Dear Lissie - Eleven Months

Dear Lissie,

I've probably cried a handful of times now that your first birthday is looming just around the corner. I cried watching Grey's Anatomy when they celebrated Zola's first birthday because I couldn't believe we'll be doing that for you soon. I cried thinking about all of your newborn clothes and how that all seems like eons ago that they fit you. I cried when you put on your first 12-month outfit. I cried when I got a really good look at you and saw more of a toddler than a baby. Daddy rolls his eyes and blames my current pregnancy for my crazy emotional state, but I think it's more because it's so hard to believe that you're growing up so fast right before my eyes.

And, yes, you're going to be a big sister. And I know you're gonna be a darn good one, too. I'm so excited that you're still going to be young enough that you won't really remember life without your baby sibling, yet you will be old enough to understand - even on a superficial level - what is going on and be a helper to mommy.

This was a big month for you. You've started crawling, pulling yourself up on things, peeking into our cabinets, and standing for a few seconds all on your own. Toddlerhood is seriously just around the corner.

I love you!

Love,

Mommy

This is how you greet me in the mornings now.

You love staying at Lola's because she spoils you like crazy.

We may not have had snow, but being able to play at the park in January can't be beat!

High five for daddy!

Cheering Mommy on after her rainy Predators 5K!

Another baby!!!!

January 8, 2012

I'm (obviously) not going to post this right away, but here I am on Sunday, January 8th, typing this out because, well, I have to tell SOMEONE:

Despite both Justin and I being only children, we always knew we wanted more than one child to call ours. We also knew that we wanted them to be close in age because, let's face it, we aren't getting any younger...plus the notion of them having a close relationship has a definite appeal.

So, after much prayer, we decided we were ready to try for #2.

I guess God also thinks we're ready because it didn't take long at all before I got two positive pregnancy tests on January 4, 2012.

Like last time, we didn't believe them, until three more tests on January 5th. [That last test had two lines - the first one was just super faint...I promise.]

But, unlike last time, I plan on keeping this a secret until at least January 25th when we have our first ultrasound! (And believe me, this is NOT easy...)

So yes, we are THRILLED to be expecting baby #2, and are continuing to pray for a happy and healthy nine months. I can't wait for Lissie to meet her brother or sister some time in September!

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February 7, 2012

We had our first ultrasound on January 25th. We saw the flicker of the heart beating, and all was well. However, I was measuring only 6 weeks at the time and needed to go back for a follow-up ultrasound at 8 weeks just to get a more accurate due date estimate since we will be scheduling a C-section again.

We did, though, go ahead and tell our parents over dinner the night of the 25th. While we were sitting down about to eat, Justin went to wake Lissie up from her nap. They come up the stairs, her in a t-shirt that says "I'm gonna be a big sister!" and my mom immediately saw it and squeeled. Her first instinct was that we had gotten the shirt on clearance somewhere, but it quickly clicked that Lissie was really going to be a big sister! She kept pointing at Lissie's shirt for the dads to see. My dad was confused, thinking that there was something wrong with Lissie's stomach. Justin's dad sorta got it, but he thought we were announcing that Lissie was going to HAVE a sister, instead of BE a sister, so he was not really understanding it, either. Finally, after several minutes of hilarious chaos, everyone finally figured it out and we enjoyed a yummy celebratory meal. And took pictures.

Tomorrow's our follow-up ultrasound. And I'm nervous and anxious and terrified, all rolled into one. You'd think I'd have never done this before or something. I'll be praying hard tonight!

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February 8, 2012

We just got back from our ultrasound! Baby #2's healthy, growing, and doing just fabulously! My official due date is September 12th, 2012, but we have our scheduled C-section on the books for September 5th.

I'm so happy that baby's doing well inside his/her little home, but now the reality has set in that I'm going to have TWO little munchkins in just a few months. What have I gotten myself into? Eek!

Right now I'm doing great - it helps that Lissie is a good napper and sleeper, so I can get some rest, too, to stay energized throughout the day. Smells and nausea and back pain are more of an issue this time around, but it's nothing I can't handle!

Prayers are appreciated for Baby #2's continued health....as well as for my sanity during these next few months! Squee!!!!

Dear Lissie - Ten Months

Dear Lissie,

Congrats on reaching double digits - you're getting so old! There were a lot of new experiences this month:

* You had your first Christmas!

