Family Pic

Family Pic

Monday, September 23, 2013

Just Pics...

Since I don't have time to blog about everything, I thought I would just post some fun pictures from the last week so you can see what we've been up to.

Somebody LOVES her Bumbo!  But Lord knows why she also loves to stick out her tongue in every picture...



Last Thursday we went to Back-to-School Night at the boys' school.  They were so proud to show us around their new classrooms and what they are learning.  Here is a board with pictures of Gavin doing puzzles...



And enjoying art...



Gavin with his teacher Ms. Nasima.  She's the best!  And he obviously loves her...



Then we went to Jack's class and he ran into his buddy Koko.  Silly boys...

 
Jack and his teacher Ms. Kyoko.  We love her and I guess Gav loves her too...


 
A picture of Jack on his class art board...



On our way out Gav saw his old teacher Ms. Grace...


 
Saturday we had some friends over for the Irish game.  We bought Dylan the most adorable ND dress so she could match her daddy. He was so proud of his girl...



Dylan and her friend Harper, who's daddy is also a huge Irish fan.  I love these chubby girls!

 
 
The whole gang in their game day gear...



Not sure if you can see how filthy Gavin is but he obviously had a really fun time at the party!


 
After munching on junk food all day the boys had a lot of energy to burn...



So they decided to wrestle it out...

 
 
On Sunday we all trekked up to Victorville to visit my dad and grandma.  My dad's sister Syra was in town from Northern California and I haven't seen her in years.  It was awesome to have all my aunts, uncles and cousins in one place.  We haven't done this in forever so I took lots of pictures.  Here's my dad with Dylan...



My aunt Syra, grandma Molly and all the kiddos...



Dad and the girls...



Grandma giving some love to little Charlie.  Jess was her first-born grandson so he and Charlie hold a special place in her heart...



My dad's twin brother Karl, his son Kevin and wife Nikki who is expecting their first baby in the spring!



Dylan resting comfortably with her uncle Obed...



Me with my aunt and cousin Kelsey...



Cuteness!



The kiddos waiting for birthday cake...



 Gavin and Charlie decided they couldn't wait any longer and decided to dive in with their fingers!



The whole Sandoval family!  Just missing my cousin's Gina, Lisa and her kids.  And we're about to grow bigger since Nikki and Donna are both expecting Sandoval babies next year!






Wednesday, September 18, 2013

Dylan is 3 Months Old!


Our little miss turned 3 months old yesterday! She's such a happy butterball of a baby and she just keeps getting more precious every day.  I love this stage of babyhood because the difficulty of the newborn stage is behind you and now the fun stuff begins.  I know she'll start hitting so many exciting milestones week after week.  And I love that we have such a strong connection now...she really knows that I'm her mama!  And I plan to keep it that way.  Given that Jack and Gavin are both daddy's boys, there is no way this one will be a daddy's girl.  She's all mine!

She's still sleeping like a champ.  In fact, we started putting her down earlier since she's so cranky around dinner time.  So we started putting her to bed at 7:30 pm instead of 8:00 pm.  I was so worried she would wake up early but she slept even longer....until 7:00 am!  I love my little sleeper!  But the poor thing is currently having a growth spurt and teething at the same time.  She's drooling like a mad-woman, constantly gnaws on her hands and is crabby during the day.  Teething never bothered the boys so I'm having a hard time figuring out what will make her feel better.  I can't wait for this tough run to pass. 

But despite her pain, she's still so happy and smiley.  She's pretty chill, but I don't want to jinx myself.  I said the same thing about Gavin and we all know how that turned out.  But to be honest I don't want her to be too laid-back.  I love that my boys have big personalities and I want the same for her.  I picture her as a spunky and entertaining toddler who dances, sings and bosses everyone around.  I have a feeling she's going to run this house in no time!

She's been giggling a lot and I finally caught it on camera and posted the video at the bottom.  But in terms of other tricks, she's still not doing much.  I guess she's just content being chubby and lazy.  Honestly, she really just wants to be held all day.  But I know she will do things in her own time so I'm not too worried about it.  I just plan to enjoy her as she is and not rush her out of the baby stage too fast.  Since she's my last baby I want to soak in every little moment because I know how quickly it goes. So here she is in all her plump glory...

I LOVE this picture.  Her daddy was standing over my shoulder making her laugh and she took the bait....and then she fell over!  Gotta love the drool on her shirt...



Hanging with dad watching some football.  We've already decided she will be a Charger fan because no girl wants to wear a brown and orange cheer leading uniform!



I catch her smiling on camera all the time now!



