Christmas fun

This weekend was full of Christmas fun! On Friday Joseph and I went to Meagan and Jared's parties at their school. Joseph was so excited to see Meagan and to be around other kids. He could hardly contain his joy! It was so sweet to see Meagan and Jared interact with their friends at school and have fun playing games and eating treats. When we were leaving Meagan said she was going to miss school because she wasn't going back till next year. Music to my ears!
On Saturday we went to have cookies with Santa! Our subdivision hosts cookies with Santa every year and the kids love it! They get to visit with Santa and have yummy cookies and punch. The event is held at the country club, which is decorated beautifully for the holidays. This year, they received reindeer food! So, Meagan and Jared said they would sprinkle the special food across the lawn. Who knows, maybe they'll catch a glimpse of Santa's reindeer on Christmas Eve!
After visiting with Santa and other neighbors we went to make gingerbread houses. How fun that was! Meagan and Jared each decorated a house and I made one for our home this year, as well. We sat there for such a long time putting more and more candy on our houses! You can hardly see the gingerbread at all! It was really nice to sit with both Jared and Meagan and share that special moment with them. (Joseph did not go this year. Maybe next year. Maybe!)
We had a great family weekend! It truly is the most wonderful time of the year!

Seven is Heaven!

Seven is, in fact Heaven! Joseph turned seven months this October, and boy oh boy, has it been fun! He is much more aware of his surroundings now- more than ever! He has managed to sit up (from laying) on his own. And is also getting up on all fours and rocking. Time to lower that mattress!! Joseph has been scooching everywhere now and trying to get into things he's not supposed to. For example, the stereo, DVD player, and cable box. Much like his Daddy, he loves to handle the remote control. A guy thing, I suppose. He loves bath time and has learned to make big splashes. Time to move that activity to the bath tub! He smiles and enthusiastically kicks his little legs everyday when Daddy comes home from work. He also loves the attention cousin Jared gives him. Jared is so kind and gentle and patient. He is Heaven sent! I have a feeling he is going to look up to his big cousin always. Joseph also opens all the kitchen cabinets he can reach from his walker. Two days ago he started opening the oven! Quick, Daddy! Find those child proof locks! And something I found out about our little guy recently... he LOVES soft blankets! He doesn't have a preference, yet. But he loves to snuggle with his blankies. The softer the better. I think we're going to have a "Linus" on our hands, minus the thumb sucking! Our little boy is growing quickly! And I can't believe how blessed we are to have him! Here are a few pictures from October.

I love his little toosh! At home relaxing...

I am so glad he's still small enough to change in the trunk! It's cleaner than many bathrooms!

Jared reading to Joseph. It amazes me how gentle and kind Jared is with Joseph. For those of you that don't know, Jared is my other baby. Not biological- but whole heartedly!


He was so happy to be splashing around! Next bath will be in the tub! I'm tired of mopping the kitchen floor!

Mommy's little helper? He wouldn't let go of the cookie sheet this evening! Little did I know, he wanted it to put in his mouth! Can we say teething!

Happy Halloween 2009!

Halloween was so much more fun this year than ever! We went to several Fall festivals, Halloween parties and pumpkin patches. I hope Joseph enjoyed himself as much as we did! Here are a few pictures from the festivities.

I think these pumpkins were too weird looking for Joseph!

Now these pumpkins are more like it...

Content in the pumpkin patch!

A demon, Po (Kung Fu Panda), Phillip (as himself), and BatGirl at a pumpkin carving party.

Kenneka and Po.

Beautiful BatGirl and a handsome demon playing bingo at the college Fall fest.

Po

Po and his Mommy next to our Halloween Snoopy, getting ready to go trick-or-treating!

October is my favorite time of the year! The weather starts getting nice (if we're lucky!) The colors of leaves start changing. The Fall festivals are at their peak. The Halloween decorations are out. Bright orange pumpkins everywhere! I LOVE it! And I am so happy to be sharing this time of the year with my family.
October has kept us busy so far. We've gone to festivals, pumpkin patches, and celebrated Meagan's 7th birthday. And it's not over yet! Halloween parties are still to come!!

Jared and Meagan showing off their face paintings from a fun Fall festival.

Jared, Meagan, Joseph, and me at Meagan's surprise birthday celebration (Build-a-Bear). She LOVED that place! She chose a beautiful purple kitty and named her "Sara". Then she dressed her in a sassy purple ensemble with dazzling silver shoes, and got Sara a tiny baby, too!

