Welcome to the Family

Today we welcomed Nathan DeAngelo Baez to the family. Born to Christian's brother, Luis, and Deana, we were thrilled to meet our first nephew and Allen's only boy cousin. He's a healthy boy at almost 11 pounds and 23 inches long! We are thankful to God for his and Deana's healthy delivery and this precious gift of life.

My Mama

Today is my mom's birthday. I'm not allowed to say how old she is, but in honor of her today on this special birthday, I have made a list of 60 great things about her. These are just 60 of the many.


1. Christmas cookies
2. reading children’s books
3. saving money and/or getting things free
4. sewing special Christmas stockings
5. teaching us responsibility
6. childhood birthday parties
7. family vacations
8. knowing and teaching us about good nutrition
9. remembering and giving special cards
10. Christmas breakfast
11. involved with grandkids
12. good researcher
13. holiday traditions
14. strong with authority
15. thoughtful of others
16. honored your mother and father
17. encouraged our spiritual development through good church programs
18. chicken n dumplins
19. always having a clean house
20. allowed us to participate in every activity we wanted
21. blessed us with no debt from school loans
22. great decorator
23. detail-oriented perfectionist
24. homemade delicious desserts (I could probably list 60 of these!)
25. never gives up
26. sacrifices for our family
27. gives special gifts that are really wanted
28. always tries to be fair
29. Thanksgiving dinner
30. set up and encouraged good friendships for us
31. made sure we knew how to swim
32. kept our childhood innocent and joyful
33. allowed slumber parties
34. plays games with kids and grandkids
35. great speller
36. taught us good financial practices
37. kept our family in touch with extended family
38. keeps learning
39. is great with babies
40. somehow got all 3 of us through high school and college
41. keeps us safe
42. bought us new school clothes for us instead of for herself
43. knows everyone’s personal food preferences
44. studies the Bible
45. skillfully uses the computer
46. grows and cooks fresh vegetables
47. grew up on a farm with a one-room school house and graduated with a bachelors degree from OU
48. always supports her kids and grandkids by going to performances and games
49. homemade children’s dresses
50. patience with special children
51. doesn’t settle for convenience
52. kept us healthy
53. gave me two sisters
54. very organized
55. master crossword puzzle solver
56. rejoices in others success
57. makes her own draperies
58. fun Facebook friend
59. took and kept great family photos and videos
60. loves us and we love her!!

Allen's 7 Month Update

Allen was seven months old last Sunday, and we have so much to celebrate! He is healthy, beautiful, and so happy. We love every moment we get to spend with him. Here are some updates and pictures of Allen.

Allen

- is really ticklish on his thighs

- can throw toys pretty far

- claps his hands

- loves to eat (veggies more than fruit)

- snuggles with Mama every morning

- still wakes up at least twice a night

- loves to jump and has really strong legs

- has 8 teeth! (the bottom 4 have come in really easily, but top 4 have given him lots of trouble)

- loves animals

- steals his friends toys and pacifiers

- loves music and has rhythm

- is so good when we go out (even in church)

- loves people

- wears size 12 months clothes

- squeezes his legs to hold on when he is on my leg or hip

- has lots of fun splashing in the bath

- pushes his arms through his shirt to help dress himself

- drinks water from his sippy cup

- eats food twice a day, nurses 3 or 4 times a day (once in the night), and drinks from his bottle 2 or 3 times a day

- does not like to be on his tummy, tolerates laying on his back, and likes sitting up

- chews on everything

- can make very loud, high-pitched noises

- loves when his Daddy sings to him

- takes 3 naps a day and goes to bed at 8pm

- makes a "skunk" face

- weighs over 20 lbs and has outgrown his infant "stuff"

- helps feed himself by guiding the spoon to his mouth

- is talking a lot and uses some consonants

- laughs at surprises (noises, jumps, faces, etc.)

- is very much loved by his Daddy, Mama, and lots of others!