M&L First Day of Camp

Today was a day that both Lucia and Mateo had been waiting for for the last few weeks. It solidified the end of the school year and the beginning of summer. That's right, it was the first day of Summer Camp and for the first time Lucia and Mateo were going to be at the same location.

They were all smiles!

V's a Cutie

So what do you do with a newborn who just eats, sleeps and dirties diapers? Well you take pictures of course.

Ok so she looks a little confused, but no worries;  look at that ensemble

All that cuteness is exhausting

V's Sweet Dreams

So like most newborns, Valentina has discovered her favorite past time...

...Sleeping.

Unfortunately, it isn't for more than 4 hours at a time, but a girl's gotta eat, so it is what it is.

Valentina Takes a Bath

Ok, so some people might be thinking "how is this the first post about a bath? Wasn't she born 18 days ago? You haven't given her a bath for over 2 weeks?" Well, no we haven't, but that is because her umbilical cord just fell off a few days ago and we needed for the spot to heal and we have been giving her wipe downs. Why do I have to explain myself to you, just look at the cute pix below.

She didn't say a peep, I think she liked the sound of the water running in the back.

You can see from where Valentina is looking that her sister was in attendance for the first bath (her legs are on the upper right corner) and helped soap the wash cloth and trickle water on V's hair.

My two beautifully cleaned daughters

M&L Earn Their Stripes

Today was a pretty cool day. Why you ask? Was it because it was Mateo's last day being a second grader? Well I guess that was pretty cool. Or maybe because Lucia enjoyed a final day off before camp begins next week? That was fun, but no. It was cool because both Mateo and Lucia earned a stripe on their belt at Karate...their final class until the Fall.

Here they are in class

Lucia is super flexible...must be all those gymnastics classes

Mateo also stretches it out at the end of class

And they were both rewarded happily with new stripes on their belt

Val Smiles

Well I know they say that babies don't really smile until they are a few months old and parents tend to mistake a gas-induced smirk for a grin, but I would have to disagree. I think if a baby is well fed, comfortable and feeling warmth and love from those around them then you get this.

A truly genuine smile

Valentina Gets Help from Others

As a newborn almost all of the care is given by Mommy, but today other members of the family helped out while Mommy got a little break. I think everyone enjoyed pitching in and Little Val had no complaints.

 I pumped some fresh milk and Lucia helped feed her little sister

 Although this was her first bottle, Papi did a good job getting her acclimated

 Of course Grandma always has a comfortable lap to cuddle on

"Ahhhhhhhhh...this is the life"

Valentina & Papi Catch some ZZZZzzz's

There are all of these studies and article on having babies sleep on their backs and for the most part we listen. I mean obviously we want baby V to be safe, but sometimes, just sometimes we just need her to sleep and we have found she is most comfortable when closer to us. Especially...

...On Papi's chest. 

Looks like Papi is also pretty comfortable sleeping close to her

Valentina's Ergo Moment

Much like her brother and sister, Valentina prefers to sleep anywhere, but where she is supposed to (i.e.  on her back in her crib). She is only 10 days old, so she probably isn't set in her ways, but she definitely seems to like sleeping in people's arms, on her tummy during tummy time

And in the Ergo Baby insert

Lucia Graduates from Pre-K

There is no doubt that today was a major milestone for Lucia and we were all very proud and I was also a bit sad. I remember having the same feeling when Mateo was graduating Pre-K 4. I think it is because it signifies a major shift in the way they are classified. It's like when they go from sitting to barely walking which means they are no longer babies but toddlers. Then they go from just walking and running to having structured play and a schedule which makes them pre-schoolers and well after that it is elementary kids which is a big deal. It is a step into becoming a big kid...it means my Little Miss Lucia is no longer very little.

Lucia's teachers really went all out with this ceremony. There theme was Hollywood. They decked out the classroom and told the kids they could get dressed up. They also got all the boys sparkly ties and got the girls sparkly bows.  And so let's begin...

They even got the kids these mini Oscar statuettes

They made a red carpet for the kids to enter into the classroom... I think this kicked off my teary eyes

Lucia was very focused on the task at hand...to perform. She picked out her gold dress a week ahead of time and had notified everyone that she was planning to wear it. 

The kids practiced a lot as you can see and although I didn't capture it, Lucia actually got a solo part that the kids had to audition for...the teachers said she did the best job which is why she got it. The two links below show more of the ceremony.

Pre-K Performance

PreK Additional Performance

Lucia was very proud to collect her graduation certificate and statuette

I think there is some self reflection going on

After the ceremony, the kids had snack and those decorations were also within the theme. They had centerpieces and plastic champagne flutes

Finally a smile!

Lucia with her certificate, statue and swag-bag

Lucia wanted all of us (Mommy, Grandma, Aba, Abu and Papi) to attend so of course we did

Lucia's star and handprints were taped to the floor a la "Hollywood Walk of Fame"

Proud little mama

And then it was over and our little one walked out of Pre-K, leaving behind her class, her school and her title as a preschooler 

And when we got home everyone needed a rest, so Papi cuddled up with little Valentina who didn't participate in today's festivities, but as I looked at her sleeping I couldn't help but think that the years would fly by and one day we will be attending her Pre-K graduation...clink...

Valentina's Twinkle Toes

We are all still trying to work out our schedules and family dynamics, but in the meantime we will just keep taking cute pix of Valentina.

 Aba gave her this onesie ballet outfit

I think these cute toes are "on point"

Valentina Gets a Visit from Auntie Audris

So with Baby Valentina being the 3rd in the family, I did not expect for her to get very much attention from the outside. Not too surprising since we seem to produce the same child over and over, but little V is different and today we got a special visit from Auntie Audris who wanted to meet the new and unique Miss Valentina.

 It was a quick visit and Little V was asleep the whole time, but it was nice to catch up

 Later in the day, Lucia helped Grandma groom Valentina

"Looks good if I do say so myself"

Mateo Helps with Tummy Time

Valentina is, for the most part, a rather calm baby. She doesn't cry much and when she does there is a pretty good reason. Her own real beef is tummy time...she really hates tummy time and everyone in the family knows it.

So today, big brother Mateo tried to show her how easy it is to just lift your head. As you can see she wants nothing to do with it. She either cries her head off or falls asleep in passive resistance.

Bedtime for all 3...I never thought Miss Lucia would look so big

Lucia's 2nd Gymnastics Performance

In much contrast to the 38 second ballet recital Lucia had last weekend, this weekend she spent a significant amount of time performing at her Gymnastics program today. 

Their theme was Under the Sea from the Little Mermaid...you can see our "little mermaid" entering and greeting us at the beginning of the program

Of course Alma was also there for the big day

"Just concentrate and breathe"

"And run!"

Stretch up

And down

Balanced squatting

Splits...look at those perfectly pointed toes

Now more stretching ...note her flexibility

I don't think I was ever this flexible

And one of our favorites - table top

Can't do gymnastics without a balance beam

or some bouncy trampoline-like action

 After their final performance, the ladies wait to be called to the podium

 Another friendly face - Amelia was also at the performance. 

Pretty in pink.

Lucia wasn't very thrilled to have to wait...

...but when she hit the podium she was camera-ready

Look at our little gymnast

BFFs always have time for a pic. We were so proud of them. 

Great job girls!

 She was wiped; as was Papi

 And although mini V didn't go, she was exhausted as well. Growing is tough.

This was their end performance, unfortunately my camera ran out of space so I wasn't able to record the whole thing, but this gives a taste.