I know posting's been sparce- blame it on the baby.

Thanks to Miguel for this adorable pic taken while I was taking a nap.  Both were much needed. 

This is what a partied out princess looks like.  After we came home from Gabe's birthday party she crashed on the couch.

  I wasn't going to include this pic for some reason but Isa insisted that this specific pic be put in here.  She said, "Mommy, let's put the picture of my new swing set my daddy invented on the computer."  So there you have it Miguel- thanks for inventing the swing set!  Such a wonderful dad my kiddos have.  Happy Father's Day Babe!  Thanks for being an awesome Daddy!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Random Stuff

Isa at the Greek fest jumping and having a great time in the puddle!

The kiddos and me, really early.  Hence the hair!

Isa playing outside, yes, it's too hot for pants yet she still needs her puppy shirt.

Playing outside is the best.  Meanwhile, inside the house...

Someone's getting a bath in the sink.  This is how he is when he gets a bath, completely out!

Getting ready for bed.

Here's another pic from the Greek Fest, I don't know why the other one's at the top.  Sorry!

Another round of puddle splashing and we're done!

Somebody else takes some pictures

I love pictures of my kids.  Today Julie took some amazing pics of Val.  She got some of Isa and me in there too, but he was really the star of the show.  Check them out on her blog:
http://blog.sungazingphotography.com/?p=1637
(For mom, you highlight the above line, right click, click on copy, go to the browser, highlight that, click paste and be prepared to have your socks knocked off.)


Julie is a friend from grade school with her own photography studio.  She is wonderful at catching people at their best.  Thanks for a great shoot and a chance to catch up Julie!  You rock!

The Prince of the Posse

 Yeah, it's just a foot but it's the cutest little foot I've seen since Isa's.  He was getting printed.

Getting monitored and probably wanting his mommy.

The 3 of us for now, snuggling with your brand new baby is the best!

Isa came to the delivery room soon after Val was born to say hi to her new baby brother.

This is our first full family portrait.  We've waited for what felt like a long time for this!  We're all so happy to be together.

Isa waiting and watching Val from outside the nursery while I was coming upstairs to the recovery floor.  That's Val in the background.

Aunt Teresa and Uncle Terry came by, Miguel caught this one of Val and Uncle Terry.

Val and Mommy snuggling up.

The big sister of the year with her brand new big sister shirt and her new pink giraffe (A gift from Auntie and Joel during their visit that day).

I put this in here on purpose (Miguel because I know you'll yell at me about it).  We put in a LONG night and this was right after I got into the recovery room.  I'm just proud we all made it to this point.  It's all uphill from here...right?

A little pic of the little prince.

Miguel's parents visiting Val.

Check out the hair on this kiddo!  This is how he spends most of his days, sporting the faux-hawk and sleeping.

Keeping in the theme of the frogs for going home.  Isa wore a frog sleeper to come home in.  I couldn't help but dress him to kill in this little frog ensemble.  Too darling if you ask me.

. Weighing in at 8lbs. and measuring out at 21" Valentino Oscar completed our family.  He's such a wonderful little baby with the best head of hair I've seen since Isa was born.  Isa is such a great big sister, she's a helper and likes to sing songs to Val when he cries or seems sleepy.  We're so happy to celebrate this time in our family.

Easter 2011

Isa and me at the Ester egg hunt at church, we got done just as the rain started.

Checking out the loot!

Look at this Daddy!

We all moved inside the gym where there were bouncy toys and face painting for the little guys to do.

Jumping around!

Waiting in line for the "big kids" bouncy toy with Daddy.

The Easter bunny left the basket with eggs and presents.  She got diving rings, modeling clay and the best... crab shaped swim goggles for the pool this summer.

Showing off her pie crust making skills... oh yeah, the goggles were on almost all day too.

Isa and the cousins.

Sam in the Easter clad wilderness.

A cool shot thanks to Miguel (nice job sweetie!).

After all the festivities it's time to go home.  She was asleep about 10 minutes after this picture was taken.

Isa in her Easter dress before any mud, sweat, or anything else got on it.  It was awesome.  Thanks Doug and Jami, Anna has great taste in dresses.  This is the picture of a little girl who's ready to party!

Easter Fun (and yet ANOTHER trip to the zoo)

Isa looking out at Daddy, I think I was working on lesson plans at the library.

As part of Miguel's home improvement, he turned what once was my sewing room into a giant pantry.  I love it, it's so handy to be able to find everything.

Isa in the pantry before the demo began.

Getting ready to roast some hot dogs for dinner with the Lorenz household.

A perfect spring day at the zoo out in front.

Auntie came with us and as always we visited the penguins and puffins- a must if you're there with the little miss.

A ride on the carousel was perfect too.  Auntie hopped on the elephant to the right once the ride started, and yes, I, 8 1/2 months pregnant, got on the bear to the left and rode.

Isa outside with the only jacket she'll wear right now because she can do the buttons all by herself.

Jammies and curlers, SOME little lady is getting ready for church and the Easter festivities tonight.  We can't wait for the egg hunt!

Neighborhood watch right here.  I hope she doesn't grow up to be one of those old ladies sitting around in her curlers nosing around in the neighbor's business.  I guess it all starts here.

Showing off her range of emotions, she goes from nosy old curler lady to surprised face.  This is something she's been working on- as in "Mommy look at me be surprised (insert surprised face)".

Some Lovely Pico Pics

I love these 2 pics Miguel took of her!  She does too and I only know that because as I am typing this very sentence, she is oohing at herself and telling me how beautiful she is.  I can only agree.

In other news, all the major work in the nursery is done, the walls are patched, sanded, and painted as well as the baseboards.  We decided to forgo the dresser and install a truly pimped out closet and I love it!  (pics to come soon on that one)  we made a valance for the window and installed the shades, I re-covered an old bumper pad and it now matches the stripey goodness that IS the nursery.  We've still got a couple of projects but it is coming together, thankfully. We did debate a couple of times driving out to Eureka to get the cradle and crib and stuff from our respective parents, but with gas being the price it is right now, we figured we'd wait until we were truly ready to move in all the furniture and not make a couple of trips.                          Now if we could just find some time to come up with a name for this little guy it would be perfect!