Pictures from Jillian Miller: Cuevas Family Photos 8.1.2009

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Pictures from Cuevas: Charlie 11 Months

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Let me know which one is your favorite - I'm having a hard time choosing!

11 months and walking

As if he knew it was his monthly birthday yesterday Charlie took off walking - and literally - it was if he was a different baby (again!) overnight. Yes, there has been a big lead up to this with pushing the  wagon but my goodness.  Jose and I are in shock and awe and laugh at his delighted squeal of pride when he reaches 4-6-8-steps and then clamors to hold the next piece of furniture. Wow is all I have to say!

It's such a special time in our little guy's life and we can wait to celebrate his birthday with you all :-)

Happy 11 months baby boy!

We love you Charlie *sitos*

We've had a busy weekend - bought a super nice treadmill super cheap from my friend Marlene (also a fitness trainer) and bbq'ed at her house Fri night. I'm excited to give that bad boy a whirl! Saturday we headed to SF for a photo shoot with my super talented cousin, Jillian and I'm excited to see some of the results - it's tough to get a pic with both of my boys in the same frame as me! Then we putzed (sp?) around SF with Charlie in the pack and when he was quiet (watching EVERYTHING) it almost felt like the "old days" when Jose and I would take off for the day and fall into things to do. There's definitely a lot more hand holding when you're not pushing the jogger :-)

Today we're up early - had a yummy breakfast and Jose is working on a ribs recipe.  Charlie has much improved behavior today after fri & sat when he's "yelping" turned into full on yelling, not cute. Patience on backorder.

Happy Engagement Day ~ 4 Years Later...

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We became engaged:

July 31, 2005

Half Moon Bay, California

Here are some photos of the period surrounding our engagement the details of which I'd like to keep largely to myself but what made Jose "realize" he wanted to spend the rest of his life with me is a bit funny looking back.  In 2005 Jose wanted to live together but I wasn't ready to start over again so we decided he should move into my apartment in April, we then scheduled a vacation to Puerta Vallarta right afterward. I was soooooo excited - I had never been to Mexico - never been out of the country. I think it was Day 3 of our seven day getaway that when stepping of a local bus to el centro I sprained my ankle - BADLY.  (This has been a recurring issue since early basketball days).  How do you sprain you ankle getting off a bus? I know...sounds ridiculous but it was about a 2 foot drop into the cobblestone street and the bus starting taking off before I was completley out...nice huh? Long story short I fainted and it completely freaked Jose out because I'm now a waif of a girl...never fainted before and haven't fainted since.  The local doctor said it was probably just by body's way of coping with the pain.  As Jose yelled for help most of the locals thought I was just passed out - I had barely had a drink! I'll never forget Jose's face as I came to the second time (apparently I came to once and fainted again quickly) or how he shared his feelings later in the time share over room service burgers.  After seeing the hotel doctor the next day he said we needed to go to the hospital and thus our journey in the Mexican hospital began, but they took great care of me.

All this lit a fire under Jose's butt because as he says he knew then that he couldn't live without me.  From then on it was only a matter of time :-)

Check out the photos from our PV vacation, my ugly ankle, and telling my siblings when we returned and I was still "planning" a "wedding".

Paying It Forward

We helped a vet starting over today and it feels so good to pay it forward. I know what it means to start over. I know what it means to start again with just an empty apartment. I know what it means to live without a couch or tv and to worry about how you will pay the rent on your own. I've been good about always keeping some emergency money in my savings for the unexpected and my family and friends have been so generous with me, especially in these times - one in particular. But not everyone is so lucky and today I am reminded of that.

Time out with Aunt Erin (not to be confused with Tia Ryn)

So Erin and I know live off of the same main street and closer than ever (well, at least since we stopped living together in 2000 or was it 2001?) and yet it seems that - at least so far - we only really ever see each other if it's 7am and at starbuck's. We run opposite schedules with her work going until 7pm typically which is when CC's "witching hour" hits full swing.  We are hoping that she can meet up with us at one of our many park outtings from this week forward.

One of us is always late, me usually something to do with Charlie - Erin with a stupid coworker or kitty issue  (her wild babies). Today it was Erin and Charlie got a bit restless. He loves to push anything across the floor so he can "walk".  Here he is with the starbucks' chair.  I learned today that we should always sit nearest the barista bar so he can watch people work and see where all those sounds are coming from :-)