Almost there!!

The time has almost come for summer vacation.  Only one day left of school for me on Monday and Juan has to give finals this coming week.  I CANNOT believe how fast this semester has gone by.  When I went back to work in February, I thought time would drag so much since all I was waiting for was summer, summer, summer.  Now that it's here, I realize how fast our time flies and I know summer is going to go by even faster.  I have a feeling Elena and I will fall into a routine quickly and enjoy our special time together this summer.  Juan is looking forward to teaching summer school with his middle school students.  It's going to be a great experience.
I always said that once school was out, Elena was going to sleep in her crib full time.  Since she was born, Juan and I have had her pack n play set up next to my side of the bed.  It has just been so easy having her right there for the middle of the night feedings.  Now that summer vacation is close, I have been thinking about getting her crib all ready for her to "move in".  As of now, it's full of stuffed animals, blankets, and other soft things to play with.  Very soon, I'll be moving all of those things out to get Elena used to sleeping in her crib.  I honestly don't think she's going to have much of a problem sleeping in there since she falls asleep with no problem for now.  Maybe it's wishful thinking, but here's to hoping!  She still gets up to eat one time in the middle of the night and then doesn't usually wake up until around 6am.  I'M the one who will have to get used to getting up and walking to her room to feed her in the middle of the night if she gets hungry.  I'm hoping that these middle of the night feedings start to dwindle soon, though.  We should be starting on more solid baby foods very soon.  Elena is just one great eater.  She LOVES her cereal and takes a 6 oz bottle like a champ.  I think the cereal before bed helps her sustain her hunger longer through the night.  We shall see how other baby foods help with this too.
Elena goes back to the doctor in 2 weeks for her dermatologist check on her birthmark on the back of her thigh.  It is just a small strawberry, about the size of a nickel, but it is raised a little bit and the doctor just wants to have a specialist look at it to make sure it's not growing or something we need to be concerned about. Elena will see her pediatrician for her 6 month...yes, 6 month check up the first week of June. More shots...but I'm not worried...she takes those like a champ too...she's one strong girl!!
The pictures below are from the last few weeks...and my first Mother's Day!  What a special day that was.  I enjoyed some quality time with Juan and Elena that day and went out to lunch with Juan's mom, dad, and sister. I can't wait to get some good use out of my Mother's Day gift...a Dyson vacuum!!  Don't hate on it...It's EXACTLY what I wanted!!  I love to vacuum...just ask Juan. I also got some great cards and daisies from Juan.  All in all, it was one of the best days. I feel so honored to be a mother now.  It truly is one of the most amazing jobs in the world.

5 months Old!

Our baby Elena turned 5 months old on April 30th.  She was not all that interested in having her picture taken, so this bright-eyed one is the best I got!!  These months just seem to fly by faster and faster.  For now, I'm not complaining because summer is on the way.  However, in a few months when it will be time to go back to school, I won't be singing these praises of time moving quickly.  I am forever thankful that I love my job so it doesn't make returning that horrible. ;)
We had a big weekend this past week in that Elena spent her first night away from us!  She stayed with her grandma and grandpa in St. Louis on Saturday night.  She did a great job sleeping and not keeping grandma up all night long.  I was so happy to hear that.  We were able to celebrate my grandma's birthday during the day and Elena stayed and enjoyed all the company for the evening. Mom and dad brought her back to us on Sunday morning since dad had a few projects here at our house he wanted to complete for us...including a new screen for the sliding door...THANK YOU!!!  Now Homer and Mittens can't get out when we want to have the door open! 
Elena is also using her new high chair to eat her delicious cereal in.  She sits up so great and she even loves to play with her toys while I get food ready to eat.  I have a feeling we will be spending lots of time in the high chair very soon!!
One other milestone that has occurred is that Elena is starting to say my name!  Yes, it may only happen when she's upset, but nonetheless, I'm starting to hear mmmaama sounds!  Kinda cool...now to get going on those "dada" sounds too!
Well, since today was my last day off until summer, and Elena just woke up from her nap this afternoon, I need to go see what she's up to now.  We had a long morning out shopping for Mother's Day.  Elena was so good, so I am glad she slept for awhile this afternoon.  We'll catch you up again soon!!

 Gangsta.

 Big yawn...yes, that was my rabbit when I was little...

 Watching Arthur before going to Brenda's

 This is how she really felt about having her 5 month picture taken.

 Homer's just waiting for her to drop some.

 mmmmm...books.

 At grandma's party having fun!

 Great Grandma and I on her birthday weekend.

 Precious girl.

 Just hangin' out.

 My new highchair!

 Oh so cute...

Now I'm done.

Busy...Busy...Busy

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.

Happy Healthy Baby!

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! 

 With all my aunties!

 My godfather, Jon, and my godmother, Erin

Deacon Bill and Rose...our teachers!

 My first Easter...mom couldn't get a smile out of me...these ears are serious business.

We just continue to inch closer and closer to summer vacation...just a few more weeks and it will be here!