Mr. and Mrs. Mancub (and baby, too!)

I’m Sorry…So Sorry!

2008-01-19T03:01:00Z

Sorry I haven’t posted in a while, but I have a new schedule at work that will free me up to post regularly. So expect plenty of updates in the future as the Tornado is growing so fast and learning new things and getting into plenty of trouble. For instance, she is becoming so defiant. She climbs up on the couch all by herself, which is amazing and oh so cute. She will throw a book up onto the couch then climb up and sit so sweetly and flip through the book. Now to the defiant part. She will look for someone to watch her and then stand up on the couch and run around. We tell her to sit down, as she comes so close to falling off the couch. One time she actually fell and I was lying on the floor and caught her in mid air. But I digressed, so when you get up to dicipline her she sits down. However, if you turn your back on her she pops up again.

Well the holidays were amazing as well. The tornado was 20 months old for Christmas and she was great. She loved openning presents. Every gift she unwrapped was greeted with an “OHHHHHHHH.” Adorable is not a strong enough word for how cute she was. Her favorite gift has to be a baby doll and stroller she received from her sitter. The doll cries to be feed and snores when she sleeps. The first few times she would play with the doll, the doll would cry and the tornado would run the doll to mommy or daddy as fast as she could because she did not know what to do. Now she is an expert. It still amazes me how fast she learns everything.

Well this entry needs to be short, but I will be posting agaion real soon.

I hope the holidays were joyous for all.

Happy Holidays

2007-12-27T15:40:00Z

We had a great time both on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Opening gifts with everyone on Christmas Eve was amazing and Mya really did enjoy herself. On Christmas Day we went to Nana’s (Kristina’s mother) house for dinner. Here are some pictures from both days. If you don’t see pictures below, then you need to sign up for a Flickr account and add me as a friend (mrsmancub). Flickr is free and is the only way to see our pictures.

My Little Angel

2007-09-29T03:00:00Z

Unfortunately, living in Westchester County, New York requires both parents to work full time. This kills us as we are forced to send the tornado to a sitter 3 days a week. Lukily, we have the greatest sitter ever who we love and the tornado adores. She always has a great time because our sitter lives next door to and watches the tornado’s friend. Also, our sitter has 3 kids of her own, all boys ranging from 14 years old down to 6 years old (I think). Though they are so much older than the tornado they love playing with her and are like her brothers. Also, Mondays her friend is there all day to play with so she gets tons of attention, which excites the tornado. It gets so crazy that her nap schedule gets all out of whack and she only takes one short nap, sometimes bypassing it all together. Usually this translates into a full night of uninterrupted sleep for all and a late start in the morning. So though we regret having to utilize a sitter there are some benefits.

Now to the point of my post. In the morning I tend to bring the tornado in and mom picks her up in the late afternoon. So she gets the gushing excited greeting. I get the tornado chasing me grabbing my legs and whining (used to be crying, but she’s a big girl now). It breaks my heart to leave her, especially since when I get home at night she is generally sleeping so I see here in the morning for only 30 mins, 45 if I am lucky, as we are rushing out the door. Luckily, I have 3 days off a week so I try to make up for the lost time on the other days. Still it is real hard to leave her in the morning especially when that bottom lip pokes out and quivers and she gives me the sad eyes. I wish my wife would take her up in the morning, but she is usually eating as she is rushing to work. And in all fairness she asks every morning, but I feel bad since she is eating and all and usually aviods lunch. The funny thing is that it seems worse than it is as by the time a make it back to the car she has already forgotten about me.

Oh well, could be worse. She could be excited that I am leaving.

Look- We’ve Got Stuff

2007-09-16T17:38:00Z

This should not be called “In the Park” but rather “Dancing With My Cousin”.

Soon, I promise

2007-09-14T03:51:00Z

I will update soon. I have a ton of pictures to upload and school just started again so I really have no free time. I promise, I will do it this weekend sometime.

