Ayden Feeds Gabriel His First Solid Food!

Ayden Feeds Gabriel

Yes, this is Gabriel's First Solid Food and who gets the privledge of feeding it to him? Why of course Big Brother Ayden! We chose to start with some oatmeal and as you can tell, Gabriel doesn't seem to mind it. :) I want to get this kid started on some solid foods so that he will sleep through the night!! He has seemed interested in our food though, watching bites go from plate to mouth as we take them. He readily opened his mouth, so he seems ready. :)

"Standing & Talking"

At the beginning of July, Gabriel really started wanting to hold his weight up while on his feet as we hold him from falling over. If I remember correctly, Ayden did the same thing at right about the same age and it lead to an early walker (not much crawling). So we might have another highly physical child on our hands!

More Coordination...

Gabriel is getting noticably better at reaching out and grabbing objects...it is fun to watch.

Family Photos...

I decided that we needed some photos of all four of us since practically every photo I take is of the kids or Julio and the kids...so these are the favorites of the two different poses. (Again...trying to save money and have Papi & Caryl be the photographers! They did a great job!)

My "Professional" Photo Shoot!

Threw this one in since it was a cute shot from a trip to the pool that same day!
I am always thinking of more ways to spend money...I am good at it!! So to make my husband happy, I decided to wait for a professional photographer to take family photos of us in the Fall when Gabriel can sit up and pose a little more. But lately, I have been really wanting to take the kids to Sears or something and get some photos taken since Gabriel is 3 months and Ayden is 3 1/2 but refrained for now. Instead, I took my own "prefessional" photos! This is my first attempt and I will try some of Ayden and then both kids when Ayden's bruises on his face have all healed! :) (These are done with Caryl's (mom-in-law) camera...much better than mine...I need a new camera! Hopefully for my birthday this year!)

A Big Boy Bike!

We have been noticing lately that Ayden's little tricycle has become a little too small! So while the grandparents were here, we took Ayden to go get his first big boy bike! He was a little unsure at first, but pretty soon he got on and tried it out. Since his neighbor friend Erika has a bell on her new tricycle, he managed to ask the sales guy for a bell about 10 times! So, now that about a week has gone by...Ayden has become quite good at riding, turning around and ringing the bell!

A Spanish Conversation...

It was so cute to watch Tata speak in Spanish to Gabriel. When Ayden was 7 months old and she visited him for the first time, she sang a song called, "La Linda Manito," which means the little hand (of the baby). I memorized the song so that I could sing it to Ayden and now we got to watch her sing it to Gabriel. I am kicking myself for not recording the song, but you do get to see a little Spanish conversation between Gabriel and Tata. He really seemed to be quite taken with her, so cute!

Tata, Granny & Papi Visit!

On their way back to CA from Puerto Rico (just like Frank & Brandon), Caryl and Papi came through town for a week to visit. Tata, Ayden and Gabriel's great grandmother from Puerto Rico got to come with them for the week!! It was so great to see her and she very much enjoyed spending time with the kids. She was so excited to meet Gabriel for the first time!

Partying, Pampered Chef Style!

I have to post this because it is proof that I actually made it out for a fun night with friends (well, it was at my next door neighbors house!). I feel like I haven't had much time to myself (go figure with a 3 month old who is nursing!) so this night out and a Bunco Night the following night was so much fun! I took advantage and dressed up since this never seems to happen anymore. I do actually feel like I am getting a little of my life back post second baby! :)

The 4th of July!!

My dessert creation for our nieghborhood 4th of July gathering. We designed a flyer invitation and then never sent it out...two kids, one being a baby that keeps us up all night sometimes made us do it! Well, anyways...we met two new households of neighbors and had about 12 people total. I'll take any excuse I can get to bake something, so here is the cheesecake! We grilled some yummy ribs, chicken and the neighbors brought some great side dishes. Julio even made fresh mint mojitos! :)
Ahhh...brings back old childhood memories of doing sparklers at Grandma Jeans! Ayden was a little timid, but wanted to try it again and again.
Dale, Keiko and Erika giving a sparkler a try! A storm was brewing up just as we went outside to light the sparklers of course, so it was a challenge to light them!

Fire works are legal in this county! :) This was all we attempted, but it was really fun! :)

Our Favorite Summer Hangout!

The kids waterslide
As mentioned below...here is a photo depicting why we are always at the pool! It is complete entertainment for Ayden and us. :)
The adult waterslide...I am the one at the bottom of the slide. :)

Cousin Brandon & Uncle Frankie Visit!

Walking to the pool...luckily it is only across the street! We did actually plan that! :)
Enjoying the water slides!
Giggling at Daddy!
We often hang out at the pool with our neighbors since it is quite a fun spot to hang out.

Check out the photos above to see why it is such a favorite spot for everyone in the neighborhood. In fact...we are on our way there today. :) Frank and Brandon got to meet our neighbors (from left to right: Kristen & Joe, Dale, Keiko & Erika).