Lucia Smiles

Today was both a beginning and ending. We are sad that Jess and Max are leaving New Jersey, but happy that they were around to see Lucia's first series of real smiles.

Tia/Auntie/Madrina Jess captured this great picture of Lucia's bright-eyed smile

On our last day we enjoyed a yummy Indian buffet

Hugging it out

Auntie Jess bids farewell to Lucia

Mommy poses with Max and Lucia - don't they make a cute pair

Mateo's First Day - Stevens' 3s Program

Today was Mateo's first day at the Stevens Coop 3s Program. In contrast to last year, Mommy got to take him because I am home on maternity leave. Other notable contrasts - there was no crying at drop-off and he had already had friends there (from last year's program) to greet him.

Mateo, strapped in his stroller and ready to go to school

Mommy and Mateo pose in the classroom

Lucia also got to go on an outing today. She and Max met up with Aiden for an after-lunch snack. After snack-time the two of them shared a nap in the back of the car

Auntie Gina Visits

Today was a great day. Mateo got in good quality time with Madrina and Lucia finally got to meet Auntie Gina.

Mommy, Papi, Mateo and Lucia (in stroller) walk down Washington to get to one of Mateo's favorite restaurants - Robongi

Madrina and Mateo spar with chopsticks while waiting for our meals to arrive

"Cheeeeeeeese!"

Mommy and Mateo play hide-n-seek in front of City Hall

Auntie Gina meets up with us and shares a moment with Lucia

Mommy interrupts the moment to get in on the picture action

Group picture - Papi, Mateo, Mommy (holding Lucia), Auntie Gina, Madrina (aka Jess)...unfortunately, Max isn't pictured, but he is in the stroller being pushed by Jess

Kender Cookout

Today the Vielot-Gonzalez clan went to visit and partake in some good grub at the Kender house in Leonia. There were good eats, good conversation and good kiddies.

Baby Swap - Ant and Max alongside Jess and Aiden

Jess, Max, Tara and Aiden pose on the sofa

Mateo jams on the "small" drums while Lucia (in the background) listens with her eyes closed

After his practice on the small drums, Mateo is ready for a jam session with Will on the "big" drums

After dinner and music we were all ready to scarf down these tasty desserts

Baby Pinwheel!

The Gardener at the BBQ

Today we went to a Labor Day Weekend BBQ at Aba and Abu's house. Mateo was extremely excited to not only see his grandparents, but also his cousins Nelsito, Janzel and Melanie. Lucia was pretty indifferent, but that is mainly because she slept almost the entire time.

Lucia and Mateo in their car seats on the way to Aba and Abu's house

Mateo made it his responsibility to water all of the flowers at his grandparents' house

Meeting Max

Today was an incredibly special and long awaited day for Lucia and Mommy. We got to meet Maxwell and of course it was love at first sight for both of us (although to be honest Lucia can't really see that well). Of course meeting Max wasn't the only one we were excited to see, it was also Lucia's first time meeting Mateo's Madrina, Jess.

Here he is ladies!

Lucia and Max share some tummy time. Max actually worked some muscles while Lucia spent most of the time sleeping on the mat

Double Fisting - Jess has her hands full with two crying newborns

Lucia shared her days events with the other men in her life - Papi and big brother, Mateo

Lucia Gets a Yummy Visit

Today Penny came over to visit me and Lucia. Of course, our dear friend did not come empty handed. She came and made delicious buttermilk pancakes and brought over birthday brownies, pie filling and chocolate-chocolate bread. All of which I thoroughly enjoyed and so did Lucia (indirectly).

To prepare for her visitor Lucia took her first real bath in her infant bathtub. Here she is posing in her towel, feeling clean and refreshed

Penny is not only a great cook she is also good at distracting Lucia while Mommy digests all of the yummy goodies in her stomach