The Sainsbury's

Long Over Due

2010-11-14T22:19:00.000-08:00

I will be the first to admit that I suck at blogging, so its by no surprise that I haven't posted any on my baby boy who is now five months old. Better late than never I guess.

I love this picture because there was a great controversy on when Deacon should be born, the South African world cup was looming and Doug did not want to watch the opening ceremony in a hospital room. He was secretly praying that Deacon would come early so he could enjoy the world cup on his recliner, watching his high definition tv.

My wonderful doctor Dr Chalmers had told me when I was about 17 weeks pregnant that our baby was going to be tall and would fair on the large side. So by 35 weeks I was so ready to be done and was 2 cm dilated and had my membranes swept. We were expecting Deacon to make a grand entrance in that day, I was contracting every 5 min and the doc had me go run some errand and come back to see him that evening. I walked all over walmart and around town. Later that afternoon I went back to see Dr Chalmers and I was at 2 1/2 , Deacon was taking his time. He didn't budge! The Dr game me some Ambien so I could sleep, I was so exhausted because I hadn't been sleeping well because I was already experiencing painful contractions on a regular basis at about 33 weeks and they got progressively worse. I was so disappointed, took the Ambien and had the best sleep I had had in months.

Everything seems better after a 12hr nap so I was ready to get the kid out, but he decided to take a nap too. No contractions for almost two days. I got grumpier and grumpier ( if that was ever possible, poor Doug) I was anti-social and just wanted it to be over. I had my appointments every week there after and I would progress 1/2 cm each week. Poor Dr Chalmers didn't know what to tell me anymore cause I would leave his office almost in tears every time, he would sweep my membranes and promise me that was so close. At my 41 week appointment i was beyond unpleasant, he kept telling me how surprised he was that I was still going. He checked me and then got the startled look on his face. I didn't even react cause i was so sick of getting bad news, this was a Wednesday. I had already scheduled an induction for Friday, so either was that little boy was coming out. Dr Chalmers told us that I was almost 5cm and he was surprised my water was still intact. He told us to go home get some lunch and grab our bags and meet him at the hospital in 2 hrs. The minute I got into the car I burst into tears, it was finally here. The day I would meet my long awaited son.

We called all our friends and family and I couldn't eat from the excitement. Doug scarfed down some food and we dropped Leera off at her Nana's. We calmly walked into the hospital hand in hand. I left all my bags in the car cause I though I just might get sent home like I had twice before. Everyone was ready for us and everything was done in an deliberate orderly way. I wasn't in any pain, that was until they hooked me up to a low dose of petocin. It wasn't bad but I had already planned on an epidural so I decided not to prolong the inevitable. We waled into the hospital at 12:30pm and Deacon Zigi was born at 4:01pm.

Deacon was 8lb5oz and 23inc. We love him so much and our lives are just filled with joy to have him in our family. Leera is a wonderful big sister.

We are so happy to have these two, they keep us laughing and amaize us with the love the already have for each other. I just can tell they will be the best of friends.

Fun with Cousins

2010-05-22T18:42:00.000-07:00

We hardly ever get to go to SLC anymore, with school and baby but Leera has tons of fun every time we go when she plays with her cousins there. I love how Alex was in that storm trooper outfit everyday we were there..lol.

The trio play so well together Alex, Megan and Leera

Playing in the ball pit with Alex

Megan and Leera playing air hockey

Leera with the big boys, Bryant, Nathan and Josh

Leera being Leera!

2010-05-22T18:21:00.000-07:00

Leera is growing up so fast, especially since we're expecting another baby in June. She is such a big sis, here are a few of her funny moment and the cute things she sometimes will do.

She was busy for almost an hour trying to figure out how to give Elmo a diaper change, it was so funny to watch. She was getting so frustrated but didn't want any help. She is so stubborn that way, just like me. I'm not sure why her pants and shirt a wet..... who knows!

Being cute with Daddy, every time he comes home its like he is a rock star. She runs to the door screaming Dada and gives him a huge hug.

We had friends over and had dinner and Karaoke , I guess she is suppose to be helping Shan sing

Nap time with Elmo

Having dinner with Leo, this just goes to show how little she is. This Lion is not small but they both fit in her feeding chair.

The best of friends!

2010-05-22T18:04:00.000-07:00

We had all of our friends over, as we usually do, and had a soup bowl night. It was so much fun we all had different soups and they were great to try. I have to mention that Eric and Maggie showed up with Eric's favourite soup " cup o' soup" that was hilarious. You can always count on Eric liking all the inferior goods. The kiddies played while we hung out. I have to say though that Braxly and Leera are such great friends. Braxly is just infatuated with Leera, he will do anything for her. Its so fun to watch them play together, even though Leera is bossy sometimes, ok most of the time..lol

Leera eating soup while Braxly watches

Leera sharing her soup bowl with Braxly...lol

The lovely couple still hanging out together

I just love how much they love each other. I used to tend Braxly early Tuesday mornings when Sheena had class and Leera would just wake up and run down the stairs when Braxly got here. They hug each other goodbye and will spend 5 min saying " Hi!" back and forth when they first see each other. Now that Shan and Sheena live close by, they see so much more of each other and they love it!

