Nico's First Haircut and Lorena's First Birthday

Nico got a hair cut tonight! Daddy cut Nico's hair in the bath. We have been getting a lot of "she's so beautiful", "what's her name", how old is she?" questions and we know it's because our pumpkin head is so good looking, but maybe this new haircut will help those people who think he's a girl! He looks super sharp! Great Job daddy. I must admit I was nervous that Nico was going to look like he got in a fight with some scissors, but his hair turned out great!

Hair

Earlier today we went to Lorena's FIRST Birthday Party! It was a lot of fun. She loved her gifts, especially the tissue paper....lol.

This is Lorena:

From 1102 LA Baby Friends playdate!

These are the picutres of her PARTY!!!!

****Peter Found the Pictures!!!!!!

But with these 2 big events, can you believe what happend to me a couple minutes ago???? I DELETED THE PICTURES OFF THE CAMERA! Yes...I was very upset...but i'm okay now, thanks for asking.

But like Peter says, pictures aren't important...we lived the moment and it will be a LONG time before I forget how cute Nico's FIRST haircut was! But I still wish I could have shared them with you guys...=(

****NOW I CAN!!!-Thank you Peter for Finding them!!

A LOT MORE STEPS!

Nico is a walking man!

Saturday he started walking from the middle of the living room to the couch...maybe 5 steps at a time. The next day, he was a pro! He is now walking from the living room to the hallway and down the hall!

Only problem is that now that he likes walking so much, he doesn't like sitting that much.

Peter and I took turns walking with him throughout dinner last night...all the restaurant guests were in love with the "little manager" that was checking in with all the tables and asking about their meals--Nico has a bright future ahead of him if he so chooses to go into the restaurant business.

Late February Updates: TITO's visit/outings and celeb citings

I'm happy to report that Nico is WELL, just a little snotty right now. He was sick for a couple days but ADORABLE.

From 1102 Tito and Yesenia's visit

Tito and Yesenia have been visiting here in LA since Thursday!

From 1102 Tito and Yesenia's visit

We've gone biking and gone out a couple times with them! Yes, I said GONE OUT!

Sunday we went Hiking to Griffith Park with Chris and Cristy. At Night....we went out for SUSHI and SAKI BOMBS after watching the NBA All-Star Game.

Last Night we went on a SUNSET bike ride around the Marina and ended at Tony P's, where we hung out with Kenny and our guests. Tony P's is a Gator restaurant here in the Marina....and it was DELISHHHH.

From 1102 Tito and Yesenia's visit

From 1102 Tito and Yesenia's visit

From 1102 Tito and Yesenia's visit

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From 1102 Tito and Yesenia's visit

From 1102 Tito and Yesenia's visit

Manuela was in Colombia this weekend and gets back today. From what I can see in the FACEBOOK pictures, she is having a blast. She gets back today. I can't wait to hear the stories!!!

We had some more celebrity sitings this weekend, which brings the total count to 5 in the past 2 months!

We saw (#4)Arnold, his wife, and his daughter(who I recognized from THE VIEW), at Mass on Sunday. Unfortunately I don't have pictures, because WE WERE IN MASS, I felt a little odd whipping out my camera there.

From 1102 Tito and Yesenia's visit

We had lunch with (#5)Al yesterday. It was nice catching up and hearing stories about life on the red carpet, spot light, and some of the "giving back" work that he's been a part (NBA Cares, Basketball without Borders, and his own Basketball camps in Atlanta and DR). He met Nico for the first time and was very impressed with Nico's motor skills =).Maybe he'll be at one of those basketball camps in a couple years!

From 1102 Tito and Yesenia's visit

Tonight, we are going to the LAKERS vs HAWKS game!!! It will be our first LAKERS game, though I had to tell Al that we were really excited to watch the Hawks play...hahaha.

Valentines-13months-work-visitors update

Last Night we went out AGAIN!! Chris, Lel's brother, and his girlfriend came over to hangout while Nico slept, so that we could celebrate Valentines. We all ate dinner together and then we (peter and I) went to downtown Culver city...which was beautiful. It was a mix of downtown G-ville and coconut grove. We saw: JUST GO WITH IT! It was INCREDIBLE! Loved the chemistry, love the storyline, loved the hotel, loved the funniness, loved everything....I loved it. Go watch it and then we'll discuss.

Today was a LONG DAY. Nico had and continues to have a fever. This afternoon he even threw up on me...and the carpet, which now smells absolutely glamourous but I forgive him, cause it's is DAY!!

