Pictures, Pictures and more Pictures!

I am blogging tonight to clear my mind and to have an "adult conversation" being that I have been with my children all day. (okay, even if only one-sided) Adult conversations are few and far between. Just ask my neighbor Emily- I am forever knocking on her door just for the "yuck-yuck" as Dan would say. As far as Aldama updates go, we are plugging along. We have hit the point where we have just a year left of Dan's program and are facing the realities of jumping into this horrible economy. We are in the midst of making some pretty big decisions regarding internships that might lead into employment post-school. How on earth does a family go from the student life to trying to live a normal life? This is the question ever so much on my mind! Add to this the children component- where to raise them, how to raise them, etc. What we are finding is that the health care field can take you anywhere. It's just a matter of timing-the right position being open with the right pay at the right time. I am just so grateful that we are here and that Dan is pursuing a field in high demand and one that he is excited about. Boy, watching him go through school blows away any thoughts that I might have had about trying to go back and get my masters. At least at this stage in my life I can't imagine how hard it would be to juggle school and a family. He does it well, though I know he is exhausted!

We did have a chance to slip away this weekend to vacation with neighbors down in St. George (Southern Utah) and to go to Zion National Park. MAJESTIC! is the word we used to describe the gorgeous rock formations-a must see! We called it the Yosemite of Utah- really similar in its feel. We drove through the park, through a mile long tunnel in the mountain, took a short hike and took lots of pictures- (Just haven't downloaded the camera phone ones yet where most of the rock pictures are) We also had a great time relaxing, playing games and celebrating Emily's birthday. So, so, so nice to get away (especially for Dan) Other than that we are just watching the kids grow. I swear my life is filled with, "When did that happens?" Like today I sat Elijah up to play with toys on a blanket and let go to see if he could support himself. About 15 minutes went by before he tumbled over. Really, when did he learn to sit up? Am I too busy to notice such an accomplishment or am I just stunting his growth by not giving him the opportunity? And Corom has just started talking like a little boy. When did the talking switch turn on? He can now hold mature conversation- clear as can be. When did that happen? Life just seems to fly and I try each day to appreciate the beauty around me, especially the beauty of my family. For this reason I have recommitted myself to my journal and camera- I have to document more my blessings. Noelle and I just got home from a late-night run to the store. (Way past her bedtime, but I couldn't get myself to the store with all 3 today) There is a gorgeous blanket of snow, slushy and soft. My parents and Brandon are driving in tomorrow to spend Easter out here with all of us- my kids have been counting down and we are all excited to see them!

Tomorrow Elijah is 7 months- I can't even imagine our family without his sweet presence. Each month comes with new milestones and a deepened bond between this fun baby and our family. Happy 7 months Elijah and Happy Easter to all!

Happy Anniversary to Us!

Today we celebrate our 8th year as a family! I have been trying for the last hour to post wedding pictures to prove how young we were when we were married- I'll try again when Dan gets home. In the last 8 years Dan and I have really grown up together and accomplished more than I ever imagined we would- I am so grateful that we made the choice at such a young age to embark on a journey that would bring us so much joy. I am so blessed to have a husband who loves and supports me and is a very active partner in raising our 3 beautiful babies! Happy 8th anniversary Dan!

HAPPY BELATED BIRTHDAY AUNTIE GINA!

Happy (LATE) Birthday to our fun-loving sister, auntie, friend! We are so blessed to have you in our lives! Wish we could have been there to celebrate with you!

Our Sacramento Bee Star

Our little guy was printed in the Sacramento Bee on Tuesday! (Section D)

The subject: Corom Bennett Aldama, 2 years old

The snapshot: Corom's grandparents, Richard and Deborah Aldama of Orangevale ("Nana and Papa"), submitted this photo. "He listens in from both sides," Richard writes. "We didn't tell him that he had a TV remote up to one ear!" Corom lives with his parents, Daniel and Tami Aldama, and siblings Noelle and Elijah in Salt Lake City.

"Mom! Come quick! Corom has grapes all over his head!"

Last night I was flying solo as Dan was gone. I was proud of myself for successfully executing dinner and for having Corom in jammies by about 6:45. I was then working on bathing Elijah. The kids were playing in the living room. "Mom! Come quick! Corom has grapes all over his head!" I was not at all worried because squished grapes are quite easy to clean in the grand scheme of things. He had been eating grapes with his dinner. Noelle had fulfilled her role as the informer (which she plays so well) and went right back to playing (with her fort under our computer desk- a topic that could have its own post) I dressed Elijah and went to find Corom. I thought I would find him eating grapes. After all, he loves getting into the grapes in the fridge. I walked in to discover that he had emptied a whole jar of Carmex (Lip balm/cold sore ointment) all over himself, his hair, his jammies and then had gone on to paint the kitchen counter. I could not stop laughing. It took 2 baths to get it out and even today I did not have to use gel on his hair. It would have been even more funny except as you can see in the second picture, it got in his eyes! Funny kid!

