Zoo Time

We love the zoo! I never get tired of it and am completely committed to supporting the zoo, which is why we always have an annual pass! Years ago I was a nanny for a little 2 year old girl, and whenever we visited the zoo she would tell me the names of all the animals, even the really rare ones. I remember thinking how wonderful it was that she was growing up with the San Diego Zoo being a regular part of her life. Now I get to go with Little Michael! He is going to benefit so much from these outings. I want him to appreciate all there is to learn at the zoo and not take for granted that all these animals are accessible to us!

Looking at the birds with Papa...

My little monkey...

Doesn't this look like a paparazzi pic?

Taking our turn on the hippo...

Can you bend your neck like a giraffe?
(from Little Michael's favorite book...)

Somebody is getting heavy! Can't wait for him to walk!

Experiencing Frustration!

Baby Michael loves to wear hats!!! But sometimes that love leads to frustration when his imagination and his motor skills don't match up. I love these pics! They are blurry, but still a must share!!

Hmmm....I would like to wear these on my head....

I can't get them on.....

I'm so sad!....

No! I'm not sad, I'm angry!!!...

Yes, sweet success!! (after some time and comforting!)

My Sunshine

How did I get so blessed?

Thank you God....

I have an idea!

I'm gonna move all my shoes to the kitchen.....

....then I will sort them just so......

....then I will sit on them!

TADA!!!

Snip Snip Here, Snip Snip There...

Our trip to Visalia was extra special this August! It was time for Little Michael's first haircut. Not just any first haircut! A haircut at his Grandpa Frank's Barber Shop by Grandpa Frank himself! What a special day!!

Here is Little and Big Michael preparing for this right of passage....


As you can see, we waited to cut Little Michael's hair for the first time until we could come to Visalia and have it trimmed by my dad. It had really grown out!!


All the family came to watch (except Nina/Tia Kim and Nino/Tio Gary. They couldn't make it but we know they were there in spirit!) Everyone was so excited!!


Michael sat very still for his first cut...


He loved the spray bottle...


My nephews kept him entertained while he sat in the barber chair...

Michael's First Haircut Certificate

...and I must add that it mentions good behavior!!!...

This was a special day for Grandpa Frank and Little Michael! A very special day....

And a special day for me too!

Yes, I cried a little. It meant so much to see my daddy cut my baby's hair! So much....

Big boy in the big barber chair with his new big boy haircut!
So handsome!

Balderama Reunion...

Every year the Pete Balderama family has a reunion in Fresno in the heat of August....Don't ask me why, but in one of the hottest places in California in the hottest month of the year my family gets together to celebrate! Unfortunately, we were not able to make it last year due to our little addition. But this year we were able to join the family and add the youngest member to the group! Michael and I were so excited to have the opportunity for all of my family to get to know little Michael. It was a quick trip, but an important one! Boy, do I miss my family!....


Yum! Yum! There is nothing like cold watermelon on a hot August day in the Valley! Little Michael enjoyed this cold tasty treat on his sore gums!


Our baby got a lot of attention from all his cousins! They all enjoyed playing with him and making him laugh!


More Watermelon!


A sweaty family photo! (Poor little Michael was seriously teething as you can see!)


Everyone lined up to hold "the baby"! Too cute! Thank you little cousins for all of your love!

The Balderama Family 2010!

Where did all the time go?

You know you are old when you look around at a family reunion and realize that you remember when all the "young" people were born!! I remember holding each one of these cousins when they were babies! Now they are all in college or even farther in life! Wow! Where did all the time go?....
Except for my brother-in-law on the far right, I held all all of the people in this pic when they were little and now they are in college! I remember when my aunt and uncle closed their restaurant for Malissa's first birthday (in the middle) and she got so many clothes they changed her 4 or 5 times at each family function.... And I remember pitching to the twins (Matt and Mitch) at my grandpa's ranch when they were 4 and I was 20!


Olivia (on the left) just started Kentucky State! Sooooo proud of you beautiful Liv! (proud of you too Anna, but you are my age and we aint young no mo!)


Erica and Alyssa all growsed up!


And beautiful Eve! College...Check! Marriage...Check! Baby....Check! And the Balderama's live on......

Our baby is 1!!!!

Has it already been a year? Like most moms, I can't believe how quickly the time has passed. I can barely remember what it was like with a big swollen belly. The jitters of giving birth for the first time are a faint memory. With the blink of an eye, I went from dreaming of my baby boy to holding him. And now he is one! Here is the first picture of us as a family.....
I can still hear Michael telling me he was feeling faint right after he heard his son's first cry. The anesthesiologist told him to sit down on the little seat next to my head. He pulled himself together and then they handed him our son...perfection!

It's 9:46 one year later. We are in my in-laws kitchen just after sharing breakfast. We captured the moment with some hugs and kisses!



I love my little family! Can't wait to see where we will be this time next year! I have some ideas!....

BUZZ! BUZZ!

Buzz Buzz! It's a bumble bee party! Yes, I spent weeks planning Michael's first birthday party. Really it was my first party to throw as a mama, so the pressure was on. I wish we had gotten better pictures, but it's hard to get good pics when the best photographer is papa! And papa was busy with the BBQ! The party was a big hit. Everything was black and yellow, with bumble bee accents all around. We had lots of friends and family join us to celebrate Baby Michael, now officially Little Michael (He's moving up!).....
Everyone enjoyed the day!

I couldn't pass up the chance to sport my bumble bee outfit. Ok, so it's just a black bathing suit and a yellow skirt! It was the best I could do!


Everyone enjoyed watching the cake extravaganza!!!


That cake was heavy!!


Thank you Grandpa Frank for gifting Baby Michael's first cake! When I was little my daddy always bought me a cake in the shape of the number I was turning, now it is baby Michael's turn to experience the tradition!


Here we are blowing out the candles for our birthday boy...As you can see, he got his very own smash cake separate from the big #1!


At first he wasn't sure....


...then he was!!


As you can see, cake quickly became a favorite!! Happy First Birthday Baby Michael!!!!