Crawling, Cruising, and Pulling Up!

Even though it has only been a few weeks since I last posted a blog, SO much has happened between now and then with Elena!  It seems like every few days she has something new to show us.    First of all, Elena is no longer scooting everywhere...she is officially crawling around anywhere she wants to get...the dog toy basket, the dog bowl, on top of our cat Mittens...you name it, she wants to get into it.  We were warned many months ago about this stage and at times how we would long for the days when we could just lay her down to play on her tummy for awhile and she would still be in that same place when we returned just a few short minutes later...those days are officially LONG gone.  We have the most curious daughter. She wants to be a part of everything going on.  If she's not, she will definitely let you know with a loud scream or whine...if she is on the floor, she will drop her head to the carpet...face down...and cry until something distracts her.  And it begins...
Elena is also pulling herself up onto anything she can.  The couch, toys, baskets she has conveniently tipped over to make it easier to climb on, and even magazine racks.  This child is going to give us a run for our money!  We are so thankful that my mom had a toy at her house that was perfect for Elena to stand up with and play...it has become a staple in our living room now.  She cannot get enough of this Leap Frog play thing...it lights up, talks to her, sings...all in English or Spanish.  Even Juan and I can tolerate the noise it makes...it's not obnoxious, so it is a perfect addition to our play time with Elena.
Elena is eating all baby foods with no problems at all.  The mixed vegetables I made were not a hit until I mixed them with carrots.  Now, they are just fine.  Juan's mom made a whole bunch of home made baby food for Elena, so that is in our freezer just waiting to be eaten.  This child will NEVER go hungry, that's for sure.  Now, if we could only get this baby to pack on just a few more lbs!!  Elena goes back to the doctor in a few weeks for a quick weight check and that's it...no well baby check ups until September.  She has been just a happy, healthy baby since she was born...we thank God every single day for this.  Elena continues to amaze Juan and I everyday...we have no idea how we got so blessed with such a beautiful baby girl...we just hope we do our best everyday to make her happy and give her the life that she so deserves.  Below are lots of pictures and a few videos from the last few weeks...she is just getting so big!!

 Getting up

 Of course this is where I found her...

 Interesting.

 Love me some measuring spoons

 I said, "NO MORE PEAS, MOM!!"

 Fell asleep at abuela's

 Good Morning!

 This is how I play now.

 Sure, I can stand by myself now.

  

Homemade Baby Food!

So, I finally made the time to make some baby food.  Yesterday afternoon turned into a cooking afternoon of steaming and pureeing.  I started with a bag of frozen peas, steamed those, pureed them, and put the puree in an ice cube tray to freeze...those were super easy...I figured I'd keep going and try carrots.  I steamed a whole bag of baby carrots and followed the same process as the peas.  They look good...Elena hasn't tried them yet...maybe for dinner tonight.  I had some apples left over in the refrigerator, so I decided to cut them up, peel them, and cook them for awhile too in order to make applesauce.  Again, it looks like it turned out OK, but Elena hasn't tried it yet.  All of my veggies and fruit are in their nice little ice cube trays ready to be put into freezer bags now...just need to get out to the store to get some.  I think this is definitely something easy that I can do all the time.  It really didn't take long at all...and now that I've done it once, I know it will just get less and less time consuming.  I will always have some jars of baby food on hand, but I would say most days Juan and I will be using the home made stuff as much as possible.  Elena can almost eat 2 cubes of food, so I know it will go fast...I'm not complaining, though!  She's always been a great eater. 
Other than making baby food, we have just been enjoying our lazy summer days at home.  Taking naps, going for walks, sitting in the pool, and just watching some Sesame Street has been the extent of most of our days. We run errands here and there, but not often.  Just being at home has been wonderful...we don't get to do that very often, so we are enjoying while we have the time.  Juan and I have been taking turns during the day to get out and exercise as well.  It has been great to get back into running again.  Should be ready for a 5K this fall. 
I spent most of this morning straightening the house up and getting one bathroom (except tub) cleaned...the tubs always take me too long and I wasn't in the mood today... ;)  I stepped into Elena's room and finally got finished with a project I've been meaning to do for a few weeks now, but have been avoiding it...putting away MORE clothes that don't fit her anymore.  While she played with all her toys and crawled all over her room, I cleaned out her drawers and closet and folded up everything that she won't be able to wear anymore once it starts getting cold out again, or just plain doesn't fit her anymore...our girl is getting too big too fast!  So many cute clothes never to be worn by her again...total bummer!! We have two tubs full of clothes, socks, hats, receiving blankets, swaddles, etc. that we won't need for Elena anymore!  Don't get me wrong, this girl has a closet FULL of beautiful clothes still waiting to be worn.  But, some of the sentimental outfits and onesies had to be put away.  Just reminds me that we are continually moving on to the next step. Below are pictures of the last few days...the video is right before Elena had dinner, so she is in a fussy mood...all the chomping you hear in the background is Homer having his dinner...Elena wanted to get in on the action, so she is army crawling towards her big brother...

