Too Cute Babies

When Words Are Not Enough

Fun in The Sun

The pools opened yesterday, and we were ready to hop in. Charlie and I got in our suits, blew up Christopher's swimming ring, and slathered him with sunscreen. Then Daddy put Christopher into the stroller and they headed to the near by pool. Meanwhile his grandma and I got in the car and drove to meet them.

When we got there, Christopher was happy watching all the kids in the pool play.

As we first entered the water, Christopher was very nervous.
He felt more comfortable after awhile,
but still refused to release his grip on either one of us.

He began to loosen his grip a little bit and
enjoyed watching mama splash daddy.
He also had lots of fun playing with his ball.

When we tried to put him in the ring he became very upset.

After all the fun in the pool he was completly exhausted and took a nice long nap.

Chicken Dance!

Christopher's Growing

Mother's Day

This year I celebrated my first Mother's Day. I was very excited about it. I decided to share this day with other mothers, so I had a small party. We had chips and veggies to start, then egg salad, tuna salad, and ham sandwiches for lunch. I also made cupcakes and bags of assorted chocolates for all the moms to take home. We had lot's of fun talking about being moms and all the silly things our children do. It was lots of fun, and I can't wait to do it again!

Christopher was all dressed up for Mother's Day.

He wore a onesie that said "MY MOM ROCKS"

(As soon as Baby Bea got to our house she HAD to play with all of Christopher's toys)

(Bea and Christopher are ready to go where ever the toys roll to)

(Baby Bea enjoying a cupcake her Grandma Millie is giving her)

Eczema

Christopher was diagnosed with eczema when he was six months old. Although he does have break outs all over his body, he gets them REALLY bad on his face. It does itch and cause him discomfort. However, with the help of his doctors, we are managing it.

It isn't likely that it will go away anytime soon, so we just have to try and deal with it the best we can. This is why in many photos his poor face is so red.

Christopher Crusin'

Christopher has had lots of fun visiting many great places. He's gone to Los Lunas to visit his aunts and many cousins. He always has lots of fun there,
except of course when Bea attacks him.

(Great Aunts Elva and Elsa)

He's been to Chuck E. Cheese several times. He loves to look around at all the people, but his favorite part is all the lights and sounds from the games.

(Here we have a photo of some of the grandamas we have in our family and their grand kids: Great Aunt Millie with Baby Bea, Grandma Elena with Christopher, Great Aunt Elsa with Martín, Great Aunt Elvira and Vicent)

Christopher has also gone to
the Albuquerque Aquarium.
He was really excited to see all the fish.

We try to take Christopher to the park as often as we can.
Sliding and playing with the pretend car are some of his favorite things to do. Christopher also enjoys going to stores, as long as he can see all the different people and we don't stop for too long.

A Very Sick Baby

Our poor baby caught a gastrointestinal illness and was very sick.

We went to the doctor every day for a week. Christopher had lost 2 pounds and was extremely dehydrated. He had to receive fluids through an IV.

My heart was breaking as they stuck him. He was sooooo sad. Then he got very angry because he couldn't use his hand or arm. He received 5 and 1/2 bags of fluids over the next three days. The doctors even left the IV in his hand for the three days, so he had to figure out how to crawl with the board on his hand.

We felt horrible because he was sick and sad and he didn't know why.

We were so relieved when he had the IV removed.

Christopher's First Holidays Continued Again

With so many holidays to celebrate, it can be hard to keep track of them.

New Years
Christopher got dressed up for New Years.
He tried to stay up 'till midnight.....but just couldn't make it.

Valentines Day
Valentines Day was lots of fun.

Christopher made sure to show everyone
how much he loves them.

St. Patrick's Day

For St. Patrick's Day, Christopher went to a retirement party.
He had lots of fun showing off his cool outfit.

Easter

Easter was full of fun.
We ate breakfast at Furrs with Grandma Mary
and those Valencias again.
Christopher got a cool easter basket from his grandma.

(Grandma Elena and Grandma Mary admiring
their adorable grand baby)

Then we headed out to good ol' Los Lunas.
We went to Aunt Millie's house and had lots of good food,
(home made is always better!).
There was an egg hunt and Christopher got
another basket from Aunt Elsa.
He also got a THIRD basket from us.
We thought it was Christmas all over again!

(Baby Bea says hello to cousin Christopher)


(Cousin Manny holding Baby Bea)

Christopher's First Holidays Continued

Christmas

Christmas was sooo much fun. We got to spend time with family and friends we hadn't seen in a long time. We also had the chance to begin to introduce many traditions to Christopher. We were very excited and might have gone a little overboard with the presents....but hey it was Christopher's first Christmas.

In order to get ready for the holiday we, of course,
paid a visit to Santa,

As well as had our traditional tamale making party at Elsa's.

(Millie, Grandma Elena, Elva)


(Baby Bea holding a deep convo with cousin Christopher)

We spent Christmas Eve at Christopher's Great Granny's.
There was lots of good food.

(Grandma Mary, Great Granny, Aunt Kathy)

Christmas morning we headed over to Grandma Mary's,
where we had more good food and Christopher got some cool gifts.

(Uncle Billy helping Christopher examine his toy)

Then Christmas evening was back at home.
Christopher saw more family and had even more good food.


(Grandma Elena holding Christopher while Bella helps open his presents. Bella's sister Chantall in background, Rudy's son Isaac in foreground.)

By the end of the day, he was exhausted. Poor baby!!

Christopher's First Holidays

Among all the wonderful firsts we get to experience with our son, the first holidays are some of the most fun. They are a time for us to share the feelings and memories with our friends and family.

Halloween

For Christopher's first Halloween,
he was dressed up as a skeleton.
We went "Trick or Treating" with lots of family,
so Christopher had lots of friends
to "Trick or Treat" with.
The poor baby fell asleep as we left one house
and approached another!

(Christopher's first piece of Halloween candy.
He did a great job saying "Trick or Treat.")

(What a great looking group of people.
Bottom left: Billy and Vivian's Martín, Lee's Martín,
Billy and Vivian's Destiny,
Top left: daddy holding sleepy Christopher,
Peewee, Peewee's girlfriend Jhayd)

(Check out the loot.
Christopher made a killing.)

Thanksgiving

For Thanksgiving we met Grandma Mary and some other Valencias at Furrs.
That was a very yummy meal.

(Christopher's cousin, Brisa, is so excited to hold him.)


We then headed to Los Lunas to spend
some time with the Aguirres.
The food was better there, (all home made, of course).

(This one of many assaults Baby Bea will inflict,
Christopher will have to get use to Baby Bea attacking him.)

(Baby Bea and her mom, and Christopher and his mighty proud Grandma)

The Start of Our Journey

Our duo became a trio when Christopher Paul Valencia was born on July 2, 2007. He entered our world at 12:04 a.m., weighing in at 7 pounds 15 ounces, and was 19 and 1/2 inches long. We were soooo happy to finally know what he looked like and to be able to hold him in our arms. Being able to watch him grow has been such a wonderful gift. We can't wait to see what he does next.

Christopher's Grandma Mary threw a
baby shower for me.
We played lots of great games.
Everyone had so much fun.

(Charlie's Aunt Kathy, Elena's Friend Lowell far center,
Iris' mom Elena)

Christopher and I got many cool gifts.
This Mickey Mouse bed set was one of my favorites.

(Charlie far left, Iris' Aunt Millie left center)



After a VERY long labor, I hold on to my Christopher as we both take a well deserved nap.



After 4 days in the hospital, it was finally time to go home. Christopher was relieved to get out of there.



Christopher relaxing at home
as he shows off his cool 'do'.
What a happy baby.