5 days until my baby is 9 months old!

In 5 days, Nadia will be out of my tummy as long as she was inside my tummy! Today is our last day in Georgia (we'll be driving home tomorrow) and I'm amazed at all of the cool things she can do at almost 9 months old..

• Yesterday, Nadia started shaking her head NO (amazing the things a baby learn so early!)
• She knows what a camera is and will smile in the direction of the camera the second she spots it
• She will "put her hands up" when you say "put your hands up!"
• She crawls with her tummy on & off the floor and can put herself in the sitting position (sometimes) and take herself out (all the time).
  
• She tries to copy the motions to an Itsy Bitsy Spider when you sing it to her and do the motions too! She puts her little hands together and tries to do the motions for the spider going up the web and then she'll do the rain and sun!
  
• When you bounce her up and down and then stop- she'll start bouncing her own body so you'll keep it up!
• She knows about dogs and loves to squeal at them, follow them around with her eyes, and pull on their ears, tails, hair, etc
• Nadia blows KISSES!
• She says: ma-ma & pa-pa and also sounds like she's trying to repeat and imitate other words (to the best of her ability) after she hears someone else say them. Like, when you say "Hey Nadia!" She says "HEY!" or at least it sounds like it!
• She wants to try new foods and opens her mouth when she sees "adult people" eating so she can get a taste
  
• She loves loves loves to look at herself in the mirror (sound like anyone you know?)
• She loves loves loves Mickey Mouse Clubhouse.
  

Nadia has one brave mommy!

On Thursday, we went White Water Rafting on the Ocoee River in TN. Table-saw, Double Trouble, Washing Machine & Broken Nose were just some of the names of the white water we braved. Nadia stayed behind at the cabin.

Bears, Wild Turkeys & Snakes! Oh my!

I'm writing today from the mountains of North Georgia where Nadia is on her very first family vacation. It was a 14 hour drive here plus 30 minutes through a long, dirt, winding, bumpy, steep path that led us to our secluded cabin far away from civilization. Not only is Nadia sharing this cabin with her mommy, daddy, grandparents, bisabuelos, tia, tio, madrina, but we've also brought 4 dogs with us too (and no, they aren't all mine!) Here are some pictures of what we've been up to this week...
Our cabin is named Bear Creek Lodge... That's a picture of it above.
We brought BOB along on our trip too... He's finally had the opportunity to do what he was meant to do- go off roading! If you look closely, you can see our tiny yorkie Mischa riding in BOB's basket!We've been doing a whole lot of eating in this house (and it's only Wednesday)! When we get back- I am going on a BIG MASSIVE INTENSE diet!
On Tuesday all the young people (except for Nadia) went to Six Flags. I was brave rode a total of ONE ride (I HATE roller-coasters).
At Six Flags, I bought Nadia this fabulous t-shirt!
Nadia also went on her very first boat ride. We rented a Pontoon Boat and cruised Carter's Lake. The boys jumped it the water and went for a swim. It was freeeezing!

Well, that's it for now... stay tuned for more updates from GEORGIA!

And the countdown has OFFICIALLY begun...

One day I know that I will look back at this time in my life and remember it as the most special, beautiful, memorable time ever. I have absolutely loved being on maternity leave. The past 8 months have been absolutely amazing. I am so grateful that I've had the chance to stay home for this long, but honestly- I want more! Last night Laz asked me if I'd be happy if I could stay home for 3 more months (I'm blessed with a husband who just wants to please), and my answer was no. Because the truth is- 3 more months would just prolong the inevitable- I have to go back to work and the longer I push it off, the harder it's going to be.

I've already started a countdown and I am dreading the day I have to wake up in the morning and be without her. My heart hurts so much just thinking about it, I can imagine it's going to really hurt when I have to actually do it.

I decided that I am going to do something fun each and every day I have left before I have to go "back." I want to know that I enjoyed every single moment of maternity leave to the very last second! So here we go...

Yesterday we went to the WATER PARK! Nadia loved splashing the water. This water park is great because it is shallow enough that babies can sit in it. I seriously plan to visit this place at least once a week from here until when I have to go "back."

Today we visited the MIAMI SEAQUARIUM (let me tell you, summer was not the best choice to visit that place!) Next time, we'll be visiting Flipper in the WINTER time! Regardless of the heat, we still had a great time. Nadia absolutely loved getting wet in the misters. Honestly, I think that was her favorite part of the entire day!

Don't you love the rosy cheeks??? She always gets flushed after just a few minutes outside. And of course, we always make sure to wear a hat to protect her head from the dangerous sun!

My baby is 8 months old!

Can you believe it? I barely can!

RED, WHITE, & BLUE!

Do you think we ended up with a few too many outfits?

She's like a fish!

We make sure to always wear a hat to protect her baldie head from the sun!