4th of July

For the most part we had a pretty laid back day. We just hung out at home and rested! It was nice having Berto home with us on a Friday to just bum around! In the afternoon we went over to Berto's cousin Ceci's house for a BBQ and swimming! It was fun! The food was yummy (Thanks Ceci and Conchi) and the swimming was fun! Oliver had a blast floating around in his little wave runner floaty... and then when we took him out he had a blast splashing the water like he does in the bathtub! All in all it was a good day. We didn't see the fireworks... well a few on our drive home. Oliver was extra tired and just wasn't going to make it for another minute. In fact he conked out the minute I set him in his carseat (that never happens without a little crying) and he didn't even stir when we took him out and laid him in bed! Oliver likes to watch everything that's going on and can't miss a minute if there are people around (aside from us) so he won't nap or anything if he can fight it and he was! But it was still a fun day!....

A Fun Day with Family at the Park

Today we went to a park in Huntington Beach to meet some family. My cousin Sarah graduated from UCLA and is joining the Peace Corps and heading off to Africa for two years, so we got together for a picnic in her honor. It was a fun park and Oliver had fun on the swings and sliding down the slide with daddy! It was nice seeing family. It was very breezy... almost cold in Orange County today so it was nice to get away from the blazing heat of Moreno Valley!

My Baby Boy is growing up....

So for a few weeks now Oliver has been pulling himself up and walking along the coffee table. He hasn't shown much of an interest in crawling... finally he has started crawling. He will only crawl if we lure him with a remote control. I don't know why but he is SO fascinated with remotes and will only crawl if one is in his path! So we keep putting the remote on the floor to get him moving! It's the cutest thing to watch!

Day at the Park

We took Oliver to the park this afternoon. It's been over 100 everyday for the past few days, but we decided it would be fun to make a quick trip to the park. There was a fun little water feature that Roberto and Oliver kept going in (I got sprayed just standing by and it was so nice to get splashed with water). We couldn't tell if Oliver liked the water or not. He didn't cry but he didn't seem all that excited about it either so I guess that's a good sign! :)

Happy Father's Day Honey

Today is Roberto's first official Father's Day!! He got his very own hand made Father's Day card from Oliver and me!

Also, I was making dinner and Berto was "watching" Oliver. Well I hear Oliver making noise in the living room. I looked around the corner and saw Oliver sitting on the couch and Berto "sleeping." I guess he thought Oliver wouldn't throw himself forward if his head was right there! Oliver was having a great time scratching and playing with Berto's face. It was pretty funny!

You're Standing, You're Standing

Oliver hasn't shown much interest in crawling until recently. I would say in the last two weeks he's really decided he wants to figure out how to move. He'll get onto his all fours to try and get a toy and then sit there with a look on his face that says "Now What??" He also will rock back and forth as if he's trying to get momentum going to push him forwards, but every time he tries to actually move he goes backwards! At about the same time he started trying to crawl he started trying to pull up on everything. He can get almost all the way around the coffee table, we just follow him along so he doesn't crack his head open, but he's doing it himself! It's so cute to watch. We are really trying to focus on crawling though because it's so important for brain development.

I love watching him go around the coffee table. His chubby little legs are so cute when they're stomping around!

Babbling Baby

Oliver has always been a very vocal baby. It's so fun to see and hear him while he's babbling! I was able to catch this on video yesterday.... hopefully he'll start staying mama soon! :)

Cute pictures of my cute son

Last week Oliver and I went out to my friend Heather's. She is always so obliging and takes great pictures of Oliver. Here are just a few. They are so cute!!

Bruises, Adventures, and Tears

Yesterday we had our first catastrophe with Oliver trying to pull himself up. He was pulling up on the coffee table (I had my hand blocking the edge but somehow he missed it) and managed to bonk the bridge of his nose on the coffee table. The picture of him smiling is the next day... it's a little bruised but it's hard to tell in this picture. Obviously he's not too bothered by the accident. He's a happy little camper today! :)

A couple of days ago I had Oliver playing on the floor with his toys. I went to wash out his sippy cup and when I came back he had pulled himself onto his knees and was peeking over the edge of the coffee table smiling at me. It was so cute. Well this morning I did the same thing left him playing with his toys for a few minutes while I walked away to take care of something. Well when I came back I saw his cute little face peaking over the coffee table at me only this time when I walked around to see him.... he was almost doing the splits. It was the funniest thing! I'm glad he didn't fall... that would have been hard. But it was so cute to see. He had this little look that seemed to be saying... " look at what I did mommy!" It was adorable!

