"A You're Adorable" Dance Recital

Gaby's dance recital was this weekend. Gaby and her ballet friends are very close so they were pretty excited to put on another show. This year there was lots of dancing, lots of singing and not too much shyness! They did so awesome! I was backstage mom this year so I got to hang out with the girls in the back.

Here are a few pics... Backstage... "A you're Adorable, B you're so beautiful, C you're a cutie full of charm..." The "Ballet Girls"- (they combined two classes so I don't know the first three) Gaby, Charlotte, Zoe, Hampton, Maddie, Sloan & Reese. Aren't they just "adorable"??

Graduation?

At Gaby's little Spanish immersion preschool, Jardin de Ninos, she has somehow always been in class with kids that are a year older than her. She basically just keep moving up with her classmates regardless of being the youngest. And so as this year concludes we came to the realization that the next step at this school is for her to attend the Kindergarten class next year.

When I realized that, I struggled with it for a few reasons:
1. I'm not really ready for my little baby to be going to Kindergarten
2. I'm not sure if I want her to go to school 5 days a week
3. It's pretty darn expensive.

So Byron and I thought about all the pros and cons about her going to Kindergarten a year early and came to the decision that if the school thinks she's ready then we shouldn't hold her back and we love that fact that she will be immersed in Spanish for one more year. So we registered her for Jardin's Kindergarten for next fall and then the following year she will go to her public school Kindergarten and hopefully not be too bored. Our thoughts were that although academically she will know the subject matter she will still have alot to adjust to- a new, much bigger school, the language difference, and all new classmates and teachers. We hope that we have made the right decision for her.

So yesterday was her preschool graduation! So cute!

Here are a few of the shots...

Her best bud, Chloe...

Gaby's teachers, Ms. Monica & Ms. Alejandra...

Congrats Grad!!!

Full of Love

We are full of love around here! It's so great! Gaby is constantly telling us how much she loves us and we are eating it up. I thought I would document it because I'm sure it will only be a few short years before she decides that she hates us and we are the most uncool, mean parents for some crazed, hormonal teenage reason. But for now, we will bask in the glory of our sweet little girl always telling us how special we are and that she looooooves us the most :) I wonder if she's buttering us up because she knows someone is about to take her spotlight a little bit? Anyway, here are a few of the warm and fuzzy things we get to hear around here:

"I love you to the moon and back!"
"I love you to the North Pole!"
"I love you all the way to God! (she knows God is past the sky and stars)
"I love you the mostest!'
"You are the beeeest!"
"I love you all the day!"
"You are my sweet Mama/Daddy!"

We truly have the sweetest little girl in the whole world! Nothing makes you feel better than hearing things like that! We are so blessed :)

A Dental Lesson for All: Irony at it's best!!

Remember when I wrote about "A Dentist's Worst Nightmare"? Well, to my surprise there is actually something more sad than that to worry about. This story is so completely ironic I don't even know where to start. How about the beginning??....so how ever many months ago, I told ya'll about how Gaby had chipped her front tooth and luckily I was able to add some bonding to make it look back to normal right? Unfortunate but very fixable and actually not so big of a deal. Well, we were going along enjoying our life when right before Easter we discovered that Gaby's little tooth that she fractured had an abcess!! (That means, that the tooth was "dying" and had formed an infection around the root.) Now this was very sad to me because there is really only one solution for this- extraction. But being as I know the best dentists in town, I begged my good friend, Brad (a pediatric dentist) to try some hero-odontics and attempt to do a baby root canal on her tooth just to buy us some more time with the tooth. Afterall, my sweetie is only 4 yrs old and not expected to start losing teeth for another TWO years!! I just couldn't accept that reality just yet. Luckily, Brad agreed, we put her on some antibiotics and scheduled her for the procedure. The abcess was clearing and we were days from our appointment when the most unbelievable thing happened.....my sweet daughter came into our room one night, bloodied and crying uncontrollably!! What on earth had happened to her? Well, for the first time in her ENTIRE life, she had somehow fallen off of her bed!!! And as I'm wiping the blood from her cheek and nose and noticing that there are no cuts or damage to her face it dawns on me that there is only one place for that much blood to come from.....as I lift her lip......to my horror she had somehow landed smack dab on nothing else but that d^#m tooth! Is that not the most IRONIC thing ever?? The tooth was bloodied and bruised and loose. My heart just sank because I knew the inevitable was going to happen and truly a dentist's worst nightmare was coming true. So the next morning we headed to see Dr. Brad who took an xray and confirmed the fact that the poor tooth was a goner. I did weep a little for the tooth but had to remind myself that there are soooo many worse things that could have happened to my sweetie and I am very lucky that she is a healthy, happy little girl. Soooo, two days later under some sedation, a very cooperative big girl saw Dr. Brad and had her tooth extracted. She did so extremely amazing! She was the perfect patient! We are very proud of her! The next morning when Gaby discovered the $5 the tooth fairy left her she was as happy as could be and actually thinks it's very cool to have a missing tooth. Me? I don't think it's so cool but truthfully?? her little toothless smile is growing on me and she is still as cute as a button!! Sadly, it does make her look alot older than she is, doesn't it? Like a crazed pageant/dentist mom, I have sent out for a replacement tooth (a tiny, child partial denture) just in case we ever want her to throw it in for a picture or something. We'll see if she actually wears it!

