Cousin sleepover

This weekend can also be known as babies, babies, babies! It was a double fun weekend because not only was it Laila's baptism but the Boston clan stayed with us as well. It was awesome having all the kids together and being able to see the various stages of childhood represented from newborn all the way to little kid. Laila was the littlest little one and she didn't do much besides eat and sleep. Sebastian was all smiles all day and he could army crawl across the floor so quickly! Olivia loved having so many people around and tried to keep up with the older kids. Ellie was so sweet and loving and her jumps were so cute. Colin was so intelligent, speaking to him was like speaking to an adult with a sweet little voice.

Our sleepovers have come a long way from us being giggly pre-teens staying up all night to exhausted parents barely able to stay up past 11pm. I really wanted to stay up after the kids went to sleep to catch up with my cousins but I barely made it to 10pm! I was really glad to have everyone stay over and hope to do it again when the weather is better so we can do the cool kid stuff that Jersey City now has to offer.

Throw your hands in the air!

And wave em like you just don't care!

And then just fall over...

Awesome army crawl

**again, thanks Tito Sanch for the awesome pics and catching these rugrats sitting (semi) still


Oh, and here's a pretty long and uneventful video I shot hoping to catch Olivia and Ellie reuniting after months of not seeing each other...which resulted in what I titled "awkward hello". They're adorable in their pajamas though!

Laila's baptism

Laila's baptism was on a cold, snowy, slushy morning but you'd never know it from the warm and loving atmosphere inside. Family and friends came from near and far despite the weather to celebrate Laila's special day. Just like Olivia she's gone to church every week since she came home from the hospital and we wanted to baptize her into the church as early as possible. It was a beautiful ceremony performed by her grandfather and it was wonderful to have everyone there witness her entry into the faith.

 

Godparents Hector and Christa

Thanks Ninog Gerry and Tita Rinne for keeping Olivia occupied

**a HUGE thank you to Tito Sancho who took such beautiful pictures and to document this special day!!

One month old

Your first month, much like my entire pregnancy with you, has been a whirlwind! We weren't expecting you for another 3 weeks, but you, my little party girl wanted to enjoy the holidays with everyone- and enjoy them you did! Despite having lots of people around, you and your big sister were SO well behaved! You were able to sleep through our family craziness and everyone was so happy to finally get to meet you and hold you.

You were born a teeny tiny thing at less than 6 pounds,  but at your one month checkup you weighed in at a whopping 9 pounds! Your doctor called your weight gain miraculous, and I'm so glad we got the hang of nursing so easily.

What made your first month infinitely easier and more fun was having daddy home with us. Being the middle of winter we were all pretty much house bound, but it was really nice to rest and recover in what felt like our own little desert island. He was such a huge help especially with Olivia, they developed their own routines and gave me the much needed time to tend to you (mostly your feedings, of which you did alot, hence the awesome weight gain!) So keep growing little one, but not too fast, I want to enjoy your sweet babyhood for as long as I can!

**Thank you to cousin Sebastian for sharing your monthly stickers and saving me from having to make my ghetto construction paper monthly posters!

Carseat cuties

Bathtime fun

This is what happens when daddy is in charge of bathtime!

Grandparent cuddles

Olivia's cozy corner

 ...often gets taken over by Rocky

...or by her stuffed animals

 Because it's where all the cool kids hang out

Pensive Laila

Contemplating life's mysteries

And laughing at its absurdities