Why isn't Easter my favorite holiday?!

When I think back on all the great holidays, I definitely think that Easter should fall much higher on my list.  I mean, think about it...the weather is perfect, there is a little bit of gift giving, lots of candy, and an egg-stra special reason to celebrate (He is Risen!). 

And this Easter was another one for the record books as it was amazing! And this year, we had another special reason to celebrate the day as it was our son's first Easter. 

I have thanked God everyday since our son was born for Him giving us our very own son, along with giving us His only son.

Our egg-star special day started with morning cuddles in bed and opening Easter baskets. Jillian and Alex both got their own baskets and one combined basket with toys for both to share. 

After baskets, my special little chef put on her cooking gear to help me make French toast for the family. But our little bunny boy didn't make it through breakfast as he was still battling his ear infections, and so we opted to miss church and put him down for a long morning nap.

After nap, we got ready and headed out to lunch. Isn't my husband so handsome with his little mini me, Alex?!

Actually, this handsome man gave me 2 beautiful little bunny babies! Thanks, babe!

We took an afternoon walk and came back to cascarones in our yard! Jillian was eager to put on her running shoes to run around and put the eggs in the basket. Bubsy helped too!

This year, Jillian was super excited to crack the cascarones on her baby brother's head. We told her she had to be gentle so she would crack them in her hand and then sprinkle it on his head.

He was so fascinated by the confetti and he cracked a few eggs in his hands just to see the stuff fall out.

We ended the night by grilling out and enjoying the rest of our perfect Easter Sunday. 

I think it's official. Easter is my new favorite holiday!

Breakfast with the Easter Bunny!

Happy Easter, everyone!

We went to breakfast with the Easter Bunny a few weekends ago to get in the Easter spirit.  

Daddy was with us, but had to go to work before we took this photo

It was a fundraiser put on by some dear friends and we were all so happy to hop on over to enjoy this great time.  I think we had the cutest little bunny and chick along to celebrate!

A Cute Bunny with her Handsome Daddy

 Jillian had a great time, fishing for Easter eggs...

...and decorating bunny ears...

...that her little brother wore...

...while she decorated something egg-stra special!

It was just the fun we needed to prep for the Easter fun that was in store for us on Easter Sunday!

Adorable Alex: First Baby Tooth!

As I was feeding Alex the other day, I thought I saw something different in his mouth...

So I took a closer look...

And there it was...Alex's first baby tooth is coming in!  He turned 8 months on Saturday and I wrote that I thought he might be teething.  But of course, with Jillian, I thought that a million times and she did not get a tooth until she was close to 11 months old.  So while I thought he might be teething, I also thought it would be a few months till it actually came in.  

But, lo and behold, he got his first tooth in at the age of 8 months and 1 day!  He has been a little fussy, but along with teething, he also has a double ear infection and pink eye.  If I had all that going on, I would be fussy too!  

At least he's still adorable as ever!

Happy 8 Months, Alex!

Happy 8 Months, Baby Alex!  And my, oh my, how time is flying by!  

So what has this busy boy been up to the past month?  Well, he is a wiggly worm who is on the verge of crawling, that's for sure!  When I put Alex down and come back to check on him, he always seems to have moved about 2 feet away by either rolling or squirming his way from one spot to another.  He pushes up on all fours and Julian saw him rocking back and forth the other day.  So it is definitely time to baby proof the house because he's about to be on the move!  

And he is growing bigger and bigger by the day.  Alex is well over 19 lbs. now and he is well into 9 month clothes.  I have even started putting him in 12 month clothes (and then my heart broke a little because that means that he is almost 1!).  

Look how big he's gotten compared to his elephant!

Bubsy loves to laugh and it is so fun to hear him chuckling.  He laughs when Mommy pretends to get him, and of course, whenever Daddy tickles him.  But these days, Jilly Bear makes him laugh the most by playing peek-a-boo with him.  He thinks she is so funny!  Watching their relationship develop warms my heart in ways I can't even describe!

Laughing baby

This past month, after we got back from El Paso, it was finally time for Bubs to sleep in his bed.  He had been waking up 1-3 times at night still, but Julian and I thought it might be from us going in and out of our room.  And sure enough, once we moved him to his room, he stopped waking up as much. Alex goes to sleep by himself at around 8 PM, sometimes he wakes up to eat again at 11 PM, but most times, he is now sleeping till 6-7 AM.  And a sleeping baby makes for a very happy Mommy!

I included this picture because it made me realize how long his hair is getting in the back!

