ROLLING OVER

Yayy! Maylee rolled over onto her tummy for the FIRST TIME all by herself!!! 

I yelled for Terry to come to the living room when I saw her starting to roll over hehe. It was so exciting! 

I'm so glad that Terry is on shore command because he gets to see Maylee reach milestones like this one.

 Right now, she can only roll over to her back to tummy. We are working on her roll from tummy to back :) Mommy & Daddy are so proud ♥

Maylee's Monthly Photo || Four Months

Dear Maylee,

I can't believe you are already four months! According to the doctor, you now weigh 14 pounds, 11.5 ounces, and you are 25 inches long. You are more than double your birth weight! Daddy loves to make you laugh. He would do random, silly things to make you giggle. I think your favorite is when he winks at you. That usually does the trick. Your laughter is so adorable!

You are becoming more dexterous and doing more with your hands. You started to grab just about anything within reach, including my hair and my earrings, so now I try to wear my hair up, and avoid wearing dangling earrings. You also grab your stuffed animals and your blanket. You have been pulling your blanket close to your face and sometimes even putting it in your mouth. Whatever you pick up usually end up in your mouth. But more than anything, you keep putting your hands in your mouth when you are hungry. You don't suck on your thumbs and you don't take pacifiers either. You are really discovering your hands. Sometimes I find you holding them up and just looking at them, then holding them together.

We have been doing more tummy time and it's making your neck a lot stronger. You can sit up with support and can hold your head up perfectly fine. I lay down a blanket prior to putting you on the floor. You scoot around now, and rotate around the center of the blanket. The most you've rotated so far is 180 degrees.

We spent the holidays at your grandma and grandpa's house. Your grandpa got you a Christmas tree! Everyone was so thrilled to see you for the first time, especially your Auntie Samantha.

I have discovered one day that you started to amuse yourself. I woke up and noticed that you have been awake, just playing with your hands and feet. I let you entertain yourself for a little bit. This made me so happy, but at the same time, it made me realize that my baby is getting bigger! You no longer need my constant attention every waking moment. Aww, you will always be my baby no matter how big you get ♥

XOXO, Mom

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I have decided to photograph Maylee monthly to record her growth for her first year. I plan on taking these pictures with her wearing a numbered white onesie corresponding to her age in months.

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You can see Maylee's previous months photos here: one | two | three

Maylee's Monthly Photo || Three Months

Dear Maylee,

You turned three months old a week ago. You are getting so big, anak! You now weigh thirteen pounds. Oh my goodness! I am loving those chubby cheeks and chunky legs and their creases. I just wanna squeeze them. Eek! So much happened this month. Your first doctors appointment was on Halloween. Daddy got you a Navy outfit for your first Veteran's Day. Your grandma(my mother) came down from San Francisco to meet you for the first time. She made you an orange pillow with you name on it and a few headbands. She couldn't stop taking pictures of you, and it seemed like you didn't mind the attention. You like posing for that camera. Grandma adores you so much. I am glad. We took you to Claire's and got your ears pierced when your grandma was here so she can have a special memory with you. Daddy thinks you can read his mind. He was telling me yesterday how he would think of telling you to do something and a few seconds later you do it hehe. You are getting so good at going to sleep on your own that we stopped swaddling you. I am going to let you start sleeping in your own crib soon because you are getting so big that you barely fit in your bassinet. You keep wiggling around and it shakes the bassinet like crazy. I have been putting it off because I am scared of letting you sleep in your room alone at night. We put you in size 2 diapers like two weeks ago because your poop kept staining your pajamas. Your dad pointed out that you have been getting some blowouts because the 0-3 month clothes are too tight on you. So starting tomorrow you will be wearing 3-6 month clothing. I noticed today that the texture of the hair by your forehead is changing a little. I think you are not going to have straight hair but it's hard to tell. I guess we will see here in a few months. I love that you are getting super vocal, giggling, squealing, making random noises all the time. You never fail to make me smile. Hearing you laugh and seeing you smile make any of my troubles disappear. You are our little bundle of joy. Our sunshine ♥

XOXO, Mom

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I have decided to photograph Maylee monthly to record her growth for her first year. I plan on taking these pictures with her wearing a numbered white onesie corresponding to her age in months. 

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I am worried of letting Maylee sleep in her nursery because we don't want her to sleep alone. As first time parents, we are super scared that something bad will happen while we are sleeping in the other room. We haven't decided what baby monitor to use. Any suggestions?

