// 18 months: 1.5 years young //

This picture seems to capture your essence: amazing style; loud; non-stop; determined

Age: Ahhh, I have to admit, I have not been looking forward to 18 months! Primarily because it is the official toddler stage. Babyness seems so long ago and yet this baby boy of ours, still is our tiny baby!

Happy big baby boy

our perfection

Stats: Almost 33 inches tall and almost 29 lbs!

Activities: Playing basketball, throw everything that is or resembles a ball, anything with a motor, getting into his car, loves to play pretend (cooking), his blender, going on bike rides, chasing Honey Munster, give loves, identify things he knows (i.e. all his body parts), eat Honey's dog food, loves being outdoors and of course, taking out the trash!

Sunset walk with Honey Munster

Moods: Boy oh boy, is his personality expanding! This little boy is not afraid to voice how he feels. He tends to get frustrated when we do not understand what he wants, when we don't allow him to do what he wants, and when he is overtired/hangry. He runs away from us and either throws himself, or something that is in his hand, as hard as he can. Luckily, he is quick to get rid of these moods and go back to being his "normal" self, which is happy and energetic!

such a DIYer, like mama

Sleep: I seriously wonder when I will finally be able to write that he is sleeping consistently through the night. I think the changes in my work schedule definitely have messed with his sleep patterns- but I still cannot say that he is sleeping through the night. :/

Living the life- and blonde!

New Words: He is repeating everything! His new words are:

-mama (grandma)

-mama (with an accent in Spanish for mommy)

-nonononononono (also in Spanish)

-ayayai (also in Spanish)

-bu-bree (blueberry)

-chheeeeessseee

-Augh with a scrunched up nose and 

-Tash (trash)

-Tash Tuck (trash truck)

-bewwies (strawberries)

-bubewwies (blueberries)

-pacays (pancakes)

-hoffs (horse)

-caws (cars)

*As I'm typing this, I am realizing that you really are repeating anything we say daily. Every day is a plethora of new vocabulary! It's exciting and astonishing to experience such rapid growth and development! We are amazed!

Mamas- get your baby a kiddie pool at the beach! & bring baby powder!

Favorite Foods: Oliver is still loving on all foods! He especially loves his snacks- fruits, crackers, string cheese, bread, broccoli, etc. But he has also started being picky this month. Some days he likes tomatoes, while others he devours them!

Monkeying around at the SD Zoo // where someone also took his favorite hat :(

Nursing: 18 months strong! We have continued to revert from once a day to anytime, since I have had such a flexible work schedule. But I am about to leave him for 48 hours and hope he does well enough to seriously start the weaning process. I have no clue and am not getting too ahead of myself but hope for whatever is best for each and both of us!

Favorite Things: This month he has become obsessed with playing kitchen: he cooks, cleans, and has us taste his pretend creations. 

Playing on the beach

Signature Moves: Oliver started doing burpees! Cutest thing ever! It amazes me how much he picks up from what we do! We really are influential in his life!

chubby baby feet in the sand

Mommy's Proudest Moment: Most definitely when I was talking on the phone and said my favorite four-letter word and he repeated it. Then when he did, I said another four-letter word and he repeated THAT one. Ahhh, yeah. Proud mama (where's the monkey covering its eyes emoji?)!

Daddy's Proudest Moment:  In our daily never ending task of hearing you laugh, Daddy was trying to make you laugh! You were playing catch with each other, when Daddy was threw the ball up and realized you were cracking up when it reached the ceiling. The last time he threw it, it hit our ceiling fan lightly, but with enough force to ricochet to our hanging wine glasses and break one! Daddy still accomplished his goal is making you laugh...Mama will be laughing when you think it's funny to break wine glasses, too....#not

This Month's Highlights:

- you celebrated your second 4th of July!

Mama themes your holidays to the max!

- you were the star for a local business' commercial! I mean, really?! We are starting you a tiny college fund this month :)

-we went on our second annual family vacation in San Diego. We rented a condo on the beach and you had the absolute best time. Such a natural water baby! You even got to touch a shark and went out to look for it every day that we were there. We definitely need to relocate near the ocean, just for you! Lots of beach time, family time, bike rides, stroller runs, beach park adventures, work outs, good food, sun, r & r!

west coast, best coast

-You got so sick, baby. A viral throat infection. With mouth sores and a high fever. You wanted to eat but it hurt your little mouth so much. You would walk me to the fridge and ask for food but when you would take the first bite, you would gently place your hand near (but not on) your mouth and whimper, "nononononono!" Seriously, one of the saddest experiences! It took 4-5 days for you to recover completely. Thank God you did! Such a trooper, as always!

