Boys Will Be Boys

Cash turned 1!!!

2009-03-25T14:11:00.000-07:00

Wow this is so overdue, but my little sweet baby Cash turned 1 on March 10!! I can't believe how fast time has flown! Here are some fun facts about my little renegade:
*He loves to bite- especially mommy's neck for some reason. Maybe I shouldn't have been so obsessed with twilight when he was born lol!
*He walks all over the place- way more active than the other two ever were!
*He's a big eater- anything an everything he will eat!
*He still to this day absolutley loves peek-a-boo, especially with blankets!
*His favorite thing to do is talk on the phone- everything he picks up is a phone to him!
*He hates it when Zach & Mason try to knock him over when he's walking
*He has the cutest little pouty face & knows exactly how to use it on mommy to get his way all the time!
*He's so easygoing! He loves everyone right off the bat! I wish we could all be a little more like Cash!

Here are some pictures of his big day!

Me and the boys!

2009-02-25T21:41:00.000-08:00

I absolutely love my job as a mother to three crazy little boys! I am often in awe of the brilliant little things that come out of their mouths! They constantly keep me on my toes and there is definitely never a dull moment. I just wanted to take a moment to express how deeply grateful to my Heavenly Father I am for allowing me the privilege of raising these three special spirits! The love I have for my children is definitely a testament to me of the great love our Father in Heaven has for each of His children: it is unconditional, unwavering and never-ending! Here's a few pictures of our fun together! Enjoy!

update

2009-02-16T14:25:00.000-08:00

So fo those of you who don't know, Henry and I have been separated for over 3 months. In all of our best efforts to try and make this marriage work we have both come to the conclusion that it is in not only ours but the kids' best interests to end our marriage. This has been a really hard time in my life and I really appreciate all the outpuring of love and support from my many family and friends! I know that I still have tough times ahead, but feel fully confident that I will pull through! I am very sad to see this chapter in my life end, but is also exciting to start a new one!

wow, its been a long time coming!

2009-02-15T20:30:00.001-08:00

So Crystal sent me the pics from our trip to Ohio awhile ago, but in my true fashion I have yet to have them posted! So here they are, some of them anyway!

We miss you guys so much! We can't wait to see you again, we had so much fun! Love you!

Whoa Nelly!

2009-01-26T20:32:00.000-08:00

Wow, I have been out of the game for quite some time! I have so many holiday pictures that I'm not even going to attempt to post. Too much time has passed and too many things have happened... So an update: I had the privilege of spending the past few weeks in Ohio with Randy and his beautiful family. Me and the boys had a blast. I must say that I really must have needed to this vacation to brave the flying trip all by myself with my three boys! Oh it was a mess, but we made it and everything worked out great! It was so nice to be around family right now and for my kids to get to know their cousins better! We really hope that we can go back again before they move somewhere else! Thanks Randy & Crystal for all the fun! Oh and I forgot my camera of all things so I have to wait for Crystal to send me some pictures before I can post!

Glow Worm

2008-11-30T23:06:00.000-08:00

My little bug Cashis FINALLY started crawling today! It's definitely not the usual normal crawl, it's how I imagine a worm would crawl! He really moves his body like a little worm, but it gets him where he needs to go. I imagine that in a few days he'll start to get the traditional ways of crawling down, but it is cute! He's almost 9 months, but I guess at 21 lbs. and almost 30 in. long it just took his big boy body longer to get there! (it may also have a little tiny bit to do with the fact that I am sad to see my baby grow up).

Thanksgiving Festivities

2008-11-30T22:00:00.000-08:00

Happy Thanksgiving (belated)! So this year was a bit different for our little family. I hosted this year for the first time so it was stressful and chaotic, but nice also! I, of course, got some pictures of the happenings! My mom, Reggie, & Whit came over as well as Henry's parents and uncle. It was a bit crowded in out apartment, but it was fun!

aDVeNTuReS aT GRaNDMa'S

2008-11-30T21:30:00.000-08:00

So I have a really great mom who takes my two older boys one weekend a month for me. It gives me a little break from the chaotic reality that is my life. Here are some pictures she had of some of the fun times they had while at grandma's:

Mandy's Wedding

2008-11-29T17:30:00.000-08:00

A few weeks ago my best friend, Mandy, got married. I was able to attend wth my boys, but Henry had to work so we stayed the weekend with my mom. I wish her all the luck in the world and hope that she had at long last found the happiness she has been searching for! I love you Mandy! Here are just a few pictures of the event:

RuB a DuB DuB...

