fly

Fix it Friday

2010-08-07T20:42:00.004-03:00

After

Before

my cutie

2010-08-02T15:57:00.002-03:00

Jillian's Spaghetti Face

2010-07-24T22:47:00.004-03:00

Okay... so I'm going to start this "I Heart Faces" challenge thing.
The next challenge is Purple and the following Random Act of Kindness....
we'll see what I can come up with. :)
for now here is an updated picture of our Jillie-Bean!

Papi and Me

2010-06-24T01:49:00.003-03:00

Jillian absolutly adores her Papi!
June 24, 2010
10 months 6 days

new signs

2010-06-23T15:12:00.001-03:00

Yesterday Jillian signed: Bath
Today she signed: cheese and down

GO GO GO JILLIAN!

Clau's First Father's Day

2010-06-21T17:00:00.002-03:00

Papi's Day!
We enjoyed a sweet day with Clau's family. Nothing super special since Jorge hasn't been feeling well. But we had a really nice time together.
Later that evening, Jillian and I took Papi out for dinner and we came back to the house and watched a movie... of Papi's choice.

MILK

2010-06-21T16:53:00.004-03:00

June 20th
SHE SIGNED "MILK" yesterday! She's got it!!!!!!!!!!!
all day whenever it was time for her to have her milk, instead of just crying or whatever and me getting the clue by what time it was.... she signed milk for us!!!

THAT'S MY GIRL!!!!

10 months

2010-06-19T23:18:00.006-03:00

I Can....
wave
blow kisses
give kisses
"walk" holding on to your hands
sign: all done
sit and scoot around (sorta)
sing
dance
clap- that's your favorite. You applaud anything and everything

I love...
music
momma and papi
abuela and abuelo
tio and tias
to eat
snuggle
play with your hands
hold your cell phone
play- ravage through bags, purses, and toy boxes
read books
anything that has music on it
a bath
my stacking cups
and shape sorter
to house wrestle
to be affirmed by clapping, smiles, or verbal praise

I am...
very affectionate
playful
quick to reconcile after being "s****ed"
lively- I move constantly
social
curious

Sweetheart,
you have the sweetest smile and whenever you enter a room everyone seems to turn and admire you. You're such a blessing to so many. People mostly comment on how good natured and "buenita" you are and how cute you are. You're not afraid of anyone and once you've exchanged a few smiles and tickles with someone new you'll extend your arms out to them. You're a very secure baby and obviously a social butterfly. Occasionaly you look for me or for Papi... but mostly you're fine in the arms of others.

About a week ago you really impacted me. It was maybe one of the sweetest moments for me... at least one of the most memoriable ones. I doubt I'll ever forget it. You were wapping your hands at me (by the way people... this ISN'T common for her), so I spanked your hand and said, "no" firmly. We did this about 3 times. And you just looked at me with your furrowed brow and persisted hitting me. Finally, after the third or fourth time you stopped. Looked at me. and with such tenderness held your arms out, cried and hugged me. It was like you were saying, " I'm sorry mommy!" It was a special moment and I think the first offense, spank, reconcile "cycle" with you.
I saw so much of me in you... kinda stubborn... but in the end... not that hard to "break".
I would say that that is pretty typical of you. Whenever we spank your hand you want to reconcile pretty quickly and sometimes you just want to milk the pitty factor from your abuelos and tios!

Your laugh. ahhh.... you just start cackling whenever we tickle you, sneeze, make funny noises, or whenever Papi, presses his nose against the window or even just a good ol' game of hide-and-go-seek. We LOVE to hear you laugh.

Now that you've caught on to waving goodbye whenever you see people pick up thier purse or put on their coat you immediatly start to wave and blow kisses. You're very observant and you pick up on social cues really well.

One of my favorite things you do is whenever you play with other kids you lean down to look at their face and your smile at them. You just want to see their face.

A new "game" you play with mommy is where's your... nose, eyes, hair, mouth, cheeks, etc... with me. I think you're catching on to nose, hair, and eyes.

Your facinations:
you love birds! Whenever you're at Abuelo's house you often go "bird watching" around the yard. You love hands... still. Books... I think you're favorites are still I love you Through and Through, Brown Bear, and the new one is Puppy.
You're really getting into animales now too. You're noticing all the dogs, cats, and any other crawling creature around you, and of course the animales in books: lions, ducks, cows, chickens, frogs, etc...

I love you so much and we are enjoying getting to know you and discover the world through your eyes.

panda play - 9m 2w 0d

2010-06-05T00:12:00.005-03:00

Friday June 4th, 2010

She's started this wrinkled nose sniff thing... it's so funny!! She's got some funny faces. She's our little clown! :)

We've also been incooperating baby sign language into our daily routines now. Here are the words we're signing:
banana, grape, water, juice, milk, eat, hungry, sleep,"estrellitas" which are her little star oatmeal cereals, book, all done, bye bye, more, and bath.
I think those are the basics...for now. But this is going to be such a great link between the two langauges... and a great help for communication with her before she starts talking. I'm really excited about it.
So far she's got "bye bye" down really good waving goodbye, and all done. I think she's starting to get "more". I'll keep you posted :)

Sippy Cup

2010-05-26T12:15:00.005-03:00

She's been able to hold her own sippy cup now for about 3 months. But only recently has she been able to handle THIS sippy cup that doesn't have handles. She's doin' great! The next step is trying to get her to drink her milk out of it. She's not too fond of drinking milk out of anything that's not her bottle.

Reading Time Together

2010-05-26T12:08:00.005-03:00

One of Jillian's favorite books now is "I love you through and through" by Bernadette Rosetti-Shustak It's an adorable book that walks through a parent loving every part of their baby. "I love your top side, I love your bottom side, I love your inside and outside ..." One of the pages reads "I love your fingers and toes". Jillian without fail puts her hands next to the little child's hands on the page. It's so cute.
Besides that, she's always been very fond of hands. Grabbing on to any hand that passes by her and ESPECIALLY when she gets sleepy.
Her theme song IS: "I wanna hold your hand" by the Beatles. :)

25 de Mayo BICENTENIAL

2010-05-26T00:20:00.003-03:00

Jillian was completely facinated with all the dancing and music. She clapped the whole day long! We had a great time at Centro Crecer Church.

Mother's Day

2010-05-26T00:03:00.003-03:00

The Twinkle in Your Eye

2010-05-22T14:50:00.002-03:00

This is a classic Jillian smile.

7 and 8 month pictures

2010-05-08T19:37:00.004-03:00

papi and clau

playing with mommy!

7 month picture

Easter and then some

2010-05-07T16:31:00.009-03:00

Jillian sportin' her chubby bunny hat! Thanks Nona! We love it! This picture is adorning our livingroom wall!

she's learned how to give kisses!

This is an Easter tradition that's been in the Donell family only for the past 8 or 9 years... but that I want to carry on with Jillian and my family.
It's the ressurrection cake. It's a chocolate cake covered in nuts in the shape of a tomb, with an angel on top saying "he's risen!".... so this is a picture of Jillian and I making our first Resurrection cake together.
This year I read through Noel Piper's Treasuring GOd in our traditions... to refresh my memory on some things and begin to think about what kinds of traditions we'd like to implement in our family for Easter.
do you all have any suggestions?

I've been thinking and pondering the passage in Deuteronomy and how Clau and I can bring Jesus to Jillian's little 8 month old world and life. Here are some ways that Clau and I do that:

1. Who loves baby game. Who love's Jillian? JESUS does! Who loves Jillian? Mommy does! Who loves Jillian? Daddy does! etc.... She LOVES this game. Any of us begins with the special tone of voice and saying "whooooo loooooves JILLian?... and she immediatly smiles.
2. Including her when we pray at meals and bedtime.
3. singing hymns to her and including her in the singing at church.
4. teaching her the "thank you" sign.... teaching her to be thankful.
5. loving others by celebrating their entrance and arrival to our home... we stop whatever we're doing and we make a BIG rucauss(sp)... saying, "Look Jillian! It's ________!!!!!!"
6. Reading her Bible stories from the Lloyd-Jones children's story book about Jesus! Wonderful redemption focused book!
7. and lastly... disciplining with stern "no"´s and slaps on hands and occasionally the thigh/butt sxxxk.... we´re learning to discern what's direct disobedience for Jillian.... and what deserves what.

My brother - March 22nd

2010-04-17T20:08:00.003-03:00

Ian "Gift of God"

This is a shout out for my brother Ian. I'm so proud of you Ian! You're the best little brother there is to have and you're 13 now! You've traveled the world, mastered two languages, you've managed moves all over, and you still seem to have your energy and love for friendship and your family.
Despite how much maybe some of us complain of how much energy do you have... the Donell family needed you. You were unplanned and unforseen... but God set you into our family ... and I'm SO HAPPY you were born!! and I'm SO HAPPY you are MY brother. and I'm SO HAPPY that the Lord has set HIS love in you.

Happy 13th birthday bro!!!!
Lots of hugs!
your sister forever in this life and the next,
Amy

the latest - 7 months

2010-04-15T15:55:00.003-03:00

due to our move and no internet connection we've REALLY fallen behind on the 365 project. I'm uploading these two pictures with the slow internet connect there is at my father and mother-in-law's house. SO... sorry.. until we get our internet line back at our house...they'll still be few updates and pictures.

love to all,

Clau, Amy, and Jillian

The News

2010-03-11T10:36:00.002-03:00

Jillian's started to say "da da da" sounds!!! I think her language is always going to be a little "slow" because she's doing double time language processing! I'm so proud of her though... she's doing great!

