EcoBambino

I am the only non-family member working at this amazing store in downtown San Luis Obispo. The store is called EcoBambino and it is committed to providing eco-friendly products for children. I am proud to be great friends with the owner, Ariana, and her amazing family. I am also very great-full to them for letting me work along side them in their journey of owning and operating such an amazing store. We carry only products that are produced by companies who are conscientious about their business practices and how they effect the environment. The products we purchase from these fantastic companies are 100% safe for children because they are made from natural and sustainable products!!!

Princess Play Date!

Alana had a princess play date at the house with some of her closest friends. I felt bad, we couldn't invite all of them, but my sanity could only handle four girls since I was doing it all by myself. I made tea sandwiches and cupcakes that were wrapped in pink scalloped paper. There were bright pink gerber daisy's all over the house and of course it wouldn't be a princess party unless all the girls came dressed in their favorite princess outfit. It was great! All the girls looked so adorable and they had a really great time playing together. All the mom's got a kick out of it too. Now, I get to clean up Alana's room. Although, I can't complain. Girls' messes are much more organized than boys' messes.

This is Where I Live!!!

Since we have moved to San Luis Obispo, we have been really busy. Raf started his new job. Alana has been involved in swimming, ballet, and soccer, not to mention, she started kindergarten in August. Raf and I are a part of the PTA at Alana's school. We manage a website for the school and I am in charge of all the photos for the school's yearbook, which reminds me, I need to see about getting a couple of cameras donated to the school. Kai has started teething (poor guy) and I have been working on getting him into a regular routine throughout the day. Kai, also, is starting Alana's old routine of going to Booboo's for music time on Wednesday's and going to the library for story-time on Thursday's. I, myself, have started an intense workout and nutrition regamin with a personal trainer and nutritionist. I have to say, this has been a little bit of a challenge . . . well the exercise portion of my regamin. It has been a challenge to squeeze in my cardio and strength training with everything else I have to do throughout the day. So, that's what's going on with us. Although, we're all busy, I love it. I would not trade my SLO life for anything !!!

4 Months

Kai is now four months old. I remember when Alana was this age really well becuase it was my most favorite time with her. This is the time when she started smiling and laughing and was more aware of her surroundings. It is as if her personality started to really come out around this time. Kai is the same way and I am loving it. He smiles constantly and his laughs are so adorable. I love this time with him just as much as I did with Alana :)

WOW . . . !

Wow . . . It's been a while since my last post. I will update everyone on what's been going on in our lives the past couple months. Rafael got a new job working for the City of Atascadero as an Urban Planner; we moved to San Luis Obispo, CA (GO Mustangs!); found a new OB and hospital to help welcome our little man into the world; enrolled Alana into Hawthorne Elementary School, which I am excited about because it's with in walking distance from our house; and if all that were not enough, today, my OB informed me little bambini will be born an May 26th @ 7am! 

We moved into a cute craftsman style house right in downtown SLO, which is so great because I am with in walking distance from all the shopping and food I could possibly want! The beach is only a ten minute drive away, which beats the two hours we used to drive just to get some great sun and a refreshing ocean breeze. The city is extremely pet friendly, so Rocket, of course, is loving it here. Alana gets to ride her bike to the playground of her choice everyday and gets to participate in the oodles of programs and activities available to her here (i.e. children's concerts in the park, surfing lessons, nature hikes, her personal favorite, the children's science museum, etc.) Raf gets to relive some of his college memories because he went to Cal Poly State University here in SLO for four years, which is also where he met some of his best friends. And who knows, I am looking to transfer in a couple semesters, so maybe I can be a Cal Poly Alum too!!!

(Pics will arrive soon, we're living off of our macbook until the imac can get re-hooked up on the desk that doesn't exist yet)

Drum Roll, Please . . .

IT'S A BOY!

Second Trimester Baby Bump!

It is that time, when I bid ado to my second trimester and welcome the last hurdle in my pregnancy land . . . trimester number three . . . here I come!

The Exploratorium in San Francisco

All I have to say is . . . sooooooooo much fun! We met a couple of friends and my brother, Brandon in San Francisco this weekend and then headed to the Exploratorium! It is a hands-on children's science center. Although, I think all the adults had just as much fun as the kids!

