1st Day of School

Yesterday was Cristian's first day at daycare. And it was a doozie, more for him and Carlos than for me. I had researched and visited several places last week while on vacation and the last place I visited was the right place. Our friend Kristin has a friend from work that suggested a place close to our house where their son goes and they were right on. The place, Country Baby, was perfect. Clean with a great staff. There are only 4 babies including Cristian and they are in a seperate building from the big kids. The 2 year olds and up are in the main building. The baby place is quiet and calm, just the right place for play and nap. Carlos wasn't able to see it ahead of time so we went together yesterday morning. Cristian was awake and happy when we dropped him off. He was the 2nd to arrive and the ladies were excited to meet him. He is such a flirt they all seemed to hit it off.

Carlos dropped by at lunch (because he is over protective and sweet for his little guy). Unfortuneatly he arrived to a crying Cristian in a swing. Poor little guy, he hates the swing (which, bad mommy, I forgot to mention to the staff). He had been fed and while his teacher was trying to feed the other little ones, she placed him in the swing for some relaxing time. She had no idea the beast she would unleash! Totally not her fault, he is the only baby I know of that hates the swing. Carlos rescued him from his torture chamber and got him to sleep in a jiffy while showing the teacher how to get him to nap. He is so particular, he doesn't like to be cuddled anymore and wants to be held a certain way while having his hands rubbed. His teacher was greatful for the tips and Carlos left once he was tucked away in his crib.

Two hours later I got a call from the school. Cristian had a scratch on his face when he woke up. No biggie, he scratches his face when he is really tired. It was so great that they called though, I really appreciated the thoughfulness. I try to keep his nails cut, but every other day is apparently not often enough. When I picked him up he had a huge scratch, not quite what I expected, but a little neosporin and he would be fine. He was asleep when I put him in the car, but woke on the way home. I tried to talk to him, but he ignored me. Yes, he holds a grudge. Apparently he was not happy about being left with strangers and having to share toys with other little people. He continued to refuse to make eye contact with me when we got home, turning his head from side to side when I tried to talk to him. Wonder where he gets that from? Hmmm?

Finally, after his bottle and a loud belch, he turned and gave me a big smile. Silent treatment be gone. You know, despite his seemingly bad day, Cristian managed to eat like a champ. Comfort food? Maybe? Little piggy like mom & dad? More likely.

I am happy to report that today went far more smoothly. Carlos went by and had a visit during lunch (You could have guessed that one huh?), and Cristian was doing great. He seemed more relaxed in his new place and the staff were really positive about his day. He did, however, make a run for the rattles. Apparently he took hold of a few and refused to share. Once again, where does he get that from... When I picked him up he was in a rocker and greeted me with a big 'ol gummy smile. What a little cutie. I am so thrilled he had a good day, I hope this is just the start of many.

He spent the last 3 months with Mandy's sister Alice and her partner Albert. They were so amazing and gave me such piece of mind when I had to return to work. Cristian loved being with them. I really feel that his first 5 1/2 months have been perfect. As a newborn he got tons of love and one-on-one attention. Just what every newbie needs. Now he is beginning to play and move about, it is the perfect time for him to be around other babies. He will learn to share and play...skills I would find hard to teach him without other babies around.

I do have pictures of the infamous scratch...it is worse that you think. But, I have to get to dishes. I will post pics later when I have more time. And, by the way, leave me a comment and tell me you are out there...I feel like I am writing to ghosts.

It's Official...

Cristian said his first word last night...Momma. Then he said it again and again and again this morning. Carlos was playing with him on the floor last night and Cristian was babbling as usual. So Carlos just started saying Momma, Momma, over and over. Seconds later our little guy repeats MMMMMomma, MMMMMomma. I started crying and ran to get my phone. Yep, I recorded the next 2 times he said it. And yes, I have played it for anyone who will listen!

We are going to FINALLY pull out our video camera this week and I will try to upload video of our little chatterbox for you all to see.

In addition to his first word Cristian also rolled over from his back to his belly last night! He has done it before when no one was looking, but last night he finally started getting the hang of it and we witnessed the revolution. He has been rolling from his belly to his back for some time now, so we have been working with him to complete the roll. I have a feeling crawling is not too far away!'

