Raya Recently- 2 YEARS OLD!

I hate when I go over a week without posting! And I wish I could say, "Oh we've been on vacation," "Or I was working on world peace." Something exciting ;) But really I've been stalking Craigslist and doing laundry. LOTS of laundry. I HATE laundry. But I have been bitten by the DIY bug. (DIY= Do it Yourself, FYI) I've come across a bunch of DIY projects online that are so impressive and seem so simple, so my first project will be Kallen's dresser. I got one off craiglist and I'm going to ReDo it! I'm SO excited :) Now every piece of furniture in my house looks like a project. LOL. I'm like "Hmm, what could I do to our nightstands, or our coffee table, or..." Anyways. I also sold our couches on craigslist because I found a great deal on a sectional. Wellll, after a few emails with the people they completely stopped responding. So I couldn't sell my couches. Well, actually I could. I asked Gentry how long he could sit on lawn furniture if thats what we had in our living room, and on a scale of 1-10, how mad would he be if I sold the couch and lawn furniture was our only option for a couple days (or weeks). He didn't even answer the question. But I still wasn't really worried about it because I'd seen TONS of sectionals, all in our price range, and the majority were less than a year old. Well 25+ emails later NOT ONE PERSON responded to an email. I checked (and double check and triple checked) my spam folder because maybe they were all getting sent there. Nope. It took everything in me to keep from writing them all nasty emails about listing something and still having it listed and not responding at all. Seriously? 25?!?! So a week later we still have our couches. The lady that wants them still wants them. But I've yet to get a single response from someone selling their sectional.
Ok, my venting is over (can you tell I'm still annoyed ;)

Last week we did Raya's 2year pictures and they turned out FABULOUS! Man, I'm so excited about them. Tara took them, as usual. If you're in the OC or La area and need a photographer, seriously, look her up. The pictures are so great. And she's really good at editing too. You won't be disappointed. So here's some of my favorite!
We took these at the beach just down the street- Sunset Beach. Where Raya is standing in the first picture is exactly 1 mile from my front door ;)

I have a bunch more that I love, I have no idea how I'll pick which ones to frame.
Here's the link to Tara Allison Photography's Page and Raya's album : Raya: 2 year Session. "Like" her page while you're there. And seriously, get some pictures done with her already!

A few other Shout Outs:
The "2" shirt was done by one of my Blog Mom friends, Shawna. It matched the Tutu perfectly. I saw her daughter's 2yr pictures and the shirt and thought it was so cute and so what Raya needed! She has her own Raya who's also 2. Our Rayas are only a couple weeks apart. And Kallen and her 2nd daughter, Brielle are also a couple weeks apart :) Here Etsy shop is here: No Paparazzi Please. The shirt was great!! She does lots of personalized stuff and she's definietly priced way better than more people on there. Worth it for sure!

The Tutu, Bow and Crown Onesie were done by my facebook Friend Jam'e at Little Divas Bows N Bling. Aren't they amazing?! The colors were fantastic. Remember that modeling contest I entered Raya in and asked everyone to vote a million times. Lol? Well she won and this whole outfit is what Jam'e sent. It was just perfect. So some of the pictures from this photo shoot are being used over at Little Divas Bows N Bling. Check out her facebook page and "Like" it. She does all kinds of contests and actions. I have a couple other bows from her that are fabulous. I've seen tons of girls bows and tutus and shes easily the best at it. You get really quality items and her prices are so reasonable.

And the white and neon dress is from BabyGap for $4! I went in there randomly and it was on the clearance rack. Too perfect! Here's the link to my album on facebook. There's 100+ pictures, so only if you're bored ;) And they aren't the edited ones, but they're still cute! Raya's 2!
Ok, I have 2 more posts coming in the next 2 days, so stay tuned :)

Keeping Up With Kallen---5 Months Old!!!

Kallen was 5 months old on 6.3.11. Five months old is an amazing age. They start showing personality. Are more mobile. Stronger. Smile and laugh alot. Are very easy and happy babies that can't move yet :) That seems to be one of the best ages. Once they start moving its ALL OVER. He really is all smiles right now. He "talks" alot. I can definitely tell he's enjoying making nosies and hearing himself. He rolled over finally! I think big boys take longer to do things :) I'm sure he had to get more muscle strength to roll his body over. lol. He did it a few days before he was 5 months. I got it on video! I'll upload it.