She has an awesome pincer grasp too! She's really good with her hands!

Still no teeth... but I've heard THEM say... that it's better...??? Maybe? Who knows!

We're doing great! We finally found a house! The Lord has taken us on a what has seemed to be a long journey to actually find this house. Last night I was listening to The Village Church's Pastor, Matt Chandler, and his weekly updates on his radiation therapy. I realized that my anxiety and unbelieve has been pretty petty in this house hunt. It's just a house, and I've been freaking out and really probably nagging a lot on Claudio. I was really rebuked by how such a little thing has taken me away. Does He not cloth the birds of the air and the flower of the fields? Why wouldn't He provide a house for us and why couldn't I just trust the Lord and His timing?? I need so much more faith. I'm way too self-sufficient. What a shame on me!!
Well... despite all my floundering, the Lord has led us to a 3 bedroom, 2 bath, livingroom, diningroom, kitchen, patio, and large balcony duplex. The owners are these really sweet older people.... and I think the God is going to really bless our years there! That's what we're praying!
I'll update with pictures later!!!

KISSES,
AMY

Days 186 - 198

2010-03-02T11:08:00.009-03:00

On the Go with Papi Day 192

Water in the face! I love this picture!!

Swimming Day 191

I can Stand!! Day 190

Big Girl drinking from her sippy Day 189

Papi and Daughter Day 188

Happy Play - Day 187

Touch my toes Day 186

Okay... so I'm WAY behind on my 365 day project... I know. Christmas, travel, and a house hunt pretty much stopped me from uploading anything. I've got pictures... I just haven't put them up. SO... we're going to start from Month 6, February 18th. That would be....31 x 6 equals 186. So from Day 186 - Day 198 here you come! That's a total of 12 pictures. :) I've even got some video from Abuelo's new camera... which should count as like 2 days right? :) I hope you enjoy!

Psalm 23

2010-02-23T16:02:00.003-03:00

Sally Lloyd-Jones' rendition of Psalm 23
The Jesus Storybook Bible

"The Song of the Shephard" (it's probably number one on the Psalm Charts.) And it goes like this....

God is my Shephard
and I am his little lamb.

He feeds me
He guides me
He looks after me.
I have everthing I need.

Inside, my heart is very quiet.
As quiet as lying still in soft green grass
in a meadow
by a little stream.

Even when I walk through
the dark, scary, lonely places
I won't be afraid
Because my Shepherd knows where I am.

He is here with me
He keeps me safe
He rescues me

He makes me strong
and brave

He is getting wonderful
things ready for me
especially for me
Everything I ever dreamed of!

He fills my heart so full of happiness
I can't hold it all inside.
Wherever I go I know

God's never stopping
never giving up
unbreaking
always and forever
Love
Will go, too!

6 Months

2010-02-21T16:56:00.009-03:00

Jillian Juliette Molina
August 18, 2009

I CAN...
Recognize my name and I think "mommy" and "papi" too ... it's coming.
Stand holding onto your hands in lap and bounce
Pull to standing position holding on to your hands
Rock in the exersaucer and when sitting
Sit with out support (since 5 months)
Razz... LOTS of razzing!
Object when you take a toy away
Work to get a toy that's out of reach
pass a toy or object from one hand to the other
Rake with fingers at tiny objects and pick it up with fist
Put my arms out when I want to be picked up (sometimes)
Babbleing... but still no ma ma ma or da da da.
Make indian sounds moving my hand over my mouth while I "ahhh" (Everyone seems to like that one)
Finger food bananas and mash them in my hands.
When I object to something I either: flap my arms OR wap my legs down in my crib. (read: sin nature!)
I've been experiencing a little separation anxiety as well.
(object/people permanance)

What I do most:
I OBSERVE EVERYTHING!
I pound my hands on the table, trey etc...
Make indian noises.
Play and "talk" with people!
Smile at everyone, especially the camera. :)

Teeth:
nothin' yet. But I have my days when I chew on everything! Especially the Koala bear on my exersaucer and a few teething toys mom puts in the frig.

My Favorite Toys:
Exersaucer
Fuzzy Giraff
Dolly (Chilindrina)
Pop up Toy (I love the panda bear, it's my favorite)
And this rist rattle that has a duck on it.
BOOKS! I love books!

Favorite Activites:
Play in baby pool! I love to SPLASH!
Read books
Play with Mommy and Daddy and anyone else that will give me attention
Tickling! I'm SO tickelish on my neck, thights, and under arms
Drop - Pick up game (NOT mommy's favorite game!)

Funny Facinations:
people's hair
touching people's faces when she meets them

FOOD:
Bananas
Gradded Apples (it's basically apple sauce)
Butternut Squash
Carrots
Bananas are my favorite! OF COURSE!
4 bottles of milk of about 8oz

CLOTHES:6-9 months

Sleep Patterns:
I sleep about 10-12 hours at night
and I take about 2 naps a day and sometimes a few cat naps here and there

Personality:
Strong willed ... I let you know when I don't like you taking something away or giving me what I want.
Sweet with strangers
social butterfly
playful
cuddly and affectionate: She leans her head on you and puts her arms around your neck. It's the sweetest thing and it absolutly melts mommy and daddy's heart.

Tennessee

2010-01-21T00:47:00.006-03:00

mirando los peces... tia vero... te hubiese encantado el acuario!!!

la visita a Tennessee

One of a Kind.... copita de nieve

c.i.n.c.o. MESES

2010-01-21T00:23:00.004-03:00

Tengo 5 meses ya!!! WOW... como vuela el tiempo.
Estoy creciendo tanto!

COMER
Como bananas...mmmm... que dico! Me encantan!
Tomo 240mL de la mamadera 4 veces por dia.
no se cuanto peso...pero mi mama dice que soy gordita!
JUGAR
Me encanta jugar con tus manos, mi "exer-saucer", y por supuesto mi chilindrina (mi dolly)
me rio muchisimo con mi papi
tengo muchas cosquillas especialmente bajo mi cuellito, piernitas, y panzita.
puedo sentarme solita por 5-8 minutos
puedo pasar un jugete de un mano al otro
me rio con todos...eso es seguro.
VIAJAR
bueno en estos ultimos dos meses viaje a....... preparense.....
a CHILE y Los Estados Unidos... mi otro paiz.
CONOCER
Conoci a mis tias, tios, y primos... pase mi primer navidad y año nuevo
HABLAR
ya no digo solamente "gggggg" pero grito "AAAAAAAHHHHAHAAAAAAAHHHHHAAAAAHHHHHH"
y por ahi unos "dddda" o "nnaaaa"

un poco mas

2010-01-17T00:44:00.008-03:00

session de fotos de Ryan y Lydia

feliz cumple GG!!!!

MAS

2010-01-13T23:44:00.014-03:00

BANANAS!!!!!! QUE DIIIIICO!

Jillian durmio en la caminata del centro de Ashville

casi se da vuelta...

mimos de la tia Lydia

La salida preferida de nosotros. Salir a las 11, tomar un cafe, comer un krispy kream, y jugar bananagrahms! que memoria

KRISPLY KREAM!!! AHHHHHHH.... ESO es un Doughnut!

Jugando uno de los juegos preferidos nuevos que aprendimos, "Bananagrams".... Claudio nos gano!!!!! ESO ES MI ESPSOSO!!!!

Nuestros amigos Kristin, Brent, y Kaydence

Nuestros Amigos Ashley y Craig

la unica forma de dormir: con tu mano en su carita

jugando en su "froggy mat"

2010

2010-01-13T02:04:00.006-03:00

FELIZ 2010para seguir con tradicion... brindamos con el famoso bebida de Claudio.... "Limonchamp" Que diiiico!

jugamos MUCHO al wii "rock band".... y Lydia y Ryan lo tomaba en serio. :)

mimos con la Nona

mira mis rollos!

Generaciones

2010-01-13T01:54:00.003-03:00

"generacion a generacion anunciara sus obras"

el linaje Donell

mi abuela Eloise con sus bis nietos

papi juganod con jillie en el espejo

25 de diciembre 2009

2010-01-13T01:41:00.006-03:00

Estas son las fotos de la navidad. Lo pasamos muy lindo con toda mi familia. Jugamos mucho wii, charlamos, jugamos a farkel (un juego que despues les ensenamos), y nos reimos mucho.

2010-01-13T01:09:00.007-03:00

todos los primos(y tio ian) viendo tele .... lo cual.... Jillian no deberia haber hecho.

las primas

todo hecho a mano y con dulces

grove park inn. Fuimos a ver los "ginger bread houses"

mas fotos! :)

2009-12-20T16:04:00.019-03:00

Victor y Ellen

Hice una sesion de fotos con la familia Aborotin.

Claudio conocio a artista Chris Koelle. Que experiencia increible!

chocha. Fuimos a pasear en el shopping...se porto de diez!

La calle principal en el centro de Greenville

Ryan y Jillian paseando por el centro

Jillie tomando cafe de Start Bucks....mmmm...que dico!!!

la vista desde el puente peatonal

Mi "froggy mat".

Jugando con mi Nona

Te gusta mis can canes???

Nosotros en un restauran comiendo comida mexicana.... Que RIIIIIIICO!!!!!