Still no teeth for this boy (though I'm not that surprised because Jillian was 10 months old when she first got hers).  But maybe one is coming sooner for him because he is a drooly baby and he is gumming EVERYTHING he can get his hands on.

Trying to eat his elephant's foot

If there is one thing that Alex is serious about, it is his food.  He loves to eat and he may or may not get a little bit mad if his dinner is running late or if you are taking too long to spoon the next bite in or if his food finishes and he is still hungry.  We continue to explore different foods with him, and he pretty much loves anything.  The only things he has not liked were sweet potatoes (though only by themselves, he will eat it mixed with something) and vanilla yogurt.  

Sweet boy, you make our lives even more complete.  I can't believe we are 2/3 of the way through your first year. We love you so much Bubsy boy!

"See you next month, everybody!"

A Great Day at the Ball Park!

In the lives of the Acostas, today is a special day because it is Opening Day for baseball season.  This morning, Julian was telling Alex that it's the most wonderful time of the year as the Yankees start their 2014 season.  And my heart melted a little bit as I thought of this little guy getting to be his Daddy's lil baseball fan... 

Baseball season really is a special time of year.  Last week, we decided to go to an Aggies baseball game.  It was our first time ever, but it was so fun to go watch a game live.  After all, how are we ever going to raise these kids right if we don't introduce them to sports at an early age?!

So off we went to Olsen Field at Blue Bell Park, home of the Fightin' Texas Aggie Baseball Team.  After some expert advice, we decided to buy lawn seats and take a blanket to sit on.  

It was a gorgeous day for a ball game!  The weather was just right and the whole family was in great spirits.

As luck would have it, the Aggies happened to be playing Julian's alma mater, Sam Houston.  So we got to be rivals again (ok, not really, we were just glad to be at the game so no trash talking happened.)  

The great thing about Blue Bell Park is that they have a playground and this little cutie was more than happy to run around, eating kettle corn, and pretending to play baseball.  Doesn't she make a cute outfielder?!

 

We stayed until the bottom of the 7th inning.  Unfortunately, time ran out for the Aggies and they lost to Sam Houston.  But it didn't change the amazing time that we had at the olllllllllld baaaalllllllll gaaaaaaaaaaaaaaame! 

Happy 7 Months, Alex!

Sonny boy, Sonny boy, Sonny boy...you are the light to my day with your big smiles and happy baby talk!  It is so fun to watch you discover the world and realize how you are the center of our universe!  

 Alex turned 7 months today.  7 months is a fun age.  His little personality is starting to come out.  And he's not quite crawling and getting into stuff yet.  See what I mean...such a fun age!

Here are the some of the fun things that our little man has been up to this past month.  Alex has been eating a variety of baby foods.  And he really does seem to enjoy eating and generally likes whatever we feed him. So far, he seems to really like carrots, squash, and apple blends.  And he loves his baby cereal too.  He is a good, solid eater.  And now Mommy just has to maintain the supply for his demand!

Alex is a sturdy boy.  He can pull himself to a standing position already and stay standing while holding onto stuff.  He pushes up on his arms while laying on his tummy, but doesn't really seem to show signs of crawling.  Though if you give him something to push off of, he can scootch towards something he wants (mostly stuff he can't have).  Maybe he'll go straight to walking, like his Daddy.

"Elephant, I got your nose"

Speaking of Daddy, that is still Bubs' favorite person.  That boy loves his Daddy!  Bubs saves his brightest smiles and biggest laughs for his Dad!

Daddy may be tops, but I still think Mama will be his first word.  He says Mama all the time.  I wonder when it actually counts or when he will actually make the association that I am his Mama.  Even if he doesn't quite get it right now, I still love that little sound coming out of his mouth.  I waited my whole life to hear him say it...

Isn't he the cutest?!

Alex also learned a new trick.  He likes to turn lights on and off.  And he gets so excited when we cheer him on.  He still loves his jumper and he loves all the toys he gets to play with these days.  

"Hey Mom, look at this sign.  It says I am 7 months old!"

"Here, let me show you this"

"Uh oh, it fell down.  I didn't do it."

 He is a lot more interested in Jillian these days too.  When he's sitting in his highchair or jumper, he just watches her run around and he follows her with his head.  He'll sit waiting for her to come hug him or kiss him or dance with him.  It melts my heart and I cannot wait to watch their little relationship continue to develop.

"Did you see Jilly run by, Mommy?!"

This boy is getting bigger by the minute. He is getting close to 19 pounds already and he is starting to outgrow some of his 6 month clothes.  And his little chipmunk cheeks keep getting fuller and fatter and more kissable everyday!

We love you, son...more than words can ever express!