The First Lopez Family Vacation

I'm making this blog on the way home from our first official family vacation. We have travelled with Alicia, but this is the first time that was really a family getaway where we stayed in a hotel and everything. We had a great time on our little weekend trip to Santa Barbara. We arrived on Friday and got settled into the hotel. Then, we went to explore the little town and get some dinner. Alicia was a good girl the whole weekend! She got to see and do lots of new things. She loved the long walks we took in the evenings and used them to take little naps. She stayed in a hotel...she didn't sleep that well, but she did alright. She took her first trolley ride, we went to the zoo and she was able to see penguins, lions, giraffes, and lots of other little animals (we took a lot of pictures, but I can't load them until I get the cord that is at home.) We went swimming at the pool, which is always a fun event, played at parks and had an overall great time. Alicia was so excited with all of the new things that she had a hard time sleeping, so she has been sleeping the whole way home so far! Daddy and I were both very impressed with our little girl's behavior and amazed by her seemingly endless amount of energy.

Alex and I enjoying a romantic dinner...just kidding, you can see the top of Alicia's little head in the stroller between us.
Alicia with her daddy checking out flamingos at the zoo
the penguins were a big hit
Alicia was speechless when she saw the huge elephants
if you look carefully, you can see the anteater on the left side
Alicia discovered ice in the chest and must have spent about 20 minutes trying to pick up a piece...I never knew ice was so slippery
daddy showed Alicia a single piece
Alicia enjoyed playing with her friend in the mirror all weekend
sitting like a big girl with daddy
trying to decide what to order off of the extensive menu

Ma-ma

Well, we're suffering through teething again. Alicia's top right tooth is about to break through! We had an exciting day today...Alicia said ma-ma for the first time. There is still not a sure sign that she is aware what it means, but once she started saying it, she wouldn't stop. She also is clapping all the time...if I say yay, she will clap on command. We bought a new double stroller to accomodate my days with two babies, and all three of us have really been enjoying it. Sienna loves to lay back and cruise in the reclining seat, and usually starts to snooze. Alicia loves to sit up and lean over and look at all the new things around her. Trying to grab everything in reach, including Sienna. I enjoy the break from chasing them around and usually decide it is walk time when I find myself running low on patience, and we all come back feeling refreshed.
Alicia and I started a little class at the community center. While it isn't the most organized activity, we have fun. Alicia loves to play and explore by herself.
She was a little hesitant to enter the tunnels, but once I coaxed her through one, I couldn't get her out of them.
She wouldn't let anything get in her way.

Copy Cat

Alicia turned 9 months old this past week! It's crazy how quick she is growing up. She celebrated her big day by learning to clap. Now she loves to clap back and forth and knock two blocks together. She is turning into a big copy cat. When I pick her up and pat her back, I feel a little hand patting my back in return. We are going to start baby gymnastics this coming week, along with a young families group at church. Alicia is starting to be around other babies a lot more, so I'm hoping it will lose the thrill and she'll stop being a threat to others. I think that when she gets a little more relaxed she is going to be quite the socialite. Every day she is a little bit more brave in regards to her standing and walking ability. She's taken some hard knocks, but always gets right back up and doesn't let it slow her down. She's trying to stand a lot without holding onto anything, and I'm sure we are going to see first steps soon!

Angels and Sienna

Pics will be added soon, it's not letting me right now.
Well, we've been pretty busy lately. The heat has finally subsided so I've started moving again. During the never ending heat wave I tried to refrain from making any unnecessary movements that could potentially lead to raising my bodies temperature. Starting last week, I'm watching a little baby two days a week. It's the perfect arrangement for our family and theirs, but Alicia is less than thrilled to share her mommy, and a lot of my day is spent protecting Sienna from a wild Alicia trying to attack!! She tries to sit on her head, or roll over her, or bite her hands and feet. Poor Sienna is pretty helpless as she is only five months old and nowhere near mobile enough to escape, so she is reliant on me to save and protect her. She is a good baby, but I have her for 12 hour days, so it adds a lot to the week. We are all adjusting to the new schedule, but it's working out great so far!
On Saturday we went to another Angels game, compliments of Alex's sister Vanessa. It was a late father's Day gift to Alex and we had a great time. Even Alicia, who seemed to enjoy the game even more than her daddy, and sat on our laps like a big girl for the whole game. It's the longest I've ever seen her last without getting more squirmy! Alex and I went out last night for our date night, so Alicia got to stay with her grandparents for several hours. She had a blast and played like crazy, because she was exhausted when we got her home.
Overall, our nights are finally going better. It did take letting Alicia cry it out multiple times, but I can now put her to bed and naps without her being completely asleep, and she only gets up one or two times during the night...we are getting ready to do away with this entirely, but I'm having a hard time letting go.
Alex is excited to start school again at the beginning of October, and he was chosen to go to China for work in November. It's an honor for him and a great opportunity, but Alicia and I are going to be very lonely while he is gone.
Oh yeah, we are also looking forward to a short trip to Santa Barbara at the end of the month, a wedding gift from Tom. We are going to take Alicia and stay in a hotel with her for the first time. That trip is going to be followed by a visit from Grandma Linda! Alicia and I are hoping that Grandpa Charlie and Grandma Peggy might come for a visit while Alex is gone, but we'll have to see.