POR FIN.....

2009-12-17T13:34:00.017-03:00

mas por adelante... espero que disfrutan..... les mandamos abrazos muy fuertes y con MUCHO carino a TODOS
Amy, Claudio, y Jillian

Jillie con su Papi

decorando el arbol. Nuestros adornos del ano

el nuevo juegete de Jillie. LE ENCANTA. Es el regalo de navidad de Paw Paw y Nona....

mama cuando era chiquita... no se parece a Phoebe????

papa cuando era chico.... no se parece a Jillie?

un poco cansadita. :)

Por fin.... viajamos!!!! estos fotos son del aeropuerto en chile. (martes)

despues de un dia muy largo en el aeropuerto.... y de no viajar.... nos fuimos a la casa... y Jillian nos dio la alegria del dia. Que dulce es tener un recuerdo tan tierno de la bondad y fidelidad de Dios en nuestra casa.

Este es el dia antes que nos ibamos a irnos. unos mimos con mami.

Days 107 - 110

2009-12-06T01:28:00.010-03:00

Day 110 (saturday)
The center of attention today was NOT Jillian. Although everyone in the church loves her.... today was a special day. Carmen Catalano (Alejandro's mom) and Monica were baptized. We had a super sweet service, great preaching, and several friends come! The Lord really blessed this day and His Word.
Praise the Lord that He was moved to pity us and save us! What a Redeemer!

Day 109 (Friday)
Papi and Me! Do we look alike?

Day 108 (thursday)

Day 107 (wednesday)
Jillian met her (second) cousin, Bastián!! He's exactly 3 months and 10 days older and about 5 kilo's heavier (20 plus pounds). YES... this kid is huge!!! But he's got polish blood in him.... so he was bound to be big. He's a sweet little boy and Jillian's playmate. It was so funny because when Jorge (Clau's dad) held Bastián she looked at Jorge and started to fuss and cry... like saying, "hey! you're mine! Why are you talking to him?" We had a little jelousy! Of course that made Abuelo feel SOO special! :)

(Thursday morning)
Jillian and I playing "airplane"... she loves it!

Days 101 - 106

2009-12-01T23:53:00.009-03:00

Day 106
This is from today. She's putting everything she can grab onto into her mouth. So this is her spit up wrag doubling as a sucky-toy. I love her eyes in this picture.

Day 105
Papi flies me in the air... and I love it!

Day 104
I'm holdin' my head up pretty good now on my tummy, although I still don't like doin' this for very long.

Day 103
finally setteling down with "dolly" to take a nap.

Day 102
I can fold my hands together. She's always put her hands together... but just recently has she actually done it on purpose. It's so lady like and cute.

Day 101
sitting outside and enjoying some sun with mommy.

Days 91 -100

2009-11-27T23:16:00.014-03:00

Day 100
Well... I think this ought to catch us up... I have some from today
chillin' in my room

Day 99
Jillian "agoo-ing" at me while playing on her amazing quilt that her Nona made her.

Day 98
Jillian and PawPaw on his last day with us.

Day 97
I like this computer stuff. :)

Day 96
Mom put this ridiculous hat on me to see if it still fit me.... it doesn't.

Day 95
getting ready for bed.

Day 94
reading a little 1689 with my Abuelo.

Day 93

Day 92
Jillian's first night at Punta Hidalgo.
The sound was a little too much for her... but she enjoyed listening from outside with pawpaw.

Day 91
The day we recieved Jillian's passport and Clau's Visa

Paw Paw and Jillian

3 months

2009-11-24T12:15:00.002-03:00

I'm three months old now. I turned 3 months the same day that Paw Paw got here!
So here are my new tricks.

- I can grab at things... actually open my hand, aim, and grab... especially mommy's necklaces.
- I eat about 180mL at each feeding
- I sleep an average of 7.5 - 8 hours a night.
- Mommy's trying to teach me to fall asleep in my bed all by myself instead of someone's arms. It's kinda hard, but I'm getting used to it.
- Something I forgot to mention last month was that on October 8th I started sleeping in my own room instead ofm bed in mommy and daddy's room.
- I've chosen my favorite toys: Shiney, Smelly books, my cloth book, and my dolly.
- now when mommy reads to me I grab the book and I like to "turn" the pages too.
- anything I get ahold of I take to my mouth. Things are quite tasty.
- I smile at EVERYONE and almost all the time. I'm a very happy baby.
- I'm getting better at sitting up... (honestly I think she's going to be sitting at 6 months easy.)
- My 3 month clothes barely fit me.
- I've finally grown out of my newborn shoes that Nona bought me, but my other ones are still a littl bit too big.
- Places I've been this month: US Embassy, Buenos Aires, Natalia Villegas' house, Villa Paz, and Iglesia Centro Crecer.

playing catch up... let's just say we're up to date. Day 90

2009-11-18T12:33:00.009-03:00

Here's the most artistic thing I've done this month. This is from monday the 16th.

Havin' a talk with Dolly. I think this is her transferal object now. She LOVES this dolly. She talks to it, stares at it, smiles at it, and laughs at it. It's hilarious...but she really loves this dolly.

We're workin' on tummy time. It's still not her favorite, but it's not so bad if she can look at a book while being on her tummy. She's gettin' better at it everyday.

Jillian dancing with her papi to the beatles

Jillian Has started to grab at things instead of batting at them. IT'S SO FUN to watch her concentrate to grasp at something. It's amazing! On her froggy mat, which she already likes, she grasps at the white tag on the back of the froggy that hangs down. She's an amazing little girl!

Nap time with Tia Gimena (I think this was last thursday)

The truth is... that I haven't taken very many pictures of Jillian this past week. These are a jumble of pictures from the past 2 weeks... but I'm not sure of the exact dates. :(.... sorry. I hope you enjoy what I have taken... we need to do a good November shoot.... coming soon at a blog near you.

November 3rd - November 12th

2009-11-12T17:02:00.003-03:00

I'll continue uploading for the rest of the week tomorrow! .... goodnight
Jillian's favorites (Thursday)

Monday
I don't feel good. Daddy took me to get my vaccinations!

Purple(Tuesday)

Days 76-81 skip a few my darlin'

2009-11-08T19:07:00.006-03:00

I just really liked this perspective from last weeks photo shoot.

These are from last sunday... they are some of her newer tricks.
I call this her superwoman pose!

Jillian: "Look, I have hands!!"

I appologize for how behind I've gotten this week with pictures. To be honest, since last Sunday I haven't picked up my camera once. This week has been crazy trying to gather up paper work for Claudio and Jillian's Embassy appointments.
Marriage certificates, birth certificates, letters and signatures from employers, passport pictures and the endless list goes one.... all just so that when we got to the window they wouldn't ask for something we didn't have. After a whirlwind 4 days Wednesday we got on our bus successfully. Luggage? Check. Paperwork? Check. Baby? Check. However, we almost got on the bus without our pacifier!
The Lord was so kind in our trip to Buenos Aires though. Jillian slept on the bus in our laps very well. And even the business of the big city streets didn't seem to disturb her sleep while she was in the baby bijourno. She was an excellent baby!

Claudio was granted his 10 year tourist visa and Jillian is officially a "LATINGA".
Our trip was blessed by the Lord. Thank you all for your prayers! They were heard.
Praise the Lord for His infinite kindesses to us... His Charity children.
We can't stop thinking about all that this means for our family. We've dreamed about this for 3 years... and it's finally, in the Lord's timing, a reality for us.
Praise His NAME!

Days 74-75

2009-11-03T10:33:00.004-03:00

Day 75
nothing special...but it's part of jillian's everyday

Day 74
Sunday afternoon it was unbearably hot. These are pictures of my dearest husband and daughter TRYING to take a nap. We had little Jillian in nothing but her bloomers.

Saturday 73/368

2009-11-02T14:42:00.002-03:00

Saturday smiles

Saturday's collage

my favorite!!!

Days 69- 72 tuesday - friday

2009-10-31T11:59:00.010-03:00

72/365 friday
Lastnight was the Halloween party at Wallace Academy. This year Virginia(on the right) and I were in charge of setting up the games and so forth. We had a fun time. I, as you can tell, was Mickey Mouse. Jillian was going to come as Minnie Mouse, but it was SO HOT, I couldn't bare putting her in pants... she would just die... poor thing. we've had 100 degree weather the past couple of days. Jillian suffers already from being warm natured plus the weather, and no A.C. She's been kinda cranky the past couple of days but it's just been this really hot weather. Hopefully we'll get some cooler days this next week.

71/365 thursday
all american girl hat :)

70/365 wednesday
Chillin' out on Papi's arm

Jillian's Profile

69/365 tuesday Sweetheart

Jillian means "sweetheart". Clau and I found out that I was pregnant among bitter circumstances. My parent's home was invaded by three men and my mother and brother's life threatened. Their sense of security was pretty much shattered after that. In December mom and dad decided to return to the states to live. I returned to Argentina with dad and Bob Selph after a Christmas visit with my family. Dad and Bob came to pack the house up. On January 1st we saw these two little lines on a pregnancy stick. We were no longer a family of two, but of three. That little line represented Jillian. SO... Jillian is our sweetheart. When our hearts were full of sadness, she was our sweetness... our Sweetheart.