Christmas....I know right?

2010-05-22T17:45:00.001-07:00

Well its official I'm not a blogger, I can't believe I'm blogging about Christmas half way through the year, but I would feel awful if I didn't post anything about our Christmas break. We had tons of fun and Leera was so excited to see all the presents and loved opening them. Her big gift this year was a talking Elmo, she is obsessed with Elmo's so we knew she would loose it..... and she didn't disappoint!

Elmo waiting fo Leera

Doug got a blue ray player that he really didn't think he would get. Santa always has to sneak something in that he doesn't already know about.

Candy is Leera' s stocking

Then we went up to Salt Lake to see Papa and Christie

We were able to take the train to Ogden and have lunch there, it was snowing like crazy but so much fun. Leera loved the train !

We are still alive, just busy!

2009-11-18T21:32:00.000-08:00

Yes, We're still alive I'm so behind with everything in my life and blogging is one of many things I've been planning to do, just haven't been able to get to it. We still love our family even though we don't call or see you as often as we would like...I promise!!

Its been really crazy since Doug and I started school full-time we barely fiction. Leera is doing great and we are so grateful to her Nana and Noel for helping tend her, its been a major help. Doug is enjoying his classes and we can see the light at the end of the tunnel....hopefully its not an on coming train..lolI've been working from home, doing bookkeeping and entity formations as well as school full-time, so I've been crazy busy as well.

We hope to take a lighter load of classes next semester so we can actually see each other. Leera is such a big girl now, she is very good at telling us exactly what she wants. She loves to dance and loves her Elmo and wonder pets. She also loves her books, we buy books often just for our sanity cause she always has a book she wants read to her. Her favourite one right now is Where the Wild Things Are. Doug plans to take her to see the movie, once its at the dollar theater. She is great little helper, she helps fold laundry, load the washer and dryer and can almost set up her eating station all by herself. She loves to go to Mc Donald's and is in love with the kids play area.

She used to be selfish with her kisses but now she kisses and hugs us without us even asking....its so cute! One word she says more than anything is "No" sometimes we go through a process of elimination to figure out what she needs.

We are so blessed and grateful that there is just 2 weeks left in the semester, we've been so swamped that its going to be nice to get some time off. We are looking forward to seeing family on Thanksgiving and some during the Christmas holidays.

Our Awesome South African Vacation

2009-11-18T21:05:00.000-08:00

We had such a great time in South Africa over the summer, Leera loved it!! We were worried she might be weary since its so different, but she loved every minute of it. It was a great time to relax and spend time with the family.

Leera and her Dada

We had so much fun at my brother Vusi's wedding and Leera was so adorable in her party dress

It didn't take long for Leera to get into Gogo's cabinets, this was the first night we were there and she was ready to play

My Mom making her amazing coleslaw

My brother S'ne back from his mission in Ghana Cape Coast, it was awesome to see how much he had grown, in fact the two younger boys really scared me cause I didn't expect them to be so tall and grown up....it was crazy

The newly Wed's, it was a great day!!

We didn't have a tub in the apartment we rented so Leera got her baths in a plastic container....so cute!!

Doug and I could not wait to go to our favourite restaurant in St Lucia, the best calamari in the world

We took Leera to the beach a few times and while the boys were swimming we sunk our toes in the sand

Leera and Sazi had so much fun together she loved my brothers and the fact that everyone wanted to play with her

We really had an amazing time in SA and even though it costs so much to get there, its so worth it. We thought Leera would be happy when we pulled up on the drive way and unlocked the door announcing we were home, she just had the fit of her life. She had been sleeping all the way back from the airport and couldn't believe we were back. She wouldn't play with her toys, I held her for over an hour and she didn't even want to see Judy when she came for a visit. It was sad cause she really enjoyed the vacation and she wasn't the only one sad to be home.

UP...UP...and AWAY!!

2009-10-11T09:37:00.000-07:00

The days leading up to our big trip were stressful but everything worked out. We got out trusted friends Maggie and Sheena to take us to the airport....( thanks guys!!) Most of my stress and enxiety was about how Leera would handle the 21hr plane ride and so I stoked up on benedrill and all kinds of stuff....I really did expect the worst.

She fell asleep on the way to Vegas and I really wanted her to save her naps till we were on the plane. Well our fist leg of the trip was Las Vegas to London and that was a 10hr flight. Lets just say the first 4hrs were a nightmare. The benedril took way too long to kick in....but we made it to London in one piece.

