May-hem!

Where is this month going - better yet, this YEAR?! May has indeed been a busy month at our house: Sophia's 1st School Program, beach trip to Sandestin, a baby shower for my Sigma Kappa sister, a wedding in New Orleans & as of monday, Baby Lopez hit 18wks!

So, here's what's happening with our newest growing member of the family:

Baby Lopez is about 5.5" inches from crown to rump (approx. the size of a bell pepper) and weighs about 7oz (a smidge less than a can of Coke!. Baby Lopez is busy learning how to flex his/her arms & legs - movements that Mommy can feel every now & then! Baby's ears are in their 'final' permanent position, but likely still stick out a bit (ears that only a Mommy could love!). Even a thin covering of myelin is starting to cover his/her nerves - a process that will continue even in the year after Baby is born! If Baby L is a girl (most people are betting on this), then all her little girl parts are there & in place - same goes for a baby boy! Unfortunately, we still have a tortuous week & a half before my 20wk u/s (Mon. June 7th) until we know if Baby L is a Prince or Princess! I'm so excited that I almost wish I was having twins so that I could get a BOGO deal - one girl, one boy! Note my usage in the word "almost"!

Mommy & Baby Lopez - 18 weeks

Baby Lopez is the size of yummy bell pepper!

I'm definitely sporting a cute baby bump these days - thankfully I'm only gaining weight in my tummy - some has gone elsewhere, but I haven't ballooned into a whale, so I'm thankful for that. I continue to workout daily at the gym, but I've noticed my energy is considerably less than pre-baby - which is quite frustrating to me! I don't have a ravenous appetite (yet), and acutally become quite full on just small portioned meals - doing my best to be eating the 'right' things...but every now & then some chocolate sneaks in there!

Sophia's 1st School Program!

The Spring program songs had been taught way back even at the beginning of the school year last September - the 5-day 2yr olds had been practicing all year for this one day (namely their 15mins of fame, quite literally!). Sophia had cracked us up the past several months as she'd sing her little heart out during bathtime or in the morning - we were dying for this day to come!

Luckily, lots of well-wishers attended the performance: Abuelita (Patricia), YaYa (Javier), Nana (Diane), Papa (Mark) and of course Mommy & Daddy! We got great seats, but just far enough back that Sophia wouldn't quite see us -we were afraid if she saw us all, she may not sing at all! Rod went to the back with the rest of the Daddy's to film, & Sophia actually spotted him as her class entered the church - she even waved ecstatically! It was a total hoot to see these 5 classes (10 kids each) climb up to their special places on the risers - some kids were excited, some picked their noses, some pushed their classmates, some even turned around to face the back of the room! Sophia got to sit next to one of her bff's, Violet, so all was well. Photos were hard to snap as Sophia sat directly behind one of the microphones.

Sophia behind the microphone - see her?

The program was literally 15mins long & a priceless 15mins no less! Sophia was SO happy to soak up the attention & bask in the limelight (she must have her Mommy's acting/singing genes!). The kids sang all the classics: "Itsy Bitsy Spider", "If You're Happy & You Know It", "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star", The Lord's Prayer among others. They even all recited the Pledge of Allegiance! Afterwards, there was a reception chalked full of goodies for the kids & families to enjoy...we were SO proud of our little star!

Sophia the Starlet!

Next came our family trip to Destin with Rod's family. We were all looking forward to a little R&R down at the beach before Patricia rented out their beach house for the next year! We had a great time - yummy food, sunny skies, warm weather & lots of sand time:

Daddy & Daughter Fishing Date

Feeding the fishies

Mommy & Sophia building sandcastles

Beach Babe

Daddy gets buried - Devon shares a cerveza!

Sophia & Gabby at Bistro Bijoux in Baytowne Wharf

Lucy, Sophia & Ella: Beach Buddies!

Sophia used chopsticks all on her own - NO HELP!

The family at a beach favorite: Vin'tij Wine Boutique

We all had a great time in Destin playing in the sun & sand - and I was quite happy with the loot I got at the outlet mall too...now if only we could move to the beach!

More on the Sigma Kappa baby shower & the New Orleans wedding next time...