Mommy's Little Jelly Bean

2009-10-26T14:39:00.005-03:00

Day 68/365 Monday
This Onsie was a gift from Aunt Rachel. I loved it instantly, and with out knowing that Jillian was 1. a girl and 2. that we were going to name her "Jillian" and that we would call her affectionatly "our Jillie-Bean" Rachel bought this onsie from a Target 1 dollar bin.
I promised a photoshoot with her wearing it... so todays 365 Jillian picture is her in her "Mommy's Little Jelly Bean" onsie, with Jelly beans sprinkled around her. My daughter is adorable... she IS our our little Jillie Bean!
Thanks Auntie Rachel!!! This onsie and these pictures are a definant keepsake for Jillian.
XOXO

Collage week Days 63 - 67

2009-10-24T21:32:00.009-03:00

This week I just couldn't decide on any 1 picture... so ... This week is collage week. I hope you enjoy all of Jillie's expressions and how she is growing!
Kisses to all and especially to Nona, Paw Paw, Aunt Rachel, Uncle Aaron, Caleb, Phoebe, Aunt Lydia, and Uncle Ryan!
Day 67
I've been trying to capture her little sad face lip for a while... I finally got it!!!

Day 66
froggy mat play time

Day 65
mommy time

Day 64
I adore my daddy and he adores me! Can we get a bib for him in these pictures please?

Day 63
I really like reading!

Looky what I can Do!

2009-10-24T17:49:00.006-03:00

I'm two months old now. Here are a few of my favorite things:

The Classical music that plays on my swing.
When you make "bla, bla bla" sounds at me, stick your tongue out at me, and make "knock knock" noises at me. I try to immitate you... and I haven't quite figured out how the big people do it yet, but I'm getting there.
My favorite songs are: I Love You So Much, The Cuppy Cake Song, How Deep the Father's Love For Us, In Christ Alone, I Love You Today (Andrew Peterson).
My favorite bands are: U2 and The Beatles.
I still love a good warm bath.
I love to kick around on my froggy mat... there's this baby that always looks at me and makes faces at me when I'm on my froggy mat too. (mom:the mirror she looks into)
I like to hang with mommy in her "muchila" (baby bijourn) and the love sling.
I like these two colorful books that mommy puts in front of me all the time (colors and animales)... they have fun pictures in them.

but most of all my all time favorite is when you talk to me.

Looky what I can do:
respond to sounds all around me.
follow mom and dad across the room.
kick and wiggle and turn from side to back.
coo... A LOT... especially the "aaaahggg" sounds.
hold my self steady.
raise my head at a 45* angle on my tummy.
see and pay attention to objects that are "far away"
bat at my rattle that hangs from my froggy mat.
smile, laugh, and squeal.
sleep 7-8 hours at night.
drink 5-6 ounces of milk
I'm wearing my 3 month clothes.

My Personality:
Morning is my happiest time. I laugh and smile pretty easily with people... and of course... especially when they talk to me. I'm a social butterfly!

Day 62/365 In-y or an Out-y?

2009-10-19T12:17:00.003-03:00

I've got an In-y!
2 month update coming up!!!

Days 58 - 61

2009-10-18T19:00:00.007-03:00

Mother's Day (argentina)
Day 61/365

Day 60/365
My Little Kangaroo in the "Love Swing"

Day 59/365
morning happiness

Day 58/365
daddy's favorite jammies

Days 54 - 57

2009-10-15T12:45:00.003-03:00

Day 57/365
Look how long she is getting!... my little girl....

Day 56/365
Jillian's hand in mine.

Day 55/365
Most recieved gift: Shampoo and baby perfume. Jillie smells really good! :)

Day 54/365
We finally set up Jillian's swing and she LOVES IT. Mom, you were right. She just sits and hangs out there listening to classical music and generally falls asleep pretty quickly. This is her trying it out for the first time.
Oh... and Thanks to McCloud for the jammies! She looks so cute in them!

Cuppy Cake Song

2009-10-11T22:37:00.000-03:00

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cR1zgNHUusE&feature=related

this is one of Jillie's favorites

Day 53

2009-10-11T16:43:00.004-03:00

Since it's Sunday, I'm going to do a repeat from a previous, but recent "photo shoot" with Jillian.

Day 52

2009-10-10T12:41:00.004-03:00

Jillian's Bedroom

I know this doesn't count as day 52 because it was technically taken on day 51... but Jillian told me this morning that she wanted to show everyone her room. She really likes it and she wanted everyone to see it. SO... here is Princess Jillie on her throne in her beautiful room.
Nona painted and de-moldified. The big fairy on the wall was a gift from Our Cousin Marcela (Tia Marcela to Jillie), the little collection of minature animales on her shelf are various gifts from friends and some of my Wallace students, and the beautiful pink daisies are from my dear friend Kristin Cunningham who made us a diaper "cake" with these daisies stuck in them. I couldn't just throw them away... so we implemented them into Jillian's room decor. I finally painted her book shelf and got her toys,books, and stuffed animales put on them (she was given 3 just on the day she was born!)It's finally come together!!! Two months later it's finally finished. Although I'm still waiting on a fairy drawing that Clau is finishing to put above her book shelf. So... I guess we'll wait on that. :)

This is the real shot for day 52

Well... this 365 day Jillian project is really jamming up my computer! I think every time I pull out my camera to get "just one picture" I get 40. And I think, of course, that they are ALL cute and I don't want to earase any of them. I think it's that Grand Canyon thing. Anyways... here is one from this morning. She was kinda serious... she was gettin' a little tired. She ate, played on her gym mat, and was waning. Check out her chubby little arms! I LOVE IT! I hope y'all are enjoying this as much as I am. ;)

Days 49 - 51

2009-10-09T18:26:00.006-03:00

Day 51
mommy and Daddy eating an icecream

Day 50

Day 49
Jillian is learning to "play" by herself. Now that she's awake a lot more during the day... we're trying to get her in the habit of some "alone" play... that way we can get some things done around the house, and Clau can draw while I'm at work. The first day wasn't so great... she fussed (not cry...fuss)for a little while at the beginning and by the end she was happy and kinda likin' it. Today we tried again, and she played there for a good long time and she was just happy as can be. GO JILLIE!!! However, I'm convinced that her favorite is when we're talking and singing to her. She loves it. I think she's going to be a real social butterfly!

Day 48

2009-10-07T12:46:00.005-03:00

Mommy Singing to me. I really like music.

Mommy playing with my chubby cheeks! (they're irrisistable!)

Days 46 and 47

2009-10-06T22:01:00.005-03:00

Day 47
off to grandma's!

Jillie's weekend with her grandparents

Day 46
The three of us at church

First Sunday Collage

Day 45

2009-10-03T18:07:00.004-03:00

this one was a little hard to pick so i did a collage. Today features Jillie's Happy Hour on her changing table. For some reason she loves her changing table.
She's starting to get playful.We love it!

Our House...

2009-10-03T16:53:00.006-03:00

Dinning Room and Living Room

Our dinning room:
our beautiful new table... it seats 6 people ... and stretches to 8.
In Argentina the most important peice of furniture is the table. Table talk is EVERYTING!!!

This is our beautiful TV stand that mom and dad got us! After waiting for the order to come in for 5 weeks... more or less, we finally got it and it is a SUPER big help to saving space in our Living room.

Our Living Room

thanks mom and dad!

Day 44

2009-10-02T22:34:00.003-03:00

We went to our Pediatrician today for our 1 month check up even though she's 6 weeks today. She's doing great! She's healthy and right on target.
She's gained 1.200 kilos and has grown 6cm. That's my girl!

Day 43

2009-10-02T14:14:00.003-03:00

Days 37- 42

2009-10-01T17:18:00.010-03:00

Day 42
This... is my favorite.

Day 41
looky at my blue eyes!

Day 40
Jillie stretched out on her changing table. An everyday affair.

Day 39
Her Denis the Menace Hair. I think it's so funny!

Day 38
Reading with Mommy. One of our favorite evening activities. She looks at me as if she understands. :)

Day 37
finally... a smile! She's smiling a lot these days.

a little behind

2009-09-27T18:24:00.003-03:00

Okay... so I've gotten a little behind in my blogging and my 365 Jillian project.
There IS a reason though. Last sunday I was put in the hospital with a 103.6 *F temperature and obviously some kind of infection. It turns out it was a just an normal case of mastitis common to new nursing mothers (ME).... that apparently causes very high temperatures. The on call doctor gave me a shot to bring down my temp. and it did.... along with my Blood pressure too! Within minutes of the shot I couldn't see, hear, or breath. Not fun. Hence...why they hospitalized me... they just felt I was too unstable to send me home. On Monday I was released with some antibiotics and a good night's sleep. (Jillian stayed with Abuelo and Abuela, while Clau went to work that night). It sure fel weird not getting up with Jillian in the middle of the night.
Tuesday I spent resting... and Wednesday I went back to school! SO... this past week has been a lot of getting up to speed on my classes and taking things back over, balancing work, baby, and home.... and trying to find a new rythm for our family for these last few months of school (November 30th is Wallace's graduation day).
Friday I went to my OBGYN for my final check-up. Everything seems to be fine and I no longer need to see him...and don't want to... for the next 2 to 3 years. :)
So on that front... no news is good news. I get to enjoy Jillian alone for the next 3 years... and that sounds pretty good to me. :)
I've lost a total of 11.5 kilos (which is about 25lbs)... but I've still got about another 10 kilos to go! ugh! Hopefully getting back on my feet at work and walking to and from school will help that process... and yes I gained waaaay too much than the recommended amount in any country for a pregnancy.
SO... Sorry for the lack of photography today. I took the camera to church to document Jillian's first sunday... but my camera was out of battery. STINK huh? Next Sunday, I suppose.
Have a great week people... and I'll try to upload some new photos this week.... I think I'm going to just skip these past seven days in the 365 project.

