Ashton rolls over

I was taking pictures of Ashton since he's doing so well on tummy time. And what do you know? The little guy just rolled over! He arched his back and plopped over! What a stud?!

Watch Ashton Grow

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Christmas pictures

The cousins picture
Nanay... the matriarch

The Tomate family

Matt and Me relaxing while Ashton is being passed around

My last weekend of maternity leave... and dilemmas.

This weekend brings the end of my maternity leave. I'm still not mentally ready to go back but who is? It's still surreal. Ashton is 3 months old and I was lucky enough to be able to take vacation time to get me through the Christmas holiday. I wish I could stay at home and watch him grow but at the same time I honestly think I would go nuts, especially on those days that Ashton is screaming at the top of his lungs and I have no idea why! Of course, being the pediatric dietitian I am, I start with the thermometer to make sure there is no fever. Of course that is never the case... knock on wood, so far! My BIG dilemma is that I am still not into a daycare. My first choice and best chance of getting in (given that I was on their wait list in February!) was right next door to work and perfect in the sense that I could walk over at lunch and nurse him... well, they are victims of our economic crisis and will be closing their doors June of 2009 and are no longer accepting new enrollments. Unfortunately for me, I was at the top of their list and now am SOL on daycare. So, now I am going crazy trying to figure out if I should put Ashton in a daycare that has availability but not the best word of mouth. I am having a hard time saying sure. I'd rather take unpaid leave from work if I can. So I will be going day by day, week by week. Matt fortunately is working half-days next week, so I will work the late shift to get us through next week. I have no idea what to do the week of January 5th. And my Mom will be able to fly out to help us out except she needs a 2 week advance notice for her work. But with all this stress, I know it will all work out in the end. Ashton will get into a daycare without me having to compromise too much and with time we will get him into one that I will love.

Christmas Day in Santa Maria with my family

My long California trip ended with Christmas day in Santa Maria with my extended family. It was a long tiring trip but I couldn't have asked for anything more. It was so nice to be able to share Ashton with everyone. I hope one day that our home will be closer to our families. I loved every minute of it!

For some reason, the blog site is not letting me upload anymore pictures. I must have exceeded the daily limit. I'll upload Christmas pictures tomorrow.

Ashton meets the Besmer family

The Besmer family

Great-Grandma Renfer meets Ashton

Great-Grandpa Renfer gets down to Ashton's level

Grandpa Tom and Ashton take a snooze

Cousin Will and Ashton having floor-time fun

Fresno meets Ashton!

My godbrother, Jr making Ashton cry! Or was he trying to make him stop... I can't tell

My godsister and matron of honor from my wedding, Tryna. We are 2 1/2 months apart and grew up together. Congrats to her... she is pregnant with her 3rd child! We're hoping for a boy!

Shailyn, Tryna's daughter did not want to put Ashton down

Still doing strong

Jenny (Godsister-in-law if that is a term) and Ashton

Chelsea didn't want to put sleeping Ashton down

Stacey and Dominic with me and Ashton

Another family picture

Proud Grandma and Grandpa Tomate with Ashton

Merry Christmas to Us!

Sun is up (I don't know why the pictures load up backwards... oh well)

The sun is still rising leaving a golden glow on the cliffs

The view from our room

My parents Christmas present to Matt and I was a night stay at the Shore Cliff Lodge, the site of our wedding reception. Bonus present... our first night away from Ashton. Although I have to say that I was still unable to get a full night sleep without having to wake up to relieve the discomfort of nursing (TMI I know). But waking up to the pacific ocean will make up for the lack of sleep. I still remember it just like yesterday!

California Trip - Santa Barbara

Going down the slide... can you imagine how scared I was?!

Doesn't he look thrilled?

Ashton and Mommy swinging

Flying with Dad

Sweet smiles

Mommy and Ashton

Family picture in Santa Barbara on Goleta beach

Happy 12 weeks old!

I can't believe Ashton is 12 weeks old today! Happy 12 week Birthday to him! He is getting so big and just got through another growth spurt. He's definitely grown since being in California. Maybe it's the California sun and extra Vitamin D! In the last couple of weeks or so, he's discovered his hands. He'll stare at them for a few minutes, he can bat at his toys on his playmat, he's starting to giggle... sort of, and the big one... he rolled over! It was totally by accident. I was taking pictures of him on his belly, he rolled on his side and just plopped over! He wouldn't do it again, but it was a big first!

As for me, I am mentally preparing to go back to work and I know the countdown is on. It will come unbelievably fast especially with the holidays. Unfortunately we still do not have daycare so Matt will have to work 1/2 days and I will work from noon to 8pm. I better enjoy the holiday season to the fullest!

More family bonding

Nina Lucy meets Ashton
Cousin Mia loves Ashton

Grandpa Domi (my Dad) making Ashton smile

Just a cute picture

What a cute smile bonding with Grandma Didi

I can't believe Ashton will be 12 weeks old tomorrow! What's more is that I should be back at work tomorrow! That... I can't believe. 12 weeks has flown by and it already makes me apprehensive about going back to work. I wish I could go back part-time but it's just not an option for us right now. Hopefully in the next year or so I can drop to part-time and enjoy the kid (hopefully kids by then)!

If you're happy and you know it...

This is hilarous! I know I'm a dork, but you have to admit this is funny!

We took a trip to visit my Grandma (on my Dad's side) and brother today. They met Ashton. Unfortunately, my Grandma has the flu so we weren't able to stay long and she wasn't able to hold Ashton. Tino and Ashton had a good time though.

Tino (the bro) and Ashton bonding

Tino makes Ashton smileGrandma Tomate, Tino, and Ashton
Aleyna being artistic with the mirror... isn't this hat hilarious?!

Meet the Cousins!

My cousin Danyel brought over her son, Tristan, and her neice Irie to meet Ashton! They both will be getting a little brother and sister in March so this was a good test run with how they will do with a small baby. They both did great! They loved holding him. It was so cute! Irie giving Ashton a kiss
Tristan didn't want to give Ashton up!

Irie holding Ashton even though he was ready to go to sleep

Grandpa and Ashton

4 generations - Nanay (Grandma on Mom's side), Mom, me, and Ashton

Day in Pismo

According to the local news channel, today was supposed to be the best weather day of the week so we headed to Pismo Beach. We enjoyed the best clam chowder I have ever had at my favorite place to eat in Pismo, Splash Cafe. My parents Christmas present to Matt and I is a night at Shore Cliff Lodge, the site of our wedding reception. So we stopped there to make a reservation. Once Matt gets into town, we will have our first night away from Ashton. Then we headed over to Dinosaur Park for an attempted photo session with Ashton. It's hard to get a baby to smile on demand! My Christmas present from Matt is a family photo session by our wedding photographer... I can't wait!

Mommy and Ashton

He's saying... What?! Another picture?

He can stand! (with assistance)

Isn't this cute?! Don't you just love little baby toes?

My favorite picture of Grandma and Ashton
Love this face... What now?!Photo session is over!