Friends Forever

I can't even tell you how much I love these pictures of my girls.

 

Not because they're good quality pictures (because they're not). But because of the way they love each other. Some days they fight and Anayah gets annoyed that Samara is taking all her dolls (which are really Samara's dolls to begin with) or Samara gets mad that she can't do all the things that Anayah does or they both just want desperately to do things on their own. But then there are moments like this that I know they love each other and will take care of each other and will eventually be the best of friends.

It really just melts my heart.

12 Months

It came and went just like that.

All the hype of turning a year old and we hardly even documented the day! I suppose that's what being a second child is all about? I wouldn't know, I was an only child then a firstborn. I kinda feel it was all a bit anticlimactic. Perhaps I built up this day in my head to be SUCH.A.BIG.DEAL. when really it was just another day?! I wish I would have taken a gazillion more pictures and I wish I could have spent the day with her but I had to work (oh did I mention I went back to work part time?). It's kind of sad really but we did document what we could and she did get to spend the day with daddy and great grandma!

 breakfast shenanigans

 

 sneaking food to Bruno

"happy birthday" with donut holes

 not sure how she feels about those donuts

Her most recent stats puts her at 21 lbs (72nd percentile!!) and 29 in (69th percentile). Her most recent pictures all show you exactly why that is! :) She's wearing mostly 9-12 month clothes with a few 18mo pieces thrown in for the extra length. I even managed to squeeze her in to her 0-3mo shorts for her party! Haha. It's funny because she only weighs 2 lbs more than A did at her age but she's much taller which I guess makes her seem SO much bigger by comparison.

 Samara Jade, you truly are a gem! You are so full of joy that it overflows from you on to anyone you meet! It makes me so delighted to see you interact with anyone and everyone who stops and comments on what a happy baby you are. Even when you're not feeling well or cranky from being tired you still mange to smile through it. I remember (while I was still pregnant with you) all the concerns I had about the unknown. About how you would fit into our family and how I would be able to give you enough love and attention etc etc. But you, my sweet girl, have filled a spot in my heart that I didn't know was there. I love you more than I could ever have imagined and more than I thought possible. You are a treasure, a gift to us that we don't deserve. I pray that you would continue to be full of joy and laughter and radiate happiness everywhere you go. I also pray that the Lord would just pour His blessings on your life and surround you with His favor. Thank you for being such a sweet girl. I look forward to all the adventures that are in store. 

 We love you, sissy.

A Winter ONEderland!

Her party. It was supposed to be perfect but of course things never turn out the way I plan. I should have learned my lesson the first time around but apparently I forgot. Anyway, here are a few pictures that I managed to capture while trying not to stress that her party didn't turn out the way I wanted it to. That said, HUGE thanks to Erika, Teresa & Victor, Clarissa (and anyone else that helped) for decorating and putting together the tables and candy/dessert bar while I ran over an hour late! (yes I'm still hanging my head in shame!!)

 the birthday girl...

   

 apparently I didn't get any pictures of the potato bar set up but dad and mom's chilis were a hit!!

enjoying her potato!

 being as charming as ever...

time for cake!!

 no hesitation here...

 loving every minute of it

 a sugar induced coma on the left and big sister getting in on the action on the right!

sadly, our only family pictures of the day!

It really was a fun day and we're so thankful to everyone who came out and celebrated with us! Perhaps one of these days I'll plan and execute a party to my slightly unrealistic standards :) 

p.s. I'll post more about her invitation and party printables soon!

11 Months

It's hard to believe that this is the last (monthly) post before my baby is a year old! I keep saying it but it really is true. Time goes by way too quickly...especially after your first child. I don't think I've done an accurate job of documenting how much this little girl has grown but then I go back and look at her monthly posts and it's crazy to see her "grow up" in pictures. It's funny that the last few posts have only been about her monthly stats. It really goes to show that I don't have time to do any sort of projects or crafts or DIYs around here anymore. I'm lucky to sneak in a few minutes of blogging! This girl keeps me BIZ.EE.

It's been a whirlwind for sure but I wouldn't change any of it. We are so blessed to have these two beautiful little girls and I am so thankful for them everyday.

10 Months

Right before Christmas Samara turned 10 months old. And ever since then she's been non-stop with the growing and milestones and learning. She's practically walking these days and has now upped her vocabulary to 3 words: "dada", "naya", and "nanas" (for any type of food). She's getting better with the signing but mostly just grunts or whines when she wants something. She has two bottom teeth and I just recently saw a top one trying to break through. She's wearing mostly 6-12 month clothing, depending on what it is, and is tipping the scales at just under 20lbs. She loves to terrorize Bruno and Anayah and laughs the whole time she's doing it. She is still the happiest baby, always smiling and laughing, even when she's sick or tired. Bedtime is usually 6:30 and she's been waking up around 7:00/7:15 these last few weeks. We have yet to take away her paci but I'm thinking that will happen very shortly. Here are a few pictures from my phone from the last month or so. I'll attempt to do her rug pictures later today:

Oh and a couple videos of her recently:

Holiday Happenings

I think the last time I updated was right before Thanksgiving. Now it's past Christmas so here is probably my last post for this year! Nothing too crazy going on over here. Since we last checked in, Samara turned 10 months, Anayah performed in her first Christmas program at preschool, we all had the stomach flu, and the holidays came and went in the blink of an eye! Nothing new going on over here so I'll just show you what we've been up to for the last month or so:

 Christmas program at school:

One last trip to Disneyland before the end of the year. She was beyond excited to see Sofia!! Samara still isn't quite as enamored with the place hehe:

Checking out the lights with her bestie Jack:

 Samara and Bruno tearing up the house:

 
First present "opening" of the season. Daddy did an amazing job putting this thing together the night before! There were soooo many parts!

 Christmas Eve with the whole family:

 Christmas morning...waiting for everyone to wake up so they can open presents:

 Samara's first Christmas:

 Anayah was spoiled blessed again this year with tons to open!

 I love her screams in this video:

Day 3 of opening presents. She may not look too excited about this chair but this was the ONLY picture I could get because she wouldn't keep still from jumping for joy when she saw it! Thank you to great-Grandma S. who surprised her with it. The pictures on the left are the pictures she took with my phone of her dolls sitting in the chair. Haha they had a photo shoot apparently :)

This cracks me up. In Anayah's words: "this is me and this is sissy" Bahahaha!!!

Hoping to post Samara's 10 month deets tomorrow. We'll see if it actually happens. Hope you had a wonderful Christmas!