He has a name...

Yesterday was a special day for two reasons: 1) it was my 28th birthday and 2) we finally chose a name for our baby boy! His name is Alexander Kruz Mendoza, and we are calling him "Kruz." I came up with the name, Kruz, a few weeks ago and instantly loved it. I told Kad the idea right away, and he loved it right away too. It's like all of the other name ideas we had all of the sudden didn't compare. We just knew. Besides just loving the name, we also love the meaning. 'Cruz' is the Spanish word for 'cross.' How perfect and so meaningful to us. We have always liked the name 'Alexander', so we decided to make this more common name his first name. We are so excited to meet our baby Kruz.

Make the Music Stop!!

Well, as you know, Gabriella is a dancing machine! She absolutely loves music! Often times, she'll hear it and start dancing before we even realize it's playing. She likes to dance to background music at restaurants. Well, we were eating at a BBQ place the other day (mmm... my favorite!), when some really country music came on. Gabriella immediately started covering her ears! It was hilarious, we were cracking up. This was totally unprovoked! I guess she's already making her music choices clear!

"What is this?!"

Looking up, like 'where is that coming from?!'

"Make it stop!"

Niece Nikki's 3rd Birthday

Last weekend, we celebrated our niece, Nikki's, 3rd birthday! She had lots of fun celebrations, all of which included her favorite- Thomas the Train. We had so much fun celebrating with our sweet girl!

Kad and Gabriella playing in Nikki's backyard

Mommy teaching her to hit a softball for the first time!

I love this picture! Yes, that IS a cake!

G with Daddy & Popi

An attempt at a picture of Nikki and friends :)

Haha, this is the picture we got of the 3 cousins! Too funny...

Our growing family

Celebrating at Chuck E Cheese!

Nikki's a good driver!

She may be little, but she can pack a punch!

"Move over Chuckie, this ride's mine!"

Mommy, Gabriella, Nikki, & Nic with the carousel...the girls loved it!

Nikki & Laney are ready for some cake!

Little G with her Auntie V!

Cute little birthday girl's family: Nic, Suzette, Nikki, Laney

Wild and Crazy HAIR

Gabriella's hair has gotten long...and curly. Sometimes, we just don't know what to do with it...

Do you ever wake up with crazy 'bed head' hair?

"What are we gonna do with this, Mom?"

Silly girl, wild hair!

This is Gabriella's attempt to fix her own hair. She found this headband and insisted on putting it on...and wearing it. (Although, she takes out any bows I put in!)

"I do it myself, Mommy"

"See, aren't I cute?"

Over 1/2 Way There!

Update: I'm 22 weeks pregnant and feeling great. This pregnancy has been EXACTLY like the first (w/ Gabriella). I have never 'gotten sick' or been nauteous for very long. My worst 'side effects' have been: being really tired and very forgetful, and my hips getting sort of out of joint-painful. Strangely, when I'm pregnant, part of my left leg goes numb. It's really uncomfortable. So, needless to say, I've been going to the chiropractor. Overall, I certainly can't complain...we are SO incredibly blessed to be expecting our sweet baby boy. We are working on picking baby bedding, ordering baby furniture, and choosing the perfect name. All SO much fun! Gabriella seems to love her baby brother already. She always 'looks for him' by lifting my shirt (slightly uncomfortable in public, haha), and giving him kisses. On a side note, she can now say "where are you?" which sounds like "w'are you?" with the proper tone and inflection in her voice...it's hilarious! She'll say that when we're looking for anything, like if I ask where her sippy is, a certain book or stuffed animal. Smarty! Back to baby boy. He's moving every day now. A week or so ago, I actually watched my stomach move. Kad has felt him too. What a joy...I forgot how amazing that feels! And, oh, is he growing! (Well, let me say, I am growing!) Seems 'we' have hit a growth spurt during these 4th and 5th months. I'm really looking and feeling pregnant now. Here's a picture of me at 20 weeks/5 months. This was about 2 weeks ago.

G's 16 Month Check Up

I took Gabriella for her 16 month check up. It was supposed to be a 15 month one, but b/c of scheduling and flooding, she didn't make it to the pediatrician until now (barely 16 mo. old). We had a super sweet nurse practitioner who has an obvious calling to do what she does. She so sweetly did everything to the stuffed pig Gabriella was clutching before she did it to G. (Checked his ears, nose, etc.) This really helped and Gabriella didn't cry-like she usually does at the Dr's office! =) She had to get two shots, but no MMR...we're postponing that for now. She's such a tough little thing! As for numbers, Gabriella weighs 21 lbs (15%) and is 29 1/2 in. tall (10%). That's our little baby! Oh, and I have to add (as her proud Mommy) that the NP repeated over and over how smart G was. Well, I didn't need a doctor to tell me that, but it was nice to hear anyways! haha... We talked a bit about vocabulary and that got me thinking. I need to write down everything she is saying now for documentation later. If I remember, I'll post that info soon.



Our sweet 16 month ANGEL

Daily Happenings

Just a few pics of Gabriella this September (15 mo. old). A snapshot in the day of her life... =)

Shopping with Mommy and Noni. Yes, she is drinking milk from a bottle...and yes, she likes it! ;) She's been able to drink from a sippy from a long time, but still prefers her 'baba' for milk.

She likes to ride around w/ her giant carebear in the laundry basket. Fun for her...not so fun for pregnant Mommy! lol

Playing with Sky & Roxy through the gate. She loves them...especially "RaRa" (Roxy).

She really likes to help Mommy clean. Apparently, I missed a spot!

She decided to push Pooh around on her walker. Like his diaper? Who knew a stuffed bear needed one anyhow? Well, Gabriella has been putting diapers on her dollies & stuffed animals lately...and taking them off...and putting them on... ** Side note: She has begun "telling" us that she has just gone "pee pee" by grabbing her diaper and grunting at us, "like, uh oh, change me!" I thought that was pretty early...I haven't even begun to think of potty training! We'll see...