Happy Christmas

A December to Remember

I can't believe how long it's been since I've posted anything. We have truly just been busy, busy, busy. We moved in to our new home on October 24 and have not had one single moment to just be. We have busily been trying to get our home in order, but it's taking FOREVER and most things are back out in the garage until we have time. BUT, we love our home. It is perfect for us. Our neighbors could be better, but the house itself is great! After moving, Thanksgiving came and went so fast. Then December ... this is one for the memories.

First, I turned 30. The big 3-0! I was never afraid of the big digit birthdays, so I looked forward to this. Kinwa took me to Vegas and we had a wonderful time. I bought myself a little bling in the form of a diamond ring and because it was a great Black Friday deal, I was able to by even more great gifts for myself. Thanks hubby! Then my actual birthday came ... December 1. Kinwa took off, we went to the zoo and had a blast! Unfortunately, Gabriel threw up all over me - the little monkey. Then Kinwa took me to the mall for more shopping to get myself a clean shirt. I could have just changed at home, but it was a good thing I got that shirt ... when I got home I found out he planned a surprise party! It was very nice and I felt very loved!

Then Kinwa left for a week for work (2nd year in a row :P ). But the kids and I had a good time regardless. Although, we missed daddy very much. My parents, aunt, uncle and I took the kids to Oak Glen for my dad's birthday and soaked up a bit of Christmas and had a great time.

Then once Kinwa was home it was hurry up and make the house look nice because we had a little open house and cookie exchange. Not very many people showed up, but we had a good time with those who did. We also were left with a bounty of desserts! That certainly sparked the holiday mood.

And finally, yesterday, we took the kids to the Mission Inn to soak up more Christmas spirit. And the spirit finally found me. It was the look in Aitana's eyes when she saw all the glittering Christmas lights, like she had never seen any before in her life. There was pure wonder and amazement flowing through that little girl's face and I couldn't have been happier. And I know Gabriel is too young to know and understand Christmas, but the best part is seeing him light up with the most beautiful smile when he watches his sister be happy.

What a wonderful experience it is when your child is suddenly old enough to understand Christmas. She likes to tell me "Santa is coming. He bring presents for Aitana!" Any time she sees Christmas lights, presents, a tree, she can't help but yell "Look Mama! It's Christmas!" Every night now she asks me to sing her a Christmas song. O Holy Night is the only one that will work ... her mama's favorite :) So now, after weeks of searching, Christmas is here for my family. The best part is, this will be our first Christmas with our own little Angel Gabriel!

So in the words of my daughter, "Happy Christmas!"

My Aitana Grace An-Mei

My beautiful baby girl. I just can't believe it ... she's 2 years old as of yesterday. We had a nice little party with all of her little cousin friends on Saturday and then went to the LA County Fair with the Ericson and the Batista (Zach) families. We had a great celebration!

But my heart is breaking. I haven't been able to think or talk about it without choking up. Aitana was a surprise, but much welcomed pregnancy. 8 1/2 months of waiting, 5 wks of contractions, 3 or 4 weeks of partial bedrest, and 4 false-alarm hospital visits. Then October 4th came. I knew I would have her that day, but my doctor told me to wait until the planned c-section on the 7th. I woke up, got ready for my final ob appt and headed out ... alone. Doctor told me I had to go home and do nothing or I would deliver that day. But I had things that I had to do ... so I went shopping and then indulged in a huge plate of nachos. I needed nachos.

Well, 4:30pm rolls around and I felt like I was about to be sick, bad back aches that made me feel like I would barf ... but I didn't! After about 15 minutes of this I realized that the feeling was coming every 4 minutes. I climbed into bed and called my mom and a girlfriend and they both said "CALL THE DOCTOR! YOU'RE IN LABOR!" I cried ... my baby girl was coming. Doctors office said to head to the hospital immediately, but I couldn't drive and Kinwa was in San Diego. I called him to find out where he was and told him we had to go. He had no sense of urgency seeing as we had done this 4 times before and each time we were sent home. I had to convince him this was it and I was in labor ... luckily he was 20 miles from home! We got there, got monitored and waited.

