Day 365

(...and, since I didn't actually post on the 365th day, we'll go ahead and include Day 366)

Dear Luciana,

Well! I did it-- I managed to document your first year of life. Posting at night became a part of my daily life, something I know I'll miss and feel strange not doing. Anyway, I'll tell you about your day yesterday. We were up before the sun, as usual, but always because of your early bird sister! You have been waking lots at night, but then will sleep in-- 7, 8, even later. Here is you and your sister when we came up to get you out of your bed:

So. Daddy had put together a special dinner to thank all those who helped him study for the captain's exam and interviews-- guys on his shift at the station, close friends/study buddies, old captains, and me. :) I was pretty surprised that he wanted to include me, as I don't think it's really customary. See, the whole dinner thing is kind of a tradition. He had it catered: prime rib, roasted vegetables, shrimp and desserts, it was a really nice spread. Grandma G was going to watch you girls, so I got us all ready for that-- me being away, and leaving notes for Grandma on you guys' dinner and bedtime rituals. 

You and I usually have some one-on-one time while P is napping, and yesterday we played with the blocks, and I watched you as you climbed up the slide (not on the stairs, either) and attempted to be a daredevil. You are fearless, child!! 

I had an amazing time at Daddy's dinner... 

I got home around 10:30, and nursed you right away-- you missed your before bed feeding, and you weren't jazzed about it. Mama passed out and pretty much forgot to post the blog on the last day of the darn thing. :/

Today, we had you and Penelope's 1 and 2 year old well checks scheduled for 2:30 in Newport Beach. We travel 45 minutes each way because we love your pediatrician that much. It's a little crazy, we can see that. You had an excellent check up, look at your report:

You are teething A LOT now, getting teeth in front, top and bottom, and molars are pushing up as well. Dr. Lau said it's likely why you aren't sleeping so well, that and because you are still nursing for the bulk of your nutrition, you need to fill up! It's fine by me-- I love you so much, and being so close to you is a treat. You'll be my last baby, so I'm enjoying every second of your being so small. :) You received 3 shots, and you cried so hard.. :'( so hard seeing that. Look at your sad little face!!

Penelope did great too-- look at her report:

She is tall for her age, in the 90th percentile, and Dr. Lau said she is advanced on her developmental skills, like communication, cognitive, motor, etc. She is a fast learner, and fiercely independent. She got a flu shot and didn't cry at all!!!! Barely flinched! Papa kind of distracted her, asked for a butterfly kiss at the moment the nurse went to poke her, and it worked! Mama was so relieved not to have two hurt babies. :) Look at Penelope with Dr. Lau:

So, that's it baby girl. You are one year old now, you are a sweet, lovable baby, and I have to say, a Mama's girl. :) Let me tell you, I've waited my whole life to say that-- to feel it, and you and your sister have given that to me! Your love. You crawl around me while I do household chores, happy to sit on my foot to be near me, and I love it. I know once you won't want to do that, it's gonna be a sad day for me! :) When I was pregnant with you, I wondered how on Earth I could love another baby as much as I loved Penelope. I fell pretty hard for your big sis! The thing is-- my love just doubled, quadrupled, even! There was room for you in my heart, and I feel it was always there for you, just for you. You are loved, and I think you'll grow up knowing that, but I want you to know that Mommy & Daddy were over the moon for you (and your sister) since you were little bitty babies in my belly. Getting to know you guys has been so much fun, an adventure even! You keep growing and changing, surprising us daily. Daddy will go to work for three days, and by the time he comes home, you've learned something totally new, blowing him away. :) 

I will cool it on the mushy stuff (I can picture you, 12 years old, just rolling your eyes at this point, haha) -- but, just know that your very existence has made your Dad and I pretty much the happiest people ever. You girls are our everything, you make us so proud. I can't wait to see the young lady you'll become, and maybe one day, the mother you will be. :) We are always here for you, Luciana.

Love,

Mommy & Daddy

November, 11, 2014, 9:29pm

(Who knows, maybe you two haven't heard the last of Mama's ramblings! More embarrassing stories ahead? We'll see.) ;)

Oh-- here you are opening Grandpa Dan & Ann's birthday gift:

Day 364

We had a lazy morning and afternoon at home today-- and Daddy was home. Lulu and I got to sleep in, as long as we wanted, and that gift (to me, right now) is better than anything! Sleeeeeeeeep. I could only sleep until 6:30, but I'll take it, over 4 or 5! We went to the park after breakfast, and then the girls took naps. Lulu only slept an hour, and P slept 3, so those two hours she was up she hung out with Daddy and I-- he was watching football & I was working on the computer. Our baby was not happy that Mama wasn't paying her 100% attention, and she made it known! :) 

Tonight Lu had to skip her bath due to a very painful looking diaper rash. :( I even put her to bed an hour early, she was just over it today.

We are nearing the end of Miss Luciana's blog... One more post tomorrow and then this will become a book just like Penelope's. I hope she likes reading all about her first year of life-- how much fun we had, and even in the hard times, we still had laughs. I will never forget this year, and now I can be sure of it.

I didn't take any pics today-- we were too busy just having a good time. I'll have some tomorrow. Goodnight! (Lulu hasn't woken yet, since 6 pm and it's now 9:08.... Crossing my fingers for a full nights sleep!!)