My Tank

His the sweetest little guy. He's very snuggly. Right now he goes to sleep very easily with me. The first couple months he was much more comfortable on Gentry and if he was ever fussy or uncomfortable I'd give him to Gentry and he'd calm right down. This month he's been a bit of a mama's boy. But only when it comes to going to bed. And he literally melts into me when I get him. Maaaaan, that is so sweet. I'm amazed at how fast he falls asleep. I still spend plenty of time holding him while he sleeps. I know its only a few more months before he's too big and won't really be comfortable all snuggled up for his entire nap time, so I'm making sure to cuddle him while I can.

For me, the biggest thing with baby #2 is that this time around I know how fast they grow up, so I'm very aware of how little time I have when they're small enough to cuddle and hold on your chest and can't crawl away when I kiss on their little faces. So I'm very thankful for all the time I have with him each day and soak up every second of this baby phase. I'm still 50/50 about whether I want any more kids, so there's a good chance this is my last baby, so I gotta make it last! Which would be my advice to ANYONE with a baby. Hold and cuddle your baby AS MUCH AS YOU POSSIBLY CAN. You can't spoil a baby by holding them too much. I promise! Don't let them "cry it out" :( It'll just make you feel bad. And then 5 years from then you'll wish you had help them or let them sleep with you. Can you tell I already have anxiety about Kallen not being a baby? HAHA

Ok, back to my boy ;) So he's probably at least 19lbs. I'm guessing about 26.5inches long. You're still a great eater, obviously. You really don't nurse anymore, tear. I nursed Raya until she was 14months, and my goal with you was 7months. I just couldn't keep up with you! Nursing for you was like snacking. Never a full meal. So if you were really hungry and I tried to nurse you you'd cuss me out. Haha. But seriously, I got the hint.

These thick thighs!!! My favorite 

 I ran out of size 3 diapers for a few days and used Raya's size 4 and they worked GREAT for you. So yah, you and you're 2yr old sister wear the same size diapers. You're wearing 9month clothes and 12month clothes. 9months are actually a bit tight. They work for right now, but I bet by the end of this month you'll be too big. I'm wondering if you're going through a growth spurt because its 10am and you're still sound asleep. We'll see how the next few days go. 

Same Pants: Raya @11months, Kallen @5months.
Pant size= 9 months

You are very calm and easy going. We took you to a birthday party this weekend and you were passed from person to person and seemed to really enjoy it all. It was your first "Big Event." You've never been around a bunch of people and you did great! You weren't overwhelmed and didn't cry or freak out once. I'm wondering (and hoping and praying ;) that because I have one child that's EXTREMELY active, you might be the calm one? That would be awesome.

I'm absolutely loving every day with you! To say I feel like the luckiest Mom is an understatement. You really are my sweet boy. You're so loving and incredible. I'm just getting a sneak peek at your personality, so I'm excited to see what you have in store for me.


I love you!!
Xoxo,

Mom

I have an Early Bird

Booo. This whole week Kallen's been waking up at 6:30 On The Dot. Seriously?! 6:30 is wayyyyy to early for anyone in this house. I'm up to see Gentry leave for work! That never happens. The first night home with Raya she slept in until like 10. I knew she was my daughter. Matter of fact, when my body was ready to push when I was in labor with her, my doctor told me I couldn't push because Raya was still asleep and apparently you can't birth a sleeping baby. So from about 7-7:45 my Dr tried all kinds of things to wake her up. I told the Dr to give her until 8 :) Sure enough, I had her at 8:07am. So she's always been a good sleeper. And when it was just the 2 of us we'd easily sleep in until 8:30 or 9. I was blessed, I know. So now, this son of mine is WIDE awake at 6:30 and ready to Chitty-Chat. The fact that he's so cute when he wakes up and just lays in bed talking and smiling makes it a little easier. But still! I'm hoping (and wishing and praying) that its a phase. You'll probably know if I should super bitchy in my posts ;)

Today I was cleaning the bathroom, Kallen was in his bassinet in my room and Raya was playing in her room-or so I thought. I walked in my room to check on him and this is what I see:

How she climbed in without pulling the bassinet over, I don't know. How she opened my bedroom door so quietly, I don't know. How she didn't smash Kallen while climbing in, I don't know. But I DO KNOW how to grab my camera in lightening speed. Haha. It was a VERY sweet moment. Made me glad to have these kids so close in age. Probably one of the first moments I'm glad they're so close.

My tank of a baby. He'll be 5 months tomorrow! He was chillin. Looking out my bedroom window. Being cute as ever :)