One year ago...

I met my sweet Alana Joy... on my birthday. :) Forever changing the way I celebrate turning another year older. Forever changing the way our family celebrates daily life.

My sweet sweet Lana-lady,

Has it only been a year since you were this little? Has it only been one year since our entire family dynamic changed to include such an incredible bundle of JOY?

While I remember how life was before you, quite honestly, I don't prefer the memory. It doesn't feel complete. It doesn't feel as ...what's the word?...sweet.

You just bring such a light, joyful spirit to our home. There's no other way to put it. Yes, you laugh a lot. Yes, you are soo incredibly sweet, with your never complaining and never protesting. But there's something more to it... something deeper about the spirit that God has put in you.

And I'm yet to pinpoint it. but I rejoice in the fact that I have years and years to define it...and the immediate present, to enjoy it.


This is, by far, my favorite picture of you to date. I think it gives a sneak peak into the tangible joy that is written on your very DNA. It just captures so much of your sweetness.

At this point in life, you're not walking. or even standing for long periods of time. But I'm not worried because it's just like you. For just like the day you were born, you hung out in the birth canal for 45 minutes. unmoving. in no obvious rush.

And then *bam* out you, literally, flew.

That's how you seem to embrace life. You take your time. embracing a content patience that I don't think many possess. And then suddenly out of no where, your new talent and/or stage in life comes flying forth.

Out you fly.

You did it with crawling. You did it with saying Mama and Dada. You just go from all to nothing in a matter of seconds. It seems to be your way.

And I pray the Lord gives me wisdom on how to effectively mother you in a way that doesn't squelch that God-given trait in you. that I won't push you to do something outside of your naturally readiness. that I don't encourage you to become frustrated with by own impatience. that I learn, by watching you, how to sit back and wait for the *bam* Suddenly of God in your life.

You don't say as much as your sisters did at this age, though I think it's mostly because of the fact that you always have your two fingers in your mouth. (hopefully your *bam* mentality will come into play when you stop sucking your fingers...before you turn 10) ;)

But you babble a LOT. constantly trying to engage strangers in conversation. though you are not one to actually want to be held by those engaged strangers. You only like who you know...but apparently want others to take notice of you and your captivating brilliance. :)

At both nap and bed times, you are the easiest little thing. I put you in your bed. we play a little peek-a-boo behind the door. and then I walk out...and you talk yourself to sleep.

I've even gotten up in the middle of the night to go to the bathroom (preggo bladder and all) and I've heard you talking to yourself. in the pitch black. as content as can be.

You're a climber...and don't like to be trapped behind gates or obstacles. And you definitely don't like being in a different room than your sisters...you watch them like hawks, wanting to be just like them.

The future interaction of all my little girls sooo excites me.

I love my daughters. I love the relationship they all share. I love the fact that I get to be their mom... I think I have to be living out the most blessed life possible.

the lives of my sweet daughters proclaim this loudly. daily.

We celebrated Lani on Sunday with some family. where Jet had the camera, as you can see...

What can I say? I think he likes my body lacks photography skills. Don't ask me what he was thinking. I have my *cough cough* theories...but I'll refrain from making them. *grin*

But good thing is that this would be my first pregnancy pic. Pathetic, huh? But here I am at 25 weeks pregnant. :)

Well what do you know? We have heads. ;) (excuse the blank kitchen wall...I'm yet to find/put up a picture that goes with our newly redecorated home...one day)


Looking at the cake...

eating it, ever so daintily...
Unfortunately, I didn't get a picture of her messy face. She started crying once the cake was done. So Daddy picked her up and cleaned her off. Oh well, I'm sure there are many more messy faces in our immediate future, huh?

But she perked back up when she saw her presents...

How I love this little girl! In fact, I'm having difficulty finding the words. But I'm soo soo thankful that all I have to do is wake up in the morning, go in her room, and see her sweet face to be able to experience it all over again.

I pray I never, ever take that for granted.