SoCal Visit

We're back from our whirlwind weekend! It was a crazy four days, but we had a great time, and TJ is a rockstar when it comes to traveling!

We left our house at 3:45 Friday morning and headed to the airport. We took our time throughout the whole check-in/security process, and TJ did a great job. He ate his bottle as we were boarding the plane, then he passed out before we even left the gate. He slept all but about 20 minutes -- just enough time to need a major diaper and wardrobe change, then he was back to sleep until we landed.

We spent most of the day Friday visiting Grandma Jo Lynn & Bill and resting. We wanted TJ to have enough quiet time to recover from his first plane ride. Then... it was off to meet Auntie Linda. She just adored him, and he loved her too. Right away... TJ smiled away at her. It was too cute!

After our visit, we headed to Dodger Stadium. Uncle Joey got us and Frankie's friends amazing seats along the firstbase line.
TJ made it about 5 innings before we had to duck out early. He slept most of the game, and he even slept through Russell Martin's homerun and the eruption of cheers that followed. ;)

On Saturday, we headed to Anaheim Hills where Rocky, Alexis and Sammy hosted a BBQ for us. It was so great to see everyone, and of course, everyone was so excited to finally meet Mr. TJ! The best part was seeing all four of our boys together. I had never met Liam & River, and I must say, that we all have some pretty darn cute kiddos!

While we were there, TJ took his first dip in the pool. He was so chill about it. He didn't get too excited or upset... he was just like, "OK, just another thing Mom & Dad have put me up to, ho-hum." :) It was a long day, and by the time we got back to Grandma Martin's, it was bedtime.

Sunday came and we were back at the Berlanga's house. This time, it was to celebrate Mommy Megan and Baby Horton. She didn't have a chance to meet TJ the day before, and she couldn't wait to see him! She's due next month... and she looked amazing! There was no way I was ever that glam during my pregnancy! It was so nice to spend time with all the girls, and I'm very lucky they've welcomed me into their "family".Sunday evening, Frankie's mom held a get-together so all her friends could meet TJ. It was a great time, even though TJ's bedtime had to cut his visit short. Everyone loved him, and they cuddled him as much as they could. TJ's in the phase right now where he's really attached to Mommy. Mix in a busy weekend, lots of travel, and brand new surroundings, and it was a little rough on the little guy. He was a champ, though, and I hope everyone enjoyed their time with him.

Monday it was time to go home. Aunt Tara and TJ's cousins, Mary & Joseph, stopped by for a visit since they missed him all weekend. It was so fun to see the little guys together, and Mary loved giving her little cousin love. It was too cute! We got some great pictures of Grandma Martin with her three grandkids. We're so glad TJ got to spend time with Grandma Martin, Bill and his cousins and Aunt.

Getting through LAX was actually easier than DIA, much to our surprise. We were at our gate less than 20 minutes of getting to the airport. TJ was so amazing on the plane. He slept from gate to gate!!! We swear we're not going to travel with him ever again because there's no way he'll ever duplicate that again! ;)

We had a great trip, but the three of us are happy to be home and get back into our own beds and routines.

This weekend TJ turns 6 months old! Where has the time gone?

It's been a while...

It's been a long time since we've been able to sit and relax for a few minutes... let alone post a blog entry.

We haven't been doing anything really exciting; we've just been super busy. Frankie & I both had a touch of the stomach flu a few weeks ago. We were miserable, but grateful TJ didn't get sick. Then... Friday came around and Grandma was sick. The next morning, TJ was throwing up. It took the little bug a few days to recover and get his tummy back on track.

The worst part about TJ being sick was his waking up in the middle of the night crying because his tummy hurt so bad. The second worst part -- Frankie was out of town, and I was a single mommy through it all. Not only was Frankie out of town for almost a whole week, but I had to work a six-day week! Needless to say the three of us were pretty exhausted when the holiday weekend rolled round. We were lucky Grandma came and helped me out for a few days, but still... it was rough.

