Jan- We started off 2008 in detroit. the kids had some classes, papa was playing indoors and i started my new work out routine of which i ended up losing about 20 pounds in time for my big 30th bday bash, sadly now i have gained some back, but nothing says new year like a new work out routine. My baby boy had just turned 1 and we were still breast feeding and Thais was becoming quite the performer.
Feb- it was cold and we didnt go out much but i tried to get the kids out every other day to their classes or the library and on weekends we had papa's games. Tiago got baptized on Feb 17th and that was a very special day for us all. The day after i finally let papa shave tiago's head. The kids continued in their gym, spanish, music and art classes and loved them all equally. My mom and linny came to visit and then we went to visit my cousins in Texas. We hadnt seen each other in years and while it was a quick visit, it sure was fun.
March started out with papa and I's 3rd yr wedding anniversary. Thankfully my mother was still in town so we got to go out for dinner alone. We were stuck indors a lot again due to the snow and entertained ourselves every way we knew how. The weekend before Easter papa had off (which is rare) so we drove to Pennslyvania to see our family. We also got to catch up with some players that papa used to play with. It was a lot shoved into one weekend but well worth it of course.
April- April is always a busy month, it usually means playoffs and moving and this yr was no different. Thais turned 2.5 and was becoming a little lady with tea time and feeding her babies. Tiago was learning more and more how to control his body, such as shaking his head, and learning new soccer skills daily and he was fully weaned by this time to a sippie cup. Sadly Ethan Powell passed away, but his memory lives on with us forever. We tried to see a bit of Detroit before we left and it was officially announced that papa would play outdoor soccer in Rochester NY. The kids classes ended just as papa's team lost in playoffs. My mom flew into town to help us pack up and move to Ny, then we flew to San Diego 2 days later. It was a crazy week, but thats always how April is.
May- We finally made it San Diego but we didnt rest once. We had play dates and birthday parties and visited everyone we possibly could while we were in town. Sure we missed papa but he had to concentrate on his new team and job. I had lost the weight i wanted and was preparing for my big 30th birthday party which went off without a hitch, it was great! I had family and friends from all times in my life, but I know i wont party like that again till my 40th birthday maybe even my 50th. We mainly spent May just sightseeing san diego and hanging out with my family and friends until the last week when we flew to Utah and stayed in the desert in Moab Utah then my grandma's house for a few days before finally flying back to NY to be reunited with Papa.
June- We spent the month getting to know our new city and papa's new team mates. Thankfully my girl friend denise lived there and showed me the ropes. Papa was gone a lot so I spent most the time exploring new parks, museums and play grounds. When he was home we were at the stadium. Denise and I spent many hours together at the stadium
July- was family come visit me time. First my in laws came for 4th of july, which was the first time in many yrs we even celebrated the american holiday, after so many yrs of living in canada. Papa had the game of the season and got 2 goals in one game and got named player of the week for the whole league and made front page of the sports page. My mom and aunt came the nest week and we went to Niagara falls. Its great having family come see us instead of us always coming to see them.
August- Papa got hurt and his season was done. So he was home a lot, we spent more than normal amounts of time doing family events while still cheering on his team. The olympics began, my cousins rod and stacy came for a weekend, we were still finding new parks and places to explore, we even found a beach. There was a bit of rain but nothing chuck e cheese didnt fix. A friend and I drove over to Syracuse to attend the state fair with 5 kid sunder the age of 6, it was a lot of fun.
Sept- the entire month of sept i was with my best friend mely and her newborn baby girl Nela. Mely's husband was traded last second to papa's team and we were reunited together again. We had Mely's birthday and papa's birthday and we even started Thais's birthday celebrations early since we knew we would be leaving soon. Papa also had surgery on the 23rd and I left my kids all day with mely for 14 hrs. Our fellow brasilians Tio Salles and Tia Lulu also helped a lot. It was a crazy month but with Mely everything is always fun.
Oct- just as I feel like we really live in a city, it is time to move. April and Oct are moving months and thats just what we did in Oct. After papa's team lost in playoffs, I packed up all of our stuff and shipped it to san diego. We moved the day after Thais's birthday and had her birthday party in san diego. Papa stayed for a few extra weeks then flew in time for halloween. It was sad to say good bye but exciting to say hello and know we had weeks of beach to enjoy.
Nov- was family time. Papa was with us again, i got to catch up with many friends and explore san diego. Papa and I took our very first weekend away from the kids and went to vegas, my aunt and uncle came to visit and of course we had thanksgiving together as a family.
Dec- was much like nov except with some heavy rain. We did how ever still get to go to the beach, parks, have play dates and we even went to Disneyland. My baby boy turned 2 and we did lots of train activities for him. Christmas was a blessing just to be around our family, as I except New Years to be also.
In looking back, 2008 was a hectic year for us, we lived in 3 different states and visited several more on top of that. It was a great year to catch up with friends and family. I would have to say some of the best moments were my 30th birthday, Papa 2 goals in one game, Thais's birthday party and her reaction to a real life Dora and of course spending the holidays with my family. My children have really grown up this year, more than any other and my husband and I have got to spend more time together as a couple and as a family. I am very excited for 2009, we have tons in store and only hope you will be there to enjoy it with us.
Happy New Year Everyone!!!!