I'm telling you, our kid is amazing (as all children are, of course). Carlos and I are just so in love with him and last night we just kept looking at him and looking at each other in total amazement. How did we get so lucky? Yep, we are living a blessed life.

In addition, our wonderful friend Kristen came over last night for dinner and a baby. She fed Cristian his squash.(He ate a whole serving with cereal...little piggy.) She said she had never fed a baby before, but I'm not sure I believe her. She was a total pro. Cristian was barely a mess when he was done and she got away without any squash on her clothes! If I hadn't been there, I wouldn't have believed it. After dinner she played with the little guy and then put him to sleep. Cristian has always adored Kristen, but last night he fell in love. His little face staring at her, it was precious! Some people just have a natural knack for kids, Kristen is one of them. She is patient and sweet. It was a great night.

New Pics of Our Big Boy

Since you reminded me I do not post enough pictures, this one is for you Kelli! We can't wait to go to the zoo with you and Braden!

Pre-lunch, lookin' good and clean.


If you stop moving I might actually get some of the sweet potatoes in your mouth! Cristian is still getting the hang of eating and I am, obviously, still getting the hang of feeding a moving mouth!


Our little monkey likes bananas and biting the spoon! I finally realized I have to use the plastic bibs now...after ruining several cloth ones...duh!


Twin-zees! Franny has Zooey and Cristian has Grammie! Oh yeah, its Longhorn time!


Ya'll know I am not normally into character clothes...but this is the absolute cutest! Thank you Mimi for this awesome ode to sponge bob! And, thank you Grammie for Cristian's new bedding, he loves to stare at the longhorn logos!

Busy as can be.

Well, things have been crazy lately. Carlos and I took turns keeping Cristian last week. Our sitter had a conflict, so Carlos took off Monday and Tuesday and I worked from home Wed-Fri. It was fun to see Cristian all day, but working from home was hard. My VPN was slow and the work I was doing did not jive with a slow network. Anyway, I got through it and as a weekend bonus, 4 of my favorite ladies came over. My mom came Friday and spent the entire weekend helping me with Cristian so I could reorganize the house (more on that later) and Lisa, Franny & Zooey came Saturday afternoon. At this stage I was really excited to see Cristian reacting to the girls (who are now almost 8 months old). He was so typically an only child. He looked at them with amazement, but had no intention of sharing mommy and grammie with them. In fact, he NEEDED to be held pretty much the whole time they were here. And, he spent the afternoon engrossed in watching football instead of playing with the girls. What a total guy? Carlos picked up a shift at the resteraunt Sat night, so it was just us girls (and Cristian) for the afternoon. We had such a good time, passing babies and chatting. Really more of a mommy playdate.

So, Cristian has been growing and growing. He has now outgrown his carrier carseat and his changing table. When he was born we bought a small changing pad (made for a bassinet) to use while he was little. Well, this weekend, we had to upgrade. We added the changing table extension on his chest and bought the bigger changing pad. He seems to like the larger pad and now he can kick mommy while I try to change his pants! So, since we added the extension, the changing table would no longer fit on the wall by the closet...so we had to rearrange the nursery which set off a whole house rearrange event. I change the dining room, our spare room and the hall closet. Yeah I am a glutten for punishment.

Yesterday Carlos helped me install our 3-in-1 carseat in my car. Carlos had the carrier base in his car, so he was going to continue using the carrier until we could get a second 3-in-1. Today, when I picked up Cristian and he rode in his big boy seat for the first time, we was sooo cute. He sat up and looked out both windows. He just smiled and his eyes lit up. It was like he was watching a tennis match, his head went back and forth from window to window. It was precious! And, Carlos was cruising Craig's List and found an identical 3-in-1 for his car! He asked all the right question when talking to the seller and he promises to really check it out before agreeing to purchase. The seller is a realtor and they have planned to meet Wed. afternoon (when she is near his office showing houses). I can't wait until he gets to watch in the rear view as Cristian sits up in the truck looking back and forth.

