tennis 101

Gabriella got her first tennis lesson this week, and loved it.  Bonus: She's using her left hand.  Dada was thrilled!! Lefties have the advantage in the tennis world.  New nickname: Rafaela.  

spring/summer 2013

A few highlights from the past six months or so:

Visitors. Lots. o. visitors. 20+ since Gabriella was born.  She wins the most popular award.   Some came for one visit, some came for two or three visits, some stayed one or two nights others stayed one or two months.  Sometimes we had just one person, sometimes we had thirteen persons (!!) at once.  Hotel Mercado.  Actually more like Hostel Mercado since we have 1.5 bathrooms!!! 

Jobs.  Gene continues to love his job and is celebrating two years there this month.  I got a part-time job at our church in February. Returned to my teaching job in April. Quit that job in June and increased the hours for the part-time job in July.   Phew.  It was a busy time, but got through it with lots of God's grace, a very understanding and helpful husband, and wonderful parents who took care of Gabriella during the day, cooked, cleaned, gave us date nights, etc.   Okay, we were spoiled.  Grandparents are the BEST!! 

As far as teaching goes, I hope to teach again and I'm sure the next few weeks will feel VERY strange not being in a classroom (Still getting the August nightmares though), but SO, SO happy I get to work from home and spend my days with my little sweet and sassy Gabriella girl.  It's cool to look back and see how God orchestrated everything and gave us lots of faith through the decision process.  Let's just say San Francisco is not the cheapest place to live/raise a child, but He continues to provide for us abundantly.   
  
Travels.  We took Gabriella on her first road trip and cross-country flight.  Our road trip was to celebrate my Dad's 70th birthday.  He cries tears of joy/amazement seeing God's creation so we knew he'd love Tahoe and Yosemite.  I failed to take many photos but here we are at Emerald Bay, Lake Tahoe and Bridal Veil Falls in Yosemite.  

For our cross-country trip we spent a few nights on the Eastern Shore, a week at the beach in the Outer Banks, NC, a few days in Gaithersburg, and finished out our 3-week trip in Jacksonville.  We found out that Gabriella is a great traveler and that she loves the beach and the pool and her Auntie Cleo.   She was introduced to lots and lots of family and friends of Mama and Dada and got to play with all five of her big-girl cousins. 

Checking out lots of new faces and all that hair coming out of Drew's shirt.  =)

Loving the beach!!  Yay!

4th of July in Florida

More photos of our time in NC.  

Buddies

Gene and me kayaking

Last four photos by Keith.   I have camera envy.  

Ok, that's all for now.  Gabriella will get her own update on here soon.  She's growing tooooooo faaast!!!!  

what i'm learning from a ten month old

-If your tummy is full, vigorously shake your head "no" if you or someone else tries to give you more food
-Play hard. Nap harder. Repeat.
-If you don't like to do something(i.e. getting your face washed, getting your diaper changed, washing the dishes), making a game out of it is much, much better than whining and fussing your way through it.
-When you're tired just lay down and go to sleep.
-Belly laugh, giggle, and/or squeal at something silly at least once a day.
-Sometimes simple things (piece of paper, scarf, book) are far more fun and interesting than fancy things (newest toy that sings, "teaches" numbers, letters, etc)
-Hugs and snuggles for/from the ones you love are the BEST, and soft, cuddly teddy bears and blankets are really good substitutes if the ones you love aren't
around.
-Eat lots of watermelon and just let the juice run all down your face and neck.