Auntie Jenna's BBQ

Today, we went to Auntie Jenna and Uncle Aaron's BBQ at their house.  I am friends with Jenna and met her through my good friend Jenn, who is 7.5 months pregnant with Jacob.  Jenna was Jenn's Maid of Honor in her wedding and is pretty much one of the nicest people I have met.  Jenn and her husband, Jon, were able to come down to Los Angeles for the weekend to help out with this BBQ and celebrate in the festivities.

I didn't think anything of Jenn and Jon coming down for Jenna and Aaron's BBQ but then Jenn told me that there was going to be a "little" surprise from Aaron near the end of the BBQ.  This little surprise was actually a huge one because Aaron was going to PROPOSE!  Lucas, Ke'alohi and I were so happy and excited to share in this beautiful moment and were able to catch it all on our camera.  

Jenna of course said yes and we are more than thrilled for them.  We can't wait for Jenna and Aaron's wedding. If it's anything like their BBQ, it's going be a fun and unforgettable night!

We are excited for more celebrations next weekend for Jenn and Jon's baby shower!

Two-Month Doctor's Appointment

Today is the day that I have been dreading since Ke'alohi's second doctors appointment.  This is the appointment where she gett her first set of shots.  At this appointment with Dr. Ouchi, she weighed in at 12 pounds and 3 ounces, measured 22.25 inches and her head circumference was 16 inches.

Dr. Ouchi said that Ke'alohi was doing great and seemed to be a grand master at "tummy time." She assured us that Ke'alohi is growing well, in the 75th percentile for weight and 50th for height.  After the doctor left, we waited a couple minutes for the nurse to come in with the dreaded shots.  We all knew the shots would be harder on me than they were on her.  They gave Ke'alohi one oral vaccination and three shots in her legs.  Luckily Lucas took the day off of work to come with us for support and was able to calm her down in a few minutes with some cuddling and a bottle. 

Like the dentist gives you stickers and toothbrushes when you are good, our doctor gives us more formula to take home!  Score!  We love going to the doctors now.  Well not really but we will be going back in two months for her four-month appointment to get her next set of shots.

Two Months Old!

I can't believe that she is two months old!  How is the time flying by so fast?  I need to have a conversation with God and ask him to slow this time of her life down because I don't want to miss a second of it.

Ten Facts about Ke'alohi at Two Months:

1. Weighs 12 pounds and 3 ounces and measures 22.25 inches.
2. Definitely smiles at Mommy and Daddy (especially when we make silly faces).
3. Kind of cooing here and there.
4. Drinks a full four ounces of formula at each feeding.
5. Hair is getting lighter to a pretty dark brown.
6. Eyes are getting a little darker, almost a grey color.
7. Still great at tummy time.
8. Sleeps great!
9. Likes going on walks with Duke and Harley.
10. Loves to be carried and now likes to grab Mommy's hair and Daddy's shirt.

Visit from Auntie Cristina and Auntie Michelle

We we are blessed for all of our friends and family who have visited us the last two months!  Tonight, my two sorority sisters Cristina and Michelle came over to play and hang out with Ke'alohi.  Cristina is the fabulous woman that designed our wedding program, rehearsal dinner invites and baby shower invites.  She is the woman to know when it comes to graphic designing.  Michelle on the other hand is equally talented in the entertainment industry.  Hopefully when these two amazing women become famous, they will remember us "little people."  They both took to Ke'alohi like ducks to water.  Cristina's brother and wife are expecting a boy in a couple weeks so this visit gave Auntie Cristina some practice for her nephew.  Ke'alohi liked Michelle, especially when she fed her a bottle.

Their visit was much too short and we were all sad to see Auntie Cristina and Auntie Michelle go.  They are both amazing aunties and we can't wait to have them over again!

First Time Sleeping Through the Night!

Yup, you read that right, Ke'alohi slept through the night for the first time! We are so lucky that she is such a great sleeper and has finally showed that off to us last night!  She went to bed around 10 pm and didn't get up until 6:30 am.  She did stir a little around 3 am but didn't need me to pick her up or feed her.  When Lucas got up this morning he asked me what time she woke up and how long we stayed up for and that's when I told him that our princess slept through the night!

We are so happy and proud of Ke'alohi!