She Knows What She Likes

2007-09-14T02:56:00Z

I watched Sesame Street today with Mya, and I just have to say it: I really hate Elmo. He was supposedly created to give toddlers someone on the show to relate to, and his Elmo’s World segment was created to keep youngsters watching past 45-minutes. However, when his target audience, my 16-month old toddler, gets up, walks across the room to the TV and tries to bash Elmo’s head in with her sippy-cup, I think it is safe to say that Sesame Street’s creators failed miserably.

How to Check Your Personal Messages

2007-08-18T15:15:00Z

I sent out a personal Message (PM) a while ago and I know many of you had no idea how to read those PM’s on the site. I added a link to the left side bar called Your Account where you can read you PM’s, chage your log in info and more. So give it a look.

Time Flies When You’re…

2007-08-06T03:20:00Z

OK, no excuses. I just haven’t remembered to update this blog. There has been so much happening with me, Andrew, and Mya and I really am trying to keep a note of it all. Let’s start at the beginning.

At last posting, I had graduated from Fordham University with a Master’s in Education. Well, after completing that pesky foreign language requirements this summer, I am happy to announce that I am OFFICIALLY GRADUATED. Please, cue the confetti and the celebratory martinis. I have decided to go back to work in the Bronx mainly because I want more experience, but also because we have been thinking about leaving NYS. It doesn’t make sense to start a new job and then leave next summer. If you haven’t heard, Andrew was promoted a few months ago. He still works for the same company but he is now a Flight Follower. You have to ask him about that because I have no clue how to explain it.

Big news. I am learning to drive. Look out world! It may not be safe to drive the streets of NY any longer. I, hopefully, will have my license by October. I can’t wait!

Let’s see, Mya. Well, Mya is getting so big. She is now 15 months going on 40. She is sassy and determined and full of spunk and curiosity. It’s amazing to see her grow into this individual. She tries so hard to exert her independence yet she still wants to be a baby. And, that’s OK. We love her to death. Be sure to check out her milestones on the right side, and make sure that you check out the photo page.

I Made It!

2007-05-20T13:13:00Z

Walking, Singing, Dancing, and Eating

2007-05-13T23:54:00Z

Happy 1st Birthday Mya!!!!!!!!!

2007-04-28T02:26:00Z

For my readers (both of you):

I have been dreading this post because I would have to admit that my little girl is growing up. I would have to admit that a year has passed and that, while I have memories to last a lifetime, I will never get those precious moments back. The first time I saw her. The first time I held her. The first time she held my finger. The first time I truly felt like a mom. These are memories that I hold so dear and I am amazed, truly amazed, that I have mastered mothering enough to bring her to this point without doing major damage.

For my daughter:

You are a gift from the universe. You have managed to make my life even richer and fuller than I have ever imagined. I am grateful. I am overjoyed. I am speechless.

OK, so not really speechless.

When I found out that I was pregnant, I was scared. I knew that I wanted you so badly, but I was afraid to venture into pregnancy again. After losing your sister I never saw pregnancy as a happy event. It was a scary one. It was filled with “what ifs” and “could happens” and “oh pleases”. But then we found a great doctor who was so comforting and reassuring. I suddenly realized that everything would be all right. This is not to say that the worrying ended, but I was no longer worried about getting you here despite the difficulties of my pregnancy. It was all worth it. The nausea was overshadowed by you smiles and, after you were born, things only got better.

You are the greatest adventure that I have ever embarked upon. I look forward to all of the challenges and victories that we will both face. I love you and I am proud to be your mommy.

New Photos Added

2007-04-10T22:47:00Z

We spent my last day of spring vacation taking pictures. There are a few below, but if you visit my flickr album, you can see so many more.

Mya Therese is Turning One

2007-04-09T15:15:00Z

By now you should have received your invitation to Mya’s birthday party. Please be sure to RSVP by emailing me or calling. When you do, let us know how many adults and how many children are coming.

It’s Story Time

2007-04-05T21:28:01Z

You’ve Registered, now what?

2007-04-04T21:24:00Z

Once you are able to get into the site, look around. Yes, there are some pages that are blank, but most of the pages are filled with things to read. This page is our family blog and I will try to update it as much as possible. Be sure to check back often. Also, you can comment on the posts. We would love to hear your thoughts.