Bubbles + Sweet Potato = Pure Joy

TGIF! This has been a long week and I'm so happy the weekend has arrived. This morning Cousin Nana took Valentina to the Little Gym. She is not a fan of the teacher but we win her over during bubble time. 

The pure joy continued when Daddy made sweet potato and cauliflower mashers for dinner. Since she refuses help when eating, dinner was a mess. A happy, happy, sweet potato mess. 

Living the DC life

The Congress is in recess so things have considerably slowed down in the office. Our interns have mostly gone back to prepare for the next semester, so we were in need of some young energy. I told Valentina and she volunteered to intern for the morning.

She woke up, had her breakfast and dressed in a casual, classy outfit. I don't know how we did it but we even arrived on time. 

She entertained my colleagues, greeted a  visitor, read a book, showed off some dance moves, crawled all around the office, watched the news and had a snack. It was so exhausting she took a 2 hour nap. 

Reading upside down.  If it's good enough for President Bush, it is good enough for Valentina

Exploring

Having a snack

Commercial break in between Jose Diaz Balart's show

Just relaxing in the Congressman's Office

Lounging on Mr. Ed's Screen on the Green Chair

In the middle of two communications directors

In the evening we took Cousin Brianna (or Cousin Nana as she calls her) to the monuments.  We've taken Valentina to the Washington Monument and the mall but she hadn't been to the WWII Memorial or the Lincoln Memorial.  She enjoyed the first of many visits.

At the World War II Memorial

With Cousin Nana

Dipping her feet in the WWII Memorial Fountain

Mommy-Daughter Moments

In front of the Lincoln Memorial

Visiting the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in honor of Grandpa Tamez's  service

She's going to be a walker very, very soon

Getting a lift from Daddy

Celebrating with Dr. Estabrook

Valentina had her one year old well visit with Dr. Estabrook on Monday. As we were entering the elevator a couple with a few day old was exiting. I remember for our first visit we got Valentina all dressed up only to get her completed undressed. Now we know the routine and have her in clothes that is easy to take off and put on. 

Valentina greeted her nurse with a smile. The first order of business was a photo eye exam. By taking a picture of her eyes with a Polaroid looking camera we were able to check if she had signs of any eye problems. They sent the pictures off to be read and within five minutes we got her results... She passed!

We then had our measurements for the year. 

Valentina weighs 20.88 lbs, is 29 in long and has head circumference of 18.25 to hold all those brains in. 

She visited with Dr. Estabrook and showed her all the skills she's learned. Mommy and daddy got their questions answered and there were smiles all around until her last shot. She cried for maybe 10 seconds and was okay after that. 

She's a great patient ... Takes after her Dad. 

Happy Birthday Valentina!

It is so hard to truly grasp that our baby girl is one.  It has been such an amazing year of discovery for all of us, from learning to hold her head up to attempting to walk, it has been fun to see her develop.  We've had some chaotic moments (like the time we tried to first bath her, the time she pooped on me, the other time she pooped on me, etc) but she is a joy in every way and I cannot imagine life without her.

For her day we rented the soft playroom at the Chinquapin Recreation Center down the street.  She joined her friends in the ball pit and on the slides.  The menu included her favorite Chickfila nuggets and a spread of authentic Hawaiian cuisine thanks to Auntie Laura.  For dessert, Adrian made some chocolate cupcakes and a baby cake for Valentina.  She was definitely a fan of butter cream icing and chocolate cake.  Her face was priceless.  We expected her to be messier but she is a sophisticated baby girl and didn't go too crazy.

Thank you to all our friends that joined us.  I'll post better pictures this evening but for now here are a few.

With her God Parents - The Thompsons

First Birthday Family Photo

In honor of Mr. Castro (Adrian's God Father) who served at the Fire Marshall in McAllen, Valentina received a fire truck from us for her birthday.