Happy Easter and our growing boy!

Today is Easter. We had a lovely day. My mom and our neighbor and friend Jenn joined us at church. It was a nice day. Berto had to work :( so Oliver, my mom and I had dinner and an easter egg hunt at Jen and Sasa's house. It was a lot of fun. Oliver (and I wish I had gotten pictures) even got to get in the pool for a little while. The water was freezing but he sat with his feet in splashing so finally I stripped him down to his diaper and let him stand on the first step in the pool. He was a happy camper! We had a lovely Easter, I was bummed that Berto wasn't able to spend the day with us but it was nice being with our friends and my mom.

Today was also a big milestone for Oliver. Although he's not 18 months yet today was his frist day in nursery at church. (18 months is the age that the little ones are allowed to go to the nursery to play and learn) We teach primary and when we were called our Bishop told us whenever we thought Oliver was ready for nursery he could start attending there. At 14 months I didn't think he was quite ready... but as the months have gone on I finally decided it was just too much on Sundays. We have a VERY rambunctious class and a VERY rambunctious toddler. Those two things just were not mixing very well. So today Berto went to nursery with Oliver. He didn't leave Oliver on his own, he said Oliver was a little clingy for quite a while there. I think for the next few weeks Berto will stay with him and then will gradually start leaving him on his own. When they came to get me to leave church Oliver was all smiles and had made a little project. It was a big day for us! My little boy is just too grown up already. They weren't lying when they say they grow up so fast, I really can't believe how true that statement is and I"m sure it will become more apparent to me as the years pass by.

I love this little munchkin

It's so hard sometimes to be able to capture in writing what a sweet and funny little boy Oliver is. He definitely got his daddy's silly sense of humor. I love watching him run around and laugh and play. It's so much fun to see how he's growing and learning. He's finally starting to talk more. He just walks around babbling all day long. Only sometimes do I actually understand what he's "talking' about. Usually it's when he says dog, bye, hi, wow, mommy, daddy, up or yeah. The rest of the time only Oliver knows what he's talking about. But it's so cute and I love it. He's such an amazing little person. I can't wait until he has siblings. It will be such a great joy to watch how they interact with one another. I can't wait for those days!

Our mini-cation to Sedona, AZ

This is Snoopy Rock. If you look at the smaller rock formation on the right (next to the largest one) it looks like snoopy laying on his back with his feet up.
This rock is called Madonna with Child. The Chapel of the Holy Cross was built intentionally next to this formation.
Oliver playing near a fountain in Tlaquepaque.
Ditto
Oliver trying to escape Tlaquepaque!
Just being cute!
Oliver with Daddy at Tlaquepaque!
Mommy at Tlaquepaque! Yep I was there too! :)
Family in front of some formations at the top by The Chapel of the Holy Cross.

So Berto had scheduled some vacation time over the past week. (He's still on vacay for two more days!! YAY!!) Coincidentally we got our tax return right in time for his time off. We decided to splurge a little. Since we are working towards getting out of debt we don't spend too much on us. We took a little overnight trip to Sedona, AZ. We loved it! We stayed at the Raddison Poco Diablo Resort. Which was really nice, really clean. (which is always what I look for in a hotel). We drove up Monday afternoon, after I finished taking care of our neighbors dog. We ate dinner when we arrived in Sedona at this really yummy restaurant called Quaxaca. It was delicious. Then we checked into our hotel and rested up for the next day. Oliver hasn't ever stayed in a hotel so he had fun running around exploring his new territory!
On Tuesday morning Oliver decided that 5:30 am was a good time to wake up. (YUCK) But since we were up we went outside and looked around, since it was dark when we got there the night before. It was a beautiful resort. Oliver started getting a little too loud outside so we decided to be good neighbors and take him back indoors. Since we couldn't think of anything else to do we got ready for the day and headed out to breakfast. We ate breakfast and spent the day seeing the sights in Sedona. One of the best things we did was took a trolley tour. It was a lot of fun and an easy way to see the sights that we might not have seen otherwise. It was great. We also visited Tlaquepaque. This is a little shopping, dining, photo op area. Incidentally it was designed after a part of Guadalajara, Mexico also called Tlaquepaque which is where Berto's parents are from and the majority of his relatives still live there. It was really pretty there.
When we ran out of things to do in Sedona we headed back down. We stopped in Anthem, AZ at the outlet mall on the way and got a couple of good deals!
We had a great little mini vacation. Sedona is BEAUTIFUL! The red rocks are amazing sights to see. Much like St. George, UT. We really loved it and will definitely go back when we have the opportunity!

