Night at the Boo-seaum

Happy Halloween!

I know, I know. It's a little late! But really, is it ever too late to see a cute kid in their costume?

Having fun with Mommy at Night at the Boo-seaum.

In case you were wondering, Belen is Sashimi, or Sushi Nigiri. Apparently people in Houma/Thibodaux must not be huge sushi eaters. No one knew what she was supposed to be. Thank God for Uncle Blair or I would be forced to think that I am a failure at costume making (especially after last year's candy corn fiasco). But if Blair "King of Sushi" Stevens got it right away, I feel justified! haha

Below is a picture I used for inspiration while making the costume. Brush up on your Sushi/Sashimi knowledge here.

I hope you enjoyed Halloween as much as we did!

Love,

Dawn

What's Going on Here?!

Belen was painting again the other night. Maybe it is just me, because I watch way too much CSI, but doesn't this look more like a crime scene than an innocent night of painting! Obviously I am not afraid of her making a mess.

Love,

Dawn

Getting Bigger Every Day

So here's the hard truth... Belen is growing up. An obvious truth, I know, but one that is kind of a hard pill to swallow! hahahaha

Looking so mature in her first-ever school picture.

Playing like a little kid in her room.

Chillin' like a villain.

Belen has become a master of the playground. Look, no help!

Love,

Dawn

Happy Fall!

Since the temperature has finally dropped below 85 degrees, it is officially fall in Louisiana! And, as all of you know, I love the fall! October is the absolute best!

Luckily, we have had fall break from school this Monday - Wednesday. I have been having such a great time at home hanging out with my little love. We have been enjoying each other, the beautiful weather, and new experiences.

Belen painted a pumpkin to celebrate! (Thanks for the pumpkin Mrs. Lauren!)

I made pumpkin smelling play dough! Find the recipe at POV's website.

Gavin and Belen playing with the pumpkin play dough.

Play dough is so much fun!

Love,

Dawn

Walking Away

We were finally able to catch Belen on film walking. She hasn't taken off yet, like I expected her to, but she is getting more confident. 17 steps in a row is her current max.

Yesterday Gavin and I were sending her between the two of us, and we kept backing up every time. She is getting good! hahahahaha

Here are some videos. (Don't watch the second one if you get motion sick! We are amature filmographers after all!)

What a big girl!

Love,

Dawn

Artist by Nature

Since she turned 1, we have been introducing Belen to art. Of course she loves this new way to investigate the world. She wants to see the beautiful colors and shapes .... as well as taste and feel them! hahahahaha

Finger painting at home.

A gallery of Belen's work, some from school, some done at home.

I know I am a proud parent, but is it just me (and Gavin), or does this picture look like a 3/4 frontal view of a face?!?! Of course it is a more impressionistic portrait, but amazing none the less! hahahahaha I think we have a budding Picaso on our hands.

This video is a perfect representation of how she wants to see, taste and feel to explore her world through art! hahaha

Love,

Dawn

Perfecting Play

The amount of changes in a baby between birth and their first year is staggering, as any parent knows. This time last year Belen was just eating, sleeping, crying and pooping. Now she is a full fledged little child who plays like there is no tomorrow! She even started walking last week, although we haven't been able to capture it on film just yet. Just take a look at all of the fun she has been having.

Practicing walking on our driveway.

Rocking at Bell's house.

Ready for a driver's license for her Cosy Coop.

Playing where she isn't supposed to be playing.

Playing Peek-A-Boo with Mommy!

Tricking Mommy is so much fun!

Playing in the box for her birthday present from Aunt Julie.

(She does like the tent that came in the box too! hahaha)

Riding on a carousel with Mommy!

I will be posting more pictures again soon.

Love,

Dawn

Happy Birthday Belen!

Our Little Girl turned 1 on September 9, 2010. To celebrate we had a picnic birthday party at Shady Oaks Park in downtown Houma. It was a little warm (which explains why my baby is not wearing clothes in her birthday pictures. How embarrassing!) but the party was lots of fun.

We were all too busy having fun to take pictures, but Colt helped out by taking pictures of her first bites of cake (over 60 pictures!!! Thanks Colt!) These are the funniest pictures anyway!

Belen's first bite of cake.

She's not too sure what to make of it.

In this pic, it looks like she doesn't like the cake too much, but feels obligated to keep eating it since we went through so much trouble to make it. (It is a magnifying glass looking at ants, in case you couldn't tell. Get it? Ants at a picnic? Maybe the concept is a little too abstract for a 1 year old's birthday! hahahaha)

This was the point where she quit eating, and started smearing the cake on herself!

The aftermath.