You can see Maylee's previous months photos here: one | two

Maylee | Head Raise

We have been giving Maylee tummy time, and the pictures prove that it's working out well! Her arms are getting stronger to push herself up with. Her neck is getting stronger, too! Just look at her support that head in the picture! Gah, I am so proud of my baby girl <3

The Thankful Project Day 11: Something You Were Taught

I'm linking up with Kenzie at Chasing Happy for The Thankful Project. It's Day 11 and today's prompt is "something you were taught."

Before I start my post on today's prompt, I just want to say Happy Veteran's Day to all veterans and active duty military! We went to Chili's for dinner and got some free food. I'm so thankful that restaurants give a free meal for all veterans. It's an amazing feeling to know that people appreciate my service in the military <3 After dinner, we went to a drive-in movie theater and watched Thor 2.

Check out Maylee's outfit! Terry bought it for her. I love it :)

 Now, back to The Thanksgiving Project prompt! I was taught a lot of things, and, really, I am grateful for all of them. But if I was to choose a specific one, I'd say I am grateful that I was taught respect.  My parents and grandparents always talk to me about respecting my elders, but I learned more than that. I learned to respect myself too. I learned that I cannot always count on others to respect my feelings. Respecting other people doesn't guarantee that you will get respect back. I learned that you only have control over yourself and how you choose to be as a person. As for others, you can only choose to accept them or walk away. I am hoping that one day I will get to pass down what I have learned from people. I want to be Maylee's role model. I want her to learn about respect by me giving her respect. Us adults often demand respect from children but we don't show them any respect in return. I want my daughter to learn to treat others the way she wants to be treated, to show kindness and consideration, to like herself enough to be herself, and to accept others for who they are.

Bling, bling!

Just thought I'd share with you guys a special moment in my family. We got Maylee's ears pierced today. She is two months and a half old. She did so great today, just like how she did for her first doctors appointment. She cried a little bit, but that's about it. The earrings Terry and I picked for her are perfect. They catch the light so well, and they compliment her beauty amazingly. I didn't think she could get any cuter. I mean, her cuteness was up there, and her earrings add some extra bling! I am such a proud mama! Check out the pictures :)

Maylee's First Doctor Appointment

Happy Halloween!

Say hello to Daffy Duck! It was Maylee's first doctor appointment. Her daddy met us there at the Pediatrician's office. She received 5 shots, and a drop. She cried a few little ones, and did one big cry. When we got home I noticed that she seemed traumatized from the shots. I noticed that she would get startled whenever I am changing her diaper. Her arms would move around, and she would kick her legs out. I think she was shocked. She's such a good baby, though. She did so good at the doctor's office. I just kept talking to her and sooth her whenever she cries during diaper changes.

Nothing's gonna hurt you now, not while I'm around.

Maylee's Monthly Photo || Two Months

Dear Maylee,

You turned two months today, but it sure feels like only a few days has gone by. That's how it's going to be, though, I know. The first two months has gone by so quick, and the next ones will be no different. It has been incredible witnessing your transformation from a newborn into a baby. I can tell you have gained more weight whenever I carry you(weighing 10 pounds, 8 ounces). Your facial feature has definitely gone through some changes. For example, your eyebrows came in and your cheeks are getting a little chubby. You started wearing size 0-3 clothing in the middle of the month, and, soon after, jumped up to size 1 diapers. You are starting to discover how to move your limbs--pushing up with your legs, and grabbing on to things. You have also been exercising other bodily functions, too--projectile-style spit up. Daddy and I love it when you push off our chest whenever we are holding you while we are sitting on the couch. Your neck is getting stronger and stronger, lifting your head every chance you get. You have been more attentive, always curious with your surrounding, always looking around to things. We also love it when you smile and coo whenever we talk to you. It almost seems like you are saying something back, like you understand us. You love it when Daddy sings to you. You move your arms and legs like you are dancing. Your Daddy and I are so relieved that you have started to sleep about 6 hours every night, and we are enjoying the extra sleep. Although, I get really worried about it, especially during the few times you slept longer than 6 hours. I worry that you should be waking up and feeding, but your Daddy assures me that you will cry and wake us up if you are hungry. My favorite thing in the world is when you sigh after I feed you, or whenever we pick you up if you are fussy. It's almost like you're saying "Thanks Mommy! My tummy feels so much better now." It makes me feel like you are contented, and all better. Even though I am exhausted from feeding and changing your diapers in the middle of the night, I wouldn't trade even one second of it for the world. I know that this moment will not last forever, soon you will be running around the house, and will be talking nonstop. I am so glad I decided to take monthly pictures of you and blog about it. I know I will thank myself for taking the time to remember this tiny details of you because I cannot just turn back time in the future. I am so excited what new things you will be doing next month. Keep on growing, and smiling, my sweet baby girl, and know that I love you!

