Family Photos 2012

Merry Christmas!!

I hope everyone is having a wonderful Christmas with their loved ones.  Ours was amazing, and it has been so much fun to experience the magic of Christmas through the eyes of Leah.

On the 24th, we celebrated with my family in Orange County. The minute Leah saw her cousins, she was pretty much in heaven. She kept giving them hugs and kisses and followed them all around the house. The older cousins are so good with her. 

After everyone arrived, we ate dinner which always stars my dad's famous prime rib. I'm craving left overs as I type this. Then we had a grab bag/white elephant gift distribution which looks like the start of a new tradition. My uncle always brings a TON of assorted items from work {a sporting goods retailer} such as golf items, sunglasses, swim gear, exercise equipment, flash lights, and other knick knacks. Each family has a number, and we just go down family by family and choose an item. The little ones really get into this. I'm also realizing I need to do a better job of taking photos of these events.  

Leah was starting to get super tired by this point, so we quickly took some family photos and started to open gifts.  Once I get a hold of the big group shot, I'll post it. We knew it would take forever to go through all the gifts, so I let her open one gift, then let her explore all the other toys people got. She didn't really get the idea of opening presents, but she definitely gets the idea of new toys.  She pointed, shook, and dragged around any toy around her. We left shortly after opening gifts, and stayed over at my parents' house that night since we were headed to San Diego Christmas day. 

This morning, we woke up and Santa arrived! ;) Since I've never missed a Christmas morning at my parents' house, my mom still packs a stocking for me. She also has one for Matt and Leah. It's one of my favorite Christmas morning traditions. We opened our stocking gifts, and then let Leah open the rest of her presents. 

Afterwards, we packed up and headed to San Diego to spend Christmas with Matt's family. Matt's mom recently moved to a house on the same street as his brother! We toured the new house, then walked over to his brother's to meet up with everyone else. We opened more presents and ate lunch from Bucca Di Beppo. Leah has had a jam packed 2 days, but she loved every second of it. She was so playful with everyone, and even when she was tired, she powered through it and wanted to keep playing! With all these tragic events occurring in our world, this Christmas was extra special. To be able celebrate the birth of Jesus with our families is truly a blessing.

Merry Christmas!

Baby Kayla!

Part of the fun of the holidays is being able to catch up with friends who are coming back in town. On the 24th, my college gfs and I reunited for a Korean BBQ lunch in Cerritos and then visited Baby Kayla! She's 2 weeks now and so tiny and adorable.  I definitely miss those days when Leah was that tiny. Can't wait for future playdates with Leah and Kayla.  My have times changed since our college days!  

13 Months!

Photo by Bob Cho

Photo by Bob Cho

Since Leah turned 1, I kind of forgot about monthly updates. It's been hard keeping up with this girl! Here are some updates:

• Says "mo" for "more"
• Starting to shake her head for "no" now.  Hopefully, it will be awhile before she actually says it. ;)
• Starting to get a little picky with her food. One day she'll love peas, the next day she'll throw them on the floor. She will often protest now at the start of a meal, but once she gets the food in her mouth, she'll want more. Mealtimes are definitely not my favorite time of the day anymore.
• Loves to brush her own teeth
• Really starting to understand instructions and follow them
• Loves to walk/run when we're holding both her hands, but is a lot more hesitant when we let go of one of her hands 

Leah: You are becoming a lot more independent now that you are 1. I can put you down at daycare without you clinging onto me or crying. You don't even flinch when I leave. At the park, you will start crawling all over and barely notice if I'm there. At night though, when we put you to bed, you always want mommy to hold you first before you start pointing to your crib.  You're also a very curious little girl, just like your mama was. You examine your surroundings, your toys, people...everything. It's so cute seeing the wheels in your head turn, and I know you're learning new things everyday. We love you!  xoxo mommy and daddy

First School Picture!

Sorry for the ginormous photo, but I wanted to share Leah's first school picture! It cracks me up! Leah's bed head, crooked smile, and somewhat demure body position - I can't help but get a goofy grin on my face.  She was also the only baby in her class photo smiling!  Love this girl so much.  

I thought a lot today about the tragedy that occurred at Sandy Hook Elementary. I teared up picturing myself in that situation and held Leah a little bit tighter and a little big longer throughout the day.  My heart is broken, and I am also saddened by those who questioned the existence of God as a result.  I think the image above really sums it up - prayer has the healing power to help us recover from this horrific event.

Bubbles and Balloons!