PERSONALITY TEST

I am feeling kind of a rush to get to bed considering its daylight savings night and we have 9:00 church in the morning. As is, one of the adults in our home has to get in the shower by 6:30 to get the process started to get everyone ready in time. (That 6:30 will be 5:30 tomorrow) I just wanted to check in with my blogging world (that I love so much). I often feel guilty enjoying everyone else's blogs when I don't keep mine up as often as I would like to. I thought I would share something that I have been thinking about a lot lately. As a matter of fact, I've been thinking about it a whole lot. You know those personality tests that are offered in self-help books, humanities classes, etc.? Sometimes the results come in the form of a color, other times in the form of an animal....Well, when I turned 18 and started working for the gym I took the test at one of my first staff meetings. This test changed my life. YELLOW- I was almost 100% yellow. This explained so much about myself.... how I love having a good time, hate commitments, am not by any means a list maker, I am a tad bit irresponsible, am a peace maker, am happy (if not thrilled at times) with a B in a class- I just love to learn, I am fine skipping breakfast and grabbing a bag of m&m's when I get hungry, the list goes on and on. At the age of 20 I married a totally dynamic young man (21) who was quite my opposite. I think this is one of the things I love most about him. He is, in terms of the personality test that I graded so many times as a manager to evaluate my employees, a RED. He is very task oriented, keeps a planner and sticks to it, loves an A and is disappointed with a B, loves to wake up early to eat a healthy breakfast, etc. Our opposite characteristics go on and on. HMMMM, I started to think, this RED stuff looks good- you accomplish more in life as a RED than a YELLOW! (You following me?) I started to make some changes. I started hitting the books really hard, applied for advances at work, overcommitted and tried to juggle anything and everything thrown at me. The results varied according to the task. Some successes and some crashes. When I overcommit, I loose control and fall. This is what I now know about myself. But still, my YELLOW, fly by the seat of my pants personality dominated. So, why am I bringing this up now? It is because I am now a mother of 3 and this conflict stares me in the face daily. I have children who like to wake up at the same time every day, drink out of the same cup, fork and plate, (WHY does it matter? I have never been concerned with routines like this) want to know what is on the agenda for the day and than hold me to what I say I am going to do, love, love, love routine, expect that a toy will be in the same location each time they go to look for it, etc. Organized, I am not. I can keep a clean home, but have a tough time putting things back in the same spot each time. Add to this the fact that it takes a lot of effort and planning to go anywhere or accomplish anything successfully. So there is a constant battle fighting between the Tami who is trying so hard keep a perfect house, clean kids, a productive schedule and responsibilities and the Tami who wants to let my hair down, turn on some music and dance or get down on the floor and play with my kids. BALANCE is what I am trying to achieve. I never imagined that I would have a daughter who thrives on organization and structure. Yes, I know that I was a child-development student. I know kids thrive on structure, I just never really, really thought about what it would mean for my life. It means that I, as a mother will have to restrain my Yellow self so much and strive to be more RED, BLUE, WHITE, whatever characteristic I need to be to help me more successfully run a home and teach my children. I am just curios if I took the test today, what color I would be.

There, you have it, my life in a nutshell. By the way, if you could be any animal, what would you be? I've taken that one in a psychology class. I always want to say a turtle- debunk that one!

6 month checkup...

We had our 6 month checkup today- vaccines and all. (One of the worst things about being a mom- they are so miserable!) Elijah weighed in at 17 pounds 5 ounces. HE"S A MOOSE! That means that there are only 6 1/2 pounds between Elijah and Corom and 7 pounds between Corom and Noelle- funny huh?

6 Month Old Elijah Louis

To the world he is Elijah, to our family, he is LI-LI! Our baby boy is 6 months already! I can't imagine our lives without him! We find out on Tuesday how much he weighs. He is now eating 2 Gerber meals a day and loving it, rolling from front to back and almost the opposite, trying to sit, playing with toys, sleeping through the night and has become really attached to our family. He is so fond of his siblings. I find myself wanting to push all tasks aside to just spend time rocking him or playing with him on the floor. I can't believe 6 months have already gone by! Here is our little Elijah...

HAPPY 2nd BIRTHDAY COROM BENNETT!!!!

Our sweet little boy turned 2 on February 27th. I am a little late in posting this as the grad student in our home gets the computer at night for homework! We celebrated Corom's birthday with our visitors from Sacramento- Nana and Papa Aldama and Dan's Grandma Larimer and Aunt Nancy. (Debbie's mom and sister) The kids enjoyed staying over night at the hotel and eating breakfast at the hotel restaurant. We took some fun drives around Salt Lake and up to Park City. On Sunday we were able to attend the Mormon Tabernacle Choir Music and the Spoken Word. We had a wonderful time! We feel so blessed to have such supportive family and enjoyed many gifts and cards in the mail as well. (We loved getting the packages in the mail from Grandma and Grandpa, Nikki and Callie and the matchbox kit from Gina and Josh!) and thanks to April for hosting us on Sunday for dinner, presents and cake! Thank you to everyone for making Corom's birthday wonderful and thank you to all who traveled to help us celebrate Corom's big day! We love you all!

We just love our sweet boy. At age 2 he weighs in at 24 pounds. (Such a tiny guy!) He loves his chupe (pacifier), silky blankie, matchbox cars and all things that transport people, Playhouse Disney, his siblings, riding in Daddy's car, brushing his own teeth, eating, orange juice, and nursery. I love the way he talks and how his vocabulary increases daily. Dan and I also comment a lot on how much he is putting concepts together and learning so much. I wish I could just capture his cuteness in a time capsule or just freeze him at this age forever. I love this little boy! Here's to our 2 year old Corom!

***And as far as the cake is concerned- it was a mother's first attempt at making a layered cake- it slid! Corom didn't mind because it was topped with a tractor!