Crazy times

We are still here and have just been way busy. I don't even think I've sat at the computer at home since I posted last. I decided I should write a quick check in!

We had a fabulous Thanksgiving. I had to work on Thanksgiving Day, so we had our dinner on Friday. It was yum, yum, yummy!

My mom has been really sick and went into the hospital the Saturday after Thanksgiving. She had to stay for 2 weeks. I'm happy to report that she's starting to do much better and is on the way back to her normal self again.

Carmen and I were sick with really gross chest colds and Carmen actually developed bronchitis and croup! Our doctor was going to put her in the hospital on a couple different days, but thankfully she was able to give us the medicine to give at home. Poor baby had to have 4 breathing treatments a day for 2 weeks. We are both doing much better.

We also had a wonderful Christmas. My brother and his girlfriend came up to Charlottesville on Christmas Day and hung out for a couple of days. It was great to have almost my whole family here!

We are doing well and are happy. We have a lot of things going on and are excited to welcome in the new year at Sandi's tonight. I know 2009 is going to be an exciting year. With new challenges and blessings sure to come, I just thank my Heavenly Father for the love he shows me every day.

I'll post some pictures once I get a second to have my camera and the computer in the same room.

Talk to ya later everybody!!!

Fun to be One!!!

I cannot believe it, but Carmen is one! What the chowder happened to the last year. Are you kidding me? How is this possible?

We had her party this past Saturday and good times were had by all! We, of course, had a pinata and lots of yummy snacks. It was a blast!

Things that just make me smile!

While sorting through pictures, I found some that just made me smile...

1. My adorable little monkey...







2. My dog, who loves to eat apples...


3. My silly family...

Marching Band Rocks!!!

I can't help it, I am a self admitted band geek. I love music and I love marching bands. They rock. Whenever I hear marching band music I just want to dance. I still remember the music we played at competitions I was in during high school.

Now that you all think less of me and know I am a big dork, let me tell you a story... Every year JMU has a marching band competition. And every year I say I'm going to go, but every year something comes up on that day. :o( But THIS YEAR... this year was going to be different, I was going! My sister, Shannon, said she would go with me and we had a blast. We watched bands play for hours. It was so much fun. The JMU Marching Dukes also performed and they were awesome!!!

Carter's Mountain

We went apple picking in October at Carter's Mountain. It was the first time I had gone and it was so much fun! We went very first thing in the morning and it was worth it. There were only a few people there and it was nice. Here are some pictures!

Hidy-ho

I've come to the conclusion that my life is boring. I rarely have anything exciting to blog about and often start to type a post and think, "Nobody wants to read about this!" However a copy fun things have happened over the past couple of weeks.

1. Juan's birthday was Oct. 23. He got some sweet gifts and dinner out with me!
2. My birthday was Nov. 5. I too got some sweet gifts and dinner at one of my favorite restaurants.
3. We had a combined birthday party for me and Juan and received a couple more sweet gifts and had a blast with family.
4. Shannon and I went to a marching band competition.
5. CARMEN TURNED 1!!!!!!!

So big!!!

Carmen has changed so much in the last 2 weeks. She went from this...

... to walking completely by herself in just a couple of days!


She also has moved out of her rear facing/newborn car seat and into a forward facing seat. She has been due for this change for a few weeks, but I wanted to wait as long as I could. It was an emotional moment for us to see her in a "big girl" car seat.



She thought her first ride was pretty cool.

Playing catch up

Hello all! We have been so busy lately. On top of that, I've been desperately looking for a new job and have spend every available moment online trying to do just that.

We have had some exciting things going on in the Hernandez house lately. Here are some pictures to catch us up! Enjoy!


I came across this frog at Sandi's house and of course, I took it's picture


Carmen's tyring out a new hair style. I have to say, I prefer her with brown hair!


Carmen was not feeling very well over the weekend, so I took her to the doctor on Monday and found out she had a double ear infection! My poor baby girl. The picture shows what happens when your nose is wiped too many times!


So sleepy. Carmen never falls asleep on me anymore, but when I was home with her on Monday and Tuesday, she just wanted to cuddle and rest. So adorable.


Carmen tried her first tortilla this week. Once she had a hold of it, there was no getting it back.


Carmen had her first real run in with... the bed head fairies!


Petey is finally earning his keep around here by keeping the remote handy and warm.


Carmen really enjoyed wearing my sunglasses. Just too cute!!!

A tender moment

I couldn't decide if I should share this store, but I want to have it "written down" somewhere.

On Labor Day, Juan, Carmen and I went to Lowe's to pick up some supplies for a project we are working on. Carmen was being so sweet and silly that day. We were in the tile aisle and Juan was nibbling on Carmen's tummy. She was just laughing away and I found myself standing there watching the two of them. As I stood there, my eyes filled with tears and I couldn't help but cry. It was just one of those moments when I thought about how blessed I am and how thankful I am that I have a wonderful and loving husband and a beautiful little girl.

Of course, Juan asked why I was crying and all I could say was, "I just love you so much"... I sure do.

Early Birthday Gift

I know my birthday isn't until November, but Sandi gave me an early birthday gift...


TICKETS TO SEE CELINE DION!!!!

Are you kidding me?!?!?!? I thought I might explode from excitment when she told me! Oh my gosh, what a great show it was! I couldn't belive it!

Some of you are probably thinking... Celine Dion... really?

I just love her music. When I was a teenager, I struggled with a lot of emotional trials and hard times . I found comfort in many of her songs.

It was so cool to be there watching her sing the songs I love and singing along with her!

Thanks Sandi! I love ya!

Catching up

Hello to you all!!

We're still here and trying to get by. We've been busy running around and working. Carmen is 10 months old! I can't even believe it. Time sure does fly. I bought her a pair of 12-18 month pajamas today. It's unbelievable how fast she is growing!

Here's some pictures from the last couple of weeks!

See ya!
------------------------------------------
This is how I found Carmen in her bed the other night. Perhaps she is trying to tell us something...


The loves of my life! So sweet.


This is Juan and Carmen's favorite game... The Nibble Monster!!!






Carmen has been introduced to biter biscuits. She would eat one everyday if she had her way. When she sees the box on the shelf, she points at them and grunts for them. And when you don't give her one... she cries!

Any second now...

...Carmen is going to walk by herself. This is her new favorite thing to do!

I love to see the temple

Whenever we go somewhere, we try to make it to the closest temple. We didn't have a chance to go do any work at the Houston temple, but we made it out there as a family and took some pictures. It is beautiful.

Back from Texas

Hello everybody! As most of you know, we were able to go to Houston last week to see Juan's family. We had a great time. It was hot... oh my was it hot. Close to 100 everyday and high humidity! Juan's family (except his mom and dad) hadn't met Carmen yet, so there were a lot of new faces, but she loved to attention because everybody was just crazy about her! Here are some pictures from our trip!


Juan's mom, Martha, and Carmen


Carmen just loved Abuela!


Juan and Martha


Carmen and Bisabuela (Great Grandma) Matiana


As I watched Bisabuela with Carmen and Juan, I was so touched by the since of family and nostalgia that my eyes filled with tears. It was so sweet to see Carmen with her name sake.


The Boys... Men... Guys... Whatever!