Joseph on our way to a pumpkin patch. The weather was a little chilly, therefore the hat. Plus he looks simply adorable in it!

Joseph and me at the pumpkin patch. There were so many pumpkins to choose from- Daddy took a long time to pick the very best one! But he got it!!

The pumpkin patch was haunted. Here is a glimpse of the ghost!

6 Months & Loving It!

This month Joseph turned six whole months. And boy oh boy what a ball we are having!! Joseph is now very aware of his surroundings and is very curious about everything and everyone he sees. It is very nice to take him places now because he doesn't cry anymore. What a blessing!
This month Joseph started going to "Baby Story Time" at our local library. He likes to watch the bigger kids jump and play and can't wait to do it himself. He also loves the bubbles.
Joseph went to his first Taiko Festival a few weeks ago. Although he couldn't see much from where we were sitting, he enjoyed the lights and the company! We had a good time with old friends.
We will be getting ready for October and Halloween very soon. So stay tuned!

Joseph having a great time with Daddy!

The result of Joseph fighting his sleep.

Poor baby!!

Joseph and Ms. Sally gazing deep into each others' eyes.

Joseph with the infamous "Luchador"

And a picture with the lovely Mrs. Luchador.

Mother Goose time!

This week my good friend Marta invited Joseph and me to join her and her daughters (Daniela 2 and Eva 5 mos) to Mother Goose time at her library. Mother Goose time is very common among public libraries. It gives new mommies an opportunity to interact with their babies along with other mommies. At Mother Goose time we sang beautiful lullabies and read interesting books. We also did some leg and arm exercises. The leg exercises did wonders for little Eva. They helped her poop! So cute!!! Joseph had a great time watching me sing and read to him. He also likes to see other children playing. After all the songs and stories were over they brought out a big tub of toys to play with. Daniela was very helpful in bringing toys to the babies. Thank you Dani! She was also very good throughout the entire time! I'm sure it's hard for a 2 year old to sit still with so much going on! Here is Joseph playing with an abacus Daniela had brought to the babies to play with. He liked the colorful beads. Overall, Joseph and I both enjoyed Mother Goose time, and especially because we got to see two beautiful princesses! Thanks Marta!

Head over Heals

I am head over heals in love with this little boy! I never imagined that motherhood would feel so warm. Or that a little tiny baby would make you feel sublime, pure love. Joseph is the apple of our eye. And we love and adore him more than words could say.
At the end of August Joseph turned 5 months. And is growing like a weed! He laughs and plays and eats and even fights his sleep. And I love every bit of it! He's been sleeping through the night in his crib, and has been eating vegetables and fruit and cereal. This week he started to grab his spoon while I feed him and manages to guide it into his mouth. Either he wants to feed himself or I'm not feeding him fast enough, I don't know! When Mommy and Daddy eat we slide his highchair up to the table and he watches us very carefully. He also likes to lay on his back and play with his feet and slip his socks off. He likes to jump in his doorway jumper and talk at the same time. He likes to watch children play, especially his cousins Jared and Meagan. Last week he also started growling at me! Daddy taught him that in hopes that he'll be a pirate for Halloween. There are so many things that fascinate us about him I could go on and on! Here are a few pictures taken this month.

Joseph playing and having fun.

Visiting Ava and her family.

Relaxing on the couch!

Joseph eating breakfast outside.

Joseph and Daddy playing on the bed.

Handsome AND Smart

Yesterday I noticed that Joseph has learned to shake his head from side to side as in saying "no". But today it went to a totally new level! I think he actually understands what I am saying! Watch the video and you tell me.
For those of you that don't understand Spanish, I asked Joseph three different questions:
1. Are you hungry?
2. Do you want to play?
3. Do you want to go to sleep?

I talk to him all day throughout the day, so I'm assuming he's catching on. The questions is... Do I have a little GENIUS on my hands??

First Play Date

Joseph had his first play date today! One of my very best friends, Tanya came over with her daughter, little Ava who is 21 months. I know Joseph is still a bit small for friends, but I figured he could start getting used to having friends over. Especially Ava! We simply adore her!
Ava was a blast, literally! A burst of energy that makes you smile no matter what she does! Joseph and I really enjoyed having them over. We hope they come back to play soon!

