Holiday Newsletter

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Last Sunday on the farm

Last Sunday we had to go and visit a friend of Oscar's and his family. They live in a small town near Oscar's hometown. However it's mostly dirt roads to get there! Well Hyrum had a blast w/ all the animals they have out there. It was a good Sunday evening as well a time to learn a bit!

First we learned Hyrum really isn't scared of animals. He got right up into the sheep's faces and wanted to play.

Second, that mom can pick up a baby sheep and help her son try and pet it... after this picture was taken... the mama sheep came running and I quickly put the baby down... I was afraid mama was going to ram me or something! It was funny, ask Oscar! hahaha.

Third Hyrum is still getting the in's and out's of going potty when away from home... therefore no pants... oops! However that doesn't slow him down... he was willing to feed the sheep, once they were back in their pen.

Fourth, we learned that chickens and turkeys sleep in trees down here... maybe in the US too, however I always thought they slept in coops!?

And fifth, Hayden... after a nap... learned how to walk on a pasture... not quite as even as grass! She had a good time seeing all the animals as well!

Definately something we'll do again, however not in Sunday dress... as so mom doesn't freak out if Hayden's dress gets dirty... I seem to do that a lot lately, freak out when the kids get their nice clothes dirty. Not something I can avoid for now... so I am learning to relax... learning!

Potty Training... Going #2

Well many of you know we have had a crazy year. The whole potty training thing w/ Hyrum has been a long road. I wanted to have him potty trained shortly after he turned 2, as so I wouldn't have double diaper duty... however he wanted nothing to do w/ it at that time. We knew at the end of May we'd be headed down to Mexico, so we decided to wait until we arrived down there, as to be in a stable environment to get the job done. Well things didn't work out as we wanted when we had our first round in Mexico. We were in Seattle for a short 4 months (not as planned), and we tried again there... as we thought we'd be staying longer. While we were there, he got the pee pee thing down pretty good, thanks to the Pre-School he was attending, however he wasn't in big boy underwear and he treated the Pull-ups as diaper, when it comes to #2. We've been here in Tepatepec, Hidalgo, MX for a little over a month now... and about 2 weeks ago (yes I am a little slow!) Hyrum did his first #2 on his own. We didn't tell him to go or try... he just did it on his own. As many of you, we were overjoyed. As you can see from the picture (which was a re-enactment several minutes later!) He didn't not go on the "Potty". At my in laws house here in Mexico... you have to go "outside" to go to the bathroom... the bathroom it's self is a room, house the middle of the house is open and all the doors face the middle (court yard... sorta kinda). Well someone was in the actual bathroom, and my wonderful husband taught (against my wishes) that if the bathroom is occupied to go "outside" near the washboard and washing machine, as there is a drain out. Well that's where Hyrum did his first #2, he was very proud of himself that he did it all by himself. Guess who had the honor of cleaning it up... oh no not me... papi, as he taught him to go there! Well since then the going #1 or #2 "outside" has stopped. Thank goodness... GROSS! We have had several accidents... however we are going strong and we have had 2 dry nights so far... so hopefully we can get that done and over with, before we try on Hayden. They say girls are easier and faster... we'll see!

More caught up!

Since the last few months I haven't been the best as far as keeping updated, I thought I through a few more pics of ourtime in Bellevue in. Enjoy!

This is Hayden on the place leaving the Sea-Tac Airport going to Texas. She did pretty well on the plane! Thank Heavens for 3 seats... I couldn't have done it otherwise. She slept most of the both flights!

Hyrum on the flight on Sea-Tac airport to Texas... he was watching I believe Fung-Ku Panda... one of his new favorites. Hyrum was pretty great on both flights... he watched movies on the first and slept the 2nd!

We went to the pumpkin patch to pick some Pumpkins in Fall City, Wa. We went w/ Uncle Cris and Auntie Jenn, as well as our cousins. They both had a good time!

Hyrum on his first day of Pre-School at Lil' People's World in Bellevue, Wa. He loved his teachers and made some good little buddies while we were there! He loved his backpack... so proud!

