Pumpkin Patch, 6 Months, and Halloween

Okay, okay... so I haven't done a better job than my Mommy at keeping up with this blog, but c'mon! I'm a baby. Anyway, we've had a lot of action going on around here since my last post. Fall has come and is almost gone, but here are some of my highlights.

In preparation for Halloween, Mommy and Daddy took me to a pumpkin patch for some cute, cute pictures. We went to a really fun one in Flower Mound. They had some games and a hay ride, so I think we'll go again next year when it will really be fun for me. Here's me with my plaid shirt, jean skirt, and boots. Don't I look like the cutest little cowgirl you've ever seen?

We picked out a couple of pumpkins to take home and carve. Mommy and Daddy carved them too soon though. They were rotting the week before Halloween! Next year they'll have to postpone their Pumpkin Carving Date Night a little longer. This is the one I wanted!

Mommy gave me a quick costume change and put me in the middle of all these pumpkins. I didn't know what to think at first, but Mommy and Daddy kept making silly faces and noises that I had to give them a little chuckle. You see that cute little ghost onsie? That was my first gift. Mommy said her friend Christine gave it to her shortly after she announced she was having a baby.

Here's a picture of me and Mommy. Now, there were plenty of pictures of me with my eyes open, but she thinks this one is just oh, so sweet. You can't tell in this picture, but she wouldn't stop tickling me. That's her secret weapon. So if you wonder why I don't smile with Daddy, it's just cause the old man hasn't figured that out yet!

This next picture with Daddy was a lot of fun to take. I was smiling and laughing, until I noticed what Mommy was doing with the camera. Again, there were plenty of pictures with me laughing away, but Mommy thinks this one is really funny. I think she just likes to make Daddy look bad.

Here's our little family, minus Maverick. But I don't know how much longer he's going to be my dog brother, 'cause Mommy keeps saying she's going to accidentally leave the gate open one day.

The next big event was my half birthday! Can you believe I've been around for half of a year!? I can't. We had a World Series party at Abuelita's house, since our Texas Rangers got to play in it for the first time ever! It was lots of fun. Mommy made this half cake for me, but I didn't get to taste it. How rude!

Here I am in my zebra print Rangers shirt that my very talented Mommy made. My half birthday gift is in my hand... an iPhone! Just kidding. Abuelita let me play with it until I started to eat it.

I don't get Halloween yet. Apparently you gets dressed up really silly and everyone tells you that you look so adorable and get your picture taken... a lot. Halloween was on a Sunday this year, so in the morning we visited Annabella's church. After the service we walked around so Addyson could do the "trunk or treat." Then we did what? You guessed it. Took more pictures. I know it looks like I'm a big bully in this next picture, but I did not pull Annabella down. She lost her balance and landed on me. I was really interested in that thing on her head, and Mommy couldn't pass up the opportunity to get this incriminating shot. Oh yeah, it was really warm that day, so I didn't wear my real costume until we went to visit my grandparents.

Dum, da, da, dum! Here it is. My goofy looking monkey costume. It was so puffy and hot, but they gave me a banana to play with so I was content for a little while.

Just for a little while. This is what I really thought of the whole Halloween thing!!

Sophia

Aggie Love

I don't know if you all know this, but my Daddy went to school at Texas A&M University. That's right, he's an Aggie! And I'm his Little Aggie. He's very proud of his school and he sure does love sports. The only thing wrong with this is that the two don't seem to mesh very well. He gets really excited on Aggie game day, but I feel pretty bad for the ol' man by the time the game is over. Especially since the team always gives him a glimmer of hope towards the end of the game and then stomps all over his heart. Well, don't worry Daddy! I won't give up on those Aggs either. I'll sit right next to you in my maroon and yell at the TV with you every game day!

Here are some pictures Mommy took of me in my new A&M dress. We thought it was going to be too big for football season when Grandma Faber gave it to me a couple of months ago. Boy were we wrong! My growing just doesn't seem to be slowing down and I'm getting too big for my fall clothes already. Poor Daddy's going to have to get another job so we can buy me more clothes, or at least bet on another team! Hehe, just kidding!

Sophia

Lions, and tigers, and bears...

Since the heat finally started to let up, Mommy and Daddy took me to the zoo a few weeks ago. When they told me we were going, they seemed pretty excited. I had no idea what they were talking about, but I played along and got excited too!

This is me, excited to go to the zoo!

Mommy thought it was pretty chilly in the morning so she put me in jeans, a jacket, and a little hat. Crazy woman! By the time we got to the zoo I was in my onsie and some rolled up leggings. We walked all around the grounds and I enjoyed watching the other kids running around. Mommy and Daddy kept trying to get me to look at big things they called animals, but some of them never moved!

Like this fella' right here.

This is me, confused. Gorgeous, but confused.

