Catching up... overview of our busy summer

Well its been far too long since I've had the time to sit down at a computer to update this blog. I usually just check my email on my iPhone when I have that occasional free moment between diaper changes, nursing, and juggling life with two babies. But today I thought I would take a moment to write on on our blog to update you all on our life these past few months.


On May 28th we welcomed our second son, August Gregory Gilbert. (I've been working on writing up his birth story but it's still a few edits away from being ready to post. Stay tuned.) He's such the perfect little addition to our family and he's already captured all our hearts, especially Jude's. It's so sweet to watch Jude & August interact. I couldn't wait to see the two brothers together and their love for each other is even sweeter than I'd imagined. Even though raising two babies only 13 months apart (1 year, 1 month, 1 day to be exact) can be challenging, the blessings and rewards far out shine the difficult moments.

Love at first sight

big & little

a sneak peak at the newborn shots my talented sister Julianne took

This summer we traveled a ton, from coast to coast. We spent a week in July in San Diego. Jude loved watching the waves, but tried his best to avoid the sand at all costs. We had a nice semi-relaxing vacation (seriously, vacations are way different with babies). I think the highlight of our trip was our day spent at Sea World. Jude loved all the shows and impressed me with his patience while waiting for the next show to begin. He oo'ed & ahh'ed at each whale back flip and dolphin trick. Watching his excitement over seeing these animals for the first time made me feel like I was experiencing Sea World for the first time with him.

My dear friend Mimi just moved to San Diego to teach, I was so glad we were able to meet with her for dinner one night

Matching sweaters

My cousin Ashely Jo came along to help out with the boys, she is such a life saver and I love her like a sister

The only time he would touch the sand is when he was distracted trying to pick up seashells

Staying in the shade

Peek-a-boo

Jeff & I had a little date night at the Roller coaster. The kid in the background cracks me up.

Watching the Shamu show

First time drinking out of a straw

Shark Bait

Petting a starfish

First burger (it was just his size)

I love comparing photos of my boys, I think they have such unique looks.

On our way home from the Beach we stopped in Covina, CA so August could meet his godparents, My cousin Vanessa and her hubby Mike. It was a last minute adventure and I'm so glad we made the detour to see them. Although we were there less than 24 hours, we had so much fun watching the little cousins interact. Mike & Vanessa have a sweet 8 month old daughter, Abigail, and Jude was pretty smitten with her.

"Who's the youngest?"

All three of the Vasquez great-grand babies (Jude lovin' on Abby)

Nothing cuter than two babies in a tub

Bath Mohawk's... Abby is working on hers.

August and his god parents

In August I started back at work and Jude started going to a child care center two days a week. Much to our surprise, drop off went smoothly. (The only tears shed that first day were from Daddy). Jude has continued to impress me with his confidence and outgoing personality. He LOVES his little friends at school and his days spent there always lead to a full nights rest as he completely wares himself out playing. In just a few weeks he's grown so much in his vocabulary and skills. He has started saying so many new words including, "o-side" (outside), anana (banana), "strawber" (strawberries), "shooooes" (shoes), "tink yoo" (thank you) and "buh" (bye). We started giggling so much when we discovered his love of the hokey pokey and turning himself around and around

I'm so blessed that I'm able to work part-time this school year. I bring August to work with me on Tuesdays & Thursdays while Jude is at school and Wednesdays both boys stay home with Daddy. Which leaves me with a long 4 day weekend home with my babes. It's the perfect blend of family and work & I'm so thankful to have that balance. Plus its great for the boys to have Daddy alone to themselves on Wednesdays. I am so impressed with the amount of effort and love Jeff puts into parenting. Plus, it's super fun to have that warm welcome from Jude when I walk in the door.