One year ago

// 16 months //

Age: Sixteen months! The month of your soaring independence!
Stats: Thinking still close to 27 lbs and 33 inches (97th and 98th percentile- the size of an average two-year old). 

Activities: Pointing out anything with an engine and making engine noises at it! Climbing over, out of, and into anything you can (including your crib- your mattress is at the lowest rung and you can still get your chubby little leg to the top of the rail! Luckily you haven't figured out how to get out of it, yet)!

Moods: Same as always! Happiest-go-lucky baby boy ever! Hundreds of smiles fill ours days! You are so stinkin' cute! You have a strong personality and when you don't like something you make sure to let us know. This is usually where we try to gather ourselves as parents, not laugh, and teach you some respect and discipline. It's hard! But we refuse to have you become disrespectful or spoiled- so we talk to you, a lot! You are really testing y(our) limits lately! You try to see what you can get away with! Way smarter than us!

Sleep: We still don't understand why you insist on waking up most nights. At this point, we would think that you could soothe yourself better than that. Just last night, you woke up and we let you cry it out. Only lasted a minute but still. You stand up, hold on to your bed, and cry cry cry. Stahp it. We love you and you are okay. Unless you're not and we always check on you regardless! But mama and dada need sleep! haha!

Words: We have been trying to get your to say "please" and "thank you." We swear you are more than capable especially right now that you are into repeating things we say. For example, I was trying to get you to add "please" when you sign "more." I kept practicing with you and you would only smile at me. Finally, I said "Say BUTT!" You grinned and clearly said "Butt!" hahaha! What?! 

Or a couple weeks ago, when Grandpa and Grandma swore you kept saying "Spiderman," while they were talking about the movie. Of course, we didn't believe them until you said it the next day to us "spy-e-min."

So last night, I made healthy brownies topped with chocolate chip cookie dough blondies (oh, yes, mama did)! Well, I gave you a bite and you responded "mmmm...mmmm....mmmm," then immediately started signing for "more," and as always I told you you had to say "please" too. So you immediately signed for it then signed for "thank you!" You little booger! You have known ALL along and just CHOSE not to do it! haha!

Favorite Foods: We stopped giving you bananas for a week because you were having an excessive amount of messy diapers and developed your first rash. Not even sure if they were related but it was the only change to your diet that did the trick- because you know, you were eating smoothies and 2 whole bananas for 2 days straight! You eat like a grown up! No wonder you're so chubs! You won't deny any foods and now that we have been exposing you to some sweets, you are smitten. We had homemade ice cream a couple weeks ago and it was the cutest thing to watch you eat it and say "haaute" and blow on it, haha! Cold, Baby, it's cold. 

Nursing: Still 16 months! And lately, you have been wanting to nurse at other times, rather than just for bedtime. One time this month, you fell, and I felt bad so when you got up crying and asked to nurse, I let you. You are so cute. You grab my hand, bring it up to my shirt, and motion for me to let you nurse, haha! I think at this point you must just be nursing for comfort than actual milk. You fell asleep twice this month without me because I had to work late. The next night you still wanted to nurse. I don't know how/when you won't need to nurse to sleep at night. & you almost have a full set of teeth! The last incisors have already poked through. It makes me so sad because there is no longer a gummy smile, looking up at me. 

Favorite Things: being outside! If we don't take you outside you are so mad! You love to play outdoors. Too bad we don't have a backyard! Eating! Dancing! Reading! Taking things from one container into the other (like Tupperware). 

Signature Moves: Turning on the radio, and running away from it when it is too loud. You get so startled, you jump, run, and ask to be picked up. Then you dance- every single time!

Mommy's Proudest Moment: I yelled at Daddy and it scared you so much, your bottom lip uncontrollably pouted. So sad! Oh, that Daddy!!! ;) No, but, really, big lesson for me!

Daddy's Proudest Moment: Hitting me with a toy and I yelped in pain. You started crying hysterically and ran to be by my side and got so mad at Daddy- you even threw the toy back at him. 

