The New, Exciting and Improved…

We have made some changes to the website. We have blogs going on three different places right now between Josh’s, Heather’s and Little Chomp’s (the name that we are now using to refer to baby boy). And, it was getting to be a little much. So, bear with us as we integrate the three under the heading of: www.erquiaga.net.

This page will be referring to the goings-on of our family.

For now, feel free to use these links to go to our individual pages, and then we’ll let you know when everything is in working order for the merge ;)

The Adventures of Little Chomp

Momma’s Mosaic

Tech Notes by Josh

Little Chomp keeps on learning…

This is a new development within the last couple of days! He’s so excited about it too.

Remembering Carroll Trego…

On Friday, August 21st, we met the Trego family at the Riverside National Cemetery to honor Carroll Trego for his service to our country and his life.   We saw family that we hadn’t seen in eight years.   The military traditions were pretty incredible to see in person, and it was so great to see Carroll, a World War II POW, be given such respect and distinction.  Check out my dad’s site for more pictures from the day.    Here’s the link to a great story about Carroll’s military time as a POW.  And, his obituary.   He was a great man, and we are sad to see him go. 

Thank you Grandma and Grandpa Kayser…

This week we got to go to the Lawrence Welk Resort to relax with the family. Little Chomp finally got to meet his great-grandma and great-grandpa Kayser. They hadn’t met the little guy yet. Sadly, we didn’t get a picture of him with them. But, he was a pretty happy guy when he met them. We’ll have to remember the camera next time we get to visit. We spent the last few days hanging out at the pool, sleeping in, and relaxing. With grandparents, and many aunts/uncles, and cousins- Josh and I got to go see a movie and play in the pool while Little Chomp was in good hands. Welk Resort is beautiful. The family played tennis, went on walks, and got to enjoy beautiful pools and spas! Many, many thanks to Grandma and Grandpa Kayser for making this trip possible!!!!!

Here are a few pictures from the week!

Tennis!

Sleeping with Grandma!

Bath in the bathroom sink!

Relaxing on the porch!!

Cousin Cassidy and I are really good friends now!

Cousins!!

Tia Daniellie!

Cousin Brandi!

I think that there are some pictures of him at the pool somewhere, but I couldn’t find them tonight. So, stay tuned for those! All in all, a great few days!

Wubbanub…

Here’s something that sounds completely ridiculous, but is brilliant!   Wubbanub :)  Collin has really only taken to the Soothie pacifiers.  We have a bunch of other types, but these funky little pieces of blue plastic are his favorites!  Wubbanubs are little stuffed animals that have a Soothie pacifier attached to them.  They seem sooooo silly, and I’ll admit that I felt a little like a knick-knack gimmick lover when I bought it, but WOW do they work.  The idea is that the little animal helps keep the pacifier in place and within the reach distance for newborns.  And, then as the baby gets older, they use the animal as a little comfort object.  Well, we have had our little frog friend for a total of one day.  Here are the results.  Collin has held onto his froggy when being picked up or when lying down. He also slept in his crib on his own for all three of his naps today. The first time EVER!  (I will say that I checked on him often as I was a little skeptical of this whole idea).   But, we are sold on them at this point.  Here’s to very weird ingenious inventions.  And, many thanks to Carissa, who let me know that these even existed!

 

Ok…tomorrow the family heads off to Lawrence Welk Resort in San Diego County for a few days of rest and relaxation with the Erquiaga/Rea/Kayser family!  We’ll see you when we get back. 

Josh’s Mini-Me…

No additional words are needed.

BBQ YUM….

We got lucky this weekend as the Erquiaga/Barra families played BBQ swap.  Someone gave one to Rick and Kathy, who then gave one to Danielle and David, who gave us this beauty! :) 

We were so excited that the first night we could, Josh BBQ’d chicken and steak kabobs with yummy yummy green and red peppers and onions! 

Enoch Kim Photography…

We love the marketing/graphics department of Forest Home! Today, we went to the lake and did a photo shoot with Enoch Kim one of the AMazing photographers working this summer. Check out his site!!! Leave a comment on his site sharing how much you like these :)

Little Chomp had a little bit of a tough morning before the shoot and was still waking up so smiling came less easily for him. Ironically, as soon as we got him home, he was smiling and giggling! Ah….children and having their own minds.

Anyway, Enoch got some great shots! And, we are very thankful that we got the pleasure of having these pictures.

Here are a couple of them to get you excited about the rest :)

Cutie in the Clubhouse…

Daddy/Baby Matchy-Matchy!

And, yes, they make baby hats soooooo big!

