Happy Late 13th monthday!

Amalia, I'm late again with your monthday post. What a bad mommy. But, I'm super early for 14th monthday! Does that count?
This month you are full of new developments, the biggest of which is your bipedal mobility! It is really coming along. You are still not so confident on your own, but are really into walking around holding on to my fingertips, or the little car walker that your brother never really took a shine to, or the sofa, or the walls, or anything else you can pull up onto and walk beside. I am nervous that once you get the hang of it there will be no stopping you. Pretty soon we'll be saying farewell to your awesome scooting, and related, your scoot-dancing, which is the best thing I have ever seen.

Another thing that makes me nervous is your newly developed mastery of the stairs. Since there are none at our place, it's really not an every day worry, but today at Abuela's you climbed all the way to the top of the stairs and if you weren't the proudest thing I've ever seen, then I don't know what. Before you'd scoot over to the stairs and try to hoist your leg up to scoot up the stairs. Today you discovered a much more efficient way and zipped up to the top before my gaping mouth could close.
So let's just add one more thing to mommy's list of terrors, Amalia falling down stairs. Excellent. Actually, it's great, and you are just so fearless, I can't help but be proud of you too. You want to be in everything, explore everything, and touch and taste everything! There is very little that is within the range of 3 feet from the floor that hasn't been in your mouth.
In related milestone news, you are getting some more teeth, they do seem to come in all at once with you! You are getting two more bottom teeth, and what feels and looks like several molars. This makes for fitful sleeping and a very crabby baby. Your overnight sleeping is often hit or miss, which since I was very spoiled with you, is rather stinky.

But over all you are such a little sweetheart. You are rarely in a bad mood, even when you are sick (right now you have a hideous cold) you are cheerful and charming. You are the huggiest and kissiest baby I've ever met. (which explains why we are all sick with your cold!) It is so sweet.

I know that some major milestones are just on the horizon. I'm so happy that I'll be here to see them all!
Love,
Mama

Michigan memories

We had such a wonderful time this past weekend in Michigan. The abuelos, primas et al descended on Grandma and Farfar's cottage like a swarm of locusts, but at least we're locusts that bring our own food!
The weather was beautiful, the water was even warm! We got to spend some quality time with the extended family, and Domi and Amalia had such a great time. The twins are such a stitch, I cannot get over them some times! They were troopers and got in the water every day. Domingo did too, but he is half viking, so the cold does not phase him one bit. Amalia and I were a little more skeptical, and only got our toes wet most of the time. I actually got in to take an anniversary "plunge" with Chris on the 26th to commemorate our iron wedding anniversary!
We are so lucky that these guys will have such great memories from their childhood, going up to Michigan every summer. Sure there was some fighting, crying, and whining, but there was also playing together, sharing, and running around giggling like maniacs, and the kids had fun too. Sofia said after staying up late to have a bonfire complete with s'mores, that it was the funnest night of her life! I don't know about the ranking, but I'm sure it was up there for me too.
Here are a few pictures from this weekend, not nearly enough were taken on our camera, but we'll have to get some pictures from everyone else to post up here.

Hanging with baby Owl


Relaxing in the hammock


Nap time is the best time


On the deck

Too much

These guys are just much too much.


oh this guy too.

Happy Birthday tia Leticia!

Here are some great pictures from this weekend. Once again Leticia scores the pool party because her birthday is in July. No fair.

No party entry is complete w/o obligatory food photos. My little sandwiches are not pictured, neither are the delicious peach pavlovas- and I usually dislike dessert- or lemon pound cake. Everything was delicioso.



Someone's standy-standerson!


Mama-love


YUM!


A little too similar to the Shining.


No seriously, YUMMM!

Fun on the 4th

We had such a great time this past weekend in Michigan. The weather was perfect, even I got in the lake, and that is really saying something. We got to see some great fireworks on the lake, and hang out with our friends, and tia Jennifer and fam, and of course grandma and farfar.
Domi got two mosquito bites, and just like his mama, his face blew up and his eyes are practically swollen shut. Two days of benadryl and he looks a little less like a kling-on now.

Here are some pictures, enjoy!

In the clubhouse.


Smiley on the deck


camera was accidentally turned to black and white


SPARKLERS! Tia Patricia I told everyone your cautionary tale, but no one listens to me.


Beach baby!