Day 363

Happy first birthday, Luciana Mary!! We can't believe how fast this year has gone-- and how much has happened. It is amazing to think that in the last four years, Daddy and I went from planning our first date to creating this whole family, living both our dreams. :) You and your sister are gifts to us, and the happiness you guys brought us is as wide as the sky.... Never ending. 

Lulu, you only woke up twice last night, but we were still just dog tired when your big sis woke Daddy & I at 5:30... You had just last woken at 5, so you were out like a log. Daddy knew we needed more sleep, so he took P downstairs and you and I slept another two hours. That is how your Daddy is-- he loves us so much. :) When I woke up at 7, I smelled waffles-- Dad was making breakfast, mmmmmmm! You woke up at 7:30 and we began getting the house ready for your birthday party, a Hello Kitty party. By 12:30, we had the house decorated, and lunch on it's way. Grandma G, Granddaddy, Holly and Lily came to see you and bring you gifts. :) Aunt Anita really wanted to come, but she is currently verrry pregnant, and just couldn't swing it, but she had me give you a big hug and kiss! 

We ate pizza, cupcakes, watched you (and P, who helped you) open gifts, played and watched you girls laugh and have fun. It was a perfect first birthday--you had a grea time. :) By the way, you didn't really want to eat your cupcake, you just squished it around in your hands, made a huge mess, and then I cleaned you up. Haha, it was cute though!

You received lots of pretty clothes, some pjs, a bunch of little fat board books, and a rocking giraffe (that makes music and lights). 

I rocked you as I nursed you before bed tonight and kissed your sleeping face 20 times... You are so beautiful, and Daddy and I love you so much. Happy birthday, angel, I'm so excited to see all the fun things your learn this year. :) 

Mommy

Day 362

We tried something new today-- do our errands before naps. This meant getting up and eating by 8am, and out of the house by 9:30Well, we made it out at 9:45, and in my book that is success!! :) Anyway, we had to go to Costco, and they didn't open until 10 anyway. We were back at home around 11, and by 11:30 both girls were tucked back in their  beds, snug as bugs. I think we have a new system here!!! This means they'll nap at the same time, too-- hello? Can you say BREAK? :) It's nice to have a chance to clean up, regroup, sit down and rest, etc. 

Daddy came home after his class, and was there to play with the girls before they had baths, and even took them out for a walk (P pushed her baby, and Daddy pushed Lu) 

We are hosting Luciana's first birthday party tomorrow, a little luncheon just family, and we are looking forward to it. :)

Here are a few pics I took of Lulu when I went in to wake her from her afternoon nap. It's torture waking such a sweet little sleeping angel! :(.  Night!

And here are the girls being silly this evening:

Day 361

Today we (we, meaning Penelope) woke up at 5:15... Not 4, so I guess I'll be thankful for that. Luciana woke up at 7:30, so the girls ended up napping at almost the same time! This means Mama got a break today-- I folded laundry & watched an episode of Dateline, my all time favorite show... I may have eaten a scoop of icecream. (At 10am? Yes, because by that time is already been up so long, it felt like icecream time.) :)  The girls played together before naps, and I took a bunch of pics:

Lulu was putting the animal magnets on the white board on her own! Big moment!  :) 

Penelope built this entire train track on her own.... Seriously, they impressed me today. (Without her pants on-- now that is talent!)

I built them a fort (see Lulu crawling out?) -- they loved it!! So awesome them actually playing together. 

And look at Luciana crawling UP the slide. :/ 

After naps, we went and got Lulu a birthday gift, and stopped at the small park on the way home. Seems like we did nothing, but it felt like a busy day to me! I also went through the girls' dressers and closets to clear out clothes they've outgrown, which has to be done every couple months... So. Yeah. Busy, but I think the girls had a fun day. :)

Papa was home just in time to read bedtime stories, and we'll have one more day of him being gone till bedtime. We can't wait for the weekend! Just one more full day and our baby will be one year old... Wow. 

Goodnight.

Day 360

Hmmm... My numbers are off, and I'm just now realizing it. The 365th day of the blog will be after my baby's birthday.... Somewhere along the line I messed up. Oh well, we get a few extra days. :) 

Luciana is still teething, but it seems to have sort of eased up on her these last couple days. She is still pushing those things through, but it seems to either have lessened in pain, or she's accustomed to it. Ooh, that last option doesn't sound nice. :(  In any case-- she seems okay, and I haven't had to give her pain reliever in two nights. 

We had a regular, long, crazy roller coaster day, and ended it with Papa getting home just in time for bedtime stories. The girls were happy to see him, and got all riled up. :) 

Here are a few pics I snapped today...

Sigh.... She is so beautiful!! :')

And a few more...

The top one in this set is Lulu wearing the slippers Holly & Lily got her (or P??) -- they finally fit her. And the last one is big girl Penelope in her toddler bed (sucking on that darn binkie) she is doing so well in it, and we couldn't be more proud. She always seems to take change in stride. :)

The whole house is silent, my love bugs all asleep... I think I'll join them. Night! (Please Lulu, PLEASE sleeeeeeep tonight!)

Day 359

No pics today, and minimal post-- Mama had a long day, that began waaaaaay too early: crazy kids, too early (and short) naps, errands (P wants to walk everywhere now, making things... More difficult), then made dinner, dessert (that we were too tired for), and finally had a bath. It's 9:29 and I can't keep my eyes open anymore! My To Do list is just running through my mind, but... Tomorrow is another day. 

Good. Night.