Christmas Visit

William was so happy to get a special visit from his Great Granddaddy, GG, Aunt Sonja, Aunt Sara and Kelsey. Here are some pics from this weekend's visit.

He's getting bigger and so interactive...check out his big smile.

****CLICK HERE FOR MORE PICTURES****

A YEAR IN REVIEW:2007

Wow…I don’t even know how to begin this post. Where should I begin? So much to say, yet finding the right words is nearly impossible. 2007 has been a year of memories. I think back to the person I was this time last year and I want to cry. No, literally, I want to cry. Had I known what God had in store for me, perhaps I wouldn’t have been so worried and so consumed with making sure everything is perfect. Our family have been so incredibly blessed.

Travel:We were so fortunate to visit so many beautiful places...London, Jamaica, Seattle, Chicago, Vero Beach.

Jobs:Ed and I both got a promotion this year. It's nice to be rewarded for all our hard work.

Family and Friends: William's here. Everyday, we are filled with joy just seeing him grow. The smiles, the coos and the way he lovingly looks at us.

I'm posting some of my favorite pictures from this year...

This picture captures Ed and I. Ed the goofball. Me the amused spectator.This was taken minutes after William was born. I love how this picture captured our happiness and excitement.This was taken from our anniversary dinner at Jamaica. I remember being so overwhelmed...to be in such a gorgeous and romantic place and be with the man I love dearly.

For good laughs and memories, click on the slideshow below. Thank you all for sharing a wonderful year with us.

Merry Christmas

I know it's late but I want to hang on to it... MERRY CHRISTMAS! This Christmas is EXTRA special for 2 reasons...

1) This is William's first Christmas.

I have always loved Christmas, but it is even more exciting when you have kids (or a kid, in my case).
Giving and getting gifts is so much fun and I think it is a great way to celebrate the ultimate gift that was given to us. When I prayed over William last night, I prayed that he would grow up knowing that Christmas is a day to celebrate the birth of Jesus and that it wouldn't just be a day to get lots of toys. It sounds simple, but we all know how easy it is to lose focus of the true reason for the season.

2) We are blessed with amazing family and friends, all of whom I spend excessive amounts of time with laughing, eating, and enjoying life.

It was quite challenging to see everybody but we managed. Family are the core of who I am and help me seeing life’s truest beauty.So 2 days before Christmas we drove to Vidalia and spent the weekend there. I finally got to spend Christmas with all of my brothers and sisters. The last time we all spent Christmas together was 10 years ago in the Philippines. My cute nephews are here for the holidays too. It was just really nice to be around everybody. Christmas day was spent with my in-laws. As always, we had a blast especially being around the girls. It is so fun to watch them open presents. I mean pure bliss of innocence,love and joy on Christmas. I can't wait for William to be running around the house with them on Christmas day!
I’ve pretty much spent the last few days consuming far too many calories, exchanging gifts, and simply loving the holidays…you know, all the things that make my heart explode with gratitude. God has blessed me beyond belief this past year and hanging out with my friends and family esp with William, further ensures I deserve none of it…but, dang, I’m SOOOO thankful.

Again,Merry Christmas and I hope your day was filled with unadulterated love, goodness, and joy!

I LUV ME SOME MORE SECRET SANTA

We had our 2nd Secret Santa with another group of friends. Oh what a blast it was!With everybody's busy schedule,we all haven't been together for quite sometime. The food was good, but the company and conversation is what made it such a wonderful evening. Ed and I are so blessed to have such awesome, caring friends.
The crew:

Our family picture:

Our most precious gift:

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I HEART SECRET SANTA

I love our annual Secret Santa. Gosh, I can't even remember when was our first one. Anybody remember? As always we had a blast...we missed Mohammad though this year. He had to pick up his brother at the airport. On the other hand, Omayra's super sweet Mom Bertha joined us. She flew in from Puerto Rico. Here's everybody's picture with their Secret Santa.

Secret Santa Donna & Gift Recipient Rupel

Secret Santa Rupel & Gift Recipent Omayra

Secret Santa Omayra & Gift Recipient Ashwin

Secret Santa Ashwin & Gift Recipient Wynell

Secret Santa Wynell & Gift Recipient Donna

Ed was Mohammad's Secret Santa and vice-versa

Thank you all for participating...u really don't have a choice coz it's mandatory:) Otherwise Christmas won't feel the same huh! William had a blast too. He said thank you for all your gifts. Click here for more pictures...

William met Santa

Since William's so young we weren't quite sure what to expect for his first Santa picture but I think this picture captured what he does best at this age---sleep:)

WIlliam Look-a Like Meter

Oh Christmas Tree

... oh christmas tree, of all the trees most lovely. Oh christmas tree, oh christmas tree, of all the trees most lovely. Each year you bring to me delight, meaning in the christmas night. Oh christmas tree, oh christmas tree, of all the trees most lovely.

We finally put up our Christmas decorations. It took a lot of effort this year but knowing William enjoys it makes it all so worth it.

Mommy can't wait for William to help her decorate the tree. William's first ornament(thanks GG and Great Granddaddy) and stockings.