XOXO,
Amy

1 MONTH - September 18th 2009

2009-09-19T22:14:00.006-03:00

I'm one month old now! Looky what I can do!
smile back at you when you talk to me (3 weeks)
Longer and regular 5-6 hour stretches at night
coo
fold hands and bring hands together
follow the sound of mommy and daddy's voices and find them in the room (as long as they're not too far away)
make lots of funny faces
stick out my tongue
hold my head steady (45 degree angle)
I end every meal with.... HICUPS (just like in utero)
My newborn outfits don't fit me anymore!

My Personality:
fisty, I know what I want and I get really mad when you don't give it to me immediatly. I love to be held, especially at night time before I go to bed.
I love it when my daddy holds me and talks to me, I almost immediatly stop crying.
OH... and I MUST have my hands in everything.

Things I enjoy:
I love my bouncy seat, and I love it even more when you bounce me really high.
I like to go on walks with mommy and daddy in my "mini cooper" (the Bob stroller).
I like to read a few books with mommy before I go to bed at night.

XOXO,
Jillian

Day 29 -32

2009-09-19T20:38:00.006-03:00

day 32
my health insurance card!

day 31

day 30
why didn't you tell me a baby could generate so much laundry!??????

day 29

Day 28

2009-09-15T21:31:00.004-03:00

This one is dedicated to my dad. Today is his birthday.
As I see Claudio dote over his little girl that he would do anything for. His little girl that he sings over. His little girl that he so loves and wants to protect from all evil. His little girl that he dreams of taking out on dates, teaching music to, loving her through all of her joys and sorrows... I know that I've found her the best daddy!
God has blessed me with a wonderful husband and a wonderful daddy for Jillian.
How is this connected to MY dad, right?
- I know that my dad did the same things with me as I see Claudio do with Jillian.
Mom brought me my baby book on there trip here and I was reading it the other day.
It said that dad was hoping for a little girl "because he loved to be adored by a little girl." Well, Dad, your little girl definantly adores you!!!!
.... and I know that Jillian will... and does already... adore her daddy.

Days 25 - 27

2009-09-14T16:28:00.007-03:00

Since all babies do are: eat, sleep, and poop. These pictures represent the eating part of Jillian's life. :) It's a third of what she does. :) enjoy!

Day 27
This is the way most of our morning feedings are ending these days. Her "planchada" in our bed.

Day 26
The way Jillian eats. If she doesn't grab on to your finger her hands just get in the way!

Day 25
a nursing mother's must!
my birthday present from my sweet husband.

Day 24

2009-09-11T19:01:00.001-03:00

Day 24
I know she'll kill me when she's older for this picture...but I think it's ADORABLE!

Day 20 - 23

2009-09-10T17:27:00.006-03:00

Here are some naked baby pictures. I was stupid though and didn't cover the blankets, and of course... Jillie peed. :(... oh well. I hope you enjoy what I got.

Jillie's New Developements:
- She's started to smile and coo more while she's awake in a spontaneous reaction to us talking to her, or us laughing.
- She has one dimple on her left cheeky. Yes! I'm so excited because dimples are not in my family, but Clau's mom, Bilma, has one dimple. So she got her abuela's genes. It's SO cute and it really shows when she smiles big. She has a BEAUTIFUL smile. (of course as only a mother could say.) I'm still trying to capture it on the camera. Maybe I'll have better luck in the future as she begins to smile more while she's awake.
- She loves her bouncy seat and especially when we put it on the vibration setting. Other than being in mom and dad's arms, that's about the only place she's content to sit in. (we're trying to break the in the arms habit a little. It's so hard when everyone in the family wants to hold her al the time. Who can resist such cuteness?)
Day 23

Day 22

Day 21

Day 20

Days 14 - 19

2009-09-07T15:20:00.009-03:00

Day 19
There's somthing so precious about baby feet.

Day 18
baby feet and mommy and daddy's wedding rings.

Day 17
Angel Sleep (notice this adorable little yellow dress. Thanks Nona!)

Day 16
holding daddy's finger.

Day 15
This girl likes her passy... and when she really wants it... she REALLY wants it... she holds it in her mouth on her own. She's always got to have her hands in EVERYTHING... even nursing... she's my funny bunny.

Day 14
"... and she was STILL hungry." (The Very Hungry Catepillar)
"... you never knew you'd be nursing for 24 hours did you?" (What to expect in the First year).... this is how I feel. :)

Day 12 and 13

2009-08-31T20:00:00.004-03:00

Today is a hard one to pick. I did a little more photography-artistic stuff today. So here's day 12 and 13. You can see more on facebook.
These are dedicated to Nona and PaPa. Love you!
Day 13

Day 12

365 day project

2009-08-30T20:14:00.014-03:00

There seems to be a fad of "365 day projects" among photographers. I've decided to join in. I'm going to ATTEMPT a 365 day Jillian project! Yes. I'm going to document at least 1 picture of every day of Jillian's first year of life. I figure it SHOULD be easy... since she's SO CUTE and easy to take pictures of! I don't promise them to be all artistic, but there will be at least 1 a day. SO... here it goes for her first 11 days of life. These first 11 aren't exactly a day by day photo, but the future ones will be. I hope you enjoy our journey.

Day 11

Day 10
with Nona and PaPa

Day 9
Three Generations (Foust-Donell-Molina)

Day 8
This is Jillian when she gets REALLY mad.

Day 7
sleeping soundly in my crib

Day 6
swaddled... her favorite way to sleep (as long as she has her hands out.)

Day 5
Nona and Jillian

Day 4
home coming
photographer: Don Donell

Day 3
Daddy and Jillian

Day 2
peeking in
Photographer: Don Donell

Day 1 Is on my last post.

Jillian's Stats

2009-08-22T21:52:00.004-03:00

Jillian Juliette Molina
August 18th, 2009
3 kilos and 750 grams (8lbs)
50 centemeters long
healthy and strong!

She's crazy about her hands. She waves them all around and if you tuck them in under her blankets or swadel them in, she gets real mad and wiggles them loose.
She won't sleep unless you swadel her in real tight either... of course with the exception of her arms. She's almost found her thumb! I think we'll end up with a thumb sucker.

She loves late night talks with her daddy and day cuddle time with mommy. She's already discovered her daddy's beard.

Her hunger increases more and more every day. I call her our little "chanchita" (piggy) or.... our Hungry Catepillar. She's a strong nurser! From the first day she had NO PROBLEM latching on. And mommy's getting better at it too. Today we had two nap time stretches of 4 hours and thrity minutes. And some good long wake time.

Her eyes are blue. Her lips are just like Clau's. She's got her mamma's dimpled chin. Her fingers are long... not like mine. Maybe she'll be a piano player like her daddy! She's got hair! It's dark, but not black. I think it might lighten up some as she gets older. Both Clau and I were blond when we were little. And every day we're discovering more!

We have fallen in love with her. I feel like she's the Grand Canyon. No matter how many pictures you take or how many times you see it you are still always amazed at how big and vast it is and you're never really able to capture all it's beauty. No matter how many times we look and stare at our little girl, we are so amazed at her... and every day we fall in love with her even more.

We send everyone lots of love and MANY THANKS for all your prayers and notes. We are SO happy and just soaking up these precious days.

Love,

Clau, Amy, and Jillian

Last 10 days of Pregnacy

2009-08-08T19:17:00.004-03:00

1. It takes 5 pillows for me to get comfortable to sleep.
2. I'm craving: fruit, pizza, Burger King Hamburgers, Oreo Cookies and milk!!
decoded - protein, calcium, and Vitamin C.
3. I'm "nesting" like crazy or maybe I'm just driving Claudio Crazy.
My silverware drawer is spick and span! :)
4. INSOMNIA!!!!!!!! My brain won't shut up!
5. Stretch Marks... yep. Despite creams and all.
6. Claudio won't let me do anything!! I guess that's a good thing though, right?
7. Mom, Dad, and Ian get here in 5 days. WAHOOOOOO!
8. I can't put my own shoes and socks on!
9. I'd love a nice big Hot Dog and Alcohol!!!ahhh yeah! (two things I haven't eat in the past 9 months).
10. I'll be enjoying lots of movies these last few days. Tonight's selection: Gohst Town. Looks funny.

We're on the 10 day countdown. I went to my doctor yesterday and Little Miss Jillie-bean is STILL breech. Stubborn little thang. We went ahead and programed the C-section for August 18th, one day before my birthday and THE day of her Abuela's Birthday! She had to steal SOMEONES day. It was bound to be Bilma's or mine.

