The Cortez Family

Lauralyn on the Train

2009-07-05T20:33:00.001-07:00

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

2009-05-02T19:56:00.000-07:00

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

2009-05-01T21:34:00.001-07:00

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!

2009-04-22T17:52:00.001-07:00

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

Lauralyn's First Easter

2009-04-17T21:52:00.000-07:00

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

2009-03-19T22:02:00.000-07:00

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

2009-03-17T09:11:00.000-07:00

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

I love to Swing!

2009-03-15T19:30:00.000-07:00

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....

2009-02-09T10:41:00.001-08:00

Lauralyn's New Ducky Bath

2009-01-24T19:26:00.000-08:00

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

2009-01-24T09:08:00.000-08:00

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!

2009-01-22T07:32:00.001-08:00

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

2009-01-04T20:27:00.000-08:00

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...

2009-01-03T20:18:00.000-08:00

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.

Our little football fan...

2008-12-18T22:20:00.000-08:00

So a couple of weeks ago on a Saturday afternoon, Adrian and I were watching a football game as we were cleaning around the house. I had Lauralyn laying on the boppy, underneath her baby gym facing AWAY from the TV. So I was doing laundry or something and Adrian was in the kitchen and calls me to come over to where he is and look at the baby. I come in to see that she has arched her back over the boppy, and is just laying there with her hands behind her head and paci in the mouth watching the football game upside down. We start cracking up. Daddy was so proud that she was so interested in watching a football game. Here are the two pics we got once we stopped laughing.

Here is the closeup of just her (the TV is to the right in the pic)
Adrian took this pic so you could see the TV with the refs on the screen...lol.

Her Aunt Bethany was also very proud to see this...she is a big football fan also. Good times. I love this kid!!

I caught her laughing!

2008-12-12T20:08:00.001-08:00

Lauralyn just started laughing (really laughing) this week. It is the cutest thing ever. I have so much fun trying to make her laugh all day. It seems like she is always in such a good mood...I just love it. One of her favorite things to laugh at is the dogs. Anyway, enjoy the video. Hopefully it makes you laugh along with her..lol.

Mommy Lessons

2008-12-06T21:07:00.000-08:00

Ok, so on Thursday, December 4, my daughter turned 3 months old! I know everyone always says this, but they really do grow up so fast! Well, let's just say I learned a VERY important lesson on that day...always make sure that you have your keys in your hand before you proceed to exit your car with the doors locked. Ok, I know it sounds bad, and I felt SO horrible...like the worst mom ever. Here's what happened:

Everyday when I pick up Lauralyn from daycare and head home, I stop by the mailbox which is by the entrance to the complex. Since it has been cool out, I just lock Lauralyn in the car and jump out to get the mail, that way I don't have to take her out. I am out of the car no more than a min...usually. So anyway, as I was walking back to my car, after grabbing the mail, I went to push the button on my key chain and unlock the car and realized that I didn't have my keys. I quickly ran to the window to see my keys lying on the passenger side seat. I FREAK out and run into the leasing office and shout out "I locked my keys in my car and my baby is inside!" The guy in there said that the maint. guy might have something to unlock the car. I almost grabbed the walkie talkie to call the guy myself, because he just was not doing it fast enough. So I went back out to stand by the car and wait for the guy. He gets there and tells me that the equipment he has won't work on my car...grrr!!

Ok, so then the maint. guy tells me he is going to go and get the yellow pages. WHAT?! I don't have time for the yellow pages...my baby is inside! So after he called some locksmith, I told him never mind and that I was calling 9-1-1. I did my internship in college at a fire station, so I knew that they will respond to these things if a child or animal is inside the car. So I called and answered all their questions (where do you live? How long has it been? How old is the baby? Car running?) and within a minuet, 2 police cars drove up. Then they called a locksmith (I guess they have one that works with them), and he was there a couple min. later. So at this point, we have 2 cop cars, the locksmith, and lots of other people who have gathered around that work there in the office and just want to try and help. Oh, and the whole time this is going on, I am knocking on the window to make sure the baby sees me and that she is doing ok. I wasn't too worried because it was cool out, and plus, the cops said that if the temp. was not as nice as it was, they would break my window to get the baby out instantly.

Ok, so the locksmith managed to get the door open....just as the firetruck drove up....lovely. Anyway, so I opened the back door and kissed all over the baby. She had fallen asleep (which was nice), but I made her wake up before the paramedics left so I could make sure she was ok. Plus, the cops and paramedics had to check her before they could let me go. She woke up and was just fine. She didn't even realize what had happened. I told everyone "thank you" a million times...and I apologized as well. The fireman just said "it's ok, happens all the time!" Then I was thinking, "but it's not supposed to happen to me....I am a good, caring mom! This is not the type of thing that I do!" I was so embarrassed and upset.