It was hurry up and wait. They wanted to wait until my nachos had digested a little more, then the ob had a mommy on her last push, then an emergency c-section, then twins had to be delivered (they were much more high-risk than I was). Then it was our turn; the doctor was ready. I got the epidural and I was numb from my face down, I couldn't move and I was about to vomit, but then at 9:49pm on October 4, 2007, the doctor shouted "It's a girl! Congratulations!" We heard her cry and our world changed forever. Aitana Grace An-Mei was here and she was ours and she was beautiful and big and one of the best things to ever happen to me.

I can't believe it's been 2 years since that day. I ache with the realization that time goes by so fast. There is nothing I can do to slow it down. She is no longer a baby, she is a little girl. I can hardly remember what it was like when she was Gabriel's age now. She has grown big and strong and beautiful and head strong and loving and kind. She is such a lovely little girl. You can't help but smile when you look at her. And that in itself makes me so happy.

Happy birthday my baby girl. I love you more than you know. Thank you for being mine.

Just Some Fun Pictures

Just a few pictures for fun ... more to come!

Growing Fast

I can't believe how fast my kids are growing. The one I'm most amazed with right now is Gabriel ... Aitana is a whole different story that I'm just not ready to face at the moment or I WILL cry!

But my little Sonny ... I can tell how badly he wants to sit up. He's just gotten the strength to hold his head up unsupported, so no sitting alone yet, unless you count the bumbo. Aitana did not care for this seat, but Gabriel just seems to love it! He can sit there for minutes on end and really enjoy it.

He's also finally starting to hold up his head while on his belly, even though it is not his favorite position. He really prefers to be up where he can see the action! He's now trying to grab things, he plays with his feet and is now really focusing in on purposely bringing his hands and feet to his mouth. With all these new milestones, we now have to refocus ourselves to make sure Gabriel is getting the stimulation he needs from toys, music, etc. It's not easy when I've got Aitana yelling "Mama look!" every few moments, but we've been managing.

In the next few days we'll be starting his cereal and putting him in the jumperoo. It felt like it took so long for these steps with Aitana, but now it just feels like they are full-steam ahead for my little man. But I love watching all the new and exciting things he's experiencing. I feel I'm so much more in the moment with him than I was with Aitana, so it's a lot of fun to do it all over again!

Times they are a changin'

Fall is my favorite time of year! It's the time of year when everything changes around you ... and often they are good changes. In this past week, Gabriel has started cooing and chattering up a storm. If we are talking, he talks too. He's also suddenly decided that he wants to sit up and play. We took out his bumbo seat and he sat for about 10 minutes until he spit-up. But I must say, I couldn't believe how happy he was to be sitting like a big kid. I just can't believe how fast he's growing. This weekend we plan on getting the back to the high chair out so he can start sitting at the table with us. He doesn't seem too fond of being on the floor anymore! And in about 2 weeks the boy is going to start eating solids. Solids? OMG! He'll be 4 months old and can eat solids. Makes me a little sad.

Aitana, well, she changes everyday. She is saying complete sentences, perfectly repeating new words we say and really trying to say her abc's and 123's. It's so much fun. There's not much we can hide from her either ... she picks up on everything we do and say. All this means that my baby girl is not such a baby anymore. She's about to turn 2 in 2 weeks. There are so many people who ask if she's 3, and that makes me even sadder! I'm in awe of everything she can do and everything she is learning.

The biggest change to come is our new home. With the addition of our sonny boy, we decided it was time to buy a house and make it our home. There is a countdown clock on here and you can countdown with me! There are 16 days left before it's ours. It's a new house and a lovely neighborhood! We are so excited to have found a community where we can put down roots. I can't wait!

Surviving!

I can't believe how long it's been since I posted! It's been crazy busy and I just feel grateful that we've survived a few things over the past few weeks/months.

