Vampire Teeth!

Cruz is getting his Vampire Teeth!  He looks pretty silly, and of course, his goofy face just completes the picture!   He also is learning how to use a Sippy Cup.  This is the third one we have tried.  I am not sure if this one is "the one," but he sure likes how the cold water feels on those gums!

First Party!

Today, we attended Cruz's first birthday party.  It was for his friend, Liam from COOP.  He turned one this past week.  It was a Cowboy Party, and Cruz had a great time crawling in the grass, riding in Liam's new car, and playing with all of Liam's toys.  The Cowboy Hat they gave him fit perfectly over his helmet!  I wish I had brought my camera.  

Ben and I had a great time too!  Liam's parents, Anese and Jed are super sweet, and we are even planning a play-date for Spring Break.  Liam has been a great model for Cruz.  I can't believe Cruz will be "one" himself in just a few short months!  

Oh, and to add to the excitement, Cruz stood by himself for a few seconds today!  It was so cool!

New Helmet!

Papa sent Cruz a special gift in the mail-a WMU Helmet!  In his letter to Cruz, he said he was sending this because it was the helmet I supposedly wore when I played college football for Western Michigan.  He thought Cruz would like to have it since he was used to wearing a helmet anyways.  I just loved it!  The helmet was great, but the letter was even better, and so hilarious.  Something to be saved!  Thanks, Ricky-Man!

Thank goodness my mom also sent us a box of new clothes...he really needed some(hence the mismatched outfit because he had just flung Bridgette's water bowl across the kitchen, and his pants we soaked!)

Curious Boy!

Cruz is now using his activity table in more ways than one.  While he still loves pushing the buttons, he loves pushing it around the house.  He needs a real push toy...but this one is very sturdy and safe for now.  It does not move too fast.

"CHEESE!"

Off He Goes!

"Are you still there, Mom?"

Not only did he push the table around this evening, he decided to see what it was like to crawl under it.  It was hilarious! 

There he goes!

All the way under....

Ben's Favorite!

So Precious!

"Ok...Now what?"

 

Puffs!

Cruz loves his puffs, and we are so glad he can now eat them without choking.  

P.S. I am fully aware that he is wearing a Pumpkin Bib, but we go through so many bibs a day, and those waterproof ones are like gold..even though they still get soaked!  They even "Double-Bib" him at COOP!

Amya

Today we met the Williams Family at Peter Piper to catch up!  It was great seeing them!  Their daughter, Amya, is about 1 month younger than Cruz(and so much taller, thanks to D'Juan).  Cruz was very shy and kept himself busy people watching and chewing on a few toys.  He did, however, reach out for Rosetta as we left to give her some love.  Go figure, he was a HAM all the way home!  What a funny boy.

Valetine's Day!

Cruz had an extra special Valentine's gift for me this morning!  I was trying to get a few pictures of him patiently waiting in the Pack and Play for me to finish up a few things before work, and I caught him in action!  He spit-up, and I was shocked at how the picture turned out!  Take a look!

What an action shot!

It was a nice day all around.  Ben and Cruz sent me flowers and chocolates to work.  My students really got a kick out of it!  It was perfect because we had just read a book that had roses in it and referred to their thorns.  So I go to show the kids what "thorns" were, and they came with a "vase" which was ideal because it was also "V" Week.

Cruz passed out Valentine Cards at COOP, and here is the little collection he received.  The Hello Kitty one is from Julietta, who is in the Toddler Room(an older woman), but just loves Cruz.  She gets so excited to see him in the mornings, and her mom and dad say she talks about him at home all the time.  She loves bringing him toys to play with.

Crawling...For Real!

I had a few extra minutes this morning before work to snap some pictures of Cruz in action.  He also enjoyed "posing," as he does now every time the camera comes out!  I love his baby jeans and his funny faces! 

There he goes!

Stopping to look at the camera...

Fake-Coughing

One of his newest faces...

Alfalfa

Cruz's hair is so long, Ben tried the Alfalfa.  So cute!  Have you noticed I can't resist Bath Photos?  When I was finished snapping some pictures, I found Bridgette with one of the baby's stuffed toys--the sandwich!  She still doesn't know what is hers and what is not.  She was not chewing it or playing with it, just holding it like an innocent angel.  Moments later when the camera was put away, it was in her mouth, of course.

She is still our precious little girl.

Stuck!

This evening, Cruz got stuck under the dining room chair.  It was so hilarious finding him!  Then, when I got out the camera, he changed his tune.  What a funny boy!

"Save Me!"

"Cheese!"

The Evening Routine

Cruz's DOC Band has shaped our evening routine.  Here are some pictures to show you what our evenings are like.

Starts with his bath...

Everything about it amazes him!

Then Daddy dries his hair.

We read books.

Then he bolts toward the door....

so he can play "Open/Shut."

I just love the Elmo on his butt!

Also included is playing with his toys and a rambunctious dog.  Then when he gets extra sensitive, it is off to bed!