Month 11

Hi Baby Boy,

How amazing are you? Walking and talking away! You celebrated Thanksgiving with all of our family and you enjoyed it so much! You had us laughing because you were talking away during dinner! You loved eating everything! Thank you Baby led weaning! ;) We are getting all ready for Christmas (post-Thanksgiving) and we are so excited to celebrate your first one! All the holidays have so much of a better and more fun meaning than they ever did before! I just love experiencing all of your firsts! Both Nana and Grandma gifted you an ornament (the same one- great minds think alike) and Daddy and I did the same. We decorated the tree together and it was amazing to see you watch everything with so much curiosity! We took you to the San Diego Zoo and had such an amazing time together! You enjoyed all of the animals and the perfect weather! It felt like we had most of the zoo to ourselves! Loved it! We also went to a birthday party which you enjoyed, too! Mommy is loving all of your cute holiday pjs! Too cute, Baby! We visited Santa Claus and you did amazing! Until you realized you were on his lap and cried, haha! He gifted you a little tractor that you came home and played with a lot! You have mastered how to drink from a straw cup and we are excited for this! Mommy stopped pumping at work so now we will be using all of our stored milk! Let's see how we do- one month away from our goal of a year! For Christmas, we visited our loved ones! You did amazing! We had a lovely lunch at Urth Cafe with all of your uncles and Titis- how loved you are! We also go to visit Auntie Zvart and her baby boys! On the day you turned 11 months, we celebrated by going on a hike in Whittier with Titi Anita! That was fun! You rode with Mommy! Then you had a lovely Christmas Eve with your familia! On Christmas Day, we drove back to AZ and celebrated your first Christmas with your family there! Oh how loved you are Baby Boy! 

Month 10

Oh Baby Boy, 

You truly are the sweetest most amazing baby I have ever met. And you are ours. I cannot express enough how much we absolutely love you! You are so sweet and special! This month, we took our Christmas card pictures. Just you and Honey Munster- it was such a quick and easy shoot because you are simply adorable. Most stylist baby ever! You wake up so happy on the weekends! On one of these, we took you to chase air balloons- still in pjs and all! It was so fun! Daddy even had to help rescue the giant balloon while we waited on the side of the road! You are on the move! You won't even sit during your baths! You love to play rough with Daddy! And you have officially taken off walking! There is simply no stopping you!

Month 9

Happy 9th month, Baby Boy!

We celebrated Halloween and my goodness, could you be any cuter. You had a few costumes, haha! A strongman and a donut, hahaha! Mommy was a theif, Daddy was a cop, Honey Munster was a loot bag, and you were a donut! Oh man! Both were hilarious and so cute! Mommy couldn't decide which one for your first so we went with both! You really love your family! The bond you and Nana have is amazing! You can take a step or two here and there- does that mean you're walking?! I think I'm in denial! You laugh and giggle so hard and loud- it's the sweetest sound in the world! Honey loves giving you besitos- not my favorite, haha! You really enjoy being with your cousin, Karston, too! So happy you two get to grow up together! We already know you are going to be the troublemaker, haha!

Month 8

Dear Baby Boy,

You are spectacular! This month started off so excitingly! Daddy had to go to L.A. for a work conference! We got to tag along and stay in Downtown L.A. and have such a blast! The first couple of days were your photoshoot in San Diego! You did AMAZING! It will be a long time before we find out what your pictures will be used for but you made us so proud! Daddy couldn't be with us so Titi Maritza was amazing and took us! You are our shining star and everyone just loves you! Mommy got to celebrate her birthday with her girls for an evening, too! Mommy and you had our own little date in Malibu and sat on the beach and had a great time together! We got to hang out with Allie and Asher, too! We love them! We took you to Titi Marlyna's job and you loved playing at her office! We saw Auntie KK there, too! She loves you so much! We just had such a blast! You got to spend so much time with your Tito, Mama, and Titis and cousins! Exactly what we wanted! I hope we get to have this mini vacation next year again! You had your very first pancake- shaped like a Jack-o-Lantern nonetheless! You loooved it! You are such a great little eater and you stand non-stop! I think you may be starting to want to walk any day now, too! But it's way too soon! Don't grow up too fast, son! We took you to the pumpkin patch and you chose the biggest pumpkin! So naturally, we did what any parents like us do...you got your very own photoshoot in it, hahah! You got more shots at the doctor this month and you were such a trooper- such a brave baby boy! You give tons of "besitos" on command, too! Cutest thing ever! Titi Anita came to visit for a few days and boy, did we love having her here! Best trip ever! 

