life as a mommy

Life as a mommy....there are so many words to describe it I can't pick the most fitting one. Life has been so busy these past 7 months and when I do get some down time all I want to do is nap with Lucy. Lucy has been the greatest thing ever to come into my life. She is in my every thought. Everyday we watch cartoons, read books, listen to nursery rhymes, and go over the basics such as numbers, the alphabet, and of course all your ticklish parts. I never thought I would be able to play Peek a Boo for an hour straight and love it just as much as Lucy does. I love seeing that smile and I love hearing that laugh. I love looking into Lucy's eyes and knowing that she is my baby girl who has her whole life ahead of her and all the great things she can accomplish. I love laying in bed with my husband and baby just spending saturday mornings lounging....its the best feeling in the world.

Much Needed Update!!

Well, way too much has happened since April so I am not going to even attempt to try and cover it all. All I have to say is that I got big and swollen and being prego was not fun. But the pay off has been incredible. That's right, as of August 14th, 2009 at 12:24 am Chris and I are proud and happy parents to a beautiful girl that we named Lucy Jo Gandara. It all started the Wednesday night prior when my Mom, my Sister in Law Rena, and Mother in Law Emily, and I took a walk up Mt Rubidioux (sp?) and my contractions started coming about every 20 Mins or so. Then Thursday they were about 5 - 10 Mins apart but I was too chicken to go to the hospital, so we just hung out at the house until about 3pm when everyone said I had to go. Trust me I was so dreading going to the hospital because I knew that then the real pain was going to happen. So after a lot of pain, some yelling at my mom, and then drugs to make me feel all better. I was ready to bring my baby into the world, it was an hour of disgusting-ness and pushing, and some yelling Lucy Jo came into the world. Sadly, she had to be rushed to NICU since she wasn't breathing and received a tiny tear in her lung from her first breathe but after a couple of days she got to come home! She is so beautiful and I can't believe that finally I have my baby Lucy!

***oops***

I meant Easter instead of Thanksgiving....thanks Laura :)

It's a Girl!!!!

So, its a girl!! We are very excited to be having a little girl join our family. Although Chris says, "great, another Valerie running around" and my Brothers were basically on the same line of thinking. But they have all told me that she will have great older boy cousins to look after her just like they did for me! Life has settled into an easy routine, working and hanging. We are saving to get a second car and move out! We had a great Thanksgiving and have been enjoying hanging around the family. It has been a great first half of the month of April

Nothing much to March....

Dad and Chris enjoying a little nap one saturday

Uncle Joey and Andrew

The Gandara Kids

(Sabrina, Stephanie, Ruben, and Joey)

Even though Chris is the shortest he is the oldest :)

Well I noticed that I haven't blogged in awhile but I mean really nothing has been going on! I started work at 24 Hour Fitness (I hate it but I have really good insurance) Chris is working a lot. We are living with my parents trying to save up money and get a head in our bills for when the baby comes. I think they like having us around until Mom brings home severaly phone numbers of houses for rent. :) We did have a baptism that we missed a couple of sundays ago because of the time change. It was for Christophers nephew Andrew - I have two nephews named Andrew, I just realized that. But we attended the party afterwards and it was fun to see my inlaws, since I have been in "hiding" as they so put it. I am getting a big ugly stomach that I hate and my mom and Chris love to point out. Only my dad is sympathetic with me. I finally have a doctors appointment tomorrow where I will hopefully find out what I am having! Then let the shopping begin. I have been able to spend some time with my Nephews Andrew and Brandon. We have taken them bike riding at the park, where grandma and Brandon crashed going down a hill and I couldn't stop laughing for a good hour or two. The twins have come to accept that I am having a baby and no longer tell me that I am not having one. And I am not Brandons Auntie I am his "friend Valerie" They are getting big and adorable. Collin is also getting big and is crawling everywhere!! He has the cutest smile and laugh. He really is a sweet little boy.

what a finish to a crazy year!

Our Scooter Ride



Some cool beach in Honolulu



Me, Jenns, and Annalise

Jen and I

A kiss for the New Year

Stevie and I

Well, the past month has been absolutely crazy! We moved back to the mainland Christmas day, so Santa missed us completely but that is OK since it didn't even feel like Christmas. We woke up early Christmas day, finished our packing and then rented scooters and drove around Honolulu one last time. It was so much fun! Then after a long plane ride we arrived in California around 9pm. We spent a lot of time with family and of course Jen and Hector who we missed so much! We got to spend new years with Christopher's cousin Stevie and Ruben and were able to celebrate Hectors 25th birthday with a crazy night at the yardhouse. It was the best couple weeks I have had in such a long time I am sad to see them go. Although they were filled with much sickness from me, due to catching a cold and as well as expecting a baby! That's right, Chris and I are going to be parents! The baby is due August 5th. It was a little bit of a surprise, but we are excited and really looking forward to the new adventure. Plus is they are as cute as my nephews then I have nothing to worry about!! So now we are in Colorado. We drove the long way there( I was stalling) through New Mexico. No offense to New Mexico but there isn't much to it. We arrived last night and I already miss my family so much! Plus I have been a Popsicle since we got into Flagstaff, AZ Tuesday afternoon! The snow and I DO NOT get a long!!

CaLiFoRniA LovE

On December 2nd my parents went into surgery at Scripps Green Hospital in San Diego. They under went major surgery where my mom gave my dad a kidney. The surgery was a sucess! My dad was doing amazing hours after the surgery was complete. It took my mom a day or two to feel better having had a bad reaction to the painkillers they were giving her. On December 3rd I flew into LAX where my wonderful sister-in law picked me up. I headed to San Diego the next day and boy was my dad surprised to see me! I think he thought he was hallucinating for a second. (it was a surprise to him that I was coming) My parents got out of the hospital with in a few days and I got to spend a whole week with them! It was so great to see them, My Uncle Val and Aunt Sherri, my grandparents, and my brothers, sisters in laws, and nephews! I had such a good time I didn't want to go home. When it was time for me to go home Laura dropped me off at LAX again and I had to wait in this LONG line causing me to miss my flight, wait 4 hours for my next flight and I didn't get home until midnight Hawaii time. Overall, I had such a good time! Chris and I can't wait to come back home (hopefully dec 29th)