Boards & Bikes

Today was a pretty relaxed day spent hanging close to home in Hoboken and opening birthday gifts. There was some newness; for the first time Mateo got to ride on a roller board and a grown-up bicycle, both of which he thoroughly enjoyed.

On our way to soccer, Mateo tries out his new roller board. We wanted to get him used to it since this is what he will be riding on when the baby comes. Hopefully it will work out well and we won't have to get a double stroller (which if purchased would put our stroller count at FIVE!!)

Jason and Papi help Mateo maneuver on Jason's Mongoose grown-up bike. As you can see he had some logistical problems sitting on the seat, holding the handlebars and trying to reach the pedals.

Mateo's 3rd Birthday PARTY

Yes, yes I know that it seems like we are constantly celebrating Mateo's birthday (this is the 3rd time this year), but he doesn't seem to mind. Today's party is where he got to celebrate with friends and family. He had a really fun time and so did we.

We also went to his annual well-visit check up at the doctor's office. Luckily, there were no needles involve. They just checked his ears, eyes and reflexes. He is 37lbs and 40 inches tall which is 90th percentile for both weight and height.

He started the day wearing Grandma's sun hat which he likes to refer to as his "crown" and eating chocolate Cheerios (which are really Honey Nut Cheerios)

Mateo racing around Little Gym before his guests arrive

Taking a breather - BTW his ribbon says "Adventurous Birthday Kid"

Freddy, Mateo and Drew bouncing on the air trampolene which all the kids and some adults loved

Mateo with his Pablo balloon - his birthday theme was the Backyardigans

Papi, Mateo and Mommy (with Grandma in the background)

Mateo and friend, Jack, eating pizza

Other friends - Freddy and Pearl enjoying some birthday cupcakes

Cousins - Janzel, Antonio and Ayden enjoying cupcakes

Cousins - Makai, Drew and Kimani also eating sweet treats

After the party we came back to Hoboken and went to the park so the kids could burn off some of the sugar. Here, all of them try to pose on the slide. From top to bottom - Janzel, Antonio, Mateo, Ayden, Nelsito and Melanie

I don't know why, but the Happy Birthday song always seems to disturb Mateo

A Cool Gift

So the day after Mateo's birthday turned out to be one of the best days this year and it is not just because he got a really cool Thomas the Train Set from Aba and Abu. The cool gift is actually the arrival of Maxwell John Talbot Page who arrived at 1:44Am (Burbank time). Welcome to the world and no worries...if we manage not to lose all the pieces this train set will one day be yours Max. Welcome to the World! We can't wait to meet you.

Mateo opening his train set (an heirloom)

Happy 3rd Birthday Mateo

Today is Mateo's 3rd Birthday. This past year has been a big growth year for him he started "school," his language skills improved tremendously, he made his own friends, he took his first soccer class and he is really showing us more of his personality which I would describe as silly, sensitive, hyper, curious, loving, smart and quirky. He really is beautiful (I am allowed to say that because he is my son) and I can't wait to learn what type of big brother he will be. Knowing him, he will surprise us all.

Birthday morning started with "chocolate Cheerios" (which are really Honey Nut Cheerios, but we had to tell him they were chocolate to convince him to put down the box of Coco Puffs at the grocery store) and Gummy Dinosoars

We gave him his first gift of the day - a Backyardigans Lunchbox -"oooh ahhh"

Our initial plan was to take him to Sesame Place, but we woke up to a very rainy day, so Plan B was to take him to an indoor entertainment center called Jeepers. His new favorite game is Skee Ball which combines two of his favorite things - balls, and throwing/rolling balls. Papi helped him figure out the objective of the game and Mateo took it from there.

This is 20 minutes later when he was really getting the hang of the game. He ended up winning 63 tickets

Mateo takes a trip on the Flying Banana Ride

"WHEEEE!"

Yes I know this image is blurry, but it captures the speed and excitement of riding in the Spinning Tea Cups with Papi. Mateo left the ride wanting more and Papi left the ride feeling nauseous

Mateo playing in the jungle gym

"Hi Mommy"

Surprise, surprise - pizza for lunch. We have been eating a lot of pizza with all of these birthday parties

Mateo reaching for another one of his gifts - a bag full of water squirting balls

Today was also Mateo's first day of his drop-off summer class at Romparoo. The teacher made him a birthday crown to celebrate

Mommy (looking very pregnant at 2 days shy of 38 weeks) with Mateo and Papi

Grandma smiles with the Birthday King

Mateo enjoying his birthday cupcake

"Yummy Icing"

Looking for any sprinkles that may have escaped from his grasp

Feeling the sugar rush

Losing interest in the cupcake now that it

is void of icing - doesn't he look like a cute, but sad cupcake clown

Luca's Birthday & My Surprise Shower

Today was an extremely busy and tiring day based on a few reasons- 1) the night before Eddie and I had been out late for a friend's (Ferri) NYC baby shower where I got to see a lot of old CBS friends and 2) not only did we have Luca's 3rd birthday party to attend, but there was also my surprise baby shower for BG (which is what my mom calls the baby girl in my stomach since we haven't decided on a name yet).

Luca (the birthday boy) playing with a balloon. You can see under foot -literally- is Mateo playing with a balloon of his own

"GO LUCA!" All of the kids got pom poms to play with and Mateo decided he also had to carry around a huge beach ball the whole time we were there

There was also a puppet show which kept the kids' interest (for a little while)

Luca and Mateo scarfing down pizza. If you look closely you can spot the beach ball under his left arm

Caterina and John, Luca's parents, help him blow out his birthday cake

Now on to the shower - I was very happy to have my Uncle Aston, Mom, Auntie Joan and Uncle John all at attendance for the shower

My "little sis" Gaia and me cheesing it up for the cameras

Gaia and me with Uncle Aston

3 Ladies & a Baby (in utero) - Cousin Narda, Me, and Grandma

The Cake

Tia Rocky & Mateo investigate the cake

The booty - By the way, Mateo got some gifts of his own

Uncle Aston and Mateo share a moment after his naptime

All of the kids dancing to the Freeze song - Mateo is an expert

Pool Time

I think Mateo looks very dorky and cute at the same time. He is getting better and better at swimming each week with the help of Papi and the teaching instructor Joe.

Yummy Tomatoes

Mateo tasting the "fruits" of his labor. A few months ago he and Papi planted tomatoes, cilantro and mint in a little herb garden on our balcony. Today he finally got to reap the rewards.