Trisha's Baby Shower....

Trisha's baby shower was so much fun!!! The theme was "The Sweetest Thing". So.....there was candy, soda, gum, sweet stuff galore. There was even a "bubble gum blowing" contest. It was so much fun to catch up with Trisha and see her super cute belly. Bebita Teves is due March 15th. Hurry up and get here! We can't wait to meet you!

"Hot Mamas!"

Bubble Gum chewing contest

The "Sweet Shoppe"

Matthew is Unstoppable...

So......Mommy really has her work cut out for her now. Matthew is crawling and crawling VERY well! It is amazing how much happier he is now. Prior to figuring out the crawling game, he would get so frustrated. His mind wanted to explore the world, but his poor little body just could not get him there. Matthew is having a blast exploring EVERYTHING! And, we are having even more fun watching him.

Matthew's Milestones...

Well, he FINALLY did it today!!! Matthew started crawling today. He has been doing the "commando crawl" for the past several weeks. However, today, he officially performed the "real deal". It was so funny, and I wish I could have caught it on video. He actually startled himself because he did not expect to do it. I have been having a blast all day, watching him perform such antics. He forgets he can crawl, then he crawls, then he forgets. So cute!!! I cannot wait until daddy gets home so he can see it for himself.

Mikey's 30th Birthday Dinner...

So, for everyone that know Mikey, it should come to no surprise that he does NOT like to be the center of attention. Surprise parties, speeches, "whole things", etc, are not "his thing". But, because I LOVE these things so much, and wanted to show my husband how much I love him for his 30th, I decided to have a "SURPRISE " dinner party for him anyway. Putting such an event together was somewhat difficult because I could not get an honest answer from the guy if we was going to even be around on Saturday night. He had a big job in Oxnard and thought he may be gone on his birthday weekend. But, I took the chance, and luck was in my favor, because Mike came home on Friday, which was his "real" birthday. On his actual birthday, I surprised him with his favorite dinner, tacos. Then, on Saturday, I told him that we had dinner reservations at Duke's for us and two other couples. Well, we did have dinner reservations at Duke's and.....twenty-four other people. Needless to say, my honey was very surprised. Happy 30th Birthday, baby! I love you so much!!!

My honey and I

Kara and Cheryl

The "Birthday Boy" with his friends, Jeremy & Sean

Mike's Birthday Dinner Menu

The CHOC Girls...Sheila, Tari, Donna, and I

Danielle, Annie, Tina and I

Matthew Ryan is Seven Months Old...

Seriously...Where has the time gone? I cannot even believe that Matthew is now seven months old. The time has just flown by. It has been so much fun watching him grow and develop each and every day. I will have to say, I think he has changed the most from the six month mark to the seventh month mark, than ever before. He now sits up on his own and can entertain himself (great for mommy), he has two teeth and is eating us out of house and home, he is moments away from crawling, he shows so much affection (especially to his mommy), and he babbles and babbles (he takes after his mommy). Mike and I are having the time of our lives, watching little Matthew grow. He is really developing his own personality. And, I must say, he gets cuter every day, and I fall more and more in love with him every day. Being a mommy is the best!!!

Matthew and Paulie are the best of friends

Matthew playing with the hose at grandma's

Auntie Barb's Visit from Washington

My mom's cousin, Barbara, who I've always called "Auntie Barb", came down from Washington to visit Mattie. She had not yet met Matthew, so this was a very exciting visit for them both. We got to go to lots of fun places, such as Seal Beach, Bass Pro Shops in Rancho Cucamonga, and lots of yummy places to eat, like Richie's Diner, CPK, and Walt's Wharf. Yummy California cuisine that you just don't get in Washington. The weather was so perfect here, which we all were thankful for, especially Barb. It has been in the low 20's in Washington. Barb is a proud grandma of six wonderful boys, so she was a lot of help to my mom, as she helped my mom babysit Matthew while I worked. Matthew and Barb had a great time!

Outside Richie's Diner with Auntie Barb

Mattie attacking Auntie Barb's face!

Enjoying beautiful California

Mommy and Mattie keeping warm on the pier

Auntie Barb, Mom, and Dad on the Seal Beach Pier after a wonderful dinner at Walt's Wharf

Lunch Date at Crystal Court

Last Thursday, I met my friend Shannon, and her 3 1/2 month old son, Kevin Charles at Crystal Court for lunch. Kevin was not yet too into Matthew, but Matthew was definitely into him. Shannon and I had a great time eating Wahoo's and catchin up.

Kevin and Shannon