The ONLY nice thing about this planned C-section is that we KNOW FOR SURE that PawPaw (my dad) and Ian will be present for her birth. They'll even get to enjoy her for a a few days before they have to leave.
I am a person that likes to KNOW. I like to have things planned out. I wouldn't have chosen this ever on my own for many obvious reasons.... but in the end God knows exactly what we need.
I am fully confident in our doctor, Dr. Marini. He really has been such a blessing to me. We prayed and prayed that we would find a good Doctor, someone I felt comfortable with, and someone who wouldn't mind answering all my crazy questions 1. because of my unfamiliarity with the whole medical system, and 2. I just want to KNOW!... and the Lord really answered that prayer for Clau and I.
He's a very patient, soft spoken, professional, knowledgable man whose smile puts you at ease. He's been nothing but patient with me and all my questions and concerns and has knowledgeably explained everything to me. What a blessing!!!

So.... here's to the last days of pregnancy with Jillian! Cheers!

Preparation

2009-08-05T19:08:00.007-03:00

Everyone asks us if we're prepared. I'm not sure we are... I don't know. Can you be prepared to have a baby and for all that is to come in parenting? Have I read all the birthing books? yes. Have I read parenting books? yes. Are Claudio and I talking with every parent and getting as much advise as possible? yes. Are we prepared? I think that's something that God does. We don't have everything figured out or all our questions answered, or even all the hypotheticals straight, But I'm confident that the Lord will lead each of our steps, the Holy Spirit guide each of our decisions, and the Grace of God will abound. That's my preparation, I guess.

Jillian Update: She's turned around. Her head was down, and now it's back up top again. She's seriously doing acrobatics inside me! She's weighing around 7lbs. exactly. Her little body is growing and healthy. I'm doing good. I had a little high blood pressure last week so I was put on some precautionary exercise and diet restrictions, but this week my BP has been pretty low (100/65)... so I think we're doing good.
The disappointment was mainly that if she doesn't turn around I'll have a scheduled C-section. yuck! BUT... I suppose that if that is the best for "Jumping Jillie-Bean", than that is what we'll do.

Here are some pictures of what we HAVE been preparing this week:
These are my pretty flowers I planted in our really cool planter at our front window. Clau picked out the flowers, but I think he made a great choice. I love'em!

We finally put up Jillian's letters... among many other things in our house. We've had all kinds of pictures and wall decorations, but we just haven't put them up... I think I've driven Clau crazy by now with hanging things and, "is it even?"... but we're almost done! :)

Phoebe Caroline Selph

2009-07-26T20:34:00.002-03:00

HAPPY BIRTHDAY GIRLIE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Pictures from this week!

2009-07-25T20:15:00.009-03:00

Well, we didn't make it to the zoo. We decided with all the busy activities of the week and really cold weather we could put that off until next week. So, there are no zoo pictures.... YET. However, we had a SUPER pleasant surprise for Clau's birthday... SNOW! It's snowed! So I'm told that when Claudio was born it was a very cooooold rainy day, and almost every birthday of his it's super cold and rainy. Well, this year, God surprised us all with SNOW! It was really icing on the top for Clau.
Anyways... here are some pictures... I hope you enjoy!

much love,
amy

Breakfast "Serrano"

2009-07-16T16:44:00.011-03:00

Clau and I had a wonderful breakfast this morning at Vitto's. We're trying to enjoy as much time together, alone, as possible before little Jilly-bean gets here. Although my outings are a little limited because of all the sickness floating around, we've been able to enjoy some special in home and out of home dates. Snuggling up to a nice movie, going out for icecream, a nice breakfast at a little café.... and this next week we have a four days of birthday festivities planned for Clau.

OUR WEEK:
Tomorrow (Friday) I have my doctor's 34 week check up! and shortly thereafter another ultrasound! I can't wait to see Jillian again!
On Saturday Grace Baptist Church is SO KINDLY throwing Jillian and Clau and I a virtual baby shower!
On Sunday we have our monthly church pot-luck and in the evening we're going bowling with Mariano and Mariana (affectionately called M&M.)
On Monday I have an EKG planned, and it's "FRIEND'S DAY", which we take seriously here.
On Tuesday we're going to have dinner with another couple. Some long time friends of Clau's, Rafael and Claudia.
On Wednesday it's Clau's 35th birthday!!!! So OF COURSE we're having an Asado with his family. Yum!!
On Thursday we're getting together with friends to celebrate. Like on every Thursday we have a group of people over, so we're going to throw in a cake and some candals and celebrate with them.
On Friday Clau and I are going to celebrate his birthday together by going to one of Clau's all time favorite winter activities..... a picnic at the zoo. Maybe we'll make it to a movie aftewards too. We'll see.

So that's our busy week...none stop. I'm not sure how I'll get things checked off my "to-do list", but hopefully I will, I'll accomplish some of them. These past 2 weeks I have been able to get some things done though. Check! Check! Check! As Vickie Osborne would say.

Our newest purchases have been:
1. Baby Bath tub
2. J-I-L-L-I-A-N letters to hang over her cátre/crib.
3. post-delivery mommy care stuff.
4. Daddy back-pack (doubly serves as one of Clau's early Birthday Presents)
5. 12 month jean overalls.... SO cute.. I love overalls on infants!! (that wasn't on the to-do list, but it's fun stuff! )

... I'm getting all our bags ready. only 4 1/2 weeks left until my due date and possibly in 2 weeks Jillian COULD be born!!! maybe??? I only hope so! As long as she waits until Nona, PaPa and Ian get here on the 13th. From then on, she's got the green light!
I've washed all her baby clothes and blankets, so they are ready to use. I can't express the excitement and yet still how strange it is to see tiny pink baby clothes hanging out on the line. CRAZY!

We pulled out Ian's 2 big trunks of books that he/mom left us. What a gold mine!!! I found a ton of children's books. The only disadvantage is that Abuela and Abuelo won't be able to read them... I guess they'll just have to be a little more creative and tell alternative stories to the books. :)
But I am SOOOO happy to have these treasures. Reading is something I want all my kids to love to do. Clau and his siblings learned to love reading from a young age, Caleb and Phoebe do too... and I was just too independant (so I'm told) as a child to let mom read to me, and consequently... it has been a habit that I've had to develope over the years, but I would really like my children to love to read from the start. As my mom always says, "if you love reading, you can learn ANYTHING!" No limits. That's pretty cool, and a something I want to instill in my kids from a young age. Now that I have all these books at my/our finger tips to read.... maybe... just maybe, they will love to read.

I've still got to find a Pediatrician here in town. It's hard when you don't know anyone around, and all of the Molina's pediatricians from when they were little are either not practicing anymore or dead. :(.... How to pick the right pediatrician????

The other thing on my to do list is making some wipes. My cousin, Sarah, gave me this tip. It's the same as store bought wipes, just not as expensive. I'm going to try it! Obviously for convienence I'll keep the store bought kind in a diaper bag. But for the house, I can use these. I'll give it a try and let you all know how they turn out. :)

Well.... that's my update for now. Sorry if you get borred with these details, but it's mostly what's been taking up my time these days.

les mando un abrazo muy fuerte a todos,
Amy

Jillian's Room... and more

2009-07-07T20:15:00.011-03:00

Jilly's "Cátre" came in this past week. It was so fun to see her "abuelo" put it together so eagerly. It was a special gift from her "abuelo y abuelita" Molina.
She'll sleep soundly (I hope) in it for her first 4 months. It turned out beautiful.
It even has little fairies on it-too-boot.

Clau's still working on the art-work. Hopefully we'll be able to hang some flower fairies on her wall before she gets here.

Her daddy and I went out and got her, her first little earings. They are gold with a little white diamond in the middle. Here, it is tradition for little girls to get their ears peirced in the hospital... and also to get their heads shaved so their hair will grow in evenly (boys too, so they say). We're going for the peirced ears and not the head shaving. :) Who cares if her hair doesn't come in "evenly"!!
We also got her her first "Bible". It's the Sally Lloyd-Jones children's story Bible in Spanish and English. I'm really excited about it, and the fact that both Mom and Papi can read it to her!

To change the subject a little and just give a general update... Clau and I are doing well. Obviously our lives have been greatly transformed by this new little life we're preparing to take care of and a soul to guard and teach. That's taken up a lot of Clau and I's everyday conversations... but recently Clau's family (uncles and sister) have had surgeries. Both of his uncles have cancer and have been opperated on in the past week. It's made it difficult on Jorge (Clau's dad) and has effected his own health. So, I ask for your prayers to our mighty God that He would heal their hearts of their greatest sickness that has caused their first death, and also for their physical wellness now.

I'm on winter break now. Yesterday was my official first day. This year they have extended winter vacation to 3 weeks and in some private schools to 4 weeks due to the emergency health alert Argentina is under for the A Flu (swine flu). As well as just the general cold that seems to be circulating all over, and espeically in schools among young children. I may not even return and just take my maternity leave from here until after Jillian is born. The high risk people are pregnant ladies and others with low-immunity systems due to other illnesses.
So all that to say, my days are being filled with friend visits, cooking, nesting, organizing my closets and trying to make room for baby equipment, napping, walking, reading, translating, retreat planning, and just trying to stay healthy.
With all this cold stuff it pretty much limits my outings.

Clau is workin' hard and taking care of me. He's an amazing man. He never stops serving. Washing dishes, pulling down things from the closet, cooking on occassion, putting on my socks and shoes for me, taking my walks with me, letting me nap for as long as I want, cleaning the bathroom, oh and so many more ways... giving me "todos los gustos". He's my steady rock and truely the only man I could have ever married.
And as long as I "repay" him with a chocolate pudding, fresh biscuits, and a meatloaf or tacos every once in a while, he's a happy man. :)
He's also by my photographer. So here's a 33-34 week prenancy update. Enjoy!.. and I'll try to update more often now that I'm on break.

