Bronx Zoo/Happy Birthday Daddy

us going out for dinner

Daddy and Manny's cake (he likes to share everyone's b-day)

Norwalk Aquarium

My mom and I took the kids to the aquarium in Norwalk, Connecticut. The drive wasn't bad (once Julian fell asleep) and it was a nice aquarium. I would have liked to have seen more animals, but it was just big enough for the kids.

Can never get the boys to cooperate at the same time :)

Manny reading the map

Julian loving the penguins

J having fun in the hippo mouth

precious

Taina the turtle

Julian wasn't big enough for any of them

Grandma and Taina

Manny LOVED these boats...wanted one in the gift shop....$300..don't think so

cool frog

my favorites

He did it!

This morning Julian kept saying "pee pee, pee pee" and I ignored him because I was in the middle of making breakfast. He usually tells me this when I need to change him so I thought nothing of making him wait a few minutes. Taina, who doesn't deprive him of ANYTHING asked if she could take him to the potty. I figured it couldn't hurt and just told her to be sure she wipes up the floor if he goes there (has happened) He used the potty and actually went in it!! We are all so proud of Julian and I owe it all to Taina for listening to him :)

18 months old

Julian is 18 months old today...I can't believe it's been a year and a half...the time has flown and before I know it he will no longer be a baby; but he'll always be MY baby!! He is doing all the same as 17 months and then some. The vocabulary has grown even more, I couldn't even begin to list all of his words. He is just as fast as his brother and sister; gotta keep up with them. He loves horses (we've been out to Blue Chip to see them) and he loves dogs. He can identify his head, hair, eyes, ears, belly and nose (for some reason the finger always goes up in the nose when I ask where his nose is).

At his check up today he got 3 shots...and he was quite hard to hold down, he's quite a strong little guy. He weighs 26 lbs 5 oz (50th %) and is 33" (about 70th %). The doctor is quite pleased with his growth.

His new obsession is taking off his shorts and diaper and trying to use the toilet like his brother. I took out the little potty so when he is ready we can start potty training him. He sits on it....sometimes in clothes....takes it apart and even pees next to it....we'll get it right at some point!!

Julian has also discovered his voice and the sounds it can make. Of course his brother (still loud and enjoys screaming) thinks this is hilarious and encourages him to scream. He also has thrown a few tantrums...getting ready for 2 :)

More soccer

Last week Manny was goalie the entire game...he did AWESOME!! The other team had the ball quite often and he blocked all but one shot (he was paying attention to what the coach was telling him and didn't see the ball coming.) He was goalie this entire game as well and did such a good job!! He is actually sad that soccer is over...maybe I need to look into fall soccer instead of waiting again until next summer.

Michael and Manny

Pop and Julian (many say J looks like Pop)

Julian and Gabriella giving some love

lucky stop!!

he wanted me to stop taking pics

The Dragonflies

Pool fun

The weather hasn't been all that great but the kids love to play in the pool. The water is ice cold and then will play for about 2 hours....until I've had enough and call it quits.

J running away with pool toys

plumber butt...losing his trunks

they "had to" keep refilling the pool so they could splash it out again

Mommy and Julian

Mr. Cool

Taina had Julian laying out with her...

...for about 30 seconds...this is more fun!!!