Our Growing Family

Saturday, October 6, 2012

Our Maui Trip

We just returned home from our trip to Maui for Rickey's wedding. What an incredible trip and an amazing wedding! Congrats Rick and Mason--we love you. Here are some of the pics.

Leia at the rehearsal dinner

Leia with her cousins Laith and Julian

The four Asfoor siblings

My sister and I as bridesmaids

Rickey and Mason with Nora

Uncle Rickey couldn't get enough of Nora

Nora and I love evening walks at the hotel

Our first helicopter ride

My little Hawaiian girl

Rick and James day before wedding

Mom and Aunt Ruthie

James and I relaxing while family take care of our girls

My Iowa cousins

I am not sure if I will look back at this time with regret, appreciation, laughter, or tears. This night shift schedule has extreme highs and extreme lows. The continuous lack of sleep leaves me feeling like a teenager with out-of-control hormones, giddy one second, then crying the next. That's at least how I feel the 8 nights I work in a row. The days off, on the other hand are heavenly. My mom, bless her heart has dedicated her retired life to being my daughters second mom. She is always here when I am working my 8 nights straight, putting babies to sleep, playing and feeding them while I try to sleep, finding creative ways to avoid them waking me up, and making me coffee and oatmeal (a tradition I will never forget). One amazing thing is that Nora sleeps all night from 8pm until 7am. Leia however is a little bit tougher to get to sleep and out of lack of energy to put her to bed, ends up sleeping with Daddy. We plan to get a Princess toddler bed for her to sleep in since her baby sister took over her bed. We are in the process of fine-tuning our family's schedule so I can achieve more than 3 hours of sleep a day. In the meantime I am thankful for a baby that sleeps all night, an amazingly helpful grandma, and the ability for me to be a "stay-at-home Mommy" (at least during the days).

Playing with Grandma Sandra

Grandma Sandra took time out of her busy traveling schedule to come play with her grandaughters. We had such a blast with her. Check out some of these videos.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K9xz-R5oxmA

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4FqHFzCCkKo

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XLNn32OPSVk

Sunday, September 23, 2012

The Nocturnal Robertson Family

I knew I would get less sleep with a newborn, but I didn’t know I wouldn’t get any! And it’s not at all because of the baby. I have decided to work the night shift in effort to spend more time with the babies during the day. My schedule will be 7 on and 7 off. The up side to working the night shift are plentiful: I can get more work done while it’s quiet, I am working with my best friend, I get to be home when the babies wake up, I get paid more, and my mom only has to watch the babies every other week. The down-side: NO SLEEP. I already got sick after working just one night (LOL!). Poor Daddy has to take over the feeding for Nora throughout the night—a task not many men would be up for. I married the right man for the job, every day I am reminded what a great partner he is to raise children together. James is not only juggling being the Mommy at night, he is also going to school and working full-time—this semester will be tough, that’s for sure.

Daddy of the year

Will you come to my tea party?

Leia and Nora have been so enjoyable to raise. They are the dreamiest girls and are absolutely in love with each other. I have said this ever since Leia was a little baby, but she truly is the most inspiring person in my life. She is Mommy’s little helper and my very best friend. I love the humor that comes out of a 2 year olds mouth. It’s surprising to me how much love and passion a little toddler can possess. She teaches us the true meaning of kindness! I spend my days laughing at her wittiness and crying over her candid kindness. Yesterday she used her stool that Daddy built for her to reach all of her snacks. I came down the stairs to find 5 little plastic baggies, each filled with a morsel of food (popcorn, chip, cereal, etc). She decorated with her crayons a paper bag and proceeded to put all the plastic baggies into the paper bag. I asked her what she was doing and her immediate reply was “I am making Mommy's lunch for work, of course”. My heart broke right then and there.

Our little Nora turned 4 months old and she continues to be our little calm, happy, sweet angel. She now “talks” to us and laughs out loud when we do silly things. She loves taking baths, playing with her sister, laying on Daddy’s chest, and nursing with Mommy. I feel so blessed that she is so well-adjusted to this world already.

James and I celebrated our 7^th anniversary in August and it reminded me that marrying him was the best decision I ever made in life. We were able to enjoy a fun night out just the two of us and it occurred to me that our children have brought us even closer in our marriage, and for that I am forever grateful.

Wish me luck as I attempt to be a career woman at night and stay-at-home Mom during the day—The best of all worlds!

Monday, September 10, 2012

Letters to Leia--2 years 4 months old

Is it really possible to feel like a two year old is more wise to this world than I am? Leia baby, you are my idol and biggest inspiration and I strive everyday to be just like you. You are my best friend and it’s funny to think that my daughter can be all these things and yet still be 2 years old. I wish I can bottle up every funny moment or heartfelt conversation I have with you. You change so drastically every day and I’m so afraid I will forget these precious times or how in love with you I am today.

You make me feel more feminine in the way you request I wear “princess attire” and make-up every day. I love how you enjoy “exeecizing” with me in the gym every night. We blast our favorite tunes, sing, dance, lift weights, do sit-ups, jump rope and do cardio-kickboxing. It’s the most fun workout I have ever enjoyed.

I caught you today putting on your princess dress and at least 15 necklaces and bracelets. You proceeded to put on lipstick and brushed your curls. Then you went up to your Daddy and in the most honest way, asked “Am I beautiful Daddy?”. It nearly brought tears to my eyes just witnessing the moment.