2008-11-24T21:14:00.000-08:00

Sometimes bath time is such a chore at my house. 3 boys and a big mess is usually what it entails. Today was an exception, a really great and wonderful exception! All 3 of my boys took a bath together and it was so precious how they all played together with no fighting or water dumping or any of that sort! At one point the older two put their arms around each other and then little Zach says-"don't forget my baby Cash." It's really these moments, you know- the ones that aren't planned and are usually just walked in upon and sort of take your breath away, that make my job as a mother so worth it.

Team Edward...

2008-11-22T13:58:00.000-08:00

Late, late Thursday night, me and some girlfriends snuck away and saw twilight at midnight! It was so much fun!

Here we were, a bunch of ol' moms trying to tough it out with all the teeny-boppers- we were quite the site! But it was so worth it and it was such an awesome movie!

If you haven't yet read the series- DO!!! So Hayley, Jenni, Deann, and Steph thanks for a fun and memorable night! Can't wait for the next one...

Chop Chop

2008-11-18T14:55:00.001-08:00

So, I have had enough of my hair! I was in dire need of a change so I decided to chop it all off. Here are a few pictures where you can sort of see my hair. Hope you like!

Melt down mania

2008-11-17T20:25:00.000-08:00

Let me just start by saying "ugggghhhh"! Why are children so difficult sometimes. We went to ShopKo today with some "new" friends (not sure if they will stay our friends after tonight) to look for christmas ideas and hang out. The boys, and when I say boys I mean my two 3 1/2 year olds- not my 8 month old, were absolutely rotten! They were having melt down after melt down. First it was because we walked by the media section and they saw a movie playing that they liked and they wanted to stand there and watch the whole thing. That was melt down number one. Then it was because they decided to run away and sit on all the "big" kid bikes and were told that they couldn't play on those- melt down number 2. Then they wanted to ride in one of the sleds- melt down number 3. And the final melt down at ShopKo was strolling bu the candy aisle on our way out- melt down number 4.
Now you may be thinking to yourselves- wow how could it get worse than this. Oh it does. We then proceeded to go to dinner at Red Robin and the melt downs started all over again. And through all this mess of tears and frustration, my sweet little Cashis sat perfectly still and happily in not only the shopping cart, but the high chair as well the ENTIRE time and watched his brothers melt down in amusement! By the end of the evening I was about to pull my hair out! Our tentative friends have one little boy who did quite well, so I think it's safe to say that this friendship will probably not last much beyond tonight. My boys are usually really well behaved so I was really sad that they were so rotten today! Again- ugggghhhhh!

My Sister, My Friend...

2008-11-03T20:00:00.000-08:00

I really do have a great little sister! She came up and stayed with us this past weekend and watched the boys for us so we could go out not only Friday, but Saturday as well. She is coming back up in two weeks to stay the weekend again so me and Henry can go out for our anniversary. My boys absolutely adore their Aunt Whitney and she is such a huge help to us! Thanks Whit for all you do...

FLASH escapee...

2008-11-03T19:44:00.000-08:00

Every time I go to take Cash's picture lately, he closes his eyes when the flash comes on!! So I have a ton of pictures of him with his eyes closed. I guess I need to take pictures of him in some natural light so I can get some with his beautiful eyes open...

exhibit A:

and so forth...

Mason's Operations Update...

2008-10-20T20:55:00.000-07:00

Mason had his operation this morning! I've been so nervous and worried about this day for weeks. To start our day off, we slept through our alarms and woke up at the time we were supposed to be at the hospital- 5:45 am! So we rushed out of the house still half asleep and made it there by 6:15. The one and only thing that Mason cried about the whole day was having to wear the little hospital gown- he said it looked like a dress and he was a boy! It was quite funny. So they sedated him a bit with some liquid medicine and about 15 minutes after he started acting really loopy! It was so funny, I wish I would have got it on video. He was saying really funny things and making funny faces, when they took him away from us (one of the things I was most worried about) he had a huge, silly grin on his face and was half way to la-la-land! So Henry and I waited in the waiting room for an hour then his doctor came and told us the surgery was a success- Mason's right hernia was admirably huge, and his left was small- and that We could see him as soon as he started to wake up. We were warned by everyone that when little kids wake up from anesthesia they tend to freak out because they are unaware of what's going on. Well they came and got us and Mason was awake and totally calm. No freaking out, no crying, no disorientation- what a trooper! We went with him to his room and he looks at me and his first words are "look mom, it's all over now"! My sweet little boy felt the need to reassure me! Then it was all talking and smiles and "mom- I WANT to go home now!" We were discharged at 11 am- wow that went so well! Mason is doing well so far, he does have understandable pain, but we are making him take it easy. He's eating and drinking normal and everything! I am so proud of my little boy (or should I say BIG)! The only real downside to this is that I forgot my camera while we were running so late so i was forced to take lots of pictures with my phone (which is still a pretty decent camera), so I will post them once I figure out how to transfer the dang things to my computer! In the meantime, for those of you who only read my blog for the pictures- here are some recent pics of my snazzy boys...

my three beautiful boys

zach and mason

cash

daddy and cash

A Patch of PuMpKiNs...

