Vacation with friends

Every year Omar's old college buddies from the Texas Aggie Band and their families get together in New Braunfels, TX for a tubing trip down the Comal River. Although neither of us got to float it this time because of his recent surgery and my pregnancy, we had a great time joining friends for dinner, going to a wonderful local bakery, and taking Elena to the local children's museum.

our friends

Elena getting out of a kayak at the museum

waiting for dinner at Adobe Verde Restaurant

Helpful Elena

Every morning after I change Elena's diaper she gladly helps me out by taking her diaper to the trashcan in the kitchen. She is very good at this and likes helping out. She may seem upset, but I think she was confused as to why I closely followed behind her with my camera.


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Why girls are fun

Elena's hair is getting longer and longer. Each day I wonder when I will be able to pull her hair back in a ponytail mainly to keep it out of her face and avoid cutting it. Well, one morning I awoke thinking that she may just have enough hair for pig tails. Lo and behold she did!! Luckily, Elena has learned that part of being a girl is being patient while your hair is being done so she gave me no problems and sat very still as Mama created her first updo. I had to share this adorable picture in her first pig tails. Who doesn't love a girl in pig tails?

Firsts

During Omar's hospital stay and after spending several hours there throughout the day, Omar insisted we venture out and do what Elena and I would normally do on a typical day while he was working or at least take Elena to do something fun. After much persistence from him, I decided to go to the local Children's Museum where I met up with a friend. Elena had a blast and had many firsts.

first painting

first time playing the drums


first time playing the piano

Together again

After complications from an appendectomy, Omar finally came home after having spent almost three weeks in the hospital and receiving two surgeries. It was a difficult time for our family but we were incredibly blessed with family and friends who made this long process much easier on us. After finding out Omar had to be admitted for a second time, I called his mom to ask for help. His sister Diana graciously flew her to College Station the following morning so she could avoid the 8 hour long drive from Brownsvile and arrive as quickly as possible. When she arrived she quickly took care of Elena, the house, meals and in the end Omar and I spent only one night apart. My wonderful friends, Melissa, Tamara, Megan, Rachel, and Julia all cooked dinner for us on a different night of the week so we didn't have to worry about cooking or ordering out. I have to admit with some guilt that this 2 week period was the longest period of time I've gone without having some type of restaurant food. Julia and Carie also took care of Elena before my mother-in-law arrived so I could be with Omar during the beginning of his stay.

I quickly noticed that the yard was needing some mowing and knew that Omar would not be able to do it for a long time. I asked for instructions on how to mow since I've never mowed in my life, but instead I had many of my friends' husbands offer to come mow the lawn for this pregnant woman. Rachel's husband Thomas did a great job mowing and even edged the lawn and put pesticide on our fire ant mounds. We still have friends asking when they can come mow our lawn again.

We had many family members and friends pray for Omar and I believe God was listening. Thank you so much to everyone for all that you did for our family. We are blessed to have you in our lives.

And if your wondering why Omar looks so thin in the picture it's because he went two weeks without eating!!