Our First Christmas as a Family

Our First Christmas as a family was this weekend. Boy, did we have a blast. There is nothing better than being with family and the people you love. We have so many things to be thankful for. We've been blessed with wonderful people in our lives. God is good.

We started out going to Travis' Aunt Karen and Uncle Bill's home last weekend and celebrated a Christmas Brunch with them. Jonathan's cousin, Hogan, still doesn't know what to think about sharing his toys or his grandmother (Aunt Karen) with him. It's so cute. Travis' parents were there and we all had a wonderful time! Everything was wonderful and delicious as usual.
Christmas Eve, we headed over to Phil and Debbie's (Papaw and Gammie) for an incredible dinner. All the kids were there with everyone's families. My parents, Muna (Phil's Mom, Betty), Justin's parents and grandfather, Tyler and his girlfriend (Travis' brother), and all of us made delicious food. Phil made an incredible turkey, ham, stuffing, and gravy. I made scalloped potatoes, Carrot Souffle, and Pumpkin Cheesecake with cinnamon whipped cream and caramel. Ashley made Sweet Potato Casserole, Mac and Cheese, and Broccoli casserole. My mom made ham with pineapples (Ayden's Favorite) and brought a pecan pie. Mimi (Justin's mom) made green beans and rolls, etc the list goes on. Everything was awesome. All the kids and grandchildren got there early to exchange gifts. Boy did we all have a blast. We laughed and hung out together and there is truly nothing better than that. Thank you Debbie and Phil for hosting such a wonderful night and giving all of us kids such incredible gifts!This morning, we woke up to a WHITE CHRISTMAS!!!!! It snowed and everything was white. It's so exciting to have our first Christmas as a family with snow. It was wonderful. Travis was like a little kid. He woke me up letting me know there was snow. I wasn't thrilled to be woken up, and not by Jonathan, but I got up and got ready for the big day (best part was I got to wear sweat pants and a sweatshirt). We woke Jonathan up and opened gifts. He was surprisingly alert and playing like crazy with his gifts. Natalia, his Godmother, sent him a walking/riding toy, Meg sent him a surprise from Learning Express, Titi Laly sent him the cutest Nautica outfit, and we got him a bunch of learning/fun toys. He had a blast. Then, we went to an awesome breakfast at my parents' house. Everything was delicious. Mel and Michael were there and they got him Music Classes (he loves them like no other), Maty, Mimina, and Laura came bearing gifts for everyone, Phil and Debbie, and Tyler came as well. We made a sausage casserole, Mel made a french toast casserole, Maty made beer bread and a ham and egg casserole, and my mom and dad had a humongous spread. We had an awesome brunch with Champagne and all. We all hung out, laughed a lot, and Jonathan played with all his gifts that he got there. My dad decided to take him out in the snow before I gave him a bath. He liked it when the snow touched his hands, but not when he felt anything cold on his feet. LOL! He has a thing with his feet, but my dad couldn't wait to take him out in it. He expected him to be able to do snow angels. He honestly can't wait until he's bigger to be able to really play with him (he did plenty of practicing with Ayden the night before at Phil and Debbie's wrestling on the floor). Then, we all went to dinner at Maty's house. We had an amazing day filled with family, love, and laughter. An incredibly memorable Christmas!

Picture with Santa

Pictures with Santa

Last Saturday we took Jonathan to get his picture taken with Santa. We met Charley, Misa, and Arianna for breakfast at Blue Grass Grill. So yummy and both the kids enjoyed it. A man that worked there gave Arianna toys to play with. He was so sweet and you can tell he had such a kind soul. So incredible to see people like that. We got to the mall and there was a dance recital going on. Poor kids. Whoever teaches those kids does not know what they are doing.

We got in line for Santa and it's finally our turn. Santa tells me to put Jonathan's back towards him, so Jonathan wouldn't cry. He didn't! He smiled. Then Santa told me to constantly show Jonathan the picture of him with Santa. That will help him not be scared of Santa next year. I will definitely do that. Santa was so nice! Arianna did great as well! Man, I love that girl. I love her like she was my own. Misa and Charley are so blessed to have such an amazing and beautiful (inside and out) little girl. I love that she loves Jonathan so much. Jonathan will have a great friend in Ari.