 Just me and my friend

 Elena loves to play with the plastic bag holder

 Milk beard

 Carrots!

 Applesauce/Apple-banana

 Peas

 On the move again...I promise mom doesn't let me get rug burn!

Apparently this is the cool way to hold a binkie now...

7 Months Old!

Elena turned 7 months old on June 30th.  She has not been interested in taking posed pictures over the last couple months, so this is the best we've got. Like I've said before and I'll say it again...how fast another month has come and gone.  Where to the days go?  I guess with routined naps, meals, and bedtimes, our hours dwindle quickly.  But, all that play time in between is the best part of all! Juan is officially finished with Summer School, so we have a whole month at home as a family. Not many people get this luxury, so we are excited to spend the time with our baby girl. Elena is changing so very much and the way she plays changes so often.  She LOVES to crawl around on both Juan and I.  She can sit by herself and play with toys for an extended period of time.  If her toy basket is close enough, she can pick out a toy from it and play.  If it's not close enough to her, she will scoot to it and pull herself up to see what she can find inside.  What a big girl! Elena also loves to just stand with help.  She enjoys cruising across our coffee table while we hold her steady.  We think she just likes to get after the remotes more than anything.  If we leave Elena for more than a few minutes alone to play, she is on the move.  She has gotten into the dog's bowl already and crawled on the mats where Homer and Mittens sleep.  Needless to say, my eyes are on her a little more carefully now!  If I have to be in another room, I tend to bring Elena's walker with me and let her roll around.  She has gotten really good at meneuvering herself around where she wants to go...she especially likes the kitchen.
As far as Elena's eating habits go, she is doing great.  She has been loving every baby food we've given her and can sometimes eat two jars full!  She especially loves orange colored vegetables and any kind of fruit we give her.  I've been grinding up bananas for her a lot lately and she loves that. Going to try to make some home made carrots this weekend to freeze and have on hand.
Below are some recent photos of Elena...so many changes!!  I will post more from our 4th of July BBQ soon.

Elena's Schedule at 7 months:
Awake at 6ish
Eat from 6:30-7ish-Nurse, Cereal, 6oz bottle
Nap 9-11ish
Lunch 11-11:30ish Veggie, Fruit, 6 oz bottle
Nap again around 1-2
Play all afternoon/Errands/4oz bottle
Dinner 5ish Veggie/Meat, Fruit, 6 oz bottle
Bath/Book/sometimes a few bites of cereal/Nurse 7ish
Bed 7:30ish

 What, I'm playing here.

 My new Tigger toothbrush from Grandma!

 Homer enjoying the early morning temps.

 Workin' on that sippy cup

 Showin' a little skin ;)

 Gosh, mom, c'mon, let's get in the pool!

 Step 1..pulling up

 Step 2..on my knees checking my progress

 Step 3..standing up

 We found a new toy while getting ready for a bath...she laughs at it every time!

 Monkey towel for our monkey!

 Picking out toys

 Mom got a little nervous about this one!!

 July 4th

It Won't Be Like This For Long...

So, I heard this song by Darius Rucker on the radio today right after I dropped Elena off at the babysitter's for the afternoon while I made my way to Jefferson City to tutor.  I must admit, I listened, sang, and hung onto EVERY word like I never have before...I have always thought this was a sweet song, but boy, when you have a baby girl of your own, it makes this song just that much more real.  I had to just post the video I found to remind all of us how quickly time passes and what a wonderful ride life truly is.  What a beautiful song...

Summer Days...

On this quiet Saturday morning, I sit here with the window open and warm breeze coming through.  Elena is asleep for her morning nap, which has been her routine now for a few weeks.  It is extremely comforting knowing that she has found a schedule that works for her little body.  Mom is happy too ;)  As Elena and I went out this morning for our usual mile walk around our neighborhood, I couldn't help but remind myself how bittersweet all of this is...the summer life...Being able to wake up everyday to Elena as my alarm clock...not a radio.  Being able to go out for a walk and talk with my girl has been one of the most wonderful parts of my day.  Being able to get her on a schedule that keeps her happy and healthy is a goal that has been met...for now ;)  All of the little things that happen during our day makes me realize how awesome it has been to stay home with Elena.  It does sadden me to know that this will only be able to happen for just about 7 more weeks, but I try not to dwell on that.  It just makes me realize how much I cherish the here and now.  I know when it comes time to head back to school, I will be VERY excited.  I love my job. I know Elena loves being out with the kids at the babysitter's too.  But, nothing is better than the bonding we have been able to do over this last month that I've been able to stay home with her.  For some reason I feel like she has officially become a real person now, not just a newborn that eats, sleeps, and poops her way through each day.  Sure she still does all of these things, but SO much more.  Maybe this is why I think it will be even tougher for me to get back into the routines of regular life once it's time for school again compared to when I went back after maternity leave.  Who knows.  When the time comes, I will suck it up and remember that Elena is growing and isn't stopping anytime soon.  This means I keep on going and growing as well as a parent. This journey as parents so far can't be summed up in a better word than this one: love.  It almost brings me to tears sometimes when I think about how much I love this girl.  Juan and I marvel at her everyday and just hope we are doing everything right...even though we know there is no way we can.  Elena, we love you to the moon and back.

