Sofia's Christening

Sofia Carmen was baptized Saturday, August 9th at Co-Cathedral of the Sacred Heart in downtown Houston. The baptism was performed by her grandfather, Deacon John Coussirat and her uncle and aunt, David and Julie Mayor, are her godparents. It was a private ceremony which was nice because it felt very personal. She didn't cry at all during the baptism even though she was far overdue for her nap and she actually seemed to enjoy getting her head wet.








Sofia's cousins Caroline, Katelyn and Ashleigh looking on at Grandpa baptizing Sofia


with her godparents, Julie and David


all the Coussirats


the Mayor family


with Emi


the beautiful Co-Cathedral

We had a great little get-together at the house afterward. It was so nice to have so many of the people who we love so much there. My aunt Emi and brother Louis did an amazing job putting together a delicious menu of Cuban and Spanish food. My mother in law, Loretta, put together gorgeous flower arrangements and even brought a cookie tray. Much thanks to all who helped us make her christening so special. We will never forget it.


the cake - it was so good!


Caroline feeding Sofia


playing with Katelyn and Ashleigh


my two brothers

It was a beautiful day. I was very proud to see Sofia in her great-grandfather's gown and I know Mom was looking down from Heaven full of joy.

Mommy's Little Helper

I spent some time today ironing while Sofia played on our (unmade) bed. Turns out she likes hangers more than baby toys. She was having so much fun, maybe I'll have to iron more often!

Rest In Peace

My grandmother, Maria Emilia Rodriguez, passed away this afternoon. She was 85 years old. Abuela had been in a nursing home and suffering from dementia. She really hasn't been herself for some time now and her quality of life had begun to diminish so, in a way, her passing was a blessing. We were fortunate enough to have her in a very nice assisted living facility that kept her clean and well taken care of. They dressed her daily and kept her comfortable. She died with dignity in her sleep.

I know we are all very sad as we will miss Abuela and the woman she was. I have so many memories of her, as I'm sure all my siblings do, of great times spent in Connecticut and Miami, precious memories of her and Teto. Te queremos mucho, Abuela. Que dios te bendiga.

Services will be in Miami next week. Please pray for our family and for Abuela, especially for my aunt, Emi, who has taken all the responsibilty for her care. We are very grateful for all she's done and hope that in Abuela's passing she will find peace.

Here are some recent pictures of Abuela. I don't have any photos on my computer of her the way we all remember her. She hated having her photo taken and I know she's cursing me for putting these on the web but such is life! But if anyone else has some other photos please email them to me and I'll post them here.


Easter weekend - Sofia's first visit with Ayaya, as Matthew calls her


celebrating Abuela's 85 birthday, April 2008

The latest trip to Dallas...

This past weekend we traveled, yet again, to Dallas. Emily's fiancee and our friend, Jeff turned 29. We went to a really fun dinner out in Dallas to celebrate the last year of his twenties. We all had a lot of fun. Happy birthday, Jeff!

It was also Sofia's cousin Matthew's 4th birthday! They threw a birthday party for him at Going Bonkers, a place that truly makes you want to go bonkers. Matthew was so cute though and he had a great time. Here he is with Bobo - he's getting so big.



Matthew and Sofia also got together for some portraits. They both took some really cute pictures. They're both so photogenic which is really easy, I suppose, when you're so adorable as these two are. Don't worry, we got enough to pass out!













We stayed in Dallas until Sunday. We got a chance to go by and visit my Abuela one last time. And we were also able to have lunch with our dear friends, Meagan and Zach and baby Taylor and Nan and Kyle on our way out. All in all it was a great trip.

Sofia did really well on the way home too. We stopped in Corsicana to feed her at a bakery and while mommy and daddy were sharing some cookies she flashed us this great smile.



I sat in the backseat with her and got a chance to see up close how much fun she has in the car. Somehow I was making her laugh. She's always all smiles all the time, but it's a rare treat to hear her laugh out loud as she was on the drive home. Luckily, I got a little video.

Our Sweet Potato

My little monkeys

my two monkeys

As most of you know we call Sofia our little "Monkey". And it's not because she looks like one. It started because she was so tiny when she was born we called her "Munchkin" which was then shortened to "Munchky" which evolved yet again to "Monkey" and here we are. Anyway, it turns out Dan had his own little monkey when he was a baby. Dan's mom shared with Sofia a stuffed Curious George which was given to Dan when he was two by his Godparents, Aunt Betty and Uncle Bob. Here's some pictures of daughter and father with their monkey...


then baby and monkey, 1974


now baby and monkey, 2008

Presents!

We got a package in the mail today and Sofia couldn't wait to open it. It was a beautiful photo album from her Tia Sara and Tio Kevin. They weren't able to make her baptism but it was so sweet of them to think of Sofia on her special day. I think she liked the paper and bow better but Mommy can't wait to fill the album with pictures from her baptism. Thank you, Sara and Kevin (and Happy Birthday, Kevin)!!! Besos...