These Kids Are Growing too Fast

The other day I was lounging comfortably on the couch when both Leila and Sefa decided that I needed company. Usually when the kids see me sitting down and relaxing, they see it as an invitation to crawl all over me as if I'm a jungle gym. I thought for sure they were going to attack this time, but instead they cuddled up be my sides, nestled into the couch, and drifted into a deep sleep . This behavior was very uncharacteristic of them. But I wasn't going to fight it. 

It was beautiful.

Besides...there's something magical that happens when they sleep. It's like you forget all the things they did that drove you nuts that day. As I laid there, I gazed upon them lovingly. I doted upon them. I smiled and just felt joy. I reflected on the little silly things they'd done that day and marveled at their growth and development. I'm so grateful for these moments that allow me to reflect and  remind me that children truly are a blessing from our Heavenly Father. 

I was also reminded that it's been a while since I've just done some updates on the kids...

So here it is...my attempt to make record of our little growing people. 

Starting with the Youngest....

Kid #3: Baby Fetus

Age: 
26 or 27ish  weeks in the womb...I stopped keeping track after my morning sickness phase ended. 

Approximate Birthday:
May 22nd, 2014

Hmmm..looking at this pic I definitely see that
 "Leila leave Sefa alone Face"
and
that I should stop wearing that shirt..smh lol

Gender: Boy

Loves to.... 
kick Mom's insides,
do somersaults after Mom's eaten,
 jump up and down on Mom's bladder

Get's excited when....
He hears/is near his siblings,
when Mom eats (especially chocolate!)

Is Calm/Still when...
Mom is yelling at his siblings,
Dad sings to him,
 Mom listens to Samoan music

Life's Ambition...
Be born safely and easily

Kid #2: Iosefa

Age:
2 years...he'll be turning 3 this year on July 11th

Loves: 
Disney's movie Frozen (let every parent say it with me...Frozen SO'O!!!), 
playing with toilet paper,
 running, playing in water, dancing, jumping off of anything, 
singing, playing with his sister
Hugging Mom's baby bump and giving Baby kisses.

Recent Accomplishments:
-potty trained!! (Yeesssss!!!! No more diapers/wipes till May)
-knows Article of Faith #1 and #2
-takes daytime naps without wetting the bed (but still wears a nappy to bed at night)

Favorite Songs:
-I am A Child of God
-"Oh McDonna Had a Parm" (he's still working on pronouncing things)

his "pukana"

- Let it Go (and I'm still waiting for him to let goooo of this blasted song)

Funny Things About This Kid:
-He's still a nightwalker....not afraid of the dark
- Hates wearing clothes...he would rather run around with a shirt and undies or shorts and undies...but never a full outfit unless we are leaving the house.
- He is very polite. Says his 'thank yous' and 'i'm sorry' all the time.
- He has the funniest facial expressions and uses his darling looks to try get out of things.
-When he's in the mood he is the best helper...when he's not in the mood...oka...useless booger.

Kid # 1: Leila

Age:
3 turning 4 (more like 14) on March 22

Loves: 
-Frozen
-the colors pink and purple
-anything that sparkles
-riding her bike
-telling everyone about her bike
-changing outfits throughout the day
-coloring or drawing
-taking pictures....mostly of herself
-hanging out with her cousins
-playing with Sefa
-watching her Dad paint

Funny things about her:
-she's only 3 yet understands the damaging effects of rain on freshly curled hair (I curled her hair for church and it was raining when we got to the chapel....first thing out of her mouth- "Dad we have to run cuz our hair is going to get wet!!!" and she was very serious about it too...orka dis girl)
- *hair related again* If she really likes her hairdo she will make sure she sleeps in a way that will cause the least amount of damage to her precious do....(Aljay was putting her to bed one time and told her to put her head down on the pillow and she said "But Dad it's gonna mess my hair!")
- she is a little bit bossy, tries to negotiate everything, wants to be Miss Independent, and becomes theeee most helpful, polite, courteous child when she wants something(dangit...just like da Mom)
All in all I love dis kid. She drives me crazy but I would go crazy without her.

