We had to get sick eventually!

Poor sick Joaquin

Tallulah and her princess Joaquin

Grace and Tallulah at ballet

We are often spoiled in our house and rarely get sick. Many toddlers seem like they have a constant runny nose but Tallulah has had a few colds and never got sick as a baby. Poor Joaquin will not have that same luxury! Tallulah had a small and brief cold last week and I prayed it would not hit Joaquin but it did! Having a four month old with a cold is not fun! He was so miserable and had a hard time breathing and sleeping. He ended up with an ear infection. Our doctor told me to prepare because when you have a toddler in the house, the baby is sure to get sick but in the long run it builds up their   immune system.
Joaquin is doing much better now but we are still in need of catching up on our sleep. Hopefully, all will be better soon.  On a lighter note, Tallulah kicked butt on potty training and is happy to be in "big girl undies". It was pretty easy with her because she was ready. That was the key to success.

Grandma Milanna was here a couple weeks ago for a fun visit.  Tallulah had so much fun playing with her and loved the princess crowns that she brought for her.  It was so great to have her here and see the growth in both our beautiful children.

In other news, I am working very part time from home for an amazing natural foods startup called Earnest Eats. I am helping them with some marketing initiatives. They are a great team to be a part of.

Tallulah started her next round of ballet class and soon we will be looking at swimming lessons. I think spring is coming and warm weather is coming. Other then that things are good and happy for our wonderful little family.

Lots of fun in Ojai and potty training here we come!

Favorite park in Ojai, look at those mountains in the back!

Our valentine with her new valentine baby (Lyla Mitchell has one just like it)

Valentine Dress

More amazing photos from Leah

It is hard to believe that March is almost here but I am anxious for spring!  Joaquin will be four months next week and he is blossoming like crazy.  He loves to talk and is busy trying to roll over. I think he would have done it by now if he could just keep his fingers out of his mouth!

Last weekend, we went to Ojai and we had a great time.  We were a bit nervous since we rent a little cottage and we all sleep in one room but it was super fun and Tallulah and Joaquin did awesome.  It helped that Tallulah slept in her pack and play.  She barely fit in it but she liked it.  We really love it in Ojai. It is what we imagined Encinitas being like way back when.  It is a magical place for us.

Tallulah just got her big girl bed and mattress so know we just need to paint it and get it set up in her room.  She is very excited about the new bed.  This weekend is also official potty training weekend.  Tallulah has been using the potty for awhile now but still using a diaper since we have not had time to focus on total potty time so this weekend is the official showdown.  She is excited about wearing her big girl undies and seems anxious to do it this weekend so we think it will be great.

On Monday, Grandma Milanna is coming for a visit which will be a nice treat.  We have not seen her since Joaquin was three weeks so it will be fun for her to see how much he and Tallulah have grown.

Our next report hopefully we will be successful one of "no more diapers" for Tallulah and an update from Joaquin's 4 month check up.

Much love,
The Bravos

Tallulah's first trip to the dentist

Leah's amazing family photo.

Look at that face.  She is going to be trouble.

Tallulah's first dental cleaning.

Silly siblings.

Handsome guy.

Last Monday, Tallulah had her first trip to the dentist.  It was her first dental exam and cleaning and she did amazing!  We made sure that we explained everything that was going to happen and made sure she had a fun experience.  The pediatric dentist we went to did an excellent job and Tallulah had a lot of fun.  We are proud that she is now in the "No cavity club" and we will continue to teach her good brushing skills and flossing.  Her teeth are already pretty crowed so it is likely she will have braces some day but hopefully no extractions!  At the end of the appointment, Tallulah was happy to pick a sticker and a cool princess wand.  Her teeth sparkled for the rest of the day.

Over the weekend, we were so lucky to have our wonderful friend Leah, take family pictures of us.  We took them at the botanical gardens which was the perfect back drop.  Leah is so talented and she captured us beautifully.  Aaron and I could not believe how amazing the pictures turned out.  We have only seen a few but look forward to seeing more.

Valentine's day is this week and we have some special things planned for our family.  I think we will do a special Valentine's dinner with our sweet children. Tallulah has a special Valentine dress that she is anxious to wear.  It is inspired by her Pinkalicous Valentine book.  She had been busy making Valentines for her friends and has been so happy to receive some Valentines from her friends.  In particular, the cutest Valentine from Miles Landman.  It came to her in the mail yesterday and was full of a kiss from him. 

Joaquin is growing like crazy and is so close to rolling over.  Hopefully in this next week, he will accomplish his goal and make it over.  We think his eyes are going to stay light so we love that because it is a little piece of me!

We hope you have a wonderful week full of love and joy.

Love,
The Bravos

Joaquin is 3 months old and life is busy!

