Proud New Parents

This says it all...

New baby

For the last 40 hours (yes, 40) AJ has been laboring beautifully. She has absolutely trusted her body to deliver a healthy baby....and here is the result

Baby Gianna Olivia
Born at 4:55pm on 3/31/2010
7 lbs. 1 oz.
20 inches.

Are we there yet? (part 2)

AJ has been laboring throughout the night and into the morning. She is getting there for sure. My guess is that by dinner time there will be a new addition to our family. The nursing staff has been excellent in ensuring that AJ's pain is well managed. The doctor ruptured AJ's bag of waters around 2am and labor is moving along.

Are we there yet?

We arrived at the hospital at 7:20pm and were moved to our labor and delivery room. It just hit me that this is were our daughter will be born. After months of preparation (not H), we are in the home stretch.

AJ is one tough girl

AJ has been experiencing contractions since 1:30am on 3/30. Its been about 36 hours of painful contractions and I see how tough she is. We are getting close enough contractions to get ready to go to the hospital. All bags are packed and we are ready to roll.

Labor is Here

AJ has been progressing steadily over the last 12 hours. Her contractions are averaging 7 minutes between the start of one contraction to another. We have visited the doctor's office and there is still alot of laboring to be done. Hopefully sometime later today we will meet our daughter.

Its almost time.

This morning AJ is feeling that she may be in labor. Contractions have been happening since about 1:30am. I am getting excited.

Expectant Family Photo Shoot

Rachelle Balinas Smith shot our expectant family at the Fullerton train depot. Rachelle and I met in high school, went to college together and now work together at USC. She is one talented photographer! Check out the sneek peak online and make a comment to win me some free prints! Thanks Rachelle - I can't wait to see the rest and to have you shoot little girl Luna!

Check out Claire's maternity shoot online gallery.

Cancer, be gone

Tomorrow morning, my dad is going under the robot. Yep, we were able to find him one of the best surgeons to perform a radical prostatectomy using robotic assisted technology. The surgery should be 5-8 hours. Please keep him and his doctors in your prayers.

Dad's Pre-Fast Last Supper

Tim and Claire had us all over for a secial pre-fast last supper before dad heads into surgery. Not sure why, but I didn't get any shots of dad. Here are the cute cousins though - Kayden and Enzo.

Enzo loves Bear-Dog.

Free-dom. Heading right toward the decorative cactus.


Hilarious how Enzo wouldn't let go of Josie's cell phone and kept saying into it "Hello?"

Fun with vacuums and play-doh

The obsession of late is the 7-year old DustBuster. Which is incredibly odd, given that Enzo previously would shake with fear - wait, TERROR - whenever the vacuum would go on. I think we may have kept the house too quiet when he was a baby. He is extremely afraid of the street sweeper, trash trucks and he USED to be afraid of vacuums. However, he loves airplanes (and their sounds, even on the runway) as well as motorcycles. He saw me using the DustBuster and instantly became enamoured by it. I mean, for a few days, had to take it everywhere with him. Screamed bloody murder when I wouldn't let him take it to bed with him. (Gross). Like, I have to keep it charged so he can "help Mommy" whenever the urge strikes. I'm all about that!

P.S. If he drops some dry cereal or a drop of juice or milk, he runs to the oven to get the dish towel hanging from the handle and runs back to wipe it up. I mean, he wipes up dry cereal on the floor with a dish towel! I kinda know where this type-A personality comes from. Just not regarding cleanliness. Ask our nanny.

This kid's inadequacies are pretty adorable.

But it could be a lot worse. I mean, look at his father in the backyard - and the fact that his mother is encouraging him.

And, wait for it. The Grand Finale...

Spring shots

Jeff and Enzo rode their bikes to Clarke Regional Park to check out the toddler playground. Apparently, it was a hit.

Then, we sort of forgot about the Daylight Savings timechange and arrived for Church an hour late. So, after beating ourselves up for about a minute, we headed to the park nearby. By the way, whoever invented playgrounds with no sand or dirt is a genius. I love him/her!

Me (and Sesame) at 37 weeks.

Jeff's turn at the new-school monkey bars. Heh.

Our very first see-saw ride. Too fun!

Enzo's first 14 calorie Philly Swirl ice pop. He likey.

Sprinkle, shower, downpour!

My wonderful sisters and Aunt and mom hosted a little baby sprinkle that turned into a giant downpour of love - and goodies! It was loads of fun seeing so many family and friends. And it was a delightful tea party for a bunch of ladies.


Here, all my LMU ladies. Including Amy G, who travelled all the way from San Jose! (And my favorite house guest.)



Me (and Sesame) at 9 months (36 weeks).


I must say, little girl clothes are pretty much the most adorable things in the world. Especially when capri pants are involved.

Here was the delicious spread for lunch made with lots of love. The curtains for the nursery are being used here as a tablecloth. Thanks to everyone for helping me welcome little girl Luna into our lives!