You are braver than any little girl I have ever met. You face plant into the ground and you jump up and yell “I okay Mommy, I okay” as to avoid any amount of embarrassment falling might cause. You spend your days playing with your sister as if you are the Momma. At all times during the day, we can hear your conversation with Nora as you hug her, “Hi cutie-pie, what’s the matter cutie-pie, I love you cutie-pie, you like my house cutie-pie?”. I don’t want to miss a thing watching you change and that’s exactly why I will continue to work the night shift in efforts to spend more time with you. As your daddy always says “you can rest while you’re dead”. I will enjoy the days with you as much as possible and let you enjoy sleeping with your daddy at night. You have brought magic to our family and I feel deeply that I live a fairly tale life having you for my daughter. Please continue to be passionate, kind, respectful, wise, loving, energetic, and most of all, happy. Thank you Leia baby, from the bottom of our hearts.

We love you so much!

Monday, July 30, 2012

Adjusting to our family of 4

We are enjoying every single day with our little girls. Definitely different than only one! When one baby sleeps, the other wants to play (perfect for giving each child individual time, terrible for a sleep-deprived Momma). Leia is so in love with being a big sister, she treats Nora as if they are the same age. I even caught Nora with a handful of cocoa puffs in her mouth that Leia so generously shared with her--YIKES! Nora continues to be the calmest baby I have ever met with her constant smiles and flirtatious looks. She makes life so easy. Leia on the other hand is officially 2 years old, with "mine" and "I do it by myself" as her main phrases. Leia keeps me on my toes as she is in constant motion. She still is my sweet princess but with an added sense of assertiveness.

Daddy and the girls. Leia always has to hold Nora's hand.

At Gilroy Gardens

Cooking and caring for 2 babies. I love the Ergo carrier!

Leia found my make-up

We were so excited to spend 2 weeks in San Diego. James had to work everyday while the girls and I had a blast at Sea World, riding boats and ferries, swimming in the bay, playing at the parks, hanging out at sea port village, and enjoying the hotel amenities. The logistics of caring for two babies alone is definitely more difficult than one--thank goodness for the Ergo carrier and an extremely calm newborn!!! We were so lucky to be able to spend time with the Robertson family in La Jolla and our best friends, the Halim family. We were also able to attend my cousins wedding in Anaheim. We had an unforgettable time!!

Leia and her boyfriend Noah in San Diego

Annabella with her Grandpa in San Diego

Cousins at the wedding

Enjoying her first boat ride

Gram with her great grandchildren

Hanging out with the guys on La Jolla beach

Playing in the bay

I returned back to work July 16th and as much as I have dreaded this day coming, it wasn't as bad as I had anticipated. I think that is due to two factors. One being that I work with friends who I consider my family, and two because my girls are still very happy at home without me. Nora is willing to take any bottle or pacifier and Leia is excited to play with anyone. I am hoping that I will not have to work full time for too much longer and that thought keeps me positive.

I celebrated Mason, my future sister-in-law's bachelorette party last weekend. It was a beautiful overnight trip for the girls in Napa. I brought my little 2 month old with me and left my little 2 year old with Grandma Janice. Nora was the perfect bachelorette participant with constant smiles and cooing. How many 8 week olds can say they road in a limo?

Nora in her Ergo baby carrier

The bachelorette with Nora

Wednesday, July 4, 2012

Notes to Nora

How do I begin to explain how much happiness you have brought to our family and you are only 2 months old!! I have never met a more mellow, happy, smiley baby in my life. I knew in my heart you were going to be a spectacular person, but now holding you in my arms, I can’t believe how amazing you truly are. You spend most of your days with your arms crossed on your chest and a peacefulness about you that I have never experienced myself. And when we talk to you, your face lights up with a huge grin and you flirt with your long lashes. It makes us laugh that we already have a flirt at 2 months of age. You have brought so much happiness to your big sister Leia who can’t get enough of you. Her constant kisses never annoy you and you make it clear to her that you love that she always has to be holding your hand everywhere we go. Going back to work when you are just 8 weeks old would not have been possible if it weren’t for your easy going personality. You love everyone and you are very willing to take any bottle or pacifier without any complaints. Since you were born, you have spent the majority of your time in the Ergo carrier strapped onto my chest. We are both happiest when we can be that close to each other. And finally, I look back at my pregnancy and can’t help but thank you for giving me the extra 3 months of pregnancy leave to spend at home with your sister. It’s as if you knew what you were doing and had a master plan. For that I am forever grateful to you. Welcome to our family sweet baby Nora. You have completed us!

Wednesday, May 30, 2012

Nora is 1 week old

Our little Nora is a dream to have home. Having this little one be so calm the first couple of weeks has made this such a great transition for all of us. Leia is so in love with her baby sister and it's been fun to see the beautiful way she has welcomed her into our family. James just finished his last final and we are enjoying the relaxing days at home with our girls. We have Grandma Janice staying with us which has been an immense help. The only difficult part is that our angel Nora has her days and nights mixed up so my nights are spent feeding this little one every hour and a half and listening to her cooing the rest of the night which results in her sleeping most of the days. Oh well, a small price to pay for the miracle of having her with us.