Today, we went on another adventure (go figure!). We went up to Forest Home for the CCA pool day with a bunch of Heather’s friends and their babies and babies in-utero. It was great to see these ladies that Heather has known for a decade. Little Chomp got to be the only boy allowed at pool day. He thought that was pretty cool.

I love to read…

A Fun Day!

We had a great adventure day today.

First, we went on another long walk with our new BFF the BOB. Then, we went to Ontario Mills to meet our friends Carissa and Baby Hope. Hope is 9 weeks older than Little Chomp. Chomp did really well on his first trip to the mall. And, he got some cute stuff, and I got some presents for upcoming events. And, we had our Thursday Night traditional hang-out with the crew! Thanks for hosting Avis family!

Friends!!!!

The mall makes me happy!

2 Month Pediatric Appointment…

Fuzzy Bubbles!

Little Chomp had his 2 Month Pediatric Appointment today with Dr. Smith. He’s doing well! He now weighs 12 lbs (50th percentile) and is 24 inches long (90th percentile). He is going to be one tall guy! He also got 2 shots (one that included Polio, HIB, Diphtheria, Tetanus, and Pertussis), and the Pneumococcal (the virus most causing Meningitis in kiddos). He also got a vaccine by mouth for Rotovirus. He did really well through the visit and the shots (as did Momma).

Keep growing Chomp! :)

Little Chomp talking to his friends on the ceiling…

He was fed. He was burped. His diaper was changed. We swaddled him. He feel asleep in Josh’s arms. We put him in bed. Instead of sleeping, he found friends on the ceiling with whom to laugh :)

Silly guy!

Swimming Part Tres…

We were sooooo warm and sticky after the wedding and the drive home that we all went to cool off in the pool. Chomp liked it again. He even got to practice some swimming strokes with Tia Kixxy!

Celebrating Adam and Ashley…

We traveled to Lake Arrowhead yesterday with Tia Kixxy and our friend Diana (Laughing Sun) for the backyard wedding of our friends Adam (Moose) and Ashley (Whatcha).

It was a beautiful, hot day in the mountains. It was a great casual wedding where all the guests got to hang out with each other and have a really great time re-connecting with the couple and each other.

We had a great time!

Here are some pictures from the day! Esp. of Little Chomp and all of his Adventure Mountain aunties and uncles.

Chomp and the bride!

Toasting!!!

He loves his auntie Sarah!

Talking about the importance of stories with Billy Jack!

Yummy!

Tia!!!

Too Cute! I can’t stand it!

Auntie Alissa got to hold me for the first time!

Family Photo Time!

2 Month Bear Shot…

 

Here’s the picture with my bear from Month #1

 

Here’s Month #2

So you guys know this child:  he will not sit still for anything.  This was the best that we could do.  :)  He’s gotten so big!!!!

The Dream Continues…

We tried the next step in Heather’s grand plan of running with Collin today: a walk with the BOB stroller!! We’ve been going on walks with the little GRACO stroller/carseat frame because Little Chomp seemed to like it better at the beginning and it was easier for Heather to manuver after the C-section. The BOB infant converter puts Little Chomp leaning farther back and he isn’t quite as excited about it. But, after two 2 + mile walks in the GRACO, Heather decided that it was time for the two of them to brave a walk with the BOB.

We did it!!!!! It was like heaven! We went for 2+miles again. There was minimal crying, some cooing, a couple of smiles, and a lot of sleeping. Plus, Heather figured out that her Blackberry music is loud enough to be heard if she puts it in one of the drink holders. So, the 45 minute walk was pretty much her description of perfection: The BOB, a beautiful warm (but not hot) morning, a sleeping son, and Jason Mraz!!! :) Adding Josh to the mix would have really made the morning perfect!!!

He slept so soundly that he even stayed asleep in the car seat after the walk was over and I brought the seat back inside. This hasn’t happened in weeks as he does not like the car seat.

Pool Update…

So, we went back to the pool.  And, he didn’t hate it.

 

There were no tears and no need to hide from the pool.

Maybe next time we will get a smile :)

2 Months Old…

Little Chomp is 2 Months Old Today!!!!!

We had a very adventurous day in honor of Chomp’s 2 month birthday!

We woke up late: 5:30am!

We played a lot with our toys!

Then, we went on an almost 3 mile walk!

Next, we gave Nana the tour of all of the houses for sale in Redlands/Highland (even though we aren’t moving).

And, when Daddy came home, we took my first trip to the pool!

I wasn’t so sure about it.

But, I looked darn cute!

I had to hide in my froggy blankie from the big, bad pool.

Wiped out from all the adventures!!