Our Weekend in Review // Memorial Day Weekend 2013

Yes, I know. The week is almost over and I'm just now posting what we did last weekend.  Last weekend sort of spilled into Monday and then Liam got a cold. Life just happened, you know? I think we are now back to our regularly scheduled program...at least I'm crossing my fingers that nothing else comes up.

Pablo got home from an underway last Thursday (not yesterday). lol  Liam must have really missed him, because as soon as he was home he refused to let him out of his sight! 

 What else happened last weekend you ask? A lot!

Last Friday my family drove up for a little visit. My grandmother, dad, mom and sister, oh, and Maylene, the dog spent a few days with us.  Pablo even got 3 days in a row off to enjoy with us. Liam was in heaven getting so much attention. We really just relaxed and enjoyed each others company for the most part.  Pablo and I got to go on a date to the movies. We saw Star Trek Into Darkness. It was SO good! (Is my nerdiness showing?)

GGMa reading a story to Liam.

Grandmother giving Liam his new placemats.

Liam loved "walking" Maylene!

Kisses from Auntie Aleta.

Me and my sister and Liam.

Liam also had his first haircut last weekend. My sister is a beauty school drop out (Grease, anyone?!) and always cut my hair when we lived near each other.  I thought it only fitting that she give Liam his first haircut.  It was really just a little trim. His mullet was turning into a rat tail, so she just trimmed the back about an inch.  That tiny little change has made him look so much older though! Waaahhh!

The day before everyone left we took Liam to the Children's Museum so  my family could see him in action.  He showed them all his favorite things there.  It was a blast and I was sad to see them go.

My dad and Liam at the children's museum.

Liam and my parents.

Memorial Day my husband had duty, so Liam and I met some friends downtown for the oldest Memorial Day Parade in the country! The area that we live in has representation from every branch of the military, so the parade had a strong military presence.  I loved hearing the Navy band play and seeing the classic cars.  Liam definitely enjoyed the bands. He clapped and danced along to all the bands that passed.

Liam and his friends enjoying the parade.

Air Force

WWII Submarine veterans!

So, what did you guys do this past weekend?!

Capturing This Age: 18 Months

This past Friday Liam turned 18  months. To commemorate the occasion we had a photo shoot with Shutterly {Sweet} Photography.  This was our first time working with Holly and she was amazing! I can not say enough good things about her! She sang and danced around with Liam in order to get him to cooperate. She even threw in some picture of me for the blog. If you are in the Hampton Roads area then check her out at the link above! She even does parties and birth photography/videos!  Here are just a few of the AWESOME pictures she took last week!

 I think Holly perfectly captured Liam at this age! Now to decide which ones are going on the wall!

18 Months of Adventure

The morning after Liam was born. He wasn't even 24 hours old yet. Sigh.

My Sweet Liam,

Tomorrow marks 18 months that your beautiful, little face has been on this planet. A year and a half has flown by faster than I ever thought possible.

The day you were born I could not stop looking at your big, brown eyes and little round face. I still can't stop looking at you. I want to sear your little face into my memory, because every day it changes.

You have always been an independent, strong-willed soul. Not even minutes after your birth you lifted your head up and looked around. I'm pretty sure your thoughts went something like this, "Hello, World! Are you ready?"

These days you are running, climbing, jumping and exploring. You love playing outside. You never meet a stranger and always greet everyone with a smile. You are saying so many things and surprise me with new words all the time. "Doggie" is your favorite word at the moment. "Avi" (avion) is a close second. Even if you just hear one while we're in the house you have to stop and run to the window to look for the airplane. You point to the sky and yell, "Avi, Avi!"  You absolutely adore babies, which is hilarious, because everyone still thinks of you as a baby. At the YMCA the childcare worker comments on how you just love to push the babies in their swings and give them hugs. You'd rather do that then play with the toys.

Not every moment is roses and butterflies, though. You have entered the world of tantrums over the last couple of months. I thought I wouldn't see this behavior until you were two, but here it is. Usually your tantrums occur if  I don't fix your food fast enough. You have always loved to eat.  Lately, I have been pulling up a chair to the kitchen counter and letting you watch or "help".  This seems to keep the tantrums at bay. This morning you spread cheese on your own toast. I was very proud of you. You are also learning that hands are for hugging - not hitting. Las manos son para abrazar - no pegar. You're getting there. Everyday is a little better. I know it takes a lot to remember all the "rules" and you're still so little, but you are also smart. That's why I expect so much from you. Honestly, we're learning together.

Now that you're 18 months you'll get to start going to a Spanish playgroup. I'm so excited that you'll be around other kids who speak Spanish too.  Next month you will take swim lessons again and I hope that you still love the water like you did last year.  So many exciting things are happening. We've had 18 months of adventure and there is still so much more to come!

I am so grateful and blessed that I get to be your mom.  Even on the stressful days, I sit back in awe of how amazing you are and how incredibly happy you make me.

I love you, nene! And I love hearing you say , "Iwubyew" back to me now. It melts my heart.

Always and Forever yours,

Tu Mami

Our weekend in Review // Mother's Day Weekend 2013

I had a lovely Mother's Day weekend with my little family. Saturday Pablo had duty, so I took Liam to check out the new Commissary. Exciting, I know, but our old one was just sad. It was so tiny! There was only one aisle of frozen food and the aisles were so small they were one way only! I think this deserves the hashtag, stayathomemomproblems. Ha!

Later Saturday afternoon we walked downtown to see the Gosport Art Festival. Local artists show off their wares every year during this fun little festival. There's live music, food trucks and even things for the kids to do. This year there were big buckets of bubble solution and giant bubble wands for the kids to play with. Liam loved running around and popping the bubbles. It was really windy, so they kept blowing right at him which made for some funny pictures. 

 

Sunday, I got to teach children's church to a wonderful group of kids. We talked about honoring and obeying our mothers. We also made a special craft for mom! One little boy kept saying, " I just knew this was going to be the best Mother's Day ever!" It was so precious! 

Liam spent the morning with Daddy and when I returned home I got two beautiful cards. One from Liam (he colored it) and one from Pablo. My Mother's Day wish was a shopping trip to Target, so off we went. Pablo took Liam to ride the kiddie rides in the mall, while I got uninterrupted time to peruse the clearance racks. It was lovely and I scored $30 work out pants for $8! Then I was treated to dinner out.  It was a fun day spent serving and just enjoying my boys. 

He was fake laughing in this picture. Goofball.

He's already trying to escape from my kisses. ha!

Our goofy family portrait.

P.S. Something funky happened when I uploaded my photos. They all came out blurry. This makes me sad and maybe at some point I'll have the time to fix them. Until then enjoy the blurry photos. lol!