Month 7

The day you turned 7 months old, you started to crawl! haha! Now you are unstoppable! You workout with Mommy every day! You are still running Baby .5ks with Daddy every night! You are enjoying going to your Nana's while we work; she takes such great care of you! You love to sing- especially sing yourself to sleep or sign along to the radio! You are still the smiliest/happiest little baby boy we have ever met and everyone cannot get enough of you! Every other Friday, you and Daddy come visit Mommy at work! You wear your owl backpack and are the most stylish little guy ever! On Friday nights, we go to Mommy's school's football games and you love watching the game and being passed around from person to person; but you don't appreciate the loud crowd all the time. You pick yourself up on anything and everything you can! Mommy is still nursing you and pumping at work every day so that you get nothing but what is best for you! You got to celebrate Daddy's 31st birthday in September! You had fun helping him blow out his candles and giving him your birthday gifts. I think you are his greatest gift ever- everything he has ever wanted! The weekend after Daddy's birthday, we surprised him with a trip to Julian, CA- just like he used to go when he was little. We had such a great time even though it was pretty rainy! We had lunch with your grandparents and family and then we went to a wine festival! Mommy and you went grape stomping, haha! It was awesome! Then we had fresh pie and ice cream! Such a perfect trip! We also had to get you a work permit because you were chosen to be a baby model! Later in September, we are taking you to San Diego. The Step2Company and Infantino Company will be hosting a photoshoot for the Everybody Plays Campaign shot by Kelli Hampton! We are so honored, humbled and excited! You still love your veggies- always stealing Mommy's asparagus! You say "Dadda" all the time! I keep telling myself it's just "ta-daaa!" haha- just because I'm bummed it's not "mama!" Haha! You helped Mommy celebrate her birthday, too! Mommy left you for the first time on a Saturday- but only during the day! Titi Squirrel flew into town to spend the weekend with us and you loved having her here! We went to visit your little cousin Asher at Titi Becca's this month, too! He is so precious and itty bitty! Excited for our lives!

Month 6

We started you on solids the day you turned 6 months! Your first foods were sweet potato and avocado which you enjoyed very much! Mommy is trying out babyled weaning! She is making you baby food, but mainly going to give you little pieces rather than purees. We'll see how it goes! So far you love it! You even love Chipotle's guacamole, haha! And bananas- you literally went bananas for bananas! haha! You are determined to feed yourself using your spoon but are definitely not there yet haha! You have had a couple of playdates this month! We visited your Titi Becca, Aiden and Rian- and the little baby that is in her belly- we think it's a boy! You also played with two of Mommy's friends' little boys. It was cute! Daddy sold his '51 Chevy this month. It was so bittersweet for him, you watched in awe. And boy, are you teething! It feels like you have been teething since 2 months! You also took your first sink bath! We were waiting until you could sit up properly on your own and you have been doing that since last month so it made for the cutest picture! You also got to sit in a shopping cart for the first time! It was fun- and at Target just like a lot of our firsts! You are standing while holding on to things and really like to do that! And boy, do you love books! You are trying to crawl! You have the perfect plank! You get up on your toes and arms, and hold it forever! Then you'll get on your knees and rock back and forth! Mommy had to go back to school full-time this month because the school year started. You will be going to Nana's house instead now! This will be the first time Mommy doesn't get to come home for lunch. So sad! You love playing with your Daddy! He makes you laugh unlike anyone else can! It is the sweetest thing! You love to nap with him! You take much better naps with him than with Mommy! You love to walk around Nana's coffee table! Or pull yourself up and hold on! Grandma and Auntie Sarah come over a couple times a week to watch you so Mommy and Daddy can go to the gym together! You really enjoy your time with them! You went to your second birthday party (the first was Auntie Jenn's Sophie's and Zoey's). This one was Titi Yuky's Natalia's second birthday! You wore a birthday hat and enjoyed yourself! Daddy was working so he couldn't go! You are still doing those baby-5-point-k's with Daddy most nights!

