Four Months

P J hits 4 months old!!

What our little guy is up to at 4 months:

-- 14 lbs
-- 25 1/2 inches long
-- When we lay him down for his naps or for bedtime, he'll swing his leg over and flip to his side to fall asleep. He's a side-sleeper like his momma :)
-- He tries to sit up when we place him on his back. It looks like ab crunches, haha.
-- Playing with his tongue, constantly moving it in and out and experimenting with the noises.
-- Blowing raspberries. 
-- Playing with his toes

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You know, this may sound funny, but it feels like it has been longer than four months. You see? It does sound like a terrible thing to say, but I don't mean it in a "Holy cow, I feel like I haven't gotten sleep in forever and it's only 4 months in!" It's more like a "Wow, he's grown SO MUCH in only four months!" I have been waiting for the 4 month mark, excited for all the changes that will come in the next two months. The 4,5, and 6th months are so transitional and exciting. We'll start the slow transition from only milk to cereals, and then to baby food. P J will probably start sitting up on his own in a couple of months, maybe crawling? Hmmm, I don't know the usual timetable for that one actually. But the excitement stands, 4 months is just the starter month for the bigger 5 and 6 months. 

There are some things that I miss terribly already. Like his little little newborn body; from his old-man face right down to his wrinkly toes. I just look at him now and I can't believe that he's the same little guy I brought home from the hospital. He's too big, haha;  like a little man.

  Happy four months little guy :)

 

Birthday 24

Pablo and I have been lucky enough to make it to San Antonio frequently in the last couple of months. It's been fun to explore the ethnic restaurant options the big city offers, as well as take advantage of supermarkets, doctors, shopping malls, etc that we miss out on here. 
This time on our way up we listened to my 10th Anniversary "Les Miserables" CDs from START to FINISH. Pablo and I saw the movie the day after Christmas and loved it. I've grown up with the London cast and know the music, words, and the sound of Colm Wilkinson's voice by heart. But it was a first for Pablo and I love that we have something new to love together. We turned up our favorite parts and re-lived the movie in our heads.

Roadtrip!

The reason for this particular visit to the city was an appointment with my dermatologist to check up on my progress and stock up on products. The eczema has improved to the point I don't even feel like I have it anymore. I have a rare form of eczema called Dyshidrosis. It flares on the hands and is more than unsightly, but uncomfortable and painful. I first showed symptoms the summer of 2010 but after seeing clinic doctors and trying out some topical medications, the condition was just getting worse and growing. The idea to go to a dermatologist came because of my son. I wanted to find out if this was contagious. It would break my heart if I passed something on to him! It was a huge relief Pablo and I had when we learned that it was only a strand of eczema. I buy some special cold creams now and the condition has abated. I never realized how the unsightly bumps had affected my confidence until they were gone. I am so grateful for that! 
The three hour drive and hanging out in the doctors worked us up an appetite. Pablo and I had already planned where we wanted to eat. It was supposed to be on of the best Mexican places in San Antonio, called Cielito Lindo. We had been picky, ruling out a dozen others because the food seemed to casual. Now that may seem posh, but we eat Mexican food everyday. We really wanted something elevated and thoughtful. Anyway, this place was perfect! The menu held tons of our favorite dishes from all over Mexico; even the Yucatan, our favorite. We ordered Horchata (of course!!) and were pleasantly surprised to find that it was homemade and not mixed. Haha, we had only gotten one to share and were so careful to make it last our entire meal. It was delicious! I ordered my favorite Cochinita Pibil and Pablo ordered Chilequilas Veracruzanos. (I tried to make Cochinita one time. It didn't exactly turn out, haha. http://pabloylauravelez.blogspot.com/2010/02/project-cochinita-tacos.html )

Aww, memories from our trip to Merida...

Pablo's Chilequilas

You could tell this place was popular. We ate in the early afternoon and the place was already busy with groups of businessmen/women. We felt a little under-dressed around everyone in their work clothes until another couple and a group of college students came in. Our waiter was top-notch. Refilling our waters before they were empty and giving us more chips and salsa before we could lament an empty basket. Haha.
And Surprise! Yes, it is my birthday this week, something that my wonderful husband did not forget to mention to our waiter. Thanks hubby, you're the best:)   

Afterwards, Pablo took us to the mall for some shopping. I'm down to just 13 lbs until I'm at my pre-pregnancy weight, and Pablo has lost 20lbs. So we felt like getting some clothes to boost our confidence. We went at the PERFECT time. Stores were having blowout sales- I mean $3, $5, $10 pieces. We had given ourselves a cap on our spending before we went in, but we walked out with a dozen of pieces without hitting $80 bucks, easily. Now that's an awesome birthday present.
It's also been such a fun adventure living life with our babes. As we were walking around JC Penny he had an impressive blow-out. The mall was three stories and HUGE, with the nearest restrooms by the food court. Practically a day's journey from where we were and we did not feel like carrying our stinky, sticky babes across the mall. We were also competely lost in J C Pennys. For serious. We ended up changing him in the fitting rooms, haha! Life is full of first! My favorite part is the amused and almost bored look baby cakes had the entire time. 
We had a lot of fun, as always. I can't get over how lucky I am to have such a fun little family. I love every moment of being a mom and wife- from holding my husband's hand as he drives to rushing around, lost and laughing, around JCPennys looking for a bathroom.

 Saw these outside the mall as we were heading home. Haha

Everything's bigger in Texas

Toesies

Looks like someone has discovered his toes :)

 Let the toe sucking commence, haha

A Toast

There are years that rush past in a rush of color. Then there are the years that take their time and let you savor each moment they offer. 2012 was one of those *blink* and its gone years. 
One thing that I will always remember: my little bundle, born September 21, 2012. So much joy and happiness joined with so many long nights and double-guessing. This year was the year Pablo and I became parents :)

 I have so much hope that 2013 is the year we will see the results of a long year of hard work. 2013 is a blank canvas so far as we wait to hear back from graduate schools. We sit, biting our nails and holding our breaths, for those letters to come in and we can plan our future. 

 

Here's to 2012 and the patience it taught us. And here's to 2013, for the potential and excitement it brings :)