Tax Deductible

Well, we finally did it! We were cuttin' it close but we finally got our butts down to the local H&R after 2 missed appointments. I don't know why we always delay because we've always gotten a refund ever since we bought a house. I know I procrastinated because I dreaded digging into 3 boxes of saved paperwork in the closet. I've been putting it off because I could not deal with sorting and filing 3 years worth of receipts and statements. Having Isa had forced me to downsize from a 2 drawer file cabinet that I had to get rid of to make room for Isa's nursery to a small brown leather file box.
Before she was even born we had bought her a onesie that had "tax deductible" written on the front as a joke knowing we were going to be able to claim her since she would be delivered before the tax year ended. The time finally came to see how deductible she really was. We dressed her up in the onesie and even had the tax lady pose for a picture next to her after we were done. Isa has got some sick parents. I know it seems wrong to think of your child in that way but we must not be the only ones because they actually made a onesie for such an occasion. I guess everyone needs a little break from Uncle Sam. Erick was so happy with the refund we were going to get that he told the lady that he was going to get started on the next four. Luckily the lady reminded him that the tax credit stops after two. Thank you!Yeah! We're getting a refund!

Give me something good to eat

Isa has started to eat solids at the behest of our pediatrician. She unfortunately ranked in the 10th percentile in her weight but 50th percentile in her height. Eventhough I was feeding her every two hours with breastmilk, she still fell short. She always seemed satisfied after suckling that I did not realize that she still needed more. Her physique does not seem malnourished. Her little thighs are chubby, her cheeks are squeezably large, her tummy is round. It made me feel incompetent as a parent that my kid was not ranking average in the weight department. To us, she looks healthy. Erick and I wondered what kind of babies were the growth chart based off of. Certainly not asian or pacific islander babies with petite frames and small bones. It's funny that before I had Isa, everybody was encouraging breastfeeding. Now that I have her, it seems they are all pushing for formula. I know the textbooks say to breastfeed only for 6 months but I've learned that raising a child is not textbook. I was rigid at first wanting to do everything as recommended by the "American Academy of Pediatrics" trying to maximize all the benefits and grow a healthy, disease free, smart individual. Life doesn't roll that way though. I've had to loosen up and give in. At least I'm at home 5 days a week to still give her a little breastmilk before formula. I can tell, though, that sometimes she grows impatient waiting for the let down because she will tug and tug. OWWW! She does seem to show signs of wanting to eat solids. She watches us intently while we are eating. She has even snatched a small morsel when Erick teases her with it. (We take it out of her hand of course) She even opens her mouth when there is a cup nearby. She hated plain rice cereal but when we introduced banana with it she went to town. She even grabs the spoon to help guide it into her mouth. Another first for Isa so it had to go down into the books.

Gettin' Jiggy with it

Isa was entertaining us during the long wait at Bahama Breeze thanks to her "kong kong" dad. Due to my amateur filmmaking skills, you have to view it sideways. Enjoy!

Pass Inspection

Like a whirlwind, the grandparents came and left bearing with them lots of "ubong" and love for Isa. I wasn't there to witness it but I think Isa broke their hearts at first by screaming her head off whenever they tried to hug and kiss her that first night. I came home from work to find them fretting over how she would not stop crying.
By the second day, she had them completely wrapped around her little finger. She was no longer fussy and allowed the grandparents to hold and kiss her as much as they pleased.
Isa showboating
Bonding with Auntie Emily

I did see that there was some bargaining involved. $100 a kiss was the going rate. I could see my mom was so happy when Isa had finally remembered her. They were so enamored by her that there were talks of stowing her away in the "cooler" so that they could take her home with them. The running joke all weekend was that their bags had to be checked and pass inspection before they left. I told Erick he better hold on tight to her.
That will be $100 please!
Isa and Grandpa before $100

Isa and Grandpa after $100

The whole weekend came and went so quickly. We went to mass at Mary Queen of the Universe for Palm Sunday then lunch at the Celebration diner after walking around the farmer's market and art festival. When Erick came home from work, we went to dinner at Bahama Breeze which I think everyone enjoyed except by then we were all so tired. Napping at church in Lola's arms

Lola and Isa in her new Easter outfit. Thanks Lola!

Grandparents and Isa after mass

Smile for the camera!

By morning they were packing up to leave despite our urging them to stay one more day. We didn't realize how much they wore us out until after we said our goodbyes. We hurried home and passed out.
Pooped!

I was so happy that they were able to make the trek down here to visit. I just wish that they weren't in a hurry to leave all the time. It will be nicer once we live closer to them so that they could see Isa more often (hint, hint....)