It's FUN turning ONE!

Moreover, when God gives any woman wealth and possessions, and enables her to enjoy them, to accept her lot and be happy in her work--this is a gift of God. (Ecclesiastes 5:19)



Can you believe that Naomi is already 1 year old?! I can't! To think that it was only 12 months ago that she was a little 6+ lb newborn just blows me away. She is so smart and adorable and understanding for her tiny little self. We've done a lot of celebrating for her first birthday and there is still more to come. Here's a little recap of events.

As most of you know, Naomi was born on Mother's Day of 2009. May 10th also happens to be the same birthday of our dear friend Elisha Okawa. Her "Birthday Twin" mailed her a package from L.A. - the very first present for Naomi to open on Friday night... how exciting!







Saturday morning, we headed out to the San Pablo lake to do some fishing off shore. Naomi had a blast... enjoying the sun and relaxing before her big day. Nowadays, when we tell Mimi to "Say Cheeze!"... She totally hams it up on camera =D





Sunday morning, I really felt the blessing of Mother's Day love coming from Naomi and Richie. Aside from attending church, we like to watch Joel Osteen on Sunday mornings. It's one of the few (if not the only) non-children's program that she watches intensely. Richie surprised me with two beautiful cards - one from him and one from Naomi. The inspirational Christian blessings and thanksgiving written inside made my heart melt. What made it extra special was Naomi's loving awareness that this was my moment. She gave me such a warm hug after I thanked her. Even early in the morning, she's up and happy and ready for the world!





Next it was time to get ready for a long day of celebration. First things first... putting on the birthday outfit =) I couldn't believe that it rained in the morning, so since it was chilly, it was time to put on the warmer outfit. Check out Mimi's bed-head =)



The darling ribbon jeans were kinda long and baggy so we did a switcheroo for some comfy pants and of course... Naomi had to have some kind of hair accessory! Doesn't she look like a birthday present?



Grandma Lily wanted to throw a lovely Mother's Day brunch to celebrate Naomi's first birthday. All of the Aunties and Grandmas from my side gathered together in South City.



It was awesome seeing Naomi's cousins Andrew, Adam and Alexis; we don't see them nearly as often as we'd like.



... and awesome cupcakes that Ninang Jasmine and Auntie Aileen made!





I bought matching dresses for Naomi and her cousins Andrea and Meleia. We were able to snap this pic before taking off to the next party:



Naomi was such a trouper because she didn't take any naps while we were in South City and she didn't start to get sleepy until around 3:30pm... just in time to rest for the party hopping. We changed her into her evening party dress and she napped in the van on the way to Pinole. By the time we got there, she was ready for round two. Naomi needs lots of energy to keep up with her amigos, Weslee and Bella!



Here's the birthday girl smiling sweetly in her darling party dress at her cousin Weslee =)



Naomi also had another cake to enjoy! We've been trying to practice getting her to blow her candle, but it didn't happen. That's okay, because I know there is a wish planted in her heart and that God will see that it comes true one day!



After eating even more cake, it was time to get cozy again... and play with the Musketeers some more! Baby Kamrin wanted to join in on the fun, especially when they all gathered around the bouncer. It's nearly impossible to get a picture of Mimi, Wes & Bella all looking at the camera at the same time, but it's those candid moments that truly tell the story. This one might be my favorite!



Naomi had to take a break away from all of the excitement. Yes, I am still breastfeeding her, but we'll see how long that will last. Here's the birthday girl checking out her new hair-do and practicing her future b-girl moves!



One more photo-op of the girls =)



... and the Mommies!



After a couple of more hours playing with her cousins, Naomi was super party pooped! Time to go home and catch those Z's....

HAPPY 1st BIRTHDAY NAOMI HOPE!

Half Way There

Heal the sick who are there and tell them, 'The kingdom of God is near you.' (Luke 10:9)

WOW! Can you believe that Naomi is already 6 months old... half way there! We had her doctor appointment on Monday and it came at a really good time because started having the sniffles and sneezes the night before. Naomi now weighs 14 lbs and 1 oz. She is 26 inches long. So Mimi actually went down in percentile for her weight... now she's considered on the lighter side at 25%. She is still in the 70% for height.

Naomi also received another set of immunizations. This time we added the regular flu shot so she had to get poked twice in both legs. Mimi cried loud while gettin the shots but only sniffled once I picked her up from the exam table =) So brave! Dr. Tracy took her temperature and Mimi didn't have a fever. She said that Naomi seemed to have a mini-cold, but nothing to worry about or take medication for. It would only be "bad" if she had a fever over 100.4 or seemed inconsolable.