XOXO, Mom

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I have decided to photograph Maylee monthly to record her growth for her first year. I plan on taking these pictures with her wearing a numbered white onesie corresponding to her age in months.

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Here are more pictures of Maylee on her two month birthday:

First Bath

I gave Maylee her first real bath today. I say real because up til this morning I had been giving her sponge baths. The excess of her umbilical cord fell off a few weeks ago, and NO, I didn't keep that stuff. I know some people grow some kind of attachment to that shriveled up belly button thing, but I didn't. In fact, I didn't have a problem throwing that thing away once it came off. I think my mother kept mine though! My friend said she couldn't throw her baby's away. I am not going to judge. It's just not my thing.

The pediatrician advised us to wait to give her an actual bath til her belly button is clear of all the blood, and that's what I did. I waited. I thought she did really good for her first time. She seemed like she enjoyed her bath. She was so relaxed, and didn't shed a single tear. I think I am going to buy her a floating turtle thermometer that serves as a toy too. This way I can monitor the temperature of the water in the bath tub so I can make sure that she's not going to get burned or be freezing cold. She has a Finding Nemo bath tub that was given by our friends, Joe and Theresa, on her baby shower, so the turtle thermometer will go really well :)

Maylee and I went to see Kathy and baby Kaley this afternoon. I got us some double-double burgers and some fries from In-N-Out. We chilled at their house, then I helped Kathy bake some cornbread using this recipe from The Pioneer Woman.

My friend Kimee contacted me this morning and we are going to meet up to go to a pumpkin patch this sunday. I can't wait to see how big her belly has gotten! (They announced that they are pregnant a few weeks ago) Plus, I haven't seen her since her and Dillon's wedding. I'm so excited for this sunday!

P.S. I got me some Bloglovin
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Maylee's Monthly Photo || One Month

 Dear Maylee,

I can't believe a month has already gone by! Within a month, you have gained 1 pound, 13 ounces. You are now 8 pounds. Daddy's girl is growing quick <3 Your smooth, soft skin is so addicting. I can kiss you all day. I can't wait for you to be able to kiss back. When you were born everyone said you look exactly like your daddy. I thought so too. I still do. You have your daddy's nose and lips. You have the longest eyelashes. You have some adorable dimples. I can stare at your beautiful face all day long. I can't wait to see your facial features change in the upcoming months. You started making some really cute things. For example, we know when you go to the bathroom because you look around with eyes wide open, while making the "uh-oh" face. You absolutely hate having a poopie or wet diaper. When you can't handle your dirty diaper anymore you would cry to tell us to change you. When you cry, you sometimes have tears in your eyes, which makes me so sad :( You started smiling at Week 1. We(Mom&Dad) find it so cute when you smile in your sleep. I like to think you're smiling because you are dreaming of angels. You sleep in the bassinet next to our bed at night, but sometimes I let you sleep in your crib during the day. You are becoming more and more aware of the world around you. You look around even when I am feeding you. I often wonder what you're thinking whenever I catch you staring at something. I still giggle inside whenever I refer to you as my daughter. I guess time does fly by. It seems it was only yesterday when you came into this world. I still can't believe that you are mine. I love you!

XOXO, Mom

I have decided to photograph Maylee monthly to record her growth for her first year. I plan on taking these pictures with her wearing a numbered white onesie corresponding to her age in months.

To celebrate Maylee's first month, we had some lasagna and chinese food. My friend Rachael brought some homemade mini pumpkin cheesecake.

mini pumpkin cheesecake

I love my family <3

27years/2weeks

It's been a long day. Maylee had two doctor appointments today-orthopedic and pediatric. The doctors said everything looks well. Her hips and bones are looking good. The nurse measured her again. She is now weighing 6 pounds, 9.6 ounces, still measuring 20.5 inches long, and her head is 37cm. I am so relieved to know that she's not only gaining weight, but she has superseded her birth weight.

We celebrated my husband Terry's 27th birthday, and our baby girl Maylee's 2 week old today with some friends over dinner at a steakhouse. I made him a birthday card. (See  pictures below) Since my husband can't eat eggs, we got him an apple pie with crumbs on top, with vanilla ice cream for desert.

My husband and I got woken up in the middle of the night by our fussy daughter. After she had calmed down she was making all these silly faces. Instead of going back to bed right away, Terry and I stayed in the living room, admiring our daughter. She kept putting on a serious face, and then smiling. It was so amusing, we couldn't stop laughing. Moments like these, I realize how lucky I am. Thank God for my husband and my daughter. I feel truly blessed for having them. They make me so happy and so complete.