Recapping the fall

It's been such a long while since I've had time to sit down and update our blog. I know I'll have lots of Christmas and New Year's stories to share very soon, but I decided to recap our fall as we launch into this holiday week.

The Cariagas have survived "the semester that was." We made it through intact and even managed to squeeze in some family time. I had a student teacher from Boise State this semester from October 18 until this past Friday. Teresa Wagner was a huge blessing to me and my students. Another addition to my fall calendar was the first annual Canyon County Honor Choir that took place in November and which is basically a mini-All State for our local kids. It was an amazing and worthwhile activity for the students, and a ton of pressure and work for their teachers. I'm so glad we did it and so glad it's over! It also feels good to have my holiday concert and first semester behind us. (Nampa schools have their finals before the break this year which should really help the kids.)

Vinnie's semester was daunting with biology and a five-credit math class as well as other courses. We're excited that he's past this one as it was difficult on everyone. He worked incredibly hard and we missed him!

While Vinnie had a night lab on Thursdays this semester, Diego and I enjoyed nights out with Grandpa and Grandma. We would have dinner together and then stroll the greenbelt. Diego loves to go on walks and take in all the sights! On Wednesdays we walked with my friend Kate and her daughter Lillian. The two babies were very interested in each other and the two mamas got to have some grown up time! While Vinnie was studying it was fun for me to take Diego to nearby park and walk while we watched the soccer teams practice. Diego would kick like crazy, always a favorite activity for him. I imagined him saying, "Put me in, coach!"

At Old Chicago with

Grandma checking

out the Christmas lights.

With Uncle Ryan at Confuscious.

D can't wait until he can have

some of that delicious Chinese food!

We also like to walk with my friend, Kate, and her daughter, Lillian. The babies are always very interested in each other and the mamas get some girl talk!

Other highlights this fall included a whirlwind Thanksgiving spent at three different locations and Halloween! We let Diego "pick" his costume by trying them on and showing him his reflection. His favorite was a giraffe which made him giggle, squeal, and coo! He wore it to Boo at the Zoo where we met up with Josie, Tovey and Rylee Call (who was a duck!) It was a wonderful day that we all decided needs to be a tradition.

Diego sat up by himself at 6 months. Here he is with his friend Rylee about a week before that milestone. He began crawling (army style) on November 3 at 6 months and two weeks. About two weeks ago he began experimenting more with balancing on all fours, although he hasn't begun to crawl this way. He just finds his elbows a much more efficient mode of locomotion! (I'm pretty sure it has something to do with his big noggin!) Last Wednesday, December 15 he pulled himself up to a standing position with stabilizing help from Dad and hasn't stopped since. He loves his bouncer and wants to move whenever possible, so watch out! He also enjoys sitting up in shopping carts and cooing at whoever will talk to him.

He still loves his veggies although at this point he's had a wide variety of foods. A definite "yuck" reaction was earned by Tyler Florence's organic lentil bolognese designed for babies 6 months and older. That was one face I wish I had on camera! Diego loves to sit in a high chair and eat his solids while the adults are having dinner. He's even working on holding the spoon by himself

We are having such fun as a little family. Diego is very joyful and interested in the world around him. We feel very blessed by his happy disposition and love watching him discover new things. Favorites have been ceiling fans of all types, the painted ceiling and Chihuly-style lights at the Cheesecake Factory, the new monkeys at Zoo Boise, and books with bright colors. We are so excited for his first Christmas, even though we realize we'll probably get more out of it than he does. We think he'll love unwrapping presents given his penchant for crinkle paper and magazines!

We're excited for the new year and all it will bring, including more new baby friends! We know several amazing mamas-to-be and can't wait to meet their little ones!

We hope that this holiday season is good to you all.