When we got home from the doctors, she slept a lot.... a whole lot more than usual. And she didn't want to be put down. She would wake up when I tried to transfer her to her crib or the bed. I figured that she was drained from the immunizations. Richie and I decided to take her temperature and sure enough, she had a slight 99.8 fever. We removed some of her clothes and she was really fussy. Naomi doesn't cry much but she was wimpering as though she was uncomfortable. My poor baby! We gave her a sponge bath and she felt cooler to the touch, but I could tell she was under the weather. Naomi is not a fan of the nasal aspirator, but I had to use it several times to clear out her sinuses.

She slept in the bed with us and was pretty much attached to my chest the entire night. I normally don't let her pacify on me for too long, but I made an exception because it worked in soothing her. The next morning, on her actual 6 mos. bday, she woke up with lots of boogers in her nose =( Her temperature was still 99.4 but she was smiling, which is a good sign. Richie went to work while Mimi and I lay low. Lots of naps and lots of breastfeeding. Being sick is no fun, but I guess her first fever had to happen sooner or later. Fortunately, by evening her temp was back to normal and she was her bubbly singing self.

Oh, I haven't told you yet... this little girl can sing! I'm not just saying this because I'm her mother, but she really sounds like she is copying the melody I sing to her... specifically the tune sung by Ariel from "The Little Mermaid." I'm still trying to figure out how to upload the video from my BlackBerry. You've just gotta hear her!

Patience, my dear child

But if we hope for what we do not yet observe, we eagerly wait for it with patience. (Romans 8:25)

We are learning more and more about baby Naomi's personality and she amazes me with the amount of patience she shows at times... as well as what happens when the patience runs out! On the way home from South City, Naomi fell asleep in the car, but when she woke up, we were in the middle of a huge traffic jam. She started whining at first, but it progressed until she eventually was full-on screaming as though she was going to lose her voice! I felt so bad for her so I exited in San Francisco popped her in her Snugli and cruised a shopping center for about an hour. I thought the traffic would have died down but due to the changes on the Bay Bridge, we were barely moving. Naomi started to whine again, but when I gently explained to her that we already went for a walk and asked her to please go to sleep, she did listen. Even though it took me an hour to drive what should have been 20 minutes, I was able to get home in peace and quiet =)

Today, on her 4 months birthday, again she showed me two totally opposite sides of herself: extreme temper and gentle patience. Mimi threw her first temper tantrum in our studio. I took her for a walk outdoors in the Snugli and when she fell asleep I came back home and placed her in her bassinet. She woke up in a good mood and it had been three hours since she last ate, so I decided to feed her. After a few sips, she started crying. I tried to calm her down and offer her more food, but that just made her cry harder. NO, Mommy, that's NOT what I want! I changed her diaper and she cried harder. I'm SO ANGRY right now! I tried carrying her several different holds. NOOOO! Mommy, you're making it WORSE! I tried bringing her outside and she was okay for two seconds and began screaming again! Mommy, can't you read my cry!? She was just about as upset as when she was in her carseat in San Diego, but this time, there was no car seat! I then thought of going for a walk again in her Snugli and when she saw me putting it on, she stopped crying. Now, we're getting somewhere, Mommy. When I placed her in it, she smiled =) Yippee, you figured it out! Whew! *wiping my brow* What a relief! She was probably only crying for less than 5 minutes, but it seemed like an eternity! Moments like those, I soooo wish she could already speak, or better yet, that I really could just read her mind and bring her instant happiness.

On the flipside of things, that same evening, Naomi brought much happiness to Richie and myself. Maybe she knew, she had to make up for her temper tantrum earlier =) Rich and I are going to have Naomi baptized at St. Joseph's and they require us to take a class (Fortunately, the godparents that we chose do not have to take the class because their babies were recently baptized) I found out about the class only hours before, so I didn't have the packet with the information regarding the class. Richie and I thought about leaving Naomi at her grandparent's house down the street from the church, but ended up taking her with us. Well, it turns out that she was the only baby there and then when I read the packet, it said "NO CHILDREN: Please, find a babysitter for the evening." OOPSIES! I'm sure the reason they have this rule is because having a baby there could be a major distraction. Attending to a baby could take away from learning in the class. I just hoped she wouldn't end up causing a scene like she had earlier in the day.

