Big boy shoes

Today I bought Liam his first, true pair of big boy shoes at Stride Rite. I had several people tell me that this brand is worth the investment. And I hope they will be, because they are more expensive than many of my shoes! Liam, however, did not share my same excitement with his new shoes.

Melting down after wearing his shoes for a few minutes.

Liam found a better use for the shoes in the teething department.
He also thoroughly enjoyed the box that his shoes came in.

Chewing the box top. Sigh. At least the box was worth the purchase.

The Burque

I might as well title this blog post, "Eating my way through Albuquerque." This past weekend Eric, Liam and I made the trip home to Albuquerque. We had an amazing time catching up with family, friends, and of course, eating at all of our favorites places. As you can see from the picture above, Cooper was less than thrilled by our absence.

We were extremely busy the whole trip, but it never seems like there is enough time to catch up with everybody. Friday morning we ate at our favorite breakfast place, Dos Hermanos. Eric likes to joke (I think) that if we don't eat there at least once - the entire trip is a waste.

Later that day we went over to my cousin Debbie's house for a swim play date with Liam's cousins, Ryan, Haley, and Isiah. This was his first time in a splash pool and he loved it! Although his favorite game was throwing all of the pool toys out of the pool. It is very similar to the game he has been playing in the bathtub recently!

That afternoon I met up with one of my best friends in the entire world, Stephanie. Steph is preggers with her first baby and is due in just two months. We went to the St. James Tearoom for afternoon tea. This was my first visit to the Tearoom which was phenomenal!

When you arrive you get to pick out a hat to wear for tea. Then they ring a bell and it is time to go to your private tearoom which all have these fun themes. Our tearoom was Hilltop Farm, which was Beatrix Potter's home (the creator of Peter Rabbit). The server brings you out different "courses" of tea, and corresponding foods. There are little linen napkins trimmed in lace and the sugar cubes are handmade. We felt like such ladies eating our scones, curd and cucumber sandwiches. It is just the most charming place!

I just had to take a picture of this pillow which reminded me of Chloe. A very dignified Chloe.

The fireplace in our tearoom. They had this beautiful hand-carved mantle and framed sketches of Potter's characters. We learned that the night before a couple got engaged in this room after the fiance left the engagement ring on this very mantle!

Each tier is a different course. We were so stuffed we couldn't even get to the bottom tier!

Supposedly every month there is a different theme at the St. James Tearoom. This month the theme is Alice in Wonderland. The little cakes have sugar printed designs that were taken from the original lithographs from the book. So much fun! Steph and I had a blast and are definitely planning our next trip after Baby Belle comes along!

That same evening, we met up with Eric's parents who were in town for a very short visit. We went to Flying Star (and no - I didn't continue to eat my fourth meal of the day...well...I may have had a bite of Eric's food). While this visit was planned beforehand, we were thrilled to learn that our timing would allow us some time together.

My parents recently completed a new extension on to their house, which includes this great family room. Liam loved their new carpet and would often put his head down on the floor and close his eyes. Very dramatic. Here he is playing with Grandma Gladys.

Saturday afternoon Eric, Liam and I attended Stephanie and Gabe's couples baby shower. The event was thrown by two of Steph's dear friends, Whitney and Rebecca. It is an exciting time for Steph and all her friends, most of whom have babies under the age of 1. I think I counted four babies and one of her other friends is due this week! It is a blessing to have a community of new mommies for support.

Saturday night my parents had a barbecue for our entire family. My family is really amazing because they are so close and always willing to get together on short notice. It is amazing how a BBQ can turn into a 30 person event! Everybody contributes food, etc. and we have the best time catching up. My parents got Eric and ice cream cake for his upcoming 30th birthday, which is on July 31.

After church on Sunday, we went to Sadie's for lunch (another one of our favorites). At this point I was beginning to hurt from the many meals we had been eating!

After a nap (for Liam and Mommy and Daddy) we went over to my brother, David, and sister-in-law, Gina's new home. Liam loved wandering around their backyard and throwing rocks from the landscaping into their lawn. Sigh. Boys.

After Liam went down for the night and thanks to Grandma G's willingness to babysit, we once again met up with Steph and Gabe at the Hard Rock Casino for a latte and great conversation. I also lost $2 in the penny slots. We can't all be winners.