Grandma Paloma's Birthday

Lucas, Ke'alohi, Duke, Harley and I ventured out to Riverside today to celebrate Lucas' Mom's birthday.  This was the first time we were able to see Lucas' parents' new place and it was so cute.  It is nestled in a little quaint neighborhood just outside of downtown Riverside.  While we were out there, the dogs got to explore the area and definitely liked the freedom to roam inside and outside their "casita."  We had a great sushi dinner at a small little sushi bar close to his parents' place and ordered the big "chef's boat." We ate until we were full of awesome food and drinks!

Here's our favorite picture of Lucas' parents with Ke'alohi from the hospital.

Ke'alohi's Legal!

That's right, Ke'alohi has her papers!  Last week, we received her social security card in the mail which meant in California that we can now go to the LAX Courthouse to get copies of her birth certificate.  Since I wasn't feeling too well this morning, Lucas decided to stay home from work to help me with Ke'alohi.  Around mid-morning, we decided to venture out to get me some soup and stopped by the courthouse to pick up a few copies of her birth certificate.  On our way home, we decided that since Lucas has family in Spain and Portugal, it would be a good idea if Ke'alohi had a passport.  We then headed over to the LAX Post Office to take her passport picture and to fill out the application.

Lucas loves her passport picture but I think Ke'alohi will be less than thrilled when she sees it in a couple of years.  Hahaha.

Mommy's Six-Week Check-Up

This morning I had my follow-up visit with Dr. Wyatt to see how I was feeling and if my c-section scar had healed.  Not many of you know but this recovery has been a tough one that included four visits to Dr. Wyatt's office, three visits to the ER, two sets of stomach x-rays and one re-admission to the hospital for me.  I had what the doctor called severe postpartum nausea to the point where I couldn't keep any food or water down for days.  They had to readmit me into the hospital, perform an EGD (invasive stomach probing test) and insert a feeding tube through my nose so that I could get nutrients in my body.  After being in the hospital five days and having the feeding tube in for the first three of them, I was able to start eating and holding liquids and soft foods down again. 

Since being discharged from the hospital things are looking up and I am finally able to be the Mom I wanted to be to Ke'alohi.  I can't wait to spend the next coming weeks with our little girl having fun and going on adventures!

Visit with Auntie Kasey

Today, we had the funniest visit with Auntie Kasey.  Kasey is one of my sorority sisters who is expecting a little girl in November.  Ke'alohi and I are so excited to have future mommy and me play dates.  Our goal until then is to figure out what her baby's name will be.  Kasey and her husband, Connor, are keeping it a secret from everyone until they have her!  So unfair!

Lets play again soon Auntie Kasey!

Ilikea Dwyer Dial is Here!

If you were wondering who the cutest little girl born in July was, we have your answer: Ilikea Dwyer Dial!  Our good friends Bridget and Ely Dial, have welcomed a beautiful baby girl into the world.  She was born this evening at 8:00 pm, weighing 7 pounds, 11 ounces and measuring just over 20 inches.

We could not be more happy for them and we can't wait for our daughters to grow up together!

First Time Going to Church!

I'm not going to lie but it's been a while since we have been to church.  We have been "slightly" pre-occupied with the pregnancy and Ke'alohi.  Now that the "dust has settled," we decided to venture out once again and take Ke'alohi to Mass.  We decided on taking her to LMU so that she can see where Mommy and Daddy got married.  She was great throughout the whole mass and either slept or ate in Lucas' arms.  

One thing that I have already learned is that she loves her Daddy.  She can hang out in his arms or sleep on his chest all day long. You know, it's really true what they say, time flies by so much faster after you have a child.  I feel like if I sleep too long or blink too hard she will be walking!

Saying Goodbye to Puna, Sad Face

I don't know if its the post-pregnancy emotions, but I am crying as I write this.  Today we dropped my mom off at LAX.  I still can't believe that she has been here six weeks.  It really felt like just two or three weeks ago we were picking her up from the airport and getting ready for Ke'alohi's arrival.  There is no way that we could have made it through this time without her.  She has been so much help doing absolutely everything we could need; taking care of Ke'alohi when I was sick and when I was in the hospital, cooking laundry, getting gas, grocery shopping, you name it and my mom has done it.  

Thank you mom for everything!  We love you!

First Dip in the Pacific and Fourth of July!