Our taxi ride from Gatwick to Heathrow London Airport...it was nice to be out of a plane and seeing new sights. We had planned on going to Hidh park but because of time restraints we were unable to....so this was our London experience.

Leera was so happy to see the outdoors.......this was before she had a major tantrum though.

She usually gets wigged out before she takes a nap....we were all super tired and didn't get much sleep on the flight.....waiting for our flight to South Africa.

On our South Africa Flight...there is light at the end of the tunnel...9hrs to go!! It didn't help that we were delayed for take off for a half hour. To me it was a half hour in the plane but not making progress, we knew we were on borrowed time with Leera till the next tantrum but alas we made it. After we arrived in Johannesburg we had a 45min flight to Durban. For some reason that one seems to be the longest one. There after we picked up our car and went on our 2hr drive to Richards bay!! Home sweet home!!

Splish Splash Summer

2009-10-11T09:12:00.000-07:00

Ohh Wow, its been a while, I can't believe my last post was about Leera's Bday. Well we had a busy summer it was a short one here in the America's so we missed the 120 degrees weather......I know so lucky!!

Before we left for South Africa we frequented the splash pad park on main street often. We would go to Judds for soup and bread sticks then Leera and I would share a rocky-road sugar cone and then play in the water the rest of the afternoon.

Miss Leera getting ready to launch herself into the water.....look at that cure booty!!

On the 4th of July we went to Springdale with Doug and his inflatables, it was so much cooler up there. He goes up every year for the 4th of July celebration and its so refreshing compared to the heat in St George.

Leera playing with a dog that was running around in the park

The awesome view, this year they didn't do fireworks but it was still a great day. Anything to not stay home while Daddy works.

Happy Bday Leera!!

2009-04-30T12:32:00.000-07:00

I can hardly believe that Leera just had her first birthday, it feels like we just got her. We went back and looked at all the pictures of when she was born its so crazy how fast time goes by and how much she has grown. W cannot imagine life without her, she is the light of our lives.

We went to lunch at Applebees with Nana Judy and Ally. She got a free desert and a happy Bday song she was so happy when they were singing to her she was clapping and singing along. We will be having her real Bday party at the park this weekend on Saturday at Snow Park at 3pm. If you can come we would love to have you!!

I dressed her up in a cute summer dress and did her hair in blue bows for her special day.

A picture with Daddy we all know he is her favourite

When she first came out, I had not seen her at this point, I mean like really hold and see her.

When we were still waiting for our bundle of joy, look at that mount of belly!

Holding her for the first time, I knew my life would change but had no idea of the extent.

She looks like a little Chinese baby here

She was a good size baby, not too small and not too big, just perfect!

First time I brought her home and her first outfit change, she was always freezing so we started calling her quiver!

The nurse was showing her to friends who were gathered outside by the door waiting to see her. She is still a little fire cracker when she doesn't like something.

Happy Bday honey we love you, and thank you to everyone that has helped out with her this year We really do appreciate all the friends and family that have made our lives easer by helping and offering their time.

Fun in the Sun

2009-04-30T12:09:00.000-07:00

After Leera had been cooped up in the office with me all day we decided to take her out to the park to play in the water, it was a nice warm day and she had a blast.

Playing in the water geyser

Running away from the water

She had so much fun trying to catch the water

Haha she got squirted pretty good a couple times, and Doug was there to capture the moment instead of helping her.

Playing in the flowing stream.

Leera & Braxly

2009-04-30T11:42:00.001-07:00

I had to do a post for all the Leera and Braxly pictures I have. They spend so much time together so hopefully they can be BFF's ( Best friends forever)!

Leera eating baked potatoes. Before church she decided that she really liked this necklace that she is wearing, even though it doesn't go with her dress, there was no taking it off her.

She loves acting like a little Mommy to Brax, she puts blankets on him and tries getting his binky.

This one is funny, look at Braxly's face ..lol

The happy couple posing together.

The Easter Bunny

2009-04-30T11:28:00.000-07:00

We had planned on taking Leera at an Easter egg hunt at the park, but it got cancelled cause when we woke up it was raining so we had her search for eggs in the house. She had so much fun finding them and eating the treats, we didn't have any chocolate in them just fruit treats and Cheerios.

Eating her goodies.

Ohh there's one on the sofa!

She practically running with the basket to find more.

Two on the stairs

Daddy helping with holding the basket.

Hope everyone had a great Easter and may the Atoning sacrifice of our savior bless you and your families.

Hat Lady!

2009-04-30T11:14:00.000-07:00

Leera and I went shopping at TJMax and she kept grabbing these hats so we started taking pictures of her is different hats, its was funny.

This picture is the cutest one ever!

Another great one!

