Lauralyn on the Train

So I know I have not uploaded the blog in a while, so I am going to try and start doing it more often. For now, here is a video that I took of Lauralyn on the play train at my parent's house. Adrian had to hold down the button for it to go because she hasn't figured out that part yet. She seemed to like it. She also like the play car. Now dad said he just needs a plan (get it....planes, trains, and automobiles..hehe). Anyway, enjoy the video.

Houston Car Show

Adrian, Lauralyn, and I (along with the Josh, Michelle, and Avery) went to the car show on Saturday night. I had never been there, so it was very interesting to see all the different cars. Of course, I don't know anything about them, but they were pretty to look at. My favorite would have to be the pretty pink mustang. They called it "Pinky." Here are a few pictures that we took.

Hook 'em Horns!

Daddies and their girls

Our favorite one...PINKY!

Mamas and daughters

The Woodlands Waterway

We had so much fun at play group today. Our group met at the Woodlands Waterway (I think that's what it is called). They have an area where the water comes up from the ground, and also they have a huge wall with lots of fountains (and they play along with music). Lauralyn just loved the water. She mostly just stared at it, but she got to the point where she wanted to crawl to it and put her hands in the water. It is just such a gift to see her learn every day and show interest more and more in different things. here are a few pictures, but I posted all of them on our web album, which you can access on the right side bar of the blog.




We had so much fun there during the day, we decided to go back in the evening so we could show daddy. I had noticed during the day that the fountain was lit, so I was curious to see how it looked. Sure enough, it was SO pretty and Lauralyn just LOVED watching the lights and water. We love to watch her watch it....LOL.

Sing it girl!

OH, and this is right after her bath when her hair is not standing straight up...LOL.

Lauralyn's First Easter

We had a great first Easter with Lauralyn. Except for the fact that Adrian got really sick the night before and just got to come to the church to take a few pics then back home to bed. We went to my parents church for Easter service, and it went great. My dad opened the service while holding Lauralyn and talking about the nursery...it was fun seeing her there in front of over 1000 people. She was trying to take the mic from him....lol. Anyway, here are a few pics. I posted them all on the web album.

Beach Day

On Wednesday we went to Galveston for a little bit to check out the beach. It was SO crowded from Spring Break, but we managed to catch a few pictures. Lauralyn enjoyed the sand and water. Here are a few pictures, and you can also find more on our web albums (to the right). Enjoy!

Legally Blonde Post

Take a look at Katie's blog to hear about our fun night at the theatre!

I love to Swing!

Ok, so I know I have not been the best at keeping my blog updated. I just seem to put it off and now I feel like I have SO much to blog about and don't even know where to begin. So I am just going to start with one of Lauralyn's favorite things to do at the moment....SWING! She cracks up! I can't believe is is already 6 months! Here are a few pictures to share and I might even post a video later.

I am so hip....

Lauralyn's New Ducky Bath

We got Lauralyn a new bath that is kinda like a small inflatable swimming pool, and it's shaped like a rubber ducky. It is too cute and is great since she is starting to sit up, but if she falls to the side or back, she just bounces off the ducky. We got a couple of pics of her new bath...she loves it.

Oh...and I forgot to mention...it is complete with duck sounds...."quack quack!"

Uploaded New Pics

Hey, I have uploaded new pics, including the Christmas ones, on our family web album. Take a look. http://picasaweb.google.com/StephanieLCortez.

Duke is Funny!

We got some video of Lauralyn laughing at the dogs (mostly Duke). It was SO cute. She laughs at them a lot now and loves to pet them (or just grab their hair...lol). It is so fun to see how much she interacts now and notices things. I love being her mom!

Christmas 2008 Part 1

Our first Christmas with Lauralyn was great! We had so much fun telling her all about the reason for the season and why we celebrate Christmas. Here are some pictures of what all we did and some explanation for the pics.

Lauralyn and I drove down on Thursday, December 18. We went straight to Trail Dust for a birthday dinner for my Grandma (Lauralyn's GG-Mom). On Friday, I went to spend some time with my very good friend Melissa and her son Tucker (Lauralyn's future hubby...lol). We have been best buds for a while and have always planned start having kids around the same time, and God totally made that happen. So here are some pics of the kids "playing"...let's just say Tucker already LOVES her to death...and she loves him too!

L: "What is going on?"

T: "C'mere Lauralyn and give me a kiss!"
T: "You're not getting away that easy. L: "Mommy!"

Pals forever!

T: "Here, hold these for me, would ya?" L: "Sure thing!"

Friday night, we spent some time with Lala and Lolo (short for Abuelo and Abuela - Adrian's parents).

Sunday, December 21, was the Living Nativity at my dad's church (Northview Baptist), and my sister, Bethany, played Mary. She had been telling my dad all year she wanted to be Mary since she has never done it...lol. Anyway, even though Lauralyn wasn't baby Jesus, we still had Beth take a couple pics with her to pretend.

This is Emily, the pastor's daughter, and she was an angel in the nativity. She is best friends with Beth and is part of the family it seems. We call her Auntie Em to Lauralyn. She was showing Lauralyn how to "break it down" in the next pic and it was cracking Lauralyn up.

My sister, Bethany, as Mary, and Tucker as baby Jesus.

Then at the end of the service, Tom, my bro-in-law (Tiff's hubby) said "I need the baby...it's a surprise." So he took L and then after the prayer, I see him on stage with her and he sings the song called "Joseph's Lullaby" and had L wrapped up like she was Jesus. I just started crying and took lots of pics.

One verse from the song (my favorite) goes like this (it's by MercyMe if you have heard it):

Go to sleep my Son

Baby, close Your eyes

Soon enough You'll save the day

But for now, dear Child of mine

Oh my Jesus, Sleep tight

This song just really got to me. Joseph is holding precious baby Jesus and just wants Him to sleep tight and not to worry about the dreary road ahead. Joseph wants to do all he can to protect him for as long as he can. I get chills just thinking about it. Ok...gotta move on.

On Monday, Melissa, Tucker, Lauralyn, and I went to spend time with one of my best friends (since 8th grade) and her two kiddos (Jackson and Evie). It was fun catching up. Love you Amanda!

My sister, Bethany, and I went shopping (last min. Christmas shopping) on Tuesday and we waited in the very short line to snag a picture with Lauralyn and Santa. They actually allowed me to use my own camera.

Another Christmas post to come (Christmas Eve and Christmas Day pics). Hopefully will post it tomorrow.

Christmas Post to come...

I know that I need to post pics from Christmas, so I will get to it soon. My camera died (I know...I'm so smart), so I have to get pics from my parents. Look for a Christmas post to come soon.