Wow it's December! Can u believe that Christmas is just right around the corner and William already had his 5 weeks appt? He now weighs a whooping 10 lbs and 8 oz. That's a 3.5 lbs gain from birth. Pediatrician was really pleased with his progress. His legs and face are getting fuller and he's getting more interactive. He now knows his Mommy and Daddy and gazes to our eyes. I love it! Also this week, we started with a bed time routine - bath at around 8:45 ish, some cuddling with Mom and Dad and then feeding. So happy to say that the past couple of days William has been sleeping 5 to 6 hrs stretch at a time.

And check out his tummy time skills. Strong neck and head huh.

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House Divided

Somebody's ready for the BCS Bowl Games! Here's William rocking his Auburn and Georgia Tech outfits. U gotta love his cute slippers (courtesy of Uncle Mike)!

Look who's 1 Month Old

I can't believe how time flies. William is growing so fast right in front of our eyes.
William had his first Thanksgiving ...no turkey for him yet but Daddy promised to make him a baby friendly Thanksgiving meal next year---maybe some pureed sweet potato and such. He had a blast spending time with his cousins Brooke and Paige and finally meeting his Uncle John and Cassie. He had his first road trip. We went to Vidalia to see his Tita Susan,Tito Noel,Tito Nestor, Lolo and Lola. It is about a 3 1/2 hr car ride(took us a lil longer-had to stop once to feed him). He did great. I was pretty nervous how he would do in the car for so long. He pretty much slept throughout---so did his furry friend Riley, who took the third row seat of our Odyssey.

On our last Doctor's visit, he weighed a whooping 9 lbs and 10 oz. We had to migrate him to his pack n play coz he was getting too big for the bassinet. He loves it! He has more room to wiggle and kick now:) He's getting stronger too. Burping him has been challenging lately coz he can lift his head and you pretty much have to be careful not to head butt him when he's over your shoulder. Another thing that William's beginning to discover is his swing. He's still a lil nervous with it. He's progressed from sitting on it for 5 minutes to 20ish, then he begins to cry for Mommy.On the parents side, Ed and I are doing well. We are so fortunate to have somewhat of a schedule--if there is such a thing when you have a newborn. Inspite of being diagnosed with reflux, William sleeps well at night. He goes to bed at around 9:30-10. Feeds at 2AM and wakes back up for another feeding at around 5:30-6. Crossing my finger that it stays that way coz Ed's getting ready for work by that time. So while I'm trying to wake up from being lethargic from the 2AM feeding, he'll change William and "chat" with him some. William's a lil fussy during the day but I guess that's a good thing and an opportunity to do some "stimulating" activities such as tummy time, play and cooing. Mom manages to sneak in a good shower during his noonish naps. Now I just have to plan for work out time once I had my 6 week check up with my OB. So far the lbs are melting away and I hope that with proper diet and exercise it'll continue to do so.

Parenthood is certainly challenging. You'll have the highest of the highs and the lowest of the lows. In the beginning we were quite nervous but as each day passes we are beginning to be more confident. We are learning to read his cues and has come to terms that there are days that William will have a fussy day and we just have to try our best to make him feel better. So with lot's of love and a lil bit of stategy(i.e. putting a receiving blanket under neat his head to catch his spit up whenever he's laying on his crib---saves us from changing crib sheets; burping and keeping him upright, etc), I think we are getting the hang of taking care of our lil one. And moments like this, makes us really feel blessed as a parent.

Click here for more pictures of William...

Hello from William

Hi to my family and friends! I'm finally making an appearance at Mommy's blog. I am very much enjoying life right now. I'm 3 weeks old today. My Mommy and Daddy are taking good care of me and they said that I have grown so much. They feed me every 3 hours. Sometimes I gulp everything down and sometimes I take my time, but that's okay. I really don't like to be burped, I'm hungry! Sometimes I spit up and nearly give my mommy a heart attack and daddy has to calm her down.
I am pretty sleepy - it's exhausting being a tiny human! I am looking forward to growing more each and every day. Soon enough I'll be able to chase my furry friend Riley all around. Right now he just look at me and wonder what the heck I cry sometimes. Wait until I am tossing him my dinner from the high chair! We are going to be best of friends.
There are certain things I don't like. Mommy and daddy change my diaper a lot and ooooh man that makes me mad!!! And I don't like being cleaned or switching into a new onesie. I'd much rather be swaddled and cuddled. The constipation gets me cranky too. Sometimes I'll wait until mom and dad are in the middle of a diaper change to go pee pee or poo poo. It's funny to see them scramble around. I just had my first shower too. I cried but I got better on my next ones. I think I'm beginning to like it.

Of course there are certain things that I love. Some of my favorite moments are spent resting on mommy's and daddy's chest against their heartbeat, and on daddy's lap listening to his voice. I LOVE my paci and I haven't grown too attached to them yet, but they are good to have around.

I have had many visitors my first week home. My Lola,Lolo, Granddaddy, Grandmommy, GG, Greatgranddaddy, Aunts and Uncles and friends---so many people to name! People love to hold me and tell me how cute I am:) I love it though. Hope to see you all soon!

Click here for more pictures of my 2nd week...