I went to Walmart and an old couple called her bud, even though she was in a pink outfit, so I decided that I was going to make an effort to do her. Up to this point I've just stuck a bow clip in it and that was it, so this pic is of my first attempt at doing her hair all cute and girly. Was'nt as easy as I thought it would be, its hard to do someones hair thats moving and wingling all the time.

I was trying to get the top of her head, but she kept looking up at the camera.

My cute girley!

Sheena's Shower

2009-04-30T10:53:00.000-07:00

Maggie and I had loads of fun planning a baby shower for Sheena, this was obviously after Braxly was born. Leera and Braxly were in attendance and we has good time.

This was taken the next day on Braxly's blessing day. They are so cute together!

Leera was worn out so she found this awesome napping place.

For the shower we had really good, I know cause I made it with the help of Maggie, Shay & Jackie....thanks for all the help!

Cute boy outfits, the outfit on the left is exactly the same as one Leera has so one day we can dress them up like twins and take them to the park..lol

Hmmm my awesome red velvet cup cakes, I could eat a whole batch!

Wild Duckling!!

2009-04-02T13:58:00.000-07:00

Leera loves her bath time but is so sad when it ends cause she knows that its bed time. Daddy was busy doing school work on the computer so I let her run wild in her duck bathrobe,....ohh I did put a diaper on her though. She couldn't believe it she just was acting crazy!!

One of her screaming pic's, we have millions of those!

Playing with toys

I love this one, she was a bit sad cause she thought she would be going to bed.

Splashing in the tub

She has biffed it a couple of times standing in the tub, but she still does it.

My Weewa!!

2009-03-12T14:18:00.000-07:00

Leera is growing up so fast, I can't keep up, just yesterday she learned to drink out of a straw and climb all the way up the stairs....now we really need a gate!

I usually take pictures of her in the car seat cause she can't escape, this was on our way to church in a dress that Nana Judy made for her.

She can pull awesome faces, this is one of my favourite, the "I'm retarded look". Plus she doesn't wear hats, they stay on for 2.5 sec so I had to get a picture.

She's a big girl now and sits in the big girl chair and feeds herself. She makes a huge mess but she loves to eat while we do, it makes her feel all grown up!

The steps that she conquered this yesterday, she could never get pass the 3rd step now she goes all the way to the top..yey!!

As you may already know, she loves animals. We took her to the pet store as we often do and she fell in love with these rats. I was not about to take one of those home, but she quickly forget about them, I love that about kids

Its a crazy life...but we love it!!

2009-03-05T10:33:00.000-08:00

Well I've been so busy that updating the blog is the last thing on my mind. Between school, work, Leera and Doug its hard to find time to do anything.

We have much to be gratefull for and our lives are hectic but we feel like we're making progress, however small. Doug has a full plate with school and being the babysitter when I'm at work and when Leera is not at her Nanas. He is really excited about school and all the possibilities. Right now he is doing his best to graduate next spring, which I hope will happen if all goes well. We hope to go on to Grad school and he can get a PHD in Molecular Biology. He loves Genetics and gets a sparkle in his eye every time he trys to explain a complicated concept to me...most all of it is complicated!

Its so scary to me to think that by fall next year we maybe leaving our condo and friends to move somewhere else,I'm such a worry wort that I try not to think about it. I'm so proud at how he's stepped up and gets good grades to provide a better future for our family.

Leera is a ray of sunshine, she is fun, playful, very mischievous and loves saying Daddy, Doug and Dada but no Mama...so sad!! She loves to test us like sticking her finger into an outlet just to see what I would do. She hates it when I don't pay attention to her so she'll shuve a postit note in her mouth so I will hang up the phone and tend to her or she uses her eardrum busting scream and that one never fails! I can't believe her birthday is less than two months away.

She is almost there with her walking, she just likes holding on to something even if she isn't really using it, its just a mental thing. She's just not ready to let go and walk on her own.

We're so excited to be going to South Africa in July, I can hardly wait. Its going to so much fun to get to introduce Leera to everyone. My younger brother Sne is coming back from his mission in Cape Coast, Ghana in June and my oldest brother Vusi is getting married on July 11, so its all going to be very exciting. It will be nice to spend all that time together with no work or school. This trip is our light at the end of the tunnel. We leave July 5th and return August 6th.

We love you all still and hopefully we can get away to see all of you before we leave in the summer.

Christmas Time

2009-02-09T12:13:00.000-08:00

I try to post something at least once a month, but I've been so busy so I need to catch up. We had an awesome Christmas season and had so much fun watching Leera open her presents.

We had to do our family Christmas on Christmas eve morning because we wanted to go to Salt Lake on Christmas but had to leave early to miss the huge snow storm that was due that evening and boy are we glad we left then. In Salt Lake we were snowed in for 2days.