We didn't do a whole lot to celebrate the 4th. It was just nice for the three of us to be together as a family. We ended up going to Uncle Marshall's new place downtown and watched the fireworks from his balcony. TJ loved being around everyone and fought going to sleep. Thank goodness he finally passed out on the car ride home.

In addition to not liking to take naps... TJ is definitely developing his own little personality. He's very nosy -- he constantly has to know what's going on, and he hates missing out on anything. He's rolling a lot more, and he gets frustrated when he's not moving around like really wants to do!

He's already in his 6 months clothes, so I was cleaning and swapping out the old and new clothes. I had them in a pile on his floor. He was nearby playing on his gym. I went downstairs for a few minutes and when I came back up -- a mess! He had scooted over and pulled about four onesies out of the pile. He scattered them about and was on his belly sucking on one of them! He's a total handful already, but we're loving every minute!

A few other things he's doing -- he's grabbing his bottle and putting it in his mouth. The first time he took it away from Grandma, my mouth dropped! He still needs a little help holding it through the whole feeding, but he definitely knows what to do with it!

Daddy always says TJ has such bright eyes. There's a little bit of cockiness in that sparkle and it makes for an exciting day everyday!

This weekend we're taking our first plane ride to California -- wish us luck!

Celebrating Father's Day

We had a great weekend! For the first time this month, Daddy was home... and I think he had a pretty good Father's Day. He said it was the best one he's ever had. :) Frankie is an amazing Dad. I think he changes more poopy diapers than me... and he gives TJ unconditional love and hundreds of kisses a day. It truly is a team effort, and I am so lucky to have such a wonderful and supportive partner, and TJ is extremely lucky to have Frankie as a dad.

We got up early and went to breakfast before Daddy's baseball game. TJ & I stayed home since it was in the 90's and too hot for us to be outside for that long. After the game, we went to Castle Rock and walked around the outlets before going out for dinner. At dinner, I was holding TJ and he grabbed by plate and moved it around. We laughed that now we're going to have to keep an eye out for him. :) He wouldn't have done something like that two days ago. It's so funny how fast he changes. After dinner... TJ and Daddy watched some of the Dodgers game before it was time for bed.

The entire weekend was busy. Yesterday we helped one of TJ's friends from Buggy, Camden, celebrate his first birthday. It was nice to see the mommies outside of the gym, and Frankie got along great with all the daddies. Camden was adorable when he finally dug into his cake. TJ was a bit of a party pooper... he fell asleep during it all! It was actually quite cute. :) TJ got a new fedora this week, because it's a necessity for a baby. :) I realize it was a crazy buy... until you see him in. He can totally rock that hat. :)

After the party, we drove to Colorado Springs to meet Grandpa & Grandma Reno and Auntie Angie so we could celebrate Father's Day a day early with them. TJ was a stud. He did great at the restaurant, and he flirted with our waitress, of course. :)

Speaking of flirting... this li'l guy has it down. It doesn't have just one girlfriend at day care now -- he has two! First there was Jolene. Miss Alisa told me again this week how much he loves her, and he's always trying to reach for her and smile at her. Now... there's Emerson. She's a little older than him, and his teacher told me he has eyes for her now, too. Trouble, I tell you.

Also at day care this week, TJ sat up by himself in the high chair during his art project. Miss Alisa was so proud. She took pictures, so hopefully I'll be able to get them and post them soon.

He's been spending some time in his Exersaucer, and he's really taken to it from the get-go. He loves playing with the spinny-thing (my technical term for it), and he loves to look at himself in the mirror on there, too. My little modest boy. :)

I think he's finally over his sinus infection (knock on wood). He finished his antibiotic today, and I've only had to suck his nose (another technical term) once in the past few days. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that the congestion doesn't come back.

TJ turned 5 months old this past week. I can't believe how fast it's gone by. He's smiling a ton now, and his giggles are a little more frequent. He loves making raspberries, especially at 6 a.m. It's so funny when you can hear him doing it over the monitor. He's becoming really attached to Mommy and Daddy, and he still LOVES to cuddle. He's so much fun!