My Camera Phone Mosaic - 10-29-2011

1. It's finally looking like autumn!, 2. A visit to the pumpkin patch..., 3. 2 shots at the doctor's office...and still able to give me a smile. :), 4. Brothers, 5. My 3-year old's favorite drawing, 6. Carlo Ascensión Contreras, 7. Our family is now +1 :), 8. Loving the chocolate in the middle!, 9. Car Seat Ready? CHECK!, 10. Ahhh...nice & clean, 11. Toddler's Bedroom Ready? CHECK!, 12. My lil' Green Lantern

My Camera Phone Mosaic - 09/25/2011

1. 40th Week, 2. Cousin Angel's 1st Birthday!, 3. My pair of characters :), 4. Class? What class?, 5. His first Oatmeal Creme Pie, 6. My DT Booth,  7. Ready for Battle..., 8. Enjoying his yogurt parfait, 9. My shining knight

Look who's on ESPN! :)

I was just browsin' around online when I came across this fun lil' freebie from ESPN! I'll prolly look around for a better pic...but until then thought I'd share this! Get your own ESPN poster at http://poster.myespnhighlights.com!

It's become a Christmas tradition...

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

Cristián de Jesús Contreras...is walking!

We decided to make it "official" today since today marked the first time he consistently preferred to be left standing every time I'd place him on the floor. He also did considerably more standing, squatting, walking, stopping, and pivoting than he ever has before...and on his own (without prompting) too! We didn't do much coaching (we weren't anxiously awaiting this milestone)...but we know Grandma did the last two times she babysat! We might have her to thank!(?)

Happy Easter!

Cristián's first Easter was BLESSED! After a great church service, we headed over to Willy's uncle's home to celebrate with the family...and it seemed everyone had a great time. The weather was perfect, the food good, and Cristián enjoyed watching his many cousins runnin' around cracking confetti eggs everywhere. I look forward to seeing him join them next year! :)
Thank you, Tia Stephanie, for the beautiful guayabera...he got lots of compliments on it and took lots of pictures IN it! It was the perfect "look" for the day we had!

Cristián is One Year Old!!!

I know these pictures came late (and the rest of 'em will still come later)...but we took SO MANY!!!
We hadn't planned on a "party", but were blessed by family and those close to the family who wanted to be here anyway. We had two family gatherings in honor of baby turning one...one on Saturday evening (with Willy's parents and my brother, Jesse and his entire family), and then on Sunday afternoon (with Tio Meme & Tia Rosita and a family friend, Mercy). We were especially blessed by Tia Laurie who made the trip all the way from Austin to be here for Cristián's big day. Willy and I are so very blessed to see him so very loved by all. :)

Cristián is 11 months old!

Cristián weighs 23 lb. and measures 30 in. long. That is one pound heavier and 1/2 inch taller than he was at the end of January. He's started standing unsupported (when he's focused on something and doesn't realize it) and can climb down our stairs now on his own (while SUPERVISED of course :)). He still loves balloons, balls (round fruits and vegetables qualify), books, and things that go "Burrrr" (mostly cars and motorcycles). He loves crowds and "performing" on cue for 'em. His daddy's especially proud of his habit of "saludando" everyone...even strangers sitting next to us at restaurants. :) A few photos taken from the last two months can be viewed here.

Cristián is 8 months old!

Cristián is growing fast...and I'm enjoying every moment! Check out a few pictures from the month of November at my gallery.

Cristián is 7 months old today!

He's getting bigger and doin' well in every way! He LOVES eating his solid foods (and BOY is he a LOUD eater!) He's moving around more and more and will be crawling really soon! He SCREAMS (it's not squealing any more) all of the time...and is now sleeping very well - during both his naptimes and through the night! We praise God DAILY for bringing this lil' one into our lives. We're SO blessed, that we've decided to keep him. :P

Other  October pictures of our lil' one

Cristián laughing some more!

Some days it takes a lot to get him to giggle...other days...not so much.

Cristián's First Trip into Mexico!

