2010 catch up

January
-On the 15th Evan & I celebrated our 5 year anniversary of dating! It all became official one MLK day in 2005 in Tallahasse. I love this boy!!
-On January 24th Evan & I visited Jacksonville to participate in Devin's dedication. We are his godparents. He is such a cutie!


-We're pregnant!!! We found out on the 28th the same day that Titi & Lulu found out. We are all due within 10 days of each other :)

-We had dinner with the Jurado's and Chulo's that Friday (but they didn't know yet)


February
-I went to the doctor to confirm the pregnancy. Although it was too early and nothing showed up on the ultrasound the blood test confirmed it!
-We announced we were pregnant at mom's birthday lunch...except she didn't notice it written on her birthday card. In the end I told Kika who announced it. Then we called and texted family with the good news :)
-I went to the zoo with Kika and my Magoo-goos. I love those boys!

-Our first Ultrasound and our first time hearing our little one's heartbeat. It was great!

-On the 27th we celebrated Jacob & Jordan's 4th Birthday with a Spiderman theme. We had a great time and so did they.


March
-Evan & I went on a Satur-date. We love visiting family and having a busy schedule but it was so nice to go to the beach, walk and hang out. Then we visited Jaxsons for lunch and a Sundae. YUMMY!

-On the 20th we went tile shopping with Papi to pick out the tile for our bathrooms in Winter Haven.
-On Bola's Birthday we saw the first ultrasound that looked like a baby. (The previous one was a 7wks and looked like a smudge).

-Kika, Adrian, Danny and Alicia came to Davie to visit during Spring Break. We visited my school. The boys had fun playing in the Red Core, in the playgrounds and in the fountain, we ate at Moe's (Tio Evan passed by)after and walked around the mall.


April
-Mitch graduted from ITT with honors. So proud of him :)

-We visited Tallahasse for the Alumni Circus Show. A bittersweet show...the first without Dickie. At the alum meeting we were able to see a video and pictures put together for Dickie. The show was another great one. It was similar to last year's show but the talent continues to improve. It was also great to see many friends that we hadn't seen in a year.

-I had the pleasure of babysitting Sebi. He is such a good baby! We even went in the pool for his first time! Thanks Titi for letting me :)

-On April 27th we found out we are having a baby GIRL. Team Pink is finally on the map! She was very shy and trying to hide at first but the tech was able to wiggle her out of hiding in my pelvis.



May
-Javo's Surprise Party! It was a great success. He had no clue.
-My first Mother's Day. Mando and Christian hosted another great lunch. Delicious like always. Hooray for GREAT Mommies!!
-I broke our camera right around this time :(
-Evan's last day of school was on the 7th!!
-We celebrated Lily's baby shower on the 27th. She looked great and the party was great with beautiful flowers, great food, cake and chocolates.
-On the 28th Evan's family arrived in Davie and we all went to his Optometry Banquet. He received several awards including valedictorian (except it has a different name)!! I'm so proud of my hubby.... Handsome,sweet,caring, humble & INTELLIGENT!!
-That Sunday Evan graduated to DOCTOR!! We celebrated at Mom and Dad's house with family and yummy chinese food:)

June
-My students graduated on June 4th! They behaved great and made me proud. I didn't think I would, but the moment I began reading my graduation speech I cried. Everyone just attributed it to my little pregnant belly.
-That weekend Evan and I traveled to Winter Haven to go to our first apt at Gessler Clinic. It was great and very informative. We are very excited to work with them.
-We returned to Davie so that I could finish the school year. My last day was on the 10th. I'm going to miss my kids and all the wonderful teachers and staff I had the pleasure of working with.
-On Sunday Titi celebrated baby #2 with a beautiful baby shower. The scenery was beautiful and food was delicious.
-On June 18th Evan & I said goodbye to our home in Davie. We packed up with the help of several very nice friends whom we could not have done it without. Evan then drove the truck to Winter Haven and I drove our car to pick mom up at work and head to Winter Haven. Thank God everything went well. When we arrived that evening we had both sets of parents there to help us. Papi had driven over earlier in the week to finish the bathrooms. Thank you so much Pal!!
-The next morning we headed to our new home, cleaned and unloaded. In addition to our parent's Evan's friend, Adam, came and helped us too. That Sunday was Father's Day. I gave Evan a camera since I broke our last one. This one is shockproof and waterproof. Thank God for our great Dads.
-We went back to Miami for Evan's Florida Board Review Course the weekend of the 26th. While Evan was at his course, the family got to see Mandy and her mom and meet baby Ela. She is so cute and happy! Mandy was glowing.

After a nice lunch we went to Tia Alite's for Dylan's 2nd birthday party.


July
-One week later we were back in So. Fla. but this time for our vacation at the beach. Before we headed off to the beach we did the J45K. We were part of the Miami Fit Baody Boot Camp Team.

The beach was perfect. Great weather, delicous beach and great company.