While we were living w/ Uncle Cris and Auntie Jennifer we got a bike, a lot like the bike here in Mexico... he loved it and was so excited when he first saw it!

1st & 3rd Birthday!!

Well shortly after arriving back in Mexico, Oscar planned a Birthday Party of Hyrum and Hayden. Hyrum turned 3 on Oct. 30th and Hayden is now 1 year old as of Nov. 19th. Over this last year both have grown so much, especially my Hayden. I can't believe she has been walking for about 3 months now and is wanting to talk so bad. Thus far she has papi, mami, more/mas, bahbah (bottle), esta (this), and love to shake her head "no"! Well we had a great time at their Birthday party. Lots of Oscar's family! The night before we thought only 1 maybe 2 siblings would arrive, as all were saying they had this or that do. However the day of, we were greatly surprised at the turn out. 4 of his 8 siblings and spouses came, as well as their children. We ate food very tradition to this part of Mexico. Tamales- chicken w/ green salsa as well as sweet tamales- pineapple, rasins and apple... not together... in different tamles. As well as Ponche- which is a hot fruit drink, similar to apple cidar or wassel. Also Posoles- which is dried corn which you then boil for a few hours to soften, then there's pork chunks, and then you at the chiles mixure. You eat it as a soup w/ tostadas, shredded lettuce and fresh lime. It's super yummy! However it stains! We also had cake of course. Oscar's brother Ivan and his wife Lizeth, brought a "Kung Fu Panda" pinada. The kids had a great time. Hyrum had to change his shirt 3 times, as he got so excited about his cake and got it all over him, before we even started the party. Silly kid! Latin tradition is that after you blow out your candles (Oscar bought trick ones!!! Thanks I got to blow, and blow, and blow them out!), that you take a bite of your cake... well Hyrum didn't want to, then after he saw how funny it was when Hayden did it... and he kept putting icing on his face, and Hayden jecked and got it on her forehead! I hope you all enjoy the pics! We had a great time! Thanks to all!

More Fotos!

So we have some caughting up do! Here are some fotos of the kids while we were in Bellevue! Hyrum, Hayden and cousin Emma getting ready to do some shopping

w/ Mommy and Auntie Jennifer!

Matt, Bryanna, Hyrum and Emma playing super heroes.

Emma, Hayden and Bryanna

My serious Boy, Hyrum at the Water Park!

Hayden showing off her new paci clip and matching hair bows our friend Melissa made us!

More Pics!

NC- chill'in during a movie!

Our last pick w/ the McCall fam, in NC... minus Lindz.

NC- Our first Bath together!

Moneterry MX.- Meeting our Tio Mori,

for the first time, on his mission.

Santiago MX.- Abuelo/Abuela outside a cool art expo.

Enjoy a few more!

Quick Caught up!

Okay, now that we are in Mexico again... and we are far my our family and friends in the US, I have promised myself to be better at updating my blog and filling you all in on our fun mexican adventures and what not! Since June 1st we left the US and we were all together in Mexico June & July. Then the 1st of August the kids and I went back to the States as we were informed that we couldn't start Oscar paper process from Mexico. We went to Bellevue and were living w/ my brother Cris, his wife Jennifer and thier 3 to 5 kids (depending on the weekend). We had a good time getting to know better our auntie/sister in law, as well our cousins/ nieces and nephews. I got a job w/ Wells Fargo as a Teller... same as when I was w/ Wachovia. I really enjoyed working for this company as it's a great company as well as the people made it easier to go to work everyday! We found out it was going to take a longer time then originally told, to get Oscar his papers... as we don't have the $$ or the connections. They haven't even looked at our petition to date, and it was received in mid August! We are hoping to sell our house here in Mexico as to be able to pay a lawyer to file the hardship wavier, we are unable to do it on our own! Well w/ all this in mind, it was clear we needed to be together as a family. So on Nov. 15, 2008 the kids and I made another long trip back to Mexico. We are living w/ my in-laws as it's hard to find jobs here in Mexico and we haven't to date! We are hoping this all changes, as even though we love his parents... it's just not the same to have your own place and privacy. Please keep us in your prayer for all the above things! This past year 2008 has been a rollercoaster for the Santiago family. More stress then I would have thought it would have brought, and I am pretty sure the stress isn't going to change much into the New Year! However I am grateful for my loving Husband and my 2 wonderful kids. Hyrum has turned 3 years old and my baby girl Hayden is now 1 year old, as of November 19. We all get to be in 1 room together... it's fun and interesting! We are going to have a small party for Hyrum and Hayden to celebrate their Birthdays, this Saturday the 29th of November. Basically all of Oscar's siblings, their spouses and kids... so I guess it's not going to be too small! We will have updated pics. this weekend! I hope you all enjoy, I know I love seeing your's! We love you all!