* You learned how to crawl (well, sort of). You just needed a little food motivation to get there. We were convinced you were gonna skip this step altogether because you've always preferred being upright, but we'll take your little army crawl:



* You're enjoying more solid foods. Your favorites are macaroni and cheese, spaghetti, and Lolo's arroz caldo. Your least favorites are cut-up pears and cottage cheese. You've even learned to casually drop the food you don't like and give it to Rupert...and Rupert has found a new place to beg for food.

* You love to stand, and "cruise" along the furniture, and walk with your shopping cart. It looks like unassisted walking is just around the corner!

* You love to wave at everyone...and everything. A friend joked that it must take us forever to leave the house because you say goodbye to just about everything you see - the lamp, the remote, the light switch, etc.

* You've added another tooth to your tooth collection in your mouth, and another one is on the way! Most kids sprout their two top middle teeth after their bottom middles, but you skipped that and did the next two instead - so, yeah, you kind of look like a vampire. Too bad you don't open your mouth wide enough for me to get a good picture!

* You went to your first ever birthday party...which means that yours is just around the corner! We've already started planning your special day.

Wow, Lissie. We love seeing you grow and change every day...but, seriously, you can slow it down a bit.

Love,

Mommy

Here are a few more of my favorite pictures:

Yay, Daddy's home - let's get the weekend started!

You loved this toy at your friend's house. Maybe your Lola can get a similar one for your birthday...hint hint....

Your cupcake hat is already made for your cupcake-themed birthday party in a few months!

Your sad attempt at being fashionable. Jeggings, cloth diapers, and a missing shoe are not the best combo.

Happy Birthday, Jesus/Lissie's First Christmas

As I was thinking about what to write for this post, I looked back on last year's Christmas (see here and here) and reflected on how different everything is now.

And I've decided that Christmas is way more fun with a little one...and I'm guessing it only gets better from here.

Thankfully, Justin had the weekend off, and we decided to keep things low-key. We went to the Children's Mass (and having never been before, we didn't realize how early we had to be in order to get a seat) and enjoyed a yummy Christmas Eve dinner (Cornish hens and asparagus, yum!) at home, just the three of us.

We dressed Lissie in her First Christmas pajamas and got everything ready for Santa to make his rounds.

The next morning, Lissie had a fun time checking out what Santa had put in her stocking:

The Lolos and Lola came over, and Lissie had a fabulous time opening up all of her presents.

The grandparents also opened their gifts from Lissie:

We enjoyed a lovely Christmas lunch:

And spending quality time as a family:

All in all, it was the best First Christmas a baby could ask for! We truly are blessed.

Before:

After:

Do we really have to wait a year to do it again?!?

Of course, we still took time to remember the reason for the season. Happy birthday, Jesus! We love you:

Dear Lissie - Nine Months

Dear Lissie,

Nine months already! Daddy and I are in disbelief that you're inching closer and closer to that one-year mark.

We celebrated your nine-month birthday by taking a trip to the pediatrician for your nine-month checkup. You're as healthy as can be at 17.14 lbs (30th percentile) and 27 1/4 inches (35th percentile). Your pedi is pleased with your development, and echoed our thoughts that you're probably going to be one of those kids who skips the crawling stage and goes right to walking. Yikes.

We're starting to get ready for your first Christmas now, and we can't wait to see what Santa has in store for you later this month. Keep on being the good baby that you are.

Love,

Mommy

Here are some pics that we've taken this last month:

You've now been in the outside world longer than you were inside!

Did you really think we'd let Thanksgiving go by without a silly picture?

A happy dino and a sad one.

Tickling the ivories with your face....and showing off the hat I made for you.

Meeting St. Nick

Crawling is for babies, mommy - I'd rather stand and "walk."

Dear Lissie - Eight Months

Dear Lissie,

You are two-thirds of a year old today. Happy 8 months! You're a silly, happy, smiley baby and we love you so much.

Can't wait to see what's in store for us this month!

Love,

Mommy

Modeling your new headband handmade with love by Mommy

Cultivating your Asian Heritage



First banana experience (You have since grown to like them at least a little better.)

Showing off her two teefers!

A non-intimidating Lissie-bear.

Trying to e-mail Lolo and Lola while they were in the Philippines

Just a Girl and Her Dog

More of my favorite Lissie/Rupert pics. Best Friends Forever.