I was taking pictures of her on the couch and the boys decided that wanted to come over and show her their toys.  Could she look more bored?!  Her outfit came from Aunt Mandi and it's adorable!!  It's her first jean skirt and we basically had to stuff her in it...



Since she won't do tummy time very often we have been putting her in the Bumbo so she can strengthen her neck and back muscles.  So far she really loves it.  She'll sit in it for 10-15 minutes and chill with the boys while they watch the tube...



This picture says it all!  Jack is leaning in for a kiss while it looks like Gavin is about ready to smack her head...



Last weekend I took her to my cousin Shelly's wedding shower.  It was her first introduction to all the Barber ladies and she got to meet all of her great aunties and cousins. They all LOVE babies so she got passed around a lot but she handled it like a champ.  She's going to fit right into the family.  Here she is with my aunts Geri and Marlene and cousin Sami...



With her auntie Jenny, who is as obsessed with Dylan as I am.  My sister is the best!



A rare photo with mommy.  I love my girl...



Such a pretty girl!  Her eyes are looking very blue now but I am still holding out hope that they will turn green like mine...



With my cousin Katie - our kid's favorite baby sitter ever!  I love that I have so many cousins who can watch my kids.  I never have to leave them with strangers...

 
 
My photo partner in crime...Auntie Sandy...



We finally caught Dylan giggle on camera.  If you are only interested in seeing her giggle then you only need to watch the first 15 seconds of the video.  The rest is my really bad singing and the boys basically pounding on each other in the background.  I have no idea why Christian though that was cuter than the baby giggling but for some reason he did.  Enjoy...

http://youtu.be/FFZwlVUS1go


Tuesday, September 10, 2013

Kiddos Update!



I just realized that I haven't posted an update on the kiddos for a few weeks so I wanted to let you know what they have been up to lately....

We'll start with the little princess who turned 12 weeks yesterday!  She's had a lot of firsts and major milestones in the last few weeks.  The biggest has to be that she's sleeping through the night!  Since she was 10 weeks old, she has been sleeping 10.5 hours straight, from 8:00 pm to 6:30 am!  And she did it all on her own.  Gotta love that!  And during the day she's on a great schedule so things have fallen nicely into place in our home.  She's honestly been my best and easiest baby yet....or maybe I am just more calm the third time around.  Either way, I am really enjoying having a new baby around.  I don't want her to grow up!

The second biggest news is that she started giggling yesterday!  I got 2 really good chuckles out of her.  But of course by the time I got the camera and tried to film her she was hiccuping from all the laughing so she was over it.  Hopefully, I can get a video to share soon.  Aside from that, she also had her first dip in the pool and in the Pacific.  She loved the warm pool but I can't say the same for the cold ocean water. Unfortunately, she still hates tummy time so I'm pretty sure she's never going to push up and roll over...how can she with that big noggin of hers...she's too top heavy!  But she's starting to look more like a girl....her eyes are blue, her eye lashes are super long and she's starting to get tons of light brown hair.  And she's just the sweetest, happiest, squishiest baby ever. I kiss her all day long! Can you tell I'm slightly obsessed with her?!  Here are some recent pics of the little butterball...

Fancy Girl!  I'm loving her in flowers and bows...



Dylan LOVES her Papa Joey.  He seems to have the magic touch with her and she instantly melts in his arms when he picks her up...



First time in the pool...



Chillin with Grammy Delora...



Here she is all stuffed into her baby Bjourn!  She barely fits in it!! Could she be any chubbier?!



Jack's buddy Ella loves Dillie!  She's like a little mommy to her...



Super cute!  She looks exactly like Jack here...



Check out those Thunder Thighs!



Mommy, I HATE tummy time...


Next up is my precious little guy Gavin.  His big news is that he moved up classes in school and is now in the Twaddlers 2-year old class with Ms. Nasima.  What's special about this is that this was the class and teacher that Jack started with 2 years ago and he had a great experience.  We've definitely come full circle!  We were so sad to leave Gav's amazing teachers Ms. Fifi and Ms. Grace (aka Ms. Feepee and Ms. Gase).  But we LOVE Ms. Nasima and she has been dying to teach Gavin so we feel good about the move.  He was actually great on his first day but the last few days he's been crying a lot.  It's heartbreaking.  He's never been to school before so its all new to him and he's already having to switch classes so it's understandable that he'll be upset.  But we're so proud of him for being such a big boy and trying his best.  I know he will learn to love it and thrive.

