School is Coming!

So Matty starts school August 18th. I can't believe it is so soon. This is my first child in school and I am super excited for him. I am not sure if I will cry. At this point, I don't think I will. I am more excited than anything. I know he wants to go to school so bad so it makes it that much easier.

Anyways, I am taking the day off work to cook him his favorite breakfast and get him dressed up in his new school clothes. We don't yet know which class he is assigned to but I hope he ends up with his friend Sean. The school is hosting an ice cream social the night before class begins...cute, cutie, cute. Grandpa is coming to see him off to school as well. Grandpa and Matty are buddies. I will post an update and pics from the first day of school.

Nature is Beautiful

To truly know me is to know I love nature. Here is a quote I found.

"The human spirit needs places where nature has not

been rearranged by the hand of man." ~Author Unknown

In the past, when I needed some perspective on life I would drive to the Monterey coast near Big Sur and sit on the cliff, or, perhaps, skip through a hiking trail in San Diego, or plan to leave for my visit home from SD at 4am so i could see the sunrise. Nothing made me more content and hopeful than being with nature. Life has become so busy since getting married and having children. New plan: incorporate nature outings for the entire family and, once in a while, just for me.

Catching Up

Ok, so I am totally late with this post but it is necessary to post. On June 15, 2004 my first baby boy, Matty, was born at Good Samaritan Hospital. It was the most exciting day. I was nearly 27 years old when he was born. Boy was it life changing. I remember my hospital stay clearly. I was an emotional wreck. Was it my hormones or my overwhelming feelings of love for this new life? I don't know but I haven't been the same since. He just celebrated his 5th birthday a month ago today and I am still overwhelmed with love for him. He is such a loving, sweet, curious, and smart boy. He starts kindergarten this fall and I am so proud of him. I love watching him grow and embark on new adventures and experiences. I wanted to share some of his birthday pictures below. He wanted to have another party at our house and invite all of his friends and cousins (well he still calls him his friends, ha ha). Side note, he actually told me his cousin, Alec, was his buddy because he has nice hair. lol Only kids would say something so honest and funny. Got to love it. Anyways enjoy.

The Past Week

Ok, so I need to update my blog. The last week has been good. The 4th of July weekend was fun. BBQ'd with my sister and brother and their families on Friday, hung out with my husband's family on Saturday and had family day on Sunday. Family day was awesome. We built forts, played memory, and took the kids to the new park for a picnic and some play time (baseball included). I felt like I was able to get in some good quality one-on-one time with each of my kiddos. The week has been pretty normal but we are having an issue with Q (middle child). He thinks playing with his poo is fun so he digs it out of his diaper here and there. We have decided to implement a new strategy to kick this problem in the butt. ha ha that was appropriate. I researched and many parents say putting your child in a cold shower right after it happens works. It can't hurt to try.

Needless to say he did it again last night so I was happy to use my new technique. Somehow it got all messed up in the process. On my way to pick him up and take him to the cold shower, he tried to get away and fell on to his toy bucket (where he put his poo). He cut his eye pretty good. I didn't notice right away so I started my journey up the stairs to the shower, stripped him down and put him in it. My husband says, "What are you doing? His eye is bleeding." I, naturally feel bad, how can i go through with my punishment when he is hurt. Ok, so we will implement this new strategy tomorrow. ha ha. I ended up telling him to look at himself and that the poo kicked his booty. I think he may be affraid of it now. lol We will see.

Park pics to come.

Funny!!

Sometimes don't you feel this way??

Me and My Husband

Matt and I have known each other for about 15 years now. We were friends for a long period of time before we got together. I met him when I was a junior in high school through friends. We hit it off as friends and talked on the phone a lot. We had some mutual friends and therefore hung out. I moved away to San Diego to go to college. I was gone about 4 years and Matt and I didn't talk as much while I was gone. Once I returned I immediately called him to let him know I had moved back to San Jose. I remember leaving him a message and, within 20 minutes, he was calling me back. I think he secretly wanted to call me back instantly but had to play it cool. ha ha. Anyways, we dated and the rest is history.

Introduction

I am new to the blogging thing. I like the concept but I am not sure how often I will post. With Facebook, Flickr, email, etc....it can be overwhelming to update in so many places. I have posted some pics of my family. My husband, Matt, and I have been married for nearly 5 1/2 years already and have three beautiful sons, Matty (5), Quentin (2 yr. 9mo.), and Braylen (nearly 9 mo.). It can be tough at times but we have a lot fun together.

Quentin and his big brown eyes. We call him daddy's little clone
Quentin at the Monterey Bay Aquarium


Quentin
Quentin and his candy again

Quentin with two of his best friends ~ Dino and Saury

Braylen and Matty - Brotherly love

Braylen showing us his new skill

Every Belardes boy will boast a SF Giants hat.

Braylen and his beautiful blue eyes

Matty (right) and his friend, Adrian.

Matty - mommy's stud

Matty playing in the water at his cousin's birthday party

Hellooooooooooooooooo