It is hard to believe that Joaquin is three months old.  He is growing like crazy and very busy grabbing his feet, talking and drooling a lot and he even has more hair then he was born with.  He just started sleeping from like 8:00pm to 3:00am so that is great for us but we will see how long it lasts.

Tallulah is loving her ballet and tap class.  She really is a natural performer.  She has also become quite the girl and is in love with all things pink, princess and ballet.  However, she is pretty tough and loves kicking the soccer ball and blasting it around the park.  She really is fear less.

Yesterday, we were at teh store and she pointed to a doll she wanted.  It was a Barbie doll.  I could not belive it!  Aaron and I both think she is a bit too young to have a Barbie, maybe when she is a little bit older.  For now, we will stick with her babies.

In a couple weeks, we will be doing a family weekend trip to Ojai. We love it there and so does Tallulah.  It will be a nice get away.

Spring is around the corner and we are anxious for beach days and swim and surf.  Aaron recently completed a design for a shirt that Prana will be releasing, we are excited about that and he will be doing some shirts for Patagonia Cardiff as well.  We are so appreictive of these fun jobs for him.  It is tough to find the time but Aaron always makes it happen.

We love all and look forward to updating you soon.

Love,
The Bravos

Doctor Check ups and a visit from the Mitchells

Amazing family shot!

Handsome Men!

Lyla, Tallulah and Cody

Special Friends

Joaquin and Tallulah had there check up yesterday.  It was Tallulah's two and half year check up and Joaquin's two month check up even though he is two and half now.

Joaquin gained 4 pounds since his last check up so he weighs 12 pounds at 23% for boys and is 23.5 inches long at 47% and his head is 43 cm at 96%.  So he is a little guy right now, tracking just like Tallulah was so who knows he may be long and lean like her.  Time will tell but he is eating and growing great. 

Tallulah is 31 pounds at 75% and is 36.25 inches at 70% so she is mellowing out on her growth for now.  Both check ups were great!  Healthy children is a blessing!

On Sunday, we also had a wonderful visit from our good friends, The Mitchells.  The last time we saw them was in June so it was so great to see them and see how much Lyla and Cody have grown.  We had a great visit and Tallulah loves playing with them and it was great to have them meet Joaquin.  They are expecting their third child in June so we look forward to his arrival!

We have know them for 8 years which is hard to believe and we feel blessed everyday for the amazing, loving friends we have.

Love,
The Bravos

Our little ballet dancer

Bath Time

Two and a half months old

Future musician in action

As many of you know, Tallulah started her ballet and tap class this week and she was so happy!  Not to brag (but I will), Tallulah has always been quite the musical child.  She has a strong ear for sound which is why I think she started talking early on and speaks so well for her age.  Her sense of rhythm for playing instruments and dance is pretty awesome plus she loves it!  Yesterday, she had me sitting with her as she played a box and a cup in a drum circle and chanted.  She is too much!

Here are some pictures and video of her first class.  It will be fun to see her progress.

Love,
Alicia

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year!

Joaquin at 2 months.

In love with her tutu.

Ballet in action.

Santa came!

Her "baby changing toy".

The Cousins

It is hard to believe that Christmas is already over and we have started the new year!  We had a wonderful Christmas and Tallulah was so excited about Santa's visit.  She was so happy that he surprised her with her request of "the baby changing toy" and said he was a piggy for eating all the chocolate chip cookies.  After a busy Christmas morning, we had everyone over for Christmas lunch with yummy tamales, rice and beans and plenty of amazing cookies that Auntie Andrea made. 

Then the children were spoiled with many more presents to open from Abuela and the Uncles and Aunties and Cousins.  Christmas is extra special when you get to celebrate it with your children and close family.  We are so blessed with our great family and to have them all so close to us. 

Christmas was a bit sad because it was the last time we would see Auntie Sara, Uncle Richie and Cousin Julien for a couple months.  They are going to stay with Sara's dad for a couple months in Sunnyvale so we look forward to their return!

Joaquin just turned two months and is looking more like a handsome little boy and getting a bit chubby.  Tallulah is growing as well into more of a big girl.  Next week she starts ballet and she is super excited.  Everyday she has been wearing her tutu and ballet shoes and I have to say that she is quite the dancer.  We also took her to the Nutcracker ballet a couple weeks ago and it was the children's ballet so she loved it.  She danced in the aisle the whole time.  People kept coming up to ask me if she took lessons or how she learned to dance like that.  I guess she is our little natural dancer.

Tallulah also went bowling for the first time last weekend.  It was a rainy day so Uncle Jeremy and Auntie Andrea asked if we wanted to go bowling. Tallulah loved it and Joaquin slept the whole time in the Ergo carrier.  It was a fun time.

We look forward to new things in 2013 and hope for many fun family adventures as our beautiful children grow.  We are thankful for our awesome family and friends and look forward to more time with them in the year to come.

Happy New Year!

Love,
The Bravos

Nutcracker Ballet