It was so nice to focus on Leera and watching her reaction when she ripped the paper off her gifts. It goes without saying that we spoiled her rotten and she loved every second of it.

This was her looking at her little stocking that Nana Judy got her, she was really confused about the glow worm baby inside

We got to go Downtown Temple square and had fun there with Ralph, Christie and Kensey. Our hotel overlooked the skating rink but we were all too cold to anything about it.

Leera spent most of the time there in her jamies cause it was freezing. I had to send the picture to my Mom cause when she came over when Leera was born Leera hated the car seat and she would cry for about 15min every time you put her in. Now she loves it.

Leera playing with Megan and eating her bow. She hates bows and socks. She looks so cute when she has a bow in her hair but she rips it off as soon as she can.

This was Leera's big gift from santa, she loves it !! We had so musch fun with friends and family and hope that everyone enjoyed their holidays as well. Thank you to everyone for your support and love in the year 2008 and hope to have you in our lives in 09. Thanks Christie and Ralph for letting us stay as long as we did with you and Kensey for sharing your bathroom!! Wishing you all a happy new year!!

Let It Snow!!

2008-12-19T13:48:00.000-08:00

Its beginning to look a lot like Christmas, St George got blasted with Snow this week which happens once a year. It happened so fast though, there were huge snow flakes and all the kids in town were elated cause school was cancelled.

Leera and Doug outside at 1am. We managed to get out Christmas lights up this year, which I didn't think was going to happen cause Doug was so busy with finals. He worked tirelessly to get them up...thanks Hun!!

See how huge the flakes were...

By the time Leera got back inside her hair was coated with flakes..it was really funny and she wasn't even phased by it.

Leera and Daddy taking a Sunday nap.

Shan and Sheena with Leera. I think Leera thinks that they are her friends and they just come to see her.

Santa Baby!!

2008-12-19T13:33:00.000-08:00

We had a chance to take all the babies to see Santa and it was fun cause every year I would watch crazy parents waiting in long lines to get their kids on Santa's lap and this year it was me!!

Nana Judy with her 2008 babies Megan, Braden & Leera

Leera with a creepy looking Santa

All three babies

The cute girls

Ty & Preston thought they could play their DS while sleeping over at our house, but they were so wrong Leera wasn't having any of that.

Kissing Cousins

2008-12-19T13:17:00.000-08:00

Jen and Brain were able to come don for Thanksgiving, it was so much fun to see babies play. Leera was so excited to see another baby in the house, she kept trying to take Braden's binky away.

Ohh they are so cute together and just 4 weeks apart.

This one is my favourite

Leera eating Braden's face...he wasn't sure what tho think.

She looks so happy to have a playmate!!

Leera sharing her very girly walker with Braden

Pirates of the Carribean!!

2008-12-19T12:58:00.000-08:00

We had so much fun at Lace & Susan's, every year they have a murder mystery party and we've had a ball there. This time it was a pirate themed party and I was Jean Golddust ( Gold Dealer) and Doug was Thumbless Jack ( Pirate).

Doug won best performer ...he's such a show off!!

Mad Rose & Jean Golddust.

Golddust & the serving wenches.

The Tavern

Scott & Noel. Noel was the widow of Toothless Willie and Scott was a pirate

Thumbless Jack, Doug taped up his thumbs so he was having hard time the finger foods. Thanks Lance and Susan for having us!!

The happiest Season

2008-12-19T12:20:00.000-08:00

I don't know if its just me, but I feel like I'm 3 days behind with everything I want to so..I really can't wait to have work off and have time to breath..so meantime I'll update you with whats been going on.

We got Leera a walker and at first she didn't like it, she would reach up and cry so we would get her out of it. Now things have changed, she loves to sit in it in the morning and eat her Cheerios. Here she is frantically waving at the camera.

I promised my brother Sne that I would post pictures of Leera in the Ghanaian outfit he sent for her before she was born....I was suppose to do this 3 weeks ago( see what I mean) She looks so cute in it and I'm sure she will wear it in the summer cause its still a bit big on her...Thanks Sne, we love you!!

This is one of many more post to come with Leera and the local wildlife. Here she is terrorizing Kalua ( Chris & Krissy's dog). We had fun at their house for Gracie's birthday. Leera was trying to bite the same toy that Kalua was playing with.

Splish, Splash Leera loves her baths, she could stay there all night if we let her.

Leera and Nana Christie!!

Leera and her Papa!!

Tagg you're it!!!

2008-11-20T14:16:00.000-08:00

Well since I get Tagged now and then I thought I should have a Tagg of my own. I don't care how long you've been married pick one or two pictures from your wedding that are either amusing or your favorite, but make sure you can tell us what was going on.

It does'nt matter how long you've been married even if you have to scan in black & white pictures..you should do it! So I'll start..