Growing babes

As many of you may know Hyrum, Hayden and Mommy (trey) are in Bellevue, Wa. w/o our daddy Oscar! Well I haven't been very good at keeping up with this whole blog thing... as I don't have my own personal computer for the time being and well the part I enough most, after reading the funny blogs you all do... are the pics... I don't like doing a blog if there are no pics to include! Well today my friends... I do have some! Yea!!!
Well I am going to be better at this whole blogging thing, as Oscar is going to be checking it from time to time to see pics of his babes! As we are not exactly sure how long we all will be apart... in the meantime we need to stay in touch and he needs to be able to see his little ones and how they are growing!
Hyrum thinks is a big boy... like teenager! For example... while in Mexico, after seeing his older Cousins go a few house down the street, where there is a little store... Hyrum learned to open my in-laws door (not an easy task... it sticks and all) and walk down the street... before we even noticed he was missing he was back, candy in hand. By the way... the child had no money... he begs for candy... GREAT! He shows me daily how much he's not a baby anymore... even through he refuses to pooh in the potty... nasty!! Filth if you as me!
Hayden will be a year in mid November! WOW... this year has flown!!!! Crazy! Today for the first time she took 2 and 3 steps at a time... this last week it was a step and a half... maybe 2x a day... today was several times! She can also crawl up stairs... and tummy crawl down... well that happened only once! Finally have 9 months my baby girl can hold her own bottle! I love how she walks and crawls at a normal rate... but the bottle thing, which is "easier" she just waits on! Silly little girl!
I have enjoyed watching them make milestones in their lives... these simple and small things are what really bring me joy!

What a ride!!!

Well as a few of you may or may not know... Hyrum, Hayden and I are back in the US... unfortunately Oscar was left behind in Mexico. Oscar was left behind as we are trying to get his permenant resident Visa. We hope he'll join us soon, as we miss him a ton! I went to church today and it was a little hard to be at church w/o him... I have done pretty good at not breaking down and crying every 2 seconds... however today was/is a harder day. I really miss him and wish I could talk to him and hold him. I miss the little things most... like when he touches my hand softly when we're sitting on the couch watching TV, cuddling with him, the way he smells, the way he laughs and smiles etc. We will hopefully get this he papers off tomorrow... and pray we'll be reunited soon... as he miss us and we miss him. Please keep us in your prayers as this is a rough time for our little family. We love and appreciate all you love and support!

Since my last blog little Miss Hayden can now sleep on her own! Not too much of a fuzz is put up for naptimes or nigh, night time! Even though some nights were very hard for Oscar & once he went in and got her. He loves her so much! I love that about him... he doesn't like to see his babies hurt!

To Rock or to Cry?

I've have spoiled my baby girl Hayden! When my son Hyrum was a month old he would fall asleep all by himself in his crib. I was/am very proud of that! However I have been a slacker or just can't bare to hear my baby girl cry bloody murder!

Well Hayden is now almost 6 months old and it's got to stop! I was finding it easier to rocker her to sleep ( however it had to be w/ her head to the left and a blanket over her head, mostly to block out any distractions, ie HYRUM!) It was/is easier as she falls asleep very fast, then about 15 minutes after that I'd put her in her crib and she'd stay asleep (at night).