HAPPY 13 months NICO!!!!

21lbs. 10oz.

Eating habits: He started eating EGGS this month and a little bit of TOAST! YESSS...like a BIG BOY! His food is more chunky now and he is eating foods similar to what we have...(simpler version of course)
Motor skills: He has stood up a couple times by himself for longer periods of time....especially when he doesn't know that he's not holding onto anything (like if he is distracted). He is up to 4 steps...but NOT 1/2 a step more...lol. He can sign: ALL DONE!!!
Sleeping habits: Lately he's been getting up at least once at night. I think that might be due to NEW chompers that are coming out (le estan saliendo mas dientes!!). I have seen at least 3 little tips poking though his gums.
Speech: Lots of very intense babbling sessions which hang gestures to go with his conversations...but no words yet.
Other: He's gotten into a weird new habit of making this "mad" face where he scrunches up his nose, mouth, and eye brows all together. I hope he grows out of that soon cause it's adorable but I love his laugh sooo much more!

A little work update:

So I've started working part-time at Berlitz and I really like it. I started doing office work and now am doing some more interesting projects. I'm also teaching. I have a wide range of students, from kindergardeners to adult professionals. We really like the nanny/sitter that's taking care of Nico.
Netflix classes started today, and they went GREAT!!! My students had a great time and they thought I was funny---i'm gonna get them to sign it so that Peter can believe me. He doesn't find me too funny. I look forward to Thursday's class--where the founder of NETFLIX will be a STUDENT!!!! (act cool valeria....act cool!)

Well hopefully Nico will get better soon, cause TITO and Yesenia are coming to VISIT Thursday!!! WE HAVE TO BE ALL BETTER to show them around!

LOVE DAY!

Valentine's isn't about FANCY dinners, boxes of chocolate, huge stuffed bears, and everything else that's super-priced at your local grocery store. I'm not saying that I don't want any flowers or chocolate covered strawberries, wink wink, but I am saying that Valentine's (to me) is about spending quality time with that person or two, that float your boat...that make the world make sense, that make you smile when they look at you and that make everyday life moments...AMAZING!

I don't know how I got this lucky!!

So...Happy LOVE DAY to all! And this little man has all the love in the world to share.

Yesterday when we left mass I go the most Beautiful flower in the WORLD!!! Daddy picked a flower as we were walking to the car and Nico delivered what was left of it. I almost teared! It was such an awesome display of teamwork, hahaha.

In the past year+, we haven't gotten much alone time. Fortunately this weekend we were able to sneak some "hang-out" times while Nico graced us with LONG naps.

Saturday we just sat on the beach while Nico napped in the stroller. It was such a beautiful day.Peter even made sand chairs for us! When Nico woke up, we all played in the FREEZING water for a little while, daddy surfed, and once the sun went down, we rollerbladed/skateboarded home.

Yesterday, after the Valentine's Baby Brunch with new neighbor friends, Nico was pooped! He took a 3 hr nap!!! Peter and I got to hang out on the hammock, read, takes naps, and even watch a movie! I don't think I can remember when the last time was that I took a carefree, uninterrupted nap on our hammock with the cutest guy I know.

Mommy and daddy got to go out to watch a movie last night since Uncle Charlie came to hold the fort down while Nico slept. We saw, NO STRINGS ATTACHED. It was really funny but it also made me cry.

This morning, Peter made me a yummy Pancaque breakfast!

And Nico gave me a beautiful rose from Daddy's bouquet! Then he proceeded to destroy it, lol.

Abuelito Rodriguez sent some beautiful Valentine's Cards, Thank You daddy =)

Weird?

Is it weird that I really want a sewing machine???
Nothing too fancy and no specific projects in mind, but I really want one!

There are a couple moms that make some pretty cool stuff and they are also handy just for normal stuff too-like fixing things.

If you know of any specials, or you know someone who is getting a new one and wants to get rid of the OLD one....TELL ME about it!!!- Please, and thank you.

Hosting story-time and Nico taking steps

Thursday I planned a Storytime/playdate at the Library in our apartment complex....and it was a success!!

