We're going to the zoo, zoo, zoo

Well, we went to the zoo on Sunday and it was really the perfect day. It was cool, but not cold and sunny but not hot. Perfect. My mom got us Brookfield zoo passes for my birthday, and I couldn't wait to use them. Jorge hasn't been to Brookfield since he was little, so I thought it was time.






As soon as we walked in, gabe said we HAD to see the alligators. We MUST see the alligators. We saw almost the whole zoo and all gabe wants to talk about is the alligators. Is he done with giraffes? I have a very large collection of giraffes so I really hope he still likes them!












-jen

Growing up

I deleted my post from earlier this week. I was in a bad place, and a little bit whiney. The best thing that I can take away from that post is, I am going to be 33 (I am 33) and I need to cut the whiney crap. So that is the first step that I am taking today, taking responsibility for the choices that I make and not wallowing in pity. It's a small step in the right direction.

I am not the only one who is growing up. Molly, the little girl that I'm a nanny for, isn't so little anymore. She is a beautiful, smart, loving 18 year old. Last Friday was her senior prom! It's so hard to believe that this little girl, who I can picture running around in her nightgown, is now getting ready to go to college, at Tulane in New Orleans. She has lunch with Gabe and I almost everyday, and I treasure that because she will soon be gone. I almost teared up when she came downstairs last Friday.








-jen

Great abuelita's birthday

Last Saturday was Jorge's abuelita's birthday. She is a very tiny, sweet woman who unfortunately I can't really speak to because she only speaks Spanish. We always have a birthday party for her around mothers day. After the previous weekend though, I was taking it easy with the partying. It actually was a good thing because I took a ton of pictures!












Gabe was obsessed with the band and then the mariachi band. He would run past and just stop and stare. He also danced with his Tia and some of his cousins. It made my heart so happy. I was bursting!














-jen

Did ya know...

Did you know that I love tv? I really hate to admit that at this moment I'm watching "jerseylicious". I'm kinda a sucker for reality tv.

Did you know that Jorge and I have been together for almost 14 years? We actually dated for 2 days and then broke up for a month. He was so sweet, I thought it was too good to be true.



Did you know that I lived at home until I was 25? I bought a condo and Jorge and I lived there for almost six years.

Did you know that I LOVE chocolate? Gabe also loves chocolate and sweets. My favorite chocolate is dark with sea salt. Genius! (and nutella!)


Did you know I love to read? I can read a book in five days sometimes. We recently went to half price books and I got five books that I cannot wait to start!

Did you know that I went to 4 different colleges? I started at Triton, then went to Roosevelt, then Northeastern, then Illinois Academy of Art and Design then back to Northeastern. And I still don't have a degree!

Did you know that I have 7 tattoos and can't wait to get more?



I hope you learned a little bit more about me!


-jen

The many faces of a toddler

Sometimes it's like gabe has multiple personalities. I know it's not funny to joke about these things, but seriously, one minute he wants something, the next he doesn't.

Last night for example, he wanted chicken. I got him chicken. He ate one piece and then didn't want it. I waited a bit then I was going to throw it out "no! I want it!" I asked if he was going to eat it and he said no. So I was going to throw it out and he said he wanted it again and then ate the whole plate. WHAT?! Make up your mind kiddo.



He seems to be like that about a lot of things lately. And he also wants to do EVERYTHING by himself.






This is one of our big struggles. I want bow wow and giant squid. Then he throws them on the floor. Then he wants them again, while I'm driving. It's an almost constant struggle.






-jen