-On the 14th I met a new doctor (I've already met one). I think I have 2 more doctors to meet before I rotate again. She was very nice and helpful. When I mentioned that I had leg cramps something in my description had her schedule a dopple screening of my legs for Friday. It turned out fine and clot free (that I know of). I was glad to have the screening done since we have been traveling back and forth so much. We headed to Miami right after.
-My Baby Shower!!!! It was so great. My family and friends were so generous like always. I just can't believe everything we received. I had a great time seeing everyone and how much they love our unborn little one. I can't wait to meet her.

-That evening I had my first scary prego experience. I woke up at 2:30am because I felt like throwing up (very rare for me to wake up at that time and even more so to throw up?). I didn't want to wake Evan or throw up in bed so I got up to walk to the bathroom. On my way I began having trouble seeing and felt like I was going to faint so I began crawling (at this point Evan heard me and came to see how he could help). My inside temp felt very high but my skin felt clammy. I stood up slowly with Evan's help, used the restroom and tried to relax. I didn't feel sick anymore only weak from almost fainting. We went back to bed after I made sure I wasn't bleeding and the baby was still moving. I slept fine the rest of the night and felt fine the next day.
-After arriving in Winter Haven that afternoon I calle the doctor to let one of them know what happened. She sent me to the Women's Hospital to get checked out. Evan and I thought they would just take my blood pressure and send us home but instead I had my first hospital experience. We walked to triage and they gave me a hospital gown (not very comfy) and I had to sit on a hospital bed....all firsts for me. The nurse asked what had happened and she monitored the baby for 45mins. She sounded GREAT both the nurse and doctor told me and my vital were good too. They said that I must have been lying on my back causing the baby's weight to trigger a vasovagal response . They told me if it happens again to make sure I get up more slowly.Everything was fine and we were sent home...Better safe than sorry.
-Tonight we tour the hospital....I know where Triage is now :/

I'm back...

I wanted to make sure I had something to write about so I waited 7 months. Here are a few things that happened...

October:
- Halloween at school.

- Visited a pumpkin patch with Danny & Adrian.

- Family Pumpkin Carving Day with the fam.


November:
- I turned 25! whoa! Evan took me to The Cheesecake Factory that weekend. He also gave me a running hat and shirt like I wanted :)

- Evan & I went to Meli & Luis' wedding. It was a beautiful wedding and the food was delish. I'm not a picky eater and like wedding food, but this was way better than wedding food.

-We visited NC for Thanksgiving and enjoyed family, cold weather, relaxing and some shopping for the nefs (nephews) for their trip up in December.


December:
- Mandy Pandy turned 1!!!! He is such a cute, big, strong and smart boy. Oh how I love him :)

-On Dec. 13th I ran my first half-marathon... The Weston Rotary's Run for Tomorrow. It went very well for my FIRST time ever even covering the distance. The most I trained was eight miles (only once) and it was much slower than the pace I ran the race....needless to say I was very happy that I was able to that. My pal was right next to me on a bike with a cow bell cheering me on and keeping me on pace. He's such a good pal and dad. Evan was cheering me on too. He was at the start and finish and ate pancakes while a ran :) Later that week I found out I won my age group which was exciting too (even though I know it was a small race).

FEMALE AGE GROUP: 25 - 29
Place Bib First Last Age City 10k Finish Net-Time Pace
1 244 Karina Brinton 25 Fort Lauderdale 51:59 1:52:37 01:52:23 8:35
2 326 Alisa Kruzel 26 Hollywood 56:03 2:02:04 02:01:51 9:19
3 617 Jillian Clapner 26 Coral Springs 1:11:45 2:28:05 02:27:29 11:16



- That day after the race we took family pictures to celebrate Tia Ali's birthday. It was such a great idea!

- Evan turn 27!!!!!
- Evan & I celebrated our 1st Anniversary!! It was not the greatest weekend other than it was our first anniversary. That weekend we were in Winter Haven working on our house. I began to feel nauseous while working at the house so Evan took me to his parent's house....turns out I had food poisoning. First time ever, hopefully the ONLY time ever. Papi and Javo happened to be kind of in the Winter Haven area so they stopped by to see how I was doing and helped me feel better. Also, Tio Moises passed away that Friday and that Sunday we went to his viewing. Such a jolly guy...he is missed. On our way home that Sunday we stopped to look at Lake Okeechobee..whaa whaa, not good. At the end of Sunday night we cut the top tier of our cake and Evan ate some ( my stomach was still recovering). For our anniversary Evan & I bought running shoes for each other....for a healthy year 2!!

This was taken and Meli & Luis' wedding in Nov.
- We celebrated Noche Buena at Mami and Papi's house and stayed that night to celebrate Christmas.

- We celebrated the new year in North Carolina and had a great time :)


HAPPY 2010

never forgotten...