Silly Things

On Memorial Day our ward has an annual picnic and softball game at a local park. We went and Roberto played softball! He found out he's not as young as he thinks he is! :) He was sore for a couple of days after playing. I visited with the other moms while our babies played. It was fun!!
Above is a picture of Oliver and Roberto at the park!

Tbe other picture is Roberto sleeping. He wore himself out playing with Oliver's toys! :) Actually Oliver was there but playing but the picture was much more funny with Roberto by himself!

My Busy Boy.... We're in trouble now!

Oliver has been becoming a little more adventurous. If he wants something he'll dive for it, he ends up on all fours with a look that says "oh no mommy, what do I do now??" Today he started trying to pull himself up on things. The coffee table and the pole to his jumper toy.... like I said we're in trouble.

The cutest thing today though was the picture above. I had him sitting on the floor playing with a few toys while I did some things for my mom on the computer. I looked over and he had pulled his basket of toys over to him tipped it over and was trying to play with everything... it was the cutest thing. Being a mom is so much fun. I love seeing the new things Oliver learns everyday!!

Tornado's in Moreno Valley... What??

So yesterday was CRAZY!! We had a very strange spring storm that included nothing else but a tornado.... I thought I left tornado's behind in Wisconsin but apparently not. The tornado touched down at March Air Force Base just a mere 7 miles away from our house. It then crossed the freeway and tipped over a semi truck and a freight train. And according to the news (and the picture I got from their website) it even at one point split into two tornado's. It was very strange and very scary. The thunderstorm even felt like a mid-western storm NOT a California storm. The thunder and lightning was loud and scary and our neighbors tree was struck by lightning. (They are at the bottom of our long street so it luckily wasn't right next door or anything). Very crazy weather none the less!

Photo Contest Update

Hi Everyone:

Roberto went to vote this evening and it was a lengthy process that involved going through a bunch of adds. I didn't realize when I submitted the photo that it would require so much. I don't want to impose on anyone so please don't worry about voting for Oliver. It was just a fun thing but I wouldn't vote for something if I had to look at a bunch of offers and don't expect any of you to! Thanks so much!

Elizabeth

Photo Contest

I just entered this photo of Oliver in a photo contest. I would love it if you could follow the link and help me get votes! Thanks!


https://www.greatamericanphotocontest.com/voter1/
index.aspx?referid=EmailFriends&p=546483&x=.jpg


Elizabeth

Arizona Trip

With Grandpa Roberto
Tia Elena and Melinqui
With Grandpa, Grandma & Daddy

Grandma & Grandpa Galindo
With Grandma Tere Below

We just returned from spending a few days with Berto's parents, aunt and grandpa! We had a nice time in Queen Creek, AZ with them! They loved spending time with Oliver (and spoiling him) it was fun for all of us! Oliver LOVED looking at their dog Melinqui. He's not used to such a big dog but he liked looking at him and every time Melinqui licked his feet he'd laugh!! It was about as hot there as it was here the only difference is it cools down in good old Moreno Valley in the evenings and it was still 90 degrees when we left at eight o'clock last night! Yuck! :) Roberto's mom babysits their neighbors little 2 year old during the week. He was there on Thursday. He was so cute and LOVED Oliver. He came over with his mom on Friday night and Oliver was already asleep... He was NOT happy about that he wanted to see the baby. Too cute! Anyway, we're glad we were able to spend some time with Berto's family! It was fun.... here are some pictures from our trip!

Cute Boy

This is just a cute little clip I took of Oliver today. He was sucking his thumb and blowing bubbles and just being all around adorable! Enjoy!

Mother's Day

Today was my first official Mother's Day! Sunday mornings are always a little hectic trying to get up and get all three of us ready for 9:00 am church. But this morning was nice! It seemed like Oliver knew it was mother's day. I was sitting on the couch and he was sitting next to me and started hugging my arm. It was the best thing I could have received on Mother's Day!! I loved it! I love being a mom and I feel so blessed to have an adorable and sweet little boy like Oliver and a wonderful husband Roberto!!

Happy Mother's Day to all of you mommies out there!!

Love,
Elizabeth

Hollywood Night

So last weekend out ward (for those of you that don't know what a ward is, it's the congregation of people we attend church with) had a fun activity. It was a "Hollywood Night." We were supposed to come dressed up as different celebrities. Berto and I dressed up as Sandra Bullock and Benjamin Bratt in Miss Congeniality. It was a lot of fun. And they decorated the gym at the church so cutely! The highlight of the night though was the entertainment! Roberto was in one of the acts. They did a little dance to "These boots were made for walkin' " and Berto dressed up like a nerd and was pushed around by all of these women. His dancing is hilarious! Enjoy the fun pictures!!