Here is a list of (Babys-Mommas) who attended:

Lorena (11 1/2 mon.)- Alyssa

Jordyn(8 mon.)-Kate

Ryan(7 1/2mon.)-(I forgot a mom's name--how horrible right)

Mia(2 1/2 mon.)-Brenda

Sandra(3 mon.)-Journey

Jack(23 mon.)-Sarah(who is also 16 weeks preggers)

Nico(13 mon.)-Me

Yes, you read correctly...there were 5 girls! Jack,the other boy, being that he was a little older, wanted to run around and play outside. He didn't understand why everyone was sitting around all quiet. SOOOO Nico had all the girls to himself. Nico can't wait for Cash Naylor, Cash Blado, Dylan, Everette, Miles, Henry, Isaac, Samuel, Jackson, Alan, and Archer---ALL HIS BOYS from AUSTIN to come visit!

After reading a couple books to the moms, since the Kiddos weren't really paying attention, we took the out of complex friends on a little tour of where we live. We looked kinda funny walking around the complex's paths in a single file line with all of our strollers- Field Trip, lol.

It was really nice getting to talk to these MOMMAS! But I'm just trying to fix the void that my austin baby momma friends have left in mine and Nico's lives.

After that playdate and walk, Nico took the LONGEST NAP EVER! 1:20 to 4pm- All those women wore him out, lol.

But the sleep I guess did him well because later that evening, NICO TOOK 4 STEPS!!!!!!!

We were sitting across from the marriage therapist (part of Marriage Preparation course in Santa Monica). She had this stuffed animal in her hand and he was just looking and looking. All of a sudden he just walked over to her and GOT THE BEAR! I completely lost track of whatever it was that she was asking me about!

Nico is literally taking this walking thing...ONE STEP AT A TIME!!!!!! I guess i'll update ya'll when he takes 5 steps, lol.

Nico's friend Jack-our neighbor!

THiS IS JACK...

Today Nico went to play with Jack, our neighbor.

The past week 1/2 that i've been working, Sarah(Jack's Mom) has come over at some point during the time that Nico's with the baby sitter to check in and to invite Nico to play with Jack in the hallway....aka our backyard.

Today I got some pictures of them playing!

From 1102 Jack playdate, valentines preparation

From 1102 Jack playdate, valentines preparation Sarah and I also played..lol. Nico loved my monkey mask...he kept looking under my chin..haha.

From 1102 Jack playdate, valentines preparation

From 1102 Jack playdate, valentines preparation

Ohh I almost forgot, we took Sarah cookies this morning for her Birthday that just passed, Nico delivered them himself! They were Peanut Butter Cup Chocolate Chip Chunk Cookies- how's that for a tongue twister?!?!

From 1102 Jack playdate, valentines preparation

This is them drawing the other day before I left to work:

From 1102 out and about

From 1102 out and about

Jack is going to be 2 1/2 in March and is teaching Nico lots of new and cool things. Nico really likes following him around. Jack is really good about sharing and being gentle around Nico. He understands that Nico isn't very good at standing so he doesn't pull things away from Nico.

I'm so happy that we have such NICE neighbors....and SARAH SPEAKS PORTUGESE!!! So now I have someone to practice with.

Side Note: We are both hosting a STORY TIME at the Library in our complex on Thursday! I can't wait to see how many babies and mommas show up!

3 Special Packages!

Remember I told you that 2 weeks ago we went on a 20 mile bike ride...and halfway through we stopped for lunch on a Burger joint on the beach????

Well I forgot to mention that when We got home, there were 3 Special Packages infront of our apartment door!

1. From Candy Cantin for Nico! A Dino that she made herself!!! Nico loved it and hugged it right away.

2. A package from my community in Panama.

They sent a whole bunch of things, but what I loved the most was the hand written letter telling me about what EVERY single person in my community is up to. The letter sent me through a roller coaster of emotions. I laughed and then teared a little...especially when I read this line:

"Nunca olvides que en nuestras vidas una de las mejores cosas que nos ha pasado fue conocerte a ti, y esperamos conocer muy pronto a Nico y Peter."

-Never forget that in our lives, one of the best things that has happend was to have met you, and we hope to meet Nico and Peter soon.

3. 3 Books that I sent to get printed!

1-Life is Calling Blog-of my peace Corps experience

2- Expecting the Unexpected Part 1- Our story from The day we found out about Nico until he turned 6months.

3. Expecting the Unexpected Part 2- The continuation of our story until Nico turned 1!

I could not have been more excited! Even now when I skim through my books, I feel that the dream of getting a book published and seeing in on one of those tables in Barnes & Nobles is just a tini-tiny bit closer!

GREAT THINGS do come in small packages!!! hahaha