Lunch with Daddy

Today Daniel took his entire office staff out to lunch at California Pizza Kitchen because they met their monthly goal. He invited Alyssa and I to join them and we had a good time. Alyssa was happy to meet all the people in daddy's office. She was even passed around the table so they all had a chance to hold her. She was definitely the center of attention!
Can't see Alyssa- she's hiding in her stroller

Alyssa and Mommy

Here are just some random pictures of me and my little angel. There are no words to express the joys of motherhood. It's only been 4 1/2 months and I don't remember how my life was before Alyssa was born and I couldn't imagine my life without her.

She loves being outside

Enjoying her bedtime story

Happy to be eating out

Visitors

Alyssa enjoys having people over to visit. Last week her great grandma and Auntie Robin came over to baby-sit. She's always so happy to see them and they're great babysitters! Lisa also came to visit us. Alyssa couldn't stop smiling while Lisa was holding her. Uncle Derek and Betty came to see her as well. I finally got a picture of Alyssa and Uncle Derek. =)

Aww...she blinked!

Happy with Auntie Lisa

"Nice to see you, Auntie Lisa!"

Yay...Uncle Derek and Betty!!

Playdate at the Aquarium

Since Alyssa is getting older, I've joined various playgroups. This is a great way to meet other moms and it gives us both a chance to get out of the house. We try to go to as many playdates as possible and so far Alyssa seems to enjoy it. She's still a bit young to play, but before I know it she'll be crawling around with all the other babies.

We recently went on a playdate to an Aquarium in Manhattan Beach with a playgroup that Jody and Bev are also in. Nathan loved entertaining Alyssa as much as he enjoyed looking at the fish. Both Chase and Alyssa were amazed by the shark tank. Daniel and I will have to get passes for the Long Beach aquarium soon.

Being entertained by her buddy Nathan

Ready to see the fish!

Chatting about the shark tank...

Rounhouse Aquarium

My First Mother's Day (Sorry it's so late...)

I apologize for the late post, but I had a great first Mother's Day! We celebrated twice- once at G-ma Briglio's and once at Great G-ma Awane's. It was such an honor for me this year to be included as one of the mommies!

At grandma Briglio's house it was the dad's (and Papa's) job to cook for the moms. They did such a great job! They prepared lasagna, stuffed chicken, salad, steak, and potatos. The food was delicious and it's going to be difficult to top the menu for Father's Day!

The celebration at great grandma Awane's was also fun. Alyssa was able to see her great grandma, grandparents, aunts, uncles, and all her cousins. My mom and aunt both got me orchids as my 1st Mother's Day gift. Motherhood is such an indescribable joy and I couldn't be prouder to be Alyssa's mommy.

Yay...now I'm one of the mommies!

Sound asleep...grandma has the magic touch!

My Mother's Day gifts

Smilin' pretty for the camera

Alyssa & Daddy

Chase loves grass..what a cutie!

Our first family trip...

Daniel, Alyssa, and I took our very first family trip for our two year anniversary. We stayed at the JW Marriott in Palm Desert. It's a baby friendly hotel and we saw many families with young babies and kids. It's so different travelling with a baby- you have to pack so much more gear, you have eat super early and super fast, and you're pretty much on the baby's schedule. It wasn't as difficult as I thought it would be though, and we all had a fun time. We took stroller walks outside our hotel, ordered room service and went shopping at an outdoor mall. We even got to go out to an early dinner at Morton's steakhouse, which was a nice treat. (The chocolate souffle there is the best thing ever!) It was a very relaxing weekend and I'm looking forward to our next family trip!

JW Marriott- It has a lake in the middle of the hotel.
They offer boat rides on the lake, but Alyssa is still
too young..maybe next time!

Lounging on the bed talking on the cell phone

Fun times in the stroller!

Yummy dinner at Morton's Steakhouse

(Too bad Alyssa doesn't seem to be enjoying the food)

Hanging out with mommy outside of our room

Shopping at the outdoor mall

Tired after a long, fun day...(look at her bed head!)

Hanging out with Baby Tamlyn

The other day Traci and Tamlyn came to visit us. This was the first time I saw Tamlyn in about a month and I can't believe how much she's changed. She weighs more than Alyssa now and is almost as tall. She has tons of hair and is soooo adorable! Alyssa was super happy to see Auntie Traci and her buddy Tamlyn. Pretty soon they'll both be crawling around and getting into trouble together!

Tamlyn is so tired after her car ride over...

Yay! Now she's awake!!

Happy and ready to play!

4 Month Check-up

Alyssa went in for her four month check-up. The Dr. is happy with her growth and weight gain. She weighs 12 lbs. 4 oz. and she's 24". Her Dr. said we could start with solid food now, but we're planning to wait until she's around 5 1/2 months. Our little baby is growing up so quickly!!

Yay...two feet!!

Sunday Lunch

Today Alyssa got to see Grandpa, Grandma Linda, Auntie Karin, Zoe, and Adrian. Her Grandpa brought lunch for us and she got to hang out with her cousins. She was so happy with all the attention she got from Grandpa and Grandma Linda.

Zoe is growing up so fast..she'll be two next month

Hanging out with cousin Adrian

Grandma Linda (uh-oh...tummy showing)

Sitting with Grandpa (drool on Grandpa's shirt)