First and foremost, we have officially survived molluscum contagiosum. It's a horribly contagious virus that affects just the top layer of the skin. The only thing we can assume is that she got it from one of her little cousins who got it from another cousin or friend. Aitana has terribly sensitive skin and she seems to catch everything that affects the skin. It was annoying and took just less than a year, but it is gone. All gone.

The next thing we survived was Aitana's first ear infection. She got it 2 weeks ago after having played in a little pool at a family pool party. Poor thing would point to her ear and say "It hurts" and cry. I would say that 1 ear infection in almost 2 years is not bad. But still, we survived it ... she is not a good sick person.

And finally, we think that brothers GER is finally turning a corner. While at times he still spits-up, and it can be a lot at once, it is gradually happening less and less. It may happen once every every other day at this point. Where as before it was all day, every day. I'm just greatful because he seems to be a much happier baby and much less fussy.

When you are in the midst of all the madness, sometimes you never expect to see an end to it. But the end is here and we are ready for some healthy living!

Belly Laughs

There is nothing more heartwarming than the sound of your child's voice ... unless it's his first laugh. Gabriel laughed today ... real true baby belly laugh for the first time. I had just finished changing his diaper and he was cooing at me and I was cooing back. I kissed his cheek and he just laughed and laughed. My heart soared! Thinking about it now, I can't help but tear up a bit. What a special moment to experience. He is my precious baby boy.

Two, Three

I've been trying to get Aitana to learn her numbers and letters. She's never liked the number one ... not sure why ... and she rarely says it when we count together. But she will say it when nobody is "listening." I've given up, when she wants to she will say it. Her favorite number is 2. Points it out everywhere ... she KNOWS the number 2 well. Still I work tirelessly to get her to count.

On Monday, my efforts were rewarded. We were going down the stairs at Ama and Pa's house and she started outloud with two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, TEN! I followed with the number 1 and she followed with 2-9. I asked her what about 10? She said no and walked away.

It took awhile, but I soon realized why 1 was left off and why 10 was left off ... we had passed the 1st step when we started counting. In her little mind, there was no reason to say 1 at that point. When we got to the bottom of the stairs, there were none left to say 10. In her little mind, there was no reason to say 10.

I was so proud :)

2 Months

I can't believe my Sonny is 2 months old and how different he is already. He's so much bigger now, sturdier, stronger. All good signs that I'm doing my job. And while he has only been with us for 2 months, and not about to turn 2 like his sister, I am still having a hard time remembering that brand new baby size. Maybe it's mommy brain. But the one thing I do know is that he is still smaller than his sister was at 2 months old. She was already in 3-6 m clothes at this age and he's still in 0-3 m.

2 months:
12 lb, 10 oz
22 inches
16 in head (both my babies have big heads)

It's just so bittersweet to watch them grow.

Love

The picture says it all ...

Milestones!

Aitana: Pee-pee in the potty!

What a milestone! She did it for the first time yesterday morning! She woke up from a long night's sleep with a dry diaper. Once I realized it was dry we jumped for joy and RAN to the bathroom. After about 10 minutes the toilet sang. There was pee-pee!

Gabriel: Smiles for miles!

This little man is just a joy. He is smiling so much. He will smile at anyone and everyone that gives him a moment of sweet hellos. But mostly he smiles at his sister ... she can make him smile better than anyone. He melts my heart. And he's been trying to laugh too. I can't wait to post about that because I'm sure it will be the sweetest sound ever.

Aitana's Day Out

In good ol' mommy-guilt style, I've been feeling that Aitana has been somehow neglected after the arrival of her brother. She's been such a trooper with the new addition to our family ... helping out when we ask and always being very loving and generous to her brother. She deserved a day out alone with mommy and daddy!

