Lucia gets Decorated

So today Lucia got her 13 month check up (a little late) and we thought it would be a no-shots visit. Well we thought wrong. Unfortunately, Miss Lucia was in for about 3 shots...yikes! She also got some new additions that were also a little painful, scroll down to see if you can figure out what the new additions could be.

Pic 1 - Here Lucia is munching away. Do you see it?

Mouthful of snacks. Where's the addition?

You guessed it - She got her ears pierced and this face reflects the teary eyes that we saw right after it was done.

Lucia Strolls

Today starts a day full of random activities for Lucia. Now that her brother is in school for a full day she has free reign over the whole place - including her brother's toys. Today she felt like chilling inside and now that she is a good walker she also felt like taking her doll for a stroll.

But first - time to make some repairs

"Finally! Someone smaller than me that I can push around."

Lucia is an excellent stroller

Mateo's First Day of Preschool

Today was a day I had been dreading during the entire month of August. I was a little nervous about a different school, different friends, different teachers, different parents and mainly the beginning of real school. While it is true that he has been going to "school" for the past 2 years, preschool is the first step into formal education. School without the quotation marks. My little one is not so little anymore.

Mateo and Lucia have a morning chat before he heads off to school. " I am leaving you in charge of my Buzz Lightyear laptop, but you have to give it back when I get home"

Papi puts on the final touches and we're off. "Good Luck son..."

Family Fantasy Football

The air is getting crisp, the leaves are beginning to blush and the barbecue grills are being packed away. This can only mean one thing. The end of summer - yep. Labor Day Weekend - yep. And the kickoff of Football season-yep. Last year Eddie and I joined a Fantasy Football League started by one of my co-workers, but it was soon after Lucia's birth so we were unable to attend the live draft. This year we were able to participate in person and came with the kids and help (aka Aba). It was a very family friendly environment and to no one's surprise there were lots of grandparents there to help with the wrangling of kids.

Everyone is gathered and ready to start. We had first pick which means we got Chris Johnson :)

Meet our newest OXOnian, Simrin, Bena's daughter

Aba and Lucia are ready to kick-off Football season

Mateo could care less about football, but was very interested in the fountain

Stacie and Mason (who was born a few months before Lucia) take a walk

OXO's newest little ladies - Elora w/ mom Sonali, Me and Lucia and Simrin and Bena

Mommy's Best Birthday Present

Today is my birthday. Each year it seems less and less important and each year I am reminded by friends and family that it is not unimportant. I get well wishes, cards, songs and even gifts. This year I got one of the best presents a mom could ask for...my baby girl walked. After weeks of cruising and tentative steps today she took some confident strides. Happy Birthday to Me :)

Navita got me a birthday cupcake

Lucia did walk, but first she stumbled and then amused herself by pretending to be a jumping bean

But finally she WALKED...YAAAH!!

M&L Go to Matthew's 4th Birthday

Today Mateo and Lucia went to the Monroe Movement Center to help Matthew (from apartment 5G across the hall) celebrate his 4th birthday. The kids have been to several birthday parties here (including Mateo's) so they were excited for the play space and goodies.

Here is the birthday boy, Matthew, enjoying some time on the parachute

Mini Miss Lucia also enjoyed parachute time

The boys of the Columbus, John, Mateo and Matthew, are having a heavy conversation over pizza

While Papi and Lucia share some pizza and have their own conversation

Later, Lucia played with Luke by the pop-up tents

And also managed to score a free balloon when the other kids weren't looking

Very nice ending - the children line up to hit the pinata and score some goodies

After the party Papi and Mateo went down to Pier A where Mateo spent some time running through the sprinklers. Not a bad way to end a Saturday.

M&L Have Combo Playdates

Now that Lucia is a little older and more mobil she is demanding friends of her own. Luckily, some of Mateo's friends come with their own little sisters which makes the task of multiple play dates very easy. Today Will came over with little sisters Claire and Elizabeth.

Elizabeth and Lucia are looking pretty for their play date.

Mateo, Will and Claire are a little more casual

"Roar!!!" This is a mask Mateo made in camp. SCARY!!