All in all, I am just glad that the baby is ok and that she won't remember it. I ended up holding her the rest of the afternoon and kissing her like crazy. So I learned two lessons: Always make sure you have your keys in hand before closing the door AND keep a spare key at your house or even your office. Adrian keeps my spare on his key chain, and he was downtown. If I had it in the apartment, they could have just let me in the apt. to get it.

Lauralyn, I am sure this will be a funny story to tell you someday about how your mommy locked you in the car the day you turned 3 months. You did so good and mommy was so proud of you. Love you baby girl and happy 3 months!

YAY! I love Christmas!

2008-12-03T10:16:00.000-08:00

Ok, so it is December, which means it is Christmas time...yay! This year will be our first year with Lauralyn, and even though she will be too young to realize what it is, we are SO excited about starting our own family traditions with her. Last weekend, we went to the Gaylord Texan, in Grapevine, to take some Christmas pictures. I uploaded all of them on our web album at http://picasaweb.google.com/StephanieLCortez, in the "Lauralyn's First Christmas" folder. It was fun, but I am sure that we will take many more pictures this Christmas.

Ok, I have lots to blog about, but I will have to get to it later. Merry Christmas everyone!

I've been caught

2008-11-16T18:56:00.001-08:00

In this video, Lauralyn is just playing on the gym like nobody is watching her, or so she thinks. So Adrian starts to video her for a while (she makes the cutest noises), then she realized that she has been caught and that Adrian is filming her. It is too funny. Then she starts to grin and laugh. Be sure to listen with the sound. Sorry for posting all the videos...I just wanted to share..lol. She is going to love these videos one day...hehe.

Frowns and Grins

2008-11-16T18:52:00.001-08:00

Ok, I had to post this video. In the video, Adrian is telling Lauralyn to smile, and she frowns for about a second and then gets tickled and starts smiling. This goes back and forth for a little while between she and Adrian. It's like what you do with kids when they are older and you tell them "don't smile" and they are trying to hide the smile, but can't. Be sure to turn on your sound so you can hear Adrian talking to her.

Like mother, like daughter...

2008-11-08T20:50:00.001-08:00

Tummy Time!

2008-11-08T20:36:00.000-08:00

I just wanted to share some pics of Lauralyn's tummy time. She makes me laugh at all the sounds she makes. This isn't her favorite thing, but she likes it for a few minuets. She is so good at holding up that head already...makes mommy proud.

"uh...this is so hard!"

"Ok, I can't take it anymore...I am resting!"

Pops wanted to have tummy time too...lol

2 Months Doctor Visit

2008-11-08T20:15:00.000-08:00

My baby girl had her 2 month visit to the Dr. on Wednesday (Nov. 5). I was SO proud of her...she did amazing. She usually HATES the Dr. because she has to get undressed, but this time, she will just kicking and looking around while she layed on the table. Here are her 2 month stats:

Weight: 10 lbs. 11 oz.
Height 22 3/4 in.

The Dr. said she is just perfect and that I am doing well with the nursing. For those of you moms out there who are nursing, you know how good it feels to hear that your child is getting the nourishment that she needs and gaining weight. That is always something that I worry about since I don't know how much she is getting. So it made me very happy to hear.

So then the nurse comes in to give the shots, and I got SO nervous. I wanted to cry, but knew I had to be strong for Lauralyn. So anyway, I just sat in the chair next to her, and watched her face, rubbed her head and talked to her. I didn't even look at the nurse give her the shots. It was all over in a matter of seconds and the nurse picked her up to console her and then gave her to me. As soon as I held her close and gave her that paci, she was fine. She stopped crying and was totally fine. So I just put her back in her car seat and we left. I was so proud. Here are a couple pics:

This was while we were waiting to see the Dr. and before her shots.

This was right after her shots when I put her in the car seat (see her purple band-aids)

This was once we got home...happy as can be!

2 months already!

2008-11-04T19:16:00.000-08:00

I can't believe my Lauralyn is already 2 months old today! It has been so great getting to know you sweet girl. You make me so happy. I love you SO much.

Here are a few pics:

I love this pic...the outfit is from my Aunt Laura

This is from Sarabeth's birthday party...Lauralyn's first birthday party to attend. She loves it outside...it makes her happy, and especially in her daddy's lap.

This was Lauralyn's very first plane ride. She did SO good...no fussing at all. Everyone was saying "what a good little traveler!"

She is in her swing looking at the mobile...I love her big grins.

Daisy just loves to stop the swing so she can look at the baby...LOL. Lauralyn is thinking "I love you Daisy but quit stopping my swing!"

"Tah-dah! I'm 2 months old!"

And pose!

My Sweet Lauralyn....

