Toddling

Lucia took her first steps on August 10, 2009.

Walking has not yet become her preferred mode of transportation, though she gets better with each attempt.

Luckily, we managed to catch some of her first steps on camera.

Thank you to Jane, the wonderful PT, for her suggestions.

Peek-A-BOOO

The game of peek-a-boo.

Lucia had a little more trouble covering her eyes with her glasses on. If you listen real close you can hear a faint little "boo" from her.

Budding Artist

One of Lucia's first attempts at the Magna Doodle.

A week later her skills have developed to an even greater doodle.

And after a couple weeks . . . well, she must be some kind of Magna Doodle prodigy.

Gymnastics Award Ceremony

Since the beginning of the year, Lucia & Annie have been taking a gymnastics class together at The Little Gym. After 20-weeks we had a Hawaiian themed award ceremony to commemorate the end of the semester.
Lucia always loves crawling through the tunnel.

Get ready to use the parallel bars.

Climbing down with ease.

The tumbling routine, consisting of a forward roll, donkey kick, & back flip over a hotdog.

Doing the bar routine with her instructor, Miss Amanda.

Balloon play to practice hand-eye coordination.

Going up to the podium to receive her Hawaiian lei & ribbon.

Checking out her ribbon a little closer.

The kids always got a stamp at the end of each class.

HOORAY for gymnastics fun!

Step by Step

Every day Lucia seems to be getting closer & closer to walking.
No independent steps yet, though she is doing her fair share of pulling to stand & cruising. She has stood independently several times for a number of seconds. Each time she has a huge grin on her face as if she knows she is doing something monumental.

Seating for One

We put the couch pillows together to form a chair.

A comfortable spot to chill out with an afternoon snack . . .

. . . at first anyway . . .

. . . but then it just became more difficult to get comfortable.

While at Meijer, Annie's eyes happen to glance toward a low lying shelf. Did her eyes deceive her? No it couldn't be! The perfect solution to our comfortable afternoon snack dilemma. A chair, but not just any chair, a BROBEE CHAIR. A once in a lifetime opportunity Annie thought. She had to get it. But what about the plane, how would she get it back home? A minor detail when you've found the perfect chair.

No worries, the Brobee chair made it home safely in the over head bin.

Lucia has been enjoying exploring her new chair.

Lucia is trying very hard to balance her snack on the slanted nursing stool. I suppose that will be part two of the comfortable afternoon snack dilemma.

Afternoon snacks have never been so comfortable and tasted so good!

click click smack

A sophisticated taste of early oral motor imitation.

Now if only papa could teach Lucia the art of the trill she'll be all set.

A Mother's Delight

We celebrated our family's second annual mother's day.

Lucia made Annie a wonderful sign and put in on her bedroom door.We spent the afternoon at Wheaton Regional Park.We took a picnic lunch and ate under a nice shade tree in the park.After we ate we walked over the the playground.Lucia enjoyed turning the steering wheel in the car.She needed a little coaxing to go through the tunnel. WEE! Going down the covered slide with papa.Rojelio demonstrating his skills, showing off to all the 6-year olds.Lucia loving the swings.The park has on old fashioned carousel . . .. . . and a train that takes you on a ride throughout the park.
Lucia was very relaxed during the train ride.What a great way to end the day.

"mamamamamama"
Music to my ears.

Lucia's Birthday Bash!

Lucia had an awesome birthday bash back with our friends in Charlottesville.
Lucia is sporting her ladybug party hat while checking out her new baby doll, Hayesy.

Rojelio's mom taught Annie's mom how to make authentic Mexican pinatas.
Gammy made Lucia a pinata for her birthday party.
It's the colors of Lucia's favorite Yo Gabba Gabba! character, Brobee.
All the kids took turns trying to break open the pinata.
The order goes: birthday girl, then youngest to oldest.
Hooray! The pinata has been defeated.
Now it's a mad dash for the goods. Singing happy birthday to Lucia.
Lucia digging into her personalized custom made cupcake from . . .
. . . the fabulous cupcake buffet.There were some great cupcake creations.Rojelio with his colleagues in goofy party hats.It was a funfilled first birthday party.