More on Facebook

2009-05-24T10:39:00.004-03:00

My sweet husband is my photographer in trainging! He's doing pretty good! I hope you enjoy my big prego belly! :)

amy, clau, and jillian

Ultra Sound

2009-05-15T15:41:00.001-03:00

It's a..... GIRL!!!!!!!!!

Registry

2009-05-14T00:44:00.004-03:00

We are now Registered at Babies-R-US and Wal-Mart
On Friday I'll add a few more items that are boyish or girlish...depending!!!

I can't wait until Friday!!!

Mommy Amy

girl names

2009-05-09T23:24:00.004-03:00

Since we've x-nayed "mila" as our girl name... We've looked and looked, and continually Clau and I are drawn to Celtic names. Gaelic, Irish, Scottish etc... we just really like them, they're strong,spunky, and beautiful.

So here are the two we are inbetween. You can make your comments, please do... obviously parents always like to hear that everyone loves the names they pick... but I've come at ease with the fact that not everyone is going to like our name choices... and dag-gum-it... it's okay. It's our baby, we get to name her. SO... here are some of the options we are considering... :)

Keelan Juliette

Logan Juliette

Jillian
and
Anwen
Keelan is Gaelic for beautiful, graceful
and Logan is Scottish for little cove. (and yes, it can be a girl's name too!)

There are so many things to consider when choosing a name: Sound, rythm, spelling, pronunciation, initials, connotations (when you hear the name Condon, what do YOU think of? :)), personal likes/dislikes, family, meaning, and in our case two languages... can our family pronounce it?, and will our country allow it? (In Argentina they have a specific list of names that are permited. If the name you choose isn't on the list you have to make a special request.... it's a mess.) So name choosing isn't all that easy... and that doesn't include the fact that it's the name that your child will carry for the rest of her life. That's pretty important in and of itself.

Our Story

2009-05-08T19:51:00.003-03:00

I had been looking forward to the possibility of having a child since we got married, but the logical side of me said it'd be better for us to wait a little while. I had our budget planned for paying off debts, and just stabalizing ourselves, our marriage, and our finances. The plan was going that by November of 2008 we could start trying. Clau and I quickly saw that perhapse we needed some more time (financially).
I realize that my husband's dream, and really our future was not in my English Teaching, or in him playing music on the weekends at the bar. However, the Lord had graciously provided ALL that we needed through those two jobs over the past year. Our future really was in Claudio's art.
Around September it was like my heart just became obssessed and encumbered in having a baby. It was all I could think about. I think I had even tricked my body for a couple of months into a menstural delay, and thinking, "I'm pregnant!"... and I wasn't. To some degree the thrill and excitment of those 5 minutes waiting to see the two red lines or not, and us talking about the "what if's", was a degree of fulfillment of my hopes, but in the end there was always just one red line.
I had realized that, as confident as I was that my husband would do anything to provide for his family, that if I got pregnant that most likely Claudio would have to stop his persuite of art and be confined to 60 hour weeks, 7 days a week, cutting out Church activities and hospitality, in a dead end job, just to provide for his family of 3.... and that THAT is not what we needed... or wanted for our future as a family. And the Lord gave me peace with that reality.
Then, on January 1st, 2009 the Lord surprised us ALL and gave us those two red lines. He gave us a baby. I was scared. I had just come to grasps with waiting for our family, waiting on Clau's entry into art... and just waiting.... and NOW.... what's going to happen? What about all those reasons we had decided to wait?
Today,... 5 months later, as I feel the kicks of our baby inside me, the Lord has provided Claudio with a job in art, and with the promise of many more possibilties and growth. He's given both Claudio and I great peace and humility in how to raise this little one, and He has entwined our hearts closer than ever before.
So in one year, we've become parents, Clau's got an art job, He's been published in a comic book, my parents move away, our church has moved to a new building and is growing, and the Lord is giving us grace upon grace in all of these events... and there is still so many more to come. We still have a house hunt, a move and a BIRTH ahead of us!
I have to take one moment here and gloat about my husband. He is a FANTASTIC artist... and finally people are recognizing him and PAYING him for it! He's recieved two jobs, one full time, and the other with a promising future and lots of oppertunities! I'm so proud of him... and more importantly I am so thankful for his steadiness, his hard work, his patience, his perseverance, and his faith that even though the ball may hit on the line... it's fair. So many times, I cannot recount them all, we've come up to the very last minute, or the last option... and the Lord has so faithfully fullfilled His promises, and provided exactly what we needed and WHEN we needed it.
So Praise God from whom all blessings flow!
Praise Him above ye heavenly hosts
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Gohst!
Amen

Cravings

2009-05-08T19:29:00.001-03:00

Okay... so this afternoon I think I've had my strangest craving....
CORN and TUNA
... it sure was satisfying! :)

Girl or Boy

2009-05-06T21:15:00.002-03:00

Girl or boy?
pink or blue?
buttons or bows?
frogs or fairies?
cars or barbies?
ruffles or bowties?
Snuggles or Slugs?
she or he?
él o ella?
ballet or fútbol?
slumber parties or bowling parties?
princesses or princes?
rough housing or dress up?
bunnies or bugs?

Who are you? what's your name? What do you love? and What makes you laugh and giggle? I can't wait to see the twinkle in your eyes!

your mom,

25 week appointment

2009-04-30T12:08:00.003-03:00

I had my doctors appointment yesterday. Everything is great! The baby's heartbeat is strong, the baby is active, and I'm feeling great. I'm at 25 weeks... which is now month 6! WOOHOOO only 3 more months to go!
I have my ultrasound scheduled for the 15th of May... so 2 more weeks to wait people... and then, We'll only hope our good little Molina will be obedient and show it's stuff.

Much love to all,

we the molina three

Girl Name

2009-04-28T12:31:00.002-03:00

Well... I kinda regret having revealed names so early. So here I am to write up a retraction. We're retracting our girl name. Our boy name I think has been set since Claudio was 18, Andrés Kiliam. But our previous girl name, Mila Juliette, is being reconsidered... or at least her first name. Clau and I are still trying to narrow it down... I think we're between two irish/scottish names... that we both really love... and maybe all of this will be mute once we find out what our little Molina is, Boy or girl?

FYI

AMY and CLAU

more pregnant pictures

2009-04-26T09:52:00.003-03:00

24 weeks.... or so.

2009-04-23T17:43:00.003-03:00

So with my ultra sound back at the beginning of March, we realized that I was not as far along as we had thought. We were off by about 2 1/2 weeks.
So now, I'm completely confused as to my actual week count... but I think I'm around 24 weeks now. :) maybe more maybe less. With my next ultra sound we'll confirm or adjust the age of the baby AND find out, Lord willing, if it's a boy or a girl. The good thing about us not being able to see on the last ultra sound is that it wouldn't have been very accurate. I was only 18 weeks then.
Baby preparations are coming along. I think most of the buying has been on hold due to not knowing the sex of the baby. But Rachel and Mom have found some great unisex deals out there... THANKS GUYS!!!
I'm reading a lot and just trying to figure out how this birth is going to come out here and what kinds of things to expect. All I really know... and all any mother really knows when she goes to deliver is that God is in control... and has already ordained the life of this little one....every day... even his/her first.
Clau and I just can't wait to meet him/her.

The baby has been moving a lot! It's decided to take on gymnastics and especially at late hours of the night.... but hey... in the end, I can't really complain... I love to feel him/her move... and right now, it's not all that uncomfortable. I know I know, every mother has already told me, "just wait until your bigger!" :)

Well, that's my update for now... and I'll post more pictures later!!! for some reason blogspot isn't letting me upload more. huh?
Love to all! MUCHO CARIÑO!

besos y abrazos,
Amy, Clau, and baby

Claudio and Ian

2009-03-12T00:21:00.007-02:00

I was just browsing through some of my old pictures and found these. I love this series because this is a classic conversation between Claudio and Ian, and I can just imagine what they are talking about.
I think in these pictures you see Ian's affection for Clau, and Clau's patience and genuine intrest in Ian. I love it! It's so them! I miss it. I can just hear them giggling about some joke or some cartoon that Ian saw or "el chavo". Or hear them talking about the lastest video game and some superhero.
I hope you enjoy these as much as I do.

18 weeks

2009-03-05T15:59:00.002-02:00

Head to rump, your baby is about 5 1/2 inches long (about the length of a bell pepper) and he weighs almost 7 ounces. He's busy flexing his arms and legs — movements that you'll start noticing more and more in the weeks ahead. His blood vessels are visible through his thin skin, and his ears are now in their final position, although they're still standing out from his head a bit. A protective covering of myelin is beginning to form around his nerves, a process that will continue for a year after he's born. If you're having a girl, her uterus and fallopian tubes are formed and in place. If you're having a boy, his genitals are noticeable now, but he may hide them from you during an ultrasound.

