Kitty!!!!

Ignacio just had his one year check-up and is a healthy, happy little boy according to Dr. Williams! As Ignacio sat in his stroller stripped down to his diaper the doctor made his way into the room. Ignacio immediately saw that there was a black and white kitty stuffed animal on the doctor's miniature baby stethoscope. Dr. Williams smiled and pulled it off from around his neck to hold it close to Ignacio so he could get a good look. All of a sudden, Ignacio tensed his arms and legs with excitement, smiled so big you could see all his teeth and yelled, "Kitty, titi, kitty!!!!!" The doctor chuckled at the big reaction and as he went to put it back around his neck, Ignacio had lunged for the kitty and had it in his mouth like a puppy dog. That is Ignacio's form of snuggling. As I quickly reached for my little one the doctor gently yanked at the stuffed animal in an attempt to get Ignacio to drop it. He eventually relaxed his jaw just enough for Dr. Williams to retrieve it from his wet mouth. It was a classic moment that I will not soon forget. Besides gnawing at the kitty, Ignacio was told he is in proportion from his head to his toes. The only thing not in proportion with his body is his immense spirit, which has been the most fun to watch grow.

Spaghetti and Santa

Ignacio is like his mom in that he doesn't really like sticky hands so it was hilarious to see him "let loose" and make a mess with spaghetti. Even more amuzing was to watch Angel relinquish the spoon!! Later that week we went for the THIRD time to Macy's Christmas display. It is like a wonderland with glowing lights, elves and creepy people dressed in costumes. It has become our regular hang out spot. Ignacio particularily likes the little kitty hiding in a basket among the animals singing carols. As the other mothers hold their little ones in their arms they point to the display as the babies quietly gaze in amazement at the lights and sounds. Then there is us with Ignacio reaching, twisting and yelling because he is in no way content to just look at the kitty. If he had his way he would find a way up onto that display, make his way across the fake snow and glitter, tackle that kitty and haul it back to his stroller. This last visit we waited in line with Krista, Chad and Addison to see Santa and the excitement was growing. As the line twisted and turned we finally made our way to the red velvet curtain. Santa was just as fat and jolly as we remembered. Ignacio was not too impressed with Santa this year but we will be back next year to wait an insanely long time in a long line of impatient, sticky-fingered children with frustrated parents just to see him again.

Hey, who is that sock monkey crawling around the Loring park? Oh...it's my baby boy. There is nothing cuter than a kid with a tail and thanks to great-grandma Ignacio got one! Angel and I were tempted to take Ignacio around the neighborhood, not so that he could experience the holiday but rather so we could get a bunch of free candy. Then we decided that it was quite exploitive of our little bundle of joy and restrained ourselves. We tried to justify it by thinking that people would LOVE to see a baby at their door but that rationale only lasted a mere 2 minutes and then we realized we were pathetic. So we stayed in, as hard as it was, but there is always next year. Happy first Halloween little one.

Balls to the Walls

Grandma bought Ignacio 100 BALLS!!! His new favorite thing to do is lay down on his back (which is a rare for him) and have mom put the balls on top of him so it is like he is hiding. When I take a shower he has plenty of things to throw overboard and it keeps him occupied. What a great gift! It saves us from having to throw him into the infested pool of balls at Mickey D's!

Snow fall...

I am sitting at the kitchen table in my pajamas watching the first snow flakes fall and I am suddenly filled with an overwhelming sense of emotion. Anyone who knows me wouldn't be surprised at this. Whether it is the first leaf that looses it's green, the impatient flower that pokes it head out the frozen dirt or the first ice crystal falling from the sky, changes excite me. But I usually don't almost cry! I can't figure it out at first but then it hits me. The day Ignacio was born it was a very snowy day and, with the first flakes of this season falling, he is almost one year old. I have almost been with my little light for one whole year meaning he has almost seen every season and celebrated every holiday. He is doing really well and is so full of life. He is happy, talkative, interactive and moving. It is such a delight to wake up everyday and know that I get another day to be his mom. One of the pictures shows what I walk into every morning. He is into throwing everything overboard from his crib when he wakes up...even his socks. It is adorable. The beauty of life is that now we have the opportunity to do it again and spend another day together, and this chance, I do not take for granted.

First steps

Okay, this is the cutest thing you will see for a very long time. Great grandma's gift is one of the favorite toys the boys have. Angel Ignacio has a fire truck and Addison has a school bus. Here we are yesterday at Krista's house playing. Enjoy. Ignacio is ready to walk alone anyday!