The Little Man

No time for words...hope this can tide you over for now.




He is so long and skinny

Getting ready to leave the hospital

A Happy Dad

I'm in LOVE!

I'm the Ghost that's Known as Casper (A Post by John)

Casper was born Tuesday, February 17, 2009 at 10:05 pm. He weighs 8lbs 10 oz and is 21 and 3/4 inches long. I'm afraid this kid's already making me a softy. I usually think most newborn babies are less than cute, but I'm quite partial to this one. It's amazing to me how much I loved this kid the moment I saw him.

Thanks again to Kimi and Casey for the Casper beanie.

Despite very little sleep for over 30 hours LeeElle was a trooper and did a great job. It is amazing what she was able to do without ever letting on how much pain she was in. I on the otherhand improved my ability to count to 10 in sets of 4 every 3 minutes, which I have to say wore me out. By the end I was exhausted and was almost kicked out for trying to get my own epidural. After all of this LeeElle came out of it looking great.

Kerilynn and LeeElle post partum

Cohen (Casper's actual name) spent so much time in the womb that he started to grow facial hair. The goatee was a little too much so we had it shaved before we took any pictures.

How about you sideburns? This is how I knew he really was my son.

THE Last Pregnancy Picture

39 Weeks & 3 days

41 Weeks

Really, this is the last pregnancy picture. I'm heading to the hospital now.
Peace out!

Baby Showers & Blessings

We have been blessed to have so many amazing people in our life who loves us and spoil us. We have had 4 showers. A surprise mini-shower given by my sis-in-law over Thanksgiving, one back home in Anaheim, another here in El Segundo, and finally John's work had a Super Bowl party planned which really turned out to be a baby shower. We really appreciate everyone's generosity! Casper is already loved by the masses.

My sister Kerilynn hosted my shower back "home" and made these cute invitations.

A few days later my aunt and some wonderful friends gave me a shower in El Segundo. Here is the invite made by Amy

And some of our loot, in boxes and bags...

(There is more in the closet and garage)

now in piles

Here is Caper's little closet in our hall cupboard with his hang up clothes (up to 6 months)

We bought a dresser to hold Casper's clothes. It will serve a dual purpose, storage/diaper changing table. It is chalked full of clothes, spit rags, socks, beanies...you name it.

***warning it may get a little sappy here, I apologize in advance***

When I first found out I was pregnant I was happy but thought, "How the heck am I going to do this?" Being the oldest of 6 I was confident in my ability to sustain a child's life; I know how to feed, change, bathe them etc. But now I would be responsible for raising, teaching, and enriching their life. (concern #1)

Then I thought about our situation at the time (and currently), John is in law school working a few hours a week at a firm but I'm the bread winner. I work full time and have 3 different jobs; how were we going to afford a baby and all the expenses that accompany one and who would take care of it? (concern #2)

And lastly, well I'm sure there is more but for sake of being brief, was I ready to do this? (concern #3) I have always wanted to be a mom since...well since I can remember and now the opportunity was here- ahhhh!

With all these concerns I sought much comfort and help through prayer and other means. I was excited to be pregnant/having a baby but I was scared, nervous, apprehensive-you name it! Now, I have been blessed and I love how my life has turned out so far. I've been married to the most amazing guy for over 4 years, I'm in a profession I love at a job I enjoy, we have a great family and many friends; life is good. I would have never thought being pregnant/having a baby would be such a huge test of my faith but it has been. Yet through it all I have been comforted by a loving Heavenly Father who constantly reassures me that everything will work out, and it has. Julie Beck, general Relief Society President of my church, said this, "We don't have children because we have money, because we have means. We have children with faith." This has been my motto recently. When I have concerns and doubts I (or often John) reminds me to look back and see that the Lord has not forgotten us in the past and won't in the future.

There have been many times I've been reminded of this, one example is the generosity shown by those around us with their gifts and support. We have not have to buy much at all because we've been given so many things. Friends, my mom and sister's co-workers, and others have given us cribs, car seats, clothes, swings, pack'n'plays, baby carriers, and many other accessories alleviating some of the financial burden. Schedules have worked out so baby sitting will not be as much of a burden. My employers have been accommodating and supportive. John has a job to help with living costs....the list goes on and on.

This experience while definitely trying has been one of the best things for me. I have learned/been reminded that when I trust in the Lord and do what I know is right, things work out, not always the way we see it happening, but we're taken care of and blessed. I am gratefully overwhelmed by the love that the Lord has for us.

And They Say Babies Don't Come With Instructions

To Do List....

I love making lists! It keeps me organized and focused when it comes to what needs to be done. The only thing I love more than making lists is crossing items off of it. My maternity leave started last week and has been very productive. Here is my current to do list:

What May Be My Last Baby Casper Update

I am still very full with child. Now if I just knew how to make my photos go side by side to show the growth from beginning to end. maybe tomorrow.

35.75 weeks

contrary to popular belief I have dropped.

39 weeks and 3 days

Hello Again

I'm alive! I've just been busy. Some say I'm nesting. If that's the case then I've been nesting for over 26 years. I'm fairly organized and always doing something; the only difference is now that I've started maternity leave I have a little more time and fewer distractions (i.e. work).

Here's a quick and random update:

While running errands the other day I had to stop by Khols to return a few things. That's when I saw this baby...

I allowed myself this indulgence partly because it's so fun and was 70% off. This purse is so out of character for me; my purses are normally simple and black, but I love it!

Last Sunday John got in a fight with the door jam. John lost. As a results he dislocated his toe, which he then had to locate back in place. Poor guy couldn't even wear shoes so he was forced to wear flip flops (if you know John you know he only wears flip flops to the beach. period)

In other foot news, my awesome sister Kerilynn and her fiance surprised me last night by showing up to our apartment. Cory had a feeling that my water was going to break and I'd be all alone while John was at school and Kerilynn said that I could not deliver a baby without a pedicure.

notice my feet are not super swollen-woot woot!

One last shout out to Kerilynn. She came up last week and cut our hair. I love my new do. My sister is so talented

not the best picture but you get the idea

more posts to come. I've actually already got one scheduled and 1/2 way done with another. my apologies.