Rio spent his first Easter and turned nine months old in Texas. The trip was wonderful and thankfully this time he didn’t get sick.

Zach and I both needed the mini vacation and relished in a opportunity to go for a run together - lately we haven’t been able to coordinate much time together - so a nice run down the back roads of South Texas was a blessing. The wild flowers were breath-taking. Wish I had carried a camera.

The Texas weather was fabulous; warm and sunny. Much to Rio’s excitement, the nice weather meant a lot of time outdoors; swimming in the pool, riding on a horse for the first time, and laying in the lawn under the pecan trees.

Over the last several months Rio has developed special attributes and mannerisms. He loves to move and is always wanting to go somewhere and see something. His little adventurous attitude has kept me very busy and sometimes I wonder where the days have all gone. It doesn’t take long (a loving smile from Rio) to remind me exactly where they have gone - all in to following, chasing, and leading my little boy on life’s great adventure. 

Lately, I’ve begun to believe Rio may have a future career in furniture moving or perhaps in Feng Shui design. He seems to think that our furniture is in all the ‘wrong’ places and has taken it upon himself to push the furniture throughout the house on a daily basis. I’m constantly putting stools and chairs back in their rightful spot. 

Physically Rio is changing…He is getting his top teeth (already has two bottom teeth) and he continues to try to walk, but has yet to get it just right. Rio tries to take steps but hasn’t quite developed the mechanics and coordination needed to walk. Rio is learning to pull himself up and over obstacles: couches, steps, toy boxes….This is a bit scary and I’m always keeping a watchful eye.

Zach and I have begun teaching Rio how to get down from things. He hasn’t fully developed the concept that going down head first is not the safest method. We are always there to catch him. During moments of true brilliance he will turn onto his belly and slowly scoot off the edge, letting his legs touch the ground first.

His dexterity has improved; often he can feed himself little morsels of food without my help and he can now pick up very small objects off the floor (which increases my need to spot check and clean the house each day). Just recently I saw him pick up a tiny elm beetle and stick it in his mouth. After I fished out the little bug I laughed at his abilities then went right to work cleaning and vacuuming up any little critters. We see a lot of little critters in the house this time of year; bugs, spiders, and sometimes even baby snakes (eeeekkk). 

Communication is expanding exponentially these days. Rio now says ‘mama’ frequently along with other sounds. I can’t help but think he knows what ‘mama’ means because he only uses it when he wants something from me. In addition to words, Rio communicates with body language. Loving gestures are the best; resting his head on my chest and rubbing his head against mine (we call it head love). 

What will spring/summer bring??? 

There is so much we want to do with Rio this summer. Soon he will be walking. I can’t wait to walk him around our property and show him flowers, bugs, the river and trees. I’m excited to take him camping many times and to do some backpacking trips with him  strapped on my back like a little monkey being carried by its mother. 

Late in the summer we hope to take him on his first leisurely raft trip and I’m chomping at the bit for our first international trip as a family.

Nine months after giving birth, Zach and I are still amazed each day that we get to have such a special, loving and entertaining little boy in our life. 

Here is a little quote that sums up my feelings today:

You only live once, but if you do it right once is enough. - Mae West

Happy easter!! (Taken with instagram)

Taken with instagram

Taken with instagram

Is it already Wednesday???

It seems like just as quickly as the week begins, it even more quickly ends. Maybe it is having a baby, but these days I feel like I’m constantly in ‘go’ mode. I can’t complain. Each day is time well spent. Rio and I have had some wonderful adventures lately and with the improving weather I can only hope we will continue to have more and more exciting days ahead. Even if they go by way to quickly.

We spent this passed weekend in with family. A special thank you to my in-laws, Ren, Aaron, Raul, Zach, and of course Rio for their support this weekend as I participated in my first competitive event since getting pregnant. What a thrill it was!!

I hope each of you has at least a handful (or two) of those very special ‘drop everything they are doing to support and stand by one of their own’ kind of people. Wish my mom could have been there. I think she would have enjoyed herself very much - despite the nasty weather conditions. Speaking of….I must get my parents out soon. Rio is changing too quickly.

What’s next???? Goodness, March is almost over and April is approaching. Rio is edging ever so close to walking and he continues to share his excitement for the world around him with many new sounds: Ah, Ba, Na, Ma, and Da. His babbling continues to evolve and I find myself have meaningful conversations with him that I’m quite positive he understands - his reaction and acknowledgement literally say it all. 

Rio’s love of food is exciting and we all seem to enjoy playing the game of ‘get the food in the baby’s mouth without making a mess’. The list of foods continues to grow: apple and pears, bananas and rice cereal, potatoes and carrots, sweet potatoes and green beans. I also give him some store bought organic yogurt snacks that dissolve in his mouth. I find it great practice for him to learn to chew. 

Of course food has its problems. Cloth Diapers and non-milk foods do not mix, but I’m hanging in there and avoiding disposables diapers at all cost.

With all this eating I’m realizing his interest in breastfeeding is starting to wain. Not entirely; ‘mother’s milk’ is still his main nourishment, but I am noticing he is willing to go a little longer during the day without a feeding. His curiosity to explore coupled with eating regular food leave him very little time to stop for breastmilk. Ahh my days as a nursing mother will come to an end before I know it.

Hopefully not too soon.

Went to Texas a couple weeks ago. Had fun except Rio and I picked up a cold and are just now getting ourselves back to normal.  It was my first sick baby experience. Glad it is over. 

We had our eight month doctor’s visit yesterday and everything is looking terrific. He weighs 18.2 pounds and is 27 inches. Rio now sports two bottom teeth.

Rio is babbling and occasionally saying mom; mostly at night when he wakes and needs me. Walking seems to be in the very near future, as he continues to stand up and develop his balance.

Recently he began balancing while standing without the use of something sturdy to hang on to. It only lasts for a second but I can’t believe my eyes that he is doing it. 

I continue to feed him solids. Everything is homemade and the lists includes: brussel sprouts, carrots and potatoes, sweet potatoes, bananas, strawberries and rice cereal. I’m looking forward to introducing some poultry and trying yogurt in the near future. 

With spring quickly approaching we are excited to start getting Rio out more and more for some long hikes and overnight trips. Ahhh daydreaming of his first backpacking trip this summer, first rafting excursion, and swimming in the rivers. Hurry up summer!