To celebrate the Fourth of July weekend we all jumped in the car and went down to Solana Beach to visit Lucas' parents, Uncle Dan, Aunt Karen, Bailey, Jocelyn, Aidan and Julian.  We had a great time making tacos, cooking smores and going to the beach.  We even got to dip Ke'alohi's toes in the Pacific Ocean for the first time.  Even though the beaches up here are nothing like the ones back home in Hawaii (Yes, I know I'm spoiled when it comes to beaches), it was fun experiencing this with my mom and Lucas' family.

First dip in Solana Beach, next dip in Hawaii for Christmas! Hopefully she won't be as mad in Hawaii where the water isn't as cold...

First Time Holding Up Her Head!

It's official, she is growing way too fast.  As of today, she can hold up her head all by herself when we are carrying her.  She loves looking over our shoulders to see and explore her surroundings.  It is her first step towards becoming a little girl.

I am overjoyed with happiness and excitement to see my daughter achieve these milestones little by little!

One Month Old!

I can't believe that she is one month old already!  It feels like it was just yesterday when we brought her home from the hospital.  Time is just flying by way too fast for me!

I got the idea from our friend Amee to take pictures of their baby in the same place each month to see how they have grown and every month to write down a few facts of what their baby is doing.  Thanks Amee for the awesome idea.

Ten Facts about Ke'alohi at One Month:

1. Weighs 10 pounds and 6 ounces and measures 21.5 inches.
2. Starting to smile at Mommy, Daddy and Puna.
3. About to grow out of newborn clothes.
4. Drinks three ounces of formula at each feeding.
5. Sleeps great and only wakes up once or twice to eat at night (Cross your fingers that this lasts!).
6. Great head control when we hold her.
7. Likes to sleep and nap on her side or tummy.
8. Great at tummy time.
9. Loves going on walks with Duke and Harley.
10. Hair is growing like crazy!

First Outing!

We have officially ventured out of the house.  We decided to all break free and go to the movies.  We strategically picked the first showing of the movie so that there would be the least amount of people in the theaters.  We went to see Bad Teacher, starring Cameron Diaz.  Going to the movies was a complete success.  Ke'alohi slept through most of the movie and when she wasn't sleeping, she was eating.  Lucas took one for the team and held her the whole movie, where she was perfectly content with hanging out on Daddy's chest.

Can't wait to go to our next movie!

First Photoshoot with Janel!

Ke'alohi Taking a Nap

Babies Make the Best Centerpieces

Most of you should know by now that we love Focus Photography Inc.  Janel Conlan not only did our wedding and maternity photos but she will also be taking Ke'alohi's newborn, four-month, eight-month and one-year old photos!  I can't wait to see her grow and for Ke'alohi to play with Maxine, Janel's daughter that she is expecting in August!

Here are our favorites!

The Shot of the Day

Little Feet

Opa's Visit!

We are so blessed that Opa (my dad) was able to come up to Los Angeles and visit us!  I don't think there are any two people, besides Lucas and I, that are more smitten by Ke'alohi as my parents are.  They literally could just look and her and hold her for hours.  While he was here, we were able to meet up with Lucas' parents and have the first, of hopefully many, family dinners!  The four grandparents might have spent more time looking at their grandchild, than actually eating.  Hahaha.

Sadly, my dad's trip was just too short but luckily we will be seeing my parents in September for Labor Day weekend! Can't wait!

Our Two-Year Anniversary!

I still can't believe that it has been two years since our wedding day.  To be honest, it feels like just last month we were working on seating charts and writing thank you notes for all our wedding presents.  The last two years have been amazing and I continue to love Lucas more and more each day.

He has given me an unbelievable life and the best gift anyone can ever give me... Ke'alohi...  They are the light of my life. My life is better and complete because of them!

Second Doctor's Appointment

At this doctor's appointment, we saw one of Dr. Ouchi's fellow doctors, Dr. Miller.  He was the same doctor we had seen in the hospital when Ke'alohi was first born.  She weighed in at 9 pounds and 2 ounces, measured 21.5 inches and her head circumference was 15 inches.

Dr. Miller commented on how well Ke'alohi was doing when we put her on her stomach for "tummy time" and said that we should continue to do that everyday to help her strengthen her neck and back muscles.  He also assured us that she was growing fine because by the two-week mark they hope that the babies are back to their birth weight.  So since she was now past her birth weight, he told us that we did not have to worry about her gaining too slowly.  We are going to be feeding her on demand instead of on a set schedule.

Our next appointment is in six weeks, the two-month appointment, where she gets her first set of shots! Yikes!