Doug and I got married April 17 2004 at the St George temple. This picture is really funny cause we were in front of the temple and it was around noon and we had to look into the sun to take most of the picture...I think I was just giving my eyes a break, bu it looks like I'm mad at Doug...maybe saying " No I'm not talking to you right now!!"

I love this one cause we look so happy and so young and I'm so thin!!
Ok your turn!!!

Its a Doggy Dog World

2008-11-20T13:07:00.000-08:00

Its an understatement to say that Leera loves dogs...she had so much fun at Maggie & Eric's playing with Wendy. Poor Wendy was pulled, scratched and bitten among other things but Wendy was so calm and playful with her.

Leera is getting better at scooting around the room, especialy to get something she wants, but at times she gets stuck and looks like a beached whale...its funny to watch.

Sheena and Maggie were watching so they could protect poor Wendy from a crazed fan!!

I think this was is so cute..it shows her spunky personality ( I usually say crazy, but I'll be nice this time) I think Daddy will have a willing helper if he ever gets to be a veternarian.

Ohh a kiss from me to you!!

Maggie dressed Wendy in her Halloween hat and I can't rember what Leera did but apparently it was really fun cause Maggie is turning blue with laughter.

The Monster Mash...

2008-11-20T12:41:00.000-08:00

We had a blast for Leera's first Halloween, we went to a ward party and took her trick o' treating with her cousins. She got tons of candy...and we ate it all.Bwaha..ha!!

Doug and Leera at the Ward party, Doug was suppose to be a Baller and Leera was a lady bug. She hated her costume so she was out of it as soon as we stoped taking pictures. Later that night, she would'nt go home with me. She just clung to Sheena and did'nt want to even look at me. I hope we will have something better for her next year....

Our family picture at the ward party, see how unhappy Leera is..

Trick o' treating with Daddy..she started to be less grumpy after she figures out that people we giving her candy and we got a few smiles.

Helping Daddy carve a pumpkin, she was having fun pulling out all the goo. I don't like Halloween that much so now Doug has someone that can obsess with him about it.

Helping Daddy get the goo out!!

Sea World San Diego

2008-11-05T11:07:00.000-08:00

We had a chance to take Leera to Sea World as well and had tons of fun. Jen, Brian and Braden. It was a perfect day and we all had so much fun.

Leera was very interested in watching the dolphin show.

We also got a chance to touch and feed stingray's. Leera got to touch them as well she was having so much fun. We thought she would be scared because of how slimey they feel, but so far Leer has been fearless with animals.

The Shamu show was awesome!

Touching Dolphins.

Ohhh cute

She was getting a bit hot cause we were sitting in the sun, but the weather was perfect the whole time we were there. Maybe when Doug gets done with vet school he can work at the Zoo and we could live there, ok just day dreaming!!

Leera loved Braden she wanted to touch him and grab him, I don't think Braden knew what to think. Soon enough they will be playing together.

Looking cool in shades!!

San Diego had the most beautiful flowers everywhere, I could'nt help but take a picture of this hibiscus.

Oh so tired...it was an awesome trip thanks to my awesome bosses Kent ans Gene!

The San Diego Zoo

2008-11-03T12:48:00.000-08:00

Doug and Leera got To go with me for a work conferance in San Diego for 4 days. It was so much fun and my work picked up the tab,most of it. I worked a total of 6hrs and played for about three days.

Leera loves animals and so she had a blast, she liked standing up against the windows of the exhibits and would watch closely.

She loved the fish and would try to touch them through the glass.

Leera and Daddy with the flamingo's.

Leera & I at the Panda bear exhibit.

This was so funny cause it was hard to get her to look up cause she wanted to grab the hippo's ears.

Pretty Flamingo's

We were all so tired it was such a long day of walking and pushing the stroller. The next day we were plnning on going to sea worl with Jen, Brian & Braden.

Tagged!!

2008-11-03T12:16:00.000-08:00

8 Shows I Love To Watch:
1.) Army Wives ( watched last show of the season last night)
2.) The office
3.) Fringe
4.) House Hunters
5.) Rachel Ray 30min Meals
6.) Paula Dean
7.) Housewives of Atlanta
8.)Design on a dime

8 Favorite Restaurants:
1.) Samuria 21
2.) Olive Garden
3.) Durangoes
4.) Basilas
5.) Polo Loco
6.) Joes Crab Shack
7.) India House
8.) 25 Main

8 Things That Happened Yesterday:
1.) Slept in till 10
2.) Watched The movie water horse
3.) Ate eggs and pancakes
4.) Put a bucket on the table cause it was raining and our roof leacked
5.) Took a long shower
6.) Went to Doug's moms for dinner..yummy BBQ Pork and my favourate potatoe salad!
7.) Had chicken wings and a tamale later at night
8.) Watched Army wives

8 Things I Look Forward To:
1.) Sleeping In
2.) Snuggling on the coach
3.) Taking Leera on a walk
4.) Leera's big smile when she first wakes up..its so cute cause she is usually still half asleep
5.) Doug graduating and going somewhere else for an adventure
6.) Not having to work..just spending all my time with Leera
7.) Going out for a nice dinner with Doug....a movie would be nice too
8.) Leera's first Christmas

8 Things I Love About Fall:
1.) The color of the leaves
2.) Turkey...hhmmm
3.) It means its almost Christmas
4.) Apple cider
5.) Doug gets to spend more time at home
6.) Don't like anything else...I don't like how cold it is..

