I hope this video stays on our blog for awhile...I don't know why my old videos keep deleting or saying they can't load anymore...sorry to those of you that want to see those old ones and can't! I'm kind of sad about it. But, I won't give up on loading them on here with the hopes that the videos will be on here for some time to come. Enjoy our little girl being a "big girl"!!!
Tuesday, April 30, 2013
Elmo's Song!
This is just a memory for our family...this is Elena's most favorite video to watch when we have the iPad out. I have loved it for awhile now...it makes Elena smile when she sees it and it makes our day when she is SO excited about her Elmo!
Monday, April 29, 2013
It's Been Awhile!!
I was just realizing this week how long it's been since I have sat down and written about life in the Diaz household! It's been a busy month, needless to say, but we have been enjoying every second we can with our Elena. She takes up most of our day and I cannot sit down to write a blog with her wanting to get up and play on the computer keyboard every second, so after she goes to bed is the best time to get some writing finished. I must say, after the cold first month of spring we've had, I am happy to be sitting here with the windows open and fresh air pouring in through the windows. It really is a mood changer when the windows are open and the warm air smells so good. Makes me motivated to do things!
The last month has been great. We had a wonderful 2nd Easter with Elena and this year was just so different because she is up and walking/climbing/running around everywhere. She wore her first fancy Easter dress and we went to our first Easter Sunday Mass as a family. Last year was an especially special Easter because Elena and Juan were both baptized at the Easter Vigil, so this year it was nice to wake up and go to Easter Sunday Mass together...sure, Juan spent a majority of the Mass outside chasing Elena around, but we made it through the whole thing, so that counts, right?! Elena got to have a little Easter egg hunt at grandma and grandpa's house, which was just darling to watch. She carried around her little Easter basket and roamed around the backyard picking up colorful eggs. Melted our hearts to watch her find eggs...just so hard to believe that Elena is getting so big and smart. She catches onto things so quickly, it's almost scary.
Elena will be 17 months old on Tuesday. She is wearing 18 month clothes now (for the most part) and I still remember when we got the tub of 18 month clothes from my cousin Robyn's baby Maggie thinking that there was no way that our Elena would fit into those clothes by 18 months...she has always run small. Well, here I am eating my words on that one. Elena is getting longer and, may I say, chubbier by the day. We couldn't be happier with her growth. She is a happy and healthy baby...yes, I still give her baby food often to get those extra nutrients in her little body, but for the most part, Elena is eating solid foods at her meals. She is very picky and one day she likes something and the next day she doesn't. We are just trying anything and seeing what she thinks about it. Usually, like I've said before, if Elena sees Juan or I take a few bites of something, she might get curious enough to take a bite. Elena has her consistent favorite solid foods such as pizza, spaghetti, and mac n cheese (healthy, right?!). This week she has ventured out and eaten several hard boiled eggs, so we were happy about that so she could get some extra protein. Elena doesn't like any meat right now. Every so often she will take a bite of chicken tender or nugget, but it's not a consistent like I can add to her menu. Elena does love snacks and cereal, though, so that holds her through between meals. Goldfish are a must, she still likes Puffs, most cereals, marshmallows, and even raisins. We cannot get her to eat a regular piece of fruit or vegetable yet, so that's where her baby food still comes in. At one point, we did have her eating green beans, but that fad has faded. Oh-I can't forget Elena's beloved cheese...that is her absolute favorite food...any kind of cheese. She gets giddy when we get it out she loves it so much. So funny!
Elena is talking a lot these days too. She understands most of what Juan and I ask her to do and she also has demands. Some of her favorites are directed towards our pets. Elena yells "GO!" and points so they go away when she doesn't want them around. She also tells them no. It's comedy to watch. Elena is a very curious girl and when she sees something she wants to know more about she points and yells :Whasat?" or "Whasis?" She is learning more and more about vocabulary all the time. She will be using full sentences before we know it!
So, as I sit here trying to go back through this month, it seems like one big blur. I can't remember what happened that kept us so busy each weekend, but then I realize I don't need to remember every little detail of each weekend. All I know is that we are having fun with our girl and she is enjoying life to it's fullest too. Sure, I was sick one weekend and didn't get out of bed...Juan and E had some good daddy-daughter time. But, other than that, our family has just been busy chasing around a toddler...There...I broke down and said it...toddler...not baby, toddler. Wow...where has our baby gone? I see photos of her pictures on our screensaver on the computer from when she was a newborn and my heart longs for that baby again. Juan and I say all the time how much we miss her...they are only so small for the shortest of times...and what a beautiful time it was. Now, Juan and I just sit back and marvel at this beautiful, curious little girl we have running around and look at her in awe. She is our little miracle and always will be. We love you, Elena Elizabeth!!
Enjoying pizza and a little Super Why on TV!
Daddy's Shoes!
Reading to Dad and Mom
She loves her cheese!
Happy before going to daycare! Mittens may like a pancake...
Elena's first wedding...she had a great time!
The last month has been great. We had a wonderful 2nd Easter with Elena and this year was just so different because she is up and walking/climbing/running around everywhere. She wore her first fancy Easter dress and we went to our first Easter Sunday Mass as a family. Last year was an especially special Easter because Elena and Juan were both baptized at the Easter Vigil, so this year it was nice to wake up and go to Easter Sunday Mass together...sure, Juan spent a majority of the Mass outside chasing Elena around, but we made it through the whole thing, so that counts, right?! Elena got to have a little Easter egg hunt at grandma and grandpa's house, which was just darling to watch. She carried around her little Easter basket and roamed around the backyard picking up colorful eggs. Melted our hearts to watch her find eggs...just so hard to believe that Elena is getting so big and smart. She catches onto things so quickly, it's almost scary.
Elena will be 17 months old on Tuesday. She is wearing 18 month clothes now (for the most part) and I still remember when we got the tub of 18 month clothes from my cousin Robyn's baby Maggie thinking that there was no way that our Elena would fit into those clothes by 18 months...she has always run small. Well, here I am eating my words on that one. Elena is getting longer and, may I say, chubbier by the day. We couldn't be happier with her growth. She is a happy and healthy baby...yes, I still give her baby food often to get those extra nutrients in her little body, but for the most part, Elena is eating solid foods at her meals. She is very picky and one day she likes something and the next day she doesn't. We are just trying anything and seeing what she thinks about it. Usually, like I've said before, if Elena sees Juan or I take a few bites of something, she might get curious enough to take a bite. Elena has her consistent favorite solid foods such as pizza, spaghetti, and mac n cheese (healthy, right?!). This week she has ventured out and eaten several hard boiled eggs, so we were happy about that so she could get some extra protein. Elena doesn't like any meat right now. Every so often she will take a bite of chicken tender or nugget, but it's not a consistent like I can add to her menu. Elena does love snacks and cereal, though, so that holds her through between meals. Goldfish are a must, she still likes Puffs, most cereals, marshmallows, and even raisins. We cannot get her to eat a regular piece of fruit or vegetable yet, so that's where her baby food still comes in. At one point, we did have her eating green beans, but that fad has faded. Oh-I can't forget Elena's beloved cheese...that is her absolute favorite food...any kind of cheese. She gets giddy when we get it out she loves it so much. So funny!
Elena is talking a lot these days too. She understands most of what Juan and I ask her to do and she also has demands. Some of her favorites are directed towards our pets. Elena yells "GO!" and points so they go away when she doesn't want them around. She also tells them no. It's comedy to watch. Elena is a very curious girl and when she sees something she wants to know more about she points and yells :Whasat?" or "Whasis?" She is learning more and more about vocabulary all the time. She will be using full sentences before we know it!
So, as I sit here trying to go back through this month, it seems like one big blur. I can't remember what happened that kept us so busy each weekend, but then I realize I don't need to remember every little detail of each weekend. All I know is that we are having fun with our girl and she is enjoying life to it's fullest too. Sure, I was sick one weekend and didn't get out of bed...Juan and E had some good daddy-daughter time. But, other than that, our family has just been busy chasing around a toddler...There...I broke down and said it...toddler...not baby, toddler. Wow...where has our baby gone? I see photos of her pictures on our screensaver on the computer from when she was a newborn and my heart longs for that baby again. Juan and I say all the time how much we miss her...they are only so small for the shortest of times...and what a beautiful time it was. Now, Juan and I just sit back and marvel at this beautiful, curious little girl we have running around and look at her in awe. She is our little miracle and always will be. We love you, Elena Elizabeth!!
Mmmm...sweet tart sucker!!
Thursday, March 28, 2013
First trip to the library!
Elena and I decided to spend some of the afternoon on Wednesday at the library. She had never been before and since we didn't have plans for the afternoon, it was a perfect time to go and explore. When we got there, we went straight back to the children's section and I just let her go. She ran straight to the books and started pulling them off the shelves. I had to have a chat with her that we weren't at home and that we needed to pick them up. She helped me get them back where they belonged. I let her pick out a few books to bring home, but the funny thing is, she hasn't wanted to read any of them since we brought them home. Elena definitely has her favorite books, but I am glad we went to the library so she could start expanding her horizons! We did a lot of walking around to check things out and she couldn't have been more excited to spend time surrounded by books. The library even has toys there for her to play with, but she showed very little interest in them. Elena preferred to sit in a chair and look at a book. It just gave me butterflies to see her so excited about books. All in all, it was a great trip and I can't wait to get her back to the library to explore again soon!!
Monday, March 25, 2013
Playing in the Snow...again!!
Elena and I went out to play today in the snow again today...here are a few pictures of our day today...and a few extras indoors too!
Working on scooping skills...
I'm ready, mom!
Our little eskimo
Our creepy "snowbunny"
Footprint in the snow...15 (almost 16) months old :)
Bunny hat seemed fitting with Easter just a few days away!
Reading her Easter card she got in the mail today from great-grandma and grandpa :)
Sunday, March 24, 2013
Spring Break...or Winter Break #2
It has been awhile since I have been able to make time to write about our family! It seems like our weekends go by in the blink of an eye each week and on Sunday nights I realize I forgot to write down our memories again...well, now that we are on Spring Break and Elena is taking a nap, I thought now would be the best time to sit down and get some pictures uploaded and memories written down.
Juan and I are just SO happy right now because we are officially off work for a whole week. We had all these intentions of getting outside, opening the windows and airing the house out, cleaning this and that...but that has all come to a halt now that we have 7+ inches of snow on the ground as of right now and there is no sign of it letting up anytime soon. It is a blustery cold mess outside and I don't want anything to do with it! Sure, we will take Elena out in it to play at some point, but for now, we are just cozy in our warm home...again...what a start to spring break, huh? This has never happened! I remember thinking that I was glad spring break was late this year so that we would have warmer weather...ooops.
Unfortunately, Elena has a cold, so we won't keep her outside for long, but she just LOVES being outside and running up and down the driveway...we will be sure to bundle her up well to enjoy what we hope is the last snowfall of the season. Elena was up at 3:30 this morning and just didn't feel well. I went in to check on her and she had a full diaper and her jammies were soaked...I felt so sorry for her. We got her all changed and in dry clothes, got her a warm drink and she came to sleep in bed with mom and dad. She quickly drank her milk and off to sleep she went...I must admit...it was super sweet to have an extra snuggle buddy in bed for the remainder of the night. She has been crabby today, so I am very happy that she went down for a nap without hesitation...she needs some rest.
Other than this cold, Elena has been doing great. She went to the doctor earlier this month for her 15, yes, 15 month check up and she is progressing just fine. She is still in the 25th percentile on weight (only 20.7 lbs), but everything else is right on...I think she's just going to continue to be our little "long and lean" flea. I feel like she is starting to really fill out, though...she seems to be getting "denser" if that makes sense...I can feel it when I pick her up. Elena is starting to expand her tastes and we try to offer her foods that we eat. Sometimes she will take a bite, but quite often she refuses. Our child is very picky when it comes to textures. It still baffles me that she loves home made peas and carrots in baby food form, but if I offer her an actual pea or a piece of a cooked carrot, she throws it on the floor. She does the same with bananas. Her favorite food continues to be cheese. She will NEVER refuse some cheese. Lately, she has been getting into peanut butter sandwiches...I have been enjoying this...finally another source of protein! Elena has eaten chicken nuggets a few times, but as of late, she doesn't want them anymore. She is just so fickle with her food choices. There hasn't really been any fruit Elena will eat that's not in baby food form...we continue to offer it to her, but she just doesn't take it...I have been trying to be as patient as possible, but I just wish she would eat a gosh darn piece of fruit!! Applesauce is her favorite, but she will eat almost any kind of baby food fruit...I guess I would too...it's SO good!
