Belly Photoshoot

Today Michelle was nice enough to offer to take our maternity photos. I wasn't planning on taking any pictures, but when she offered I thought we might as well take this opportunity to record moments of our first baby. After looking at the pictures, I was really happy that we decided to take pictures. Thank you Michelle!!!

After the photoshoot, we went to have dinner together at Bubba Gumps and it was so good! The waitress even quizzed us on the movie Forrest Gump :) I thought we were gonna win something but no such luck. Maybe next time!

Anyway, here are a few of my favorite pictures from the shoot. Enjoy!!!

*Apologies for a few of these that are not right side up. Will fix soon.

Kim and Alfred's Baby Shower

Yesterday was my cousin's baby shower and I couldn't be more excited for her. A few months ago (around Valentine's day) I received a card from Kim and Alfred and it was one of the best surprises that I have gotten this year! In the card was the announcement that they were expecting a baby. Of course being pregnant I burst out in happy tears, excited to share this amazing journey with them. The most memorable part of that card though was when Kim wrote about her mom. In her eyes, Kim believed that her mom wanted us to share this experience together so we wouldn't be alone and I couldn't have agreed more. I can't wait to meet Aidan!!!!

From left to right: Kim, Tita Carmela, me, my mom

When I arrived at the baby shower, I brought a yummy chinese salad to be put together right before the party started, so in the meantime I went over to help set up with the balloons. Sadly, when I got back to my salad, it was already put together and nothing like what I had planned. Oh well, at least it was eaten!!!


Rule: finish the entire bottle without holding it



My poor Dad leaning his head on the tree trying to finish his bottle

The games they played that day were hillarious!!! I would reveal more about the games but since my sister is using the same games for my baby shower next week I'll just have to hold off a little longer :)


Our little family

A few fun facts about Kim and I:
Wedding Dates: (1 day apart)

• Kim and Alfred: March 25
• Annabelle and Francis: March 26

Birthdays: (2 days apart)

• Annabelle: November 26
• Kim: November 28

Baby Due Dates: (3 days apart)

• Kim: August 21
• Annabelle: August 24

All I can say Kim is that I am honored to be sharing this moment of our lives together. I can't wait for us to go on their first camping trip together next year just like your mom would have wanted. I love you and can't wait to meet Aidan! I'm sure he'll be just as amazing as you!!!!

Exhausted

I don't know what it is about this third trimester, but I'm out of energy from the moment I wake up in the morning. I wake up constantly throughout the night either to Alana moving or my need to pee. Either way, I am not getting any sleep.

As the days pass, I panic a little thinking about how fast this is all going. 7 weeks until we get to meet our baby girl! It's a little surreal. We've cleaned the room, but we still have to buy and set up the crib. I know, I know we're cutting it pretty close, but it's ok. Hopefully I have plenty of time during my maternity leave to start nesting :)

Now to move out of the Palace...honestly I think I'm refusing to clean because I don't want to leave. For the past 4-5 years it has been our home and I feel like Francis and I have built our relationship here and I'm just sad to let it go. I don't even want to get started on leaving my amazing roomies. Every time that I think about it I start to get teary-eyed but I know it had to happen sometime. I have a feeling I'm going to be visiting pretty often once I can get Alana in and out of the house easily. We still have a room there after all!!!

Oh my Ribs....

I don't know what limb is stuck in my ribs today, but regardless it's making it pretty difficult to get into a comfortable position, sometimes even breathe. If I slouch slightly, I get a kick from her telling me to move. Guess its a good way to correct my posture, huh?

We were actually able to fix our room a bit today with the help of Bobby, John and Jason. Thank you to the three of you for helping us, Alana says thank you too! We're not done with our room/nursery yet, but it's coming along pretty well. Just a few more hours of cleaning and building the crib and we're all set.

It's all happening so fast that sometimes I feel like I have cold feet and don't want her to come out yet. By the time I know it, we'll be celebrating her first birthday and I'll still be reeling over her birth. I know in Francis' head though, he'll already be planning the name of child #2. If only guys could experience pregnancy...

52 more days...

We see you!!!

Yesterday we had our 3D Ultrasound done in Woodland Hills and we finally got to meet our baby girl. My dad and Francis' mom were able to share this amazing moment with us and I'm so thankful that they came. The two grandparents couldn't have been more proud. Francis' mom cried from happiness, and my dad stood next to the big screen TV the whole time taking pictures on his cell phone. 

We saw her stick her tongue out, move her hand, and even saw her eyes open looking around her. She's going to be one observant baby!

 I think today just made everything so real. In 2 months I will finally meet the one who has been making a punching bag of my insides and I couldn't be more excited, but today we were able to catch a glimpse of what she looks like. I personally think that she already looks like Francis in this first picture below. To add to it, we're told that she already has a head full of hair (we know that has to be Francis)!!! 

The most amazing part of today was the fact that this little girl will have a mixture of Francis and I in her and that we made this beautiful person :) I can't wait to look at her and see what traits she's inherited from us. His eyes? My hands? His hair? My ears? Whatever she ends up with, I'm sure she's going to be the most beautiful thing I've ever seen, I'm so excited.

Relaxing with one hand behind her head and the other under her chin

Chubby Cheeks

Her Heartbeat

An Unselfish Birthday Boy

So usually, when it's someone's birthday they get spoiled and pampered, but for one unselfish boy, it was the exact opposite.

It was AJ's birthday yesterday and instead of us taking him out to dinner, it was the exact opposite. Before the food was even cooked, AJ attempted to serve me the first of the cooked meals to "feed the baby". Although I refused to be the only one eating, I thought it was the sweetest gesture, especially since it was HIS birthday. But that is how AJ is. For as long as I have known him (since 1st grade), he has been one of the most generous people I know. When we moved into the house, he bought us a BBQ grill, came over consistently to clean up, and is constantly good vibes whenever he is here. After dinner, he even insisted on serving everyone ice cream of their choice. Who does this on their birthday!?

Not only did AJ buy all the food and drinks for the night, he also stayed up and cleaned the house after the celebration. Thank you AJ for your generosity and general want to make people happy. I LOVE YOU! Happy Birthday!!!