Dickie Brinson

Some of you know and others don't, but on October 17 Dickie, the director of the FSU circus (during my time there and way before) died of a heart attack. He was such a character. Dickie was a great person, funny, happy, master of the rubics cube and bop it, he made amazing blueberry cobbler (I've made it...it's his recipe), he was always there to back people up, generous and kind. There are so many stories... Here are a few links where you can read other people's stories. He was such a big part of mine and Evan's life and visiting the circus will not be the same without him.

Facebook site:

http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?cropsuccess&id=5209482#/group.php?gid=161049191745

Obituary:

http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/tallahassee/obituary.aspx?n=richard-walter-brinson&pid=134687012

Article about Dickie:

http://www.tallahassee.com/article/20091020/BREAKINGNEWS/91020009/FSU%20circus%20director%20Dickie%20Brinson%20remembered%20by%20friends

This pic is from Megan & Hunter's wedding this Feb.

Dickie and his girls.

Dickie presenting me with my award in 2006.

Bola Bolisima

I truly can't believe it has been 7 years since Bola became our angel in heaven. To this day I cry everytime I think of her (just like right now). Maybe she was my emotional turning point?...I used to never cry (ask Tia Tere and Kika, they know). I'm now an emotional wreck.

Anyway, I always think of how much she would have loved all these moments in our lives little and big...weddings, kids but also things like a silly dance, the cakes we've made, what we wear. I just picture her sitting on our couch or in the kitchen just smiling. She was always happy and excited. Her reaction is what I always think about....a smile with a little cheer. With her there was always a way and things would get done.

I guess the toughest thing is ....how do you describe her to someone who never met her, because in my mind, my description just doesn't do her justice. And, I never feel they truly understand how awesome she was because they never met her. My solice is that I did, and that those who did meet her DO know just how amazing she was...even those that met her only once. I'll never forget the time she cleaned Valeria's throat before our Regional track meet...I don't know if it worked, but she offered and cleaned MY friend's throat... She kept clothes that we had outgrown and she knew exactly what family needed it and who it would fit. If not, she would taylor it. Her patchwork was amazing(ly durable)...She didn't just know what was going on with everyone around her, she would help in any way she could.

I love her to death and wish she was still here.

Busy Weekend!

Last Weekend I visited Miami for the Breast Cancer Walk on Saturday Morning. What an amazing turnout...thousands of people! We had a big team too. Kika did a great job setting it up...getting our shirts, creating a team with an awesome name, and recruiting. I took a few pictures and made a video of a few of them.

Right after the race I headed back to Ft. Lauderdale so that Evan and I could head to Winter Haven . We worked on the lawn primarily. Here are a few before and after pics.

We are so excited to keep fixing it up. This was our first step because as you say it was a jungle out there. I'm sure our neighbors appreciate it. Speaking of neighbors ...we've met two of them, two older men. One lives in front of us and the other to our left. They are very nice. They told us that everyone looks out for each other. It's an older more established neighborhood. Our electrician updated and combined the many electrical boxes. He started Friday and will finish on Monday:) Next, we hope to visit with Mami and Papi (maybe Javo too?) to plan the order of the renovations.

Also, Kathy took me to grandmother's storage unit to see if I liked anything and I DID :) I am so excited about the purple chairs and the outdoor chairs pictured at the end of the video. I also chose a little antique table, a SEWING MACHINE (which I'm really excited about!!) and some of grandmothers old suitcases (including her hat box and makeup case -used for train rides). Evan doesn't understand why I see so much value in these items and why I think that they're so special. I tried to explain to him that in our family we don't really have anything like that because our family left anthing like that behind(if they even had anything like it). It's so nice to have a story. Love you all!!!

New Home

Evan & I bought our 1st home in Winter Haven! It's bittersweet since it is further than we are now and more permanent than Tallahassee was. I know I will miss my family but I am excited to not be in Miami traffic and the craze. Here are a few pics.

our back patio (sideways?)

the pool (also sideways)

the kitchen with the missing cabinet door

the dining room

the house!

More pictures and better pictures coming soon.I have to go watch Lie to Me....awesome show.

xoxox

Family Beach Day

We had a family beach day last weekend and it was great! I was so happy that so many people were able to go. TWENTY FIVE of us were there! The water and weather were perfect. I loved that everyone went to Jaxson's for some ice cream after...I was sad I couldn't make it.

Here are some pics:

Tia Ali always ready to hang out with her neitos.

The boys playing with sand.

The boys (MIA: Mando and Javo).

She's a natural!

Bet and his mini-me's

Cousins :)

I love this family pic

I love my family!


That afternoon after Evan got off work, he and I headed to

Winter Haven to celebrate Mateo's Birthday :)

Inspiration

I decided to create this blog after reading my lovely friend Valeria's blog. She is a great writer; I on the otherhand, am not. Although I am not a great writer, I thought that it would be a great way to let you all know what is going on in Evan's and my life. We have so many family and friends that it is hard to call everyone.

Hope you ENJOY it!! Love you!