8 Things On My Wish List:
1.) Going home
2.) Go on a cruise with Doug and our friends
3.) I want Leera to say Mommy first before Dada
4.) My home to be spotless all the time
5.) Dishwasher
6.) My Mom to get better
7.) To wake up and decide for myself what I want to do..not what needs to be done
8.) To be as skinny as I used to be

8 People to tag: Noel, Staci, Jen...can't think of more

A Date at the Cosmopolitan!!

2008-10-20T20:36:00.000-07:00

Doug and I had the chance to go to the Cosmopolitan in Silver Reef for a Paws charity event that I was attending for work. We had'nt had a nice date night in a while and so it was so much fun and we had a great food.

We both had coke to drink while everyone that was not at our table was filling up with all kinds of wines. So we think our drinks were spiked....of course we can't prove it but our cokes tasted weird just the first glass we had. I guess we will never know we just felt kinda weird by the end of the night!

At our table there was Doug, Jody, Jason, Gene ( empty seat), Leesa, Kent and Me. The food was amazing. The food was so well presented and we each had these beautiful orchards on our plates. And wonderful deserts.

We needed to get away and have fun with other adults and it was so much fun. Thank you Joe & Clyde for babysitting we love you!!

Ohh look how happy we look, now back to our labor of love changing diapers and being parents to our wonderful Leera!!

The Pet Store!

2008-10-20T20:15:00.000-07:00

We had a chance to take Leera to the pet store and she was so excited. Leera has so much personality and she loved looking at these rabbits. We arrived at the store 10 minutes before they were scheduled to close so we had to go thorough really fast but she enjoyed it.

It was so cute how she would touch the glass and try to hold the animals, Doug got even more excited to take her to the San Diego Zoo in a couple weeks. She loved the little dogs and cats.

I'm not sure how she ended up in the laundry basket but Doug took a picture cause he thought it was cute...poor Leera.

She also loves being on the computer with me, she tries to to type like me.

She is so much fun, its crazy how she tries to do the same things we do, its almost scary.

Samarah's Birthday Party

2008-10-03T12:46:00.000-07:00

Yesterday we had so much fun at Cris & Krissy's. It was Samarah's Bday party and she is only 2. I think Leera had the most fun because she got to meet their little pincher Kalua. Leera was so inlove she just wanted to grab and squeeze the poor dog.

We should have seen it comming because she always mauls her stuffed dog max, she loves to bite his nose. We have never seen her that excited about anything. She was even attempting to crawl just to get to Kalua. The noises she was making were so funny......after work we are going to take her to Sue's Pet castle to look at animals. She sure is a Daddy's girl!!

Kalua was really scared and Leera was very excited.

She was getting mad at us cause Sheena was holding her hands so she did'nt claw Kalua's eyes out and frankly we were scared that she might grab him and maybe get biten.

Before the Bday party we went out to dinner with Eric & Maggie. Leera loves it when I get limes on my salad cause she loves to suck on them. This time Doug got a slice of lemon on his lemon chicken and Leera could'nt help but give it a try. I felt so bad when she would pucker her lip.

But she could'nt help it she kept wanting more!! She has such a mind of her own. It is incredible the will power she has and how determined she gets, even though she is just five months.

This week she had fun at work with me, she slept most of the time and gave me lots of hugs and kisses.

Family Fun!

2008-10-01T12:44:00.000-07:00

We had so much fun is SLC it was a nice little getaway. Thanks Papa and Cris always letting us stay with you, its always so much fun. We went to the Ross University seminar downtown and it was really interesting. For those of you who don’t know, Doug is trying to get into Vetinary school and Ross is one of the schools we’ve checked out.

It was fun to get together and have the babies play. Megan is so cute and cuddly and Lilly is so active and so beautiful. We hope to see you guys up there soon, with gas prices its hard to take cheap weekend trips.

ohhhh...Ty and Leera!!

Lilly and Leera got to play, it was so funny to watch cause Leera kept reaching to touch Lily's face and Lily just was'nt sure what to think.

Kensey and Leera, thanks for babysitting Kensey!

Playing on the sofa!

