So it has been what seems the longest time since I have had the opportunity to write. So much has been going on in the
Ornelas' world. The last almost two weeks has been full of grad school work, teaching and family duties and a trip to Midland for my 10 year high school reunion. Then more grad school work, parent conference day, more teaching and family duties. Its never ending and sometimes I think I'm drowning in all the work. I stay up late and get up early. But the best parts of my long days are my daily phone call home to talk to my family, usually my mom, and then coming home to my two favorite guys.
Last Friday night, I flew home with Santiago to Midland for my 10 year high school reunion. Yes, that's right, 10 years! Santiago has flown twice before - both times to Midland but the first two times he was really little (5 weeks old and then again at about 4 months old) This trip was a little different. He is much more active now and he did not sleep the whole way. Here he is on the way there. Our flight left at 8:45 pm so it was past his bedtime but he wasn't about to miss the excitement of taking off.
He had a blast looking out the window at all the lights. Soon after we took off he did fall asleep. Here is how he slept the whole way. Wrapped up tight right on my legs! Everyone was amazed that he flew so well.
When we arrived in Midland, he woke up and was wide awake til a little after midnight. He was very excited to see his Grandma and Pappaw. Since we were awake so late, Saturday morning was nice because we both slept in until almost 9 am! I haven't had that luxury in what seems like ages!
On Saturday, we had a few visitors at the house and had a really fun day. GG Pebble, Allison, and Blake came over to hang out along with Valerie Morgan and Kaci and her two kids. Valerie and Kaci are two of my friends from high school and it was a lot of fun to see them and catch up a bit. Kaci and her kids are pretty much part of our family because my mom took care of her daughter Mikayla starting when she was a tiny baby until she started school. Just look how big and beautiful she is now! and her little brother is quite handsome too!
Here's some random pictures of the precious cousins playing together. Miss Blake has changed a lot since I saw her last. It is so fun to see these two babies growing and becoming more fun all the time. Blake is really close to crawling. I wish I could saw the same for Santiago but he is more interested in pulling up and trying to stand than he is trying to crawl. This first picture was taken right before Santi decided to steal Blake's daddoo (pacifier) right out of her mouth! See how they are studying each other - so intense!
And here's Santiago playing his most favorite game right now - PEEK A BOO! He loves to put things on his head and them pull them off as fast as he can. He just gets delighted with himself when he decides to hide under things! 
Santiago had a little bit of a rough time going to bed Saturday night while I was out having fun with high school friends. My reunion was a blast and I wish I would have remembered to bring my camera to it but I didn't. I had a great time and saw many old friends!
Sunday I was blessed to be on the same flight as my friend Kristine who also lives in Houston now. Kristine and I have known each other since Kindergarten and we went all the way through high school together. Sunday the weather was awful - rainy and very foggy and our flight home was very delayed. We were almost 2 hours late leaving Midland. We were not on a nonstop flight so we had to stop in Dallas on the way and when we got there we had more trouble. They terminated our original flight and made us switch planes - only that plane wasn't there yet so that meant more waiting. Kristine helped carry my heavy diaper bag with all the switching and moving we had to do and it was so nice to have an extra set of hands. I think I would have gone crazy without her there trying to keep Santiago happy and deal with all the flight troubles. Santiago was quite the trooper - he only cried once when he was rudely awakened by the loud flight attendant talking on the airplane. By the time we got to the airport in Houston we had spent a total of 7 and a half hours in airports and planes and then I found out our luggage was lost. It didn't get switched to the new plane in Dallas. We made plans to deliver it to my house and then Santiago and I got in the car with Hector and made the almost hour drive home. We were exhausted to say the least!
I'm going to close this little chapter of my book for now. We have another busy weekend approaching - Bianca, Hector's sister, is getting married on Saturday! We are so very happy and excited for her and Matt. Pictures to come :)
Santiago was a giraffe for his first Halloween. Isn't he the cutest thing you have ever seen?! Grandma Linda and Grandpa Hector came over to see him all dressed up. We sat outside in the front yard and took pictures before the trick-or-treating began. It was hard to keep Santi's attention because our neighbors were outside playing wall ball on their garage and Santi just wanted to watch them. He loves to be outside and look around at everything! 
Later on after dinner Santiago got to help answer the door for the kids that came to our house. We didn't have as many trick-or-treaters as I expected this year - just a few neighbor kids and then a couple groups of older kids.
Our front sitting room has become Santiago's playroom. It's the only other room in the house with carpet besides the bedrooms. He has begun to pull up on things and he loves to stand up. He hasn't figured out how to get back down though so sometimes he gets upset when he falls down. 
Look who's looking out the window together...
Grandma Linda has been going shopping a lot lately for Santiago. He's wearing some very cute Halloween 
Grandparents are a definite blessing - every day! We are blessed with two sets of the most wonderful parents in the world for us and most wonderful grandparents in the world for Santiago. Thanks for EVERY THING! We love you!
Today I took Santiago to my friend Leticia's house. Our friend Monica also came over. The three of us haven't had the opportunity to hang out in a long time so we thought Saturday afternoon would be nice. We ordered pizza and just hung out and talked while the kids played. Leticia has two beautiful kids - Mia, age 4, and Graham, 19 months. Santiago loves seeing other kids and he wanted to be next to Graham playing a lot while we were there. I had to pick 
Look who can pull himself into the standing position! Santiago has been working on this for awhile now and tonight he pulled himself up when he was sitting in his crib. I put him in there just for a minute while I was putting something away in his room and I turned around to find him trying to stand up. When he is sitting in your lap, he can easily pull himself up by grabbing your shirt or shoulders and then stand in your lap. Looks like we will have to lower the crib so he won't fall out! He isn't standing very straight but I'm sure he will master that sooner than later!
He officially knows how to get his own books off the shelf! Ha! I just know he is going to be the best reader : ) 
So I read Santiago a few books and then it was time for his most favorite event of the day - bath time! For the last week or so, Santi has been wanting to get in the tub while it was filling up so I decided to let him. I usually wait until the tub is full to put him in because I thought the running water would scare him. Little did I know - he wasn't scared at all, he loved it! He scooted himself up to the water and started reaching and splashing in it. 
Then he leaned over and let the water hit him straight on his head. I thought for sure this would make him cry but he looked up and me and laughed out loud and then put his head back in!
When I finally turned the water off - this is the look I got!