EGGS!

This year our good friends Tammy and Ryan came over and brought dye and crayons to decorate eggs! I haven't dyed eggs in years, and this was Bellas first time. We had tons of fun. Thanks guys!

Easter

Easter was so much fun this year. I loved waking up and going to church with my beautiful family. I am so thankful especially this time of year for all that I have. After church we went to my grandparents house for our last "get-together" there before they move to Arizona. We had a blast and the kids loved the Easter egg hunt! After that we went to My sister-in-laws house for dinner with Armando's family. Bella got more into that egg hunt since she had practice doing the first one! I hope every one had an amazing Easter!

My Gymnast

Bella has been in gymnastics for the past month thanks to my sister Jen. Bella LOVES it! Any time anyone asks her what she does in gymnastics she will hop like a bunny (when she does trampoline- Her Favorite), and she will kick out her legs (like she does on the balance beam), and sometimes she will even try to do a front tumble! One of her favorite things to do is the "obstacle course" that is filled with fun things like the trampoline, the tumble mat, the balance beam and the slide. My favorite thing is the uneven bars.... have you ever seen a two year old swing from a bar while her body is in the shape of a V (with help from the coach)? Me either until last week... Too cute for words.

My Little Artist

She caught on fairly quickly to holding a pencil correctly. Everytime she colors she comes to me and says, "Mama! I want write Papa!" So I hold her hand and help her spell out Papi (or papa as she says). That is her favorite word. I think she got it because when she colors I ask her who she is making her picture for and 90% of the time its PAPA.

Play Dates!

Here are some pics of Bellas recent play dates with her cousins!
Bella and Sean playing playdoh


Bella, Liliana, and Alyssa playing dolls and kitchen...
Sean, Bella, and Gabe... Three Little Monkeys Jumping on the Bed

Nana Silvestre's Gift

Bella got her play kitchen from my parents, and Armando's parents got Bella a beautiful white wood table and chair set from toys r us. It is great for coloring and playdoh(thanks Taryn) and all of her pretend meals that she makes with her kitchen. The first night we had it set up Bella called her Nana to her room so that she could show her the new table. So as Armando's mother and I were talking Bella was hard at work making a fabulous meal. Then She set two place settings (all by herself), and pulled out one of the chairs and said," Nana Sit! Nana eat!" So they sat down and had a little meal together at her new table! So Adorable... ( I didn't get any pictures of that night because Nana was in her Pj's and I don't think she'd want pictures of that online, but here's the table)

Bellas Birthday Part 2

After our fun morning of running around, we finally got down to business and stated the party! Bella had a blast with all her cousins and little friends! Here are just a few more pictures! (oh and my beautiful birthday girl got a deep scratch right on her cheek just a couple days before her party- nice huh?)

Bella's Birthday Part 1

A couple weeks ago we celebrated Bella's second birthday! The day was crazy since her party fell on her actual birthdate. In the morning my parents came by to give bella her gift (it was too big to transport back and forth from her party). My sister also came by to give bella a huge boquet of balloons! After my parents left Armando had to take the car into Pepboys to get new tires (all 4), and we still had to run a bunch of errands for the party. Luckily Armandos mother let us borrow her car for the day. So after running around all morning bella took a much needed nap. Straight from her nap we were off to Natailes house to set up for the party (Thanks Natalie for letting us use your place!)

My Parents with Bella

Bella opening her gift from Nana and Grandpa
Bella's new favorite toy

Some Pictures

When Bella Had Croup

After Croup.... I Just love sleeping babies!

Grandpa's Brithday!

For My grandfathers birthday this year, my mother, my sisters, my grandmother, myself and the babies went to take a family portrait. My Grandfather is the kind of person who never wants anyone to spend money on him, and even when we want to its impossible (you know- what do you get the guy who has everything?) So this year when we were trying to decide what to get him we realized that the most important thing to him and my grandmother is their family. So we got everyone together and went to picture people. (To any of you who have never been... They are amazing!) My Grandfather was so happy when he saw the pictures!


Bella and my sister Kim ( who is encouraging Bella to be naughty)

My Grandparents!
Grandpa checking out the pictures
Bella and Gabe sneaking bites

Croup

Well its official. Bella has croup. She has never had it before, and its horrible. She actually got it last week, and is feeling much better now, but this week has been a nightmare. The first night she was up most of it coughing. On Valentines day she woke up at 1 am coughing so much she vomited... twice. Then she went back to sleep (with no fever). Then at 2:30am she woke up crying and when I got her out of her crib she was burning up. I took off all her clothes and took her temp and it was 105 degrees! So Armando and I rushed her into emergency. She had to take a full dose of Tylenol AND Motrin to get the fever down. Then they gave her a breathing treatment (which she screamed through), then vomited again from being so upset. When she finally calmed down they came back in to give her a shot! So we didn't get home til 5:30am and Armando had to be at work at 7am. Shes getting better, but still gets bouts of coughing streaks which last up to 5 minutes... I feel so bad. We have the humidifier running all day and night, and keep her on Motrin, but i wish there were more i could do.... Any advice?

Nana's 60th Birthday!

Its a late post, but better late than never! Last month we had the pleasure of celebrating her 60th Birthday! We had a bash for her at Natalies house, and were able to show her how much she means to all of us. We are so thankful for her and all that she does for our family. Any one who knows her knows what a saint she truely is. We are thankful to have a wonderful mother (mother-in-law), and Bella is lucky to have such a wonderful Nana who she loves so very much!

Christmas and New Years

Our Christmas was very relaxing this year. We spent Christmas eve with my Family and Armandos Family. Then Christmas morning was back to my parents for brunch, and Armandos family for dinner. We are both very close to our family, and we are blessed that our family lives near us. New years was as exciting as it can be with a two year old. We just put her to bed then (thanks to Nana) Armando and I went over to the Torres' house for game night. It was very exciting right Taryn?
I have a few things I wish to work on this year, but i wont make them public so when I fail misserably I wont feel so bad! Happy New year to all of our friends and Family. We love you!

Thanksgiving

I posted our Christmas pictures, but I forgot to post the pictures from Thanksgiving! I went to visit my grandparents early and they were so happy to see Bella!

Christmas photos!

Happy Birthday Sean and Gabe!

This past week i had the pleasure of celebrating two birthdays! Sean turned one and Gabe turned two! I love these little guys. They are my nephews and Bella's pals. I am so thankful for them and the love and joy that they bring into my life. Gabe is hilarious with his Chinese, and Sean's smile just melts my heart. Happy birthday Seany Sean and my Gabey
Baby. We love you!