Autumn with the Lopezes

It has been far too long since we posted here. Really - I think God should reconsider this whole "time" thing to add more hours to the day... Belén is growing so beautifully. Eric and I so often look at each other and marvel that this little miracle is ours. She started giggling last week. I literally jumped for joy last week when I first heard it; it is the sweetest sound in the history of the world.

She just turned five months old last week - we've hit a few major milestones: she now sleeps in her own bedroom, in her own crib (up until last month, she was in the bassinet next to our bed). To be honest, I think it is much more challenging for us than it was for her! She is now sleeping 9-11 hours each night. And a few weeks ago, taking cues from her that her tummy just needed a little something more, we started her on rice cereal. She doesn't mind it - as long as she's not too hungry. If she is too hungry, she has no patience for dealing with a spoon - she just wants the bottle. Standing up is her favorite thing. We try to give her plenty of tummy time to encourage rolling over and starting to crawl, but really, she would rather stand all the time. She can't sit unsupported just yet, but she is getting close! Her teeth clearly bother her sometimes, but we can't feel the teeth poking through just yet.

Friday, we get ready to go visit our family in Georgia - and we can't wait for them to meet her. Who could resist THIS face??!

Here are some of the highlights of fall we have shared:

The coming of the Red Cup is a great tradition in the Lopez family - and this year it was awesome to get to share this goodness with our little girl.

I love how she looks like she just took a scandalous sip of caffeinated beverage... :) (she didn't)

We had a great time visiting the Pumpkin Patch with her!

And, she enjoyed her first Presidential Election! Our friends Todd and Mandy came over to watch history unfold together with us and Belén did her part in a patriotic onesie...
Mandy made an awesome stars and stripes crudite platter with non-partisan ranch dip... and we added some Freedom Fries, and Chicken Wings (Left Wings AND Right Wings) to add to the bipartisan fun. A lovely time was had by all!

It has been a beautiful (and very eventful) autumn season here in Portland. Here is a shot of the trees that line the main road leading to our complex.
And Belén seems to be enjoying all of our Lopez Family traditions.... Good thing! 'Cause we're having a lot of fun with her!