A Year Older, A Year Wiser...

Today is my 33rd birthday.
I know, I know, it's hard to believe. I don't look a day past 25- right??

...Crickets chirping...


Right?? Anyone?? Anyone??







This past weekend we had a Memorial Day/Birthday weekend in Houston. My dad and I share a birthday so we are always happy to be able to spend it together.

We had many birthday meals including Saturday night with some friends and Candie & Steven, Sunday brunch, and a BBQ at my sister's house on Monday. My parents just moved into a new house and we spent the rest of our time helping them get things organized, unpacked and in order. Byron was quite the handyman this weekend. My parents new neighborhood is around this great country club- Royal Oaks and the kids and I enjoyed the pool. They have an awesome toddler section with sprays and showers. Next time, I need to take my camera to get some good shots. Gaby just loves playing with her cousins and even got to hang out with Mia on Saturday night. Lulu & Carlos babysat the girls at my mom's house for Candie & Steven. Thanks, kiddos:)!!

Here they are in Marcie's backyard. She bought some fun inflatables for Gaby...

Gaby started out with a diaper on, but ended up nudy:)

Some thoughts as I accept my new older and wiser status,

but attempt to stay younger and naive...

1. Always wear sunscreen.

2. Washing your face & applying moisturizer b4 bed is a must!

3. White teeth make you look younger. Promise.

4. A baby makes you feel young and old all at once.

5. View the world through their eyes and you can't go wrong :)

Movin' On Up

Gaby has graduated from Level 3 Gymboree to Level 4. Today was our first class with the 16-22 month olds. (Gaby will be 16 months tomorrow!) This class is definitely more appropriate for the princess. Everyone in it is walking/running and much more active that the 10-16 month olds. The games are a little more educational and the music is much more fun. Now if I could only get her to stop slapping and pushing people down, then we'll be making some progress ;).....

Sugar Mama !

Gaby finally got her paycheck from the Tree of Life movie shoot today!! My little sweetie also got her first taste of paying the piper- Uncle Sam. After taxes, it was a little bit more than $46. Byron plans on matching it and insists on putting it in her college fund. I wanted to buy her a tiara or a new pair of shoes or something more fun than that! But of course, my hubby always has to do the smart, practical thing. Boring!! Gaby says: Yippee!! Look at me go :)

Happy Mother's Day to Me....And to You :)

I had a pretty low key (but much appreciated) relaxed Mother's Day. Byron had to work this morning, so Gaby and I hung around the house and enjoyed the amazing weather outside. (The last couple of days it has be sweltering here and today we had such a welcome break from the 90+ degree heat) My little princess and her daddy wrote me two very sweet cards and sent me the most beautiful flowers....
Tonight we went to my favorite restaurant in Austin- The Hula Hut! The Hula Hut is this great mexican restaurant with an awesome outdoor deck on Lake Austin. I had a yummy Mother's Day dinner
and enjoyed this gorgeous spring weather with my two favorite people in the whole world.

On my second Mother's Day, I reflect back on this last year of motherhood and am just in awe of how much Gaby has grown and changed already. Even though she seems more like a little girl now, she will ALWAYS be my sweet baby. I am so excited about all that she has learned in such a short time and just adore the personality she is developing. Gaby is a smart, strong willed, funny, outgoing, independent, gorgeous little girl. I am honored to be her mommy and look forward to the many adventures we have ahead of us. I love you, baby girl :)

Growing up too fast...

Our little sweetie is growing up sooo fast!! I know it's a cliche but it's so true. Let me tell you why... One thing we've always done since Gaby was sleeping by herself in her crib from 5 months of age is to rock her to sleep in our arms and then place her in her bed peacefully sleeping. We have the cushiest, most comfortable chair in Gaby's room and we would give her her bottle there and then just have quiet time with her as she dozed off. I know that we should of stopped that long ago but we really just didn't want to. We didn't mind the 10 or 15 minutes it would take until she fell asleep. It is the sweetest time of the day:) Byron and I never even discussed when we should stop. We just figured we would know when the time was right. Well, can you believe that Gaby has decided that she doesn't want us to rock her to sleep anymore??? That's right!! When we were in Florida and since we've been back she just makes sure she has her paci and Mr. Bunny and then points to her crib as if to say- Just put me in there, please, I'm ready to go to sleep. What a big girl:) She is just the cutest most adorable baby, er, I mean kid ever! Byron and I were pretty sad last night when we realized that that stage of our lives with Gaby is over. Boo!

The Holt/Tramonte/Salazar/Griffin Family Vacation

We FINALLY went on a vacation!!!
It's been way too long since we had sand between our toes.

This past week we went on our first annual Holt/Tramonte family vacation. We took the girls to Anna Maria Island, Florida. The whole gang went- Mimi & Papa, Aunt Can, Uncle Stevie & Mia and us. We had amazing weather and had a blast taking the girls to the beach and swimming in the ocean and the pool.

The girls LOVED playing in the sand!! They thought the ocean was the neatest thing ever and weren't even afraid one bit to run into it!

That gang left us after four days and then Pita came to enjoy some fun in the sun with her "Gabrielita". Gaby and Pita loved going out early in the morning to collect seashells and splash in the waves.

We were also joined by the Griffins- Laurel, Josh, Cole & Brady.
They have family on the island and were the ones to introduce us to such a beautiful, peaceful place (Laurel and Josh were married there!) It was so great to hang out and see them again! It was our first time meeting little Brady. Cole and Gaby were sooo cute together! Gaby was always trying to hug and kiss that handsome boy- what a flirt:)!

My best sunset picture....

Now we are back to the real world and rejuvenated from an amazing, relaxing week at the beach. Vacations are wonderful inventions:)