Mesa Temple Easter Pageant

I forgot to post about this. This past Tuesday we went to the Mesa Temple Easter Pageant. We went with my mom and met our friends, Allison and Jason and their two kids Ava and Blake. We had a great time. We took a picnic dinner and then watched the Pageant. What a great presentation of the life of our Savior, and a reminder of the sacrifice he made for the sins of the World when he died on the cross. Also, it was a great opportunity to remember why we celebrate Easter, when Jesus arose from the grave three days after his death so that we could all return to live with God again. It was really wonderful. The pageant was made up of several stories from the bible throughout the life of Christ.
I went with my friend Heather and her husband and an old friend of ours a few years ago. I had actually forgotten how great it really was. Berto loved it, and my little Oliver sat on my lap the entire time (except for maybe 5 mins) and watched the entire (1 1/2 hour long) program. He kept watching the actor that was portraying Jesus and kept saying "wow, wow" throughout the entire show. What a good boy he was! For some reason we didn't take too many pictures. This is the only one from the night.
We hope you all have a Happy Easter!

Queen Creek Family Fun Run

This morning Berto and I (and Oliver via a ride in the stroller) participated in the Queen Creek Family Fun Run! It was just a short 2 mile run but we had a great experience! It's my second little race and I really enjoy it. This was Berto's first! We had a great time! Oliver probably would have rather been causing trouble on the playground or something, but he was a trooper! Before the race started a lady came up to us and asked if she could buy one of our t-shirts. (We pre registered so we got t-shirts). We agreed, so we made $20 out of the day as well~ All in all I'd say the day was a success!
The picture was taken before the race so we weren't too tired or sweaty yet! ;)

My Little Tender Hearted Boy

So last Friday (I've been meaning to post this for a few days now) after I let my neighbors dog out and fed him lunch. I went over to the park across the street and picked up Oliver (who was playing with Tito and Tita) and headed off to the Super Walmart. He wanted to take with him a little truck that he had been using to dig in the sand. It was no big deal so I tossed him in the carseat and off we went. While we were on our way I happened to look in the rearview mirror to see him with part of the truck in his mouth. (YUCK) Since it had just been in the nasty sand at the park I was totally disgusted. I started telling him that he needed to take the truck out of his mouth. (I used less words though). After several no's and stops he was not listening so I raised my voice and got very stern with him. He finally listedned and actually dropped the truck on the floor of the car. A second later I look back again and his face is bright red and tears are streeming down his face but he's not making a peep. It all but broke my heart to watch him. He showed such a tender side of himself. I really felt so bad, but I'm glad he is starting to understand more and realize there are consequences to his actions. It was a learning moment for both of us but it still seriously made me want to cry too....

Joe's Farm Grill

So before we moved to Arizona, we saw on the Food Network show, Diners, Drive Ins and Dives an episode that featured Joe's Farm Grill in Gilbert, AZ. We were intrigued and planned on "visiting" when we visited Berto's parents. We then of course moved and can frequent any time we want. Joe's Farm Grill ROCKS! It is so yummy. The cool thing about it is, it is a family owned business and they have a farm right on the property where they organically grow all of the produce they use. We've been twice since we lived here and today was the second time. The food is great and there are paths that you can go and walk through the farm. It's not very big but it's still kind of cool! We walked the farm today and it was really fun! We highly reccommend Joe's Farm Grill to everyone!

Big boy bed, and fun in the sink!

