just Grammy and Auntie Lizel. Noah is starting to look more and more like his Grampy. He later danced as Daddy sang one of Akon's tunes. Josh hugged Noah willingly... a first. And Auntie Lizel... she just kept hoggin' the camera! Enjoy :)

Greetings.

2007-08-09T13:46:00.001-05:00

Hello.

hi.

how are you?

then and now

2007-08-08T15:12:00.000-05:00

Pics taken at nine months old and today (2 1/2). Back then he was being reprimanded for picking the dirt off the planters. Today it's for drawing on the kitchen table with a crayon. Same adorable reaction both times... curling of the bottom lip, sad and droppy eyes later followed by crocodile tears but no crying out loud. At least not at these times.

lazy days of SUMMER

2007-08-07T11:22:00.001-05:00

Just sittin' back and enjoyin' my boys.

toothless wonder...

2007-08-02T09:15:00.000-05:00

So his eyes are closed, he's not looking at the camera and the image is kind of dark. Doesn't matter. I finally captured a pic with him smiling just like I remember him smiling for the first time... in his sleep. love ya noah.

Justin turns 17!

2007-07-31T12:20:00.001-05:00

Happy birthday Justin!!! It's hard to believe that the little boy that would make my day everytime I was around him is now on the brink of adulthood. Do you remember...

sticking cheese underneathe Grammy's table?
reading Farmer Brown?
"Coco" Power Rangers?
colors and names of the Ninja turtles?
Donatello, Leonardo, Michelangelo, Raphael... which turtle were you? And Auntie Lizel?
your little tiger stuff animal from Apo?
playing with legos?
me making you walk to different playgrounds besides the one across Grammy's street?
your bedtime prayers? (ie. Angel of God)
my threats to call Santa whenever you misbehaved?
seeing "Mickey Mouse" in Grammy's kitchen?
the cops coming after you and Jaden dialed 911?
playing sonic, captain america, jungle book on nintendo/sega?

Justin... you were an easy going, smart, fun loving and wonderful kid. I miss spending time with you especially over the past few years. You are now a bright, patient, talented and caring young man exerting your idependence and personality in this crazy world of ours. May you always find comfort and seek out guidance from the people that love you best... your family. And may you always set a good example for your brothers and cousins. Wishing you a lifetime of sunshine and happiness. Take care. God bless. And have a great, great 17th birthday! HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!
Love ya!
p.s. can't wait to hear your band!

ONE month old...

2007-07-30T20:11:00.000-05:00

It 's been 30 days since Noah graced our lives with his presence. He is such a good and adorable little man. Only cries when hungry. Doesn't mind the clutter that surrounds him. Or even the drool that lands on his head when his kuya hovers a little too close. It's too bad he hasn't licked the bout of jaundice he's had for a few weeks now. Today we were back at the doctor's office getting more blood drawn. The levels are still elevated but not high enough to require light treament. So his doctors are monitoring him closely and he's scheduled for more blood tests on Friday. Poor little guy... Friday will be his fifth visit to the MD office and he's got prick marks all over his heels. Here he is getting his heel warmed up prior to his last blood draw. Stay healthy my brave baby. You're in our prayers. mama loves ya. lots.

Everything...

2007-07-28T16:41:00.000-05:00

Everything I can ever want and need in this world...

is right in front of me.

milk does the body good

2007-07-27T08:30:00.000-05:00

From this...

To this...

in three weeks.

(Special thanks to Tita Shannon and Tito Arnie for the adorable outfit! :)

recent family pics... enjoy!

2007-07-26T10:16:00.001-05:00

life... @ HOME.

2007-07-25T14:19:00.001-05:00

LUNCH with a 2-yr-old toddler

2007-07-25T12:40:00.000-05:00

"Josh, how many pizzas do you want?"
"Ten!"
"Do you want pear?"
"Apple!"
"No... it's pear."
"Apple, apple, apple, apple, apple!"
"You want more pizza?"
"Pizza, pizza, pizza!!!"
"What do you want to drink?
"Wa-woo."

"Say cheese..."
"M n M!!!"

Blessed... beyond measure

2007-07-24T18:42:00.001-05:00

life... TODAY.

2007-07-24T18:19:00.000-05:00