Alana Having a Tea Party w/ Her "Friends"

Valentines' Day Dinner for Alana and Trent!

I am convinced, Valentines' Day is for all the women out there who need an excuse for their man to give them much needed attention one day out of the year. I, fortunately, am not tied down to one of those men (in other words: Raf is the best all year-round)! So, Raf and I usually don't celebrate V-Day, but instead, we spend the day hanging out with Alana, buying her a gift, and taking her out on a mommy, daddy, daughter date! This year we decided to invite my littlest bro, Trent, who happens to be one of Alana's best friends, over for a Valentine's dinner. They requested mac-n-cheese with hot dogs (so cute) and grape juice!

White-Out at the Cabin!

Raf, Alana, Myself, Rocket, Nana, and her two dogs, Bonnie and Clyde, went up to the cabin this past weekend. It snowed all three days! Alana and Raf made a snowman and Raf and I made snow angels. Rocket, who hates the cold, couldn't get enough of the snow. On the way up to the mountains, Raf spun out and about had a heart attack. After that, I don't think Alana wanted Raf to drive anymore, but with some reassurance from me, Alana decided it was ok to fledge on . . . so cute, that girl. It was a really great weekend!

Four To Five Year Check-Up Was Today

Alana will be enrolling into kindergarten this spring, so it was time for her to get her four to five year old check-up. She is average for her height, but under on her weight, although her doctor told me not to worry because Alana just has a really petite bone structure. Her hearing and vision is also really great and she is on par for learning her academics. I had a feeling she was going to need shots, so I warned her ahead of time and her response was, "I'll be brave." She did really great. She wanted to sit in the chair all by herself without me holding her hand. I told her it was ok if that was what she wanted to do. When it was time for the fourth shot, she started crying and said she wasn't sure if she could do it alone, so with tears in her eyes I held her hand and she took it like a champ even though she said it hurt. I told her I was really proud of her and let her pick what she wanted for lunch, which of course was Chinese food, her favorite (besides sushi).

Raf and I went to Alana's parent-teacher conference at her school the other day. We wanted to make sure she was on the right track, so she will be prepared for kindergarten in the fall. Her teacher was amazed that she was doing so well, given she only goes to preschool twice a week. She said she could tell we work a lot with her at home, which made Raf and I happy because sometimes we can't tell if Alana is absorbing what we are teaching her or not. Lastly, her teacher was pleased to announce, Alana will be more than ready to start in the fall!

Soon There Will Be Two!

I have been codling Alana a lot more than usual lately. I think it's impart to the fact that I am going to soon be dividing my attention between two kids instead of just her. It is a bitter sweet feeling. I have enjoyed having her all to myself the past four and half years and I know it is coming to an end soon. At the same time, I am really excited to expand our family and watch her grow and play with a sibling. She has been asking a lot of questions about the baby and I can tell she is eager to be a big sister. Although there is a hint of jealousy when it come to her and the baby. She is extremely needy these past few weeks and has resorted to wanting to be held all the time and even prefers it if Raf and I spoon feed her as opposed to her feeding herself. Not that I mine, though. I love giving her extra attention and I understand that it is something she needs right now.

Sun Bathing!

I caught Rocket sunbathing on my favorite blanket today and she looked so adorable. I have never been a huge pet fan, but she is amazing. Raf, Alana, and I love her so much. She is a really quiet and humble chestie. We couldn't have found a better fit for our family and the best part is, we rescued her. Her favorite thing to do is sleep under the covers at night between Raf and I or lately she has taken to my growing belly, which she also likes to snuggle. So Cute!

Alana Playing with Her Nitro Jr.!

Thanks for the great gift Fred and Lydia.

Alana Playing with Her V.Smile!

Thanks for the great gift Nana and Papa!

YAY!

We recently remolded Alana's room. So we can see where all the baby furniture is going to go, we went ahead and set everything up. Well, let's just say Raf, Alana, and I were way too excited that we decided to keep the furniture set up and Alana was thrilled to help put everything in place for Bambini's arrival (even though it is about four and half months away)!

A Birthday Card For Abuela!

Raf and I LOVE watching Alana work at her art easel. She really gets into whatever she is creating. Today was a card for Abuela. We have her paint on paper then we cut into it the shape of a card and Ta-da, "It's Alana Art!"