The Inactive Blogger....but there is a growing reason.

I know, I've been MIA for a about a couple of months.  The reason, check below:

Winner, winner, chicken dinner!  Two pink stripes equals, we are PREGNANT!  Yes, it's true, as our $0.99 Store pregnancy test shows, we are expecting our 2nd child. It was planned.  We are due October 15, 2011, which means I'm 3 months along.  I found out when I was about 5 weeks along and had the initial doctor's visit at 8 weeks. Everything seems to look good and healthy. 

This pregnancy is pretty consistent with my first; weeks 5-9 are the hardest.  Which makes me sooo glad that I'm now in my 2nd trimester.  I really did not have much energy or brain power to do much, but keep it together hour per hour.  I do not experience morning sickness, it's night time blah....but, days and nights are starting to be a lot easier/normal. 

So, there you have it.  I'm hoping to get back to my normal mommy activities, little by little.  

I would like to introduce...

BIG sister!!

She's a big girl now!

Many changes since Elianna's first birthday. She is walking, doing toddler activities and has transitioned into her Bumbo (booster seat) for dinner time. So many developmental changes, that mommy is trying to keep up with and at the same time, so amazed how fast she is growing!

Sitting at the dinner table in her Bumbo seat. Enjoying Breakfast for Dinner Friday's!

Since the weather has been so nice (80 degrees) these past few days, I thought water play was in order. We were water painting the house and walkway.

Up and down!

Marley supervised!

Rain, rain and more rain!

This past December has been the wettest in decades. It rain for 6, almost 7 days straight here. It would stop for a half hour to an hour and start back up again. Unfortunately, we found a leak in Elianna's room. The good part (if there is one) there was no dip, just the saturation.

Elianna loved it. She would try to catch the rain drops and was so mesmerized by the umbrella, very cute!

Mommy....the barber

So I could not deal with Elianna's bangs any longer. I mustarded up the courage to cut her bangs. The first attempt...failed. The second round was on the spur of the moment. She was entertained on the changing table and I called for Mark to get the scissors. It was a success. Unfortuneately, the scissors were pretty dull, but I was still able to cut. This morning I cut a bit more but with my sewing scissors and it was a lot better and faster to snap those little hairs!

This finished product....ta-da!

Decorating Fun

So we have a new tradition around here...Christmas decor goes up on Black Friday, well, when I get back from my shopping duties. On December 26th, everything comes down so Elianna can have a Christmas free birthday.

Elianna was taking her PM nap while we began decorating but joined us at the end to find new "toys."

She began her 1st Christmas decor with she snack.

Became interested in the ornaments.

A little too interested.

....and so did Marely.

Mark put the finishing touches.

....be very very careful.

We're all done and Daddy lit the fire.

Ta-da!

Independent Elianna

Our little girl will soon be walking all on her own. This is a huge one for mama...my baby is growing up way too fast. God has been great to us, in providing us with a wonderful daughter and allowing for her hip to heal.

Elianna is no longer wearing her brace to bed, as of yesterday. When we went back to CHLA (Oct 2010) for a follow up, the x-rays came back perfect. Dr. Skaggs had no concerns with her hips and as a team, we decided to keep the brace on for another 2 months. I initially stated that she should no longer wear it since everything was fine, because she was still not use to it at night (and the teething did not help). Dr. Skaggs explained that there is no specific time or age of when an infant should no longer wear there brace, but to be on the safe side, we should keep it on her for 2 more months. He did give his permission to take it off if she was having a hard time, that worked for me. She is now pretty much sleeping through the night with the harness.

Elianna took her first two steps about three weeks ago at my mom's house and we have been practicing. She is pretty fast in her walker and seems to enjoy it.

Here she is taking a few steps at JC Penny's.

Thanksgiving Fun!

This post is a bit delayed, but somehow time just flies by from me. For Thanksgiving we had lunch with Mark's side of the family and then dinner with my mom, and brother. Elianna had a blast. Her stranger anxiety is easing down, which meant, she was enjoying the company of her extended family members.

Elianna enjoys some yams.

She spends some time with Uncle David.

....and then with Tia Pat.

....and back with Mama!