Pseudo Outside

Hello everyone!  A few pics of the boys I took yesterday.  It have been beautiful then rainy then beautiful and hot then rainy.  So we like to go outside to play and have been able to do more of that, but the bummer is that Eli isnt walking still, so I can exactly put him down in wet grass and let him go at it.  I mean we were stuck in the house for over a month last time he got sick, I am not taking any risks.

So instead we opened our 'balcony' and I let them hang out out there.  I don't know why I haven't thought of this sooner.  I will be doing this everyday when we can't go outside.  They loved it.  And living on a busy street happens to be in our favor here.  Boys + Cars = LOVE.  So that works out!

I got them to turn at the same time! whooo hooo!  Super cute boys!  And maybe a little plug for Mc Donalds?

Eli and his chunky legs trying to get out himself.

Go buddy, go!

Look, McDonalds!

And here is my really cool kid.  Watch out ladies, Eli's comin'.  {That one's for you Dad!}

And lastly, story time with the boys.  You know when Eli wants to read a book.  He grabs it and throws it at you until you get the hint and open it to read it.  He is such a gentile little boy.

Pics of the boys

the other day I was having a bit of a bad day and I was sitting at the table and i noticed that Eli had gotten a hold of one of my shirts.  Before I knew it, he had put the shirt on around his neck and was crawling around like this!  He was cracking up, too, like he thought he was hilarious!

 Recently we have decided to go to one nap.  I know, I know, it is a sad day when one nap comes, but he was taking two little cat naps and I was not havin' it.  But the thing is, by napy time, he is ti-erd!  He concked (sp?) after drinking a bottle for lunch before his nap.  Can we say mommy time!  Love it!

My precious boys chillin on the couch.  Don't worry, we didn't get rid of our awesome couch covers, they are just at the dry cleaners. (which I hate that I had to spend money on!).  Sometimes i will look at the boys and see Tae with his arm around Eli.  So cute.  I hope they will be buddies when Eli can be a buddy.

my handsome little men...

Going on 4 weeks

This pretty much sums up the three, going on four, weeks in our house...

Momma and Daddy need a vacation.

Tap out

Tap out.  I need a sub.  Like a replacement mommy for just a little.  I am so tired.  It feels like the plague hit our house this week.  And out of respect for those who don't have kids and would like to someday, I won't post any pictures, but it's been brutal.

Started with Eli not eating his dinner and not finishing his bottle.  I thought he was being a stinker, then he got a fever and kept it for 3 days.  Tae got a really bad cough and stuffy nose.  Neither are sleeping great so we are up a few times a night.  Lavar is gone today and tonight for a basketball game so I really had no sub.  And night before games I try to get up with the boys so Lavar can sleep, so brutal for me.  Just not pretty around here.

I leave for London next Thursday.  I am just praying that I don't have to leave a household of sick boys behind.  My husband is nice enough to watch the kids for the weekend so I can go alone (so freakin excited!).  It would be hard to truly enjoy myself knowing what Lavar is going through here.  Please please get better boys!!  And I really pray I don't get sick, because that would be a bummer too. 

Focus on the goal ~ healthy boys.  Sanity and sleep for mommy and daddy.

It is times like these we really miss family, friends, and grandparents...

Brothers

Watching Baby Einstein together

Tae looks a little bored, sorry buddy!

crazy faces!

Tae Simmons ~ Future Basketball Star!

Watch for the name Tae Simmons coming to basketball courts near you 2026!

I thought he looked so handsome in his basketball gear!

I'm Back!

D'accord, it has been too long!  At the beginning of December Eli, our lovely little Eli, pulled the cord of our computer and it tugged the computer off the counter it was on.  It wasn't that big of a tug, but it certainly messed up the computer.  We lost everything.  No pictures, no videos or anything we had before.  Serious bummer.  Most of our pictures are somewhere online or on my mom's computer, so not so bad, but still a bummer because I am sure we are missing some things.  I haven't really surveyed all the damages yet.  Not sure I want to...  Anyway, now that I am back, I have a lot of pictures to post!  First I will start with some randomness.  And I am not going to do it all in one day, (sorry mom!) but there are too many.

Our little Randy! (get it, Christmas Story)

My boys

He is very smart. Already reading!

Mom!

Look at that face!

Love that smile!

funny boy

me and my boys

handsome little boogers

 

Different

I got to thinking about this the other day.  We are probably as different as they come.  Black guy, from the Bahamas, different background and upbringing.  White girl, from Simi Valley, pretty sheltered, you get the picture.  Our boys are obviously mixed.  Most people would say this isn't a big deal, and I don't think it is, but the reality of the situation is that some people still don't fully accept black people or interracial couples.  {Mostly in America, France is a lot better with it.}  So I was thinking how lucky our boys will be.  Not only are they sooo handsome, they are intercultural, interracial, and speak another language (I was thinking about the future when we move back to the States).  I would immediately be attracted to that boy, if there was someone like that when I was growing up.  I love different.  I think it is attractive and interesting.  So why wouldn't people be interested in my boys? 

But then a thought hit me.  Not everyone is like me...  Some people don't find different intriguing, they find it strange and intimidating.  Not to mention we will probably be going back to Simi Valley to live, with all of like 3 other black families in the city.  All the little white kids at church and school might not find it attractive or interesting or someone they would like to get to know.  Heck, they might have never even seen a black kid!  They might think they were a little scary and intimidating. (After all, they will both be huge!)  They might not want to bother with them when they already have their comfort zone of friends. 

I guess who really knows.  Maybe it won't be like that at all and they will be completely accepted.  Just another thing that we have to think about that most people don't.  Not bad, just different.  Something to be aware of and careful for but also we shouldn't assume this will be the way it will go.

My boys

Here are some new pictures.  Tae is such a good big brother, I am so proud of him.  He loves to 'play' with Eli even though Eli can't really respond.  I continue to hope and pray that they will be good friends growing up. 

 

Look at my handsome boys!

 

Eli Looking right at the camera! Yep, he's a fatty!

 

This one is funny.  Anyone who knows Lavar, knows how he likes watching his movies, TV whatever.  Well this is him and Eli 'watching' together.  Uh-oh, he is started young!  They were watching something on the laptop. 

 

This is my little muscle man.  He got a tattoo.  He was so proud. 

 

Daddy and Tae showing off their tattoos.  Daddy's is soldiers and Tae's is a rocket ship.

 

Brothers

 

He was flexing his muscles.  Funny boy.

I love my boys.  All three.  I am so blessed. 

I need to start making money off these kids!

These are my boys.

   

I think I need to start making money off these kids.  

They are so stinkin cute!

 

He always get so proud of himself when he stands up. Big boy!

 

After swimming. Such a cutie!

 

I mean WOW. Are there words? We make beautiful babies!

 

My muscle man.  It's gonna be weird when he is taller than me, in like a year...

 

I think this is a Gap add or something

 

And my awesome swimmer!  He is like a fish in the summer.  Never wants to be out of the pool.

Okay did I brag about my kids enough?  I think I got it out of my system.  I'm one lucky momma!  Until they eat me out of house and home...

About Me!

My name is Natalia.  I grew up in little Simi Valley, California.  I have two brothers and two amazing parents who are a great example of marriage to me as they have been married for 29 years and still love each other.  I am tall and outspoken but learning to reign it in a little...  I love my God and am thankful for His blessings on me and my family.  I love my husband of three years, although not perfect, he is perfect for me.  And I love my beautiful little boys.  I don't know why the Lord chose to bless me like he has, but I am thankful and give him the glory. 

I met my husband in college 9 years ago.   He is a big black Bahamian basketball player who is oh so cute.  I was dating another guy when I first saw him and I remember thinking "oh man, he is so cute, why am I sitting with this guy right now!"  We started dating a couple months later.  We had a rough road.  Because we were interracial we had a lot of people who didn't agree with our relationship.  It made it really hard on us.  There were two times, junior and senior year during basketball that we were 'forbidden' to talk to each other.  Can you believe it??  I know crazy.  I was never one to get caught up on boys.  I don't remember spending too much time thinking about them or crying about broken relationships, but for some reason Lavar got me.  There was something different about this guy.  I couldn't put my finger on it then, but I know now.  He is perfect for me.  I have a strong personality and tend to run things when I get the chance.  I just take over.  Not really on purpose, I guess it is just a part of me.  Lavar doesn't let that happen.  He is able to take control of situations and be the man and I love it.  I could have never been married to a guy who always gave me everything I wanted no matter what, that would get old!  Lavar gives me what I need, most of the time what I want, and allows me freedom to do what I want.  He will 'put his foot down' if necessary, but trusts my decisions.  If you know me, the phrase 'put his foot down' isn't an easy one to say.  I am borderline feminist (as my husband says) and thought I would never get married because there wouldn't be a guy who could handle me.  Well Lavar handles me.  And it is soooo attractive.  I guess you have to know us personally to really understand how it works, but it does. 

Our first son was born 3 years ago.  He is handsome, funny, full of energy, sensitive, and loving among other things.  Our second son was born almost 3 months ago and he is an angel.  Super cute with his toothless smile and big dimples! 

Why do I blog?

I blog because I have an interesting life.  And I like it.  I think it is different and cool and I would love to share with people. 

What do I blog about:

As I mentioned before, my husband is Bahamian, born and raised.  He has seen things I can't even dream about.  He has had to watch friends die in his arms.  He has bullet wounds and a scar from being stabbed.  I don't know if I have ever seen a real gun.  He is black and I am white.  He is Bahamian and I am American.  As if that isn't enough, we now live between 3 countries: Bahamas, American, and France.  We live a crazy life, and we love it!  I started this blog for a way to keep up with our family and friends all over the world.  Then I realized I have some pretty interesting things to say.  I am different than most mommy bloggers out there.  I think I will write about that stuff.  So I do, I blog about my crazy life.  International flights with toddlers, being a white woman raising black boys, being in an intercultural marriage (as if marriage isn't hard enough!), living in a country where I barely speak the language, and so on. 

What is the biggest reward I get from blogging:

I feel most rewarded when I blog because I live a different, crazy life, but I love it and I am proud of it.  Some people look at me and pitty me a bit, but I love it.  I am proud of my boys, I am proud of my husband, and I love the life we have set up for ourselves. 

How long have I been blogging?
I started blogging in 2007 right before my son was born.

Let's here the story behind my blog title:
I think that the previous paragraphs when describing my life, it is pretty self explanatory where I get my title!  I love our crazy life!!

Thanks for reading! Stay tuned!