Nothing too exciting has been happening in the lives of the Galindo's. But we have started Oliver in a "big boy bed"... really it's just his crib mattress on the floor in our room for now, but it's a start! I've included a cute video of Oliver jumping on his bed. It was the first time we were letting him sleep that way, and it was a nap. Needless to say there was an hour of jumping on the bed before the nap got started!

On one of Berto's days off last week I was down the street taking care of the neighbors dog and Berto was running out of things to do with Oliver. So he let him play in the sink. There are cute naked pics but we think they may be a little too x-rated for the internet...

Enjoy!

What happens when you are playing with daddy on the carpet??

So last night was eventful! We went to our friends Allison and Jason's house for dinner. We were having a great time. I decided to get Oliver in his pj's so that if he fell asleep on the 10 minute drive home I could just put him right to bed. Anyway, so when I sat him up to put his shirt on I saw this huge red mark. It freaked me out and after consulting Berto, and Allison we decided to leave and take Oliver to urgent care.... we were convinced it was a spider bite or something like that... well $50 and a doctors opinion later... it is just rug burn. Yesterday afternoon Berto was dragging Oliver around on the carpet. They were playing and that is what caused the rug burn... it sure did freak me out when I saw it though...

What do you do in the summertime??

Okay other mommies..... what do you do with a super active toddler during the blazing Arizona summer? Oliver's favorite thing to do is go to the park so I'm trying to think of things that will be fun, educational and will most importantly keep Oliver happy and busy doing inside things.... comment mommies... I need suggestions!

Ozy

So our neighbors Jen and Sasa (who we LOVE by the way they are so much fun!) got a puppy a couple of weeks ago. His name is Ozy. Anyway, they hired me to take care of him while they're at work during the week. It's really a win, win, win situation. I love dogs (and so does my little Oliver), they get someone to take care of him and let him out while they're at work, I get a little extra money, and best of all Oliver gets to play with him and he LOVES it! And Ozy loves Oliver just as much as Oliver loves Ozy! They are a cute little pair. Ozy is such a good puppy. I think he's almost 12 weeks old. He's very mellow and so good with Oliver already! It's so fun watching them play together! Love it!

Some fun

Yesterday was one of Berto's days off. We went to Tempe (we were hoping to meet up with an old patient of his who's in town for Spring Training but we didn't end up seeing them :() Anyway, we found this really cool park along what we think is the Salt River but we're not really sure... anyway, it's called Tempe Beach Park. It was really cool. Next time we're going to rent a petal boat and petal around the water! Oliver especially loved chasing the birds and it's very close to the airport so every minute or two there is a plane flying above you and Oliver LOVES planes... so he was in heaven!

Also, Berto's Aunt Alicia has been visiting for several weeks from Guadalajara, Mexico. She left today to go visit some other family in Cali but before she left we snapped a photo of her and Oliver! She's such a sweet lady... and she really likes my cooking! She wanted my recipes! She's too cute!

Texture Aversion Or Just a Picky Eater???

So just after Oliver got his 12 month shots he got pretty sick. While he was sick he wanted to mostly nurse and NOT EAT... well since then we have had quite a lot of problems getting him to eat much of anything. He is still not weened (I'm working on that) and just had his "preferences." I've been noticing that a lot of things that bother him could be a texture issue. And things he used to LOVE (which used to be pretty much anything I put in front of him) he won't eat. For instance raisins, eggs, ground beef, rice noodles (he has a gluten sensitivity so nothing with wheat for him). He'll usually just refuse it and at the suggestion of his pediatrician I usually don't make it a fight at mealtime/snack time. Sometimes I'll just shove something into his mouth to get him to at least try it. If it's most of the things I mentioned above (plus many, many more) he'll just spit them out. Usually he'll keep cereal, chicken, yogurt, applesauce and a few other things in.... it is getting to be quite frustrating for me. I worry that he's not getting the proper nutrition. And he used to eat any fruit or veggie I put in front of him.... now he won't eat most fruits or veggies. Every once in a while he'll eat some but not to often. I don't want to go back to spoon feeding him baby food purees because I don't want to get him back on those types of foods but I'm at a loss. Any suggestions??? I got a food journal so I can keep track of what he'll eat and what he won't and all of that fun stuff so I can take it to his doctor and see if it's an actual problem or if he's just a picky little eater? We're also going to start juicing some fruits and veggies and making popcicles so that he'll at least be getting some of the nutrients from the fruits and veggies in some form... what a stressful time for this mommy!

