Birthday Extraveganza - Part 1 Joy Preschool

Birthday fun started at school this year for Suhana. Joy preschool is such an attentive and kind place and they make each child feel special for their day. They know that Suhana LOVES Barney, so they made her birthday party sign with a Barney theme.

I had ordered pizza and cake for all the kids the Friday before her birthday. I wasn't able to attend the pizza party since I was at work but I left early to go and get the cake, which I brought to the school around 3:30.  All the kids and teachers sang Happy Birthday to her! It was very sweet!

Smile!

 

 

 

Mommy's Letter

Dear Suhana,

Happy 3rd Birthday my love. You have given us three beautiful, sunny and funny years with many more to come. I still look at you and cannot believe that you are 3 years old!!!!! The first year of your life we fretted over everything you did, from what you ate, to what your poop looked like, whether you walked early, to did we read enough to you, are you happy? And it passed with flying colors. Then year number two was a whirlwind, where I was pregnant with Jiana and I was tired but there was no time to slow down. We reveled in hearing you say sentences for the first time, run around and around and most importantly you learned the word "NO!" It was cute at first and then we weren't laughing :)

And year three came upon us and soon after Jiana entered our lives and you had a sister, You took some time to adjust but each day I was so happy to have my two babies. So grateful for all the blessings. You were hesitant with sharing mommy and daddy but you adjusted and now you ask for Jia when she isn't around. You love your sister. You started preschool, which you love, made new friends, have potty trained, understand EVERYTHING that we say and ask of you, and in general are a very sweet girl.

Suhana, I love you so much and I will tell you that everyday of your life. You always have a friend in me and a shoulder to lean on. (Barney reference) I will always play circle time with you as you lead me through 11 songs. I will always put your hair in pigtails and buy you sprinkle cookies. I will always pretend to be your age when we play and always listen to whatever you have to say. 

You told me the other "You are my best friend mommy." Suhana, I promise to always keep it that way,

Love,
Mommy

Suhana Turns 3!

Suhana turns three this Saturday on September 22, 2012 and to say the least I am in a state of shock. How can my baby, be turning three? She was just born! Time really flies and its never more evident to me than on her birthday every year. I will write a lot more about her fabulous Beach themed party later but I felt like sharing some photos of her throughout the years. I love this kid more than I can tell you and its an incredible feeling to know that she is growing up healthy, strong, happy and beautiful. What more can I ask for?

First days :)

Daddy's girl

Check out the mohawk.

Too cute.

Eating cheerios.

Ballerina



Love that smile!

Almost 3! Where does the time go?

Jiana - 10 Months

This post is somewhat on time! Kudos to me. Jiana turned 10 months old on September 1, 2012. My baby is getting too BIG!  We had a couple big milestones this month, so far. Jiana took two steps all by herself a couple weeks ago!!! That's right she walked on carpet at a friends house all by herself!

Last weekend, she stood all by herself for 10 seconds. No one was holding her and she wasn't holding onto anything! It was really cool. I realized that with a second baby, everything they do is still really amazing! You forget so quickly when the older one did the same things. Well, at least I do. No shame in this game, I definitely have mommy brain.

And wait for it... drum roll please....... her first tooth sprouted! That's right, after 7 agonizing months, that is how long she has been teething, the first bottom tooth has broke skin. The second one is peeking through and the top two are ready to come out at any moment. So all this really means is that she is in a lot of pain. I feel so bad, I try to imagine this pain they go through if it were happening at this age! Can you imagine how it would hurt? But she is such a trooper, ALWAYS SMILING!

She also has quite a tongue, she babbles constantly and sounds like "Mama" "Dada" and "Hot Dog" come out. Hot dog you say? Well, that's because my baby loves Mickey Mouse Clubhouse! She loves that song at the end of every episode.

And her temperament is just the best, she is always happy and smiling. Love this face.



The usual pose.

And going for the paper.

"I got it Mama!"

Happy Birthday to me!

I celebrated my birthday a couple weekends ago and turned young again. The kids were sick, we were sick but I did get to have dinner with my wonderful family, including my parents, and my in-laws.  It was a great night.

 

My girls and me. Best Birthday present ever!

Hugs all around.

 

Sisters :)

She's thirsty, I know.

Family picture.

Mommy, you want cake?

My entire family!

It's the end of the road...

My time has come to an end. Nursing that is. I am done nursing Jiana and its been a bittersweet, though more bitter in this case. She is almost 10 months old and I was able to keep going pretty strong until about month 6. That's when we had to start substituting formula, this was the same case for Suhana. I even took my pump to Chicago for a girls weekend in the beginning of August, because I didn't want that to be the end. I wasn't ready to be done with breastfeeding. But all good things must come to an end, right? I think as a working mom, you face different challenges in the nursing world. Many different things can affect your supply; stress, nutrition, frequency or lack of feedings.

Since, Jiana is my last baby, this is the last time I will feed a baby and that realization is sitting heavy on me. I really enjoyed the time I had with her one on one, the time when no one was around and she and I were able to just enjoy the moment. It warms my heart to see the look of satisfaction on her face after a good feeding.  Who wouldn't be happy?

I used to think about this with Suhana too, that my milk, was the only thing that sustained her for the first 6 months of her life!! That is incredible! They grow so much and to think that my body provided all those nutrients. I am grateful for the ability to nurse for as long as I did.  I will miss it, but I will have new experiences to share with them.

Jiana - 9 Months

Again, soooo delayed! But better late than never, right? So Jiana is 9 months old and she is up to so many new things. Foremost, she has gotten really good at picking herself up by holding onto an object and remain standing. I am not sure how she keeps herself up, with those adorable chubby feet but she does! She scoots around the house now by walking alongside the couch or holding onto toys. But now we have to be super careful since she is walking and falling! Most of the time she falls on her bum, which is somewhat padded.

She is a lot more vocal... her sounds of 'kakakaka" or "gagagaga" are heard more often. She definitely knows how to get attention, by either squealing or coming up to you and grabbing your pants to pull herself up.

And Jiana waves!! She waves hello and bye, with her hand open and palm up. It's pretty darn cute, and its exactly the same way Suhana used to wave. 

Her personality is starting to develop more as well, especially when her and Suhana are together. Suhana is in the toddler stage of "That's Mine!" We hear it constantly and we are constantly trying to explain that she needs to share. I think that concept will take some time to cement. But there is absolutely nothing cuter than Jiana watching Suhana play. Jia will just sit there and watch Suhana be a busybody playing with all her toys, with the BIGGEST smile on her face. I have to say, she loves her sister. Suhana who is pretty much in her own world most of the time, will stop and ask where Jiana is, if she hasn't seen her for a little while. Jiana on the other hand, follows Suhana around, will climb on her, and watch her with such curiosity. I know she is thinking, wait till I walk!

But don't get me wrong, I can see my future when these two will be fighting! Oh help us! When I get to that stage, I will be remembering how easy this was.

Mommy dressed me like a doll!

There goes the paper.

Daddy got in for a pic :)