Baby G is now Toddler T

Wow! A year, already?! It's hard to believe:

Last May 21st, Tiago was just a 9lb, 5oz, bundle of baby

Now, he is a caped-crusader who is running, climbing, walking (backwards even), talking, stacking block towers, saying "no!" and...

...eating cake! (well, banana bread, we're holding off on the refined sugars for just a teensy while longer)

May 21st--A Big Deal!

We recently received word that Nate would be honored with the prestigious "Best Dissertation" award on May 21st, this year. So, the G-unit ended up celebrating Tiago's 1st birthday in Davis, while daddy received his certificate and award. We were so proud of daddy's accomplishments and enjoyed being back in Davis even if just for a very brief stint. Thanks to 'Lita Susan, mommy G was even able to attend the ceremony and beam proudly at Dr. G (while Tiago and 'Lita roamed the Kemper Halls)!

Tiago started his birthday as Batman and ended as Superman --there's just so much to do in a day and not enough super-power to get it all done.

(above: 'Lita surprised Tiago with balloons the morning of his b-day--which he loved! below: Tiago is ready to take off in flight after an eventful 1st birthday.)

Tiago's 1st Birthday Party!

It's my party and I can cry if I want to:

Okay, so we neophytes had delusions of having our babies happily line up along the grassy hill with their cup cakes and party hats for a perfect 1st birthday photo-op... now we know better!

(at least the adults enjoyed the delicious food, cup cakes...)

(...and...)

(...the party hats...)

Look at the camera and smile (yeah right)!

(ok, that's a wrap!)

Happy 1st birthday!

11 months

Tiago LOVES to "sweep."

Helping daddy with yard work

(Oh dear, son. Still with the dog-bowl fascination?)

Well, let's see if we can figure out how to get you out of this...

(I am reminded of a similar incident, about 30 years ago, when I somehow got myself stuck through the back side of a dining chair, and my own mother could not figure out how I had done it, or why I had done it--again!)

While I was preparing dinner, I heard Tiago begin to cry. I quickly rushed over to see what had happened and I saw that he was all tangled up in the dog-dish-stand. Rather than help him out (like a good mommy), I grabbed the camera and snapped a couple of pictures for posterity. I was pretty confident that, just as he had figured out how to remove the bowls from the stand and insert his entire body, he would figure out how to get himself back out (which he did)!

when the cat's away the babies will play

Cousin Mateo is almost 4 years old, and just received a brand new, cool, green, bicycle from his abuelitos (and a Thomas the Train helmet from his tio Nate, tia Korah and primo Tiago)...

...while Mateo was out with his mommy one day, Tiago and Micaela seized the opportunity to check out the new ride up close.

Here they are in their morning glory (apparently, they just take turns swiping things out of each other's hands):

On the one hand, you would think these two didn't even know the other one exists; yet, they never ceased to conspire to get into trouble--TOGETHER!

(Pulling the DVDs off the shelves and trampling on them to a happy beat, was a daily ritual)

Mommy's Artist Debut!

My brother, Miguel, submitted my pieces to the CLC gallery back in February. Much to my surprise, my work was selected for the grand opening of the facility this month!

(Tiago's first art gallery show!)

CLC Gallery, NC

Hanging with some VIPs

The launch of my art show was on Saturday, April 10th.

(hee, hee! My art was bar-coded in case anyone was thinking of taking off with any of the pieces!)

Eee Ay, Eee Ay, Ohhh!

(An organic farm at the base of the Santa Cruz mountains)

Tiago and mommy took their first trip to a farm to see some live animals. Tiago loved it!

He especially liked La Gallina Turuleca and El Gallo Pinto!

These little piggies went to market but what they really need is a spa day, P! U!

Hidden Villa Farm in Los Altos, California

Bahh, it seems that the goats do a worse goat impersonation than people do!

Eggstraveganza!

We participated in the San Mateo Eggstraveganza on Easter Saturday:

Tiago and his pal Abbie haven't quite figured out the concept of Easter Egg hunting (and, really, what is the concept of Easter Egg hunting?!) but they enjoyed getting out and getting some fresh air during a break in the April showers that have been saturating Northern California.

Hooray, I found a plastic thing!

What do you mean I can't put them in my mouth?! What am I supposed to do with these?!

(Tiago appears to be over-bundled...Explanation: we're trying to get some use out of this cute little rain-coat, and alpaca hat before the cold season is completely over!)

(I think the little girl, plowing through all of the bubbles, is over the 3-year-old limit:)