high entertainment value

As her Nana says, Talya has high entertainment value. :)

introducing...

our newest addition to the Delafuente family - Buddy.

He is 4 month old, pure-bred, yellow lab and is ginormous. He weighs in at over 70 pounds and still has plenty of skin to grow in to.

I had been looking for another dog at the Humane Society for almost a year now, but never settled on anything. However, fate interceded. Buddy's original owner bought the dog for their three young boys and quickly found out that for one, the boys were not interested in taking care of a puppy, and two, that he was going to be a large dog by the time he reached adulthood. So, they gave the pup to our neighbor. Unfortunately for Buddy, our neighbor has an older, female dog who was not interested in having a playmate. Especially not a rambunctious puppy. Last Sunday, as Carlos and Matthew were walking home from the barber shop, the neighbor asked Carlos if we were interested in getting a second dog, he came home with them, and everyone fell in love at first sight.

Buddy has a great personality and instantly fit right in. He is exuberant, but at the same time is very cuddly and loving. He follows me around the house and lays down where ever I am, keeping me company. He is gentle with the kids and Max loves having someone to romp around with. Honestly, I couldn't have designed a dog that would gel with our family as well.

The Oregon Humane Society has a campaign running called End Petlessness that I absolutely adore. The campaign focuses on the positive impact that pets have on their owners. I don't think anyone can deny that having an animal puts a smile on your face on a daily basis. So lets all do our part to end petlessness.

health and heart.

I have had the most unpleasant cold for the past week so I haven't been taking many pictures. My days are filled with hot tea, Airbourne, spending all day in my pj's, and rest, rest, resting. Thankfully, I have an awesome man. Carlos has been taking care of the kids, cooking, and generally picking up my slack while I try to recover.

So since I don't have any new photos of my babies, I thought I'd share a heart-shaped leaf that I found at my mom's house during my most recent visit.

Send me get well mojo.

laurelhurst park

a few weekends ago we went to laurelhurst park. it is a ginormous, and beautiful park. really, we couldn't get over how big is it. despite the flurry of activity going on in all the park's nooks and crannies, the sense of calm was undeniable. we spent four hours there, playing on the play structures, feeding the ducks, watching a juggling class. as you can see from the photo, matthew accidentally kicked his shoes into the pond. we had to wait for it to float downstream before i could grab it out. i've washed that shoe twice already and still every time he wears it his feet smell like pond scum at the end of the day. (yuck!)

i find that it is so easy to fall into routine in life. the same parks. same restaurants. same everything. i have to admit that there is still so much of portland that we haven't explored. yet when we do try new places, break through habit and routine, it is so rewarding. so here's to uncharted territory and new adventures.

sissy. a list.

Talya:

1. Loves trying new words. She mimics everything Carlos, Matthew, or I say. Sometimes it is understandable. Other times, not so much. But I love that she tries.
2. Is a great dancer. She hears a beat and immediately goes to the living room to do her bob-and-turn dancing. It's adorable.
3. Cries every night before bed. Its the way she winds down. I would be worried if she fell asleep any other way.
4. Has just started wearing 2T clothing. I call her my "2T guppy."
5. Has a starfish shaped belly button. She loves grabbing peoples fingers and rubbing them on her starfish.
6. Is very independent and doesn't like toys. She would much rather putter around the house, investigating and playing with household things like paperwork, jewelry, and toothbrushes.
7. Randomly sings the "Bob, the Builder" theme song. Her favorite part is "yes we can."
8. Does not like people who violate her personal space. Matthew is the biggest culprit. She responds with violence.
9. Is a really happy girl. I am so lucky that both of my kids are the happy kind. Natalya has high entertainment value.
10. Loves telling Matthew to watch out. She says it so clearly. And then laughs.

celebrate summer's last days

By the end of summer we know the ice cream man on a first name basis. John. He comes by our house at 3:20. or so. Yesterday, John told Matthew that he wouldn't be coming around as much because summer is almost over. I didn't think Matthew understood what he was saying. That is until he plopped down on the grass (that brown stuff in the photos) and said, "Well I'm really going to enjoy this snow cone then."

kindergarden. a beginning.

I can hardly believe that my boy started kindergarden last Friday. The thirteen year adventure that is primary education. We were all so excited and prepared that not a single tear was shed. His first day went so smoothly and better-than-expected, that he was asking when he got to go back the entire weekend.

Since we live 3/4 of a block away (how cool is that!?! It's super easy and quick- plus, I always wanted to live right by school.) Matthew rides his bike while I walk Talya in the stroller. His teacher is named Mrs. Brewer and the class has 24 students. Harrison Park School. He goes from 8:40am to 3:00pm.

My little guy!

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In other news, Carlos started his externship this Monday that will last six weeks. He is at a Legacy Hospital clinic on the Good Samaritan campus in downtown Portland. Because he is externing for such a large hospital system, he should gain useful experience and have a lot of potential for hire once the externship is complete. I cannot believe how fast his schooling flew by. We are all so proud of him for finishing with a 4.0 gpa.

Also, I intend to return to posting here more regularly. This summer was crazy fun and busy but I am embracing the added structure from having Matthew is school all day and Carlos working at his extern. I am still working at the nightclub but will be able to catch up on sleep while Talya is napping during the day, leaving me time to be more than half-awake, to tend to things that I enjoy, like this blog.

Look forward to more photos and stories of our summer and beyond. This is an exciting time for my family!