I'll post the Santa Picture tonight!Charley with Arianna. He loves his baby girl.Arianna blowing kisses!Charley with both kids.Jonathan was getting sleepy. Bless Him!Me and my favorite little girl!She is giving me a kiss. The sweetest moments ever!!!Most beautiful Mama ever!

Some New Videos

"Un Beso" means kiss. I speak to him in Spanish a lot and Travis is starting to say stuff to him in Spanish as well. I think Travis will learn Spanish with Jonathan. Yay!

Huge Two Weeks

So, last weekend, I thought I heard him say, "Mama." I thought surely it's my imagination. Well, guess what, he is saying, "Mama." It's the best word I have ever heard. My heart completely melts every single time he says it. I was getting worried because he was saying "Dada" and "Hola" and no "Mama." Once he said "Mama" I melted.

Christine spent the weekend with us. Jonathan adores her. They played together and he would laugh so hard he'd fall to the floor and couldn't get back up. It was one of the funniest things we have ever seen. Saturday morning, Christine walked into the living room and Jonathan looked at her and said "Hola." Christine asked Travis, "Did he just say, Hola?" Sure enough, he did. She told me I had the smartest kid ever. LOL! We went to three birthday parties that day as well. Two of them were at The Little Gym. Jonathan started dancing there. I loved it. Maybe he'll get my rhythm and not his daddy's rhythm. LOL! Then, he stood by himself for a few seconds. I was shocked. He was one busy boy that day with not much of a nap between Parker's 1st birthday party, Connor's 2nd birthday party, and Sandra's birthday party. He was exhausted.

Finally, we went to dinner with Jennifer and Brian and Christine. He perked up as soon as he saw his Aunt Jenn! He loves her. She fed him snacks and loved on him. She gave him a Christmas present early! The cutest stinking outfit ever! We love it. She loves him so much and I love that about her. I can't wait until she has a baby of her own. She will be an amazing mommy one day. Brian will be an incredible dad as well. He loves playing with children and he's so good with them. I'll post pictures and videos from this weekend soon.

P.S. You ask Jonathan for "Un Beso (a kiss in Spanish) and he gives you one. That's pretty awesome too!

Being a parent is the best and most incredible blessing!

Jonathan's First Thanksgiving

Well, Jonathan celebrated his first Thanksgiving this year. Sad to say, but the Sunday night before Thanksgiving, he cried and cried and wouldn't sleep. I had a feeling he had an ear infection. I took him to Dr. Meredith Monday morning and it turns out he had a double ear infection. Poor Baby. This was his first time to really be sick and take antibiotics. Up until Thanksgiving day he looked extremely pale, watery red eyes, etc. Thursday, he started looking and feeling better. Thank goodness.

It was extremely special because my cousin Piti was in town. Talk about eating amazing food. He's an incredible Chef. He arrived Sunday and we saw him Monday. He met Jonathan for the first time Monday and Jonathan immediately loved him and followed him with his eyes at all times. He wanted to play with him and Piti is such a baby lover. He will be an amazing dad one day. On Monday we ate Arroz con Pollo (Chicken and Rice). Laura Diaz joined us for that. Tuesday, we ate Fried Plantains stuffed with Shrimp in a red sauce (AMAZING!). Wednesday, my favorite, we ate a pork loin stuffed with cream cheese and guava with congris (white rice with black beans mixed together). I also cut off 12 inches of my hair to donate to Locks of Love. Thursday, we went over to Debbie and Phil's house to eat at noon. Holy Moly! We were all early! It was a first for us and my parents. They were shocked! It was a delicious lunch. Everyone made their best dishes. Jonathan ate some too and loved it. That night, I had a dinner at our house to host a Thanksgiving for the Diaz family since they were in town. We made pork, Arroz con Gandules (Rice with Pigeon Peas), Yucca in a mojo sauce, sweet potato casserole, squash casserole, Key Lime Pie, Turtle Pie, and I bought Mini Cupcakes from Whipped. They also had to have it Puerto Rican style with the beverages. They definitely had plenty to drink. So much fun, that they started singing Karaoke on the Wii. Hysterical!

It was also a special day because Natalia, my oldest and dearest friend, got engaged. I couldn't be happier for her and can't wait to see her on her big day. She is going to be the most beautiful and amazing bride. We are just so happy for her and Robert.