After much thought, we decided to go to Knott's Berry Farm. She's never been and her cousins Matthew and Jacob had a great time, so thought it would be a good choice. So on Saturday we went. We went on a few rides in Camp Snoopy ... race cars, hot air balloon ride, the High Sierra train. But we quickly found out that most of the rides there she couldn't or wouldn't go on. Most rides in Camp Snoopy are for little ones only, meaning no parents. That's great for most kids, except my child who won't go on rides by herself. Then we found out that many rides require kids be 36" and above. We found out after standing in line for 20 minutes at the Ferris Wheel that she is a hair below 36", after which we were asked to leave the ride (argg). So we left this area for better prospects.

First we got her a stuffed Snoopy ... who, after Pluto, is her new fave dog. Then we discovered that she could go on the Calico Mine ride and the Log ride. Hmmm... Ferris Wheel was a thrill level of 3 and she wasn't allowed to go on with a parent. Mine ride and Log ride are both thrill level 5, but she was somehow allowed to go on these. Needless to say my daughter is a dare-devil and LOVED both of those big-kid rides! So much fun!

After a long, hot day, we were all ready to go home. We got home by 5ish and relieved Ama and Pa of their babysitting duties. Of course they were more than thrilled to have alone time with Gabriel for the first time since he was born. Our wonderful day was followed up with a movie and appetizer picnic on the family room floor. What a day! It was a good day.

After reflecting on the day, Kinwa mused at how Aitana didn't seem to be overly excited about going out with mommy and daddy alone and maybe that means she's not as neglected as I thought she was. That made me feel good.

Girls Day!

So, Kinwa and I have been trying very hard at figuring out this having 2 kids thing. And 2 kids that need lots of attention because they are both babies! So I had to run errands last weekend and daddy is still a little apprehensive about taking care of both babies at the same time. So what to do? I know!

An impromptu girls day out! I decided Aitana would go with me to run my errands ... post office, bank, and a 1 hour drive to the OC to get brother his Nap Nanny (more on this later!). Complete, uninterrupted attention from mommy ... the one thing she's always asking for. She was so good ... we got it all done and I decided to take her to South Coast Plaza for lunch and some fun.

Once we got there we decided to have lunch at the Rainforest Cafe. Aitana LOVED lunching with the oooo-ahaha's (monkeys), el-feet (elephants) and feesh (fish)! She got a balloon animal ... a fy-fly (butterfly) in her favorite colors - pink, blue and white! Then off to the carousel, which could only be followed up by the Disney store! Mommy went crazy (not really)! They were having a sale on stuffed animals, so Aitana got to pick 2. One for her and one for brother. What did she pick? Not what you would expect for a little girl for sure ... Minnie Mouse maybe? No. Pooh? No. She picked Pluto! Nothing else would do. Pooh for brother of course. But, Pluto? Only Aitana, who, by the way, is obsessed with DOGS!

I was tired and ready to go home. But Aitana wouldn't hear anything of it. When asked if she was ready to see daddy, I got a big fat NO! And then a very loud SHOP! So we went to the mall near home and of course our favorite place, Target. We left at 9:30 am and didn't get back until almost 6pm. Aitana certainly has her mommy's knack for shopping.

I know it sounds like I spoil my child, but really I don't. We just don't have the $$ to do that. I spoil her with as much love and affection as possible. And when we are able to, she gets a treat. But what a treat! The best treat though was the bonding time we had. Aitana may not remember it, but I sure do and it was very special for both of us. She has also slept with Pluto every night since :)

Welcome to the crazy life ...

2 under 2 ... an adventure in and of itself. I'm not the first to do it, and I won't be the last. But I find it to be the biggest challenge of my life so far and the one challenge that has and will reap the biggest rewards of my life.

This the first of many posts chronicling the adventures of my 2 little nuggets. Yes, that is what I call them, among other names. Monkeys, lovies, baby bugs, etc. Aitana and Gabriel are the loves of my life ... after their daddy of course. They are sweet and gorgeous and the greatest blessing I (we) could hope for.

I hope you enjoy their little lives as much as I do.