So that's my sad story. Truly unbelievable, don't you think??

Mother's Day

A Mother's Day spent with my beautiful mom and adorable daughter is a perfect Mother's Day in my book!! I love them both with all my heart :)

Thanks, Tramontes!

We just got back from 5 glorious days in Seagrove/Seaside, Florida!! It was our first time there and what a beautiful beach and town. Powder sand beaches and clear blue water!! It's really important in life to know people with connections and we are lucky enough to be related to some of those people. My wonderful sister and brother in law, Candie and Steven, have purchased a rental home in Florida! So last month they asked us to join them for a few days at the beach and you know me, when it comes to vacations on the beach- I am there!!! Unfortunately, Byron's schedule is not as flexible as mine so the poor guy had to stay home and work but Gaby and I rearranged some things and were on the first plane out so as to not miss out on this great opportunity! The beach house, Bananarama, is so lovely and has every amenity one could need while on vacation. We enjoyed some quality time with Mimi, Papa and the Tramonte clan while soaking up some sun and picture perfect spring weather in Florida. We loved it!! We can't wait to go back! If you like what you see you can also stay at Bananarama (just click on the name to be taken to it's website) Shameless plug ;)

Disney on Ice

The princesses were coming to town and there was no way we were going to miss them! So we surprised Gaby with every four year olds dream, a fanciful visit to Disney on Ice- Princess Wishes! And really, they did not disappoint! It was a great show and our little princess was in heaven :)

Easter 2011

Gaby and I went to Houston for Easter this year, since poor Daddy had to work (Booo!!). We enjoyed a laid back Easter with my family. On Saturday, we attended the Easter egg hunt at my parents country club which was alot of fun! Gaby enjoyed every little second of it :) Real bunnies!!! Bubble fun!! Not much of a "hunt", if you ask me ;-) The goods!! A little face painting, anyone??

Hey look!! The first belly shot!!! 22 wks prego :)

MS150

Today, Byron accomplished a goal he set out for at the beginning of the year. He decided that he would do the MS150 bike race from Houston to Austin. He has been training for it and was successful in completeing the race with a time he was very happy with. This was our first race experience and we were so very proud of him! Gaby made her Daddy some beautiful posters and we very excited to see him cross the finish line! Byron did the race with his friend, Steve... Go, Daddy, Go!!!

Photo Op

Pito and Pita came to visit for the weekend. We had lunch out at one of my favorite restaurants in Austin- the Iguana Grill. It has the best views of Lake Travis!!

Guess who took this photo??

The Easter Bunny!!!

New Swim School

This April Gaby starting taking swim lessons at a new school to start focusing on her strokes and form. We absolutely loooved Emler but feel like she had learned all she could there. She is now at the West Austin Swim Association in a Guppy Class. She is learning to swim the length of a real pool, side breaths, diving, pushing off the wall, freestyle and backstroke. And let me tell you, she is still so very happy to be in the water and swim. She just has such a blast and really enjoys herself. We are considering doing a swim team this summer but might wait one more year. I don't want to push her too hard (plus mommy might not be ready for every Sat morning swim meets!).

Practicing kicks...

She looks so little in that big pool...
An awesome side breath!!!
Yipee!!
I love my new swim school!!!

2nd Child Syndrome (Already!!)

Today I am 20 wks pregnant! Halfway there! Sadly, I just noticed that I have barely blogged or written down anything about this pregnancy. I haven't even taken any belly pictures. It has just flown by in the flurry of my everyday life. Now I totally get "Second Child Syndrome". Poor kiddo.

I haven't even blogged yet that we are having another girl! We are all very excited! Gaby knew she was having a little sister. I'm pumped because I don't have to give away any of Gaby's old clothes! It's all so cute and barely worn.

So what I can say about the first trimester is that although I did not have any morning sickness (Thank God!!) I still had to suffer through Cedar Fever with no allergy medication and it was pretty awful! Apparently, I have to suffer one way or another for my babies.

Second trimester has been great! Feeling good, less tired, healthy glow etc. Love it! One thing that has been a little odd this time and of which I'm secretly proud of is that up to this point, I haven't gained any weight! Isn't that crazy? I feel like I'm eating normal amounts although sometimes I do get full fast. I'm not necessarily trying to eat super healthy or anything but I've noticed that this little one gives me salad cravings all the time! I'm crazy for Olive Garden soup & salad- yum!!!

The bump is there and growing. And in the last couple of weeks I have defintely felt little kicks and karate chops. Our little sweetie is strong and active! As far as names go....no luck there. We cannot agree on ANYTHING! Last time it seemed so easy because I had already envisioned my little girl named Gabriella. This time, the couple of names I thought I really liked have lost their luster. So we'll keep thinking (and arguing) over names until we come up with something good.

Gaby is all over being a big sister! She can't wait to help me with the baby. She says she wants to change diapers and help feed her and hold her etc. We will see how long that lasts once the baby gets here. She has become so loving and sweet towards the bump and always remembers to kiss it goodnight. I can't wait until the kicks are strong enough for her to feel them! Speaking of, Byron got to feel one the other day. It was just as exciting as last time :)

So I guess that's a pretty good pregnancy update. I feel better now. Baby Girl #2 will get her blog-time. Can't wait until the big ultrasound in a couple of weeks!