I started to doze off in my stroller when we made it to the big cats. Who can blame me? The weather was great and I was being pushed around in a comfy bed! Mommy was taking lots of pictures anyway, so I'll be able to see the animals anytime I want.

When we made it over to the lions, the big one decided it was time to roar. He woke me up 10 minutes into my nap.

How rude!

I was much more interested in the small, colorful things. They moved around a lot and were way easier to see. I really liked the Great Barrier Reef aquarium. I had my eyes on a super fast fish. Every time he zoomed by, my head zoomed right along with him. I probably could have watched him all day, but my parents said we had to keep moving.

I liked these birds, too.

Here's me and Daddy, and a fake kangaroo.

The penguins.

A few minutes before the zoo closed, we made it to the reptile exhibit. They have giant tortoises out front and they were really cool. We even got to see the really big one move really fast. Mommy was saying something about how she thought turtles were suppose to be slow when she covered my eyes with her hand and walked away. I don't know what happened, but she said, "Oh my goodness turtle, you couldn't wait 10 more minutes to do that?! That poor girl didn't even know you were coming. And why do you have to be so loud?!"

Very happy!

In front of the exhibit, before the turtle incident.

I had a great time at the zoo with Mommy and Daddy. I can't wait to go back when I can walk around all by myself. Mommy said we may get a season pass when I get a little older so we can go all the time. Yippee!!

Sophia

Fall

Since Mommy hasn't updated in a long time, I've decided to take the reigns over this blog. Surely I can do a better job!

Back in September we had a great big Fiesta for my Great Abuelita Elizabeth. She turned 80 years young!! All 9 of her kids were there and most of the grandkids, great-grandkids, and even great, great-grandkids were there. She's one tough cookie that's seen a lot in her 80 years.

Doesn't she look fabulous?!

Here's a picture with Mommy, Abuelita, and Great-Abuelita!

A week after the party I took a girls trip to Austin. Me, mommy, Crystal, Addyson, and Annabella decided to be spontaneous and go visit Ugochi in Austin. She was in town, from Orlando, for her birthday and to catch up with an old roommate. Mommy was really proud of me for doing so well on the trip. She actually thought I was getting sick cause I slept so much while we were there. Didn't she know we were on vacation?

Chocolates in our room.

My first sleep over with Annabella at the Four Seasons. Fancy!

All the girls! Sorry I'm not looking at the camera.

Addyson is pretty gangsta' and I had to watch my back!

It's getting really late, so I'll have to post about the rest of my adventures tomorrow. I promise!

Sophia

Growing, growing, growing!

Sorry again for taking so long to blog. It seems like there is always something that needs to get done that takes priority over the Blogspot. Sophia is now 4 months old and is growing like a weed. A beautiful weed!! She has passed up all those average 6 month olds in height, weight, and head circumference, and is on the tail of the 9 month olds! Look out babies, Sophia's coming through!

Along with this never ending growth spurt is a lot of developmental growth as well. She's getting closer and closer to sitting up on her on and loves to stand when she's given the chance. Her crazy tantrums are finally easing up, although she'll still throw one in every now and then for old time's sake! I'm so amazed by everything Sophia has learned in just 17 weeks of life. She's like a Sham Wow absorbing so much everyday! She's very alert and attentive, and is discovering all the things her tiny hands can do. She seems to be more reserved than other babies, but sure does have a gorgeous smile, a sweet coo, a funny squeal, and a chuckle that will melt your heart when she's in the mood!

Our lives have changed so much since Sophia's arrival, and we wouldn't have it any other way. I know we aren't the first people to have a baby, or the first couple that's ever thought their baby was the most beautiful, precious angel on the face of this Earth. But c'mon, have you seen her? She's the most beautiful, precious angel on the face of this Earth!! :) Seriously though, words can't come close to expressing how much love we have for her. Which leads me to a question for all you moms. How do you love your other children as much as your first one?? Right now I can't fathom loving any other child as much as I love Sophia! Do you really have a favorite? You can tell me. Except for you, Mommy. I think it's pretty obvious that your case is quite different and you love your second born more!

It's almost time to go. But first I'd like to recap Sophia's first 4 months of life in pictures. Are you ready? Well let's do it... break it down! :) (I hope some of you younger mommies got a little chuckle out of that!)

Our first family picture

Hello, Bright Eyes

Home Sweet Home

Mother's Day

Father's Day

With Crystal's baby, Annabella. They are 13 hours apart!

World Cup Party. Viva Mexico!

Swimming with Mommy

Fourth of July

Bath Time

Squeaky Clean

Rodeo Maverick

Cutie Pie

Oh! That face!

Gotta love the drool!

Where has the time gone?