Here are some pictures from the last week or so...and a new video of Elena trying peas for the first time...as you have been able to tell from the summer pics over the last few weeks, she likes to hang out in her diaper a lot. Shirt is optional for now. ;)  Enjoy!

 She is scooting everywhere!

 Homer is loving the air conditioning!!  LOVE HIM!!!

 Just walkin' around

 Enjoying the water bottle.

 Hmmm...how does this thing work? ;)

 And, I'll have a glass of mom's cheap wine, please.

Attempting to get on her knees...then she quickly fell to her belly...she's almost there!!

Happy Father's Day!!

Yesterday we celebrated Father's Day with our new little family we have this year.  What a great day it was.  Juan got some great food and was able to rest and relax most of the day before heading back for another week of summer school!  Juan's mom and dad came by to see us for awhile and give Juan a present he's been needing for a long time...new razor heads for his electric razor!!  They can be super expensive, so Juan just wanted something he will be able to use for months and months to come.  Elena and I gave him some of his favorite little things...Avengers poster, a framed picture that Elena made just for him, Uncrustables, and a few other little things to brighten daddy's day.  All in all, it's been an amazing month of celebrating mom and dad.  Just a few weeks left and the Diaz Family has a month at home all together.  Ahhh, the perks of being a teaching family.  We may not be the richest on earth, but we are definitely some of the happiest!! 
Elena and I have been staying busy while home this month.  I must admit, even though this month is half way over, it is still difficult to believe that I have been home during June.  Usually this is my busiest month of the year tutoring children almost everyday while teaching summer school as well.  My how things change!!  It has truly been the experience of a lifetime to be home with my little one.  She will never be this little ever again and being able to cherish each day with her is the greatest gift.  Juan and I talk all the time about how much we miss our little newborn.  We look back on those first few weeks/months and what a blur.  Looking at pictures/videos of Elena from the beginning just makes our hearts melt.  She is an unbelievable gift God has given us and each day we are thankful for her health and being able to provide for her. We are now moving into a VERY fun stage with Elena.  She will be 7 months old in a little over a week and we have a mover on our hands!  She scoots around everywhere and prefers to scoot right up to the area in front of our fireplace.  I will have to quickly teach her the word NO soon because she will hurt herself if she bumps her head on that stone!!  I know it will happen at some point or another, but for now, I'd like to keep her away from that area!! 
Elena is eating lots of baby food now too.  She has LOVED every fruit, vegetable, and chicken that we have given her. Sweet potatoes, carrots, sweet potato chicken, vegetable chicken, and applesauce have all been good foods to start with.  We will be starting some green vegetables in the days to come.  I have even mashed up bananas in her cereal in the mornings and she has liked that too.  Elena is still taking several bottles throughout the day, so hopefully she will start plumping up soon.  I know this girl likes to eat, now we just have to make sure she is getting enough!!  I have also given Elena a sippy cup to play around with.  I put just a little bit of water in it to see if she can learn how to use the cup.  It's taken several tries, but today she actually finished all of the water I put in it.  I fill it up 1/4 of the way and just let her go.  I know she prefers her bottle since that's what she knows, but we want the transition to real cups to be easier down the road.
Besides food, Elena has been busy just playing here at home with her toys, in the pool, and laughing at her pets, taking good naps, and sleeping through the night in her crib all by herself.  We even made it down to Jefferson City last week to spend a morning at the park with some friends...pictures below!  It's been a terrific June and I know the weeks are just going to get better and better!!

 Sweet Potatoes!!

 Elena with all her cousins!

 Grandpa and Elena

 Swings!

 Just scootin' around

 Wyatt was partied out..Elena and Porter going strong!

 Just waiting on mom to get in the pool!!

 I'll just read in the meantime.

 Hmmm...what could be behind this door?

 Happy Father's Day!!

 Love my daddy.

This is how our cat, Mittens spends his summer days.