Happy Mother's Day!

I feel like the luckiest girl in the world to be a mamma to Eliana! We had such a lovely day - I'm declaring every Sunday is Mother's Day :-)

The morning started off with a sleep-in and waking up to Geoff and Eliana returning from an outing with flowers and starbucks... already a perfect day... and it got better. First we took a family bike ride down to the market to pick some things up for the week and enjoy the morning sunshine. Then, Auntie Mo came over and hung out with the baby while Geoff treated me to brunch (and unlimited mimosas.... yum!) in Los Gatos. It was heavenly to not worry about the time, enjoy our meal slowly and spend some uninterrupted time together. Geoff came back to be with Eliana and I escaped AGAIN to do some shopping! In the afternoon we all hung out and then went over to Grandma and Grandpa's house to celebrate all the mom's in the family. What a perfect day!

Cousin Amelia helping Eliana learn to walk!

More, please!

Eliana officially does three signs- "more", "all done" and her newest one "please"! What a smart girl!

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Happy first birthday Eliana!

Celebrating Eliana's first birthday with the whole family was absolutely perfect. We were so happy to be able to spend her birthday with the people who matter most in her life. It was a lovely brunch celebration, complete with mimosas!

Siti made the most precious bunny cake for our little "bunny girl"

The whole Abo family together - dream come true!

Big girl opening her presents - the paper is SO fun!

Cousins Alex and Amelia ~ so sweet with Eliana.

Cousins Porter, Keaton and Kaira ~ best buds!

The Pease family (without Uncle Derek), including Eliana's Great Grandma Beaulah!

My LOVES!

Homeowners!

It's official, we're HOMEOWNERS! After many years of searching for the perfect place we found our new home. Today we got the keys and it was an amazing feeling and one we have been waiting a long time for. Tonight at dinner we were chatting about our dreams of being in our new home... I was dreaming about hosting get togethers while the kids play outside and Geoff was envisioning evenings making dinner while the kids do their homework at the table. So fun to think of all the memories we are going to make in our new home!

We have LOTS of work to do on the house before we move in. It's a tad overwhelming... but it's nice to have the first part behind us (wow, that was a LOT of paperwork). Now onto plans, permits, demolition and remodeling!

Here are some BEFORE pictures! I don't have a pic of everything... but these will get you started!

Today I'm packing up the pump and putting it in storage. Next week is spring break so it's a good time to stop pumping... when I return to work my baby girl will be almost ONE!

Let's hope Eliana agrees that she only needs mama's milk in the morning and evening!




Packed up pump & parts... Until next time!

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11 months!

My sweet baby girl is one month shy of ONE YEAR OLD! Yikes!

I feel like I always say the same thing, but Eliana is learning SO much and impressing us everyday with the things she has learned. She explores every nook and cranny, climbs around on mommy, daddy and every piece of furniture and she even points to her belly! She loves to copy silly things that mom and dad do (singing songs, mouth noises and so much more!) and gives hugs and kisses when you ask her to. What a sweet girl.

For about a week it seemed like there was a new tooth coming in everyday! She now has four on the top and two on the bottom, and I'm pretty sure I see another one about to pop through. She's finding it more fun to eat with those chompers... some days she puts down more than me, where as others she won't even open her mouth during meal time. Silly girl.



(I'm pretty relieved that we only have one more sticker photo shoot left ~ our subject is getting a little more ornery when asked to pose.)

Eliana loves the drums at grandma's house.




See her tongue? Now that's some focus!

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Happy birthday to our friend Quinn!

Eliana's best bud Quinn celebrated his first birthday! These two have been through thick and thin, pee and poop, marathon long nursing sessions and have even shared puffs. I think it's love.
Unfortunately Q was such a popular little boy at his party that we weren't able to get a pic of the two of them together. We did do a photo shoot with the other babes... and it was HILARIOUS. Turns out babies don't like party hats.





Haven't they grown up so much!

She's learning so much!

I am in awe of the things Eliana has learned the last few days. Here are my favorites:

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Mexico fun!

Eliana's first international travel experience was a total success! We spent our mornings relaxing and napping at home (Eliana napped... we drank margaritas on the veranda!), and our afternoons exploring sweet little towns and the beautiful beaches.



Playing in the grass at the nice resort that we enjoyed sneaking into :-)



She loved playing in the ocean with daddy.





Fun in the sand!



Dinner at our favorite taco stand.



First taste of sand ~ delicious!





We enjoyed beautiful sunsets (and made a mad dash once the mosquitos came out!).



Killing time (if you could call it that) during Eliana's nap time.



We brought one toy from home... but there was PLENTY of interesting things to explore in the house.


All in all we could not have asked for a better trip. It was definitely different travelling with baby... but seeing her eyes light up and her arms and legs flare with excitement when she experienced new things made it ALL worth it.

10 months

Eliana celebrated the morning of her ten month birthday in Mexico and the evening here in Cali ~ what a life!

What a doll our girl is! Eliana continues to be so fun, outgoing, inquisitive and all around amazing. She proved to be a great traveler and fell in love with the beach and sunshine, just like mama. Just last week two teeth on the top started breaking through and she also started pulling herself up to standing (when leaning on mom or dad). She is a bundle of LOVE right now and we just can't get enough.

Going private

Fans, I'm thinking it's time to go private with the good 'ol blog! I LOVE having random (not creepy) internet readers, but I think it's best to keep the scary ones away and make the blog private... keep the babe safe. So... please message/comment/email your email so I can add you to my "readers" list!

Valentine's Day 2012

Since Valentine's Day fell on a Tuesday this year we decided to put off our celebration for the weekend since the week is already wayyyy too busy and stressful. I have to say at first I wasn't too excited about even celebrating - kind of felt like one more thing to do. But I am SO glad we did and I was reminded of the importance of continuing to work on my relationship with Geoff aside from poopy diapers and baby play.

Just like last year we decided to do a Fondue Feast at home! It was delicious and just as fun, even though it didn't start until almost 8pm and we were tip toeing around the kitchen a bit!




Cheese fondue followed by chocolate fondue!




(This picture makes me laugh because of the baby saline next to our fondue pot. Yup, such is life now!)

Finger food fun

Eliana is finally into eating solids - especially finger foods! I think she'd be happy with skipping the purees all together, but mama likes to fill her belly. We have lots of fun with finger foods! Some of her faves are peas, carrots, corn, green beans and chicken. Of course, she loves puffs but that's usually a treat from daddy.





(You wouldn't know it but she was actually really sick in this picture... she's cute even when she's snotty!)

Baby Eats Camera

Another great visit

My parents came in town and we had another lovely time together. We're trying to convince them to move to Cali. No such luck so far.





But, we've got a softy on our hands, so maybe we CAN convince them...

Rewind, again... Baby's first Christmas!

Eliana was spoiled (of course) by all of her family for her first Christmas. We were lucky enough to spend it with both families, as well as have plenty of time with just our little family of three.

Her favorite part of celebrating Christmas morning at Gma and Gpa's house was eating the wrapping paper. Yummmm.



It this for me!?