Naomi sat in her carrier for the first 20 minutes while facing the rest of the class and didn't say a peep. She played with her "lovey-bear" and her bib. Then when the instructor began writing on the board, we faced her towards the teacher and Mimi began cooing quietly. It wasn't annoying though, it was actually cute... like she was paying attention and responding to the lesson =) Then for the last half hour, the entire class watched a video with the lights dimmed, so Richie and I took turns holding her. She was hardly fussy and didn't cry once in the entire hour that we were there! Afterwards, several people told us/her what a good baby she is =) I had prayed that Mimi would be a good girl... she ended up being an absolute angel! Thank you for your patience, Mimi-Girl!

Happy FOUR months!

We ought always to give thanks to God for you, brethren, as is only fitting, because your faith is greatly enlarged, and the love of each one of you toward one another grows ever greater (2 Thessalonians 1:3)

HAPPY 4 MONTHS TO NAOMI! Our little princess is getting soooo big! There are mornings when I see her and think that she had an overnight growth spurt. Just yesterday, Richie saw her in the evening after works and said that she grew since than that same morning! Check out these cheeks!

When she wakes up in the morning, we do her baby exercises. Some of her favorites are "press-ups" where she holds my hands and does a sit up. Her head is no longer wobbly when she lifts up and she even tries to stand up. Mimi also "rides her bike" as I cycle her legs. Her favorite one lately is "swimming"! As she lies on her back, I place her arms in the positions "Monkey, Airplane, Soldier" while I sing a little song. Then I'll let go of her hands and sing the song and sometimes she'll move her arms around without my help =) She even coordinates her legs to bend as the same time as her arms. She looks like a little froggy!

Mimi is definitely a little water baby =) She loves her bath time, both by herself and with Mommy. Richie and I took her into the Watergate swimming pool last week to cool off from the lovely Summer heat. She has been swimming before, but this was the first time we took her for a dip at our place. Naomi was flapping her arms and flipping her legs like a little mermaid! We also celebrated Naomi's first Labor Day by hanging out at the pool again. Although we didn't go for a swim that day, there was a live band and a yummy bbq with perfect weather.

Yesterday, Mimi and I went to visit Jasmine and her cousins Andrea and Meleia. The 5 month difference in Mimi and Mia's size is getting smaller and smaller, but you can definitely see the changes in Meleia's development. Little Mia is crawling all over now and is already trying to take steps by using an ottomon as her walker! It's hard to believe that Naomi will probably be "in her footsteps" sooner than later =) I've read somewhere that the 3-6 months period is the "honeymoon" phase of having a baby because they are very social, but not mobile! I can still place Naomi in the middle of the bed and not worry about her rolling off, but it won't be long before I have to watch her every move! It seemed like only yesterday that I placed Naomi in a bouncer and her feet dangled. Now, when she sits in Meleia's jumperoo, she can tip-toe and hold her body upright =)

A Splashing Good Time

As a face is reflected in water, so a person is reflected by his heart. (Proverbs 27:19)

What a wonderful weekend that Naomi had to celebrate her 2 months/9 weeks birthday. The celebration began early on Thursday morning when Auntie Melissa Francisco came to visit us at home in Emeryville. She brought over some tasty bagels and cream cheese for Mommy and a couple of cute outfits for Mimi. Melissa and I have been friends since Junior High when we went to Washington D.C. together. Her daughter Cathleya is my God-daughter and her blog was my inspiration to start this one. Then Grandma Lily brought over some salmon chowder, chicken salad, a pannini sandwich and quesadillas for lunch/dinner. She also gave Naomi a toy cow that "moos." Mimi must really love her new present... check out the SMILE on this happy little baby:


On the 10th, Richie and I watched Transformers at Solano Drive In. Naomi fell asleep on the way there and didn't wake up until we got back home. She missed the movie but all for the best.. what a sweetheart!

The real fun began on Saturday when we carpooled with Jasmine and the girls on our way to Sacramento for cousin Alexis' first birthday. With three car seats loaded in the van, we made the hour and a half long journey. Baby Meleia wasn't used to being in another vehicle and it turns out she wet herself on the way there. Like Mimi, little Mia doesn't like being moisty down below and let us know it! We were all smiling though when we got to Tita Agnes' beautiful house in Roseville...especially when we saw the feast that was prepared and the inviting swimming pool to cool us of from the heat. I asked Dr. Tracy if it was okay for Naomi to take a dip and she gave us the go ahead. Mimi was a little shocked at how cold the water was at first, but once her body adjusted to the temperature, she enjoyed herself quite a bit!

