Gooool Para Tiago!

(World Cup Fever. Portugal v. Korea)

Television isn't yet a part of Tiago's daily routine; so, you might imagine how much fun it has been for him to watch...wait for it...a Portuguese man by the name "Tiago" who runs around kicking a "fut" ball and getting all kinds of applause for it!

I think (our) Tiago could get used to this!

(here he is working on faking a foul!)

Meeting More Family!

Our East-Coast trip was wonderful! Tiago met (and charmed) family members of all ages from 8 months to 92 years old!

(Above: great grandpa Mel and great grandma Dena)

Tiago greeted his great-grandparents with a huge grin and entertained them with his dancing, talking and walking skills. (He even convinced everyone to make pretend cell-phone calls on a T.V. remote control.)

2nd cousins, Raph & Jonah met us at the great-grandparents' house and offered him a cell-phone upgrade. Their phones had actual ringtones (he ditched the little remote control with lightening speed)!

Tiago also met Nico, another 2nd cousin, and it was aparent that they both knew that Tiago was the older of the two, as Tiago became a mini-dictator determining which toys were to be played with and by whom!

Tiago hit the jack-pot on a trip to great aunt Paula's house, he was thrilled to have so many big-boy cousins (Above, he hangs out with 2nd cousin Al and daddy. Below, he develops a taste for Lacrosse with Jonah.)

Tiago encountered what would later be known as "the coveted Lacrosse sticks." Cousin Jonah was kind enough to gift one of the sticks to Tiago (which he continues to covet, here at home in California)!

On our first visit to meet the great-grandparents, the guys enjoyed a nice lunch out on the balcony (see above).

After fueling up with lunch, Tiago took great-grandpop's walker for a cruise and invited great-grandpop to chase him around the house--very cute!

Hanging with the Sabatos

Tiago really enjoyed visiting his tri-state area relatives this month! We stayed with family near the Boards and Tiago was finally able to meet his Zio D, his great aunt Jennie, and "Gato" in person. He was an all-star traveler and the pay-off was wonderful, he was the center of attention for the entire visit!

(above: Ocean City, NJ, shortly before mommy had a slice of pizza ripped from her hands by a scoundrel seagull!)

(Aunt Jennie introduces Tiago to Gato Sabato, also one-year-old!)

(Tiago loved sitting in great-aunt Jennie's childhood rocking chair--too cute!)

(Ever the shoe-lover, Tiago enjoyed his daily ride on Zio D's Converse sneakers. He even tried to jump onto a stranger's black Converse, on the plane-ride back, and was disappointed when he realized that the shoes were NOT attached to his beloved Zio. Oops!)

It's a Jungle Out There!

In the jungle, the mighty jungle...

...the toddler sleeps tonight.

To celebrate mommy's completion of that darned palm-tree mural (that was supposed to be finished long BEFORE baby-G had a name), Tiago and mommy went to the San Francisco Zoo to see some real live jungle animals!

Tiago recognized the Jirafas, Monos & Cebras (from his animal books and animal toys)

He was somewhat impressed by the gorrillas, flamingos and howler monkeys

He was even acquainted with some new animals, and heard some new peculiar calls of the wild...

But what was his favorite part of the (very impressive and pricey) zoo?

Quak, quak, pato, pato

THE DUCKS, of course!

Showing off for his abuelito

Tiago didn't get the memo that he only turned 1 year old last week. He spent the last week of May, pretending to be a grown-up and showing off for his abuelito Sabad.

Above, he is casually reading a book (albeit upside down) while stacking a block tower--a 21st century multi-tasker. Below, he takes an important conference call.

(Tiago's abuelos let him use their fancy blackberries, while they were in town. Tiago got it in his head that he is entitled to use mommy and daddy's cell phones at will. So, we found daddy's old cell-phone, removed the battery, and let Tiago claim it as his own) Notice how he seems to chastise his daddy for interrupting his conversation, "Dad, can't you see that I'm having an important conversation?!":

While abuelito Sabad was in town, we were able to take a "quick" trip across the bay and meet up with the La Serna men. However, due to the Memorial Day traffic, it took 3 hours to get 68 miles. So, the La Serna men came out to meet us in the valley, at a random Chevy's restaurant. It was great to see the family!

Tiago burned some calories (and kept mommy on her toes, too) in the parking lot before heading back in the car for a long trip back home

B-Day BBQ

On Saturday, Tiago invited some of his grown-up friends to stop by for a BBQ and cake, to help him celebrate turning 1 year old!

April showers brought May flowers (although, there was also a bit of a coastal breeze--brrr.)

(Guests enjoyed the nice climate for the first half of the party)

(we moved the festivities indoors as the wind kicked up during the second half)

Tiago was a little bit confused when he was serenaded by his guests and offered his first piece of dessert

But he quickly adapted and enjoyed the attention and the "nana" bread (he says "nana" for banana)

(he wasn't a fan of the frosting and figured that "dada" might like it--open wide!)

(As we had mentioned before, Tiago has plenty of great toys and clothes and wasn't requesting any gifts...but a few were offered anyway. As you can see the wrapping paper provided quite the thrill!)

(below: Tiago enjoys his dump-truck toy with his great Aunt Karen)

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.)