The Genius

(Both builder and machine are circa 1970s)

Maybe he wasn't a straight A student when he was in school, but as far as I'm concerned, my brother is one of the smartest people I know. When it comes to mechanics, there's nothing he doesn't understand. I'm the one with the college degree and wouldn't know where to start! And musically, well, we're not even going to go there!

The Genius aka My Brother just finished restoring his SECOND vintage Vespa. It's awesome. Gunmetal Gray. I'm waiting for my ride. See pic above :)

Keeping busy...

Lola kept herself "occupied" for a few minutes this morning while Mommy plucked her eyebrows :)

Lola's (First) 1st Birthday Party

On Saturday afternoon, our family gather together to celebrate Lola's 1st Birthday. Renee, Mom and Cousin Traci really out did themselves with this celebration for baby girl! The cupcake invitations Traci made really set the "sweet" theme of the party and Renee didn't disappoint with her amazing creations of "pink" velvet cupcakes and a beautifully decorated cupcake cake!

She was showered with love and generous gifts from everyone. I can't tell you what it meant to us to be able to celebrate her first year with them all because, even though they're far away and we don't see them everyday, they have been a huge part of her life.

Here are just a few pics of one of the best days of her first year. CLICK HERE to see the rest.

FLying the Friendly Skies

We left Florida this morning after an awesome two-week stay with our family. We love being with them so much. No matter what we're doing, we're always having a good time together. I love that. That's what makes family so special.

We flew Southwest Airlines home, and while some compare it to a cattle call (because it kind of is), we had an awesome travel experience from start to finish. Curbside check-in was a breeze and security wasn't bad. Boarding was easy and when we got on the plane, we realized we were flying a brand-spanking-new 747. It had that "new plane" smell and was even "born" on June 7, 2009 :)

The flight attendants were great and very helpful. Of course, they were taken by Lola's cuteness and flirty personality, as were many of the other passengers sitting near us. I think they liked her a little bit extra when she fell asleep, right as we were taking off. Before she fell asleep, she was showing the flight attendants that she was "ONE" year old by holding up her index finger (If you ask her "How old is Lola?", that's what she'll do.) 

Lola woke up 15 minutes before we landed. Angel! And as we taxied into the gate, the flight attendant came on and said:

"We'd like to give a special shout-out to Lola who is turning ONE." And then the whole plane started clapping for her! 

You don't often have perfect travel experiences, so you have to be really thankfully for them when you have them!

Fun In A Box

Look at me...I CAN WALK!

"I think it's these pretty new shoes that are carrying me so well!"

"I can walk myself all the way into trouble--like how I'm trying to pick flowers off Grandma's house decorations!"

The day after her 11 month update, I blogged that Lola took a few steps to me and then a few steps to John. And every day since then, our "baby" has walked her way right up to "toddler-hood". Just a week shy of her first birthday, Lola can take MANY consistent steps on her own--to the point where she can walk her way from one room to the other without any trouble.

I was hoping she'd be walking by her first birthday, I'll admit. Something about the though of her wobbling around at her party made me giddy with excitement. I'm starting to wonder if our daughter is a mind-reader. There she goes again granting every wish Mommy has ever had. :)

The Springs

This morning, Renee, John & I took Lola to the coolest place in Florida--literally! We visited the Wekiwa Springs State Park about 30 minutes from where Grandma & Grandpa live. As is usual for mid-summer in the Sunshine State, it was already 85 degrees by 9:30 this morning, when we arrived. The natural spring pool is set in a beautiful, lush forest for all to enjoy. The water is as cool and refreshing as you could possibly imagine. If we were anywhere else, the water would be deemed to frigid to enter, but not here! Us adults were a little shocked at the temperature when we first entered, but not Lola. She didn't seem to mind the cold water at all and after about a minute in the clear waters, it was comfortable to us all. Lola couldn't stop dipping her little hand into the water and sucking on her fingers to take drinks!

I didn't bring my camera, but Joe and Traci joined us later in the morning and they snapped some pictures. You can see their pictures HERE.

Hello! Anyone home?

If Lola has a phone in her hand and you say "Hello", she will lift the receiver up to her ear as if she's ready to communicate via Bell's genius invention. Cell phone or house phone, she knows the drill. So the other day, Gigi brought her over her very own vintage-style rotary Fisher Price model. She loves "talking" on it as well as chasing after it while I pull it along with the string.

A Simple & Beautiful Truth

I just stumbled across this in the blog world and I loved it, so I wanted to share.

"There is a center to each home from which all joys must start--it is a mother's heart."

Now, after being a mother myself, I realize there is no vessel that contains as much joy as a mother's heart. What could possibly bring more joy in all the world than to see your child grow?

Dinner is best when served by your GREAT Grandma!

Shopping with Grandma

How cute are these shoes?! They’ll be adorning Lola’s lil feet in a few days. Grandma and Lola did what ladies do best this morning—they went shopping! Mommy tagged along, too :)

We went into two favorite boutiques in Baldwin Park and we found the perfect pair of new shoes for Lola at Lulu Belle. Unfortunately, they didn’t have the right size, so when we got home, we ordered them from See Kai Run. They are made of butter soft leather. Nothing but luxury for Lola. Thank you Grandma! While we were there, we browsed their racks of incredibly unique and stylish (but insanely expensive) threads for baby—I’m still on the hunt for her birthday dress. We had her try on the most adorable tutu skirt EVER, but we couldn’t bring ourselves to pay $100 (!!!!!!!!!!!!!) for it. If money was no object though, she’d already be wearing it!

We stopped in Tiny Toes as well for their story-time. Instead of their usual story-time, they had an impromptu play-date and face painting party going on. Lola jumped right in, and while she didn’t get her face painted or eat one of the complimentary cupcakes, she loved socializing with the other children and above all, playing kitchen! It seemed as though she knew exactly what to do (probably because she’s always hanging out in ours with me.) I thought she was still to young for her own kitchen but now I’m starting to think it will be the perfect Christmas gift for her this year!

These two are ready to do some damage.

Lola making fast friends with Paige.

Lola thinking: "I can make eggs just as good as Daddy makes 'em."

Safe landing!

We left Chicago yesterday morning and headed down to Florida. John had to be down here on business for two weeks, so Lola and I decided to tag along. And since his assignment is in Orlando, we are staying at Grandma & Papa’s house and enjoying a great family vacation!

Lola was a perfect angel traveling and was happy as could be when we arrived and she saw her family she misses and loves so much.

Everyone came over to Mom and Dad’s last night and they had a blast being entertained by Lola’s antics. Within minutes, Lola had destroyed Mom and Dad’s nice, clean house by tearing apart their end table and “re-organizing” their magazines. Of course, they could care less. She loves playing with those magazines.

We had an awesome dinner of (all home-made) bruschetta, chopped salad, slow roasted ribs, grilled Italian sausage and sautéed broccoli w/ garlic. Lola got to naw at several pieces of Italian bread, compliments of Grandma. She loved it!

Enjoy the pics…many more to come!

If you invite us over, I can't promise she won't do the same at your house!

Saying Hi to GIGI!

Our beautiful Gracie

Naked time after her bath...

Pretending Traci's camera is a phone, saying "hello".
Thanks for the Princess Leia get-up Uncle Mikey!

Titi (Renee) and Traci are planning a family birthday party for Lola next week. Tracy made invitations for everyone and gave them to us last night. They're cupcakes! How sweet.

It's 5 o'clock somewhere.