10 MONTHS

10 MONTHS OLD!

Leilah is growing so fast and has definitely met more milestones this month. She is still attached to my hip and crys when I walk out oh the room. I really hope she grows out of this soon!

She is climbing everything and she loves to mimic anything we say or do. Her favorite this to say right now is "Niiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiah." She looks around for her and attempts to call out her name. So cute. She has two more teeth coming in on the right top and bottom. Her personality is developing more and more each day. She is becoming her own person and is now standing up for herself against Syniah. It is not so easy for Niah to take away toys from Leilah without Leilah trying to scratch Syniah or pull her down. We started setting more limits for Leilah this month. She learned what "NO" means and she doesn't like it very much. We have set certain boundaries and started teaching her some important distinctions, like right from wrong and safe from unsafe. She has such a strong personality so she may not always listen. She will usually cry and scream or throw herself back. Most of all she will just choose to ignore us. With all that being said she has also started being a lot more affectionate. She gives lots of kisses now and leans her head on our shoulder or up against our face to be sweet. She gets lots of attention lately because she loves to wave at everybody who passes her by. She is very quiet still but little by little she is starting to try and say more phrases.

This month Leilah celebrated her first Thanksgiving. YUM! She ate turkey and sweet potato and she loved it! She definitely knocked out before the end of the night.

Here are her 10 Month Pictures..............

UCLA V.S. USC game is coming up so to commemorate the occasion Leilah decided she will show off her BRUIN PRIDE!

Leilah clapping for the camera!

Not such an easy photo shoot. Leilah was all over the place and very upset when I tried to stop her but we were able to get this cute picture!

Go Bruins!

We snuck in a Mama and Leilah picture. I kept having to chase her so I figured we can smile for the camera!

This Month has been so much fun. Leilah is such a fun baby. So sweet yet feisty. I love her so much!

Cousins

Today we were all recovering from way too much turkey! So were at Uncle Jr and Auntie Sandra's house watching movies and hanging out. The kids were a little hyper so I took them out to play and decided to take my camera with me. I am glad I did. I got to capture these cousins being their crazy selves! I love these crazy kids! Brayleen was my baby before my babies and I have loved every minute of watching her grow into a little lady and become so mature and smart. My JJ is still a little guy but he started preschool which makes him no longer a baby but a little man. They both adore my girls and I love that. They are so protective over them and fight each other over who gets to hold Leilah of play with Syniah. My brother and I grew up as best friends and it's cool to watch our kids be not only cousins but best friends. Don't get me wrong..........they have there share of fighting and hitting each other or making each other cry but they wouldn't be cousins if they didn't enjoy ALL that comes with it!

My Silly Girls!

I love love love this picture! and I think Nana will love it more!

Gotta love these crazy kids!

 JJ tries to act tough but he is so sweet and has always loved his Syniah.

Getting the sillies out.

Totem pole!! Right before they all fell onto the floor!

Some of my best childhood memories are the ones I shared with my cousins and I can only hope that Syniah and Leilah grow up and share many memories with their cousins.

THANKSGIVING 2010

THANKFUL

I have been through a lot these past 2 1/2 years of motherhood. I have experienced both joy and heartache. I have watched my girls grow into amazing little girls and I still have so much to experience with them.. Through the years I have layed on a hospital table twice waiting for the arrival of my beautiful babie girls, I have watched them both develop socially and physically, I have sat with both of them at 6 months old with 105 fever with pneumonia crying and in the hospital,  I have questioned God as to why my babies? I have worked very hard to give them what they want and what they need, But tonight I look at them as they sleep as healthy as could be and I couldn't be anymore thankful. I am blessed with two little girls who have overcome lots of obstacles and still smile daily. They are God's perfect example to his love and Grace. I am thankful for the love of our little family of 4. There is no other family I would choose to call my own. Than you Jesus.

A photographers prayer

My girls are the most important part of my life. I couldn't imagine a day in my life without them and I am truly blessed. I try so hard to document all our experiences and all the special moments because it all goes by so fast. Leilah will be a year old in less than 2 months and I hope that I have documented this year the best I can. Syniah and Leilah are flourishing into beautiful little girls and I love most to capture their bond and love for each other. Being a photographer  is such a great gift to be able to capture peoples memories but most of all to capture the memories and love of my beautiful baby girls.

These are just some pictures of them laying on the floor in the morning watching cartoons. They are so silly and lovable with each other. Sometimes Niah can be too lovable (scroll down)

Leilah Faith 10 months old ~ Syniah Grace 2 1/2

Even the not so good moments for them will be the moments that they will treasure and smile at when they get older.

 

I read this the other day and I thought it was very interesting...

"Oh God, as I bring my subject into focus and prepare to make each portrait, never let me forget that I’m creating treasures for some family, a keepsake for loved ones. Make me sensitive to the qualities and virtues of others, that I may draw out into the light the beautiful, radiant belongings of their hearts.


Help me to be an artist, collecting the beauty of every soul, the glow of youth, the gentleness, the laughter or tears of each life that is precious in Thy sight. Deeper than a means of livelihood, give me the perspective to see my photographer’s art as a service to others, making life richer and more memorable.

And, dear Lord, between the lights and shadows, the ups and downs and the rolling years, keep me from getting out of focus or off center, so that my life and work may be framed with dignity and colored with contentment …"

AMEN

Author Unknown

Just us girls

What an amazing day with my girls. California Adventure and Disneyland all in the same day. The parks were pretty much ghost towns and we were able to ride all the rides we possibly could. The girls were on their best behavior and no major tantrums. Such a pretty day with great weather. I enjoyed every minute of this day with them and loved to see their smiles. We got to meet lots of characters and get some wonderful pictures. I felt so accomplished leaving the park today at 8:00pm (when they closed!) I accomplished an entire day at an amusement park with a 2 year old and a 10 month old ALONE and it was a smooth  practically perfect day! So thankful for this time with them.

We started out our day going to Mickey Mouse Clubhouse at California Adventure (SYNIAH WAS SUPER EXCITED)

SNACK BREAK BEFORE HEADING TO DISNEYLAND

First stop: Niah was so thrilled!

Next: Pluto. Syniah's face says it all!

Niah, Pluto and Leilah

Mama, Leilah and Niah posing in front of the Christmas tree

 Love my girls!

Niah waiting to meet Minnie and Mickey

Such happy girls with Minnie. I love the way Niah is holding on to Minnie's hand.

Meeting Mickey was special for Leilah. She is getting older and understanding more.She took one look at him and couldn't stop giggling. She wanted to touch his nose and mouth and kept smiling.

Leilah gives kisses to Mickey (look at Niah's face)

 

Syniah hesitated to go up to the princesses. She doesn't know much about the princesses and I think she was a little scared. Maybe because they are real people and not wearing animated costumes. I talked to her about them before having her walk up to them "They are so pretty. Wow. Look at their dresses." Syniah walked up and hugged them and got so excited that she did. "Mama, I hugged the princesses. They pretty mama."

Cheese. A little timid but she did it :)

Niah and Goofy. Such a lucky girl to meet so many characters in one day!

 Syniah's very first BIG GIRL lollipop! She was so excited!

I don't give her candy very often but this picture and her smile make the sugar high totally worth it. Priceless!

  

Leilah was not to thrilled that she didn't get a lollipop!

 My princesses and I in front of the castle

We ended our day in front of the big tree.

 

Such an unforgettable day.  Disneyland was amazing.

I love my girls more than words can describe. I had so much fun experiencing Disneyland through the eyes of my daughters. I hope to have many more dates with them like this.

Love,

  Syniah and Leilah's Mama