life according to the diaz's: April 2012

Sorry it has taken us so long to get back onto our blog, but life around the Diaz house continues to get busier and busier as the weeks go by. I know this happens every year when the school year starts to wind down, but boy, there is SO much to do both at school and at home. Children to test, books to put away, graduation to attend, mulch to put down, grass to cut, bottles to clean...you name it, we have something going on! However, I won't complain one bit because it just means we are surrounded by all of our loved ones and things we love as often as possible. Since Easter, we have been spending our weekends just catching up around the house. I finally got around to putting all of Elena's clothes away from her closet that she can't fit into anymore...sigh...she is growing so fast on us. I couldn't believe how much I put away the other night. This girl has so many clothes and I was so disappointed that many of her items she has only worn maybe once or twice. Wish I had that problem... :) Elena has been spending her time during the week with her favorite babysitter, Brenda, and she continues to end each week with her grandmas. It is so special to have all of these wonderful people to care for Elena and be so flexible with our time. God has really blessed us in this department for sure.
Today was Elena's first Pinto Pacer, a 5K run at my elementary school. We had a beautiful morning to be outdoors with lots of coworkers, friends, neighbors, and runners. Juan even brought Homer along for the second year in a row to be a course marshal at one of the major points during the race. They always do a find job!! We made it back home this afternoon with a crabby and hungry girl. We laid down together for about an hour before she got uncomfortable. I put her in her swing and she is MUCH happier now. Sleeping away soundly...just like she wanted. I thought I might be able to fall back to sleep for a little while, but I couldn't. So, I decided it was a good time to catch up on the blog.
Elena turns 5 months old this Monday...yes, I said it...FIVE MONTHS OLD. Where has the time gone? Juan and I are just cherishing every day with her because we know she is just getting bigger on us by the day. We just love her snuggles, genuine smiles and laughs, and yes, even her cries. She is just the sweetest thing ever. All toys are now going into her mouth for exploration and she is gripping anything she can get her hands on. I don't even have to hold her bottles for her most of the time. It's pretty amazing the progress she is making with each and every week that goes by. Our parents as teachers teacher came by earlier this week to work with Elena and she told us that Elena is making excellent progress. Flipping over from her back to belly is very easy now...basically automatic. We just need to work on getting her to learn how to go from belly to back when she gets frustrated. Elena also likes to stand a lot with my support. I think she just likes the awesome view of her surroundings. I bet it gets kinda boring laying down all the time and looking up. I put her in my body carrier and bring her around the house a lot when I am cleaning up or cooking. She enjoys looking at everything going on...a regular busy body already.
I have put just a few pictures up from over the last few weeks...I am even attempting to attach the video of Elena from several weeks ago of her laughing at Juan ripping paper. Hopefully it will work. If not, I have it on Facebook for you to see if you would like. Love you all and thanks for keeping up with Elena!!

Cereal is GOOD.

Love.

mmmmm...rubber ducky

After my bath...in my mom's old towel from when she was a baby!!

Again...cereal = good.

This was the third try to get her to look at me...then abuelo gets all serious. HA!

Sittin' cute in my new toy!!

Abuela and me.

I am SUPER funny...

...and silly.

Just checkin' out some colors...Mittens wanted to read too.

Elena went to see Dr. Hagen again this morning for her four month check up. As expected, she did just fine. She is now weighing 13 lbs and is 25 inches long. Elena will get to eat rice cereal for the first time later tonight for dinner. We cannot wait to see her reaction to some solid food. I think she is going to love it. Elena has never turned down any food before, so why start now?! We will be sure to post pictures of her reactions to the cereal very soon. She will also need to go see the dermatologist soon to have a birthmark on her leg checked out. From what we've seen since she was born, it is nothing to worry about. But, the red mark on her thigh has raised and Dr. Hagen doesn't want it to get to a point where it bleeds and then it's too late to have anything done about it. So, we got a referral and will go make sure it is OK to be on the safe side. All in all, it was a great appointment...Elena got 2 shots and did great just like she did last time. They have made her sleepy this afternoon, so it has been quiet around here this afternoon! I'm hoping to get the grass cut after while...we'll see if she can sleep that long ;)

I am learning to hold that bottle up!

Hungry girl with abuela

I love, love, love my princess rubber ducky!

Another milestone this past weekend was our first Easter as a family. Juan became a member of the Catholic Church at the Easter Vigil on Saturday night and Elena got to be baptized as well. It was a beautiful night and one that we will never forget. Our families were there for the 3 hour service and we are just so grateful that everyone could come!