Halloween 2009 - a first for everyone

This year, our Halloween was a bit more laid back. Lolo and Lola Kathy came in from AL to visit and the even brought a friend with them. Maya, Kathy's grand-daughter came to celebrate her 7th birthday (and to see the new baby.) Everyone fell in love with our little girl.

Uncle Tony and Aunt Liza even came over for a visit.

After a 3 hour family nap, we got ready for trick-or-treating. Jaiden couldn't decide what he wanted to be so I think the final verdict was a fire-fighter pirate. (notice the sword... which did eventually get ditched because it impeded his ability to run to the doors. Nothing like candy to motivate.) He started out just wanting to be a pirate but wouldn't put on the shirt. Then he switched from the pirate hat to the fire-fighter hat so there you go... I was originally just going to let Anna take Jaiden (and Maya) out but as she was walking out the door, she said, "Now, how do you do this again..." I remembered that she didn't grow up with holidays and had no clue how to trick-or-treat... I quickly grabbed the baby and some shoes so off we went...

Lilli was a zebra (thanks to aunt jess) complete with ears and a tail. She was nice and warm for a cold and rainy trick-or-treat.

Nanay was GREAT!!!! Jaiden said he wanted her to be a pirate too so, never the one to disappointed, she pulled this out of the closet. (I'm not sure how many people can randomly pull a pirate costume out of their closet but that's my girl!) What you can't see in this picture is the sword and the thigh high leather boots... I am so luck/ blessed to have such a wonderful family!


A few final notes. I realized again tonight that to me, trick-or-treating is a very odd tradition. As a parent, sending my 3 year old up to strangers doors for candy is more than a bit frightening. As an adult, I remember thinking of the parents who would drive their kids around in their van and how it was some how "cheating". This year, we were those parents...

Much Love and Hugs!!!
Steph, Anna, Jaiden and Lilli

Gran Gran ... part of the official Lillianna delivery team.... wooohoo!! Momma Steph, literally hours after giving birth, she is such a hostess....

Fuzzy baby love!!!

The kidzzzz ....No refund needed!!

Thanks Steph, you sure do make some pretty kidz....
Lovin' my family bigger to 'da sky!!

Amazing....

Happy Nanay (pronounced nie-nie)Love...love...love :)

The "real" story....by Nanay

It was a few days after her official due date and all through the house nothing was stirring, ok, Steph was stirring, being quiet as a mouse.

We started our hypnosis scripts and that just wouldn't do, so we found a rocker and some toast, nothing really new.

We relaaaaaaaxed and used our peeaaacccce ques, Kerry would be so proud, we were very calm and not very loud.

Call the midwife.."call back in 30, don't put her in water, it will slow things down.

Baby is on its way and the midwife is heading to town!

Mary (Steph's mom) hears us stirring and comes in to see. "What can i do?" Some towels and some blankies please....

No stopping now baby is on the way, she is wanting to come out and play....

We put steph in the shower to settle things down, it's as if we knew that speaker phone would have to do as midwife became coach, talking us through...

Watch for the head, watch for the cord, gently guide, a little pull and then sliiiiide... she had her water birth...so, it was in the tub, what a great way to come into the world...rub a dub dub...

Our little girl is here with very little fuss, gran-gran here to help was a great plus!

She has been weighed and measured, kissed and loved, too bad I didn't have time to get my catchers glove!!

She is finally here!!!

After a few extra days, our precious little girl is here. Lillianna Marie Banguilan was born at 6:53 am on 10/23/09 in our home. She weighs 9 lbs 9 oz and is 20.5" long. At the moment, she is sleeping peacefully in her swing and Nanay and Jaiden are at the Taste of Suwanee Festival (so it's a little quiet). I thought I would take this moment and write down some details before I forget so for those that are interested. It's a bit long and has lots of details so I posted it on my other blog at www.atlantahypnobabies.blogspot.com. Anna's versions is coming soon for "the rest of the story..."

All in all, it was a wonderful and very FAST birth. 3 hours from start to finish. Jaiden is doing GREAT too. He loves his little sister and is very helpful. He is getting plenty of attention and lots of play time with all of the friends that are stopping by.

The happy big brother.

Day 2: Lilli's first bath.