Just a quick update of our week. More pictures to come when I find time to upload them!

Just Pictures

I told mommy, cut to the chase and just post pictures of me doing what I do. It's what people come for anyway!

Grammie D & me at the Kyle Music Festival.


So cool I decided not to smile.


Golf anyone?


Jumperoo + TV = Complete Happiness


Daddy & me taking a little nap before the UT game.


Happy to Bee in my 1st Halloween Costume.


Flying Baby Bee


I'm over it. Can you get this thing off of me now?

31 Years...4 Months...2 years of remembering

Yep, I am the 31 years and Cristian is the 4 months? Bet that was hard to guess, huh? Yeah sure. Well, last Saturday I "celebrated" 31 years of life. It was a nice day: a visit to Philip's place, an AWESOME UT football game, and dinner at Pappasitos. Mom came along for dinner and we had a great time...topped off with more charms for my charm bracelet, a great piture frame, comfy PJs, and ice cream cake. Today, Cristian turned 4 months old! Somehow the time has flown. People warn you about that when they are born, but grasping the concept of flying time is wow. He smiles and giggles, burps and farts, grabs at his toys and fits his whole fist in his mouth. He watches football on the weekends and sleeps through the night. He is the keeper of my heart. Cristian had his 4 month well visit today. He weighs in at 16 pounds 1 ounce and is 27 inches tall. His weight is in the 75th percentile, his height in the 97th percentile...but his head circumference...only the 50th percentile. Yep, a peanut head. Oh well, an efficient brain does not need excessive space anyway! Oh, and I think Cristian is going to be left-handed. Too early to tell...maybe. But, he really favors his left hand. He uses it to grab toys and his bottle, while the right just kind of lays there...always the 2nd to join in.

October 15th is pregnancy and infant loss rememberence day (hence, the 2 years of remembering). So, on my way home Wednesday I stopped by to see Philip. Twice in one week...I haven't done that in some time. I pass the cemetary everyday driving home, but most days I just want to get Cristian as fast as I can. I spent many afternoons when I was pregnant visiting Philip and now I don't always feel like I have time. It was nice to spend a little time with him alone. I can't believe March will be 2 years. Again, my how time flies.

So the week has been a busy one. Here are a few new pictures of Cristian.

We ate gelato, cleaned the cup, then gave Cristian a new look...hehehe...

Cristian's first rice cereal...he likes it, he really likes it!

Could you move a little faster with that spoon?

Nevermind, I'll just suck the excess off your arm. Thanks.

HAVE TO RANT...

WARNING...THIS POST CONTAINS ALOT OF OPINION

Now that Cristian is here, Carlos and I finally "get" it...the big picture...the love of your children. Now that we get it, it makes it even more confusing when we hear of people hurting their children. I don't mean abusing them, obviously with or without children you would be appalled by abuse. I am talking about just the average, everyday, ignoring of kids. Even before I had kids I didn't understand it and now I find it even more unforgiveable. I look at Cristian and I can not imagine not seeing him everyday and hearing all his tales as he grows. I can not imagine missing a sporting event or recital or concert that he is performing in. I can not imagine leaving him with his grandparents for weeks at a time (maybe one week...when he is much, much older...yeah, I'm pretty attached right now! Sorry Mom!). Kids need attention...lots of attention. And, you WILL have to give up many of your selfish needs for them. A roof and food is not parenting, that is caregiving and that is not enough for raising children. You will also be expected to not be their "friend" but be their "PARENT". Children can make their own friends, what they need from Mom AND Dad is parenting.

Need I remind you pregnancy is completely PREVENTABLE. If you don't want the responsibility of children then don't have any. If you do not want to be a parent you don't have to be. Instead of abortions, lets hand out contraceptives so we never have to cross that bridge. This is not rocket science people. We all know how babies are made. Duh.

Sorry for the rant, that is so one of my hot buttons, and it has been coming up in conversations alot this week (Have you heard about the guy who left 9 kids ages 1 to 17 at a Hospital in Nebraska?) I had to get that off my chest. Thanks for "listening".

Please appreciate your little miracles, you will never get a second chance to raise them and enjoy all the stages they go through.