The birthday party went well, but Gavin and I are just ecstatic that our little girl has made it to 1 year old. She is such a blessing in our lives that we thank God for every second of every day! Thank you to all of you who joined us in celebrating and thanking God for her as well.

Love,

Dawn

Fun with Family

Recently we have been blessed to be able to spend a good amount of time with our families having fun. Here are some pics.

Back in August, Julie and the kids were able to come back to Houma for a visit before everyone had to start school. It was a great trip! We all played together, Julie and I got pedicures, we went shopping, visited the Aquarium of the Americas and the Children's Museum in New Orleans, ate alot and had tons of fun. Praise God that they have moved closer and we get to see them much more often!

Jimmy and Belen chillin' at Sam's. (I love the double grocery carts!)

I guess Julie's suitcase as a comfortable a place to sit as any.

Belen fearlessly touches a stingray at the Aquarium.

Belen keeps her smile despite the ominous-looking situation with the shark.

If this picture doesn't make you smile, your heart is made of stone!

Lauren and Jimmy are the cutest sea creatures around!

To celebrate Ashton's 6th birthday, Gavin, Belen, Blair, Heidi, Ashton and I spent the day at the Audubon Insectarium. It was awesome! I know I sound like a big kid, but I had the best time! We all did. If only we had a picture to document the fact that I actually ate crickets and meal worms!

Ashton and Belen are riding in a VW Love Bug.

Taking a closer look at mudbugs with Aunt Heidi.

Posing in the Japanese Butterfly Garden.

Ashton made a friend!

We are so happy to have good family and to be able to see them pretty often. We love you guys and hope you enjoy the pics!

Love,

Dawn

Happy Orange Day!

Our happy orange family!

This was completely unintentional, by the way. I didn't even realize it until Gavin got home and I said, "Look how cute! You and Belen match." and he said, "We all match!"

On a more serious note, our little girl is 11 months old today! Hooray!

Love,

Dawn

A Message for Maw Maw and Paw Paw

Belen has learned how to blow kisses!

Love,

Dawn

Happy Birthday (Just a Little Early!)

Gavin and I are worse than kids!

Last week I bought one of Belen's birthday presents early because it was on sale. We could not wait to give it to her! Her birthday is just over a month away, but we had to give it to her now!

The good news is, she loves it! She is getting proficient at creeping along on the furniture, so we thought it was the perfect time to get her a walk-along. Lucky for us, it converts to a ride-along, so we won't have wasted our money if she starts walking on her own next week!

I thought MawMaw and PawPaw would appreciate video of their little girl walking so well, so here it is.

We love you all!

Love,

Dawn

Thank you Babygarten!

Belen has found a new favorite pastime .... reading!

She loves to go in her room and pull every book that she can reach off of the bookshelf. Then she looks through them to find her favorites. "Where is Baby's Bellybutton?" is currently on top of the list.

Our little reader!

Love,

Dawn

Skin Issues

1 trip to the pediatrician. $90.00

2 tubes of Nistatin cream for rash. $8.00

1 bottle of Aveeno advanced care body wash. $6.00

1 bottle of Cutivate lotion prescribed by the dermatologist....

Practically priceless

or $384.00 (!!!!!!!) but who's counting.

At least the Cutivate worked and after about a month and a half the rash on Belen's neck is finally going away. I guess I will just lock the bottle in our safe until the next rash!

Love,

Dawn

Daddy's Girl

Belen and I have a favorite time of the day: When Daddy gets home! We always wait expectantly as soon as 5:00 comes for Gavin's car to pull in the driveway. Belen's biggest smile of the day is when the door opens and he comes inside. What can we say, we love Daddy!

Her shirt may say "I love my mom," but it is no secret that Belen is her Daddy's girl!

Daddy gets "stuck" following Belen through the door!

Gavin didn't want Belen to be the only cow at Chick-Fil-A's

Dress Like a Cow day! Luckily there were lots of cows running

around. But Belen was the only calf that we saw!

Love,

Dawn

New (To Her) Toys

We are so blessed to have family and friends that think of us when their kids outgrow toys! Aunt Julie and Uncle Jeremy passed on a few of Lauren and Jimmy's toys when we were visiting them, and Ken Levett, Belen's Chappy, gave her an outdoor playset his grandkids have outgrown. Belen loves them all! New toys are so fun!

We were able to fit the house toy inside.

Belen loves to play with it while I am fixing meals

(or cleaning after them. hahaha)

She is finally big enough to play outside on her playset!

It is our favorite thing to do in the afternoon when it is a tiny bit less sweltering.

Thanks again for the great toys!

Love,

Dawn