Months 4-5

You are so cute, Oliver! You discovered you could eat your feet and it is the sweetest thing in the world. You took an empty Starbucks cup and had so much fun with it, trying to eat it! Are you ready for food? You try to stay calm for Mommy and kick kick kick while she works out everyday with you! You got a freshly pair moccs in gold and they are divine! You like to eat them! You want to be strong and workout like Mommy and Daddy! We are both pretty hardcore about our health and fitness right now and you are no exception. You pick up toys that are way heavy and love it! You watch Mommy train her clients in the living room, too!

It is summertime and it is hot outside! We try to get you out as often as possible but this desert heat is insane. You are perfectly chubs and we love your thighs! You still hardly have hair and we love that little old man head of yours! You love to go on walks with Honey Munster! Mommy took you shopping and you did great! Had to nurse you for a long time but that's okay! That's what dressing rooms are for, right? So, if Daddy props you up, you can stay standing! Actually, you started doing this around 3 months but Mommy didn't find out until 4 months!

You also flew for the first time on June 29th, 2013. We spent the night at your Titi Maritza's house and then won the popularity contest on the plane! It was hilarious! We flew into Oakland, and you got to meet your Titi Shei, Israel and your cousins Joshua, Andrez, Monika and Kassandra! Andrez was born just three weeks after you! You had so much fun and actually did a lot better with your sleeping! We visited San Francisco and you rode a swing for the first time! It was actually in the Full House park! You will probably watch the show someday and we will make sure to point it out! We spent 4th of July there and you enjoyed the fireworks. You really are the most stylish baby boy ever! We submitted your picture for a photoshoot campaign for Infantino and Step2Company (baby product companies) just to see! We returned on July 7th and spent a few days in San Diego at a beach resort. We even had your almost-6-months-photoshoot on the beach and were able to capture the first time the ocean water hit your chubby little toes! It was heaven! Grandma and Grandpa and Auntie Sarah met up with us and we celebrated Grandma's birthday. You really enjoyed it! We even extended our trip a couple of days and it was worth every penny! We hope to make it a yearly tradition! We think you may be ready to try food. You go absolutely craaazy over trying to eat anything we are having! Waiting for you to turn 6 months though! You are scooting around everywhere trying to crawl. So stubborn and determined! Mommy and Daddy finally went on their first date without you. We went out to dinner and then went grocery shopping, haha. We are boring! And super obsessed with you! Mommy has had to bring you to work over the summer a few times and although I don't get much work done, it is fun- everybody loves you! You really are adorable! You sit up so perfectly on your own, too!

Months 3-4

Baby boy rarely sleeps! It is time for Mommy to go back to work which is so hard to do! But Grandma Loy, your Nana, is coming over everyday to take such great care of you! She is amazing!
During this month, you went to your first Relay for Life and got to help Daddy hold up the main banner and do the Survivor's Walk with him. You ended up in the newspaper! :)
You love Honey Munster and can have some great staring contests and conversations with her. Daddy has these Baby Five-Point-Ks with you every night because you won't sleep. So he'll help you walk down the hallway and run- you love it and think it is hilarious! Still won't sleep! You celebrated your 100th day and are the cutest, most stylish baby out there! Lucky us! You celebrated Cinco de Mayo and have really been enjoying getting out and about every weekend. You finally fit into the pairs of moccasins Mommy made you, and you got two new pairs from a great company for when you are older! Mommy is working hard, and pumps for you at work every single day! You love to bounce in your bouncy car. and you celebrated Mommy's first Mother's Day. You took a nap on her and it was one of the most amazing days for her. When you nap, you smile. Mommy comes to visit you every day during her lunch break! Daddy was honored as a Survivor at the groundbreaking of the new Cancer Center! Very exciting news. Both Mommy and Daddy were interviewed and came out on TV. You spent the day with Daddy so that Mommy could help host a baby shower for your Titi Becca- she enjoyed it, we think!

Months 2-3

Months 1-2

Baby Boy,
You have now been nicknamed OliveRoar because you like to rrrooooar! haha!
You attended your first wedding- kinda! You went to the rehearsal and everyone loved you! Uncle E and Titi Marlyna are now wed! You stayed in the hotel room with Mama and Titi Lonnie and your cousins. That was hard for Mommy!