Her ambition in life is to:
-do everything her mother says not to do...lol just kidding...but it sure seems that way sometimes/allll the time
-make it Disney land so she can meet Elsa and Ana in real life
-to be the best big sister possible









Well gosh...might as well just do updates on the Adult Kids too...why not?

Grown Kid #1: Aljay 

They looove washing dishes with Daddy

Age: 
28...two away from 30...dang.

Loves:
- His wife :) and kids
- Chuck a Rama's (buffet restaurant)
- art
- Church (duh)
- going to the gym (recent love affair that's caught flame again)

Challenges he currently faces:
-Sitting for long periods of time
-Working with haole's all day (it aint a racist thing....sometimes you just need to talk with people with similar backgrounds..forreals)
- Preventing his little artists (Leila and Sefa) from expressing their creativity allllll overrr his paintings..kalos
-Shaving his face (we've had this challenge since before we were married....and i'm still wondering when he'll phase back into the clean shaven look)

Goals he is currently working on:
- practicing and completing artwork
- reaching supermodel status (which means we are back to gym workouts, preworkout drinks, chicken breast and veggie meals, flexing in the mirror, and workout/gym stories).

Grown Kid #2: Sandra

Age:
26

Loves:
-husband and kids
-chocolate and chocolate
-church (always)

Challenges she currently faces:
-shaving her legs
-washing dishes
(because my belly sticks out so much I have to bend over and wash dishes or wash dishes almost tip toeing and allowing my belly to rest on the counter...but then it get's hard to turn side to side....no good #babybumpchallenges #shortgirlproblems #explainingit)
-exercising regularly (more like lifelong challenge)
-wearing clothes (things just aren't fitting anymore)

Goals she is working on:
-eating healthy
- exercising....more than once a week
- making dance costumes
-keeping the house clean...espeeeeeciaallyy with kid #1 an #2
-finding interesting meals to make (Since Aljay is getting all healthy I just eat whatever I make for him....so mostly meat and veggies/fruits...without salt, added fats, and you know...everything that tastes good lol
It's a good challenge though...and I really don't mind it too much....but every now and then I just want some delicious non nutritious CARBS and FATS :)


Pregnancy/Birthing Updates...

Mom is preparing by...

1. regularly exercising.....kind of...not really....but trying

2. eating healthy....but my 2nd trimester healthy food cravings have been replaced with chocolate cravings. It's like Aljay and I have switched cravings for our last trimester....boo...I don't like having to exercise my self control. Good thing Aljay is on a health kick. I can tag along and eat his meals as long as I can stand it. 

3. Reading/Researching/learning about different birthing techniques, breathing and relaxation, and all that stuff that most first time mother's do (Yes I'm two kids late but better late than never). I have a library card now so I'm checking out books while I'v got the library buzz. Most recent reading material-> Hypnobirthing. It's pretty mean...anyways...moving along.

Mom is looking forward to...

-A safe non medicated vaginal birth (I had epidurals with the first two and hated being strapped to monitors, ivys, and being in a bed the whole time). So I'm really striving to give birth without any of the extra stuff. 

- Meeting our Son

FAMILY TIME

Since we get to do family outings once a month, we decided to use the Valentines weekend to get some quality time in.

Friday (Valentines Day)- We ate out at Golden Corral buffet before doing some grocery shopping. It was nice to not have to cook and clean that night.

Then Saturday, after returning from our hula classes, we decided to go swimming at the Rec center in Provo. The kids LOVED it. I took my camera and was excited to take pics of the kids having fun....but when I sat in the water I just melted into relaxation and I didn't care to leave the pool for anything unless going bathroom or going home. It was sooooooooooooooo nice to be in a warm and humid place and to relax in the water. So no pics. But maybe next time.

Then the following Friday we had Aljay's cousin's come over for to'ona'i. It was so much fun to have our family with us and to have Leila and Sefa play with their cousin. Got us all sorts of excited for the family reunion coming up in a few months. 

Aljay, Algie, his fiance Kaniai, Baby Austin, Henna and his wife Teisa, Ary, Me and Monkey 1 and 2. 

Austin, Sefa, Leila #1stcousins