From Splish Splash

Aileen had a lot of fun games for the kids including making mini aquariums out of glass jars. Stickers, pretty rocks and toys? I'm all over it! I couldn't help myself and made one... for Mimi, of course :) She also had pin the tail on the fish and a cool cut out of a shark. As you can see, Naomi likes goldfish, but she's not too fond of being eaten by a shark! I suppose, I wouldn't either!

One Month Old

And all your children shall be taught of the LORD; and great shall be the peace of your children. (Isaiah 44:3)

From One Month Old

Naomi has had a very busy month! We have taken her out far more than we expected to, but she has been a real trooper :) Some of the things that we enjoy doing with her are taking walks around Emeryville. We've strolled down to the pier as well as to Bay Street for dinner. On Richie and my 3 year anniversary, we took Mimi to the Elephant Bar and she slept through the entire meal.

Along with going to Pinole every Sunday, she's also been to her other Grandparent's house in South San Francisco. The weekend she turned 4 weeks, we took her to San Jose to celebrate her Auntie Lauren and Uncle Noel's graduation. That's when she was better able to meet with her cousins Andrea and Meleia and Alexis.

Naomi was so tiny when she was born, but now after a month, she feels pretty solid. She probably weighs at least 8 lbs... the size that I anticipated her to be at birth. She has caught up quickly! Breastfeeding her is going extremely well. Richie and I will pray before her meals and even if she is a bit fussy, she stops to listen to us give thanks :) While she loves to eat, Mimi is a bit of a snacker/snoozer though when it comes to her meals. Many times, she will fall asleep while nursing, only to wake up 10 minutes later and want "seconds" :) Although I feel like I am feeding her around the clock, she allows me to have longer stretches at night. Richie has been working, so I have full night duty after he falls asleep. She starts off sleeping in her bassinet, but I usually keep her in the bed next to me after her first feeding around 1AM. She'll feed again briefly around 3ish. Usually before 6AM, she's wide awake, so Richie will play with her before work while I sleep until her next feeding.

From One Month Old

She definitely recognizes her Mommy and Daddy, by both voice and looks. Above our bed, we have two large portraits of Richie and I from our engagement and the wedding. Naomi is fond of gazing at the photos as if curious how we are both in front of her and over there on the wall, too! She's also remembering other members of our family and is aware of when a new face is presented to her. Her eyes are constantly soaking in all of her surroundings. If only her eyes could speak!

Richie and I are enjoying Naomi's sweet smiles, mostly when she is partially in "dream-land"... we are still waiting for that first official laugh! Now that her sight is getting clearer, she also seems to enjoy her play gym and is beginning to try and hold her head up during tummy time. When she is awake she alternates between being super-still with wide, learning eyes and being a "wiggly worm" with her arms and legs waving with excitement. Mimi especially responds to music of all kinds. During the day, we play everything from Island Jams to Christian Rock, then at night or during naps, we play classical or lullabies to soothe her. It will be awesome to see if she takes to playing an instrument or singing when she gets older!

Happy Birthday

Beloved, I pray that in all respects you may prosper and be in good health, just as your soul prospers. (3 John 1:2)

In God's perfect timing, she made her grand entrance in this world with a bang! Only born 2 days before her "due date," she waited until Mother's Day to give me the best present ever. Since I work in accounting I always have numbers on my mind... I think it's so cool that she was born on 05.10 at 10:50. 510 is also the area code where she lives... Naomi is a true East Bay girl :)

*Side note regarding numbers: Naomi is the third baby to be born to the Dimalanta family since the start of the new year. Craig and Cathy's babyboy Weslee was born on 02.04; Leia and Anthony's babygirl Arabella was born on 03.09; Naomi was born on 05.10. I might just be a nerd, but isn't that cool how the day is a derivitive of the month? So easy to remember! Thanks be to GOD!*



Lots of visitors at the hospital. Uncle Marc was the first to visit us, fresh off a flight from the East Coast; we hadn't even left the labor and delivery room yet. He brought us gorgeous Orchids, roses, yummy turkey wraps and spam sandwhiches :) The rest of the Arapeles Fam came by minus her cousins Andrea (3) and Meleia (5 mos.) since they were recovering from the sniffles. The Dimalanta Clan paid a visit and Naomi got to meet all her boy cousins: Dean (7), Joshua (4), Owen (2) and Weslee (3 mos.) They brought us beautiful tulips and fried chicken. Auntie Melissa was driving through the neighborhood and said hello. Grandma Tess and Grandpa Oscar wanted to see the new arrival as well. Our final visitor at Alta Bates was Auntie Elisa and she showered Naomi with lots of cute summertime clothes and accessories!