Our Baby is 8 Months!!

Our little 'Lainers,' 8 Months Old and Growing fast!

She loves to clap!

Our little Elaina

That big grin, melts your heart into a puddle...how I'm going to discipline her...I dunno ;)

8 months old! Elaina continues to roll everywhere [even off the bed a couple of times :( ]. She still pulls herself up and around, today I thought she was going to pull herself up onto the couch, had her carseat not been in the way, she may have just done so. She is getting stronger at standing on her little legs, pretty soon she'll be running with the other kids! We experience so many joys being parents. With having to share Marcus, there is a lot of pain and hurt and sadness that comes with his joy. It's definitely difficult to be a way from such an amazing little guy, with Elaina - we get to experience that joy 24/7. She doesn't replace Marcus at all as he is his own little person, but it helps to hold one baby when you can't the other. Parenthood has brought such a joy and sweetness to our lives and we are so blessed to such amazing children.

Bath time! Her hair got cut off here, that was the best part! :) So bonita!

She LOVES to splash!! Most days she gets me very wet, which I don't care unless I'm ready first - which doesn't happen too often. She is always entertaining and fun to watch her explore her world. I love how kids are fascinated and happy with the littlest things in life!

Oh, man! I tried, they got out of order....oh well. I had bathed her and done her hair and she was having a very good hair day, good day for cute naked baby pictures...:) Gotta love the drool!

Trying to call Daddy and Marcus..."I know this thing works, but how?"

Standing up ALL BY HERSELF!!! Getting so BIG! [tear]

I decided she's too big to carry around in her car seat so, this is her second time in the cart at the store. She feels so big. Her little wrist are excited as well as the feet and she is so alert and concerned with everything going on. She loves being a 'big girl.'

This was Mothers Day, she looked so pretty I had to take her picture. I took her outside and set her in the grass, for whatever reason she would not put her right leg down on the grass. Her left one was fine laying in the grass, any time she dropped her guard and it fell on the grass, she raised it right back up. It was so funny to watch. She cracks me up.

Here, she is a little more relaxed and watching her cousins play, thus her not looking at the camera.

Playing with Mom..."just another day in paradise."

Our Little Sunshine

Marcus Plays Soccer!!

Marcus is playing soccer this Spring. It has been so fun to watch him get psyched for the games and play. At his first game he surprised Manny and I with wanting $4, b/c his little buddy who is on his team was bribbed he'd get $1 if he scored a goal [that's right, Marcus doesn't just want one, he wants 4!] We told him not to worry about that, to just have fun and enjoy the game and play his little heart out. I figure he's 3, at this point soccer is to get him involved in something using age appropriate motor skills and to above all just be active, play and HAVE FUN. As clumsy as he is, I'm impressed he can run and kick the ball. We were driving to breakfast and Marcus tells Manny and I, "Guys, I'm sorry I messed up out there." It bout broke my heart to see his broken hearted little face cuz he thought he had disappointed Manny and I. I don't know what pressure he gets from his Mom but we reassured him all he had to do is just have fun and enjoy playing and assured him he did great! Which he did, a few times he's kicked the ball all the way across the field and just missed the goal [again, I was impressed, he is ONLY 3!]. It's been fun to watch him the past few weeks and definitely entertaining to watch the "stare down"...I will post a few of those pictures soon. Here are a few snapshots from his first two games I believe. :) GO #3! Ready to play, strikin' a pose for Janie...well Manny took the picture while I was getting Elaina and I ready, but on my request, had to have one before his first game! ;)

Driving to his first game, he was so excited and pumped! It was so cute to watch and listen to him.

Ready to start their first game!

Marcus and his little friend, Ashie playing ball.
Going strong...
Aunt Jessie and Justin cheering Marcus on....[in the freezing cold I might add.]

Marcus with his Daddy at his first game!

His best little ChEeRLEaDeR!

Team Blue...[real original] having a ball in the cold! His step-dad is their coach, he's in the grey shirt.

His #1 little fan, Justin has been every week [rain or shine] even if he's hiding snuggled away in his carseat/stroller! Thanks Justin, Elaina likes having a friend on the side too!

Marcus and Uncle Jason