Well as I said before the time has come and I as well as my husband need more alone time... as it's once in a blue moon we actually get to talk before we sleep, let alone anything else (read a book, what a movie... don't know what ya'll were thinking about! ;)) Anyway I am counting to night as a success!!!! I was tired, Oscar was at his weekly meeting at church, Hyrum didn't want to eat his dinner... (story of my life, for now!), Hayden wanted me to hold her non-stop, had dirty dishing to take care of and pick up toys in the LR... well I was needless to say, ready to call it quites!! So I put Hyrum to bed, brushed his teeth (in that order... not normal... I was frustrated however!) Tried to put Hayden to sleep the old way... she wasn't having it... so I told her (as if she can completely comprehend what I was telling her,) "Hayden, no more... it's night night time and your going to put yourself to sleep"- translated from Spanish (I tend to speak spanish to the kids when I get upset... more passionate or something!)

Well I washed the dishes, even the stove, pots and pans... about 20 mins later of crying on and off... asleep (by 9:30pm!) We're on the road to 8pm bedtime... Yeah!!! I am feeling better now... I know however if Oscar would have been here during the whole thing... he wouldn't have let 5 mins. go by... he's a more loving parent than I am I guess, or his baby girl melts his heart... we'll for for #2.

I was actually able to call my mom and talk to her for a few mins before Oscar got home! It's a GREAT NIGHT TO BE A MOMMY!!! SUCCESS!!!!

International Fed-Ex

okay, I have to get something off my chest. As some of you may know my little family and I are moving to Mexico at the end of May. As to make the drive down there a little easier we decided to ship some book, photo albums etc. down through Fed-Ex. We have a friend who used to work for them and was able to get us a great discount on the shipping.
To make a long story short... packages shipped 3-12-08... not able to deliver as there was a tablecloth & matching napkins inside w/ no sales tags... for those of you who don't know... you can't ship any cloth or clothing w/o sales tags on them. So I requested to have them shipped back... they have to charge me the amt. w/o discount... well it's been almost a month of dealing w/ this and still not packages. I'd love to say whatever throw them away... however... they are irreplaceable things inside... mission memories and journals etc. So I am on FIRE w/ Fed-Ex right now! I guess it really boils down to Customer Service in general... I can count on 1 hand how many good experiences I've had... and I've called CS Reps.... a million-catrillion times! Soap Box completed... for now! :)

Jan.6, 2008- Hayden's Blessing Day

My sweet & beautiful Princess!

Hyrum giving Baby Hayden some advice!

The Day Hayden was blessed. A very happy day!

Update conts.

I was very happy to have my beautiful little girl as well as to not be Pregnant... I'm not my best when pregnant... my poor family!

Hyrum is a proud big brother... wasn't sure what to make of this new little person!?

Oscar couldn'thave been more happy and proud to finally have his baby girl... as he used to want all Girls... 5 to be exact... that's changed... he loves is Big boy Hryum w/ all his heart!

Update

Hayden Starr Santiago was born Nov. 19, 2007 at 12:05pm @ 7.5lbs. & 20.5 inches long. She's so very happy to be in the world in this pic.

Update!

As you many of you may or may not know... we had Baby #2. This was me... at my petty much Biggest. Loverly... I know.

Immunizations

Well today I am starting this whole blog thing... as to get it established before we make our great move to MEXICO!!! Yeah! Today was my daughter, Hayden's 4 month Well child check up and as many of you mothers know... this means poking and prodding... as well as several pricks... or Immunizations! I know these are medicines to help our child fight diseases and what not... however to watch your child endure the lesser pain... is still one of the hardest things to see. Instinctively we, as mothers what to protect our children from pain and suffering... yet we let this pain happen as to prevent any greater pain of occurring. If that makes any sense at all. I know it's necessary and I am grateful for modern medicine... it's just a very heartbreaking thing to watch your little baby cry out in pain. I am grateful she'll be protected! We love our children!