2008-10-20T20:05:00.000-07:00

Henry and I have taken our boys to the pumpkin patch every year since they came into our lives. This is Cash's first year going. We love the fall weather and the colors- such an inviting and pretty time of year! We saw the animals, the boys played soccer with daddy, climbed the hay tower, went through the hay maze, rode on the hayride, and picked out some fine pumpkins! Then we got hot dogs and shakes- it was lots of fun. Cashis was pretty spent by the time we were done and zonked out as soon as he hit his car seat! Here are some of our pictures of the fun...

Daddy and his boys on the hay tower

the boys playing soccer...

sittin' on hay...

in the hay maze...

the boys on the tractors...

the boys' pumpkins they picked...

mommy and cash

7 months of PuRe SWeeTNeSS!!!

2008-10-11T12:22:00.000-07:00

My little Cashis Henry was born 7 months ago yesterday. My how time flies!! At 7 months here are some Cash tidbits:
Weight & Length: Cash weighs about 20 lbs and is about 29 in! Big boy for his age. He wears size 12 months clothing. He's a very tall boy- must take after his momma ;)
Sleeping Habits: When Cashis was about 3 months he started sleeping through the night. He would sleep from 9-6 without waking up! I know- what an angel huh. Here comes the "but"- it only lasted about a month and a half. I think it was worse to get used to sleeping through the night and then have to go back to waking up every 4 hours! Now, at 7 months, little Cash still does not let his mommy sleep all night. He goes to bed for the night at around 7:30 pm. he then usually wakes up at 11 pm to eat, then again at around 4 am. After his 4 am feeding he stays in bed with mommy. Some nights it varies though- he may sleep longer and wake up less often, or wake up more often. I yet have to determine if there is any connection to anything on how long he sleeps. He usually wakes up for the morning at 6:30 or 7 am. Then he takes a short morning nap at around 10 am that lasts about 45 min. And at around 1:30 pm he takes a 2-3 hour nap. And thats his routine...
Eating habits: Little Cash has never been a very regular pooper so he started eating solids at 4 months. Now at 7 months he nurses for the majority of his meals, but he has solid food at lunch time and and dinner time. He also takes formula when mommy is gone or usually at least once a day.
Loves: his older brothers- he absolutley loves it when they jump & bounce off the walls. He loves it when they "pretend" yell for some reason- he cracks up everytime. And he can't stop laughing when they cry- he thinks it is so funny. He also loves peek-a-boo. He plays this game frequently with himself or with anyone who is near. He loves his Nooks (his binkies). He doesn't so much need them as want them. He loves to bite- always has! He chomps down on anything he can get his mouth on, including me. He came out of me biting the dr.'s hand :) He also loves bathtime. He really really loves his daddy- yes this may be my only child who is truly a "daddy's boy". Everytime Henry is in the room or he hears his voice the whole world stops for Cash. It's as if he is mesmerized by Henry and Henry can get him to laugh better than anyone else. I wonder if it's like looking in a mirror lol...
Dislikes: Little Cash hardly ever cries; so when he does we know he didnt like something! At a very young age he has become very poseesive of his toys. He does not like it when a toy or object of his attention is taken away. He does not like when he cannot see anyone in the room with him. He doesn't like to stay in any one position for longer than about 15 minutes. He also does not like drinking water- that's right; good ol' H2O (probably the cause of his irregular pooping) We've tried everything, but my little chunky monkey just won't have it.
Tricks: Cash started rolling over at 5 months. He started saying mama and dada at 6 months. He sits up now at 7 months. He also mimmicks sounds; he's mimicked "hi" and "yeah" and other sounds. He can't crawl yet, but can push himself backwards and in a cirlce with his arms.
Cashis has been such a belssing to our family. We could not have asked for a sweeter baby! Literally everyone who has met him has said that he is such a pretty baby, and we have to agree! We love all of ur boys so much and look forward to the many many milestones of their lives that are to come...

PeEk-A-bOO with cash

2008-10-06T20:45:00.000-07:00

Cashis' favorite game is peek-a-boo!! He totally discovered this game on his own when he was like 3 months old. He grabs a blanket or burp cloth or anything that will work and pulls it up over his entire face. Then he flails his arms and kicks his feet and his breathing gets out of control- almost like he's about to drown- i know this sounds horrible! But then when you pull the blanket off his beautiful little face appears with the biggest grin and the cutest giggle! The first time he did this I freaked out, but then I slowly realized as it became an everyday occurrence that it was his game. He loves it and can occupy himself with this silly little game for awhile! One time I awoke to a strange muffled sound coming from the monitor by my bed. It was like 2 a.m. so i ran into to check on Cash and sure enough he had pulled his blankie over his face and was waiting to be found! I pulled it back and there was that precious smile and heavenly giggle! What a funny kid he is already....
Cash before he is found hiding under his blanket...

and now he's found!!

my little peek-a-boo baby!!