This weekend was Cristián's first time joining Daddy to Cd. Victoria for a visit to their church! Pastors Jon & Marissa joined us on this leisurely visit to Jose & Jeanette's house near Llera and to the church in Cd. Victoria. The trip went smoothly and included LOTS of good food and fellowship! Cristián did very well on his first (of many) trips to the churches in Mexico. His presence was a blessing to everyone at the church in Cd. Victoria, but even more so to his Daddy who'd dreamt of this trip for many many years. Praise God for His Goodness!
<<Pictures from the trip>> <<General pictures of Cristián during the month of September>>

My best birthday yet...

I am SO privileged to have THIS to look at, dote on, and love, all the day long...

God is SO good to us...I praise Him everyday for the BLESSING that manifests itself daily in the form of this young, pure, innocent, and beautiful son God has gifted us with.

Just couldn't help but share...my cup truly runneth over.

Here are some pics we took in the month of August...some are general
and some from our trip to the Gladys Porter Zoo.

Cristian's first visit to the beach

We finished up our week in Southern California with a visit to the beach...Huntington Beach to be exact - also known as Surf City U.S.A. Although we had just hoped to park, stroll the pier, and grab a burger at Ruby's, we instead encountered a HUGE crowd...seems we planned our visit durin' one of the largest events in the area - the Honda U.S. Open of Surfing. Sooo...we ended up doin' VERY little here...but at least got the pic we had hoped for (thanks Mom C, Sandra, and Sonia!) - this one of Cristián on the beach. :) With that, we skipped lunch entirely to make it to the airport on time and headed home. :)

Goodbye to the Happiest Place on Earth!

Well...it's goodbye to Disneyland today. The visit went smoothly overall and I hope everyone got what they had hoped to from it. We hadta change plans a few times and skip a few rides...but we made the most of our days there! I've finally uploaded one hundred fifty photos from the trip to my online gallery...you can view 'em here. Our next trip? A SMALL one. :) Rushin' around the San Diego Zoo made us decide to give our local zoo another try...a more relaxed try. :) We'll be reportin' on our visit here. :)

Cristián's first visit to San Diego!

Today we visited the San Diego Zoo with dad, Willy's parents, and sisters, Sandra & Sonia...and what a day! We started with a visit to see the famous pandas...and that was just the beginning. After several bus rides and a guided tour, we then headed over to the USS Midway in the afternoon. After that, Willy and I, along with Cristián, Sandra & Sonia, returned to the zoo to ride the aerial tram and see even MORE animals! We stayed right up to closing! Seein' the wild cats so active late night was an experience! Although Cristián was with us, he napped quite a bit, and so Willy and I are now plannin' our next trip to the zoo - Gladys Porter Zoo. More pics coming soon...

Cristián's first flight!

 

Cristián's first trip on an airplane went without a hitch! The boppy I carried on didn't make for a very comfy fit for me (or for whoever was beside me), but it made the trip for Cristián VERY comfortable. After nursing during takeoff...Cristián slept for the rest of the flight! Both legs! He didn't make a peep. A gentleman seated next to my father even commented on how well his grandson behaved...told him that his grandson was the best behaved baby on the plane! Daddy was very proud. :) Here he is enjoyin' the view after landing in Houston George Bush Airport.

I've been promoted!

I am VERY proud to announce that I will no longer be working as a librarian for the public school system but will now devote 100% of my time to being a DOMESTIC ENGINEER! Here's a pic of me in my old office with my new boss. Please be in agreement with Willy and I as we depend wholly on God to provide for us and our growing family. We know it is His will for me to make this family my number 1 priority and ministry. I praise God for the opportunity to raise this child for Him. He is already blessed...AND a blessing!

p.s. We've just uploaded our May photos of Cristian! Check 'em out here!

The BEST Mother's Day Gift Ever! :)

 

Even though this is my first Mother's Day...it's hard to think any future gift will top this one. Although Cristián would grace us with fleeting smirks and smile before now...it wasn't until this weekend that he blew us away with TONS! On Mother's Day morning...after responding to his usual morning babble...he responded back (and surprised) me with LOTS of smiles! My heart just MELTED! Tell me if this picture melts your heart too......

Look who turned 1 month old!

I apologize for not bein' in better touch...but it's been a VERY busy four weeks. even so...we're lovin' every moment with our lil' Cristián. He's still goin' through a growth spurt and feeding every 2 hours...and lemme tell ya', he's VERY punctual...just like his daddy! He's also very gassy...also just like his...er, never mind. :)
We took LOTS of pictures during the month of April...here are just a few!