Knock, knock, Trick or Treat

We went trick-or-treating earlier this evening.  This is the first year that Isabella really got it. 

She picked out her costume this year - the Little Mermaid/Ariel and was very excited to wear it multiple times throughout the month of October.  We should really introduce her to the movie.  She's only seen Ariel on diapers!  (Talk about great marketing).   She wore her costume to a Halloween festival in the neighborhood last weekend, to a costume play date, to school today, to a pumpkin carving party and of course to trick-or-treat tonight.  

She was so excited about Halloween because we were invited to a Halloween party with crafts and dinner at our neighbor, Natalie's house.  Isabella loved putting stickers on paper.  She of course, found a book to read whilst the other little girls continued with their craft.  

We commenced our neighborhood trick-or-treating with friends Macy, Natalie, Morgan, Camille and Jack.  Isabella and Macy would run to the doors as quickly as possible.  It was fun to see this as last year Isa had zero interest in going up to people's houses.  This evening before going to bed she talked about how she would knock, knock on so many houses and then say, "trick-or-treat" and get candy.  What an exciting time!

Diego was a good sport about it all.  He enjoyed people and costume watching.  The kiddos are now in bed while we answer the door to the later, older trick-or-treaters while getting a sugar coma ourselves.  

Kissy Kissy

Play by play of how Diego french kisses his mama.  Sweet baby.  Whereas Isabella has been wiping off my kisses lately!  She asks to be kissed only to literally wipe her face to rid herself of my kiss!

Personal Library

Isabella is my book worm.  She is always reading.  She doesn't really know how to read, but you will always find her with a book in hand and looking as though she really is reading . She's been into books for as long as I can remember.  She goes through phases with what her favorite books are.  When she was a little over 2 years old, we had 4 books that were her favorite: Prayers for Children, My Little Golden Book About God, Where Do Kisses Come From?, and the Animals of Farmer Jones.  All of these are Little Golden Books.  Then she went through a phase where all we could read to her were Dr. Seuss books - in particular, Huevos Verdes con Jamon (Green Eggs and Ham) and One Fish Two Fish.  Last Christmas Tia Fia gave Isabella her first dictionary (in Spanish).  That was the biggest hit ever.  Isabella's favorite letter to read was P for Papa (Daddy).  Can we say Daddy's girl through and through?  

Isabella started going to school 3 days a week this year.  She loves going to school.  The first week she would wake up extra early, come into our room and tell us to hurry up and get ready that it was time to get to school!  

She has found her own personal library at her school.  There is no formal library to speak of, but there is a book shelf where she checks out a book every day after school.  We have a routine where we go outside to the benches and read the book before we can get into the car.  She brings the book back the next day and the routine starts all over again.  The school administrator, Elizabeth finds it amusing as no other child does this.  

Fall Pumpkins

Fall is in the air.  Not really.  I have never felt more ready for fall.  I went shopping and bought some lightweight sweaters and long sleeved shirts for myself.  My mother-in-law and I went shopping for the kids for fall clothes, so they're all set as well.  But guess what?!  We live in Texas where it is still in the 80's thus calling for short-sleeved shirt weather.  I have never been ready for a season.  Ever.  Last year, the cold front came and I dressed Isabella all wrong in some summer outfit and did not have a jacket or sweater for her.  Delinquent mom.  This year I'm actually on top of things and the cold weather is still not here!  Enough about the weather.

It is October and there are pumpkin patches everywhere for Fall Harvests and Halloween.  We went a few weeks ago and took these pictures as part of a play date.  How do parents get picture perfect pictures with kids?  These are the best pictures that I was able to get.  Enjoy!

9 Months

Diego turned 9 months on the 9th of October.  He is still a cutie bug with his big eyes and cheeks.  At his check up, he weighed in at 16.10oz putting him in less than the 5th percentile.  He is consistent.  He is not chubby, but he is, however, tall!  He measured 29" which puts him in the 75th percentile for height.  

He is really enjoying interacting with Isabella more which is a complete delight to watch.  This morning she fed him Gerber stars and he was all smiles the entire time.  He is starting to army crawl but still does this quirky crawl when he is on his back.  Basically it looks like an inverted crawl.  Diego is definitely babbling but there are no decipherable words to speak of.  He is most well known for his spinning hands and feet.  He does this thing with both his hands and feet when he is happy or excited to see someone and twirls his ankles and wrists.  It's super cute.  We tried a few different kinds of formula this past week and he is still severely allergic, unfortunately.

Diego is becoming more and more comfortable with other people (that aren't his mamma).  He doesn't cling on quite as tightly when I am talking to someone.  I think it helps too that he enjoys playing with different toys on the floor and is distracted.    

9th Generation Texan

Diego needed to prove his roots.  He is a descendant of Stephen F. Austin (hence Austin being his and his Dad's middle name).  Bret's family is Texas (both the state and THE University) proud to say the least.  Little did they know that Bret would marry a foreigner!  Not only was I not born in Texas, but I wasn't even born in the US of A.  From the way these two kiddos are so far, I think Isabella will identify herself more as a little Mexican and I think Diego will identify himself as a lil gringo.  We'll see if my predictions are true.  Like with all things, time will tell.  

Potted plant

Diego heard me telling people that he wasn't sitting up and decided to prove me wrong one day shortly after the 8 month post.  He went from not sitting, to being able to sit up for long periods of time without falling over.  He didn't go through that wobbly sitting stage.  I love the potted plant stage.  You set them down and they stay there - for a long time!  It's quite delightful to just plop him down somewhere, set several toys in front of him and have him entertain himself for a while.  Not to mention a sitting baby is just so stinkin' cute!