Elena is doing so great at the babysitter's. Brenda lets me know everyday that she is beginning to play well with the kids...I am really glad that I can take Elena to Brenda's so she can play with the other kids and learn interaction. Last week, Elena had to go to time out for trying to take toys from her very good friend, Jude. She screamed in his face when he wouldn't give her the toy guitar, so Elena had to sit out for awhile...let me tell you, she wasn't happy. Ha! I thank God everyday that we have a safe and fun place to take Elena while Juan and I are at school.
Well, onto a week off we go...hoping for a nice week so we can get out and get some things done that we have been needing to get done for awhile now...Elena will also be celebrating her 16 month mark on Saturday...where is the time going?!
Juan and I are just SO happy right now because we are officially off work for a whole week. We had all these intentions of getting outside, opening the windows and airing the house out, cleaning this and that...but that has all come to a halt now that we have 7+ inches of snow on the ground as of right now and there is no sign of it letting up anytime soon. It is a blustery cold mess outside and I don't want anything to do with it! Sure, we will take Elena out in it to play at some point, but for now, we are just cozy in our warm home...again...what a start to spring break, huh? This has never happened! I remember thinking that I was glad spring break was late this year so that we would have warmer weather...ooops.
Unfortunately, Elena has a cold, so we won't keep her outside for long, but she just LOVES being outside and running up and down the driveway...we will be sure to bundle her up well to enjoy what we hope is the last snowfall of the season. Elena was up at 3:30 this morning and just didn't feel well. I went in to check on her and she had a full diaper and her jammies were soaked...I felt so sorry for her. We got her all changed and in dry clothes, got her a warm drink and she came to sleep in bed with mom and dad. She quickly drank her milk and off to sleep she went...I must admit...it was super sweet to have an extra snuggle buddy in bed for the remainder of the night. She has been crabby today, so I am very happy that she went down for a nap without hesitation...she needs some rest.
Other than this cold, Elena has been doing great. She went to the doctor earlier this month for her 15, yes, 15 month check up and she is progressing just fine. She is still in the 25th percentile on weight (only 20.7 lbs), but everything else is right on...I think she's just going to continue to be our little "long and lean" flea. I feel like she is starting to really fill out, though...she seems to be getting "denser" if that makes sense...I can feel it when I pick her up. Elena is starting to expand her tastes and we try to offer her foods that we eat. Sometimes she will take a bite, but quite often she refuses. Our child is very picky when it comes to textures. It still baffles me that she loves home made peas and carrots in baby food form, but if I offer her an actual pea or a piece of a cooked carrot, she throws it on the floor. She does the same with bananas. Her favorite food continues to be cheese. She will NEVER refuse some cheese. Lately, she has been getting into peanut butter sandwiches...I have been enjoying this...finally another source of protein! Elena has eaten chicken nuggets a few times, but as of late, she doesn't want them anymore. She is just so fickle with her food choices. There hasn't really been any fruit Elena will eat that's not in baby food form...we continue to offer it to her, but she just doesn't take it...I have been trying to be as patient as possible, but I just wish she would eat a gosh darn piece of fruit!! Applesauce is her favorite, but she will eat almost any kind of baby food fruit...I guess I would too...it's SO good!
Elena is doing so great at the babysitter's. Brenda lets me know everyday that she is beginning to play well with the kids...I am really glad that I can take Elena to Brenda's so she can play with the other kids and learn interaction. Last week, Elena had to go to time out for trying to take toys from her very good friend, Jude. She screamed in his face when he wouldn't give her the toy guitar, so Elena had to sit out for awhile...let me tell you, she wasn't happy. Ha! I thank God everyday that we have a safe and fun place to take Elena while Juan and I are at school.
Well, onto a week off we go...hoping for a nice week so we can get out and get some things done that we have been needing to get done for awhile now...Elena will also be celebrating her 16 month mark on Saturday...where is the time going?!
Helping Daddy grade papers
I'm a big girl, so I need a big girl piece of pizza
Just your typical Monday night...seriously.
I guess she thought Homer was hungry.
Happy St. Patrick's Day!
Sorting twist ties
Good Morning! Cheerios and Super Why it is...
Watching videos on the iPad with daddy
Trying to fix her toy
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