TWO MONTHS have gone by and this is the first time I've posted a blog about our precious little angel. I would say I'm a horrible mommy for not wanting to show her off, but I like to think I've been an extra good mommy by spending more time with her instead of blogging! Especially since time is flying by and she's growing up so fast. So why am I taking the time to write now? Well Sophia had her 2 month check up yesterday with 4 immunizations, and isn't feeling herself at the moment. Poor thing has had a slight fever since last night and is taking much longer naps today. Plus Jon took the day off, made brunch, and is now washing the dishes (what a great husband). Needless to say, I'm bored!

Anyway... on to the good stuff!

Sophia Elizabeth arrived on April 30th at 9:55 pm. 2 hours and five minutes before her due date and a day after I wrote that last blog! She said she was coming on her own terms and told our doctor no way to inducing. I can already tell this little girl is going to be a handful! If you haven't heard by now, Sophia was a very healthy baby when she delivered, coming in at 9 lbs 1 oz and 21 1/2 inches long. So not fun to push out, but very proud of myself, Jon, and my mother for getting through it. It's by far the most amazing thing I've ever experienced.

Another amazing thing... the set of lungs this baby girl was blessed with! I'm sure most parents think, "Oh my goodness, my baby cries so much louder than other babies!" But I KNOW my baby is so much louder than other babies and way more intense. She's a little fireball that lets EVERYONE know when she's not happy. I'll never forget when a nurse at one of her first check ups said, "Oh my, she is NOT happy!" I said, "Oh this is nothing, she's just getting started!" She can cry for and hour or two nonstop in the evenings a few times a week, but we're getting much better at calming her down and keeping our cool. Those first few weeks were tough, but after a few melt downs we've realized she'll eventually stop and she'll sleep soooo good! :) That's the plus to all of these fits - she sleeps like a champ at night and only gets up once to nurse!

Now that I've made my baby sound like she's possessed... She really is a sweetheart! She's very strong and has awesome head control. I have no doubt she'll be an early crawler, since she already inches her way up with her legs. Once she figures out the arms part of it, she'll be going to town. She's also smiling a lot more in a social way and is "talking" like crazy! So so cute. She loves to watch the tv and has been very interested in World Cup soccer, even though Mexico and the US are out of the tournament! She loves car rides, Michael Jackson, and her swing. She definately likes to be on the move. I think that has to do with the fact that I was always on my feet and moving at work. She also falls asleep really easy when I'm talking on the phone. I think it reminds her of all the gossiping mommy did at work with the other ladies and customers!!

Sophia is growing like crazy! At yesterday's check up she was weighing in at 12 lbs 10 oz (a pound and a half of that was packed on in just the last 2 weeks) and 23 1/2 in long! She's in the 85th percentile for her weight, length, and head size, so she's very proportional! Sometime's I think her little head is really big, but I guess not (it's just full of lots of brain).


No words can express how in love I am with this precious baby girl! I can't imagine my life without her. I now know how my own mom has felt this past 28 years. I am so grateful to have had such a great role model that made life pretty easy for me! Although, being the great kid I am, she had it pretty easy too! :) I love you, mommy. Thanks for everything you've done for me and for all you've sacraficed for me and Jose Luis!


PS I'm on Jon's laptop right now, so pictures will have to wait.

Tick tock, tick tock...

And so the countdown begins! We had our 39 week appointment today and all is well. I'm about 75% effaced and 1cm dilated. Not much, but at least it's something. Since we hit 40 weeks this Saturday the doctor asked us if we wanted to go ahead and set up an induction for next week (she won't let me go past 41 weeks). I've been a believer of "she'll come when she's ready," but I'm starting to get pretty uncomfortable. Plus, if I can't go past next Saturday, why not go ahead and schedule a day I'm comfortable with, instead of getting stuck with a half Mexican baby born on Cinco de Mayo. You laugh and may think I'm silly, but I know you guys! We'd never hear the end of it. Anyway, we told the doctor okay and she made a call to the hospital to check out availability. When she came back in the room she said, "MONDAY! 7:30am!" Now we knew she'd come back with a date for next week, but Monday... holy cow! I know I was surprised, but the look on Jon's face was priceless!! :) I wish I had a camera to capture it.

Since my last post I had another Baby Shower. This one was thrown by my wonderful Eddie Bauer co-workers. They are so sweet! We had a Sunday brunch with games and presents. The food was great and we had tons of fun! I didn't get very many pictures from it, but I'll remember it forever. Thank you ladies so much for everything you did!

Later that same day was Crystal's Baby Shower for girl #2. For those of you that don't know, Crystal and I have been best friends since we were 11 years old!! We've created tons of memories together and will continue to create tons more, because we are having baby girls who's due dates are only 3 days apart!! So, so fun and exciting. Here's a picture of some onesies I made for their first meeting.

Not much else has gone on besides swollen feet, back aches, and uncomfortable sleep, so I'll leave you with pictures of the nursery. Thanks to all the family that has helped in making this room so special!