Our first family tradition

I've missed having a Christmas tree at our Liggett house for some time now. I guess it's been a while since we were kids and needed one so for the past few years we haven't really had a tree. Last year my parents attempted to buy a living Christmas tree, but it's lack of presence in our house tells you one thing...it's no longer a living Christmas tree :P

Anyway, this year, Francis and I decided to start a new tradition with Alana. Every year we hope to cut down our own Christmas tree!!!! Our friends the Posse gave us this idea during our annual Thanksgiving get-together this year when we cut down a HUGE tree for the Langdon house.

We immediately decorated the tree with lights and ornaments and the best part of the day was seeing Alana's face as she stared at the fully decorated Christmas tree. I'm a little sad that the end of this year is quickly approaching. I've had such a blessed year: I married my best friend and gave birth to the most beautiful child I've ever seen in my life! But as sad as I am to see this year come to a close, I'm excited for many more memories that Alana will surely bring in the years to come!

Disneyland...again :)

December 3, 2011
This past Tuesday was our 5 year anniversary (it sorta resets since we got married this past march) but we wanted to celebrate it just a little so we took a trip to Disneyland :)

Francis generously bought us Winnie the Pooh stockings and a new Minnie sweater for me <3

Here are a few pictures from tonight
















- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

M.I.A.

Hello Everyone! I apologize for the missed posts, but with work and everything going on, I've been having a hard time balancing everything. The way I've seen it this past month is: I'd rather be spending time with Alana when I get home from work than sitting in front of a computer talking about it. But I know that I'll regret not documenting her milestones and being able to show her these memories when she's older, so here I am.

Alana sat up in her Bumbo chair for the first time last week and I was so proud! I couldn't believe that my baby was sitting up already!!! She has said "mama" a few times during her fits of crying or babbling sessions :) She can roll over during tummy time and is all smiles the rest of the day! A lot has happened over the past month and I promise I will be better at documenting all of it. For now, here are a few pictures to catch you guys up!

Alana and Mommy's hands :)

Daddy's already teaching her how to use her iPhone

In the Bumbo chair sitting up

Food Coma!

Playing video games

Thanksgiving with the Vita Family at The Odyssey

Family Picture

Mickey and Minnie

Aidan and Alana

Santa's Little Helper

Her first shots

Today Alana turned 2 months and had her checkup with Dr. Ching. I was worried about this visit because I knew she would be getting her first set of shots and have witnessed and heard a few horror stories.

She first did an assessment on her and she is now a whopping 9 lbs. 8 oz., 22 in. long, and has a head circumference of 14.5 in.!!! She has gained almost 4 lbs since birth! No wonder why my arms are aching when I carry her for too long! During the assessment the Dr. noticed a murmur in Alana's heartbeat and is referring us to a pediatric cardiologist. She said that it was nothing to worry about but she just wanted to take extra precautions. Cross your fingers and hope that everything is ok!

When the time came for her shots, I knew it was just going to go downhill from there. They tried to give her one orally, but of course, she threw it all up the second that the nurse finished giving it to her. Then the 3 painful shots to her legs. Her cries sounded like a whistle (and if you know Alana, she rarely cries). I felt horrible!!! When we got home she would not stop crying. Her left leg was red and swollen and I couldn't do anything to ease her pain.

It's funny because all of the cliches I've heard about parents and what they go through are finally hitting me. I understood what they meant, but I don't think I could ever describe the feeling to someone who doesn't have a child yet, though I wish I could to help them prepare for it all. Sorry guys!!! Motherhood is tough...and I've only scratched the surface. I am NOT excited for her teenage years!!!!

Before getting her shots

Happy Birthday Jorge!

This weekend, Jorge came down from the bay to spend his birthday with us and sadly we weren't able to participate in all the activities. We have Alana so instead of going to the bars, we decided to meet them up at the restaurant Mas Malo. I didn't expect the food to be so good but it was!! We ordered something called chewy chips (chewy center but crispy on the outside). The salmon and the spinach salad were good too. During the dinner, Alana was being passed around and for the first time, I was a panicked mom. A few friends decided it was ok to pass her across the table and since she couldn't hold her head up, her head fell backwards as they passed her. I've tried my best not to be one of those moms that freak out at everything, but that was the first time I was actually scared for her. Ahh.....the joys of motherhood. Now I know what my parents meant when they said they were worried. When you love your child so much, you worry about every little ache or pain. 

Anyway, it was Jorge's first time meeting Alana and the first thing he said to me was, "Whoa, that came out of you!!!" As always everyone was a bit tipsy but enjoyed themselves!!! I know Jorge did!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY JORGE!!!! Hope you had a wonderful, drunken, memorable birthday!!!

Alana's First Photoshoot

If you guys didn't know, my classmate from RN school was my wedding photographer. Being a good friend of mine he happily accepted my request to take baby pictures of Alana. Francis and I didn't know what to expect and neither did Stephan but we made the best of the situation. I have no idea how people like Anne Geddes take such amazing pictures of babies! They must spend countless hours on getting the perfect shot. Anyway, check out Stephan's website to see Alana's pictures. Enjoy!!!

http://stephanarias.com/?p=1482

Birthdays, birthdays, and more birthdays

Lately there have been so many birthdays! Yesterday we went to Monica's birthday dinner at full house and then to Tujunga for Francis' Ninang and Lola. Busy time of the year but I'm happy to be spending this time with family and friends.

Now for today, off to a BBQ at Monica's house!!









- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone