Our new kitchen

Earlier this year Mark asked me what part of the house I wanted to work on, the obvious answer would be the back yard but that's going to be put hold until I know when I'll be back to work full time. So I proceeded to tell him that I wanted the front door re-done or a new kitchen floor. I hated our linoleum floor. So it finally was decided that kitchen floor would be done. Mark then received various of estimates and did his homework. Work started in the kitchen the day I went back to work and his first day of his leave. Not only did we end up with a new kitchen floor, there is a new refrigerator, granite counter tops, faucet, sink, backsplash and a refurbished wooden counter top.

Demolition day

The old tile is almost all out, some is still left on the backsplash.

The new floor and sink are in; the template for the granite is down for the measurements.

The counter tops are in place.

The new faucet and window sill have been put in by Mark. The doors under the sink have not been installed. Mark had to readjust their size due to the new sink.

Mark re-sanded the wooden counter top and the doors were added under the sink.

The backsplash over the stove.

I'm very satisfied with the work and got a lot more than what I asked for initially. Mark will like to re-paint the kitchen....

Let's Go Bananas....B-A-N-A-N-A-S!

Guess who has started on soilds/pureed foods? Elianna is going on three weeks since I first gave her a

taste of bananas. She did not disappoint. Here is a clip of that day. Please note, it's a bit long...sorry!

I started her with bananas, next (brown) rice cereal, peas, carrots, and peaches. Everything is made at home. She really enjoys her bananas and carrots. The spoon has been something to get use to but everyday she makes an improvement. Meaning, more food goes down to her tummy instead of the bib. So much so, dad feels comfortable feeding her. Here is a picture of her eating her peas for dinner this evening.

AKA: The Green Monster

Good News!

On May 20, 2010, we had another appointment at CHLA with Dr. Skaggs. Let me be clear, a 7:30a.m. appointment. We were first off to the ultrasound department and then Eli's consult with Dr. Skaggs. The verdict is, everything looks normal and no more harness!! We were sooo happy to hear those words...."no more harness." The cartilage has begun to form into bone and the hip is right in there aligning correctly. We are due back in August for a follow up; the hip area should be mostly bone by that time. After that we are due back in a year.

As neurotic as I am, I had to ask about percentages. The likelyhood of the bone/hip to form incorrectly. Dr. Skaggs did not give me a percentage, but did explain that it is very slight. Surprisingly, I'm okay with that answer. What a relief!

Bragging rights!

When I saw this picture of Elianna, I ran to my baby album and pulled out the picture. I thought, "Could this be? I think this is a pretty close resemblance. What do you think? I'm a little over a year old in that picture and Eli is 4 months.

My baby is growing up....

I had to blog about this, my little girl is growing up before my eyes. Everyone tells you that they grow fast and it goes fast, it's so true. Yesterday, when I got home from work I decided to go for a walk with her. There are times I use the Moby and other times I put her in the stroller. Since it was a bit warm yesterday afternoon, she went in the stroller. This time no car seat, straight into the main part, like a big girl.

As you can see, she fit right in and was ready for the ride.

Lately, this has been one of her favorite poses. She is such a character!

Mother's Day

My first Mother's Day was special and interesting. My little brother, Jacob, graduated from grad school (LMU) with a Master's in Business Administration....WooHoo! The commencement ceremony was on Mother's Day and the festivities started at 8AM.....yup, at 8AM. On Friday Mark asked me out on a Mother's Day date for Saturday. He had a sitter set up and planned to take me to Dal Rae's but when he went to make the reservation, it turned out that they are only open for dinner on the weekends....bummer. I then asked to be taken to the movies to see Babies and it did not matter where we were going to eat. We both enjoyed the movie and ended up at a Cuban restaurant in Downey.

On Sunday it was a very busy day. Our baby girl did very well through everything and is getting better at the stranger anxiety thing....

Here are some pics:

Here is the graduate himself, in front of the business building at Loyola.

Big sister and little brother for a pose, but as you can see I'm much shorter.

Jacob wishing me a Happy Mother's Day.

After the ceremony my dad had a little get together with some family members and Jay's friends. Good times!