Six Months Old

Wow how the time truly does fly by!! My little man is already six months old. I can't even believe it. I took him in on Monday for his six month physical and shots. He was such a trooper. Poor little guy. So he weighed in at 24 lbs 11 ounces and is 28 1/4 inches long. He's a big boy... but not just big he's pretty tall for his age too!!
And what a sweet boy! I love being Oliver's mom it is such a joy!

Temper Tantrums....

So on Saturday Oliver started throwing little temper tantrums. If he wants to be held and you put him down or if you take a toy or his sippy cup. He used to just cry.... now he does this little scream. Here's a little clip. This is a mild one.....

Birthday Fun

So my 28th birthday was yesterday (Saturday). It was a pretty chill day spent with the two loves of my life Roberto and Oliver!! We visited some friends. My BFF's sisters were in from Utah and since they hadn't met Oliver before (and they are practically my 2nd family) we dropped by to say hi! Then we went to dinner! It was a lovely day! I wouldn't have wanted to spend it any other way!! Today we celebrated at home, my mom cooked dinner and we had Strawberry Cake (my favorite) and ice cream!! It was D-E-L-I-C-I-O-U-S!!!!!

Side Note- At the Harrington's house on Saturday. Heather's little boy Nash (who is 14 months old) was so cute... he is NOT a huggy or cuddly baby AT ALL... but he decided he wanted to hug Oliver. He kept coming up and having me or Heather pick him up and let him hug Oliver and then he'd nuzzle his head in Oliver's shoulder. Seriously I think it was the cutest thing I've EVER seen!! Oliver was not such a big fan he kept crying ... and then he'd get even more mad because we thought it was cute and kept letting Nash do it! It was adorable though!! Then after that was over Nash just wanted to sit in my lap and played with Oliver for a little while! Too cute!! We need to spend more time with Nashy so Oliver gets used to socializing!

We caught Oliver just before he started crying with the camera! And yes... Nash is 9 months older and they are the same size... what can I say my child is huge! :)

What a fun day! Thanks everyone for making my birthday special!!

Patty Cake and Sippy Cups

My little one is getting so big! And he's so smart! We have for most of Oliver's life played patty cake with him! He loves it and ALWAYS smiles so big. Well over the past couple of weeks he has started when you say "patty cake" to roll his hands. It took a few times for me to realize what he was doing but sure enough EVERY TIME you say "patty cake" to him he starts to roll his hands. It is so dang cute!

We bought him his first sippy cup today... I gave him a little water after he had his rice cereal and he is so smart (especially considering his bottle experience has been minimal since I nurse). I handed it to him and he put his hands on the handles and started sipping. I was so proud!!

First Teeth

So I think Oliver has been teething since he was about six weeks old... well FINALLY over the weekend his two bottom teeth poked through. I'll post pictures when you can actually see them (right now it's just the rough edges of those two little teeth). It's so cute!! Maybe we'll have a little relief from the crankiness... that would be fantastic!!

Our Garden

For quite a while now Roberto and I have been wanting to plant a small herb garden. We finally did it today!! We rolled up our spare change and went down to home depot this morning and bought our plants! It was so fun. I've never been very interested in gardening but have recently really wanted to see if I could successfully grow something without killing it... and what's better then yummy herbs and peppers??!! We planted Thyme, Chives, Basil (my favorite) and Sweet Yellow Peppers ( my second favorite)!!

Oliver likes to pull leaves off of plants but hopefully this will teach him as he gets older and will inspire him to have an interest in gardening!

Mama' Horspool and Mama Bonelli's Good Advice

So last week Mary Ellen Horspool.... one of my second mom's stopped over and was chatting with my mom and me. They both encourage me to keep a journal so that I can remember all of the times as a new mom... and for my kids to be able to turn to as new parents... and to see what life was like for us... well I'm HORRIBLE at journal writing but I've decided to take the challenge. I'm going to start writing in my journal.... and I'm also going to keep up my blog because I feel like it is a journal too.... the funny thing is I picked up the Ensign magazine yesterday in between conf. sessions and they had an article on journal writing.... I think this is a good thing!!

Thanks Mary Ellen and Mom!!!

I'm sitting all by myself!

Hi Everyone:
Please check out this fun video of me sitting all by myself!! I fall at the end... I'm still learning!

Love,

Oliver

A week of Milestones

The past few days have been a week of milestones for our little family! Oliver FINALLY rolled over from front to back last Thursday we were so excited... and now he won't stay on his stomach for more than a few seconds!!

On Sunday we FINALLY blessed Oliver. And I was so proud of Roberto. I know he was very nervous but he gave a beautiful blessing! It was so fun to have many of Roberto's cousins and Aunts and his parents there to be a part of our special day.

And the most recent milestone .... Oliver is sitting up by himself! He started yesterday. He's a little wobbly but he sure can sit all by himself!! We're so proud!!

And just to caption a picture... Oliver LOVES water bottles... he loves to play with them!!

Easter

We had a lovely Easter. We went to Church of course. Then we had lunch with my family and spent the afternoon at our cousin Ceci's (Roberto's Cousin) house with a lot of family! It was a great time!!

Family Pictures

So last week my BFF Heather took us out to take our family pictures. We've attempted this numerous times since Oliver arrived but without fail every time he's either crying or sleeping and won't wake up.... so we were FINALLY successful... and Oliver was even happy!! :) Here are just a few!!

Torrance Trip

This past Saturday we went out to Torrance to have dinner with our friends Robyn, Chad and their baby Stone. We had a blast... and some yummy turkey burgers!! It was fun to see them! We drove over to Redondo Beach while we were there... I think it was the most windy day ever! It was crazy... we stayed for only a few minutes because it was crazy. But we did have time for a few pictures on the beach!

Thanks for a fun evening out Robyn and Chad!!

Carseat Conniption

So for a few weeks now we have been thinking that Oliver HATES his carseat.... well we're coming to realize that he hates his carseat when he's tired. Oliver is a sleep fighter and when he's tired he doesn't want anything that he knows he'll fall asleep in... he won't eat... and he HATES his carseat. Here is a fun photo taken yesterday afternoon... as you can see he was VERY tired... his face is red and blotchy from his carseat conniption! Enjoy!!

High Chair Fun!

Oliver loves sitting in his high chair!

Play Time

Roberto's cousin Moy and his wife Sandra gave us this fun jumper toy. At first Oliver wasn't too interested in it... recently he has started LOVING it. He'll even lean for it and wine until I put him in it for a little while. He especially LOVES the parrot!! It's so cute to watch him play. The seat turns and he has figured out how to move around and look at all the fun little things to do!

Oliver Eats his first solids

So as you all know Oliver is a pretty big baby! We decided to go ahead and start him on rice cereal once a day this past week because he just needed a little more food! He LOVED it!! Here's a video of Oliver eating his first food!

Enjoy!

Oliver Talking

Here's a cute little clip of Oliver talking! He's getting so fun!!

Who's the cute baby??

For those of you who are always saying Oliver looks "just like his daddy"... you are right... however we found a baby picture of me last week and you can see the resemblance to his mommy too! He definitely has my cheeks, nose and mouth.... he has Roberto's eyes! Here's a pic to compare!

Elizabeth

Sleepy Boy

So every morning Oliver and I go on a walk! We love it! It gets me out of the house for a little while... it gives me time to work off my baby weight... and it gives Ollie time to be out in the fresh air. I guess this morning he was a little tired because when we got back to the house and I went to get him out of the stroller I realized he had fallen fast asleep with a toy in each hand! Too Cute... here's a picture to enjoy!

We have a ton more pictures and a little video we need to post ... it's just finding the time! But this is too fun!

Elizabeth

All about me... Tag you're it!

RULES of the game… Each player answers questions about themselves. At the end of the post, the player tags 4 people and posts their names, then goes to their blog and leaves them a comment, letting them know that they are tagged.

1. Where I was 10 years ago: Freshman year of high school... pretty much the shyest person EVER!
2. 5 things on my “To Do List” today: Take my daily walk with Oliver, go to the grocery store, play with Oliver, balance our finances, hang out with Oliver.
3, Things I would if I became a billionaire: By a house, go to Europe, let Berto retire so we could just hang out with our kids.
4. 3 of my BAD habits:
5. 5 places I have lived: Anaheim, Moreno Valley, Appleton, WI , Beaver Dam, WI, Fullerton.
6. 5 jobs I’ve had: Receptionist at JC Penney's, Title Clerk, Logistics Coordinator, Receptionist at RCC, Stay at home mom!
7. Seven Random Things About Myself:

I Like to Sing

I bite my nails

I like scrapbooking

I like shopping

I like cooking (I rarely do it these days)

I sell Isagenix (if you don't know what that is talk to me about it!!)

I don't like chocolate very much!

I tag Heather, Lindi, Alisa, Meghan