Best & Delaforce Growing UP!

Thank you Morales Family!

A secret NO one tells you............after your first child turns 1....You get over buying brand new stuff really fast! And hand-me-downs from close freinds and family are welcomed. I would have

said "no" before Marley was born, but now I just say "Thank you". Because we all know they grow out of things overnite.

Marley: showing off his "new" to Marley sneaker collection, courtesy of one of my best freind Kim, her hubby Tony and lovely Amel. Great taste!!!! I woud have picked out the same ones! ;)

xoxo, Mama Best

Thirteen Months

Thirteen Months have passed and Motherhood still continues to be an amazing learning experience. I have to admit, although I am trying my best to note all of Marleys happening's; I find myself going through my own devolpement. I have to remember, you never stop changing and growing, life happens, and you just go with the flow, wing it, make it happen.... unless you're confined in a cave somewhere. I have no formula, no set schedule really, I just choose to spend quality time with my family. I hug, kiss and say "I love you" everyday. We sleep, we eat, we learn, we appreciate life and smelll the roses. And all the other stuff like work, paying bills, taking meetings, auditioning, etc. gets done.

It's funny how Marley is going through seperation anxiety. I leave the room and he breaks down and starts to scream and cry, like someone is torturing him. When he wakes up from his crib and see's Mama and Dada sleeping he grunts to wake us up and bring him into bed with us. Marley! the feeling is mutual on both accounts. I'm sure when you become an adult, and want to go off on your own, I will cry and scream like someone is torturing me! ahhhhh the Circle of Life. So, for now I will make you feel secure, let you know that I am always nearby, let you sleep next to me......because one day you'll be all grown up and this prescious time will be gone. Everyone tells us that "they" grow up so fast, so why?.........

First Steps!!!

It happened so fast and I didn't have time to grab any recording devices, because I didn't want to miss the moment. Has the time come already? Is this the start of another beginning? Or will he trick me, stand up for a second and fall down.

Well, Marley hit another milestone. He took his first steps! He did want to do it. Ahmed and I coaxed him with his first hospital baby basin. We held it out and kept on putting it inches out of his reach so that he would move forward(He currently uses it to drum on or he tries to sit inside of it. (He still thinks he can take a bath in it.) It's a very funny moment. Anyways, he took 3-4 tiny jerky steps. He walked about a foot, we clapped with excitement and he was startled by it! Poor baby cried because he is still scared of letting go. ................. I totally understand Marley. Proud of you my son.

Choo Choo Train @ Griffith Park

Today was such a beautiful winter day, I decided that today we were going to appreciate the sun, the breeze and clear skies. I packed up Marley's stroller and walked 2 1/2 miles toward Griffith Park from our house. I bought 1 choo choo train ticket ....and me and Marls enjoyed 10 minute loop of fun to nowhere! And we loved it. Next time, we are going to check out the pony carousel. To no surprise he is big enough to ride on them. Just to test it out, I walked up to the pony's, Marley wanted to pet them, I let him and immediately sanitized his hands! Gosh they stink so bad. LOL We walked away and Marley barked at them in a high pitched "woo woo". He thinks all animals sound like dogs....he is so funny.

Marley Best 12 months 2 weeks weighing in at 25.3 pounds, measuring at 30 inches, big and off his growth charts...........living the life.

Milestone Alert!!!!!

Marley danced by himself today with no hands! He stood with his legs in a wide second position squat and just bounced up and down while clapping his hands. I was so proud of him (I caught about 3 seconds of it on camera) I bought him a pair of ME IN MIND soft shoes. Marley is very much a California baby. He likes to be barefooted. Anytime I try to put shoes on, he manages to kick them off! So far he doesn't mind these slip on shoes.

Yesterday, He answered the phone and said "Hi Dada" and almost made Ahmed cry, which made me chuckle a little bit.

He likes his new booster seat which has an activity sketch pad! Thank you Lane Family. :)

He says "up"....."down".

He lifts his arms to be picked up.

His favorite books : The very Hungry Caterpillar and Goodnight Gorilla

His favorite snack : Cheerios

He loves salmon, rice and spinach.......Yes, he is definitely my child

He has a savory palate more so than sweet

He waves goodbye and hi .......when he feels like.

He likes when I brush his 5 teeth, but hates when I change his diaper

Loves taking a bath , never wants to come out.

Lastly, he prefers to sleep in our Bed rather than his cozy crib?!!!!

Marley's 1st Valentine

For Valentines Day we made plans with our good friends the "Sparks Family". We were both going to spend the day at the zoo.....our entire family's and then have a brunch at our house. Unfortunately, the Sparks daughter; Olivia was feeling under the weather. So, Anthony stayed home to nurse her back to good health and Ahmed decided to stay home and chef up his tasty frittata and let the Mommies spend the afternoon with their son's.

The afternoon was such a beautiful day. Clear blue sky's, bright sun, and a snow exhibit featuring Black Bears, Tiger, Snow Leopard's and Chimpanzee's! I was so excited to take Marley to the Zoo for the first time. While we were walking from the parking lot to the front gates, I found myself getting very excited, because I realized its been a long time since I visited the Zoo! We met up with Anita and her sons Langston and Dash and headed on into the LA Zoo Gates. Marley's little eyes were big and bright checking out the motley crew of people walking around the park. Our first stop were the Sea Lions! Marley actually started bouncing up and down and pointing to them swimming! Ahhhh this made me so happy. I was worried that he was too young to appreciate what was going on, but he was well aware of everything. We visited the Flamingos, Mahkors, Black Bears, Chimpanzees, Red Apes, Tigers, and Giraffes. We had a ball watching the boys experience something new, enlightening and exciting. The energy in the park was light and fun, it was filled with young and old, skater boys and hipsters, a myriad of races, creeds and color. Everyone their enjoying the day with the person they love or have love for. Of course, my other Valentine prepared brunch for all of us to enjoy, to sum up the day in a song it was "A LOVELY DAY"- Bill Withers