Here is Ava reading a book.

Ava playing with Joseph. At one point she was touching his little feet saying, "tickle tickle" in her baby voice. So precious!

It's been an exciting month so far

The month of August has been very exciting for us so far. Joseph is growing up so quickly I wish I could stop time to savour our moments together.
Shortly after Joseph started eating I realized that we really needed a high chair for him. I couldn't feed him in his bouncy seat forever! So we ventured off to find the very best chair possible for little Joseph. And what do you know... he loves it! He is now eating rice cereal and even his first vegetable, carrots comfortably!
A couple of weeks later I realized that not only could Joseph sit in his high chair, but he could also sit on his own! What an accomplishment!! He loves to sit and play with his toys. But I do have to watch him VERY carefully, as he likes to throw himself back at times. Mommy's got to be there to catch him.
Joseph also is enjoying the weekends because he gets to wake up with Daddy. (He's used to waking up with Mommy). But it's always a treat when Daddy is there, as well. Daddy also takes him outside for walks, to look at our roses, and to lay on the hammock. It's their "guy" time.
Last night while I was working at the kitchen table Daddy and Joseph were playing peekaboo. It was so cute! I had to stop working to enjoy it - and it was worth it! Watch the video to see what I mean.

Joseph sitting!

Joseph in his highchair. He looks so little in it!

Joseph waking up with Daddy.

My boys ready to take a walk.

This is Joseph and Daddy playing peekaboo with Mommy.

4 Months and counting!

It is amazing to me how quickly time flies. Joseph turned 4 months this July and is getting so big right before my very eyes! At this rate I think he'll be in high school next year! I wish I could freeze time and keep my little baby a little baby for a long time.

Aside from vacationing, Joseph had other firsts this month. He started eating cereal. And he loves it! Here is a picture of Joseph being fed breakfast by his Daddy. Daddy insists feeding him spoonfulls, only to see half actually being eaten. Here's the other half coming out!

Another first Joseph experienced is sleeping in his crib. We bought him a nice comfortable crib before he was born, but I refused to put him in it. Till now. Even so, I still miss him sleeping in the room with us. He seems so far away, though his room connects to ours. It's all happening too quickly for me!! Here he is NOT napping when I want him to. "Wide awake Mom!"

In this picture Joseph is eating Tia Lizzy's face. You see, when he gets hungry enough he let's you know by trying to eat your face. You think Tia Lizzy was surprised by Joseph's attack? She had it coming... always messing with him!

This is the picture I took of Joseph right after his bath, after I lotioned him up, and after he peed on my side of the bed. In that order! Gotta love it!

Cancun

Last week we went on our first vacation as a family. And it was WONDERFUL!! I was a bit nervous traveling with Joseph as he wasn't even 4 months, yet. But by the grace of God, everything went beautifully.

The plane ride went a lot better than I thought. Joseph only cried once for about 5 minutes because he was hungry and Mommy couldn't feed him fast enough! The rest of the time he slept or played with Daddy.

The hotel was really nice and very accomodating. And the view was gorgeous! The hotel provided a crib for Joseph, which we didn't use because he slept with us. So bad, I know! But sometimes I just can't help myself!!

Joseph went swimming for the first time in the big pools! He sat on his crab floatie while Daddy and Jared pushed him around. He loved it! We also heard Joseph laugh out loud for the first time! Jared was playing with him in the pool and Joseph was cracking up. It was the cutest sight I've ever seen! My two favorite boys having fun together in the pool.

We also took time to sit at the beach while Jared and Meagan played in the waves and on the sand.

Throughout the entire trip the moby wrap I carried Joseph in was heavenly. It's not hot and bulky like our other carrier. Joseph was able to get front seat views when he was awake and cuddle with Mommy when he was asleep. The wrap did its job and I am so thankful for that.

Overall, it was a fun trip and we had a great time. Joseph loved all the attention cousins Jared and Meagan gave him. He can't wait for the next vacation!

Here we are at the airport ready to go to paradise. At this point I am praying that Joseph does ok on his first flight.

The cute guys at the pool.


Jared, Joseph, and Mommy enjoying the view from the hotel.

Joseph and Jared lounging on a pool bed.

Joseph and Daddy on the hammock. Boy oh boy do they love hammocks!

Now I know how kangaroos feel!