It was a truly wonderful trip and I look forward to getting to visit again very soon!

On the market

Well our house has been officially on the market for several days now. The days leading up to it officially being listed were incredibly hectic. After all, there are things that you hold off on until you absolutely have to do them (i.e. washing windows, touching up walls, etc.). After Eric and I decided to try and sell the house, I felt like everything was going way too fast. But I also remembered that it was something that we have talked about doing for a very long time. Still, it is hard looking around the home we have occupied for almost five years. We have touched every surface. Painted every wall. Changed every light fixture.

However, as fate would have it, we have not had even one looker! Our Realtor warned us that the market was really slow. On one hand not having any prospective buyers has given me a chance to come to terms with the thought of packing up our whole lives and moving. After all, we have an idea of where we want to move. But until we sell, we can't even seriously look.

Anyhow, I thought I would post a few pictures of the house and a couple of changes we have made throughout the years. As home improvement junkies, we look forward to the new challenges of working on our next house...wherever that may be! But for now it looks like we are here.

Home sweet home

Our favorite investment has been the hand scrapped wood floors.
We will definitely make this investment again.

Liam's room. Eric lovingly (and painstakingly) worked on the paint.

Our guest bedroom. We are definitely taking our $15 chandelier from the
Neiman Marcus salvage sale with us.

The tumbled slate back splash was our first tiling project. It was quite an experience. Who knew that you couldn't let grout sit for long periods of time?! Thank goodness for acid and scrub brushes! Our hands were pretty raw.

Anybody who knows us knows that this total bathroom renovation nearly killed us. Our one month project turned into a ....four month project.

Who knew that installing a travertine wainscoting and building a complete travertine shower could be so hard. NEVER again. But lovely to use now!

Our bedroom

Living room

Stairwell. Another project where my love for Eric overshadowed my better judgment. However, yet another project where the payoff was quite stunning.

So in the end, we may be here awhile longer. You never really know what God has in store for you. But then again, tomorrow just might be the day where the next occupants of our home come by. Life is funny that way.

First haircut

This past weekend I got my hair highlighted by our dear friend and hairdresser, Will. Will was also kind enough to give Liam his very first haircut. This alleviated some of my fears, because I fretted about taking Liam to someplace that would butcher his curls. I had also heard horror stories from some of my friends of their kids first cuts. But Liam was calm and collected. And despite his shorter hair, the curls remain!

Liam enjoyed chewing on his comb. This wasn't too surprising considering that he also enjoys chewing on his chipmunk toothbrush, which we have to hide from him.

"I am not so sure about this..."

"Mom, how can you just stand there and watch all this?"

Trying to share his comb with Dad.

Success!

Will is constantly spoiling Liam. This was the cool, strange toy ball Will gave him. At first Liam didn't want anything to do with it. But in time he loved playing with it.

And another first - Popsicles! Liam loved his cool treat.

It was a great afternoon! Thanks again Will!

In other news, Eric and I have decided that it is time to put our house up on the market. We found a realtor we really like and it just feels like a good time to start a new chapter in our lives. However, as a result we have been tremendously busy getting the house "show ready." Tomorrow is the official day that the house is to be listed. Keep your fingers crossed!

More travels with the Baca Family

Here are a few more shots of our summer travels with the Baca Family (courtesy of Gabe, Stephanie and Annabelle [in utero]). Thanks for remembering to bring the camera Steph!



You may be wondering why the Bacas are wearing summer attire on the moon while the Pates have chosen much warmer clothing. Clearly the weather on the moon varies depending on your location.

For Steph

A visit from the Grandparents

This past weekend, my parents came to visit us from Albuquerque. And as a bonus they brought my Grandmother, Maria, with them. My "Abuelita" is from Puerto Rico, so we don't often times get to see her. And it was the very first time that Liam had the opportunity to meet his Abuelita.

Liam was a great help in helping me clean the floors.

Liam's sweet little curls. Eventually we will have to get his first haircut, but
for now I love his little tendrils.

Grandpa Marty walking with Liam. He lacks the confidence to walk
completely on his own, but if he would just let go...

Four generations

Our friends, Derek and Joannie found this book for their twins
and just had to bring it by to show us.

Funny!

Here is a video of Liam moving along the walls. I know that we should cherish these final days before he really "gets going" but it will be exciting to see him walk on his own.