Working on Mimi's computer

Happy little assistant

Goofing off with the copier

Towards the end of the month Jude & I took a trip to Georgia to visit our best friends Libbie & Arkham. Although we had 6 jam-packed days together, the trip seemed too quick. They moved back to Atlanta in March and after months of planning and eagerly awaiting our time reunited, it seemed to go by in just a blink. Highlights of the trip were the Panda's at the Atlanta Zoo, the dolphin show at the Atlanta Aquarium, matching outfits at the Children's Museum, and a joint bath. Us momma's had tons of fun as well, from floor seats at the Bruno Mars Concert, to riding all the rides at Six flags, to matching owl tattoos, to eating all the yummy fried southern food, to girl talk while snuggling in bed. There were tons of tears as we hugged goodbye at the airport. I miss the Wilson family sooo much and look forward to the next time we're all together again.

Jude's first time flying

Reunited

Chillin' N Killin'

Atlanta Humidity... nuf said

Atlanta Aquarium

Watching the show from his own seat like a big boy

My favorite shot of the day

Children's Museum

Jude loves his Auntie Bibbie

Cute lil fishermen

Bruno Mars Concert

Matching Phone cases

Six Flags

Matching tattoos to resemble each other. Mine has blue eyes & a Georgia Peach for Lib, & she has brown eyes & a four leaf clover for me.

I was laughing as I got tattooed because these babies reminded me of Ark & Jude

Magic Mike 2 Auditions

Photo shoot time

It didn't go as well as we'd hoped

Saying bye to Uncle Justin

Jude and I landed back in Arizona Monday night and then it was back on a plane Wednesday morning, only this time it was August's turn. August, Julianne (my sister), and I flew to New York to attend our Step-Dad's wedding with our baby brother Matthew. Although the trip was bitter sweet, we had such a wonderful time bonding and reconnecting as siblings. My heart was so full watching Matthew care for August. He's only 18 so he's always much to busy to visit with us, but we had a full 6 days together and by the end of the trip Matthew was insisting on being the one to carry August around. They're best friends. My step dad's wedding was a beautiful day and even though it was emotionally difficult to be a part of, I am happy to see my step dad sober and enjoying life. Side note: His new bride is the daughter of Bill Cosby, yes the sweater wearing-jello loving- Bill Cosby. More on that later.

Happy boy on the plane ride to New York... wearing the wing pin he got for being a first timer

First stop was the Brooklyn Bridge with Marty. 

(photo by Julianne)

Hot child in the city

My goofy brother

(photo by Julianne)

(photo by Julianne)

August's first time in the Subway

(photo by Julianne)

First Subway ride

(photo by Julianne)

Matty in front of John Lennon's home

(photo by Julianne)

Strawberry Field

(photo by Julianne)

Rehersal dinner with Lulu

My adorable date

Me, Lulu, Uncle Bear, Julianne, Geanie, Pat

Ensa & her dad (Bill Cosby)

Just Married

Uncle Matty & August

Newly Wed's

Family, Marty & His Sisters

The last day we went to the city, just us siblings. 

(photo by Julianne)

Auggie loved his first train ride

We saw Jake Gyllenhaal. He was with his mom so he wouldn't take a pic with us, but he was really polite about it. 

An August sized slice

New York at Night might be my favorite

(photo by Julianne)

Just this last weekend we were able to take a quick trip to Missouri to visit Jeff's grandparents. Our boys are quickly becoming world travelers. Jeff's grandpa was recently diagnosed with liver cancer and we were so glad to have the opportunity to spend time some quality time with him and introduce him to our boys. Although the reason for our visit was a sad one, I am so thankful we were able to have that time with him. It's a trip that we'll never forget and Jeff and I keep talking about it. While in Missouri we also got to visit with Jeff's Aunt, Uncle, cousin and her new fiance, and his other set of grandparents. Even though Jude's been having a difficulty with teething lately, I was really impressed with how well they adapted to being off their typical routine.

August & Great Grandpa Gilbert

Jude & Great Grandpa Gilbert

Matching Brothers

Jude's face kills me here

August & Great Grandma Frieze

We Great Grandma & Great Grandpa Frieze after lunch

Jude LOVES corn, his face says it all

We miss you guys already!

Overall, it has been a BUSY BUSY BUSY few months for us Gilbert's and I am really looking forward to a quiet month ahead of us.

I'll be trying to update this lil blog more often to keep ya'll up to date with all the adorable photos and stories of our everyday adventure.