2008-10-24T20:41:00.001-07:00

Words can't even begin to express how you have blessed mine and your daddy's life...and you're only 7 weeks old. I love you more than you even know and I praise God every day for allowing me to be the one to raise you.

I love your little sneezes that are always followed by this cute little half sneeze and half sigh. Your daddy and I laugh out loud every time you do it.

I love your little fussy cry that sounds like your saying "uh huh" over and over again in a whiney voice. I can't help but chime in with you sometimes...cracks me up.

I LOVE your morning happy time. You grin and coo at me....makes my heart melt! I feel like you are trying to talk to me SO bad, and all that comes out is a cute little girl sound.

I love that you have such a great mixture of your daddy and I. You have his wonderful skin tone and dark hair and my big blue eyes. You are beautiful.

I love it when your eyes always seem to find me in a room...even when there are other people around. It doesn't matter if there is a crowd, you can always find mommy's face and you are calm. You even get calm when you hear my voice.

I love it when you are fussy for no real reason and mommy is the only one that can soothe you. Daddy is getting the hang of it too and doing great, but sometimes a girl just wants her mommy...I can understand that. It feels so good to be needed by you.

Well, I can tell that I am in for a lifetime of joy with you in my life. Your daddy and I look forward to every birthday, Christmas, Easter, Thanksgiving, Halloween, and so on that we get to spend with you...not to mention all the other joys we will experience.

You are the most precious gift from God that your daddy and I have received, aside from our salvation and our love for each other. We will love you and keep you safe and you will always be able to rely on us.

Thank you God for this blessing!

I have pictures posted on my picasa web album:

http://picasaweb.google.com/StephanieLCortez

Here are some of my favorites:

Lauralyn Rose Cortez is here!

2008-09-07T17:41:00.000-07:00

Well, she is here! Born Thursday, September 4, at 4:39 PM. She weighed 6 pounds 10 ounces and 18.5 inches long. I am SO in love with this little girl that it scares me at times. God has truly blessed Adrian and I and we are so thankful for our new daughter. Here is a video with some pictures. The song that it is set to is the one that I sing to Lauralyn (started it in the womb). Enjoy!

It's Almost Baby Time

2008-08-29T11:42:00.000-07:00

Ok...so I am 39 weeks pregnant, and I am still not dilated (except maybe 1 cm), and my Dr. does not think that I will go into labor any day soon. So, I was upset when she told me that, however we all know that babies will decide on their own and of course it will happen in God's timing. However, my Dr. will not let me go past 41 weeks....SO I am scheduled to be induced on Thursday, September 4, if the baby does not come on her own before then. We are REALLY excited and can't believe that she will be here in less than a week. I am going to be a MOM!! It is all so exciting and surreal. Anyway, so just keep us in your prayers this week, and if you don't hear from us before, then we will for sure have a baby on Thursday! God bless!

Preparing for Lauralyn Rose

2008-08-15T15:47:00.000-07:00

Lately, I have been going through the nesting phase of pregnancy, and it has been so fun. All I want to do is go into that little nursery and re-organize her onesies and clothes and just look at them thinking that very soon my child will wear them! It is just so hard to imagine right now.

A couple weeks ago, when the nesting was really setting in, Adrian and I decided to put the crib, dresser, and hutch together and set it all up. We had SO much fun building it all. At first, Adrian pretended like he didn't need or want my help, but he totally did. Before long, we were laughing and having a blast. So over the course of two evenings, we got it all put together and I am so excited. I just can't believe it. Here are a few pictures of the process.

This is Adrian working on the dresser

This is the dresser (without the hutch part built)

Here is the complete dresser and hutch...I love it!

Starting on the crib (this was the easiest)

The finished crib....YAY!

So those are some pictures of the baby room. We have finished setting it up, but I need to take more pictures of it and post them. Oh, well here is a picture of the cradle that we have in the living room at the moment. This was built by my great great (and so on) grandfather and has been used for many years now (my mom was even rocked in it as a baby). I love it.

Ok, now I will share just one more picture. This is the door to the nursery. The frame has her name in it, and my Aunt Laura made it for the family shower that she hosted, and I love it so much so I decided to nail some matching ribbon to it and make it into a door hanger to the nursery.

Lauralyn, we are ready for you and SO anxious to meet you.

Love,

Dad and Mom

My First Blog

2008-08-13T18:09:00.000-07:00

Ok....I finally gave in and decided to start up a blog. Well, I am 37 weeks pregnant and can't believe that I will be holding my little Lauralyn in 3 short weeks. I can't wait to meet her and sing to her. I have been practicing my song to her now for a long time...hehe. Actually, she has probably already heard it several times considering she is apart of me at the moment.

Well, I am just figuring this whole blog thing out, so I will learn how to post pictures and all the other fancy stuff. Hopefully this will work out and I will be able to keep my blog current. We shall see!