Mason needs an operation...

2008-10-03T15:47:00.000-07:00

My poor little Mason. About three months ago Mason and Zach had really bad allergic reactions to what we think is mushrooms. Well they both got really swollen all over their faces and little boy parts. Towards the end of that fiasco, I noticed that the right groin area on Mason was still rather swollen looking. So I took him to the dr. and he said it was nothing. Well, now here we are three months later and Mason still has this bump that goes down into his boy parts now. So I took him to another dr. who informed me that he has a hernia which has caused his intestines to fall into his little boy parts. The good thing is that he is in no pain. We went to the surgeon and he informed me that he also has a small hernia in his belly button, and most likely one in his left groin as well as the one on the right. So we have decided to have surgery on the right and left groin areas and leave the belly button for now in hopes that it will go away on its own. His surgery is set for the 20th of October- that's only two weeks from Monday! AHHHH!! I am really nervous and have been a little stressed with it all, but I really just want it to be over with and get my precious little boy back to normal! So, thats it for now, I'll keep you updated on the happenings of this dreadful process....

SuMmEr MeMoRiEs....

2008-10-02T15:21:00.000-07:00

So, it's been forever since I've updated and I have way more pictures to share than I have time or room for! We have had a busy summer with lots of fun! A lot has happened too: Henry started working at the State Penn; we moved; Zach and Mason both had allergic reactions to mushrooms and went through a huge ordeal; Cashis learned to roll over, sit up (somewhat), say "mama" and "dada" and eats lots of food; i went back to work at Kia Ora gym; and I swear all the boys have grown more than i was prepared for lol! I have compiled some of our favorite summer memories from this year to share with you!

zach on the slip-n-slide

Mason's turn

Henry and Zach take the plunge...

me and henry being goofy

daddy and cash on the 4th of July

mason and his pop

little zach was cold

their first sparklers!!

cash's first time eating cereal...

mmmm, good!

zach and cashis playing on our "lazy" mornings...

like father, like son...

thanks for letting us play on your awsome slide jenni...

so much fun!

cash keeping cool from the sun at Jenni's

the only good thing about the kids being sick- they will lay down and watch movies all day.... (do you notice how they both play with their lips when they are tired)

and then they go to sleep!!

my litte chubby wubby keeping cool

me and my boys...

love taking pictures...

as you can see...

we just can't stop...

!!!!!!!!!!!

little feet are so cute!

cashis is a boy of many faces...

Cashis 0-4 months

2008-10-01T14:56:00.000-07:00

Little baby Cash- only a few days old! What a precious little boy.

His first "real" bath. 3 weeks old...

His first smile (even if it wasn't intentional)!! 6 weeks...

Finally getting some "chubby" on him at 2 months!!

3 months a getting cuter by the miunte...

Zachary holding 3 month old cashis

and here's Mason's attemt!!

Cashis Henry Castillo

2008-09-30T14:52:00.000-07:00

Little Cashis Henry Castillo came into this imperfect world as a perfect and beautiful little boy on March 10,2008; only 10 days before his big brothers' 3rd birthdays. He weighed 6 lbs. 3oz. and was 20 1/2 in. long. He was a little under 3 weeks early and had to stay in the NICU for 2 days due to fluid in his lungs from the c-section. He is a perfect combonation of in looks of both of his older brothers. He has the sweetest spirit! Here are some of the precious memories we have of that blessed time!

Presents, presents, and more presents!!

2008-01-02T21:08:00.001-08:00

the boys had so much fun opening all
of their many presents on Christmas!

the holidays are crazy when you have

little ones, but it's so much fun to

see the joy on their little faces!

look at those big grins!

I love Christmas time! And my kids make it so much more fun! I love the smells, the food, the gifts, the joy, but most of all the love shared with family as we celebrate the birth of our Savior.

Being Pregnant

2007-11-07T15:33:00.001-08:00

The first part of my pregnancy was not a whole lot of fun! I'm 20 weeks now and just barely getting over being sick most of the time. But its so amazing to feel those tiny kicks and know that in just a few months we will have another little baby boy to cuddle and love!

A day at the pumpkin patch!

2007-11-07T15:23:00.000-08:00

The boys had so much fun at the pumpkin patch
year!

I think daddy had lots of fun too!

We took the boys to the pumpkin patch in October. They loved seeing all the animals and playing with the pumpkins. It was really funny because they were both really afraid of the hay! The weather was beautiful and we had a blast!