East Indian Stew

2009-03-04T18:51:00.001-02:00

I'm always looking for new recipes that are good, healthy, and fast.
I resort to Martha Stewart a lot, and I've come out with a lot of tasty recipes. This one looks really good, and nice for a winter time dish. I'll try it and let you know.

here's the recipe if you're interested to try it too.
http://www.marthastewart.com/portal/site/mslo/menuitem.fc77a0dbc44dd1611e3bf410b5900aa0/?vgnextoid=03753c3dd246d110VgnVCM1000003d370a0aRCRD&vgnextchannel=cdfc0d2396499110VgnVCM1000003d370a0aRCRD&rsc=menu_food&lnc=5a79cf380e1dd010VgnVCM1000005b09a00aRCRD

Flower Fairies according to Wikapedia

2009-03-03T16:20:00.005-02:00

In my research of decorations for Mila's room, I've learned something about flower fairies. In honor of David Adams who claims he made it through his Masters in Business due to Wikapedia, I read what Wikapedia had to say about Flower fairies.

The most famous serious of artwork of flower fairis is by Cicely Mary Barker ( http://www.flowerfairyprints.com/index.php ). But what is a flower fairy, how can I find one (this IS make believe), and WHO are these flower fairies? So here's what Wikapedia had to say:

What is a Flower Fairy?
Flower Fairies are tiny creatures (the biggest is only 20cm tall) that live in the bottom of gardens, the middle of grassy meadows, and on the edge of distant marshes. Wherever and whenever a seed sprouts, a Flower Fairy baby is born. Each Flower Fairy lives and sleeps in their chosen flower, plant or tree, and as this grows the fairy grows too. Each and every Flower Fairy is in charge of looking after their flower or plant; keeping it strong and healthy by making sure it has plenty of sunshine and water to drink, sweeping away dead leaves, and polishing flowers and stems.

How Can I Find a Flower Fairy?
The best times of the day to see a fairy are at twilight, midnight, just before sunrise, and midday. And the best time of the year to see a fairy is on Midsummer's eve, as this is the most magical time for all fairies. Flower Fairies love music and dancing, and hold many balls and parties throughout the year, but on this special night they throw the most wonderful party of all, and every fairy in Flower Fairyland is invited! Fairies don't like to be discovered, and are very good at disappearing quickly (with the help of their magical fairy dust), so you must be very careful and very patient if you are to see one.

Flower Fairies are very shy creatures, and are especially wary of humans. Each fairy has extra-sensitive ears, so if they hear someone coming close to them they are careful to flutter into their flower and curl up tightly. Each fairy wears an outfit made from their own leaves and flowers, so it is easy for them to hide.

Who are the Flower Fairies?
You have Wild Cherry, Almond Blossom, Lavendar, Rose, Zinnia, and Buttercup.
I have to say, Buttercup is my favorite.
1. in the movie the Princess Bride the guy (I don't remember his name)calls the young maiden, "Buttercup" as a term of affection.
2. I think Buttercup captures the meaning of Mila's Name: Friendly, kind, pleasant.
Buttercup
Outgoing and friendly, Buttercup likes nothing better than to skip through the summer meadows, visiting friends and singing to herself in the sunshine. She fills the fields with her yellow flowers, which she polishes until they shine like gold, which give pleasure to all her fairy friends and human children too.

Flower Fairy

2009-03-02T22:10:00.009-02:00

So here is some art that I've found as inspiration for Mila's room.
Art is usually the most expensive part of decorating, and just my luck... My husband is an artist... and he has lots of friends that are artists too! So... I get the luxary of being able to combine certain aspects of different art peices, and get exactly what I want... both in Andrés' Frog Prince room or in Mila's Fairy land.
What I've noticed that is that most of the bedding and children's art that involve fairies are more tainted with the whole princess idea. Which is fine... but I want to use fairies, not princesses. So they either offer Princess "fairy" or Tinker Bell... which I'm not into the Disney thing... so...here's what I've got so far... and maybe a mixture there of.
Here is a website that has a LOT of cool flower faeries... the art is a little more grown up than I prefer...but it is beautiful artwork by C M Barker
http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.flowerfairyprints.com/images/garden_fairies/lavender_flower_fairy.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.flowerfairyprints.com/prints/garden/cicely_mary_barker_lavender_flower_fairy_print.php&usg=__z3tInvp1Wdm6Lcu1nZ2rF-mQHYk=&h=550&w=388&sz=58&hl=es&start=130&sig2=P7zVtoF9w8T8l0NK7sbmGA&um=1&tbnid=HYM451j7uAbEmM:&tbnh=133&tbnw=94&ei=eXisSY7mOpLGM4rgzJUH&prev=/images%3Fq%3DFlower%2BFairy%26start%3D120%26ndsp%3D20%26um%3D1%26hl%3Des%26rlz%3D1T4GFRC_esAR202AR202%26sa%3DN
here's a sampler:

I really love this one. It's childish, sweet, and colorful. She's a flower Faerie.

Dragon: Love the colors and the style of art.

I like the diamond with pink and white or pink and green idea.

Frong Prince

2009-03-02T11:57:00.003-02:00

Here are some possible Themes for our Nursery...
For Andrés ... our little Frog Prince, "sapito"
I'm still working on Mila's options.... but since I think it's going to be a boy... maybe I don't need to look to hard. :) (just to clarify... I would be SO happy to have a little girl... I just get that "feeling" that it's a boy.)

baby update

2009-03-01T00:36:00.002-02:00

I'm 17 weeks
strong heart beat
March the 10th we have an ultra sound
and Lord willing the baby won't have it's legs crossed :)
Praise the Lord, we found a good doctor... I'm relieved!!!

More to come..... stay tuned

NEWS

2009-01-30T18:14:00.002-02:00

SO.. some of you have heard and it's true. I am pregnant! Sorry I haven't updated in a long while... and this is going to have to be short and kinda boring 'cause I don't even have any pictures.

I'm 13 weeks along. My due date is August 6th, 2009.

will it be......

Mila Lys Juliette
or

Andrés Kiliam

??????????????

More news to come later....

2008-12-17T15:38:00.009-02:00

phoebe y caleb bailando a la musica de Julieta Venegas.

Holding On

2008-12-01T13:17:00.006-02:00

I just wanted to share something that I read this week. I think it's when you're struggling and looking for your grounding we often return to what is most familiar.
So I went to find a book that was so helpful in times of waiting and asking, "why".
It's a book by Ben Patterson called "Waiting: Finding hope when God seems silent"
This is what I read:

In comforting others as they walk through "the valley of the shadow of death"

"we don't need so much to explain them (sufferings) to eachother as we do to hold on to eachother and to our God when they come."

"He nowhere promises healing in the here and now. He nowhere promises understanding or comprehension of it all in the here and now. He nowhere promises that if you do everthing right and keep your nose clean that he will sheild you from all evil¨."

" God chooses in His infinite wisdom and love not to answer many of our "why?" questions. But he does alays give us his presence. As we suffer and wait it is better to forget about find out "why" and instead learn about "who." For he is the treasure to be found in all that hurts us."

AM Photography Coming to Greenville!!!!

2008-11-28T16:38:00.007-02:00

Amy Is coming to greenville from the 5 to the 29th of December. If you want me to take your pictures for the family, the kids, your baby, your pregnancy... let me know!!!

lluviadeeden@gmail.com

MATERNITY

BABIES

KIDS

ARTISTIC/ ACTIVITIES

SENIORS

COUPLES

November 7th, 2008

2008-11-12T23:05:00.002-02:00

Keep me as the apple of your eye;
hide me in the shadow of your wings,
... Arise O Lord! Confront him!
Subdue him!
Deliver my soul from the wicked
by your sword
from men by your hand, O Lord,
from men of the world whose
portion is in this life.
You fill their womb with treasure
they are satisfied with children
and they leave their abundance
to their infants.

As for me, I shall behold your
face in righteousness;
when I awake, I shall be
satisfied with your likeness.

psalm 17:8,13-15

Palabra Fiel 2008

2008-11-07T12:57:00.009-02:00

Here's some pics from the Palabra Fiel Conference.
Over all things went well. We made some big mistakes, not to repeat
in future years.... but we did some things better than the previous years.
So.... I'm still learning.
We were an average of 30 every day. We began and closed out the conference in Centro Crecer in Cordoba City, and all day thursday and half of the day friday was in Carlos Paz. We usually have a big "asado" at the end, but this year we opted for the "Pata Flambeada"... it's the Cow leg cooked over flames... it's DELICIOUS!!!!

We had people from New Zealand (Nathan Sinclair), Colombia (David Adams), Ecaudor (Zac, Freddie, and Jonathan), Tandil Argentina (Walter Routley) the United States (Jim Adams)and a 4 guys from Buenos Aires (Adrian, Claudio, Mario, and Carlos)... and I believe the rest of us were either from Cordoba City, or Carlos Paz. For being such a small group, we came from the the four winds. May the Gospel spread to those cornes of this country!!!

This is our dear friend Zac with his pastor from Ecuador, Don Freddie, and another friend from the church there, Jonathan. Really sweet men! We loved having them here with us this year.

These are three guys from Buenos Aires. Really sweet brothers who have come to the doctrines of grace through the reading of the scriptures and have had further conversations with Dad and Jorge Molina. They've left the "brethren church" for their legalism and lack of pure doctrine. They were youth leaders who began preaching the Gospel that they discovered and loved from the Scriptures, and the Elders in their church didn't stand for it. So, after many months of prayer, discussions with the elders, they decided for the peace of the church to leave. They are now attending a Baptist church in Buenos Aires, but are restless to find a church that preaches the true Gospel. They are some sweet brothers... and really fun guys!!! from the left to the right (Claudio, Carlos, Mario)