Waiting for Baby

Well, while we are waiting, we decided to have some fun with our (for the moment) only child. As well as keeping me busy and walking, the park up the street provided us with a well needed distraction. Monday, my mom, Jaiden, and I went to the park (after 2 Dr's appts) so we could all stretch our legs, get out of the car and get our minds off the fact that it really could be another week + before we meet our little one. So... here are a few pictures I managed to catch of Jaiden. He was a good bit more adventurous than normal which was great to see.
Love and hugs to all,
Steph, Anna, Jaiden and still???

39 weeks+ and a little catch-up

In preparation for our new little one's arrival, I've been cleaning, organizing, cleaning, cooking and buying the necessary items. Part of this process includes cleaning out the camera where I found some great pictures of some of our latest adventures (that I have neglected to put up.)

We've been very busy in the past month with an art show, a baby shower, belly casting and general preparations so we'll start with the art show. On September 26, 2009, Anna hosted yet another art show at her gallery (/our studio). For this one, she joined up with a local art teacher, Anita, and sponsored an art contest for kids. The name of the contest was "Art is for the Birds" in honor of Anna's mom who loved chickens and the fact that Anita loved penguins. Any submission that had to do with chickens or penguins was accepted. There were 8 awards given and included a free class at Anita's ArtsCool in Buford to each 'winner'. We had a great turn out with a lot of variety. In addition to all of the kids art, Anna had some new artist featuring their work as well. Anna and Jesika still showed a good bit of their work too. the evening was a great success that included a TV crew, live music by Reklin, face painting, a graffiti wall for all to contribute to and live art by Anna herself. (I didn't stay for the entire show as I was quite tired but Jaiden and I did make an appearance.) We didn't get pictures for that night but here is Anita and some of her art. If you would like to stop by, all of the art is still up and will be for another month. I think Anna is planning another show in the beginning of December but we'll keep you posted.

On to the baby shower...

We are so blessed to have such wonderful friends who decided that second babies need a little attention too. On Oct 3, Martina and Jesika threw a "She's about to pop" baby shower. We had a great time and Jaiden even got a lot of cool stuff too. Thanks to all that came out to celebrate the arrival of Banguilan baby 2 and of course to Martina and Jess for everything!

When I was pregnant with Jaiden, We decided that a great way to celebrate the pregnancy was to get some maternity photos taken. I really enjoyed the experience as well as looking back at the pictures. For this pregnancy, we decided to change it up a bit so we did a belly casting. For those who don't know what that is, basically you take a plaster mold of your pregnant belly then (if you choose) decorate it however you would like. In true Anna and Steph fashion, we invited a few friends (Jess - the other resident artist who is studying plaster casting in her 3d art class right now, and Crystal - our good friend, artist, fellow screen printer and photographer for 'the event') and made it a party. It was great fun, really messy, and went a lot quicker that we all thought but the casting turned out great.

Through all of the preparations, Jaiden has been the wonderful and amazing child that he has always been so it was a wonderful surprise and blessing that one of our clients (who has 2 young boys too) stopped by this week with a hugh box of dress up clothes that were just Jaiden's size. When I think of dress-up, I think of little girls but boys love it too. Throughout the past week, Jaiden has been trying one each of the costumes, posing for a quick picture and then promptly taking them off. I guess the act of getting dressed is more fun than the act of pretending to be something you know nothing about... Anyways, here are a few pictures and big thanks to Sherri!!!

So last but certainly not least, baby #2. As I write this, I am 39 weeks and 3 days pregnant. Anna and I are both very excited about meeting our new arrival even though I think we are the only ones being patient about it. We have all of our necessary supplies for the birth and beyond. I checked the weather and all is clear so we don't have to worry about the roads washing out. My mom is on here way up as we speak so now... we wait. I am constantly thinking of "one more thing" to do or to get but in reality, we're ready. Things have been feeling a bit different the past day or so but nothing major so next week, I'm going to spend with my mom and my wonderful son just relaxing and enjoying being a family of 3 until we become a wonderful family of 4. I have so many things I want to share with he new baby but I think that will not be on the world wide web. So for all of you out there waiting with baited breath, have no fear, we will post pictures as soon as he or she decides that the time in finally right.

With MANY hugs and loves,

Steph, Anna, Jaiden and bb2

ps - and yes, I can still smile at 39 weeks! ;)