Anyway, any advice would be welcomed!

The Phoenix Zoo

So yesterday since Oliver is feeling better and the weather has been really nice we took a trip to the zoo! We had so much fun and so did Oliver! He loved every minute of it. He just stared at everything and kept saying "wow" at all the animals! It was so stinking cute! He was such a good boy! We are so glad we went! I'm pretty sure Oliver's favorite part was the sting rays. My brave little 15 month old even stuck his hand in the water and touched one (I missed it with the camera darn it). It was so funny though. They kept swimming up and he all of a sudden just stuck his hand in as one was coming. He loved it! I'm sure if he could have he would have just jumped right in the water with them! Anyway, my mom went with us and it was just a really great day!

SIck Again

So about two weeks ago now (I've been too busy to update) our little neighbor boy brought over a cold bug! It was a nasty one and got Oliver really good. Four visits to the doctor later he's on the mend! After a couple of days with the cold I took him in for another croup sounding cough. He was given a steroid in the doctors office and sent home. It was definitely croup.... by the following Monday (that was Friday) he was wheezing so I took him back in and it had become bronchiolitis. Apparently that is something that only kids under two can get... well that day we had a nubulizer delivered to us and we have been giving Oliver breathing treatments with albuteral ever since. The next Friday we went back in because he was acting like his ears were bothering him and sure enough it had become an ear infection! It's been a fun winter.. lol! Anyway, Oliver has been really good with is breathing treatments. I plug it in right in front of the T.V. and let him watch a movie while he has his treatment. He just sits there and is such a good boy! I'm so glad he's FINALLY feeling better!

The Big Race

Running to the Finish Line!

The Last Stretch of The Race!

The Bailey Twins! This Was For Them!

Waiting

Waiting

Before The Race

Just Arriving to the Big Event!

There I am!

Me and Allison Waiting for the Race to Start!

And Again!

And Again!

This is Me After the Race with My Baby Boy!

Okay, so the pictures are totally out of order but oh well! Today was our big little race! It was for the Bailey Twins. They are conjoined twins that are here in Queen Creek. They are conjoined at the heart and the liver and have already out lived their life expectancy! They are so cute. There is a picture above! Anyway, Allison and I were totally nervous because even though it was just a short 3k race it was a first for both of us. But we had a blast and have already committed to start working towards a 5k and we're going to get our hubbies to tag along next time too! It was a great experience and I loved every minute of it! I was so proud of myself for achieving this goal! It was a great feeling to make it to the finish line and know that I accomplished something I set out to do! What a great day!

Our Valentines Day

This morning I went downstairs to see my beautiful flowers, candy and card from my hubby! He works nights and was able to sneak them in on his way home so I was surprised! I gave him a card and his favorite reeses peanut butter cups. I also made him some heart shaped cookies and I spelled out I-heart-U-4-e-v-e-r! They turned out kinda cute! We had a busy day with my race (which will be in the next post) and Berto had to work. So I made us some yummy egg sandwiches and we just took it easy for a couple of hours together before we headed out to the race.

Thanks honey for the flowers! I loved them! You are so sweet!!

My love, My life...

In honor of Valentines Day I thought I'd take a minute to publicly express my love for my dear, sweet husband. What a lucky girl I am to have married my best friend and the love of my life. He is everything to me. (Well him and Oliver). In our two years of marriage we have seen some trying times with regards to our extended family and he has been at my side through all of it. I am truly grateful for his sweet heart, funny personality and desire to work so hard for us. He works so hard on homework, staying up late and waking up early, all while trying to make time for Oliver and me as well! And sometimes I can be quite demanding of time... he's so patient!

Thank you Roberto for all you do for us. You are such a wonderful man, I love you with all of my heart and my love for you grows stronger and stronger with each passing day!! Happy Valentines Day!