He's still talking up a storm..so much so that I forget he's not even 2 yet.  I mean, you can literally have a full-on conversation with the kid.  He's very inquisitive and asks questions about everything.  And he remembers exactly what you tell him.  He's so smart it's crazy.  Which is why we think he's still a little stinker.  He gets bored really easily so he starts to get into things and destroy them. He also likes to scream, hit and throw himself on the floor in fits.  Lord help us!  But like I always say, he's so friggin cute, its hard to stay mad at him.  He's got the best personality and entertains us on a daily basis.  He loves to sing and dance...and even started jumping! And he's such a loving and affectionate little guy - he still wants to cuddle with us which I will take as long as I can get it.  I love, love, love Gavin hugs!  Here he is in all his adorableness...

He reminds me so much of Christian in this picture.  I'm sure there will be a similar looking picture of him at a frat party in about 18 years...



Caught trying on Mimi's heels...



Hmmm....someone's big brother taught him how to take a selfie.  I find these of Jack and Gavin on my camera all the time...



Please Mom, you're giving me a headache!



First day of school for both the boys!  And they're both showing off their new kicks.  Gav got his first pair of Air Jordan's...daddy was very excited about that!



Gav was super happy and excited all morning but his mood changed as soon as we got there and he realized he was in a new class.  Check out that face.  But big bro is there to support him...



Thankfully, he had fun once we got inside.  There are lots of new toys to play with and books to read...



Gav's new favorite thing is a paci.  Don't ask me why because he never used on as an infant.  Dylan doesn't even like them but they have been lying around so occasionally he'll pop one in his mouth....

 
 
My boys all love to cuddle when they sleep...

 


The million dollar smile!  Such a happy boy...


And last but certainly not least is my boy Jack.  Can I just brag for a minute and say how seriously proud I am of this kid.  He is really growing up to be a sweet, loving, intelligent and funny little boy.  Sadly, he's no longer a toddler - we have a big kid on our hands now.  And he's definitely a typical boy - he loves potty humor and is the king of talking back....two things I can do without but that's really the worst of it.  I really enjoy being around him. He's so amazing with his little siblings, especially Dylan. He loves to kiss her, hold her and feed her.  I have a feeling they are going to have a really special relationship when they grow up.  And he is so calm and patient with Gavin as well.  The boys have so much fun together!

He started in the Pre-K class in June but it was really just summer camp so it was mostly fun.  Last week they started the real school year and so far he's doing awesome.  They are really ramping it up this year and prepping the kids for Kindergarten.  Jack is currently obsessed with learning to tell time, days of the week and holidays.  But I think his favorite things about school are his friends.  Since he was 1, Jack has been a good and loyal friend.  He loves the comfort of having "his boys" around him and loves nothing more than spending time with them.  He also has a friend in the neighborhood who has him over for dinner every so often.  It's so cute to watch him ride down the street on his scooter and meet his friend at his house.  I can't believe he's such a big kid now....sniff, sniff!  But I love the big kid he has become.  Here's my little man in action...

First real day of Pre-K!  Such a big kid now.  Jack's sporting his new Nike's in a size 2...which is generally reserved for 1st and 2nd graders!  Man he has big feet!



Hanging with his buddy Gavin...



Gav's trying to get Jack to take up the paci with him...

 
 
Here's Jack with 3 of his best friends from school.  Sadly, Mason (not pictured) and Luca (second from left) recently moved and left the school.  Jack was so bummed but he still has Gavin and Joshua there to get into trouble with. He really loves those boys so we try to get together with the families as much as possible...


Turtle Power!


We signed Jack up for a 3 month sports intro class through the city.  It's 4 weeks each of T-ball, Basketball and Soccer.  We just want to see what he likes and if he's even interested in playing organized sports right now. He's starting with T-ball on Saturday so he and Christian have been practicing in the backyard every day.  Jack's pretty good!  I'm sure I will have lots of great photos and stories to share...


So after each successful hit Christian give Jack money.  Talk about incentive!  There's nothing Jack loves more than money...


Ok, so I know my blogs can sometimes be a little...ok a lot....obnoxiously braggy about my kids.  But I feel like that's my right as a mom to brag about my kids....on MY blog. Haha!  But believe me, it's not always kisses and hugs in my house - and anyone who knows me knows this all too well.  So in the spirit of fairness, I'd like to offer my readers a dose of reality in the form of a hilarious video.  This was a typical morning in my house and I was just trying to film the boys dancing but as you will see it didn't go exactly as planned.  And I do realize I am a horrible mother for laughing at and then documenting this spectacle but it was just too good not to keep the cameras rolling.  And I will use it as blackmail when they are older.  And PS: I have no idea what's on Gav's mouth...

http://youtu.be/jBp6JJkp3_M