Ok...Doug's been complaining saying if this is our family blog howcome there are no pictures of hi. Its because he pulls a drunk face everytime I take pictures.

Papa and Leera!!

The babies were playing with these three muskatiers chocolate bars and just chomping o them. Well Lily was able to bite a hole in hers and was getting all the good stuff. Poor Leera could get past the wraper.

We enjoyed it, thanks everyone!!

Ohh Baby!!

2008-09-26T11:48:00.000-07:00

This was so much fun...Sheena andI were models and Maggie the photographer. I was bout 7months pregnant and Sheena stuffed a pillow under her shirt so we could take pregnancy pictures. We had been making my baby shower invitations and I think we sniffed a little too much glue!

Now Sheena is pregnant, hopefuly her belly does'nt get that huge!

Yeah work it...be fearce!!

Leera ever since she was about a month old is inlove with her little dog max, she anytime she sees him she attacks him and gets wild and crazy! Her favourate part is the nose she bites and pulls his ears and everything.

Its really fun to watch..so if you have a dog watch out Leera might be biting his nose.

Leera started eating puree'ed stuff whe she turned four months and she loves it. Accept for rice cereal, peas and green beans. In this picture she was eating prunes and she loves them and practicaly attacks the spoon.

Summer Fun

2008-09-26T10:43:00.001-07:00

We had a fun summer this year, its fall and the only good thing about fall is Thanksgiving. Mashed potatoes, gravy, turkey, apple cider, cranberries and familys fighting over who gets to go where for dinner are all the things that make the holidays a blast. So I might as well start starving myself so I can eat as much as I can and wash it all down with a concoction of cider and guilt, for dismally failing at pleasing everyone. It certainly would'nt be the holidays until someone gets offended!

Another good thing about Thansgiving is you know you have little time left to finish your Christmas shopping or in my case I have 3 more weeks till I have to start buying stuff. Anyway we have a lot to be greatful for this year and our summer would not have been as fun without Leera in our lives.

She gives me an excuse to act silly in public ( Doug never needed one) and I love it it when people say how cute she is cause she is mine and I get to keep her, till she is about 13 and then I want to giver her away. Its amazing the strong bond between mother and daughter almost as strong as the Daddy and daughter one! Some of you know that my Mom has been in and out of the hospital in the past two months and she is finaly improving and for that I'm thankful. Thank you for all your prayers and well wishes.

On a lighter note we went camping when Leera was only 3months and we had a blast, with all our friends. We've kinda made the Sandhollow end of summer campout a tradition and we love it. We've done it for the past three years and its always so much fun. Next year Leera will have a friend to play with thanks to Shan & Sheena , yey!!

Floatation devices are awesome especially is the bottom of the lake is lined with green moss.

Shan getting some practice..oh look at that pouty face!!

Sheena and her invisible baby bump!

Maggie!!

It was so hot and Leera did'nt want to be out there any longer either.

It was so much fun draging her around in her crab.

She kept trying to drink the dirty Sandhollow water.

That face made it all so worth the planning and the heat!!

Our adorable Leera

2008-09-19T11:53:00.000-07:00

Well I promised to have pictures of Leera ( its not like we have anything else interesting I could blog about!)

Leers had a her two months shots and I wanted to get picture of her first sick day but I had a hard time cause

she kept smiling!

She hates to be held tight...so it was tough to get this picture. She is such a wingle worm and has a really strong personality, she lets you know really fas when she does not like something. Hhhmmm.....I wonder who she takes after!!

When she visits at the office she wants me to play with her the whole time.

We took her swimming when she was two months and people at the pool were looking at us like we were crazy...maybe! We wanted her to try out her new swim suite that she has grown out of already.

It seems so long ago but she was a month and a half here...they grow way too fast.

She visits at the office on Mondays and Wednesdays and plays in her playpen, I hardly get anything done those days but its so much fun having her with me all day. I have big bay windows in my office and she likes to sit and look outside.

Sick Family.....

2008-09-15T12:43:00.000-07:00

Well this week we are all officialy sick. Doug came home with a cold last week and now we all have it and feel like crap! Leera has been sneezing and coughing too its so sad to listen to.

This week we are so looking foward to going to SLC we have'nt seen our family up there in a while..plus it will be nice to get away. We hope to have better news next week and I'll be sure to post some pictures of our Leera soon.

Hey Everyone

2008-09-04T14:10:00.000-07:00

I'm so glad I finaly started a blog so hopefully I can keep everyone updated on whats going. We are busy as ever, having an infant, a full-time student and a working Mom makes for a hectic household.

We are enjoying our Leera and she never cease's to amaize us in the most unique ways. She is like a little fun toy we can't wait to get home and play with. We have a lot going on and it seems we never have a long enough weekend or sleep in enough but we enjoy our family.

We hope to get around to seeing everyone and we love you all. : )