love x 2

 love
M+K+E

The happenings...

Time flies. The weather has already changed and all the leaves have fallen from the trees. Here comes winter again, but this year brings a feeling of something other than just waiting for Spring. It will be Emilio's first birthday and first Christmas. I cannot believe how fast time has gone. He is growing so fast and becoming so aware.  Life is amazing!

An update on the family: Emilio is sooo close to walking, just a little nervous to take that first step. He'll realize nobody is holding on to him and you can see the surprise in his eyes and he drops to the floor. He loves exploring, looking at his books, opening and closing doors and crawling around. He is such a mellow  baby, he is the perfect balance to our hectic lives. Kris and I get home from the craziness of the hospital and the firm and the sight of him brings a sense of relief and happiness. He has such an energizing force. No matter how tired I thought I was, he makes me smile and laugh. With him and Kris, I am home. I truly love my little family.

Lawyer in training

Being silly at dinner

Kris has been so busy with the Immigration firm and loving it, he is nearly fluent in Spanish and uses it daily, after a long day's work, he comes home and supports me endlessly with the obligations of the house and life. He has been SO supportive of me, I know I couldn't do this without him. On top of everything else, he has also decided to take the Patent Bar and has been studying nearly 30 hours a week in preparation.

For me: I have finished Pediatrics and Neurology. I start Psychiatry tomorrow, but I am no where closer to knowing what I want to do with the rest of my life. I still know I want to be a doctor, as exhausting as it is sometimes, so that is a good sign. It's a hard road, but SO rewarding. What an honor and a privilege to have the trust of people with something as serious as their health. I know I have SO much more to learn, but what is amazing is that a life as a doctor is a life of learning. I love that.

 Some recent pics:

Corpse Bride- Halloween 2010

My little Monkey- Halloween 2010

love. M+K+E

My love

Love.

MariaKrisEmilio

Busy, busy but life keeps cruising along

Being super cute and contemplative

It's been awhile and so much to say but not quite the time. I am in the midst of my Pediatric rotation, which is both rewarding and serves to make me a serious hypochondriac with Emilio! Nothing has been more humbling and difficult than working with patients and patients' families who will not live past this year. I've found myself either crying or holding back tears on so many occasions that I sometimes wonder if I'm cut out for this doctor thing. 

Doctor wanna-be

The hours are super long but I find no matter how tired I am, coming home to my beautiful family rejuvenates me. I can't help but smile when I see my happy and healthy little love-bug.

What a good Dada!

Kris has been super busy too, lawyering, running and daddying! He has been training hard for the Chicago marathon this coming weekend and spending long hours at work. We are still trying to find some kind of balance in our lives with career, family, school and other activities.

Emilio has ALSO been busy, pulling himself up to his feet, walking while holding to furniture, and he has expanded his vocabulary: dada, mama, papa, gog (we think he's trying to say dog). 

His new favorite thing to do- splashing in the bath!

With love,
Maria, Kris and Emilio Marcelino

Life is beautiful.

The Light

Hooray Dada!

After years of running La Luz trail run bandit, and unofficially winning last year, Kris OFFICIALLY won!!  In a time of 1:24:22 he blazed up the 9 mile course, ascending from 6100 feet to 10678 feet! He is my hero. And after such a feat, he decided for his "cool down" he would turn around and run back down the mountain. Emilio and I also participated in the race, I speed hiked up the mountain carrying him in a baby carrier with the help of our friend Laura. It was Emilio's first ascent up La Luz. He spent the 3 and 1/2 hours mostly sleeping and checking out the scenery. (Yes, it took me two more hours than Kris :) )

The happy family!

Laura, to whom
 I am indebted for the support

I felt so proud to be able to carry Emilio up the beautiful Sandia Mountains all the way to the crest!  It's a good thing he is still under 20 pounds!

The guys

____________________________________________________________________

Me and my little love

PROGRESS!

Crawling practice!

We had a very exciting week here, Emilio lifted himself up on his hands and knees and tried crawling to his toys! It was so amazing and I was so happy but so sad at the same time. Sad because he is changing so quickly. Sometimes I wish I could just press the pause button on life and enjoy him just as he is this very second. But I know there is a lot of beauty in the change that is to come as well.                                                                            All this time with him at home has been so rewarding. I couldn't have planned to have him at a better time! Since his birth in December, we have been together all but two and a half months. One month when I had to go back for a block in medical school and the other month and a half to study for Step 1. What an unexpected blessing! I have especially enjoyed the last couple months. He has become SO aware, we can really play. He laughs at funny faces, recognizes sounds and makes my life simple, light and fun!  He has even began to notice when I eat without him and he reaches out and looks at me like I forgot about him! 

"Hey, what about me!"

Emilio has also been helping me with the gardening. So far this year, he's helped me harvest zucchini and the first of the tomatoes and winter squash. We are eagerly awaiting the lettuce, beets and radish to be ready.

On another note, the remodel on the Fourth Street property is moving along. They expect to pour the concrete footings and our new concrete living and dining rooms tomorrow! I am so excited that this project that we have been talking about for over a year is finally underway!

Our future kitchen

Our future porch, living and dining rooms

Our future Zen garden

I will post more as the project continues. Now off to mommy-hood!